Studying, Bonding, and More Than Friendship
"No, Callum! I told you about a hundred times, I can't help you with your homework, I've got exams in two weeks! I have to study, nothing else!" Magnilda had been panicking ever since last night, when Neville took the initiative to tell her what Dumbledore had said in his announcment during dinner. Thanks to him, she was fully prepared, but she still scolded herself because if he hadn't, it was her fault for being so caught up in her silly thoughts. Even though the Ravenclaw was fully prepared now and ready to study away so that when the exams did come she'd know she'd pass, she still felt a bit of nervousness in her stomach. Instead of butterflies, it felt as if little crabs were pinching in the inside of Magnilda's stomach.
Magnilda was in the Ravenclaw commonroom, sitting on a big plush red chair, books surrounding her. Her little brother was standing in front of her, begging her to help him with his homework.
"Oh, come on, Nilda, just one question. Then I won't bother you so much!" Callum had begged.
"My answer is still no, Cal." she answered simply, deciding to completely ingore him and allowing her eyes to concentrate deeply in a book of Defence Against the Dark Arts. Even though she usually got an O in every subject, she had a bit of trouble with Defence Against the Dark Arts. This is probably the one subject that I'll mostly study on. . . . she thought to herself. It wasn't really something to put thought into, but Magnilda only did it to block out her brother's constant pleading. Finally, seeing how no amount of begging will change his sister's mind, Callum left her alone and sat far off in a corner, huffing in disappointment as he sat on a chair.
Secretly brimming with triumph to be rid of the pestering 3rd year, Magnilda set the book down and headed out of the commonroom to the library. Callum had looked from his homework to watch her go. A sly grin slowly shaped his lips as he got up to follow.
Magnilda Marten walked inside of the Hogwarts library. She was looking for a book on Herbology, other than One Thousand Herbs and Magical Fungi. She read that volume so many times that she knew it by heart, and though it had enough information, it didn't have everything she needed to study. Studying for sixth year exams, Magnilda realized, would be quite difficult. Although, it must be far more difficult for the 7th years. a voice in her head reminded her pointedly. And then she remembered Neville Longbottom. As soon as his name entered her thoughts, she bumped into Neville himself.
"Oh, I'm very sorry!" Magnilda had almost exclaimed, but instead said in a low voice. She had almost forgotten this was a library. And even though Madam Pince treated her as an old friend, Magnilda knew her well enough to know that that little friendship between them would instantly disappear if the librarian found out she was being loud in her library.
"It's quite alright, don't worry about it," Neville said, indicating----to Magnilda's relief----that he heard her apology, even if it was said in a bit of a quiet voice. "Studying, I reckon?" he continued, curiously eyeing the two books she had held tightly in her arms. The Ravenclaw had almost forgotten she was holding onto them. "Oh, yes. I never imagined it'd be harder to study this year, being me, but it is." Magnilda hesitated for a moment, hoping with embarassment that what she said didn't make her sound like a natural airhead. But Neville didn't seem to notice, or else he politely excused it as he replied, 'I see. If you need help, I'm here for you. Which subject do you need most help on? Because if it's Herbology, I can most defiantly help. . . ."
Magnilda almost blushed at the words "I'm here for you." It made her heart jump. But just a little. She knew she loved him, but she wanted this to start out as friendship. After all, she didn't really know what love was, right?
"Well, I'm having a bit of trouble with Defence Against the Dark Arts, but I can get that covered. It'd be super helpful if you can help me find more books on Herbology, thank you." she said, giving him a appreciated smile. Neville, who gave his usual crooked smile back, nodded in response. The two walked down the row of books, the Gryffindor looking carefully through one row, the Ravenclaw in the other. Magnilda felt so glad that she managed to run into him. He proved to be very helpful.
The day dragged on as Magnilda and Neville found book after book to study. They mostly hung out in the library, just studying, studying, and studying away. It kept the two busy. And what's more, their bond grew. Never before did Magnilda know what true friendship was until she met the odd Gryffindor boy, Neville. Since then, she felt her life change before her eyes.
Magnilda realized it was starting to get dark because she noticed Madam Pince walking about, kicking the remaining students, most likely other Ravenclaws, out of her library. Thankfully, she knew she could go to bed and rest easy. She got up, holding at least three rather large books in her arms. "Hey, Neville? Thanks a lot for helping me. If it wasn't for you. . . I would still be in a crisis." she giggled lightly. Neville smiled at her, blushing slightly. "Oh, it was nothing, really. No problem." he said in a low, humble voice. "It was more than nothing to me." at this, Neville felt his lips widen in a bright grin. Suddenly, he noticed he had begun staring at her, as if seeing her for the first time. Her long, light dark brown hair. Her ocean blue eyes. Her pale skin. Her soft plush lips that he wanted to kiss so bad, but doing so wouldn't be right. It wasn't just because they had a friendship going on, but because he didn't want her to stop liking him. And he wasn't even sure if she liked him in the way liked her.
Magnilda stared at the Gryffindor 7th year standing before her. She took in his appearance. No matter how odd he might have looked to others, he looked handsome to her. His black hair, the beauty of his mesmerizing hazel brown eyes, and to her, his perfect lips.
This couldn't be friendship, Magnilda thought.
No, this was love.