Neville suspected he was just being paranoid, but his visit with the Malfoy's yesterday had been strange and despite his words of reassurance to Draco, the thought had come unbidden to him as he read to a drooping Serafina, that if he was wrong and Lucius was dangerous and that someone in the Ministry had released him hoping for something to happen to the Malfoy family he could be putting a child's life in danger.
The thought made him press his face into Serafina's blond hair, "if anything ever happened to you..." He hadn't realized that he said the words out loud until Sera lifted her head from his chest, put her arms up around his neck and mumbled something he couldn't quite make out before promptly drifting back to her half-asleep state. He had untangled her from his neck and slipped her fully under the covers, deciding that he would do a little fact checking...just to, you know.. make sure everything was on the up and up.
That is why he was now standing in front of St. Mungo's, with an appointment to speak with the psychic healer that had evaluated Lucius Malfoy before his release from Azkaban. Neville's concerns had not been allayed when he contacted Healer Firth this morning. She had seemed shocked that he was calling to follow-up with her about Lucius Malfoy, which Neville had expected since one simply did not question Ministry-backed healers. What he had not expected was her request to discuss the 'Malfoy Issue' (her words, not Neville's) in her private office after hours.
Neville went over everything he knew about psychic healers, his knowledge of which was quite vast, since his parents had been under their constant care pretty much his entire life. He would go see his mother and father after meeting with Healer Firth if he could slip in before the end of visiting hours. He wasn't in a terrible hurry since Ginny had been kind enough to say that he and Sera had to stay for dinner when he called to let her know he would be late picking her up today._
He arrived at the Healer's office suite and seeing no assistant on duty knocked on what he hoped was Firth's office door.
"Um, yes, coming." Said a voice that sounded like Mrs. Firth. Neville stepped back as the door opened to show a smartly dressed and coiffed healer. "Mr. Longbottom, so nice to meet you in person."
"You to, Mrs. Firth." Neville followed in to her nicely appointed and very modern looking office. Most of the wizarding world's aesthetic, when if came to decor hearkened back several decades if not centuries and the change from the outer suite to inner-office was jarring. Mrs. Firth must have noted his reaction, and explained, "I grew up Muggle and there were a few things I wasn't willing to leave behind when I came to the Wizarding world, chiefly among them a more modern sense of style."
"Oh, I like it, I'd like to do a bit of modernization at Gran's, someday."
She quirked an eyebrow at that and looked at Neville's armband. "You live with your grandmother?" Shite, now she was going to analyze him. 'No good deed goes unpunished' rang through his head.
"Oh, well just for now..." he trailed off and shook his head, he wasn't there to talk about himself, "..but the reason I'm here Mrs. Firth,"
Mrs. Firth steppeled her fingers under her chin and said, "Ah, yes, Lucius Malfoy. So tell me Officer Longbottom," Neville noted the change in his honorarium, "what do you think about him?"
Neville squirmed in his seat a bit and crossed his legs laying his hands atop his thigh. He suddenly wished he was facing an army of reporters..."Well, he seems to just...well..." Neville plucked at his earlobe a couple of times, but stopped when he noticed Mrs. Firth noticing the movement..."to be very happy and uh, serene...uncharacteristically so...according to his family."
"I've only met with him once for an hour, so I may not be the best judge, but well, they were concerned and I just wanted to follow up with you in case there is anything that didn't make it into the case file that I might need to know or follow-up on." Mrs. Firth brought her brows together and tilted her head to the side. 'Way to go' thought Neville, 'just keep babbling then you won't have to worry about visiting hours when you want to see mum and dad.'
"Are you asking me, if I think, I could have made a misdiagnosis?" Her tone was gentle, but Neville could sense the steel beneath the statement.
"No, no, not that, just ..well..." Why was he doing this again?
"Officer Longbottom," Her voice deepened as she leaned forward, "I would like to tell you something.. off the record."
Neville inhaled and readied himself, "Of course."
"It's not what you think Officer." She looked out the window for a moment gathering her thoughts. "I said in my report that Lucius Malfoy was not suffering from any diagnosable mental disorders that would prohibit his release back into the world and I stand by that report. The fact of the matter is Officer," She leaned forward even more as though she were getting ready to tell a secret, "I think Lucius Malfoy is more sane now then he has ever been."
"Uh, really?" Neville felt his jaw hanging open and closed it . "Let me get this right, after 10 years in Azkaban, turning tail on other Death-eaters, losing his place in society and getting his family all but shunned, you say he's..uh.. more sane?"
Mrs. Firth leaned back in her chair cracked her knuckles and made a face that Neville would call considering and said, "Yep."
"O-Kay, and his change in behavior and demeanor?" Neville was trying to keep his voice from sounding too skeptical.
"He spent 10 years or more in a state of fear, holding onto his life with all he had and he won. Right now, he's happy...to be free.. to be alive...to be home." She said shrugging her shoulders. "He'll even out after a bit, be more like his 'old' self, but he will never be the same man. His family will either have to accept him for the man he is or ...not."
"But, he's not dangerous, just …changed."
"That is why we have the prison system, Mr. Longbottom, it does happen, even more now that we've made some reforms to our treatment of prisoners."
Neville considered her words for a moment and asked, "So, if that's all you wanted to tell me, why did you want me to come in "after hours?"
"To be frank, declaring people sane isn't exactly...um.." Neville highly doubted that Mrs. Firth had to struggle with her words often, so he leaned in minutely preparing for words. "It's not Kosher, as they say. At least not in my business, so I thought it would be best to keep this off the record."
Neville took a moment to absorb her statement trying to come up with a reply. Finding none he decided that politely getting the hell out of here was the best option. "Okay, well I thank you Mrs. Firth for your help and your insight. I'll discreetly let the family know they have nothing to fear and reiterate the Ministry's suggestions on follow-up therapies to them." Neville said getting up and nodding to Mrs. Firth.
"Oh, Mr. Longbottom, my card," She pulled one from a small pile on her desk, "just in case you ever feel the need to talk about something other than work." She smiled at him and leaned back in her chair turning it to look at the sun just starting to set behind some buildings in the distance.
Feeling rather like he had been dismissed Neville left and picked up the pace once he pocketed the card. He could drop by and see mum and dad for a few minutes after all._
Bugger, Bugger, Bugger! Neville thought, "Just tell him that I need to speak to him for a moment. That's all it will take."
"I will do as you wish sir, but Tippy is telling..." The elf cleared his throat. "I.. am telling you, that Master Draco does not take firecall's. He finds it uncivilised."
"Un...what! Everybody takes firecalls. Why the bloody hell does he have a floo that takes calls if he won't answer them?" Neville asked, feeling a headache come on.
"The Master's do not wish to take firecalls, but found it necessary to open the floo as a way to let others know that they do not take them." The house-elf regarded Neville as though he was something the elf had just stepped in. "Also, there is no need for course language Sir, if you wish you may come through to meet with Master Draco or Owl like a civilised Wizard."
Neville opened and closed his mouth several times. Had that house-elf just insulted him. "Listen, I'm at home with my daughter, I can't come through and leave her alone, besides which it's after supper-time surely your master..." Neville was interrupted by a voice coming through the call.
"Who is that Tippy?" Lucius Malfoy's head popped into the fire. "Ahh, Officer Longbottom! Do come on through, has it been two weeks already?"
"Oh, no, no, just a couple of days in fact. This isn't an official call Mr. Malfoy, I just wanted to speak to Draco for a moment, if you please."
"Oh, Draco hates these things and so do I...wouldn't have one at all if you didn't need one to tell people to bugger off if they can't be bothered to tell you something in person."
Was Lucais Malfoy insulting him now. Neville rubbed his forehead. "I can't, my daughter is here and I just wanted to..."
"Oh, excellent, Scorpius and I were just in the middle of the most excellent game of 'Snakes and Ladders'. Do bring her along and she can join us, while you speak to Draco."
Neville huffed, this was the last time he would be doing a favor for any of his parole's families or ex-classmates. "Fine, fine, I'll be on in a moment."
Neville was so distracted by the time he got Sera ready and himself through the floo that it took a moment for him to realize that he was surrounded by Malfoy's. Lucius was smiling and holding a fair-haired boy on his hip. Said fair-haired boy buried his face in Lucius's shoulder when Neville looked at him causing Lucius to raise an arm to pet the boys' back and whisper in his ear. Next to Lucius was Narcissa, who nodded primly to Neville and smiled down at Sera. Draco was standing next to a wingback chair with a strained and questioning look on his face. Draco's wife had taken up residence in the chair and looked at Neville like she had just been sucking on a lemon.
"Mr. Longbottom, welcome to our home. Would you like some tea or cake? Liddy and Maddy made the most delicious chocolate on chocolate for dinner." Lucius offered.
"Well, like I said.." Neville hooked his thumb over his shoulder indicating the floo. "I just need a moment with Draco." Draco's wife, (he really needed find out her name) looked up at Draco questioning.
"Oh, of course." Draco stepped forward. "The garden perhaps, I seem to recall you had a certain fondness when we were boys."
Neville looked down at Sera and smiled at her broad open face. "Sera, would you like to have a piece of cake? I'll be back in just a couple of minutes and we'll head home."
Sera nodded. "Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy's I'd like to introduce you to my daughter Serafina." Sera lifted up a hand to wave and said a quiet "hi."
Mr. and Ms. Malfoy said 'hello' in unison. Lucius Malfoy sat the young boy on his hip down and said, "Introduce yourself, Scorpius."
Scorpius looked across the room at his father who smiled back at the young man and nodded, urging him on.
Scorpius stopped a few steps in front of Neville and Sera and bowed deeply. Neville made to grab the boy when he started to topple over, but he saved himself and straightened back up. "Hello.." The boy looked confused and turned his face back towards his grandfather, who said, "And we would like to invite you.."
"Oh," the young man said cutting off Lucius, "you wanna have some cake?" Scorpius held out his hand and when Sera tentatively held out her right hand Scorpius grabbed it saying "Come on, it's in here," dragging Sera out of Neville's grasp.
"Scorpius! Be careful!" Draco admonished the boy, who instantly ceased dragging Sera out of the room and turned around.
"We'll all go and have a piece." Narcissa interjected, "wait for us Scorpius and remember a gentleman does not drag a lady around like a crup on a lead."
"Oh," Scorpius said as he dropped Sera's hand. Narcissa held out her hands to Scorpius and Sera, who looked up, smiled and said, "You have pretty hair."
Neville swallowed and turned his chin down.
"Why, thank you Serafina, that is so kind." Narcissa said leading the children out of the room.
Neville could just hear a rather petulant sounding Scorpius supply, "My hair's the same." As they turned to go down the hall.
"Well, Astoria, shall we join them?" Lucius said holding his hand out toward his daughter-in-law, who smiled weakly, took the offered hand and stood to leave.
"If she needs me or starts to act up, just send an elf...or call..." Neville trailed off, "I'm sure we won't be far..." Neville turned to Draco for a confirmation.
"Don't worry Longbottom, we'll be just out the doors on the Portico. I think you know it." Draco smirked. Neville noticed that Draco's smirk drew a glare from.. Astoria was it? as she and Lucius made there way to the door arm in arm. As Astoria turned her face back towards the door, Lucius looked back at Neville and rolled his eyes.
The unexpected face caused both men to stifle a laugh they quickly played off as coughs when Astoria turned her face back towards Draco to glare some more as she left the room.
"Um..." Neville really wanted to say something about how lovely Draco's wife was, but was at a loss for words, since he was quiet certain anything he would say at the moment would be taken the wrong way.
"Come on, Longbottom, this is our moment, take advantage of it while you can." Draco said moving towards the French doors, opening one and making an expansive gesture inviting Neville to proceed him outside.
"Mr...um Malfoy..." Neville started. That didn't sound right.
"Draco, please, there's no need to stand on ceremony." Draco smirked again has he rummaged in his vest pocket.
"Oh, well, I suppose you can call me Neville then when I'm not here on Ministry business." That thought gave Neville pause, because except to allay Draco's concern about his father he had absolutely no intention of visiting Malfoy Manor, unless it was for Ministry business. Draco must have had the same thought because he quirked an eyebrow at Neville in question, as he brought what looked to be a hand-rolled cigarette up to his lips.
They strolled to the end of the portico to look at what had to be acres of plants and trees in a rather intricately designed garden. Neville's eyebrows rose is awe. Most Manors boasted several small gardens that wizard families used to grow items needed for potions and a few rose bushes, but Malfoy Manor had plants both practical and fantastic with species Neville hadn't seen anywhere but books.
"Mother's pride and joy." Draco supplied as he lit his cigarette with a self-lighting match.
Okay, maybe he would drop by another time. Maybe Narcissa would let him take a few cuttings. "Your mother created this garden?" Neville said unable to keep the awe out of his voice.
"Well, technically generations of Malfoy's created it," Draco drawled, "but Mother takes great pride in keeping it up and has added a few touches to make it her own."
"Perhaps, we'll take a proper tour sometime.." Draco trailed off.
"Oh, yes!" Neville shook himself out of his distraction, "I just wanted to drop by and follow-up with you about...our discussion we had the other day."
"Oh, how so?" Draco said after taking a drag off his cigarette.
Neville took a moment to reflect before he began. It was generally a good rule to follow before speaking anyway, but doubly so when dealing with a certain type of person, specifically one that could and would use the fact that Neville had off the record information that he had gathered behind the Ministry's back and was getting ready to share said information with the son of a convicted...'Okay, buck up Nev,' no need to have gone and got yourself into this situation if you weren't going to share what you learned,' he admonished to himself.
Draco was staring at Neville rather intently now. A trail of smoke rising from the cigarette as he crossed his arms to hug himself. Neville unconsciously imitated the move his, hand landing against the band of black on his arm. It gave him a jolt of courage and he spoke.
"I went to the healer who evaluated your father before his release."
"And?" Draco asked his voice edged with fear, but his face stoic.
"She said there's nothing to be afraid of...that he's on a kind of 'high' from being free and that he is sane. She said that he would even out in time, but that she believes him to be a changed man."
Draco was silent has he took another drag off the cigarette and walked back to the shaded section of the portico that Neville had seen Draco and his wife fighting in on his previous visit. Neville followed hoping that this wasn't a sign that they to were getting ready to have a row.
Reaching the bench, Draco let his knees hit the stone as he stared into the blackness of the garden through a parting in the vines that shaded the area.
"I, ah..I never thought I'd see him again," Draco's voice sounded like it was being dragged across gravel, "Every month, after every visit I would think 'He's not going to make it'...he thought it to, you know...I could tell when we said good-bye he thought it would be the last time." Draco looked at Neville, a thin wisp of smoke circled near his face before it dissipated and Neville swore he saw a glimmer of a tear in Draco's eyes, before he turned back to look at nothing in particular.
Neville struggled for a moment with the raw emotion he could feel coming from the other man. He had had the same thoughts about his parents, especially when he was young and couldn't fully comprehend what had happened to them. It was why he had jars full of candy wrappers by the time he graduated from Hogwarts, he couldn't bear to throw them away, just in case.
Lost in memory, he didn't notice that Draco had once again turned to regard him. His body brushing Neville's. When Neville turned his head and looked directly into Draco's eyes he suddenly became very aware of how close they were standing and where their bodies where brushing up against one another. Each breath subtlety changing the points of contact. Draco seemed to realize their closeness his eyes widened slightly in embarrassment. Draco turned back to his original position trying to hide the quickness of the movement by taking another drag from his cigarette. Neville felt an odd tightening in his stomach and that..that was...umm..new? to say the least.
Suddenly nervous, Neville began what he could only imagine was the most inane babbling ever heard in the Wizarding world since Gilderoy Lockhart had fist been confunded. He could only imagine it so because by the time he had collected Sera (protesting!) in the middle of her dessert, refused invites to stay and stepped into his study the only thing he could remember was how fast his heart had started beating and how flushed his face felt on that portico.
A jerk to his hand brought his attention away from his inner monologue and down to Sera. Her face was questioning, but Neville suspected that she didn't quite know how to verbalize "What the bloody hell?" yet and just wanted him to calm down enough to let her know that everything was okay. Shaking his head Neville knelt down on one knee and rubbed a chocolate crumb from the corner of her mouth. "Let's get you a bath, okay?" Sera's face relaxed and the action brought a similar feeling to Neville's entire body.
Shoulders that he didn't realize were scrunched up to his ears slumped down. Why was he freaking out again? Oh yeah, getting all hot and bothered over Draco Malfoy. Neville felt his eyebrows scrunch together again. Its not even that he had never had feelings for a wizard before, he liked to think that he just loved people regardless of the packaging. After the war, he played the field a bit, I mean he was only a wizard after all and when witches and wizards are throwing themselves at you it was hard to resist, at least at first it was. It didn't take long for the shine to wear off and Neville was thankful it had because it had led him to Hannah, the love of his life.
Hannah hadn't even been gone a year and he was dishonoring her memory already. 'He's a married man' and marriage is sacred, you know that Nev, he chided himself has he went through Sera's evening ritual on automatic. He's attractive, always has been, but that attitude...except he didn't seem to have the attitude anymore did he? As a matter of fact he seemed to have grown up somewhat...and why..why did he have to stand so close. No one has been that close to him physically in a while except for Sera. Everyone kept there distance or rather Neville kept a spot for Hannah. Projecting her has a barrier in some way. 'This is only natural your 29, you won't be alone forever' and he realized as he lay Sera down that he wouldn't be...at some point he'd have to let Hannah go and move on. Sera hands were on his face. He was sure he looked just as devastated at that moment as he had been that day when the call came into the Ministry and he had realized that he had lost her forever.
He smiled down at Sera's worried face and picked up a book to read to her. He felt calmer now. He reasoned, that this was a part of the process of moving on, it wasn't like anything was going to happen with Draco anyway...it had just been his body taking the first step on to his new life. It could have been anyone that broke down that first barrier, it just happened to be the most inappropriate person in the known world. As he settled in to read to Sera, Neville huffed at his own over-reaction. 'Draco Malfoy' he almost let a laugh out at the thought.
"Let's see what we have here, shall we?" He asked Sera as she settled into the crook of his arm. Neville smiled again at his own silliness and opened the Chapter 2
