Note: Okay... it feels weird to even say, everything considered, but... well Draco and Usagi haven't actually "done it" yet o.o They've, uh...done "stuff" but not "it" if you get my drift x..x;; if not...:sweatdrops:. well let's just say they've had "fun" but not all the very way...ya...imma stop typing now... -.-;
Reminder: (December 28th) This is Usagi's 10th day. (This chapter goes through a few days, but I label'd em all .:sweatdrop:.)
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Chapter Fifteen
Shadow On My Sweet Memories...
Usagi let out a content sigh as her eyes slowly drifted open. Surely, yesterday had to be a dream... but there she was, wrapped in the strong arms of Draco, her bare back pressed warmly against his chest. She shifted and rolled around in the embrace, her forehead resting lightly against his as she looked at his sleeping features. His pale eyelashes rest lightly shut against his cheeks, his lips slightly parted. It truly was amazing how innocent one could look when sleeping...
"Checking me out?" he murmured, his eyes opening to look at her.
..or supposedly sleeping.
"So what if I am?" she replied with a smile, shivering as his hand brushed idly against her back.
His eyebrow rose slightly, amusement shadowing in his sleepy features. "Getting so much bolder," he mused.
Usagi laughed quietly, the smile broadening. "Well, with the deviously sexy Draco Malfoy as my teacher, it's kinda required," she teased.
He snickered softly, his eyes drifting back shut. Yesterday surprised him, immensely...but it was definitely the most pleasant of surprises. They both explored a bit of...mutual pleasure; enticing foreplay with most favorable results. He would almost go as far as saying she was ready to take that 'final' step in that direction... almost. He did not at all want to go any further than he was positive she'd be completely comfortable with.
He opened his eyes upon feeling her ease out of his embracing hold, rising sleepily from the bed. He grasped her wrist as she began to retreat. "Where are you going?" he inquired lightly.
"Shower," she answered, picking up one of his black shirts and pulling it over her head. She paused for a moment, grinning at him. "You're welcome to join me," she teased, mocking what he had said earlier.
His eyebrow rose rather high as he stood from the bed. "I wouldn't go saying things unless you truly mean then, Usa," he warned in a low tone.
Usagi gave him an innocent smile. "Well neither would I, Draco-kun," she replied lightly.
A soft laugh parted from his lips. "Well, if that's truly how you feel..." He gathered a few clothes; a black tank top and matching baggy pants and boxers. Grasping her wrist, he pulled her against him for a long kiss.
Usagi mused with a dimmed humor that they probably wouldn't be getting very clean for a while.
An hour later...
"Breakfast!" Usagi cheered, sitting down in front of the plate Dobby had set for her. Her hair was still slightly wet, matting against the too-large black shirt of Draco's she had put on. "Thank you Dobby," she said happily, taking a forkful.
"Mm yes, thank you Dobby," Draco reiterated, delving into his breakfast.
Dobby's eyes were slightly widened, watching with wary curiosity the hinting smile Draco offered him. "Y-You're welcome M-Master Draco," he stuttered nervously.
Usagi giggled slightly. "You're making Dobby nervous with your nice behavior," she teased.
Draco tried to keep his expression impassive, though a smile threatened to spread upon his lips. "Well something has me feeling much happier these days, though I can't quite put my finger on it... Well I could, actually..."
Usagi blushed and kept eating, glancing at Dobby's dumbfounded expression. "Dobby, come sit with us," she said suddenly, pulling out the chair next to her, patting its seat cushion for emphasis.
His large eyes widened further. "Dobby must never sit on the master's furniture," he whispered nervously.
Draco shrugged slightly. "Go ahead," he assured.
Dobby tried not to let his mouth gape as he carefully climbed into the seat. He smoothed out a wrinkle in his grubby pillowcase nervously, his gaze darting around with apprehension. Usagi offered him a soft smile, causing his cheeks to darken and duck his head, his expression turning somber.
A small frown marred upon Usagi's lips. "What's wrong, Dobby?" she asked gently.
"N-Nothing is wrong, M-Miss Usagi," he stumbled out.
Her frown deepened. "C'mon Dobby... we're friends, remember? You can tell me anything."
Draco watched with a vague amusement, though he chose to remain silent.
Dobby's eyes began to water as he turned to look at Usagi again. "F-Friend," he whispered. "Miss Usagi is Dobby's only real friend... and Dobby knows Miss Usagi will be leaving here and never coming back," he mumbled, sniffling hard to prevent the tidle wave of tears.
Usagi's eyes softened as she looked at him. "Aww... Dobby... I am gonna miss you too," she said gently, grasping his hand within her own.
He looked at her hand holding his, his gaze drifting back up to the blurry image of her face through the pool of tears in his eyes. With a small sob, he launched himself into her arms, the tears pouring like twin broken damns and soaking onto her shirt.
Draco gave her a slightly disgusted look. 'That's my shirt,' he mouthed with a cringe as the house elf wailed pitifully.
Usagi glared at him briefly, patting the house elf's quivering head as he cried.
Draco pressed his tongue lightly against the inside of his cheek, relenting with offering comfort. "It's understandable that you'd miss her... Perhaps I'll allow her to visit or stay here again for an extended period of time at our next break."
Dobby pulled his head away, craning his neck to look at him. "R-Really?" he croaked out horsely.
Usagi's eyes widened as well. "Really?" she repeated his word, almost timidly.
Draco shrugged slightly, though he was unable to completely keep the smile masked from tinting his lips. "You really think I'm going to let my only interactions with you from here on out be in Hogwarts?" he scoffed mildly.
Usagi's expression softened, her heart swelling happily. It was Dobby who broke the comforted silence, sobbing and blundering happy words incoherently as he clung to Usagi.
Draco scowled slightly, his shirt still getting moist with the house elf's tears.
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The next day... Day 11. December 29th.
The doorbell sounded its languid tinkling, though the two were half-asleep. It was late in the afternoon, though far too early for company as far as either of the two were concerned. Draco was awakened by the noise first, the lighter sleeper of the two. He groaned and pulled Usagi close, rolling back over to sleep. The door bell sounded again, the buzzing chime sounding longer and more persistent. Draco let out a frustrated sigh as he let his eyes drift open, disentangling his limbs from the beautiful girl and throwing on a shirt.
He watched as the blonde girl mumbled in protest, clutching a pillow to compensate for the loss of his warmth. He smiled and reached to brush away a few stray strands of her hair, but the persistent doorbell sounded once again. "Bloody hell," he muttered. He opened the door to his room, proceeding to the front door.
Just as the doorbell began sounding again, he opened it quickly, his eyes narrowed to a murderous glare. "What..." His scowl deepened. "After that little incident, Crabbe, what are you doing back here—"
Two words were uttered from Crabbe's mouth as he looked at Draco with pain-ridden eyes.
"I remember."
Crabbe eased his way passed the slightly shocked Draco, his eyes holding a faraway look. "I remember... so much..." he repeated softly. "That passageway... the meeting in the Gryffindor common room... Usagi-chan..." He closed his eyes, vibrant images of the blonde floating through his mind so vividly they seemed almost tangible.
As if witnessing a fantasy turn into reality, he opened his eyes and saw Usagi standing there, her eyes slightly widened. "Crabbe-kun," she said softly.
"Usagi-chan," he repeated.
Her eyes widened further at the affectionate nickname. "Crabbe-kun! You... you remember?" she asked hesitantly, trying desperately to not feel too much hope...
Draco watched as Crabbe nodded slowly, turning his gaze to see Usagi's relieved expression of happiness. "I remember how we met... our secret meetings...Oh, Usa. I'm so sorry for the way I've been acting. The one thing I can't figure out is how I could ever forget someone as special as you..."
Usagi launched herself into his arms, hugging him tightly. He responded gently, careful to not hurt her in any such way. Usagi pulled away slightly, glancing at Draco and biting her lower lip. "Should we... should we try and explain what happened, Draco-kun?" she asked hesitantly.
Crabbe's eyebrows rose rather high at the nickname; Draco relaxed with an eased comfort that she wasn't apparently mad at him, even though Crabbe now had his memory back. He glanced at Crabbe, shifting his gaze warily to him. "Alright," he conceded with a brief nod.
Crabbe felt the warmth leave him as she walked over to Draco, watched as her hand grasped his and squeezed for reassurance. They proceeded to the living room; Draco and Usagi sitting on one couch, Crabbe sitting across from them on the other.
"Right! Well..." Usagi fidgeted uncomfortably as she tried to begin, unsure of how to even start. "Well, you see... annou...etto...Well, what happened was..."
Draco rolled his eyes at her stumbling stammer for words. "The night in the Great Hall where everyone was required to sleep there. Do you remember that night?" He watched as Crabbe nodded his head vaguely, his scrunched expression trying to recall all of the details. "You approached Usagi that night and confessed your feelings of love to her." Usagi's eyes widened while Crabbe's cheeks darkened with color.
.:FLASH:.
Crabbe gazed at the shadowed sleeping form of Usagi longingly.. "God, Usagi…how'd this get so damned complicated? I…I love you.."
"I remember that," Crabbe said quietly, keeping his eyes averted from both of the blondes.
Draco sighed slightly as he continued. "Then, you leaned down to kiss her while she slept."
.:FLASH:.
Crabbe bent over her, lowering his lips to hers. Her lips had been so close...and then…
"Lumos dim!" whispered a voice. A thin ghostly light shone on the two, and Crabbe pulled away, not getting a chance to kiss her.
"And then you made your presence known," Crabbe muttered.
Draco nodded, glancing at Usagi who seemed rather floured with this new piece of information. "Yes, I confronted you and said such relations should not take place.. and then Usagi woke up." He paused for a moment, watching Crabbe's face contort as the memories came clicking soundly into place. "I informed her that you needed to be punished for your dispicible behaviour, and she mae a little regretful deal with me that she'd—"
"..Do anything to keep me safe," Crabbe murmured with awe.
"I'll..I'll do anything! Just..just don't hurt him!" Usagi had pleaded.
Crabbe's eyes grew slightly cloudy as he continued to remember. "You had her meet with both of us in front of the Great Hall at night... and.." He frowned slightly.
Draco rolled his lips slightly as he spoke again. "And, I made the deal with her for her to come home with me during this winter break and be my personal slave. And..." He trailed off slightly as Usagi's eyes became downcast. "I told her I wanted her to suffer... So I cast a memory alteration charm of you. All of your memories about Usagi were stored away to your subconscious, allowing you once again to feel only hate for all Gryffindors, her included."
Usagi finally spoke up, her voice quiet and strained. "It was so awful, Crabbe-kun... to have you look at me and not remember our friendship."
Crabbe let out a long sigh as the last remaining pieces of his memory's lost puzzle came snapping into place. His eyes contrasted two very different emotions; filled with pain at the betrayal of his leader, reflecting love for Usagi's loyal friendship.
"I'd like to apologize for my actions," Draco said after a moment.
Usagi looked at him with surprise, completely shocked he was taking her lessons to heart. Then again, with their current 'relationship' established, it made her all the more happy.
"What I did was selfish and immoral, causing a great deal of pain to someone I consider a friend..." He turned his gaze to Usagi, "...and someone I am beginning to truly care for." Deep down, Draco knew he cared more about the part of hurting Usagi than causing hurt to Crabbe, but seeing the look of happiness on Usagi's face from his professed apology made suffering through it worthwhile.
Usagi's smile broadened as she hugged him, her arms encircling around Draco's neck with happiness. Usagi pulled back slightly from the hug, turning her gaze back to Crabbe as she blushed a little and smiled. "Draco-kun isn't such a bad person either once you get to know him, much like you," she said teasingly.
"So, you and he are friends now?" Crabbe asked quietly.
Usagi's blush deepened. "Well... I guess you could say that..."
Draco snorted softly. "What she means to say is, we're..." Draco paused, realizing dumbly he didn't quite know how to label it either.
"See! Always thinking you're smarter than me," Usagi muttered, pouting.
Draco smirked. "Only because I am," he countered smoothly.
"Meanie!"
"Childish."
"Evil!"
"Innocent."
Usagi tilted her head. "Was that supposed to be an insult?" she questioned.
Draco shrugged. "Not really."
"Oh...I win!" Usagi cheered.
Draco rolled his eyes, turning his gaze back to the troubled Crabbe. "I gues you could say she's my girlfriend," he supplied finally, the last word coming out a little awkward upon his tongue.
Usagi stopped giggling, looking at him curiously. "Really?"
Draco shrugged again, as Usagi gave a mock cringe. "Eww... I guess that kinda means he's my boyfriend," she sighed out sadly.
A pale eyebrow rose. "You weren't complaining last night..."
"Hey!" Usagi shrieked, glaring as he grinned.
"So."
Crabbe's quiet voice was firm enough to quiet down the two. "I'd just like to make sure I'm understanding everything correctly. You, Malfoy... you lock away my memories of Usagi, for what reason?" He picked up before Draco could answer. " 'Because Gryffindors and Slytherins aren't meant to be anything more than enemies.' Right?" He looked at Usagi with pained eyes, his gaze hardening to a glare as he looked back at Draco again. "Yet here you are, the almighty hypocrite of your own words." His voice shook with the effort of remaining calm. "Here you are... in love with Usagi...stealing away from me the only thing that truly brought me happiness. It's not right for she and I to be friends, but it's perfectly fine for you to start a relationship with her. You know what? It's bullshit." He rose swiftly from his seat, his angered gaze clouding with bitter tears that he dared not ever let fall.
Usagi and Draco stood as well, guilt etched upon Usagi's face; anger on Draco's. "I admit that the decisions I've made were perhaps not the most rational," Draco complied through slightly gritted teeth. "And I offer my apologies toward the entire situation. However bare in mind, the choice for a relationship is not a one-sided affair."
Usagi looked at Crabbe, who trembled with anger and sadness. "Crabbe-kun," she began tentively, approaching him slowly. "Ne, Crabbe," she pleaded, and he couldn't help but look at her. Her eyes were saddened, but the shadowing of pity he saw made him flinch. "I'm sorry that all of this happened," she said softly. "Demo... he really is a good person. I'm so happy you remember again; I want our friendship back."
Crabbe looked at her thoughtfully. "Do you really?" he asked quietly.
Usagi nodded, placing her hands against his arms. "I've missed you so much," she whispered. He looked at her again, saw the sincerity in her eyes. His own softened incredibly, and he leaned down to kiss her, to affirm it all. He watched unfavorably as the guilted pity returned to her eyes as she carefully turned her head, the kiss landing gently upon her cheek. His lips lingered for a moment before he turned to Draco, a frown upon the blond's lips from his attempted action. Wariness shadowed in Crabbe's eyes as he turned away. Why... of all people, why did it have to be Draco Malfoy...?
He walked away slowly, ignoring as Usagi called his name. Upon reaching the threshold to the door, he turned to look at Draco. 'Please take care of her,' he thought, giving him a meaningful look that Draco seemed to understand as his head inclined slightly. And with that, he left.
Usagi looked sadly at the door as it clicked shut, sadness and guilt overwhelming her. "Usagi," Draco said quietly. He placed his hand almost reassuringly upon her shoulder. She tensed for a moment, breaking out of her thoughts.
She shook her head slowly, clearing the spin of guilt-ridden questions. "No regrets," she said firmly, looking at Draco. "No regrets." He contained a smile as she leaned up to kiss him.
It seemed they were both taking their lessons to heart.
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The next day... Day 12. December 30th.
"Two days left," Usagi said softly. She paused a moment, looking at Draco with excitement. "But! I remembered this time... tomorrow is New Year's Eve!" she exclaimed.
Draco nodded briefly. "Indeed it is," he replied. "Are we going to have some celebrating?" he inquired with a grin.
Usagi beamed a smile. "Of course! I certainly hope so..." Her eyes twinkled for a moment as she spoke. "You know what they say about kissing when the clock strikes 12, ne?" she said wistfully, her pearly smile causing him to raise an eyebrow.
"No, but something tells me it has to do with eternal love and happiness and harmony," he cooed mockingly, causing her to frown. She pouted slighting, turning away from him. "Why must you always ruin my romantic fantasies?" she grumbled.
Draco began to laugh softly, though he quickly quieted upon seeing her saddened expression. Pursing his lips together, he slid his arm around her waist as she washed the dishes "You're far too sensitive," he murmured against her ear. Usagi shivered as she tried to ignore him. He smiled languidly as he pulled her gently against him, slipping his hands in either direction upon her. She continued to ignore him, thought it became increasingly difficult as familiar sensations began tingling through her. "I'm sure I can find a lovely way of gaining your forgiveness," he whispered hotly, smirking at the soft moan that parted from her lips.
Realizing this, she pressed her lips together tightly, trying to prevent any sound from coming out. His lips pressed softly just below her ear, trailing small kisses to her neck. A soft sigh escaped from her and she relented, turning in his embrace to kiss him hard upon the lips. He was taken a bit by surprise, but nonetheless reciprocated fully. "So demanding," he murmured against the kiss.
Usagi responded with slipping her cold, water-soaked hands beneath his shirt, placing them flat against his bare chest. He hissed at the harsh temperature differing, glaring at her innocent smile. "Oh, you'll pay for that," he muttered in a sensual vow, causing her to shiver as she saw the intense blaze of emotions in his eyes.
Several hours later...
"You're so beautiful," Usagi mumbled, running her hand lightly against his bare chest.
Draco smiled, though his eyes remained pleasantly shut. "What happened to 'deviously sexy?' " he inquired in a murmur.
Usagi leaned her head against his chest, her own eyes drifting shut as his hands came to weave into the length of her blonde hair. She yawned quietly, nestling her head against his soft touch. "Can't believe we only have two days left," Usagi mumbled quietly, her voice containing traces of a sleepy tiredness at the soothing strokes of his hands against her hair.
"My friends are going to be coming over tomorrow, for New Years celebration," he murmured softly.
Usagi pouted slightly. "So after tonight, I only have one more night left alone with you?"
"Mmhmm."
Usagi let out a small sigh, snuggling closer against him. "Guess we'll have to make every moment count," she said softly..
Draco's eyes opened at the sound of the sadness threaded painfully in her voice. "You act as though we'll never see each other again after vacation," he said lightly.
Usagi pulled back a little to look at him. "I know things will be different once we get back to Hogwarts—"
"Shh," he whispered, drawing her close again. "I told you. It is pointless to think about the consequences of any of our actions," he said quietly. Usagi nodded vaguely, trying to follow his advice but far too lost within the swirl of her thoughts. Too many troubled uncertainties laid in their future, she knew, and it truly startled her.
But he was right, she supposed. Only time would tell what would happen once back at Hogwarts. "I'm definitely not looking forward to seeing Snape again," Usagi grumbled, changing the subject somewhat abruptly.
Draco smirked slightly, shifting to a more comfortable position. "I can think of several people I'm not all too eager to be seeing again," he replied with a hint of disgust.
Usagi frowned faintly, knowing very well one of those people was Harry. "I know you say not to worry, but I can't help but hope maybe things will go better in many aspects of friendship once we're back at Hogwarts," Usagi murmured quietly.
Draco rolled his eyes. "I dearly hope you're not trying to cryptically imply a friendship between myself and Potter and his lowly Gryffindor-filth friends," he replied with a raised eyebrow.
The blonde girl frowned upon hearing him say this. "You know, I'm still one of those 'lowly Gryffindors' ," she reminded him curtly, a trace of hurt in her voice.
"I know, unfortunately," he groaned out in a mutter. "We should see about getting your house switched."
Usagi looked at him with disbelief. "That's impossible and ridiculous."
Draco shrugged. "I wish it was possible," he replied..
Usagi remained silent for a moment. "Even if it was possible, I'd never want to switch. I like my house and I'm proud of it," she stated firmly.
The blond male let out a sigh of exasperation. "It doesn't matter, I guess," he muttered, sitting up from his laying position.
"I hope not," she said quietly, her eyes lowering as she became troubled by her thoughts. Outside of school, there weren't any complications of houses and trivial rivalries... Once back in school, how drastically would all of that change?
"The present is all that really matters," Draco said firmly, grasping her wrist and drawing her up. "Enjoy these moments."
Her eyes drifted shut as he kissed her, and she truly did enjoy 'these' moments.
But... what was the point of this enjoyment, if it was so very possible of never occurring again after this vacation?
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Just a quick note before anyone complains about how Usagi acted toward the Crabbe situation... Yes'm, she's hurt and upset and feels guilty about it... but she's trying to take Draco's point of view to heart and do what she feels is right. Maybe it's a lil bit out of character, but it's just to kind of portray Draco isn't the only one making adequate use of the lessons and view-points of the other. .:nod:. The entire Crabbe sitaution (as well as the whole story in general, I'd hope) will all be tied up along with other loose ends next chapter, being as it is the last one! .:sniffles:.
Thank you all soo much for the reviews!
To: Raylinz, Cheerios, Ivy Tearen, Midnight Lilly, TsukinoGoddess, Serenity Usagi Malfoy, Lucilia-chan, koldy, Silver Moon Goddess1, Dark Universe, S. Nestor, Serenity Voldemort Riddle, Allison, Not a flame, fallen-anqel, Cosmost Angel1, Kawaii Usa, Bambi Star, Silver Moon Lit Goddess, Seren Lunar Echo, Goth-Punk-Princess, samisweet, Starlite Saviour, LeoGirl45, PurpleRose44, Miko11, Flame Ivy Moon, liza, Fan4Lyfe, sailorveggie... thank you guys so much!
Next time on...Slave...
A New Year's party takes place at the Malfoy Mansion, with several familiar friends. At the dawning of the new year, what will lie in store for Draco and Usagi upon having to return to Hogwarts the next day? Bags are packed, emotions are revealed, and a new year is just beginning... Don't miss the final chapter, "The Golden Ring Of A New Year."