Prologue
Neville
Neville stood in the greenhouse with a flask in his hand. This year wasn’t the greatest for him. His Gran passed away in January. He hasn’t seen his best friend since the funeral because every time he saw him with his family; it depressed him. Then there was the man he was in love with. He was stupid enough to invite him to dinner on Valentine's of all days.
That led to this point. Neville was stood up. The blond took another swig from the flask before he turned around to go back to his room in the castle. Neville couldn’t stay here much longer. Being around someone who didn’t feel the same way was killing him.
Neville's steps faltered as he saw the man that stood him up. He looked so handsome in black slack, a black jumper with a green collared shirt underneath. His black hair was hooked behind his ears, and his onyx eyes sparkled in the low light.
“You...You are here? Why are you here?” Neville asked as the man stalked toward him.
“You invited me out to dinner, did you not? I didn’t see you at the apparation point, so I figured you would be here.” His date raised an elegant eyebrow with a smirk on his lips.
“S…Severus I was there, and you didn’t show. I figured you didn’t want to…” Neville stopped when the older wizard held up his hand.
“I won’t lie to you and say I didn’t have my reservations. It's just dinner, Neville. I’m not looking for a relationship. We both need to eat and it would be nice to have company. If we decided after dinner if there is more we would like to do, I wouldn’t be opposed to that either. We are men and we both have needs and who wants to be lonely on a night like tonight? So if that isn’t something you are interested in, we should part ways right now.” Severus clasped his hands together in front of him.
This was the opposite of what Neville wanted. He wanted a relationship with Severus but if this is all that he could have, he would take it. Neville nodded his head and Severus ushered them both out of the greenhouse to the apparation point.
Dinner was wonderful. Neville and Severus talked about many things. Potions, plants, and the dunderheads they taught. Then they moved on, talking about themselves. Severus shared he was an only child, that his dad wasn’t the greatest and that his mum did the best she could do. Neville spoke about his gran, and how the woman wasn’t the nicest witch, but he loved her. He didn’t contact the rest of his family anymore. They were abusive, and it took him a while to think of it that way.
Neville learned that Severus' favorite drink was scotch. He also learned that the older wizard could sing. Neville only found that out when the wizard talked him into dancing with him. He wouldn’t have thought that the potion master knew how to dance or would want to.
Severus held him close and sang into his ear. The older wizard's voice in his ear and arms around him was like heaven on earth.
When they made it back to the castle, Neville was more in love with Severus than ever. How could he just have one night with this man when it was this perfect? The feelings for Severus only grew more. Neville knew he made a mistake. He should have said no to this perfect date. When they apparated back to the castle, Severus looked down at him, his arms around his waist.
“I would like to invite you back to my room,” Severus asked as he leaned down, and their noses touched. Their lips were so close they shared the same air. If they both leaned closer, they would be touching.
“O.. Okay.” Neville nodded and groaned as the man pulled away.
“Meet me in 10 minutes.” Severus looked at him one last time before he walked away.
This can’t be happening. Neville was going to be with the man that he loves. Though it was only for one night, it didn’t matter. There was no way he was going to give up the chance to feel what it was like to be with Severus.
When he got to Severus' door, he didn’t have to knock. The door swung open. Neville was pulled into the older wizard’s room. Potion-stained fingers cupped his face as he was pushed towards the door. His back hit it as their lips touched.
Fireworks exploded behind his eyes. Neville fantasized about their first kiss, but it was nothing like this.
Severus nibbled his bottom lip. “I’ve been wanting to do that all night. You taste so sweet for me, Neville.” Severus kissed him again and pulled him towards the bedroom.
The potion master took his time taking off every piece of clothing. Neville was thankful that the lights were off. His body wasn’t perfect, his middle was thick, along with the rest of him. The way Severus touched him made him think that the older wizard didn’t care. It was almost as if the man craved his body.
Neville melted into the bed as Severus took his time kissing, licking, and sucking every inch of his body. By the time Severus was inside him, the pleasure was almost too much.
They both finished with each other’s names on their lips. Neville thought the older wizard would have kicked him out of bed once they were done. He didn’t, though he cleaned them up and cuddled up behind him.
Severus
Severus had a plan, he was so close to finishing his plan. He could see the light at the end of the tunnel. He was to train Draco Malfoy to take over for him as potion professor at Hogwarts. Then he was going to open a shop and brew until he retired. Falling in love with a man 20 years his junior was not in the plan, so why did he?
Last night was perfect. It wasn’t just the sex either. Neville was great company. They had a lot in common. The younger wizard knew his plants, magical and non. Neville was rather good-looking. His blond hair shaggy and doe brown eyes were enough to undo the frozen potion master’s heart, not to mention his body. He even let the man sleep in his bed.
So no, he will not let this ruin his plan. When he woke up the next day, he shook the younger wizard.
Blonde hair mussed. Tired brown eyes looked up at him and smiled sleepily. His heart pounded in his chest when he imagined waking up every morning to that face. Gods, what is going on with you Severus? He chided himself this was not happening.
“You need to leave. I have a lot of things to do today.” Severus watched as those brown eyes widened with sadness before the younger man put up a mask.
“Of course Severus. Umm, maybe we can do this again sometime?” Neville asked as he sat up. The potion master had to look away; he couldn't say this to his face. Severus was a coward. With one look from those eyes, he would be done for.
“No, I told you last night I wasn’t looking for any type of relationship. So please get your clothes and leave before students notice you leaving my room.” Severus stalked out of his room as fast as he could. He had a plan, and he was sticking to it, no matter what.
Neville
The morning after his date with Severus, Neville decided he couldn’t stay here. He had to leave. There wasn’t anything that was keeping him in the UK. He didn’t have a family. Neville packed his trunk and apparated to the one place he knew wouldn’t turn him away.
Neville didn’t realize how early it would be in America when he left. He felt like a right arsehole when he port keyed to Harry’s cabin. He was about to leave when the door cracked open and Harry stood there with his son, Topher.
“Nev, what’s the matter? Why are you here so late?” Harry pulled back the door, inviting him in. Neville followed.
“I’m sorry Harry, I didn't know where to go. I was stupid. I thought that I could have one night with him and I can’t. He kicked me out of his bed. Why did I…” Neville sobbed. “I left Hogwarts, packed my trunk, and came here. I have no family, house, or job.” What did he do? He had nothing now.
Harry pulled him into a one-arm hug and hushed him. “You have a family Nev, we are your family. Me, Topher, Charlie, Dad, and Pops. We will deal with all of this tomorrow, okay?”
Neville just nodded as tears poured down his face. He was so stupid.
“It will all work out fine, I promise.” Harry squeezed him one last time before pulling away. “Let me put Pooh bear to bed and we can have a cup of tea. He was a little hungry, but he dozed right back to sleep.” Neville nodded. He heard Charlie in the back of the house asking who it was. He hoped he didn’t ruin their night.
When Harry walked back into the living room, Neville was about to leave. “I’m sorry, I really should go. I didn't mean to ruin your night. I’ll figure out someplace to go.”
Harry pulled him into the kitchen and sat him down. “Nonsense. I am going to finish up some wedding plans. I could use the help if you don’t mind. I know you might not feel in the mood to do this but.” Neville wanted to help anything to get his mind off what happened.
“I’d love to. Working will help me not think.” Harry and Neville worked for a couple of hours on invitations and picked the flower arrangements that Neville would make. Then Harry went to bed, leaving him to sit on the couch and dwell on the night before.
The next morning was better. Neville had breakfast with Harry’s whole family. Barnaby was a true lifesaver. He owned the building of his shop and he said that Neville could move into the flat above it.
After breakfast, Barnaby showed him the flat and took him to the local floral shop, who was owned by an ancient widower. Lost his husband of 70 years recently and wanted to hire someone to run it so he could spend more time with his family. Neville got the job starting immediately.
Later that night, as he lay in bed, he was thankful for all the good luck that he had that day. Though he hated to think about what led up to it. Every time he closed his eyes, he could picture the look on Severus’s face as he told him to get out.
Two months later.
Neville spent this morning like he did every morning for the past two weeks. With his head down in the toilet bowl. He knew what was wrong. He had Harry do the spell a week ago. Pregnant, he was pregnant. With a man who wanted nothing to do with him. That’s okay, though, he will raise this baby with his new family.
Today was a big day. Harry, who was more like a brother to him, was getting married. After a quick shower and one last look at the flower arrangements, he apparated to Harry’s parents' house.
“Hey, it's my other son!” Barnaby greeted him from the kitchen. He had Topher in his arms. “Have you eaten anything yet? I have some turnovers, they shouldn’t upset your stomach. You need to eat. It is going to be a busy day today.” Barnaby walked up to him. He hugged and kissed his cheek.
“Ruby! Come take these centerpieces from Neville and go put them on the tables. Harry, are you out of that shower yet?” Neville loved how crazy it was around here. Barnaby was the best.
“Of course, love. Neville how ya feelin’?” The half-giant asked as he took the box from Neville and pulled him into a one-armed hug. This family took him without question, he didn’t believe people like this were real, but here they are.
“I am doing okay. I haven’t eaten today, so a turnover sounds good.” Topher noticed Neville and leaned toward him. Barnaby handed him over with a laugh.
“I’ll go make you a plate. Harry!” The smaller wizard yelled again. When the raven-hair wizard walked into the room.
“I’m here Pops! Neville! I’m so glad you are here! Look at that Pooh Bear you lovin’ on Uncle Neville?” Harry booped his son’s nose.
“I just got here. Your Dad has the centerpieces your Pops told him to go set them up. I could have done it. I know that today is super busy and.” Harry shook his head and took his son from his arms.
“No, you have other things to do, like eat. I remember how it was early in the pregnancy. You are probably hungry. I’m guessing you have nothing on your stomach. We will eat and then we have to get married. You are my best man, so you have a big role!”
Neville was shocked when Harry asked him to be his best man, but Harry just looked at him as if to say why wouldn’t Neville be his best man.
The wedding was perfect. Of course, it would be. Barnaby made sure everything went off without a hitch. If he ever got married, he would want Barnaby to plan his wedding.
Harry and Charlie would go on a honeymoon for a week. Charlie was a little nervous about leaving Topher for that long, but Harry told him that his parents could take care of him. Neville knew Harry would be missing Topher. He wondered if they would stay gone for the entire week. Hagrid, Barnaby, and Bill had a bet seeing which day they would come back.
Luna wanted to get involved, but they wouldn’t let her. She would win. She has a 6th sense of the future.
Neville at the end of the wedding helped clean up, even though Barnaby protested. He didn’t think Neville should overextend himself.
When he got back to his empty flat, he took a shower and laid down early. Neville tried not to think about Severus, but he couldn’t stop himself. He hated he cried himself to sleep.