It can\'t be true!

All throughout the ride, Neville would glance out the corner of his eye to the boy next to him. And each time, he would catch himself and shook his head as to shake something from him.

‘What is his game?’ he kept wondering. Suddenly, he felt a sudden weight on his shoulder. Thinking it was Trevor, he opened his mouth to say something to the irate frog. He looked over only to find it wasn’t Trevor. Instead it was Draco. He had fallen asleep and was leaning against his shoulder.

He opened his mouth to wake him and maybe to yell a bit when Draco moaned and snuggled up to him more. Draco flung an arm across Neville’s lap and moved his head until he was in the crick of his neck.

“Hmm…” Draco moaned softly in his sleep. “…smell… good.”

Neville eyes grew wide as he tried to decide the best course. Let the sleeping boy lie or dump him onto the floor of the carriage.

Harry snickered softly as he saw Neville’s dilemma. “Don’t worry, Nev! He doesn’t bite… hard!”

“Ha ha,” he said sarcastically as he decided to leave the boy be. He turned to Harry. “So… how was your evening last night. Everyone noticed that you didn’t return from detention last night…”

Harry blushed. “Everyone?”

“Well all of Gryffindor… and probably the Slytherins as well. And with people like Pansy in there, you can bet the whole school knows by now,” he pointed out.

“’What happened in the Chamber is a secret… so naturally… the whole school knows,’” Harry quoted.

“Huh?”

“Nothing, Nev,” he said dismissively. “So… do you mind?”

“No,” he said unhesitant. “Are you happy?”

“Oh, yeah!”

“Then it doesn’t matter. As long as you’re happy, no one can tell you anything. Us, kids don’t mind the relationship… but I have a feeling that some parents and the rest of the wizarding society will want to have a few words.”

Harry groaned and put his head in his hands. “I totally forgotten about that. What gives them the right to interfere with my happiness?!” he asked angrily. “Haven’t I done what they wanted of me… what they could not do themselves? I had the school behind me one hundred percent and they still want to run my life?!”

“I know… it’s not fair by a long shot. But you know… we backed you up when fighting Voldie… and we will back you up when facing the rest of the world.”

The emerald eyed boy looked over at his wise friend. “When did you get so wise and mature?”

Neville threw his head back and laughed. Harry was suddenly struck by how much he’s grown and not just mentally!

Gone was the scared, rosy cheeked, pudgy boy he knew when he was younger and in it’s place was a man who knew very much what he wanted out of life. He was a man of loyalty, trustworthy, and joy. He was a man coming into his own. Somehow, Neville had grown up and left everyone else in the dust.

He was smoothly tanned. No longer was he pink. His cheeks had gotten more angular giving him a native look with golden brown eyes. His hair had grown out reaching his shoulders now. He had it braided and put a tie in to hold it together. In his right earlobe, a diamond stud earring. No where on his body was fat, in it’s stead was a finely built figure. He could never be a body builder but still the change was flattering to his physique.

Harry let his eyes roam over to the boy that currently had himself draped across his lap. He wasn’t the only one examining Neville.

Draco had his eyes open. He had been listening to the whole conversation quietly. Yes, he had noticed the change in Neville as well, but he had noticed it a long time ago.

“War would do that to a person,” Draco said softly, startling the laughing boy.

Neville sobered and looked down at the boy who was still in his arms. “Yeah,” he said quietly.

Harry had a faraway look in his eyes as he began to recall the horrors. “Yeah.”

Hermione and Ron had been quietly listening to the conversation as well. Her eyes began to tear and she had to look out the window to keep the boy’s from knowing. But Ron knew her well and put his arms around her, offering comfort to her.

The friends grew quiet.

Finally, “It’s not fair!” she said softly. We shouldn’t be veterans, we’re not even eighteen yet!”

The boys nodded in agreement and for the rest of the trip they remained quiet.

They finally got to their destination but neither made a move to leave the carriage. All around their carriage they could hear everyone else unloading. Years one to five had rode in the train, while the six and seven years rode in the carriages.

The carriage door opened to reveal the snarly potion’s master. He looked around at his sullen students and lover. He tested the atmosphere in the carriage and automatically knew what was wrong.

“It’s over… it’s time to move on,” he said quietly. “There is no need to dwell on the past. You make your future… and it’s already began.”

Hermione nodded. “Come on, boys! Snap out of it! It’s Hogsmeid weekend! And we have some serious shopping to do!” and with that, she dragged Ron into the sunlight.

Ron groaned.

“I would have to agree with her! Draco, you did say today was on you…” Neville said brightly.

Draco smirked. “So I did, so I did. I wonder how I made such an error of judgment like that,” he said teasingly.

“It’s because of my pretty face! Now come on!” he said pulling Draco out of the carriage leaving Severus and Harry behind.

Severus climbed into the carriage and shut the door, closing out the light. The moment Severus sat down, Harry threw his arms around him and held him tightly. Sev pulled his love onto his lap and held him just as tightly.

“Don’t leave me,” Harry whispered.

“Perish the thought!”

“People will try to fight this…”

“I know… but they would have to get past Albus first!” Severus said running his hands along his back.

“Hmm…”

“What?” he asked.

Harry tilted his head upward and kissed him. “Do you think we have time for a quickie?”

“Neville, how much are you planning to get?!” Draco whined, staggering under the weight of what seemed to be the hundredth article of clothing that Neville had thrown at him to carry.

“Hush you! I’m thinking here!” he said staring at the costume makeup.

“Maybe you should pick out your costume before you pick out your makeup,” Draco pointed out, helpfully.

Neville nodded and led the way to the dressing room. “You sit down on that couch, k?”

“Ok.”

An hour later, Neville finally settled on what he wanted. He was going to be an Indian!

Draco rolled his eyes as he purchased the items. “Where to now?”

“I saw Ron and Hermione go into The Leaky Cauldron, let’s go eat!” he answered as he tried to get packages but Draco danced out of the way.

“I hold ’em! Ok, sounds like a plan,” he said brightly turning to walk to the inn.

Neville followed a few paces behind him. He still had no idea how to respond to Draco’s attentions.

Draco looked over at the lagging man. “Come on, slowpoke! We don’t have all day! There’s still so much to see and do!”

Neville hurried his steps and together they entered the inn. It was dim inside and they had t let their adjust to the change of light. Finally, they spotted a familiar red head and walked over to join them for lunch.

Hermione smiled in greeting. “I see Draco has been busy,” she commented looking at the bags.”

“They’re his stuff!” he said defending himself.

Just then, a light fills the inn and Harry comes running in. He spotted his friends and too joined them. Even in the dim lighting, they could tell that he was very flushed.

“Have you guys ordered yet?” he asked not looking at them. He swiped Ron’s drink from his hands and drank deeply.

“Hey!” Ron protested.

“Thanks Ron!” he said passing the empty glass to him.

“So Harry… how’s my dear old godfather?”

Blushing, Harry glared at Draco. Your ‘dear old godfather’ is just fine!”

After Draco dropped Neville’s bags in their carriage, they decided to window shop for a bit. They passed by numerous shops and exhibits and just spent the day idle.

“Ah Draco! Neville!” the headmaster called.

“Yes sir?” Neville answered politely.

“I just wanted to tell you that you have a choice… you can stay the night at the inn or you can go back to Hogwarts on the train tonight? The carriages are for the six and seventh years that stay behind.”

“Oh!” Neville exclaimed. “Um… I guess I’ll stay.” He turned to Draco.

“I’ll stay,” Draco said.

Dumbledore twinkled at them. “Splendid! You two have fun, now!” and off he went.

Draco looked at his companion. “Well, my offer have been extended and as I see that the day is not yet over it still stands… at least until we go to bed tonight.”

Neville stared at Draco intently. ‘Is that a blush?’ he asked himself.

Draco did indeed blush as he felt Neville disbelieving stare. “It’s not like we have anything to day,” he said with in a rush. “…I’m having fun and I hope that you are too.” He stared up at the taller boy with hope in his gray eyes.

Said boy blinked and raked his fingers through his hair that he had let down earlier that day. Draco followed the movement of those graceful fingers. “Well, I guess I am having fun.” Then stronger as he began to click the puzzle pieces in place in his head. “No… I am having fun. The day has been very enjoyable and not just because you were spending money on me. You’re great company, Draco Malfoy.”

Draco blushed deeper. “So does this mean you will have dinner with me tonight?” he asked shyly.

“Yes.”