Survival Bonds

Chapter 29: Draco and Neville

Everyone knew and at the entrance ceremony that Severus and I were soul bonded. My entire house swarmed me with questions. I'm actually really thankful for Hermione and Ron. They headed off most of the questions. Or more to the point, told everyone to back off and let me breathe. To address the hippogriff in the room, Dumbledore made an announcement.

"I am sure all of you are aware of the bonding of our potion professor, Professor Snape and Harry Potter. Along with the rumors that Professor Snape has been working as a spy for the light. I am pleased to confirm those rumors. Mr. Potter will be staying in Professor Snape's chambers with him, but he will be attending his classes as per normal. I am sure some of you may be concerned about Mr. Potter potentially being shown favoritism, but rest assured, any assignments that young Harry may have to do for Professor Snape will be graded by another teacher."

When Dumbledore takes his seat at the head table, the chatter increases. Several Slytherins give me a cross look. Severus and I arrived a few days before the remainder of the students. This gave me time to speak with my other teachers and allow Hermione and Ron to speak with Severus.

It went decently. Ron still doesn't like Severus, but he has at least agreed to be civil. Severus seems to have the same truce for my friends. He can be polite. Or... as polite as possible. I still don't fully know what to expect for my final year. I'm scared. And maybe a bit excited.

After the meal, the first years are shown their way to their common rooms, and since both Ron and Hermione are prefects, they got to give the first years the tour.

I was more surprised when I was cornered. By two people in face. Draco Malfoy- less surprised about him- and Neville Longbottom- more surprised about him.

The two glance at each other; I have a feeling that both are here because of Severus.

Draco crosses his arms. "I'll wait until you two are done, I have a lot to say to Potter." He steps back just enough to give us privacy, but he can obviously still hear us. Neville doesn't seem to care. He's matured a lot since first year. He isn't pudgy or weak anymore.

"Harry, I just wanted to ask if you were serious about Professor Snape?" Before I have a chance to answer, he continues. "If you are serious that's fine. If you aren't serious but you need people to think you are, that's also fine. I guess all I'm trying to say is, if you need to talk, I'm here. And although I have had a lot of issues with Professor Snape in the past, if you are okay with him, then there must be some good in him." He smiles comfortingly and clasps me on the shoulder good-naturedly.

"Thank you. I know he has been really unfair to you in the past, but I think from here on out, he will treat all his student's fairly." He nods seemingly satisfied with my response.

"Alright. Then I'll let Draco talk with you. I need to go settle in anyways." Neville turns to the Slytherin boy and smiles in a very confident way. "Draco, he's all yours." This seems to make Draco uncomfortable, and he waits until Neville has left completely before turning to me. I almost wish he wouldn't have left, because it's very obvious that the two of us are completely alone.

"Potter." He says through his teeth. He isn't looking at me. "Do you actually care about my godfather?"

"Of course I do. We are soul bonded after all."

"Cut the shit. I'm serious right now. I know all about the death eater meetings. I know that you were only soul bonded because he is trying to keep you safe from the dark lord. Do you actually care about my godfather?" He turns to me and his eyes are piercing me. I feel like, even if I did lie, he would know. His eyes are scary.

"Draco. Just between you and me. Because I feel like you deserve to know. I was tricked into soul bonding with Severus. I didn't understand that it was permanent because I was raised by muggles. Severus and I have had our highs and lows since we bonded, but I do actually care about him." He searching my face. "Draco. I'll deny it if you say anything, but I think I love him." He narrows his eyes.

"You are an idiot. What if I was sent by the Dark Lord to trick you. You just made yourself vulnerable."

"I know. But. It seemed like you were genuinely worried about Severus." Draco exhales.

"I was asked by my father and the dark lord to trick Severus or You into leaving the castle. If they capture you, then Severus will come. The dark lord wants you dead now more than ever. During the next Hogsmeade trip, you will have detention that you will be serving under Professor McGonagall, and Severus will be busy brewing potions for the medical wing. Do you understand?" He asks me.

"Draco. Why are you doing this." He looks down his nose at me.

"My godfather deserves to be happy. I'm willing to keep you alive if it means Severus gets to be happy. So, think of it more as you owe me Potter. Severus can no longer keep you safe by deceiving the dark lord. I do not like you Potter. I do not like anything about you. But I need for you to make my godfather happy."

"That's all I want to do right now Draco." He nods.

"I cannot be nice to you and I cannot be nice to my godfather because there are still those loyal to the dark lord that are watching me. I'm going to be cruel to both of you." He looks sick to his stomach. "So. I apologize in advance for that. Severus already knows and understands. He told me that I have to protect myself first, and until this war is over, I have to seem loyal to the dark lord."

"You aren't then?"

"Potter. I never was. It's difficult to be loyal to a man that has..." He stops talking.

"Draco. I know everything." I'm not sure how much he knows though. So I will not volunteer any information about Princess.

"You know that they are considered to be in a relationship." He says testing the waters.

"Yes Draco. And I know that he threw you to a werewolf." Draco doesn't seem surprised. "So. You are on our side." He narrows his eyes angerly.

"No. I'm on Severus's side. I hate you and I hate the headmaster. But right now, you two are keeping him alive." No thanks to the headmaster.

"I promise Draco. I have no intention of hurting him."

"So you think you might love him." He says testing the words in his mouth.

"Please. Don't tell him that. Don't tell anyone. If you do, I'll deny it. But I want to make sure before I say anything to him. I do not want to scare him away." Draco nods.

"I'll keep your secret, and as insurance, I'll tell you something that I myself would deny. I also might be in love with someone." He smirks at me and crosses his arms dramatically. "But no one would believe you. I wouldn't believe you."

"Look Draco, I'm flattered but..."

"Not you, you pompous big-headed goody goody. It's Neville." He says the second part much quieter. "There. Now we are even. You keep my secret and I'll keep yours."

"I don't understand why you told me. I didn't ask, and I already had to trust you." Slowly he looks away from me.

"Perhaps I just wanted to be able to tell someone. After all. It isn't as though anything could ever come of it. I have to be cruel to him otherwise it would be obvious that he is my weak point. I have to pick on him. Call him names I don't want to call him."

"Have you... for a while?" He laughs lightly. Mournfully.

"Since first year. The fatso was just so pathetic. Some hopeful. And.." He shakes his head. "It doesn't matter. We are even now. I'll try to do what I can to warn the two of you without seeming suspicious." He rushes off to settle in and I'm left with my thoughts.

How many other students are just like him. Forced to fight a war their parents put them in.

Draco and Neville huh?

I guess I've heard of stranger couples. After all. I'm headed to my sour potion professor's room. I'm headed to my husband's and my room. And I'm not dreading sleeping next to him. In fact. I'm looking forward to pulling him against me.

So, who knows. Maybe if this war ever ends, I can play wingman for Draco.