Chris Kassidy
When we heard that voice call to us, I think we all panicked. I did, for sure! We spun around, looking into the face of our Herbology teacher, Professor Neville Longbottom. I gulped. James was the first to speak.
"Professor! Hello, sir! We were just on our way to bed." Professor Longbottom eyed each of us. First, he looked at Lissa. He made his eyes go squinty, and frowned. Then he looked at me. He had the same reaction. I expected he would do the same to James, and then give us each a week's worth of detention. Maybe he would even take away house points. Oh, boy, we were in for it! But, thank God, I was wrong. When he saw James, he smiled.
"James Potter? How are you? How are Mum and Dad? And Al and Lily?" He walked over and shook James's hand. James smiled.
"Oh, I am just great, Professor! And~" He didn't let James continue.
"Oh, we aren't in class yet James! You can call me Neville."
"Okay, well, Neville then. I am good. Dad is good, as well. He's an auror now! Mum requests that I send you her love. And Al and Lily are as troublesome as ever." James and Professor Longbottom laughed. I was having trouble understanding all of this.
"Harry's an auror? Wow! And Ginny, tell her thanks, and that I 'send my love' right back to your family." He was chuckling. I forced out a confused (supposed to be friendly) smile. "And who are your friends, James?" added Professor.
"Well, sir, this is Lissa Mariette," he gestured to Lissy. "And this it Chris Kassidy." James smiled, pointing his arms at me.
"Well, well, well. It appears we have the next Harry, Ron, and Hermione. You know, James, they snuck out a lot, too!" He chortled again. My face went crooked, and I was having so much trouble understanding. "Okay, your friends haven't the slightest idea what we are talking about, so I shall explain. James's dad, Harry, and I are friends. So, that's how I know the Potters. Now, Harry, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger used to be best friends. Of course, now it's Hermione Weasley. But they would always sneak out at night to explore. Got in lots of trouble for it, too! The three were inseparable. You three just reminded me of them, that's all." The professor was still laughing. It didn't seem that funny! I laughed anyway.
"Yeah, we visit the Weasleys often; especially considering my mum is Ron's sister." James spoke again.
"Okay, you three can go, just don't let any other professors catch you! Good night, James. Good night, Lissa and Chris." He smiled and walked away. James grabbed his cloak once the professor was out of sight, and we hurried back to our common room.
"Uh, James? That was so weird," Liss said, finally. She made a funny face. James just laughed.
"Oh, I know. But Neville-I mean, Professor Longbottom-is nice, so I had to stop and chat. He helped my dad a lot when they were younger and Voldemort was at large, so, naturally, I owe him respect."
"Still, it was insane he asked you to call him Neville. And he asked about your family by first names!" Liss said.
"Yeah, let's just go to sleep, I'm tired!" James replied. I nodded in agreement.
"Fizzing Werhlbees," James recited the password. The portrait of the fat lady swung open and we headed up to our beds.
"Good night," murmured Lissy, as we were half up the stairs. I didn't respond. I just crept to my bed, without even changing, and drifted into a deep sleep.