Author: Golddragon83 aka xanathosfr2000
Pairing: Eventual Neville/Draco
Rating : PG-13
Disclaimer: I do not own the mentioned characters . JK Rowlings does .
Deep Rising : New beginnings at Hogwarts!
During the week Neville spent at Malfoy manor, he was left alone most of the time. Lucius Malefoy spent his day trying to make more money, so he was rarely around and when he wasn't making money Neville was sure he was attending a Deatheaters's reunion. His marriage was to be kept secret until he went to Hogwarts. Draco was off doing what he usually did when he was in the manor; he barely saw him at dinner which was quite fine by Neville's standards. So he got to spend time in the gardens working with.Narcissa. His mother in law was an extraordinary person. Always composed. in control, and everknowing in Herbology.If he had not been into boys he might have fallen in love with her. Neville never had intimate friends, nor did he have extended social contact with many people, all he excelled at was staying in the shadows and observing the people around him. He was an excellent judge of personalities. Narcissa was perhaps the loneliest person he ever met beside him. But the similarities ended here. Where Neville was clumsy, forgetful and unsure of himself, Narcissa was the opposite. Yet never did he feel any animosity or ill feelings from her. She was polite reserved and distant. Yet he got many Herbology tips from her as well as several books on the subject to entertain himself. Some of these books were quite ancient and interesting. Yet he still felt lonelier than he had been before, perhaps school would bring a little warmth to his dying soul. For Neville knew that he was dying from the inside. He was turning into one of these persons who never had a purpose in their lives and consequently spent their entire existence as animated corpses. He had no future, no prospect of a happy and stable relationship and he probably would never have the chance to bond with his child - if he had one - if he could judge from Narcissa and Draco's relation. He was taking example from Narcissa, nothing ever fazed her anymore, she was beyond the reach of most of life's nasty surprises. Like an ice queen she moved in the manor, giving instructions here and there, inspecting new furniture and acquisitions. It was as if she was omnipresent and absent at the same time.
But then, he only stayed one week at the Manor. He was actually heading to Hogwarts, and he was feeling quite apprehensive about his friends's reactions when they would find out about his union to Draco; their archnemesis . He was not ready to face the condemning glares nor the pitying looks he was sure to receive . He knew that his relations with his friends would be strained even more especially when it would be obvious that he would be sharing a bed with Draco.
He knew he was quite more apprehensive about the prospect of having sexual intercourse with Draco. But he could not shake the strange numbness that seemed to have overtaken his mind and soul. It was as if he was in a state of emotional shock and couldn't get out. His emotions seemed to be like an echo of what they should be. It was strange but quite nice actually. He did not wish to embarrass himself by being an emotional bundle of flesh . For some unexplained reason he did not want to revert to the "old Neville" anymore.He couldn't. Anyway he couldn't resist to Lucius's urges to make him a grandfather any longer. It was too damn emotionally draining. He would have to make his decision soon. Choices, choices, choices. His life was spinning out of his control and he was powerless.
Hogwarts imposing structure looming in the horizon stopped his musings.
The usual cheerings and greetings in the Common Room didn't lift up Draco's mood. He was too preoccupied in trying to spot Neville between the arrivals. He was anxious to get done with the embarrassing task of presenting Neville as his Consort. Weasley would probably gloat when he knew and he would have to live with his constant teasing throughout the year. Yet he knew that his father had done the right thing. The old bastard sure knew how to make profit of the shifting tides. He was fairly sure that the spectacular Deatheaters's failures were not totally accidental. Perhaps his father had finally realized that if Voldemort - The megalomaniac,old and powerfull fart - won, it wouldn't mean necessarily that things would turn for the best for him, especially since it had become obvious that he did not like to share power. Many powerful Deatheaters had been executed under his orders because of their increasingly powerful influence and only Lucius's doglike attitude had saved him from imminent death. So by consorting with one of the most ancient and respected bloodline in the wizarding community, Lucius had began setting his plan in motion. He wanted to dissociate the Malfoy name from the Deatheaters and Voldemort's circle.
As he was waiting for Neville to arrive, he spotted the Golden Trio happily chatting and laughing and couldn't suppress the pang of jealousy that ripped through his heart. He wanted to have friends and companions like Potter. Everybody thought he envied Potter because of his powers; it had been true for a while; but a Power Revelator - illegal and quite rare artifact, illegally borrowed from his father's supplies - had revealed that Potter was a powerful wizard yet not exceptional, prophecy or not.What he really envied Potter for was his friends. He wanted friends not baboons like Crabb and Goyle. Then he spotted Neville, walking towards him, composed and calm. Longbottom's changes were still a mystery to him; he seemed mature an alert, the glances he was sometimes giving here and there were calculating and piercing as if he was establishing the identities of each student all over again. There was no visible sign of stress, anxiety or fear in his demeanor. Nothing seemed to destabilize him anymore. Now he had the proof that the speech he had agreed on with Neville in the train that brought them to the manor, was not a dream. If it were true that the eyes were the windows to the soul, than the windows to Neville's soul were closed as his eyes and face remained expressionless. Then it dawned on Draco that Neville had resigned to reality and was building shields to avoid being hurt anymore.. He could understand that. Everyone shielded himself or wore a mask to avoid being hurt..
Potter was now heading towards the Gryffondor table, Granger and Weasley right behind him. He involuntary snickered at their future shocked faces as they would find out about Neville being his Consort, especially when Neville would sit beside his husband at the Slytherin table. Speaking of the devil; Neville was presently coming towards him, slowly yet confidently.
For the first time, Draco noticed then Nevilles robes seemed to be floating around him, it was obvious that he was not eating and sleeping well. Too much thinking probably and sleepless nights. Gone were the clumsiness and the pudginess that best applied to Neville. He was married to a complete stranger.
There were things Hermione would never forget, like the first time she lost a tooth, or her first kiss with Ron, and today she was going to add Neville to her "unforgettable moments" memory file. It was the way he walked at first that hit her. No more scurrying around like a frightened mouse, no more shadow lurking, Neville walked in the middle of the hallway like everybody else. No more furtive glances or downcast eyes. No more nervousness and futile attempts at hiding. Neville was completely expressionless but why. And Why - with a capital W - was he heading towards the Slytherin table and sitting besides Malfoy?
There was one thing she hated, unanswered questions. She stood so suddenly that she almost tripped Harry over stomped on Ron's feet. She didn't even acknowledge her friends angry protests. She walked straight to the Slytherin table and proceeded to squeeze the informations out of Neville. -" Why aren't you sitting with us? Why are you stitting beside Draco? Are you under a curse? Did he hurt you? Are you allright ? Do you need any help? I missed you silly. So why this cryptic attitude?..." -"Because I am Draco's consort, no, no, yes, no and because it was time I matured and its good seeing too Mione." There was a definite Neville-smile in this answer. Although she did not know why Neville covered his ears. after all he.
-"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU ARE MARRIED TO DRACO? Why didn't you tell me? Were you forced to marry him? Do you need any help? Is he nice with you? Do you need me to hex him into oblivion?..."
-"Well I suppose he didn't have a say in the matter just like me. I am telling you right now, no I don't need any help, he is civil with me, no I do not need you to hex him. yet anyway!" The smile was definitively getting bigger now.
Hermione was way too surprised to even care that she was at the Slytherin table and that currently all the Common room was dead quiet . She just pulled a chair and sat frowning deeply in intense concentration. She was a logical person after all: a) Neville and Draco were married now. b) She was no ignorant in Wizarding marriage law especially between male wizards. c) Lucius, the bastard, had probably negociated the marriage terms and consequently Neville was probably the submissive partner. d)Neville was a friend
So after this intense round of quick thinking, Hermione spoke. to Draco : -" Neville is my friend. So if you hurt him in anyway you would be one of the rare persons to know how much of a good Slytherin I might have been. I'll be seeing you later Nevvy." And just as quickly as she had stormed in she left to rejoin Harry and Ron.
She absently noticed that Harry was eyeing Draco with a strange and angry look.
________________________________________________________________________- "Well that went well. Considering that Granger was about to hit me with an Avada Kevadra at any given rate!" Draco said in an amused tone. -"She was just being motherly. She is used to do that since first year!" Neville said with a small smile. His first actually since Draco could remember in the last two weeks. It softened his stern face and gave a bit of life to his eyes. Perhaps he really should consider at least becoming friends with Longbottom. They had long years to spend together, they would better try to be civil with each other.
Whatever he was about to say got caught in his throat and he choked on his piece of cake as Neville told him casually. "You should go and talk with Harry, Tell him that he has no competition from me and that we will be sleeping together only to ensure that you have a heir according to our marriage contract. and since you are speechless I am taking the opportunity to inform you that I will be going to St Mungo to visit my parents this week-end! If you need me I will be in the Greenhouse with Pr. Sprout."
With that Neville went away with that ghostly walking style that he had adopted. Ever present yet imperceptible at the same time.
Potions was the first course they had on their first day. Snape was the same man Neville remembered. Gloomy, scary, authoritarian and severe. But then Neville had changed. He had outgrown his childish fear of Snape. The man couldn't hurt him. He was a complete stranger. Well he meant that Snape had no reason whatsoever to hurt him.
Nothing bad could really happen in Potions if he wanted to.
With that last thought Neville calmly proceeded to brew an important healing potion. This lesson was the first in a long serie on healing potions. Dumblemore had thought it would be wise to teach the students elemental survival skills.
-"If Miss Granger and Mr malfoy hadn't been in the other end of the class I would have thought someone had helped you, but then since only the three of you successfully brewed the potion; allow me to congratulate you on your first successfully brewed potion without any help Mr Longbottom or would you prefer I called you Malfoy?"
-"Malfoy is fine it is my name now after all!" Said Neville while looking directly into Snape's eyes. There was no malice in them nor any evil intent, just a little curiosity. -" As you wish Mr Malfoy, but would I be showing too much indiscretion if I enquired about the source of your remarquable progress?"
-"Not at all, I have just discovered that nothing bad could happen to me in Potions if I wished so.!"
So for the first time ever, Neville was gratified by a true smile and not the usual sneer by Snape. A true warm smile.
-" I grant ten points to Gryffondor for Mr Malfoy's great potion and twenty more for the outstsanding yet simple idea he just shared with us. I was waiting to see if someone would finally get it."
Hermione leaped in joy and the rest of the class cheered loudly. Neville was definitively having a great day
At the same time in St Mungo, Mrs Longbottom was dying. The extent of the damage that had been inflicted on her had been too important, the treatment had failed. But in her last days something unexpected had occurred, she had regaigned consciousness and was requesting her son. and one Severus Snape.
Maria Longbottom's final moments were gentle and full of love despite the shocking truths she had revealed to Neville and Severus.
During seventh year Frank Longbottom and Severus had initiated a relation but it had been brief due to the war and the powerful infatuation Severus still felt towards a certain Remus Lupin. When they had broken up on friendly terms, Frank hadn't suspected he was pregnant and had married Maria while he was in his fifth month. He thought the slight bulge in his abdomen was due to a fierce apetite, especially since he had not experienced any morning sickness whatsoever. Frank had wanted to tell Severus but there were rumors that he had sided with the Dark Lord so he had kept the matter a secret. Neville had been born and had been such a joy to the happy couple.
They had been attacked of course and the rest they knew. The reason why they had attacked was now no mystery. Every child born to a male wizard possessed a Gift, and Voldemort probably knew that and had wanted that Gift, Maria and Frank had managed to cast a forgetfulness spell on the Deatheaters so they forgot what was their mission risking their own lives in the process.
These few truths finally revealed Maria and Neville oblivious to the rest of the world had spent the remaining time getting reacquainted, she had wanted to know what she had missed in Neville's life, had given him her blessing, and then had passed away silently and peacefully...
Hell broke loose soon afterwards.
Deep Rising : New beginnings at Hogwarts!
During the week Neville spent at Malfoy manor, he was left alone most of the time. Lucius Malefoy spent his day trying to make more money, so he was rarely around and when he wasn't making money Neville was sure he was attending a Deatheaters's reunion. His marriage was to be kept secret until he went to Hogwarts. Draco was off doing what he usually did when he was in the manor; he barely saw him at dinner which was quite fine by Neville's standards. So he got to spend time in the gardens working with.Narcissa. His mother in law was an extraordinary person. Always composed. in control, and everknowing in Herbology.If he had not been into boys he might have fallen in love with her. Neville never had intimate friends, nor did he have extended social contact with many people, all he excelled at was staying in the shadows and observing the people around him. He was an excellent judge of personalities. Narcissa was perhaps the loneliest person he ever met beside him. But the similarities ended here. Where Neville was clumsy, forgetful and unsure of himself, Narcissa was the opposite. Yet never did he feel any animosity or ill feelings from her. She was polite reserved and distant. Yet he got many Herbology tips from her as well as several books on the subject to entertain himself. Some of these books were quite ancient and interesting. Yet he still felt lonelier than he had been before, perhaps school would bring a little warmth to his dying soul. For Neville knew that he was dying from the inside. He was turning into one of these persons who never had a purpose in their lives and consequently spent their entire existence as animated corpses. He had no future, no prospect of a happy and stable relationship and he probably would never have the chance to bond with his child - if he had one - if he could judge from Narcissa and Draco's relation. He was taking example from Narcissa, nothing ever fazed her anymore, she was beyond the reach of most of life's nasty surprises. Like an ice queen she moved in the manor, giving instructions here and there, inspecting new furniture and acquisitions. It was as if she was omnipresent and absent at the same time.
But then, he only stayed one week at the Manor. He was actually heading to Hogwarts, and he was feeling quite apprehensive about his friends's reactions when they would find out about his union to Draco; their archnemesis . He was not ready to face the condemning glares nor the pitying looks he was sure to receive . He knew that his relations with his friends would be strained even more especially when it would be obvious that he would be sharing a bed with Draco.
He knew he was quite more apprehensive about the prospect of having sexual intercourse with Draco. But he could not shake the strange numbness that seemed to have overtaken his mind and soul. It was as if he was in a state of emotional shock and couldn't get out. His emotions seemed to be like an echo of what they should be. It was strange but quite nice actually. He did not wish to embarrass himself by being an emotional bundle of flesh . For some unexplained reason he did not want to revert to the "old Neville" anymore.He couldn't. Anyway he couldn't resist to Lucius's urges to make him a grandfather any longer. It was too damn emotionally draining. He would have to make his decision soon. Choices, choices, choices. His life was spinning out of his control and he was powerless.
Hogwarts imposing structure looming in the horizon stopped his musings.
The usual cheerings and greetings in the Common Room didn't lift up Draco's mood. He was too preoccupied in trying to spot Neville between the arrivals. He was anxious to get done with the embarrassing task of presenting Neville as his Consort. Weasley would probably gloat when he knew and he would have to live with his constant teasing throughout the year. Yet he knew that his father had done the right thing. The old bastard sure knew how to make profit of the shifting tides. He was fairly sure that the spectacular Deatheaters's failures were not totally accidental. Perhaps his father had finally realized that if Voldemort - The megalomaniac,old and powerfull fart - won, it wouldn't mean necessarily that things would turn for the best for him, especially since it had become obvious that he did not like to share power. Many powerful Deatheaters had been executed under his orders because of their increasingly powerful influence and only Lucius's doglike attitude had saved him from imminent death. So by consorting with one of the most ancient and respected bloodline in the wizarding community, Lucius had began setting his plan in motion. He wanted to dissociate the Malfoy name from the Deatheaters and Voldemort's circle.
As he was waiting for Neville to arrive, he spotted the Golden Trio happily chatting and laughing and couldn't suppress the pang of jealousy that ripped through his heart. He wanted to have friends and companions like Potter. Everybody thought he envied Potter because of his powers; it had been true for a while; but a Power Revelator - illegal and quite rare artifact, illegally borrowed from his father's supplies - had revealed that Potter was a powerful wizard yet not exceptional, prophecy or not.What he really envied Potter for was his friends. He wanted friends not baboons like Crabb and Goyle. Then he spotted Neville, walking towards him, composed and calm. Longbottom's changes were still a mystery to him; he seemed mature an alert, the glances he was sometimes giving here and there were calculating and piercing as if he was establishing the identities of each student all over again. There was no visible sign of stress, anxiety or fear in his demeanor. Nothing seemed to destabilize him anymore. Now he had the proof that the speech he had agreed on with Neville in the train that brought them to the manor, was not a dream. If it were true that the eyes were the windows to the soul, than the windows to Neville's soul were closed as his eyes and face remained expressionless. Then it dawned on Draco that Neville had resigned to reality and was building shields to avoid being hurt anymore.. He could understand that. Everyone shielded himself or wore a mask to avoid being hurt..
Potter was now heading towards the Gryffondor table, Granger and Weasley right behind him. He involuntary snickered at their future shocked faces as they would find out about Neville being his Consort, especially when Neville would sit beside his husband at the Slytherin table. Speaking of the devil; Neville was presently coming towards him, slowly yet confidently.
For the first time, Draco noticed then Nevilles robes seemed to be floating around him, it was obvious that he was not eating and sleeping well. Too much thinking probably and sleepless nights. Gone were the clumsiness and the pudginess that best applied to Neville. He was married to a complete stranger.
There were things Hermione would never forget, like the first time she lost a tooth, or her first kiss with Ron, and today she was going to add Neville to her "unforgettable moments" memory file. It was the way he walked at first that hit her. No more scurrying around like a frightened mouse, no more shadow lurking, Neville walked in the middle of the hallway like everybody else. No more furtive glances or downcast eyes. No more nervousness and futile attempts at hiding. Neville was completely expressionless but why. And Why - with a capital W - was he heading towards the Slytherin table and sitting besides Malfoy?
There was one thing she hated, unanswered questions. She stood so suddenly that she almost tripped Harry over stomped on Ron's feet. She didn't even acknowledge her friends angry protests. She walked straight to the Slytherin table and proceeded to squeeze the informations out of Neville. -" Why aren't you sitting with us? Why are you stitting beside Draco? Are you under a curse? Did he hurt you? Are you allright ? Do you need any help? I missed you silly. So why this cryptic attitude?..." -"Because I am Draco's consort, no, no, yes, no and because it was time I matured and its good seeing too Mione." There was a definite Neville-smile in this answer. Although she did not know why Neville covered his ears. after all he.
-"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU ARE MARRIED TO DRACO? Why didn't you tell me? Were you forced to marry him? Do you need any help? Is he nice with you? Do you need me to hex him into oblivion?..."
-"Well I suppose he didn't have a say in the matter just like me. I am telling you right now, no I don't need any help, he is civil with me, no I do not need you to hex him. yet anyway!" The smile was definitively getting bigger now.
Hermione was way too surprised to even care that she was at the Slytherin table and that currently all the Common room was dead quiet . She just pulled a chair and sat frowning deeply in intense concentration. She was a logical person after all: a) Neville and Draco were married now. b) She was no ignorant in Wizarding marriage law especially between male wizards. c) Lucius, the bastard, had probably negociated the marriage terms and consequently Neville was probably the submissive partner. d)Neville was a friend
So after this intense round of quick thinking, Hermione spoke. to Draco : -" Neville is my friend. So if you hurt him in anyway you would be one of the rare persons to know how much of a good Slytherin I might have been. I'll be seeing you later Nevvy." And just as quickly as she had stormed in she left to rejoin Harry and Ron.
She absently noticed that Harry was eyeing Draco with a strange and angry look.
________________________________________________________________________- "Well that went well. Considering that Granger was about to hit me with an Avada Kevadra at any given rate!" Draco said in an amused tone. -"She was just being motherly. She is used to do that since first year!" Neville said with a small smile. His first actually since Draco could remember in the last two weeks. It softened his stern face and gave a bit of life to his eyes. Perhaps he really should consider at least becoming friends with Longbottom. They had long years to spend together, they would better try to be civil with each other.
Whatever he was about to say got caught in his throat and he choked on his piece of cake as Neville told him casually. "You should go and talk with Harry, Tell him that he has no competition from me and that we will be sleeping together only to ensure that you have a heir according to our marriage contract. and since you are speechless I am taking the opportunity to inform you that I will be going to St Mungo to visit my parents this week-end! If you need me I will be in the Greenhouse with Pr. Sprout."
With that Neville went away with that ghostly walking style that he had adopted. Ever present yet imperceptible at the same time.
Potions was the first course they had on their first day. Snape was the same man Neville remembered. Gloomy, scary, authoritarian and severe. But then Neville had changed. He had outgrown his childish fear of Snape. The man couldn't hurt him. He was a complete stranger. Well he meant that Snape had no reason whatsoever to hurt him.
Nothing bad could really happen in Potions if he wanted to.
With that last thought Neville calmly proceeded to brew an important healing potion. This lesson was the first in a long serie on healing potions. Dumblemore had thought it would be wise to teach the students elemental survival skills.
-"If Miss Granger and Mr malfoy hadn't been in the other end of the class I would have thought someone had helped you, but then since only the three of you successfully brewed the potion; allow me to congratulate you on your first successfully brewed potion without any help Mr Longbottom or would you prefer I called you Malfoy?"
-"Malfoy is fine it is my name now after all!" Said Neville while looking directly into Snape's eyes. There was no malice in them nor any evil intent, just a little curiosity. -" As you wish Mr Malfoy, but would I be showing too much indiscretion if I enquired about the source of your remarquable progress?"
-"Not at all, I have just discovered that nothing bad could happen to me in Potions if I wished so.!"
So for the first time ever, Neville was gratified by a true smile and not the usual sneer by Snape. A true warm smile.
-" I grant ten points to Gryffondor for Mr Malfoy's great potion and twenty more for the outstsanding yet simple idea he just shared with us. I was waiting to see if someone would finally get it."
Hermione leaped in joy and the rest of the class cheered loudly. Neville was definitively having a great day
At the same time in St Mungo, Mrs Longbottom was dying. The extent of the damage that had been inflicted on her had been too important, the treatment had failed. But in her last days something unexpected had occurred, she had regaigned consciousness and was requesting her son. and one Severus Snape.
Maria Longbottom's final moments were gentle and full of love despite the shocking truths she had revealed to Neville and Severus.
During seventh year Frank Longbottom and Severus had initiated a relation but it had been brief due to the war and the powerful infatuation Severus still felt towards a certain Remus Lupin. When they had broken up on friendly terms, Frank hadn't suspected he was pregnant and had married Maria while he was in his fifth month. He thought the slight bulge in his abdomen was due to a fierce apetite, especially since he had not experienced any morning sickness whatsoever. Frank had wanted to tell Severus but there were rumors that he had sided with the Dark Lord so he had kept the matter a secret. Neville had been born and had been such a joy to the happy couple.
They had been attacked of course and the rest they knew. The reason why they had attacked was now no mystery. Every child born to a male wizard possessed a Gift, and Voldemort probably knew that and had wanted that Gift, Maria and Frank had managed to cast a forgetfulness spell on the Deatheaters so they forgot what was their mission risking their own lives in the process.
These few truths finally revealed Maria and Neville oblivious to the rest of the world had spent the remaining time getting reacquainted, she had wanted to know what she had missed in Neville's life, had given him her blessing, and then had passed away silently and peacefully...
Hell broke loose soon afterwards.