Chapter Two- Sometimes all you need is a Mandrake.
{Disclaimer: Neville and Hogwarts belong strictly to Rowling. Ophelia, though, is mine!}
Neville's walked to Herbology with a jump in his step, it was his last and favorite class of the day, plus, Ophelia was in the class. And, he maybe wouldn't lose his hold on a mandrake because of her eyes, probably. It certainly was crazy that he couldn't divert his attention from her, and he'd only really noticed her this morning. It was those eyes; they seemed so familiar; so loving, even though he barely knew her.
Ophelia sighed, with happiness. It really was nice, having friends, sitting just a few seats away from her brother. It would take some time for her to get used to it, though. And, Neville... She didn't know, he sort of confused her. Like there was something there, that she couldn't quite grasp. But, it wasn't something bad, it was a peculiar feeling in the pit of her stomach, almost like nervousness and amazement at the same time.
Ophelia waked into Herbology and glanced at the board. She smiled as she realized what the board said. They were switching seats today! She could sit where ever she pleased! She scrutinized the greenhouse, and vetoed sitting on the Slytherin side if the room. There was an empty seat beside Neville... Should she? She went on a gut feeling and approached him.
"Hullo Neville!" Ophelia greeted.
"Er, Hello!" Neville nervously responded.
Why was she talking to him? He wondered, it was a feeling of excitement and nervousness that collided in his stomach.
"Erm, do you think I could sit here?" Ophelia asked, gesturing at the empty seat next to Neville.
"Yeah, of course!" Neville responded with happiness.
"Thanks!" Ophelia said, sitting down on the stool next to Neville,
She put her bag on the ground next to her chair, tapping her feet as they waited for class to start.
As Neville had predicted, they were repotting mandrake today. Professor Sprout put them to work as soon as she passed out the earmuffs. Sprout smiled approvingly as she saw Ophelia and Neville sitting next to each other.
Neville started to work excitedly, Ophelia soon starting after him. They worked diligently for the remainder if the class period. They exchanged no words due to the earmuffs.
There were five minutes till the end of class, so everyone started stacking up the pots and handing back the earmuffs. Neville took this as an opportunity to talk to Ophelia.
"That was fun, wasn't it!" Neville commented to Ophelia.
"Oh yeah, mandrakes are always fun, a bit tedious though." Ophelia responded.
"Erm, Ophelia, do you think you'd want to, uh, well, study together in the library today?" Neville felt stupid just saying it. Why would she want to study with him?
"Yeah! That'd be great! What time do you think?" Ophelia replied enthusiastically.
"Maybe around three?" Neville answered.
Just then the bell for the end of classes rung. They said their goodbyes and went their separate ways.
Ophelia walked into the Slytherin common room that afternoon, very freely. She was very relaxed, so she didn't notice Malfoy and Parkinson on the sofa.
"Hanging out with the Gryffindors are you?" Pansy commented, with a vicious smirk.
"Is there a problem?" Ophelia asked back, defending herself.
"Whatever, Rein, get the hell out of here." Malfoy commanded.
"You're telling me, Malfoy? I'd bet anything that you'd want to get away from that hag there." Ophelia commented, clearly pushing her luck.
Neither of them commented then, so Ophelia proceeded to the girl's dormitory. She went to her part of the room, and shoved some books into her book bag. She pondered her appearance in the mirror, deciding on just combing her hair and washing her face. She wondered why she was worrying about her appearance so much. It was just Neville and the library. Neville... The name made her blush and her stomach lurch.
Neville entered the Gryffindor common room, in a bit of a rush.
"In a hurry, Neville?" Hermione questioned.
"Ah, yeah. I'm meeting Ophelia at the library is ten minutes." Neville responded, nervously.
"Oh, don't worry Neville. You'll be fine." Hermione reassured.
Neville gave a thankful nod and proceeded to the boy's dormitory.
Neville scrutinized his appearance in the mirror. He looked the same as he always did. His brown hair was parted cleanly, and his light brown eyes glazed with anticipation. He smiled. Yes, he could do this, he thought to himself. He reached into a drawer in the dresser, intending to grab a hair brush. He accidentally picked up a piece of paper. It was a photograph, of his parents. His smile faltered a bit, when he saw the picture. He brightened up soon enough though; he knew they'd be proud of him. He looked at his mother, not able to miss her eyes. Her eyes! That's it! They were the exact shade of Ophelia's! They had the same loving depth to them. Neville sighed. This Ophelia, she was so perfect seeming. He shook his head, he was so fortunate to have the chance to spend time with her. He wanted badly for them to be friends, maybe more than that... He shook his head, no; he couldn't do that so soon.
Neville quickly combed his hair, and washed his face. He made his way to the common room, and glanced around a bit. He checked the time; he was to be in the library in five minutes. He decided to start walking, he didn't want to be waiting there for her, and it would come off as creepy. And, if he was late, it would look like he didn't care.
Ophelia exited the common room, glad to see that Malfoy and Parkinson were gone. She started walking to the library, keeping her pace steady. His face kept appearing in her mind. She almost tripped; the thought of him shook her so deeply. She shook her head, what was this? She was usually a pretty composed person, keeping everything to herself.
The library quickly came into view. Ophelia quickly glanced through the window. There was Neville! He had just walked in, and was sitting at a table near the window. How had he known that was her favorite table? She walked in, a bit nervously. He noticed her, and smiled.
"Hullo, Ophelia!" Neville greeted, as she sat down.
"Wotcher, Neville!" Ophelia responded back, enthusiastically.
He smiled, her presence made him so happy.
"What class do you want to study for?" He inquired.
"Erm, well Herbology isn't my strongest subject, but you're brilliant at it." Ophelia responded.
"You're pretty good, but I guess I could give you a couple of pointers, if you want." Neville stuttered, blushing.
"That'd be great. Is there anything you need help with?" Ophelia asked, her eyes sparkling with interest.
"Er, potions; if you wouldn't mind." Neville asked, sheepishly.
"Of course not. I'm not the best at it, and I can't really help you with actual potion making, but we can focus on the theory." Ophelia answered.
"Yeah, that would help quite a bit." Neville said, gratefully.
They studied diligently for an hour or two. Helping each other, catching each other mistakes. Neville sincerely understood the art of potion making, when Ophelia explained it. Ophelia could avidly envision in her head, the plants that Neville cherished, while he explained the intricate background of every plant he'd ever seen. It was very educationally stimulating for both of them.
"Do you want to go outside for a bit?" Ophelia asked. "We've been studying for quite a while."