Style & Substance, the Neville/Draco manifesto
Fandom: Harry Potter (HP)
Pairing: Neville Longbottom & Draco Malfoy
Authors: thermidor and laurakaye
Who We Are:
Hi, we're thermidor and laurakaye, and our job today is to share the joy of one of our very favorite HP pairings: Neville/Draco.
Laura Kaye enjoys fluff, shmoop. and fic with kids and families. Thermidor prefers bondage, genderbending, and snark. If we can agree on this pairing, it *has* to have the potential for wide appeal.
We both came to this pairing by reading A.J. Hall's classic N/D novel, "Lust Over Pendle"... but more on that later.
Who You Are: Well, we think you probably fit into one of two groups. If you're in the first group, you read in the Harry Potter (HP)fandom already. You have favorite characters and pairings, and authors you enjoy. In this case, you're probably looking at this manifesto and thinking, Are these guys on crack?
If you're in the second group, you probably have not yet succumbed to the diverse pleasures of the HP fandom, although you've likely read the books or seen the films. You're probably looking at this manifesto, then, and thinking…
Are these guys on crack?
Well, perhaps. But bear with us, and we think you'll find it worth your while.
Before we go into discussion of the pairing, here's a brief refresher on these two characters.
NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM
Neville is a Gryffindor, in the same year as Harry Potter. Neville, a pureblood wizard, is the son of Frank and Alice Longbottom, popular Aurors. When Neville was a young child, Frank and Alice were tortured into near-catatonia by Death Eaters and have since resided in St. Mungo's. Since the incident, Neville has been raised by his paternal grandmother. When one considers Neville's character development, it is necessary to take into account the fact that although his parents were absent during his childhood, he never experienced the closure of an actual death; to this day he is regularly taken by his grandmother to visit his parents, who do not recognize him.
Perhaps because of this early trauma, and possibly even due to memory charms placed on him to eliminate the memory of his parents' torture, Neville was magically a late bloomer. It was not, in fact, until his great-uncle dropped him and he bounced that the family realized he was not going to be a squib.
Additionally, until the end of book five, Neville was using his father's wand, which did not work well for him.
Unfortunately for Neville fans, his appearances in the books and films are often played for laughs; he is forgetful and extremely clumsy in Potions, and is continually losing track of his pet toad, Trevor. However, as Neville has grown older, we learn of his great skill in Herbology, and it is Neville who wins Gryffindor the house cup in book 1 by having the courage to stand up to his friends. In Order of the Phoenix, he plays a significant role in the fight against the Death Eaters in the Department of Mysteries.
Neville has hidden depths; there is more to him than meets the eye.
DRACO MALFOY
Draco Malfoy probably doesn't need much introduction, as he is one of the most popular characters in the fandom. Draco is the only son of Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy, a wealthy pureblood family with connections to both the Ministry of Magic and Voldemort. During his time at Hogwarts, Draco spends so much energy on his much-discussed feud with Harry Potter that he does not seem to take much notice of any Gryffindor besides Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Canonically, Draco is presented as a cowardly spoiled brat, and many have expressed disappointment that Draco's character has not been more fully developed. However, these gaps in characterization can be helpful to the writer who wishes to explore the possibilities of a Draco Malfoy who is no longer in the daily presence of Harry Potter.
The Pairing
Like many rare pairings in this fandom, Neville/Draco does not provide much subtext to go on. It's not so much a "what is" pairing as a "what if" pairing. However, this allows the writer or reader a great deal more scope than a pairing like Harry/Draco that has a lot of the characters' interactions already in place. The lack of canon interaction and the fact that both characters could be more fleshed out gives a lot of freedom to those who would ship these two. There's so much we don't know about them; their youth and the impending war make for a situation ripe with possibility.
The possibilities are a big part of the attraction and the challenge of this pairing, because canon hasn't given us a good way to get them together. On the flip side, the N/D shippers we've spoken with agree that while getting them together is challenging, keeping them that way is pretty easy. As one of our friends said, "it just works".
Why does it work? Several reasons.
Neville and Draco need each other. Neville has, as a Gryffindor, had the experience of being a "lesser hero", as he is not as flashy as Harry, Ron, and Hermione. His friends sometimes tease him, and he doesn't play Quidditch (he is, in fact, a poor flyer).
Despite all this, the longsuffering Neville remains unflappable in the face of most everyday challenges. When push comes to shove, however, Neville shows himself to be both brave and steadfast.
Draco, canonically a highly emotional, easily upset person, could well be attracted to Neville's enduring serenity. Despite his bravado, Draco has an underlying vulnerability; witness how easily and seriously upset he was by Harry Potter's early rejection. Draco spends a great deal of his time seeking attention, but what attention he is able to gain is rarely positive- and on the occasions when it is, the situation often deteriorates quickly. What Draco really needs in his life is someone who will value him-- not indulge him or defer to him, but respect and care for him as an equal-- but who won't just let him get away with the sorts of rash action that so often leads him into trouble in canon.
Neville is just the right sort of person to take Draco in hand. The same qualities he brings to bear while cultivating magical plants-- patience, kindness, attention to detail, the ability to tolerate a facefull of stinksap from time to time-- make him eminently able to deal with a histrionic Slytherin. Additionally, Neville has demonstrated a number of times that he is remarkably clear-sighted when it comes to his friends; he isn't afraid to go against popular opinion for something important. Neville's experiences with being something of an outsider in Gryffindor at times have given him the distance and perspective he needs to see Draco as he is, not as other people think he is or how he tries to seem. In a relationship with Draco, Neville is no longer a lesser hero, but vital, irreplaceable, needed.
In this relationship, the primary obstacle, as we've said before, is in getting them together in the first place. It's fairly easy to envision Neville willing to give Draco the benefit of the doubt, but less so to envision Draco letting down his barriers enough to allow Neville to care for him. Many stories in this pairing, therefore, go one of two routes; they either write established-relationship N/D or they contrive to place Draco in a situation where he is vulnerable enough, either physically or emotionally, that Neville is able to slip in behind his emotional walls.
Due to this dynamic, N/D lends itself well to both general romance or PWP fic and to more specialized interests. The establishment of a N/D relationship often blends well with hurt/comfort, for example; alternately, the dynamic can be beautifully turned on its head, with Neville the one who needs support and Draco the one called upon to be steadfast and strong. Those who enjoy a little dominance and submission in their fic may point to Neville- caring, strong, patient, detail-oriented Neville- as an ideal top for a submissive Draco; those who enjoy snark love the opportunity to play with Draco's sharp tongue. (Metaphorically… or otherwise.) Do you like angst? Romance? Domestic stories? War stories? Short, funny fics? Long, plotty ones? AUs? Really, no matter what you're into, N/D can work for it.
Unless perhaps you want to write one of those stories where Captain Kirk is an ocelot. In that case, you may want to consider writing about Sirius Black. *G*
We've said a lot about why we like this pairing, but as the fandom aphorism goes; "Show; don't tell." So here are some Neville/Draco fics which demonstrate the many ways this pairing can please.
RECS:
Lust Over Pendle and its prequel and sequels by ajhalluk.
Draco grinned and took another swig of claret.
"True. If the Dark Lord hadn't been such a sexist so-and-so he'd have appointed my mother as his Exec instead. Then he'd have won, and we wouldn't have these problems."
Neville made a distressed sound. Draco looked up at him from under his eyelashes.
"Come on, I didn't say we wouldn't have problems, did I? Just - not these particular ones."
A classic novel in the HP fandom, this has been the gateway for many to love this pairing. Action, adventure, snark, and romance. As a bonus, Gran, Narcissa, and Hermione all have wonderful supporting roles. If you haven't read this series yet, do so now. Many have resisted because of the pairing, but you won't be disappointed.
False Start by florahart Utterly charming.
Secret by sociofemme Short and sweet piece written for 2003 Yuletide challenge.
Tongue in Cheek by emmagrant01 It's a prequel to Emma's marvelous H/D novel, true, but stands very well on its own as a smutty little PWP.
He had no idea why he let Neville take charge like this. Nor did he understand why it turned him on.
Top!Neville tries some new things.
Come When You're Called by memorycharm
Neville surprises himself and Draco. (yet another incident of taking-charge Neville)
Zarah's site features several N/D stories in her Harry Potter section. In All That Glitters, Zarah gives us one of the sweetest lines ever with Happiness is the way Draco’s eyes glitter when he says that he loves Neville. Check out her stuff.
Jabez's Messenger is short but evocative. Hopefully, Jabez can be convinced to write additional fics in this pairing because this left us wanting more.
Thermidor had the great fortune to have a ficlet-by-request done by anise_anise And this was the result. Bottom!Draco, bondage, rimming. What more could you ask for?
Greenhouse Three by millefiori Greenhouse!Neville and Tarted-Up!Draco. (another story for those who share thermidor's love for kink and also Laura's love of sweetness)
Pairing: Neville Longbottom & Draco Malfoy
Authors: thermidor and laurakaye
Who We Are:
Hi, we're thermidor and laurakaye, and our job today is to share the joy of one of our very favorite HP pairings: Neville/Draco.
Laura Kaye enjoys fluff, shmoop. and fic with kids and families. Thermidor prefers bondage, genderbending, and snark. If we can agree on this pairing, it *has* to have the potential for wide appeal.
We both came to this pairing by reading A.J. Hall's classic N/D novel, "Lust Over Pendle"... but more on that later.
Who You Are: Well, we think you probably fit into one of two groups. If you're in the first group, you read in the Harry Potter (HP)fandom already. You have favorite characters and pairings, and authors you enjoy. In this case, you're probably looking at this manifesto and thinking, Are these guys on crack?
If you're in the second group, you probably have not yet succumbed to the diverse pleasures of the HP fandom, although you've likely read the books or seen the films. You're probably looking at this manifesto, then, and thinking…
Are these guys on crack?
Well, perhaps. But bear with us, and we think you'll find it worth your while.
Before we go into discussion of the pairing, here's a brief refresher on these two characters.
NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM
Neville is a Gryffindor, in the same year as Harry Potter. Neville, a pureblood wizard, is the son of Frank and Alice Longbottom, popular Aurors. When Neville was a young child, Frank and Alice were tortured into near-catatonia by Death Eaters and have since resided in St. Mungo's. Since the incident, Neville has been raised by his paternal grandmother. When one considers Neville's character development, it is necessary to take into account the fact that although his parents were absent during his childhood, he never experienced the closure of an actual death; to this day he is regularly taken by his grandmother to visit his parents, who do not recognize him.
Perhaps because of this early trauma, and possibly even due to memory charms placed on him to eliminate the memory of his parents' torture, Neville was magically a late bloomer. It was not, in fact, until his great-uncle dropped him and he bounced that the family realized he was not going to be a squib.
Additionally, until the end of book five, Neville was using his father's wand, which did not work well for him.
Unfortunately for Neville fans, his appearances in the books and films are often played for laughs; he is forgetful and extremely clumsy in Potions, and is continually losing track of his pet toad, Trevor. However, as Neville has grown older, we learn of his great skill in Herbology, and it is Neville who wins Gryffindor the house cup in book 1 by having the courage to stand up to his friends. In Order of the Phoenix, he plays a significant role in the fight against the Death Eaters in the Department of Mysteries.
Neville has hidden depths; there is more to him than meets the eye.
DRACO MALFOY
Draco Malfoy probably doesn't need much introduction, as he is one of the most popular characters in the fandom. Draco is the only son of Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy, a wealthy pureblood family with connections to both the Ministry of Magic and Voldemort. During his time at Hogwarts, Draco spends so much energy on his much-discussed feud with Harry Potter that he does not seem to take much notice of any Gryffindor besides Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Canonically, Draco is presented as a cowardly spoiled brat, and many have expressed disappointment that Draco's character has not been more fully developed. However, these gaps in characterization can be helpful to the writer who wishes to explore the possibilities of a Draco Malfoy who is no longer in the daily presence of Harry Potter.
The Pairing
Like many rare pairings in this fandom, Neville/Draco does not provide much subtext to go on. It's not so much a "what is" pairing as a "what if" pairing. However, this allows the writer or reader a great deal more scope than a pairing like Harry/Draco that has a lot of the characters' interactions already in place. The lack of canon interaction and the fact that both characters could be more fleshed out gives a lot of freedom to those who would ship these two. There's so much we don't know about them; their youth and the impending war make for a situation ripe with possibility.
The possibilities are a big part of the attraction and the challenge of this pairing, because canon hasn't given us a good way to get them together. On the flip side, the N/D shippers we've spoken with agree that while getting them together is challenging, keeping them that way is pretty easy. As one of our friends said, "it just works".
Why does it work? Several reasons.
Neville and Draco need each other. Neville has, as a Gryffindor, had the experience of being a "lesser hero", as he is not as flashy as Harry, Ron, and Hermione. His friends sometimes tease him, and he doesn't play Quidditch (he is, in fact, a poor flyer).
Despite all this, the longsuffering Neville remains unflappable in the face of most everyday challenges. When push comes to shove, however, Neville shows himself to be both brave and steadfast.
Draco, canonically a highly emotional, easily upset person, could well be attracted to Neville's enduring serenity. Despite his bravado, Draco has an underlying vulnerability; witness how easily and seriously upset he was by Harry Potter's early rejection. Draco spends a great deal of his time seeking attention, but what attention he is able to gain is rarely positive- and on the occasions when it is, the situation often deteriorates quickly. What Draco really needs in his life is someone who will value him-- not indulge him or defer to him, but respect and care for him as an equal-- but who won't just let him get away with the sorts of rash action that so often leads him into trouble in canon.
Neville is just the right sort of person to take Draco in hand. The same qualities he brings to bear while cultivating magical plants-- patience, kindness, attention to detail, the ability to tolerate a facefull of stinksap from time to time-- make him eminently able to deal with a histrionic Slytherin. Additionally, Neville has demonstrated a number of times that he is remarkably clear-sighted when it comes to his friends; he isn't afraid to go against popular opinion for something important. Neville's experiences with being something of an outsider in Gryffindor at times have given him the distance and perspective he needs to see Draco as he is, not as other people think he is or how he tries to seem. In a relationship with Draco, Neville is no longer a lesser hero, but vital, irreplaceable, needed.
In this relationship, the primary obstacle, as we've said before, is in getting them together in the first place. It's fairly easy to envision Neville willing to give Draco the benefit of the doubt, but less so to envision Draco letting down his barriers enough to allow Neville to care for him. Many stories in this pairing, therefore, go one of two routes; they either write established-relationship N/D or they contrive to place Draco in a situation where he is vulnerable enough, either physically or emotionally, that Neville is able to slip in behind his emotional walls.
Due to this dynamic, N/D lends itself well to both general romance or PWP fic and to more specialized interests. The establishment of a N/D relationship often blends well with hurt/comfort, for example; alternately, the dynamic can be beautifully turned on its head, with Neville the one who needs support and Draco the one called upon to be steadfast and strong. Those who enjoy a little dominance and submission in their fic may point to Neville- caring, strong, patient, detail-oriented Neville- as an ideal top for a submissive Draco; those who enjoy snark love the opportunity to play with Draco's sharp tongue. (Metaphorically… or otherwise.) Do you like angst? Romance? Domestic stories? War stories? Short, funny fics? Long, plotty ones? AUs? Really, no matter what you're into, N/D can work for it.
Unless perhaps you want to write one of those stories where Captain Kirk is an ocelot. In that case, you may want to consider writing about Sirius Black. *G*
We've said a lot about why we like this pairing, but as the fandom aphorism goes; "Show; don't tell." So here are some Neville/Draco fics which demonstrate the many ways this pairing can please.
RECS:
Lust Over Pendle and its prequel and sequels by ajhalluk.
Draco grinned and took another swig of claret.
"True. If the Dark Lord hadn't been such a sexist so-and-so he'd have appointed my mother as his Exec instead. Then he'd have won, and we wouldn't have these problems."
Neville made a distressed sound. Draco looked up at him from under his eyelashes.
"Come on, I didn't say we wouldn't have problems, did I? Just - not these particular ones."
A classic novel in the HP fandom, this has been the gateway for many to love this pairing. Action, adventure, snark, and romance. As a bonus, Gran, Narcissa, and Hermione all have wonderful supporting roles. If you haven't read this series yet, do so now. Many have resisted because of the pairing, but you won't be disappointed.
False Start by florahart Utterly charming.
Secret by sociofemme Short and sweet piece written for 2003 Yuletide challenge.
Tongue in Cheek by emmagrant01 It's a prequel to Emma's marvelous H/D novel, true, but stands very well on its own as a smutty little PWP.
He had no idea why he let Neville take charge like this. Nor did he understand why it turned him on.
Top!Neville tries some new things.
Come When You're Called by memorycharm
Neville surprises himself and Draco. (yet another incident of taking-charge Neville)
Zarah's site features several N/D stories in her Harry Potter section. In All That Glitters, Zarah gives us one of the sweetest lines ever with Happiness is the way Draco’s eyes glitter when he says that he loves Neville. Check out her stuff.
Jabez's Messenger is short but evocative. Hopefully, Jabez can be convinced to write additional fics in this pairing because this left us wanting more.
Thermidor had the great fortune to have a ficlet-by-request done by anise_anise And this was the result. Bottom!Draco, bondage, rimming. What more could you ask for?
Greenhouse Three by millefiori Greenhouse!Neville and Tarted-Up!Draco. (another story for those who share thermidor's love for kink and also Laura's love of sweetness)