A/N: Cadfael/Harry Potter crossover of a sort.

"LONGBOTTOM! Of all imbecilic dunderheads to have disgraced these classes, you are the worst one! OUT! GET OUT!"

Snape was practically frothing at the mouth and Neville whimpered, grabbed his bag and scrambled out the door as fast as his trembling legs would carry him. He blindly rushed out of the dungeons, not even watching where he was going until he ended up in the Room of Requirement, the designated spot for DA meetings.

There he sat down, wiping furiously at a tear running down his cheek.

"Why does he hate me so much? I try and try and it's never good enough. I'm never going to be good enough."

He picked up the potions book. "I know most of these plants, I grow most of these plants! If he would just stop breathing down my neck all the time."

The boy kicked his bag. "I wish I could become the greatest Potions Master ever, I'd show him!"

The Room suddenly darkened and swirling colors surrounded his trembling form. He felt at peace suddenly, as if the Room had heard his wish and granted it.

It was more dizzying than Floo travel, more nauseating than a Portkey, and took longer than than flying a Shooting Star from Hogsmeade to Hogwarts, but eventually Neville found himself sitting on the grass in a strange place.

"Ho there, lad," a voice greeted him, "what are you doing?"

The man wore simple brown robes of an odd cut.

"I don't know. I wished for a way I could learn to brew Potions and then…well. Here I am."

The man smiled. "At the right place, then. Welcome, lad. My name is Brother Cadfael."

ssssssss

Severus Snape sneered in disgust and threw down the Daily Prophet.

On the front was a picture of a beaming Neville holding a small cauldron.

LONGBOTTOM HEIR YOUNGEST POTIONS MASTER EVER!

During a three hour exam in front of the entire Potions Guild Neville Longbottom finally received his Mastery. The exam is the conclusion of many days of brewing, written exams, herbology and preparing ingredients. Potions Master Longbottom passed all with flying colors, becoming the youngest Potions Master in the Guild since Severus Snape.

Many of his friends and teachers showed some surprise as Mr Longbottom had a reputation for being hopeless at Potions when attending Hogwarts. Either these rumors are highly exaggerated, or Master Longbottoms failure to thrive in class at Hogwarts must be blamed on the teacher. Herbology is Master Longbottoms passion, and he will be working closely with Hogwarts Herbologist Pomona Sprout.