Potterfic - Peace, Love & Harmony (part 2) - Draco/Neville

[shutupeccles]

Part 1 contains summary etc
Part 2 word count = 7011

Lucius Malfoy was not one of the school governors selected to assist Kingsley Shacklebolt and the Hogwarts Professors with the Great Hall restoration. Draco and Neville arrived earlier than most of the officials.

“I was worried, that…” Neville began to admit as they casually gravitated to an isolated corner and sat beside each other.

Draco moved his knee to bump Neville’s. “You were worried? I nearly didn’t show to avoid an ‘all a mistake’ spiel. If it wasn’t for comments people kept making about our, that room, or the way we-I wouldn’t believe it,” he added softly.

Neville timidly put a hand behind Draco and moved it forward to touch his back. They shared small, goofy smiles, amused at how nervous they both were. Then their lips met. They were just finding their momentum when Professor McGonagall interrupted.

“Time for that later, gentlemen,” she said softly and walked past, revealing Ginny, Luna and Hermione standing across the room. Luna waved cheerily. Ginny was pounding Hermione’s back because she appeared to be choking on her drink. “Everyone to this end of the Hall, please,” Professor McGonagall called.

“Kissing!” Hermione hissed as they followed McGonagall. Ginny nodded sympathetically. Draco glared at them as he and Neville stood. Harry obviously hadn’t discussed his Draco-Neville theory with their friends. Maybe he’d been taking the piss all along.

Luna skipped along beside them. “So nice to see you finally have a boyfriend, Neville, and such a handsome one at that.” She smiled brightly at them both. “It kind of makes up for the tragedy, doesn’t it?”

Ginny implied Luna was insane without coming right out and saying it. “If anything, it proves Neville sustained more spell damage than we suspected, rather than balancing out the tragedy of this past year.”

“Not those tragedies, silly-the thwarted romance between Frank Longbottom and Narcissa Black.”

Even Neville joined the unanimous stare normally reserved for mentions of Wrackspurts. Luna told her story with gusto. “It’s all in Romantically Tragic: True Tales of Disastrous Love by Madame Melancholia Malfoy. The names had to be changed of course, but Black Diamond and the Inferior Pureblood is obviously about them.”

“I’ve read that book, repeatedly,” Ginny admitted. “There’s no such story as Black Diamond and the Inferior Pureblood.”

“You must have read a copy printed after Narcissa married Lucius. Madame Melancholia wouldn’t want her nephew associated with a tragic romantic.”

“Can I borrow yours to compare?” Ginny asked. Hermione looked horrified, as if Ginny had been a gushy stereotypical girl in disguise all along. “What? Most of the stories are really gruesome. Mum wouldn’t let me read Violent Evisceration of Violet Evanesca until I was of age.”

“What kind of romance could possibly feature in something with ‘Violent Evisceration’ in the title?” Hermione asked. The two friends argued over gory wizarding versus mushy Muggle romance novels.

“I thought Busltrode, Greengrass and Parkinson talked rubbish,” Draco mumbled to Neville.

“Avoid Ron and Harry then,” Neville mumbled back.

“Made a habit of it,” Draco quipped. Hermione and Ginny began whispering about the quick smile the wizards shared. Neville wanted to finish early so they could get away from the witches and spend the afternoon together.

He was out of luck. The day involved repeatedly practicing the convoluted enchantment to make the ceiling an exact copy of the sky above the castle. They missed morning tea completely. Everyone but Professor Flitwick was surprised when Luna mastered the spell before Hermione. Kingsley called a long lunch once all members of the Great Hall Task Force were equally proficient, then they would begin the gruelling task of enchanting the ceiling.

The other work groups were leaving the canteen as the Great Hall Task Force entered. Ron made rude sounds with accompanying gestures at Draco. “Pity you mate,” he called to Neville, “stuck with that two-faced ferret day-in, day-out. Let me know if you need a hand topping yourself, Malfoy.”

“Classy friend you’ve got there, Neville.”

“In comparison to Crabbe, the murderous imbecile?” Neville retorted.

“Try to air all grievances against each other before we return to work,” Professor McGonagall suggested wryly. “We don’t want the ceiling covered with floating bunnies of reconciliation, do we?”

“Do they think we did that on pur-” Neville was talking to himself because Draco had sat down three paces ago, “-pose?” He turned to join him and bumped into Hermione who encouraged him to keep heading in his original direction by deliberately remaining in his way.

“Why on earth were you kissing Malfoy?” Hermione asked when they reached what she deemed to be a suitable distance from Neville’s definitely-yet-maybe-not boyfriend.

“Imperius Curse,” Ginny replied, “has to be. No-one in their right mind would willingly kiss Draco Malfoy.”

“I would,” said Luna. Hermione and Ginny’s glance said ‘point proven’. “I think it’s nice that he can see how wonderful Neville is after being blind for so long. It shows he can’t be all bad.” Luna astonished her friends by sitting with Draco instead of them. Draco surprised them more by not moving away or sneering at her, although his eyes widened slightly as Luna began talking to him.

“A chunk of ceiling hit me on the head and I’m hallucinating Draco Malfoy engaging in civil conversation with Luna Lovegood,” Ginny declared.

“I happen to find him interesting. We have enough obstacles to trip over without you two throwing things at us.” Neville risked a humiliating double rejection by walking over to Luna and Draco. As if willingly working alongside a Malfoy hadn’t been enough to alienate Ron, Neville had to insult his sister and girlfriend too? Draco barely hesitated before clearing a spot for Neville to sit beside him. Luna stayed and nattered on about things that could be taken as metaphors for what lay ahead, or sheer nonsense. Most of the time Draco looked enticingly confused but he avoided showing contempt at anything she said.

“You must really like Neville to bother pretending you care what I’m saying to you, Draco. Most people’s eyes glaze over and then they walk away.”

Draco seemed mesmerised. “Are you always so…?”

“Strange?” Luna asked.

“Blunt,” Draco corrected.

“I may appear dull, but my mind’s actually quite sharp. Otherwise I wouldn’t be in Ravenclaw. Oh look, there’s Harry’s other house-elf. Hello!” Luna waved to Kreacher and then went to talk to Kingsley Shacklebolt.

“Boring certainly isn’t a word I’d use to describe her,” Draco said to Neville. “And she clearly has good eyesight, although many of her opinions are on the unusual side.”

“Is that Slytherin-speak for I like your friend?”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. You’ll be expecting an introduction to Blaise next.”

“We’ve met,” Neville said flatly.

“That wouldn’t be a polite way of saying ’Your friends are all smarmy gits and I’d prefer it if you keep them the bog away from me?’ would it?”

“You should have been in Ravenclaw.” Neville was pleased with Draco’s amused grin, and rather turned on by it.

“Have you always been this entertaining, or only since you stepped out of Potter’s shadow?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I like you, you pillock, and regret how much time I wasted not liking you.”

Neville kissed him. “That means ‘ditto’.”

There was no time for deeper reflection, or snogging, as the Task Force was herded back into the Great Hall and the meticulous enchantment began.

*~~~*

Only the Great Hall Task Force began so early. Neville got to Hogwarts earlier still, hoping for some alone tie with Draco. Learning the necessary enchantments yesterday had been exhausting enough, constantly reapplying them like layers of moss and bark on a Skittering Fern bed required intense concentration. They wouldn’t have had the energy for a kiss goodbye. Or even a cuddle, Neville hoped to fit their first proper cuddle into yesterday. A chance for either would have been a grand thing. The parchment versions Draco sent by startlingly white peacock were tucked into the coin pocket of Neville’s jeans:

This will probably set a precedent for Lavender Brown level soppiness on your part, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take. Today was brilliant. Aside from those hours of repetitive spell-casting, which were incredibly dull. I look forward to your company again tomorrow. And Lovegood’s, which is sure to break the monotony. Now for the soppy bit - O X
(Notice the gap, so you don’t assume I’m calling you an ox and get stupidly offended)

Neville thought it was terrific and sent a reply with Gran’s owl. A message written on crisply folded linen-blend paper arrived soon after.

While this correspondence between you is sweetly humorous, could you please be more discrete? Your delighted recipient has also been warned, as he will no doubt tell you tomorrow.
Sincerely
Miss C.B.

The signature was why Neville wanted to talk to Draco in private. Ginny and Hermione arrived early too, hoping to catch him alone and discuss their reactions to his boyfriend. Firstly, they admitted to believing Neville and Luna had been an item for the past two years. Seeing Draco kissing a boy at all had been equally surprising. Discovering that the boy was Neville added an extra coating of shock. Then he had to endure variations of “He’s not the one for you” and “What do you see in him, anyway?” that echoed through his mind in Gran’s voice. What did Neville see? He couldn’t be sure. The doubts Ginny and Hermione created evaporated when he saw Draco apparate closer to the school gate and subtly look around until he found Neville. They both relaxed. Whatever the attraction, it was mutual. Neville didn’t bother controlling his smile. Draco’s grin was fleeting, but bright. Then he spotted Hermione and Ginny. Hermione frowned with Molly Weasley intensity. Ginny ventured a tentative wave. Draco cocked his head curiously and lifted his fingers in an almost wave.

“That settles it,” Ginny declared. “Malfoy loves you. Should have known you’d snare the sexiest naughty boy of all,” she added with a grin.

“Ginny!” Hermione exclaimed. Neville thought she’d make a perfect mother to broods of Weasley children.

“What? I’m related to five of the naughtiest boys to ever attend Hogwarts, plus Percy. Trust me, Hermione. The badder the boy, the nicer his,” she glanced at Neville, “love interest. It works in reverse too, of course. That’s how I nabbed Show-some-remorse-Voldemort-and-be-forgiven Potter. Big boobs helped.”

Neville and Draco laughed as Headmistress McGonagall opened the gates and Ginny bounded off to use the lavatory before work began. There was no time for flirting or arguing, yet Neville managed to sneak in the occasional ogle of Draco’s bum. Draco caught him at it and angled forward with a cheeky smirk to give him a better look.

“Eye’s up, gentlemen. We’ll need to go over that again.” Shacklebolt subtly reprimanded them then laughed heartily at their ‘oops’ reactions. Luna smiled and Ginny winked. Hermione shook her head and muttered about hormones having no place in applying magic. Flitwick and Slughorn begged to differ and the Task Force broke early for a hasty lunch rather than pushing on and becoming more distracted. Draco and Neville stole quick kisses on the way to and from the loo, but that was all there was time for. The second session progressed more efficiently. Owls were sent home to advise families that Task Force members would be working through the evening, into the night and then beginning again before dawn to ensure the ceiling depicted night and cusp skies as accurately as day.

Afternoon tea was taken in the hall. Professor McGonagall used this time to talk their ears off. “Well done, particularly our student representatives. Your dedication and unique contributions have set us twelve hours ahead of schedule, at least. The Hogwarts house-elves are preparing a feast and several energy-laden treats to get us through the night. Non-staff will find clean clothes, and eventually pyjamas in the Prefect bathrooms. If the dormitories were ready we could be sleeping there. Alas, Seamus Finnigan’s Transfiguration skills have not improved as markedly as his Defence Against the Dark Arts. Potter and Weasley spent part of the day re-attaching his fringe, brows and eyelashes, then the larger part learning how to do it properly from Madam Pomfrey, so their teams left early.” She paused until the universal chuckles faded. “Please adhere to the bathing roster.” Copies appeared at each exit as Professor Flitwick waved his wand. Professor McGonagall gave no hint that her comment was aimed directly at the young wizard couple, yet Draco clearly heard it that way. His hand shot into the air faster than Hermione’s during a pop-quiz.

“But Professor, I need someone to help scrub my back.”

“Professor Slughorn could provide any necessary assistance, or perhaps, Moaning Myrtle?” McGonagall replied. Even Slughorn chortled.

“I’ll stay filthy, if you don’t mind.” Draco’s subtly amused expression contradicted his acidic vocal tone.

“I’d prefer it,” Neville murmured and Hermione whacked him across the knee with the back of her teaspoon. Draco winked. Neville grinned.

“Fine, marry him, see if I care,” Hermione muttered then soothed her irritation with a gingernut biscuit.

*~~~*

Finally, sleeping bags were conjured and the clean but exhausted Task Force prepared to camp out on the floor. Hermione and Luna conjured a higher camp bed for the older members to sleep upon. Draco and Neville were subtly assigned sleeping bags at opposite sides of the room, so they slunk out to sit on the repaired staircase and talk. Despite Neville’s morning intentions they didn’t do much talking. It was nice enough simply sitting alone and touch fingers now and then.

“When this reconstruction project is over…” Draco began anxiously.

“We won’t be,” Neville assured him. Draco nodded. They turned and lean in to kiss but were interrupted by Professor Slughorn, who left the Great Hall in need of a toilet.

“Hurrumph. Yes, well, none of that. You may be qualified wizards now and no longer students, but this is still a school. Hanky-panky is not allowed.” Slughorn grumbled about the distance between necessary facilities, and that the enforcement of no apparition within school grounds whilst the school remained under construction was sheer nonsense.

“Who’s got energy for hanky-panky?” Draco complained as Slughorn shuffled away. “Hogwarts-a History is bunk. Slytherin, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff couldn’t have built Hogwarts like this with only the four of them, regardless of how great they were. They must have used house-elves.”

“You’ve read Hogwarts-a History?” Hermione was the only person Neville knew who’d even heard of it.

“No. But I’ve heard Granger prattling about it often enough at Plotter and Weasleby to probably know it by heart.”

Neville chuckled as he kissed Draco’s neck. Draco turned his face and they kissed deeply, how they had that first afternoon in their magical room. Their bottoms scooted closer on the stair and their knees collided painfully, but they did not pause. Draco splayed a hand over Neville’s neck, sliding down until his fingers hooked into the collar of Neville’s shirt, tugging slightly. Neville’s hand moved up Draco’s back to grasp his hair and their kissing became forceful, heated, sloppy, noisy, and sexually arousing. Slughorn ‘Hurrumph’ed again and stomped loudly on each stair as he returned to the Great Hall.

“When construction’s over,” Neville began breathlessly.

“Shag, definitely.” Draco started kissing him again. Slughorn held the double doors to the Great Hall open and hurrumphed louder and more sternly than before. Neville and his equally horny boyfriend took the hint.

*~~~*

Draco wants to shag me
Or be shagged by me
Me and Draco
Holy…

Neville had to be excused from the Great Hall more than once that morning because he couldn’t concentrate. As a result, progress was stilted and the transformation took longer than predicted when the day began.

“Wands away,” Professor McGonagall said with quiet solemnity. “Miss Lovegood, please ask the Lady to join us.”

“Alright Professor,” Luna replied brightly.

Draco and Neville drifted together in the deepening silence until Professor McGonagall flicked her wand against their thighs. “Not yet,” she admonished gently. “Hogwarts has an interest in the two of you. Now is not the time to provide distractions.”

Luna returned with the ghost of Ravenclaw tower. Their gentle conversation came to an end as the Grey Lady paused in the doorway. Luna sat with Ginny and held a finger against her lips. Helena Ravenclaw’s spirit travelled clockwise around the room as though walking on earthly feet. She began to speak while walking counter-clockwise around the Task Force, herding them to the centre of the room.

“Ambition, Courage, Humour, Intelligence, Love have built this hall. Let them dwell in it always, for these virtues form the heart of magic. Magic is to be wielded for the benefit of all, particularly the weak. Remember this always, for then Muggle and Magical worlds will be one, as once they were, as forever they should have been. Fear and loathing destroyed this hall. Forbid them entry, for peace cannot be found in their presence. Hogwarts had to fall, for the school was originally built on lies.” Helena Ravenclaw stood and appeared to be listening. Luna tilted her head and smiled beatifically, nodding in agreement with the Grey Lady although they were looking in different directions. Hermione and Neville exchanged wary glances. He turned to Draco and was surprised to see a similar rapt expression, without the nodding smile.

“Don’t you hear?” Draco whispered on an outward breath. “Hogwarts is sharing its history. Listen. Focus with your inner ear,” he added in a parody of Professor Trelawney, so accurate it made Hermione chortle.

“Perhaps I really am a squib,” Neville whispered back after Hermione’s eyes widened in wonder. He still couldn’t hear it.

“Perhaps I shouldn’t have terrorised you into doubting yourself since the day we met.” Draco tapped his little finger against Neville’s. “Sytherin, Gryffindor; Grindelwald, Dumbledore…”

“Started as friends and became enemies, opposite to us.”

“I know.” Draco leaned so close his lips touched Neville’s ear. “We’re going to be epic.”

And then Neville heard.

Manipulations, backstabbing and betrayals; lust, envy and shame; friendships turned sour until each soul felt isolated from the rest, not realising they all felt the same; and then hope. Friendships and families between Purebloods, Half-bloods and Muggle-born began within these walls. Each fought alongside each other to protect everything these walls stood for. Two Pureblood families reunited in manners befitting the Houses they represented - one with humble apology, one in defiance of Hogwarts’ greatest threat.

Hermione and Luna each held one of Ginny’s hands. Fred had been killed shortly after Percy apologised for being a twat by joining the fight. “George wouldn’t be able to make it through a day without Percy. Dad says he came back to us just in time.” Ginny leaned against Hermione’s shoulder. Luna summoned a box of tissues and dainty waste basket. Ginny made good use of both.

Neville’s hand moved protectively to the small of Draco’s back as he lowered his head against the stares of everyone else in the room. To keep surviving Death Eaters from seeking revenge, Harry told no-one of Narcissa’s profoundly simple lie to the Dark Lord - ‘He is dead.’ No-one except Neville, and then only because he knew Neville would not tell. Now nearly two dozen people knew, including her previously oblivious son. Neville drew soothing circles against Draco’s back. “You should be proud,” he breathed into a pale ear.

Draco nodded tersely, tensely, yet allowed himself to fit against the curve of Neville’s arm.

Hogwarts hadn’t finished with them yet. Snippets of histories from the school’s origins to the recent past formed a picture larger than the double rise and fall of Tom Riddle. Then Hogwarts turned the page and Helena Ravenclaw spoke again.

“My mother and her friends built Hogwarts, but it was only a shell when it opened. Students past and present provided the heart and soul. This time, Hogwarts will be complete when the story begins. Just as before, help will always be given to those who deserve it. Hogwarts thanks you.”

“You’re welcome Hogwarts,” Luna said to the enchanted ceiling. Neville and Ginny smiled. Helena Ravenclaw glowed brightly and then disappeared. “Oh, that’s nice. Hogwarts helped her move on.”

Not a soul rolled their eyes or made disparaging comments. They could feel the truth of Luna’s words.

Professor McGonagall gently cleared her throat. “The Great Hall is complete. Well done, all of you.” She placed a sympathetic hand on Ginny’s shoulder while giving her Task Force three days off. “While this break is well-earned, I hope to see you all return. Misters Malfoy and Longbottom, there is one other room Hogwarts would like you to repair before this evening ends. It shan’t take long.” McGonagall added quietly.

“Why us?” Draco asked with shrewd suspicion.

“Miss Granger appears to have a theory,” Professor McGonagall replied wryly.

Hermione and Draco eyed each other warily, but he let her speak. “The friendship between Salazar Slytherin and Godric Gryffindor became animosity soon after the school opened, possibly before. The canker spread to the students of their respective Houses. The Sorting Hat’s been warning us for years to put differences aside, that only unity can provide an impenetrable defence against the greatest evils. Neville and Draco are repairing the rift between Gryffindor and Slytherin, healing the school’s most grievous injury. Certain parts of the castle, important parts, respond to them in a particular way because Hogwarts loves that they found friendship then… and then love within these walls.” Hermione was more uncomfortable saying the ‘L’ word than the young wizards were hearing it.

“As if fighting Moaning Myrtle for your affections wasn’t enough, I’m up against a castle?” Neville complained.

“Despite my best efforts to be completely undesirable, imagine the swarms of admirers you’d have to contend with if I wasn’t a git?” Draco countered.

Ginny grinned alongside Neville. “Starting to make sense,” she said before hugging him goodbye. “Although I’m still pissed neither you nor Harry told me.”

“Harry didn’t actually… I haven’t told him yet.”

“That’s okay. I have.” Ginny winked and then waved down Percy, George and Bill so they could take the same portkey to the Burrows. “We’re not telling Ron yet, though. Are we Hermione?”

Hermione grimaced and shook her head as she offered her left hand to Draco. Her forearm remained scarred where his aunt Bellatrix had carved ‘Mudblood’ into it.

“It’s customary to shake right hands, Granger, even in Muggle-land.”

“Yes, but I thought you might need reminding how agonising it is for me to be civil to you. And that Neville might need reminding that I value his friendship. He’s always stood beside or against us as necessary.”

“Hurt him and you’ll destroy me, kind of speech?”

“Precisely,” Hermione said with a hint of smile.

Draco briefly shook her hand. “That works both ways, you know. I tend to be very possessive and protective of what’s mine.”

Neville grinned dorkily. He imagined that authoritative voice in a different context since Draco announced ‘Shag, definitely’ but quickly quashed those thoughts as they followed Professor McGonagall to the Headmaster’s office. The portraits were the only objects not out of place and they talked to Minerva all at once, apart from those of Dumbledore and Snape who conversed quietly between themselves. Minerva raised one hand for silence, and got it.

“Each of these witches and wizards selected one member for the Great Hall Task Force, including those from the ministry. I was only Headmistress during that dreadful summer following Professor Dumbledore’s death, but they include me in their number.”

“Granger,” Draco said as Neville also guessed Hermione as Minerva McGonagall’s choice.

“No. Lovegood,” Minerva corrected them slyly. “Phineas Nigellus requested Miss Granger.”

“And she was no doubt splendid as I predicted. Bossy shoulders on that one, they need to be to support that mind of hers, and sharp tongued with it. What a Slytherin Granger would have made, had she the luck to be born of wizards rather than Muggles.” The portrait that spoke appeared to be the almost as arrogant and spiteful as Voldemort, but at least Phineas Nigellus was recognisably human.

“Need we threaten you again with turpentine, Phineas?” Snape’s portrait drawled. “Surely you’ve realised that Toujours Pur is nonsense.”

“So it is done?” Albus Dumbledore asked. “The heart of the Great Hall beats again?”

“Not quite Albus. It seems we were mistaken. The Great Hall is the soul of Hogwarts. The Room That Is No More forms the heart.”

“Do you mean the Room of Hidden Things?” Draco asked.

“Requirement,” Neville corrected him.

“Crabbe destroyed it with Fiend Fyre, the absolute fool.”

“Luckily for Harry it got rid of that Horcrux. Crabbe’s an unintentional hero,” Neville pointed out.

“He’s a dead tosspot.”

The figure in Snape’s portrait closed its eyes and pinched the bridge of its beaked nose between finger and thumb as it muttered into the palm of its hand. Then it leaned back in its chair. “Your choice is clear now, Albus. Mr Malfoy certainly brings dignity to the occasion.”

“That isn’t why I requested Draco, Severus…”

“You requested me? I tried to kill you!”

“Or rather, you tried to avoid killing me. ‘Dumbledore Slain by Misplaced Trust in Death Eater Professor’ was a far more dignified headline than ‘Terrorised Adolescent Kills Ailing Old Man’, so thank you.”

“You always were more like this one than Potter, Albus. We should be grateful that the Sorting Hat decided against placing you in Slytherin or Hogwarts would have been under greater threat.” This remark earned the ancient wizard malevolent stares from Snape and Phineas Nigellus.

“This one, as you say Meriwether, has made two very important decisions more wisely than I at his age. Perhaps together, they can find the lost room.” Dumbledore analysed Draco and Neville with a bright gaze.

Snape’s black eyes narrowed. “Perhaps they already have. Or rather, perhaps the room found them.”

The wall of portraits became a cacophony of debate. Professor McGonagall ushered the exhausted young wizards back downstairs. “You gentlemen take your three day break. Who knows, they may even have finished arguing by then. Whenever you do get around to fixing that office, try to remember that I’ll be using it next. Any decor reminiscent of Dolores Umbridge will earn scathing references to potential employers.”

Draco and Neville described their plans for the next three days in one word-sleep! “May I owl you between extended naps?” Neville asked as they kissed goodbye.

“May? You must! Be discrete, though.”

Neville remembered the message from Narcissa that he kept forgetting to talk about. Draco’s mother approached the main gates with some woman from the Ministry whose name Neville never got right, so that discussion would have to wait some more.

*~~~*

Harry invited Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Luna, and Neville to dinner at Grimmauld Place the night of the Task Force’s first day off. “Catch up on each other’s goss…” he added from the best chair in Augusta Longbottom’s parlour.

“Ginny’s idea?” Neville asked with a tight smile.

“The gossip side of it,” Harry admitted brightly and relaxed into the chair instead of perching on the edge of it. He smiled at Neville then asked Augusta for some more fruit cake. He frowned slightly when she summoned it from the kitchen with her wand rather than going to get it so the wizards could talk privately. “It’s the first chance we’ve had for a proper catch-up. Luna’s not bringing Dean so it won’t be a couples evening, just the heart of the DA. Grimmauld Place still feels wrong without Sirius. I want to fill it with people I can truly be myself around, turn it into a home. Kreacher got rid of the darker stuff after ‘Master went missing’ - he thought I’d done a bunk until I arrived at Hogwarts, and took it as criticism of his efforts. Some parts still look like a shrine to Slytherin but I’m slowly sneaking some Gryffindor and Muggle influence into the place, continuing Sirius’ good work.” Harry’s grin as he mentioned his godfather carried a hint of sadness and guilt that Neville knew would never entirely go away. He agreed to go.

His gran seemed less than impressed with their famous visitor. “I had no idea he’d be so ordinary.”

“That’s what we love about him Gran.” With that statement, Neville figured out how he fell for Draco Malfoy. He looked at his hands. Draco became interested in Neville because, for a while, he didn’t seem as ordinary as he was. Once they had the chance to know each other better, if they had the chance, Draco was certain to be disappointed and begin to look elsewhere.

“Are you alright, Neville?” Gran asked. “You’re suddenly rather peaky. Those Hogwarts house-elves mustn’t have been feeding you properly.”

Neville told her he was just tired and would catch a long nap before heading to Harry’s. He lay on his bed staring at the ceiling while on his back, or at the wall in front of him while on his stomach, unable to hold a position long enough to get comfortable. Doomed from the start, he concluded. Without Hogwarts to sustain them the relationship was destined to fail.

An owl tapped at his window.

Your lack of sought after contact leads me to wonder whether you:
a) died of exhaustion
b) have decided this is a mistake
c) can’t think of anything to say
If a, an invite to your funeral would be appreciated. If b, don’t bother to reply. If c, I spy with Moody’s Mad Eye something that could be malicious…

Neville laughed and played along. Owls swooped to and from Malfoy Manor all afternoon. So much for discrete, he added to his last guess.

I’m home alone. Even the house-elf is at Hogwarts.

Could have mentioned that earlier.

Is that a come on?

Yes.

You’re right. I should have mentioned it earlier.

This was fun, though. Thanks for starting it off. Heading to Harry’s now. I’ll take note of Luna’s finest moments and pass them on.

Appreciate that. Thanks for playing. I was pretty sure the answer was b.

If this is a mistake I’d like to keep making it. Word of warning, I’m as dull as I always was.

You were never dull. A bit dim at times, but never boring. Blaise and Bulstrode just turned up uninvited, so no more owls today.

Neville didn’t mind too much, he was late to Harry’s as it was.

*~~~*

Dinner conversation centred on Harry’s godson, Teddy Lupin, who was now old enough to smile on purpose and not much else.

“Being a Metamorphmagus and a werewolf…”

“Teddy isn’t a werewolf, Ron,” Hermione said in the tone indicating they’d had similar conversations before. Ron ignored her, as he probably did every other time.

“…do you reckon he can choose to change?”

Harry and Ginny nodded as though that’d be cool. Hermione disagreed. “Of course not Ron. Besides, why would anybody want to be a werewolf?”

Ron muttered something about not mattering if a girlfriend was in the mood for oral intimate contact, only worded rather more crudely than Neville’s mental editing in Hermione’s voice. Ginny and Hermione glared at Ron. Harry spilled the peach cider he was pouring for Luna. Neville mentally re-edited the last half of Ron’s comment, in Draco’s voice and was saved from having to leave the table when Luna began talking about Lavender Brown’s recovery.

“…she has a lingering facial hair problem but apparently Muggles make creams for that. Seamus says Lavender enjoyed their date at the car races, but he doesn’t think he’ll take her again. She kept growling at the cars and trying to run onto the track each time one passed by.”

Ginny and Hermione shared a glance that didn’t bode well for Neville. “And how are things between you and Dean, Luna?” Hermione asked as the group of friends moved into the sitting room.

“We broke up. Once the war-time adrenaline faded away we realised we had nothing in common.” Luna replied as though she’d bought new shoes. “The plum sauce was delicious, Kreacher.”

“Thank you Mistress Luna.”

“So, Neville…”

Harry interrupted Hermione with a loud complaint about the weekly increase of volunteers abandoning the Hogwarts reconstruction project. “…because they didn’t think it would take so long.”

“It’s a ruddy great castle!” Ron declared and flopped into an armchair. “Did they reckon it’d be done by tea-time?”

Harry and Ginny opted to share a couch. Ginny sat perpendicular to Harry so she could rest her legs across his lap. Harry’s hands draped casually over her knees, occasionally touching her while he talked. Neville was jealous of their comfortable contact. “Shame we couldn’t just inflate Hogwarts like a bouncy castle,” Harry said. Hermione nodded.

“A what?” Ron asked. Neville was suddenly too tired to do more than listen as Hermione and Harry explained the Muggle phenomenon of a giant castle-shaped balloon made solely for jumping around on.

“We have to tell Dad!” Ginny insisted to Ron. “He’d get one for the Burrows, for sure.”

“They’re supposed to be for children,” Hermione pointed out.

“I’d still have a go,” Harry admitted with a grin.

“It’d be brilliant,” Ron agreed.

Neville said nothing, although he agreed with his friends, only yawned. He hadn’t been sleeping well since Draco said ‘Shag, definitely’ because his late-night mind kept taking him places he wasn’t quite ready to visit yet.

Draco, Draco, me and Draco. Holy…

Unfortunately, Neville’s yawn reminded Ron that he was there and he decided to give Neville a ribbing over his new best friend.

“Eh?” Neville pretended not to hear him properly. “I’m heading home,” he added with another yawn before Hermione or Ginny could blurt the word ‘boyfriend’.

“See you, Neville. Thanks for coming,” Harry said to prevent the same thing. That was when Neville knew he and Harry were truly friends.

*~~~*

He assumed being away from Draco for a couple of days would result in a need to wank less. The opposite was true. Neville was a couple of years behind his Gryffindor dorm-mates when it came to most experiences and the art of masturbation was no exception. He’d been too busy trying not to be terrified of everything, and then too busy helping younger students conquer their fears to fantasise about anybody. Now Neville woke each morning with his dick hard in his hand and Draco equally hard in his imagination. He’d begin slow, wondering how it might feel to have Draco’s hand, mouth, or (please, ghost of Godric Gryffindor) arse moving up and down his thickened shaft. Then he’d beat it, quick, closing his eyes and thrusting into his hand as he came.

Would anything feel more fantastic than Draco’s cum on Neville’s hand, through his fingers to hit his skin, as Neville came inside him?

Neville doubted it.

*~~~*

Gran still didn’t know. Neither did Lucius, or Ron. Neville mentioned it to Draco as they sat on the spiral staircase leading to the Headmaster’s office, where there were no portraits to see them together. Draco preferred it that way. His blunt dismissal cut like Sectumsempra.

“Nothing’s changed, has it?” Neville demanded in accusation. “You still think I’m a worthless loser and are ashamed of what people might think of you if they find out we’re together.”

Draco’s eyes flashed. “Your friend Weasley hates me, your grandmother despises my entire ancestry from the dawn of time, Father’s pitching fits over the fact that I have a boyfriend - Pureblood status does not make that any more acceptable in his mind, let me assure you. If Lovegood’s right about the origins of Black Diamond and the Inferior Pureblood-which does exist, I’m currently reading it-then he’s going to be even less impressed to find out who...”

Neville interrupted with the small-voiced admission that he hadn’t told Gran he was gay yet and Draco turned Neville’s earlier accusation against him.

“So I was wrong,” Neville countered loudly. “Everything’s changed. Why does everyone keep assuming we have to remain enemies?”

“Let’s review our history, shall we?” Mild amusement seeped through Draco’s irritation.

Neville tried to smile. “I’d rather focus on our future.”

“Even in that bossy yet somehow sulky tone, that’s surprisingly romantic.” Draco touched their fingers together and Neville held on. “You constantly surprise me. So-how are we going to avoid ending up in Luna’s favourite book?”

“Why are you risking ticking Lucius off to be with me?” Neville asked. He wasn’t anything special. Plus he’d started getting pudgy again because Gran insisted on overfeeding him. She blamed it on her father’s Italian ancestry. ‘We say I Love You with food, now eat!’

“Haven’t you figured it out yet?” Draco asked tentatively.

Neville admitted his instincts and hopes were contradicted by the reactions of his friends. He wasn’t sure of anything beyond wanting to be with Draco.

“Don’t make me say it, Longbottom,” Draco warned.

The timed Caterwaul wailed. Now that Narcissa and three of the professors knew Neville and Draco were dating (without an opportunity to actually go on a date) and the Headmaster’s office was complete, they were no longer forced into each other’s company. Instead, they were assigned work details at opposing ends of the castle. Neville complained by owl when he got home.

Slughorn must have heard us talking the night we had to stay in the Great Hall and they’re worried about finding us sans pants in a corridor, Draco replied. Don’t pretend you aren’t thinking about it. I am!

They chose a day later in the week and arranged to meet at the edge of the Forbidden Forest instead of reporting to work duty. They wavered between greeting each other with innocent conversation and bounding in for a passionate kiss. Chuckling over the mutually awkward moment, they put a hand on the other’s waist and made their way into the forest. Draco chose a spot deep enough for privacy but close enough to hear the Caterwauls. Then they began kissing, pressed together tightly, lips and hands moving faster, pressing harder, rubbing, squeezing, panting, and finding bare skin. Both moaned gutturally as hands slid up shirts and down jeans. Kiss and breaths faltered as they fumbled to bring each other off while yearning to savour every sensation. They came so quickly, too quickly. The final pleasure of release was almost a disappointment.

“Where can we meet?” Neville asked between slow but short kisses. Their heads rested on each other’s shoulders. Their hands remained in each other’s pants. “I want to see you away from here. Talk, this,” he ran two fingertips over Draco’s sticky dick, “more.”

Draco’s hand was on Neville’s bum. He took it away and began adjusting his clothing. “Father’s still under house arrest while Ministry investigations continue. He only leaves when the Wizengamot questions him. Does your grandmother get out much? If you’re connected to the Floo network…”

*~~~*

Draco stepped out of Augusta Longbottom’s fireplace in a dignified manner. Neville remembered Cornelius Fudge tumbling through and wondered at Draco’s physical grace. Shame his greeting didn’t match. “Expected your house to be dumpier than this.”

“If that was meant as a compliment, you could have worded it better.”

“Sorry. How about: Very nice. Thank you, Mr Longbottom, for inviting me into your lovely home.” Draco laughed and twisted his leg away as Neville reached out to smack it. “Straight to foreplay without a kiss hello? You deviate.”

Without warning, Neville tackled him then kissed him rather possessively. “Hello,” Neville said throatily.

“Hello,” Draco replied, just as hoarsely and they kissed again. They managed to stumble and fumble along to Neville’s bed, untangle limbs as shirts got caught on the way over their heads, and kick pants onto the floor before losing control and focussing only on emptying their balls.

“Your dick feels so much better in my hand than mine dies,” Neville murmured as he coated his fingers and palm with Draco’s cum. Draco bucked slightly and gave Neville more cum to slide in.

Draco’s lazy kiss gradually became more vigorous and they grew hard again. They pressed lips to neck, chest, shoulders, face, throat, lips. Licking and kissing before holding their dicks together this time. Balls squished and bounced together as they flipped onto one side, wrapped a leg around their partner and rutted until orgasm.

“A pleasant day, if not quite what I had in mind,” Draco said in broken breaths once their lips became too sore to kiss anymore.

“Not much for conversation anyway, are you?”

“Ha! I’ll have you know … You’re right, actually. Most conversations in the Slytherin common room involved me big-noting myself while everyone but Blaise nodded along like I was the wisest monkey among them. Put me in a room of fully grown Death Eaters and I barely said ‘oh?’”

“What were you thinking when you said ‘oh’?”

“Die evil scum, die! Or something similar.” Draco stretched and Neville automatically flattened a palm against his pale skin and stared. “Beg pardon, but why are you with me again?” Draco asked in a hush.

“Haven’t you figured that out yet?” Neville’s mouth may have teased Draco but his eyes didn’t.

“Don’t say it.”

Neville barely heard him. “Are you afraid?” he asked to mask his own fear.

“Terrified,” Draco admitted then placed a quick, smacking kiss over half of Neville’s mouth and hurried about getting his clothes on properly.

Neville lay back and watched with one hand on his belly, the other beneath his head, as he enjoyed the sight of semi-naked Draco Malfoy bounding out of his bead. The way Draco put on his pants, tucked in his shirt, ran a sweaty (god, hopefully spunky) hand through sweat and sex tousled hair as he looked around for his left shoe-every movement was perfect and deserved a special place in Neville’s memory.

Draco found his shoe and pointed it threateningly at Neville. “Tell anyone you tossed my dice…”

“And you’ll what?” Neville challenged him without moving beyond a satisfied grin. Welcome to Neville Heaven, Draco. God you’re gorgeous!

“And I won’t let you do it again.” It was the perfect threat.

Neville pressed his lips between finger and thumb. Their eyes met, retaining those last remnants of something wild and wonderful. “Send me an owl when you get home, or a Patronus, so I know you haven’t splinched yourself. What is your Patronus?” he asked as Draco sat back on the bed to remove his shoes. He’d put both socks on the one foot.

“That’s a rather personal question, if you don’t mind, Neville.”

Their smiles were the same mottled confusion of lust, humour, awe, sadness, and that other thing they shouldn’t say. It would be easier if this physical aspect was the sum of their attraction. But it wasn’t. Or if their relationship had been born in the turmoil of war like Dean and Luna’s, then there’d be no need to justify it because ‘these things just happen’. Neville loved him. He untucked a corner of Draco’s shirt and caressed bare flesh with curled knuckles. He’d seen that patch of skin, touched it with his mouth, possibly come on it. “I’ll show you mine,” he said seductively. Patronus, body, heart, soul-whichever Draco was willing to reveal in turn…

Draco’s distinctly naughty smile as he removed Neville’s hand, reclaimed his shirt and tucked it back in was almost as rewarding. “Another time,” Draco promised. He walked from Neville’s room, leaving the door open so Neville could watch him toss a handful of Floo powder into the parlour hearth, step into the green flames and whirl away.

Neville closed his door without leaving the bed. He remained sprawled on his back as if nailed there and grinned at the ceiling. “Draco Malfoy’s boyfriend, me!” He pulled his pillow across his face and filled it with a triumphant battle cry, kicking his heels against the mattress before flopping, exhausted, into his original position. He fell asleep with both pillow and grin still on his face.

Part 3