Title: Only Time, Chapter Five
Author: frkwerewolf
Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Draco/Neville
Rating: R
Chapter Summary: A connection is made.
Neville stared at the closed book sitting on the desk. He didn't look over at Draco, who stood an arm's length away. His hand was warm. Neville took a deep breath and allowed his eyes to slide over to Draco. Draco wasn't looking at him, instead concentrating on an invisible point in front of him, his face slightly bewildered. The Slytherin had yet to let go of his hand, but Neville wasn't going to say anything.
Neville turned fully toward Draco, who glanced at him through the corner of his eye. Neville cleared his throat, and Draco glanced again. "Draco, I-"
Neville suddenly felt his arm being yanked forward at the same time as Draco turned toward him. Draco was shorter than him, but at that moment Neville felt tiny in comparison. Draco loomed over him, his eyes unblinking. He gulped, unsure of what to do. The Slytherin merely stared at him, gray eyes scanning his face.
Inches. Mere inches were separating them. Draco gripped his hand tightly, as though afraid Neville would run off. His gaze was intense, and driving Neville to insanity. "Draco?"
"Hmm?"
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Neville whispered. The tips of Draco's mouth twitched.
Neville opened his mouth to repeat his question, but was startled to silence. A soft pair of lips were brushing his own. Holding back a gasp, Neville closed his eyes and allowed Draco kiss him lightly. The soft pressure became hard pressure and Draco closed in on the inches separating them. Their chests touched, clothing being the only barrier between flesh. If Neville concentrated he could feel the beating of Draco's heart. It was a soft, distant rhythm that literally kept Neville grounded as Draco's lips parted in their kiss.
Neville felt Draco suck on his lower lip, a feeling that was pure arousal. Draco's teeth came down, nipping at his lip before something smooth and wet swiped across it. Neville gasped, his lips parting. Draco took this opportunity, slipping his tongue into Neville's mouth and touching the Gryffindor's own.
Their tongues began to move, sliding against one another. Finally able to move, his initial shock being over, Neville rested his hand on Draco's shoulder. He slid it upwards, caressing Draco's neck when it halted. Their hands still entwined, Draco used his other hand to wrap around Neville's waist. Their bodies pulled flush against one another. Their holding hands tightened around each other's fingers. Draco bit down on Neville's lip once more, before both boys pulled away to catch their breath.
Neville kept his eyes closed for a moment longer. He didn't want the moment to crash to the floor. He knew that if he opened his eyes he would find Draco smirking at him, ready to shoot him with an insult. He didn't want that to happen, so he kept his eyes closed and savored the flavor that was now on his tongue. A flavor that screamed Draco.
Draco's own eyes opened slowly. He stared at Neville's face, waiting for his eyes to open. He couldn't explain it, but he wanted to see those earth colored eyes staring at him. He wanted to know if Neville had enjoyed their kiss. But he needed to see Neville's eyes in order to figure that out. So, he waited.
Licking his lips, Neville finally gave into temptation and opened his eyes. Draco stared at him, his gaze as intense as it was before. He searched Draco's expression, trying to find a single cruel particle. Hoping for something to show that this wasn't real, because he didn't want to have to admit to his own emotional reaction if he saw something.
It came as a shock when Draco leaned in to kiss him once more. This time it was a gentle kiss that lasted for a few seconds. When Draco pulled back Neville couldn't help but blush. Seeing the heat rise to Neville's cheeks, Draco broke into a genuine smile. Neville bit his lip and looked away. He didn't know why, but Draco's smile was like an aphrodisiac. Maybe it was because no one ever saw it and Neville was being privileged with the honor. Maybe because it made Draco's immaculate teeth flash and his eyes show a hidden spark that told more about the Slytherin's mood than any word or gesture. Neville didn't know, but he loved it.
"We should get to class." Draco said softly.
"Oh damn." Neville muttered.
"What?" Draco asked, still smiling as he released Neville from his hold. He didn't let go of the Gryffindor's hand, though.
"Snape." Neville mumbled. He grabbed his bag from it's spot near the door and turned toward Draco. "I know he's your Head of House, but the man hates me."
"I don't think he hates you." Draco replied. He gave Neville's hand a squeeze before releasing it to stuff the naughty book into his own bag. "Why are you still taking Potions if you don't like the class?"
"I need it if I'm going to be an Herbologist." Neville explained. "You have no idea how much I tortured Hermione to help me with my OWLs. I thought she was going to kill me or lose all her hair in the end."
"A bald Granger? Now that's something I'd like to see." Draco said, smirking at the thought.
"That's not nice." Neville reprimanded, though Draco could see a smile fighting to form. Neville cleared his throat and looked toward the door. "I'll let you go first."
"Yeah, okay." Draco agreed. He moved to leave, stopping in front of Neville and sending him a soft smile, before he disappeared into the hall. Neville held his breath, leaning against the wall so he could calm himself.
"It's just Draco." Neville told himself. "Someone you are being forced into marrying. It doesn't mean anything." Neville frowned. "Face the facts, Longbottom, Draco was probably just getting you to feel secure. Life's going to be hell around him now, just you watch."
xxx
"Mr. Longbottom." Professor Snape sneered from the front of the classroom, watching as Neville's back stiffened in response. "It is a complete shock to me how you managed to sneak your way into the Advanced Potions class, but since you managed I would highly recommend being on time."
"Sorry, Professor." Neville whispered, sliding into his seat next to Hermione.
"I'm afraid apologies just don't cut it, Longbottom." Snape replied. "Fifteen points from Gryffindor. And do try to be on time from now on."
"Yes, sir." Neville said, staring down at his desk.
"Today we will be beginning the first stage of 'de-brewing'. If you can recall from your notes last week, this is the process of taking an already made potion and discovering it's contents. There is a vial of potion on each of your tables. Each table contains a different potion, so don't even try to copy another table's work." Snape drawled. "You will be placed into pairs, which will last the rest of this stage."
Neville fought back a groan. Snape was always pairing him with a Slytherin that hated him. "Granger and Crabbe. Potter and Parkinson. Longbottom and Malfoy."
Neville ignored the rest of the list and instead glanced over at Draco. Draco had a superior look on his face, as though he had planned their pairing all along. Neville was a bit scared when Crabbe literally shoved him away the table and he joined Draco. He didn't look up. He didn't want to hear Draco complain about having to work with someone like him.
Then, he felt a hand slide into his underneath the table. Holding back a gasp, Neville's eyes darted around the room to see if anyone noticed. Harry was staring off into space, while Pansy glared at her table. Hermione was already falling into teacher mode, despite the disgusted expression on Crabbe's face. Everyone else was already inspecting their vials of potion. After a moment's pause, Neville looked over at Draco. The Slytherin didn't look at him, still holding his head up in a holier than thou way.
"Well, let's get started Longbottom." Draco calmly said. Neville nodded quickly, letting his eyes fall back to the table. Giving it one last squeeze, Draco dropped his hand and went to gather supplies. Neville watched him with wide eyes, feeling even more nervous than usual by the closeness that they managed to work in.