Jane and her mother went with Neville and Mrs. Longbottom to see Neville off to Hogwarts.

Jane held back her tears until the train sped away, and then she just let them come. Her mother touched her hand, and Jane grabbed it.

Jane was only a few months younger than Neville, but apparently, that meant that she would have to wait a whole year after him before she could go to Hogwarts. It was so annoying how things like that worked, but she knew that there was nothing she could do about it. She'd just miss him while he was away.

Jane sat at the kitchen table, reading a letter from Neville. One line caused her to burst out laughing.

"I wish we had bicycles at Hogwarts. It takes a while to walk everywhere."

She soon picked up a pen and started writing her own letter.

Jane had been reading the Hogwarts history book, which Mrs. Longbottom had lent her. She did not like Salazar Slytherin and his belief that pureblood wizards and witches were superior to others. That seemed as bad as the belief that neurotypical people were superior to atypical people, the belief that white people were superior to brown or black people, or the belief that dogs were superior to cats.

When she read about his ability to talk to snakes, she felt very upset. Apparently, the only people known to have the ability to talk to snakes were Salazar Slytherin and his decedents.

Jane took the book and went over to the Longbottom's house. She knocked on the door.

Mrs. Longbottom answered. "Hi Jane," she greeted, moving out of the doorway.

"Hi," Jane greeted, walking inside.

Mrs. Longbottom closed the door. "What's wrong?"

"Am I a decedent of Salazar Slytherin?"

Mrs. Longbottom gasped. "Oh. I'm so sorry, sweetie. I really didn't think it through when I gave you that."

"Am I?"

"Possibly, but you don't have to agree with all of the beliefs of your ancestors. Isn't it cool to be able to talk to snakes?"

"Yes."

"Well, maybe you should focus on that."

"Does this mean I'll be sorted into Slytherin?"

"I doubt it."

They went to the train station to pick up Neville. Jane was tempted to throw her arms around him but stopped herself, remembering to treat other people as she wanted to be treated. "May I hug you?" she asked.

Neville smiled and nodded.

Jane threw her arms around him. She had really missed him.