A/N: Bad news, the angst has started. Good news, it won't last long :) I'm a sucker for happy endings.
Title: Cruel Bind
Rating: T
Warnings: OOC, AU-ish
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or his friends; I just own the abuse that I put them through.
Beta: hhmmm
Chapter Six
In Which the Agony Begins
Draco Malfoy raised a steady hand to his red cheek, staring blankly at the wall before him, "Damn it, damn it, damn it! Stupid Draco, so fucking stupid." Falling to his knees he clutched his head in his hands. "This wasn't supposed to happen." Draco ran a hand through his already disheveled hair and looked longingly at the couch he and Neville lay on just moments before. Standing Draco threw an Incendio at the plushy piece of furniture. After watching the flames die out Draco collected his things and stormed out of the astronomy tower the door slamming behind him.
Crabbe and Goyle met Draco halfway down to the Slytherin dorms, "Everything okay Drake?"
"Just peachy," Draco gave his bag to Crabbe to hold "Meet me at the door tonight." He said pushing past his two goons.
"Sure thing," Goyle said giving Crabbe a side long glance.
XOXO
Neville Longbottom carelessly ran down the halls of Hogwarts. He stopped at an open door way and fell to the floor and brought his knees to his chest.
"Skipping class Mr. Longbottom?" Neville jerked his head up to find Severus Snape looming over him. "There's a first time for everything, 100 points from Gryffindor and detention, tonight."
Neville coked back a sob and hid his reddening cheeks and eyes in his hands, "Yes sir."
Severus spun on his heels, "Get to class Longbottom or it'll be detention for a week." He said continuing down his path.
Standing Neville chucked his bag across the hall, "Damn it all!" stalking over to his bag Neville slung it on his back and trudged to the Gryffindor tower. Neville blindly dropped his bag at his bedside and draped his robe over his trunk. Slipping his shoes off Neville crawled into bed and spelled his curtains shut.
At dinner time Neville sat with Seamus and Dean, who were deep in conversation, with his back to the Slytherin table. He kept his head low and his eyes on his untouched stew. He half expected his house's prefects to attack him for his loss of points but it never came. Neville rubbed the back of his neck and glanced behind him.
Draco sat besides Blaise and Pansy, each of who were pressed against him. Glaring Neville looked back to his stew then to Harry and his little gang. They were also looking at Malfoy, "I should tell them."
"Tell who what?"
Neville flinched and looked at Dean and Seamus who were reacting to his presences for the first time that night. "Uh, nothing, nothing at all." Standing Neville pushed his bowl away, "I'll see you later." He stuttered before hastily leaving the great hall. Neville didn't stop until he reached the astronomy tower. "There's no point in coming here again." He raised his hands and cupped the topaz pendent that rested against his chest.
"I knew I'd find you here." A smooth drawl said from behind Neville.
Neville clenched his pendent in his hands and turned to face the Slytherin Prince, "I don't want to talk to you."
Draco scoffed and leaned against the wall stuffing his hands into his pockets, "Then you wouldn't have come here."
Neville flushed and tears welled up in his eyes, "Don't talk to me like you know me!" He pulled on his pendent and the delicate chain dug into the skin of his neck before unclasping. "You don't and you never will Draco Malfoy."
Draco pushed himself away from the wall, his head held low "Don't talk like that Nev, and just let me explain-"
"Don't! Just leave me the hell alone!" Neville reeled back and threw the pendant in his fist at Draco's face.
Draco caught the delicate item he glared unseeingly at the chain that dangled from his hand. Stalking towards the quivering Gryffindor, Draco wrapped his hands around Neville's biceps. Pinning Neville to the stone wall, "Don't Nev," Draco bowed his head, "Don't throw it away. Just keep this one thing-" he stopped when he heard heavy steps approach them.
Neville blushed and turned away from Draco, "I'll tell." He mumbled.
Draco looked towards the direction of the great hall. Crabbe and Goyle slowly made their way towards them, looking down at Neville's tear stained cheeks he cringed.
"Drake let him go,"
Draco loosened his grip on Neville's arms and stepped away from the brunette and placed the pendant in the pocket of Neville's robe, "Nev-"
Neville flinched and pushed the Slytherin away, "Just stay away." Rubbing his arms he rushed down the hall.
Draco rubbed the bridge of his nose "This is so fucked up, I thought I was doing enough."
"Drake?" Crabbe rubbed the back of his neck and slowly approached the young Malfoy, "You ok?"
"Ever since he walked away I keep seeing the boy-" I killed. Draco ran a hand through his hair, "I must be going fucking crazy. I've got work to do." Shoving his hands in the pockets of his robes Draco headed back to the great hall, leaving the other two Slytherins to follow behind him.
