Chapter Twelve- Stolen
A/N: So, in case you haven't noticed my warnings have changed. It is now rated mature and my mild sexual content has upped to sexual content. I guess that kind of gives it away but I figured I'd better tack on an extra warning here just in case.
Opening her eyes to the warm sun draping across her face, Aliana squinted up at the ceiling. The soft white flecks of dust floating lifelessly through the air faded as the sun moved behind a cloud. Out the window she could see that a gorgeous day was forming. Like the many days before, the sun was joining another fresh blanket of snow. The scene was blinding but beautiful just as well.
A sigh escaped the body to her right. He was sleeping soundly as he was encased in dreams. His dreams led him into a frenzy of happiness. They took him to a place where he could find vulnerability. That was where Aliana liked him best.
His chest rose slowly. Up and down, up and down. Each breath pushed a soft puff of air towards her and she could smell the sweet woodsy scent of him. Aliana lay still next to him so she would not wake him. His face seemed so innocent; his expression clearly at peace. This was not the Draco she knew, but one she would like to get to know better. The smirk or scowl that always seemed to reside on his face were now gone. Washed away was the façade leaving only the raw truth behind.
Suddenly his fingers moved slightly and brushed the back of her neck. His arm that was draped tightly around her shoulder pulled her more closely into him. She was reminded of the previous night and a smile rose onto her face accompanied by a fresh tinge of blush.
Laying in peace his arms protectively held around her waist she managed to slow her breathing down to a steady pace. Beside her Draco ran his fingers through her hair as he tried to hide the smile on his face. He was clearly impressed. Whether it was from his accomplishment of getting her in this position in the first place or his sheer amazement at the outcome she had no clue. At this moment all she could focus on was what had happened and how oddly amazing she felt about it. His hands grazed the back of her neck as he rolled so he hovered slightly above her. He ended the night with one sweet kiss. His lips lingering only long enough to leave her craving more.
His lips now parted ever so slightly forcing his mouth into a slight pout. Aliana loved his lips. If there was one thing about him that drove her absolutely crazy it would be those lips. They always pulsed a sweet shade of pink contrasting the white of his skin. She allowed her fingers to trace the outline of them ever so slightly. The sleeping Draco wouldn't even notice the slight pressure.
Eagerly following Draco down the hallway Aliana marveled at the lust that defined the blood pumping through her veins. At this moment that was the fuel to her action. She was acting of the pure and tenacious lust. Her own hands ran through his hair and over his skin as freely as his ran through and over hers. Her mouth moved as powerful and impatiently as his moved on hers. She felt free; free of any restrictions she had held before. She freely allowed his hands to explore her and his mouth to amaze her. She drank in the sweet feeling of his lips on her neck, on her collarbone, on her chest. She was drowning; drowning in the sheer ecstasy searing through her blood.
He was awake now. The innocence and vulnerability had lifted, for the night was over and day had taken its place. Still groggy and sleepy Draco managed a smirk onto his gorgeous lips.
"See something you like there, Miss Moxley?"
"Maybe I do, Mr. Malfoy."
--
Standing in her room at the beautiful Malfoy Manor Aliana stared at her reflection in the mirror. She watched her long dark hair fall in waves down her back. The ends of it were hitting the opening to her backless dress. The fabric was a beautiful midnight blue and it slipped over her skin in its smooth silky material. On her neck lay an array of diamonds sparkling across her skin like tiny stars lighting the night sky. They were a gift from her parents; an early Christmas present. Of course, her parents wanted her to look her best at an event such as this.
Tonight was the, oh so famous, Malfoy Annual Christmas Ball. Not many had expected it to be held because of the circumstances but Narcissa surprised them yet again. She not only held the ball but she planned it all herself. With the help of Draco and Aliana she put together months of planning in only a couple of weeks.
Narcissa had desperately wanted to hold the event and Draco had succumbed to her pleas. He had wanted to have a small dinner instead but he couldn't help but make his mother happy.
"Oh, Alli. You look breathtaking."
Narcissa had walked through the door into her room and now stood fixed on the image of Aliana situated in her floor length mirror. Narcissa was wearing a dark green halter dress that flowed down her body, gracefully brushing its ends on the floor.
"Thanks, Narcissa."
"Could you do this up for me, dear?"
Narcissa had turned revealing an undone clasp at the top of her dress. She pulled back her long silky blond hair. Aliana reached for the clasp and began to fix it into place.
"Is that okay?"
"Oh, yes. Thank you, dear," Narcissa turned towards the door. "I'll see you and Draco downstairs."
"Yeah," Aliana mumbled. "I'll see you later."
She sat on her bed and continued to stare at her reflection in the mirror. Now the beautiful diamonds seemed overpowering and her hair's luster was dull. Compared to Narcissa she was so plain. She tried so hard to look this gorgeous and all Narcissa had to do was shower and throw on a pretty dress. In fact, only twenty minutes before she had been downstairs having a snack still in her bathrobe. Aliana had been up in her room for at least an hour getting ready.
"Hey," Aliana's thoughts were interrupted by a cool voice coming from the door way. "You look gorgeous."
Draco made his way over to her and sat on the bed. His blond hair was left falling down the sides of his face and his shirt was tucked in perfectly. The blue of his tie brought out his eyes and the black of his suit made them stand out even more. If anything, he was even better looking than his mother.
"Ready to go?" Draco's voice was about as enthusiastic as she felt. "Aren't you excited to introduce me to your parents?"
"Oh, because that'll be just wonderfully fun," Aliana laughed as she allowed him to lead her out of her room.
--
The familiar scent of her mother engulfed her as Aliana was pulled into her arms. The soft chiffon of her dress pressed against her cheek as she gratefully hugged her mother. She didn't realize it until this exact moment how very much she missed her family.
At Beauxbatons she had received monthly visits home. And every month she used those visits. Some of the other students stayed at the school but Aliana always made sure to go home whenever possible. Even though they had not always set the greatest examples or treated her perfectly, Aliana loved them to pieces. Her family was extremely important to her.
"Oh, darling. You cannot believe how much we have missed you," Leona Moxley exclaimed while pulling her daughter out of her arms so she could look at her face. "And your hair. My goodness it looks wonderful."
"Thanks mum. I missed you guys too."
Turning to her father she let her smile grow even more. He stood off to the side trying to ignore the extravagant embrace exchanged between his wife and daughter. On his neck, though, was the very tie that Aliana had bought him for his birthday a few years before. Only Aliana could recognize a gesture as sweet as this one.
"Oh, daddy, I missed you so much," Aliana said as she jumped into his arms.
"I missed you too, baby."
Only now had he, over the top of Aliana's head, noticed the confident blond boy standing off to the side. He was a mirror image of his father. Draco Malfoy looked like a younger Lucius Malfoy and yet the air about him wasn't Lucius at all. It was all his mother. Narcissa had obviously passed on her personality to this young Malfoy.
"And, you must be Draco Malfoy," his voice sounded loud and powerful as he let go of his daughter and made his way towards the boy.
"Yes, sir. I must say that it is a pleasure to finally meet you."
Grasping his extended hand the two men exchanged a firm handshake before turning to Aliana once more.
"Oh yes, I almost forgot. Mother and daddy this is Draco Malfoy," she left a pause before she finished. "My boyfriend."
A smug look now lay on Draco's face as a few guys passing by had turned around at her announcement. But the look on her parents' faces was pure glee. The two looked as if they'd never been happier in their lives but Aliana tried not to notice.
"Well, I guess we'd better get inside," Leona motioned to the ballroom door. "We'll talk to you two later."
"Alright. See you later," Aliana smiled as her parents walked off in the direction of the ballroom.
"That wasn't too bad," Draco commented.
"Yeah, they seemed pretty damn happy."
Aliana's smile exuded her mood completely. Tonight was going to be a good night because her parents were ecstatic about her and Draco, Draco was happy because she was happy and tomorrow was Christmas. Suddenly all of her resentment towards tonight had shifted away and she found herself now wallowing in utter excitement.
Draco's hand, now laced in hers, led her into the ballroom and towards the front to a half full table. He pulled out her chair and as she sat down she marveled at the beautiful hall that now sat in front of her.
The domed ceiling and walls contrasted brilliantly with their white on the dark evergreen pines nestled around the room. Each tree was wonderfully decorated in silver and green ornaments. These ornaments were accented around the room by the colors displayed on the tables. The table cloths were also a bright white but the napkins were a green and all silverware and dishes were done in buffed silver. The overall effect of the room was powerful but tasteful none the less.
"Wow. Narcissa did an amazing job in here. It looks gorgeous," Aliana gushed.
"She did, didn't she?" it was now a slight blond across the table talking. "This by far outdoes the decorations from last year."
"Hey," another voice cut across the girl in mid speech. "Your Aliana right? Draco hasn't introduced us yet, but I'm sure he's been meaning to."
"Right," Draco replied in an unenthusiastic voice. "Alli, this is Blaise Zabini, Amber Prescott, Camilla Jacobi, Steele Denver and you know Pansy."
"Hey," she managed to get out before she was interrupted by the appearance of food on the table.
The meal was fantastic, to say the least. Narcissa had done chicken and beef and turkey. She had ordered soups and breads and salads. The drinks were endless and the deserts had even more possibilities. It seemed like the never-ending amounts of food wouldn't stop coming.
But once they were finally full the tables shifted and pushed their patrons out of their chairs so they could magically shift to the sides of the room. The space left in the center of the floor was a large dance floor. The curtains draped from the ceiling to the ground at the front of the room pulled open revealing a band. They automatically started playing and their sweet harmony enticed dancers onto the floor.
After a few songs, and a few drinks, Draco managed to pull Aliana onto the floor as well. She had to admit that he was a great dancer but it came as a surprise that he would dance at all. Aliana had expected to be the one pulling him out there not the other way around.
Suddenly the song switched and Draco pulled her into his arms. The slow beat drifted around them as their bodies melded together beneath the melody.
Before
the gold and the glimmer have been replaced
Another sun soaked
season fades away
You have stolen my heart.
You have stolen my heart.
My head lying next to his heart, the words drifting slowly around our feet; it all felt perfect. This song, this night, this moment; everything was just perfect.
Invitation
only
Grand Farewells
Crush the best one
Of the best
ones
Clear liquor and cloudy eyed
Too early to say
goodnight
You have stolen my heart
You have stolen my heart
Her head lying on my chest next to my heart, the words speaking truths around our feet; it was all so perfect. The music, the evening, the moment; it was just so perfect.
And
from the ball room floor
We are in celebration
One good stretch
before our hibernation
Our dreams assured and we all
Will sleep
well
Sleep Well
Sleep Well
Sleep Well
Sleep Well
You
have stolen my
You have stolen my
You have stolen my heart
The song is bursting our emotions, filling the room in a beautiful glow of peace. The song is speaking the truths we cannot speak and giving us strength to feel and smile and laugh. It's exploding our hearts allowing the love to float out around our bodies. He is encased in it.
Watch
you spin around
In your highest heels
You are the best one
Of
the best ones
We
All
Look
Like
We
Feel
You
have stolen my
You have stolen my
You have stolen my heart
The melody is filling the room with sweetness; its bursting the truths we dare not speak. It is filling us with the power to feel and smile and laugh; letting us free. It is exploding our hearts into tiny bits that are floating around outside of our bodies, carrying all of our love. She is encased in it.
--
Letting the night wash around them it ends in a flurry. Goodbyes and thank you's are thrown around carelessly. Soon the bustling party had halted into a small threesome of the Malfoy's and Alli. This too swiftly dwindled down to two as Narcissa bade them goodnight.
"I'm bloody tired," Draco yawned as he stretched his arm around her. "Wanna go to bed?"
"Mhmmm. Sounds good," Aliana was just about to agree when a thought struck her. "Wait! We forgot to leave milk and cookies out."
"What? Oh, god," he sighed. "You don't still believe in Santa Clause do you?"
"No," she stated fiercely. "It just doesn't seem right without them."
--
Waking up early on the gorgeous Christmas morning was a treat. Outside lay new brushes of snow and inside the warm heat from the fireplaces emanated around the manor. The holiday season was only more warmly celebrated by the beauty of the spell cast around them.
"Come on, Alli. Let's go downstairs," Draco was pulling on the sleeve of her pajamas.
"My goodness! You're like a little kid on Christmas morning."
"But it is Christmas morning," he whined.
Aliana gave in and followed him down the stairs and into the family room where their Christmas tree had been set up. Narcissa was already waiting along with a small plate of breakfast for each of them and a nice warm cup of apple cider.
"Thanks, Narcissa."
"Yeah thanks mum," Draco's voice sounded over the rummaging of boxes.
He started throwing presents at the two women, obviously, eager to get to his own. Finally finishing the divvying out of gifts Draco retired to a lazy armchair so he could open his.
Across the room spread out on the floor Aliana began opening hers as well. On top of the necklace her parents had gotten her a few books and a new quill. From her friends at Hogwarts she had received many presents. Elizabeth had bought her a collection of muggle novels, which she quickly hid from Draco. She had gotten a simple sweater from Rayna and a bunch of candy from Kyrah. Pansy had even gotten her a new set of inks and parchment.
Draco, looking quite satisfied at his mound of gifts, retired to finishing off his breakfast.
"Want to go for a walk?" he asked her quite casually. "It's nice out. I know you love the snow."
"Yeah, sure. Just let me take this stuff up to my room first," she gratefully replied while gesturing at her pile of presents.
Finding her way up to her room was not an easy task, but she managed to find it eventually. Walking in with the pile of books and quills and clothes she noticed another present waiting for her on her bed. Aliana set the stack she held down in the corner of the room and made her way towards the beautiful gift wrapped in a bright gold paper. The shape gave away what it held but she still had no clue as to who it was from.
A letter was nestled tightly between the bow and the gift itself so Aliana snuggled it out and opened it up.
Aliana,
Happy Christmas Darling! We haven't spoken in forever and, well, all of us were expecting you to visit during the break. But it's all right; we'll forgive you… this time!! I'm not sure if you knew but Saber's funeral was this past Thursday. They decided to delay the service until winter- you know how it was his favorite season. It was really beautiful, Alli. I wish you would have been there; he would have wanted you there. They sprinkled his ashes on the quidditch pitch. It was where he spent most of his time at school so they thought it would be appropriate. But, anyways I just wanted to keep in touch and I also wanted to send you this gift. You'll know what it is once you see it. But I felt that since you two were so close you deserved something of his: to remember him by.
Love you lots, Anna Leigh
P.S. Write soon… we all miss you!!
Before she even finished the letter tears spilled onto the parchment. The simple mention of his name caused her to relive it all again. The pain, the hurt, the anger, it all came rushing back. She didn't want to open the present in fear of what was inside but another part of her desperately wanted what was inside. The latter got the best of her and she tore into the tear soaked wrapping and opened up the jewelry box. Inside lay exactly what she feared. His necklace, his lucky necklace, the one he had never taken off was now sliding through her fingers. The dragon tooth necklace, the one possession he cherished, lay next to her crumpled figure on the floor.
"Alli?" Draco's concerned voice entered the room as he moved onto the ground next to her. "What's wrong? What happened?"
Soaked in her own tears she snuggled her face into Draco. She let the inconvenient truth wash over her and she struggled with any answer to the millions of questions he was throwing at her.
"I can't, Draco. I don't," she choked out through the sobs that raked her body. "I don't deserve this, any of it. I was so wrong, Draco. I thought I was right but I wasn't. I wasn't."
All Draco could do was hold her as tight as he could. He held on to her because he didn't want to lose her and because he didn't want her to see the fear in his eyes. Her random sentences were jumbled together and he couldn't make sense of a thing she said. So, all he could do was hold onto her and listen to the messy words coming out of her mouth.
"He didn't deserve it," Aliana whispered. "None of them did."
A/N: So, that was chapter twelve!! I know its not my best writing but I find it hard to write fluffy kind of chapters. The beginning, though, I loved to write. That kind of surprises me but who doesn't love a Draco/ anyone sex scene. So, I would love to know what you thought about that part as well as the song I used. This song is my all time favorite song. It is called Stolen by Dashboard Confessional. I adore it and absolutely had to use it in this story. So let me know what you think of the song and how I used it… I wasn't too sure about using it so, yeah!! :P let me know what you thought. Keep reading and reviewing!