A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews! They inspired to write two chapters this week instead of one. Please keep them coming.

It must be Sera, Neville thought when the sound of a fist knocking on his bedroom door a little after 11 had roused him. He felt his suspicions were confirmed when a second knock seemed to be centered low on the door. He wondered why she didn't come on in as usual, but the days events had been stressful and could have made her hesitant.

He angered again thinking of the way the reporters had shoved their quills and camera's in their faces when they had arrived at Uncle Algie's that day. He had apologized profusely for letting his wards slip, but when the reporters that had been camped out for a couple of days had disappeared the day before he had thought he was rid of them.

The day Astoria's story had hit the papers had been madness. The justice in Finnis's case had thrown several reporters in detention for refusing to calm when court came to order. Finnis's verdict and sentencing the next day had sent them into another tizzy with headlines changing from "Hero-Widower in Gay Sex Scandal" to "Guilty Verdict in Case of Hero-Widower in Gay Sex Scandal."

Neville had given his promised press conference, but the censors at the papers would have a difficult time pulling a quote from him after the tirade he'd went on about how the press was disrespecting his wife's memory and making unfounded allegations to boot. Gran had laid a hand on his arm as he began to get swept up in his anger and he'd excused himself as she finished the conference. He had shook off Mione and Ron, who'd tried to offer some comfort and ran to a floo going to Malfoy Manor. Draco had evidently been waiting for word from him because he was sitting by the floo, rising to embrace Neville the moment he arrived.

Draco had held him and soothed his nerves until Gran's face had popped into the floo to check on him. They had parted with a few sweet kisses that Neville had replayed dozens of times in the days since.

Preparing himself to deal with a restless or possibly frightened Sera, Neville opened the door to find Tippy staring up at him. Dread seized his heart. "Tippy, what's wrong? Has something happened?"

The small elf raised his hands, "No Sir, please calm down, nothing is wrong. Master Draco bid me to come find you." The elf turned his head studying the hall up and down before leaning in to whisper, "Master Draco was..," Tippy scrunched his eyebrows together, "..concerned that if he came looking for you himself certain aspects of his physical person would be separated from him should he find Mrs. Longbottom instead."

Neville snickered and bit his lip when he saw that Tippy was worried that he had said something wrong. "Okay, then, I guess I'll get dressed. Tell Draco, I'll be on in a bit."

The elve's ears flexed on the top of his head. "Master Draco is here, sir."

"Here?" Neville asked confused.

"Yes sir, he awaits you in the Parlour."

"The parlour?" They had never called anything a parlour, but he guessed Tippy was talking about the sitting room since that is where the floo landed. Neville smiled as he went to grab his robe from the bathroom door. Draco and Gran were going to have to talk soon. He couldn't have Draco sending out house elves as a protective measure against castration if the man was going to be the regular visitor to his home.

Draco was standing by the floo looking at the burning coals when he arrived. Neville had worried that perhaps Tippy had been misinformed and that something was wrong that Draco hadn't told the elf about until Draco turned to him, a smile breaking through.

Neville felt himself smile in return as his heart squeezed in his chest. It had been too long. He heard Tippy say something but was too distracted by Draco's face to catch it. Draco muttered a "Yes, Tippy that will be all and thank you" to the elf who stepped into the floo and disappeared.

Draco sauntered over to where Neville stood, his body heavy feeling. "I hope this is alright. I had Tippy bring me thro-umf.." Neville cut him off with a kiss. Neville pulled back to look into Draco's eyes. "I'll take that as a yes."

"Yes, its alright." Neville's hands went to Draco's waist pulling him even closer. "I've." "I" they both started. "I've missed you." Neville finished.

Draco ran his hands up Neville's arms letting one rest at the top of his shoulder while the other came to cup his cheek. "I've missed you too." His voice barely more than a whisper. They fell together for another kiss that turned into another kiss and another. Neville's hands went from Draco's waist to his upper back gripping him close as they kissed and kissed. Draco's hands wondered from his cheek to the hair at the nape of his neck carding threw the hair and tightening into a pleasantly firm grip as Neville's lips traveled along Draco's jaw and up to his ear. "I'm so, so glad your here," Neville whispered into his ear, feeling a shiver course threw Draco's body in response.

"Well, it seemed silly to wait until the papers are filed on Tuesday." Draco was breathless sounding as Neville kissed down the cord of his neck. Neville could feel the vibrations of his voice as he continued, "Decided that since you'd have to," Draco's breath hitched pleasantly when Neville bit him lightly under his chin, "deal with the consequences at work tomorrow, before we'd even had a proper affair, that you'd might as well get some pleasure out of it first."

Draco's body was writhing against Neville as he spoke, almost like he couldn't decide what to do next. Neville decided for them and began to walk Draco back to the sofa. Draco's knees buckled and Neville followed him down bringing their lips together again. When he broke away to trace the line of Draco's neck, he heard Draco question, "The sofa?" The question brought Neville's attention back to Draco's face. Draco looked absolutely lost, his eyes blown out in lust. It tugged Neville out his hormone haze for a moment. "Sofa's bad, bed's good." He postulated hoping the brain damage wasn't permanent.

Draco exhaled and smiled, "Yes, a bed would be lovely." Neville lifted himself and pulled Draco with him. They embraced and Draco kissed him gently. "Neville, I want you so badly." Draco said, a harsh, needy edge to his voice.

"I want you too, Draco." Neville took Draco's hands and walked backwards toward the sitting room door. "Come to bed with me?"

"Yes," Draco's face flushed bright red, "But there's something I need to tell you."

Neville slowed to a stop and pulled Draco to him. "What is it, Love?"

Draco's smile widened at the endearment and he ducked his head. "I..uh talk a good game, I know, but well... I was expected to be virgin when I married and I've never done this before." Neville was stunned. "I hope I'm not awful at it." Draco eyebrows knit together. "Wouldn't that be disappointing?"

"Draco Malfoy, be awful at something? I don't think that's possible. And, it's alright that you've never done this before. We'll take our time," Draco lifted an eyebrow at that, "and I'll show everything. I'll take care of you, I promise." Neville kissed him to seal the promise.

Draco cupped his face and said plainly, "I know."

Draco brought his hands down and intertwined their fingers, studying them for a moment before looking into Neville's eyes and whispering, "Take me to bed, Neville."

Neville swallowed hard, took a deep breath, prayed that his knees would stop feeling like jelly and led Draco to his room.

Harry had finally given up on advising him to stop smiling. Even Ron had commented that tattooing 'just got shagged' across his forehead would've been less obvious than the smile he couldn't seem to force off his face.

Gran's eyes had widened at seeing him this morning, but she was a smart enough woman that she hadn't asked any questions and Sera had been so happy to see him happy that she'd taken to smiling like a loon as well.

The lift up to his floor was crowded and he was being blatantly stared at by a few passengers and surreptitiously spied on by the rest. Even with Harry and Ron providing an obvious barrier between him and any hidden members of the press, he couldn't bring himself to look dour and guilty. Not when his body was still singing from the hours he and Draco had spent making love last night. Just thinking about the desperate look on Draco's face as he'd sunk down on him and began to move made Neville's blood feel like fire in his veins.

Yeah, he was going to have to stop thinking about that or he would embarrass himself. He had sustained a low level of arousal since kissing Draco goodbye early this morning and it would not take much to fan the flame burning in him.

The lift emptied a bit and a witch who hadn't dared stare at him while in the lift now openly gaped at him as the door shut. Her attention caused both Ron and Harry to look at him. He hadn't quiet noticed that he had kind of melted into the wall until he saw Harry bite back a smile of his own and Ron roll his eyes, "Jeez mate, it couldn't have been that good of a shag." he muttered.

Neville's smile widened, showing his teeth as he waggled his eyebrows. Harry laughed as Ron made choking sounds.

Well, they hadn't wasted any time with niceties. Neville's supervisor, Mr. Langston, had listened intently to Neville's call last week explaining what was about to be reported and Neville's side of the story. He hadn't been happy about it, but had told Neville that it would be dealt with upon his return to work. Langston had asked that Neville concentrate on getting through the trial and the next few days before concerning himself about what may or may not happen at work.

Sally had been the first person to greet him after he got off the lift after bidding Harry and Ron goodbye. She had smiled sweetly at him before saying, "You could at least try to look like your concerned."

"Mr. Langston wants to see you in his office first thing."

"First thing." Neville repeated.

"You'll probably have to wait though, I think he's getting chewed out first then it's your turn." The smile finally left Neville's face. "Wish me luck?" he questioned his eyebrows lifting along with his shoulders. "Good luck!" Sally smiled smugly at him, before pushing him toward Langston's office.

Lance, Supervisor Langston's assistant tilted his head at Neville giving him permission to enter the anteroom just outside of the Supervisor's office. Neville took a deep breath to steady himself as he opened the door. Said breath left almost immediately when he saw Healer Firth sitting in the chair just next to the Supervisor's office.

Healer Firth looked up from the notebook she had been studying to regard Neville. Oh, this will be brilliant. Neville thought as he forced a smile. "Healer Firth," he greeted tipping his head.

"Mr. Longbottom." She said looking Neville up and down and then breaking into an unexpected smile. "Your looking well, considering."

Neville shrugged his shoulders. "I'm feeling well, considering."

She motioned to the chair on the other side of the supervisor's door as if it was a chair in her own office and she were inviting Neville to sit. Seeing no real reason to refuse Neville took a seat. He could feel Firth's eyes on him the entire time as he arranged himself into the chair and folded his hands over his crossed knees. "I'm sorry you've been dragged into all this." He offered wondering if she would accept his apology.

"Oh, that's fine, we've done nothing inappropriate and I'm sure the Ministry and St. Mungo's will stand by the truth instead of ceding to popular speculation and gossip."

"That is my belief, too."

He felt her eyes travel over him again finally landing on his arm. She wasn't the first person to notice that he put away his armband after the trial, but he had the distinct feeling she would be the first to comment on it.

"You love him." She stated, plainly.

"I do." He responded smiling and ducking his head.

"You don't seem at all worried about your position?" That one was a question.

"Well, I like my job, but its just that. A job." He offered.

"What are going to do?"

"Well, I'm going to clear up.."

She tutted him, "What I should say is, what do you want to do?"

"Well, I..."

She cut in again, "What do you really want to do?"

He would have been cross at her rudeness, but the sincerity in her eyes told Neville that she wanted more than just his rote answer. Neville considered the question for a moment, thinking about the years of training he's received and the expectations that had been placed on him for years before that.

He huffed a laugh, "You are good." Healer Firth smiled at him. "Well, I've always loved herbology and gardening. Once thought about teaching it." he mused. "But well the war and life happened and it kind of fell into being a hobby."

"It would be nice to work for myself. Be at home with Sera and Scorpius, watch them grow up." He mused

"Can you do that?" Healer Firth canted her head.

Neville was definitely being analyzed. He decided that his residual buzz from last night was causing him to be more open to the idea than usual. And, when he thought about it. Yeah, he could. He had a enough money from selling The Leaky to get started and maybe if Draco invested a little too. He felt his eyebrows quirk up. He could grow some of the specialized plants Draco needed for his potions experiments in exchange for his investment and if Narcissa let him have a few cuttings of her more exotic plants, so he wouldn't have to invest in them...it could work.

Neville smiled at Healer Firth getting ready to answer her question, when the door to the Langston's office opened and Deputy Roberts strode out, shooting Neville a vicious glare before leaving without a word to either of them.

"Neville, can I talk to you for a moment?" Langston turned to Healer Firth. "I'm sorry to make you wait, Healer, but I need to speak with Officer Longbottom first."

"That's fine Mr. Langston. I'll be here." Healer Firth smiled at Neville as he stood and Neville found himself grinning back. "Thank you, Healer Firth." Neville reached for her hand and shook it. Mr. Langston looked at the two of them a bit confused for a moment . "Shall we," Neville nodded to Mr. Langston, who was still a bit confused looking as let Neville in.

Mr. Langston had attempted to keep the tone of his conversation with Neville very business-like and serious, but Neville had cut him off pretty quickly saying that he had enjoyed his time at the Ministry and cared for a respected everyone there, but he that felt his future was elsewhere. Informing him that once the investigation into the Malfoy Matter was complete, he would be resigning to pursue other interests.

Langston had then attempted to talk Neville into staying, which was obviously not the conversation he had thought they would be having, but Neville's mind was made up. It was very similar to the way he had felt after that night in the gazebo with Draco. "Once you know something is right, you just know" he had told him. Mr. Langston had shook his hand told him that they would sort through everything as quickly as possible and wished him luck.

By the time he got back to his office Sally had already started packing a few things up for him. "The look on your face..." was all she had said at his surprised stare.

It was too bad that informing Draco of his decision was proving not to be as effortless as his day at work had been. The man had not stopped pacing since Neville had told him that he had decided to quit his job and start a new career. He kept asking Neville if he was sure and vowing to never forgive himself if Neville had actually been fired, but wasn't telling him out of some 'bloody sense of honor.'

Neville let Draco blow off a bit of steam and wear a spot in Gran's rug before coming up behind him and pulling him close. Draco stilled and dropped his head forward. "If you say I'm being dramatic again, I may have to kick your shin."

Neville took the opportunity to kiss the back of Draco's neck where his hair met his collar. "I haven't been fired. I've left and I did it for me. I want this and I want us to do it together."

Draco turned in his arms, his face softening. "Your sure, then."

Neville smiled. "I'm sure."

Draco leaned into Neville laying his forehead against Neville's shoulder. Neville felt Draco shake his head from side to side in resignation. "Well, then, Mr. Longbottom." Draco brought his head up as he wrapped his arms around Neville's waist, a smirk beginning to play at his lips. "How shall we celebrate your new venture?" Neville bit his lip pretending to think about the answer. "Well, I do have an idea."

"Really? Would you like to discuss your idea here or the garden, perhaps?" Draco queried innocently. They would definitely be exploring Draco's apparent garden fetish at some point, but not tonight. "No, no," Neville laughed as he moved his hands down Draco's back until they landed at the curve of his ass. "I think the bedroom would provide the proper atmosphere for this celebration." Draco brought his lips to the shell of Neville's ear and whispered, "Shall we, then?"

Neville didn't need to be asked twice.