Neville

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. Gran hates it, but I think I'm going to look into getting my own place. Nothing fancy. I don't want to go dipping into my savings just yet. But something I can afford on my salary now wouldn't hurt. Something closer to work so I can walk on a nice day. And as much as I'd miss the garden at home, I've got more than enough plants in my care at work. It'd be close to my parents, too. And maybe a dog. Always wanted one, but my gran thinks they're too much mess.

All that aside, it'd be nice to be on my own for a change. I love my grandmother, I honestly do, but I've spent my whole life with her sheltering me, and seven of those years stuck in a room with four other blokes. I think it might be nice to see if I can even survive on my own. We'll see, I guess. Have to find a place first.

( Hexed to Ernie )

( Hexed Private )

So there was this owl from St. Mungo's on my kitchen table this morning.

( Hexed to Hermione )

( Hexed Private )

I can only echo what those with better words than I have already said. Ernest Macmillan was an wonderful person, and I know he's still keeping an eye out for all of 'his' kids, the way he always has.

So I finally had an interview with St. Mungo's. Fortunately, the process isn't nearly as in-depth as it would be were I longing to train as an actual Healer. Which, of course, I'm not. They have a few different greenhouses, some closer to the facility than others. I wouldn't have expected one so close, considering it's in the middle of the city, but there's actually one charmed to be hidden right behind it. It's where they keep the most urgent herbs and plants. You know, life or death potion making ones. Kind of brilliant, actually.

Professor Sprout already put in a good word for me thank Merlin, so we'll see. They said I'm more likely to receive their decision in person rather than by owl. I don't know if that's good or bad. The problem is, I don't really have any backup options picked out. Professor McGonagall might have some more suggestions if I drop her an owl, or maybe Megan's brilliant Herbologist will have some friends? Only (mostly) kidding, Meg!

This summer's going too fast. It'll be September 1st soon enough, won't it?

( Hexed Private )

( Hexed to Ernie )

Spending as much time in the Greenhouses as I can. I know I need to be revising for my other exams, too, but it's hard knowing I won't be able to just wander down there anymore. I used to hide in-- I almost don't want to leave. I don't want to fail, of course, but I don't want to just get thrown out into the real world, either. I guess I just never realised that I actually loved it here. Maybe that makes me a huge loser but what else is but for some of you, that wouldn't be anything new. Still--something to think about, never coming back here again. Walking around Hogsmeade, knowing we spent seven years up this hill and not going back at the end of the day.

What's the first thing everyone plans to do on their first day away? Or, for you lot that are coming back, what's the first thing you plan to do on your summer holiday?

( Hexed Private )

You know, there are plants that attract butterflies? And I'm definitely more plant than insect, but I think that's sort of a nice idea. They'd certainly brighten up a garden, but they'd have to be plants that would do okay outside of a greenhouse, and I'm still looking into that. Cold weather plants don't seem to draw butterflies in.

Oh. Which reminds me. Lavender, what do you think of these?


They're beach plants, at least I think they are, I'm looking into it more, but they're salt water tolerant and they smell like oranges. I'd just have to talk to Professor Sprout about getting some, and then we can multiply enough to decorate with. I found them because they attract butterflies and that was in the book I was reading but...again, cold weather. Anyway, what do you think? Anyone else?

I'm hoping everyone had a great holiday, and a good New Year, too. I spent part of it spent a good deal of the holiday with my parents this year. Gran only came by for Christmas Day, but that's alright. I spent New Year's with her as well.

I received plenty of nice gifts, including more plants than even I know what to do with. A few are going to have to stay home, I'm afraid, or I'll start smothering my roommates with greenery. So please, no one feel offended if yours is being cared for by Gran until I'm out of school. She's not entirely terrible with plants, but I swear to only leave the sturdier ones for her. Just in case.

In some ways I'm looking forward to getting back, but it's bittersweet this time. It's our last term before we leave school for good. And really, it's the first term I've felt I could actually relax and enjoy the environment, you know? So, I don't know, I almost don't want it to end. Plus then there's the 'real world' and all its dangers. What of that?

Goodness, I'm worrying a bit too soon. There's plenty of time to think about all of this. Right now I ought to be more worried about whether or not all my robes are clean and packed.

I know it's cliche, but sometimes Gran-sayings often are. It still goes without saying: if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. There's no reason for it and it's only going to hurt feelings.

I'd probably forget to write in this thing all the time if it weren't for everyone else in the dorm and in the common room scratching away at them. But it wouldn't be the first time I'd forgotten something then, would it? Besides, you've got to have just the right quill to write in here, I think. It's sort of special, I guess, holding all your thoughts and things. But my favourite quill broke last week and this one's just sort of bland. It's almost time to go home for hols, though, and I suppose I can always get a new one, then. Though knowing Gran, that'll be my present. That and new pants and--no, everyone's reading

I've found a spare ink well in the common room, in case anyone's lost one, by the way. It's blue ink, which I don't use a lot, but not the bright blue that Tonks sometimes uses but a darker one. Sort of navy coloured. Feel free to claim it. Hermione, I think Crookshanks was trying to get into it, actually. If his paws look a bit blue, well, that's why.

OH and Professor Sprout has said to stay out of greenhouse 3 for the day. Apparently, the fanged geraniums are in a foul mood and she says, and I quote (because I wrote it down), 'I'd rather not be retrieving anyone's fingers and having Madam Pomfrey charm them back on, least not today, too cold out for that'. So you know. The other two greenhouses have plenty of brilliant things, you shouldn't need to go in there.

( Here's to the nights we felt alive )