Tainted White

A_N/ I know it's been along time since the last chapter...I thank you for sticking with me. And huge thanks to my beta Lala...because, you see...this is a version no.3 of a chapter 12, and she was patient enough to beta all three versions...and seek for the right one. So, basically, if it wasn't for her, you would probably be reading a chapter 12 badly written, and not in the spirit of the 'Tainted White'. Thanks for betaing it this quickly....I hope to read many of your reviews...because that's the thing that motivates me to go on...............soooo, chapter 12 is waiting to be read and reviewed. Get on it :)


Chapter 12


The reflection in the mirror stared back at her.

Silent.

Silence--speaking with no words....mute accusations screaming....so loud.

She opened the pipe some time ago....let the water running...cold.

Listened to the sound.

She bent down and splashed the liquid across her face...and rose up...wined the wet fingers into her hair...

One of her hands fell down to the sink and held it...the other stopped at her face. Fingers traced the line of her eyebrows....cheeks...jaw....then lips.

Eyes squeezed shut.

Fighting the tears.

Hermione, this is getting old....thought you were stronger...thought you were smarter.

Thought you were an adult.

''Regretting again?'' A low voice made her break the eye contact with the person in the mirror.

He was leaning against the door frame.

She met the eyes of a man who did things to her....did things that trashed her thoughts...things that made her ashamed...made her hungry...and thirsty and ...satisfied...things that made her weak...made her surrender.........submit...to his will, to his damned touch.

The eyes...his eyes...sharp and smooth...cold and burning hot....cruel...and vulnerable.

Everything.

How did your world sum up to this man?

Only him.

Nothing more, Hermione.

One man.

Silence must have lasted too long....because she saw him pushing himself from the door...no effort...perfect control of his movements...walking towards her.

Closer.

She faced the mirror again...to weak to hold his gaze.
She rather looked at the stranger in front of her.

She knew how it was going to be....she knew he would be next to her...in seconds...she knew the feeling. She knew the scent...she knew the skin...and yet it startled her when she felt him behind her.

No, no touching.

Just being there.

Body inches away from body.

Heat tangling around them...threatening to devour. Again.

Like always.

''You didn't answer my question...'' he said.

She looked into the mirror...reflecting him behind...looked to the lips moving...

Avoid the eyes.

''...do you regret it again?'' he asked.

Hermione closed her eyes. Forgetting that he can see her. She remained silent. Unable to talk.

Did she regret it?

Do you regret it Hermione?

He said he won't hurt you again. Last night...he said it.

She felt slender fingers moving her hair away from her neck...without touching the skin. Fought to steady her breathing.

When his hot breath touched the back of her neck, her shoulders went up, head fell down...

He didn't even touch you yet....He didn't touch you..

''I can answer it for you..." he started "....there is a part of you...a part of you that reacts to me...the part that closes yours eyes when I come too close. Part that makes you shiver....shake.... when I stand next to you...a part of you that belongs to me. ''

Hands pressing on her hip bones.

''I don't belong to you.....I....I don't.'' A cry passed her lips.

Oh, really good Hermione...you sounded so firm...so confident.

''Then...there's this other part....a part that makes you regret...makes you cry... then comforts you by saying that I'm a good guy now...that I changed sides...that I betrayed Voldemort...'' he kissed the juncture of her neck and shoulder, then continued in the same low whisper "...loyal part...Potter's...''


Draco grabbed her jaw and turned her head to capture her lips...violent, savage kiss.

Angry.

Because...

She was still fighting this...fighting him. Them.

She was doing it for one reason only...one person only...she was still devoted to a man he hated. She was still disgusted with herself.

She couldn't find it in her to give up on what he gave up a long time ago.

For her.

To have her.

He gave up a life he used to know. One entire life...

She managed to turn around and push him away.

Shaking.

Hands trembling.

''Why...why do you care if I regret it or not...you get what you want anyway....I'm willing, Malfoy....I let you....every time. If I want to die afterwards....what difference does it make to you?'' she felt her bottom lip start to tremble....so she bit it. Bit it so hard.

''How many times? How many times ? How many nights until you stop regretting?'' he asked.

Girl...lost and beautiful...looked up...searching for the eyes that crucified her soul...body...mind...her heart...'' I didn't say I regret it. I didn't say...I said I want to die...''

But the steel grey eyes found the other target....a lip...her lip...beautifully tainted. With her blood.

Blood like his.

Red.

Alive.

Glistening.

He wondered if it was hot.

'' What are we doing....what are you...what are you doing to me? Why?'' She whispered...helpless again. Not noticing his fixation.

He registered the words....why?

''Because I can't help it.''

''You gave away Voldemort....most likely...saved Harry...you, why did you do it? You gave away everything....''

''Not now...''

Good. She wasn't sure she could hear the truth...not yet.

'' Why....why all this?'' She managed.

Do you really want to know Hermione? Is there a way...is there a way even in theory...a way for you to get out of all this? Is there a truth that you could handle?

''Do you want it to stop? Do you want me to stop?'' He asked as he came closer, bare torso, strong neck....beautiful arms....so close.

It's over Hermione...give it up. Give it up already....

She shook her head...and looked up....quietly whispered '' No''

Tainted lips found his....hungry again...starving....and he reacted momentarily...kissed back...thirsty for the blood that he hated so much. She said through his kisses....she said '' Don't stop.''

Don't ever stop.

Don't leave me.

He walked her to the shower...not separating from the body he was addicted to...tangling his fingers into the brown curls that covered the face he wanted to see, needed to see. Pinned her to the tiled wall...let the water run down their half clothed bodies....to cover the tears.

His hands traveled up her thigh...rough touches...bared need.

Greed.

Fingers ripped her panties, impatient...sank into her skin and pushed her up....higher against the wall....drinking the water from her lips...shaking at the sight of her hard nipples through the soaked white shirt...his shirt...on her body.

Leave it...leave it on her...don't take it off...

He didn't.

Legs around his waist....fingers in his hair...lips parted...waiting for him. She was panting with need. The same need. Desperate.

He entered her slowly....looking at the eyes ...lips....neck...eyes....listening to the sharp intakes of breath...It was burning through her lungs as much as it burned through his....

Lips crashed on his...and she took his tongue into her mouth....sucking...and the control vanished...he slammed into her body...she let the moan into his mouth...He felt his legs threatening to give out.

Too soon...it will be over too soon....but he couldn't help it...his temple pressed to hers and he grunted, "I want both parts.....I want it all....''

Weakness in her stomach was so close to spilling through her entire body...and she muttered, "don't....don't stop.'' Before a wave of mind-numbing pleasure drowned her....

Draco bit into her neck...felt the delicate skin breaking...heat warming his lips....she cried in pain...but kissed his temple...gently...soothingly...

One more move and he followed her...

And it was like nothing he ever experienced in his life.....it was something only she could give him...comfort....hope.....

He dared to hope.

Alive again...after he died so many times.

How cruel could life be?

He never thought a day would come that his tears would mix with the blood he hated.