Visitations 9
Title: Visitations 9
Author: enchanted_jae
Characters: Harry/Draco, Neville, ofc
Rating: PG13
Warning(s): Suggestion
Word count: 1180
Disclaimer: Characters are the property of JK Rowling, et al. This fic/drabble was written for fun, not for profit.
Written for: Birthday gift for piratesmile331, who requested more of Visitations, with the prompts firm, satisfaction, luxury
Summary: Neville pays another visit to Harry.
Two full days and nights passed before Neville returned to Harry's manor home. This time, he had the presence of mind to show up after dark. It was late enough that Harry, Draco, and Clarise had already dined, and Harry had sated himself on his Consort. He was now occupied in his study, reviewing a list of residents from Godric's Hollow in hopes of learning who among them had been tending his parents' graves.
Harry lifted his head when he felt the disturbance in his wards. He recognized Neville's magical signature, and he rose and made his way to the front door. Draco peered out of the library, where he'd been keeping Clarise company.
"Keep an eye on Clarise," Harry told him curtly. "If there is any trouble, take her to safety and stay with her."
Draco's eyes narrowed, but he didn't argue. Harry had no doubt, however, that if there was trouble, his troublesome Consort would not be content to simply guard Clarise.
Harry waited until there came a smart rap at the door. He straightened the cuffs of his shirt and answered the summons.
"Neville."
"Harry."
"Won't you please come in?"
Harry led the way to the green parlor, the stiff set of his shoulders easing somewhat now that he has ascertained that Neville was alone. Harry invited him to sit and asked if he would care for a drink.
"No, thank you," Neville declined. "I've come to update you on our investigation into Miss Balmoral's death."
Harry stilled and waited for Neville to continue. Silence stretched between them, but Harry had developed the patience of a predator.
"The DMLE has officially closed the investigation, and no further action is deemed necessary," Neville eventually revealed.
"I see."
"The Balmorals are...not best pleased," Neville continued. "However, the DMLE has determined that the letter written by Miss Balmoral absolves you of any guilt."
Harry refrained from mentioning that he felt no guilt in any case, only a sense of satisfaction.
"That was a brilliant move on your part, mate," said Neville. "It was almost Slytherin."
Harry allowed himself a small smile, one that didn't display his fangs. "The Sorting Hat considered placing me in Slytherin," he admitted.
"But, you were a Gryffindor, through and through!"
"I chose Gryffindor, Neville," said Harry. He then leaned forward slightly. "You're not telling me everything."
Neville offered a rueful smile. "I took the liberty of questioning a...an expert in vampires. He agreed that not all attempts at Turning mortals end well, especially when it's a vampire's first attempt."
Harry's eyebrows rose. "Whom did you speak to? Sanguini?"
"Well, yes."
Harry relaxed enough to chuckle. "I can't believe that old codger is still alive." When Neville didn't seem to share his mirth, Harry grew wary once more. "What else did he tell you?"
Neville dropped his eyes momentarily. He then squared his shoulders and met Harry's gaze head-on. "Sanguini claims that you single-handedly wiped out an entire enclave of vampires in France."
"That's not true."
"It's not?" asked Neville. His relief was so palpable that Harry hated to disappoint him.
"I didn't do it single-handedly."
Neville was silent for a long moment. "Then who-"
"Is the British DMLE investigating the situation in France?" Harry cut in, more sharply than he'd intended to.
"Er, no. No, we're not."
"Then I have nothing further to say on the matter," said Harry, his voice firm. For the first time in the course of this meeting, he allowed his fangs to show.
Neville blanched. "Very well," he said. "But please be advised, Harry, that while the Aurors are not investigating, per se, they are still quite interested in what occurred in France, especially as it concerns you."
"Duly noted," Harry drawled. He stood up, compelling Neville to stand as well. "If there's nothing else, I have some paperwork that needs my attention."
"The DMLE has put the investigation into Miss Balmoral's death to rest," said Neville, "but I'm not sure her parents have. Take care, Harry."
"I will, Neville, thank you," Harry said. They looked at one another a long moment, separated by only a short distance, yet the chasm between them seemed to have widened. It made Harry resent his Turning all over again. This man had once been his friend, but he feared he no longer had the luxury Neville's friendship .
Neville took two steps toward the door before hesitating. "Ahem. Is Miss Whitebread still in residence?"
"She is," Harry replied, holding back a grin. There followed another lengthy silence. Harry took pity on Neville and broke it by asking, "Would you like to call on her some time?"
Neville's cheeks turned pink. "Erm, ahem, yes, I would. Er, if that's okay?"
"I shall ask her if she's agreeable," said Harry. "It is my belief she will be, however."
"Thank you, Harry. I...well, thanks."
Harry nodded and escorted Neville to the door, bidding him goodbye. He closed the door and turned in time to see Draco step out of the library, followed closely by Clarise.
"He's gone," Harry said before either of them could ask. He was amused to note that Draco appeared relieved, while Clarise looked almost disappointed. To punish Draco for being nosy, Harry turned his attention to their guest.
"Clarise, would you please join me in the green parlor? Draco, feel free to carry on as you were." Harry escorted Clarise into the parlor and shut the door behind them, but not before he glimpsed the consternation on his Consort's face.
Clarise perched on the edge of the chair that Neville had recently vacated. "Is there something amiss?" she asked, her eyes wide and anxious.
"Not at all," Harry assured her. "I simply wished to let you know that Auror Longbottom has asked if he may call on you."
"Me?!" Clarise exclaimed, one hand fluttering nervously to her throat while the other patted at her hair.
Harry wondered if he'd hear wedding bells, if only he listened intently enough. "I believe Auror Longbottom fancies you, Clarise," he said. "However, if you are not interested, I will disabuse him of the notion of courting you. I realize it is rather soon after Mehmet's death."
"Oh, no...I mean yes...I mean," Clarise paused to compose herself. "I would be delighted if Mr Longbottom called on me."
"Excellent," said Harry. "Why don't I invite him to join us for dinner some evening next week?"
"That...that would be acceptable," Clarise responded demurely.
Harry didn't miss the delighted sparkle in her eyes, however. His own sparkled with humor as he held a finger to his lips and pointed at the door. Harry waved his hand, the door flew open, and Draco stumbled inside the parlor.
Clarise emitted a small sound that was half gasp, half giggle.
Draco straightened with a haughty sniff. "I was just coming to ask if either of you would care to join me in a nightcap."
"Indeed?" mused Harry, stroking his chin and letting the tips of his fangs show. "A nightcap sounds delightful. I shall punish you later for your lie."
Draco's lips quirked. "Yes, Harry."
Visitations 10
Author: enchanted_jae
Characters: Harry/Draco, Neville, ofc
Rating: PG13
Warning(s): Suggestion
Word count: 1180
Disclaimer: Characters are the property of JK Rowling, et al. This fic/drabble was written for fun, not for profit.
Written for: Birthday gift for piratesmile331, who requested more of Visitations, with the prompts firm, satisfaction, luxury
Summary: Neville pays another visit to Harry.
Two full days and nights passed before Neville returned to Harry's manor home. This time, he had the presence of mind to show up after dark. It was late enough that Harry, Draco, and Clarise had already dined, and Harry had sated himself on his Consort. He was now occupied in his study, reviewing a list of residents from Godric's Hollow in hopes of learning who among them had been tending his parents' graves.
Harry lifted his head when he felt the disturbance in his wards. He recognized Neville's magical signature, and he rose and made his way to the front door. Draco peered out of the library, where he'd been keeping Clarise company.
"Keep an eye on Clarise," Harry told him curtly. "If there is any trouble, take her to safety and stay with her."
Draco's eyes narrowed, but he didn't argue. Harry had no doubt, however, that if there was trouble, his troublesome Consort would not be content to simply guard Clarise.
Harry waited until there came a smart rap at the door. He straightened the cuffs of his shirt and answered the summons.
"Neville."
"Harry."
"Won't you please come in?"
Harry led the way to the green parlor, the stiff set of his shoulders easing somewhat now that he has ascertained that Neville was alone. Harry invited him to sit and asked if he would care for a drink.
"No, thank you," Neville declined. "I've come to update you on our investigation into Miss Balmoral's death."
Harry stilled and waited for Neville to continue. Silence stretched between them, but Harry had developed the patience of a predator.
"The DMLE has officially closed the investigation, and no further action is deemed necessary," Neville eventually revealed.
"I see."
"The Balmorals are...not best pleased," Neville continued. "However, the DMLE has determined that the letter written by Miss Balmoral absolves you of any guilt."
Harry refrained from mentioning that he felt no guilt in any case, only a sense of satisfaction.
"That was a brilliant move on your part, mate," said Neville. "It was almost Slytherin."
Harry allowed himself a small smile, one that didn't display his fangs. "The Sorting Hat considered placing me in Slytherin," he admitted.
"But, you were a Gryffindor, through and through!"
"I chose Gryffindor, Neville," said Harry. He then leaned forward slightly. "You're not telling me everything."
Neville offered a rueful smile. "I took the liberty of questioning a...an expert in vampires. He agreed that not all attempts at Turning mortals end well, especially when it's a vampire's first attempt."
Harry's eyebrows rose. "Whom did you speak to? Sanguini?"
"Well, yes."
Harry relaxed enough to chuckle. "I can't believe that old codger is still alive." When Neville didn't seem to share his mirth, Harry grew wary once more. "What else did he tell you?"
Neville dropped his eyes momentarily. He then squared his shoulders and met Harry's gaze head-on. "Sanguini claims that you single-handedly wiped out an entire enclave of vampires in France."
"That's not true."
"It's not?" asked Neville. His relief was so palpable that Harry hated to disappoint him.
"I didn't do it single-handedly."
Neville was silent for a long moment. "Then who-"
"Is the British DMLE investigating the situation in France?" Harry cut in, more sharply than he'd intended to.
"Er, no. No, we're not."
"Then I have nothing further to say on the matter," said Harry, his voice firm. For the first time in the course of this meeting, he allowed his fangs to show.
Neville blanched. "Very well," he said. "But please be advised, Harry, that while the Aurors are not investigating, per se, they are still quite interested in what occurred in France, especially as it concerns you."
"Duly noted," Harry drawled. He stood up, compelling Neville to stand as well. "If there's nothing else, I have some paperwork that needs my attention."
"The DMLE has put the investigation into Miss Balmoral's death to rest," said Neville, "but I'm not sure her parents have. Take care, Harry."
"I will, Neville, thank you," Harry said. They looked at one another a long moment, separated by only a short distance, yet the chasm between them seemed to have widened. It made Harry resent his Turning all over again. This man had once been his friend, but he feared he no longer had the luxury Neville's friendship .
Neville took two steps toward the door before hesitating. "Ahem. Is Miss Whitebread still in residence?"
"She is," Harry replied, holding back a grin. There followed another lengthy silence. Harry took pity on Neville and broke it by asking, "Would you like to call on her some time?"
Neville's cheeks turned pink. "Erm, ahem, yes, I would. Er, if that's okay?"
"I shall ask her if she's agreeable," said Harry. "It is my belief she will be, however."
"Thank you, Harry. I...well, thanks."
Harry nodded and escorted Neville to the door, bidding him goodbye. He closed the door and turned in time to see Draco step out of the library, followed closely by Clarise.
"He's gone," Harry said before either of them could ask. He was amused to note that Draco appeared relieved, while Clarise looked almost disappointed. To punish Draco for being nosy, Harry turned his attention to their guest.
"Clarise, would you please join me in the green parlor? Draco, feel free to carry on as you were." Harry escorted Clarise into the parlor and shut the door behind them, but not before he glimpsed the consternation on his Consort's face.
Clarise perched on the edge of the chair that Neville had recently vacated. "Is there something amiss?" she asked, her eyes wide and anxious.
"Not at all," Harry assured her. "I simply wished to let you know that Auror Longbottom has asked if he may call on you."
"Me?!" Clarise exclaimed, one hand fluttering nervously to her throat while the other patted at her hair.
Harry wondered if he'd hear wedding bells, if only he listened intently enough. "I believe Auror Longbottom fancies you, Clarise," he said. "However, if you are not interested, I will disabuse him of the notion of courting you. I realize it is rather soon after Mehmet's death."
"Oh, no...I mean yes...I mean," Clarise paused to compose herself. "I would be delighted if Mr Longbottom called on me."
"Excellent," said Harry. "Why don't I invite him to join us for dinner some evening next week?"
"That...that would be acceptable," Clarise responded demurely.
Harry didn't miss the delighted sparkle in her eyes, however. His own sparkled with humor as he held a finger to his lips and pointed at the door. Harry waved his hand, the door flew open, and Draco stumbled inside the parlor.
Clarise emitted a small sound that was half gasp, half giggle.
Draco straightened with a haughty sniff. "I was just coming to ask if either of you would care to join me in a nightcap."
"Indeed?" mused Harry, stroking his chin and letting the tips of his fangs show. "A nightcap sounds delightful. I shall punish you later for your lie."
Draco's lips quirked. "Yes, Harry."
Visitations 10