Cassia listened intently as Professor Longbottom talked about Herbology. "When I was a student here at Hogwarts, I was probably the worst student here." Students snickered. "No, really. I screwed up everything. And I mean everything." Longbottom continued his speech, and Cassia stayed alert. She realized that most students probably felt his spiel was extremely boring. She imagined what they were hearing in their ears right now. Probably,"Blah blah blah, blu blah blu. Something boring, boring, boring blah."

All through the class Cassia worked. She was the first to figure out all of the plant riddles and could pick the enchanted plants with ease. Longbottom asked her to stay after class. Biting her lip, Cassia wondered if she was in trouble. The other students quickly filed out of the greenhouse, anxious to get to the next period on time.

"Professor Longbottom, you asked to see me?" Cassia asked, sliding her glasses up her nose.

Longbottom smiled. "Let me just cut to the chase, Cassia. You seem like a very bright student. Did you enjoy today's lesson?"

Cassia blushed at the compliment, smiling earnestly. "Why, yes, Professor."

"When you lived over in the US, where you interested in Herbology?"

Cassia's brow furrowed a tiny bit as she explained,"Well, yes, I've always been interested in botany, but my mother wasn't magical and didn't want me to be either. My brother wasn't. He and I didn't even know about our father being a wizard until I got my letter."

Longbottom nodded understandingly. "Do you know James Potter?" Cassia nodded. "Well, his dad, Harry, was in my year. His uncle and aunt never told him about his parents, because they were scared of wizards and magic and all that. And then." He broke off to chuckle. "Hagrid, the old groundskeeper, came to bring him Hogwarts, and was so mad. Harry told me about it himself, and I must say, it sounded hilarious.

"Anyhow, you seem to have a real knack for Herbology. I'd like you to come in while you have free time and I don't have a class, so that I can teach you a little bit more about it. Sound good?"

Cassia nodded numbly, her mouth agape. "Y-yes, Professor." 

Longbottom smiled and said,"Good. Now, run along. Don't want you to be late for your first Transfiguration class."

"Yes, Professor."

As Cassia was leaving, Longbottom called for her. "Oh, and one more thing, Cassia. Call me Neville!"