Sorry I haven't updated in a while…..for payback I did two chaps…….and I think I got most of the origin of this situation…..wink…….hee hee .

Chapter 3: Hold me……

"Stupid, deranged prat" Ron said and mimicked Draco's words and departure and burst out laughing, Harry did too of course. I managed a smile and ushered a school owl toward me. Just as I finished sealing the letter to the old, amber owl's legs, Harry and Ron finally noticed I was there.

"You ok Neville?" Ron asked as Harry sent Hedwig away with a parcel.

"Don't let Malfoy bother you, mate," Harry said when he came over while patting me on my back.

"Hey Fred and George are dueling in the Common Room….you should come." Ron said, without even waiting for my answer.

"Yeah, meet you there mate!" and they quickly left the owlery as quickly as they came in.

I was alone …..again.

I heard some tittering and I turned to a very impatient looking owl.

"Oh sorry!" I said and quickly sent it off the owl. As the bundle of feathers soared off into the sunlight. I remember its persistent, angry eyes. Grey like a quiet storm, like Draco's.

Draco…..

His eyes were always hard and cold, never venerable…..but once they were….once they were brimming with fear and helplessness……I remember……

. . . . . . . .………..…flashback………... . . . . . . . .

I stopped halfway in securing the bright purple and red plant in its pot when I noticed a dark figure cowering against the wall. The hood of the cloak the person was wearing slipped off the owner's head and out fell a mass of very blond and long luminous hair. Hair I knew, hair I dreaded everyday.

I will leave him alone. Don't come to trouble and it won't come to you.

But my mouth wouldn't listen; it was as if it had a mind of its own.

"What are you doing here Draco?" I ended up blurting out. I heard a small gasp as his angry eyes caught mine, or maybe I was imagining things.

"You don't own the greenhouse Longbottom!" he burst out.

"You couldn't even afford one to save your goddamn l-life!" I knew that this time I wasn't imagining things, I clearly heard the crack in his voice. In my curiosity, I walked to the figure.

"Draco?" I whispered

He looked up and I almost yelped in surprise. His eyes were brimming with tears. And there was fear in them, raw fear. He glanced away, afraid that he would be caught crying. It was as if instinct took over and I found my arms wrapped around the teary boy. I felt him stiffen but then relax in my arms, and he buried his head against my chest and sobbed. When he'd whisper things between his heaves I told him to shush and murmured comforting words in his ears. Soon his cries resided and he was quiet in my arms, but he didn't pull away from me.

I don't want him to…… I found myself thinking.

Soon I felt him nuzzle against my chest and unconsciously I wound my fingers in his golden nest of hair. I had no idea why his eyes were bursting with fear or the reason why these forbidden tears fell……but at that moment I wanted to do nothing else than comfort him. He lifted his head and looked at me and I melted under his gaze. My eyes trailed down his features, from the yearning in his eyes to his parted lips…….I wanted to kiss him so bad then…….so bad I didn't think……I—

. . . . . . . .………end flashback………... . . . . . . . .

"It's after hours young man!" I looked up to see a Ravenclaw prefect glaring at me

Way to go Neville.

I hurried to the Gryffindor dormitory, leaving the owlery but not quite leaving the thoughts flashing through my mind.