Please Read Today first. Thank you.

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“Neville Franklin Longbottom, if I see you throw one more book into that box, I will personally hex you to Bangkok myself! If you’re going to break the spines on them, I’m not replacing them.”

( The Question )

Joseph Abernathy blinks at me over the top of his spectacles. They’re a glossy black rectangular shape and are perched half way down his nose emphasizing his amused look.

“She doesn’t know about Thailand?” he repeats, trying to keep from grinning.

“W – well, she knows I applied,” I stammer.

( Crap, damn, bullocks. )

Jessie walks on in front of me, her shoulders hunched slightly, her hands clasped in front of her. Her plait swings back and forth, keeping time with each step she takes. I can still feel her slight weight leaning against me during Hannah’s service. Jessie cried deep, silent tears that ran from the corners of her eyes down her cheeks and dropped off her chin. She soaked my handkerchief with sniffles then offered it back to me. I told her she could keep it. I don’t think that’s what she wanted to hear because her nose wrinkled up and she held the white cotton between her thumb and forefinger as far away from her as she could. I wonder where it is now.

( Endings and Beginnings )

I glance at my watch and then at the door of the shop hopefully. Parvati isn’t here. It seems like since she came to work on Monday, she been avoiding me like I have a bad case of contagious root rot. ( I don’t know what I did. )

“LONGBOTTOM!”

“Coming,” I shout back to Mr. Fernmeyer as I slam the door to my flat shut behind me.

“What the hell is all that?”

( Speaking for Itself )

“Damn.”

“You don’t like it?”

I look up from the owlpost announcing my review this Friday at an oversized, lopsided centerpiece. Rose pops her head around the side, a concerned look on her face.

“Pardon?”

“The centerpiece,” Rose places it on the front counter. One of the Birds of Paradise almost pokes me in the eye. She pushes it out of the way as she slides around to stand next to me. A whiff of gardenia hits me and my nose begins to run. Rose sighs. “I don’t know how she does it.”

( Pendulum )

Merlin, have you ever made a man dressed head to toe in violet cry? I have. Wouldn’t recommend it. For starters, he turns into Gran.

( How could you? )

The bell jingles as I push the front door to the shop closed and lock it. It was nice to get out of the flat tonight, even if it was only for dinner with Gran. Mr. Fernmeyer forbade me to work this week. He said I would scare the customers off with my shuffling walk and bumpy skull, so I’ve spent the week in my flat, staring at the walls just like Jessie did, reliving what happened.

And I’ve realized reliving it isn’t going to fix it.

( Gone )

The latch clicks on the front door of the shop and I tuck my wand in my apron pocket. I turn around and sigh. From resignation or relief I’m not sure. I feel like I should be doing something more than just selling ground cover and cultivating pond plants. Parvati says we’re doing the best thing we can be doing. Every time Jessie beats me at Wizards Chess, I know she’s right. But still…I should get Ron over here. Give my ego a rest.

( Toad in a Hole )

Jessie nudges my shoulder with hers and almost knocks me into the dirt.

“Hey!” I throw out my hand to brace myself. The ground is wet and cool with spring, but it’s unfrozen and perfect for doing a little prep.

“What was that for?” I settle back on my knees and shove my trowel into the ground.

Jessie tilts her head and grins knowingly. I grin back and shrug my shoulders.

“Do you think she likes it?” I ask as I return to watching Parvati wander down the paths of my garden. I don’t, however, miss Jessie rolling her eyes at me.

( The Prophecy )