Leaning up against the cool stones outside of the Potions classroom, Neville schooled his face into a blank mask; struggling not to make his ragged breathing audible and hiding his shaking hands in his pockets. Before long he was joined by Pansy Parkinson and Millicent Bulstrode, sketching a hasty bow in their direction Neville greeted them "Ladies" prompting them into silence as they stared. Glancing at each other, the girls seemed puzzled by something. Just as Pansy went to open her mouth, they were interrupted by the arrival of the other Slytherin boys; minus Zanibi.
"Ah Pansy, there you are," sniped Draco, as he approached her menacingly. Neville stepped quickly between them, he wasn't sure what Malfoy wanted but it didn't look good. Unfortunately for Neville he didn't even get a chance to open his mouth before he was viciously slammed against the wall by the solid mass of one Vincent Crabbe. A pained whimper was forced from his lips, the a sudden rush of movement he was dropped, as Malfoy and Crabbe returned to stand by Goyle. The sound of a large group of footsteps approached. Forcing himself to his feet and dragging his heavy school bag with him Neville shot a glance at Pansy, who was shaking and trying to get herself under control. Millicent, he saw, had wrapped her hand around Pansy's wrist and stepped in front of her; to shield her from the view of whoever approached.
A tired looking Zanibi, escorting an icy faced Dalphine Greengrass, were the first to turn the corner; followed closely by a jumbled and noisy swarm of first year Gryfindoors.
Neville swallowed as he looked at their bright red and gold ties, forcing down the wave of longing that had swollen with in him and the feeling that he should be one of them. Shaking his head to force away such thoughts, Neville moved to stand near Zanibi and Greengrass; nodding in response to Zanibi's tired smile.
