When Neville emerged from his room in the morning every eye moved to him as he entered the galley. Hermione had shot him a quiet smile and 'Good Morning'. While Hagrid had patted him on the back in a consoling fashion that was actually more embarrassing than anything.
So, he had been a little loud. His face stayed red through most of breakfast, but the color in his checks left as they spoke about their plans for the next few days and reviewed the details of the prophecy. Hermione had used her cybernetic arm to replay a recording of the prophecy for Neville.
They all quieted as woman, Neville would guess to be in her early thirties, wearing several layers of clothing and thick spectacles, came into view. The woman's voice boomed as she spoke.
"Those with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approach ... born to those who have thrice defied him, ... two boys with a power the Dark Lord knows not ... those with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will rise when the seventh moon dies ..."
"We had believed that the death of a moon was a metaphor," Hermione explained, "until recently. A planet called Septalun, an old standard tongue translation for seventh moon, disappeared. The planet itself was so far off the main thoroughfares of the shipping and trade lanes there was nothing but dust by the time a passing ship noted its disappearance."
Hermione took a sip of her tea and continued, "We probably wouldn't have noticed it ourselves, but the Rebellion has had virus's implanted in comm systems around the galaxy for nearly 20 years looking for signs and portents that the time was near. This popped up on an old mapping system that the freighter used for navigation."
"There was so little left, we couldn't find any evidence of what had happened to the planet." She shrugged her shoulders, "one day it was there and then it wasn't."
Neville had listened intently to Hermione's explanation and the prophecy, "So when this planet disappeared you decided it was time to come find me and the other boy, Harry?" Neville asked Master Dumbledore.
"Actually, I've known both your locations since the loss of your parents. Harry and I are quiet close as he believed me to be an old friend of the family. The couple that raised him were contacted, told that the time had come and a small squad from the Alliance was sent to retrieve Harry and take him to the rally point. From there we will leave for Dagobah where I, and the few members of our order that are left, will train the both of you to face the Dark Lord."
Dumbledore looked down at his hands, "I had wished to maintain contact with you as well, but your Grandmother feared for you safety. I received an occasional transmission, heavily coded, of course, with an update on your well-being and some not-so-subtle requests to stay away. When the time came we contracted the Falcon to bring me to Tatooine to retrieve you."
"We had hoped to have a more secure passage for you using a ship loyal to the Rebel Alliance.."
"But none of those heaps of space junk could make the run as fast as I could." Draco said, as he entered the galley.
"Yeah, the Falcon's the fastest ship in the galaxy." Hagrid chirped in proudly.
"Thanks to you mate." Draco said, slapping the man on his shoulder as he sat next to him grabbing some fruit from a bowl.
Neville tried not to look at him, but when he cast a side-long glance Draco's smirk told him he had been caught.
"We're on a steady course and should reach your rally point in 3 days, provided we don't run into any Ministry ships." Draco reported, formally.
"Well, that is what you are being paid for." Master Dumbledore said coolly. Draco hesitated at the tone, before nodding to the older man.
"So.." Draco addressed he group as he leaned back against the bench style chair bringing the fruit up to his mouth, "I trust everyone rested well."
There were nods and quiet affirmatives around the room, with Hagrid saying, "Thanks for lettin' me get a full-night Draco. I'll be sure you get as much of the day as possible."
Neville took a chance and looked at Draco's face. It was in fact drawn and tired looking. Maybe it hadn't just been an excuse after all, he thought hopefully.
"Oh, no worries, I'll be on and off deck most of the day so you won't get too tired." Hagrid opened his mouth to make a comment, but seemed to think the better of it and closed it back with a pop.
Draco took a bite out of the lovely looking fruit smiling at Hagrid, then turned his attention to Neville. Neville drew his eyes away and cursed himself for being caught staring again. "Young Master Longbottom," Master Dumbledore said, "after your meal we will begin training. Harry's exhibited accidental magic use throughout his life. Have you had any experiences that you couldn't explain?"
Neville thought hard, how was he to know the difference between things that were magically occurring or if he was merely lucky. "Well, I suppose,...um, Gran says I have a talent with plants.." He mumbled the words, since he was sure that wasn't a magical skill. Just a useful talent for a farmer.
"Really?" Hermione asked, intrigued. "That would be a useful skill. Unfortunately, the Ministry has strict control over all magical flora and fauna and many of the wizards and witches who were experts in the field were killed when the Ministry passed laws prohibiting growth and propagation outside Ministry controlled environments." Neville felt himself brighten and sit up a little straighter. "Oh. Okay. Well, Gran says I can make anything grow."
Hermione's eyes lit, "How do you do it Neville?"
Neville shuffled a bit embarrassed to have everyone looking at him. "I sing to them, take care of them, just seem to know what they need to get better."
"Master Longbottom, you seem to have honed a natural skill that many of the finest herboligist of my day took years to master."
Neville smiled and nodded at the compliment. "What else do wizards and witches learn?"
"Well, the courses taught at the Academy included," Hermione stopped when Dumbledore lay a hand on her shoulder. "There are really only two fields that we need to work on today Master Longbottom, Charms and Defense. Once those subjects are covered we will introduce others."
Neville was listening intently to Master Dumbledore when he heard Draco make an indignant huff and say, "You mean if he lives, you'll introduce others."
Dumbledore's face turned, losing some of it old-man gentleness as he regarded Draco. "I don't expect a man like to understand this Draco, but there are larger things at risk here than one person. We must make sure that Neville and Harry are prepared the best they can be for their confrontation with the Dark Lord."
Dumbledore's eyes gentled as they came back to Neville. "Once you and Harry have defeated the Dark Lord, the two of you will be the very first students of the new order of Wizards and Witches and then you may pursue whatever field of study suits you best. But first, we have to make sure you are ready." Draco stood abruptly at Master Dumbledore's words and stomped back to the cockpit purposefully as everyone watched him go.
Neville could feel everything. He had cleared his mind as Master Dumbledore had suggested, reached out mentally and emotionally to see what he could feel around him. The information he was receiving back was a combination of physical and the metaphysical. He could feel the physical confines of the ship, the placement of chairs and tables, the tiny sounds that permeated the ship. Hermione and Master Dumbledore as they stood watching him, Hagrid a deck below fiddling with a small repair, Draco sitting restlessly in the cockpit.
Metaphysically, he could picked up on Hermione calculating strategies for evasion should they come into contact with Ministry ships, Hagrid's simple happiness at doing his work, with occasional flashes of worry marring his emotions. He couldn't get a read on Master Dumbledore, but he had warned Neville that he probably wouldn't be able to, since he was trained to resist occulemency. Draco was a tumble of emotions, at turns angry, worried, sad and very, very tired. Neville tried to push a little further to see what was causing these whirling emotions when he felt a distinct push back.
Neville opened his eyes in shock as Draco tore into the common area they were using as a training room. He looked at Dumbledore and Hermione anger setting his jaw. They looked back curiously, Hermione tilting her head as Dumbledore brought a finger up to his lips. Their consideration seemed to dampen his anger and he looked to Neville, sitting cross-legged on the floor quickly, before returning his eyes to Hermione and Master Dumbledore.
"How's it going in here?" Draco said, attempting to sound cold and business-like, but Neville could detect the discomfit in his tone.
"All is well, Draco." Master Dumbledore said, studying the man as he tried to calm himself.
"Okay, fine. I will see you later then." Draco said quickly, shuffling out of the room his head down. Neville opened his mouth to tell Master Dumbledore what happened, but the man appeared to be deep in thought as he studied Draco's retreating form.
"Master?" Neville asked haltingly.
"Let us not concern ourselves with outside distractions Master Longbottom. I would like to show you a few charms to practice." The old man turned back to Neville with a small smile. "Shall we?"
Neville nodded ready to learn.
He was exhausted. He had thought farm life was difficult, but the emotional and mental workout he had been put through had depleted him. He had eaten more at their evening meal than he had ever eaten at one sitting. Hermione had encouraged him, saying that his body would need more energy now that he was beginning to learn how to harness the power within him.
He had planned to shower and sleep, but knew his plan was unlikely to happen when he felt a presence as soon as he came out of his small in-suite bathroom. It was Draco, of course, no one else would have been rude enough to enter his room without his permission. He hadn't seen the man since the incident earlier in the day and Dumbledore had not brought it up. It didn't mean that Neville hadn't been thinking about what happened at every free moment.
"Can I turn the lights up?" He asked the figure reclining on the bed.
"If you want," came the low seductive response.
Neville decided that he didn't want the lights up and spoke instead, "I don't think I'm..." He lowered his head, "I'm not the kind of bloke that does this, I think."
"Oh." Draco said,. "I suppose I should leave then."
Neville walked toward the bed when Draco made no move to leave despite his words. "It's not you I..uh..I have to concentrate on my mission, my destiny and I can't get distracted."
Draco pulled himself up from his reclining position and on to his knees coming face to face with Neville. "I think we could both use some distraction." Draco said, his lips mere inches from Neville's. Neville was really trying to hold on to his resolve. "I..um..I'm tired." Draco smiled at him. "Well, let's lie on the bed then. I'm bit knackered myself."
Neville shook his head and huffed out a breath. Draco moved so that he was reclining on his side, his head propped on his elbow. Neville felt clumsy as he crawled in the bed and lay next to Draco, who proceeded to drape himself across Neville's chest as soon as he was settled.
"Your not very subtle you know that." Neville said, trying to keep the smile off his face.
"Subtly rarely gets you what you want in this life." Draco said as he looked down into Neville's face. Neville felt his cheeks heat. "And you want me?" He asked, feeling stupidly giddy at the thought.
"Yes." Draco said, leaning in and placing a kiss on Neville's lips. Neville felt his body tingle as the tiredness of his muscles faded under the rush of arousal. Neville couldn't help but respond and kissed him back, pulling him down when his hands found the back of Draco's neck.
They kissed, turning their faces to try different angles and seeking new sensations. Neville could hear himself moaning again and tried to stifle the sounds. Draco broke the kiss and looked down at him knowingly, "You shouldn't care so much what they think. As far as they are concerned your just a means to an end." Neville's body stiffened as Draco bit his lip, looking like he wished he could take the words back.
Neville sat up and scooted off the bed. Draco sliding off his body as he stood.
"I'm...sorry. I shouldn't have said that." He tried to sound contrite, but.."You think that though and what am I to you?"
Draco opened his mouth apparently searching for something to say. "A way to get off, a means to an end." Neville supplied, a note of bitterness to his words.
Draco closed his mouth, flexing his jaw before saying, "Right, I'll go then."
Neville placed a hand on Draco's shoulder pushing him down as he tried to get up off the bed. Draco drew his eyebrows together, "You're confusing me again," he said as Neville looked down at him.
"I..uh ..don't need to hear that okay." Neville swallowed thickly, "that I'm just a tool or that I'm going to die. I've never really lived," Neville looked away from Draco's face as he saw confusion give way to pity. He took a deep breath turning back to Draco, placing a hand on his cheek and rubbing his thumb along the sharp angle there. He whispered, "I want to live. As much as I can and I'd like..I'd like to..for us..." Neville didn't even know what he was asking of Draco.
He didn't have to go on though, Draco nuzzled Neville's palm, kissing his wrist and sending a flash of heat throughout his body. "Come on," Draco said pulling Neville down on to the bed again. Neville settled on top of Draco this time. "Then let us resolve to put as much life into the next few days as possible." Draco said smiling up at Neville as he began to pull at Neville's clothes. Neville didn't speak his agreement but did begin pulling at Draco's clothes, greedy to get the fair skin below.
By the time they were both undressed they were both breathless on their knees in the bed looking at each other. "I can't decide where I want to start. It all looks so good." Draco said looking at Neville in that way that reminded him of Jawa's again.
Neville felt a blush spread across his face and body at Draco's words. "Oh, that does look like a good place to start." Draco said coming closer and placing a hand on his chest. "Do you know that when you blush it starts right here." Draco placed a kiss on his cheek, "And then it goes to here." Draco said, starting a line of kisses along Neville's jaw line.
Neville was breathing heavily and his prick was already hard and wet. "Then it goes here." Neville gasped at Draco's kiss to his neck, turning his head to give him room. "Then out to here," Draco said, kissing along his collar bone to the ridge of his shoulder. Neville placed a hand out to the wall to keep his balance as his body hitched and shivered at Draco's attentions.
"Then it goes down here," Draco trailed kisses from Neville's shoulder to his chest. Taking time to lick any areas that elicited a moan, until he reached Neville's nipple, licking it quickly and blowing on it, drawing another astonished gasp from Neville. "Oh, Gods, Draco."
He felt Draco smile against his chest as he nosed through the hair on Neville's chest making his way to Neville's other nipple.
At this rate Neville feared he would end up coming all over Draco before the man even got to his cock. Neville arched and gasped as Draco licked and sucked at his nipple, his hand idly playing with the other nub.
Draco drew away slightly and looked up into Neville's eyes. Neville felt nothing but heat from the gaze. His breathing became erratic as Draco began to kiss down his chest. "It travels a little slower down here." Draco said, kissing around his belly button, scooting so that his rear was now even with his head giving Neville a view of Draco's very fine arse. Neville groaned at the sight then began making desperate sounds as Draco's lips moved lower.
He hissed loudly when Draco chin bumped his aching prick. And couldn't hold back a shout as Draco took him in hand. Looking up as best he could from the position to catch Neville's eye he brought his mouth closer to the tip of Neville's prick.. Neville shouted again, when Draco's tongue licked the wetness on the tip of Neville's prick once lightly then again, a little firmer.
A wicked smirk painted Draco's face as his eyes dropped from Neville's. Opening his mouth around the tip of Neville's prick he began to swallow Neville down. Neville was sure he would pass out and sat back on his haunches to steady himself. Draco's mouth followed swallowing even more of Neville. Neville brought his free hand up to run his fingers through Draco's fine blond hair. Trying not to grasp it too tightly as he gave himself over to the immense pleasure Draco was giving him.
Draco hummed around him swallowing even more. Neville thrust up slightly in response. "I'm sorry..are you okay?" Draco hummed what must have been as yes because he didn't stop or pause as his head began to bob up and down along Neville's prick. He ended each upstroke with kisses and licks that were driving Neville wild as he continued to pleasure him. He could feel his orgasm coming and pulled gently on Draco's hair to try to warn him.
Instead of pulling off, Draco plunged forward taking even more of Neville into his mouth as his hand clutched Neville's thigh. Neville shouted as he came. Draco swallowing his release and continuing to lick at Neville's prick until he was so sensitive he had to wince and pull away.
Draco pulled back, kissing up Neville's chest as he scooted closer. Taking his lips again as their bodies came together. He was in a haze of pleasure and it took him a moment to register that he could taste himself in Draco's mouth. Draco must have felt him stiffen, because he slowly pulled back and whispered. "I know the taste is a bit off-putting at first, but after a while you develop a taste for it. Do you think you'd be willing to..umph."
Draco's eyebrow arched as he looked at Neville from his position sprawled on the bed. Neville leaned down so that he was on his hands his body hovering over Draco's. "Master Dumbledore says I'm a fast-learner." Neville said, cheekily. Draco simply smirked, lay the rest of the way down on the bed and said, "Well, let's see what you've learned from your lesson today Young Master."
It felt so good to be laying with Draco like this. Their breaths had finally evened out as they came down from the high of their orgasms. Neville had come again as Draco was pouring down his throat and he'd practically collapsed on Draco after kissing him senseless.
The feeling of Draco's body beginning to stiffen under his brought his thoughts firmly back to reality. "I best get going. I need to relieve Hagrid." Draco spoke the words softly. The tenor sounding regretful. Neville would not be a nag...but he could be a little tricky. "You never did tell me," he began, "how you got this ship." He felt Draco's chest moving under his head as he laughed.
"Okay, I'll tell you how I got my ship."
"Let's see, I was on my own from an early age, just kind of floating from ship to ship doing whatever work I could find, then I came to this little spaceport just on the outskirts of the core. It was run by this low-level administrator and his wife. They had seven kids like stair steps," Draco made a motion with his hand as he continued, "and I was still kind of young, so their mum took me in somewhat and I became pretty good friends with some of their kids. Ron was my best mate and he got The Falcon when he turned 16." Neville looked up when Draco paused, smiling when he saw the wide grin on Draco's face. "But I knew," he said in a conspiratorial voice, "the second I saw her that she was mine." Neville smiled even wider as Draco bit his lip.
"And," Neville said, moving so that he could lay his head on the pillow next to Draco. Draco's grimaced, "Well, I worked The Falcon with him for a while, Hagrid too. We did shipping jobs and a few jobs on the side for the Rebellion when the money was good enough. Then one night, we were playing cards and had a bit too much firewhiskey. I bet 5 year's labor to The Falcon and I won. God, Ron was pissed."
"Did it affect your friendship, then?" Neville asked, genuinely curious. Draco shrugged, "A little, but I got to do my own jobs and brought business to the port, so we were getting past it." Draco's voice was growing soft. Neville could tell he was getting tired so he brought the covers up to snuggle around them. "But then his kid sister wanted to run off to join the Rebellion and I gave her ride. He sent me a comm after, told me not to make a stop at his port ever again, so it's just been me and Hagrid."
"Maybe you can make up someday?" Neville offered.
Draco exhaled deeply, "Maybe, but Ginny was the baby and the only girl. If she makes it out of this idiotic war they are getting ready to start, maybe they'd get over it…" Draco trailed off, lost in thought.
His body was relaxing against Neville. Now that the flush of arousal was gone, he could see the dark, tired skin under Draco's eyes. He knew that he should get him up and going if he needed to relieve Hagrid, but maybe resting here for just a bit wouldn't hurt, he thought, as his own eyes shut._Neville's body flooded with adrenaline. A shout in his ear had woke him and their was someone attacking him. He went into a defensive mode before he realised that he wasn't being attacked but that something was happening to Draco.
The man was jerking and twisting violently all the while shouting incoherently. Neville knew there was some warning against waking some one up from a night terror, but Draco was thrashing so violently Neville was afraid he was going to injure himself. Neville rolled on top Draco, taking his face in his hands and speaking softly he said, "Wake up, Draco. Wake up. It's just a dream."
At the sound of Neville's voice the shouting turned into whimpers. Draco's face began to turn in Neville's hands as though looking for something. "It's okay Draco I'm right here. Just listen to my voice." Neville reached out through his magic to connect with Draco's subconscious. He could feel anger and fear and sadness roiling around in Draco's confused, sleep-addled mind.
He could also sense the relief Draco felt at hearing his voice so he attached his consciousness to that relief and pulled Draco to wakefulness on the wave of feeling.
Draco's thrashing stopped as he slowly opened his eyes. The glassy look in them concerned Neville for a moment until they cleared and he looked up into Neville's eyes, exhaling shakily. A knock on the door caused Draco to startle.
"Neville, is everything alright?" Hermione called through the door. He heard Draco take another deep breath as Neville responded, "Everything's fine. Just..just a dream." He tried to sound calm hoping that Hermione would accept his response and leave.
"Alright, but if you need anything.."
"I'll let you know." Neville called back, sighing in relief when he heard he pad away.
Draco began to push at Neville and he realised he was probably suffocating the man as pushed himself off to the side. "Are you alright?" He asked as Draco pulled himself into a seated position.
"I fell asleep." He said in a wondering tone as he ran a hand through his hair. Neville placed a hand to his back and began to rub lightly. "Yeah, we both did, but are you alright?"
Draco shook his head, "Yeah, yeah, everything's fine..um thanks for waking me that was..you went into my dream?"
"No, I didn't go into the dream I just kind of zoned in on the feelings the dream created and brought you out. I'm sorry I know it's intrusive but the way you were thrashing about I was afraid you'd hurt yourself." Neville scooted out of the way as Draco moved to get out of the bed.
"Yeah, I have bad dreams sometimes, lot more recently." Draco slowed as he said the last words, like he hadn't meant for them to come out.
"Would you like to talk about them? Maybe it would help?" Neville offered as he perched on the edge of the bed, watching Draco walk to the sink and start the tap.
He pulled a flannel to run under the water, wringing it out he looked into the mirror to catch Neville's eye. "I thought we'd decided to talk only about life and living. If I tell you about my dreams,,." Draco's face disappeared from the mirror as he dropped the flannel and grabbed the edge of the sink.
Neville launched himself from the bed and came up behind Draco, wrapping his arms around his waist. "You can tell me anything you want Draco."
He was shivering so Neville drew him closer to warm him. Draco's face came up to meet Neville's in the mirror once more. "He's got a snake." He said, then swallowed hard. Neville was confused for a moment, but then a memory flashed in his head. One of the town boys, who had liked to tease him had told him that the Dark Lord had a snake that was supposed to be 10 meters long and able to see into your soul.
That was just a story his Gran had said when he recounted the tale to her later, but the way Draco was talking about it..."You've seen it?" Neville felt his eyebrows knit together as Draco's eyes turned away from him.
"My family.." Draco pressed his lips together clearly debating if he should continue. Neville pressed his cheek to Draco's temple. "Its okay, Draco. You can tell me."
Draco swallowed thickly again, "They worked for him, my parents. I was just a kid and spoiled," Draco huffed, "I didn't really care about politics or magic, just myself, but then... my mum was passing secrets to the Rebel Alliance and he found out." Draco's body began to tremble harder and Neville ran his hands over his chest to calm him, like he used to do to gentle upset Banthas.
"He called us in, forced himself into her mind while I watched." Draco's chin quivered and he clenched it tight as Neville continued to hold him and listen. "It killed her.." He finished miserably his voice thick with emotion. Neville felt his own eyes well at the hurt in Draco's voice. "Then.." Draco shuddered, "he fed her to it." The words were forced out of Draco's lips violently as he tilted his face down breathing heavily.
Neville had no words so he just held Draco. He couldn't even imagine the horror Draco must have felt. "I've been having the dreams again, since I took this damn job. I guess just thinking about him.." Draco exhaled heavily then turned suddenly in Neville's arms bringing their lips together violently.
"You'll kill him." Draco hissed tearing his lips away. "I know you will." He said, pushing Neville back toward the bed, straddling him when he fell against it.
Neville was astonished when he felt Draco's hard prick against him. "You've got power. I can feel it." He said, his voice like gravel as he rubbed against Neville causing him to become quickly and painfully erect.
Neville wanted to speak but was too confused by the change in Draco's emotions and the rush of arousal he was feeling. He could only moan and grunt as Draco pressed his shoulders down and ground his erection against Neville's. "Your going to fuck me when you've got a good hold on that power," Draco hissed, as Neville arched up seeking more of Draco as his words seared images into Neville's brain that made him moan and his eyes water with desire.
"You're gonna hold me down with your mind so I can't move, lift my hips up," Draco was sounding breathless now, "spread my arse," Neville was coming and coming, calling Draco's name, "and fuck me so hard...ah." Draco came, his back arching as he flung his head back shouting his 'ah' to the ceiling.
All Neville could think was that it was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.
There hips continued to grind together as Draco slowed. Neville was covered in his and Draco's come. He looked up to Draco, who he bent down to kiss his lips gently. The gentleness of the kiss took away some of the roughness of the encounter and Neville brought his hands to Draco's face as he pulled back.
"I'll kill him and that damn snake." He promised, looking into Draco's eyes and hoping he could see Neville's sincerity in the promise. Draco's shoulders dropped as he looked at Neville. "I believe you will." He said, though Neville could hear the doubt in his voice.
Draco looked uncomfortable as he looked around the room, wincing when he noted the time display, "I do have to relive Hagrid." He said sounding conflicted.
"You can't rest some more? I'll stay with you, help you if you need me." Draco smiled weakly at him. "Thanks, but I'm fine and.." Draco's cheeks actually turned a little pink, "you have helped me." He bent and gave Neville another chaste kiss. "Thank you, Neville." He whispered against Neville's lips before sliding off the bed and padding back over the sink.
Draco picked up the flannel and began to wash himself. He looked over his shoulder at Neville and said, "You probably need another shower." It was said as a suggestion, but Neville got the impression that maybe Draco wanted to be alone, so he agreed saying, "Yeah, I guess I do."
He got out of the bed to make his way to the small bathroom adjoining his suite, stopping to place a quick kiss to the side of Draco's face. "See you in the morning. Good night." He said softly, as he pulled away from Draco.
Draco threw him a half a smile and a quiet, "Good night," as Neville left the room.