Note: Any previous location, knowledge, or use of the Room of Requirement and 'The Cabinet' has been disregarded. If it seems to be not in line with the books, then it probably isn't. The reason why she cannot unlock the door is not explained in this chapter...and yes, Neville will be coming back soon, with reinforcements.

Chapter 4

WHAT?!

A week was how long it had been since I'd last spoken to Neville. I retracted and didn't say a word to anyone during that entire week. Depression was hovering over me and all I wanted was to be alone.

One day during class Snape called me to give the usual example and I didn't respond. I stared down at my notebook as if he hadn't said anything. He moved on and called Draco up instead, but who cared? Not I - not anymore. I was damned sick of being his human paraphrase. He could teach the lessons himself; that's what he was paid for.

I was hurting more than I would have predicted. Although I'd never officially become Neville's girlfriend, I believed I was close. He was about to give me a gift that symbolized our relationship, but I guessed he didn't feel I was worth the effort once Draco came around.

So, now Neville and I weren't talking, Draco and I had never been on good terms in the first place, and I was getting what I wanted. I was alone. I was completely alone.

It was late evening and I decided to take a walk around the school. I let my thoughts drift over the recent events in my life. Neville was a sweet person and I wished that he'd stuck it out because I really liked him. Though, I never thought I would miss him like I did.

My thoughts drifted to Draco. He was out to hurt me and I knew it. Why else would he act the way he did? I thought of his face; beautiful, pointed, pale, and almost royal topped with resplendent silver hair. As hateful as he was I didn't doubt that he was the most handsome member of the male species I knew. My chest ached and I felt weak and emotionally drained.

I blamed Draco for the break-up. Well it was as close to a break-up as you could get without the title of girlfriend. My moment of happiness was shattered. It wasn't a broken heart but a broken spirit.

I needed somewhere to disconnect from the world for a while. I'd find somewhere to sit and cry. I just needed to rest and weep. Oh gods, I was so sick at heart.

My listless spirit wandered the halls until I happened upon a dusty alcove with a rickety old door. It had to be an old closet from the looks of it; probably one the elves used. I turned the knob and decided to let myself in.

As I proceeded inside, letting the door shut behind me, I noticed that it was surprisingly well lit. That was a good thing. I didn't have the energy to perform any magic. I slunk into a chair, let my bag fall to the floor, and began to sob. What a horrible day!

"Get out!" I heard a loud, assertive, and familiar voice. No, it couldn't be. That was the last thing I needed right now! Please, please be my imagination.

I lifted my watery eyes and my fears were confirmed. Draco was standing by a cabinet not far away with his venomous eyes fixated on me. Bile rose into the back of my mouth and I couldn't move.

"I know you aren't deaf, Persy. I said leave!"

"What are you doing?" I wiped the wetness from my eyes and cleared my throat.

"It's none of your business, Death Eater matters really. Leave before you get hurt little Persy." He glared at me as if I were a speck on his shirt waiting to be plucked away.

"Since when do you care if I get hurt?"

"Just leave."

"Whatever you're doing isn't worth it, Draco."

"Don't tell me it isn't worth it! You haven't a clue."

"I know that you don't have to follow in your father's footsteps." Why I was trying to help him I didn't know, but anyone getting mixed up in death eater activities wasn't good. Not even Draco. "Ah, what does it matter? You couldn't care less what I think."

"What do you know?" He slid his wand into his cloak. "You don't know anything, my dear. Run to forgetful Neville and pretend everything's right in your little Utopia."

"Neville dumped me. Okay? It's all your damned fault!" My eyes began to flood. I thought of Neville avoiding eye contact in the library, not looking at me in the halls, not even sitting beside me in class.

"He couldn't have left you because of me. He left because of you. The entire school knows you're devoted to me." I lifted my head and stared at him in disbelief. "I've known it since first year. You'll put up with anything, and he knows it. Longbottom couldn't handle it. Even your bloody cousins knew!"

I wiped the tears from my eyes, grabbed my bag, and threw it over my shoulder as I headed toward the door. I was extremely nauseous. All of these years everyone believed that I adored him? Preposterous!

"The only person who is devoted to you is yourself." I mocked as I trudged hurriedly past him. He flew in front of me and blocked the doorway.

"Since you're already here…let's have a chat."

"Let's not." I pushed him to the side.

"Colloportus!" yelled Draco. The bastard had locked the door.

My hand reached for my wand to perform the unlocking counter but he grabbed my shoulders and spun me around. I smacked against the door as he seized my bag and threw it behind him.

In the stress of the moment my hand flew out and attempted to slap him. His reaction was well executed as he caught it and started kissing my fingers. Immediately I yanked them away.

"I'm leaving!"

"Good luck getting out."

"I'm not an imbecile. I know how to unlock a door."

"Sure 'bout that?" I shifted uncomfortably and reached for my wand again.

"Alohamora!" My wand was pointing directly at the lock now, but nothing had happened. "Alohamora!" I tried it again and still nothing happened.

"Still sure?" He grinned.

"Why won't it work?"

"Why would I tell you?" I lifted my wand to his neck.

"Because I know a few things."

"What could you possibly know that I don't?" He sneered.

"I know how upset precious Miss Parkinson would be if I rearranged your face." I sneered back. He grabbed my wrist and locked my armed hand at my side, causing my wand to drop. Then he did the same with my other, pushed me against the door, and kissed me. His hands were once again like stone around my wrists. I was trapped.

"Stop, Draco!" I commanded as I jerked my lips away from his.

"Isn't that what you said to Neville? 'Neville stop!' I think I'll keep going like he did. No, I have a better idea. I'm going further." He flipped my now empty hand and crushed his lips against the palm. Their sensation was moist satin, and his breath was like a midsummer night. This incited a desire for him and I realized I was biting my lip.

"I meant it then…" His lips moved over my fingers again, kissing, massaging, taunting. "…and I mean it now..." He abruptly flung my hand down as if it were nothing more than garbage.

"Sometimes I really, truly, hate you Persephone! You-"

"Tell me something I don't know." I lifted my chin.

"Then you say things like that and I realize how much I do love you." He laughed scornfully to himself.

"WHAT?!" Love? Draco? He wouldn't know the definition of the word even if you gave him a dictionary.

"Don't play coy, stupid girl."

"I'm not stupid, you halfwit! What are you scheming?"

"I could tell you, but you wouldn't believe me. You didn't when I protected you from Longbottom. Who knows what he would have done if I didn't show up? …would've raped you most likely..."

"He would never." I retorted.

"Yes, you're right. He probably wouldn't know what to do even if you were willing."

"I'd be willing with him, which is more than I could say for you."

"I'm not done yet." His eyes undressed me, slowly gliding up and down my body.

"I am."

"We're not done yet." He took my chin in his hand, playing his thumb over my lower lip.

"Don't forget that silly spider. Here I'd thought it was Casanova again and you were only afraid of an…" He brought his face within inches of mine. "…itsy…bitsy…"

"Spider? Really, Malfoy. You're going to have to try harder than that to scare me."

"Malfoy now, is it?" There was an instant mirth in his face that dissipated quickly. "And don't forget that I returned to the lake and recovered your precious book… You know what? I should be through with you. Only a simpleton couldn't read those signs."

"Slytherin…" I scoffed.

"Ah yes, stereotypes. My favorite! I'm a Slytherin…Hmm?"

"…and a Malfoy!"

"You've got it, babe. I'm the best of both worlds." He grinned evilly. I struggled to come up with a real zinger. He'd bantered my wits to soot. My brain was temporarily fried, but my mouth blurted out something on its own.

"Two worlds. Population one." He just stood there with a puzzled expression on his face. I thought it was quite the come back for someone brain-dead, but he seemed to think different. He shook his head and ignored my comment completely.

"He doesn't love you." His fingers pushed the infamous stray hair gently behind my ear as his eyes wistfully traveled over my hair, face and neck. "The squib was running on hormones and you were the closest pit stop available. Tell me. How far did he get?" His brows raised and lowered quickly.

My eyes narrowed and I could've turned into a lioness. I could have devoured him right then and there; evil, gory, and savage, just like he deserved. He was insinuating that I'd slept with Neville!!

"You bastard!"

"Answer the question. I'd like to know if you're damaged goods."

"Damaged goods? I'm not a discount item on the shelf of your corner market! You couldn't even buy me with your entire family's fortune! I would never consider you!" I fumed.

"Consider me? You should be honored that I'm bothering to consider you."

"You should be relieved that I haven't cast that Constrixi!"

"No, you have too much integrity." His fingers trailed to my neck and his eyes followed his fingers. "I doubt you did little more than kiss." Apparently he was still dwelling in his own made-up world because he hadn't even acknowledged what I was saying.

"I care about Neville."

"…but do you love him?" His hand moved downward to the top button of my blouse where his thumb and forefinger began to play. I brushed his hand off of me and held my head high.

"Yes! I do love him." Tone it down, Persy. Don't seem so obvious.

"And just who are you trying to convince? Me or you?"

"The only convincing going on is you trying to convince yourself that I have any feelings for you whatsoever!"

"So which is it?"

"So which is what?"

"Am I lying about loving you or am I trying to convince myself that you love me?" I stood there without an answer, in silence; I had nothing. After a few moments the light sound of his shoe tapping on the floor nudged me to come up with something.

"You really are cruel. Does nothing satisfy you but causing misery?" My hand felt the doorknob and wished it were unlocked.

"I'm looking at satisfaction and she is far from misery."

"…and I'm looking at misery. He's far from satisfaction."

"Not anymore." At once his hands were on me again and his lips were pressed hard against mine. I tried to tear them away, but every break I made in our connection he sealed with a deeper one.

His hand traveled to my hair and unclipped it, letting my curls fall loose. I was now realizing that the noose was around my neck and he was tightening it. There was no escape. He ignited me like Neville couldn't.

An eager jump of my hand to the nape of his neck welcomed him. He responded with gentle breath, a deeper kiss, and the descent of his hand to my hip. It squeezed and I answered with a sigh.

Not content with just the kiss, he reached under my shirt and stroked my abdomen. His light touch made its way higher and this caused my body to react. My knee suddenly lurched forward, striking him in the thigh.

"What the bloody f---!" He retracted in shock, grabbing himself.

"Oh my gods! Draco, I'm so sorry! Are you okay?"

"Am I okay? Am I okay?! Your knee almost made marmalade out of my twig and berries!"

"It was an accident! I swear! My body reacts whenever-"

"Your body…is mine…"

"My body is…what?!"

"You heard me."

"Well then, I'm sorry I missed."

Draco flung himself at me with a malicious expression glowing his skin pink with anger. He resembled a demon fresh from hell as he grabbed both of my arms and pinned me painfully to the wall. For the first time, he truly frightened me.

"Don't hurt me…" I cringed. He laughed and I felt small, small enough to crawl under the door and scurry away. Though, if I were that small he'd just stomp me and squish me to bits.

"Not so tough now, are you, Persy?" He laughed.

"Draco…Please…" I winced in anticipation for what he'd do next.

"Persy." He released me and his eyes became thoughtful again. My skin was searing, my head whirling. "Am I so repulsive?" His words stung my ears. He had absolutely no idea how far he was from repulsive.

"No."

"Prove it…" I thought the skin above my breast would rip away and my heart would burn into sight. Ignoring any common sense I once possibly had, I closed the space between us and kissed him. My lips were longing for his now more than ever.

He placed both hands on my waist in a firm, commanding grip as his tongue fought to part my lips. Without warning he turned us around and backed himself into the door. Unpredictable, passionate, fiery, these were all things that Draco was and Neville wasn't. I would let him do with me whatever he wanted. This was a fight I was glad to lose as I abandoned my body to him.

"No!" He pushed me off of him, knocking me backward in the process.

"Draco! What-" I tripped over my bag, falling toward the floor. My body braced itself for impact, but the inevitable didn't happen; hands caught me.

"Looks like you were about to take a tumble there. I couldn't in good conscience let anything happen to…" I smiled and he raised an eyebrow. "…this floor." This floor?! My smile quickly shifted into a seething scowl.

"Proof that you really are repulsive." He promptly dropped me. I landed on my buttocks with a thud and a sharp pain; I knew there'd be a bruise in the morning. "You're a jerk."

"So I'm told." I pushed to my feet and grabbed my bag, throwing it over my shoulder. "Where are you going?"

"Away from you."

"No you're not."

"I'm not going to stay here while you continue to play musical chairs with my feelings."

"Are you not doing the same?"

"Treating me like trash isn't going to make me love you. It only makes me hate you more."

"I'm growing tired of this."

"As am I. I'm tired of you. Six years, Draco. Six years, and you still haven't learned to respect me like a human being."

"Do you know what room this is? It just happens to be the room of requirement." He glided over to me and took my bag from my shoulder, laying it on the nearest table. "In order to find this room you have to want something that dwells within it."

"I merely wanted to be alone."

"You wanted me or you wouldn't have found it."

"I wanted peace and quiet."

"You wanted me."

"You're so full of yourself. There are many things in this room I could want. Look around you."

"The only thing worth looking at is you." He shook his head and leaned down, burying his face in my hair. I didn't bother to stop him; I didn't want him to. For the first time I noticed how amazing his scent was. The aroma was rich and exotic like incense burning fresh on a temple altar.

"I wanted a place to--"

"I love you…" He kissed my neck softly.

"Stop saying that…" My fingers tangled themselves into his hair and my knees began to buckle.

"No." His arm wrapped around my waist and pressed me to him. "I want you."

"Don't say that either…"

"I don't get you…" He released me, creating space between us again. His face became angry and he pulled out his wand. With a few words he sent a chair flying across the room and crashing into a far wall. He stood for what seemed like forever with his wand still drawn. Silence ruled and I could almost hear my own heartbeat.

"You don't love me. You don't even care about me. You can say it until you're blue in the face but it doesn't make up for six years of wretchedness."

"You're thick. I don't treat you any worse than I treat anyone else. I'd say I treat you better than most."

"Wow. I'd love to see how you treat the ones you hate." I was going to melt into a corrosive pool and eat through the floor. Damn him for having this effect on me.

Lovely, he was walking over. My mind braced for another insult. What would it be this time?

"You're so beautiful." I was so shocked that I didn't notice his right hand resting on my hip. He leaned down and kissed me, hard but gentle, eager and hungry. My knees weakened but he caught me. From the deepest depths of my soul to the uttermost ends of my physical being I was on fire. I'd never felt anything like it, not even our previous sessions that night, not even the time before when he'd cornered me in the hall.

My arms flew about his neck, holding steady in case he tried to push me away again. He parted my lips once more with his tongue and I was his. I belonged to him.

"Persephone." Our lips only parted long enough for him to say my name, then pressed on passionately. His hands took hold of my waist, slid to my buttocks, and lifted me onto the table. I wanted him for six long years and he finally wanted me.

I knew I needed to stop him; I needed to stop myself. My fingers shot through his soft hair and his kisses moved to my neck, becoming suckles.

"Draco." I said.

"Mmm?" he grunted.

"Oh gods." I couldn't manage to say what I'd wanted. His lips were so soft. I felt as though all of my blood had been drained and I was left weak and defenseless. I was surrendering to him and I knew it wasn't a good idea. He was becoming more aggressive and I was still encouraging him as he trailed to my collarbone.

"D-Draco."

"Yes, love?" His lips hovered above my skin as he waited for my response.

"Stop." I felt a heavy sigh release from his mouth and he moved back. He stopped? All I had to do was say so? That was…unlike him. He rested his hands against the table on either side of me, with rapid breath and disheveled hair. "Are you going to fly off the handle again?" I swallowed. His grey eyes flipped open and stared coldly at me.

"No, I'm not."

"Are you going to humiliate me?" He leaned forward and I braced myself, but the kiss came without hesitation and landed on my cheek.

"No."

"Thank you." I said as I jumped off of the table.

"Surprised?" His right hand followed me, landing softly on my face then moving down my neck to my shoulder. It massaged as his thumb invaded my shirt collar. The wanton finger wrapped around my bra strap and pulled, then let go. His thumb clamped the strap again but slid downward this time, stopping at my chest. The other fingers enveloped my breast in a tight grip. "Persy..." He bit his lip hungrily.

"Draco…" I grabbed his hand and pushed it from me. "Don't…" He interrupted me with a harsh, captivating kiss. His arms bound me to him as he pressed my body against him once more. Soon there wouldn't be a Persephone to object. I was going to die.

I was sure I never wanted to leave his presence again. We lingered for a few moments until he lifted his lips from mine and I chased them. Not yet. I needed more. He pulled back and nibbled my lip, causing a small tremor throughout my body.

"I love you." He kissed me yet again, softly brushing his lips over mine and I responded gently.

"Stop saying that…" I whispered.

"No."

"You can't possibly love me. You hardly even know me."

"You are the most confusing, contradictory woman I've ever met…" He kissed my cheek, then my chin, then…"I don't know you well enough to love you but you know Longbottom well enough to love him?"

"That's different."

"How?" He was trailing down my neck again.

"Neville has been my friend for six years. He is the best friend I've ever had and most likely ever will." Draco stopped kissing my neck, hovering over it.

"…If I didn't love you I'd pick you up and throw you out of the room right now."

"Then why don't you do it? I've wanted to leave for quite some time now."

"Get out." He backed away from me and his hand slipped inside of his cloak. Within seconds he had his wand halfway drawn.

"You wouldn't…" Tears were welling up in my eyes and I couldn't stay any longer. I pushed away from him as fast as I could, grabbed my bag, and went for the exit. Finding my wand there, I shouted. "Alohamora!" I'd forgotten that I couldn't open it and tried again. "Alo-" I burst into tears, fell against the door, and punched it.

"Alohamora!" I heard a click as the door unlocked.

"Dra-" I started.

"GET OUT!" He turned and glared at me viciously. His ruddy face glistened in the candlelight.

"But-" I stepped toward him.

"Get out Persy, or so help me you'll regret it." I fought back my tears, sucked it up, and stepped backward.

"With pleasure!" My exhausted body shot through the door, but where could I go? The only place was back to my room. I took the long way so that nobody could see how distraught I was. I'd go to there and sleep it off. A good night's rest would be my only savior right now.