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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[Well yeah. No one is going to argue Draco's importance unless they have a death wish. But Harry is tilting his head, wondering why the hell Draco is stabbing the ice with his wand.] It's something that comes with the territory, actually. If you don't have hope, you're just going to fall flat on your face. [Silly Slytherin charm school. Learn from your Gryffindors! Harry gives a wry chuckle at that. At the time, that's what he thought Draco was doing.] I know. At the same time, I wouldn't have even bothered coming out here to ask you about anything. With Luna, I don't think anyone can ever really know what she's thinking, even if they used Legilimency. With Neville, I think what you've done to him in the past is just going to take a while for him to get over. [Harry shakes his head.] There is such a thing as over-preparing. If you just keep thinking about the future, that's all you're going to think about. It's going to happen eventually, so just meet it when it comes.

[Harry bites his lip.] Yeah, but why else would you be talking to me about this?

[Exactly, and Draco will make sure everyone knows it. Draco's just contenting himself with preoccupation instead of looking Harry in the eye. It's safer this way.] I think I'm a bit tired of falling on my face, thank you. [But Gryffindors are ICKY. Draco just sighs and shakes his head.] Yeah, yeah I know...reap what I sow and all that rot. I probably had this coming to me for years, I just never thought it actually would. What else am I supposed to think about though? I'm just here. I suppose there's Riddle, but that just leads me right back to thinking of the future.

...[A shrug and another defiant stab at the ice] I don't know. Maybe it's just because I think you might possibly understand better than some other people. Or because I love the sound of my own voice, both are a possibility.

[Naturally. Harry's still got no idea why he's preoccupying himself with destriying the ice as something to do.] So hope. [But we do shower! Gryffindors aren't that bad! Harry fidgets again, since he's sort of on both sides of the situation.] At least you get that. I think you should live in the present instead of the past or the future. This might not last, but enjoy what you have while you have it. We're all worried about Riddle, so we should trust in each other to have our backs.

Your voice could definitely be directed at people who aren't me, if it's just a matter of narcissism. The other part, though? I get that.

[Because it's fun. Poke. Poke. Stab. He furrows his eyebrows a little at that though.] I'll think about it, okay? No promises, I don't do though. ...fucking hate Riddle. [STAB.]

Well you're sitting here, so I suppose you have to deal with it. [There's another pause though.] ...yeah. I know.

[Harry's still watching him thoughtfully.] Okay. At least it's something to do now, right? [Large frown.] Riddle is a complete bastard.

Yeah, I suppose I have to. Unless I got up. [He's not sure what to say to the last part, so he just makes an affirmative noise.]

[Draco's not really noticing he's being watched] I guess so...or something. Let's just focus on killing Riddle and leave it at that. Except...have you heard from him lately? I was going to check soon.

[A snort and another defiant poke.] Then get up and go, I don't care.

[Harry's not going to go out of his way to point it out. It's more of a fascination/concern than anything.] I haven't heard from him at all lately. It doesn't even feel like he's around. Er... is your Mark still acting up?

[Frown.] I'm not getting up. I want to listen.

[Busy poking, busy sending a few sparks at the ice and not noticing that the ice is starting to crackle and water's trickling through a bit. Draco's just in his own little world, don't mind him. However, that question earns a noncommittal noise from him.] ...it stopped moving. The Mark, I mean. That has to mean something, don't you think?

[Glare.] Then maybe I will.

[That... that doesn't look good.] Be careful! [But back to the subject at hand.] I think it does. He hasn't really been at school or out and about much, either. Maybe he's actually gone.

[Snort.] If that's how you want to be about it, I'll just go.

[Draco just gives him another Look and prods the ice again. Haha, Potter. Whatever.] Yeah, that, too. You really think maybe we somehow got that lucky?

[An eyeroll.] Maybe we both should just head back to the house...s. Houses.

[Harry gives him a Look in response. That's dangerous, man.] I don't know. If it's luck, then he's definitely still here. Everything adds up to him being gone.

[Alright, standing up now.] Yeah. I suspect this has gone on long enough.

[Oh fine, he'll stop. Merlin, way to ruin his fun.] It does, but we can't be too sure. Perhaps I'll pay Narcissa a visit soon and check on things.

[Watching him stand up and just staring at him] I'm glad you see things my way. [Thus he's going to also stand up...and promptly yelp because yes, Draco, the ice will melt if you poke and prod and spark at it enough. Brb apparently going swimming.]

[It's not fun, it's dangerous.] Right. Let me know if you find out anything from her.

[Harry will glance back and offer a short wave.] Later, Malfoy. [He starts off in the opposite direction but hey, was that a crack? That sounded like the ice - Oh bloody hell, Draco. Turning back and reaching in to help you out.]

[Busy trying to swim out from under un-cracked ice and get out of the freezing cold water but oh hey, thanks, Potter. Busy grabbing on and pulling himself out, crawling onto the solid ice. Brr. Brr. Brr.]

[Yeah, Harry has slightly submerged himself to help keep Draco from ending up under the un-cracked ice and hopes that more ice doesn't crack underneath them. Thankfully, it doesn't take long to help Draco out and pull away from the hole in the ice.] What the hell were you thinking?

[Busy shaking water out of his hair so it's not plastered in front of his eyes in order to see Harry better, or maybe it's just to mask the fact he's shivering a bit] What the hell kind of ice just cracks like that? [No, it's not a very strong argument but Draco's not thinking straight, hold on.]

[Well, any normal person would be shivering after that.] Ice that's been tampered with by magic. [Fuck this shit. His coat is partially soaked, but it's definitely drier and warmer than anything Draco has to be wearing, so it's coming off and going around Draco's shoulders.] You need to get inside before the cold gets to you, come on.

[And Draco's normal siiiince when? But no really, that's a point, except he's kind of swatting at Harry's hands because Potter I do not need your help right now.] Obviously the ice isn't that strong then, I didn't even tamper with it...much. [But the shivering's becoming more obvious, so maybe standing up and heading home would be a good idea.] F-fine, whatever. [Worst. Night. Ever.]

[He's more normal than Harry, at least. And Harry is ignoring the swatting because that coat is going on, damnit. There will be words!] You kept jabbing at it. We need to get off this lake before it decides it's any weaker. [And he's taking Draco by the arm for a Side-Along Apparation.] Where to?

[Yes but that's not saying much either. They're both weirdos, it's okay. Attempting to swat again, but he really kind of can't so oops, yeah, coat's on. You and your stupid saving people complex.] I didn't think it would break. [Jerked a bit when Harry grabs his arm and blinks in surprise.] Where do you think?

[Hogwarts is a school full of weirdos. Nothing is normal! And after doing similar to what Draco just did while wearing only his boxers, Harry is not having any of this.] How would you have known how thick that ice was? [Not letting go, but blinking.] I'm not sure. That's why I asked.

[Well when you go around telling people you're a wizard...either way, Draco doesn't know about the sword of Gryffindor being in the ice and whathaveyou so he's pretty sure Harry's just being ridiculous. Granted, he's curling up a bit into that coat because ugh, cold. Luceti's colder than usual today, this suck, fml.] I don't know, you and I were sitting on it, I assumed it was thick enough. [He's just giving Harry a semi-curious look, trying to figure out what exactly he's implying. There's another harsh shiver though and he settles for shrugging. Head hurts from hitting it. Freezing. Decision-making is not his forte right now.] Doesn't matter, they're both close enough.

[Yeah, there's bound to be weirdness. Harry's not ready to go into that just yet but he knows about nearly drowning and freezing at the same time. Plus, February is colder than December.] Be more careful next time, alright? [STOP BEING COLD. Wrapping arms around you now to distribute body warmth.] Right. [Going to try Apparating into a room he's only seen from outside the window aaaaaand... there they are! Welcome back to your room, Draco! Hopefully that alien woman isn't around.]

[Probably for the best, not sure Draco could handle weird stories right now. But yes, February's pretty damn cold and Draco's still dripping water despite having Harry's coat on.] ...have you noticed how ironic it is for you to be telling me to be careful? [Half a smirk, crack a joke, maybe this won't be as miserable of a failure. I'M TRYING TO STOP BEING COLD. Okay this whole pseudo-hug-for-warmth thing's kinda weird, but not getting much of a chance to protest before pop!, they're standing around in Draco's room. Ow...dizzy. Okay, well, sounds like the house is quiet and the shivering's not as violent now that they're somewhere a bit warmer, but Draco's not exactly moving away either.] ...thanks, I think.

[Yeah, that one's a doozy. Cold water is freaking cold and damnit, we're going to get rid of it.] I'd like to think of it as advice from someone more experienced in these things. [Sort of joking and smirking in response. Warm atmosphere for the stopping of the cold! Harry will probably find this weird upon reflection, but the saving-people-thing has kicked in and he's taking charge like a Gryffindor. Hopefully Arumat is used to that popping sound by now.] Don't worry about it. Change out of those clothes before the cold sinks in, then get under the blanket.

[Harry Potter and the Action of LOL Context]

[Draco Malfoy and the Action of Said Context Never Being Not Funny]

[Harry Potter and the Action of That Statement Being Hilariously True]

[Draco Malfoy and the Action of Not Paying Attention to What He's Doing]

[Harry Potter and the Action of Paying Attention to What Draco's Doing and Not Getting It]

[Draco Malfoy and the Action of Being Controlled By Outside Forces]

[Harry Potter and the Action of Being Vaguely Aware of the Fact He is not in Control]]

[Draco Malfoy and the Action of Being Set Up]

[Harry Potter and the Action of Being Suspicious]

[Draco Malfoy and the Action of Thinking Harry's Paranoid]

[Harry Potter and the Action of Not Liking that Ice One Bit]

[Draco Malfoy and the Action of Becoming Aquaman]

[Harry Potter and the Action of Not Drowning in a Lake]

[Draco Malfoy and the Action of Probably Looking Like a Drowned Ferret]

[Harry Potter and the Action of Being Seriously Freaking Cold]

[Draco Malfoy and the Action of Having Slightly Blue Bodyparts Now]

[Harry Potter and the Action of Wondering Why that Just Happened]

[Draco Malfoy and the Mun Who Will Never Stop Loving That Harry Icon]

[Harry Potter and - hey that wasn't an action]

[Draco Malfoy and the Action of Draco's Mun Accidentally Failing]

[Harry Potter and the Action of Harry's Mun Being Forgiving]

[Draco Malfoy and the Action of Draco's Mun Loving Harry's Mun For Being Forgiving]

[Harry Potter and the Action of Harry's Mun Loving Draco's Mun For Being Awesome]

[Draco Malfoy and the Action of Draco's Mun Loving Harry's Mun for Being Just As Awesome]

[Harry Potter and the Action of Totally Loving the Mutual Awesomeness]