Neville sat down across from Professor Moody. He then reached into his pocket and petted Trevor for comfort.
"Are you Frank and Alice Longbottom's son?" Professor Moody asked.
Neville nodded.
"I guess you might have already known about the horror of the Cruciatus curse, without having to see it, although that could also mean that you most had to see it."
"You might be right about that. Please, don't be mad at Hermione."
"Does she know about your parents?"
"Yes."
"Then I'm not mad."
"You're not going to show the curses to the third-years are you?" Neville asked.
"No. I don't think third-years could handle that. I might simply tell them about the curses, but if I do it won't be until later in the year. Why?"
"My best mate, Jane's, a third year. I don't think she'd have as much a problem with the Cruciatus curse as me, but she would be upset by it. When Jane gets upset, she gets really upset. She can probably handle hearing about them though. She's known my parents were tortured to insanity since she was like ten."
"Oh yeah. I think I've had her in a class earlier, but I haven't really gotten to know her at all yet. She seemed pretty quiet."
"Yeah, Jane's kind of shy, although I am too."
"You're probably tougher than you think. Look at who your parents are?"
"Neville hesitated and then spoke. "I'm proud to be their son, but does that even say anything about me, and who I am?"
"Who wouldn't it? You were sorted into Gryffindor after all."
"Does that mean anything?" he asked. He knew plenty of other people who were in the same house as their parents, like Luna and all of the Weasleys, but was thinking of Jane. He paused, realizing that he probably shouldn't tell him about Jane speaking parseltongue. "Hermione is the best witch I know, and she's a muggle-born. Jane is a pretty good witch too, and she's the daughter of a muggle and a squib."
"Well, I guess genetics only play a small role, but it's still something, or maybe not. Still, your parents must have inspired you in a way."
"In a way, yeah, especially when they do things to show that they still feel a bond with me."
"Professor Sprout mentioned that you have a knack for Herbology, which is a bit surprising because I don't think anyone else in your family did."
Neville blushed a little. "Well, that can happen. I just find plants fascinating."
"I have a book you might like," Professor Moody said, getting up and pulling it off the shelf.