Title: Black and Deep Desires

By Dr. Kim-chan

Me: You know, I'm considering changing my penname. Having doctorate degrees in fanfictionology, Potterology, Malfoyology, slashology, and crazyology just isn't what it's cracked up to be.

Draco: That's all well and good, but we're more interested in what happens next.

Me: Oh right! The morning after Ron's mortification.

Ron: (gritting teeth) Don't remind me.

Me: You know what? You've suffered enough. (Unties him) But remember who's boss around here!

Ron: Right…by the way, what's with the dots you're putting before some of your paragraphs?

Me: Since apparently, spacing doesn't work around this joint no matter what I do at Word or the FF.N edit-thingy, three dots before a paragraph mean a change in time or scenery, just to make this crystal clear. Now, are we ready?

Harry: Let's get it over with. Rolling Chapter Six! (Me: That's MY line!)

(New Stuff!)

Me: Sorry for the wait, but something struck me as I was writing Chapter 10. It didn't make sense at all, and so I had to rewrite this, a bit of 7 and 8, 9, and make a new Chapter 10. Really, I don't want Ron's hands too full of problems. The focus is supposed to be around him and Lucius, and adding Blaise in the mix made it more stupid. Therefore, I decided to change the whole course of this Blaise thing. His alchemist father will be crucial, so I couldn't put the Zabinis out entirely. So I made him and Draco a consenting couple…but their road to happiness won't be so easy.

Draco: I don't care. As long as I get some action!

Me: Yes indeed. In fact, that's the whole plot of Chapter 10: action! (hears Ron sighing in relief that it isn't him)

Harry (sadly): What about me?

Me: You come later, and surprisingly, you'll turn out to be a bad guy with good intentions. Still bad, though.

Ron: Harry…a BAD guy! (faints)

Me: Anyway, so enjoy the new subplot, and again, I'm sorry to keep everyone waiting. This is one fic I'm NOT gonna put on the backburner!

(Begin the NEW Chap. 6)

…"Father really did a number on you."

A pair of blue eyes opened cautiously. There were no more haunting shadows dancing on the walls; the fire in the hearth had gone out with the rising of the sun. It was early morning, and Ron was in the same place where Lucius had left him—confused, pained, and dismayed on a silken bed. He barely held any recollection whatsoever of what happened the night before between him and his new master. And now, the familiar drawling voice was addressing him again. Hearing it, the light-headed victim weakly raised his head to look at Draco. The blonde was still in his emerald pajamas, not even dressed. But guessing by the amount of sunshine in the room, the hour had yet to chime even nine.

"Where am I?"

"I could've sworn you asked that same question last night. You're at the Malfoy Manor, being held prisoner, remember?" Draco reminded. Ron shook his head, desperately trying to get his memory back. But he was also observant enough to see that Draco wasn't looking at him—his eyes avoided him entirely. Of course, he was attempting to pass it off smoothly by pretending to look at his nails.

"What's wrong?"

"What?"

"You're not looking at me, or at least you're trying hard not to."

"Merlin, Father must have really done some damage. Either that or you really are a poor, dull-witted excuse for a wizard. I can't believe you don't remember…let's just say that one: I heard everything, and two: I presume you prefer sleeping in the nude."

Ron glanced down at himself and blushed, another cloud of unawareness fazing his vision. Why was he naked? What exactly about last night was he forgetting?

Then it all came back to him like a sudden thunderclap—a wave of recent memories best left forgotten. Dim candlelight…shadows…a feeling of helplessness and fear…a rushing, painful sensation…demonic blue eyes staring down at him…

Bloody bastard!

He jumped up from the bed and put his clothes back on with a sudden rage. Draco stopped paying meager attention to his fingers and stepped back, startled.

"If you're going to look for Father, then you can stop rushing. It's not like he disappeared anywhere. When he doesn't have to go to work or doesn't have any other pressing engagement, he sleeps late…which is now all the time, since he's no longer welcome at the Ministry. He'll soon be getting ready in his bedroom, and I just wanted you to know that he always expects breakfast to be waiting for him."

"What?"

"Does being a servant until your ruddy family pays up mean anything to you, Weasley? Servants cook breakfast and do all those other chores. In fact, before I start to forget—like you seem to be doing a lot—I was sent here on behalf of Father to make sure you woke up on schedule. He woke up for a while, then went back to sleep. Since I can also presume that you're quite filthy from your…other duties last night, it's a bath and then a change of clothes for you…and hurry it up. Father can get rather impatient."

Ron stopped buttoning his shirt as Draco pranced out of the room, then started over more slowly as he now realized he had skipped two buttonholes in his haste. Whether it was from being tired, a sudden distraction within the confines of his mind, or the senseless fact that he was going to remove his clothes again anyway once he stepped into the bathroom, nobody knew, but Ron only buttoned halfway. Walking into the bathroom and closing the door, his thoughts turned once again to his worried family at the Burrow, and his cheeks burned with shame. What would everyone say if they found out? His parents would raise hell, and he never liked anyone making a fuss over him. His friends, Harry and Hermione…he'd never be able to look them in the face again. What was probably the worst aspect of it all was that he was 'soiled', so to speak. In one night, he had lost both his first kiss and his virginity. Those were meant to be something special for his teenage years, something to keep until he had found the right one.

Deep in melancholic thought, Ron drew his bath from just two taps, not bothering to be creative this time. Meanwhile, Draco reentered the room with a set of clothes his father told him to give to their new servant. He hurriedly tossed them on the bed and stood close enough by the door to begin a personal interrogation.

"So, Weasley, what exactly did happen last night?"

"You said you heard it all. You saw me lying here naked and out of my mind—you tell me," Ron shot back loudly over the roaring of the taps. "Besides, I don't want to go into detail."

"I do know, but I was afraid to confirm my suspicions. Father's a real bastard when he can be; sometimes he doesn't even have to make an effort. Mother was the same way. She just flew off to the le Fay estate without even saying goodbye. I used to always be able to get what I want from my parents, but now I wonder if it's even worth it."

Surprised, Ron stopped the taps after a few minutes and immersed himself, carrying his voice through the oak door. "I had no idea you were so sensitive. I thought you loved your mum and dad. Goodness knows you're always bragging about them at Hogwarts. It's always about how your mum gives you a box of chocolates the first day, how your dad got you a spot on the Quidditch team, how your dad will always make things right with a snap of the fingers…not to mention how you almost got Hagrid fired—"

"That bloody overgrown chicken tried to kill me!"

"Oh, boo-hoo! It was your fault in the first place. You damn near gave us a headache going on and on about how wonderful it is to be spoiled, to be a pureblooded Malfoy. Now you're telling that me it's not so wonderful?"

"Maybe I am and maybe I'm not," the blonde replied saucily. "In any case, I'm warning you, Weasley: whatever I tell you must never go outside the Manor. I don't want any part of my private life being made into a school-wide scandal, specifically by Potter."

"Whatever you say," Ron sighed halfheartedly while toying with a washcloth.

"I mean it," Draco growled viciously. "I'm not the type of person who wants everybody to know everything about me."

"What about—?" Ron started.

"Those boneheads don't know half as much about me as you think they do," answered Draco, knowing what Ron was about to ask. "Neither does Parkinson, although it's no secret that she tries her best. I'll admit I'm not that fond of her. She's a flimsy piece of work, she is, with no life of her own…by the way, after breakfast, Father's going to show you around and instruct you about the rest of your chores. Tonight's particularly special because he's bringing guests."

"Who?"

"Callisto Zabini. He's an experienced alchemist who goes around making deals, working for various leaders in the Dark Arts community, rumored to be one of Europe's best. There's a big row among the Death Eaters about his recent contract with Voldemort—of course, that's why you were taken prisoner in the first place—because Voldemort never needed the assistance of an alchemist before, so what he's planning this time must be very important. He's worth more than my father, for goodness sakes…and I'm looking forward to the visit."

"Why?"

"Mr. Zabini comes to visit Father many times, and whenever he does, he always brings his son Blaise. For some idiotic purpose my father doesn't allow me to be intimate with people, but Blaise and I met a couple of years ago and we've been very close since. He's the only person in this world I trust. They—or to be more specific, his father—are going to live here temporarily until Mr. Zabini's job is done," Draco explained breathlessly. Oddly enough, he sounded happy. But just as fast, the light in his eyes went out.

"It'll be unbearable. We'll finally be close and Father's going to have an eye on me nonstop. He already suspects something."

"Wow. Malfoy has a secret boyfriend. Never saw this side of you before. Stud muffin, huh?"

"Shut up; I guess I can get along all right. He's mature, handsome, and already knows his father's business so he can inherit directly after he graduates from Hogwarts…and…"

Draco stopped in mid-sentence, unsure of whether to dispense any further information. On the other side, Ron stared at the oak door expectantly, eventually demanding what he was about to say.

"Let's just say I have experience."

"…Experience in what?"

"…I stopped being a virgin a year ago."

A loud splash indicated Ron's absolute shock. He was a few months older than Malfoy, so it didn't even matter. However, it was still a bit unpleasant to find out something like that. Well,…Ron just lost his, but it wasn't out of consent. Draco willingly gave it away! Therefore, Ron had to say something. News such as this did not go without comment. Although it might come out as tactless, it was within Ron's course of thought that Draco deserved any thoughtless remark he got. And that statement was:

"You slut."

"Stuff it, Weasley. I didn't do it for kicks. I did it because it was the right time. I may've been a little young, but I felt it was time…and it didn't hurt, either. He was so gentle…"

"Ew! Too much information, Malfoy! Why're you even talking to me about this?"

"I can't quite put my finger on it, but you being here instead of Hogwarts puts me at an advantage. Without Potter around, I feel more at ease. I mean, I know you don't get many offers, but you have to know what it's like to truly be in love. You'd have to be pathetic not to have felt it at least once in your life…uh, you do favor boys, don't you, Weasley? Otherwise this conversation was totally useless."

"I said it once and I'll say it again. Your demented father left me alone and naked in a bed. I wasn't particularly glad of it, but I do tend to look nowadays. Even then, after last night, nothing will faze me anymore."

"Good. Here then. Another thing about Zabini is that he's ambitious. He doesn't want to inherit the alchemy trade unless he can find someone to marry. Some nonsense about security, companionship, and liability. The point is that he has his eye on me. I'm willing to do it when I'm old enough, so long as I can find a way to get past my father."

"Your father doesn't seem like the overprotective type. Why's he trying to prevent you from having relations?"

"To be honest, I'm not even sure myself. It's complicated. In any case, I barely see Blaise anymore, so this'll be a golden opportunity for us…and that's why I'm about to ask you a favor."

"So we've had this entire talk so you could ask for a stupid favor?"

"Hear me out! All I want you to do is distract Father as much as possible. I know it sounds hard, but at least try and keep him away from my business so I can spend more time with Blaise. Be by his side every hour, on the hour, or at least as much as possible when Father doesn't call on you. You only have to do this until he leaves, and it may not take that long for Mr. Zabini to finish his project! Please!"

"Fine," Ron consented, wrapping a towel around him. "Now get out so I can dress."

"I hate to admit it, but I owe you," Malfoy resigned, strolling out of the bedroom again.

(End Chap. 6)

Draco: That's it?

Me: I just couldn't get it to stretch. The good stuff's coming later. Next chappie's about Ron's first attempt at being a professional servant. The Zabinis are coming to dinner, you know!

Harry: I got a bad feeling…

Ron and Me: Why?

Harry: Voldemort's planning something "very important". I wonder if it's poison.

Me: Oh no, Harry. Something much worse…well, see ya until Chapter 7!

(Scene fades out, and you hear Harry and Ron saying, "What's worse than poison! Tell us, please, Kim-chan!")