1st seed; [Action/Voice]

[nearlychosen]

[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.]

Comments

[action] - ♥!! You having class gave me time to go shovel some snow. xD

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

Nothing major. Snape's headmaster, Death Eaters teaching classes -- I think it's all things you've known already. We're still together, fighting the good fight while we wait for you to finish what you've set off to do. The Carrows like to think they've got everyone running around like good little purebloods ever since they were put in charge of discipline, but we make it very clear that there's still Dumbledore's Army and we aren't going anywhere. It's kind of fallen on me to lead things, I guess, ever since Ginny and Luna didn't come back after the holidays. Lots of people just want to give up and stop fighting and just go to class. They think Harry's just in hiding, like he's forgotten about us and what he got started. But I keep telling them that you're all coming back soon and we'll work together to send those bloody death eaters running back to You-Know-Who. That's why it's important to get out of here as quickly as possible.

[Oh. Hey there, hook. Some of the enthusiasm drains out of his expression, his face betraying some of his exhaustion.] Oh, he just got on the wrong end of a detention. A couple of detentions, actually. We're trying to heal him up best we can, but it's been slow going -- none of us are really up to Madam Pomfrey's level.

[action] - ♥!! I would say yay but I'm still sore from two days of that XD

[loyalotter.livejournal.com]

[It's a good thing she's heard a lot of this from Luna, but that's still a huge shock. She's just going to stare at him for a bit, hands over her mouth. Because seriously? She didn't expect it to be that bad.]

Oh, Neville... I never thought- I mean, Luna's told me enough, she's from Christmas of this year, and it sounded bad enough then, but this... this is worse than I thought it'd be.

And Seamus... he's going to be all right? Has Madam Pomfrey gone? Did they... [She can't bring herself to ask if the Death Eaters killed her. That would be too horrible.]

[action] - ♥!! xD I'm so glad you understand

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

[He forces a smile, mostly because Hermione looks so scandalized.] Things were a bit easier when Ginny and Luna were around, but it's not unbearable! Don't let it upset you too much. we're doing good things, and that's all that matters.

Seamus'll be fine! ...Sooner or later. It's mostly that Madam Pomfrey's had her hands full lately, with students coming in and out all the time. With so many of us in hiding, it would get too conspicuous if we were all in the Hospital Wing all the time.

[action] - ♥!! oh I do XD 6 inches out there and OH HOW IT HURTS DX

[loyalotter.livejournal.com]

But that's... that's awful! Harry, Ron, and I have been working hard to stop all this. [But she still can't imagine what it was like to actually live it.]

...What do you mean 'in hiding?'

[That hook of hers isn't letting Neville go any time soon.]

[action] - ♥!! Owwww. =X It snowed like 24 hours over the last day or so and we're just cleaning n

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

I know you have. You'll do it, too. I believe in you.

I.. ah.. [Hesitation hesitation hesitation.] Well, you see I sort of became a bit of a nuisance to them after a while. They want to keep people scared and well-behaved, and I tried to always stand up to them when they'd act out of line, like Harry probably would've done if someone tried to make us practice the Cruciatus on students with detention. And when I wouldn't back down to the usual bullying, things got a little serious, and I figured it'd be best if I got out of sight for a while. They went after my Gran to try getting the DA to stop, but Gran can take care of herself better than any witch I know. She sent that Death Eater to St Mungo's, I heard. Right now, we've still got a decent headquarters for people to stay when they've gotten too conspicuous. It'll -- We'll be fine until you're done. We can be patient.

[action] - ♥!! Yeah it was like two days straight for us and university canceled a lot of classes.

[loyalotter.livejournal.com]

...Thanks, Neville. [And she'll offer a tired smile.

[That quickly fades as he talks. Sounds about as bad as what she's been through... what with Godric's Hollow, Malfoy Manor...

[Still doesn't really help the shock factor.]

... [treasure this moment, Neville. Hermione "Know-It-All" Granger is at a loss for words.]

I can't believe that's happening. Or going to happen for me. Erm, and that's another thing I should tell you about. People here can get pulled from the strangest times. I think Cho's from around where you are, Harry remembers Gringotts but I don't, I remember Malfoy Manor in March, Luna's from Christmas, and Draco's from the end of sixth year. And that doesn't even count some of the others...

[oh and yes she did just call Malfoy by his first name. Have fun with that.]

[action] - ♥!! YAY for time off though!

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

[He kind of wishes that she wasn't so speechless. Her doe-eyed stare is a little uncomfortable, and Neville tries to downplay it by shrugging.] It's okay, nothing like the adventure you're having. Or will have, when you get to it.

[He nods at the list of hostages from their world, until the mention of Malfoy's first name throws him fully off track.] How long have you been calling him that?

[action] - ♥!! yeees even if it nearly makes me miss choir XD i'm sooo off schedule

[loyalotter.livejournal.com]

I've had enough of an adventure... Malfoy Manor was more than enough.

[She doesn't even think about it.] Four months. I know it sounds like rubbish - Ron didn't believe me, either, when he was here and it took ages for Harry to warm up to him. Malfoy isn't the one we need to worry with. I don't think he's as bad as everyone thinks he is.

[action] - ♥!! Aww! You'll get it back!

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

...What happened there?

You just think that because you haven't seen him. He's just like the rest of the Slytherins. They're full-on supporters of You-Know-Who.

[action] - ♥!! tryyyiiiiing sob DX actually I'm not or I would have been in bed an hour ago xDa

[loyalotter.livejournal.com]

[She inhales sharply.] Bellatrix. I found out just how much she hates Muggle-borns. [Among other things she didn't know happened because she was upstairs getting tortured til she passed out.]

Maybe he becomes that way when left at home. But I saw him at the manor and I've watched him here. There's something about him. He doesn't want to do any of that. He's not like his father or aunt at all. He doesn't take joy in torturing people.

[action] - ♥!! xDD Story of my life. Welcome. <3

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

[And now Neville takes a turn at looking horrified.] Hermione... I.. I'm sorry.

He doesn't stand up to them, either. None of the Slytherins do. We've had volunteers from all of the other houses, but the Slytherins all seem to enjoy the new order too much to challenge it. Bullies, the lot of them.

[action] - ♥!! XD aaauugh fail!late tag is fail and late. Stupid migraine

[loyalotter.livejournal.com]

[She shakes her head quickly.] It's not your fault. No one knew we'd get caught.

They're Slytherins, Neville. Most of them would rather save themselves. It's part of being Slytherin, but it doesn't make all of them bullies. And Luceti does something strange to its people. I'm not even sure how or why, but meeting so many different people from so many strange places... It changes the way you look at the world.

[action] - ♥!! nooooo it's okay FEEL BETTER D:

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

Nobody should have to be caught. Especially not by her.

He's cursed you, hasn't he? You and Harry both.

[action] - ♥!! THANKS i'm a little better. i get these a lot DX

[loyalotter.livejournal.com]

We were caught by Snatchers and brought to Malfoy Manor. She just happened to be there when we arrived.

[She sighs at that and looks him directly in the eyes.]

Use Finite. Brew Veritaserum. Find some other way. I'll even swear I'm not. Will that convince you?

[action] - ♥!! I'm glad! Well that you're better now I mean, not that you get them a lot. D:

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

[He doesn't quite have the words to reply to that, and gives her a sympathetic look. He understands what she must have gone through better than he'd like.]

It'll convince me when you start saying things that make sense.

[action] - ♥!! I got what you meant XD thaaanks ♥

[loyalotter.livejournal.com]

[She doesn't really have a response to that. She understands.]

I know it sounds like rubbish and I know to you it's like I've been Confunded - Ron pointed this out several times - but I swear to you, I'm perfectly fine.

[She pauses again and stands up.] If it'll make you feel better, I'll give you my notebook to look over. And we can talk later. I can sleep in the living room for tonight.

[action] - ♥!! Welcome~<3

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

People who're perfectly fine wouldn't be making arrangements with Slytherins. [It'll be a cold day in hell when one of them gets into a DA meeting back home, at least.]

[He stands when she does, though.] I wouldn't dream of putting you out, Hermione. I wouldn't mind the living room.

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

[loyalotter.livejournal.com]

[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.

[action] - ♥!! We so are. ;__;

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

[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.

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

[loyalotter.livejournal.com]

[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.

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

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

[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.]

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

[loyalotter.livejournal.com]

[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.]

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

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

[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.]

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

[loyalotter.livejournal.com]

[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.]

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

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

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.