Cherry Blossom and Asphodel
Part 2: Samantha Fyre and The Tempestuous Trial
-May 19th, 2006-
Samantha arrived in Hogsmead earlier than she had planned. She had finished everything she needed to back at the office and she was just too excited for her afternoon and weekend that she left nearly an hour too early. After checking in at the Hogshead Inn, she thought maybe she'd get some shopping done, nothing important, maybe just get some food for Artie. She walked through the warm streets with Duke flying behind her just a little. People nodded to her on the streets and she nodded back before reaching the newly opened, Weasley's Zonkos. George had invested in buying the old store about two years prior, it had been a dream of his and Fred's. Now it was a fully thriving business.
She walked inside and saw the hustle and bustle of employees and customers.
Her brother was up on a ladder, stacking boxes of Peruvian Darkness Powder. He still had his long curly hair and a chain on his belt, but he looked rather funny in the candy colored apron that came with the uniform.
"Hey Jack." Samantha waved at him as he continued stacking shelves.
Jack nearly fell off of the ladder trying to wave back. "Hey Sammy!" He slid down the ladder before coming over to her and picking her up into a big hug. Duke flew up and nudged his cheek.
"Hey there, Duke." Jack said petting the dragon's head. "Here visiting the castle I assume?"
Samantha nodded, she was very excited. It was a big day today.
"How is the job going here?" She asked looking around. Her brother had been hired by George about a year prior. George had really taken a liking to Jack. Samantha suspected it had something to do with him understanding what it was like to want a brother back.
"Great." He said shrugging, "Better when I get my wand back. I'm the only one who has to manually stack things."
He was on a probation until his formal hearing in four months. It was mostly just precautionary because he was a former Death Eater. He only had minor charges, Association with a Death Eater and Avoiding Magical Law Enforcement. His representation suspected if found guilty of either, he would be sentenced to time served on probation and get his wand back. Samantha trusted Hermione fully. She knew all the magical laws forwards and backwards. She normally only took on cases of mistreatment of magical creatures, but she had offered her services since she couldn't help in the fight to bring him home.
"You will get it back." Samantha smiled widely. "And after this whole trial is over, you can do whatever you want."
He shrugged, "I like doing this just fine. George has been good to me. At first I thought the job remedial and the products useless. Until I realized, in the bigger scheme of things, that life itself is useless. Why keep living and working if there is nothing to work for? I have a sublime opportunity to discover my inner workings and desires. I haven't known what I wanted to be in a very long time and here I am, staring it in the face. The quietness this job provides gives me a chance to really hear the thoughts in my head more clearly. Also without having magic to do everything for me, I've been able to open my mind more expansively."
"Great." She replied with a shrug.
"Oh and I get discounts on stuff now." He chuckled, "I finally got that 50% discount because I've worked here a year. George told me I could use it before, but it didn't seem fair. Do you want something? I'll get it for you?"
Samantha shook her head. "I'm here to get food for Artie but I can pay Jack, really, I've got plenty of money."
"Oh come on Sammy." He insisted, "I need an excuse to use the discount. We also have new hair bows for Pygmy Puffs. Artie might look nice in one. They also have hats, but it might stop the rolling which isn't fun for them."
Samantha shrugged and continued laughing. "She might like a bow."
"There's a polkadot bow that might be nice." He scampered off through the shop and came back with a teeny tiny bow and a little bag of treats. "On me of course. Getting dinner at the Three Broomsticks tonight?"
Samantha nodded, "You can join if you want."
Her brother shook his head and pulled at the collar on his shirt, "No thanks. I've got some pretty important plans tonight."
"All right." She nodded. "I'm also staying to see the final Quidditch match at the school tomorrow, want to join?"
"I have important plans."
"What plans are so important you are giving up the final Quidditch match? This could be the last chance you have to see Slytherin get the tar beat out of them."
Her brother gave an almost mischievous smile ignoring her jest. "So the reason I was really excited for my discount is because I can finally get her!"
"Her?" Samantha asked.
He motioned to her and brought her into one of the back storage rooms where they kept all of the Pygmy puffs in little cages. He reached into a box with holes on it and retrieved the biggest, fluffiest and pinkest Pygmy Puff Samantha had ever seen. She was so pink she was on the verge of red. She was huge, but fit perfectly into her brother's large arms. The Puff had a delicate smiling face but cooed deeper than Samantha had ever imagined a Puff could sound.
"This is Cherry Blossom." He said with a smile reaching across his face as he looked through the pink fur. "George called her an accident but I think she's a miracle. Growth hormone went wrong."
Samantha began petting Cherry Blossom. "She's adorable."
"She's coming home with me tonight, to my place." He said excitedly. "I've got her place all set up and it'll be so nice not to be alone. I made a padded floor for her with a pillow wall so she doesn't hurt herself and she has plenty of space. I even made her a cage for when I'm gone to work. I just want to spend the weekend getting her acquainted with her new home."
Samantha smiled and giggled as he put Cherry Blossom on the floor where she began rolling along the floor and knocking things over. Duke flew off of Samantha's shoulder and began playing and rolling with the puff.
"Well, Duke likes her." Samantha watched them roll around. "Maybe she and Artie can meet up sometime."
"Of course! I bet they will love each other." He followed behind Cherry Blossom and Duke picking things up. He picked her back up again. "She's so pretty, no one has wanted her for months and I just feel like I should keep her. Everyone keeps misunderstanding her." He nudged his nose against her's. "I know what that feels like."
Samantha knew coming back hadn't been easy, he was met with skepticism and many people placed undo judgement on him. She laughed thinking how they would realize he wouldn't hurt anyone just watching him and Cherry Blossom interact.
"You aren't back here again Fyre?" Jasmine, another store worker popped her head in from behind the curtain.
"Of course, but starting tomorrow, I won't be back here so much." Jack said with a giant smile, "She's mine today!"
Samantha laughed along with her brother's joy.
Jasmine looked less than interested and crossed her arms, she spoke through loud gum chews. "Whatever Fyre, you know you aren't supposed to have customers back here." Jasmine nodded to Samantha and smiled genuinely, "Not that it isn't nice to see you Miss Fyre."
Samantha tipped her hat back. "No worries Jasmine, I'm leaving in a moment anyway."
Jasmine nodded, "Sure."
"She hates me." Jack said after Jasmine was out of ear shot. "I suspect it's because I turned her down for a drink at the Three Broomsticks."
Samantha chuckled, "Probably."
"Staying at the Hogshead tonight?" Jack asked, "If you don't want to stay there, I have a sofa you know?"
"I'm alright." Samantha laughed. "Besides, first night with a Pygmy Puff can be rough. Don't you remember when I brought Artie home?
"Oh," He nodded, "when was that? Was it your fifteenth birthday?"
"Sixteenth."
"Oh yeah, there was a lot of crashing in your room that night from Artie throwing herself around the room." Jack remembered, "I was cursing out the delinquent for getting you one all night."
"Yeah, imagine that on a larger scale." Samantha shook her head.
"I think you are just making excuses because you want alone time." Jack surmised as he walked her through the shop and checked out his gifts for her. "Don't you get enough of that?"
"Not nearly enough." Samantha laughed as she left the shop, putting her gifts inside her bag. "Come on Duke!" She yelled to the little dragon who was climbing upside down across a rope on the ceiling. He flew down to her and perched again on her shoulder.
Samantha made her way, now to the castle. She was greeted at the gate by Filch who looked her over.
"Full Name?" He inquired grimacing his signature gold teeth.
Samantha rolled her eyes, "Samantha Aithne Fyre. You've busted me enough times to know that." She smirked remembering the good old days. "I have an appointment with the Headmistress at noon."
"She informed me." He grumbled before opening the gate. "Just checking for imposters. No Weasley products on you?"
"Some Pygmy puff food." Samantha shrugged. "But that's not illegal according to section 32 of your list of illegal things, considering Pygmy Puffs are approved pets and not contraband."
Filch nodded indolently, "That's right."
"So may I?" Samantha asked motioning to enter.
He pointed to Duke. "The Dragon isn't approved."
Samantha raised her eyebrows, "He goes where I go. Bit protective really, might bite if you try to take him. Also, as he is an approved and licensed pet by the Ministry as a creature below fifteen pounds. So technically he is approved."
Filch nodded again. "Alright, Professor says you know where to go. Any funny business and I will escort you out myself."
"I'm sure you will Mr. Filch." Samantha reached into her bag and pulled out a small brown bag. "It's cat food for Mrs. Noris."
He took the food and looked it over. "She likes mice more, but I'm sure she would enjoy something so refined."
Samantha wondered how the cat had survived as long as she had, but she assumed of course that magic had something to do with it. She began her climb through the grounds and through the castle. It all felt very familiar and like second nature, as she climbed the steps to the Transfiguration floor. Her hands began their usual shakes as she remembered when she'd sought sanctuary in the very room she looked to visit.
"There you are Miss Fyre." A familiar voice called as she strode towards her and reached outstretched arms. Samantha took her hug and held her briefly.
"Hello Headmistress." Samantha greeted Professor McGonagall who looked as if she hadn't aged a day.
"Are you ready to meet with them?" She asked with a smile, "They are becoming quite restless with questions."
"I'm sure we are all going to be very good friends." Samantha jestingly said. Her high pitched tone mimicked a Professor they shared a hatred for. McGonagall raised a stern eyebrow.
"I will have you escorted from the grounds Miss Fyre." McGonagall said crossing her arms.
Samantha laughed, "Don't worry Professor. I'm only jesting."
"I should hope so." McGonagall continued her eyebrow not receding, "I will not have this highly regarded organization besmirched by quotes from that terrible woman."
Samantha excitedly walked with her towards the old door she remembered. It was the Gazette's old headquarters. She could hear murmuring and laughter behind the door. McGonagall had suggested Samantha come and speak with the newest members and give them something to look forward to for the future.
McGonagall opened the door greeting the eight young students before them. They each went silent as they entered. Samantha recognized one of them, the Editor-In-Chief, Albert, a fifth year who had interviewed her for the Gazette the year prior. They all sat up straight and she could see a small rudimentary newspaper before them on a table.
Behind the table on the wall was something Samantha hadn't seen before. It was a wall of pictures. There was a picture of every group, from every year the Gazette had been around. Below the group photos, was a small line of portraits. It was past Editor-In-Chief's. She recognized Penelope Clearwater's, she was the first of course, followed by her own photograph and then Colin's. Her eyes lingered briefly there, missing Colin intently, and wondering what he'd be like as an adult. She wondered if he'd work with her now, as one of the greatest photographers the magical world had ever seen. She'd never know, would she?
She snapped herself out of her thoughts and began taking questions from the excited students around her.
After a good hour of answering questions and discussing proper printing technics, Samantha felt at home. She felt like that fourteen year old girl again, the one who loved nothing more than to share and write a good story. She enjoyed speaking with the students. She liked learning their individual jobs and trading stories. Once the session was over and the children sent away for their supper McGonagall began escorting her out.
"Now Miss Fyre." McGonagall said taking longer strides, "I do believe you made quite the impact on those children today."
"Oh I hope so." She laughed. "They are a talented set of kids. I hope to have some of them on my staff someday."
McGonagall smiled slightly, with a bit more casualty than Samantha was used to. "I have to say, you are quite the natural teacher."
Samantha shook her head and wrinkled her nose. "I'm definitely no you Professor and I'm definitely no teacher, but I'd be more than happy to do more annual sessions with the Gazette. Maybe, once a month or so, starting next year."
"If you ever need a few pointers, I'm sure more than a few teachers here wouldn't mind if you sat in on a class or two. You are of course always welcome in my classroom." McGonagall chuckled casually, something Samantha enjoyed. McGonagall pulled out a pocket watch and checked the time as they reached the door to the courtyard. "Professor Longbottom's last class of the day still has about twenty minutes left to it."
Samantha squinted her eyes, "Does it?" She asked sarcastically.
"I'm quite sure he wouldn't mind a visitor to his class. You could learn a lot from him." McGonagall said with another small smile.
"Professor, I'm not here for social reasons today." Samantha argued, knowing the motives behind McGonagall's small smile.
"Of course not." McGonagall stately insured. "It's purely academic. If you'd prefer I suggested Slughorn, his class also has about twenty minutes. I'm sure you'd prefer to be the perfect poster child for his slug club meetings."
Samantha wrinkled her nose, "He still does those?"
McGonagall side eyed her, "Unfortunately, but old habits die hard I'm afraid. Now, I'm sure you of all people remember how to get to the Greenhouses."
Samantha wrinkled her nose before tipping her hat, "Always a joy Professor."
McGonagall tipped her hat in a mimicking fashion.
Samantha followed a very similar path down to the Greenhouses.
Samantha had never seen Neville teach a class before. She took off her hat so she didn't hit any of the low hanging plants. She stayed back behind a few of the vines, not really wanting to interrupt the little first year's class. She listened in and watched, but stayed hidden.
His students seemed to be hanging on every word, so not being noticed didn't seem to be a problem. He was so involved in his class, he didn't notice the visitor either.
"Now back when I was your lot's ages, I was a bloody mess at potions. I almost killed my poor potions partner a few times." He said holding up a white flower that looked like a lily.
A few giggles spread through the classroom.
Samantha smiled, remembering when he'd almost blown her up on the second class.
"So I might need your help, can anyone remind me what happens when asphodel is combined with wormwood?" Neville asked his class.
A little blonde girl with high pig tails raised her hand immediately. "Powdered root of asphodel produces the Draught of the Living Death. Also Muggles once believed asphodel grew in the underworld."
"I believe our greenhouses do it just a bit better than Hades! Very good Miss Rosenthal." He smiled joyfully at the little girl. "Ten points to Gryffindor."
He next pulled out a small black and white plant, the one Samantha remembered the best.
"Next is my personal favorite." He motioned to a large potted plant behind him. "It's an unassuming little plant, but if eaten, it can counter enchantments, it can be used as an ingredient for several important antidotes, and if you can keep a secret," He leaned down to the very interested students, "in the future it can help you get dates."
Several of the little boys in class proclaimed a loud, "Ewww." While several of the girls giggled.
Samantha stifled a laugh.
One short boy near the end had turned his head towards the back having noticed her stifled laugh. He elbowed little Miss Rosenthal and pointed with little discretion towards Samantha.
"Now calm down class." Neville said calming the giggles, he noticed the little conversation in the back then looked to the back of the room where their eyes met.
She felt blood rush to her cheeks, still feeling like the little sixth year student who had realized she was in love with the one person in the world she trusted the most.
"Don't believe me do you?" He asked his class before waving to the little boy near the back. "Mr. Blythe, come here a moment."
Samantha wondered slightly if the little boy was related to Albert as he went up to Neville. Neville knelt down and handed him the little black and white flower before whispering in his ear.
Little Mr. Blythe took the flower and walked to the back of the classroom. He handed her the little flower. He went back to his spot beside Miss Rosenthal.
"I'd like to introduce you all to someone." He waved for Samantha to come out from behind the vines, "This is Miss Fyre. She's the Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Prophet."
Duke flew off of her shoulder before doing a loop around the classroom and landing on Neville's shoulder. "And this is Duke."
A lot of whispering began happening around them. Duke flew over the table and back to Samantha's shoulder and all of the children stared in awe.
"Calm it down you lot." He yelled before moving a larger pot of Moly to the table, "Now class, please say hello to Miss Fyre and Duke."
"Hello Miss Fyre." The whole class said at once. "Hello Duke."
"Now Miss Fyre, I will trade you as much Moly as you can possibly want, if you will join me for a drink tonight. What do you say?" He asked with a confident raise of his eyebrow.
"You drive a hard bargain. I mean you did almost kill me in potions class a few times." She put her hand to her face, pretending to think about it. "Although, I almost murdered you too, so I guess we are even."
The kids began giggling.
She took the flower and placed it behind her ear. "However, I'm currently trying to counter an enchantment, so I guess that I have to say yes to that drink." She shrugged despondently.
Two little boys near the front made large expressions of shock to each other and all the little girls began giggling.
"Now, as a special treat, I will let you all go early tonight. However, next week so you are ready for exams, I want a full paper on the uses of Asphodel and Moly. Don't doddle now, off to dinner." He said to the class before they began running out of the classroom. He took off his gloves and wiped off his face as he watched them go.
As soon as the last student sidled out of the classroom Samantha looked at Duke, "Duke, guard the door please." Samantha nodded to the little dragon who sat by the door and looked around outside.
Samantha ran and wrapped her arms around Neville's neck and kissed him. He held her by the waist and kissed her back. They hadn't seen each other in a week so it was nice to be in each other's arms.
"Woah!" A little voice said from the front of the greenhouses. "That stuff does work."
They both released each other and turned to look at little Mr. Blythe. Mr. Blythe had his bag in his hands and little Duke flew around his head before he sat beside him.
"Didn't I tell you it worked?" Neville asked. "Hey, Marcus I'll add ten points to Hufflepuff if you don't tell anyone."
The little boy just nodded and giggled, staring at Duke. Duke just tilted his head at the little boy's giggle.
"Now, off you go to supper." He instructed to the little boy.
Samantha and Neville began laughing as Marcus ran away.
"Duke is a terrible guard dragon. By tomorrow the whole school will think Moly is a type of love potion ingredient. You may need to hide the Moly from anyone in puberty." Samantha whispered to him.
"Just wait till they find out you are my fiancé." He chuckled.
She sometimes had to remind herself that they were actually engaged. All those years of heartache and longing had finally lead somewhere. They had only officially been dating about six months before he asked her with his mother's ring. Samantha didn't mind the quick engagement, she'd had her fair share of putting Neville off by that point, so it didn't seem right to wait anymore. The engagement itself had been going on a little more than a year, but they were both so busy, it felt faster.
They planned to be married that Summer in the few weeks between their birthdays.
"Now can I ask why my future wife is causing trouble in my classroom?" He asked as she pulled herself up on the table and took a seat. "I was still going to meet you at the Three Broomsticks in an hour. If you are just here to make sure I won't miss our date tonight, don't worry. Unlike some people I don't reschedule dates for years at a time."
"You know," She rolled her eyes, "I miss the days when you were scared of me."
He laughed before leaning in front of her and quickly kissing her. "I was never scared of you."
"I'm here to mentor the Hogwarts Gazette. McGonagall sent me down here to pick up teaching techniques." She raised her eyebrows.
"How could I forget that was today?" He backed up, rubbed his neck and looked annoyed with himself, "Albert has only been bragging about it for a bloody month."
"It's almost exams, remember how stressed you were last year?" She asked shaking her head.
He nodded, "I put Artie in the oven."
She pinched her face together. "Yeah, thank goodness for Duke."
"Hey, but soon exams and the school year will be over." He said before kissing her cheek and sitting beside her. "And then it'll only be a month and a half and I can call you my wife."
Samantha blushed a little and leaned on his shoulder. "I can't wait."
"How's the wedding planning going?" He asked leaning his head against her's, "I'm honestly nervous to ask."
"Fine, the little bit I'm actually handling seems fine. Your Gran has finally stopped attempting to invite more people. She's finally figured out we want to keep it simple." Samantha breathed out.
"I was able to manage a bit of planning myself." Neville laughed heartily. "I finally convinced Luna that we don't in fact want a choir of gnomes."
Samantha squinted her eyes, "So, she finally realized George meant that as a joke at our engagement party?"
"Yes, she was very grateful, apparently the gnomes weren't really receptive to learning any songs."
"Do you think we are mad for letting her plan the majority of it?" Samantha asked.
Neville shrugged, "Maybe."
"My mum is almost finished with my dress, she wants to sew plenty of onyx into the dress, so I should have very few shakes." Samantha breathed a sigh of relief, her shakes were still there, still frequent and still uncomfortable. However, they weren't something she was hiding anymore, she decided they were apart of her.
"I'll bet the only shakes you have, are the ones you get avoiding cold feet." He said taking her hand. "You are sure you want to marry me? You could be with anyone you know?"
"Damned sure."
"Good," He chuckled.
Samantha looked over his face and felt a deep sinking feeling. The thoughts would occasionally creep into her mind and she hated it. Like she had to be on guard all the time, even when she didn't.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"Nothing."
"You don't have a poker face." He reminded.
"You know the last two years have been the best of my life right?" She asked.
He nodded.
"I'm terrified something is going to go wrong, like something bad is going to happen." Samantha admitted. "You know?"
"I do know," He admitted back. "I mean, my life has normally always fallen apart at some point. Why worry so much about it now though? Lee wasn't reading your tea leaves again was he?"
Samantha nodded before qualifying, "He's normally right though. It had a goat with an hourglass. Eminent danger and an enemy approaching is the meaning."
"You know if you'd taken Divination you'd know it's rubbish." Neville chuckled and rolled his eyes, "It's just Lee being paranoid."
"So I should just chalk it up to having a traumatizing childhood?"
Neville nodded and shrugged, "That's what I do." He said before getting up and putting his gloves back on. "Let me clean up in here and I'll take you for some supper."
"Alright. Need help?" She nodded as he began moving the plants. She knew he liked to do that without magic, he wanted the plants to just be organic.
"No, I've got to move the Tentacula and have them set up for my sixth years on Monday." He said as he finished moving a few more Asphodel plants. "Can't have you near those. So just stay there please."
"I don't think I'm actually allergic to them." Samantha insisted rolling her eyes.
"Better safe than sorry." He was concentrating, but she could see a small smirk. "Tell me how the Gazette meeting went."
She clasped her hands together, "Amazing. Those kids might be better than we ever were."
"Well that's easy on my part. I was rotten." Neville said collecting the plants off of the table.
"You wrote better than Ernie near the end." Samantha stated proudly before going into greater detail about her time with the students.
"How's your book, the publisher ever get back with you?" He asked.
"Yeah, they are interested they just want me to make a few editorial changes." Samantha shrugged. She'd finally finished her book about Kai Jones' life, she had hoped that fifty percent of the prophets could go to funding his dragon ranch.
"Excellent. And how is the Prophet?" He asked carrying the large plant with moving tentacles.
"Up twenty percent." Samantha smiled proudly, "We've had a lot of good response to our newest contributors and oddly enough, putting Rita's articles towards the back has turned out to be more lucrative than I thought."
"Bout time you did." He ducked beneath one of the tentacles as it tried to coil around his hair. "I can't stand that woman."
"She's harmless." Samantha crossed her arms.
"She called you a trollop in the gossip section of your own paper." Neville reminded with a grimace.
Samantha tossed her head back laughing, "At least no one thinks I'm biased. I don't care what she says about me."
"I care." Neville gave her a glaring look as he put one more of the plants onto the shelf.
Samantha shrugged and looked Neville over as he began finishing up his work and began taking off his gloves and smock. He put them up on a shelf beside a worn out pair of gloves he apparently refused to throw out.
"I'd rather she take cheap shots at me than anyone else." She insisted knowing that Rita hadn't gone so low as to pick on the one person she might be a bit biased for. "She was just mad that I won't let her pester Ginny about the next baby's name."
"She's a cow." He reached out his hand for Samantha and helped her down.
"And I control her paycheck." Samantha raised her eyebrows, "She didn't get a bonus this quarter."
"I feel better now." He smirked.