Neville Regains His Confidence

"Harry, this is absolutely exciting news."

"Tomorrow, we can take Professor Katelyle's Elemental Magic Studies class."

"Does that mean we can learn even more powerful magic?"

After leaving the Great Hall, everyone was discussing Elemental Magic Studies. Harry and his three friends were no exception.

Neville, for one, was incredibly happy and full of anticipation.

Harry, Hermione, and Ron, who had already determined their Elemental Magic affinities, exchanged glances and smiled.

They had encountered magic and sensed their magical affinities earlier than the other students.

That also meant they would go farther and faster than everyone else.

"What's wrong with you? You don't seem very excited," Neville asked Harry and the others in confusion.

"No, Neville, we're excited—more excited and expectant than anyone."

"Still, there's something we need to do first."

Ron stepped forward, casually slinging an arm around Neville's neck as he spoke.

Neville was no fool. He understood what Ron meant.

But Neville knew that Harry and Ron had been returning very late at night these past few days.

They had been sneaking around at night, secretly plotting something—though he had no idea what.

So Neville looked seriously at Harry and Ron and asked, "Are we classmates?"

Ron was somewhat unaccustomed to seeing Neville so serious. Normally, Neville seemed weak and timid, and he was always forgetting something.

"Of course we are!" Ron replied hesitantly.

"Are we roommates?" Neville asked again.

Ron gave Neville a puzzled look, unsure what he was thinking, but still answered, "Of course!"

"So... do you consider me a friend?" Neville asked again.

After a pause, Neville lowered his voice. "I know you come back very late at night."

Harry and Ron exchanged looks. This time, they understood.

"Ahem!" Ron coughed a few times, not knowing how to answer.

Harry looked at Neville, held out his small hand, and smiled. "Harry Potter."

Ron and Hermione looked at Harry, then turned to Neville.

Neville looked at Harry's outstretched hand. A slightly silly smile appeared on his round face as he reached out, shook Harry's hand, and said with a grin, "Neville Longbottom."

Ron and Hermione smiled as they watched them.

"Neville, we're going to see Professor Kate to ask about Potions. Do you want to come with us?" Harry asked.

Neville grinned foolishly. "Okay."

The four of them soon arrived at the small villa where Katelyle lived.

It was Neville's first time there, and he found the beautiful little villa before him quite novel.

"Professor Kate!"

Outside the courtyard, Harry rang the bell hanging by the door and called out.

Katelyle opened the door and walked out, smiling. "Come in!"

Katelyle looked at Neville, who was following the group, and smiled. "Isn't this Neville Longbottom?"

Katelyle still remembered Neville Longbottom.

Throughout the entire Harry Potter story, Neville Longbottom played an important role. After growing up, he became Hogwarts' Herbology professor and remained close friends with Harry Potter and the others.

Moreover, although Neville Longbottom appeared somewhat soft-hearted, he was a chubby boy who was gentle on the outside but strong within. He had firm convictions and was deeply respected by the Gryffindor students, who often stood up for him.

Just as Harry and Ron had defended Neville during the meal in the Great Hall earlier.

Neville had not expected Katelyle to remember his name, and he was somewhat moved. He quickly said, "Professor Kate, my name is Neville Longbottom."

Katelyle smiled. "Welcome to my home."

Once they entered, Katelyle asked with a smile, "Coke or Sprite?"

"Coke!" Harry, Hermione, and Ron answered without hesitation.

Katelyle nodded, then looked at the silent Neville.

Under Katelyle's gaze, Neville replied somewhat timidly, "Could I have a cup of coffee?"

"Of course. You and I share a common hobby, Neville." Katelyle smiled. "Don't be so restrained here. I'm not Professor McGonagall—I won't deduct points at the slightest thing."

Ron patted Neville, who was sitting beside him, and smiled. "Don't be nervous. Professor Kate is a very friendly professor."

Hearing Ron and the others, Neville nodded seriously and visibly relaxed.

Before long, the Coke and coffee were served. Holding her coffee, Katelyle looked at the four of them and smiled. "Did you come to see me about something?"

"Professor Kate, we want to learn Potions." Ron took a large gulp of Coke and answered excitedly.

"Why?" Katelyle asked curiously.

"I believe what Professor Kate said. Potions can make you rich." Ron's expression was determined.

Katelyle had not expected that to be Ron's reason for wanting to study Potions. The corners of her mouth lifted slightly as she turned to Hermione.

"I want to get full marks on my exams, then graduate with full marks in every subject." Hermione smiled confidently.

"Not a bad goal!" Katelyle smiled.

Katelyle truly believed Hermione might manage it.

Hermione had a clever mind, remained calm in difficult situations, and loved reading. Most importantly, she had a kind heart and was always willing to help others.

She was a girl who dared to speak Voldemort's name aloud.

Katelyle looked at Harry and asked, "What about you, Harry?"

"Although I have the wealth my parents left me, I want to create wealth through my own efforts and help some people." Harry glanced at Ron, then thought of Hagrid as he answered.

Katelyle smiled. In that story, Harry had never been particularly outstanding at Potions. Like Ron, he had only barely managed.

"Neville, what about you?" Katelyle then looked at Neville and asked.

Neville did not know how to answer Katelyle. His Potions had been terrible, and Severus Snape had humiliated him more than once during this time. Worse still, because of his mistakes, he had even dragged his partners down with him.

Faced with everyone's gazes, Neville grew anxious. His mouth opened and closed several times before he finally gathered his courage, looked at Katelyle, and said, "I want to learn Potions well. I don't want Professor Snape and my classmates looking down on me."

Katelyle was momentarily stunned, then smiled.

Severus Snape really was something else. It seemed he only showed a little kindness when facing her. Before everyone else, he was always cold and harsh.

Poor Neville had actually been frightened this badly by Severus Snape.

"All right. Since you like it, I'll teach you Potions."

"This will test your patience greatly, and you'll also need a solid foundation in Herbology."

"Of course, I hope you can persevere. I give severe punishments to those who give up halfway."

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville all froze at the sudden sternness in Katelyle's eyes.

They suddenly had a bad feeling about this.