wl_mods (wl_mods) wrote in wizard_love, @ 2009-03-01 22:16:00 |
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Entry tags: | *fic, millicent, neville |
Special Delivery For: alexandripearl
Title: Love Hogwart’s Style
Author: lady_catelyn
Recipient's IJ/LJ Name: alexandripearl
Rating: R
Pairing(s): Neville/Millicent
Word Count: 3,824
Warnings (if any): None
Authors notes: alexandripearl, per your request, I put most of my emphasis on developing the relationship between Neville and Millicent. I saw their relationship as one that would be slow-going at the start but explosive once it got going. I played more on their lack of self-confidence. I hope you enjoy this.
“I am never going on another date again,” Millicent grumbled as she sat in the staff lounge with some of the other teachers.
“What happened?” Padma asked, looking at her.
“First, he showed up late, so we missed our dinner reservation and wound up at the Leaky Cauldron. Second, all he could talk about was how quickly he rose up in the Ministry, and what a catch he was.” Millicent rolled her eyes. “He’s worse than Percy Weasley and Gilderoy Lockhart combined,” she added as she poured herself another cup of tea.
Padma nodded in understanding, having been on a few dates like that herself.
As their conversation turned to other girly topics, Padma caught Neville Longbottom sneaking covert glances towards Millicent. He seemed to be doing that a lot lately. Come to think of it, Millicent had been sneaking glances at Neville as well. As far as she knew, Neville was single too, and had been for the past six months, after breaking up with Hannah Abbot.
Padma studied Millicent as she talked. The tall woman had grown into herself towards the end of their school years; the large, bulky, masculine figure becoming full and curvaceous. Her face had thinned down considerably and, despite her square jaw, was quite striking. Her skin had always been amazingly clear and her hair had always been her best feature, dark, thick and wavy. Yes, Millicent Bulstrode had become a very attractive woman, almost as tall as Neville, and sturdy, which seemed to be the type of woman he preferred, if his relationship with Hannah was anything to go by. Millicent, however, seemed oblivious to her attractiveness.
As the clock chimed close to ten o’ clock, the staff began dispersing for the night. Padma had excused herself earlier to give them some time alone to see if things would progress naturally, and eventually Millicent and Neville were the only ones left in the staff room. “Well,” Neville said as he stood up. “I think I’m done for the night. Are you going to stay here for a bit longer Millicent?” He asked as he gathered his papers, knocking down her glass of pumpkin juice as he did so.
“Merlin’s balls, Longbottom!” Millicent jumped up as the cold liquid started soaking through her robes and into her papers. “Watch it!” She pulled her wand and cast drying charms on herself and her papers, but the majority of them were ruined. “Those were my lessons for next week!” She snapped as she looked at the smudged ink and curled parchment.
She gathered her papers up the best she could, trying to keep everything in order. “Damn, I’m going to have to rewrite these tomorrow!” She was grumbling under her breath until she noticed the book that she had placed next to her lesson plans. “My…journal…” she whispered as she picked it up. The cover was waterproof, but the pages were sticking together. “You are such a klutz, Longbottom!”
“Millicent, I…I’m sorry,” he said, as he grew flustered. “It was an accident. Here, let me help you,” he managed weakly as he tried to grab for her papers.
“No!” She shouted “You’ve done more than enough!” She grabbed her papers and stormed out of the staff room.
Neville felt like a dolt as he watched her leave. She looked really pretty when she was angry, though, with her face flushed and her hips swaying as she walked. He had been fascinated with her in school, and was quite pleased when he found out that she had been hired to teach Transfiguration. She had also become Head of Slytherin, and he was Head of Gryffindor, which presented more opportunities for him to watch her.
He gathered his things up and slowly made his way to his own quarters. He planned to go buy her a new journal tomorrow, and something else as a way to apologize. He hated the fact that he was so clumsy, even now that he had grown up. His clumsiness was one of the reasons that his relationship with Hannah Abbot had been short-lived. Apparently it even followed him into the bedroom, and it had bothered her. His friends had reassured him that with a bit of practice, and encouragement from his partners about what they liked, it would pass, but he wasn’t so certain of that. I bet she’d laugh at me if I even tried he thought as he entered his rooms and prepared for bed. He resolved that he would just watch from afar. After all, who would want someone as clumsy as him?
Millicent felt awful for yelling at Neville the way she had. Her temper was one of her worst traits, and even though it was far better than it had been in school, she still needed to work at controlling it, especially when she was stressed or when she got distracted when she was trying to focus. She knew it was an accident, and that the journal could be replaced and lesson plans could be re-written. Feelings, however, were an entirely different thing.
She sighed as she remembered how often her feelings had been hurt while she was a student, and the vow she had made, once she realized that being a bully really wasn’t all that fun, that she would be respectful of other people’s feelings, if for no other reason than maybe they would be nicer to her.
***
A couple of days later, Millicent found a new journal at her place at the head table. There was note from Neville apologizing again for ruining her other one and offering to help her rewrite her lesson plans. She looked over at him, a couple of chairs down and gave him a smile in appreciation. She felt her stomach flip a bit when he smiled back. She had no idea why she was feeling that way. Neville was good-looking and easy on the eyes, but he was only a friend. Besides, what would he ever see in her? She turned away and focused on her dinner, which suddenly seemed unappetizing.
Neville watched her, feeling extremely pleased with himself. she has a nice smile he thought as she looked away. Starting in their sixth year or so he had started to notice little things about her and her personality. She had a nice, rich laugh and when she was pleased, her eyes sparkled. While she played the role of a Slytherin to the hilt, there were times when she would drop her guard. He looked forward to those rare moments when she was not Millicent the Slytherin, but Millicent, just a girl. Now that they were colleagues and she didn’t have to play that role, that woman seemed to come out more often.
After dinner she passed by his chair and leaned down. "If you are free tomorrow night, I'll be working on my lesson plans, after dinner in the staffroom," she whispered; leaving before he had a chance to say anything.
He showed up the next night and helped her redo her lesson plans, often giving feedback on how she might be able to explain things better for those who weren’t good at Transfiguration, like him. In turn, she helped him with his Herbology lessons.
In the weeks that followed, they developed a routine. Every night after dinner they could be found in the staff room either working on lesson plans or just talking over tea. It was clear to everyone else that they were attracted to one another, but no one could tell if either of them were aware of it. If they were, they weren’t acting on it. If one of them got a bit too close, they both backed off. They would watch each other covertly over books and pieces of parchment.
This was one time where the bravery that Gryffindors were known for failed Neville. He laughed with Millicent. They joked around; they went for drinks at the Three Broomsticks. They were spending a lot of time together. As they became closer, he found that he could not tell her how he felt, or that he wanted to take their relationship to another level. He was afraid that she’d either laugh at him, or they’d lose the easy camaraderie that they had gained.
Millicent wasn’t much better. Almost every night she would sit in front of her mirror wondering what someone as wonderful as Neville would see in h someone like her. She could not see her better qualities. When she looked in the mirror, she only saw that same, large, mannish girl that she was when she started at Hogwarts. Neville had grown up nicely as well. He had developed some muscle and got rid of most of his baby fat.
To those who were watching, it was fascinating and amusing. They were well-suited to one another and they’d make a handsome couple if they could both realize, or admit their feelings. A pool was started amongst the staff that they would get together by the end of the school year.
The tension between them continued to build. A few times their banter turned into flirting, and almost turned into kisses. However they always managed to pull themselves back before that happened, leaving them both frustrated and maybe even a bit sad because neither realized that they had a shared attraction.
In February, the Headmistress announced that there would be a Valentine’s Ball. Additionally, she had invited all Hogwarts alumni to join them. Millicent was not looking forward to the prospect of a ball, but all the Professors were required to attend.
That weekend, she grudgingly went shopping with Padma, who decided that Millicent should have a new dress robes for the ball. As they tried on dresses, Padma tried to get a sense of what was going on. “He likes you a lot,” she pointed out.
“I don’t see why,” Millicent retorted. “It doesn’t matter though because I don’t agree with you. He is a great friend and its nice spending time with him, but I don’t see anything coming of it.”
”You are blind then. I’ve noticed the way he watches you for two years at least.” She smiled when Millicent stepped out of the fitting room. “That’s perfect,” she said as she surveyed the emerald green dress robes. “You will look great!”
Millicent surveyed herself in the mirror. She did look okay. “I do look okay,” she said softly.
“No, you look fabulous. Just you wait until Neville sees you, Millicent. He’ll be on his knees in front of you.”
Secretly, that thought made her smile. She was actually afraid to make the first move for fear that he’d reject her.
She found that she was incredibly edgy the week before the ball. She was a bit more reserved in Neville’s presence, which puzzled him, and what made it worse was that she was rather snippy, too. He was not sure what caused the change in mood. He decided that he would find out at the ball, and possibly even gather the courage to tell her how he felt.
*****
By the night of the ball, they were both at their wits ends with one another. Her moods had intimidated him and so he had been keeping his distance.
Millicent grudgingly allowed Padma, and Pansy, who had come to the ball to do her hair and makeup. She had to admit that once they were done, she looked rather nice. She was nervous about seeing Neville. What if he hated her now? If nothing else, she did not want to lose his friendship.
His jaw dropped when he saw her. She looked stunning – beyond stunning. Swallowing his nervousness he approached her. “Hi,” he said softly. “You look very nice tonight.”
She smiled at him. “Thanks. So do you.” She took a deep breath. “Neville, I’m sorry for being so testy with you,” she said. “I do hope you will forgive me.”
Neville looked at her. “I do forgive you,” he said smiling. Obviously she had just been rather distracted by something. It didn’t have anything to do with him, and that made him feel better. With a flourish he offered her his arm. “May I escort you in?”
She took his arm. “I’d like that.”
They danced several dances together, laughing, joking, and flirting rather heavily before finally parting ways to spend some time with friends. They planned to meet again before the end of the ball, at least for the last dance of the night. They both planned to reveal their feelings then.
Millicent was walking thorough the gardens with Gregory Goyle, listening to him talk about a new potion he was trying to create when she overheard the Gryffindor boys talking with Neville.
“Bulstrode? You actually like Bulstrode?” Someone, possibly Finnegan, exclaimed. “I know she actually looked presentable tonight, but mate, she’s a Slytherin and I’ve always wondered if she was a man in drag.” He laughed.
“Wait a minute Seamus,” another man chimed in, “She is very much female, and rather attractive. Neville, good job.”
“Are you kidding? Once a hag always a hag,” Finnegan replied. “I swear, she’s no good, mate. You are better off keeping away from her. She’s either a slut or a virgin, since I don’t know anyone who would willingly want to shag her.”
That had been enough for her. She didn’t stay long enough to hear Neville’s defense. She apologized to Greg and left, determined to make it to her quarters before she started crying.
Greg was ready to burst through the bushes and beat the crap out of Finnegan but stopped when he heard Neville’s reply.
“You don’t know her, Seamus. You never bothered to get to know her either. She’s smart as Hermione, funny, and I find her beautiful. She’s got a wonderful smile and a beautiful laugh. I wish I had the guts to tell her how I feel about her. I think I love her, and I would like to find out for certain. It shocks me how prejudiced you truly are, Seamus. I don’t recall her doing anything to any of us.”
The former Slytherin was stunned by this revelation. He had seen the way Millie and Longbottom had interacted while they were dancing, and even he could see the attraction. He straightened his robes and walked over to where the Gryffindor boys were talking. “I think she went back to her room, Longbottom,” he said softly. “She heard everything that Finnegan here said. I’d go and try to make this right. I’m going to have a little chat with my pal Seamus here,” he added giving the Irish boy a dark look. “If you hurt her, Longbottom, it won’t go well for you though.”
Neville nodded and ran through the halls to Millicent’s room, hoping that she would listen to him.
****
I am such an idiot! Millicent thought as she threw her gown to the floor and kicked her shoes across the room. I am through with men!
She scrubbed the makeup off her face and ripped the pins out of her hair. She felt so embarrassed and humiliated. She couldn’t even look at herself in the mirror. Damn Finnegan for stating the truth about her. Damn her for falling in love with a bloody goddamned Gryffindor!
She was just going to bed when she heard voices outside her door. The portrait guarding the entry to her quarters was arguing with someone. She wrapped a robe around her, and wiped her eyes and nose on the sleeve. Warily, wand drawn she made her way to her door. “What on earth is going on?” She asked as she came out of the portrait hole and saw Neville.
“Your portrait wouldn’t let me in.”
”I told him not to,” she said coldly. “Now, Longbottom, if you will excuse me, and be so kind as to leave my portrait alone, I am going to go to bed and forget this whole night. To think…” she trailed off shaking her head as she turned.
“Millicent, wait,” he pleaded and he snaked past the door before it shut. “I’m sorry you had to hear that,” he started. “I don’t see you that way at all. Seamus is just an idiot.”
”No, Longbottom, I’m an idiot. An idiot for liking you as much as I did. Apparently it was all a joke to you. Have a laugh at my expense as revenge for whatever the hell I might or might not have done at school, or just because I’m a former Slytherin and therefore evil by association.” She was snarling and crying now. “Get out of here, or I will curse you.”
”Listen to me first, Millicent,” he said softly. “I do like you, a lot. I have for a while. I’ve just been afraid to say anything for fear you’d laugh.”
”Yeah…” she retorted, not believing him.
That was the last straw. Neville was sick of her doubting him. Words were not going to work apparently, so he was going to have to rely on actions.
Before she could say anything else, he pulled her close and kissed her hard. “Do you believe me now?” He asked as his lips crashed against hers again. “I’ve never felt like this before, Millicent. Not with Hannah, not with anyone. Any number of times I have wanted to just grab you like this and snog you senseless, but I’ve never had the guts to do it.” He kissed her again. “I’m sick of us going back and forth and then backing off. You looked stunning tonight, but you always look stunning to me.”
Millicent had never been kissed like that before. Neville seemed so sure of himself. Well, he’s seen more action than I have she thought wryly as she recovered from her shock long enough to respond to his second kiss, and the third.
“Neville,” she said softly. “Don’t say things you don’t mean. You don’t have to do this to try to make me feel better, or ease your conscience.”
”I’m here because I want to be. I want you to hear me and believe me when I say you are one of the most beautiful women I know. Even now, you look stunning.” He kept his arms around her. “Please, Millicent, I’ve not had much experience, but I know you want it, and I know I want it. Let me show you how desirable I think you are. He surprised himself with his confidence and wondered what the hell had happened to make him feel so bold and so confident
Millicent turned to look up at him, still not convinced of his motives. He was a Gryffindor though, and they were known for being brave and reckless, and tactlessly blunt. After a short pause, she nodded in agreement. “Alright,” she finally relented.
He stepped back and took her hands in his. “Thank you,” he replied, kissing her gently before she led him into her bedroom.
He began to feel nervous again as they went into her bedroom. He pulled her to him again and started kissing her neck and shoulders, frantically trying to get the knot of her bathrobe sash undone. She smelled like vanilla and cinnamon, two of his favorite scents.
She sighed when he started kissing her neck with light kisses, just how she liked them. She ran her fingers over the trim on the collar of his robe, her eyes closed. She didn’t resist when he pushed her onto the bed and began to remove the rest of her clothing until she lay on the bed naked in front of him. “You are beautiful he said as he studied her body, running his hands over her breasts, tugging gently at her nipples before crawling onto the bed next to her.
He slid his hand down over her ribcage and her stomach, tracing patterns on her skin until he got to the top of her knickers. He looked at her, silently asking for permission to go farther. A whispered yes was all the prompting he needed to slip his hand into her undergarments and run his fingers against her, feeling the wet heat between her thighs. His erection was becoming quite painful as he rubbed against her, listening to her moan softly.
Millicent thought he had very skillful hands. He seemed so sure of what he was doing and he was doing it incredibly well. She pulled him down for another kiss, and ran her hands under his robes and over his back. She tried to tug at his shirt, hoping he’d get the hint and take it off.
He pulled away from her and managed to get out of his clothes fairly quickly. He was shaking slightly. He was no virgin, but he was nervous about this.
She could tell he was as nervous as she was, but she gave him a reassuring smile as she surveyed his body. She had no idea that Neville was so well proportioned.
They kissed again, this time not stopping. Lips, tongues, hands explored and touched and nibbled as the proverbial dam broke and all the tension that had been building up between them had suddenly exploded.
He was gentle when he finally took her. Gentle, but firm. He wanted to be in control and she found that very arousing; very different from the few lovers she had been with in the past, who assumed that because she was a large girl, she wanted to be in charge. It was nice to give control to someone else.
She wrapped her legs around his waist as he moved inside her with achingly slow strokes. He wanted it to last, and he wanted her to come before he did.
He ran his thumb over her as he made love to her. She was tight and wet and to his mind perfect.
Millicent arched into him when she felt her body tense up. She came hard with a cry and pulled him down on top of her, kissing him again.
They lay there for almost thirty minutes, not talking, not doing much of anything except trying to catch their breaths. Finally Neville spoke, “Does this tell you how I feel about you? I love you, Millicent. I have for some time now.”
She nodded and rested her head against his chest. “I think it does,” she finally acquiesced. “I feel the same way. Now, kiss me again, I think I’m ready for another go.”
***
“You owe me ten galleons,” Padma said to Theodore Nott at breakfast the next day. “I told you they wouldn’t be at breakfast.”
Theo shook his head and handed the money to Padma. “I never knew he had it in him.”
”You know Neville,” Millicent said as they finally got out of bed. “Abbot doesn’t know what she’s missing.” She grinned. “I’m glad for it.”