"Where are you going with your rubber boots?" Min looked at me questioningly and pushed her glasses up her nose.
"I have herbology tutoring," I said rolling my eyes, "I told you that last night but you didn't seem to listen again."
I defiantly put on my jacket.
"Not in that tone. And you clean your boots before you enter the castle again later Mr Filch is not to be trifled with."
And already her attention was back on her book and she didn't see me roll my eyes and mutely mimic her.
A few minutes before 2pm I was already standing outside the Great Hall waiting for Neville.
I heard voices from the corridor and then Malfoy and his friends were on my level as well. I demonstratively looked at my boots, hoping I would just be invisible.
"What are those ugly shoes Harper? You do realise that you're not in a dirty stable here like you are at home.
You don't dress like a tramp here."
Everyone laughed and I took a deep breath.
If I didn't say anything now, they'd keep hounding me with stupid remarks for the rest of the year. Besides, they should see that the silly little Hufflepuff could be quite quick-witted.
"They're pretty handy Malfoy, if I step in something disgusting and slimy I can just wash it off.
Unfortunately, this tip comes too late for you, because your hair looks so disgusting and slimy, I wouldn't even want to step in it with my wellies," I glared at him and the surprise on his face at the unexpected counter was a pleasant satisfaction.
His friends seemed quite surprised too, their previous laughter died away and they all looked at Malfoy.
Malfoy was apparently still caught off guard because he didn't say anything and was still glaring at me.
If looks could kill, then I would be dead, absolutely dead but his stare couldn't do that, so I hoped.
And before I could delve into my thoughts on death stares Neville stepped in and grabbed me by the arm and said as he pulled me away from the group,
"Come on Daisy, enough trouble for today. Let poor Malfoy think of a counter and then I guess he'll report back. In the meantime, we study."
Out of the corridor he quickened his steps, not letting go of my arm as he did so and dragged me like this all the way to the greenhouses.
"You have real courage but you have to be careful, he's more dangerous in the big group, then he wants to impress his mates.
If you give him such a talking do it when no one else is listening, otherwise he'll curse you faster than you can say Quiddich," he said as he pulled the door to the greenhouse shut and finally let go of my arm.
"Quiddich?", I looked at him questioningly.
"The sport, 7 players per team, flying on brooms and throwing balls through gates. Don't you guys have that?"
"Yes I know what Quiddich is, but do you really think Malfoy would curse me just because I countered him?"
Neville looked quite serious and slowly I realised that he was serious about cursing.
"People like him can't take a joke, especially when they're in groups of like-minded people they want to show off their power.
So you better watch out, he may be arrogant but he's not a bad wizard."
I let the subject rest for the moment and Neville put a watering can in my hand with which we went from plant to plant.
I watered it when necessary and he explained to me what kind of plant it was and what it was used for if I didn't know.
He had also brought me a book about native plants in which I could reread everything he told me here so that I didn't have to take notes now.
Neville talked non-stop, he seemed to really blossom when it came to plants. I was glad I hadn't turned down his offer of tutoring because he was clearly enjoying himself.
"I'm talking too much again. You're not interested in any of this and I seem like the biggest nerd," Neville looked up at me sheepishly from the potted plant in his hand, which he had just given me a long lecture on.
"Maybe a little, but and no not at all, just pretty clever." I smiled at him and watered the plant in his hand.
"You really know your stuff about all this and you seem to enjoy it.
You can talk all you want, it's just that I can't remember it all."
Now he was smiling too.
We walked through the last aisles and Neville seemed to slow himself down a bit, because he talked a lot less about the individual plants.
After I had really seen every single plant in this greenhouse I put the watering can down again and realised that wellies had really been a good choice, because my shoes were covered in dirt and soil.
I told you Malfoy, disgusting and slimy is no problem for these shoes.
A Scourgify would take care of all that in a moment, so Mr Filch couldn't complain.
"Thanks for your help," I said turning to Neville who was knocking dirt off his trousers.
"I really enjoyed it, you are a good student.
At least one who doesn't complain that I talk too much or that it can get a bit dirty here."
He raised his hands, brown with dirt, demonstratively and laughed.
On the way back to the castle I asked him since when he had such an interest in herbology and according to him it was the only subject he was ever good at without learning much for it and so he had unceremoniously declared it his favourite subject and career aspiration.
His dream was to have his own shop where he could sell herbs and advise customers.
"You could also be good at teaching, that was quite interesting, I couldn't have learned that well from books," I interjected and he blushed at the compliment.
He didn't say anything back though and we walked on in silence.
"See you around," he said as we arrived back at the Great Hall, "If you see Malfoy just stay out of his way, it'll save you trouble," he laughed as he walked away and disappeared behind a corner.
I still had to grin because when I came back into the flat Min looked up at me, frowned and just said: "Must have been a good tutoring session, you're usually only in such a good mood when you find a first edition of a book."
"Yes, I learned a lot," I replied curtly, hung my jacket on the hook and disappeared into the bathroom to wash the dirt out of my hair.
I let the warm water run over my head and enjoyed the warmth and the sound of the water.
As half a cat, I should be afraid of water, but I enjoyed showers and baths, whereas rain was torture, I was 100% cat when IT came to rain.
Surrounded by warm water running down my body, I reviewed today in my mind.
Day 6 at Hogwarts, I had spent my afternoon with Neville today and really enjoyed myself even though it was a tutor lesson.
And I hadn't let Malfoy insult me without comment.
Conclusion of the day, maybe I had made a friend but certainly I now had an enemy who could curse me without batting an eyelid.
I've had worse days.
The next morning I was woken up by the sun shining through the windows. This was the first day that didn't start with rain. I would be able to sit outside with Neville's book and study.
A little sun and fresh air would do me good.
After breakfast, I packed some things to study and found a free bench in a courtyard under a big tree, which would be my study spot today.
It was very quiet, with a few students walking across the courtyard. All of them were engrossed in conversation and seemed to enjoy the weather just like me.
I must have been sitting there for two hours when a shadow fell on my notes, which had just been illuminated by the sun.
"Well, if it isn't little Harper. Where are your ugly boots from yesterday?"
Malfoy, of course I couldn't just study in peace.
I didn't look up at him and kept my attention on my notes.
"So quiet today, did you leave your big mouth with the boots in the filthy stable you came from?" he teased and his friends I hadn't noticed until then laughed.
"He's more dangerous when his friends are with him," I recalled Neville's words and continued to stare intently at my parchment.
It was snatched away from me before my eyes and when I looked up Malfoy had it in his hand and was holding it in front of his face.
"Forget it Harper, you suck at potions, you'll never be able to brew this potion even if you memorise the recipe."
He held the parchment higher and drew his wand.
I stood up and took one deep breath. I couldn't let myself get upset.
Just stay calm Daisy, no stupid comment.
"Just give it back Malfoy, it's non of your business how bad I am at Potions."
I tried to sound as calm as possible and had to suppress rolling my eyes.
He looked at me for a moment and briefly I wondered again if he could even curse me with his gaze.
The next second he muttered "Incendio" and small flames came out of his wand, eating through my parchment in his hand.
I had only just finished it.
Now I couldn't suppress my eye roll.
"Thank you for demonstrating your skills, we are all impressed, can I continue learning now?"
I folded my arms in front of my chest and glared at him.
He still had his wand in his hand and if a dark haired girl hadn't grabbed him by the arm one of his curses would have hit me, I was sure of it.
Without comment, the group of students left and when they thought they were out of my earshot, I heard another: "That mudblood..."
I couldn't understand the rest of the sentence but I was sure that it came from Malfoy and that it would end as nicely as it had begun.
Sighing I looked down at the floor.
There was nothing left of my notes but a small pile of ashes.
I would have to start all over again, and I would have to do it by tomorrow.
Annoyed I sat down again, opened my potions book again and began to copy down the pages on Polyjuice Potion once more.
It really was a complicated potion, Malfoy was right about that, and it wouldn't just take an hour to brew it, I would have to work on it for several hours.
Hopefully alone and if with a partner, then please not Malfoy again.
Neville was also in Potions class with me, he would definitely be a better partner.
Eventually I had finally managed to copy it all again.
Actually, I wanted to devote myself to Neville's book now, but I needed a break from studying and took my copy of 'The Little Prince' out of my bag instead and started reading.
I had read this book dozens of times but it had been my mom's favourite and she had always read it to me as a child.
No matter where I was, this book was always like home to me.
My mom always brought life to every line when she read it to me as if she had been there herself.
I hardly remembered her, but the evenings in my bed, cuddled up in her arms, listening to her read stories to me, still brought a smile to my face.
Completely absorbed in the story, I didn't even notice anyone approaching me.
"Any more room on the bench?"
I flinched, looked up from my book and saw smiling brown eyes.
"Uh, yeah sure," I replied befuddled, sitting up straight to make room for him on the bench.
"You're a fast learner, if the sun shines in England you have to use it straight away, who knows when there will be sun the next time," Neville laughed and sat down next to me.
"Homework?" he asked when he saw the pile of books on the floor.
I just nodded and put 'The Little Prince' on the pile with the other books.
"I haven't managed to look at your book yet," I apologised sheepishly.
"I had to study for Potions first, I'll sit down on it in a minute and I'll give it back to you tomorrow."
"It's fine, don't stress. I don't need it right now, keep it for now, if I'm looking for it I'll know who has it."
"Thanks, you'll get it back as soon as possible anyway".
I brushed a strand of hair that had come loose from my bun out of my face.
"Malfoy was here earlier," I began after a moment's silence.
Neville looked at me expectantly.
"He burned my notes but nothing else. Unless he can cast curses with his eyes, in which case he probably cursed me."
A sheepish smile crossed my lips.
Neville looked at me sceptically for a moment but then he laughed. It was an honest laugh, as if I had said something really funny.
I concluded that Malfoy couldn't curse anyone by looking at them, which reassured me.
"He didn't think the situation was that funny. If the girl hadn't held him back, he probably would have actually cursed me, not with looks but with his wand."
Neville's laughter died and he looked at me worriedly.
"Nothing happened" I quickly added but that didn't improve his worried look in the slightest.
"It's not funny Daisy, I said don't provoke him.
He really is dangerous and Death Eaters are not to be trifled with."
I choked on my own spit and had to cough briefly.
"A Death Eater, as well as the followers of Voldemort?", I spoke the sentence quietly but at the last word Neville flinched noticeably.
"Yes exactly like that," he answered my question.
"He wasn't charged because he was underage, and Professor McGonnagal has interceded on behalf of many students so that they won't be convicted and can go back to school."
I swallowed.
Yes I had believed Neville that Malfoy was dangerous but, that he was so dangerous I had not thought.
That people with such a past went to school here worried me but confirmed my decision not to reveal my true identity.
If I was in trouble at Ilvermorny because of this, what would Death Eaters think and what would they do to me if they knew?
I didn't delve any further into this thought and tried to defend myself.
"I didn't provoke him. At least I tried to," I admitted meekly.
Neville's gaze softened again and he smiled tentatively at me.
"Watch out though, he's got you on the ropes now. That's not the last time he's been on your case."
I nodded in agreement and then we were silent for a short while until I remembered the most important question I wanted asked before the Death Eater topic came up.
"What are you doing here anyway?"
"Same as you, enjoying the nice weather," he turned his head to the sun and closed his eyes to punctuate his statement.
Although he had closed his eyes he must have noticed my questioning look and as if he had read my thoughts he answered my question.
"You've taken up a nice spot here and you've been sitting here all alone so I thought I'd just keep you company. Should I leave?"
If he had asked me that 3 days ago, the answer would definitely have been "Yes".
After all, I wanted to be alone, have my peace and quiet and just do my time here.
But today I wasn't sure I wanted to be alone anymore, because every time Neville smiled at me and looked at me with his honest brown eyes, I was just satisfied, as if he wanted to tell me that I didn't have to be afraid, he would take care of me from Now on.
I knew what Neville was to me, or at least I knew what I wanted him to be.
A friend.
"No, don't get up, there's plenty of room," was my reply and Neville's grin widened.
