Beginnings

Standard disclaimer: JK Rowling created the characters and setting for this story. This was work is not being produced for commercial gain.

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"Good work Neville."

Neville almost dropped his trowel so intent was he on replanting the aconite into a larger pot. Professor Sprout could move remarkably quietly when she wanted "You too Ron. It's obvious you have both done some gardening work before. Now I'm going to split you two boys up.

There are some here not so familiar with plants. Ron could you partner Sophie? Which means Sally-Anne can come here and work with Neville."

Neville had to keep his eyes on the plants they were repotting as he explained to Sally-Anne about the required depth needed for the new plant. Every time he looked at her she smiled at him and he lost the ability to speak until he forced his eyes back to the hole and the fertilizer and the cutting.

Much safer that way. The following week Ron had returned to working with Harry. Neville hoped to and got to be paired again with Sally-Anne again.

So the year continued, the only conversations Neville had with Sally-Anne were either about compost or the ones carried out entirely in his head where he called her pretty and she would kiss him.

A.N.

The start of a series of short tales. If you are a reader of Odds and ends some of these will befamiliar to you.