A/N: All right let's see how much love chapter one gets!
Title: Cruel Bind
Rating: T
Warnings: OOC, AU-ish
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or his friends just the abuse I put them through.
Beta: In the Process
Chapter One
In Which Neville Longbottom Gets More Gifts
Neville Longbottom yawned as he pushed his eggs around on his plate. On his right he could faintly hear Harry whispering to Ron and Hermione about his thoughts on Malfoy. On his left Dean and Seamus were going on about breasts and other girl bits, blushing violently he pushed away his plate. "It's too early for this." The second month of school officially started on this obnoxiously bright Wednesday morning. This was also the day his herbology class paired up with one of Slughorn's potions class for an outside exercise.
Looking up to where the delivery owls entered, Neville patiently waited for his owl. Since the start of the year on every Wednesday an owl adorned in an expensive Gryffindor themed collar arrived for him baring gifts. The gifts varied from books to overly expensive accessories but never came with a note. Hermione had tried many ties to track the owl with the most complex spells and charms she could get her hands on but they failed to work. Harry, Hermione, and Ron were certain that the sender was some dark wizard trying to lure him out for a crazy evil deed. The other boys poked fun at him but the girls gushed over him whenever they had the chance. Neville was sure they only did it because he gave away the jewels neither he nor his grandmother wanted.
When the owl landed it stole a piece of his bacon and waited for Neville to remove his burden. "Thanks Arnau." Neville said when he'd untied his package. He stood and left the Great Hall holding his gift to his chest, ignoring the taunts from his fellow Gryffindor's that followed him.
Neville rushed to his first class, Defense Against Dark Arts, being the first to arrive Neville took his seat and proceeded to open that week's gift. The small six by six package was wrapped in a shiny soft blue paper. Tugging the spelled paper away from the unlabeled box Neville pursed his lips in curiosity. Lifting the top of the box Neville's blushed deepened set in smooth velvet was a small Topaz pendent on a thick silver chain. The rest of the jewelry he'd received had been too gaudy, manly or dainty, but this. This one was like looking into the endless sky. Gently lifting the pendant from its bed Neville watched as it caught and reflected the light.
The footsteps and chatter of approaching students made him jump. Neville quickly clasped the pendant around his neck and stashed the box in his bag. As the other students entered Neville buried his nose into his book willing the day to end faster.
xxXXxx
Neville rubbed his clammy hands together and shifted his weight from his left foot to his right. For the group exercise his herbology class had been paired with Slughorn's predominately Slytherin class. To make matters worse he'd been paired with Slytherin's Prince, Draco Malfoy.
Neville's legs shook violently when Slughorn passed out a list of ingredients needed and told them all to spread out. Neville watched as a few groups headed down near the Black Lake or Hagrid's hut. Looking down at their list Neville realized all their ingredients only grew in the forbidden forest.
"Time is wasting Longbottom." Slughorn said pushing the chubby teen towards the forest.
Neville's eyes started to tear up, "Yes sir." he stuttered as he began to lead the way on uneasy legs. 'I can do this I can do this' Neville chanted to himself as the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. He knew Draco was watching him as he followed him silently. 'If I can fight with the others at the ministry, I can pick a few plants'.
Draco Malfoy silently followed Neville and watched the little Gryffindor as he collected all the ingredients for his potion. The blond watched the other groups until they were all out of sight before leaning against a tree and lighting up a muggle cigarette. Neville flickered from side to side collecting everything they needed without a peep. When the sky started to darken Draco silently cast a Lumos for the oblivious Gryffindor.
On the start of Draco's sixth cigarette Neville stopped collecting and sat in front his pile of plants to organize them. Neville idly played with his new gift as he double checked everything he had. His body had relaxed while he was hunting but Draco's presence still weighed heavily on his mind. Sighing Neville slipped out his wand and cast a quick spell for time (1) gasping in horror at the time. Dinner had most likely started already, he looked to the sky and then to Draco, "Did they leave us? The left us!"
"Relax Longbottom, they're probably looking for us now." Draco stubbed his cigarette out on the bark of the tree he'd been relaxing against.
"Don't do that, and why didn't you say anything?" Neville asked glaring at Draco.
"I'm not your fucking babysitter Longbottom, if you're so eager to go back then go." Draco pulled the pack for his cigarettes in hopes to find another, but it was empty. Tossing it away Draco settled for loosening his tie.
Neville's hands unconsciously reached for his pendant. "You shouldn't just leave your trash lying around."
Draco snorted and watched Neville's hand pull his pendant from his shirt. "So you did like it." he muttered.
"Like it?" Neville looked down at his pendant and back to Draco blushing. "Did you-are you the one that-"
"It doesn't matter." Draco sat on the ground and rested his arms on his knees.
Neville looked up at the darkening sky "You're different this year. Some days I wonder if it's really even you in there. Why do all this?"
"Things change, people change." Draco mumbled looking up at the little Gryffindor.
Neville bit his lip. "Even the Ice Prince?"
Draco didn't answer, he turned away and they sat in silence until Hagrid's heavy footsteps could be heard. The half giant broke through the foliage with a bright smile. "Always knew you were a smart one Neville, staying right where I can find ya."
The walk back to the castle was strained. Neville spoke with Hagrid in hushed tones while Draco walked ahead of them. His head was held high but his shoulders were tense with some invisible burden.
When Hagrid was sure they weren't going to wander off, he split ways with them. Neville ran to Draco's side to walk with him.
"We should-" Neville blushed when Draco glared at him, "we should talk again."
Draco stopped and looked Neville up and down like a new shiny prize, "You act like you should trust me, but you shouldn't." He spun on his heel and walked down the dark hall.
Neville sighed, "Good night." He whispered to the corridor.
(1) Is there a spell for time?
