Written for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Assignment 2: Floristry with Bex - Dark Purple - Write a Royalty!AU

Word Count: 545

Summary: That time Neville Longbottom elbowed the King... (Nevile/Lucius)

A/N: I don't write much at the moment, so this is my gateway back to get into it. This is for Loops who picked the prompt for me and requested the coupling. I still owe you a better Neville/Lucius one, but I hope this tides you over.

Best to give me your loyalty

It was a pleasantly warm evening, with drinks flowing and laughter filling the night air, with string music from the quartet at the top of the steps leading to the castle entrance. Couples twirled on the dance-floor covering the castle lawns and servants moved effortlessly through the crowds, holding trays of drinks.

Neville stayed at the edges of the crowd, too scared to go any further for fear of stepping on a gown or an expensive shoe. He hadn't even taken a drink, despite his dry throat, in case he somehow spilled it. He itched to dance, but how did one go about asking someone?

He let out a small sigh, glancing up at the bright stars.

"Your grandmother tells me you have an interest in roses?" a low, smooth voice asked close to his ear.

And this was precisely why Neville hadn't picked up a flute of champagne; at hearing the unexpected voice, Neville turned quickly, his elbow digging sharply into the person's rib, and then stepped on a passing lady's gown. If he'd had a drink, they'd have all been wearing it as well.

Thankfully, the passing lady was his long time friend Ginny. She waved him off with a laugh and a nod at the person he'd elbowed.

Unfortunately, it would appear he had attacked the King.

The King!

Neville groaned, his face rapidly heating up with shame. His grandmother was going to kill him. That was if the King didn't do it first.

"Your Majesty," Neville whispered with a squeak at the end as he tried to bow. He kept his eyes firmly on the ground. "I'm not sure I will ever be able to apologise enough."

After a moment, Neville realised nothing else has been said between them, and he was still staring at the ground. He risked lifting his head to look, his body still bent at the waist. King Lucius was watching him with calculating eyes and a hint of smirk at the corner of his mouth.

"Are you scared of me?" he asked with the barest of movement of his lips.

"Should I be?" Neville asked, standing up straight.

King Lucius' eyes slowly travelled down Neville's body, taking in every inch of the smartest outfit his grandmother had ever trusted him to wear. Then they slowly made their way back up to Neville's face. He shivered, feeling like he'd been undressed by the King. His heart thudded rapidly.

"Only if you cannot tell me why my rose garden is not thriving as well as it used to," King Lucius finally said.

Neville let his next breath go quickly. "If you would permit to see them, I would be happy to advise," Neville offered with a shaky voice. "Shall I come back tomorrow?"

King Lucius shook his head. That small smirk now becoming a full-blown smile that held secrets. "I think now would be better. The lighting is fine in the gardens."

Neville wasn't sure if the lighting was fine this late into the night, but when the King asked for you help, you did as you were told.

Especially when he was looking at you like you were a glass of water found in a desert.

Neville returned the smile. "I would love nothing more, Your Majesty."