Summary: Neville's grandmother passes away and he finally decided to live life the way he wishes too. A new inheritance, nice Slytherins, and evil Gryfindors, my oh my. Will Neville succeed in his new life? Eventual slash. NL/DM
Disclaimer: I don't own any of it. It all belongs to J.K. Rowling. No money is made from this.
Chapter 6: Platform 9¾ and new friends?
Neville got off the muggle train and headed to Platform 9¾to catch yet another train. 'Wouldn't it just be easier to floo over to Hogsmeade and walk to Hogwarts? If everyone had a set destination time no one would need this stupid train.' Neville shrugged to himself and walked onto the platform where he met up with the familiar large red Hogwarts train. He put away his trunk and took a carriage. He was early, he usually was since he had to connect the trains. If he took the later train from home then he would miss this one.
Neville took out his Potions text book and began reading. 'I will improve in Potions this year. I will show everyone that I am capable.' Losing track of time in his reading he was interrupted by a very loud Ron Weasely.
"Here you are Neville. Thanks for saving us a seat"
'I was not saving any of you a seat.' Neville thought, but politely said "Your welcome." Then Neville went back to reading his text book.
"Why are you reading potions Neville. Don't you have to have an outstanding score on last years test to take it this year?" asked Harry.
"Yes."
"So then why are you reading the text book Neville?"
"I obviously got an outstanding on the test and am taking it this year."
"That's fantastic Neville!" Hermione said
"Look Neville. Are you still mad at us about the party thing?" Neville glared at Ron but Harry interrupted by stating "You have every right to be. It's just that it's done and there is nothing we can do about it."
"Indeed." Neville said cooly.
The carriage door opened and Draco Malfoy pushed passed the rest of the carriage occupants and sat next to Neville.
"Hey Neville. You got into Potions?"
"Yes. I suspect you did as well."
"Off course. I did get the highest mark in Potions last year."
"You got the highest Potions mark last year?" Hermione gasped. Malfoy smirked and Neville really tried not to laugh at her stupidity. 'She cannot possibly believe that she is the smartest person in the world could she? And she says Malfoy has a superiority complex'.
"He just said he did. I myself received the highest herbology mark last year. Does this surprise you too Hermione".
"Good for you Neville." Malfoy patted his back while laughing at Hermione who left the carriage.
"Neville you shouldn't have rubbed that in her face you know. I expected this behaviour from Malfoy but not you."
"Please Ron. Hermione always boasts about her superior intelligence all the time, and just because I have pointed out that I have a talent of my own does not mean I should have to hide it. Next you'll tell Harry not to be good in DADA to appease her sensitive ego." Neville spat with acid.
"Look Neville whatever has gotten into you we don't like it. So why don't you leave the attitude or you leave our carriage." Harry said trying to sound diplomatic.
"Trying to sound diplomatic Harry? I assure you your boy who lived status is on ice with me. Besides this is my carriage since I was here first. If you don't like it then you leave."
Ron and Harry looked at each other and left. "If your hanging around Malfoy Neville then you deserve what you get."
Neville felt the hurt when those words were said but never once changed his expression. He simply pulled his book back up and began reading again.
Malfoy's thoughts
'I don't believe I'm seeing this. What exactly did Neville do to piss these guys off? I bet he didn't do anything. He probably stopped following what they wanted from him and left him to dry. I know what Potter said hurt him, but his face showed almost nothing. Being an expert at reading facial expressions and body language see saw the hurt, but was too proud to show it. Normally I wouldn't care what happened with the Gryfindors, but Neville is a fellow pureblood and has just become so cute? Cute? Whatever, Neville changed this summer and looks great. I wonder if he's gay?'
"Why are you still here Malfoy"
"Draco"
"What?"
"My name is Draco"
The carriage door opened again where Zabini, Parkinson, Crabbe, and Goyle entered once they say Malfoy.
"Hey you guys. I would like to introduce you to Neville Longbottom"
Neville looked at each carriage occupant closely before nodding his head to his introduction.
"Why are you guys here?" Neville asked.
"Well were just looking for Draco, but it appears that he was speaking to his new friend." Blaise responded
"Friend? Draco and I have only spoken twice to each other with minimal insults."
"Yes well, I'm intrigued by your change. Also I don't approve of how your old friends treat you so I'm going to give you something better to compare it too."
Blaise gave Neville a once over and looked too Draco. He suddenly had this look of realization and put on a friendly smile along with the rest of the crew. Not sensing anything malicious about the group yet, Neville closed his book and decided to play along. He had absolutely nothing to lose by trying to be friends with them.
Before the silence could get awkward Pansy suggested a game to allow Neville to become more comfortable with them. She placed several silence spells and locking spells on the carriage door and made everyone make an oath of confidence. This actually made Neville feel better. Everything said here will stay here; it also made everything said truth because lies would have caused physical discomfort to those that heard it.
Blasise went first.
"My name is Blaise Zambini. My family is neutral in the war because both sides are wrong. However I would like the dark lord and Dumbledumb to choke the big one, in that order. My best friend is Draco since we knew each other as kids, and I'm dating this lovely lady here Miss Pansy. What else, oh I like some muggle music since our music sucks!"
Pansy:
"I'm Pansy Parkinson as you all know. I'm dating this hot guy over here Blaise. My first kiss was with Draco but that will be covered when he talks. Vincent, Greg and I grew up together along with Nott who we don't hang with anymore. My parents are death eaters but I don't want to be one and my parents would rather off themselves before serving me on a silver platter. What else, I love pizza. Can't get enough of it."
Vincent:
"My name is Vincent Crabbe. Pansy already covered our brother-sister relationship. Hurt her we hurt you. My family is in the same boat of the Parkinsons. I play the piano and my favourite subject is Tranfiguration. I just pretend I'm stupid. It's easier to spy when people talk freely around you."
Gregg:
"I'm Gregg. Vincent already covered everything I was going to say. Except my best subject is Divination, but that is because I'm actually a knower. It's not the same thing as a seer I simply know that some things will happen. To make things clearer seers see possibilities of events not set in stone, whereas I know some things will happen that has been kind of predestined. How do you think Draco stays out of trouble all the time? I also knew your grandmother would not be alive to see you off for your sixth year. Sorry about you loss by the way."
Draco:
"We all know that I am the almighty Draco Malfoy. The sex god of Slytherin. However, that was a rumour started by Merlin knows who since I have not had sex with anyone. Yes I have retained my self control because no one had really caught my interest, yet. Anyway, I have renounced the dark lord in truth. My father was menace to society and I hope that my testimony will keep him in Azkaban indefinitely. I am now the in control of the Malfoy fortune which I am taking very seriously. My best friend is Blaise he knows me so well that sometimes I don't even have to talk for him to guess what's up. In some ways it's weird. Pansy said that I was her fist kiss. Well that was also the day I found out I was gay. Yes weird isn't it. Well it's the truth no one here cares because well we simply don't. Whatever floats your boat right? That's it about me. Oh, I still don't like muggles, but will tolerate them. As long as muggle borns stop coming into my world and tell me how to run it. If they want to be here then they should adapt not the other way around. Merlin that pisses me off!"
Neville:
"Well, that was very enlightening. Seriously! Don't look at me like I'm lying I always pinned you guys as junior death eaters; I guess I was wrong. I also believe the same thing as Draco, mostly because Hermione can wear on the nerves with her SPEW nonsense. My grandmother did just die. I was left with everything, but I was also left with the Barbier fortune since I'm the last living relative of that family. My mother was the only daughter the Barbier's have leaving me the heir to that name if I so chose. The Barbier's are a French family as old as the Malfoy's if my solicitor was correct, which made my family history research a bit interesting. I recently started a business named I made deals with the local apothecary and the apothecary in Greece to sell my ingredients. Since no one can compete with my plants yet, I own the market but since I still have school I have to keep the business small until I can expand. Get this my ingredients are Severus Snape approved. I doubt he would have had he had known I ran the company, but the bottom line is that I am the king of herbology and good luck the arse who tries to compete with me. Oh, I'm also gay."
Complete silence.
"Wait you're gay?" asked Draco.
"Yes. I am. I would appreciate if this never got out. Gryfindors are not very open to that kind of thing. The last Gryfindor that was openly gay had to switch schools because the house was so horrible to him. They did everything but rape him. I really don't want to have to deal with that, especially with when my friends from Gryfindor are on thin ice."
Draco kind of had this far away look with a weird smile that never really became a smile. 'He's kind of cute when he looks thoughtful. I just wanna…'
"No. We will not tell a soul, since you could do some damage to our reps too." Blaise responded quickly breaking away Neville's attention from Draco.
When Draco finally got his bearings back he started talking about Neville's business. Everyone admitted having have purchased at least some of his stock for potions this year. They were even impressed that the Hogwarts stock was from Neville's garden. He was having a lot of fun talking to these guys, listening to gossip and joking around. It felt nice to not be ignored.
They stayed together until they reached Hogwarts.