"Neville?" Luna said. "What are you doing out of class so early?"

The shock of bumping into Luna rendered me temporarily incapable of proper speech.

"L−th−I−" I stopped and took a deep breath. "Amycus was giving us a lecture on how Muggles are stupid and how the 'Dark Arts' are a wonderful subject and we should all go over to You-Know-Who's side and we were protesting and he yelled at us to all get out and−"

Luna stopped me by putting a hand on my arm. "Neville, Neville," she smiled at me. "I don't need an entire monologue! I was only wondering." She laughed gently in her dreamy voice. "It's my break period."

"Yeah well..." I stopped. "Luna, why aren't you in class?"

She seemed confused. "Well, I've just said...it's my break time. I can do whatever I want."

"Oh...er...right." Stupid Neville!

Luna looked up at me. Her eyes roved over the various cuts and bruises that covered my face. "Oh, Neville...." She reached up and touched gentle fingers to a yellowing bruise that Alecto had put on my cheek, just below my eye. Concern showed in her large, misty eyes. I stood stock-still, my heart
beating rather wildly. Just ask her Neville! rang a voice in my head.

The bell rang. Luna took her hand away. "Well, goodbye," she said breathlessly, and turned and ran down the corridor, her long blonde hair streaming out behind her. I stayed where I was and let myself be enveloped by the noise and bustle of Hogwarts School.

I dragged my feet to Arithmancy. I hated Arithmancy. I was terrible at it but Grandma made me take it. Stupid Grandma. I sat down at my desk. The bell rang and the professor started talking. I started a conversation with myself.

Hi Neville.

Hello Neville. What's your favorite color?

You know it's red.

I've always like red.

Yeah because it's my favorite color.

So?

So, I'm you.

Whatever.

You like Luna don't you?

Yes so do you.

I know, should we be fighting over her?

No you idiot were one person.

I knew that!

I know it's odd but it keeps me entertained.

"Mr. Longbottom? What's the answer?" the professor asked me. I panicked. What question? Random number, Neville, think!

"Uh...37." I said. 37. Why 37?

"Very good Neville, I didn't think you were paying attention!"

The bell rang and I ran to the common room. There, in big flashing yellow letters, announced the next Hogsmeade visit. This Saturday.