Summary: Neville's grandmother passes away and he finally decided to live life the way he wishes too. A new inheritance, nice Slytherins, and evil Gryfindors, my oh my. Will Neville succeed in his new life? Eventual slash. NL/DM
Disclaimer: I don't own any of it. It all belongs to J.K. Rowling. No money is made from this.
Note: This is my first story ever so please be nice. I don't mind constructive criticism and new ideas to improve my writing. Enjoy!
Chapter 3: Buy a clue
It's been a month since his grandmum's passing and Neville's summer couldn't be more relaxing. He finally was able to do things he wanted. No more trying to appease her when she was cranky or explaining why he wanted to do things people his age wanted to do. Now he was even allowed to visit his parents whenever he wanted without having to hide the fact that his mother gave him a gift. The gift was only a gum wrapper but it was still something, so kept it to keep hope that his mother still recognizes him as someone.
He fixed the cottage up a bit by making the place more cozy and decided to only invest his money in some stocks. 'Why bother with a huge house for one person when I'm gone for more then half a year?' Neville reasoned. However the newly acquired house-elves from signing for the Barbier fortune was surprising. He never though that he would ever be in possession of one, so he didn't really know what to do with them. The two house-elves were named Kip and Libby. Libby loved to cook while Kip just cleaned all day. Neville always ate with them and helped keep the house clean, but made it very clear to them that they were not allowed to do the gardening. Neville refused to allow anyone touch his plants. At first the house-elves thought this odd but eventually learned that his requests and behaviour was not an insult to them, but rather Neville's way of doing things. He gave them time off to do anything they wanted when they were bored too, which labeled him "the greatest wizard".
Over time the house-elves became a confidence of sorts. They were very helpful especially when they reminded him of things. He loved them for that alone. Soon Neville began talking to them when they were hanging around while he tended his plants. He told them of Hogwarts, his family and his friends.
"They don't sound like Master Neville's friends sir" Kip squeaked. Neville glared at him but softened when Kip became tense and apologized profusely for being out of line. He then shook his head and told them never to be afraid of speaking their minds, no matter what.
"I'm sorry I frightened you Kip, I wasn't angry with you it's just you said what I was thinking for the past couple of years."
Libby and Kip became bolder after that. Libby went as far as purging his closet and told him to go shopping after getting him some wizard clothes catalogues. Kip even persuaded him to buy a small greenhouse for Neville's more sensitive plants. Neville began toying with the possibility of creating his own business for his plants. There was no competition out there that satisfied various potions masters, herbal healers, and regular gardeners. He could be a triple threat if he wanted to. If he weren't so afraid of Professor Snape, he would ask him what kind of ingredients he normally uses and see if his plants were better for potions. He knew that many plants are the determining ingredients for potions potency. 'Perhaps a business is exactly what I need'