"What are we doing here?" She asked suspiciously as he held open the tapestry.

"Come on, just get in. I'm not the former-Slytherin schemer, so I'm pretty sure you're safe." He winked, teasingly and pretended to be hurt when she punched his arm.

"I guess you have a point." She agreed as she stepped inside. Neville climbed in behind her and put their bags down. "Now what?"

"Now you relax and eat" He shrugged as he slid down the wall to sit on the floor, giving her the ledge to perch on. "I thought that being somewhere away from people would be good. I can go too if you like,"

"No!" She shouted before blushing. "You can stay, I want you to stay." She smiled nervously as she unwrapped the sandwiches. "Cheese sandwiches?" She asked questioningly. "Did you mean to get me these?" She asked carefully.

"Did I grab the wrong thing? Everything else had meat on, so…" He paused "I thought it was a safe choice." He finished. Had he done wrong? He waited and let out a breath when she smiled. She took one of the halves and offered him the other. He shook his head, and she took it back.

"It is, I'm just surprised you remembered."

"When it comes to you, I remember everything." He smirked as he leant against the wall. "So you really hit Cornfoot with a langlock and the finger removal jinx?" Neville asked with a smirk. She nodded. "Good!"

They were silent for a while as Pansy ate. Once finished, she lowered herself to her knees in front of him. Neville scooted back to give her more room but even so, their legs crisscrossed.

She looked so vulnerable as she sat there, pulling at the hem of her skirt. She seemed so much younger for a moment.

"Would you mind- can we-" She stuttered, and he swallowed nervously. He wasn't used to her being so uncertain. "I just need- Will you hold me?" She asked bashfully without looking at him. He could see how much effort had gone into the simple request.

"You never need to ask that." He replied as he opened his arms and legs so that she could get closer. She lay on him, her hip slotting in between his legs. He pulled her close, kissing her head as he ran his hands around her. She let out a shuddering breath, and Neville knew she'd started to cry again. He shushed her quietly as he would a baby as he stroked her hair. He let her take as much comfort as needed.

"I am mortified," She confessed a while later.

"It wasn't that bad." He lied.

"Don't lie, I don't like it." She said seriously as she pushed herself up to look at him. Her face was red and tear-streaked. He reached out and wiped them away with his thumbs.

"I'm sorry." She shook her head as he dropped his hands.

"Did many people see?" She whispered.

He took a deep breath and considered his words before he answered. She looked so small and delicate. It was in such contrast to her usual confident demeanour that he felt a stab of worry.

"I think you only flashed for a few moments and I think you managed to cover yourself pretty quickly." He comforted.

"Oh, Salazar!" She cursed as she buried her face in his robes.

"Sexy stockings by the way," He smiled as he tried to make light of the situation.

"I'm glad you think so," She said, her voice muffled. "I'm sure that the rest of the school will agree." She said snarkily.

"Least everyone will know how hot my girlfriend is." He said as he tried to make her laugh.

"Neville," She said as she shook her head. He sighed, she wasn't ready for humour yet, that was ok.

"I'm just trying to make you laugh," He said quietly.

"Take my mind off it instead. Tell me a story about you," Pansy asked. He thought for a moment before the story came to mind. He cringed inwardly before her started to tell it.

"Ok, did you know that my family thought I was a squib?" Pansy looked at him, her eyebrows high as she shook her head. "Yeah, I never did any accidental magic as a child. My Gran was so worried that I would grow up with no magic. The rest of the family would try to test me to make my magic come out." She pulled away from him and watched as he continued.

"They would jump out behind things and scare me or would throw things at me. I remember once, I think I was about nine, and we went to Blackpool. I was so excited, I was looking forward to going on some of the Muggle fair rides there. I'd never been anywhere muggle before." He stopped as he swallowed. "I never got a chance to see much of it. One of my uncles dropped me off Blackpool pier. I almost drowned." He took a deep breath as he remembered the tightness in his chest as the water pressed in on him. It reminded him of Cornfoot holding him down in the shower. "I've never told anyone that I'm still scared of deep water, I've never really learned to swim."

The silence around them was palpable as he looked at Pansy. She slowly shook her head and got up.

"When I said tell me a story, I meant something funny. That was horrifying," She muttered as she straddled his lap. His eyes watched as he tried not to think. He tried not to see her skirt riding up to flash her stockings as the material stretched tautly.

Neville swallowed again and looked up into her eyes.

"Sorry," he muttered "I don't have many of those," he confessed. Her weight on his lap felt comforting and distracting as she ran her hands up to his face. He winced in anticipation as she touched his left cheek, but no pain came. She smiled as she leant closer.

"Maybe we should make some memories of our own." He nodded as his eyes darted down to her lips. She smiled, her pink lips contrasting with her creamy skin. "Like, do you remember that time we got off with each other behind the tapestry before Transfiguration?" she asked with a smirk.

Neville smiled back as he followed her train of thought. He nodded as he slid his hands into her hair.

Their lips touched, and she sighed. How he loved hearing her. He sucked her bottom lip between his teeth and nibbled lightly as she pulled his closer, tightening her hold on him.

She groaned as she pulled his hair. He couldn't help the moan that left him, he hadn't expected it, but he had enjoyed it. She swiped his lip with her tongue before she smiled into the kiss.

She pulled away slightly before running her lips across his jawline. His hands travelled south as he held her at the waist he waited a few seconds before sliding his hands to her shirt. He could feel her tight nipples under her robes. She shuddered against him as he swiped his fingers over them. He smirked, feeling a swell of confidence that usually escaped him. He lowered his own mouth to her neck and bit down gently as he continued to tease the growing bumps.

Pansy let out a shuddered moan which vibrated straight down to his waking cock. He sucked at her neck as she sighed.

He had never wanted anyone so much at that moment. He yearned to do everything he'd heard his friends talk about and everything he'd ever read in storybooks. He wanted to lose himself in her.

He pulled away reluctantly as he drew in a deep, fortifying breath.

"We need to stop," He whispered. As he pressed his forehead against hers. She sucked in her bottom lips as she nodded.

"I don't want to." She confessed as she opened her eyes. From so close, he felt like he could see everything within her heavy-lidded eyes.

"I don't either but we can't,"

"I know," She nodded again. "Come on. I think lessons are starting," She smiled as she stood up. She offered her hand, and he took it as he stood. Before they did anything else, he pulled her to him fiercely and kissed her deeply. He wanted her, and he wanted her to know just how much. He wanted her to be in no doubt of just how much he needed her. He tried to convey everything he felt and thought into that one kiss.

When he pulled back, she looked slightly unsteady as he smiled down at her. She smiled dreamily and blushed before touching her lip with her fingers.

"Salazar! You can kiss me like that any time." She grinned. He returned her grin as he picked up their bags, ready to go.

"I'll remember you said that,"

They were slightly late to transfiguration but managed to get to their desks without comment from Mcgonagall, who only watched them with her eagle eyes. The lesson had gone peacefully as both Rivers and Cornfoot were absent. Hannah was alone looking miserable. At several points throughout the lesson, they caught her watching; her red-rimmed eyes staring intently before turning around. The sight of it reminded him of Lavender when she and Ron split up. It was disconcerting. They tried to ignore her as much as possible and focused on the task at hand, transfiguring themselves.

He tried to concentrate on Mcgonagalls instructions but struggled to follow. Even Hermione had to ask her to repeat the instructions a couple of times, which made him feel infinitely better.

He glanced over at Pansy, who was chewing on her lip again, her brow furrowed in concentration. He smiled, she was so lovely to look at. He looked away before she could accuse him of staring. He waved his wand as he tried to concentrate on his animagus form.

"What animal are you thinking of?" she asked, He shrugged as he closed his eyes to concentrate.

"I'm not sure it matters, does it? I thought McGonagall said that it was reflective of your personality. What about you?"

"Maybe she only says that because she actually wanted to be a lion," He could hear the smirk in her voice and smile. "I'd like to be fast and be something that can bite,"

"Bite?" He asked, raising his eyebrows. "Why?"

"Why not? Who wants to be something cute and helpless? What's the point?"

"True, What about a rabbit?" He asked, smirking himself. "I think you would make the best rabbit,"

"A rabbit?" She scoffed bumping her his into his.

"Yeah, I think you would be the cutes rabbit, also have you seen the size of their teeth?"

"Are you saying I have big teeth, Longbottom?" She asked as she hit his arm. He opened his eyes and found her smiling at him. It was a beautiful smile, filled with humour, affection and mischief. If he could bottle a smile, that would be the one.

"Your teeth are perfect, and you know it," He smirked as he closed his eyes again "You're just fishing for compliments."

"I am not!" She replied, and he actually heard her stamp her foot. He laughed, louder than he had intended as he turned to look at her.

"Mr Longbottom? Is there something funny about becoming one with your animal?"

"Sorry Professor." He replied sheepishly as some of the other people in the class turned and looked at him. Ginny smirked at him and shook her head as she turned around again. Hermione frowned before doing the same.

"Serves you right," Pansy whispered back

With a smug smirk before winking at him. He rolled his eyes as he closed them again.

He felt her fingers intertwine with his and squeeze affectionately. He couldn't hide the smile on his face. He squeezed softly in response as he tried to refocus, but nothing was coming to mind.

"Right class, Your homework is revision and nineteen inches on the animagus method. Due Tuesday"

He opened his eyes and turned to Pansy, who winked back as they started to pack away their belongings.

"Abbott, Longbottom and Parkinson, Could you please wait behind."

The smile fell from his face as his eyes met with Hannah. The blond turned away from him as she packed away her own things.

"Oh, what now?" Pansy complained as she threw herself onto the chair.

"Good luck," Ginny wished them as they left, "Let us know whats going on," Hermione nodded as she glanced over.

"Let us know if you need anything." She added before they left.

Soon the class was empty, and Mcgonagall was stood holding her wand at the front of the class, looking at them in turn.

"Thank you for staying behind. Some complaints have been brought to my attention, and I wanted to clarify them before they escalate further. Firstly." She said as she stepped closer to Pansy. Neville tightened his grip on her. "I hear that Mr Cornfoot and Mr Rivers are in the hospital wing. The former missing fingers on both hands and being unable to communicate due to being jinxed with the langlock jinx. The latter had his head transformed into a tentacle. Would you care to explain why Miss Parkinson?"

"Indeed I would, Cornfoot attempted to flirt with me and then when he realised that he would be disappointed with my answer, he assaulted me. It was self-defence." Pansy advised.

"Oh, Please!" Hannah snorted derisively

"And is there anyone who can confirm that?" McGonagall asked, ignoring Hannah.

"There were a few other people in the corridors however I don't know their names."

"And what about Mr Rivers?"

"That was me," Neville advised as the professor turned her gaze to him.

"How so, Mr Longbottom?" She asked as she tilted her head.

"Pansy had to stay behind to see Professor Slughorn, and when she didn't come to the hall, I went to find her. I found her suspended by her ankle where Rivers was humiliating her in front of a crowd of students."

"What? When did this happen?" She asked angrily.

"Lunchtime." He explained.

"I don't suppose you have any witnesses for this either?" She asked sourly.

"Indeed I do, three Gryffindor boys were stood by watching. Price, Greenslade and Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick also joined in the humiliation once Pansy was down."

"Stupid boy," She growled.

"I told them that I would be telling you about the incident. I told Price to take Rivers to the hospital wing."

"So, both incidents were self-defence?" She asked as she looked between Pansy and Neville. They nodded. "Which brings me onto my next point - an unforgivable curse has been or is currently being used within these walls. I cannot stress the severity of this matter. As you are aware, the use of such spells can warrant a stay in Azkaban."

Neville looked at Pansy, who had paled perceptively. She glanced him too and tightened her hand in his.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Professor," Neville advised. McGonagall peered down at him and stared into his eyes. He frowned and looked back uneasily.

"Mr Longbottom, I was advised that you have been placed under the imperious curse."

"What?" He frowned as he stood. "No, by who?"

"By Ms Parkinson here."

He turned to Pansy whose eyes were wide and dark in her papery white skin. She shook her head, nervously.

"Pansy wouldn't do that to me," Neville argued. His eyes moving from Mcgonegall to Pansy. He noticed Hannah staring from behind, and the knut dropped. "Did she tell you that?" He asked, and he surprised himself at how cold his voice had become.

"She was concerned about your well being, I believe," McGonagall muttered.

"What did you tell her, Hannah?" Neville asked, looking around the Professor.

"Nothing, I didn't say anything." She stuttered.

"Hannah?" He warned

"She must have done something to you, you're not the same, she's got you under her spell. She stole you," She admitted shamefully, a sob escaping. Neville was sure it was fake.

"That's it, it's gone too far, I am done!" He said finally.

"What do you mean, Longbottom."

"I was more than willing to take it when it was only about me, almost thought I deserved it too, but this is too far. She's just trying to get Pansy locked up! Who would believe a former Slytherin student so soon? That's evil Hannah."

"Longbottom, Stop talking in riddles and explain yourself?"

"Hannah dumped me. A few days later, her new boyfriend, Cornfoot and his friend Rivers start a campaign against me. They've shredded my clothes, Jinxed me, messed with my shampoo, trapped me naked in front of other students, tripped me in the shower, broken my cheekbone and tried to hold my head under the water." Neville shook his head and continued "That was just since yesterday. When Hannah and the others discovered that I was seeing Pansy, they started on her. Hannah threw a jar at her head in potions. Cornfoot and Rivers have both been spreading slanderous rumours around about her. and today she was attacked and humiliated in the corridors in front of other students."

"These are severe allegations Mr Longbottom," McGonagall muttered albeit he could see that she seemed surprised at his report.

"If you have a pensieve, you can have my memories of each incident."

"That would be helpful. And you Ms Parkinson, do you have your memories of the incidents?" Pansy nodded.

"You can't seriously be believing them?" Hannah interrupted. "He is obviously under the imperious curse. He's been walking around with a strange look on his face, and he's with her all the time. He's acting out of character."

"I agree that Mr Longbottom is acting differently, but I believe that this behaviour is perfectly normal. I believe the strange look you've been referring to, is his smile, ms Abbott."

Neville bit the inside of his lip to stop from smirking at the offended look on Hannah's face.

"Now, your memories please, I will look into this matter,, and please refrain from jinxing anyone else." She handed them each a vial and waited while they pulled out the memories. Neville watched as the misty strands undulated within the glass.

He stared at Hannah as he handed the vial over. Maybe this would be the end of it. Looking at Pansy and remembering how insecure she had been after the attack made him realise if it wasn't the end, he would no longer stand by and let them mess with him. He would fight back and show them not to mess with him and his.

Maybe he was a predator too, something with teeth. He wasn't vicious, but he would defend himself. He saw a bear in his mind's eye, something large and clumsy but powerful and intimidating. It was an interesting thought as he and Pansy were dismissed, leaving Hannah alone with McGonagall.