The Great Hall was a familiar cacophony of clattering trays, jumbled chatter, and the occasional owl swooping down to drop off a letter (or, in Ron's case, a dead frog or two). As Harry was digging into his scrambled eggs (which, like most things at Hogwarts, managed to be somehow both delicious and mystifying), he saw Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott approaching their table. Susan's smile was big enough to light up a room, and Harry felt his own face crack into a grin.
"Mind if we join you on the way to Ancient Runes?" Susan asked, pulling up a chair and setting her bag down with a thud. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity, like she was always just a little bit excited about everything, including getting to class.
"Not at all," Hermione said, her voice full of enthusiasm as she motioned to the empty seats. "The more, the merrier."
Hannah slid into the seat next to Hermione with a small but genuine smile. "Hope you're all ready for a fun hour of interpreting squiggly symbols," she said. "Because that's pretty much what Ancient Runes always feels like."
"Oh, it's more than that," Hermione said with that confident glint in her eye—the one that had, on more than one occasion, made Harry wonder how she always seemed to know everything before anyone else did. "There's so much to learn about the history behind each rune. The power they hold, the ancient cultures that used them… it's fascinating!"
Ron, who'd been shoveling down his breakfast like he hadn't seen food in weeks, barely looked up as he scraped the last of his toast from his plate. "And how many ways can you get a headache with runes? I'll stick with Trelawney's class, thanks." He shot Harry a look. "Good luck with your squiggles."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I'm sure you'll be fine, Ron. Maybe the crystal ball will predict you'll sleep through the whole thing again."
Ron shot Harry a half-hearted glare. "At least my crystal ball doesn't try to eat my soul."
"Good luck, Ron!" Harry called after him, waving a fork in exaggerated enthusiasm.
With that, the group began their walk to the Ancient Runes classroom, a journey that, at Hogwarts, always felt more like navigating a maze than just heading to a class. People were darting in every direction, dodging First Years trying to figure out where they were going, a random Gryffindor shouting that they had forgotten their broomstick, and the occasional enchanted suit of armor clanking down the corridor like it had somewhere important to be.
"So," Hermione began, her voice practically vibrating with excitement, "I've been thinking a lot about today's lecture. Professor Babbling's supposed to be incredible—like, the kind of teacher who can make runes feel like real magic. I'm hoping we get into some complex stuff today."
"I'm with you there," Susan said, though she was glancing nervously at her timetable. "I heard we're diving right into some advanced symbols. I'm honestly a bit nervous."
"Advanced symbols?" Hannah asked, raising an eyebrow. "Are we talking about the type that'll make your head spin? Because if so, I think I'm in trouble."
"Well," Hermione said, looking far too composed for someone who was clearly bursting with excitement, "we'll be studying runes that have been used for everything from ancient spells to wards and even rituals. I've been reading ahead, and some of these runes are seriously powerful."
Harry, who had been quietly listening to the conversation and admiring Hermione's ability to sound both terrifyingly competent and charmingly enthusiastic at the same time, decided to change the subject. He wanted to bring up something that had been on his mind for a while.
"Actually," Harry started, his tone shifting from lighthearted to more serious, "Jean, Susan, and I've been working on something we want to talk to you about. We're trying to make a trinket for our friend Rogue, and we thought you might be able to help."
Jean, who had been quietly listening, leaned forward, eager to explain. "Yeah, Rogue's one of our friends from Xavier's Institute. She's—well, to put it simply—her mutation is that she can't touch anyone without absorbing their abilities. Or their life force if she's not careful. It's kind of like being a human battery... but a really dangerous one."
Hermione's brow furrowed in concern. "That sounds terrifying. I can't even imagine how difficult that must be for her."
"Exactly," Harry said, his voice steady but tinged with worry. "She can't really control it, so we're trying to help. We were thinking of using runes to create something that could either regulate or suppress her powers when she needs it. That's where we thought maybe you could lend us your expertise."
Hermione's face lit up with a mix of determination and excitement, as if someone had just handed her a challenge she was definitely going to conquer. "That sounds amazing, Harry! We could find runes that are used to bind or even suppress magical abilities. It might be a long shot, but it's definitely worth trying."
Hannah's face brightened too, and she added, "That's such a brilliant idea. I'd love to help! I think we can come up with something that could really work."
Susan nodded eagerly. "It sounds like it could make a huge difference for her. I'd be glad to pitch in."
Jean flashed them a smile, her usually cool demeanor turning warmer. "Thanks, everyone. Rogue's been living with this for so long, and if we can even help a little, it would mean the world."
"Well," Hermione said, biting her lip in thought, "we'll have to start by researching runes that could suppress or block certain magical abilities. We should also figure out how to make the trinket something Rogue can carry with her at all times. Maybe something like a pendant or a bracelet?"
The brainstorming began in earnest, with the group tossing out ideas faster than Harry could keep track. "What about 'Rune of Restraint'?" Harry suggested, more casually than he felt. "Or maybe 'Rune of Regulation'?"
Susan, ever the optimist, shrugged. "I like the sound of 'Rune of Restraint,' but it feels... heavy. Maybe something a little lighter?"
Jean raised an eyebrow. "How about 'Guardian Rune'?" she suggested, her voice soft but confident. "It could symbolize the protection it provides Rogue."
Hannah seemed to like that. "I love that. It's got a nice ring to it. Guardian Rune it is. Now, how about the design? Should we go classic or mix it up with something more modern?"
"I think classic," Hermione said thoughtfully, already pulling out a notebook and scribbling down ideas. "We want it to be functional, but also something Rogue would actually want to wear."
Harry was starting to feel the weight of their plan, but he couldn't help but smile at how much everyone was getting into it. It was like a puzzle they were all excited to solve together.
"Okay," Harry said, with a final nod. "Let's make this happen. We've got a mission."
—
As Harry, Hermione, Jean, Susan, and Hannah entered the Ancient Runes classroom, it looked like the aftermath of a magical tornado had struck: desks piled high with rune stones, parchment, and quills, while a few too many students looked like they'd been awake for approximately five minutes. Daphne Greengrass was scribbling in her notebook with a look on her face that screamed 'I'd rather be anywhere but here,' while Tracey Davis was doodling rune symbols that probably only she could understand. Padma Patil was practicing her best impression of someone who didn't care, which, in her case, meant carefully avoiding eye contact with anyone. Terry Boot was, predictably, actually reading his textbook like it was a lifeline.
Professor Babbling stood at the front, exuding an aura of 'I'm very nice, but I could obliterate you with one flick of my wand.' "Welcome, third years," she said in a calm voice that somehow made everyone sit up straighter. "This year, we're diving deeper into the mysteries of runic magic. Ancient Runes isn't just about translation—it's about understanding the very essence of magical writing. You're not just learning words. You're learning the language of power."
Which, let's be real, was probably the least intimidating speech anyone could make and still sound like a walking hurricane. I think I'm going to like this class.
Hermione, of course, was already bouncing in her seat, ready to soak up every bit of this like a sponge on a caffeine bender. "I've been reading about the Elder Futhark runes," she said to Harry in a voice that could have only been described as too much enthusiasm for 8 a.m. "And the connections between the runes and their meanings go way beyond simple translations. Fehu means wealth, but there's so much more depth to it—there are cultural implications, spiritual significance, and—"
"Would you please take a breath?" Harry cut in, only half-joking. Hermione's rambling could get so fast it was like trying to catch a speeding train. "It's still early. My brain hasn't even kicked into second gear."
Jean, who was sitting across from Harry, gave him a playful smirk. "You should be used to Hermione by now. She could turn a History of Magic essay into a novel if she wanted to."
Hermione didn't seem to notice their teasing. In fact, her entire focus was on the glowing runes that suddenly appeared on the board with a flick of Professor Babbling's wand. The symbols shimmered in the air, each one glowing with an otherworldly aura.
"Today, we'll start with an overview of the Elder Futhark runic alphabet," Professor Babbling announced, eyes twinkling with barely-contained excitement. "Each rune represents more than just a letter—it has a deep magical connection. For instance, Fehu represents wealth and abundance, while Uruz signifies strength and vitality. Memorizing these meanings is vital, but even more so is understanding how each rune can affect spellwork."
Daphne, who had been staring at the board like it was a portal to another dimension, rolled her eyes dramatically. "Great. More symbols to memorize. As if I didn't already have enough on my plate."
"Oh, I'm sure you won't have any trouble, Greengrass," Tracey quipped, her dark eyes glinting. "After all, you're practically a walking spellbook."
Daphne didn't respond—she just shot Tracey a look that made it clear she wasn't interested in conversation. Ever.
Professor Babbling ignored their usual sarcastic banter and continued her lesson. "The key to runic magic is understanding the relationship between the symbol and the magic it represents. The runes can be used for much more than writing—they can alter the very fabric of reality when wielded properly."
Harry's gaze flicked to Jean, who was sitting next to him. She was drawing the runes in her notebook with a level of concentration that rivaled Hermione's. If Hermione was the class's top scholar, Jean was the quiet powerhouse. Harry had learned that much in their first few weeks together. He couldn't help but notice how much more relaxed Jean seemed compared to when they first met. The shy, reserved girl who barely spoke was slowly transforming into someone who could stare down any challenge with a steady hand and unwavering focus. Plus, there was something magnetic about the way she bit her lip when deep in thought.
Harry cleared his throat, distracting himself from thoughts of Jean. Focus, Potter. There's homework to do. "Do you think these runes could help with that thing we're working on for Rogue?" he asked Hermione, hoping the question would sound casual, even though he was feeling anything but casual.
Hermione paused her frenzied note-taking to think, her brow furrowing. "Well, maybe. We might need runes like Isa, for stasis. It's meant to freeze things in place, so if we want to regulate Rogue's power, it could help us create a magical 'lock' for her ability."
"I like it," Jean said, her eyes lighting up. "What if we added something to help her control the power? Like, a rune for Kenaz—the flame rune? It represents knowledge and enlightenment, but it also signifies a guiding light. If we use it in the right combination, it might help Rogue control the surge of power when she's touching someone."
Susan, who had been quietly listening, jumped in with a thoughtful expression. "Maybe we should use Jera—it represents cycles, like the turning of seasons. Rogue's power is kind of like that, right? A constant cycle of loss and regrowth. We could tie that into the trinket somehow."
Harry felt a burst of gratitude. With all of them working together, he knew they had a shot at finding something that could help Rogue. The girl's life was like walking a tightrope between power and danger, and if they could help her even a little, it would make everything worth it.
"I like all these ideas," Harry said, a small smile creeping onto his face. "We've got something really good brewing here."
Nearby, Padma and Terry were arguing over the feasibility of using runic magic in modern spellwork, while Blaise Zabini, who'd apparently decided he was too cool for this class, was doodling a perfectly accurate rune on his parchment without even looking at the board. Typical.
By the end of the lesson, everyone was feeling a little dazed but excited. The possibilities seemed endless, and the air in the room practically crackled with potential.
Professor Babbling gave them their first assignment—"Write a short essay on the historical significance of a rune of your choice. It will help you better understand its magical properties."
As the class shuffled out, Harry found himself walking next to Hermione, Jean, Susan, and Hannah, all of them buzzing with ideas for their project.
"Ancient Runes is going to be amazing," Hermione said, practically vibrating with excitement.
"Let's just hope we don't end up summoning a Kraken or something," Harry said, his tone dry as a desert. "We've got enough problems without turning our classroom into a sea monster buffet."
"Yeah," Susan said with a grin, "we'll aim for 'helpful magical trinket' and leave the tentacle creatures out of it."
With that, they walked off to their next class, their minds swirling with rune combinations, project ideas, and the promise of a year full of adventure and discovery. What could possibly go wrong?
—
As they exited the Ancient Runes classroom, Harry's enhanced hearing caught a snippet of a conversation behind him. Normally, Harry wouldn't eavesdrop—but when you've got the hearing of a freakin' Kryptonian, sometimes it's hard not to tune into things you shouldn't. He turned his head just slightly to see Daphne Greengrass talking to Tracey Davis, her face tight with what could only be described as genuine concern.
"Daphne, you really should talk to Professor Snape about all this," Tracey said, her voice soft but insistent. "He's our Head of House. He might be able to help."
Daphne's trademark sarcasm hit a new level of dry. "Oh, great idea. Let me just schedule an appointment between his brewing potions and glaring at students. I'm sure he's just waiting for an emotional breakdown to add to his calendar."
Harry glanced sideways at Jean, who had already picked up on his distraction. She arched an eyebrow, clearly curious. "What's up?" she whispered.
"Something's going on with Daphne," Harry said quietly, slowing his steps. "We should hang back and see if we can figure it out."
Jean's eyes flickered to Daphne, then back to Harry. She didn't need any more convincing. The two of them hung back, ensuring they weren't within earshot but still close enough to listen in.
"Complicated how?" Tracey pressed, her voice filled with concern now, completely dropping her usual detached demeanor. "You've been acting strange, and I'm worried about you, Daph."
Daphne gave a heavy sigh, one that could have been heard from the moon. "Oh, I don't know," she said, voice dripping with exasperation. "Maybe because I've got a whole catalog of magical disasters happening to me? I've never felt so cursed since my last attempt at brewing a self-cleaning cauldron."
By now, Harry was intrigued, and so was Jean. Their minds were already racing for possibilities. Was Daphne dealing with magical instability? A curse? Or—Harry frowned, considering the words he'd overheard earlier—could it be something more?
He glanced at Jean. "Should we step in?"
Jean bit her lip, clearly weighing the options. "We've got to help. But let's be tactful. Daphne's not the type who likes being the center of sympathy."
So, with their brains in full "help mode," Harry approached the pair, his curiosity burning. "Hey, Daphne, Tracey," he started, trying to sound casual but not succeeding. "I couldn't help but overhear. You good, Daphne?"
Daphne spun around, her eyebrows raised in a mix of surprise and annoyance. "Potter," she said dryly, "Well, this is an unexpected audience for my personal meltdown. What, you've got a front-row seat to the disaster show?"
Jean stepped up beside Harry, giving Daphne a warm, understanding smile. "We overheard, and we just wanted to make sure you're alright. We can help."
Susan, who had been hanging back with Hannah, stepped forward too, her face open and sincere. "We all know what it's like to deal with something weird and magical. You're not alone, Daphne."
Daphne's eyes flickered from one face to another, her defenses momentarily lowered. The sarcasm remained, but it was softer now, less of an armor and more of a reflex. "Well, this is new. Since when did Potter and his band of merry misfits get so… compassionate? What's the deal, Potter? You feeling alright?"
"I think," Harry started slowly, "that you might be dealing with something... similar to what happened to some of us. Like me. And Jean."
Daphne gave him a skeptical look, raising an eyebrow. "Okay, now you've officially lost me. This sounds like some heroic origin story."
Jean chuckled, stepping in. "Well, in a way, it is. It's called the X-gene, and it's the source of some… interesting abilities. They're not always predictable, and they can be pretty intense."
Daphne's confusion morphed into a mix of wariness and curiosity. "So you're saying I've got some mutant thing going on? Great. Is this the part where I start randomly throwing fireballs and sprouting claws?"
Susan, clearly not wanting to make light of the situation, smiled reassuringly. "It's not always that dramatic. But yeah, it's possible that your abilities might be starting to surface. And trust me, it's not easy. We've all had our own... surprises."
Daphne sighed dramatically, but there was a flicker of something else in her eyes—maybe relief? "Well, that's a plot twist I didn't expect. Great. So I'm basically one tragic backstory away from joining your X-Men team. What now, Potter?"
Tracey, who had been quietly watching, nodded. "Whatever this is, Daphne, you don't have to go through it alone. We'll figure it out. Together."
Harry nodded firmly, feeling a sense of purpose build in his chest. "Yeah. Let's meet up after classes, and we'll go over everything. We'll find out what's going on. Together."
Daphne exhaled, a mix of resignation and relief washing over her. "I didn't think I'd be having a heart-to-heart with Potter, but... thanks, I guess."
"Anytime," Harry said, giving her a slight smile. "We've all been there."
As they rejoined the rest of their group, Harry felt a shift in the air. This wasn't just about their mission with Rogue anymore. Now, they had to figure out how to help Daphne control whatever was happening to her—and that meant sticking together through whatever came next.
With a final nod to Daphne and Tracey, the group continued on, feeling more united than ever. They were ready for whatever the next challenge threw at them. After all, they had runes to learn, mutant genes to untangle, and a Rogue to save. No big deal, right?
"I think this year's going to be... interesting," Hermione said with a knowing smile, the excitement already building.
"You can say that again," Harry muttered, his mind spinning with everything they'd just uncovered.
But, hey, at least they had each other. That counted for a lot.
—
As the class filed out of the Divination Tower, there was a definite buzz in the air. Professor Trelawney had done it again—her latest prophecy leaving everyone with more questions than answers. Ron, looking like he'd just survived an exam on a bad day, sidled up to Neville, who was desperately trying to contain the chaos that was his bag, which looked like it had been mauled by a Hippogriff.
"Can you believe her?" Ron asked, shaking his head and throwing a casual arm over Neville's shoulder. "She said you're about to face some 'great change.' What's that even mean? Maybe you're gonna turn into the next big thing in wizarding world. Like, a hero or something."
Neville, who was mostly concerned about his bag spilling its contents into the street (including half a dozen rolled-up parchments, some mysterious plant stems, and an unidentifiable object that was probably still alive), frowned. "I dunno, Ron. What kind of change? What if it's bad? She kept going on about 'a great power within you will awaken.' Sounds like it could end badly, doesn't it?"
Dean, who was practically bouncing next to them like a sugar-high golden retriever, grinned. "Maybe you're gonna be famous. You know, like a wizarding rock star. Get your own fan club and everything."
"Yeah, right," Seamus chimed in from the other side, smirking. "Maybe you'll suddenly become a potion master and finally stop blowing things up. I mean, it's been a while since you've blown up a cauldron, hasn't it?"
Neville's face morphed into the kind of worried expression usually reserved for people who had just seen an overly enthusiastic blast-ended skrewt up close. "But what if it's something dangerous? What if I start accidentally setting things on fire, or worse? She kept saying 'great power within you,' and now I'm worried I'm gonna cause an explosion of some kind."
Hermione, who had slipped into the group from the shadows (or was that from under a pile of ancient textbooks? Who knew with her), adjusted her bag as if it weighed a ton and joined the conversation. "Neville, relax. Divination is about as accurate as a broken weather vane. It's all vague, poetic nonsense. You've got to take it with a grain of salt."
But Hermione wasn't looking entirely unruffled. Her hair, as always, was neatly controlled, but there was a faint glint in her eyes that suggested she was thinking about her own, much more real magical adventures. She adjusted her Time-Turner discreetly, but only someone who was paying attention (like Ron) would notice.
Ron tried to comfort Neville in his own charmingly awkward way by slapping him on the back, which caused Neville to stumble into Lavender Brown, who, quite dramatically, had just finished her conversation with Parvati. Lavender's face was scrunched up like she'd just bitten into a particularly sour lemon.
"Hey, don't be so hard on yourself, Neville!" Lavender said, beaming, though her smile was a little too wide. "I mean, maybe you will have a big moment! You know, like a destiny kind of thing. I had this amazing reading the other day that said something about—"
Parvati, ever the calming presence, rolled her eyes and cut Lavender off. "Lavender, you've got to stop telling people their 'destiny' based on half-baked tea leaf readings. It's a whole thing."
"You're not helping," Ron muttered under his breath.
"Anyway," Neville said, holding his bag together with what seemed like sheer willpower, "it's all too much for me. What if it's something bad?"
Seamus, ever the optimist (or was it just the constant supply of biscuits?), grinned widely and clapped Neville on the shoulder. "If it's bad, we'll be right there to help. And if it's good, well, we'll throw a party. Either way, I'm so down for the Neville Longbottom Power Hour."
Hermione nodded thoughtfully, her eyes flicking to the rest of the group. "We'll face it together, Neville. I mean, if you suddenly get magical powers, I'm sure we'll all have to sit down and plan your superhero costume."
Ron blinked. "Wait, hold up, what kind of superhero powers do you think Neville's gonna have?"
Dean immediately pointed at Neville, grinning. "He could be like, 'The Amazing Herbologist,' and save the day with just a couple of magical plants. You know, drop some crazy acid-flower mix on the bad guys and—"
"Okay, let's not get carried away," Hermione said, sounding very much like the voice of reason, but her grin was impossible to hide. "Neville might not have to fight anyone with random plant powers."
Lavender, who had not been listening, piped up again, "I think Neville should have wings. Like, actual wings. Or maybe an army of talking plants to help him save the world. Wouldn't that be fab?"
Neville's head whirled as his friends brainstormed the least realistic ideas for his newfound powers. But, as always, their support was enough to make him feel a little less worried about the whole prophecy thing. If he was going to face a "great change," at least he knew he wouldn't face it alone.
And then, as if to cap it off, Lavender added one more thing, with a completely serious expression: "But if you get wings, Neville, you'll have to promise to fly me to Hogsmeade. Deal?"
Neville just stared at her, utterly lost for words. "I think I need to go sit down now," he muttered.
The rest of the group broke into laughter, even as Hermione, shaking her head, led the way to their next class.
—
As they rounded the corner, Ron, Hermione, and Neville ran into Harry, Jean, Susan, and Hannah. It didn't take long for Harry to notice the look on Neville's face—the kind of look that screamed "I'm trying to keep it together, but I'm definitely freaking out."
"What's up, Neville?" Harry asked, raising an eyebrow. He'd seen that look on Neville a lot over the years, usually right before something really weird went down.
Ron didn't waste any time filling them in. "Trelawney gave Neville one of her classic prophecies. Said he's in for a 'great change,' like some big power's about to wake up inside him." He gestured at Neville's bag, which was still teetering on the brink of total collapse, as if to highlight just how unstable things were getting.
Neville, bless him, looked like he was about two seconds away from losing all his contents in the hall. "Yeah, that's pretty much all she said. Great power, significant change... just like that."
Jean, who was always a little more in tune with the mystical side of things (not to mention, a bit more suspicious), exchanged a glance with Harry. "That sounds familiar," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of concern. "A power awakening inside you… It's like déjà vu, but with a twist."
Harry nodded, his brows furrowing as he approached Neville. His expression was a perfect blend of seriousness and reassurance. "Neville, do you remember anything else? Any details that stuck out?"
Neville's mind was still reeling from the whole "prophecy" thing. His grip on his bag was now a death grip—like if he let go, it might explode into a million pieces. "Just… just that. A great power and a big change." He looked at his bag as though it might give him the answers. "What does that even mean?"
Harry leaned in, his voice quieter now, as though the answer might be something only Neville could understand. "There's something you should know. Jean, Susan, and I… well, we've got abilities that are a little different from regular magic. It's called the X-gene. And I think Trelawney might be hinting that your power is about to awaken."
Neville blinked at him, clearly baffled. His bag was in serious danger of splitting open, but he managed to keep his focus. "X-gene? What's that? Sounds like something from a muggle comic book."
Jean, ever the calm one in the group (and, let's face it, usually the one with a plan), smiled reassuringly. "It's not quite like that. It means you might have a special ability—something magical, but not like what you've learned in class. It can be overwhelming at first, but don't worry, we've been through it. You're not alone in this."
Susan, always supportive and never one to let someone face something alone, nodded. "Exactly. We're here for you, Neville. Whatever happens, we've got your back."
Hannah, who had been quiet up until now, added, "And hey, maybe it'll be something really cool. Like, you could be a human flamethrower or something."
"Human flamethrower, eh?" Ron mused, sounding like he was considering the possibilities. "Neville could light up a whole room without even touching the matches. Might get us out of a few sticky situations, right?"
Neville looked a little less panicked, but only just. "I'd rather not start shooting fire out of my fingers, if I'm being honest."
Hermione, who had been listening thoughtfully (and possibly multitasking by doing the mental equivalent of calculating the risk of Neville accidentally burning down the whole school), jumped in. "We should be prepared for anything, though. We've seen strange things happen at Hogwarts before. If you start noticing anything weird—anything—tell us right away."
Ron threw in his two cents. "Yeah, mate, we're here for you, no matter what it is. And hey, if you turn into a superhero, we'll help you come up with a cool name."
That caught Neville's attention. "A name?"
"Well, yeah," Ron said, sounding way too casual about it. "I mean, if you've got some special power, you might need a code name. You know, like… Captain Herbivore or The Green Thumb."
Jean raised an eyebrow, looking amused. "Ron, please. You really think Neville's going to go around calling himself 'Captain Herbivore'?"
Susan grinned. "Honestly, I think 'The Green Thumb' has potential. Could be your brand. You could be the one to rescue us all with, like, super magical plants."
Neville chuckled, but it was shaky. "I don't think I'll be saving anyone with plants."
"Okay, okay," Ron said, waving his hand dramatically. "How about The Power of Neville? Short, sweet, to the point."
Hannah, ever the sarcastic one in the group (though she hid it behind her gentle smile), tossed out, "How about Mighty Longbottom? Sounds heroic enough."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "We should probably stick with something that doesn't sound like it belongs in a children's book."
Jean, always the one to ground them when they went a little too far with ideas, said with a smile, "Let's focus on what's really important: Neville, we're with you, no matter what happens. If something weird does start happening—like you accidentally set your broom on fire during Quidditch—just remember, we've got your back."
Neville managed a shaky smile. It wasn't much, but it was enough to show that maybe, just maybe, he could get through whatever this prophecy was going to throw his way.
"Thanks, everyone," he said, still gripping his bag for dear life. "I guess we'll just have to see what happens, won't we?"
The group exchanged glances, their faces a mix of uncertainty and determination. There was no telling what kind of "change" Trelawney's cryptic prophecy was leading to, but whatever it was, they knew Neville wouldn't be facing it alone.
"Alright, gang," Ron said, breaking the tension with a wide grin. "Who's ready to go get thoroughly confused in our next class?"
With that, the group walked off toward their next class, Neville feeling a little more at ease knowing he had friends like them by his side. After all, Hogwarts wasn't exactly known for making things easy. But with this crew? Well, maybe they had a shot at handling whatever weird was about to happen.
---
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