"Minerva!"
Pomona called out to Professor McGonagall, who had just passed through the Entrance Hall and was heading for her office.
"Oh, Pomona, what is it?" Minerva asked with a friendly smile.
"I heard that ever since Sirius Black broke into the Gryffindor common room, you've told the others not to give Neville Longbottom the password. Is that true?" she demanded sternly.
Minerva's smile vanished, and she folded her hands over her stomach.
"Yes," McGonagall said arrogantly.
"Just because he made one mistake?" Pomona asked.
"Mr Longbottom has not forgotten the password for the first time, and I believe he will do so again. I cannot let the entire House bear the risk because of it." Professor McGonagall said, "Besides, I hear he has found himself a comfortable place."
"How long will this last? Until he graduates?" Pomona asked.
Minerva gathered the hem of her robes and climbed the marble staircase, clearly unwilling to answer.
"At least give him a chance," Pomona called after Minerva's retreating back. "Maybe he can remember it now."
"I hope you devote the same energy to your own students. Not assigning homework may make you popular with them, but it does nothing for their education," Minerva retorted, then mounted the stairs and finally vanished around the bend.
Pomona pursed her lips and shook her head before continuing her search through the castle. She went to the greenhouses, the tower where Divination was taught—where she had an argument with Sybill—the Entrance Hall, where she had an argument with Minerva, the Great Hall, and the kitchens. There was no sign of either Harry Potter or Neville Longbottom.
Harry Potter had most likely gone to Hogsmeade. That was easy enough to guess. But what about Neville?
Just as she was preparing to leave the castle and check the