• How the Harry Potter Boys React! •

-You telling them you shifted- (Neville's Reaction)

The day you shifted to: October 10th, 1996

   As you walked to the detention you owed for talking in Defense Against the Dark Arts, you noticed faint yelling coming from the opposite direction you were walking in. After considering the consequences of missing Snape's detention, you walked towards the yelling, curiosity purging your doubts. Getting closer, you recognized the voice, but pressed against a cold stone wall and listened, hoping to obtain context before revealing yourself. Neville was arguing with a girl that looked like she was around your age, wearing a dark blue Ravenclaw cardigan and a long, black pleated skirt. The girl yelled, "You don't know what you're talking about! Neville, I seriously wish we didn't get paired for this project. You're ridiculous. I should've complained when I had the chance; remind me next time." 

   Neville glared at her and strode out of the library, pushing past you in his hurry. He looked at you and mumbled an apology before moving down the semi-dark corridor, torches sensing his movement and lighting his path. You made your way toward him, almost having to run to keep up. 

"That girl doesn't know what she's talking about Nev, I swear. She's obviously not worth the effort, I'll talk to Snape and see if you can switch-"

"Thanks, Y/N, but I don't really need that. I just need to finish the project and move on. Nothing serious, but thank you." Neville said, looking straight ahead as you walked beside him, studying his expressions. You slowly moved in front of him, stopping him from going any further. Looking at him, you took a breath before saying, "Neville, are you alright? If you're not, we can go sit by the Black Lake and talk. I have the time, and I care. I'd also like to know what made her say something like that...if that's alright with you." You gave him a miniature grin, hoping he trusted you enough to vent about what had happened. He looked back at you and nodded, permitting you to lead him to the large wooden doors to the grounds. Weaving your way through crowds of kids was a struggle considering some of them overlooked you entirely when you asked to get by, which drove you to push past them and make room for Neville to follow. 

As soon as you got away from the other students, you broke into a sprint towards the lake, urging Neville to mimic you. He did, including stepping over ant colonies and flower buds ready to hibernate for the colder seasons ahead. You stopped when an icy breeze flew across the water, making you both shiver even in your uniforms. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he sat on a rock as you blew air into yours and found a dry patch of grass to lie on. 

"Are you sure you have time to hear this? It's a long story, and I'll probably get carried away at some points." He asked, the small tree branches above him shaking in the brisk wind. You nod, patting his hand as he looks at the dark lake behind you. 

"I don't think I belong. Like, I don't feel good enough for this school. Everyone knows what they're doing and I don't," He looks at you with glossy eyes, finishing with, "I'm always one step behind." You glance at him with absolute dejection, readying yourself to boost his self-confidence, but find that your mind is vacant. After assessing the situation, you doubt yourself before bluntly stating, "I don't think I belong here either. Maybe I don't belong more than you." Your stone face effortlessly masks your emotions, helping you trick yourself into numbing the fear and manic ideas before prevailing.

"You know how Lupin told us there are infinite possibilities, which is why magic scarcely has any limits, only rules?" Steadying your hands, you delve into your soul and haul confidence stored for moments exactly like this, where you may need to be ready to receive yelling and anger thrust at you with force by someone you care about. 

"I think it's kind of like that, except forgetting magic and worrying more about yourself. For me, there are endless possibilities. From where I live, what I eat, if I get out of bed one minute early or a minute late...everything causes everything. My life sections off into multiple different universes depending on the choices I make, and I get to choose where I go from there. But when I wanted more from my "real" life, I kind of turned around and took matters into my own hands. I chose to be here if that makes sense. It's called shifting." You peer at him, trying to gather his response and see if you made a mistake, if this did anything for him at all. He peers back at you and asks, "Are you telling me the truth?". You incline, shaking your head up and down softly while the breeze carries your whispered "yes" across the cold shoreline. 

"Do you want me to explain more about it, Nev?" 

He shakes his head and casually stands, ambling down the disordered path and directing himself towards the place you'd been wishing for. After a second you follow, falling into step next to him with ease and finding yourself glancing at him with caution, holding the belief he understands. In the silence, the only sounds are the natural ambiance of the wood and your heart beating like a dramatic baseline, only adding wind to the fire north. Your imagination has gone insane, busying you with beating down false scenarios while your heart creates an intense feeling in the pit of your stomach.

"I want to assume you believe me, but that's up to you." You look over at him, nervously fixing your sleeves and surveying the surrounding woods.

"Um...yes, I do. I don't think you'd lie to me," he turns and looks at you, "Right?"

"No! I wouldn't, I swear. I just thought I'd tell you since I trust you." You both smiled at each other, and Neville pulled you into a hug for a moment before you continued along the worn path with trampled vegetation rubbing against your ankles. As you neared the empty quidditch field, the cold breeze settled as your heart fluttered with the weight of your secret being shared by another. You sighed gladly, warming your hands with your breath and starting a conversation about your Halloween costumes.

Laughing at Neville's idea of dressing up as each other for the day, you agreed with warm joy as you entered your safe haven, Hogwarts.

Next: Draco