Chapter 34: A Trip

I opened my eyes to the bright light flooding the bedroom and groaned, I didn't want to get up just yet. I glanced up to see Neville snoring slightly as he held onto me, making me smile. I snuggled up against him, running my fingers along his chest, loving how he felt against me. Then I realized what happened last night and how we could not be found together in my bed. I let out a sigh and gave his side a poke, making him jump and let out a laugh. "Geez, don't tickle me!" he whispered playfully and sat up, looking around.

"Guess we fell asleep." he stated and I agreed, sitting up to see if anyone may have come into my room while we were sleeping. I didn't see anything that suggested that and climbed out, going to my dresser that held my clothing. I didn't bother trying to leave to get changed, I mean he has seen me naked before. I dressed into a pair of knee high tights and slipped into a pair of panties and a deep green skirt that came to right at mid-thigh. I tugged on a bra and white blouse with green details on the collar and sleeves.

I saw Neville getting dressed from my mirror and admired how much he had grown, but also could easily see how young he still was and the boy I did homework with. I pinned my hair back from my face and faced him as he was finishing dressing as well. "Guess I should go get some fresh clothes on, I mean grandma will notice for sure." I nodded and stepped into his arms, nuzzling into his chest as he wrapped me with his arms. "I wish last night would have never ended…" he breathed into my hair and I nodded, still fresh on how amazing he tasted.

He kissed me gently before peeking out and sneaking across to his room and I sighed, walking out onto the balcony and breathing in the fresh morning air and light breeze ruffling my hair. I closed my eyes and felt so refreshed from Neville's blood, I swear I could just fly, I felt so strong at this moment, it was different from anything else I had before. Something about Neville was different, made his blood do something different from the other blood, fresh or not. I was thinking about it when I heard a shout from below, coming from inside.

"Stand up straight! Come along, Neville! We must leave now!" I blinked, before leaving the balcony and running downstairs, catching sight of Neville being herded toward the door. "Grandma, can't Aethna come? She's in the house all day." I stopped at the bottom of the stairs as Mrs. Longbottom turned and met my eyes. "She can go into the garden and the grounds are hers to roam. She needn't come along. We will be late if we don't leave soon." Neville pleaded with his eyes at me and I smiled, wishing I could spend the entire day alone in the house with him. "Neville!" his grandmother shouted again, poking him with her umbrella.

"Augusta, I would actually like to go to the bank, I need to make a quick withdrawal for next exam, a few things I need to get before I can move up." her stern eyes hit me hard, but I held my ground and finally she gave a quick nod, "Very well, but be quick about it." I ran inside and slid on my shoes, then hurried back outside to see Neville holding the car door open for me. I got in and he climbed in beside me, our hands touching. I had to resist the urge to take his hand in mine as Augusta was watching us closely. It was complete silence as we drove down the street, heading toward the Leaky Cauldron to meet whoever Augusta was needing to speak with.

Neville and I almost sprinted from the car when it came to a stop and hurried into the building. I went to the backside and opened the way to Diagon Alley as Augusta stepped outside the door. "Do your errands and be back within an hour or so. I will need Neville to come along with me for something." I nodded and smiled at Neville before stepping into the Alley and letting the feel of Magic overtake me. I waited until the brick wall closed before grabbing Neville's hand and tugging me along with me until we were in a dark alley alone.

"Aethna? Are you sure this is safe?" I giggled and ran my fingers under his shirt, making him forget about what he was asking. "I just want a moment to have you to myself. Unless you don't want to…?" I teased and he leaned down to kiss me, taking my words away. We broke apart for air and Neville took his hands from my waist and I untangled myself from his neck. "You are amazing." he whispered as he took my hands in his, kissing each of my fingers. "Neville, it's so great being with you…" "But?" he guessed my next word and I smiled.

"But…I'm no good for you. I'm uncharted territory and there's no clue to what I am going to become in the years to come. What you need is someone stable, a nice witch that is going to be able to be seen with you and not get stares or whispers. It hurts me so much to say that I am not right for you. I can't help the way I feel when I'm with you. But it's not going to end well. It's better to end this before we are anymore invested." I finished in a rush, trying to take my hands from his, but he held them tight, his eyes rimming with tears and his lip quivering.

"I can't do that." he whispered, rubbing his thumbs along my knuckles. "What do you mean?" his eyes met mine and I could see the fear in his eyes, he was worried about what he was about to say. "Neville, what is it?" I asked and he spoke barely above a whisper, thankfully my vampire hearing caught every word. "I'm already fully invested, I can't get anymore invested. I'm in love with you." I felt a wave of happiness surge through me as his words hit my ears, he was admitting his feelings for me, the fullness of his heart laid bare before me.

He waited for a few minutes as I stared, unable to speak. "Aethna?" I blinked and shook my head, finally able to stop replaying his words over and over. "You love me?" he nodded and gave me that goofy smile, making me grip his hands tight in mine. "I love you too!" I squealed and leapt into his arms, releasing his hands to wrap my arms around his neck. I kissed him hard as he held me by my ass. I felt so happy as I kissed him, loving the way I felt against him. Desire filled me as I gripped his hair softly and I moaned into his mouth.

I broke apart from his mouth and untangled myself enough to get to my wand and cast a barrier for no one to see or hear us before I reached down and unbuttoned his pants. His eyes widened as I stroked him earning a moan from him. I slid my panties to the side and moved his hand to my privates, showing him where I wanted him to rub and gasped as pleasure ran through me. I was dripping as I couldn't wait any longer and pulled him into me, sealing our confessions with love-making.

When we were finished, I was straightening my shirt and he was fixing his hair when I realized how long we had been together. "Neville, we have to go! It's getting close to the time we are supposed to be meeting your grandmother!" I took his arm as he finished tying his shoe and tugged him back into the busy street. We hurried to the bank and I handed my key over before they led us to the cart to take us to my vault. I found my hand entwined with Neville's as we traveled along the railings.

The goblin waited in the cart as Neville followed me out and up to the vault. I opened and saw all the money waiting for me. I sighed and looked at Neville, who was staring wide-eyed. "Is this all yours?" I nodded and stepped inside, grabbing one of the bags I keep inside for withdrawals. I tossed more than I could possibly need into the bag and Neville helped, mumbling about how much was in here before we headed back to the cart. "Are you really going to need all of that?" I shook my head and sighed, "Your Grandmother doesn't really like for me to travel from the estate very much."

"You never leave?" I shrugged, "Every once and a while, but mostly I remain at the house, it's for my safety though. I mean my father is very dangerous and has servants to look for me during the day and he is searching every night. Augusta's wards and spells are very powerful and have been working perfectly. So I keep inside of them, I would hate to inconvenience her any further than I already am." we continued to talk for a while as we traveled back up top and exited the bank. "I really need to get back to Grandmother, she'll be mad if I'm late." I nodded and pecked his cheek fast before releasing his hand for him to go back to the Leaky Cauldron."