Chapter Text
After the war, Neville was sure that he wanted to escape, and start somewhere brand new. Most of his friends seemed to know what they wanted to do after the war. Hermione being the most prominent example immediately working her way to become the Minister for Magic, and starting a family with Ron. They all were war heroes who had the advantage of recognition and reverence to pursue anything in life.
Maybe it was the pressure, maybe it was his new found glory and adoration from the people who used to belittle him or the difficult memories of the war, he is uncertain- but Neville knew that he needed a new environment, where he could just be Neville.
Let it be known that Neville was never an impulsive thrill seeker, and he had only grown into his looks late in life, so he indulged in the pleasuries a life of a renowned war hero could offer. After facing Voldemort head-on, thrill does not come easy. After several stints in different professions, hobbies, and bed partners, with a bulkier body, some tattoos, and the numbers of multiple wixen, to show for it. Neville finds himself back in the walls of Hogwarts, agreeing to be the new Herbology professor. Funny, how things turn out.
After a few years of reckless abandon, Neville was burnt-out, and what he needed was a routine, and something familiar. He had always loved plants, and Hogwarts, regardless of the events that transpired there, was familiar (and admittedly, a second home). Taking up the responsibility of teaching the minds of the future generation might’ve been his final reckless action, but in hindsight it may have been the path, he was destined all along.
After the war, Neville was the picture of cool confidence which was only solidified after his experiences meeting new people. He knew he was attractive, sturdy, and knowledgeable about Herbology. However, the sight of the familiar castle brought upon a familiar feeling of nerves and anxiety. Briefly remembering all of his key memories in this school, did something to him that he has not felt in a long time, but before he could spiral, a familiar shade of platinum blonde caught his eye.
“Draco Malfoy,” his mind supplies while he tries to close his subconsciously open-mouthed expression.
Neville was surprised to start his journey as a Hogwarts professor with Malfoy of all people. He didn't expect to see the former death eater wanting to teach the future generation of wizards and witches. Nevertheless, Neville's nerves were placated by the sight of a familiar face. Godric knows he yearned for familiarity.
After briefly meeting with Headmaster McGonagall, he found out that Malfoy was the newly hired potions master, which Neville assumed naturally as Malfoy always had an affinity for Potions and his late Godfather. He shrugged off the old memories of their past potions master, and chuckled at the thought of the new generation experiencing their own version of Severus Snape through the Malfoy heir. It felt strange to be pleased by the thought of other students being terrorized by the strict potions master, which brought upon a weird feeling in his stomach. Maybe, he isn’t really over his experiences in Hogwarts, like he tried to tell himself.
After a few introductory classes, which led to him getting to know his students and fellow professors, Neville finally started to notice a semblance of normalcy in his life. However, there was a clear outlier in Neville’s new life in Hogwarts that disrupted this pursuit of total normalcy. A very familiar bloke whose long platinum blonde hair always catches Neville’s eye whenever in the same room. Surprisingly, Neville did not hear much about Malfoy from his colleagues, and he certainly wasn’t going to ask. He’s not gonna look a gift horse in the mouth, if the thought of why Malfoy hasn’t noticed his presence, or given him any lick of attention, plagued Neville’s mind. He certainly wouldn’t test his luck with the ex-death eater. Even if that death eater is much more beautiful with his mouth closed.
Wait.
What?
But before Neville could give more consideration to that thought. The sudden noise of approaching students breaks him from his daze. Not wanting Malfoy to negatively affect his Hogwarts experience again, Neville readies himself into switching into a more professional mode, fitting for a professor who holds the fate of the future generations in his hands. Until he hears a comment that seemed like it was ripped from Neville’s own private thoughts. “Professor Malfoy’s arse is keeping me from doing well in potions,” a Gryffindor student whined as he entered the greenhouse. A number of fellow Gryffindor boys murmured in agreement.
“There’s the Malfoy, we all know and love, at least, I know I’m not the only one bothered by Malfoy,” Neville thinks as he remains quiet trying to see where this conversation goes.
“Shut up, Gryffindork! Don’t talk about Professor Malfoy like that, he always takes time to explain all of the concepts, only if you actually listened, you wouldn’t be struggling,” a Slytherin girl that vaguely reminded him of Hermione, countered with an offended look on her face.
“Yeah, Professor Malfoy is also so understanding even if we mess up. He cares too much about us to get mad if we mess up, even if we mess up multiple times,” a Hufflepuff boy provided to the conversation.
“I wasn’t insulting Professor Malfoy, we like him the best out of all the professors, it’s just that his features distract us.” the red-faced Gryffindor boy suddenly defended while rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment. A couple of Gryffindor boys nod in agreement.
Neville, concealing his shock at the newly discovered information, quickly interrupted their conversation before it could go any further with a loud cough. All eyes turn to him, and Neville tries not to pay too much attention to the red- faces that envelop his class as he finally begins his lecture. However, thoughts of Malfoy plagued him the entire day.
Kind?
Caring?
Understanding?
Fat Arse?
These weren't typical words to use to describe his childhood bully. Well, maybe aside from being attractive, but Neville's interest was piqued. Who was this imposter and what has he done with the real Draco Malfoy?
The next day, a unique opportunity presented itself. Neville entered the great hall and noticed a familiar shade of platinum sitting alone and quietly eating. Neville took his time, and finally took a good look at Malfoy. The biggest difference was Malfoy grew out his hair, which honestly made him look more approachable. Androgyny was a look that fitted Draco, which amplified the marriage between his masculine and feminine features. Draco was always tall, but with Neville’s late growth spurt, Neville seems to tower over him in most cases. Malfoy is still as graceful as ever, if not even more. Nobody would’ve expected this person to be an ex-death eater based on mannerisms alone. One could even argue that Malfoy seemed more carefree and effortless, which just added to his appeal.
Gathering up all his Gryffindor courage, he sits across from Draco. "Hullo, Malfoy, do you mind if I sit here?" Neville smiled, and he took this chance to really look into the former death eater's features. Malfoy was obviously stunned, but quickly collected himself, and smiled, "Sure, Longbottom."
Neville was astonished by two things.
First, this was not the reaction he expected from Malfoy-- he was waiting for that familiar snarky insult and a "sod off, Longbottom" that he had grown accustomed to throughout the years. Second, he was stunned by how beautiful Draco became. He was always attractive, but seeing Draco smile with no malice takes the cake. With his soft blonde hair grown out, and his cheeks flushed, it very much suited Malfoy, much more than the permanent haggard look that he had during the war. Neville definitely now empathized with the Gryffindor students who had trouble focusing during Malfoy's class. All these thoughts run through Neville’s mind, until he unabashedly leers at Malfoy picking a piece of his food up, and it disappears behind those pair of plump pink lips. Noticing Malfoy giving him a curious look, Neville remembered that he was gawking at the blonde, "Thank you, Malfoy," he quickly replied and began eating.
"It's comforting to see a familiar face around here," Draco quietly remarked with a kind smile on his face.
"It's great to see you too, Malfoy," Neville naturally replied, matching the same smile. Neville noticed how flushed Malfoy's ears became, and how his eyes turned away from Neville's face. He knew how subdued and reserved Draco became after the trial, but this was new.
"I'm serious, Malfoy, so I heard you were the new potions master, trying to give Snape a run for his money?" Neville laughed, finding confidence in this new reaction.
"I wish I could ever amount to someone as great as him, I heard you were the new Herbology professor, you were always good with plants so that doesn't surprise me," Draco admitted, finding his footing after being flustered. Neville was stunned by this observation & the sincerity of his words, not even noticing the giant grin that formed on his face. So this was the Malfoy that everyone was talking about.
This started a new relationship between Draco and Neville, starting with quick greetings during hallways and sharing their lunches together. Neville couldn’t get enough of Draco, as he got to know the blonde more, he was quickly enamored. Sometimes, Neville thinks about the past, and how a friendship with Malfoy could’ve made his first stay in Hogwarts much more pleasant. He is not sure if he resents a part of Malfoy from preventing that from ever happening, but the thought of losing Mal- Draco now is unbearable.
Suddenly, Malfoy became Draco, and Longbottom became Neville. They also constantly helped each other with getting used to their lives as professors in Hogwarts, and bonded over this experience that none of their peers knew firsthand. They all had lives beyond the walls of Hogwarts, unlike Neville and Draco who were currently content with the walls of this familiar palace. The two would develop their friendship beyond the confines of their profession. They would meet up and spend time together beyond their office hours, and outside of Hogwarts. They would spend time in each other’s homes, becoming a constant in each other’s lives. Neville also found out that Draco is fond of giving nicknames to the ones he loves, so the day that Draco called him, “Nev”, he swore that the feeling was better than any questionable drug he took during his stints.
Neville could see how Draco has grown into such a beautiful person inside and out, and he even helped the blonde make reparations to the ones he had previously hurt. Beyond the walls of Hogwarts, perception towards Malfoy was not favorable. Most people still saw him as a death eater, and while a fragment of that may have been true. Draco has bloomed beyond the mistakes of his past and Neville was determined to be the catalyst that would show the rest of Wizarding World how much Draco has grown. He understood how some of their peers responded to Malfoy's apologies with understanding, so he organized a small get-together to have the opportunity for his friends to get to know Draco now.
Neville only invited a small handful of people who he knew would be more receptive to Draco's presence. Luna, Blaise, Hermione, Dean, Theo, and the Patil sisters were in attendance. They all met in Neville's small apartment, while Neville went to owl Draco to come over.
Draco, being already familiar with Neville's apartment, came through Neville's floo with no care in the world. "Nev! I think I broke the muggle contraption again, could you teach me how to operate this machine again? I'll make you some of my famous Malfoy pie," Draco singsongs.
Stunned expressions and silence filled the room, everyone flabbergasted by each other's presence and the words and implications that came out of Draco Malfoy's mouth. A few open-mouthed seconds later, Luna immediately jumps up and greets Draco with a hug. Everyone winces except the two blondes, Hermione and Dean quickly holding on their wands waiting for Malfoy's reaction, but everyone didn't expect Malfoy to hug back with the same intensity with a bigger smile on his lips.
Apparently, Luna and Draco had reconnected long before Neville and Draco's friendship began, and Luna seeing her best friend and her ex form a relationship was one of her favorite things in the world. After this interaction, the tension in the room dissipated, and everyone started mingling and being awestruck by how different Draco was.
Even Luna and Draco started to make plans about going out with Hermione to revisit the familiar halls of the Hogwarts library. Neville smiles to himself after seeing Draco enjoy himself.
After the party is over, Draco jumps on Neville and hugs him tightly. "Nev, thank you so much for this. I don't know how I'll ever repay you," Draco whispers while trying to hide his flustered appearance and leaning his entire weight onto Neville. Neville reciprocates the hugs and thinks how seeing Draco happy is all the thanks he needs.
A month later, Neville is invited to a Gryffindor reunion in the Leaky Cauldron, and after some consideration he decides to attend. He had been spending almost every day with Draco, and there had been some foreign feelings in his stomach, so he decided that a new environment must help. He is grateful to see and catch up with his old friends. Everyone shares their current happenings as drinks flow. Ron and Hermione are finally settling down while pursuing their own careers. Harry… is the bloody Savior of the Wizarding World, so who knows what he’s up to. Neville will never admit it but sometimes Harry reminds him of himself during his stints, but if you’re the fucking savior, no one bats an eye if you indulge. Neville will be the first to admit that.
Everything was going fine until the conversation turns to Neville and everyone is curious about his job as a professor. He answers about how he enjoys his job until Dean, a few glasses in, interrupts, "Yeah, lucky Neville secured a job and a fit babe all while not leaving the walls of Hogwarts. If I had a fit blonde to take care of me, I wouldn't step out of Hogwarts either." Laughter erupts from the table.
"Oy, mate, you back with Luna then? Didn't know she also worked in Hogwarts," Seamus mumbles as he takes a swig from his glass. "She doesn't. I'm not dating Lu-" Neville tries to reply.
"Luna? Nah, mate, I'm talking about Malfoy," Dean interrupts as he grins and winks at Neville.
Silence quickly fills the table aside from Dean's giggling, and all eyes turn to Neville.
However, Neville could only focus on one pair of green eyes that pierce through Neville's own in disbelief. "Malfoy. Draco Malfoy?" Harry comments as if he's trying to wrap his head around a foreign concept.
"The fucking ferret?!?" Ron shouts clearly inebriated. Laughter can be heard at the familiar insult. Neville, finding his confidence, was about to defend his friend until Hermione voiced out, "You guys are being immature. Draco has changed. We're not children anymore. He's not the person that he used to be. He is much kinder now."
"Oh, so he's Draco now, is he?" Ron quickly responds to his girlfriend with jealousy and suspicion.
"Don't worry Ron, Granger ain't lying, I also met him at the party, I wouldn't be worried about him since Longbottom here got that Slytherin domesticated, even if he's proper fit now," Dean nonchalantly mentions as if he hadn't explicitly implied that Neville in a committed relationship with Draco. All eyes turn back to him with questions on their lips. Neville tries not to focus on the familiar green eyes. He didn't know where to start.
Thankfully, Hermione did it for him, "Dean's telling the truth, we all met for a small get-together, Draco is much more pleasant now, The war all fucked us over. I think you all should give him a chance," Hermione speaks with a quiver in her voice.
Neville takes this opportunity to find his momentum and add, "Hermione's right. Draco is not the person he used to be. He's kind and caring, and I care for him. I'm not forcing you to embrace him, but please know that he's trying like we all are," Neville confidently states. Silence envelops the table but with much less tension. Even Ron is holding his tongue, forced to deal with the reality that Malfoy is beyond what he had known all these years.
"He's also not my boyfriend," Neville awkwardly adds while rubbing the back of his neck
"But he calls you Nev. Wait, does this mean I could have a go at him?" Dean simply inquires. Laughter surrounds the table, but the same piercing green eyes remain at Neville's flustered face. Little did Neville know that this was the beginning of his mistake.