All characters belong solely to J.K. Rowling. I am making no profit off this.
Warning: Slash, do like it don't read, although why you would read a Neville / Snape story and expect het, I have no clue. Enjoy.
"Mr. Longbottom," Professor Snape seethed behind him. Neville jumped, hands freezing of the dried dung beetles. Shit, he had been too involved in watching his dream Snape undress he had neglected to notice the real one stalking up behind him.
"Yes, Professor Snape?" Neville looked firmly down at his ingredients; as much as he loved those fathomless black eyes he couldn't bear to see the contempt in them.
"What exactly are you doing?" Snape began nosily tapping his foot, the loud noise jarring Neville's already scattered thoughts. What was he doing? Besides, of course, day dreaming about things he really had no right to daydream about. Mainly involving a naked Potions teacher, a bubble bath, and some ice cubes. Or maybe some nice chocolate, the kind that was liquid and cooled down almost instantly, so that he could pour it on Snapes… No! Bad Neville! No matter how intoxicating Snape attention was he couldn't afford to dream about Snape until after class.
"I'm waiting, Mr. Longbottom." Neville's hands slowly increased their grip in pure tension, crushing the dung beetle in them. Dung beetles… oh yes that was it.
"I - I'm adding dung beetles to my potion, sir." He stated in a weak rush. "Once added, the dung beetles will provide an energy source to bring out the properties of the eagle feather and increase the potency of my potion." Neville held his breath. His answer was right… he knew it was right! He had been up half the night last night studying with Hermione and Harry. He knew this potion inside and out, and sideways, just for good measure. He was determined to do it. For just one potion, for just one class, Neville was going to get something right. He was going to hand in a perfect assignment, and Snape – Serverus – would smile at him and say he had done well, he would respect Neville.
Or, at least he wouldn't take any points away from Gryffindor. The entire class was holding their breaths in anticipation of Snapes reply. Harry gave Neville a thumbs' up sign. Neville's idol had yet to say anything. Slowly Snapes eyebrows inched upward and then … Snape nodded.
"Five points to Gryffindor." Time stood momentarily still as the echoes of such an unprecedented event surged through the room and then the entire class burst out into amazed whispers. Snape had given Gryffindor points. Snape had given Neville points. A euphoric feeling began to fill Neville. For a moment he clenched his lips together, trying to hold in his joy, but soon gave up and smiled so wide he felt like his face was splitting. Nothing could drag him down now! All of the years of toil and embarrassment and humiliation were gone in an instant. Instead of feeling angst and depression, Neville was, Neville was HAPPY. Still soaring with joy, Neville turned around – and promptly knocked over his cauldron.
There was a deadly silence in the room as Snape slowly turned around.
"I should have known. Remove those five points, Mr. Longbottom, and thirty more for insufferable clumsiness."
The Slytherins burst into snickers, and the Gryffindors scowled furiously and Neville just stood there, face burning with humiliation, looking that the wreck that had become his dream. Neville had finally proved that he had some worth to Snape, and now it was completely gone.
"Well Longbottom," snapped Snape. "Clean up that mess. Unless you're too incompetent to even manage that."
Neville looked from Snapes exasperated face to the gobs of his ruined life on the floor. He fled the room.
AN: should this continue as a Neville / Snape or should I turn it into a Neville / Lucius? Thanks to those who review!