Chapter Twenty Nine::
For Draco and Kit, things weren't so complicated.
They didn't spend the day giggling and gazing into each other's eyes and holding hands and ducking behind pillars to snog. But they weren't ignoring each other and blushing and glancing away the moment they made eye contact.
Things... were things. Nothing changed because of the kiss, no matter how wonderful it had been. It didn't even get capitals.
Things continued on as usual, except the trademark Malfoy smirk was seen a lot more often, and a bit softer. And their essences – instead of feeling only extreme emotions (fear,anger,joy,depression), the most insignificant feeling was noticed.
Not long after she had left Draco with his father, Kit was surprised to feel a tingle of something strange at the edge of her mind.
Frowning, she stopped walking, trying to focus on it. It wasn't... normal. It was like something that didn't exactly belong in her – or, more appropriately, to her. It was... an... emotion?
Confused, she began walking again, trying to make out what it could be and why it felt so odd.
Wouldn't she usually just feel whatever she was feeling? Since when did she have to recognize an emotion before feeling it? It was a bit annoying, really.
Once again, she stopped. Come to think of it, this emotion did feel a bit like annoyance... but more like... frustration.
Now, what reason did she have to feel frustrated? None!
So – what was going on?
Kit frowned. This isn't making sense, She thought, toying with the chain around her neck.
Lost in thought, she didn't notice Draco walking toward her, and as his head was down, he didn't spot her either – until they collided.
"Oof!"
Was the mutual grunt as the two were jarred back to the present reality.
Kit had stumbled into the banister as she fell and now rubbed the back of her head tenderly.
"Jeez, Draco," She moaned, "You've seriously got to learn to watch where you're going."
He smirked and pushed himself off the wall he had been knocked into. "I could quite easily say the same." Sighing, he bent down and reached out a hand and pulled her up.
"Sorry." She mumbled. "I was – thinking."
Draco smiled wanly. "Yeah. I – guess I was a bit preoccupied as well."
"With what?" She replied curiously.
"With whom." He corrected. "Frustrated once again by the mystery of who my father is."
Frustrated.
Something relatively like a mental shockwave smashed into her.
Why hadn't she thought of it before! What had Draco said?
"If only my head weren't so foggy..." She muttered.
"What?"
Kit only shook her head and told him to shut up. What had he said?
...if a person switches their essence with another, it will form a bond between them... I know... I know...
Draco watched as an odd expression slowly took form on Kit's face; her eyes widening inch by inch, mouth slowly dropping, expanded eyes darting from the chain she had been fingering to his bracelet to his face and back again, all the while saying nothing... it was enough to make him want to shake her.
He couldn't take it anymore.
"What?!"
"D-Draco," She began, licking her lips, "What does this essence thing do? Exactly?"
He growled softly. "It makes a bond between the two individuals, alerting the other to the current situation/emotion of the opposite." He recited impatiently. "Now, what's going on?"
Kit didn't answer as she continued to stare at him. Finally, "Y-you never said anything about that. Ever."
"You didn't ask. Besides, I didn't think I had to."
Suddenly, he was once again aware of how close Kit was. He was aware of how pretty she was. He was aware that she was in his house. He was aware of how she had kissed him so the night before. And he was aware of how she had melted at his touch.
His breath quickened ever so slightly as he inclined his head toward her.
He watched as her darkly framed eyes, such a contrast to the sharp silver of her irises, narrowed ever so slightly as she noted his eye focus.
"Draco, I really don't think –"
Whatever she didn't think, Draco never heard; his lips, perfect if you recall, cut her off, and his arms twined around her, drawing her closer.
For a moment, Kit wavered, struggling to stay out of charm's reach, but with a slight increase of lip pressure, all want to struggle left her.
Their second kiss was... different. Not as soft as the first; not as innocent.
Momentarily, Draco pulled back ever so slightly to look down at her. Her black tresses had tumbled over one shoulder, and her dark, full lips were parted slightly as she gazed steadily back at him. He wondered what she was like beneath her modest, slightly form fitting clothing. He hated only wondering.
Suddenly, he kissed her again, bringing his body up against hers, until he could feel her every curve pressing into him.
Kit's eyes shot open as his hands began to rove. Sliding her hands over his, she intended to pull away – but she was against the wall now. Instead, she attempted to move sideways – no go. He was leaning up against her so heavily, she felt as though she were suffocating... and Draco wasn't taking the hint to stop. Indeed, the words 'stop' and 'no' seemed not to be part of his vocabulary; so instead, she decided to be perfectly blunt. Placing her hands on either side of his face, Kit pulled her head back ever so slightly and, sliding her hands over his mouth, pushed his face away.
He looked so shocked at the motion that she had to laugh.
"Enough – is enough – kay?" She teased, panting slightly.
His only response was to glare at her – partly because he was feeling distinctly ruffled, and partly because Kit's hands were still covering his mouth, impairing his speech abilities.
Kit sighed and removed her hands, instead giving him a hug. "You just get too serious, darnit." She said, somewhat reproachfully. "You need to learn a little something called 'restraint'."
She was glad when Draco finally spoke, if only to protest. "What are you talking about? I know what restraint is, and I do use it."
"Uh huh." Kit replied skeptically, "Then what was with the hands just now?"
Draco stared at her in disbelief. "That's what you're talking about? You think that is going too far? In my book, I've used more 'restraint' when it comes to you than I have since I was eight and trying to keep myself from pestering the house elves to see my mother." He smirked. "If I had my way, we wouldn't even be in the hall right now; you would've been in my bed ages ago."
Kit winced slightly. "Thank you for your honesty."
He shrugged. "What can I say, there's a first for everything. But still – what is it with you? You –" He stopped, at loss for words.
"What?" She narrowed her eyes, pulling away from him. "What were you saying?" She prodded his stomach with a finger. "Spill."
"It's just – you're really not like other girls."
"You've just realized that?" She asked, giving an incredulous laugh.
Draco bristled slightly at her words. "Not 'just realized'. Came to the full realization of, more like."
Kit snorted. "Uh huh. Sure. But anyway – let's talk more about moi. What about me is so different from the girls you know?"
Draco smirked speculatively. "Temperament, for one. Self-restraint for another."
Kit's eyes narrowed once again, flickering to green. "Go back to temperament."
"And that's another big one!" He exclaimed.
"What?"
"Well, actually two." He amended. "You are the only person I know – especially a girl – who actually talks back to me and doesn't think twice."
"What's the second?"
"Your eyes." He answered softly. "They're probably your most wonderful feature. In your face, at least." He added, a wicked grin spreading across his face.
"Like you know of any other of my features." She retorted.
"Well, your latest dress style has certainly given me ideas."
Kit shoved him gently. "You're wacko."
He laughed. "That's not much of a response."
She made a face. "What am I supposed to say?"
Draco smirked. "Well, how about 'Oh Draco, I can't stand it another moment! Please, please, take me, I'm yours!'" Kissing her on the forehead, he added, "I think that could work out pretty smoothly."
Groaning, she rolled her eyes. "Ugh, Draco! You're not even worth hitting anymore!"
"Lucky me."
Kit grinned wryly. "Hey, you said I had an amazing level of self-restraint."
"That's not exactly what I meant."
Suddenly, Kit pushed her face right up to his, locking his eyes with hers. "Then tell me," She said, her voice deep and soft, "What exactly was it that you meant?"
No words came to him.
Her lips quirked up at his silence as she pulled back. "Cat got your tongue, oh little dragon of mine?"
He didn't answer.
Sighing, Kit straightened up and stretched. "Oh well. Draco, can I ask you a question? Don't answer that, I'm asking anyway. What do you do around here? I mean, for the past, what, five years you've been coming back for holidays to sit around here and do... what? Oh, yeah, and you live here the rest of the time."
The corner of his mouth tugged up a bit at her tone. "What, don't tell me you're bored already!" He mocked softly. "This is the Malfoy manor after all; handed down from generation to generation, ancient as anything. Even I haven't found all there is to find here."
The girl's reaction was immediate. "You mean we can... explore?"
Draco snorted. "I don't see why not. It is, after all, my house. I've only finished searching the second floor of the northwest wing."
Kit rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Why didn't you bother telling me earlier? Jeez!"
Draco sighed heavily. "Can't you tell, Kit, dearest? I can't think of anything that makes me happier than torturing you."
She made a face. "Ha ha."
Hello! Yes, it has, once again, been a while since I last wrote, and, once again, I apologize. But, better late than never, eh?
Anyhow, I'd like to express my deepest appreciation toward those who have kept with me through my long, long pauses between chapter updates, and to my ever-beloved reviewers!!
SiriusLives001: I love the vote against Ridge... I love to write him, because I hate him so very, very much, if that makes any sense...
Escaped: Thank you so much, Escaped! I'm sorry I haven't been reviewing your newest story lately; it's taken me forever to re-settle into the monotonous drone and dredge of school... but, now that I have (I'm not sure if that's good or bad), I have time to catch up with you! Yeah! Oh, and don't worry, I'm not getting rid of Lord Lucius the Luscious... he still has his uses... heheh...
Pinkeye346: This may be a little late in reply... but you're the one who half inspired me for the last – it was last, right? – chapter!! So, I wanna say THANK YOU PINKEYE346!!!! how's that?
LadyJenilyn: Hey! Thanks for reading, I've seen your name, too, and plan on checking up on you soon... but, don't rely on my definition of 'soon', otherwise, there's no doubt you'll be disappointed... heheh... that's what others say, in any case.
Rednal29: Love the evil laugh. Gives me chills. Do it again, oh persistent one!
Red-Devil15: Yeah, I think so too. Just don't let certain Malfoy lovers hear you say – well, write – that Malfoy senior is weird... the shock might send them into berserkerness or something... haha...
Lyric's Angel: Love the name, not so fond of the attitude. sticks out tongue But I'll give you a smile anyway.
xsilver-musicx: I'm not dead yet, am I? As I said, I once again (and probably not for the last time) apologize for taking so long... I hope you still read this...
Midnight Walker: Hey, I'm so glad you liked that chapter! I was nervous about writing it, because I hear so many warnings against fluffiness... but, my readers have stuck with me thus far, and now you, so I guess it wasn't too bad of a call!
GiGiFanFic: Yeah, it's immensely. And thank you for the compliment! Looking back on my earlier chapters, I'm seriously astounded. I keep thinking, Did I really write that? I could have done so much better, if only... So, one of these days, I'm going to re-write all my early chapters and repost them so prospective readers won't have their stomachs churn up acid at my horrid grammar/punctuation, not to mention the awkward-ish sentences and the descriptions that could be so much better!! So, wait! One day!!
See you in Chapter Thirty!
Silverfey