Second Seed; [Action]

[nearlychosen]

[If anyone's traveling in the vicinity of House 26, they might take notice of the little garden that's steadily been popping up outside over the past few weeks. Even if it's just another garden at first glance, today one of the residents is kneeling outside in the dirt attempting to change that. In the midst of a patch of what looks like mundane dasies, the round-faced, slightly dirty Neville is settled, brow furrowed in concentration, as he prods at the flowers with his newly-found wand. He's mumbling fiercely under his breath, presumably to the flowers themselves. Feel free to interrupt, Luceti. He won't bite.]

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[hisdarkmark]

[There's a reason Padfoot's as tiny as he is. Padfoot's just going to yip again and suddenly run in a circle around Neville once before he's back to stalking through the garden. Every now and then though, he stops stalking through Neville's plants to look at Neville and bark, or he'll stop to stare in the direction of house 25 and yip.

Draco, meanwhile, is mentally cursing Padfoot and hoping he doesn't decide to sell him out again. This is training, Padfoot. Listen to your master.]

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

[The patronus seems harmless enough for Neville to settle back down with his charms, though he's only progressing at about two-thirds the speed as other wizards of his level. His eyes shoot back to the pup once it starts making noise, though. He hadn't even known Patronuses could make noise at all!] Hm? Is there something you're trying to get me to see? [He squints in the direction of the yipping.] Is someone in danger?

[hisdarkmark]

[Padfoot's entirely harmless! His wizard, on the other hand, not so much. Padfoot's busy...growling at a plant now, attention completely lost away from house 25.

However, if Neville's really listening he can probably hear someone approaching quietly and closer to try and get Padfoot's attention. There's a low whistling noise and Padfoot stops, sitting upright and tilting his head.]

Why...why do you enjoy the Gryffindors?

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

[...Or maybe the patronus is mental. Can patronuses be mental? He would've been content to ignore the dog again, but intense listening is one of the skills he developed in the past year. He freezes alongside Padfoot at the sound of the whistle, giving his best Deer in Headlights face.] Who's there?

[hisdarkmark]

[Draco suddenly stops moving all together, hoping Neville would just stay put. Padfoot on the other hand yips and takes off running, promptly returning to Draco and running around him to knock him onto his back. Yes, that was probably a lout wizard-swear just now and a thump as Draco hits the ground. Padfoot, on the other hand, happily trots back over to Neville and sits near his feet, yipping again..]

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

[With his wand held tightly, Neville creeps in the direction of the foul-mouthery, wand held in a white-knuckled grip. That is, until he sees exactly what's been deposited on the ground.] Merlin, Malfoy. I thought it was something serious. [Nope. Not helping him up.]

[hisdarkmark]

[Draco just glares up at him. Meanwhile Padfoot's following after Neville and looking rather pleased with himself. Draco's gaze shifts to Padfoot.] Very funny. [He's busy hauling himself to his feet, keeping an eye on Neville.] Longbottom, why are you out here?

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

[The suspicious eye is duly returned.] I don't think it's any of your concern what I'm doing no matter where I am.

[hisdarkmark]

Considering you disturbed his training, I'd say it's my business.

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

.... The patronus is yours?

[hisdarkmark]

[A smirk. Oh good, a game we're good at. It's called 'Breaking Gryffindor-brains.'] Of course he is.

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

You shouldn't be able to cast one.

[hisdarkmark]

And why not?

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

Because that's a spell used to defend against your lot. It's not supposed to be a way to spy on your enemies.

[hisdarkmark]

...Longbottom. Look at him. You don't honestly think he could be used as a spy, do you? [Considering Padfoot's sitting on the ground scratching his ear with his hindleg.]

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

[asdfjkl; THAT IS THE CUTEST THING EVER.] I didn't say I thought you were any good at it.

[hisdarkmark]

[Draco's just going to give him that look. You know, the one that's just like "you can't be serious." Padfoot's far too adorable to really be Draco's Patronus.] And...why would I need to spy on you, exactly?

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

[Padfoot was insanely adorable before Neville knew he was Malfoy's.] You're probably trying to keep watch over the house. I'm sure you're still keen on knowing where Harry is.

[hisdarkmark]

[And now that Neville knows whose he is, he's no longer adorable D:?] Hardly. Potter's the one who's so insistent on stalking me.

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

[Now he's SUSPICIOUSLY adorable.] Which is why you charmed him into wanting to shag you. Because he's the stalker.

[hisdarkmark]

[...it still counts. But this is Draco. This is Draco's brain breaking and him sputtering on air because what?] Wh-I didn't shag him!

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

[Does not. And this is Neville looking rather pleased with himself for making Draco sputter like that.] That's just because he broke your hex before he'd let you.

[hisdarkmark]

[But D: Draco will be plotting Neville's murder now, just you wait.] I never wanted to shag him in the first place! That's just...foul!

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

[That's fine with Neville. He's been expecting a murder attempt since he woke up on that lake.] That's not what you said when you were snogging him.

[hisdarkmark]

...excuse me?