They had been traveling in silence for nearly an hour. They had each taken turn about getting cleaned up, but for some reason had all wondered back to the seats surrounding the cock-pit. Neville was so tired that he flinched when his stomach growled loudly. He'd forgotten how ravished he was and now that the rush of trying to survive had passed his body was in serious need of replenishing his stores.

"I agree with you stomach Young Master. Let us take advantage of the generous provisions provided by our Captain." Master Dumbledore nodded to the back of Draco's head as he rose.

"Course." Draco replied curtly without turning. Neville had been outright staring at the man for most of the trip, only diverting his attention when Hermione had pardoned herself to check on Dobby. She had thanked Hagrid for bringing him to the ship and making sure he was stable. Neville had not even thought to ask after the tiny being in all the ruckus.

Hagrid accepted her thanks with a humble "Anyone would'a done the same," as she made her way back to the ships infirmary.

Neville jumped up to lend Master Dumbledore a hand as he began to stand, but Commander Weasley and Harry beat him to it, each taking an arm.

"Hagrid, your in better shape than any of them. I've got it here. Go get them settled and get the food on." Draco said, again without turning to face the group behind him.

Though he was famished he hung back as Hagrid followed Master Dumbledore, Harry and Gin to the galley. He saw Draco's shoulders stiffen has he approached. "You've got to be starving." He said, still facing the control panel.

"I am, but I just wanted to.."

"Don't say your sorry," Draco voice was ice, "I'm not. He got what he deserved. Hell, better than he deserved after what happened to my mother. I'm just sorry I wasn't..." Draco's jaw clenched around the words as his whole body tensed.

Neville could feel the man's control slipping and placed a hand on his shoulder. He wanted to wrap his arms around him, but the pilot's chair wouldn't allow it and Draco didn't seem inclined to move.

"It's okay Draco. If you want to talk..ugh.." Neville grunted under the pressure of Draco's surge. The man had thrown himself at Neville, moving so fast that Neville's tired muscles nearly didn't react quickly enough to prevent a fall. Draco attached his mouth to Neville's roughly, grabbing Neville's hair with both hands and wrapping his legs around Neville's waist. Neville stumbled reaching one hand to steady himself against the chair he'd been sitting in, using the other to keep Draco from falling.

He tried to tear his mouth from Draco's but he just pushed harder against Neville's lips. Neville could taste a little blood and wondered if it was his or Draco's.

Finally, steady he brought his other arm up to Draco's shoulder and pushed back. He wanted to ask Draco to slow down, to take a minute, but the second their lips broke contact Draco ordered breathlessly, "Fuck me. Fuck me now!"

Okay, that was it. Neville swung his weight and Draco around so that Draco's shoulders were against the safest looking wall of the bridge and used the leverage to pull Draco hands and legs from his person. "No, we are not doing this."

"Don't you want your reward?" Draco tried as he swooped in for another kiss. Neville avoided his lips, pushing him back against the wall. "Not like this, Draco!"

"Well, if you want it, this is the only way your going to get it. Fuck me or get out of my cockpit." He said, a dangerous edge to his voice. Neville took a deep, steadying breath releasing it slowly as he closed his eyes. "Don't try any of the magical calming shit with me."

"I'm trying to calm myself down, so I don't throttle you!" Neville replied through gritted teeth.

Draco tried to wrangle out of Neville's hands so he relented, releasing the man, who brushed past him going back to the pilot chair he had abandoned. Neville huffed at his obvious dismissal.

"I..if you want to talk later. I'm going eat, shower and try to catch some sleep. Even if you don't want to talk, I'll..you know, if you need to sleep. I'll do my best.." Neville hated that he didn't know what to say to Draco.

"I'll..." Draco started gruffly, cutting himself off, finally looking over his shoulder and meeting Neville's eyes. "I'll keep it in mind." He said, his voice softening. "Go eat, get some rest. We'll be meeting with the rally ship in 10 hours and you'll want to be rested." His eyes drifted down as he returned his attention to the panel in front of him .

"Yeah." Neville said numbly. He couldn't believe that he had known Draco for only a few days, and now, the thought of leaving hurt, badly. He shut off the pain. He couldn't deal with that right now. "I'll do that," he finished quietly. Neville turned to the cockpit exit resting his shoulder against the door jamb for a moment as he gathered himself and went to join the others in the galley._They had all eaten well. Hermione had just settled in to her meal after making a nutrition drink for Dobby and feeding him first, before coming back to join the them. She reported that he was doing well, but would need repairs as soon as possible.

Hagrid had eaten quickly returning to the cockpit with a plate for Draco. At least he would have some nourishment, Neville thought.

"I know that you all are in need of rest, but of course you realize that the Dark Lord now knows that you are both alive and well and with me. He will likely do what ever it takes to find us. Young Master Longbottom, I regret to inform you that you should contact your Grandmother as soon as possible to let her know it would be advisable that she go into hiding once again."

Neville nodded. He hated that his grandmother would have to give up everything she knew again because of him, but her safety was more important than the farm and she had enough money to make it off planet. They could always go back after he and Harry defeated the Dark Lord. He was lost in his own thoughts as Harry shared that his family had decided to go into hiding when they received the comm that the time had come and should be already secreted away in the Yavin system.

"But that's not what they wanted. Not originally," Commander Weasley spoke up, "they made it pretty clear they wanted me and Draco and the ship." She looked down at her hands as she took a breath. "Have you heard anything about what they wanted. Could you sense anything?"

"I'm afraid not my child." Master Dumbledore said, offering a sad smile.

"Do you have any idea why they would want you Ginny?" Harry asked, concern lacing his voice.

She shrugged helpless, "The only thing I can.." She swallowed harshly, "if they wanted us and The Falcon, the only thing I can think is my family. Draco was mates with my brothers, this ship belonged to my brother Ron," She paused and took a shuddering breath, "I've not been in contact with them since I left to join the rebellion. Didn't want them to talk me out it." Her voice was hoarse by the time she finished.

Harry reached out and took her hand. "We'll get a message to them." Harry said soothingly. "Let them know that you've been identified as a Rebel and find a way for them to go into hiding."

Neville's eye caught a glimpse of movement at the doorway. Draco was standing there, looking at the group gathered around the table ruefully. "Come on Gin, if they know about you and me and this ship. You know it's probably to late to warn your family about anything. The smartest thing you can do, we can do, is get as far away from the Ministry as possible," he shrugged his shoulders, "wait till they lose interest."

Neville felt his mouth hanging open. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"You can't really expect me to do that." She seethed, without turning to face him.

A sad sort of smile painted his face, "No, I don't, but I did say it was the smartest option and therefore probably the last one you would take."

Harry pulled his hand from Ginny's and stood glaring at Draco, "How dare you speak to her like that!" He said his fist balling up. "You don't know that anything has happened to her family and you've no call to worry or insult her."

"No, he's right." Ginny interrupted Harry harshly, "On all counts, it seems." She said looking over her shoulder at Draco. "Once we reach the rally ship, I'm going to Cloud City. I've got to make sure they're okay." She arched an eyebrow, "I don't suppose you'd let me borrow The Falcon?"

Draco crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head. "You're likely going into a trap. I'll have no part of it." He said, his voice's tenor matching his stance.

"Fine." Ginny said coldly, "I'll find another ship, but I'm going just the same."

Harry's glare switched from Draco to Commander Weasley, "No!" His voice softened when she turned to face him, "Send them a message, before you decide to go. If they.."

"I'll be in the middle of swamp if I go to Dagobah with you. I won't have a quick way off planet and a comm won't let me see them with my own eyes." Her jaw was set as she spoke.

Harry looked like he wanted to argue, but fell back into his chair instead looking defeated. Master Dumbledore had a finger up to his lip quietly watching the exchange. Neville could sense that Harry was torn. He wanted to go with Commander Weasley to keep her safe, to be close to her. He felt himself blush a bit, he wondered if Harry and Master Dumbledore could pick up on his feelings for Draco as easily as he could pick up on Harry's feelings for Commander Weasley.

Draco began to move through the room toward the hall leading to the state-rooms.

"Draco?" Hermione asked, catching his eye as he slowed. "I need to get Dobby to a base with both medical and engineering shops to rebuild some of his implants. I have some credits saved up. If you would drop us on your way to where ever it is your going. I would gladly pay what I have. Dagobah will not have what we need and the x-wings won't provide him the care he needs until we reach the nearest base."

Draco nodded, "No need to worry about credits. I'll be passing Hoth on the way out of this sector. The base there should have what you need. If you'd be kind enough to persuade them to part with a few supplies I'll take it as payment."

She nodded curtly and went back to her plate. Draco nodded back before continuing out of the room. Neville only just kept himself from following Draco down the hall. He was torn now. Part of him was reconsidering throttling Draco, while another part wanted to follow him back to his room to hold him and take care of him. Instead, he drew his attention back to Master Dumbledore as he lay out their plans for Dagobah.

He'd spent some time getting to know Harry after their meal. He'd had a very different upbringing from Neville. He'd lived in a city all his life, been politically active on his home planet, even working to change things from within the Ministry with his father.

Mr. Dursely was what Harry called a 'real politician'. Good enough at compromise to keep Alderaan safe and smart enough to recognize that the Ministry was in no way interested in doing anything that didn't serve the Dark Lord's will.

He'd had a brother he was close with and though he'd always known he was adopted his parents were well, his parents. He'd only really known he was different when Master Dumbledore would visit. He would work with Harry to help him control his magic, which was particularly important, since he was under constant public scrutiny. The training had kept him safe and kept him hidden.

Though they were both enjoying the conversation Neville couldn't help but notice how often Harry's eyes drifted to Commander Weasley. She was busily plotting the course she would need to take to get to Cloud City, hopefully avoiding Ministry notice. He'd felt Harry's pangs of worry and had tried to be re-assuring as did Master Dumbledore in his own subtle way.

Harry had tried to talk her into forgoing her mission to see her family alone, but it had lead to her leaving the table in a huff as Neville tried to distract Harry with questions about Alderaan.

Neville had wanted to ask Master Dumbledore about Snape, but knew now was not the right time, so he reigned in his curiosity and was letting the subject lie for now.

Hermione had excused herself after the meal to go back to Dobby. Neville had berated himself for being so thoughtless and had offered to watch over him so she could get some rest. She had thanked him for the offer, but refused saying she could rest with him in the medical bay.

Master Dumbledore's bone-cracking yawn had reminded him of his own weariness and they all drifted off to their quarters.

Commander Weasley had pointed Harry toward a suite and took 'her usual room' near the medical bay. He'd showered and crawled into bed. And though exhausted, he was tossing and turning again. He reached out. Just in case. Draco was tossing and turning as well, his mind whirling while his body simultaneously craved yet refused to rest. He sighed to himself pushing the cover to the floor as he rose. He supposed the worst that could happen was getting a door shut in his face. At least he would know and maybe he would be able to get some sleep.

The door to Draco's quarters opened as he approached. He could see surprise on Draco's face. The look falling away, as a quiet smile came to Draco's lips as he cast his eyes down to study the floor.

"I was coming to apologize." He said haltingly.

Neville crossed his arms, "No need. I know you were upset. I just wanted..wanted to see you."

Draco lifted his face, his light eyes honing in like lasers. Neville could feel the whirl of emotions from the other man. He could also feel Draco's attempts to bury those feelings as deeply as possible.

"That's not going to work you know." Neville said the words without thinking and regretted them when Draco's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Stop reading me." He hissed. "You think just because you have to the power to do something you should do it."

Neville felt himself flush. "I don't want you running around in my head!" Draco finished viciously, turning to go back into his room. Neville rushed through the door before it could close. "I'm sorry Draco!" That got the man to stop walking away at least. "I shouldn't have done that. I just want to help you believe it or not."

"Yes, well, I didn't ask for your help. I've been doing fine on my own." Draco said, still giving Neville his back.

"I know. I'll try to hold back, though I'm still learning. Let's just spend some time together. We may never see each other again after we meet with the rally ship and I'd like for us to part well." Neville finished feeling lame.

Relief washed over him when he saw the sharp angle of Draco's shoulders fall as he exhaled heavily. "Yes, I'd like that as well." He said, turning to face Neville.

Neville walked slowly to him placing a hand on his cheek as they came chest to chest. "Let's lie down and rest and we can talk.." He raised his voice slightly over Draco attempt to protest, "or not talk we can do whatever you want. Alright?"

Draco tilted his head so that his face turned into Neville palm. "Anything I want?" He said a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. Neville smiled a little back at him. "Anything?" He said trying for the lightness that Draco obviously desired.

Draco took the hand on his check in his and began to walk backwards toward the bed. Neville huffed and shook his head ruefully. "What?" Draco asked, attempting to sound innocent.

"You try that innocent voice on someone who doesn't know you."

Draco shrugged, "It works." That sent an unpleasant spike of jealousy through his stomach that must have shown on his face. Draco grimaced slightly, "Sorry." He said his voice pitching low before rising as he continued, "No talk of unpleasant things here. Just me," He ducked his head conspiratorially, "and you." Neville nodded to him as they came to a stop at Draco's bed.

Draco turned his face into Neville's palm kissing the sensitive at his wrist. Neville gasped at the sharp spike of pleasure it sent through him. "I do believe I owe you a reward." Draco said huskily, his breath skating over the still wet, sensitive skin of Neville's wrist.

"I think we saved each other." Neville said, feeling himself blush. He hadn't meant to say it that way. He was making this harder than it had to be. He should do what Draco did and bury his feelings. Draco's hand came up and slid around his neck. "I suppose we did at that. I guess that means I get to reward you," Draco said leaning in to Neville, a hairs breath from his lips, "and you get to reward me." Neville could hear a slight challenge in Draco's voice, but ignored it for a taste of his lips.

Neville was dirty and sweaty again, but floating on the high of his third orgasm in two hours made worrying about it seem silly. They could always take a shower. Oh, a shower with Draco, his eyes which had been at half-mast widened. Draco was looking at him smugly, chin propped on his elbow. "You should rest, you're half asleep as it is. Soon..." He let the word trail off. But Neville knew what he was going to say and he didn't want to break their rule about leaving unpleasant talk out of their bed.

But then it struck Neville heavily, "We'll never see each other again."

Draco pressed his lips together tightly looking down at Neville's chest for a moment before bringing his eyes to meet Neville's. "You could.." He exhaled the words slowly, "come with me." Neville went still as his stomach dropped. Draco's words sped up as he said, "We'll lay low for a few months, find a system so far away from the Ministry it will make Tattooine look like a suburb. I have contacts that could get us work, shipping or smuggling." He had risen to sit on his heels as he spoke getting more excited as Neville continued to listen.

"There are worlds and peoples that you wouldn't believe existed if you didn't see them with your own eyes." Draco stopped abruptly, acting a little embarrassed by his outburst. It made Neville smile as he scooted into a sitting position. He drew him in for a brief kiss. "I would love to go with you." Neville swallowed and continued quickly, "but I have to do this first."

Draco pulled away, "Well, I guess it's never going to happen then."

"Draco!" Neville said, trying to keep his temper.

"You know I've actually been on a couple of haunted ships and the last thing I need is a dead man hanging about, so..." Draco said, pointing to the door. Was he honestly throwing Neville out of bed after they had just spent hours making love. Several trinkets begin to tap-dance across the surface of a chest and it took Neville a moment to realize it was him and not the ship causing the movement.

He stood pulling his emotions and power in calming himself. He grabbed his pants and began to pull them on as Draco turned to glare at him.

"I have to do this!"

"No you don't! Just because some old man."

"My parents..."

"Mine are just as dead as yours!" Draco shouted, then pulled back a step. "They would want for you what my mother wanted for me. My own life. If you go, even if you make it..." Draco's shoulders slumped as his voice calmed, "you'll have to live your life dedicated to some cause, like the rest of them. They are all alone. They wonder the galaxy doing good works and saving everyone else and they do it alone. My father used to say that's why they were so few Wizards left," Draco huffed, "to dedicated to their studies and their causes ever take the time to make more little wizards."

"I care for you Draco, so much, but I won't, can't live for just myself if I'm needed. If I have the power to help the Rebellion I have to learn how to control it and I have to use. Anything less would be immoral."

Neville continued, "And, some Wizards and Witches may choose to be alone," Neville looked into Draco's eyes and felt victorious when the glare softened in response, "but I don't want to be. I don't think our wishes for the future are so far apart. Maybe after?"

Draco crossed his arm looking obstinate despite his nudity.

"Asides, I think the way Ginny and Harry keep looking at each other, there'll be little Witches and Wizards all over the place," Neville hoped some levity would change the subject from his imminent death, "if they stop fighting long enough."

Draco shook his head ruefully, "Well, if he thinks sleeping with her will stop her from arguing with him, he's an even bigger idiot than I thought."

Neville's back straightened as his shoulders went back. "You and Ginny?"

Draco shrugged. "Your best mate's sister?" Neville continued, then walked to where his shirt had landed picking it up while he processed that information, he looked back to Draco, who was eyeing him curiously. "Don't you have an honor at all?"

Draco's arms dropped in surprise, "What?" He said, his brow beginning to furrow in confusion.

Neville shook his head, "I understand wanting to save yourself, or if you don't believe in a cause, but your best mate's sister, that's just..."

"Are you fucking with me? Your angry about that!"

"Oh, and so when I left with you on this grand adventure how long would it be before you were giving tours to everyone who set foot on this ship?"

Draco was shaking his head wide-eyed, "I can't believe your angry about that. It was over before it started."

"And was it worth your friendship, losing the people who took you in after.." Neville pulled on his shirt, biting his lip. He didn't' want to drag Draco's poor mum into the middle of this.

Draco took a step back like he'd been pushed, then clenched his hands into fists as he set his jaw. "Well, we all can't go around saving the universe and everyone in it." He snarled.

"You don't have to!" God Neville felt tired again, "But you've got to have some code, some line you won't cross. You asked me to leave everything and everyone behind and I wanted to, for a just a second I did, but, if you're nothing more than a self-centered prat with no morals then we can never be together like that Draco. I need you..I need a better person than that in my life." Neville finished sharply.

Draco turned his face away, keeping his body tight and jaw clenched. He apparently had nothing to say to that, which was all the response Neville needed. He said a stern, "Goodbye," and left.

Neville felt incredibly uncomfortable. He was used to going unnoticed, but since they had boarded the rally ship every face turned to him as he, Harry and Master Dumbledore assisted Ginny while she prepared her ship for the trip to Cloud City.

The only person not looking at them was Draco. He and Hagrid were making a few repairs to the outside of the Falcon, while Hermione directed several droids loading supplies. He wanted to give the man a proper good-bye, but since it was obvious he wasn't welcome he turned back to help Ginny as she packed as many supplies as possible in the tiny x-wing she would be spending the next week in.

The trip would have only taken a couple of days in The Falcon. Harry had suggested she broach the topic with Draco again, but she refused, saying that Draco had given his answer.

Neville suspected that Harry's suggestion had less to do with the length of her trip and more to do with having Draco and Hagrid with her in case she needed help once she arrived at Cloud City. He noticed them shooting furtive glances at one another and was suddenly grateful that Draco had the courage or maybe it was the gall to jump Neville the first chance he got. At least they got to have, well, whatever it was that they had. He looked back to the Falcon and managed to catch a glimpse of Draco's face turning away.

Had he been watching? A soft cough brought his attention back to his task. "Our ship is ready." Master Dumbledore said solemnly. "We really must go, we have much to do."

Harry grimaced as he turned to Ginny. "Well, I guess I'll see you after you've checked on your family." He said, not really meeting her eyes.

"Yeah," Ginny said, nodding to Neville and Master Dumbledore, "with any luck, and if my mum doesn't kill me, I'll meet you planetside in a little over 2 weeks." She attempted to sound joking, but it fell flat. Neville could feel that Harry was just on the verge of losing it and moved to place a hand on his arm reaching out mentally to console the man.

Harry calmed, but could not bring himself to speak as he nodded to Ginny. They began to turn and walk toward the ship that would take them to Dagobah, when Harry stopped turning back to Ginny. He pulled his arm from Neville's and reached for Ginny. Neville heard a small gasp escape her lips as Harry pulled her close catching her lips in a kiss.

Neville felt eyes on him again as he watched them. He caught Draco watching him this time. His heart heavy, already missing the stubborn prat, he ventured a small smile at him. He felt his heart lift when the smile was returned.

He hadn't realized that his feet were moving until he felt Master Dumbledore's hand cup

his elbow. Neville swung his head around to see what Master Dumbledore needed only to met with a pair of sad eyes shinning at him. "Young Master, " He started slowly, "I would never presume to interfere, but I must know that your heart and mind are dedicated to this mission. Anything less, could mean disaster for us all."

Neville inhaled sharply. He was being selfish wanting to run to Draco maybe let himself be talked in to taking his offer. Freedom, fun, maybe even love, but without honor -leaving his friends and family behind to face the future alone. He nodded to Master Dumbledore, opening himself up, so that the man could sense his commitment to the cause and to them. He wouldn't abandon them or those that were depending on him.

He let Master Dumbledore feel the hurt too. He knew if anyone would understand the pain of Neville's decision it would be Master Dumbledore. He turned to wave farewell to Draco, but the man was gone when he did._The ship they were taking to Dagobah was the same model as Draco's but far more heavily armored. Neville hadn't realized how much of the Falcon's armaments and shielding where missing until he saw the Phoenix. She was impressive and built for war, while the Falcon was lighter and much faster.

He hoped that the Falcon did her job keeping Draco safe and away from the Ministry. The ship's Captain interrupted Neville's thoughts when he opened a comm to announce their imminent departure. Harry exhaled heavily next to him. He and Ginny had parted quickly after their kiss, with a couple of quiet good-bye's. Then had followed Master Dumbledore to the Phoenix in silence. He hoped Ginny and her family would be kept safe as well. His message to Gran was being encrypted and sent via a secure comm link. He hoped she would heed his warning and leave Tattooine.

Neville smiled to himself. Only a few days ago the only other person whose safety he worried about had been Gran's. Now, Draco, Ginny, Hermione and her little friend Dobby, Master Dumbledore and Harry.

If they made it through this they would all have to come out to the farm after the rains. See Tatooine for the few days each cycle she was naturally lush and green. Gran would have a fit of course, but he liked the idea and decided that it would be the dream he would have, hold on to, to make it through his training and the battle ahead.

Draco would look...wonderful walking by his side as the cacti bloomed. Neville would teach him the name of every plant and Draco could tell him about all the planets he had visited. A whoosh of air disturbed his fantasy. Awareness niggled at him as Harry rose from his seat.

Ginny, oh she was in uniform, Commander Weasley came running into the common area, a sack thrown over her shoulder. He hair wild where she had changed from the civvies she had been wearing just minutes ago.

"Ginny!"

"Harry," She said smiling broadly at him, before acknowledging Master Dumbledore and Neville with a nod of her head. "I'm coming along after all."

"What..that's wonderful Gin.." She gave Harry a slightly pleading look as a crewman entered the room, "Uh, Commander Weasley. Did you hear from your family?"

Neville felt hope only to have it dashed as Commander Weasley's face fell. "No, no not that. Draco and Hagrid came to me with a plan to go check on my family. Swears they'll be in and out in no time and report back to me as soon as they know anything."

Neville was standing before he knew it. "What?"

"Yeah, Hermione's going as well, once they have Dobby fixed up. But the Falcon's fast enough that even with the stop off at the base they would've beat me there."

Neville felt his brow knit in worry. It was one thing to want Draco to do something selfless, to believe in something outside of himself. It was another to face the fact that he may be heading into a trap, especially if it was because of something Neville had said or done.

A cool hand touched his check. He looked into Commander Weasley's soft eyes, "He's a prat, but for all his brags, he is the best and fastest pilot I've ever known and coming from a girl who grew up on a space port that is something. He'll be fine. Draco has good instincts and good company and," Commander Weasley's smile brightened, "a good reason to stay safe." Neville felt his damnable blush return.

Harry clapped him on the shoulder and said, "Yeah, Neville he'll be fine and he's got Hermione with him. She's brilliant. If he can't figure a way out, she will. He couldn't have a better crew with him." Neville exhaled and closed his eyes as Ginny's hand fell away and the Phoenix's engines started up. Once they went into hyperspeed he wouldn't be able to feel Draco anymore, so he opened his mind and reached for him.

He could feel Harry, Commander Weasley and Master Dumbledore watching him and noted that they too, were thinking of those they cared for on the Falcon. Harry and Master Dumbledore worrying for Hermione and Dobby, while Ginny hoped that Hagrid and Draco would keep each other safe. Neville had to let Draco know, know that he was proud of him- no that didn't sound right, was worried about him- no he didn't want that thought to distract Draco. The fantasy he'd had of walking through Gran's gardens at night as the cacti bloomed came back to him.

He sought Draco's consciousness and well, knocked seeking entrance. He felt Draco's emotions curl in before opening up. Neville gently pushed the thought into Draco's head. The feel of the night air during the rainy season, the smell of the flowers, the picture Neville had painted of them looking at the sky together. Once Draco allowed the thought into his conscious mind it was almost like they were already there together under the night sky. Neville felt his throat go tight only to huff out a laugh when he heard very loud and clear in his mind, "It's a date."

He sent as many positive thoughts to Draco as he could as he felt the Phoenix begin to move, preparing to leave the bay. Draco began to pull back from their connection as someone took his attention, bidding Neville, good-bye, parting with a very vivid reminder of Neville's promised reward..if..when, he felt the conscious change in the wording, Neville defeated the Dark Lord.

Neville felt himself shiver as the image played in his mind.

He opened his eyes to find Harry and Ginny standing shoulder to shoulder smiling at him. He didn't think Harry or Master Dumbledore had been privy to those thoughts, but the redness of his face probably displayed them as clearly as if he had said them out loud.

The Captain's voice broke in, ordering everyone into their seats for the jump to hyperspace. Harry re-took his seat and pulled one down for Ginny next to him. Neville met Master Dumbledore's eyes and noted the sadness below the gentle gleam of his eyes as he smiled at Neville. "I believe Young Masters that we all have much to learn about each other and ourselves in the coming days."

Neville nodded, "I believe that as well, Master."

Master Dumbledore turned his face to the large glass atrium above the common area. Neville followed his eyes looking at the endless field of stars. A magic all their own. "As long as we have faith in ourselves and each other. We will be victorious." Dumbledore turned to regard Harry and Ginny, tilting his head thoughtfully, he said, "Some would say that power and will are the strongest forces in the galaxy, but the ones who say that," Master Dumbledore turned to Neville, "have never known love."

Neville smiled as the ship lurched and the universe went white around them.

Meanwhile...He woke up, feeling unusually cloudy and confused.

He was injured, hurt badly from what he could tell and.. naked.

A thought. He had taken a potion.

He shouldn't be waking up.

His eyes tried to focus but it was too dark. At least it was until the darkness moved. That wasn't right. It was a man.

A pitiful moan was all that managed to escape Lucius's lips as a face he knew well came into focus. He wanted to yell, scream at the man that he should be dead. He'd waited until he saw the him step into the bay before releasing the force-field holding the air and pressure in the bay. He'd sacrificed dozens of troopers to see the man's end. Then once he had made sure The Falcon and his son were gone taking the specially-brewed potion that was supposed to take his life as quickly and painlessly as possible.

"You know," Snape began snidely as he walked from one side of the..the table to the other. Why was he on a table? "It is not safe to apparate in space, but it is possible despite what those idiots at the Academy wanted to believe."

Lucius could just make out Snape lifting his arm, his eyes still going in and out of focus. Well, lifting what used to be his arm. His laughter caught in his throat and turned into a vicious coughing fit that racked his body causing his muscles to spasm. He felt someone press a cup to his mouth and was shocked to see the cybernetic hand holding the cup belonged to Snape and not one of the sick-bay droids.

The water felt good against his parched throat as he sipped at it, until Snape took the cup away. Lucius could feel his lungs and heart calming as he caught his breath. He was able to focus on more now. He wasn't in the sickbay, nor was he in a holding cell. The mess or maybe storage? He hadn't been in this part of the ship often and certainly never lying on a table ...

His heart froze.

He felt his jaw clench as Snape's attention came back to him after setting the cup on a nearby tray. Lucius could feel restraints attaching his body to the table and pulled at them to test their strength. Snape's face, usually stone cold, softened briefly. "I have no intention of feeding you to anything. At least, not yet. You know, I was actually quiet fond of Narcissa. She was a very intelligent woman. I was shocked at her betrayal."

"She hated him and you." Lucius managed to hiss the words out, before taking a deep breath to quiet the pain in his lungs. Snape lifted an eyebrow at Lucius's interruption. He always hated being questioned. Lucius had a flash of a conversation they'd had when they were young men. Snape had wanted to be a teacher. He couldn't picture this man guiding children through the Academy. The man who'd had that dream was long gone.

"Yes, but her loyalty to you kept her faithful. I always wondered what changed."

The muscles of Lucius's face screamed, but he smiled despite it. "So, this isn't a friendly visit." He gasped out.

That actually got a smirk out of the man. "Not precisely." Snape's eyes darted away, looking at something outside of Lucius's field of vision as he nodded. "So I know why you betrayed our Lord, but why Narcissa?"

He hoped that Luc would take everything he and Narcissa had taught him to heart and hide himself so far away from the Ministry that he would never have to deal with these vipers ever again. "He intended Luc to replace you." Lucius felt his smile broaden as a flash went across Snape's face. Anyone who hadn't been anticipating the look would have missed it.

"You're son would never be able to wield the power I do!" Snape's voice rose, causing movement around the room. It was never a good thing to be in reach of the man when he lost his temper.

"Precisely." Lucius tried his best to sound strong, though his voice still sounded like it had been run across a grater. "Narcissa would never have her son be that man's puppet. And, I was too blind to see that it would destroy our son as surely as you have been destroyed."

"You are the one who's destruction is eminent!" Snape hissed as he rushed back to Lucius's table glaring down at him.

He hoped Snape could tell he was smiling, though he suspected it looked more like a grimace. He'd barely survived losing Narcissa, then when Luc disappeared he was so sure that he had been killed by either the Dark Lord or Snape that he'd been no more than a dead man walking since. The only thing that had kept him going had been finding Narcissa's contact from the Alliance and taking her place. The moment they had made contact he had prepared the potion for him and the loyal allies he had found on the ship. They were not going to met their end mind-raped by that bastard and fed to his beast. Except..

He met Snape's eyes. They were still burning with anger even as a smile crept across his face. "It took some time to get the mixture of medicine and magic just right to save you. Tested it on your co-conspirators first, they were not quite so lucky has you, perhaps seeing Luc again has given you a reason to live." The false sincerity sounded like poison falling from his lips.

"He prefers Draco." Lucius replied coldly.

Snape merely nodded, before being distracted by a cyber he recognized from Engineering, who came into the circle of light to whisper in Snape's ear. He strained to listen, but the voice was too low. The man stepped away as Snape's focus came back to him.

"It has been a pleasure Lucius. Give my regards to the Dark Lord will you." Snape said, almost happily.

Lucius went limp. Perhaps he would die before they made it back to Coruscant, hell, he would make sure of it.

"Now, we can't have any of that." Snape said tutting at him. "We must keep you well for our Lord." Snape's eyes flashed to someone and back as Lucius arched off the table. His muscles screamed as cold liquid surrounded him.

"Carbonite." Snape yelled over the pouring liquid. Lucius could just make out his dark silhouette through the steam coming off the freezing liquid. "An excellent storage method for food." He called as Lucius's back spasmed painfully trying to get away from the liquid as it invaded his pores freezing instantly.

Lucius felt his heart fill up with fresh anger, he wanted to attack, to tell Snape that he would dance on his and the Dark Lord's graves! Instead his vision dimmed as his consciousness faded out.