nearlychosen | 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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Ouch... That hurt, Neville.]

It's not a problem. If I need to, I can move in with Cho or Luna. [Preferably Cho because Luna would make her crazy in about five minutes. Regardless of if he's going to stay or not, she needs to leave the room for a bit. She does pause by the door, though]

I've already had this argument with Harry and Ron. You don't have to believe me, but I hope you'll at least consider the fact that people can change here. Nothing's what we expect it to be.

Edited 2010-02-15 16:02 (UTC)

[It wasn't his intention to hurt, though! His expression softens when her voice drops, though. Don't be sad, Hermione! He's only trying to make you listen to reason.] if it's as important to you as you say, I'll consider it.

[She understands. She really does. At least this one hasn't escalated like the one with Harry. Neville's still speaking to her. That helps.

[She lingers by the door a little bit longer, one hand on the doorjam.]

It is. I know it sounds like rubbish. I can't explain it. It's just something that's strange about this place.

[She pauses and offers a small smile.]

If you need anything, just let me know, all right? I'm sure Luna, Harry, and Cho will be around, if you need them, too. And there's food downstairs.

Edited 2010-02-16 05:12 (UTC)

[It would take a lot more than that to get Neville to stop talking to anyone, let alone the person who singlehandedly kept him from failing five years of Potions.] It's worrisome that you keep saying that, though. You must realize how hexed you sound, talking about how strangely you're behaving and not understanding the motivation for your own actions. This place might be enchanted -- that could be why we were sent here.

[He returns the small smile, though, and fully perks up at the mention of food that doesn't come from filthy Hog's Head plates.] ...It's okay to help myself? [That noise that sounds a bit like a dying walrus? It might be his stomach.]

[Her lips twist.] I know. If you'd told me when I came that this would be my future, I would have called you insane and never thought anything else of it. I suppose that's what I get for coming here directly after him and before anyone else.

[The question about food makes her blink and tilt her head a little, even as she nods.] Of course. You're one of us, Neville. Why wouldn't it be? [GJ, man; you're worrying her now.]

[He doesn't like the way she's made that sound. At all.] ...Hermione, what did you have to give up to get that wand?

Well of course, I just. ...I wasn't sure how badly you've needed to ration here. [Well he certainly didn't lose all that weight from getting Weight Watchers owled in.]

[She looks surprised.] Nothing. You can find your wand here. I... don't believe I should have been able to find mine, but I did and I don't care. I like mine much better than Bellatrix's.

...Don't worry about it. [And that's what has her worried. Weight Watchers she could lecture him over. The Carrows are another story entirely.]

Did you examine your wand for jinxes before you grabbed it?

[But he smiles at the prospect of a full belly nonetheless; despite his misgivings over the nature of anything in Luceti, cursed food would be better than no food at all.] Thanks, Hermione.

[oh damn, he's got her there.] I didn't have a way to do it. Malfoy's was the only other wand here and I don't think he would have let me touch his at the time.

[She smiles in return.] You're welcome. [A pause.] As much as I wish you hadn't gotten dragged here, too, I'm really glad you're here.

I don't like the way it sounds, Hermione. I'm worried about what's becoming of you. ...Is Harry here? I want to know what he thinks.

[He stands and prepares to follow her out, at least as far as the path to the kitchen coincides with the route to the girls' room.] That means a lot. [Perhaps it means a bit less than it would before she'd admitting to also enjoying the company of Malfoy, but it's still thoughtful nonetheless.]

[She hesitates again.] He's here. I don't think he's in the house right now or he'd have come up as soon as he heard me Apparate.

[And then she leaves the room and leads the way to the kitchen.]

You could probably contact him over the journals if you really need to see him. The kitchen's down here. [She points out all the rooms with a smile, before grabbing a drink.]

...Can I get you something? [Before she leaves, she means, though she's only going out onto the "patio."]

1st seed; [Action/Voice]

[action] - ♥!! bah I fail |D also, we're on oppsite schedules aren't we :(

[action] - ♥!! We so are. ;__;

[action] - ♥!! sooob I'm opposite everyone ever DX I blame school

[action] - ♥!! School is important though! I should be on campus a lot more than I am. XD

[action] - ♥!! i have a loud Hermione muse that likes to yell at me over that |D;;;

[action] - ♥!! I can see where that could get unbearable. XD

[action] - ♥!! You learn to live with her XD Kinda like Ron and Harry have 8Da /gets smacked

[action] - ♥!! xDD Be careful, I don't think she's a muse you want to cross.

[action] - ♥!! no, but we get along... mostly... >>

[action] - ♥!! If you occasionally stop speaking to her for a few months, she's used to it!

[action] - ♥!! burn but so true XD AT LEAST MY HAIR ISN'T RED