Drabble: Asking
Written at Prophecy for onlysayitonce aka essa
Asking
Draco/Neville
Rating: G
DH compliant, major spoilers
Draco stood frozen by the door. He did not look at Neville. "The key is to ask for exactly what you need," he said quietly. "You have to close off all the loopholes."
"Thank you." Neville took half a step towards Draco, then hesitated. "Why are you-" Draco's back stiffened, and the words died on his lips.
The silence seemed to stretch forever, until Draco finally said "You'll be safe here." He turned and reached for the door.
"Wait!" Neville ran over. Draco stopped, but did not turn to face him.
Neville carefully placed his hand on Draco's arm. "I know this hasn't been easy for you, helping me."
"I just don't want-” Draco flushed. "It's not that I don't think you're an idiot, Longbottom, and a Gryffindor to boot, I just not particularly fond of our new professors."
"It's okay to admit you don't like hurting people, Malfoy."
Draco glared at him. "I'm not a coward," he snapped, jerking away.
"I didn't say that," Neville said firmly. He leaned over to face Draco. "Dumbledore once said that it takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but just as much to stand up to your friends." Draco's eyes flicked up to meet his. "You're the bravest person I know, Draco."
Draco's head jerked up and he stared at Neville. Finally, he reached out and brushed his fingertips against Neville's cheek. "No, you are." He leaned over and kissed Neville lightly on the lips, then turned and slipped out the door.
Asking
Draco/Neville
Rating: G
DH compliant, major spoilers
Draco stood frozen by the door. He did not look at Neville. "The key is to ask for exactly what you need," he said quietly. "You have to close off all the loopholes."
"Thank you." Neville took half a step towards Draco, then hesitated. "Why are you-" Draco's back stiffened, and the words died on his lips.
The silence seemed to stretch forever, until Draco finally said "You'll be safe here." He turned and reached for the door.
"Wait!" Neville ran over. Draco stopped, but did not turn to face him.
Neville carefully placed his hand on Draco's arm. "I know this hasn't been easy for you, helping me."
"I just don't want-” Draco flushed. "It's not that I don't think you're an idiot, Longbottom, and a Gryffindor to boot, I just not particularly fond of our new professors."
"It's okay to admit you don't like hurting people, Malfoy."
Draco glared at him. "I'm not a coward," he snapped, jerking away.
"I didn't say that," Neville said firmly. He leaned over to face Draco. "Dumbledore once said that it takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but just as much to stand up to your friends." Draco's eyes flicked up to meet his. "You're the bravest person I know, Draco."
Draco's head jerked up and he stared at Neville. Finally, he reached out and brushed his fingertips against Neville's cheek. "No, you are." He leaned over and kissed Neville lightly on the lips, then turned and slipped out the door.