Katie had brought up the one subject that was guaranteed make Neville feel at ease, and he brightened immediately.

"Mimbulus mimbletonia," he said, stroking the plant gently. "I just call her Mim, though, it's a lot easier." Mim made small crooning noises.

"Snape would've cried to see me this close to any potions ingredients, period," he confided. "I think he would've barred me from ever even having a potions cupboard, if he could. However rubbish you were at Herbology, I was worse at Potions."