Falling For You by Busted

Chapter 4

It was now early December, and things were slowly starting to improve. I still had my daily tutoring lessons with Longbutt and I was finally progressing. Although, I was still quite far behind in class, but Neville seems quite happy with my progress so I gave myself a break on things surround Herbology. Thorncroft finally handed in his notice- forced by McGonagall. Ana and I were getting along well too, so basically ever since Scorpius was suspended, things have started to improve.

"Hello?" Ana called out to me, "Earth to Marcia?"

We were both in potions, apparently making liquid death according to what was written on the blackboard. I looked up at Ana, who was stirring a murky brown substance in her cauldron. "What were you saying?"

Ana rolled her eyes, "I was asking if you were staying at school for Christmas, because I was wondering if you'd want to stay at mine for a few days. Father wouldn't mind, he's never there anyway."

Staring into my own cauldron thoughtfully, I twirled my already curly hair round my fingers. I wanted to go to Ana's, but mother would never let me go. She never liked Ana's parents or Ana for that matter. I knew I was going to have to be firm with her; she never takes no for an answer.

I gave her an uncertain look, "I don't think I'd be allowed Ana. I'm really sorry, I really want to but you know my mother. She's been wary of everyone I know ever since father was…you know."

"Can't you do anything other than precious Mummy's wishes?" Anastasia spat, her piercing blue eyes glaring back at me. "Don't come to mine then, I'll ask Lauren. She might appreciate it a bit more than a stuck up bitch like you."

I stared after her with my mouth gaping as Ana walked out of Potions, her bleach blonde hair flying behind her. While I was staring at her in shock, many of the boys were staring after her in awe; Ana was half Veela so the attention was natural for her.

"Marcia, your potion!" Professor Slughorn yelled as he rushed over. I looked down at my cauldron, the thick liquid was bubbling and my cauldron was starting to melt. I used a spell to put out the fire, but Slughorn looked far from impressed.

"You've always been talented at Potions Marcia so I have no idea what has gotten into you." He pulled out his wand and pointed it at the liquid, "Tergeo." The potion started to evaporate until it was non-existent.

"I'm really sorry Sir, I got distracted." I grimaced at the state of my cauldron; it was hardly fit for use anymore.

Professor Slughorn gave me a concerned look, "Hm, okay. I hope this doesn't happen again, understood?" I nodded briskly, "You're usually one of the best students, so I let you off this time. I know that Professor Thorncroft used to teach this class but-"

He stopped talking abruptly and rubbed his eyes as I felt the whole room go quiet. Everyone knew about what happened now, and people believed my story this time. "I apologise Marcia…now go on everyone, you can go. We'll test your potions next lesson."

I picked up my bag and left in a rush; I had Herbology next and it was last lesson, so I was having my tutoring session straight afterwards.

When I reached the greenhouse, a strange sense of dread filled my mind. Neville and I were having a lot of heart to hearts lately, and it was bizarre to think that he was my professor. He was far more like a friend than anything else, but the dread that I felt was getting harder to ignore. I couldn't help but think that we were getting too close, especially since I was his student. I couldn't do any deep thinking anymore as Longbutt had made his appearance.

"Hello class," Neville smiled sadly, "Come in and get on with your projects you have been working on."

I frowned slightly as the greenhouse slowly filled up with chattering teenagers. Neville was acting quite sombre, and his usually bouncy stride was now a solemn stroll. I didn't want to ask him during class because that would bring up questions, and the attention would be the last thing I need. Instead, I worked on my project about water plants and kept to myself, only giving one word answers to Rose's questions. After what seemed like hours, I looked up at the clock and realised that we were 10 minutes past the end of the lesson.

"Sir?" I began, "The lesson finished 10 minutes ago."

Neville looked up at the clock and sighed tiredly. "Sorry class, off you go. I'm very sorry about this, just leave your things behind and I'll clear it up for you."

The class left quickly, muttering under their breaths in annoyed tones. I purposely stayed behind the rest of the group, and by the time they had gone, I rushed over to Longbutt's desk.

"What's wrong?" I asked worriedly, chucking my bag onto the floor and sitting in the seat by his desk.

"Nothing. Just go Marcia...You're too young to understand anyway" Neville muttered; he walked round the classroom picking up what was left behind.

I tried to cover up how hurt I felt; he's never picked up on my age before and it was startling to see how annoyed he was. "I'm not an idiot Neville." I spat, "I may be younger than you but who are you to say whether I'll understand or not? I thought you were different compared to all the other teachers, but you're just the same."

I huffed my way through the desks, but Neville grabbed my arm.

"I'm sorry Marcia, please forgive me. I've just…been having a tough time at the moment." Neville looked at me intently. He looked completely exhausted; he had bags under his eyes and his face looked sullen and pale.

I wanted to pull away and leave with saying a word, but the desperation in his eyes was too much to ignore. We stared into each other's eyes for a few seconds until it became far too awkward.

"You look a mess," I chuckled nervously as I looked away.

"Thanks," Neville grumbled, "How about we go to the Herbology staff room?"

"There's a Herbology staff room?" I asked intrigued, this was news to me.

"Yeah, it's mainly because the greenhouses are quite far away from the other staff room, and there are more Herbology professors. It's quite small, but it's good enough." He lead me through to the staff room and we sat down in the plump armchairs. Plants were scattered everywhere, some were hanging from the ceiling or in decorated plant pots, and the walls were a pale green. There were four small armchairs and a bookcase in one corner, this room was definitely small but it was cosy and inviting.

"Why haven't you showed me this before?" I asked as I looked around in amazement.

Neville watered a plant using his wand, "Well it's usually being used so I can't show you then, can I? No one is using it now because they've gone down for dinner."

I never felt more comfortable with a teacher, especially in a staff room. This felt strange to me, "Now…" I paused, "What's wrong?"

Longbutt shuffled uncomfortably, "Gran's...died."

"She's…died?" I said pathetically, Neville's gran was a big part of his life; she looked after him throughout his childhood.

Neville nodded, "She died yesterday at St Mungos. She knew that she was on her last legs so she put herself there to be close to mum and dad…" He paused quickly and his face screwed up. I knew he was about to cry but I wasn't sure of what to do. He bent over slightly to put his head in his hands and started to sob loudly, it sounded like he'd been holding it in for some time. I got up quietly and sat on the arm rest of his chair while he sobbed uncontrollably. Should I comfort him? I had a silent debate in my mind, if I comforted him that would be overstepping the student/teacher boundary, but surely this was different? The poor man was sobbing his heart out…but I still couldn't convince myself that this was right.

'Just do it…' I thought to myself. Grimacing at the thought of Neville's reaction, I gingerly put my arm around his shoulder comfortingly. He stirred slightly when my arm was fully round his shoulders but he soon carried on crying. I moved slightly closer until the side of my body was leaning against his and his crying started to cease.

"T-thanks Marcia…"Neville got up slowly and wiped his puffy eyes, "I'm sorry you had to see that."

I got off the chair and stared up into his watery eyes, "Don't be sorry, you only lost her yesterday, you're bound to cry."

Neville smiled slightly, "You're a good person Marcia, don't forget that."

"Urm…thanks." I blushed as I put my fringe behind my ear. We were very close but it didn't seem to both either of us.

"You know, you're more of a friend than a student Marcia…and that scares me." Neville looked down slightly and his smile started to falter.

"Why does that scare you?" I asked, despite the answer being very obvious.

Neville chuckled hoarsely, "Don't worry Marcia, and ignore me. It's definitely the grief talking." He moved around as if he was uncomfortable. "You should go, you'll miss dinner."

"Yeah," I paused, "See you…" I walked out of the staff room and the classroom. My stomach grumbled loudly, begging me for some food, but I wasn't going to dinner. I had too much to think about, and it's all because of Professor Longbottom.

A/N: This is a short chapter and I was going to make it longer, but as I have so much homework (year 10 is not fun…) I'm going to write shorter chapters so there more regular, unless you would rather have longer chapters and I'll update less often. Please tell me Anyway, thank you 'itremindsyou' for reviewing. PLEASE REVIEW! :D

~HEREGOESMYREPUTATION