nearlychosen | 1st seed; [Action/Voice]

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1st seed; [Action/Voice]

[Perhaps the journal picks up the sound of Neville's arrival as he is unceremoniously deposited on the icy southern lake sometime in the dead of night. If not that, then it might catch the dull groaning as he slowly wakes and struggles to pull himself upright. If not that, then certainly the furious squeak from sneakers lacking traction on slippery ice would catch the journal's attention, as would the dull thudding as Neville collides with some child's forgotten snowman on the westernmost bank. A sharp intake of breath, then] No wand. Bastards. [In fact, even though Neville hasn't yet noticed the presence of the book at all, he seems perfectly aware that someone is listening, even if it isn't quite who he expects.]

It's still not enough! [The words, though a bit rasped and wheezing, are spoken with the stubbornness of one who rather expected this displacement.] You think you can just Portkey me someplace and be done with it? You won't get me -- not any of us -- to back down that easily. I know you're here -- show yourselves, you bloody cowards!

[The dead silence is less than encouraging. It means that if he wasn't being watched, then he'd been sent far enough that he wouldn't need supervision. Accio wand. [The incantation is intoned softly through clenched teeth. It doesn't escape him how ironic it was that in his desperation to recover his stolen wand he's resorted to a summoning spell that usually required the use of his wand in the first place. The spell fails spectacularly, leaving Neville to suppose his captors laughed, wherever they happen to be.

Still, the place he'd been sent certainly merits some investigation. If he'd been sent here via portkey, then some other innocuous-looking thing might well be the ticket home. It might appear off for a young, underdressed, blackeyed, fairly beaten and emaciated man to be picking up small stones with a thoughtful expression, but finding an alternate portkey is simply the most plausible way back to the more important matters he'd left at home.]

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[While Neville might not see who he is right away, Draco instantly recognizes him once he moves closer. There's a groan suddenly and he's resisting the urge to just start ranting, but that probably wouldn't help much.]

Luceti's not what you have to worry about. I think "who" always outweighs it.

[It's Malfoy. It's Malfoy having a wand. This means bad things. His eyes narrow.] So the Carrows sent you out here to play jailer? Did they really think you could handle it?

[Draco just raises an eyebrow. Merlin, Longbottom's from the future as well? Just brilliant.] What exactly are you trying to imply, Longbottom? You're making even less sense than usual, and believe me, that's saying something.

[He stares unblinkingly at Draco.] I'm trying to imply that you're a git who can't handle his job, and if you're the only guard I'm going to have in this prison it'll probably be boring rather quickly.

My job. You honestly believe I'm the one who brought you to this hellhole? Wrong, as usual.

I don't think you have it in you to bring me here, but I didn't think the Carrows would make it easy for me to return. I would've expected Crabbe over you, though.

Why the bloody hell would you think that?

He's just better than you at things like this. You're too soft.

...[Neville's face, meet Draco's wand. Draco's wand, I doubt Harry and Hermione would appreciate you blowing off Neville's face.] Explain. Now.

[This places Neville in a curious situation. He's reminded rather abruptly that he's a bit too unarmed to be digging at Malfoy like this. Still, it's too late to back down.] I shouldn't have to explain your own failures to you. Weren't you paying attention when it happened?

[Yeah, you didn't think about that one now did you, Longbottom? Draco won't outright say it but he's confused. He's got a vague idea what Neville might be referring to thanks to Luna, but he's still uncertain. So, time to ask the important questions and stop messing around.] What month is it?

[But Draco's confusion sets off Neville's because how could he not know what month it is? Is this a trick? Had he been unconscious longer than he thought? His answer is cautious, testing.] ...April. Why?

[...just as he thought. But let's poke the lion more, shall we?] Of what year?

1998. What are you playing at, Malfoy.

You're from the same time as the rest of them. [Thanks for pointing that out, Draco.]

What do you mean, from the same time?

I mean exactly what I'm saying. You're from the same time as Potter and the rest of them.

Which makes you different how, exactly? [He might not believe whatever answer he gets, but he'd still like to know what story Draco's shilling.]

Because I'm from June of 1997.

[His nostrils flare a bit with swallowed anger.] That's some kind of holiday for your lot now, isn't it?

You think I would have chosen that date if I really had a choice?

Judging from what I've seen come from you since then, absolutely. [Not that his opinion is colored or prejudiced in any way, of course.]

And just what have you seen, exactly? [He wouldn't put it past him just to exaggerate to make Draco sound bad.]

You've tortured people. Laughed when they broke. Helped keep the first years chained up like animals. [So maybe some of that was Crabbe and Goyle. And maybe the two of them enjoyed it more. The three of them are fully interchangeable as far as Neville's concerned.]

[He knew about the Cruciatus, but the rest of it? No.] 'Broke'? And what's this about first years? [What the hell kind of future is this?]

[Action, because Draco's nosy and can't leave sleeping dogs lie]

[Action, because Neville'd really rather hex him and be on his way to hang at DA House]

[Action, because Draco's a troll and will throw a fit if Neville's next door as well]

[Action, because Neville wants to be there twice as much if it's going to piss off Draco.]

[Action, because Draco will be so amused when Neville finds out Draco's now an ally]

[Action, because Neville will be positive that DA House is Imperiused]

[Action, because Draco loves crushing Neville's hopes and dreams]

[Action, because Neville's not a fan of being crushed. Stupid Malfoy.]

[Action, because Draco does not approve of being called stupid]

[Action, because Neville doesn't much care what Draco thinks.]

[Action, because Draco's just infamous for throwing bitchfits]

[Action, because Neville doesn't think Draco's bitchfits are worse than Gran's anyway]

[Action, because Draco's not a crazy old lady with bad fashion sense]

[Action, because THAT VULTURE HAT IS COOL OKAY.]

[Action, because I admit, it made Snape look fabulous]

[Action, because Snape is fabulous enough to make ANYTHING look good]

[Action, because that's probably true enough]

[Action, because Neville would rather deter any combination of his Gran and Snape in future thanks]

[Action, because vultures are actually pretty scary]

[Action, because so are Snape and Gran.]

[Action, because a lot of things in this canon are scary]

[Action, because you're so right. =X]

[Action, because I usually am right =(]

[Action, because OH YEAH damn it you won again. >(]

[Action, because I have to win sometimes to make up for Draco always losing]