Thursday

[alt_neville]

Charms: okay
Transfiguration: the less said, the better. My name's becoming sort of a byword for a bad performance (as in "pulling a Longbottom"). Which, yeah, is sort of humiliating. (Shut it, Seamus. It's not that funny.)
Herbology: better that Transfiguration! I like Professor Sprout a lot.
Flying: Um, I didn't dump myself off my broom. That's an improvement, right? But I don't think the Puddlemere United quidditch team is going to be scouting me for a Chaser position anytime soon.

I wish I was doing better in Transfiguration, because of all the time Sally-Anne Perks has been spending to try to help me. I'm afraid the Slytherins will say she's a hopeless teacher, but that's not it; I'm just a hopeless student. About Transfiguration, anyway. And she is helping, even though it's hard to believe, looking at my latest pop quiz score. I'd have lost twice as many points if the two of us hadn't spent so much time going over texture changes.

We had a good talk yesterday afternoon, after we put the textbook away. She asked me a little about my sister (sort of wistfully, I thought) and it made me realise, yeah, I really am lucky to be getting mail from someone at home each week.

(Oh, and in case you lot in Slytherin are wondering, you don't have to worry that she's going all soft about me or anything. She knows I'm a just a hopeless Gryffindor, with a brain that's only good for keeping my skull bones apart.

Still. It's quite nice to have the help. Whatever her reasons. So thanks, Sally-Anne.)

Comments

[alt_alice]

You remember that?

[alt_neville]

Yeah, and there was a man with you there, too, right?

I'm sort of afraid to ask this. But the two of you look like people in a photograph my Gran has at home and--is that why you're talking to me?

[alt_alice]

My husband, Frank. We were both there when you got your first wand. Cherry, unicorn hair, right?

Don't worry about Transfiguration. It doesn't come easily to some. I think you might do well at something that's less concentration and more intuition. I loved Herbology, myself!

[alt_neville]

I don't know what to say. I mean, Gran wouldn't ever tell me I just--well, thanks. For being there. That means a lot.

You liked Herbology?

I hope you'll keep talking to me. I won't ask too many questions.

[alt_alice]

Herbology is lovely. Is Professor Sprout still there? She's a fine teacher.

You're all right, aren't you? I mean, you're being taken care of? How is your Gran?

[alt_neville]

Yeah, Herbology is still taught by Professor Sprout. I like her a lot.

I'm fine. Hogwarts is great, and me and my dorm mates are getting to be good friends. Gran is fine. I got letters from both her and Evelyn yesterday.

You don't mind that I'm in Gryffindor?