A/N: thanks for the review! This one is short, but the next one will be up soon.

I was wrong. Hufflepuff isn't where the lazy people go, it's where the stupid people go. At least, that's what the kids in the other houses think, especially the ones in Ravenclaw. I hope it's not true because I don't consider myself stupid. I might not be the smartest kid on the block, but I know a hell of a lot of things that they don't.

Chemistry, for example. Sure, I never new that you could brew magical potions just by combining more or less ordinary stuff, but my chemistry set gives me one hell of a head start. That's a class I do very well in – and not the only one. I'm surprised at how easy this is. Sure, there's a lot of homework and I actually have to write with a quill, but I'm getting used to it.

Every thing else is a totally different story. Sure, my housemates are nice kids and most of them grew up in the real world, but I miss Harry and Draco so much. Ernie and Susan are great friends and study buddies and I don't know what I actually miss about Harry and Draco, but I do miss IT. Whatever IT may be. Secretly, I'm glad that they didn't end up in the same house. It's egoistic, I know, but if I can't be with them, I don't want them to be friends and forget about me. I barely see them in class – Harry I meet in Herbology (very close to biology, just more dirt), Draco in charms. Somehow, we have most of our classes with Ravenclaw.

I really want to meet up with them, but I haven't had the time yet. Maybe on the weekend. I'll try to get them without their escorts.

But just as I go to the library where I know Draco hangs out without his two thugs once in a while, I am summoned to the headmaster's office.

Professor Sprout takes me there.

I'm offered lemon drops immediately.

"So how do you feel, Neville" the headmaster winks at me and offers me more sweets. "Do you feel at home already?"

What am I supposed to say? No Sir, I hate it here? Can I please go home? I want to be with my friends? I don't think anything like that would be helpful, so I don't say anything. I look at my shoes.

"Hmm?" Says Dumbledore, "Aren't you happy that I took you away from your abusive family?"

My shoes look very interesting today. My family wasn't really abusive; I just had to do a lot of chores. I was taken away from the family he's talking about by social services three years ago. I was happy then, but this man didn't have anything to do with this. Am I supposed to be grateful?

"I had to leave you at you aunt and uncles house, you know? They are your only relatives."

HE left me in the care of that pervert? Who made me sleep in a cupboard? Who beat me up with a belt? The first time he tried to take me to his bed, I ran away and called the police. I might be an orphan, but I didn't have to take this.

I still don't say anything.

The headmaster sighs. "Go back to your dorm and do your homework, young man", he says, "You'll feel home very soon."

I doubt it. I shake his hand, promising myself to wash my hand as soon as possible, and run down the spiral staircase.

I can't believe what I just heard. What an asshole. Tries to take advantage of kids in need? I bet he wanted me to feel like he's my best friend. Too bad I released myself from that perverted family and didn't wait for him to do so.