Please join us at the @hprarepairnet and @slytherdornet for our next bi-weekly challenge! From January 2nd to January 16th, we will be holding a Fairy Tale AU Challenge!
This challenge is open to everyone, and in order to participate, you just have to make some kind of content related to your favorite ships in a fairy tale AU! The pairings need to be a slytherdor or rare pairing (this includes triads)! The content you create can be writing, edits, playlists, etc. anything you can think of.
When you make your post, please have a caption similar to: @hprarepairnet & @slytherdornet - fairy tale au challenge
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Pairing: Draco Malfoy x Neville Longbottom
Words: 1,197
You can also read this on AO3.
This is for the @hprarepairnet and @slytherdornet Professors Challenge! I am also dedicating this to @lysatullys. Ily Em. Thanks for always being there!
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Neville Longbottom never expected Scorpius Malfoy to be his favorite student once he became professor at Hogwarts. Not only was Scorpius the complete opposite of his father, he was also a brilliant student. It reminded him of his good old friend, Hermione Granger.. only Scorpius Malfoy was much quieter and much shyer than Hermione had ever been.
It alarmed Neville when Scorpius's grades started to decline in the middle of his third year. Herbology had always been one of his top subjects; Scorpius had even talked with Neville about wanting to replace him once he retired. It made his heart swell that he could actually be a mentor or at least a positive influence to a Malfoy after everything. Scorpius got his kindness from his mother, that was for sure.
But it was then that Neville heard about Scorpius's mother. She died from complications regarding her blood curse; Scorpius was inconsolable even if he didn't show it. That meant that his grades started to flop, and his best friend Albus couldn't even pull him out of it.
That meant one thing, it was time for Neville to call in Scorpius's father for a parent-teacher conference.
Neville hadn't seen Draco in years, and he wanted to keep it that way. Neville spent most his time alone now anyway unless he was in a pub with Ron or out on a nature hike with Luna. He occasionally saw the Potters, but they were busy with their own lives and children. After his divorce from Hannah, he would be lying if he said he hadn't become sort of a hermit. Maybe it was the shame that his marriage didn't work out; maybe it was the fact that Neville kept it a secret that he was actually gay.
So he would be lying if he said he wasn't nervous as he wrote Draco Malfoy a letter in his lazy scrawl asking him to meet with him about Scorpius's class performance. He knew Malfoy's penmanship was perfect; it was just another thing he could knock him on after all these years. As the owl flew away, he took a deep breath and put his head on his desk. All he could do now was wait.
To Neville's surprise, Draco responded almost immediately to his owl. He did not have any snide comments in his note back, he just told Neville he would meet with him the next day after classes were over.
Neville fussed with his shirt collar as his first years left his class. He could see some of them eyeing him suspiciously while others were blissfully oblivious; he missed those days.
After his last student walked out of the greenhouse, Draco Malfoy sauntered in right on time. He looked impeccable, as always. His suit was neatly pressed, and his collar was perfectly angled in a way that Neville's would never be. He could feel the back of his neck heating up at the thought of his own imperfection.
"Longbottom," Malfoy greeted him. He didn't say anything more. His steely grey eyes just pierced through Neville's, and it made Neville have to swallow a ball in his throat.
"Malfoy," Neville finally responded. He motioned for Draco to sit down in front of his greenhouse desk.
Once they took their seats, Neville started to fiddle with his collar again. He had no idea how to start this conversation, so naturally, Draco did.
"I can see you are still quite the conversationalist like you were in school," Draco commented snidely, "I'm not sure what else I expected."
"Shove off, Malfoy." It was childish, and it was the first response that came out of his mouth. This made Draco smirk.
"I can still get under your skin too, I see. Why don't we just talk about my son? I have things I need to do."
It was then that Neville noticed the bags under Draco's eyes. He was exhausted, and it dawned on Neville the toll that losing his wife must have taken on him. Neville suddenly felt sorry for him.
"I'm-I'm sorry for wasting your time, and I'm sorry about Astoria," Neville fumbled, "She-she was incredibly sweet. I only met her once, but Scorpius is a lot like her-"
"And not like me?" Draco commented. He didn't seem offended, but Neville was embarrassed.
"That's not what I-"
"But it's the truth," Draco told him, "I'm forever thankful Scorpius only took after my appearance, and I appreciate your condolences. It has been.. hard.. losing my best friend."
"I can imagine."
"Was that how it felt when you lost Hannah? I mean, I know she didn't pass but-"
This comment stunned Draco. Of course everyone would know. The wizarding community was ultimately small, but he didn't think Draco would bring it up in a way that wasn't to mock him.
"It was," Neville told him, "But it was for the best. It just... was never going to work out."
"Why?" Draco pressed.
Draco had leaned forward in his seat with his hands in his lap. They were knotted together, but Neville noticed Draco's breath quicken in his chest. It was as though he could hear his heart beats, or maybe that was just his own.
"I-I.."
"You don't need to explain," Draco stopped him, "I.. I get it. Astoria and I had a particular.. understanding... so it worked."
"U-understanding?"
"Yeah," Draco told him, "She knew I was gay, but she was aromantic. She didn't care, she just wanted my companionship. She genuinely was my best friend."
The bluntness threw Neville off. He could feel his eyes widen, and he watched Draco's mouth turn up in a slight smile.
"I can tell by your look you really do understand, but I get the vibe that Hannah did care once she found out."
"I-"
But before Neville could even comment on what just happened, Draco changed the subject, "We should talk about Scorpius's performance. I just want to let you know that I am taking him to talk to someone. Astoria recommended it to me before she passed. I'm sure his grade will improve once some time has passed. If it doesn't, let me know."
All Neville could do was nod.
Draco got up from his seat then and didn't say another word. He just walked toward the exit of the greenhouse, but then he paused. It made Neville hold his breath.
When Draco turned around, Neville noticed that his cheeks were slightly pink. It was the only color Neville had ever seen in his old foes face.
"I-I was wondering, Longbottom, would you like to get a drink sometime.. or right now? If you have another guy you are seeing, I completely understand but-"
He was nervously rambling, and this made Neville smirk. He got up from his seat and approached Draco. They were now the same height like they never were in school. Neville watched as Draco's gaze flicked to his lips.
"I can see you aren't the conversationalist you used to be," Neville teased, "But I think I can handle a drink with you."
Neville wasn't sure where the confidence boost came, but Draco gave him a smile that was a challenge.
Adrian Pucey started his fourth year two months ago, and was in all fields, flourishing. His academics are excelling, he plays good quidditch and he’s got teammates that have his back. He’s a perfectionist, and thankfully enough, things mostly go his way. Life was good for him.
That’s what he tells himself.
Terence Higgs was in sixth year, handsome and athletic and smart as ever, with the charming Slytherin facade and the goofy personality that only few saw, specifically his teammates. He had it going on, just like Adrian had it going on.
He turned away when Terence stepped out of the showers in the locker room, chest adorned with water drops and ignores how the sound of his laughter made him feel when their teammates joke around him.
ii.
After Terence graduated, Adrian hadn’t planned on seeing him very often. His feelings drifted away slowly, only coming up once in a while when Adrian had nothing else to think about. He kept busy.
Terence and Marcus dropped by to see a quidditch match, every once in a while, and they cheered him on. Adrian became captain. Life was good for him.
When he catches a glimpse of curled blonde hair, hearing the whoops and cheers from Terence and Marcus as Slytherin wins a house cup under his captaincy, he can’t help the warm feeling that spreads through his chest and the flush that crawls up his neck, maybe from the exhilaration from a good match, maybe something else.
iii.
To say Adrian was surprised when Marcus and Oliver got married would be lying. Who could be shocked? He’d witnessed the sparks that turned into a fire when they played against each other first hand. You couldn’t fake that type of chemistry.
What Adrian was surprised at was how Marcus had quietly asked him to be a groomsman, to help with wedding planning. This pleased him to no end, promising that he’d do a good job and make it a day they’d remember. Life was good for him.
What Adrian was surprised at was that he’d be working closely with Terence Higgs, but why he was surprised? He didn’t know. Marcus and Terence were thick as thieves.
What Adrian was surprised at was old feelings from his school days resurfacing as he watched Terence holding boquets, asking him which one the to-be-weds would find nicer, or watching Terence argue with the caterers over meal options, or as Terence joked about how Marcus and Oliver would probably elope, and all their hard work would be for nothing.
Terence was full of surprises.
iv.
Adrian had woken up three days after the wedding feeling a touch sad that he wouldn’t be seeing Terence on a regular basis again. The wedding had been beautiful. Marcus and Oliver cried during their vows. When they kissed, Adrian couldn’t help but glance at Terence next to him. He was crying too.
Other than niggling loneliness Adrian felt in the corner of his mind, where he ignored it, life was good for him. He had a good career, working his way to the Wizengamot, and he’d found new friends in Hermione Granger and Roger Davies at the ministry.
When an owl swooped into his house on his day off, Adrian was curious. It wasn’t an owl he recognised. He carefully took the note it held and as he read it, the loneliness in his mind began to ebb away and he felt his mouth curve into a happy smile.
‘It was good planning the wedding with you. I’d like to see you again. Drinks at the Leaky, on me?’
Adrian scribbled out a fast reply, feeling a little bolder, taking a risk.
‘It’s a date.’
v.
Adrian woke up a year and some later, the sun filtering in through the windows and lighting the room in a warm glow. Next to him, Terence’s own eyes were fluttering awake, and Adrian couldn’t help but look at him in awe.
It was real. This was real. All those years of repressed feelings and stolen glances led to this.
“Good morning.” Terence rasped, his voice rough with morning voice. Adrian grinned at him, leaning over to peck him on the mouth.
“Happy anniversary, love.” Adrian whispered against Terence’s mouth. He felt the other boy’s lips curve on his in response.
Please join us at the @hprarepairnet and @slytherdornet for our next challenge! From November 29th - December 31st, we will be holding a Holiday Ship Challenge!
This challenge is open to everyone, and in order to participate, you just have to make some kind of content related to your favorite ships celebrating any of our winter holidays! The pairings need to be a slytherdor or rare pairing (this includes triads)! The content you create can be writing, edits, playlists, etc. anything you can think of.
When you make your post, please have a caption similar to: @hprarepairnet & @slytherdornet - holiday ship challenge
Also tag us with #hprarepairnet and #slytherdornet so we can reblog your content! Signal boost this post so everyone can join us!
