The rain had been falling incessantly for three days, and this afternoon was no different. Professor Neville Longbottom looked out at the damp, dark grounds as his last Herbology class of the week, the first-year Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs, came to a close. He was very much looking forward to the weekend away from Hogwarts. It had been quite a while since he and Hannah had some time for each other.
“Nev - uh, er, Professor Longbottom?” said a voice from behind him.
Neville grabbed his case, turned around, and smiled at a small, black-haired boy.
“James! How are you? Looking forward to the Halloween feast this evening?” asked Neville. Short of the lightning bolt scar, James Sirius Potter looked very much like his famous father and Neville’s close friend Harry. That, and he was much better behaved in class.
James slung his bag over his shoulder, and they walked toward the greenhouse exit side-by-side. “Yes! Dad told me about the treacle tart, which he said was always his favorite. Also, is it true that there are pumpkins floating from the ceiling?” he asked wide-eyed.
“Yes, and bats. too!” Neville chuckled. “How did you do on your first Potions exam? I was never good at Potions.” Neville paused, remembering his dark days in Snape’s dungeon. He smiled ruefully to himself as they turned a corner back into the castle, finally sheltered from the rain. Neville pushed open a heavy door, and James walked under his arm into the bustling corridor.
“Did you have a question for me regarding the Devil’s Snare lesson?“ Neville continued.
“Yes, I was...”
But what James Sirius was, Neville never found out. At that precise moment, a loud, explosive noise erupted from somewhere nearby. Neville couldn’t recall being this surprised by noises inside Hogwarts since Fred and George Weasley made their daring escape from the castle on broomsticks, fireworks in tow. All around them, students shouted in a mix of confusion and fear. Instinctively, Neville drew his wand.
