A/N: Yeah so this is a tad abrupt but, in all honesty - I don't care. Only a few chapters left to go (there are 13 in total) so by my estimation you'll have the end of this story on Saturday (unless something happens or I get even less patient than I already am-and for those of you wondering the lack of patience comes from the fact that I finally finished my Godzilla of a vampire/dragon story and want to get it up and done with so that I can forget I ever wrote the monstrosity as soon as possible but I want to wait til I've finished posting this story before I post that one). Anyway, this story has been getting a lot of response, especially last chapter and I want to thank everybody for their input and questions which I hope I answered to your satisfaction. Enjoy.
Harry couldn't help but smile. Neville's voice was amazing. Deep with a perfect tone and lilting musical quality. He could listen to it all day.
"Hey Nev." He replied softly. "Um…was last night-I mean, was that…the dream, was it real?"
"Yes. It was very real and I meant every word." Neville angled his head slightly so he could whisper into Harry's ear. "I love you Harry."
His warm breath tickled the sensitive appendage and Harry held back a moan of longing. His eyes swept over the others in the room. He knew he should probably think about this more; after all it had only been a few days. However, he also knew that no amount of thinking would change his mind. He had chosen Neville. The Nokke which had fused itself to his very soul because it refused to be a separate entity named Thornton had chosen Neville. In hindsight, Harry knew that he should've chosen a cooler name.
Harry chewed on his lower lip. He just wished that he could be sure Neville was telling the truth. That he'd already loved Harry before and the creature had nothing to do with it. The thrall not creating the feelings, merely enhancing them. But there was no way to be sure until Harry made his claim
He turned to face Neville, who was now significantly taller than him. Harry found himself looking a pectoral muscle right in the nipple. He leaned back so that he could see Neville's face. He stretched to his tiptoes to press a light kiss on the man's lips. He jerked back when a cacophony of sound hit his ears. Those still caged were clearly displeased; there were howls, snarls, roars, and high-pitched screeching.
He flipped around to see the creatures once again trying to smash, burn, freeze, and scratch their way to freedom. He stepped out of the comforting circle that Neville's arms provided and faced them all, determination in his eyes. "I claim him!" He shouted.
All of them froze and focused on Harry. Harry hesitated. Dumbledore had told him the words, he knew what he had to do. But what if he was making the wrong choice? It would calm them enough so that they could be released. They could be around other people, the urge to get to Harry no longer all-consuming. They still wouldn't be safe in each other's presence until he and Neville sealed the bond, but that didn't need to happen now. He liked Neville didn't he? Harry hadn't really considered the boy to be a possible love interest before this, but that didn't mean anything. The point was that he liked him now. Plus, there was still time to get to know him. This is what I should do, really the only thing I can do. Harry took a deep breath and continued.
"I release you." The heady scent that had been following him around since he turned nokke dissipated. The creatures all dragging in large gulps of air, as if they'd been starving for clean air. In a way, Harry supposed that was true. Snape's eyes went from red to black and he looked mighty embarrassed. Harry did a little happy dance in his head. His fears had been for naught and Snape looked almost cute as a tomato. "Unless this is revoked you no longer have any rights to me. I claim Neville Longbottom!"
Neville gave a triumphant hiss. "And I claim Harry Potter."