Snape/Neville: Combustible by Lillian
Title: Combustible
Author: Lillian
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Neville/Severus
Disclaimer: Not owned by me. No infringement intended. No money made
*sigh *.
Archive: Please ask first.
Summary: A drunken Neville finds the courage to finally tell Snape
off, but things don't go exactly as he'd planned.
Author's Notes: Part of the HPrarepairings Fest at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HP_Rarepairs) Challenge Pairing:
Neville/Snape.
BANG BANG BANG
"Open up, Snape!" Neville shouted as he leaned against the portrait
entry to Professor Snape's rooms. Why was the corridor spinning
so? He giggled.
BANG BANG BANG
"Snapeey…come on, open the bloody door," he crooned loudly.
WHOOSH---SPLAT
Neville found himself face first on the floor. How'd that happen?
Oh, nice. He'd just rest here a while.
"Mr. Longbottom," came a voice of sheer ice, "what in Merlin's name
are you caterwauling about?"
Neville forced his head up a bit. Aw. Snape.
Severus Snape glared at the drunken lout on the floor. Every damn
year the same thing, the graduating class would sneak liquor into
their House party while the faculty would turn a blind eye in a one
time only unspoken agreement. Poppy traditionally had Severus
prepare enough hangover remedy for the entire seventh year class.
But this, to be faced with the one student who'd nearly driven him
mad. Well, this was too much to be borne.
Neville started to flail around a bit in an effort to stand. His
feet and legs, though, seemed to have disengaged from his brain's
commands.
He giggled and flopped back down.
Severus grabbed Neville's legs and dragged him away from the door.
He then slammed the door shut.
"Sleep it off here. Then go back to your dorm. I won't have you
weaving about in the corridors where the first years could see such
a disgusting display," Snape said glaring down at him.
"You're in your nightshirt…" Neville slurred in some surprise. He'd
never seen Professor Snape in anything save his teaching robes. He
looked…well, good was the only word for it.
"It's two a.m. Of course I am, you twit," Snape growled.
Neville finally managed to totter to his feet but swayed a bit in
place as though he were on a ship rolling on the open sea.
"Came to talk to you," said Neville, jabbing his finger towards
Snape's chest.
"Longbottom, you're incapable of putting two sentences together when
sober, I highly doubt you'll accomplish that act now that you're
totally pissed," Snape said with his all-purpose sneer.
Beneath the fuzzy happy feeling anger started to leak upwards and
out. Neville took a step forward and took a deep breath.
"You're a bastard!" he spat out. "I came to tell you that," Neville
said as he started to shake with rage.
"No doubt," Snape said dryly. "Wait here," he commanded.
Neville stood gob smacked. He'd at least expected Snape to punch
him.
Snape walked back into his bedroom and opened the linen closet. He
grabbed a quilt and returned to his living room. Neville was
sprawled on his sofa.
"If you throw up on that, I'll turn you into a newt and stuff you
into one of my supply jars," Snape said equably.
"I said," Neville began loudly as only the truly rat-arsed can, "I
hate you…you greasy bastard," he spat out.
"I heard you," said Snape, shaking out the quilt and putting it over
Neville.
"Well, alright then," said Neville, mollified that Snape had
acknowledged the insult.
"You know I'm to be Professor Spout's apprentice after I graduate,
right?" Neville said with a grin. "Thought you'd get rid of me, eh?
Well, hard cheese!" said Neville, falling over on his side while
snorting with laughter.
"I am well aware of the apprentice list that was posted today,"
Snape replied. "I consider it one of the most cruel ironies of
fate," Snape said dryly.
Snape sighed. Maybe he could get a few hour's sleep. He started to
leave the room.
"I'm thirsty," Neville whined from his face down position on the
sofa.
"Bloody marvellous," Snape said as he stomped off to the bathroom.
He quickly filled a glass and returned to his sitting room.
"Drink all of this," Snape said, shoving the class at his soon-to-be
former student.
Neville happily gulped down the water.
Snape took the glass from him.
"Now, get some sleep," he said shortly and turned to leave.
"I've got to pee….." came the jarring voice of Neville.
Snape stopped midstride.
"Second door on your left," he growled out.
"Kay," said Neville and, dragging his quilt with him, lumbered into
the bathroom.
Snape waited impatiently for a few minutes. He heard the door open
but Neville didn't return.
"Bloody hell," said Snape under his breath. He stomped after him.
Snape poked his head around the bathroom. Not passed out on the
floor. That was promising.
He walked into his bedroom.
"Longbottom!" he roared. "Get out of my bed," bellowed Snape.
Neville just murmured something inaudible and clutched his quilt
tighter.
Snape reached over, shaking Neville's shoulder none too gently.
"Get up, you oaf," he hissed.
Finally, Snape walked over to his dresser and grabbed his wand. One
spell and he could get rid of Longbottom once and for all. No one
would notice. He could bury the body parts in his supply jars.
Neville sighed and squirmed around a bit on the bed. Snape squinted
a bit at Neville. The boy actually looked---rather appealing.
`God, it's been too long since I've been laid if Longbottom is
starting to look good,' Snape thought in gloominess.
"Mobilicorpus," commanded Snape. Neville's body gently floated up
from the bed and out the door. Snape followed it and watched as he
was deposited on the sofa. Neville started to gently snore.
Snape rubbed his tired eyes. Time for bed.
Several hours later ~~
Severus snuggled deeper into the arms that held him and his unshaven
face rasped across a smooth chest.
`Mmmph…have I brought someone home last night?' Snape thought as he
struggled back towards consciousness.
Severus' eyes felt pasty but he forced them open…face to chest with…
Longbottom.
"Bloody buggering hell!" Severus said, struggling to free himself
from the stranglehold that Neville had on him.
Finally, in desperation, he bit down Neville's shoulder.
"Ow!" grunted Neville.
Severus jumped out of bed and shook himself like a ruffled bird.
"Why'd you do that?" Neville said in a snuffling, tired voice.
"What do you think you are doing?" Snape bawled.
"Sleeping. Oh, I see. The couch was uncomfortable and, well, you
do have this large bed. I thought you wouldn't mind." Neville said
with a yawn.
"Well, I bloody well do mind," snapped Snape.
Neville had the beginnings of a hangover and wasn't inclined to be
kind.
"Stop acting like some hysterical maiden aunt. I wasn't attacking
your virtue, I was sleeping," and with that flashy repartee Neville
flopped back on the pillows.
Severus fumed. He hated it when other people were right.
"Scoot over," Severus said grumblingly.
Neville pulled back the comforter.
Snape struggled to maintain his dignity as he pulled the covers over
himself.
"Don't be such a cover hog," Neville complained, pulling them back.
"My bed and my covers," said Severus irately yanking the covers back
again.
WHAP
Neville stared at Snape in horror, still holding the pillow.
Feathers floated in the air around Snape's head.
Neville started to giggle, then, before he knew it, he was rolling
with laughter on the bed.
WHAP WHAP
Counterattack.
Neville stilled momentarily, dumfounded by Snape's attack. Then he
let out a battle yell. The fight was on.
For several minutes, Neville poured his heart and soul into
hammering his opponent, trying, on some level, to achieve
retribution of some sort. He would make Snape pay for every hurled
insult, humiliation and detention he'd ever suffered at Snape's
hands.
All of Neville's pain and anger floated to the surface as he
continued to try and pound his opponent into the ground, or rather,
bed. A steady flow of increasingly foul curses poured out of his
mouth.
Neville continued wildly swinging his pillow until he was exhausted.
Finally, he fell backwards on the bed panting, dropping his now torn
and tattered pillow.
Snape swatted Neville several more times but, getting no further
reaction, Snape finally collapsed alongside his former student.
All was silent in the room save for their heavy breathing which
gradually slowed.
"Feeling better?" Snape asked.
Neville turned his head on the bed.
"I am rather," he said with a small smirk.
Neville shifted slightly on the bed. There was a delicious scent
rising off of Snape. Part of it Snape's own masculine musk and some
herbal sent---either his shampoo or soap. Neville tried to
surreptitiously inch closer.
"Longbottom, are you gay?" said Snape in a husky drawl.
Neville flushed to the roots of his hair.
"Why would you ask that?" he said nervously.
"It's been a while for me, I admit, but I think I can still
recognize an erection when I see one," Snape said dryly, his beady
eyes taking in the bulge in Neville's trousers.
Neville turned his face away towards the wall.
"I don't know," he said shortly.
"You don't….oh, for mercy's sake. You're seventeen years old,
Longbottom. Haven't you gotten laid yet?" Snape said with derision.
Neville snapped up into sitting position and started to scramble off
the bed.
"I'm going now," he mumbled.
Snape grabbed his arm to prevent him from leaving.
"Answer the question," Snape commanded.
Neville turned his face towards Snape, his eyes suspiciously bright.
"No,I haven't," he said bitterly. "I'm a failure at that as well.
No one wants to be seen dating poor, pathetic Neville. And who can
blame them really?"
Snape was a bit taken aback. Longbottom was quite improved over the
last year or so. His face had cleared up, and most of the baby fat
he'd carried for years was now gone. With his longer hair-style and
his creamy, alabaster skin he'd become quite a pretty boy.
"Longbottom, believe me, I've gotten my leg over worse in my time,"
said Snape, eyeing Neville thoughtfully.
"Really?" Neville asked hopefully.
"Yes, really," said Snape, his mouth twitching a bit as if a smile
were trying to escape.
"You're a…" tentatively began Neville.
Snape stretched and yawned.
"Shirtlifter, queer, bent, yes, Longbottom, I am," said Snape in a
matter-of-fact manner.
Neville licked his lips. He looked down at Snape, who was studying
him quite intently.
Neville felt like he was moving in slow motion as he reached out and
touched Snape on his chest. His fingertips ran over the nightshirt,
looking for Snape's nipples. He found one of the small nubs and
brushed the tips of his fingers against it. Snape said nothing but
shifted restlessly.
Emboldened, Neville unbuttoned the front of the nightshirt, his
hands trembling as he did so. He then slid one of his hands into
the nightshirt, touching skin at last. His fingers rubbed one nipple
to hardness and then reached over to give the same treatment to its
fellow.
Snape swatted away Neville's hand.
Neville quickly removed his hand, embarrassed by the rejection.
Snape sat up and pulled his nightshirt up and over his head and
threw it over the side of the bed.
Neville stopped breathing. Professor Snape was naked---in bed---with
him.
Snape lay back down and put one arm under his head. Neville glanced
down and saw that Snape was already half-hard. He gasped softly.
Snape was all lean, hard muscle. He had very little body hair except
what was on his head and at his groin. The cock nestled in the black
hair surrounding it made Neville's own cock throb. His pants were
beginning to feel uncomfortably tight.
Neville reached out more boldly and ran his hand from Snape's chest
to his flat stomach and paused there. Snape said nothing but his
black eyes glittered.
Neville stroked Snape's cock and it soon filled and lengthened under
his attentions. Snape arched into his touches. Neville smiled and
scooted closer.
Snape's hand came up and circled Neville's as he pumped Snape's
erection several times.
"Clothes. Off. Now." Snape hissed at Neville.
Neville didn't need a second invitation. This was like his best wet
dream. His fingers felt clumsy as he sent buttons spraying off of
his shirt. His pants tangled on his legs as he grunted and tore at
them to get them off. He pulled off his socks and then finally when
his hands reached his boxers he paused---suddenly shy.
Snape sat up and reached over.
"Lift up," he instructed.
Neville lifted his hips and Snape pulled off his boxers and threw
them over the side of the bed.
Neville sat there trembling; his cock hard and leaking.
"Nice," Snape said and Neville's heart almost exploded with
excitement.
Snape started to run his hands over Neville's body, leaving no curve
or surface untouched save for the pulsing cock. Snape's hands went
to either side of Neville's head, grasping his hair none too gently,
and pulled him in for a kiss.
Neville had been kissed several times in his life but nothing like
this aggressive and possessive attack of Snape's.
Snape's tongue snaked into Neville's mouth, demanding and hot.
Neville responded by opening his mouth further, taking everything
Snape could give him. Snape withdrew and bit lightly at Neville's
lower lip. Neville moaned and then shoved Snape back down onto the
mattress.
Neville needed this now. He straddled Snape's body and began to
hump his left leg. Snape grunted and re-aligned Neville so that
they were cock to cock.
"If you're attempting frottage, Longbottom, do it properly or not at
all," Snape said in a smoky voice, gripping Neville's shoulders hard.
Neville was beyond words by this point; their leaking cocks were
creating a lovely sensation that drove everything else from his
mind. His hips started a thrusting rhythm that Snape echoed.
Snape grabbed Neville's buttocks to pull him in more closely.
Neville let out an agonized yowl of pleasure. Snape laughed.
The headboard of the bed started to smack against the wall with the
strength of Neville's thrusts and Snape's counter thrusts.
Neville felt like the top of his head was about to blow off. Wanking
couldn't hold a candle to this sweating, writhing maelstrom of
pleasure.
Snape started to bite Neville's neck and shoulders when he could
reach him. Neville growled---the small pain helped to focus him. On
his next thrust he bit into Snape's neck hard enough to draw blood.
The sound coming out of Snape only got louder. He was now moaning,
screaming and scratching at Neville's back and blood was already
flowing from multiple deep scratches.
Neville's balls started to tighten and he knew he was close.
"I'm going to come," gasped Neville.
Taking that as a signal Snape suddenly stilled and his cock erupted
over their chests and bellies. One, two, three painfully delicious
spurts. Snape screeched, digging his nails into Neville's buttocks.
That was enough to send Neville rocketing over the edge himself.
Semen shot out of Neville for what seemed like forever but was in
reality only seconds. Neville's face as he came was a mixture of
pain and pleasure and he collapsed on top of Snape as soon as he'd
finished.
Snape's arms were wrapped around Neville but neither man seemed
inclined to move. Their breathing finally settled down and Snape
shifted and Neville, recognizing the non-verbal cue, rolled off of
his lover to let him breathe.
"Accio Wand" came the hoarse voice of Snape. He'd screamed himself
raw. His wand flew over to the bed, where Snape did a quick
cleaning charm of himself and Neville. Then he placed the wand on
the night table.
Neville felt groggy and sleepy. He should really say something,
shouldn't he? With that thought he sank into sleep with Snape
cuddled up against him.
Next morning~~~
Neville awoke to a blinding headache and an empty bed. The bedroom
reeked of sex from the night before. His eyes hurt as he cautiously
opened them. Bless him. Snape had left an anti-hangover potion
beside the bed. Neville swallowed down the vile concoction and felt
almost immediately better.
A note sat on the night table with his name on it. Neville
cautiously reached over to see what it would say, afraid that Snape
was already regretting his indiscretion. The least Snape could have
done was tell him face to face. Neville felt sick to his stomach and
it wasn't from the hangover. He left the note unread as he scrambled
around looking for his clothes.
He pulled on his clothes and found his shoes underneath the bed. He
couldn't put off reading the note any longer. He opened it with
trembling hands.
It read:
Longbottom, if you're interested in pursuing this, the password to
my rooms is `chimera'. Sober, if you can manage it.
Severus Snape
Neville whooped and ran out of the room.
Part Two
All of the students were rushing to finish up their packing in order
to catch the Hogwarts Express by the time Neville managed to reach
the Gryffindor Dorms. He ran into Ron Weasley as he tried,
unsuccessfully, to quietly get changed before any of his mates could
see him looking so dishevelled.
"God, Nevvy, you look a bit worse for wear. Where'd you end up last
night?" said Ron with a slight grimace. Hermione had already
scolded him about his `overindulgence' the previous evening and he
wanted to share the pain a bit.
"Ron, you aren't taking those shoes, are you?" Hermione asked in
aggrieved tones. "They'll never fit," she said in a frustrated
voice.
Neville peeked over at Hermione.
"I'll just pull the curtains so I can get changed," he murmured. He
could hardly blame Hermione for her irritation; she'd begged Ron to
get an early start in his packing but, of course, Ron had put it off
in order to attend the most graduation parties he could find before
leaving Hogwarts that day.
"So where'd you end up?" Ron continued to press.
Behind the curtainsm Neville wasn't quite sure what to say. The
truth wouldn't be believed, or if it was, Ron would be appalled---he
hated Snape. Well, truth be told, he wasn't fond of any of the
Slytherins, but Snape especially.
"I, err… I ended up in one of the deserted classrooms and slept it
off there," Neville replied.
"Gods, you must have an awful crick in your neck," Ron muttered.
"Where's Harry?" Neville asked. He didn't want to miss saying
goodbye to any of his friends.
"He'll be along. He's meeting with Dumbledore again. You'd think
Harry was going around the world instead of into the Auror program.
I'm sure the owls will fly thick and fast between them," Ron said
complacently.
The recruiters from the Ministry Department of Auror training had
tapped both Ron and Harry for the Auror program. Ron had barely
scraped by the academic standards but he'd made it in the end. He
and Harry would train together over the next year and a half. Both
were delighted.
Hermione had chosen to go into the Medi-witch program, taking
emergency field medicine as her specialty. As the war with
Voldemort escalated there was a huge demand for trained medics that
could handle battle conditions. Only the best were accepted into the
program as they had to qualify both in the medical end and the DADA
training. No one could be allowed in the field if they couldn't
defend themselves as well as their patients. All of the Gryffindors
had been enormously pleased for Hermione as she'd worked incredibly
hard to have the chance to participate in the program.
Neville was a part of the Hogwarts apprenticeship program, which
stretched back almost five hundred years. Each graduating year, the
most talented students were given the opportunity to apprentice to a
Hogwarts Professor in an area of their specialty with an eye towards
teaching the subject someday.
Neville had been given the Herbology apprenticeship, Mandy
Brocklehurst and Padma Patil, both from Ravenclaw, were chosen
respectively for Charms and Arithmancy while Ernie McMillan from
Hufflepuff was selected for transfiguration.
To achieve an apprenticeship, the seventh years were required to
take an advanced course in their particular area of interest during
their seventh year as well as enduring additional exams on that
subject during the NEWTS. The Herbology exam that Neville had
taken with four other students had been three hours long and Neville
had felt wrung out at the end.
Neville had been thrilled beyond his wildest dreams less than a week
before, when the apprenticeships had been posted. He'd had to pinch
himself. He'd been chosen. His Gryffindor mates had cheered and
screamed and stamped their feet for him.
An apprentice level was somewhere between being a student and a
Professor. They were adults and treated as such. Their study was
independent to a great degree but guided by their mentors. They were
regularly tested and given further direction as needed. All of the
apprentices lived in---on the sixth floor in a small area that the
Headmaster had converted to dorms for them.
Rules were strict, however, despite their adult status. They were
in no way to set a bad example for the students. No alcohol, drugs
or visitors of either sex were permitted within the school grounds.
They could, however, escape to Hogsmeade for some `adult' company.
As Neville pulled on his clean shirt and neatly pressed set of robes
he thought how strange he had felt this morning. He was straddling
two worlds: that of his childhood with his friends that he was
leaving behind while stepping into adult shoes and responsibilities
when the rest of the students left today.
"Neville, hurry up if you want to see us off at the train station,"
called out Hermione.
Neville snapped back the curtains and quickly ran his fingers
through his hair, trying to restore a little order to the mess.
"Am I alright?" he said breathlessly to Hermione, with Ron sniffing
suspiciously beside her. Ron claimed it was `allergies' but Neville
was sure that this parting was bringing out Ron's emotional side,
loathe as he was to admit it.
"Let's go find Harry," said Ron and put an arm through Neville's.
Hermione did the same on his other side.
"I expect you'll write to me every week," Hermione scolded very
gently.
The three friends walked out of the dorm room, their lives
separating forever.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
4 Weeks Later ~
Severus sat beside the fire, nose buried in his potions
journal. `The fool couldn't possibly be publishing that…the premise
was shaky, the research blatantly shoddy...' thought Snape.
"Here's your tea, Severus," Neville said.
Severus reached out blindly and took the proffered cup and saucer.
The aroma of his favourite ginger tea wafting up to his nose, he
glanced up and nodded thanks.
"I've bought some biscuits, too, the kind you like from Honeydukes,"
Neville continued.
Snape didn't reply but Neville didn't expect him to. He just gently
deposited a plate of cookies within Severus' easy reach on the side
table.
`Bah, I'll have to write a lengthy rebuttal on that fool's work for
the next issue,' he thought as he contentedly chewed on his biscuit.
The summer had been most productive. His research work was ahead of
schedule, no little blighters to manage and bawl out and, best of
all, he was getting laid regularly.
His eyes snapped over quickly to the young man writing quietly in
his Herbology Journal.
Longbottom had been a bit of a revelation. What had started as a
little slap and tickle had proved to be more durable than he'd
assumed at first. Longbottom actually proved to be quite a good
companion: undemanding, quiet and accommodating.
Snape had been a bit startled when Longbottom had taken to spending
his free time with him. The sex he could understand. It was hot,
it was good and it was plentiful. But Longbottom seemed just as
happy to help Snape with his research or to do a laborious reference
search so long as it was with his lover.
`Must be the novelty of it,' Snape thought with a snort. `That'll
soon wear off.'
"I'll be gone next week," Neville said, interrupting Snape's
thoughts.
"Gone? Gone where?" Severus snapped. Longbottom had been helping him
with the Ricktus Potion Research, now they'd surely fall behind…how
damnably inconvenient.
"Professor Sprout…Elvira, that is, has assigned me a research
project on the milk flowers of the Forbidden Forest. I'm to study
their week-long life cycle, and bring back as many species as I can
find. I'll be camping out during that time," Neville said calmly.
Snape sputtered. "Of all the idiotic…"
"I was hoping you'd accompany me, Severus," Neville said with a
wistful expression.
Snape's eyes narrowed.
"And why would I?" Snape said in a silky voice.
"Oh, I don't know. The fresh air…"
"Fresh air is highly over rated," Severus snapped.
"I have a lovely tent for two," Neville continued.
"The dungeons are far more comfortable," countered Snape.
"We could cook over an open fire…" Neville breathed out.
"Ridiculous," Snape said shortly.
"At night, there'd be millions of stars to look at," Neville said,
plugging away.
"If I want stars I'll go to the Astronomy Tower," Snape said sourly.
Neville looked down at his robes, picking off one of Snape's long
black hairs that had clung to it. Neville sighed.
"Well, I can't go alone, and Professor Sprout will be at a
conference…so I guess I'll ask Ernie if he wants to go," Neville
said tiredly.
Snape's teacup clattered into the saucer.
"McMillian? That pillock?" Snape said with a sneer.
"Don't be so hard on him. He's quite nice once you get to know him.
I'm sure he'd go with me if I asked," Neville said, pushing back his
hair out of his eyes with one hand.
Neville began to nibble on his thumb, staring into the flickering
fire.
Severus fumed. He'd caught handsome blonde McMillan on more than
one occasion trying to `chat up' Neville during the last few weeks.
Snape hated the little sod.
"Of course, I could use that as an opportunity to restock some of my
more esoteric needs," Severus began.
"Oh, I'm sure Ernie and I could do that for you, you needn't trouble
yourself, Severus," said Neville with just a small twitch of his
lips.
Severus glared at him.
"Two incompetents are not better than one, Mr. Longbottom," Severus
said in a chilly tone."
"Well, of course, if you say so, Sev," Neville said meekly.
part Three
Six Months Later ~
"Here are you're reading spectacles, Severus," said Neville as he
triumphantly presented them. It had taken almost two hours to find
them in the chaos of Snape's rooms.
"Longbottom, I told you I will be using the sight enhancement charm
while I'm at the conference. I refuse to have these spectacles
sliding around on my nose while I'm speaking," Snape growled.
"Vanity," muttered Neville.
Snape's sharp ears picked that up.
"What, what did you say?" Snape stomped towards Neville.
"I said, Sev, you know those spells are self-limiting, and tiring to
your eyes at that. At least keep these with you in case you need
them," said Neville.
Severus snatched them out of Neville's hand and stuffed them into
his robes.
Severus continued to growl and snap until Neville had everything
packed away and had cast a minimizing charm on his luggage.
"There's really no need to see me off at the station, Longbottom,
I'm perfectly capable of managing on my own," Snape reminded him.
As Neville bustled him out the door, he replied, "I know, Severus.
I want to see you off. I'm just sorry that I couldn't go with you,"
Neville said.
As they walked upstairs and out the front entrance of Hogwarts,
Snape turned to Neville.
"And make sure that idiot Melville, doesn't blow up my classroom
while I'm gone," Snape added.
"You'll only miss two classes, Sev, I'm sure they'll manage,"
Neville said soothingly.
Neville and Snape walked towards Hogsmeade in companionable silence.
"Will you be able to finish your work with the wood elf plant this
weekend?" said Snape, startling Neville a bit. He hadn't been aware
that Severus had followed his work that closely.
Snape grunted.
"I saw Elvira yesterday morning," he said as he continued to stalk
down the road.
Neville felt a small smile begin to show on his face.
"Of course. Yes, it looks like the wood elves will be in full bloom
this weekend, and we should be able to extract the healing sap
without difficulty," said Neville modestly.
"Well done," said Snape.
Neville stumbled a little.
"Thanks," he said with a grin.
Snape grunted again.
As they approached the station, Snape pulled his ticket out of his
robe pocket.
"No need to wait with me," he said briskly.
"But I want to," said Neville, looking a bit hurt. "Don't you want
me to stay?" he asked. This was the first time they'd be spending
time apart since they'd become lovers.
Snape glared at him.
"Do I look like a first year, Longbottom?" Snape snarled. "I do not
need you to hold my hand," he said sharply.
Neville winced a bit. During the day he was Longbottom---only at
night when they were alone, did he become Neville. Severus never
allowed his private life to bleed into his public persona.
"Still, it's a nice day. I'll just stay here for a few minutes to
enjoy the sunshine," said Neville a bit stubbornly.
Neville walked over to the bench near the waiting room and sat down.
The wind teased Severus' robes and he irritably shook them back into
order.
`There was no need for that woebegone expression on Longbottom's
face' he thought savagely. `I've told him not to come.'
The boy needed a firm hand, direction; otherwise, he tended to
mope.
"Longbottom, who will help you with the harvesting this weekend?" he
rapped out.
Neville's head came up and his eyes lit up.
"Elvira, of course," Neville said as he rose and walked over to
where Snape stood near the tracks.
"I tried asking Ernie but he said he was tied up," said Neville with
a small frown crossing his forehead.
Snape smirked inwardly.
Indeed, Mr. McMillan, having suffered through several severe bouts
of `wizards revenge', had finally had the wit to cease his
attentions to Neville.
"But I was able to get two seventh years, Little and Bronstein, to
help me. They're taking the advanced courses this year," Neville
said happily.
Neville itched to take Severus' hand in his and give him a kiss
goodbye but he knew Sev would have been horrified by the idea.
The whistle of the Hogwarts Express could be heard faintly in the
distance.
Severus pulled out his wizard's pocket watch.
"Humph, two minutes late," he said as he snapped the watch closed
and pocketed it again.
"Don't forget to owl me when you get there, Severus," Neville
reminded him.
"Yes, yes, don't fuss, Longbottom. I'm sure I can get to London and
back in one piece," said Snape sharply. "The Hogwarts Express is
well guarded against Death Eater attacks," he snorted.
Albus had insisted upon this method of travel for all his faculty
members after an attack upon Professor Flitwick earlier in the
year. `Ridiculous' thought Snape. Still, after Flitwick's near
disaster while apparating by himself and the disappearance of a high
ministry official within the Floo Network---travel via the Express
had become the recommended form of transport.
"Well then," said Neville, shuffling his feet.
The clatter of the train as it pulled in drowned out what Neville
had been about to say.
As they awaited the appearance of the conductor to issue the `all
aboard call', Snape caught Neville's arm.
Neville looked at Snape in inquiry.
"There may be a small favor you can assist me with while I'm away,
Longbottom," Snape said.
Neville simply nodded.
"I would prefer that we drop the fiction that is being maintained
that you spend any time of consequence in your dormitory. You will
please accommodate me by finishing the transfer process this
weekend," said Snape, avoiding Neville's eye.
"Severus, are you asking me to move in with you?" Neville asked, his
heart thumping excitedly.
"Isn't that what I just said?" asked Snape, irritated at having to
repeat himself.
"But…but what about the Headmaster? Wouldn't he object to us…living
together?" said Neville, still too stunned to believe it.
"I've already spoken to Albus and, as we are two consenting adults,
he has no issue with us co-habitating, other than to ask us to use
discretion. As if we'd be swinging naked from the chandeliers,"
Snape snorted.
"All aboard," came the call from the bewhiskered conductor.
Severus turned to go, his luggage clicking and clacking in his robe
pocket.
He reached up for the handrail but, before he could grab it, he was
twisted around to face his young lover.
"Severus Snape, you are such a fraud," said Neville as he grasped
both sides of Severus head and yanked him down by the air into a
quick kiss.
Severus yanked himself away quickly.
"Cheeky bastard," Severus growled to Neville and then marched up the
steps and slammed the train door behind him.
"I'll miss you too," Neville said softly as the train began to pull
out.
Neville watched the back of the train disappear into the hills
before he started back towards Hogwarts.
Part Four
One Year Later ~
Neville sat by Severus at the staff table pouring himself some tea
and buttering his toast when the owls arrived with the morning post.
A large eagle owl dropped lightly in front of Neville, politely
sticking his leg out.
Neville, surprised, carefully took the parchment off the leg of the
large bird and then fed it a little bacon from Severus' plate.
Severus frowned but said nothing and, as usual, picked up Neville's
copy of the Daily Prophet to read it. He rattled the paper. None
of his business really…
Neville opened the parchment carefully; it was from the Headmaster
of Durmstrang. His Herbology Professor was giving notice and would
be leaving at the end of the school semester.
He had communicated with his good friend, Elvira Sprout, who'd
recommended Neville for the upcoming vacancy. Would Mr. Longbottom
like to interview for the position?
Neville was stunned and excited. His first position---and with a
well known wizarding school! It was a dream come true.
The paper rattled again and Neville looked over at Severus.
"It's from Durmstrang," he said quietly. "They have a position
coming open and Elvira has recommended me."
Snape peered over his paper. He watched Neville give the owl
instructions to wait in the owlery until Neville finished his
reply. The bird flew off on silent wings to rest and wait.
A week later ~
"I'll be gone only a few days," Neville said breathlessly as he
packed up his best set of robes for the interview the next afternoon.
"I'm sure I can manage, Longbottom," Severus said dryly, not looking
up from his grading of third year Hufflepuff/Ravenclaw papers.
"Don't forget the cactus plant in our bedroom, it's to receive two
small plant food stakes tomorrow, and the Lolly Fern in the bathroom
just needs a little misting…" Neville continued to chatter away.
Severus coughed.
Snape stared moodily at Neville. So. Longbottom was going to move
on. Past time, too, if he was any judge. The boy was spreading like
a fungus all over his life. There were plants in every room, his
Herbology Texts were lining the shelves and littering the floor…and
every morning Severus would wake to find that Longbottom was
plastered against him in bed.
Snape had never been a cuddler---ever. Yet, each night after sex,
Longbottom always managed somehow to squirm into his arms at some
point during the night. Annoying really.
Well, he'd soon have his dungeons to himself and his life back once
again in perfect order. It had been a pleasant interlude---nothing
more.
"I'll see you the day after tomorrow, Severus," said Neville as he
lightly kissed Severus' forehead.
"Don't fuss, Longbottom, it isn't as if you're marching off to war."
Snape snapped irritably.
Neville cast the minimizing charm with his wand and his luggage
shrank to pocket size. Neville placed both his luggage and wand
into his robe pocket and reached for the portkey that the Headmaster
of Durmstrang had sent him.
Neville watched the wizarding clock on the wall carefully until it
started to strike the hour and then he felt the unique pulling
sensation of the portkey at work.
His last impression of his lover was that of Snape scowling fiercely.
Two Hours Later ~
The last of the papers was graded with a slash of red and Severus
stared at the fire in an unblinking fashion.
It was quiet at last. No Longbottom. No chatter.
Longbottom usually inveigled him into bed with,what did Longbottom
call it? Ah, yes, a lap-dance. Severus snorted. Long gone were the
days of Neville being shy; he'd become quite a sensualist over the
last six months.
Severus frowned.
No doubt he'd take on a younger lover as well, once he assumed his
new position. He'd shake Severus' hand and bugger off without a
backward glance.
Well, that was life. He'd expected no more from himself or
Longbottom. It wasn't anything that he couldn't cope with---he'd
suffered far worse in his time.
Snape got up from behind his desk and marched into the bathroom. He
glared at the Lolly Fern but carefully filled the misting bottle and
sprayed the plant.
"There, you insipid thing, you won't be seen to diminish on my
watch," Snape growled as he switched off the light.
~ Durmstrang
Neville let loose a sigh of relief. The interview portion was
completed and he was now preparing to join the Headmaster at the
Staff Table for dinner.
He'd been taken off on a tour before the private interview and had
been suitably impressed by what he'd seen. Durmstrang had changed
quite a bit. The curriculum no longer taught the `dark arts' as a
matter of course but only to senior level students doing important
research.
Voldemort's complete and utter madness over the last few years had
provided one invaluable service---most wizards with any sanity
refused to follow him anymore. He'd become more of a standard
nuisance than a worldwide threat.
Dumbledore, leading the Order of the Phoenix, had won several
important battles against the Dark Lord over the last year and had
all but broken the back of the Death Eater Organization. Without
his followers, Voldemort could not hope to overtake the wizarding
society as a whole.
As Neville pulled on his set of second best robes in the guest room,
the words of the Headmaster echoed in his head.
`Three years, Mr. Longbottom. That is our standard contract for an
assistant Professor.'
Neville hadn't been disappointed---he couldn't hope to attain a full
Professor's level until he'd taught for three years, he knew that.
The salary, therefore, wouldn't be as large but, if he did a good
job in the three-year probationary period, he would surely advance.
It was a golden opportunity that wouldn't present itself again.
Up until now, the excitement of the communiqué from Durmstrang and
resulting trip had driven all other thoughts from his mind. Only now
did he realize that his success would have a price. He would have to
leave Hogwarts---and Severus.
As a cool breeze blew through the open casement, Neville sighed and
his forehead touched the cool stone by the window. He missed Severus
and was sure he wouldn't sleep a wink tonight without the long, lean
body wrapped around him.
Potions Classroom ~
"Miss Chauncy, Mr. Logan, if you fail to see the need for
attentiveness in this classroom, I'm sure a week's detention can
clear up that little misapprehension," snarled Snape.
"Merlin, what's crawled up his butt and died?" whispered an angry
Ravenclaw.
Snape whirled and, striking a dramatic pose, hissed "Ten points
from Ravenclaw," and, with that, stomped back up to the front of the
classroom.
`Little brats,' he thought angrily.
"Finish your potions and then clean up after yourselves and get
out," Snape sniffed as he yanked back the chair and sat down to
start grading.
The classroom maintained its decorum for the rest of the quarter
hour and then, as the students started filing out, whispers broke
out again.
Snape's highly developed sense of hearing picked up the usual
grumbling and complaints until…
"Oi, he's worse than ever," complained the Ravenclaw who'd lost the
ten points for his house.
"He's just missing Mr. Longbottom, that's all," said a first year
Hufflepuff.
Severus' head snapped up at that. What? What utter tripe. He was
the same as he always was. The presence or absence of Longbottom
was inconsequential to his mood.
Just then a knock came at the door.
Severus whirled preparing to deal with one of the little brats only
to find a smiling Longbottom walking in the door.
Severus stood up and began to shuffle his papers.
"You're back," Severus said calmly.
"Yes, and glad of it, too," Neville said and tried to reach for
Severus.
Severus yanked his arm back.
"Not here, you fool," he snarled at Neville.
Neville's bright smile dimmed a bit.
"Alright then."
Severus cleared his throat.
"Well, how did the interview go?" he rapped out.
Neville looked down at his work-hardened calloused fingers.
"Not well, I'm afraid. I'm not really what they're looking for,"
said Neville with a small grimace.
"Ah," said Snape, not knowing what else to say. Comfort was beyond
him.
"I misted your fern," Snape said apropos of nothing.
"I knew I could count on you," Neville said with a small smile.
Part Five
Graduation~
A small ceremony consisting of the graduate apprentices, their
families and friends gathered in the large third floor classroom
turned ballroom for the night. The house elves had been busy laying
down a buffet style meal that was to be enjoyed after the official
part of the ceremonies were completed.
Neville was exultant; Harry, Hermione & Ron had all made it back for
his ceremony. Neville had gone up to London to see Harry & Ron
being handed their Auror emblems a little more than three months
ago. He barely recognized them at that point; they'd looked so well
adult and responsible. Even Ron Weasley carried an air of
responsibility about him now.
Harry was posted to London and the Ministry while Ron had been
posted fairly close to home in the Highlands of Scotland.
Hermione was still in her medi-witch training and was on a rigorous
schedule at St. Mungo's, where she was doing her internship. She
seemed happily overwhelmed by the amount of study and work.
Neville's grandmother sat with the former Hogwarts students while
Snape sat with Elvira Sprout in the row behind them.
Dumbledore was currently nattering on about the `special' students
that had graced the apprenticeship program and the opportunities
that awaited them.
Neville had been the last of the apprentices to find his position.
Neville had happily accepted the Herbology position in a small
wizarding day school in Edinburgh. The Mendin School for Young
Wizards and Witches took children from ages six to ten, and tried to
prepare them scholastically for application to Hogwarts when they
were of age for consideration.
The position suited Neville exactly. It was a day school so the
Professors weren't required to live in with the students and it was
within apparating distance from Hogwarts.
Snape had been pleased in his Snapeish way---he'd even allowed
Neville to move another plant into their rooms.
Severus Snape sat rigidly listening to the gossip and giggles going
on behind him. The Gryffindor trio had changed little and not,
apparently, to the better.
Snape stared at a calm and very collected Neville patiently sitting
on the dais waiting for the endless speech to conclude. The boy had
more patience than he did. By this point he'd have hexed Albus into
silence.
Elvira leaned over and murmured something into his ear.
"Pardon?" said Snape.
"I said I hope Neville is happy with his new position," whispered
Professor Sprout.
"I'm sure he will be, Neville's wants are small," Snape replied.
"I'll never understand it," Elvira said quietly.
"Understand what?" Snape asked, his head curving around to focus
more intently on the Herbology Professor.
"Why he turned down the Durmstrang offer," she said. "The
Headmaster was quite put out when Neville refused it," said Sprout.
Severus blinked several times.
"Indeed," he said in a flat voice.
"Oh, well, I'm sure Neville had his reasons," Elvira said with an
impish grin directed at her younger colleague.
Severus sleep-walked throughout the rest of the ceremony and made
his way through the crowd to Neville's side once the party began.
Neville was chatting away happily to his friends when Severus
approached them. He knew better than to wrap his arms around
Severus, although the temptation was always strong.
Snape's expression resembled a thundercloud. Neville sighed
mentally. He knew his lover hated these public ceremonies. Ah,
well, he'd soon have him sorted out once they were back in their
rooms for the night.
"Professor Snape, how good to see you again," Hermione said
brightly.
She extended her hand towards Severus fully expecting a rebuff but
was startled by his accepting the gesture.
"You look well, Ms. Granger," Snape said. "The work suits you," he
said gruffly.
Ron and Harry exchanged looks.
Severus looked over at the two young men.
"I understand that your first assignments are within country?" he
said in a leading fashion.
Ron just continued to stare at the unexpected phenomenon of a
friendly Snape while Hermione gently nudged Harry with her elbow.
"Yes, sir. I've been working with Arthur Weasley in the Ministry
Office of Muggle Relations…" and Harry continued to answer Snape's
questions readily enough.
Neville goggled at his lover. He'd never seen him so social…
pleasant, even.
The rest of the event passed in a happy daze for Neville. He ate,
he drank, he talked and Severus never left his side. Neville was
glowing with pride and happiness.
As Hermione, Harry and Ron were leaving the Hogwarts front gate, Ron
tugged a bit on Hermione's arm.
"And what do you make of that, then?" he said.
"What?" Hermione replied.
"Snape. Neville," Ron said in an exasperated voice.
Harry grinned.
"I told you they were…together, Ron," Hermione said
softly. "Neville owled me about it almost a year ago," she said.
"Yes, but" said Ron, shaking his head. "It just seems so wrong."
"It is a bit odd, Hermione. Considering how they felt about one
another while he was in school," Harry interjected.
"You don't think that they, back then…ewww," said Ron wrinkling his
nose.
"No, I do not, Ronald Weasley. And please take your mind out of the
gutter," she said sharply.
Hermione stopped abruptly.
"You just don't see, do you?" she said to the two of them.
Both Harry and Ron stared blankly at her.
"You're both hopeless," she said with a giggle and continued on her
way.
Harry and Ron shrugged at each other and followed her off into the
darkness.
In the Dungeons ~
Severus lay curled around Neville's body, replete from the
passionate lovemaking that had just concluded. He felt boneless and
complete.
"Thank you for tonight, Sev, I know how you hate those things,"
Neville murmured sleepily.
Severus arms tightened incrementally.
"I was practicing, Neville" Snape said. "Testing my endurance, if
you will," he said more testily.
"Practicing?" Neville said as he twisted around in Severus' arms to
see his face.
Severus scowled but allowed Neville to run his fingers over his
chest.
"Expecting to attend many more of these, are you?" said Neville with
a sleepy smile.
Neville looked up at Snape's stony expression.
"What's wrong, Sev?" Neville said starting to get seriously alarmed,
becoming more wakeful with each second.
"There's nothing wrong, Neville," Snape said grouchily. "It's just
past due, that's all," Severus bit out.
"Past due for what?" said Neville with his voice starting to rise.
Severus mumbled something indistinctly.
"What? Sev, I can't hear a word you're saying…stop talking to your
pillow," Neville said, pulling Snape's chin up with his fingers.
"I said our bonding," Severus grumbled like an irritated bear.
Neville felt as if all the oxygen in the room had been sucked out in
mere seconds.
"You want us to get married," Neville said faintly.
"I wouldn't have said so if I didn't," Severus said crossly.
"Why?" Neville continued, still wary. Testing this new reality with
words.
Snape glowered down at him as his pushed himself up on his arms.
"Because I don't want to look around and find out one day that you
and your bloody plants have left me. I'm selfish enough to want you
to stay. Is that what you want me to say?" snapped Snape.
Neville threw himself on top of Snape, enveloping him in his arms.
Snape hit the bed with a grunt under Neville's weight.
"I love you, too, Sev," said Neville in a shaky voice.
Snape pulled and pushed Neville until he was lying by his side.
Neville's eyes were suspiciously bright.
"You do know that Albus will want to give you away?" Neville said in
a cheery voice.
"Bloody buggering hell," said Snape.
Neville snuggled against Severus and fell asleep to the soothing
sound of Severus' creative cursing.
~Fin
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