+Magica II: Brewing Storms ~ Chapter 5: Changing Winds

Hermione knew things would never be normal again as soon as her powers manifested. It was like when she found out she was a witch. She knew then she could do amazing things, was special in a way other students were, and was going to go to a special school where there were others like her. She'd never really gotten along with the others where she was, and not just because she was really smart. Everyone could tell that she was different, and when she first got to Hogwarts she thought things would be normal, but then she realized even there she wasn't normal, being one of the smartest at the school, and also having Harry as a friend, something she had never expected to occur. She took a deep breath, tracing the window glass that had frosted over.

"Still, this shouldn't be something that causes such a big argument. People can't help being born the way they are, let alone being sorted into the houses that they are. Actually, it was my choice to be sorted into the house I was sorted into, and I wish that they would respect that, but they for some reason can't." She over heard the rumor about certain people wanting to see her resorted, and she thought, no feared that the teachers might give in. Alannis made her stomach churn, and she disliked the fact the girl always felt she was right. "Even if the teachers don't give in, she won'ts stop, nor will her parents."

She also found herself approached to be "friends" with from people she really didn't know. Thsi irritated her to say the least, and some also commented on the fact she should be resorted, which was where she came to find out about the rumor. She wasn't sure if Alannis put them up to it, hoping she would consent, but in the long run she hated the fact she was getting so much attention. She thought she would be glad when the next person was found out, but when she heard who it was, she became highly concerned.

It was Neville.

She sat in the library reading a book, trying to get away, when she heard the other students talking despite the fact they shouldn't.

"Did you hear! Earth has been revealed, and it isn't Slytherin."

"I don't believe you, there is no way it couldn't be from our house! I mean, it's bad enough that Ravenclaw lost it's chance, but our house now to."

"Well, your house lost out, but my house has two, so there."

Hermione took a deep breath. "Seriously. I am hoping it is not Ron. Ron would be terrible with powers, because he has no control, and is lazy, and self-centered. It would all get worse if he were with powers, particularly with the way he is talking all the time. If it were Harry or Ginny though, that might not be a problem. I don't really know any of the others."

"Fine. Who in your house got the powers?"

"Neville Longbottom?"

"What? Neville? Well, it does make sense with the fact he likes plants like he does, but still..."

"Now I know you're lying. Neville's a major loser with not just a capital L, but all capitals."

"No, it really is Neville. Crabbe and Goyal tried bullying him, and his powers went off."

"How do you know it wasn't Crabbe or Goyal, and that there powers didn't just scare them off. They're that stupid."

"Are you that desperate to have the powers in your house?"

"Are you that desperate to have more then two powers in your house that you would lie?"

"I'm not lying. You're in denial."

"Yeah, well, why am I so desperate, so in denial then?"

"Because Crabe and Goyal are losers with all capitals times all capitacls."

"That's not even real."

"Which should tell you how much of losers they are."

"Yeah, well, I don't believe you. Draco Malfoy, he's the one whose likely to end up with the powers, that or Pansy Parkinson. That makes a whole lot more sense."

"Well, no it doesn't. The other houses have fallen out of favor. Slytherin became super, super evil, and Ravenclaw, all of those house members are full of it, thinking their so smart."

"Well, they're certainly smarter then you, you moron."

"If you can't speak quietly, then leave please."

Hermione got up, and went to find Neville, checking out the book as she did so. She heard other students talking, many mocking Neville, saying he likely wasn't very good at his powers. Others said that was a bad thing, as he might bring the castle down if they made him mad. Hermione let out a sigh, and headed up the stairs to Dumbledore's office, figuring the teachers would have taken them there. Neville soon came down the stairs, with a rather dejected look on his face.

"So, you heard?"

"I heard. How are you doing?"

"Fine. No, I'm not really doing fine. What has everyone been saying?"

"Some people don't believe you have the powers."

"Yeah, well I don't believe it myself either."

"Others worry you'll take down the castle."

"I actually believe that myself."

"Well, I believe the first, but not the second. You don't need to be so hard on yourself."

"I always mess up on things. I've never done anything right."

"Yes you have. You have a very good heart, and as such you make a very good friend. You always put yourself first Neville. Plus, I don't exactly have control over my power either."

"The green lady, she's planning on training me."

"Consider yourself lucky. My... partner I guess... he's not very bright, and doesn't look like he gets his powers either."

"Yeah, but you can't bring down the castle."

"No, but I could probably accidentally drown people." Hermione let out a sigh. "These powers, they're part of what made the founders so great, aren't they, so they must for everybody be a scary thing. I'm hoping the wrong person doesn't get them."

"Evil people like Voldemort?"

"Not just evil people, but also people who aren't very bright."

"You mean like Ron?"

"Yeah. Him. Crabbe and Goyal. Others."