Chapter Text
Adjustments: Hogwarts begins at fifteen - it makes more educational sense to me and makes the idea of violence easier to imagine. Neville is the Boy-Who-Lived, but both the Longbottoms and the Potters are dead, and Harry still ended up abandoned with the Dursleys while Sirius is in prison. Neville, however, is confident and talented in this story, trained by Dumbledore and Mad-Eye since early childhood - in short, the embodiment of heroism, morality, idealism, and justice.
1.
Angelina Johnson wandered through the train, trying to find an empty compartment. She had almost missed the departure, and by the time she finally boarded, most of the seats in the section reserved for her year were either taken or occupied by not-exactly-friendly company. So she began searching among the lower years until she eventually drifted to the end of the train meant for first-years.
At last she found a compartment that was nearly empty. Only a boy in a black hoodie sat in the corner with headphones in his ears, sketching something in a notebook. As she was about to ask if she could sit down, he lifted a smallsign lying beside him that said if she didn't disturb him, she could do whatever she wanted. That threw her off a little, but she quickly sat down and arranged her trunk so it wouldn't be in the way. Then she pulled out the new issue of a magazine filled with interviews with top Quidditch players and coaches and started reading.
The journey went on like that for a while until she was interrupted by the sudden opening of the door. A blond boy with slicked-back hair and an arrogant expression stuck his head inside - probably a Malfoy brat, she thought. Malfoy was clearly surprised at first that someone from an older year was sitting there, but then decided to ignore her and headed toward the boy in the corner, two hulking boys at his heels He obviously wanted to boost his ego on someone lonely and show dominance in his year.
"My name is Draco Malfoy. Judging by your clothes, you must be some kind of Muggle scum. What's your name?" the spoiled boy looked down at the boy sitting there.
The boy pulled one headphone out and looked at the newcomer in confusion "Do you need something?" he asked indifferently.
Malfoy angrily grabbed him by the hoodie "Listen, do you even know who my father is, you--'
Before he could finish the threat, another opening of the door interrupted him. Angelina was already preparing to step in, but now she looked toward the doorway where the Boy-Who-Lived himself stood, smiling kindly. Behind him were his best friend Ronald Weasley, the younger brother of her teammates Fred and George, and a girl with thick brown hair, probably another frst-year
Neville stepped toward Malfoy. "I hope you're not bullying anyone here, Malfoy, are you?" he said with a smile as he positioned himself in front of the three troublemakers. "Everything's fine. These lot won't hurt you.'
Angelina watched the scene with interest. Neville had definitely arrived at the right moment and saved that boy from being bullied. But when she looked back to the corner, the boy already had both headphones back on and was ignoring everything around him.
Malfoy glared furiously at Neville for a moment before storming out of the compartment with his cronies. The savior then turned to the boy to make sure he was all right and to encourage him, but he was met with complete indifference from the figure sitting in the corner with his ears blocked,.
The brown-haired girl behind Neville was clearly offended by the disrespect, because she marched forward and yanked the headphones from the boy's ears. "Who do you think you are? Neville obviously just saved you from those bullies and you don't even thank him?"
Ron clearly agreed with her, but Angelina couldn't help comparing this scene to the one with Malfoy. boy final Ifted his head, and she got a proper look at him. Dark black hair fell slightly in waves The
over his forehead; he had a pale oval face with perfect skin, a slightly pointed nose, and thin lips. She found him rather attractive overall, but what truly captured her were his eyes. Dark green, almost black irises seemed to swallow her whole. If she had to describe the feeling, it was like staring into a black hole or the eye of a tornado - fascinating and terrifying at the same time.
Those green eyes stared motionlessly at the trio before him, his face revealing nothing. Neville seemed unaffected by the gaze, more confused by the whole situation, but the girl and Ron grew slightly uneasy, which only made them angrier. They were already drawing breath for another verbal outburst when the boy said in an indifferent voice, "Thanks," and put his headphones back on.
Neville finally sensed the tension, quickly ushered his companions out, apologized for their behavior, and closed the door behind them.
Angelina was confused. That boy had simply ignored the Boy-Who-Lived - someone who had clearly prevented Malfoy from bulying him. And he acted as if it only annoyed him. For a while they just sat there, he with his headphones drawing something, she watching him.
Suddenly he stood up sharply, startling her. Had he gotten angry because she was staring at him? The boy walked out of the compartment and was about to close the door when he noticed her confusion.
"We'll be at Hogwarts soon," he said, and shut the door.
She quickly realized she should change, and it surprised her how considerate the boy had been. When they switched places, she turned to him and quickly asked his name. For a moment he stared at her with those endless eyes, then muttered:
"Harry:'