so here we are with the fourth chapter. as always I want you to remember that english is not my first language, so don't hesitate to tell me when I am wrong.
It had been nearly two months since Neville begun school, and the young boy finally finds his marks in this big castle. Okay he often arrives late in class cause he's lost but it's becoming easier everyday.
Classes are not that bad in the end. At last him who we thought Squib for so many years tends to keep up with the courses, it may be with difficulties but Neville works very hard to pass this year.
To do that he found an ally in the person of Hermione Granger, the young muggle born, who helped him find Trevor in the train on his first day. She is by far the best student in school, better than any student with magical parents. Hermione is always in the library and often helps Neville with his homeworks, but since she befriended Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, the young girl hangs out more with them , leaving Neville all alone.
Of course it hurts the young wizard, but who could blame her; Harry Potter is a hero and Neville is just a young boy who forgets everything and stutters. It's not like Harry and Ron are bad guys, they are very nice and good friends, but since Halloween and their frightening encounter with a three headed monster, the two boys and Hermione are always whispering as if they are preparing a bad thing.
On this Friday afternoon Neville is heading towards the library . Since Hermione is not so much there anymore, Neville finds himself lacking of motivation to study; but monday the young boy has a test in Potions the class he hates the most in the world, and the young boy wizard had to study if he wants a good grade and so not to receive the anger of his loving grandmother. Fortunately for him , he had been accepted at Gryffindor, that was what Augusta wished. On his way to the library Neville comes across Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan, two other boys from first year.
"Hey Neville. You come with us? we are going to the lake to play with the giant squid. proposes Seamus, with a big smile on his face.
-Yeah it's going to be so cool, the Weasley twins taught us some move to try on the Giant Squid to piss it off." add Dean who can't wait to have fun with the sea creatures.
Neville is torn, he wishes he could go with his friends, but the reminder of the look of professor Snape who teaches the Potions, full of disgust in regard of his last work is still haunting him. He had to study to have his test. So it's with regret in his voice that the young wizard answers:
"I can't, I have to go to the library to study for the Potion test.
-Oh…so good luck, we will tell you tonight what happened, and join us anytime you want." says Dean to Neville as him and Seamus are leaving.
Crap it's so not cool, thinks Neville, a beautiful afternoon and I have to stay stuck indoors for a class I don't understand, and for which I would have a bad mark.
It's grumbling and with regrets that Neville enters the library , Mrs Pince, the keeper of the books and librarian, nods to him when he passes. The favorite spot of the young wizard is at the end of the room, there is hidden by shelves a small table, which is set back from the others. This spot is the favorite of the young boy who is feeling like this table, far from the other.
Unfortunately for him, it seems that today was not a good day for him. Two students are already sitting at the table, a young fist year who is in Hupplepuff,and who Neville recognizes from some of his courses. Her name is Chloe , she is rather petite, with long brown hair always on a bun and wearing some glasses. In front of her, stands older guy trying to explain to her a Potion lesson. All the library is already occupied, there is only this spot left.
Uncertain for a few seconds the young wizard decides to sit at the table and to try to mind his own business, and be the more discreet possible.
" Okay you see Chloe, that is your problem. Here you wrote that you add the beans of goat when the liquid is dark blue , but in fact you have to add them when the liquid is a clear blue. I know it's not written in the book and Snape love to set a trap to his students with this.
-It's completely stupid, if I succeed , he's gonna tell that I cheat and if I do the mistake I will not have a good mark . Either way I am screwed. says the young Hupplepuff.
-Don't be so pessimist, you will just have to say that you asked at your favorite cousin who is the best from fourth year in Potion to help you.
-Whatever… we'll see after the test;" answers Chloe going back to her notes.
Neville who couldn't help hearing their conversation from the beginning ,is again torn. The young boy who is helping Chloe seems to know a lot about Potion and could help him. But that would mean asking for help, and what if Chloe cousin doesn't want to help him, star to laugh at him.
It's literally ten minutes that his mind debates about this when Neville hears himself asking:
"Hmm excuse me, I….I heard you talking about…the potion test and I …I mean if it's not too much trouble."
The two Hupplepuff rise their heads and Cedric Diggory answers with a big smile:
"Of course no problem. I am in fourth year and I really like potions. You are a first year like this small creatures. says the blond guy designing Chloe.
-Hey be nice. answers angrily the first year
-Yeah. And if don't do well on the next test i will have some serious trouble. answers Neville feeling relaxed.
-With your parents? I got it man, with them it's always the same thing you have to be on top of everything. continues Cedric. So what is bothering you with potions… I am sorry I don't know your name.
-Neville. Neville Longbottom thanks for helping me. Actually I am a mess I don't understand a single thing in Potions.
-Ok I see, so we will start from the beginning, I will try to clarify everything for you. If you don't understand something don't be shy and tell me. "says Cedric with an encouraging smile.
And so for the next three hours, Cedric patiently teaches all his knowledge to the two first years. Explained by Cedric, potions become more easy for the young Gryffindor. At the end this test could go well.
Later on this evening, in the Gryffindor common room, everybody is excited at the approach of the first Quidditch match, which would take place the following day. Indeed this Saturday Gryffindor would play against Slytherin. The green and silver always wins the Quidditch Cup, which annoys the red and gold. But fortunately for them, this year they have a secret weapon with the presence of Harry Potter in the Quidditch team as a seeker. With him, their victory is assured.
Everyone is doing some banners to support and cheer their team and house. Neville him is writing a letter to his grand mother, next to Hermione who is reading a big book.
Dear Grandmother,
I am happy to learn that you once again beated aunt Enid at the bridge game.
How are you? Is uncle Algie taking good care of my plants and of the garden?
For me everything is great, I really like Hogwarts, and classes are hard but very interesting.
Monday I have got a test in Potions with Professor Snape, so today I was at the Library to study. By luck, there was a fourth year named Diggory who agreed to help me, and at the end I think it will go well.
Tomorrow it's the first match of Quidditch from the season, and the first one I could see, Harry Potter will play as seeker. I believe I already told you in a previous letter , that I am a little bit responsible for the fact he's in the team. I can't wait to see the match, Dean Thomas, one of my friend has prepared a banner with lions on it, it's going to be so great.
I miss home, and you of course grandmother, and our visits at the hospital. I suppose that their state is still the same? Tell them I think of them, and that I will do everything I can to make them proud of me.
Take care of you.
Your grandson Neville.
"You were writing to your grandmother? asks him Hermione as the young boy close his letter.
-Yes. I am trying to write to her once a week. answers Neville taking his things.
-She's lucky to have a grand son like you, so kind and nice. says the young girl still reading her book.
-I don't know, I think that maybe it's the other way around and that I am the lucky one to have her in my life. answers embarrassed Neville.
-Don't under estimate yourself Neville. You're worth way more that you think. "says Hermione this time closing her book and looking him straight in this eyes.
Later in his bed, Neville can't stop turning around, thinking again and again of what Hermione said to him, and it's finally at the first glimmer of sun that the young boy falls asleep.