Neville huffed under the unexpected weight of the embrace, turning his shoulders far enough to allow the book to slip from his fingers and onto the floor. Then, he slumped back against the armrest, hands finding Draco’s frame. As if wanting to smooth over the tension so clearly knotting up his shoulders, Neville brushed both palms along Draco’s spine, as far as he could reach.<br/>The closeness of the embrace wasn’t uncommon, and though it had been a while since Draco so openly fell into his arms, Neville couldn’t say he was surprised that today had done him in.<br/>"How're you faring?" he asked after a moment of consideration, having decided he ultimately would want to know exactly what was on Draco’s mind rather than play pacifist.<br/>Neville withdrew his hands, only to repeat the motion, this time starting at the nape of Draco’s neck.<br/>Harry had barely been at Hogwarts for two days, and Neville already felt himself caught in the middle, heartbroken at the prospect of Harry and Draco winding each other up for an entire term.