alt_neville | Thanks, everyone

My coming of age birthday was brilliant. For a surprise, Gran and Uncle Algie and Aunt Enid and Evelyn took me to see the incredible gardens at Chatsworth, the Flint family mansion. You could spend days exploring the grounds! Gran's not up for very much walking, so after taking a turn around the South Lawn to see the limes, she sat by the Protector's Fountain, chatting with Uncle Algie and Aunt Enid. Meanwhile Evelyn and I toured the Cottage Garden and had a lot of fun getting lost in the Maze and trying to find our way out again without using the 'Point Me' spell. It took awhile! The Ouroboros Knot at the center of the Maze was really impressive, one of the nicest examples of enchanted topiary I've ever seen.

I sat in one of the greenhouses and just sketched for an hour as Evelyn wandered around, admiring the flowers. I was trying to scribble down all of the ideas I could to bring back to Hogwarts. I wished I had my layering sketchbook; I didn't think to bring it. Wish I were a better artist! Evelyn bought me a beautiful book about the gardens they had for sale in the gift shop, and I'm really glad to have it. It tells a lot about the various species they have planted there.

Evelyn and I ended up with quite bad sunburns, but that's what potions are for. Should be gone by tomorrow.

Then we apparated home, and had a nice family dinner. I opened up the box with my coming of age watch after dinner, and the rest of the presents. Thanks to everyone who sent me something by owl today.

I can't think of a more enjoyable way to celebrate my coming of age.

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Evelyn and I also spent some time in the Potions Garden, and I managed to, um, filch a few slips of some of the rarer ingredients and stash them in a botanist pocket. It was all overgrown, and no one else was there, so I took the risk. The spells on the pocket kept them in good condition all day, and I've set them in rooting solution tonight. I hope to get about ten plants if all goes well, and we can propagate from there. I'll send you both a list of the ones I've definitely identified, but one or two weren't labeled, and I think you should classify them.

I am confident of your ability to identify those plants that would be most of use.

Happy birthday, Mr Longbottom. It is my sincerest wish that future celebrations be able to be held in the presence of your entire family.

Thank you, sir. And thanks for the book on herbal tinctures and decoctions which you sent to me, too. It looks fascinating, and I was really pleased you remembered me on my birthday.

I'm grateful for all you've taught me on medicinal potions. I hope to put that knowledge to good use for the Order someday.

Many happy returns indeed!

There should be an owl coming your way with something today, and you'll find it useful for the propagation, I believe.

I've been travelling, looking for cuttings and such myself, but perhaps I could come and see you and your grandmother and what you've managed to find, when it's convenient?

Thanks for the watch, Mum and Dad. I'll be very proud to wear it, and I'm ever so proud to be your son.

many happy returns, kiddo.

when you were born, we knew so little about what the future would hold for us, but here you are, come of age and standing with the Order, and here I am, able to witness it. it does me proud to see the man you've become, and to have the chance to be your dad and not just watch from a distance, that's just everything. it's what makes life worth living, son. and I'm grateful for it every day.

I know your gran was worried about security on your birthday proper, but your mum and me are looking forward to seeing you in a few days. all my love.

Oh, Neville. My sweet, good-hearted boy.

You make me so very happy, and I am so glad to know you. Happy birthday, love.

Happy birthday! Hope my owl made it in time.

Yes, it did! The wallet's perfect. You tanned the hide yourself? Wow. Thanks!

Oh, I used magic. The muggle way is a messy, smelly business, believe me (we have people here who do it) and it takes a long time. But at least I made it myself. I like making the presents I give.

I do wish you could have come. I bet the Professor would have really liked exploring those grounds. They're just amazing.

We'll go there together, sometime.

Thanks, everyone

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