AN: I apologize to my readers. For about a day, I let the haters get to me and wondered whether it was worth posting this story at all. I let the people following me know this as I wanted to thank them so much for their support. Through talking to friends and some replies, I remembered why I was writing and posting it in the first place. I love this story, it is fun for me to write and I wanted to share it. For those who like it, read on and I hope you enjoy.

For those who do not like this, a word of advice:

IF YOU DO NOT LIKE THIS STORY, DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND STOP READING IT. I DON'T CARE IF YOU HATE IT, I REALLY DON'T. BUT IF YOU HATE IT SO MUCH, THEN WHY DO YOU KEEP READING? YOU CAN KEEP TELLING ME HOW BAD IT IS OR WHATNOT, BUT GUESS WHAT, I'M GOING TO KEEP WRITING IT AND KEEP POSTING IT. SO DEAL WITH IT AND MOVE ON.

(This doesn't include CONSTRUCTIVE criticism.)

Chapter 7: Powerful

Neville sat in the study opening and closing books, never reading more than a few lines before deciding to move on. Christmas was a few days ago and his friends were expected today. Much like Hermione, Neville had never had many friends. With the exception of Ron, he had never had any friends over. The fireplace changed and a soot cover Ron stepped out with a worn trunk.

"She's bonkers, I tell you," Ron mumbled before looking up at Neville. "Hello, mate. You wouldn't believe all the trouble getting into the floo. You would think me mum thought I was leaving the country for a few years, not days." Ron shook his head. A house elf appeared at the entry way accompanied by Hermione and Haydrien.

"About time you lot showed up," Ron joked.

"Well I did pick up Hazle and you know, the way here that doesn't involve being covered in soot can take a bit longer. Though definitely worth it," Haydrien said.

"Did you know you had a little bit of dirt, right there," Hermione added. Neville laughed.

"Good to know you guys don't change. Though, Hermione, I didn't know you had started warming up to Haydrien," Neville said. Hermione rolled her eyes and shot Neville a glare, yet still took a step away from the other boy.

"Shall we get you settled in then?" Neville asked, manners kicking in. Ron, Haydrien, and Hermione followed him to a grand staircase with white marble steps. It curved slightly as it led to a balcony that looked over the main entry way. Neville headed off to the left of the formal balcony and down a hallway with a row of doors.

"Gran's bedroom is at the end," Neville said, pointing to a set of french doors at the end of the hallway. "Mine is this one," he pointed to a door on the right, "These three have been set up for you guys." Neville pointed to the three doors on the right side of his.

"Does Moody still stay here with you at school?" Ron asked, glancing at an inconspicuous door tucked between Neville's room and his Gran's.

"Yes," Neville responded curtly. "Go ahead and get your things settled into your room and then I'll show you around."

"Millie," Haydrien called out. A small elf in a clean white pillow case appeared.

"Yes, young master?" the elf replied.

"Please bring my trunk to this room," Haydrien said, pointing at the furthest door from Neville's. "And Miss Granger's to the one next to it." Millie bowed low before disappearing with a pop.

~XxXxX~

Once the guests had stored their things, Neville showed his friends his favorite place. A green house was nestled in the backyard of the mannor. It was probably the size of Hermione's house with row of beautiful and exotic plants. Neville fingered a red leaf of one of the potted plants while contentment stained his features.

Hermione pulled her coat closer around her as they stepped out of the greenhouse. It had contained more magical plants then their entire Herbology book. Neville had been happy to tell her about each one.

"I thought I must have finally gone mad when I heard," a gruff voice called. Neville tensed as they turned towards the sound. "No student of mine would be stupid enough to invite a Black into his home." All eyes found the man standing there, wand drawn. He had one wooden leg and a glass eye that never stayed still. Chunks were missing from his nose and face among a smattering of other scars.

"Yet, here we are," the man concluded. Neville's back was straight as he faced off against the man.

"I doubt it was suddenly news to you Moody as you haven't stopped arguing against it since the break began," Neville snapped.

"I thought I had taught you better than this," Moody said, waving his wand arm at Neville's friends, wand still in hand. Beside Hermione, Haydrien growled. Neville and Moody started at one another, a battle of wills.

"Alastor," a woman barked from the back door. Her mostly gray hair was pulled back into a tight bun, accenting the blazer and skirt set she wore. "Enough," she said.

Moody turned towards the woman, eyes narrowing.

"It's a mistake," he snapped before turning and hobbling away. The woman sighed as she looked after him, then motioned the children in.

"You'll need to forgive Alastor," she said politely as they settled into a parlor. "He's the head of security here and doesn't take well to strangers." Hermione smiled back, unwilling to comment on a culture she did not yet understand.

"It's no matter, Madam Longbottom," Haydrien said, sweeping into a formal bow. Mrs. Longbottom smiled tightly.

"You must be Mr. Black," she replied. A wariness in her eyes belied her light tone.

"Please, feel free to call me Haydrien," was all he replied. She nodded and turned to Hermione.

"And Miss Granger, I presume."

"Yes, but please call me Hermione." Mrs. Longbottom's smile was more genuine when she looked at the girl. A small elf wandered into the room, carrying a tray of tea and biscuits.

With tea in hand, the formidable Mrs. Longbottom regarded the group once more.

"It is lovely to see you again, Ronald," she said.

"Likewise," he answered with a smile. His ease in her company spoke of afternoons wandering the halls of the manor and perhaps a few lesson in manners.

"Hermione, how have you liked Hogwarts?" Mrs. Longbottom asked. Hermione swallowed her tea before trying to formulate an answer.

"It has been a bit...overwhelming, to be honest," Hermione said.

"Of course," she replied sympathetically. "I couldn't image." Hermione smiled back, but looked down at the tea in her shaking hands. Mrs. Longbottom nodded with too much understanding before steering the conversation to the last of the guest.

"And Mr. Black, how have you been enjoying your first year?"

"Quite well Lady Longbottom," Haydrien answered in the same stiff formality that she had employed.

"I was actually surprised when Neville wrote that there was a Black in his year. I was unaware that there was one of that line your age."

Haydrien smiled back politely. He knew this game as well as anyone, his grandfather had made sure of that. There may not have been a question mark in her last remark and it conformed to all the pureblood protocols, but he knew what she was asking as clear as if she had said who are your parents.

"Yes, well I raised by my great-grandfather in Black Manor, rather out of the way."

"I haven't heard anything of Lord Arcturus Black in quite awhile. Is he well?"

"He gets along," Haydrien answered. "He thankfully took me in after the last war, when both my parents died." While he sits up straight, his eyes flash away for a moment. "I believe you knew my father," Haydrien continued, looking at the witch once more. "Sirius Black the third." Mrs. Longbottom's eyes soften around the corners.

"I only knew him as Sirius," she answered softly. "He was a good man."

"So I've heard," he replied stiffly.

"I didn't know he had any children when he died," she said, eyes once more boring into the wizard in front of her.

"Yes, well...it was the middle of a war and my parents were inconvenient," he said. Saying 'I'm a bastard child' may have been simpler, but that was not the way things were done. It was exhausting, but until she called him Haydrien, he was stuck.

"Did I know your mother as well?"

"I don't believe so," Haydrien said. "She didn't run in much of the same circles. Lady Lily Potter knew of her, but she-Mariah-had gone into hiding when she was pregnant. Sirius was making arrangements for getting her out of the country with me when she was killed. Death Eater attack," he spat, "Mariah was a muggle-born with a child after all. Sirius got there in time to save me, but not…" Haydrien sighed. "After that Sirius kept me safe and got me into his grandfather's hands. He felt the best protection was that no one knew of me. He was right of course."

Haydrien looked nothing like what you would expect of a boy who had just told the story of how his parents had died. There were not tears in his eyes nor wrinkles of regret lining his face. He was perfectly still, back straight and looked at the witch.

"I am sorry for you loss, Haydrien," Mrs. Longbottom said, accepting him as Neville's friend. Haydrien nodded dutifully and slightly relaxed in his posture.

~XxXxX~

"It's rather convenient, if you ask me," Moody said when he and Mrs. Longbottom sat in the study many hours later. "A story of a bastard child that can only be confirmed by dead people."

"I know," Mrs. Longbottom said.

"Then why relax your guard around the boy. He's hiding something, I'm sure of it."

"Oh yes," she replied. "He is hiding something, but I don't think it is his heritage or allegiance. He plays by all the rules, but of course Arcturus would have made sure of that. Yet the way he moves, it reminds me of Sirius. It's in the way he unconsciously seems to shield that girl...it reminds me of how Sirius was with James in the early years. Sirius had not the grace that his boy has, yet I can't help but think the boy hold the same secret. And that secret never kept Sirius from our aid."

"I don't trust him," Moody barked. Mrs. Longbottom smiled at that. She reached her hand out and placed it on his cheek.

"You don't trust anyone," she said.

~XxXxX~

Hermione shrieked when the knife came spiralling towards Neville's head over the breakfast table. Haydrien, next to the boy-who-lived, caught the blade mid-air a moment before it would have sailed through the space where Neville's head had been, both boys moving the second the knife had taken to the air.

"I won't have you getting soft on me," Moody snapped, apparently mad no one had gotten harmed. "Just cause your little friends are here doesn't mean you get a break." Neville sighed.

"Of course not," he muttered.

"What was that boy?" Neville smiled.

"Nothing at all."

"Good. I expect you in that room in 15 minutes," Moody barked before walking away. Neville pushed back from the table.

"Sorry guys, I've got to go train," Neville said. "I'll meet back up with you in a couple hours."

"Train?" Hermione asked.

"Neville, I'm sure your friends would like to see what all the fuss is about," Mrs. Longbottom suggested. Neville looked to her, eyes narrowing slightly.

"Moody would never let them watch," he said slowly, "you know that."

"Well it is good to have friends that can be an assets in situations, not hindrances. And I'm sure they would find it much more exhilarating than watching the paintings." Mrs. Longbottom eyed the knife that Haydrien has been continuously twirling since he caught it.

"Moody wouldn't-" Neville started.

"I've already spoken with him about it," she cut in. "While not agreeable, he's willing." Neville shakes his head a little. The three guest's eyes bounce back and forth between the two.

"Alright, come on guys," Neville sighed and motioned for them to follow him. They followed him to a door tucked away next to a parlor. It looked very similar to a broom closet, yet when he opened it there was a set of stairs leading down. They were half way down them when Ron spoke.

"No offense, mate," he said, "but your Gran can be right scary sometimes."

"You have no idea," Neville chuckled.

"You'd have to be," Haydrien added, "to keep someone like Mad-Eye in line." Neville laughed at that.

"You got that right." Hermione glanced around the boys.

"I think I missed something here," she said. Haydrien snorted.

"Which part?"

"Well why is Neville's Gran scary and who is Mad-Eye? We can start with those."

"Mad-Eye is a nickname for Moody, because of his magical eye. And Gran? I think she was born scary," Neville said. Ron chuckled while Hermione furrowed her brow.

"Purebloods," Haydrien commented to her as if it explained everything.

"But aren't you a pureblood," she pointed out.

"Technically, no, I'm not. Though I was raised as a pureblood and no one in that society will bring it up because the Blacks are too powerful. They are more than happy to forget that I'm a lowly half-blood and instead see only galleons when they look at me." Haydrien shrugged. It was facts he had known all his life.

~XxXxX~

Neville opened a door at the bottom of the stairs. There was a room as large as the entire first floor of the manor, tucked right underneath it. Weapons hung on one of the walls and dummies stood in a corner. A series of obstacles covered half of the floor in the shape of builders and tunnels and half walls and full walls.

In the middle of the open area, stood Moody.

"I see you dragged the riff raff with you," he spat.

"Gran said-" Neville started.

"Let's get on with it," he barked suddenly. Ron jumped slightly. Neville had spent most of their time together at the Burrow. Moody still made Ron a little nervous. Though Mrs. Longbottom had insisted that they spend enough time in the manor for Ron to be comfortable there and to teach the youngest Weasley boy a few pureblood manners to get him through the political mess.

She, herself, wasn't particularly close to the Weasleys, but when the boys had run into each other in the ministry one day when they were seven, they took to friendship immediately. And really, Neville needed to interact with someone his own age otherwise he completely get lost in the seriousness of training as he got older and forget to have a childhood.

Yet in all the time that Ron had known the Longbottoms and even stayed in the manor, he had never once been in this room.

A flash of red light was soon speeding towards Hermione. Haydrien pulled her to the side, while Neville crouched out of the way. Ron, with no prior experience, attempted to jump out of the way only to end up still getting hit by the light. He immediately dropped to the floor.

"Cover," Neville commanded, zig zagging his way to a half wall about 30 yards to their right. A couple of lights chased Neville, but he avoided them. Hermione shot Ron's prone figure a glance as Haydrien pulled her towards the wall. They were six feet from cover when Haydrien cursed.

"Go," he snapped while twisting his body. A red spell hit him in the back. Hermione's eyes went wide, seeing the boy fall from a hit meant for her. Neville snatched her hand and pulled her into cover.

"Not even five minutes in and you've lost two of your team," Moody laughed. "This is too easy boy." Neville glanced back at the two other boys.

"Dammit," he whispered, "Gran was right."

"Neville?" Hermione asked.

"I have no idea how to lead this team. I can dodge and fight myself, but with others…"

"What do we do?" Red lights hit the wall around them, a reminder that they don't have any time.

"I need Ron," Neville said. "Do you know how to revive someone?"

"Er…"

"What spell do you know?"

"One, have you seen our Defense Against the Dark Arts professor? And two, we can't do magic out of school," Hermione listed. Neville actually smirked.

"That's not an actual thing," he says. "Well it is in non-magical homes, but here we'll be fine. So forget Quirrell, what can you do?" The wall next to them rumbled.

"I can get the boys here, but I'm going to need something to keep that nut case off us," Hermione snapped. The boy at her side smiled.

"Got it." Neville jumped out from behind the wall and dashed from one covered position to another as he grew closer to Moody. Moody continued his assault on the wall protecting Hermione, until Neville was getting close and returning fire.

Hermione took a deep breath and pulled her wand from her pocket. She had had the stick for less than a year, but it already felt like a piece of her and she couldn't bear to not have it on her at all times.

"Wingardium Leviosa," she said with a swish and a flick. Haydrien's body lifted off the floor a few inches. She could feel the weight straining against the her magic. Keeping his body close to the floor she slid him slowly closer.

"What do you think you're doing, lass?" Moody's voice boomed around the room. Hermione jumped and Haydrien's body-almost in cover-jerked, his head hitting the wall. Hermione release the spell and physically pulled him the rest of the way. She sighed.

"Perfect," Neville said cheerfully as he stooped behind the wall again. Hermione's eyebrows dipped low over her eyes in a scowl. "Rennervate." Haydrien stirred and reached his hand to his head.

"What the-" Haydrien started.

"Help me distract Moody while Hermione gets Ron," Neville cut in.

"Neville, I don't know," Hermione said.

"You'll be fine. Just try not to hit his head too."

"You," Haydrien accused.

"Come on, Black," and both boys disappeared. Hermione took a steadying breath.

"Wingardium Leviosa." Ron's body slowly skidded towards safety a few inches above the floor.

It was exhilarating fighting with someone for Neville, especially someone skilled enough not to need his protection. Haydrien rarely fired off spells, but moved with a natural ease. He had siphoned off some small rocks from the one of the boulders and pegged Moody with a few. Haydrien seemed to instinctively know to move out of the way of Neville's wand, both boys sprinting to outdo the master.

"Got him," Hermione's voice rang out of the field. Neville and Haydrien looked to Moody, his smile predatory. They pushed themselves forward, but Moody swiped them away. Hermione looked over the edge of the wall. Her eyes processed all of it at once.

Haydrien and Neville in mid-air, falling to the side. Haydrien's mouth gaping as he watched. And the light blue light racing towards their hide out. Fear strangled Hermione's heart. They had yet to even practice a spell in Defense Against the Dark Arts. She had only known of magic for 15 months and entered this house full of a different set of rule 24 hours ago.

"No," she screamed, curling in on herself. A pulse pushed out from her chest. It turned their protective wall into rubble. It caused the blue light to vanish. It pushed Moody off his feel and the boy further back as it riding the wave of magic. Cracks formed in the surrounding area.

Hermione stayed curled over Ron, sweat sliding down her cheeks.

"What in the sodding hell was that?" Moody barked, getting back to his feet. Breath still wild, Hermione looked at the destruction. She started to shake.

"Hazel it's fine," Haydrien said, jogging to her side with his empty hands visible. "You're fine. You're safe." Her lungs were pushing and pulling air quickly in shallow boutes. "Hazel," he said calmly, touching her shoulder. Her eyes turn from the pebbles that were once a wall to his.

"I didn't mean to," she squeaked. Haydrien smiled softly.

"I know. Why don't you rest for a bit?"

"I'm not tired," she muttered, letting him help her stand and guide her around a stirring Ron. The panic has not yet receded, but the adrenalin was slowly ebbing. She took a few steps, then promptly fainted. Haydrien caught her and smiled.

"That's what I thought," he said, sweeping her up into his arms. "I'm going to go lay her down," Haydrien said, turning towards Neville who nodded.

~XxXxX~

After tucking Hermione into her bed and asking his personal elf to let him know when she wakes, Haydrien found Neville, Ron, Moody, and Mrs. Longbottom in the parlor sipping tea.

"She'll be out for a while, but she's fine," Haydrien announced. "Told you she was powerful," he said with a look towards Neville.

"I'll say," was all he replied.

"Is anyone going to tell me what that sodding was?" Moody barked.

"Alastor," Mrs. Longbottom chastised. He growled, but fell back into his seat.

"That wasn't a spell?" Neville asked Haydrien.

"No, it was accidental magic," he replied.

"Bullocks," Ron added with smile. "She's fourteen now, there is no way she is still having accidental magic."

"Perhaps not if she was raised in the magical world," Haydrien said, helping himself to a cup of tea. "But she wasn't. She wasn't told of magic until she was thirteen. Not to mention there are few in our world who are born with that much magic in their veins. Coupled with not knowing what was happening to her, the obvious bullying in the muggle world, and that much magic with no where to go, she may have learned a bit of control over it-but Merlin, I'm sure it hasn't been easy."

"How long have you known?" Neville asked tightly.

"Since the train. They are still tied to her emotions, like all accidental magic. She moderates it through them. Though when things spike, like with our history lesson or training today, we either get hit or she takes it by holding back the reaction. Either way she's exhausted."

"And where did you get your information from Black?" Moody growled, eyes on the young Black. Haydrien sighed and turned to him.

"I paid attention," was all he said. Neville couldn't fault him, he had seen the signs as well, though had yet to put it together in a nice package like that.

"What does it mean?" Ron asked. "I mean if what you said is true that she's more powerful than most…"

"Daily use of magic should make her episodes more manageable," Mrs. Longbottom said, entering the conversation. "As she gets more acquainted with her magic in controlled uses it should lessen." When the others turned inquiring glances to her, she smirked and said, "I knew someone once. It was to a much lesser degree, but the root of the problem was the same." Mrs. Longbottom looked out the window as if she could see the past and said no more.

~XxXxX~

Hermione woke suddenly with a pounding in her head, one she knew well. One she hadn't felt in a long time. She sat up slowly, minding the way the world tilted ever so slightly. Her hand snaked around a glass of water that someone had left on a bedside table. The glass shaked slightly as she brought it to her lips. Clutching the glass tighter, she recalled the magic pulsing out from her. She shivered in the late afternoon sun streaming through the window on her right.

Knock, knock. Someone's knuckles tapped lightly on her door and Hermione almost dropped the glass.

"Come in," she said. She knew it would be another ten minutes before she would be steady on her feet. Haydrien opened the door and slid into the room.

"How're you feeling, Hazel?" Haydrien asked gently with watchful eyes.

"Fine," she lied easily. His lips slanted down and his eyebrows lifted. Haydrien tucked his hands behind his back as he stood a wholly appropriate distance from the witch in her bed.

"So no headache? No shaking?" he said, slightly louder than before. Hermione winced at the noise as her head pounded in response. Her hand raised automatically to her head and it was half way there before she stubbornly tucked the shaking limb back under the covers.

"No," she replied. Haydrien sighed, eyes following her movement.

"Is there anything I can get you, Hazel?" he whispered barely loud enough for her to hear. She shook her head and then winced again.

"Alright," he replied. "Dinner is in an hour." Hermione smiled tightly and he turned to walk away. With his hand the on the door knob, he turned back to her.

"We're sorry," he said. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "We-I should have realized that the situation would be overwhelming to you. I should have prepped you for that. Maybe you would have had fun." He gave a rueful smile. "So I'm sorry." Hermione nodded slowly, but quickly looked down.

Hermione saw a strong hand snake into her vision and placed on top of her own.

"No one cares, Hazel. You're not a freak. You are just powerful. It's not a bad thing, I swear," he said, green eyes burning into our own. He offered her one last smile and then left the room.

The shaking subsided. The headache faded. Still she heard Haydrien's words repeating in her head, 'You are just powerful. It's not a bad thing.'

~XxXxX~

The rest of the time at the Longbottom Manor went much smoother. Hermione was on edge at first, but the boys made it painfully obvious that they didn't care. Though Ron did tell her how cool it was. She even did have a bit of fun in the training room once she knew they were in no real danger. Neville was in a league of his own when it came to defense, as you would be if you'd been getting tutored in it for years. The only thing Haydrien was able to get over on him was when they fenced. The competition between those two ran fierce, but goodnatured enough.

~XxXxX~

"Quiet. Finally," Moody barked. Mrs. Longbottom just smiled.

"Did the first years give you a run for your galleons?" she asked. He huffed.

"Don't think I forgot about the powerful muggle-born you mentioned before," he said with a hard look.

"I didn't suppose you did," she replied. Her eyes scanned the veranda through the french doors instead of the wizard beside her.

"Augusta," Moody growled. "If there is some extra powerful wizard out there then I need to know. It could be a threat." Mrs. Longbottom sighed and turned to the ex-auror.

"Her name was Mariah and she died in the last war," she said.

"The Black's mum?"

"Maybe." She looked out again, remember a young girl with straight brown hair and green eyes. She was sweet. Sirius had messed around with a lot of girl's hearts in his time. But Mariah, a year younger than that lot and in Hufflepuff, never fell for his silver tongue. Had that changed before they both died? Mrs. Longbottom wondered, but that would do little good as neither could answer that now.