It was dawn in the countryside of Italy.

Neville Longbottom basked in the first few rays of the rising sun. Distracting himself once again with the beauty around him. The Italian countryside was spectacular and the smell of the sea not far away was pleasant. He was covered in dirt head to toe after cultivating the extensive grounds of the Zabini countryside estate. The garden and house itself was poorly maintained. Blaise had told him the house had not been used in decades. His mother had got it from some ex-husband after he'd died. It was lovely nonetheless and the wildlife here was beautiful.

Neville was currently sitting at a table outside trying to find the words he needed to write his letter to Harry. He and Harry had become fast friend over the summer especially after the Ministry break in. He had told Harry he would stand by him no matter what decision he made or what people said before they left Hogwarts. They had parted with a few stray. It felt good to have a confident.

Now it was July 31st, both their birthdays. He had already received his present from Harry, Seamus and Dean. Harry's had come with a letter letting him know that he was staying with Professor Snape and Draco for the summer and how Draco had done wonders on his mood since the breakdown in his friendships with Hermione and Ron.

Neville smiled knowing that Harry trusted him with so much information but felt horrible for not once telling him about his relationship with Blaise. He felt it was now best to inform his closest friend, however it was difficult to find the words.

'Maybe I should start from the beginning'

The beginning was surrounded in white. White walls, white floors, white beds, and people in white scrubs. Neville could never remember a moment when hated the color white more.

His grandmother was admitted into St. Mungos hospital after having a magical attack from stress and anger also known as Magical Arrest. At least that was the medical report. In reality, his Nana had gotten mad at him after he had clumsily spilled her mashed prunes all over her newly knitted quilt. Between her emotional fit and hitting him with her cane her magic had strained to keep up with her raging emotions. So her magic took over in hopes of calming her down. Which is when she did go into Magical Arrest. She ended up collapsing and Neville had called the hospital immediately.

St. Mungos was not shocked to get a call right after Hogwarts had let out. They had received the call everytime Neville was left with his grandmother for long periods of time. They even had a room designated for her. It happened like clock work. They left Neville to his own devices when this happened. He couldn't stay at home alone, but he was welcomed to stay in the hospital and go out to the children's park in the children's ward.

Neville hated it. The fact that no one noticed him was even more prevalent than before. All the doctors and patients in the hospital and he was still invisible as ever. They didn't walk by him, they walk through him. Sometimes he'd bump into people just to get them to notice him, but before he could get his practiced apology out, the look on their face killed the words on his lips. The confused look. The one that looked straight through him. It horrified him. People couldn't see him. What was wrong with him? Why couldn't people see him? It only proved how invisible he was.

But...but this hospital visit was different. This person was different. This person sneered at him. It scared him, but the joy and happiness he felt overcame it.

"Y-Y-You can see me!" he blurted out. All Neville got was a raised brow. It was then he remembered "Oh! I-I-I-I...I'm sor-sorry!" Neville squeaked. His face was turning red from embarrassment.

The other boy just stared at him without a word before turning away.

It was the first time that summer he had ever felt so happy.

After that, Neville noticed the boy there everyday for a week. He walked around bored and sometimes angry. Neville was sure he had seen the other boy before, he just didn't know where. He didn't know his name or even if he was in his year, but one thing was for sure. Neville found the boy unbelievably handsome. The thought made him blush so hard sometimes his head would overheat.

One day, the shy Gryffindor found a book on Herbology and Elves. It excited Neville's mind. Neville absorbed the information, curious of the theories inside. He was so taken by the book he had not realize three days had gone by until...

plop!

Neville didn't even think to look up until a puff of warm air hit his neck. He turned his head only to be started by the same handsome face that he been staring at for a week.

Stunned he squeaked and fell out of his chair much to the amusement of the other boy.

What the hell was that boy trying to do! Kill him through Cardiac Arrest!"

Neville was too stunned to say anything so he just stared at the amused smirking male. The silence seemed to stretch on until the beautiful boy opened his mouth.

"I was wondering what caught your attention so much that you had stopped staring at me" Neville noticed that his voice was...baritone? No. It was manly yet playful. Like a mischievous wolf.

But what horrified yet overjoyed him more was that this person noticed. He could see him. He was a person in this boy's eyes. It scared Neville. The only time he had felt like this was when Harry and him had become friends. And it never felt this intense.

"What's wrong Gryffindor? Serpent got your tongue." Neville blushed. Well that confirmed they went to Hogwarts together.

"Y-Y-You can see me!" The other boy chuckled.

"I think we've confirmed this before. But just in case yes I can see you" the handsome boy purred. Neville felt a shiver go down his spine. "In any case, my name is Blaise. Blaise Zabini." Blaise held his hand out.

Neville's blush got worse. He couldn't believe it! Now he might have two friends! "N-N-Ne-Neville Lon-Longbottom"

Neville grabbed Blaise's hand and gasp when the boy heft him into his lap.

"Wha-wha-wha-" Neville couldn't form words. This could not be happening to him!

"You don't mind do you? I'm curious as to what's occupying your attention." Neville couldn't respond his face was so red and hot the shy Gryffindor was sure to combust! He vaguely aware that he did nod and turned back to the book, but how in Merlin's name was he suppose to focus on the book when he could feel warmth seeping from Blaise's lap to his bum! Merlin, he smelled nice like cologne and something naturally musky.

"Tree flowers" Blaise murmured. Neville nearly died. The boy's lips were moving against his collarbone.

"So what occupies your attention from me are plants?" questioned the handsome male who sounded insulted.

"Her-Herbology!" Neville squeaked. He could feel the questioning gaze on him.

"Th-The book is about Her-Herbology. It's my favorite subject"

"Why?"

"Wha-what?"

"Why is it your favorite subject?" Neville blush got worse. This was new. This was very different and new.

"No one cares about Herbology." Neville sighed. "No one cares about the earth and nature and all the plants in the world. How they feed us, how they cure us, how we need them. They just walk pass them or step all over them. But I think its amazing how delicate looking plants are dangerous to your magic or how scary plants helps cure Dragonpox. They are essential to Potions and St. Mungos and all these big important things. But no one cares"

Blaise hummed. "That's not true." Neville whipped his head ready to retort but Blaise cut him off. "Someone wrote that book. That person cares. Someone teaches this as a required subject in Hogwarts. That person cares. Someone sat here listening to why you love Herbology. That person cares."

Neville was ready to pass out. This was not happening. Blaise was not saying what he thought he just said even if he was the shy Gryffindor was not inclined to believe him.

"You eat yet?" Neville shook his head. He went hours without eating anything and never really noticed. He was use to ignoring hunger pains. Neville guess his height of 5'7 was due to his grandmother vindictive way of spelling food to make him sick or not feeding him at all. Neville was sure that was the reason Harry was so short as well. Seamus had no excuse beside genetics.

"Lets go out and ea-"

"Neville!"

"Wha-!" the brunette fell out of his seat. Shocked by the sudden cry of his name. Blaise looked at him annoyed before helping him up.

"Where was your mind just now? I was calling from inside for five minutes"

"I...was just thinking about my letter to Harry." Blaise narrowed his eyes, but spotting the black ink and parchment on the table, let it go.

"Would you like to visit Harry?" Neville's eyes widen.

"Yes! I still haven't given him his gift!" That would be better than writing a letter.

"Great. Draco fire called and asked if I wanted to come over to shop for books and clothes and I think this is the perfect time to introduce my best friend to my boyfriend."Blaise smirked at the blush the colored Neville's entire face.


Harry couldn't believe he had an acutual conversation with a dragon! It was amazing! he was sure why -Draco had said some rubbish about magical connections- but they could speak directly to his mind. It was strange yet amazing.

Draco watched highly amused. Clearly, the boy who lived had never been so close to a Dragon before.

"That one over there" Draco pointed to s bluish-silver dragon resting in the sun "He is the oldest Dragon here. his name is Xu. He's the oldest Dragon here and the first one ever kept here."

"Wow" The dragon was beautiful. It's scales shimmering in the sun with every breath the great beast took.

"Harry!" the green eyed boy whirled around just in time to catch Neville in a hug.

"Neville!" Harry cried surprised, but happy to see his shy friend. He hugged the slightly taller boy tightly.

"Draco" the Italian greeted

"Blaise" Draco replied.

"Nev I missed you! How have you been? What are you doing here?"

"I miss you you too Harry! I'm great" Neville blushed embarrassed to say why he was here. Blaise grinned well aware that Neville was avoiding the last question.

"I'm glad. I hadn't gotten an owl from you yet so I was a little worried." Neville gave Harry a watery smile and hugged him again which Harry.

"Harry...I..*sniff*...Harry..Blaiseismyboyfriend" the words rushed out so fast Harry didn't catch a word. He blinked turned his head to the side and asked Neville to repeat what he had said.

Neville's blush got worse. "I...B-Blaise...and I...are..um dating." although the last bit was whispered Harry did hear him and his eyes widen. He look from a clearly nervous Neville who wouldn't look him in the eye to a proud grinning Blaise and then back at Neville.

"Nev...that's great! I'm happy for you!" Neville eyes widen looking at his best friend. Harry smiled and than walked over to Blaise with a hard glare.

"If you dare hurt even one hair on Neville I will obliterate you" he then returned to Neville and began chatting.

Blaise just rose a brow slightly worried for his health and looked toward Draco who was snickering.

"Shut up!"

"Longbottom huh?"

"Yes. Gotta problem with it" Blaise questioned with a glare. Draco shrugged. "It is what it is."

It was a few minutes later that Severus showed up with a smiling Remus.

"Hello Neville and..."

"Blaise Zabini"

"Mr. Blaise"

"Longbottom, Zabini" Severus greeted "Your supply list for the upcoming semester has arrived. However, Mr Potter and Mr. Longbottom will not be accompanying you. You will have to entrust you shopping to Mr Malfoy and Mr Zabini."

"What!"

"Why!"

Neville did not want Blaise shopping for him. The idea of the Italian boy picking out high end and ridiculously priced items made the boy faint. Harry however had a feeling why they had to stay and wanted any excuse to get away.

"Because it has come to my attention that I need to have an...uncomfortable conversation with the both of you and you will sit with me and have it. Malfoy, Zabini Remus will be accompanying you to Daigon Alley. You know the rules and I expect you to follow them." Both purebloods nodded. Neither wanted to cross the Potions Master after experiencing first hand how cruel the man could be with punishments.

Remus smiled even though he felt terrible for what was about to happen. Unfortunately, Severus was the best person to talk to the Harry and Neville. And Remus agreed with Severus' logic about the two. It was best to for them to talk now the wait until later.

"Alright Draco and Blaise we can head now. I'll see you later Neville, cub" The three apparated away.

Severus sighed. Trying to find the mental will to start the talk. "Alright, how about we go sit with Xu"


Lucius felt like a genius.

He had found a way to talk to Severus -and consequently his son- without being hex by the Potion Master first.

That ending of itself was an accomplishment. Severus did not take kindly to threats toward their son and Lucius had unintentionally shown himself as such.

He had no hope of getting through Severus' wards and he wasn't stupid enough to try. Severus was a powerful wizard. The man's power was intoxicating plus he was a man of intelligence. He stood no chance against Severus particularly when he was angry with him. He had unfortunately been on the end of Severus anger many times. He was almost certain he'd fair better against a mother dragon.

But his plan! His albeit half thought out plan was brilliant!

The Veela court would see that no matter what Severus was his. He would not lose his mate to a Weasley!

Lucius sipped on his wine. A smirk graced his face as the owl he was expecting came with a Hogwarts seal.

It was beautiful when a plan came together.


So I hope you guys enj- HEY! Who threw that rock!?

I really should get a beta