Disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K. Rowling, except Graces Malfoy and Thomas Higgs who are my own. I do not claim ownership of the characters or the settings within. This story is for entertainment only and is not part of the official story.

Author's notes: Huge thank you to my beta Denarii and Aleah for all the help with this chapter.

Special thanks to Belladonna007, infiniteconstellations, A regrettable decision, Lizzy B, Amandalucia, AnnyJackson19, TheLastBerry, snowflake2410, elessargreystone, char170217, Blue Luver5000, N3ZUM1, noone297, RosieHana and barby03 for the reviews!

You all may be wondering why on earth this chapter is sooo late. Well, because I wrote it the first time… hated it and deleted the whole thing. Then I wrote it a second time and hated it even more. It felt forced and I don't know. I couldn't put my finger on it, but it wasn't good. Ben would disagree, and he tried to talk me out of deleting the second one, but I just hated it so yeah… I asked Aleah and she was all for it being erased. She felt I could do better haha. So here is the final version guys.

Chapter 72

"I'm okay," Neville grunted, for the fifth time. He still had not stood up from the ground and was content to just continue bending over on all fours on the floor until his gut allowed him to regain his breath and his groin stopped throbbing, but Graces wouldn't stop fussing. He felt like if he stayed bent on the floor he would just continue worrying her, so he stood up.

"You don't look okay," Graces continued, wrapping the sheets around her and moving to the edge of the bed.

"I am." Neville nodded, trying again to make himself stand up straight. It didn't work out as well as he planned and he ended up shooing Graces over to her side of the bed so he could lay back down.

"I'm so sorry," Graces repeated, moving to put her hand on his chest and then taking it away, as though her touch could somehow make the pain return.

Neville smiled and took her hand in his and laid it against his chest, closing his eyes for a moment as another wave of nausea rolled over him.

"My father used to put a pillow between us when I would sleep with him and mum," Graces said quietly. "Protecting the family jewels he would say…"

"I'll bear that in mind," Neville said. "Though if you didn't decide to sleep diagonally at some point in the night I would have been fine. You would have just kept kicking my shins."

"I really am sorry," Graces whispered, moving closer and laying down beside him.

"I knew what I was getting into, climbing into bed with a Malfoy. I was very much aware that it was a dangerous path I was on." Neville opened his eyes and smiled at the blonde beside him. Graces gave him a half one in return, but it didn't seem to reach her eyes. "Tell me again about how you kicked your father. It will probably help me feel better faster."

"I think you're fine," Graces said, feigning offense.

Neville chuckled at her pout and moved closer to her. Maybe it was a good thing that she kicked him where it hurt. He was wondering what it would be like waking up with her, if she would feel awkward or if he would. This was probably the best thing that could happen, a perfect icebreaker. Neville leaned in thinking to kiss her before realizing his breath was probably far from pleasant.

"Uh, I'll be right back," he promised, doing his best not to breathe as he made his declaration. Graces frowned, but he was up before she could protest, hurrying to the loo where he could brush his teeth with the toothpaste Hermione had given him. He of course made sure to use a charm to clean his teeth, but he still liked the muggle way. He liked the taste and he had a feeling the minty smell was a good thing, especially in moments like this.

When he emerged from the bathroom he expected that Graces would still be in bed, but to his disappointment she was up and waiting outside the door.

"Oh, uh, are you going to be leaving so soon?" Neville asked, unable to hide his disappointment.

"Leave? No. You're not the only one that needs to freshen up in the morning, Longbottom," she smirked, squeezing past him to use the sink. Neville leaned against the doorframe as she washed her face and ran a brush through her hair.

It was more than he ever thought he would have with her. He never imagined they would be in a position like this. Well, he imagined, but he didn't believe it would come true.

"Longbottom."

"I thought we were past this? What's with calling me Longbottom all of the sudden?"

Graces smirked and put the brush down.

"When you're being sweet and we're having fun, you can be Neville. When you're standing in the doorway preventing me from using the loo you're Longbottom."

Neville blushed and quickly moved out of the doorway. He stumbled out an apology, but Graces just nodded with an amused smile and shut the door.

"Smooth, Nev, Smooth…"

"You know, I can hear you."

Neville groaned and laid back down on the bed. By the time Graces emerged from the bathroom, he was over the bulk of his humiliation.

"What's this?" Graces asked, holding up the blue tube of toothpaste. "Is this why your breath smells good?"

"That's toothpaste," Neville chuckled. "And yes, it is."

Graces stared at the toothpaste thoughtfully and leaned against the doorway of the the bathroom.

"I think I remember you talking about this," she said softly, her fingers toying with the ends. "You brought some for… for Harris. For Dr. Harris. It cleans muggle teeth," she recited as though it were all from a dream.

Neville stood up from the bed and gently took the tube out of her fingers.

"Would you like to try some?" he asked, not wanting to think of that time. Not wanting her to think on it either. "I could get you some and a toothbrush to use."

"Maybe later," Graces smiled sadly. Neville nodded and set the tube back on the sink, aware that Graces' eyes were still looking at the tube.

"Do you think about it often?" he asked quietly, forcing himself to look at her. "That night. Those days."

"Every day," she admitted, her voice stronger than he imagined it would be.

Neville didn't know what to say. He wished he could have taken all of that away. He would have gladly traded places with her, suffered all that pain to spare her.

"I wish I could turn back time."

"I don't. I would do it all again if given the opportunity."

"To save Thomas?" he asked, unsure what she meant.

"Not just to save Thomas."

Neville wasn't sure what to say. He felt like he shouldn't say a word, whatever was going on in Graces' head had her practically trembling. He moved closer to her, but before he could touch her her silver eyes stopped him in his tracks.

"Do the scars truly not bother you?"

"I told you they didn't," Neville reminded, the back of his knuckles caressing her cheek.

"So it wouldn't bother you if they were not repaired. If they were permanent."

"Not one bit," he swore, bringing his other hand up and cupping her face. "I am wondering why you are no longer going to see Snape about them though."

"The treatment hurts."

A lie. He knew her too well; and she knew he knew her too well. She looked up not in challenge, but pleadingly. Don't ask, take the lie. He didn't know if it was dignity she was trying to save or something more. He accepted it though and kissed her forehead so she couldn't see how painful it was for him. He didn't care about the damn scars, not at all, but knowing what happened to her, knowing how ashamed she was of them and for her to keep them. Why? He longed to know, but wasn't going to force her to tell.

I love you, he thought. Wanting so badly to say it, to make it known. He wished she knew. Wished she knew so she could feel free to tell him anything and everything. But he couldn't tell her, so he just held her close and nuzzled his nose on the top of his head.

"You should move things in today," she murmured against his chest, a small content sigh escaping from her lips. "Some clothes for night and for day. Things of that nature. Don't bring anything people will notice missing from your part of the room, but I'm sure there are things you enjoy having. Things that make a place feel like home for you."

"Uh, right, okay," Neville nodded awkwardly, still unsure of how he felt about being here like that. He still didn't understand why she wanted this. He never thought he would miss the days when she had intimacy issues. Speaking of those issues, why such a drastic switch? One day she can't admit they are together and the next she wants him to move in.

He barely knew how to live with his dorm mates and now he was going to be living with a girl. She was going to see how messy he was, how clumsy he was and probably a few gross bits about him that he was not at all excited for. Bodily functions didn't matter to guys. He doubted that they wouldn't matter to Graces. Not to mention she was way too prissy to deal with how messy he was. He was going to try to be good about all this, but if they were practically living here together she would see. She would see and the romance would die. And then she will go.

"I still don't understand," he gulped. "I- I don't think this is a good idea. I mean- I want to spend time with you- but you don't like getting that close and-and I'm a guy."

"I'm aware you're a guy, Neville," Graces giggled, her hips rolling against his, causing him to have to wrangle in his focus.

"Yeah, but I mean. I'm a guy. Not a guy like your brother, who probably is all orderly and well-mannered, even when people aren't around. I mean I am a guy, not a well put-together gentleman. I'm just a guy."

"Care to give me an example of this," Graces mused, her voice not bothering to hide her amusement.

"I'd rather not."

There was a long silence before Graces told him that Draco never shuts the door when he pees in the morning.

"The fact that you think that's worth mentioning proves my point."

"Neville, look at me."

Neville did as he was commanded, but didn't think anything Graces would say could change his mind.

"I want you to be here with me. Every night, all night. I want to start and finish my day with you. We're not going to have very long, Neville. I have you on borrowed time," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion as she held him tighter. "This can never last. I-I just want to make the most of that time. I—when I'm with you I forget who I am." Neville frowned, but didn't dare even move. "I don't feel like someone's pawn. I feel safe. I feel—I feel invincible. Like no one could hurt me, take me or u-use me. Because for the brief time I'm here with you, Neville, the times when you're holding me and we let the world disappear. I believe you would set the world ablaze for me."

Neville froze at her words. He felt rigid, he couldn't even bring himself to agree.

"Why are you fighting something you want just as bad?" she rasped, her hands running through his hair making his skin prickle. "You want me. You want this, so stop being afraid to take what I am offering. You wanted to be my escape. You have it. You're my escape, my fantasy, my lifeline."

His body flushed with heat as she ran her fingers down his back and moved her body closer to his. He had forgotten how little they were wearing, but now, feeling her against his chest like this, it was hard not to be reminded.

"Neville." Merlin, he wasn't even touching her and he could hear the need in her voice. He opened his mouth, but his head was swimming as she nuzzled her nose against his neck and when she brought her fingers down to his pants... "Do you imagine mornings waking up with me?"

"Yes."

"I do too."

His heart stopped. He had been with her for so many months, but he still had a hard time believing that she could feel anything close to what he felt for her. But here she was saying she thought of him the way he thought of her. All those mornings he had hugged his pillow and wished she was there, she had too. It was incredible. Unbelievable. Magical.

"Neville." Her voice was so gentle. So inviting. She brushed her lips against his and whispered his name again and again, like a soft prayer. A moan rumbled through him as she dragged her fingers down his back and pressed her hips firmly against him, moving them ever so slightly in silent invitation.

"You're trying to distract me," he breathed, his heart pounding in his chest while his skin was crawling to touch her.

"No, I'm begging you for something," she corrected breathlessly.

"And what is that?" Neville gulped, gripping the wall as he felt his boxers fall round his ankles.

"Time."

Neville knew Graces enjoyed him. There was no way for her to hide the way her body reacted to his touch, but despite the months of passion they had shared, she was always very reserved in approaching sex. Often he took the lead. He was the one that burned and caught her on fire. This was different. She was the spark for a change. She wanted him and for the first time he felt like she was not embarrassed or ashamed to show it. She kissed him with all the sensuality he imagined a woman could possess and he found himself struggling to keep up with her need. He would move to kiss her lips and they would be preoccupied with his neck, his chest, his ear. He barely had time to think, let alone try to reciprocate her kisses.

He pinned her hard against the wall, determined to make her hold still long enough for him to unravel her the way she was unraveling him. He kissed her from her chest down, his tongue dragging along her porcelain skin as he got drunk off the scent of her arousal and perfume. She was exquisite, every inch of her and he had half a mind to throw her down on the floor and take her as carnally as she had been kissing him.

"You're shaking," Graces teased, her fingers toying with his hair. "You know, you don't have to hold back."

It was tempting. It wasn't like he hadn't thought of having her like that, it just didn't seem right once he was holding her to be anything but slow and loving. He remembered the shower they shared together, even then he hadn't been dominating. He just wasn't really dominating in nature. He couldn't stop second guessing his every move to be confident enough to just, well, take her. Like right now, if he stood up and pressed her against the wall and thrust into her, would he hurt her? It was a possibility, he could bruise her with the force or even perhaps hurt her below the waist. Usually when he entered her there was some resistance, her body seemed to need some foreplay to be able to completely welcome him so—

"You're not going to hurt me," Graces laughed, apparently amused by how torn he looked. "And if you do, I will have no problem telling you."

It may have been the promise or it may have been the fact that he wanted to and she was giving him permission. Either way he stood from where he was kneeling before her and firmly took her hips. He paused and looked down at her, waiting to see any form of hesitation, any sign that this was making her as nervous as it was making him.

Graces smirked at his challenge and wound one of her legs around him.

"You know, girls can want rough sex too, Longbottom," she smiled, running her hands down his back. "Did you consider that I may want you to be a bit less reserved?"

His skin was prickling with need. Her eyes were on him with an ocean of want and he was dying to answer her need. He kissed her gently, slowly letting his want pour into her, until he pressing his lips against her so firmly, he was sure they would be bruised, when she moved to take a breath he was on her neck, her breasts. Kissing, licking and even briting when he couldn't contain himself. He lifted her up against the wall and entered her without any hesitation or warning.

It was harder than he expected it would be, but he didn't care. She felt amazing around him and the noises she was making were a symphony of pleasure. It became his goal to make her scream with ecstasy. They had a section of a castle to themselves, so why not? She could be as loud as she wanted, or he could make her as loud as he wanted. Her fingers cut into his shoulders and he took her harder, losing himself to the point where he didn't even worry if she was enjoying it. He was enjoying it.

All this time he felt like he could never get enough of her, and now that he was unafraid to take as much of her as he wanted he could feel the satisfaction coming. It was like he had been building this want for months. Hell, maybe years. Maybe he always lusted for her in the back of his mind. Even with her smart mouth and cruel laughs, maybe he always wanted her somewhere deep inside of him.

"Let's move to the bed," he suggested huskily.

"You don't like this?" Graces panted, dismayed at just the idea.

"I can do the exact same thing in a bed," Neville chuckled lowly. "Probably even better, since I won't have to focus on holding you up." Neville kissed her collar up to her ear aware that his every movement had her pulsing around him. "So, may I take you to bed Miss Malfoy?"

"You can take me anywhere you want me," Graces gasped. "As long as you keep doing that."

"Deal."

Graces did not make it an easy task to get to the bed. She made every second he wasn't in her agony. Her tongue teased his ear and her hands didn't stop their wandering. He could hardly think let alone walk. Which is why it was no surprised her tripped on his own feet and landed hard on top of her.

"Shit! Are you okay? Are you hurt?" he asked, looking over her over and checking for blood.

"I'm fine," Graces promised, kissing his neck and pulling him over her.

"I'm so sorry," Neville groaned, feeling especially foolish. "I really am. I—"

Neville's words trailed off as Graces lips silenced him. If she was hurt she wasn't letting on. She kept kissing him as though nothing had happened, like nothing had changed. He was hesitant at first to continue, but the more she kissed him the more reassured he felt. He took her harder than he ever dared before and she arched her hips to his with each thrust.

When it was over and they were both glistening with sweat and panting on the ground he reached out for her hand.

"I would set the world ablaze for you," he swore. "And I will sooner die before I let harm come to you again, Graces. You have my word. I would die."

He didn't know if she believed him. She didn't say anything after his declaration and she didn't seem to really take it to heart. But Neville knew it was the truth and didn't mind if she didn't feel he was sincere, if she thought his declaration was just brought on by what they just did. It was true and that was enough. He watched her get dressed to meet her brother for breakfast and knew in his bones he would never let her hurt again. Those scars on her stomach would be the last.

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"It may need a specific charm to repair it." Graces sighed, leaning against her arms in exhaustion. Graham looked over at her sideways, but didn't say whether he agreed or disagreed with her statement. "I mean, lot's of things needs specific charms to be said in order to be repaired. We just need to do some research… find the charm."

"That simple, huh? Tell me, my darling sister, are you going to go ask Madam Pince for books on repairing vanishing cabinets? Or should I? Or perhaps we could ask Professor Flitwick."

"Don't get smart with me, Draco, I'm just trying to help. We've been staring at this damn thing all day! You said mending charms didn't work, so I'm making suggestions."

"Suggestions that are impossible."

"That doesn't even make sense!"

"Your suggestion—"

"Is damn good," Graham interrupted quietly. "It makes sense. Nothing else is working. And you and I have used some of the most complex mending charms we could find. Her suggestion is well thought out." Graham placed his hand on the cabinet, the dark mark displayed casually on his left arm. He didn't bother to hide it in front of her and Draco. It was odd seeing it. She knew that to many it brought a feeling of disgust, fear… but for her it was… comforting. Her thoughts were suddenly with her father and she swallowed hard at the lump in her throat growing with memories of her own father's arm.

"Just because it's not what we want to hear doesn't mean we should discount what's she's saying. There is no point in ignoring answers we don't like. Ignoring them won't change them if she's right."

"Fine," Draco clipped, rubbing his eyes tiredly. "Then where should we start?"

"With a good night's rest," Graham proclaimed. "I think we all need it."

Draco sat up and opened his mouth to protest, but Graham silenced him with a single look.

"It's not up for discussion, Malfoy. I'm tired and if I'm tired I know you're tired. You need sleep; I need sleep. We're going to go get some sleep."

"Your life doesn't depend on this," Draco snapped coming to his feet.

"No, just my freedom!" Graham shouted, slamming his fist onto a table.

As soon as he said it Graces could see the regret. Graham's face broke from it's usual stone and his eyes turned to her fearfully. As though his words were going to cause a storm.

"I didn't mean that," he lied wide-eyed. "I—"

"It's fine," Graces shrugged, moving from her chair and kissing Draco on the cheek in good night. Draco didn't even acknowledge the kiss, he was too busy glaring at Graham. "I'll see you both tomorrow."

Draco took her hand as she turned and stood to leave with her, his angry eyes not leaving Grahams. Despite his anger, it felt good to have his arm come around her shoulders. She leaned in slightly to him as he escorted her to leave the room. She could feel his anger rippling off him, but he remained silent. He truly had changed, if this had been just a few months ago he would have been shouting cutting words at Graham, not walking away.

"Don't leave him."

"Excuse me?" Draco asked, stopping outside the room and turning to her.

"Don't leave him," Graces repeated. "Go back in there and talk to him."

"No."

Draco tried to move her further from the room, but Graces kept her stance.

"Draco, you're not being fair." She sighed tiredly. "You can't expect him to want to marry me."

"Why not?! There's no reason he shouldn't want to marry you. None. If anything he benefits from marrying you." Draco went into a rant about all the reasons Montague should want to marry her and while it was all flattering it wasn't reasons for marriage.

"He doesn't love me," Graces said quietly. "And I don't love him. My beauty, my talent and my skills don't change that. It would be a loveless, empty marriage."

"He has said he could love you. He has said—"

"But he doesn't now," Graces pointed out. "We don't love each other, Draco. He's right. It would be like a prison. We would have shackled ourselves to one another. We will lose our freedom."

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Draco felt his heart clench as his sister turned away to hide her tears.

"Graham has been such a wonderful friend," Graces continued tightly. "He has not turned away from us, despite our situation. He's done nothing but helped. I am so grateful to him. For so many reasons I am grateful. Merlin, Draco, he doesn't need to help us with that damn piece of furniture, but he's there. He's there with you day and night. He took control from Nott, granted I doubt he is going to be able to hold it once Nott gets back from break, but he's going to try. He's taking care of you."

"You don't get to be angry with him for not loving me. Nor are you allowed to be angry with him for speaking his mind," Graces snapped, turning around and wiping away her tears. "In case you haven't realized he has no one."

Draco tried not to flinch at her last statement. He hadn't realized.

"Get in there. Yell at him if you need to, but end it on good grounds. Talk to him. See if he is okay. Tell him what he said is forgiven and be understanding that this isn't what he wants. Thank him, for his willingness to marry someone he doesn't love so that you can sleep at night."

"We paid him," Draco reminded, grabbing for a reason to not feel guilty. "We paid him and-and if he does marry you he's getting a damn good deal out of it."

Graces narrowed her stare and squared her jaw.

"There is not enough gold in the world to repay him for such a sacrifice," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotions. "Make it right, Draco."

He hated that she was right. He hated that he owed so much to Graham. They were never even really that close and now he owed him everything he had. Graces left him to think of it all and he stood in the hall feeling more ashamed with each passing second.

When he entered the room, Graham was slumped in an old dingy chair. His hand tiredly rubbing his temple. He didn't even realize Draco had entered, until he dragged a wooden chair across from him.

"You're an ass," Draco started, feeling no need to hide his thoughts. "You're seriously an ass."

"I'm sorry," Graham murmured quietly, leaning forward so his arms rested on his knees. "I didn't mean to say that."

"Did you mean it though?" Graham's shoulders tensed at the question and he shook his head. "You're a poor liar, Montague," Draco snorted.

"I'm sorry for that too."

"I always thought you were stoic and quiet because you were calculating, now I wonder if you are just restrained. You're purposely cold and distant because you don't trust your own mouth. Smart move if that's the case."

It was now Graham's turn to glare.

"Careful, Malfoy," Graham cautioned, his dark eyes now meeting Draco's silver in challenge. "I know I messed up. I slipped. I get that. But I won't be made a mockery."

"How could you say that in front of her?" Draco snapped. "How could you make her feel like she was entrapping you, like she was a horrible sentence. How could you make the comparison to death?"

"I. Slipped," Graham repeated, an edge of warning to his voice.

"You slipped," Draco echoed, chuckling darkly. "Slipped... "

Draco thought about the mess he was in. He wanted Graces to live. He wanted her to be able to walk away from this hell, even if he could not. He wondered what he was leaving her to though. She didn't want to marry Graham and he didn't want to marry her. What would happen if he was gone?

"I'm sorry," Draco breathed after a while. Graham tensed at the words, clearly waiting for something cutting to come after. "I really am," Draco promised, closing his eyes and wishing for a simpler time.

"I don't know what to do, Graham. I don't."

"We can just do what we've been doing," Graham offered.

"And if this fails?"

"If this fails Graces will be taken care of."

"You don't love her."

"Yes, well. It will be fine."

"Will it?"

"It has to be."

"Maybe. Maybe you could start trying now?" Draco suggested hesitantly.

"Excuse me?"

"Maybe you could… court her now." Draco could see Graham's hesitation so he continued. "I would even allow you two to have privacy. So you can actually talk… get to know one another."

"I don't know, Draco."

"Why not?" Graham seemed to be searching for a reason, which didn't help Draco's nerves. "I think that if you two got to know one another, really got to know one another you may feel differently then you do now."

"You think we will fall in love," Graham deadpanned.

"Why do you say that like it's so absurd?"

Graham's jaw tightened and Draco had a feeling there was something he was missing. Something Graham wasn't telling him.

"What are you not telling me?" Draco asked suspiciously.

"Nothing, you're right. I'm sorry."

He was so obviously flustered. Draco wished he was sitting so he could back away, look at this from a distance. He was missing something. He knew he was, but he couldn't place what it was. Graham didn't seem to want to spend time getting to know Graces romantically, and Graces didn't want to spend time getting to know him romantically. But why?

"I don't want to court," Graham continued, seeming to regain his bearings. "It would feel like a lie and Graces would dislike it just as much. Plus when you live, it would leave us with a lot of awkwardness."

"That's only if you don't grow on one another," Draco pointed out.

And there it was. That look, that hesitation. Oh, he was definitely missing a key piece.

"True… But still I am not comfortable with it. I will however ensure we spend more time together."

"And how do you plan to do that?"

"Let me worry about that. You have enough on your plate." Graham gave him a tired smile and Draco was willing to put away his suspicions for the time being. "I really am tired, Draco. I do think it's best we get some sleep."

"Yeah you're right," Draco nodded, standing up with the older boy and starting their walk to the dungeons. He tried not to think too much about what was coming, but it plagued him despite his efforts.

"I wish I could make this right for you," Draco said quietly, as they entered into their common room. "I really do. You're a good friend, Graham. I realize I don't always express that. That most of the time I'm ungrateful, but-but I do appreciate everything."

"Merlin that seems like a useless word. Appreciate… It's not enough. I hope you know what this means to me though. And I hope you realize you're the person I am closest to these days, and if you ever need to talk or—"

"Draco," Graham cut off, waving a hand in front of him. "You don't have to do this. Actually, I would seriously appreciate it if you didn't."

It was the first time Draco laughed all night. It wasn't even a full laugh, just a chuckle, but it felt great. Graham looked as though he were being cornered and not given praise.

"Get some sleep, Malfoy," Graham ordered, moving towards the 7th year room. "In the morning try to be a bit less… sappy. Cranky and temperamental I can handle, but not this."

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By the time Graces reached the room she was exhausted. Today had been so tiring. She hadn't even done anything strenuous, but sitting in that room with Graham and Draco thinking about that damn cabinet, trying spell after spell, examining everything again and again. She felt like she was going to scream multiple times. The only good thing about the day was her early morning and meals when she got to be with Thomas and Octavian.

She was expecting to be greeted happily when she entered the little apartment, but she was quickly disappointed.

"I can't stay locked up in this room anymore," Neville groaned, laying on the floor in front of the couch. "I'm so bored."

"You could have read," Graces pointed out, tiredly taking a seat.

"I did read," Neville groaned. "I read and I read, until my eyes couldn't see the letters. I need air. Fresh air."

"We talked about this," Graces sighed.

"Draco is not going to draw the conclusion that I was in the room the other day when he came barging in just because he sees that I came back early from break," Neville bemoaned. "Come on, Graces. Seeing me in the Great Hall isn't going to spark his mind into thinking you and I are sleeping together."

"I really don't want to take the chance."

"You're being paranoid. Maybe we could—"

"I sent you food," Graces pointed out. "Really good food."

Neville frowned.

"Yeah, about that. Who was it that was giving me my daily rations? I heard a crack, so I take it it was a house elf, but I didn't see them."

"No, why would you? Good house elves shouldn't be seen or heard unless called for."

Neville gave her a disapproving look, but didn't comment.

"Was it a school's house elf?" he asked, after a moment.

"No it's from the mansion."

"So you won't let me leave the room to eat or do anything other than get stuff from the tower, and I can only get stuff from the tower if it's during meal times, but you have one of your house elves coming here to drop off meals for me? You're not at all worried that the elf would tell?"

"No," Graces snorted. "I'm not worried it would tell."

"Why not?"

Graces laughed and was about to explain that the house elf she sent had no tongue, but then stopped herself. Neville definitely would want to know how the elf lost its tongue and she knew without a doubt that that conversation would cause a lot of problems.

"Trust me, Neville. It won't."

"You didn't threaten the poor creature, did you?" Neville asked, his eyes stern with warning.

"No, I did not," Graces proclaimed, glad that she could answer that honestly.

"Good," Neville nodded satisfied. "Sorry, I just... I don't know. I don't like the idea of house elves being mistreated. Makes me think of Mable."

"Who's Mable?"

"One of our house elves. She's a sweetheart. Getting a bit up there in age, but she's like a child. I just hear stories of how other purebloods treat their house elves, and I can't help but imagining someone treating Mable like that."

"How do you treat your house elves?" Graces asked cautiously, knowing that there was going to be a great difference.

"Well."

"How well?"

"I don't know," Neville laughed. "We don't punish them. Or hit them. We let them decide what needs to be done on the estates. We—"

"You let them decide?"

"Yeah, they know better than us anyways what should be cleaned or moved. No need to micro manage them. If something isn't done I will do it or my gran and uncle will. They're pretty set in their ways anyways. I think if I ever asked them to do something different Fennel and Prod's protest would be so great I would give up in a week. Fennel can have a bit of a temper, he's a lot older than the others and man he can get grumpy really fast."

"One time he caught me with my grandfather's wand. Man, he was furious. He boxed my ears!" Graces jaw dropped at the idea of an elf touching a wizard like that, but Neville just laughed. "He's grand, though. He used to always offer to watch me if I wanted to go outside in the garden. My gran didn't want me out and about unsupervised when I was younger. She was worried I would get into mischief. Fennel always offered to watch me. He would always say it ain't right for a young'n to be locked up." Neville looked over at her and gave a pointed look. "He would totally disagree with you locking me up in this apartment for days on end."

"Oh, we're back to that?"

"Sure are," Neville grinned, finally getting up from the ground and approaching her where she sat. "Please, please, I beg you. Let me leave this room tomorrow."

Graces laughed as Neville got on his knees and pleaded at her feet. She relented though. Neville would be allowed out of the room, so long as he swore when asked that he just arrived back that day day.

"Who would ask?"

"You never know. We need a reason as to why you came back."

"Graces, he's not going to ask. Your brother likes to either torment me or pretend I don't exist."

"Longbottom, please don't test me. You have no idea how tired I am. Just, please, tell me what you would tell him if he asks you."

"I'll say I came home early because my gran was worried after the attack on the Weasley's. There is after all no safer place than Hogwarts."

Graces couldn't help but laugh at that statement. No place safer. If that statement was true that meant the rest of the world was just plain fucked.

"You look tired," Neville commented sadly, his hand reaching up and caressing her cheek.

"It's been a long day," she admitted quietly.

"Can we talk about it?"

"I wish we could."

To her surprise he didn't press. He kissed her cheek and gently took her hand leading her to the bedroom. The bedroom where he had apparently been busy decorating with a mixture of flowers and potted plants. Graces smiled at the arrangment of flowers on her nightstand. It was a beautiful arrangement of holly, mistletoe, pine and white roses. The rest of the plants seemed to be more out of interest to Neville, but the vase was clearly for her.

"I can move the others out if you want," Neville murmured, seeming to be realizing he had brought in a lot of plants. Graces could tell by his flamed cheeks he hadn't thought it too much at the time.

"They're fine. The room was too bare anyways." She gently traced her finger along one of the holly sprigs. "This is lovely. Thank you."

"You're lovely," Neville murmured, his lips brushing against the back of her neck as his arms folded around her. Graces hummed a reply and leaned back against him. She really was tired. "I drew you a bath."

"Trying to get me out of my clothes, Mr. Longbottom?"

"Trying to get you to relax. Getting you out of your clothes is just a plus."

Graces wondered if Neville was like this with everyone else. If once he felt comfortable he was this charming and funny. She leaned back and kissed his cheek before taking advantage of his generosity. She would have completely fallen asleep in the tub if Neville hadn't been in the other room waiting on her. By the time she came back out, the lights were off save for a few candles by the bed. Neville was already dozing off on his side, and she noted that he was wearing pajamas she was sure were only for comfort.

"Nice pajamas," Graces giggled, pulling on her own nighttime wear.

"They're warm."

"They're hideous."

Neville looked down self-consciously, and folded his arms around him.

"I like them. Not all of us need silk."

"Clearly," Graces drawled, moving under the sheets and cozying up beside him. Merlin, he smelled good. She moved closer to him, breathing him in as she warmed her bones. She could see the snow falling outside, but none of that chill touched her as she cuddled up next to Neville. "I liked sleeping in your shirt when you were gone," she yawned, deciding she didn't always need silk.

"You are more than welcome to continue sleeping in them. They're in the second drawer beside your, uh, unmentionables."

"You went through my drawers?" Graces gasped, knowing full well he didn't. That he was just looking for a few for himself.

"No! I just was looking for some space. You said you wanted me to bring things in! You didn't say what drawers you had already—"

"I'm just playing with you, Neville. It's fun watching you squirm… unmentionables," she laughed softly. "Almost as bad as deflower."

"You really are a prat," Neville growled, kissing her forehead despite his words. The finest part of being kissed by Neville was the way he lingered, as though he savored every moment of the kiss even after it was done. He cherished kissing her forehead as much as he cherished making love to her it seemed.

"Are you, um, very, very tired? Or just tired?" he asked hopefully.

Graces grinned and ran her fingers through his soft hair, kissing him gently in reply. It wasn't long before his arms were around her and their clothes were being discarded under the blankets.

"Wanting a replay of earlier, Mr. Longbottom?"

Neville laughed softly against her collar and shook his head.

"Earlier was… fun," he settled, a spark of mischief in his eyes. "But I prefer this. That is if you—"

"I prefer this too," Graces flushed, avoiding his eyes. "Though I'm not opposed to what we did earlier. I really enjoyed earlier."

"I did too," Neville chuckled, his own cheeks turning red. "I enjoyed it a lot… but I like this more. I'd rather take my time with you and build to a finale."

"You make it sound like a symphony and not sex," Graces laughed, her fingers playing with the back of his neck as she looked up into his dark eyes.

"With you it is."

It was said so simply, so matter of fact, as though she should know that he thought of their time together was something as beautiful and moving as music. Her whole day suddenly disappeared and the fatigue she felt from earlier vanished. He leaned in closer and her breath caught as he brushed his lips to hers. It was slow, gentle and just as perfect as their first night here in this room together. She fell asleep to the sound of his breathing and the warmth of his body. She didn't even care that tomorrow morning she would be back in that room with the cabinet, because she knew Neville would be there both before and after.

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