Reminder: (December 26th) This is Usagi's 8th day. The Holiday Special took place starting at the lunch-time of the 7th day.
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Chapter Thirteen
Sordid Fears and Bitter Tears...
"Come on, two little words!" Usagi insisted.
Draco scowled slightly before a sarcastic little smile graced his lips. "Two words? How about these: New. Lesson."
Usagi rolled her eyes. "Come on..."
"No," he said curtly. "Apologies are perhaps the most pointless thing in life."
Usagi sighed with exasperation. "Everyone makes mistakes, Draco," she began patiently, "and it's important to atone for mistakes by apologizing...espcially if it's against another person."
"He isn't a person," Draco all but snarled, frustration and weariness getting the better of him.
Usagi frowned. "Dobby is as much a person as I am or as you are... Now say you're sorry for kicking him!"
"It was an accident and that is that."
"Well if it was an accident, then you should apologize for it," Usagi tried again patiently.
"No."
Dobby spoke up quietly. "D-Dobby has endured worse, M-Miss Usagi," he stuttered nervously, afraid of angering Draco. "A-And it was an accident...M-Master Draco needs not apologize for any of h-his actions..."
Draco smirked slightly, raising an eyebrow at Usagi. "Satisfied?"
Usagi groaned. "You're so very stubborn," she mumbled.
The weary blond male pinched the bridge of his nose lightly, letting his eyes drift shut for a brief moment. "Apologies are only necessary for people who hold onto pointless regrets. I may make mistakes, but I do not hold any regrets for my actions. Therefore," he concluded with a small quirk of his lips, "I see no reason to ever apologize."
Usagi's frown deepened as she saw that he was completely serious. Dobby slinked away silently, not wishing to see them converse any further. "Apologizing isn't always about regrets," Usagi attempted again. "Sometimes, it's merely to express feeling badly or guilty about a situation, or to make ammends for doing something inappropriate..." She trailed off as he cleared his throat soundly. "What?" she asked with a sigh.
Draco stood from his seated position at the table. "I just wanted to inform you that when you're done with your insistant rambling, I'm rather ready to introduce you to your next lesson."
Usagi scowled faintly as she crossed her arms stubbornly. "Maybe I don't want to do your lesson," she retorted, mimicking his tone of voice.
His soft laughter sounded pleasantly in the air. "Oh, dear little bunny... I'm almost certain you won't feel that way," he replied in a silky tone.
Usagi couldn't help but shiver, and fully agree with his statement.
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"...None of that matters..."
"...I'm glad we became friends..."
"...I miss you, Crabbe-kun..."
Crabbe bolted up from his lying-down position in his bed, grasping his head to clear away the voice that plagued his thoughts and dreams. It sounded so soft, and so familiar. It sounded like that slave of his leader Draco...
Usagi.
What did it all mean? He swore softly at the dizzying wave of nausea that enveloped him upon standing up, quickly sitting back down to clear it away. His vision blacked for a moment, and it was Usagi's face that flitted faintly through his mind. "Bloody hell," he muttered. "This is ridiculous." Why did he keep thinking about that beautiful blonde girl...?
He smirked faintly, musing that perhaps it wasn't so bad to think often of her. Perhaps he'd have to take another closer look to figure out just why he was feeling this way.
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"I don't like the way Maxwell looks at you," Draco began, closing the door to his room behind them as they entered. "In fact, I'm rather sure many males at Hogwarts look at you that way... Like Potter." He spat out the name of his arch enemy with disgust.
Usagi bit her lower lip gently. "You know, Harry really isn't that bad—"
"Quiet. Thinking about Potter is not the most pleasant way to initiate a lesson," he muttered with a faint scowl. "Anyway, the point I was getting at is that you're very attractive and will probably receive a great deal of... unwanted affection."
He pushed her softly against the wall, her breath catching slightly from the sudden movement. "Ya know, it's seeming like all of your lessons are taking place against the door or wall," she mused in a quiet mutter.
Draco smiled pleasantly. "Interested in a change of things, hmm? If that's really what you wish, Usa, the next lesson will take place in the bed." He smirked upon seeing her eyes widen, continuing before she could sputter for a response. "For this lesson... I'm going to kiss you, and I want you to break away from me."
Usagi nodded slightly, unable to help her apprehension as he grabbed both of her hands and crossed them above her head, pressing the length of his own arm against her crossed wrists. His legs pressed slightly but firmly against her own, preventing her legs from moving as well. "Ready?" he murmured gently, bringing his other arm around her waist to pull her against him.
Seeing the slight incline of her head, he touched his mouth to hers, merely brushing his lips across her own. Usagi trembled just slightly as she began trying to move her arms away, thoroughly surprised at how pinned she truly was to the wall. The kiss deepened slowly but surely; the more she struggled against him, the harder he allowed the kiss to become. She twisted her arms beneath his, angered that he was able to keep her pinned with only one arm. A startled gasp left her lips as he pushed harder against her, the kiss turning rough and demanding.
'Why am I fighting this again...?' Usagi thought dimly, feeling waves of all too familiar emotions sweep through her as his mouth caressed with a volatile passion against her own. The tension eased in her arms as she stopped struggling, closing her eyes and responding with just as much passion. Draco was surprised as he felt her mouth move delicately against his, reciprocating to his ministrations with an equal amount of longing. His arm slipped slowly from her pinned wrists, cupping the soft flesh of her cheek in his palm instead as the kiss turned more gentle.
Usagi sighed softly as he relaxed his hold on her, merely enjoying being close to him. Her eyes opened languidly, finding that his had drifted shut as well. She contained her small smile as she raised her hands to rest against his chest, abruptly shoving him away hard. She wrenched herself away in that moment, slipping from his grasp and stumbling slightly.
Draco turned around slowly, his expression holding a barely masked shock and surprise from her actions. A frown hinted upon his lips after a moment. "So, was that your tactic for getting away?" he asked lightly.
Usagi shook her head several times. "No... I was doing what felt right...kinda occured to me as an after-thought that I was supposed to try and get away," she mumbled with a small blush.
Draco raised an eyebrow, but was nonetheless pleased with this answer. "So... if another male tried to kiss you like that, you wouldn't respond quite so enthusiastically?" he inquired with a hinted smirk.
Usagi rolled her eyes, shaking her head firmly. "Of course not! I would make them sincerely regret ever doing something like that." She paused a moment. "I'm not completely defenseless, you know."
The blond male's expression shifted to slight amusement. "Is that so? So you didn't 'want' to pull away?"
Usagi seemed to ponder the question for a moment. "No...it's necessary... I'm almost afraid of how far things might go..." Draco pulled off his shirt before approaching her again. "Would you really be so upset if things went much further?" Usagi turned her gaze away, which made him smirk. "Why does nudity bother you so much?"
Her eyes widened. "N-Nudity..." She shook her head. "It's improper," she retorted in a mumble.
"It's perfectly natural," he countered smoothly. He came to stand behind her, placing his hands against her waist and grasping the thin material of her shirt, slowly beginning to slide it upward. She stammered and stumbled away, her cheeks darkening with a blush. Her gaze raised back to his as he laughed lightly, a smile caressing delicately upon his lips. "So cute," he said softly, making his way over to the door. "I'm going to go take a shower..." He paused for a moment. "You're welcomed to join me," he added in a sensual tone, his smile broadening at her flustered reaction. "I can't help but wonder though, dearest Gryffindor, just how long you're going to dance circles around this little fire of lust before you finally allow yourself to give in."
Usagi didn't respond, looking at him with an embarrassed sort of curiosity. "I'm dearly hoping it's not too much longer," he continued in a soft murmur, "before I lose my patience and just pull you in with me..." With the slightly cryptic promising message, he twisted the knob to the door, leaving her alone in his room.
Usagi let out a long sigh, trying desperately to clear her head of the many thoughts that swirled far too pleasantly. A minute passed before she heard the faint sound of the water running from the shower. She left the room and proceeded to the kitchen to get a drink, passing the forlorn form of Dobby along the way. "Dobby!" she greeted happily, offering a pleasant smile. Before he could respond, the doorbell sounded softly.
"D-Dobby will get the d-door," he stammered, rushing away. Usagi tilted her head at his peculiar behavior, following him to the door. She watched with a masked amusement as he stood on his tip-toes to reach the knob, twisting it carefully. Her amused expression quickly dessipated as she saw who was at the door.
"Crabbe-kun," she whispered, her eyes widening. Crabbe gazed at her as he stepped into the house, his eyes darkening slightly.
"...Crabbe-kun, daijoubu..."
He scowled as he shook his head to clear away the voice. "Hello, Draco's wench," he sneered. "Where is he?"
Usagi bit her lower lip gently, trying to contain her feelings upon seeing him again. "He's in the shower at the moment," she answered softly, watching him carefully as he walked inside.
"Oh," he responded in a dull tone. He looked around a moment, pondering why he felt strangely awkward alone with her, yet feeling so familiar. "So where in the house do you stay?" he asked, making small conversation.
Usagi tilted her head, wondering if perhaps he was trying to be amiable. "Well he gave me my own personal room... but most of the time it's in his room that I stay," she answered with a sheepish smile.
He snorted slightly, shaking his head. "Well, show me which room he gave you. Nothing better to do while I wait for him."
Usagi felt her heartbeat quicken with hope. Maybe... just maybe he was remembering her and feeling more friendly in her presence! "Sure," she responded with a small smile, going over to him cautiously and grasping his hand to test her theory. He began to snatch his hand away, a look of disgust creeping into his eyes. As he gazed at her however, he visibly relaxed, his hand staying grasped within her own. Her smile deepened as she began to walk, her eyes twinkling with faithful hope. "It's really not much," she said with a slight giggle, pushing open the door to her room. "Nothing compared to Draco's room, anyway..."
"Eh. Always be grateful for what you get," he responded absently, looking around the very plain room. It was rather obvious she didn't spend much time there, as it was very neat and orderly. Something told him if she spent more time there, the room would be a lot messier, though he was not quite sure why he was getting that notion.
"I suppose," she agreed quietly. "It's always better to look at the positive side of any situation, I guess."
"Heh." A small silence stretched between them, before he spoke again. "So... I still don't understand why he's putting up with having you stay here with him in the first place," he sneered out in what he hoped sounded like a condescending tone. "Care to enlighten me?"
Usagi opened her mouth to speak before quickly stopping herself. She contemplated for a moment if she should tell him the truth or not..."It was blackmail, I guess. I made a deal with him in order to keep a friend safe and protected." That was fairly true, she mused dully.
Crabbe glanced at her for a moment, curiosity in his eyes. "That's very dumb of you," he said after a moment. "Very dumb... but very noble. I bet your friend is glad, huh. I know how ruthless Malfoy can be."
Usagi gave a sad little smile. "He's not so bad once you get to know him," she said gently. "He's done some very bad things, but there's a good person beneath it all."
Crabbe snorted. "Whatever. You're so idealistic," he muttered. He turned to look at her, gazing at her slightly hurt expression.
"...That wasn't very nice, Crabbe-kun..."
"...Daijoubu, you go in first and I'll take most of the blame..."
Crabbe groaned, squeezing his eyes shut for a moment. Upon reopening them, he saw her concerned gaze as she eased over to him. "Daijoubu?" she asked gently.
Why... why did he know what that word meant? "I'm fine," he replied curtly, averting his eyes for a moment. Shifting uncomfortably, he decided he had had enough. He grabbed her arm suddenly in a harsh grip, watching as her eyes changed from concern to startled surprise. "You know, I can't stop thinking about you," he said in a low voice, narrowing his eyes as her own lit with a dim hope.
"R-really," she whispered. Maybe... maybe he was remembering! Taking a deep breath, she spoke carefully. "Crabbe-kun, do you remember a little passageway near Snape's dungeon that leads to—"
"...The west wing of the school, a small secluded room..." His eyes narrowed. "How the hell do you know about that?" he all but hissed. Hardly anyone knew of that passage! Tiny flashes tingled teasingly through his mind, but he couldn't quite grasp the images long enough to make sense of them. "Enough of this," he muttered with a tone of finality.
Usagi tilted her head, opening her mouth to ask what he meant. Her eyes widened as his lips pressed roughly against her own, a harsh kiss with an underlying gentleness. 'Crabbe!' she thought desperately, trying to pull away from him. He grabbed her other arm with his hand, holding her harshly in place as he kissed her. Usagi didn't want to hurt him in anyway, but as tears pricked the corner of her vision from the pain he was causing her, she felt she'd soon have no choice..
"You fool."
Crabbe pulled away abruptly, turning to the voice of his leader. "M-Malfoy," he stammered slightly, wiping his mouth that tingled pleasantly from the feel of her lips. The strangest wave of deja vu swepts delicately upon him. "I...I..."
"You, nothing. Leave. Now."
Crabbe lowered his head, muttering an apology as he began to retreat. He chanced a quick glance at Usagi, watching her lower lip tremble as she fought the urge to cry. Something... He knew something.
Too slow in his retreat, Draco shoved him harshly out of the door. Crabbe stumbled slightly, regaining his footing but rather sure there would be a bruise upon his back. He left wordlessly, his mind swirling with a tempest of blurred pictures.
Draco quietly closed the door to Usagi's room, looking at her frozen position standing in the middle. "Usagi," he said quietly. She didn't move, save the trembles that ran through her body. "Usa," he tried again, a little louder this time.
She looked at him slowly, as if drifting languidly from a reverie. "Crabbe-kun," she whispered. "Draco..." She stumbled back and took a shaky seat on her bed, keeping her head lowered as her vision misted with tears.
Draco felt a strange emotion stirring within him, one he was not nearly as accostomed to feeling as anything else: Guilt. Remorse. He licked his lips slightly, cautiously taking a seat next to her on her bed. Her breath came out wavering and uneven, unshed tears pooling dangerously, threatening to fall at any moment. Slowly, he let his arm encircle her shoulders, pulling her close to him. Her head came to rest against his chest, a small shudder running through her body as his hands began to gently stroke her back.
And it was then that the waves of her liquidized sorrow came coursing free against his chest, her warm tears dripping almost as soundly as her devastating cries of sadness. She clung to him tightly, crying softly, even knowing that this sadness was a great deal because of him.
But Draco knew this as well. He knew a great deal of her anguish was at his doing. He had caused her a good part of his pain. The earlier emotions swept intensely through him as he gently stroked her hair, soothing her with what comfort he could offer. "I'm sorry," he said quietly, the words leaving his mouth before he even realized it. "I'm so sorry."
Her shoulders visibly relaxed as the words slipped like a soothing mantra from his lips.
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Aww, sorta sweet. Thanks a million for the reviews! Luv you guys!
To: Hoorayy, Rayling, Seren Lunar Echo, Cheerios, Flame Ivy Moon, AdorableAngel, TsukinoGoddess, Silver Moon Goddess1, Miko11, koldy, CosmosAngel1, Serenity Voldemort Riddle, Not a flame, S. Nestor, Goth-Punk-Princess, liza, Allison, Kawaii Usa, Midnight Lilly, samisweet, Usagi no Megami, Bambi Star, Lucilia-chan, Ivy Tearen, Silverwind, Draysa, Silver Moon Lit Goddess... Thank you! ;)