Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction using characters and settings from the Harry Potter world, which is trademarked by J. K. Rowling. I do not claim any ownership over them or the world of Harry Potter and will not receive any money or other financial profit for presenting the work on this site. The story I tell here as well as certain original characters are my own invention, and are not purported or believed to be part of J.K. Rowling's story canon.

･ﾟ: *･ﾟ*･ﾟ: *･ﾟ*･ﾟ: *･ﾟ:

Chapter 21

In moments like this, Sage wondered what Neville might have been like, if he hadn't been raised by his grandmother. Not that Neville would have ever said it this bluntly but as far as she could tell from his stories, Augusta always made him feel like he wasn't enough. Of course he was somewhat clumsy and awkward. And of course he forgot about things a lot. But Neville wasn't stupid, he never had been. Since the very first day she had met him, Neville had always shown a distinct sensitivity to her well-being and her needs. He had always known whether she was happy, angry or upset. He had always acknowledged the continual improvement she made in herbology, never missing to notice even her smallest achievements. So how could he be as observant about her and her progress, but never about his own?

"It's awful to hear that, you know? Though I wasn't there to experience it with you.. I see your growth. I see how you carry your self more confidently, how you raise your wand more naturally.. and yet, I am talking to a man with the mindset of a fourteen year old," she spit out, probably sounding a little angrier than she had intended to.

Neville had obviously been caught off guard by her rather attacking choice of words. Sage didn't mean to be harsh, but it frustrated her. Why couldn't he finally accept what everyone else had seen in him for so long already?

"Sage, they thought I was a Squib for years. And even after I finally showed some signs of magic, Gran feared I wasn't magical enough to attend Hogwarts. I screwed up in about every class, except for herbology. It took me forever before I was finally able to disarm my opponent with my wand. That's not exactly a heroic story," he awkwardly explained in response, seemingly uneasy with where this conversation was going.

She could sense he was uncomfortable. She knew it would be best to stop. But she couldn't. In situations like this, her sangfroid had never been the best, and now that she had already started, she simply couldn't hold herself back.

"They thought you were a Squib, because they weren't willing to give you the time you clearly needed. They forced your magic out of you at a time where neither your mind nor your body were ready for it yet. Your relationship with magic was strained from the very beginning, but still.. you managed to become an exceptionally capable wizard, showing perseverance and determination whenever you faced a challenge. Who in their right mind wouldn't think you are a great wizard?"

She had crossed a line, as much was sure. It wasn't fair to use information he had trusted her with against him and she knew it. Neville had never really had much of a temper. He grew upset more easily than most, maybe, but he rarely let himself get provoked by others. As wise as he always had been, Neville chose his fights and obviously this one wasn't worth the trouble. Though she admired his prudence, she was somewhat hurt at how little her words seemed to affect him.

"You know, I never did any of those things to outdo other people or make them think I'm great. I practiced, day and night, for months on end, because I needed to learn how to protect my friends. I needed to get better for them. I know, I should probably cut myself some slack.. but to me now is just not the time to think about stuff like that. And in the end, it doesn't really matter. It's my duty to do everything I can to defeat you-know-who, and as long as I can do that, I will, regardless of what I think of myself," he finally explained, his voice wavering with a seriousness she had never quite heard from him before.

Sage was stunned. She didn't really know what to say in response to that, so she opted for silence instead. Somehow Neville never failed to surprise her with his way of thinking, no matter how much time had passed. Even when she was perfectly sure that she had figured him out, along came an entirely new train of thought of his, she had never even considered on her own.

"I appreciate the way you care about other people and me in particular, Sage. I know you only mean well, but sometimes you get in way over your head and end up hurting people, even if you never intended to do so. I just.. I just thought I'd let you know," he added, unexpectedly targeting one of her greatest weak spots.

He was right, wasn't he?

･ﾟ: *･ﾟ*･ﾟ: *･ﾟ*･ﾟ: *･ﾟ:

Author's note: Oh, I love this thought, I completely agree with Matthew! Thank you for sharing it with me! 3

I tried to show some of the less positive sides of Sage's character in this chapter. I think Neville struggled to find out who he was, because he constantly had people tell him who he (apparently) was. Even if she meant well, I don't really see Sage as an exception to this. But they are both still so young, there is enough time to grow.

Hope you are doing well and enjoyed this chapter. I'd appreciate to read some of your thoughts on it. :-)