[Fic] Untitled Draco/Neville bit Pt 1 [HP]
It was never one of those immediately obvious things. Those first couple of years at Hogwarts it never occurred to him to liken Longbottom to Potter. Their likenesses ended at them both being Gryffindors.
Everything was different after the war though. He was never more glad for imperfect vision. He had to squint to tell the difference between the two at the right distance, and since Malfoy's don't squint, life has never been more perfect.
Neville is a shy boy, insecure and soft-spoken. It's no challenge at all to get him alone every so often. There are more than enough opportunities. Every night someone hosts a party. Every other night there's some sort of meaningful ceremony. Life has never been more cherished. War will do that to people, Draco muses, sipping at a flute of champagne and giving the shy Gryffindor his bedroom eyes across the table they're seated at.
He breaks his gaze away before anyone can figure out the reason for the sudden blush across Neville's cheeks, and glances towards the spot where Potter is being forced into yet another impromptu speech. They could be friends now, he supposes, if they weren't so awkward around each other. Just one too many 'Sectumsempra's' between them really. He's never really reacted well to pity, compassion or any other emotion in relation to those. He just can't stand it from Harry Potter. So, he keeps his distance, keeps his crush a secret, and like any Malfoy, makes due.
It's not like he can tell what he's attracted to, to begin with. Still, whatever it is, surely Neville can supply it. In the looks department he's more than an adequate substitute. He's noble and everything else that a Gryffindor should be. That's about all he knows about Potter anyway, so the match is near to perfect. Neville is enough of a mystery to keep things interesting, and so Draco is satisfied enough with his comparisons to carry on with his plans.
He's more than satisfied when the other man yields to his kiss, hesitant for only a moment, but enough of a quick-study to make up for it. Soon after, he pulls away though he doesn't want to, and offers Neville a genuine smile. His plans are more long-term than just a quick groping session in a dark corner.
" You can tell me to go to hell. " He says, stepping back and giving his prey a little room to breathe. His plans are to woo Neville, not force him. He wants him to know as much. " It's only an offer."
It's an offer he rarely makes, dangerous for many reasons. Belatedly, he thinks about what it'll feel like to be rejected by even this second-rate copy. He never gets his answer though as hurried steps draw near, and they are soon joined by the famous Golden Trio of Hogwarts. Smiling delicately, he looks each of them over, stuffing his hands into his pants pockets. Hostility between them has lessened greatly with time, but there will never really be trust. He will forever remain a bully in their eyes, and they will forever find ways to annoy him into wanting to be that bully again.
" So what's going on here? " Hermione asks of him, quickly turning to look Neville over, making sure he's safe and unharmed.
" I was only asking a question. " He replies with a small shrug, rolling his neck slowly and stifling the urge to check his watch. His every action is scrutinized, and often misinterpreted. God forbid he want to know the time, he's accused of finding the company boring, and so on until a headache pounds at him from behind his eyes.
" You don't have to tell 'im anything, Neville! " Ron says from beside Hermione, one too many drinks making his speech louder than it's probably meant to be. Then again, he is easy to excite, and Draco begins to dread a possible scuffle. He's always hated any sort of contact that isn't sensual. They are wizards after all, if they must fight he would much rather they do so with wands and spells. Those at least he can defend himself from, whereas he's never really learned what to do when someone balls up their fist and tries to break his face.
Behind Ron and Hermione stands Potter, looking awkward as ever, and Draco wonders if the man is ever sure of any of the things he rushes into. Then he wonders if the man ever rushes into anything of his own accord anymore, or if these days he just gets pulled along by others.
Things are leaving his control too quickly for his liking, so he puts a stop to that. Turning to Neville, he nods his agreement with Rons bold statement, his inner child shuddering at the thought. " He's right. You don't have to, but I'd like to know. " He smiles again in an attempt to assure Neville that his intentions are nice enough. Not really innocent, but hardly bad. " If you'll excuse me.. " He says in the general direction of Potter and company, before making his retreat. He's laid enough groundwork down to go home feeling accomplished.