The scarf
Disclaimer: This is a work of Fan Fiction set within the Harry Potter universe. As such all Characters and Locations belong to J.K. Rowling and this work is not being produced for commercial gain.
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The summers sun, hadn't reached this part of The Dingle yet. Having said that there hadn't been much of a summer. Fogs and mists had stayed around much later than they should.
Neville pulled the black and yellow scarf closer around his neck, her scarf. After she had left without a word, without a warning, after he had plucked up the courage to ask Susan if she knew what had happened, why she had gone, she brought him her scarf.
He had worn it during quidditch games supporting the puffs, at least when they went playing against the lions. Now he wore it for warmth and hope. His eyes wandered the paths, looking for her, a black clad girl with red hair caught his attention but it wasn't her. She was too young, the girl from his memories, not as she would be now a young woman.
He always spent some of his summers here, ever since the year she hadn't returned. Sneaking away from his gran, catching the knight bus. Just walking the old town, or sitting by the castle.
This year clutching his license, he had apparated in. He had walked the paths beside the Severn and ended up here in this section of formal gardens. To his professional eye it was a mish mash of styles, it shouldn't have worked but it did.
Still as pretty as the gardens were, it wasn't why he was here. Summer was drawing to a close. Every day brought it closer to the end, every day he crossed off another day on the calendar. It would end as all summers did with him boarding the train, alone as usual.
He didn't know why he let this obsession with the fiery haired girl eat him alive but it felt as if something had died when she left.
Maybe it was the scarf, that black and yellow that Sue had got for him. It was still damp with her tears when he had first got it. He swore he could still smell her scent on it.
He knew that this year would be the last time he did this. This was the last year of peace. When he got to that last cross on the calendar when summer finally came to its end, then he knew it would be time to grow up, to put away childish things. It would be time to take his place in society and to take a stand.
It was sad knowing how it would end but for now, he watched and waited for a second chance. The station, the train, the castle and the last day could all wait for the last cross on the calendar. Until then he would wear her scarf and wait for second chances.
