phoenixfest (phoenixfest) wrote in phoenix_flies, @ 2007-11-12 15:24:00 |
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Entry tags: | fic: angela_snape, fic: g, fig: gen, prompt 10 |
Fest Fic: Aloha, Neville
Title: Aloha, Neville
Author: angela_snape
Prompt: #10. How/why Neville gets recruited to be the new Herbology professor. Fluff if there's a pairing, gen is fine too, silliness appreciated.
Pairing/Characters: Neville Longbottom, Pomona Sprout
Rating: G
Word Count: ~2300
Warnings (if any): hints of slash & mpreg
Author's Notes (if any): Thanks to everyone who encouraged me along the way, especially chiralove, who taught me a lot of what I’d forgotten about the writing process.
A very tired-looking tawny owl sought out Pomona Sprout in her office near greenhouse three. Although Soren appeared to have been flying for days, he dutifully offered her the parchment attached to his leg before heading for his perch. Pomona paused in front of the Flutterby bush she’d been pruning, wiped her hands on her apron, and unrolled the parchment with still-grubby fingers. She scanned what seemed like a hastily-penned note – complete with ink blotches. Some things never changed.
“Hawaii?! What on Earth is that boy doing in Hawaii, of all places?”
Pomona was astounded. Several days ago, she’d sent Soren on a quest to find Neville Longbottom, a letter attached to his leg:
“My dear Neville,
The time has come for me to retire from Hogwarts, and I can think of no better person than you to take over as Herbology professor. I need to know that my greenhouses will be left in the right hands. The Venomous Tentacula has been particularly testy with my students this year, and I know you could keep it under a tight rein. Please say you’ll return.
Regards,
Pomona Sprout”
It seemed that Neville was happy studying native medicinal plants in Hawaii, and had no interest in coming home to Hogwarts.
“Thanks for the offer, Professor,” Neville’s response had read, “but I’m currently researching the potential magical uses of Pandanus odoratissimus, which the Kānaka Maoli people call “hala” and use for everything from chest pains to postpartum relief to easing constipation. If you’re ever on Maui, I’d love for you to come and visit.”
“Hmph!”
A soft hooting sound reminded Pomona that she hadn’t rewarded her owl – after such a long flight, he was due a whole bushel of owl treats. She offered Soren a palmful of the meaty snacks, which he greedily snapped up in his sharp beak. Satisfied, the tawny owl retired to his perch across the room for a well-deserved nap.
With a sigh, Pomona rolled up Neville’s parchment, tucking it away in a small cubby-hole in a desk that was cluttered with quills, parchments, and assorted potting implements. As she went back to her pruning, she swiped absently at the frizzy grey hair that peeked out from under her patched hat – it was always hanging down into her eyes, lately. Maybe it was time to adopt a Minerva-style bun and be done with it.
Pomona had been teaching Herbology at Hogwarts for many, many years, and was ready to retire to a life of gardening for her own purposes – if she never cultivated another bubotuber again, it would still be too soon for her. While Pomona loved her plants, she truly hated working with bubotubers. In her opinion, Neville Longbottom was the best Herbologist to ever graduate from Hogwarts. Pomona had identified his aptitude in his first year, and from that point on, she’d moulded him as her replacement, confident that her greenhouses could be left in his capable hands.
“That boy!” muttered Pomona. “Doesn’t he realize he’s needed here?”