A/N: Finally, we are back! I have the next several chapters in their rough draft form, they just need a little love before posting. These next few will take place in short succession of each other, so prepare for some cliffhangers! Hope you guys enjoy.

"So," Neal asked dragging out the word in a sigh, "what are we doing down here again?"

Rumpelstiltskin shot him a glare over the cauldron that sat between them. "We're brewing a potion."

Rolling his eyes at his cousin, Neal leaned forward demanding attention. "Right… I can see that. But why are we down in the old potions classrooms, brewing a potion that we weren't assigned?"

"Because I think might have found a solution for this travesty," Rumple answered with a nod towards the mark on his left forearm as he minced a few sprigs of rosemary.

"Really?" Neal asked peering over the rim of the cauldron.

"Maybe," came the short reply.

Neal allowed Rumpelstiltskin to concentrate for a few moments longer before boredom forced him to speak up once again. "And why exactly are we brewing this potion in the abandoned part of the dungeons?"

Rumpelstiltskin sighed. "We're avoiding the general populace of the castle."

"While neck deep in Slytherin territory?"

"Where else would one brew a potion without interruption?"

"I don't know, I can think of a few other possibilities. But none of them involve hanging around an area full of people who hate us."

A shrug was Rumpelstiltskin's only response. The long-haired boy haired boy added the rosemary into his cauldron along with a few other ingredients and began stirring the concoction cautiously. As he worked, he continued their conversation. "Only a select few of the Slytherins hate us. Several of them still cling to the old pureblood ideologies."

Shocked at that revelation, Neal couldn't contain his curiosity. "Like who?"

"Regina's sister Zelena for one."

"Isn't she the chick who had a thing for you a couple of years ago?"

"That's the one," Rumple shuddered. "I do my best to avoid her these days. But she's the type that believe Malcolm has the right idea. She might hide it behind pretty words and fancy clothes, but she's wicked clever and psycho to boot. Just the kind that crave superiority.'"

Neal pursed his lips at that little revelation. He couldn't believe that there were still those at school who actually ascribed to the crap that had torn the wizarding world apart on multiple occasions. "Aside from the nutjobs, who else would admit to believing in that crap"

"Older kids from the pureblood families. Not that many though and not only in Slytherin. The Hyde brothers are a great example."

"Purebloods?"

Rumple nodded as he lowered the concoction down to a simmer with a wave of his wand. "And both in Ravenclaw. Their parents never outright supported Voldemort, but they thought he had the right idea."

"But they hate you! Sorry," Neal added as he received a glare from his companion.

"They can believe in my father's ideology and still despise me. Apparently, the school body shares that common denominator regardless of beliefs or ties."

"At least they all agree on something," Neal quipped drawing a rare smile from Rumpelstiltskin.

Why the world insisted on hating his cousin, Neal couldn't understand. Rumple might be a reclusive prick at times but around those he liked, and he knew liked him in return, the boy was wicked sharp and witty with a dark sense of humor. If only the rest of Hogwarts gave Malcolm Gold's son a chance.

"Didn't you want help with Transfiguration homework?" Rumple asked turning his full attention to Neal.

"Oh… yeah about that," the latter replied sheepishly.

"You forgot it."

"I forgot it."

With yet another roll of his eyes, Rumpelstiltskin turned his attention back to his potion. Unfortunately for him, Neal had no intentions of allowing the silence to continue.

"How are things between you and Belle?"

"Things are good," the other replied with a sigh and without looking up from his work.

"Now that you've stopped acting like a complete and total prick."

"I think she used the word moron."

"Well whether way. I'm glad you came to your senses." Neal stood and stretched before walking around the room, completely bored with sitting around watching someone else work. Yet curiosity of the room could only contain his attention for so long. "What happened there anyway?"

"I'd rather not talk about it."

"Malcolm?" Neal asked ignoring his cousin's sudden tension. Rumple nodded sullenly. "What'd he do this time?"

Sighing heavily, Rumple fell onto his stool. "After I left your place over the summer, he paid me a visit. He saw Belle. I refused to do what he asked, and he threatened her.

"So, then he beat the shit out of you and you did it anyway," Neal replied angrily.

Rumpelstiltskin shrugged, running his hands through his hair. "Not right away, but yeah I couldn't risk her. If he knew just how much she means to me..."

"It would be bad," the younger man supplied. "What did he want you to do?"

"Jones's brother is causing trouble again."

"And Malcolm wants leverage?"

It hadn't really been a question, but Rumpelstiltskin answered him anyway. "And Malcolm wants leverage."

"What did you do to Jones?"

"Nothing," Rumple exclaimed earnestly. "I've just kept tabs on him. Told Malcolm a bit about him and his relationship with his family. Likes, dislikes, people he's close to, the usual."

Completely unfazed by Rumple's willingness to rat on Jones, Neal nodded and dropped onto the stool next to Rumple's. "And you pushed Belle away to keep her out of it all." It made sense now. Of course, his cousin would think pushing someone away would make things better. The stubborn guy just couldn't get it through his head that there were people around him who actually cared about his well being.

"For all the good it did," Rumple muttered.

"It might be more dangerous for her, but I'm glad you have someone else on your side." Neal shot a sidelong look at his companion before diving into his next question with Gryffindor like tact. "So, have you told her you love her yet?"

His question was well worth the reaction. Rumpelstiltskin's eyes grew large and his mouth fell wide as he grappled for something to say. He finally managed to splutter, "I'm not in love with her!"

"Come off it," Neal grinned. "Course you are. You'd be daft to not be," noticing the other boy's discomfort, Neal took a more serious approach. "Rumple, you're my brother in every way that matters. All I want is for you to be happy. If Belle is what makes you happy, then I'm rooting for you two. But you'd better tell her how you feel before someone else realizes how amazing she is."

Several beats passed as Rumpelstiltskin digested that information. His face fell into something close to despair. "It won't matter. She doesn't feel the same."

The sudden change in mood shocked Neal. "You've already talked about it?"

"No," Rumple answered, "but, how could she? I mean… she's Belle. Wonderful, beautiful, kind, Belle… and I'm, well me."

Seeing the disastrous nature of this course, Neal jumped in to save Rumple from his own self-doubt. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, cut that right out. You are one of the best guys I know. Despite all the crap you deal with, you find the time to watch out for a little shit who loves to find trouble and his wayward sister who can't keep her mouth shut long enough to make a good impression on anyone. You deserve a bit of happiness too. Don't forget that."

Rumpelstiltskin smiled sadly in a manner that told Neal he disagreed, but the boy didn't offer any dissent. The two sat and watched the potion simmer for another hour or so before agreeing that curfew was too close to linger any longer. Rumpelstiltskin pulled a lid tight across the cauldron and sat it and its contents on a shelf in the back corner of the room. The two walked in silence back towards the Entrance Hall.

"Emma and I are going to Hogsmeade together next weekend," Neal said as they reached their parting point. "You and Belle should come with us."

Uncertainty crossed Rumple's expression as he replied. "Sounds an awful lot like a double date Neal."

"Nah," Neal insisted. "Just a few friends hanging out on the weekend."

"Except that two of those friends happen to be in a relationship."

"Technicalities," Neal replied with a wink. "I'll take that as a yes and we will meet you two right here, bright and early next Friday."

Before Rumpelstiltskin could offer up any more excuses or flat out refuse, Neal turned and walked quickly to his common room shouting a hasty good night over his shoulder. His cousin might not be prepared to tell Belle how he felt, but Neal could certainly give them as many chances as possible to find each other.

Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think in the comments/reviews below. Prompts are still being accepted and worked on (we should see couple in the upcoming chapters). As always see you guys in the next chapter!