The day had passed quietly and with the help of long naps.
Astoria and Neville did not speak much, instead he showed her around his home, introduced her to all the plants and their purposes, explained where everything was in the kitchen and then told her she was welcome to stay as long as she wanted.
"This is only temporary. I can find a place on my own. I'll just need to head to Gringotts." She explained with a reassuring smile. Neville nodded.
"Well, my offer still stands." He replied with a warm smile.
After the second day of sleeping in his bed while he slept on his sofa, Astoria felt silly. She wanted to tell him it was alright if he stayed in the room with her, but she had no idea how to bring it up without blushing like a fool. The mere thought made her warm from her head to toes. Thinking of his long body draped beside her, waking up the mess of his dark sandy hair and pouty lips. It was such an intriguing thought.
Instead of broaching the topic, she ventured into Gringotts after work and requested to withdraw some money. There she found that she no longer had access to her savings account. The only money she had left was the money from working at Menagerie..and it certainly wasn't a lot.
Flushed with embarrassment and crippling with anger and sadness, Astoria returned to Neville's place.
"How did it—" He paused when he saw her face, instantly knowing something had gone horribly wrong.
"My father removed me from my bank account. I…I…I have nothing. Only the money I made from working and there's barely anything there."
She didn't realize she was crying until her face was pressed against his shirt. The tears smushed over her cheeks and her lungs began to burn.
It wasn't the fact that she had no money that was the cause for her distress. It was the fact that it had been not even a full two days before her father and mother had written her out of their lives without a second glance back. Removing the name from your trust fund was something that only happened to wizards and witches who have burned them from their family tree. Astoria felt her world crumble all over again. She really had nothing now.
Neville had calmly held her until she sulked over to the couch and cuddled with Gladys. Dinner was forgotten and she went to bed early again.
Ms. Breen had finally commented on her dullness by the third day, pulling her aside into her back office at closing time.
"Darling, forgive me if I'm overstepping here, but did you and Mr. Longbottom end things?" The woman's eyes were deep with concern but Astoria looked shocked.
"No, we haven't. Why do you ask?" She questioned and Ms. Breen shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
"Well, you've just been looking rather blue these last two days. I figured…maybe things hadn't worked out and resulted in your abnormally sad behavior."
Astoria sighed and tightly smiled at her boss.
"No, we haven't broken up. All things are good on that end of my life." She replied with the best grin she could manage.
"Good, good. And how are other things then? Is everything alright?"
Astoria paused for a second then loudly responded.
"Yes, of course! Everything…fine. No worries." She cheerily said, but it was met with skepticism.
"You sure, dear? Would you like some time off?"
"No! I—" Astoria shouted then composed herself, placing her hands back at her side. "No. I think work is the best thing for me right now. Thank you for your concern though, Ms. Breen. You're—so sweet to me."
She didn't mean for her eyes to water, but receiving general concern from other people made her heart ache. Astoria looked down and inhaled before standing up, feeling childish for showing her emotions to her boss like that.
"Astoria." Her boss said and she froze, still looking down. Ms. Breen then stood and slowly grasped the younger woman's hand. She looked up through her hazy vision, seeing her boss offer a sympathetic grin. "If you need anything let me know. I hope whatever is causing you trouble, works itself out. I really do miss seeing you smile around here already."
Astoria blinked and lightly huffed. One tear fell but she brushed it away and gently squeezed her hand.
"Thank you, Ms. Breen. I'll see you tomorrow."
The older woman nodded and then Astoria left the shoppe, the nice gesture lifting some of the dark clouds away from her head.
When she finally floo'd to Neville's, her stomach flipped at the scene before her. There was Christmas music playing, Neville loudly singing as he decorated cookies and Gladys perched on the kitchen table sniffing at the sheets of goods
"How many times do I have to say it Gladys. These are not for you." He picked her up and set the cat down on the ground. Gladys softly meowed in protest but Neville just laughed. "If you stay off the table I'll give you a treat after dinner."
Gladys meowed again, apparently she understood what was on the line.
"Hello." Astoria made her appearance known, entering into his space.
"Oh hi." Neville said as he lifted his head from piping frosting on the gingerbread cookies. "How was your day?"
Astoria sent her coat to the hooks against his wall and kicked off her shoes, sending them to the rack by his door.
"Fine. A lot of parents came in, looking for pets for their kids. Ms. Breen did tell me though there's always a spike of returning the animals after New Year's since families realize it's not a good fit."
"Oh that's so sad." Neville replied with a frown.
"So I'm mentally preparing myself for that. Such a shame. How about you?" She asked then took a seat at the table watching him decorate the cookies.
"Good! Our company sent off the wreaths and trees for the hospital, they were very pleased. My boss gave us all a half day so I spent the day baking." He told her with a grin, she smiled back. His good mood was contagious.
"These look great." She said, fondly looking at the little men and women.
"Thank you."
"Are these for your mum and dad?" She asked him softly. Neville shook his head.
"I make fresh ones for them Christmas Eve night. I'm making all these for the kids at the hospital too. Delivering them tomorrow. Want to help?"
Astoria nodded and hopped off the seat, grabbing a bag with frosting and some of the sugar gumdrops.
"Oh that's right. Your parents prefer gingersnaps and chocolate chips, right?" She said, remembering their conversation from a few weeks ago.
Neville stopped his ministrations, looking over at her for a second before his face broke out into a wide grin.
"Yes, that's right. Good memory." He said and she smiled. "What's your favorite Christmas cookie?" He asked after a moment, she shrugged.
"I don't know. I don't really have one I guess. What's yours?" She replied., focusing on aligning glittered sugar on the skirt of the women's gingerbread.
"What? Don't have one? That's impossible." He said through a snort.
"I just don't. I guess chocolate chips." She said again. "What's yours though?"
"My gran would make these peppermint flavored chocolate white chocolate cookies. So the cookies themselves were chocolate, but with white chocolate chips and shards of peppermint in the dough. They're bloody delicious."
"Those sound amazing." She commented.
"We can make them tomorrow." He said, looking at her with a bright, genuine smile.
Astoria grew warm at the prospect. She would be spending her Christmas Eve with Neville, making cookies and being in his company. Not in Germany, not being forced to endure the lifeless drag of pureblood society, not be forced to make nice with grotesque men who think they're slick enough to grab at her bum.
Despite what's happened, Astoria was looking forward to tomorrow, but uncertain for actual Christmas Day. She had been meaning to bring it up to him, even though she assumed she would just be staying at his while he spent time with his parents.
Which was fine, she could handle being alone for some time on Christmas.
"So I've been meaning to bring this up to you, but I just didn't know how." He said, surprising her with his tone of concern.
"What is it?" She asked him, seeing his brow crease as he put his icing bag down and turned to her. She did the same.
"Christmas morning, my Aunt and I go to St. Mungo's as you know, but the Healers have told me my parents haven't been doing well with new faces lately. Apparently a new nurse got on-boarded to the Ward and they just…didn't react pleasantly. So I don't think it best for you to come this time." He explained, lips frowning.
Astoria's mouth parted.
"O—oh." She said then swallowed. "I wasn't—I mean I didn't assume I was even invited. That's…a special day for you and your family. I would never intrude unless you explicitly told me it was alright." She said with a reassuring smile. "And please, whatever Christmas Day plans you have, don't alter them for me because of my situation. I can handle myself."
She added the last part for good measure, trying to make her intrusion more bearable. Whatever she could do to keep out of the way and not make him come to dislike or resent her for being in his space.
But then Neville looked at her strangely and she felt his penetrative gaze itching up her neck. She uncomfortably glanced at him and awkwardly smiled.
"What?"
"Astoria, of course you were invited. I want you to one day meet my parents, if you're comfortable with that." His soft voice made her freeze and she slowly turned to him.
The emotion swelling inside her was excitement, fluttering in her stomach and filling her with elation. She shyly smiled, thinking to herself she would love nothing more.
"That'd be really nice." She told him, and a wide, boyish grin grew over his face. He nodded a few times.
"One day then. When the Healers think it's okay. But I also…don't do much on Christmas anyways. My aunt has me over for lunch— which you're coming to—and then I go to Harry's at night, which you're also coming to. Any time in between I want to spend with you."
The muscles inside her chest clenched so tightly she thought she was going to combust. She was faintly aware her cheeks were hurting from her wide and most likely crazy smile she was giving him, but she didn't care. Astoria threw her arms around him, hugging him so tightly that he stumbled back a bit.
"Thank you." She mumbled, pressing a kiss to his neck. "For everything."
His arms wrapped around her tighter, for a second lifting her off her feet and Astoria melted into his contact.
Neville pulled back to find her lips, keeping it slow but only lasting a second long.
"I just want you to be happy." He whispered, air hot on her lips.
Astoria was awestruck. She lifted back on her toes, capturing his lips sweetly and moving them at a sensual pace. With her arms wrapped around his broad shoulders, Neville was forced to bend forward to keep their bodies pressed together. Hands were holding onto each other fiercely, gripping in such a way that both felt overwhelmed at the need for each other.
Her tongue slipped into his mouth, sighing when she met his and began twirling their muscles together. A small, whimpering noise left her throat when one of his hands went under her shirt, his warm hand pressing into her lower back. Neville eagerly slipped his other hand to feel her skin as well.
They pulled away for a split second, breaths uneven and heavy as they stared up at one another. Astoria looked at the marvelous pools of green and brown in his eyes, everything seemed bearable, easier, in that moment.
She reattached her lips to his hungrily, opening her mouth to feel all of his tongue and devour his scent. She pulled on his hair, groaning when she slipped her hand down the color of his shirt and felt his heating back.
Astoria stepped forward, pushing him back until they thudded against a wall. He huffed in surprise, but she couldn't bother to hear it.
"Off." She breathily requested, mumbling into his swelling lips.
He hummed a response, then crossed his arms over his chest and pulled the material away.
Astoria took a moment to appreciate the view. She favored a traditional masculine man and Neville fitted the bill. From his strong and wide chest, to the tuffs of dark curly hair from his pecks that filled a line down his stomach and under his trousers. The indents of his muscles were noticeable enough, and the sudden sharp cut of his hips made heat rush to her chest.
Before she could appreciate him further, Nevlle's hands were reaching for her again, and the act, however simple, made her stomach flutter with happiness. To be wanted by him caused her body to flood with emotions, all bright and in technicolor, a prism of beautifulness.
She wound her fingers through his hair, pressing her body as close to him as possible. The heat of his body seeped through her own clothes, her skin tingled with desire. Neville's hands continued their exploration under her shirt, running over her bare back, hands teasing the strap of her bra and scratching her shoulder blades.
Astoria, feeling overcome with desire, stepped back and removed her own shirt. The confidence surging inside her was blinding, but as soon as her top was gone and the cool breeze of new air hit her stomach, she tensed up.
Neville was breathing hard, mouth open, dark red lips wet and cheeks flushed. His gaze was all over her exposed body and with a steady swallow he looked up, sensing the shift in environment.
Astoria opened her mouth to tell him she didn't really know what she was doing. An oppressive weight of embarrassment came over her and she suddenly wished she would have grabbed him automatically so she wouldn't have to think about what she was doing.
But Neville spoke up first, perhaps sensing her hesitation. A cautious step was taken towards her, and he reached down for her hand, floorboards creaking under his weight as he moved to her.
"We don't have to do anything." He mumbled, bringing her hand up to his lips. Gentle kisses were placed over her knuckles. His deep hazel eyes seemed darker when he placed a longer kiss right before her fingertips. "But I'd really like to make you feel good."
Astoria stopped breathing. An inferno of heat shot to her core. When she said nothing, Neville continued kissing all over her hand, kissing the inside of her wrist before waiting a moment, seeing if she'd stop him. She didn't, she just stared at him with a lustful but unsure gaze. Neville's opposite hand reached for her, closing the gap between them.
His kisses were slower, more precise but equally hot. His tongue stroker hers, coaxing gasps and sighs, Astoria easily found her rhythm again and got lost in the feeling of Neville's large hands running up and down her hot flesh.
A finger brushed down her front, stomach muscles clamped together when he dragged it down the center. Astoria began panting, the delicate touch making her lightheaded. When his finger traced the outline of her trousers, she sucked in a breath.
"Okay?" He asked, breath panting in her face. A quick but heavy peck to her lips, she swallowed her nerves.
"Mhm." She nodded, fisting his hair to keep her hands from shaking.
Smooth fingertips gripped the fabric, tightening to slip the button through the fabric hole. Astoria squeezed her eyes shut as he peeled down the material. She was unable to move, or even comprehend her own body. Astoria hung on to him, arms weak, knees weaker.
When Neville bunched her trousers past her bum , her skin exploded with goosebumps. Skilled fingers trickled down her front until they brushed over the damp spot on her knickers.
Astoria sucked in a breath, Neville pulled back.
"Can I touch you here?" He quietly asked.
She opened her eyes a fraction of the way, seeing the pools of earth mixed with a dark haze of lust in his gaze. Her lip was taken between her teeth as she nodded.
The pads of his fingertips slipped underneath the fabric, sliding up against her slit. Her arousal coated him with ease.
"Astoria—" He groaned, body swaying forward as he teased her entrance. Her stomach was shaking as she waited, quick and heavy pants falling from her chest as she stared at him wide eyed under his spell.
Neville pushed one digit inside, huffing in disbelief at the tightness and heat of her.
Astoria's jaw hung open. Erratic breaths and pants flew past her lips. Sometimes she forgot to breathe, other times she wasn't sure if she was breathing enough as he slowly pumped and curled his longest finger inside her.
"Can I add another—"
"Yes." She gasped, hands clutching harder on his body as she reached for his lips. She whimpered when a second was brought together, her walls sucking him in and adjusting to the feeling. Small bouts of whines mixed with the pleasurable but embarrassed moans were hummed into Neville's lips. Astoria let him guide the pace even if she felt a fire pooling in her womb.
"I—I think—" She attempted to say but Neville already knew. His free hand kept her closer, his tongue sliding harder against her mouth in rhythm with the pump of his fingers. Astoria moaned, fingers digging into his bare back, her chest pushing into his heated chest.
With tiny rolls of her hips from her standing position, she chased the burn and focused on everything around her. Neville. His lips, tongue, fingers, smell, touch, temperature. Everything about him consumed her brain and rose the flames that licked inside her cunt.
"Astoria—" He breathed, clutching the back of her head, "Come for me."
Sparks flew from her body. Astoria shook and quaked as her body fell over the edge all while she tightly held onto Neville. Her mouth hung open, desperate sobs filled the room as his fingers pumped inside her convulsing walls. Twitches of pleasure continued to roll through her even when Neville delicately pulled his fingers away.
Astoria had buried her head deep into the crux of his neck, arms wrapped around him for dear life in the event she would fall. Sweaty chests were flushed together, and Astoria vaguely remembers Neville bringing his hand up to his mouth and hearing a faint sucking noise.
"Are you okay?" Neville quietly asked after some time. Her body stopped shaking and her breathing was evening out despite her high heart rate. She nodded slightly but then felt his arms loosen around her waist.
"Don't—don't let go." She breathed somewhat panickedly. "My legs—they feel weak."
There was a vague sensation of his smile pressing into her neck. Ever the gentleman, he tightened his grip around her waist and peppered kisses over her damp chest. When she had the wherewithal to loosen her grip, she turned to his ear whispering an innocent question.
"Can I—do the same for you?"
The kisses suddenly stopped and his hands soothing up and down her sides froze. Frightlfully, she thought she said something wrong or maybe asked dumb question, but then he began kissing over her skin again.
"You don't have to." He mumbled, tongue poking out to savor her skin's salt. Astoria swallowed tightly and let her hand slink down over his abdomen.
"But-I'd like to." She said and her hand was suddenly pinned to his stomach.
Astoria pulled away and looked up to find his concerned face.
"Astoria you—" He began, licking his lips with a shake of his head. "You really don't have to."
She frowned and tried to slide her hand down again but he kept her in place. There was a brief thought that Neville didn't want her to because it was clear she was…inexperienced. She flushed hotly with humiliation and tried to step away without saying anything more, but again his arm kept her steady.
"What's wrong? Why are you—" Fingers brushed under her chin and she kept her eyes closed for a second until a delicate finger stroked her cheek. "Pouting?"
With a hesitant inhale, Astoria let Neville corral her back into his arms. No distance she tried to put between them was remembered and he gently angled her head so it was titled back looking up at him. He waited for an answer with a patient face.
"Wh-why can't I…please you?" She asked after an elongated moment.
"You can," He began softly, "but I don't want you to think you have to."
Astoria sucked in her bottom lip and tried to wiggle her hand free once more. With some resistance, Neville eventually let her slide it the rest of the way down his stomach.
"I-I want to." She said with a swallow as his abs tightened. The look in his eyes made her feel lightheaded. "I want to see you like—like that. I want to be the reason—"
She broke off as his lips engulfed hers. Her determination to remove his pants was suspended as he kissed her hard. She felt weak all over again.
"Gods, you are the reason already." He said with a pained sigh then kissed her again. "If you even knew—"
"Knew what?" She asked him breathlessly. A dull chuckle fluttered over her face.
"I think about you all the time, Astoria. In every way." As he spoke, his hand covered hers once more, but this time, encouraged her downwards. "I—bloody hell, I am painfully and overwhelmingly mad for you."
She sucked in a sharp gasp when she felt his bulge. A slight tremble went through her when his hand released hers and his own fingers began undoing his trousers.
"I respect the hell out of you and know—know you aren't the most familiar with all this. I don't ever, ever, want you to feel obligated—" He broke off with a shuddering breath when she took it upon herself to lightly place her hand inside his trousers. Rubbing him over his boxers was far more intimidating than she originally thought. She could already feel the heat, the thickness and a small damp spot through the material.
"As-storia—please. You don't have to—don't need to—"
"I want to. I've already said." She told him sternly, looking up into his dark eyes. She slowly moved her hand until it grasped the length of him and just held him. Her nerves began growing again when he swayed forward and rested his forehead on hers.
"Fuck—" He softly spoke. Astoria would have laughed—she didn't think she ever heard Neville swear— but he grabbed her face with both hands and forcefully kissed her. Tongue massaging her mouth, moans falling into her throat and she was still just holding his erection through his underwear.
"Neville can you—" She said between heavy kisses. "Tell me—how you…like it?"
Without missing a beat, Neville pushed his boxers and pants past his hips, letting his cock bounce up and lightly hit her stomach. Astoria gasped, the hot semen dripping from his head touched her bare stomach and made her shiver. While still kissing her, Neville grabbed her hand again, and slowly brought it on himself.
Astoria was barely kissing him. Standing still from surprise and hesitation as he filled her hand. Her brain could hardly comprehend that she was supposed to move her lips, not when he felt so smooth and soft and sort of thick.
Neville was quite…a surprise, in every way.
Before she could feed into her hesitation any longer, Neville pulled from her mouth, and looked at her while moving their hands.
"Like this." He grunted. Astoria chanced a look downwards, eyes widening when she viewed him. Her hand looked delicately inexperienced compared to his large one that moved them with knowledge and confidence. She felt like an intruder, maybe Neville could have just done this better himself.
"Grip it, harder please." He requested and she momentarily looked up at him. The faintest nods of encouragement were given and she found herself tightening her palm around him. His lip quivered as he sucked in a breath. "Yeah, yeah. Now tug."
Astoria looked back down to be sure of her movements. Moving her arm and hand like this felt foreign to her. The unfamiliar movements made her feel clumsy and unsure, but when Neville loud out a quaking whimper and leaned to kiss her neck, she figured she was doing something right.
"Is—is this okay?" She asked as he suckled on her neck, her own breathy moans coming out as nibbled on her sensitive skin.
"Yeah, oh gods yes. You're doing perfect." He told her, releasing his hand completely from her to grab the back of her head, steadying her so he could lick and suck easily.
"Just a bit faster, keep squeezing." He instructed and Astoria was growing hot from his gentle instructions. His deep, rumbling voice was right at her ear, and every time she complied with an order, he'd groan lowly and begin kissing all over her skin.
"Tighter for me." He said and she gripped him until her grasp was firm and she was pulling at his cock from base to head. Anytime she squeezed closer to the head, Neville's body swayed like he was ready to fall over. So she repeated the motion and felt his finger nails scratch down her neck. She shuddered and felt a pull at her navel anytime he moaned.
"Astoria—I'm—" His breath quickened, wheezes passing onto her face and his lips attached to her neck again. Then, he stopped breathing. Neville let out a loud, vibrating moan, teeth digging into her flesh just as his cock spurted and come shot all over her hand and belly.
Astoria instantly jerked at the sensation, movements stopping to watch in awe for a split second before she remembered to continue stroking him until it was over. Neville's breathing was quickly back to normal and he lifted his head from her neck and found her lips. With a gentle sweep of his tongue, Astoria hummed into their kiss and stopped moving her hand, awkwardly holding it mid air.
"Was that…good?" She asked once they pulled away, Neville tucking some of her hair behind her ear. He faintly smiled then nodded.
"It was great…perfect. I—thank you." He said quietly, only staring at her long enough before summoning a towel and wiping her hands and stomach. Astoria let him, watching his pinched brow as he tried to get the sticky substance off her. Once he was done, he spelled away anything he missed. Astoria said that she needed to wash her hands still and moved to grab her shirt.
She had no idea had to act after engaging in that kind of behavior. Saying something else felt wrong, a thanks felt stupid but Neville had. Even just smiling at him seemed awkward and childish, so she opted to avoid his stare. Just as she gathered her shirt and righted her pants, Neville grabbed her by the arms and hugged her to his still naked chest.
"How do you feel?" He asked quietly and she brought her hands around his waist then slowly sighed. This is what she needed. No distance in the aftermath, she still craved to be near him.
"Good. Tired actually." She said shyly and felt him lightly chuckle.
"Get ready for bed then. I need to clean everything up, but I'll be quiet for you." He said and she nodded, pulling off from his warm body.
Neville grinned and took her hand, bringing it up to his lips. She faintly grinned at the gesture but just as he was about to let go, she held on to it tighter.
"Will you—" She started, lowering her voice when she realized how loud her question was. "Um, are you still sleeping out here?"
She tried to remain as neutral as possible while asking it, though it seemed Neville knew immediately what she wanted. A brief pause was taken before his eyes seemed to light and the corners of his mouth refused to say flat.
"I was planning on it." He said, eyes searching hers. "Why?"
She hesitantly shrugged, taking her hand away to nervously pick at the skin by her nail.
"I figured…it's your bed, you know? And I've been here for a couple nights, forcing you to sleep on your sofa. So…why can't you just sleep…with me? In your room?" She stuttered through her awkward request, not looking up until she felt a pair of lips at her forehead and his hand sliding around her waist to tug her forward.
"Leave some room for me then. I'll be a bit before I join you." He mumbled with a smile then began putting the cookies into some containers and setting his kitchen to begin cleaning itself. Astoria smiled and turned on her heel to his bedroom.
When she was just about falling into the depths of her dreams, she felt the mattress dip behind her and the covers lift. She inhaled deeply and turned on her back, still not completely lucid.
"Sorry, sorry." Neville whispered as he tried to settle himself without disturbing her too much.
Astoria just mumbled some response and curled up to his side. Her hands wrapped around his forearm and she dug her cheek into his shoulder and neck. She slipped peacefully back into unconsciousness.
