Title : I'll show you mine…

Fandom : Harry potter

Genre : Slash, angst. (slightly AU maybe)

Pairing : so far, Draco/Justin Finch-Fletchley/Neville

Note : Companion to "I thought you cared" (lyrics (and title) from Rise Against's song, Swing life away )

Summary : Neville wonders what it's like to have friends; Justin and Draco have to share a compartment on Hogwarts express because they both have some issues with their respective housemates…

I'll show you mine…

If you show me yours first…

fifth part

I've been here so long, I think that it's time to move
The winter's so cold, summer's over too soon
Let's pack our bags and settle down where palm trees grow

I've got some friends, some that I hardly know
But we've had some times, I wouldn't trade for the world
We chase these days down with talks of the places that we will go

)))))))))OoO(((((((((

I should not let it bother me… the way they keep whispering things in our back. The way they keep waving at us with their pale, manicured fingers.

The way they all seem to go out of their way to make his life difficult.

And still, he keeps smiling, undisturbed by their little games. He keeps talking animatedly, waving his elegant hands into the air as we discuss the better utilisation of Belladona sap.

Surely, strength has many faces…

And Justin is strong, oh, so strong. Strong enough to not let their mockery get to him, strong enough to ignore the way his former friends glare at him when he passes by.

Strong enough to go on with his life, harmless and benevolent, eager to help and to trust no matter what it costs him…

Looking up from his book, he fixes his tired but still twinkling eyes on me, a generous smile spreading his lips. His dark-brown hair is a real mess and he has dark circles around his gentle hazel eyes. Still, I can't help but admire the way the candlelight gives his usually pale skin an almost godlike touch of gold.

"Have you found anything?" he gently inquires.

Blushing softly, I show him the pages I have marked.

"A few variants of Obliviate and a potion to render one's skin unalterable… but it has to be taken on a full-moon night and besides, it only works for a few hours…" I sigh.

"Ohh…" he smiles sadly, brushing a few strands of hair out of his eyes. "Let's mark it all down, we'll see what we can do with that."

"Did you find anything?"

"Hnn, a few powerful protection charms, an ancient amulet and… an odd summoning incantation which is supposed to trigger a… an enormous earthquake." He smiles, shaking his head.

"Might be useful…" I smile, trying to look reassuring.

"We could always kidnap him, or something. Hide him back in time…" he proposes, pulling lightly on his hair.

"Or we could apparate in Malfoy mansion and murder Draco's father on his toilet seat…"

As expected, Justin bursts out laughing at the mere idea of one Lucius Malfoy on urgent business, trying to cover himself up and reach for his wand at the same time.

"Oh god, man! I think it's the best idea we've come up with so far…" he chuckles, trying to catch his breath. "We really ought to give it a try…"

But soon enough, the last tear is wiped from his eye and his gentle smile starts to fade into a slight wince.

"How many days?" I ask.

"Three before he leaves, four before the celebration…" Justin moans softly. "We should go to Dumbledore."

"Hasn't Malfoy already talked to him?" I frown.

"No, but I think Snape has. Because, well, Draco told Snape that he was receiving the Dark Mark and Snape told him he would not let Lucius get to him… and all."

Scratching the back of my head, I close my eyes.

"This is becoming so complicated…"

"I know" Justin winces. "I shouldn't have involved you in the first place, sorry."

"Don't be foolish, Justin. I'm glad to help and…"I trail off.

Not sure what else to say, I lower my gaze and goes back to work. Justin does too, but, distantly, I can hear him mutter something under his breath…

"It's gonna be alright"

)))))))))OoO(((((((((

Malfoy really is bothersome…

"So you brought him into this too?" he growls, glaring at Justin as he waves his hand in my direction.

"Malfoy, it's okay, really. We'll be more effective this way and…" Justin starts.

But Draco cuts him off, giving him a hard push in the chest to emphasis his words.

"Won't you ever leave me alone, Finch-Fletchley?" He snaps, his eyes throwing daggers at the taller hufflepuff. "Don't you fucking understand? There is NO fucking 'way out of this'! I'm screwed, mudblood, and there's nothing you can do about it so give up already!"

Swearing colourfully, the blond boy starts pulling on his hair, groaning in frustration. Slightly uneasy, I start fidgeting with the hem of my robe at the sight of him. He is pale, almost livid; his whole body trembling from exhaustion and his eyes seem to have lost their former, glorious light.

He looks nothing like the boy who used to walk through the whole castle as if he owned the place. He looks tired, worn out… and terribly miserable.

Is it what it feels like to finally realise that you have no hold whatsoever on your own life, that you are bound to grow into the man your maker wants you to be?

Somewhere in the pit of my stomach, I feel a strange coldness settle in and I cringe in sympathy.

"If you give up now, Malfoy…" Justin starts menacingly, grabbing the other boy by his shirt. "…you'll regret it until the day your miserable life ends."

Stunned, I stare at my hufflepuff friend wide eyed, not recognizing the hard edge in his usually gentle voice. I can feel it, the heat radiating from him as I stand so close, and I know Malfoy can feel it too. I can see his eyes sinking in the other boy's.

"You'll fight, Draco, even if I have to drag you all the way to hell and back by the skin of your ass"

Am I loud and clear, or am I breaking up?
Am I still your charm, or am I just bad luck?
Are we getting closer, or are we just getting more lost?

)))))))))End of Fifth Part(((((((((