Fascination

Title: Fascination
Author: Participant #026 Pansy Plumm aka Irana
Gift For: Participant #088 Amnesia Knott
Pairing: Draco/Neville
Rating: Adult; No kiddies please
Warnings: Post-war, AU, rimming, felching, dirty talk, first time, oral sex, wanton!bottom!Neville
Disclaimer: Don't sue me. I'm just playing with them, getting them dirty. I'll wash them off before I return them. Really.
Wordcount: 9,750
Summary: Developing a fascination for a certain Gryffindor was the last thing Draco expected. If asked, he'd admit only to that fascination being returned – with interest.
A/N: Written for the 2007 fic exchange. The request was: PWP or plotty are both fine. Post war preferred. I also prefer happy (or at least hopeful) endings. From the kinks you listed, the following ones appeal to me: rimming/felching, talking someone to orgasm, first time, dominance/submission, wanton!Neville, alpha!Remus, collars, delayed gratification, object penetration/sex toys, figging. Thanks B. for the beta. Any remaining mistakes are all my own.


*~*~*

It all began with an unfortunately overheard conversation.

Draco had gone to the break room closest to his office in the Department of Mysteries with every intention of refilling his pot of tea. Because of the vast amount of Dark objects in his office, conjuring of any kind was potentially fatal, and so he was forced to fetching his own refreshments like any Muggle. His only consolation was that this late in the evening, there was generally no one about, so no one would see him fetching and carrying like a house elf.

He had just reached the door of the tiny kitchenette when he'd heard voices. Draco had no intention of listening once he realized to whom the voices belonged – Potter and Longbottom – but one phrase in particular caught his attention.

"… rimming, Harry, and…"

Draco nearly dropped the porcelain pot in his hand. Had Longbottom just used the word rimming? He was surprised the man even knew what it was. He tuned back in to the conversation to realize he'd missed the rest of Longbottom's statement.

"… sorry Neville. The right one will come along, you'll see," Harry assured him.

"Maybe," Neville replied.

Draco could have almost sworn that Longbottom sounded… well, he wasn't certain how he sounded exactly, but he was glad it wasn't something he himself was feeling.

"Seems to me no one sticks around long enough for me to know if they're the right one or not. All they want to do is to be able to say they've shagged one of the heroes of the war and when they realize I want more than just a shag, off they go. Honestly Harry, I don't even understand why Minister Weasley decided to give me an Order of Merlin. I didn't do much at all, not like you or Snape or even Malfoy. All I did was get knocked flat on my arse and cut up a bit."

"Neville," Harry began. "I've told you this before and I know you know it, but that spell was meant for me. If you hadn't stepped in front of it I would have been the one sitting in St. Mungos for weeks while I healed if Voldemort hadn't just killed me then."

"That wasn't heroic or brave, Harry," Neville replied. "That was just common sense. You had to be the one to kill him so you couldn't get hurt. It was a simple as that. I don't see anything brave about doing what was necessary."

"Neville, you did exactly the same thing any of us did. Just like Severus, or Malfoy, or Remus. You did what was needed in a situation that could have resulted in your death. That is heroic, and brave."

Draco privately concurred, although he'd cut his own tongue out before he'd ever admit he agreed with Potter on anything. He hadn't thought spying for the Light had been particularly brave; stupid and dangerous yes, but not bravery. It was a simple matter of survival. Severus had pointed out that true bravery was not just standing, but acting in the face of fear and death, doing what was right and needed to be done despite the consequences. What Longbottom had done was indeed heroic when looked at in that light.

"Harry, we will never agree on this, so leave off, yeah? I'd rather talk about my depressing lack of love life than argue about that. At least you know Snape wants you for who you are and not what you're supposed to be."

Longbottom's voice sounded closer, so Draco turned and made a quick retreat to his office. Once there he sat down at his desk and mulled over what he'd discovered. Not only did Longbottom think himself unworthy of the Order of Merlin Second Class he'd received, but he was gay and apparently lonely if Draco had understood this conversation correctly. He preferred not to think of Potter with his godfather if he could avoid it, but could sympathise with Longbottom's loneliness.

It had been bad enough when people had pursued him simply because of his last name. Now those that didn't outright ignore him wanted him for the same reason Longbottom hated; he was considered a hero of the war. At twenty seven years of age, Draco wanted what his parents had been blessed with; someone who loved him for himself as much as he loved them. It greatly amused him to discover Longbottom in the same situation. Pity he hadn't heard the entire conversation. There seemed to be much more to Longbottom than Draco had given him credit for.

Deciding the two had likely left the area by now, Draco once more picked up his pot and headed for the break room. He was in dire need of fresh tea if he was to finish his project tonight. Late nights were something he'd got rather accustomed to since he began working for the Committee on Dark Magic Reversal. It didn't do much for his love life either, Draco reflected as he refilled his pot with his special blend of tea.

*~*~*

Three weeks later and Draco was forced to endure yet another of the disadvantages of working for the Ministry: an employee party. Minister Weasley had them from time to time, usually at times when Draco could least afford to be away from his office. Arthur Weasley believed that the parties were good for employee morale, that they gave the staff a chance to interact with each other and their families in a more relaxed atmosphere. They were always held off Ministry property and everyone was encouraged to bring their loved ones along.

Draco hated them.

All they did was serve to remind him that he was alone. He only remaining family was usually wrapped around Potter, although he couldn't in all fairness go so far as to say Severus ignored him. Severus made it a point to visit him and stay in contact with him, even going so far as to worry about Draco's single status. Thankfully, his Godfather had yet to resort to matchmaking, a fact for which Draco was extremely grateful.

Draco sat in the shadows and watched the people around him, smiling at some and frowning slightly at others. Sommersby – one of the people he worked with – was vastly inebriated, and had just barely managed not to tip his date into the punch. He was surprised the man had managed to procure a date at all given his general social ineptness. Shaking his head, his eyes caught Severus and Potter sitting at a table, heads close together, and soft smiles on their faces.

Draco smiled.

He was pleased for his godfather. He would never admit it, but Potter suited Severus – quite well actually – and he made his godfather happy. When he looked at them he saw the same love and affection he'd often glimpsed when he caught his parents in unguarded moments, and it warmed his heart to think that two people who had once seemed bitter enemies could be so happy together.

Draco's smile slipped when he saw Ronald Weasley and Theodore Nott walk up to the table he was watching. He'd fancied Ron once, but the redhead still disliked him immensely. Oh he tolerated Draco just fine when he had to, but it never went past polite courtesy. Draco would have enjoyed seeing if something like what Severus and Potter had could have developed between them, but he'd never quite managed to get past Weasley's guard, and truly, he knew he had no one to blame but himself.

He'd never been able to leave off pushing Weasley's buttons – though he had stopped calling him Weasel – because the man was simply magnificent when he was hacked off. Draco sighed and consoled himself with the fact that at least Ron no longer hated all Slytherins, although he suspected that Theo and Severus had a great deal more to do with that change than he himself ever had.

Sighing, Draco set down his empty glass and stood. He needed the loo and now was as good a time as any. Perhaps he'd say his goodbyes after and head back to the office. He had work to do if nothing else. He headed in that direction and came to a halt as he turned the corner, just managing to suppress a groan. Blaise Zabini had someone pressed against the wall, tongue deep in the other man's mouth, hands curled firmly around the cheeks of the other man's arse while his hips rolled insistently over the other man's groin.

It wasn't that so much that stopped him in his tracks, it was who Zabini was kissing: Neville Longbottom. Internally, Draco cursed with frustration. He'd just managed to rid himself of the image of Longbottom as a sexual being a week ago, and now here it was shoved squarely into his face.

He'd been aware of Longbottom the moment he'd stepped into the ballroom where the party was being held tonight and had done his level best to ignore him. Draco was more than aware of the fact that his curiousity would one day be his downfall, and he had been more than a little curious about Longbottom since that overheard conversation weeks ago. He flattened himself against the wall behind the corner as Neville pushed Zabini away and strained to hear what was being said.

"Blaise, we can't do this," Neville said, voice not quite steady.

"Why not? I know you want me Neville, your cock if nothing else doesn't lie."

"I do want you. But not like this. We want different things Blaise, you know that. I can't – no, I won't - give myself to someone who only wants a good shag. I want more than that, and that won't change no matter what you do. Just leave it be, alright?"

"Neville," Blaise tried once more, "you can't save yourself forever. Who knows how long it will be before you find the person you're looking for. You liked it when I had my tongue in your arse; I promise you'll like having my cock there too."

It took Draco a minute to process the statement and the fact that despite all odds, Longbottom was still technically a virgin. How he'd managed to avoid being taken by Blaise if Blaise had rimmed him Draco didn't know, because he certainly hadn't been able to avoid it. That had been the experience that taught him he enjoyed being on the bottom almost as much as being on top.

"Blaise please," Neville sighed. "Don't do this. You know how I feel about this. You're a nice enough bloke, but…" he trailed off.

Draco could understand. Blaise always had been a bit free with his body, and if Neville had never let anyone enter his he wouldn't quite understand why. Making a decision, Draco stepped boldly around the corner and made his way down the hall.

"Zabini, Neville," he greeted, noting the flush that spread across Longbottom's cheeks as he greeted Longbottom by his given name and eyed the two of them knowingly. "I didn't interrupt anything did I?" he asked conversationally, pointedly looking at Blaise.

Blaise gave Draco an exasperated glance and sighed. "You know full well you did," he muttered under his breath, just loud enough for Draco to catch. "No," he said in a louder tone of voice, "you didn't."

Caught by some emotion he had yet to identify, Draco smiled thinly at Blaise. "Good. I'd hate to think you were molesting my date for the evening," he said lightly before turning to Longbottom. "Neville, if you're ready, we can leave."

Neville blinked at him for a moment before he decided to take the out Draco offered, whatever the consequences. He knew Draco had to know he'd come alone, but if he had a choice, he'd rather be alone with Malfoy. At least the blond wasn't attempting to climb into his pants in the middle of a hallway. "I am yes."

Draco gave Blaise a brief smile and extended his arm to Longbottom. "Shall we?" he asked as he pulled Neville's hand through his arm and led him back around the corner. Draco walked them straight outside to the garden and pulled Longbottom into a sheltered alcove before he released him.

"All right there?" he asked, surprised at the tenderness in his own voice. Salazar's balls, what was wrong with him?

"I… thank you," Neville said, confusion flickering in his eyes. "I suppose you heard…" he began.

Draco nodded and interrupted. "Zabini can be a right pushy arse, but he ought to leave you be if he thinks you're with me. Sorry about that by the way, it was the only thing I could think of."

Neville flushed. "Um, no… that's… it's alright. If it will work so much the better," he said softly, wondering why in the world Draco had bothered to rescue him in the first place. "I suppose we ought to leave together though, or he might not believe it."

Neville was more than a little confused, but he'd always thought Draco attractive, more so when it became apparent the man truly hated Voldemort and was on their side. He'd had to work with him a little during the war, and what he'd seen had only made him want to know the other man better, though he'd never had the nerve to approach him. But now… well Draco could only say no couldn't he?

"Let me buy you a drink?" he suggested, proud that he didn't sound at all as nervous as he felt. "Somewhere besides here?"

Draco looked at him for a long moment before he nodded. He took Longbottom's arm once more and led him back inside and over to the table where all of Neville's friends and their significant others were now congregated. Severus gave him an odd look, and he could see the slight frown on both Potter's and Weasley's faces, but he didn't let it faze him as he said his goodnights. He heard Neville tell Potter he'd explain later, and the two of them took their leave.

He spotted Zabini speaking to someone by the door and slipped his arm around Neville's waist as they approached it. "Goodnight Zabini," he said pleasantly as he led a blushing Longbottom through the door and out into the night air.

Draco waited until they were out of sight of the building before he released the other man and said quietly, "We can part here if you wish. That ought to have done the trick."

Neville flushed but shook his head. "I need a drink, and I'd prefer not to have one alone if you don't mind." This was his chance to get to know Draco better, and he fully intended to take it.

Draco nodded. The fact that he wasn't ready to part company with Longbottom had nothing to do with his decision; it was simply that it would be poor manners to leave the man to drink alone. "Where shall we go then?"

Neville shrugged. "I don't really care at the moment, so long as it's not here."

"Hold on then," Draco said as he took Neville's arm. "I know just the place." The fact that the place he was thinking of was well known to Blaise as a place he took the people he dated was simply on the off chance Zabini showed up looking to confirm their ruse. It wasn't as if he were truly interested in Longbottom that way after all, and it could only help the other man. Draco refused to consider why getting Blaise to leave Longbottom alone was so important to him.

Draco settled Neville into his usual booth once they arrived at the Purple Heron and proceeded to procure them drinks. He was surprised to find he was enjoying himself with Longbottom an hour later when Zabini walked through the door. A small frown creased his forehead as he leaned across the table and whispered, "We appear to have company Longbottom."

"You'd best call me Neville then, hadn't you, if we plan to convince Blaise we're together."

Draco started at that. Had he truly been calling the other man by his last name this entire time? "Likewise, Neville," he said as he shifted in a way that brought him just a bit closer to the other man. He hadn't been a spy for nothing, although he could admit he should have thought of that before. At least he hadn't called him Longbottom when he'd originally rescued him from Zabini although he still wasn't certain why he'd begun this entire charade to begin with. He turned his head in an attempt to make it look like he was whispering naughty things into Neville's ear just as Zabini reached their table.

"Draco, Neville," Blaise said as he stopped, irritation a clear undercurrent in his voice. He'd been so certain that Malfoy had been lying about Neville and had come to the Heron knowing it was where Draco took all his dates. He hadn't expected to actually see them there, not to mention sitting so closely together.

For added effect – and not because Neville smelled good or because he wanted to see what the other man's skin tasted like – Draco licked softly around the edge of Neville's earlobe and sucked it into his mouth before he pulled away to give Zabini a lazy greeting. He couldn't help the smile that curved his lips when Neville shuddered lightly as he pulled away and slid a possessive hand onto the other's man's thigh. Draco felt his cock twitch at the heat of Neville under his hand, but was careful to keep the reaction from his face.

"Blaise," he drawled, flicking his eyes to the dark skinned Slytherin before turning his eyes back to take in Neville's pleasingly flushed face. "Fancy seeing you here. I'd invite you for a drink, but I'm rather busy at the moment," he added, dismissal clear in his voice and body language.

"Neville, you look a bit flushed," Draco said softly, leaning closer to his 'date'. "Would you like another drink? Something to cool you down a bit?" he purred, lips brushing Neville's ear. He knew full well what Blaise would make of both the comment and the action, and watched with interest to see what Long – no Neville - would do.

Neville nodded, flushing. "I'll get it," he said, needing to put some space between himself and Draco. It was one thing to fantasize, but to actually have the other man touch him in such an intimate fashion when he wasn't expecting it was devastating. He could feel his skin tingling everywhere Draco had touched, feel himself wanting more, but he knew Draco had only done it for Blaise's benefit. "Shall I get you another as well?" he asked, nodding to Draco's empty glass.

Draco nodded and smiled, then made a point of watching Neville's arse as he walked away. Longbottom was an entirely inappropriate name; the man's arse was perfect, he found himself thinking, and smiled as he thought of what Neville's reaction to that would be. Utter shock more than likely.

"What the hell are you playing at, Malfoy?" Blaise hissed as he took a seat across from Draco. "I know Neville was at the party alone."

"Oh that?" Draco waved the accusation off with a slim hand. "I told him I'd meet him there. I wasn't certain I'd be able to get away from the office, and I didn't want him to miss seeing his friends."

Blaise frowned. It made sense sod it all. Everyone knew Draco put in more hours than was healthy. "So why didn't he tell me he was waiting for you then?" he asked, unwilling to believe that he might have really lost his chance to have Neville in his bed once more. They may not have done much past very satisfying foreplay, but Neville was a wildcat in bed and he wanted the chance to shag him properly.

Draco turned glinting grey eyes on the other man. "Did you even give him a chance to do so, Zabini?" he asked. "Or were you so busy trying to get into his pants that you didn't even give the possibility he was waiting for someone else a thought?"

Blaise flushed. He had rather snuck up on Neville and he was almost certain Draco knew it. "Neville's not like us, Draco," he said. "He wants more than a bit of fun."

Draco allowed a smugly satisfied smile to curve his lips at that. "Then that makes Neville and I not at all like you then doesn’t it?" he drawled.

"Are you telling me that you want more than just his arse?" Blaise asked incredulously. He couldn't believe it; Draco Malfoy of all people wanting domesticity.

Draco allowed his voice to drop into a silken, dangerous purr. "Gorgeous though his arse is, that's precisely what I'm telling you Zabini, and if you do anything - anything at all - to get in the way of my relationship with Neville I will personally see to it that you wish you were never born. Have I made myself perfectly clear?" he demanded, surprised at the sincerity in his words.

Internally Draco gaped with shock as it finally occurred to him why he wanted Zabini off Neville's back, what the sole purpose of beginning this farce was; he wanted Longbottom for himself. How the fuck had that happened? When had it happened?

Neville nearly dropped the glasses in his hands as he heard Draco's last fierce statement. Dear Merlin, but he sounded like he meant it. Neville shook his head and reminded himself that Draco had been a spy; he had to sound like he meant everything he said. It wasn't as though Draco were possibly truly interested in him after all. He pulled himself together and fixed a smile on his face as he walked the last three paces and set a glass down in front of Draco.

Blaise watched as Draco's face softened as he smiled his thanks up at Neville, and smothered a sigh. Draco was serious damn it. He looked positively smitten. Blaise knew if he wanted to keep breathing – not to mention his balls – he'd best leave Neville alone. "I'll leave you two to enjoy your drinks," he said as he slid out of the booth. "Draco, it was good to see you again. Neville, I suppose I'll see you and Draco some other time."

Neville watched in surprise as Blaise made for the bar without waiting for an acknowledgment from either of them, then retook his seat and looked across at Draco. "What did you say to him?" he asked. He was certain he wouldn't have to worry about being accosted by Blaise in the future, at least, not so long as Draco was nearby.

"Nothing of import," Draco said carelessly, unknowingly cementing Neville's belief that Draco hadn't meant what he'd overheard and had just said it for Blaise's benefit. Draco had just admitted to himself that he wanted Neville; he wasn't prepared to make that admission to Neville yet.

Neville nodded, ignoring the pang of disappointment he felt. After all, they didn't really know each other, so it wasn't possible for Draco to really want him that way after all. He decided then and there that they would know each other better. He wanted a real friendship if he couldn't have anything else from the man across from him.

"Thank you, for whatever it was," Neville said finally.

"My pleasure," Draco replied. "It was the least I could do for a former comrade in arms after all," he added. He suspected that would give Neville a reason for why he was doing this and hoped it would be enough until he was ready to tell Neville the truth.

Ah, so that was it, Neville thought. He'd known once it became clear why Draco had planned to kill Dumbledore that the man had a strong streak of honour in him. It seemed that nothing had changed in that regard. It was something to build a friendship on at least. That cheering thought in mind, Neville returned to their previous conversation with pleasure. Neville thought he felt something – some sort of undercurrent to their conversation – but told himself he was just imagining it. Draco wasn't interested in him like that.

As they were leaving some hours later Neville was surprised when Draco pulled him flush against him and bent his head to whisper in Neville's ear. "Zabini is leaving," he said quietly. "I'm going to kiss you, so try not to bite off my tongue. It's something he'd expect to see me do with someone I was dating."

That was all the warning Neville got before Draco closed his lips over Neville's. Neville gasped at the feel of Draco's tongue teasing the seam of his lips and just managed not to moan when he felt it slip into his mouth. His hands slid up to wrap around Draco's neck and he unconsciously pressed closer as Draco deepened the kiss. Merlin, but the man had a wicked mouth.

Draco forgot about their audience at the first slide into Neville's mouth. The smooth taste of vodka and the sharp tang of orange ripped across his senses before the soft spice that had to be pure Neville had his cock hardening in his pants. Neville tasted and felt divine, and Draco willingly delved into his mouth with a desire that was not at all false. The hands he'd locked around Neville's waist slipped down to cup that delightful arse, and he pulled Neville closer, glorying in the feel of him.

Neville moaned as their hips connected, opening his mouth wider, pressing closer. He could swear Draco was hard. Merlin but Draco tasted good, felt so damn good. He wanted this, and he decided he was going to have it – all of it – one way or another. Nothing this good could be just about fooling someone else could it?

"Draco, you really should take him home first, don't you think?"

Zabini's amused voice slammed into Draco, shattering his enjoyment of the moment as he remembered it was just supposed to be a kiss for Blaise's benefit. Growling in irritation he flashed Zabini a glare before pulling back slightly, enough to separate their bodies and make Neville doubt what he'd felt, but not letting Neville go or removing his hands from his arse.

"You're correct of course," Draco managed to say. "Goodnight Zabini," he added, before he Apparated himself and Neville to Malfoy Manor.

Once inside he pulled completely away from Neville and ran a hand through his hair. "I apologise. I should not have taken it that far," he said somewhat stiffly. Draco didn't do apologies, and he suspected that one was far less gracious than it should have been, but the fact was, he wasn't sorry at all that he'd kissed Neville, simply sorry it had been interrupted.

Neville – still reeling from the intensity of both the kiss and his reaction to it – took several moments before he answered. "It's alright. If nothing else, he definitely believes we're seeing each other now," he managed. He ignored the disappointment that it wasn't real for the moment. He needed to think, sort things out in his head.

Draco felt a pang of loss as he realized that he no longer had a reason to be around Neville, to touch him, and he nodded absently. The silence grew between them until Neville finally broke it.

"I suppose I'd better go. Um, thanks again, Draco. I had a good time, despite the reasons for it."

Draco's head snapped up at that. You did? He shook his head and smiled. "I'm glad. Zabini can be a persistent bastard, and if I helped, I'm pleased." I just wish it weren't over already, or that I knew how to get you to agree to see me again.

"Um… well… maybe, if you're not busy, sometime we could have lunch or something. I've been wanting to get to know you better since the war and if nothing else comes of this night, I'd like us to be friends," Neville said hesitantly, not at all sure the offer would be accepted.

Draco nodded slowly. "Friendship is the least I can offer you after what I put you through this evening," he agreed. And maybe I'll find a way to tell you what it is I really want from you within the near future.

Neville smiled and turned for the floo. "I'll owl you, alright?"

"You do that," Draco replied, and watched somewhat bemusedly as Neville stepped into the floo and vanished. He wondered briefly what Severus would make of this before he turned and headed for bed. It had been one hell of a night and he had loads of work to catch up with in the morning.

*~*~*

Neville stepped into his flat and leaned against the wall, eyes closed. He had a lunch date with Draco Malfoy. Alright, so he didn't know when it would be, but he would have one. He opened his eyes and gasped in shock as he saw Harry sitting on his sofa.

"Merlin Harry, don't do that to me! What are you doing here?"

Harry raised a brow and smirked at Neville in amusement. "I do still live here you know, even if I spend most of my time with Severus." He took in Neville's flushed face and slightly swollen lips and the amusement faded from his face. "All right there Neville?" he asked, wondering just what had prompted Neville to leave with Draco. That had been hours ago and he hadn't missed Zabini hot on their trail.

Neville sighed and slumped onto the couch next to Harry. "I think I have a date with Draco."

Harry's brows flew into his hairline before he gave a soft chuckle. He'd often thought Neville would be good for the blond although he'd never mentioned it. He knew Neville thought Draco attractive, but Neville had never said anything beyond that, and given how much Harry hated people interfering in his life, he tried his best to not interfere with the lives of his friends.

"Oh really? And just how did that happen?" he asked as he settled in to hear the story.

"It's Blaise's fault really," Neville began and launched into the entire tale from the moment Blaise had cornered him outside the loo to him using the floo to leave Malfoy Manor. "I just don't know if he's really interested of if he's only being polite."

Harry snorted in a remarkable impersonation of Snape. "Nothing about that kiss sounds forced, especially not if he was as surprised as you say he was when Zabini spoke. You said he took you to the manor?" When Neville nodded, Harry went on.

"Let me tell you something Neville. Draco is jealous of his privacy, as much as Severus is. Severus says he's never taken anyone there he was dating, not even once. The fact that he took you there, to a place even I've never been invited to – and I'm the lover of his only family – tells me he's far more comfortable with you than you think. He could have just as easily taken you to the flat he owns in London, even if he suspected Zabini might trace his signature. He didn't have to take you into his private space."

Neville thought about that for a moment then nodded. If what Harry said was true, then the fact that Draco had taken him to Malfoy Manor had to mean something didn't it? "I reckon I'll just owl him and see what happens then," he murmured.

Curious, Harry asked, "Why haven't you asked him out before? I know you think he's attractive, you told me so a long time ago."

Neville blushed, even as he shrugged. "I didn't think he'd be interested. I know we worked well together in the war, and got along and all, but afterwards… well, it just seemed like if he wanted to have anything else to do with me, he'd let me know. Everybody else did, and I wouldn't have known how to approach him anyway."

Harry sighed. What self-confidence Neville had gained had really taken a blow once he'd realized that most of the people who pursued him did so only because of his recent fame. "Neville, I keep telling you this, but I really want you to listen to me this time. You're a great bloke; handsome, kind, strong, considerate, all the things anyone could want in a partner. Anyone who can't see that is a fool, and Draco Malfoy is no fool. If he doesn't see it now, he will, I can guarantee that. Don't give up just yet, okay? Give it a chance; you might be surprised how things work out."

Neville sighed and nodded. Harry would only give him that disappointed look if he didn't. Harry never really butted into Neville's affairs unless he was specifically asked, but he did wield that look when he was particularly disappointed and Neville knew his friend only wanted to see him happy. "All right. I'll give it chance, I promise."

"Good," Harry grinned. "I'll see you later yeah?" he added as he stood up. "I promised Severus I'd come back after I'd made cure you were okay."

Neville shook his head and laughed. "When are you going to move in with him? It's not like he doesn't want you there, you're there all the time."

"We've talked about it," Harry confessed. "But I don't want to leave you here all alone."

Neville gaped at Harry a moment before he said, "Don't worry about me. It's not like you can't visit. And besides, maybe I won't be alone for much longer," he added hopefully. "I refuse to have you holding back your relationship for me."

Harry just grinned. "Severus understands. If things look like they will work out between you and Draco, then I'll think about it okay? Go get some sleep. You look like you need it."

Deciding to drop it for now – Harry was impossible once he'd made his mind up about something – Neville stood and stretched. "See you tomorrow then. Or whenever you come back," he teased as he headed for his bedroom. "Night Harry."

"Night Neville," Harry replied before he Apparated away. He couldn't wait to tell Severus about this. Maybe now his lover would stop worrying so much about his godson.

*~*~*

Six days. It had been six days with no word from Neville, and Draco was beginning to wonder if the other man had been serious after all. Frustrated with himself, he dropped his quill on his desk and sat back in his chair. This wasn't like him. He never worried over what another person said they would do unless it involved life or death. People rarely kept their promises to a Malfoy after all. But this was Neville, and he'd expected him to be different.

He could always owl the other man himself, but he didn't want to seem eager or desperate, and was rather convinced that action would make him appear both. He looked up at a knock to his door and frowned. He wasn't expecting anyone and he wasn't due to see Severus until tomorrow.

"Come," he said, voice tired. It was late, and he should be thinking about heading home but if it was one of his coworkers there would be little chance of that.

Neville had been standing nervously outside Draco's office for several minutes before he'd finally knocked. He'd been thinking for the last few days about what he wanted to do, and had decided that while he really did want a friendship with Draco, he wanted an intimate relationship more. It had taken the past four days and a confirmation from Harry that no one save Severus had seen the inside of Malfoy Manor in the years the war had been over for him to gather his nerves to do this.

Neville wondered if perhaps tonight was not the best time to do this given how tired Draco sounded. Shaking himself he opened the door and stuck his head around it. "Is now a bad time?" he asked hesitantly. "I can come back another time if it is."

Draco blinked in shock before he mastered himself. Neville was the last person he'd expected at his door, not that he was unwelcome. "No, now is fine. I was thinking about heading home actually. Come in."

"Perhaps I should wait then," Neville said as he stepped inside and closed the door behind him. If Draco was on his way home, then his plans for a meal would have to wait.

Draco shook his head and waved Neville into the chair across from his desk. "Nonsense. You're here already. What can I do for you, Neville?" he asked, struggling to reign in his curiousity. Neville had said he'd owl, not show up at Draco's office. A tiny curl of unease began in his stomach. What if Neville had decided he didn't want to be friends after all? Then what would he do? He needed some sort of starting point with this man… he wasn't certain he could handle it if Neville took that away.

"Um… well," Neville began before he sighed and took a deep breath. "I'd wondered if you wanted to have dinner with me. I know I'd said I'd owl about lunch, but I thought this might be better."

Draco just managed to keep his jaw from dropping. Dinner implied… but then, friends did that sort of thing too, he reminded himself. It didn't necessarily mean that Neville wanted…. He clamped down on his thoughts and nodded. "I've not eaten yet, so dinner makes sense. Where did you want to go?"

Neville flushed. He'd expected to hear 'no'. "Um, well… there's this little place… um… do you like Italian? They make the best stuffed shells I've ever had. Make a pretty good lasagne too."

"If they make a decent fettuccine with shrimp in pesto sauce, I'm certain I'll enjoy it," Draco said wryly.

Neville grinned at him and stood. "Alright then. Ready?"

Draco shook his head. "Give me five minutes and I'll join you. Meet you in the kitchenette?"

Neville nodded and smiled at Draco before he left. He'd said yes. Now all Neville had to do was tell him how he felt, and what he wanted. He frowned. What if Draco didn't want that with him? What if the thing with the Manor had just been a mistake on his part? What if Draco had just been responding to the word 'home' and not thinking about the fact he'd be taking Neville along? Neville bit his lower lip, frown increasing. Merlin! Was he a Gryffindor or not? If Draco said no, he'd live. But he'd never know if he didn't ask, and if nothing else maybe they could still be friends.

Draco slumped into his chair the minute the door closed. Neville had asked him to dinner. He hadn't changed his mind after all. A silly smile curled his lips and he shook his head and laughed at himself. Where was the proud heir of Malfoy now? He was acting like a besotted schoolgirl over what was likely nothing more than a variation of the lunch between friends. It wasn't even a date night for Salazar's sake, it was Thursday. Pulling himself together, Draco slipped into his cloak and headed for the kitchenette.

"Ready?" he asked once he got there.

Neville turned to Draco and smiled. "It's not far. We can walk if you like."

Draco nodded. He wasn't certain he could be touching Neville in any way just now.

They left the building, talking amicably about their respective weeks, relaxing into being in each others company. They had just turned the corner when Neville slammed rather abruptly and looked up to apologise. Neville paled, then flushed, as he stammered out his apology.

"S-sorry about that," he started, only to be cut short.

"If my godson had been paying attention to where your steps were directed, it likely wouldn't have happened," Severus said, smirking at the small flush that rose in Draco's cheeks and noting the hand that rested lightly on the small of Longbottom's back from where Draco had rested it in an attempt to keep him from stumbling. "Surprising to find you out of your office, Draco," he continued, ignoring Longbottom for the moment.

It was far too amusing to see a discomfited Malfoy.

"We were just going for a bite," Draco said lightly, ignoring the flush he knew was staining his cheeks. He wasn't ready to discuss this with his godfather, especially since he had no idea what this was. "I didn't expect to see you until tomorrow at lunch."

"No, I rather suspect you hadn't," Severus agreed mildly. He turned to Longbottom and smirked. "Longbottom, I must say I'm impressed. Few can manage to drag Draco from his work. Apparently the interest he displayed at the last gathering was truly more than an attempt to spite an old classmate."

Draco choked. Very little escaped Severus – everyone knew that – but Salazar's balls, did the man have to out him before he was ready? He glared as Severus turned his gaze to him as he tried to think of something to avert what could only be a disaster. He didn't want Neville to think him uninterested but…

Neville blinked in shock. Had Snape just said… he shook himself and opened his mouth to tell him that it had simply been a friend helping another, but what came out of his mouth instead shocked everyone, none so much as Draco.

"Actually, Professor, the interest is mutual."

Neville flushed.

Draco gaped.

Severus smirked. "Yes, I had rather thought so. `Draco, I don't expect I'll be seeing you tomorrow, but you and Mr. Longbottom are invited to dinner on Wednesday. Tardiness will not be accepted. Good evening gentlemen," he added before he staked away, robes billowing around him.

Severus smirked as he considered the fact that Draco likely wouldn't make it to work in the morning either. He'd just blatantly given his approval of Draco's choice by inviting them to dine and he knew his godson wanted Longbottom merely by the possessive way he'd touched him. If Longbottom were anything at all like Harry, Draco wouldn't leave his bed until some time the next afternoon. He'd be exhausted but well sated and finally, no longer alone.

Draco and Neville stared after Severus for a full minute before regaining their senses.

"Um…"

"Did you mean it?" Draco asked.

"Mean what?" Neville hedged. He had been planning to tell Draco he was interested yes, but he hadn't intended to blurt it out like that and especially not in front of Snape. It wasn't like he could take it back, or even that he wanted to.

"What you said to my godfather," Draco clarified; he could feel anxiety building the longer Neville delayed answering. Maybe he hadn't meant it. Maybe it had just been a reflex, a surge of rebellion of some sort. He knew Severus and Neville had well… an unusual way of relating to each other.

"Yes," Neville finally said, lowering his eyes. "I hadn't meant to tell you, well, not like that anyway. I'm sorry, it just sort of…"

"Good," Draco interrupted. He wanted Neville alone. He wanted to discuss this further, and what it all meant, but he wanted to do so in private. "Would you mind if we had dinner somewhere else?" he asked.

Neville shook his head, slightly confused. "No, I don't mind. But… I mean… if you'd rather not…"

"That's not it. I'd simply prefer to discuss this in private." He stepped closer to Neville and wrapped an arm around his waist, smiling at the shiver that racked Neville's frame, even more assured of his welcome because of it. "Hold on," he warned, and Apparated them to the Manor.

Neville gasped and swayed slightly. He hadn't been ready for that and it was a little disorienting to suddenly find himself free of protective arms. Draco was already striding away and calling for a house elf, telling it he wanted dinner for two; pesto shrimp over fettuccine and whatever Neville wanted, along with a bottle of wine from the cellar.

Neville blinked when he found himself the focus of two sets of eyes and finally said, "Um, I'll have what Draco's having." He couldn't think, he was still trying to get over the shock of knowing he would be having dinner with Draco in Malfoy Manor. Nervously he licked his lips and nearly groaned when he caught Draco's eyes following the movement. The house elf blinked out of sight and Draco started back to Neville, slipping out of his cloak as he did so.

"If you'll give me your robes, Tilly will see to them once we've left for the salon."

Neville nodded, hands going slowly to the fastenings of his robes. He hadn't been prepared for this, for being completely alone with Draco and he was nervous.

Draco dropped his cloak on a chair and stepped close to Neville. "Let me," he murmured as he lifted his hands and pushed Neville's away, unfastening Neville's robes, pleasure thrumming through him. He was having difficulty keeping his hands to himself knowing his interest was returned and every fantasy he'd had of stripping Neville naked since their kiss that night came back to him in vivid colour. He had to consciously make himself stop with just the robes and not continue with Neville's shirt and trousers.

Neville's breath hitched when Draco's fingers brushed over his sternum as he undid the ties and he held himself as still as possible, willing his body not to react. They needed to talk first. He didn't want it to be just about sex. Finally the robes felt free and he bit back a sigh of relief. Shakily, he followed Draco to a small dining room where a table had been set for two, red wine breathing next to two empty glasses.

Draco made himself pour with a steady hand and took a fortifying breath after he'd handed Neville his glass. "I'm not Zabini," he said abruptly. "I'm not in the market for simply a shag and if a relationship with a Malfoy is not what you want, you'd best tell me now."

Neville nearly dropped his glass. He'd been wondering how to start this conversation, but he hadn't expected Draco to begin it nearly so abruptly. He noted the tension in the other man's body and stepped closer before he knew he was planning to move.

"I want this," he said quietly, firmly. He'd promised Harry to give this a chance and it looked like it just might work. He'd wanted Draco for the better part of three years, no way was he missing out on this. "I want a relationship, but not with a Malfoy." He hurried on as Draco's face began to close, grabbing on to his courage with both hands.

"I want it with you; with Draco. With the man who was once my enemy, became my comrade, and gave one of my dearest friends the information he needed to end a war. I want it with the man who was a spy, who risked his life for his family, for people who barely tolerated him at first and who never stopped working to make a difference once the war was over. I want the chance to see if we could have what Harry has, what I was told my parents had and I want it with you. Is that alright?" he asked, his courage finally failing him.

Draco carefully set down his glass before turning to remove Neville's from his hand and setting that down as well. He slid his palm over Neville's cheek to the back of his neck and pulled him close, his mouth fitting over Neville's like it was made to be there. He couldn't describe the way he felt right then; not after what Neville had said and how he'd said it. It overwhelmed him. He put everything he felt into that kiss; the longing, the need, the gratitude for what Neville was offering him, and his other arm snaked around Neville's waist to pull him closer without his volition.

Neville melted into the kiss; mouth opening, arms closing behind Draco's neck, hips pressing against the other man. He heard Draco groan and prised his lips away only to fasten them on creamy sign, throat rumbling with a groan of his own as he tongued and nipped at Draco's neck. His cock hardened in his trousers and he pressed wantonly against the hard length he felt against him, smiling softly as he mouthed his way to Draco's ear.

"You feel good," he murmured before he wrapped his lips around the lobe and sucked.

Draco gasped and rocked his hips against Neville's body, hands tightening on his hip and in his hair. It had been a very long time since he'd touched anyone this way, since he'd allowed anyone to touch him. He could admit to himself now that he'd been attracted to Neville even during the war, had admired the man he'd become and he wanted Neville writhing beneath him as quickly as possible.

"You can't imagine the things I've thought since that night," he confessed breathily into Neville's ear. "I want to taste every inch of your skin, suck your brains through your cock, drive into you so hard you'll never forget the feeling of me inside you." Neville jerked in his arms and he bit back a hungry moan. "I'll take whatever you'll give me, whatever you'll let me have. Only I don't share Neville," he warned. "Once we do this, whenever we do this, you're mine."

Neville whimpered. For the first time the image of someone inside his body filled him with anticipation and not overwhelming fear, and he knew he wanted that, wanted it from Draco. This was who he'd been waiting on, what he'd been waiting for and he hadn't even known it. "Yes," he whispered, forgetting about food, about everything except the sensation and desire coursing through him.

Draco growled and stepped away from Neville as the food popped into being on the table. "later," he said glancing at it and pulled Neville behind him to the master suite, pressing Neville against the door once he was closed.

"I've been dreaming about this," he said as he began working at the buttons to Neville's shirt. "Stripping you naked and having my way with you. Marking your skin so there's no doubt who you belong to." He pushed the shirt open and dragged his nails down Neville's chest, grinning evilly at the ragged sound that escaped Neville when his nails scratched over hard nipples.

Draco ducked his head and swiped his tongue over one of them, pulling it into his mouth and sucking it. "Imaging biting these nipples," he said, suiting words to actions, "Licking and sucking them." His hands trailed down to Neville's trousers, swiftly undoing the flies and pushing trousers and boxers down and over Neville's hips. "but mostly," he continued, breath hot on the tip of Neville's cock, "I wanked to images of sucking your cock or you sucking mine," he finished before he closed his lips over the head and sucked hard.

Neville cried out. Dear Merlin, but he'd never felt anything like this. This was hot and wet, and sharp, and Draco and dear Circe he was going to come already! "Draco," he whimpered, then mewled as Draco sucked more of him into his mouth. "Draco please… too much… too close…"

Draco lifted his head, locked his eyes on Neville's and said two words: "Then come." He sucked Neville back in, relaxed his throat and swallowed. Neville came immediately. He didn't think he'd ever stop coming, his orgasm hit him so hard. He flushed in embarrassment when Draco pulled away after licking him clean.

"Sorry about that," he said. He would have said more, but Draco sealed his lips with a brutal kiss before pulling away and working on his own clothing.

"I'm not done with you yet. That was just a warm up," Draco promised as he watched Neville toe off his shoes and sock and step out of his pants and trousers. He quickly divested himself of his clothes and pulled Neville down with him onto the bed. "Before this night is over, you're going to come screaming my name at least twice more," he purred, and began to do his best to drive Neville out of his mind.

He started with Neville's ears, licked and kissed and sucked and bit his way from one to the other, then leisurely made his way down Neville's body; chest, arms, sides, hips, thighs, bypassing his cock to continue down his legs to his feet. He sucked each toe and Neville thought Draco hadn't been kidding about tasting every inch of his body. He made his way up the inside of Neville's legs, paying special attention to the join of thigh and groin, then pulled back and had Neville flip over.

Each vertebrae was sucked and licked, every inch of his back was treated to kisses and licks and soft bites, Draco's hands smoothly along his sides and lightly over his arse. "I know you like this," Draco husked as he pried Neville's cheeks apart. "I know I'm going to enjoy it," he said before he slid the very tip of his tongue around the puckered entrance.

Neville screamed as he felt the first full swipe of hot, wet tongue from his balls up his cleft then back down to swirl around his arsehole. God he felt devoured, like he was a five course meal and Draco had been starving for months. That wicked tongue teased and taunted, then pushed into him so suddenly he clenched down on it without thinking. He knew he was making sounds, that things were escaping his mouth, but he had no idea what they were.

Draco pulled away and slicked two fingers with lube he'd had stuck under the pillow. He'd been wanking so much in the last few days it had just made sense to keep it there. "Fuck, you sound incredible," he groaned, leaning back in to suck that perfect arsehole. "I know you've not done this before, so I'll go as slow as I can." He couldn't promise not to hurt, even if he planned not to, but Neville felt so good, sounded so fucking amazing when he loosed those hot, whimpering little sounds that he wasn't sure how much longer he could hold on to his control. He closed his mouth around the pink pucker once more and sucked before he pulled back and gently slid a finger inside. The tooth clenching tightness and heat that greeted him had him yanking at his balls.

"All right?" he managed to ask, carefully working his finger inside Neville's body.

Neville was hard again, and rutting against the bed. It felt… odd really… a bit uncomfortable, but it didn't hurt. "Yeah… more," he gasped. It burned when Draco added a second finger, but then he hit something inside Neville that had him pushing back on Draco's fingers. "Fuck yes! Do that again," he begged unaware of just how desperate and needy he sounded, of how his voice and the way he was riding Draco's fingers had Draco's cock leaking with the need to be inside him.

Draco listed ingredients to the most complicated potions he knew as he worked another finger into Neville, stretching him, opening him for his cock. "You feel so good, Neville. So hot, so tight, I can't wait to push inside you."

"Please… Merlin, please Draco. I need you, need to feel you, want you in me."

Hanging on to the rapidly fraying thread of his control, Draco eased his fingers out and slicked up his cock. He lined himself up and gasped as Neville's arsehole clenched at the tip of his cock. "Relax love, and push back on me," he whispered, having no voice for more.

Neville did as he was told and moaned as Draco pushed slowly into him. Gods, it hurt, but if felt so good at the same time. Draco's cock was stretching him open, claiming him, marking him as belonging to the blond and Neville wanted it with an intensity he didn't know he was capable of. Finally, Draco was all the way inside and Neville wanted him to "Move, damn it" desperate for friction, unaware he'd even spoken.

Draco's control snapped at that and he pulled out and pushed back in, keening at the feel of that velvet channel sucking at him as he pulled back, and welcoming him when he pushed back in. Faster and harder and deeper and Neville just kept begging for more and Draco had never had sex this wild, this perfect! His orgasm slammed into him way too soon, he knew Neville hadn't come yet but he couldn't help it, the tight heat surrounding his cock wringing his climax from him like water from a wet rag.

Groaning, barely hanging on to his senses, he pulled out slowly and slid down the bed, telling Neville' to lift his hips a little. Once he did, Draco pressed one cheek out of the way and slid his tongue home, lapping at his cum, licking Neville clean, while his other hand went around to work the leaking cock until Neville came explosively, crying out Draco's name. He turned Neville over then and licked him clean before sliding up the bed to wrap his arms around the other man.

"Merlin, that was…" Neville panted. There wasn't a word for how good that had been truly, so he just turned his head and kissed Draco. They stayed that way for a while, kissing languidly, relaxing into each other's body until Draco realized he was sleepy.

"Stay?" he asked sleepily, pulling Neville closer even as he asked.

"For as long as you want me," Neville answered sleepily.

"Good," Draco replied and he shifted to pull the blankets over them both. He had no idea what would happen in the future, but he had every intention of keeping Neville by his side, right where he belonged.

~ Fin ~