Chapter Four

First Lesson...

She knew she had gotten off easy.

Perhaps too easy, she mused lightly. By all means, she was glad nothing 'terribly' bad had happened to her on her first day there. Usagi sighed slightly, continuing to scrub the cold, already-clean-in-her-opinion floor. She was supposed to clean all of the floors and then proceed to make sure Master Draco didn't need anything. She groaned in disgust at having to call him that. If she complied to all of his wishes adequately, she "might" get to eat, said he. She utterly and completely hated this whole situation. It just wasn't fair..

'Stop thinking like that,' she urged herself, continuing to scrub the floor with the small sponge in large, circular motions. "Gotta keep Crabbe-kun safe," she murmured.

x-x-

Draco smirked as he pulled off his shirt, taking a final glance at the blonde on her hands and knees scrubbing the floor, before he went back into his room. Well and so, she should always be kneeling before him, as far as he was concerned. She was a Gryffindor. An extremely pure one at that. He wondered dearly if he'd have the privilege of corrupting her..in more ways than one.

Smiling darkly, he vowed to make the best of these rare and fortunate 14 days ahead of him.

x-x-x-

Harry sat pensively at the table in the library, horrible thoughts plaguing his mind. 'You're so stupid, Harry,' he scolded himself. How...Why...

How on earth could he let his arch enemy take away one of his best friends? Why did she have to have such a kind, caring heart?..

The saddened teen did not know what to do. If he continued the agonizing process of going through all the possible hells Usagi could currently be going through, he was certain he would snap. Maybe he should tell a teacher, or something..

..And then face the anger and possible resentment from Usagi? It wasn't worth it.

He stood up abruptly from his seat in the library and exited the room, walking around aimlessly. Ron had went back home to spend time with his family, and Hermione was going on a trip to Japan with her parents. That left Harry all alone...to dwell and contemplate in anguish.

An hour later, Usagi cautiously knocked on Draco Malfoy's door. She rolled her eyes slightly as she said in the sweetest voice she could muster, "Master Draco?"

She could almost see the smug smirk on his face as he answered her with a tone of indifference and authority, "Hmm?"

Rolling her eyes, she counted backward from ten and continued. "I came to check if you needed anything else," she said softly. He did not answer, so she called his 'name' once more. Still hearing no answer, she was about to walk away impatiently when the door promptly opened. His hair was slightly tousled, an indication he had probably been taking a nap. He wore a loose, black silk robe that was not tied with its sash, the strip of material hanging idly from its holding.

Her eyes slightly widened as she looked at his chest. Sure, chests were nothing taboo, but she had never exactly seen a guy's naked chest before in person.. She blushed slightly and averted her eyes, trying to clear her head of the images it pervaded her with. "So, do you need anything?" she asked quietly, finding an interesting spot on the floor to stare at.

Draco smiled loosely, his pale eyebrows raising slightly from her reaction to something so small. If she was a blushing mess with him still clothed... Oh, Draco knew he was going to have fun these two weeks. He let the smile disappear from his face and replace with a scowl. "As a matter of fact, I do." He grasped her hand and pulled her into the room from the threshold she stood at. He watched her eyes widened again as his cold hands touched hers, barely containing the smile that threatened to spread across his lips. "Normally, I wouldn't want to so much as be looked at by a lowly Gryffindor.. but as it is, my back has been aching a bit. I'd like for you to tend to it."

Usagi had to bite back the snide remarks that tingled persistently upon her tongue. 'Crabbe-kun, Crabbe-kun, Crabbe-kun,' she kept chanting in her mind. His safety was first priority, and she would not jeopardize that for anything. "O-okay," she said hesitantly. "But I've never exactly given massages before," she murmured awkwardly.

Draco snorted, giving her a look of disgust. "Well then, little Gryffindor, I'm sure you've heard that lovely saying.. First time for everything."

And he certainly hoped he'd be able to let that saying apply for her... and himself.. to future events during these next two weeks.

Still facing her, he removed his robe, letting the material fall carelessly in a pool of silk around his feet. Sitting on the bed in front of her, his fingers loosely encircled her wrist, pulling her forward. Usagi stumbled slightly and almost went toppling onto the bed. For all that she was lucky, she gave many thanks to whatever higher beings were watching right now. She regained her footing and instead, only stood in front of him, her heartbeat quickened by the scare. Draco snickered softly, shaking his head at the glaring blonde.

"Tut, tut, tut.. so clumsy," he murmured. Releasing her wrist, he laid down on the bed, his naked back exposed and waiting

Usagi gulped. This was so awkward.. and nerve-wrecking! She approached him slowly, as if approaching a sleeping serpent that could strike at any given moment. "Hurry it up," snapped his voice, startling her enough that she jumped.

"You're so impatient," she mumbled, not caring if he heard or not. Mercifully, he did not reply.

Usagi steadied her trembling hands and carefully placed one against his back, her palm flattened softly against the surprisingly warm flesh. She felt him tense a little against the initial contact, before relaxing once more. She cautiously brought her other hand to his back, placing both of them on either of his shoulders. Grasping his shoulders, she messaged the bare flesh lightly, squeezing and releasing in smooth, even motions. She felt a heated blush creep slowly to her cheeks, but she tried her best to ignore it as she continued to kneed the firm flesh beneath her fingers. She moved her hands lower, beginning to press the slight tension of his shoulder blades, silently marveling in how smooth the skin was, yet softly comprised of firm muscles.

'There's nothing wrong with finding an appreciation in the beauty of things,' she told herself firmly. 'Even if it is of Draco Malfoy...'

She heard Draco sigh audibly, not one of mockery, but one of contentment. Usagi let a small smile flit across her lips. 'I know there's some good in you somewhere, Draco-san,' she thought to herself. 'And I'm determined to help you find it.'

If only she could know if his own contrasting thoughts..

He rolled over abruptly, grasping her arm once he laid on his back. "You did fairly well, Gryffindor," he said softly. Usagi gave him a small smile, not sure if she should be relieved or worried that he had enjoyed it. He sat up abruptly, swinging his legs to the side of the bed and standing. "I think you can get your reward now."

x-x-x-

Usagi sighed contently, pressing a hand to her filled stomach. She must have done a better job than she had originally thought.. Not only had he fed her, he gave her remarkably delicious food. Usagi looked at the many excess food-laden dishes in front of her, blushing slightly. "Want me to get them washed?"

Draco shook his head. "No need." Usagi watched as a little creature came scampering into the room. "D-dobby is pleased to see Master Draco has returned," it stammered with a bow. His large ears flopped precariously as he did so, and his grimy pillow case of an outfit shifted. Usagi looked at it with widened eyes, before they softened and she all but cooed. "It's so cute!" she exclaimed, looking at Dobby as though he were a cuddly bunny.

"You find that repulsive thing to be cute?" Draco asked in disgust. Usagi turned to him with a frown.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I do." She turned to Dobby, seeing him wobble as he tried stacking all of the plates. Usagi took half of the plates and smiled. "C'mon, I'll help you out," she said cheerfully. Dobby looked at her with his wide, round eyes.

"D-dobby is in love," he whispered, staring at Usagi as she went into the kitchen with the plates before quickly following. Draco narrowed his eyes at the house elf, scowling slightly.

"What would you like me to do after this?" Usagi called from the kitchen over the running water of the sink. Draco smirked slightly, contemplating in his mind. So many ideas, so many possibilities...

"Well, it's getting fairly late, is it not? Are you tired?" He kept his voice neutral and calm. Hearing her girlish giggle faintly, he took notice to the slight increase in the pulsation of his heartbeat.

"Exhausted! I could just sleep forever," she called back, a yawn escaping her lips as though to prove a point.

"Dobby can freshen up and remake The Miss's bed!" he heard the house elf say eagerly. Draco frowned, leaning back slightly in his chair.

"There won't be any need for that. She'll be staying in the room with me tonight." He flinched slightly upon hearing the shattering of one of the plates as it dropped to the floor.

"S-sorry!" he heard Usagi squeak as she began picking up the shattered pieces of the plate.

"Dobby will get it! Dobby does not want the Miss to get cut or injured!"

"Aww.. you're so cute.. And my name is Usagi, not the Miss," she said with a giggle.

Draco listened to this exchange with an odd sort of fascination. He was not accustomed to witnessing many tender moments of kindness or care. Hearing it, between the exchange of a house elf and Usagi nonetheless, made him feel strange.

He did not realize how intently he was dwelling upon these thoughts until he saw Usagi standing in the threshold, her head tilted faintly as she looked at him curiously. He stood from his seat in the chair and glanced at her again. "Are you finished?" he asked in his usual, drawl voice.

Usagi nodded timidly, her eyes downcast. "So...I'm going to be sleeping with you...ack! Um.. in your room..with you...um.." The blonde girl stammered miserably, trying to regain a coping sense of how to coherently form sentences and keep the crimson bloom of color to a minimum that rose to her cheeks. Malfoy's rich laughter interrupted her plight.

"Yes.. you will be joining me tonight to keep me company." It sounded simple enough from the way he said it, but Usagi knew with Draco Malfoy, nothing was ever quite as simple as it seemed.

"Oh...okay," she mumbled, sort of at a loss as far as what to do in this situation. "Just.. just for company right?" she asked a little timidly, her eyes averted from him slightly.

Draco snickered slightly. "Yes. Just for company.."

Usagi was not passing fond nor assured with the low tone of voice he used.

Usagi was amazed at the size of his room, to say the least. The majority of the room was either green or silver, some traces of a deep red in some of the furniture and items. She saw a board set up with a wizarding game she was only vaguely familiar with, and wizards chess all set up. The pieces were glaring at each other, muttering threats inaudibly.

The bed, by far, gave her the most surprise. To say it was large was like comparing an elephant's size to that of a deer.. Surely, five full grown people could fit in the dark gray bed comfortably with extra leg room.

"So where am I to sleep?" she asked, not even letting the thought cross her mind--

"My bed."

Her surprise was quite apparent, he saw. Perhaps he could teach her a few things, starting with tonight. Musing in these thoughts slightly, he heard a small yawn escape her lips, her hand pressing loosely against her mouth to stifle it. He pulled off the t-shirt he had thrown on for dining with her and watched in heated amusement as she turned away quickly.

"You get flustered too easily," he commented off hand. Usagi kept her eyes averted, but he was sure she glared.

"Well it's rude to look when people change," she mumbled slightly.

He laughed harshly shaking his head. This would be too much fun, he almost worried. Almost.

"Well, you can turn back around," he assured her. Usagi did so, and tried hard not to stare at his half clothed form. He held no modesty, and respectfully so.. He was male, and he had a nice body.. Usagi pushed these thoughts away, walking with her head lowered over to the bed. As she passed him, he grasped her arm, causing her to tense in a nervous apprehension.

"Are you afraid of me, Gryffindor?" he asked her silkily, pulling her so she stood directly in front of him. She refused to look at him, feeling herself quiver slightly. This was ridiculous! Yes, she was afraid of him, but she shouldn't be WANTING him.. Her eyes widened as he grasped her chin, forcing her to look into his eyes. "Are you afraid of me?" he murmured again, letting his index finger brush lightly over the pinkened flesh of her lower lip. He felt her trembling, a small nod beneath his firm grasp.

He lowered his face to hers, a mere few inches away. She felt his breath tingle against her face, the hot air not helping with her heated blush. She closed her eyes, anticipating..

Draco smirked, and released her, walking over to the bed. "Good. At least you're smarter than I gave you credit for. Now hurry along, and cut off the light before you get in the bed."

Usagi stood there, slightly dumbstruck and trembling. How could someone be so heartless..? She felt tears burning in her eyes, disgusted with herself and the entire situation. Switching off the light, she felt around in the darkness for the bed. Her hands reaching out blindly, she felt Draco grasp her firmly and pull her down onto the large bed. "Go to sleep. You'll have a busy day tomorrow."

Usagi blushed as he lowered her against him, before rolling slightly and placing her next to him. He was driving her mad! Clouding her with all of these thoughts, leading her on a leash while she followed without choice. She sighed and inched away, leaving a great distance between them. Sighing slightly, she closed her eyes and began drifting off into a peaceful slumber..

"Usagi."

Usagi's eyes snapped open as she heard Draco say her name for once. "Y-yes?" she stammered.

He paused for a moment. She felt his weight shift slightly in the bed as he rolled over before he spoke again. "If you allow it, you might just enjoy yourself these next two weeks. Aren't you always so optimistic? Keep that optimism. You'll need it.. and I think you'll enjoy it all." He let the potential promises hang in the air before closing his eyes again, rolling back over as an indication nothing further was to be said.

She stared into the darkness with wide eyes, a soft, dizzying heat tingling her body. She couldn't think right now... Closing her eyes tightly, she tried desperately for sleep once more.

The first thing she noticed was the warmth.

It had not been perpetually cold that night, but she hadn't felt this warm and comfortable. She nestled deeper into the warming comfort, her arms stretching languidly downward to rest her hands against her sides. It was not her hips her hand rested against, however...not by far.

She heard a low voice from under her and opened her eyes blearily. Her blurry vision slowly focused, and for a few brief moments she wished it hadn't. The lovely warmth she had felt was due to Draco Malfoy's arms resting against her back, her head using his chest as a pillow. One of her hands which she had stretched out was resting against his upper thigh.. and the other..

Usagi gasped and all but bit her tongue to keep from screaming, trying to scramble hastily out of his arms and out of the bed. She was prevented from doing this, however, as his arms still rested against her, a sleepy, amused expression playing softly in his eyes. "Well good morning to you to," he murmured in a scratchy, sleep-thickened voice.

"G-good morning," Usagi whispered, having been almost fully woken up from the..incident. Not even two minutes of being conscious again and already troubles were arising! She blushed deeply as they thought of this, shaking her head mentally. "How did we end up like this?" she mumbled, firmly recalling the chasm-like gap between them.

"Do you sleep with stuffed animals?" Draco inquired in an almost conversational tone. The thick traces of sleep began to leave his voice as he looked at her with an emotionless face.

Usagi's eyes widened. "Huh... Wha?"

"Well, I merely got that impression from the way you clung to me all night," he said in a teasing, low voice. "You kept cuddling against me.. or perhaps," he said softly, his hand very lightly brushing against her hair, "you subconsciously knew I was in the bed with you and you wanted to get closer.. I think you want me, Gryffindor."

Was it back to the house name again? The way he said it was almost affectionate it seemed, but Usagi quickly brushed this notion away. "Can I get up please? My back is stiff.." Usagi froze at her horrible choice of wording, and Malfoy laughed, not quite harshly, at the crimson blooms of color evident in her cheeks.

"Surely." He slid his arms off of her, placing them languidly behind his head, watching as she tried to carefully get up from their position with as minimal amount of contact as possible.

"S-so what do you want me to do today?" she asked with a slight stutter, sleep and nervousness making her words come out hasty. Draco sat up slightly, smiling smugly at her.

"Firstly, for you to calm yourself enough to form more coherent sentences. Second," he continued upon seeing her look away, "you are to eat breakfast with me and then clean up the mess. Then you're going to see keeping me company, should I so desire it."

Usagi looked at him, almost snide in her response. "Are you lonely and need me to keep you company all the time, Malfoy?" she asked with an edge of bitterness, not sure why she did so. She almost immediately regretted it upon seeing the slight happiness that had touched his face drain away, a cold, cruel look shifting in his eyes.

"Yes, I desire your company. It amuses me. Perhaps this afternoon we'll see how far we can draw the lines of amusement, hmm?" He rose from the bed and encircled her waist, pulling her still slightly sleepily lulled form against him hard. Usagi gasped, never being THIS close to a close-to-naked guy before.

And then he kissed her. It was not the tender, sweet, loving first kiss Usagi had always daydreamed and envisioned. It was a smoldering, passionate kiss, deep and harsh, promising threats no words he spoke would suffice to portray. Usagi gasped against him, stranded helplessly between horror and fascination. The line between those two emotions was slender..

His tongue parted her lips, tasting and pushing hard against her. Usagi moaned almost painfully.. and then it stopped.

The harshness faded, and her first kiss became sweetened, almost. He pulled back slightly, slowly tracing the parting of her lips with his tongue before delving into her warm mouth once more. Usagi could scarcely breath, her heartbeat thudding loudly in her chest. When he finally pulled away, she found him in only a partially passing better condition.

His breathing wavered slightly, close enough to her still that she could feel it tingle against her. Draco was rather enjoying his view. Her lips were slightly swollen and red, still parted, caught between a gasp and an attempt at normal breathing. Smirking slightly, he pushed her away. It was not a harsh push, but it left her stumbling back, shattering her mystified stupor. She looked at him, unable to place the right emotions she felt.

Anger. Pain. Betrayal... another she couldn't quite place and was positive she wouldn't want to.

"Get to work, little Gryffindor," he taunted lightly, leaving her standing there still and hurt as he changed his clothes. "Think of this as lesson one.. Don't toy with me or purposely attempt getting on my more...unpleasant side." She turned away, glad for the excuse of a distraction, tears clouding her vision in thick puffy droplets. She watched idly through the blurry mess as they fell in a pattering drip to the floor, splashing lifelessly as they impacted to the ground. She had no idea what she had gotten herself into..

She was starting to realize a small portion of it now.

x-x-x-x-x-