hackthis_archive | HP – Persistent Buggers

I have mad love for all the people who answered my yowling cries yesterday. All I need is a 'kick'em in the head' icon (dS reference) and I will be right as rain. Except rain is not just right, it is also slant or vertical or all three at the same time (ever been in a hurricane?) The point being -- I don't believe it's just right. I think that's pigeon-holing, and we all know pigeon-holing is bad.

I digress.

For

serialkarma. I'm sorry it couldn't be longer.

Harry Potter
Neville/ Draco
Persistent Buggers

It starts with the staring. Correction: Malfoy stares and Neville just, Neville's not sure what he does. He can always feel when Malfoy’s eyes are flitting over his scalp, it’s like long fingers are ruffling his short hair during strategy sessions, and eventually Neville will look up furtively, quickly. He’ll colour when their eyes meet, but he's always the first to look away. He’s not afraid, he’s just – he doesn’t want anyone to get the wrong idea.

However, he doesn't feel the same sort of hatred toward Malfoy that everyone else in The Resistance does, and maybe that's why he doesn't mind looking back in the first place.

Maybe that's why when Malfoy scowls or winks or does any number of things that he's so good at, Neville just lets him. It’s not endearing or bothersome; Malfoy doesn’t get under Neville’s skin the way he seems to with everyone else. Neville's pretty much indifferent – that business with the Rememberall was ages ago.

Except that Neville's never been that good at indifferent, and eventually -- eventually he doesn’t immediately turn away, because there’s no point. Eventually he meets Malfoy’s eyes for longer than three seconds, because Neville’s got too many other things on his plate to bother with Malfoy’s attempts to intimidate him, since clearly that’s what Malfoy is doing.

Why else would he make eyes at Neville?

*

It’s always the good-looking ones who reckon that everyone alive fancies them, so it’s only inevitable that Malfoy corner Neville and try it on, but his timing is piss poor since Neville’s coming off 25 hours awake in a ditch in Surrey when Malfoy makes his move.

In simple terms, Neville's entirely too knackered to be impressed by anyone, no matter how fit they are or how much they lower their eyes and lick their very pink lips.

Malfoy may look metres above everyone, even in ripped robes and dirty jumpers, but nobody is coming between Neville and his turn in one of the few remaining beds in the Burrow.

Sod that.

*

Neville sleeps for thirteen hours straight and only wakes up when Ron pokes him in the side, taking the piss about Neville's turn as Sleeping Beauty. Of course Ron also winds up with Neville's wand up his nose, so it's not all bad; and Neville does his best to tuck in for a few more hours, but Ron's howls of pain, blue language and intermittent curses about Malfoy being keen on Neville make it impossible.

Clearly when Neville shoved his wand up Ron's nose he addled his brain.

*

The second time Malfoy tries it on is after Neville’s just spent sixteen hours hiding in a Muggle barn with Dean and Hermione outside Hartlepool. They all reek of horse manure, and Neville’s got a crick in his neck the size of a small town. His ability to smell left him at least seven hours ago, and he’s not quite sure how Malfoy earned his lothario reputation considering how crap his timing is. Instead of succumbing to Malfoy’s offers of secret salves and ‘surefire relaxation techniques’ Neville opts for his first hot shower in three weeks.

*

The third time Malfoy attempts to get in Neville’s trousers, he actually manages to find a good time (early morning, but after Neville’s cleaned his teeth) and a good day (anytime post-mission is a good day). And if Neville were so inclined to reciprocate he might certainly be willingly to fall under the spell of Malfoy’s soft accent and sharp gray eyes. Or he might’ve been willing if Harry hadn’t come round the corner at the exact right (or wrong, depending on point of view) time and clipped Malfoy in the head for, in Harry’s own words, ‘Trying to have it on with one of his best mates.’

The disapproving look Neville shoots at Harry clearly isn’t what anyone is expecting, least of all Malfoy and Harry, and Neville helps Malfoy up because it’s the right thing to do. He chooses to overlook the fact that Malfoy holds onto his hand just a little too long.

Malfoy’s never been one of Neville’s favourite people, but in times of war everyone deserves a little leeway, especially after they’ve been knocked for six by Harry Potter.

*

The next time Neville and Malfoy are alone, instead of trying it on, Malfoy makes a point of standing on the opposite side of the room and only looking like he’s trying to get in Neville’s robes. Strangely enough, Neville’s not terribly keen on this new development.

*

The first time Neville tries it on with Malfoy he employs a much more straight-forward technique. Instead of lurking in wait or trying for the subtle method, Neville takes him along on a field mission to a graveyard in Sheffield and accosts him behind a large mausoleum.

It’s not romantic or in fitting with the much touted Malfoy lineage, but it suits Neville well enough, and despite a brief moment of shocked hesitation, Malfoy eventually gets with the programme. It’s only later on, when Malfoy – Draco - is panting harshly against Neville’s neck and Neville’s wiping his hands off on Draco’s robes that the questions begin.

“I didn’t think you were interested,” Draco says, his breath coming in warm spurts against the side of Neville’s neck.

“I wasn’t,” Neville admits, holding on tightly when Draco attempts to pull away.

“Malfoys don’t do pity –“ Draco begins before Neville cuts him off

“It’s not pity; I just changed my mind,” Neville says. “You’re a persistent bugger.”

Draco’s smirk says it all. “Being fit will only get you so far.”

“I hadn’t thought you’d realised that yet.”

“I’ve realised more than you might think,” Draco says.

“For example?”

“For example -- I fancy you.”

Neville’s laugh comes from so deep inside his chest. He’s not sure he can remember the last time he felt like this. “Even I realised that.”

“Good, just checking.”

-end-

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