Disclaimer:I don't own Harry Potter, or any other things related to the Harry Potter books, or movies.
Ron and Hermione were working on their potions essays in the Gryffindor common room. Or rather Hermione was working and Ron was throwing little paper balls at Dean Thomas who was trying to hit them with his quill as if it were a bat. Hermione would never understand why boys found entertainment in the most ridiculous activities, especially when there was homework to be done. The bushy haired girl was brought out of her musings when she heard a tapping at the window. Looking up from her essay she was surprised to see the familiar white owl waiting for her to open the window.
Getting up the young woman opened the window and allowed the bird entrance into the room. "Well hello there Hedwig I wasn't expecting to see you anytime soon. What have you got for us?" Hermione asked as she untied the letter from the bird's leg. Hermione knew that Hedwig would stay and wait for a reply. Opening the letter she saw Neville's name at the bottom and concern and worry filled her stomach.
"Ron look it's a letter from Neville." Hermione said perplexed as to why he would be sending them a letter. The girl sat down again. When she received no reply from Ron, she turned to look at him, "I swear Ronald Weasley you get more childish the older you get. Stop playing games with Dean this essay is due tomorrow and I won't be writing it for either of you."
Dean accidently let go of his quill mid swing at the paper ball Ron had just thrown. Ron turned to stare at Hermione, who was glaring at him. Ron was so confused that it took him a moment to realize Dean's quill had just pegged him in the forehead. With a quick glare at Dean Ron turned his attention back to Hermione. "What did you say Hermione?" he asked. The girl rolled her eyes and handed him the letter.
"Why would Neville send us a letter?" Ron asked looking blankly at the parchment full of Neville's lopsided sloppy writing.
"I swear Ronald Weasley if you would just read the letter you wouldn't have to ask such a ridiculous question. He's asking for help. He says he's afraid for his life in the dungeons." Hermione almost yelled as she ripped the letter from the boys hands.
The red haired boy rolled his eyes. "What's the sense in reading it when you will just tell me what is says?"
"This is why you always fail your History of magic tests, you just think I'm going to give you all the answers." Hermione said her tone getting more upset.
The boy rolled his eyes again. "What does Neville want us to do for him anyways?"
Hermione frowned as she read the letter again. "He wants to meet with us so we can help figure a way out of Slytherin. Apparently he's scared someone is going kill him, and he thinks Harry has been acting strangely as well. Maybe we should help him Ron. He sounds really concerned."
Ron once again started throwing little paper balls at Dean. "I don't know Moine. Maybe Harry belongs in Slytherin. We should just let things alone. The hat said it was for the best anyways. So that must mean it's true. Besides we both know Harry was supposed to be one of those evil gits in the first place."
"What if Harry has been put under a curse of something and isn't acting of his own free will? Dumbledore wanted us to look after him. You know with all those things about his past that he doesn't know. We have to at least meet Neville, we can decide once he gives us the whole story." Hermione said matter of factly, as she tucked the letter inside her school bag.
Ron had begun throwing the balls at Seamus, who in turn was throwing them back. When Hermione realized what they were doing she looked at them sternly and muttered something about stupid boys who need to grow up before she stalked off towards the girls dormitory to write Neville a reply.
It wasn't until morning that Neville received his reply. Hedwig dropped it off, as he was getting ready to head to breakfast. "Harry I got their reply do you want to have a look at it?" He called to his raven-haired dorm mate.
"Sure Nev., give me a second will you?" A few moments later the boy emerged from the bathroom, a towel clutched in his hand. "Well where is it? I want to see what they said." Neville handed the boy the parchment.
Neville,
Ron and I agree to meet you for tea on Thursday during our afternoon break. We want to hear the entire story before we agree to help. We are worried about Harry as well. Perhaps if we can find proof that he is under a spell, then we can convince Dumbledore that Slytherin is not safe for either of you. Just keep a close watch on him; there are things that he doesn't know about himself. If he were to ever find out, things could change very much in a negative way. We will meet you on Thursday in the room of requirement.
Hermione.
"Well then we are all set, it gives us time to come up with a great story until the truth serum kicks in. We'll get one of those self-writing quills to get everything said down on paper. "Harry said thoughtfully to himself more then to Neville.
"Are you sure you really want to know Harry? I mean what if it's something horrible like Voldermort is your father." Neville replied grimacing at the thought.
"Something isn't right Nev., and I have to figure out what is going on. Neither one of us is safe in Slytherin. Draco's patience is wearing thin, he wants an answer Neville and we can't afford to make a mistake about where we lie with him."
"I know Harry I just wanted to be sure this is what you wanted to do. There are a lot of things that you may not wish to find out once you learn what they are. There are things about other people that may come out, that you do not wish to know. This isn't just about you Harry, it affects others as well."
Harry frowned, "Are you trying to tell me something Neville?" He looked into the chocolate brown eyes of the boy next to him.
"Have you ever wondered why I was sorted into Slytherin? Doesn't it seem a bit odd to you. Come on little old me Neville long bottom, who can't even make a simple potion without blowing up a cauldron, a snake. I'm not sly or cunning and I'm not mean or evil." Neville said.
"I have wondered Neville but it's not my place to ask you such a personal question. I just thought that you would tell me if and when you were ready. If you want to tell me Neville then go ahead, but if you want to wait I understand as well. Though you often have me curious as to why the sudden change." Harry said still looking at Neville.
Neville sighed sadly, "When all is said and done and we learn the things you need to know, I will tell you. Some of my story does involve you and your past, though I do not know the whole story. I think it best you find out what you need to know before I tell you what little I know. And before you ask it does have something to do with your parents but I don't know who those parents are. As far as I know it's the potters. Come on Harry we should get to breakfast." Without another word the boys left their dorm.
Draco had left word for them at breakfast that he expected their presence in the Slytherin Common room for tea during afternoon break. The boys sighed to themselves, but stated that they would be present. When afternoon break rolled around it found, Harry and Neville, sitting around the common room with the other Slytherins.
"Thank you for joining us for tea." Draco said smoothly, arrogance obvious in his tone. Draco picked up his tea cup in perfect form making Neville groan, they of course would be expected to have perfect form as well. This was not to be an informal meeting of the minds.
"Like we even had a choice in the matter, you demanded our presence. If we had not shown up I would hate to think of the consequences." Neville said looking directly at Draco.
The blonde god gave him a hurt look as he said, "I would never harm you Neville, even if you think I would. You always have a choice in what I ask of you. Never think that I would not allow you to make up your own mind, I am not as controlling as one might think." Neville did nothing but nod, his gaze still directed on Draco.
"May I ask why you wanted us here?" Harry said leaning back in his chair. Ignoring the strange tension between Neville and Draco, as well as the tea in front of him, he would have to ask Neville later what that was about.
"I know I said I would give you time to decide what you wanted to do. But the other Slytherins are growing restless. They don't like answering to someone who has not been accepted into the court."
Harry interrupted Draco, "What do you mean they don't like taking orders from someone not part of your little court? We haven't given anyone any orders and we don't bloody well plan to order people around like our slaves."
Draco glared at Harry and continued speaking, "Do not interrupt me again. As I was saying I fear they will become insolent if we do not give you a station. And if I were to make you below me as they are, then there will be no way to promote you higher later. I need your answer within the next day, if not sooner."
Harry frowned and sat forward quickly. "That doesn't give us much time. We have barely had a week to think over the matter and now we must decide within a few hours time. I do not like this arrangement. How can I be certain it is not a trap?"
"That Harry is something only you know the answer to. If you believe it is a trap then you will most likely know that deep down. I can tell you what the truth of the matter is and still you will only believe what you want to believe. It has always been that way. This is something that I cannot change your mind on, either you believe that I am being sincere, or you believe that I am setting you up. There is nothing I can do to make you see otherwise. But I will need your answer soon Harry. I cannot risk harm to you and Neville, nor can I risk harm to the other Slytherins." The blonde answered taking another sip of his tea before putting the cup down.
Harry nodded. "Alright then, tomorrow I will give you my answer. I cannot give it to you sooner. I fear that even tomorrow I will not have all the information I need. Once again it seems I am being rushed into this unprepared as I always have. I will never understand why everyone thinks I shall be okay being uninformed. Until tomorrow then Draco, if you excuse me I have some homework to finish before dinner."
With that the raven-haired boy stood up and turned to his Gryffindor counterpart," Are you coming Nev?"
"Not now Harry I want to have a word with Draco. I'll be up in a moment." Neville replied. Harry nodded and left the common room heading towards the boys dorms.
Neville kept his gaze trained hard on the boy in front of him. "I do not believe for one minute that your ultimatum was strictly given in your concern for the safety of others. I know you are up to something Draco. And it is not a selfless act, as you would have Harry believe. You may have him fooled but you will not fool me. A person does not change overnight. You can't go from hating us for years to suddenly looking out for our safety. Harry will not be prepared to make a decision and you very well know it. Why you would force him to is beyond me. I suppose it is your attempt to control him, much like everyone else tries to control him. I will not stand by idly and watch you destroy him for your own kicks. Harry is the only person ever to befriend me without a motive, the least I can do is watch out for him. I am watching you Malfoy. And if I think that your motives are underhanded I will come down on you and you will not know what hit you. I don't trust you Draco Malfoy, you have hated us from the moment we got off those boats first year, and hate doesn't change over the course of a few months. You had better not be lying or I swear I will kill you. "
Neville stood up and walked away, leaving a rather stunned Draco Malfoy behind. Draco dismissed the group around him not long after Neville had left. The blonde Adonis stood next to the fireplace, his gray eyes looking blindly into the flames. The only sound in the common room was fire crackling, and Draco's whispered confession to no one.
"I never hated you Neville, and someday I will prove that to you, even if I die trying." But no one was there to hear the sincerity or sadness in his voice.