1. Finally, Master Neville is taking me on some sort of trip. Some toad exhibition, no doubt.
2. Toads are all the fashion these days. We’ll be in with the popular crowd in no time.
Smoke from the engine drifted over the heads of the chattering crowd, while cats of every colour wound here and there between their legs.
3. Pretty funny looking toads, if you ask me.
Owls hooted to each other in a disgruntled sort of way over the babble and the scraping of heavy trunks.
4. Hmm, not a fan of those talons. Might be time for a little stroll. Or hop, I should say.
Harry pushed his trolley off down the platform in search of an empty seat. He passed a round-faced boy who was saying, ‘Gran, I’ve lost my toad again.’
‘Oh, Neville,’ he heard the old woman sigh.
5. No offence, Master Neville, but I do have my own life, you know.
6. Everyone seems to be excited about this ‘Harry Potter’ fellow. If he’s that popular, he must be a toad.
‘Saw his scar. It’s really there – like lightning.’
7. Do you know what happens to a toad when it’s struck by lightning? Neither do I, but it sounds horrific.
‘Listen, we’re going down the middle of the train – Lee Jordan’s got a giant tarantula down there.’
8. Kids today and their new-fangled fancy pets.
‘Anything off the trolley, dears?’
9. Wonderful! How about a lift? We’ll find the others in no time. To the toad compartment, good woman!
10. No toads yet, but this chocolate coloured frog sitting in that wrapper might be up for a chat.
11. ‘How do you do? Funny weather we’ve been having… hello?’
12. These frogs don’t have much to say, apparently. Perhaps they’re shy.
13. I’ll say this for the frogs – the children seem keen on them. That’s quite understandable. Not everyone is fortunate enough to own a toad.
14. Oh good lord, they’re eating the frogs.
15. These aren’t children, they’re barbarians! I need a place to hide so I don’t end up like my fallen froggy brethren.
16. Did those boys over there just buy the entire trolley? Well, if nobody wants these corned beef sandwiches I’ll gladly relieve them of their burden.
He had just raised his wand when the compartment door slid open again. The toadless boy was back, but this time he had a girl with him. She was already wearing her new Hogwarts robes.
‘Has anyone seen a toad? Neville’s lost one,’ she said.
17. Oh how embarrassing, he’s summoned a search party. I can’t go back now – I’ve had my first taste of freedom and discarded corned beef!
18. My intrepid expeditions have been halted by Master Neville and some bushy-haired accomplice. But they can’t stop my travels forever.
And the fleet of little boats moved off all at once, gliding across the lake, which was as smooth as glass.
19. Oh look, a pair of abnormally large hands. How inter-
‘Oy, you there! Is this your toad?’ said Hagrid, who was checking the boats as people climbed out of them.
‘Trevor!’ cried Neville blissfully, holding out his hands.
20. Oh, great. Thanks. Thanks a lot.
They walked up a flight of stone steps and crowded around the huge, oak front door.
‘Everyone here? You there, still got yer toad?’
21. Yes, I’m still here. Call off the search parties.
When Neville Longbottom, the boy who kept losing his toad, was called, he fell over on his way to the stool. The hat took a long time to decide with Neville.
22. ‘The boy who kept losing his toad’ – I’d like to see some of the young lads around here match that legacy.
When it finally shouted ‘GRYFFINDOR’, Neville ran off still wearing it, and had to jog back amid gales of laughter to give it to ‘MacDougal, Morag’.
23. I knew it, bravo us! But do calm down, Master Neville. Even with a fine pet toad at your side, you’ve still got your street cred to think of.
24. The food here leaves a lot to be desired. Any chance of some snails? Or crickets? Or corned beef?
‘And you should have seen their faces when I got in here – they thought I might not be magic enough to come, you see. Great-uncle Algie was so pleased he bought me my toad.'
25. And might I add that Great-uncle Algie had great taste.
Even better, Professor Flitwick announced in Charms that he thought they were ready to start making objects fly, something they had all been dying to try since they’d seen him make Neville’s toad zoom around the classroom.
26. A lesson I’d sooner forget, thank you very much.
‘What are you doing?’ said a voice from the corner of the room.
Neville appeared from behind an armchair, clutching Trevor the toad, who looked as though he’d been making another bid for freedom.
27. Can’t a toad go on a midnight hop and be at one with his thoughts in peace?
‘You don’t understand,’ said Harry, ‘this is important.’
But Neville was clearly steeling himself to do something desperate.
‘I won’t let you do it,’ he said, hurrying to stand in front of the portrait hole. ‘I’ll – I’ll fight you!’
28. You tell them, Master Neville. I’ve got your back, don’t you worry.
He took a step forward and Neville dropped Trevor the toad, who leapt out of sight.
29. Fear not – I’ve still got your back from behind this armchair.
‘Go on then, try and hit me!’ said Neville, raising his fists. ‘I’m ready!’
30. Gasp! I can’t watch…
*‘Neville,’ she said, ‘I’m really, really sorry about this.’
She raised her wand.
‘Petrificus Totalus!’ she cried, pointing it at Neville.
Neville’s arms snapped to his sides. His legs sprang together. His whole body rigid, he swayed where he stood and then fell flat on his face, stiff as a board. *
31. Master Neville, this is no time for a lie down.
32. Are we off to the hospital wing again? Perhaps we should just save a bit of time next year and move in there permanently.
‘There are all kinds of courage,’ said Dumbledore, smiling. ‘It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. I therefore award ten points to Mr Neville Longbottom.’
33. Bravo, Master Neville. Always knew you had it in you. That’s why I had to keep leaving you alone to figure stuff out.
34. Does this school not do house points for toads?
‘And suddenly, their wardrobes were empty, their trunks were packed, Neville’s toad was found lurking in a corner of the toilets…’
