The Usual Suspects

I thought about Cho as I lay, my body still tingling from what had happened with Draco. Did kissing Cho make me a lesbian? I rolled to my side, drawing my knees up to my chest. I certainly didn't want to touch her the way I'd touched Draco. I pulled my knees tighter. I never would have touched him like that if it hadn't been for that spell.

But I liked touching him, and that hadn't been the spell, had it? I squeezed my eyes shut. I didn't want Cho. I just wanted to be able to talk to her again, to pretend I hadn't...I shivered. What had I done? My mind was suddenly blank. I'd lost my train of thought.

I stretched out again and stared at the ceiling. I should write Cho a letter, I decided. She probably won't want to talk to me.

I got up and grabbed my bookbag, plopping back onto the bed. I spread a sheet of parchment over the back of a book and picked up my quill.

Dear Cho

It already sounded like a come-on.

Cho,

I'm so sorry about what happened. I was confused.

I paused and stared at the paper, struggling for more words.

I don't want to lose my best friend.

Mary

I copied the letter onto another paper and folded it up, tucking it into the book.

There. All better.

After supper, I caught Cho in the corridor. She was with Marietta Edgecombe, who had begun wearing a burka the previous year. Only her eyes were visible through it.

"I have a letter for you," I said, thrusting the letter toward Cho.

Cho looked flustered. She didn't look at me.

Marietta held out her hand. "I'll take it," she said.

"But...it's for Cho," I stammered.

Marietta looked at Cho, who was staring resolutely at a group of kids nearby.

"Please read it," I pleaded, then handed the note to Marietta. "I'm sorry," I said. I turned and left, heading back to the dormitory.
I lay in bed fighting back tears. My mother was dead and I had no one to talk to. I'd alienated the only true friend I had, and now I was alone.

I thought about Draco. He wanted me, at least. And when he smiled, I felt like the world was right.

I get to see him tomorrow. The thought was comforting.

I drifted to sleep, but in my dreams, I saw my father. Here he was in danger. There, he was the danger. I woke tired and confused, emotionally spent.

I dressed. I ate breakfast for the first time in a week, then headed for the Quidditch Pitch. I knew I'd be early, but didn't care. I had nothing better to do than wait, and it may as well be outside.

Draco appeared at a quarter of noon. I watched him walk toward me with an eagerness I tried not to show. I was sitting on the grass in the shade of one of the stands, all but hidden from the view of the school. I moved to get up, but Draco waved his hand, then sat beside me.

"How are you?" he asked, and I thought I saw genuine concern in his eyes.

"I'm fine, really," I said.

"You're fine about yesterday?"

I blushed, but nodded.

Draco leaned toward me, his words a whisper on my neck. "It felt good, didn't it?"

I gulped, closing my eyes as I nodded.

"Did it feel wrong?"

I paused, then shook my head. Draco's fingers were at my jaw, turning my face toward his. I was struck again by how beautiful he was, all pale and soft lines around a pointed chin.

His lips curved, and he leaned toward me. We kissed, and it was wonderful, but it made me want more. I lay one hand flat on his chest, but it wasn't enough. He pulled away.

"Do you want to do it again?" he asked.

I nodded. I wanted it so much!

Draco pulled his wand from the folds of his robes and I closed my eyes. The feeling of relaxation washed over me again, and I welcomed it. I felt Draco's hand smoothing back my hair, and his lips on my neck.

Touch me...don't be afraid... Why would I be afraid? I touched him, smoothing my fingers across his chest. I could feel his lips at my neck and his hands on my breasts, which tingled pleasantly. Tell me you like it... "I do..." Tell me how much you like it when I touch you... His hands slid down my stomach to the lightly throbbing place between my legs.

"I like it so much." I had to say more. It wasn't enough. I needed to tell him how much... "I love it when you touch me." Say my name... "Draco...I love it when you touch me, Draco." Touch me... I knew what he wanted. Through the fog of peaceful pleasure and hazy desire, I knew what he wanted, and I wanted to do it for him, wanted to do anything to make him happy.

I touched him, hard through his robes, and rubbed, stroked, appeasing my own need. Tell me what you want... "I want to touch you, Draco." What do you want me to do to you? His fingers stilled against me, and the tingle I'd felt roared into a throb of need. "Touch me, please, Draco, I want you to touch me!" His hand moved again, stimulating shocks of pleasure. Come with me... I was already coming. I fondled him, unable to stop even as my body began to spasm. Come with me now... I came again, shuddering against Draco's hand as he released, as he throbbed and softened beneath my fingers.

The haze faded, and again I was left breathless with relief and pleasure. I looked at Draco wide-eyed as he cleaned himself with a swish of his wand. When his eyes met mine, he smirked.

"You liked that, didn't you?"

I nodded, chewing my lip. I couldn't look away this time. Something about my fear had disappeared.

"What is it?"

I licked my lips. "I was wondering..." I didn't think I could say it.

"What?"

"I...I want to see it." I must have blushed crimson, but it seemed like such a huge thing to ask. Draco grinned, then stood up, offering me his hand. I took it and pulled to my feet. "I'm sorry," I stammered. "I shouldn't have..."

"No," Draco interrupted. "Just not here."

I glanced around the Quidditch Pitch, suddenly shocked, not at what I had done, but where. No one was there, but all the same, I let Draco lead me back to the castle.

Inside, we walked together through groups of students here and there in the corridors. Some stared at us, and I looked quickly away, but Draco led me on without a second glance. It was as if he were so used to being looked at that he didn't notice.

We turned down an empty corridor, and halfway down, Draco turned and walked back the way we'd come. We turned again, and Draco pulled me toward the far wall, where there was a door. For a moment, I wondered why we hadn't gone in the first time we'd passed, but then it struck me; the door hadn't been there before.

Draco pulled open the door and I stepped inside a dark room. The door closed, shutting out the last bit of light. "Lumos." Draco's voice cut through the silence, bringing with it a spark of light.

"The Room of Requirement," I murmured. I'd heard of it somewhere before. Students finding this room when they least expected it. Draco moved from my side, lighting candles along the walls. Soon, the room glowed, a dim light permeating the air, illuminating a low bed along one wall. I stared, wondering vaguely what I had gotten myself into.
Draco's hand threaded through mine, and he led me to the bed, sitting down on the emerald green covers. I stood in front of him, watching as if from a dream. He hadn't cast that spell on me, but everything felt so surreal that I couldn't help thinking that it wasn't real, that there were no expectations, no consequences, no reality.

Draco pulled his robes over his head, laying them at the foot of the bed. Beneath, he wore a simple, crisp, white button-down shirt and black slacks. My hands flexed, then I reached forward, fumbling for the button at his neck. I suddenly wanted to see all of him, curiosity driving me.

Draco's fingers joined mine, and together, we parted the folds of his shirt, revealing a white undershirt beneath. He removed his shirt, then his undershirt, and I bit my lip as he sat looking up at me. He was thin, but muscular, each muscle finely etched. His hand found mine and brought it to his chest. His eyes closed as he moved my hand across his skin. His hand left mine, but I was already there, already touching him, unafraid. I paused at his nipples, rosy buds flat against him, and he sucked in a sharp breath.

"Was that wrong?" I asked.

Draco opened his eyes, which gleamed. "No," he said, and I felt a sense of power and desire wash ever so softly through me. He reached for his belt, and I watched his hands, curiosity overtaking my fear. Why I should be afraid I didn't know, but I was, something inside me more than wary.

The click and slide of his belt opening made my heart jump. His fingers were so agile that I let myself become entranced. Their length, the smooth, rounded ends were a kind of art. Draco's trousers opened, revealing a layer of black silk. I looked up at him, and our eyes met.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Yes," I whispered. "I want to see all of you."

I held my breath as he kicked off his shoes and stood, trousers falling to the floor. Black silk boxers followed, and I breathed sharply at the sight of him. Slender hips curved into a mass of dark, golden curls. He was hard already, long and thick. I looked into his face, a pale rose smirk beneath sparkling eyes.

"Touch me," he said.

I didn't have to, but I wanted it so bad. My fingers stretched around his length, velvety to the touch, but hard as iron. I heard him moan softly and felt bold. I grasped him firmly and he gasped as I released him.

"Do it again," he said softly.

I looked up, and his eyes were glazed. They flickered toward my hands, and I smiled, wrapping my fingers around him again. His hand laid across mine, and he pulled, my hand stroking his length. His abdomen shuddered slightly, and we moved together again, back and forth. His hand left mine, and I continued the movement, my other hand reaching to touch the tip softly. Draco gasped and grabbed my hand.

I looked up, and his eyes were dark. His lips pressed to mine, demanding. I could feel the heat of his body through my clothes, and I wanted them gone! I felt impatient as his hands and mine fought to pull off my robes, to open my shirt, pull down my skirt. He fumbled with the clasp of my bra, but I swatted his hand away, lost in the need to have it off now. I slipped my panties to the floor, then realized I stood naked. He was naked.

I looked into his eyes, but they were devouring me, skating across my flesh. I blushed, but felt wetness form between my legs as he looked at me.

Draco stepped forward, his arms wrapping around me, and the shock of his skin, so cool on mine, sent a shiver through my body. I could feel him pressed against me, could feel the wiry curls against my hip and the smoothness, the heat. Draco turned me, and the sheets of the bed tickled my calves. He pressed me back into the mattress, lying above me. I just wanted to see, I thought, but he kissed me, and I forgot everything.

Everywhere he touched me my skin came to life. I shifted against him, trying to touch him more, trying to cover my skin with his. He was so smooth, so cool and soft. His lips were on my breast, and I gasped, biting my lip. His hand brushed the curls at the joint of my legs and found the dampness between. My knees moved, but his hips were there, and all I could do was press against him.

Something slid inside, cool and smooth. His thumb pressed against me, and I felt myself coming toward...His lips were on mine as I grabbed his shoulders for support. He kissed me. I kissed him too, but it was so much more when he touched me.

His hand left my body, and I broke the kiss. "What..." I began. I felt the smooth tip against me, and it brought dampness of its own. "No!" I said, and tried to move away. Draco pressed me further into the bed, holding me still.

"Why not?" How could his eyes be glazed with lust and still gleam like that?

"I could get pregnant," I said, and it was the only argument I could think of. I wanted it too.

Draco pushed onto his knees and reached behind him for his robes. He pulled out his wand and murmured something too softly for me to hear. When he had finished, he tucked his wand away and leaned over me again, eyes flashing. "No, you couldn't."

"What?" I was distracted by his lips at my neck again, but I could make out his voice between kisses.

"You won't...get pregnant..."

"A charm?" I asked, the fog of desire creeping in.

Draco nodded against me, his hips nudging my thighs apart. Again I felt the slick heat against me, but I didn't argue. I needed what only he could give. I needed someone to want me.

I felt the pressure as he entered, but he stopped, and I opened my eyes. He looked down at me, and I couldn't look away, couldn't close my eyes again. I felt a sharp stab of pain and gritted my teeth. The pressure was almost too much. I felt a wave of regret.

Draco's hand found that bit of pleasure and stroked it, and I forgot the pain. I began to pulse again, and I felt him move inside me, pushing farther in, the bit of pain it caused nothing against the feel of his fingers pressing through my curls. He began to pull out, and I bit my lip again, sorry it had to end, but he pushed back in, the buzz of gratification renewing.

He moved, out, then in, and I picked up the rhythm, my hips moving in time. His hand left our center, but the thrill grew without it, leaping with every stroke.

It built until I was afraid I'd go mad, and I opened my eyes to see Draco's face tense with concentration. I broke, my body shattering into a million pieces, each screaming joy and satisfaction. Suddenly Draco left me, and I felt dampness across my thigh. His body was tense a moment longer before I saw his muscles relax. I pulled him on top of me, his skin no longer cool against mine, but mildly warm and comforting.

A minute or so we lay like that before Draco lifted himself on his arms. He pushed to sit, and I sat as well, suddenly feeling how exposed I was. Draco reached for his wand and I looked down as the wetness on my thigh disappeared.

"What was that?"

"That's why you won't get pregnant."

"What about the other spell?" I asked.

"You needed to relax," he said.

My cheeks burned. "Was it a spell?"

Draco stood and pulled on his boxers. "No."

I thought for a moment. At the point I'd stopped him, I would have gone ahead without his reassurance. I'd stopped him, but would I have said no a second time? I doubted it. Though I felt a little hurt, I didn't regret giving in. I reached for my clothes and pulled them on, glancing now and then at Draco, who moved with a grace I could only dream of. I slipped my school robes back on and turned to face him.

"When will I see you again?"

He tossed his head slightly, his hair moving out of his face. "Are you going to class tomorrow?"

Tomorrow was Monday. "Yes," I said.

"Then I'll see you in class." He moved to the candles along the wall and began to blow them out, one by one.

"But when will I see you again?" I asked.

Draco paused, then turned to look at me. "Tomorrow," he said.

Draco kissed me goodbye at the door. I watched him walk away, his easy grace catching at my breath. The way he carried himself, with confidence and unspoken power, entranced me.

I headed back to the dormitory and pulled out my books. I'd been given a list of assignments and hadn't started a single one. I found an empty table in the common room and set myself to reading, but by the time I reached the bottom of a page, I'd forgotten what I'd read.

I couldn't concentrate. It was no use. I looked over my assignments, hunting down each answer individually. It took the rest of the night, and I was up until well after midnight. I still wasn't satisfied; many of my answers were incomplete, but my eyes refused to stay open. I shoved my books away and dragged myself to bed, then lay staring at the ceiling until just before dawn.

When I stumbled out of bed in the morning, I dreaded class. I wanted to climb back under the covers and do nothing, not even think. But I'd told Draco I would see him, and I couldn't lose him too, not when I'd just found him.

When I got to Professor Snape's class, the door was already open, and many of the students seated. Draco, as usual, was near the back of the classroom, a perfect spot for observation. The only place open to me was one in the second row. I glanced at Draco, and he cocked an eyebrow at me. I blushed, suddenly feeling as naked as I had been...had I really done that? I sat down. My body ached a bit. I could remember the feel of his skin on mine, the pain as he entered.

Class began, and I tried to pay attention, but my thoughts kept drifting. Luckily, today's lesson was a lecture, so I got by on following Professor Snape with my eyes, though later I couldn't recall a word he'd said.

When the end bell rang, I gathered up my bookbag as quickly as possible and headed for the door, but Draco was no longer in the classroom. A twinge of sadness flittered through me as I walked out of the room.

"Not regret, I hope?"

I turned to see Draco lounging just in the corridor, a playful smile easing the mischievous angle of his brow. I smiled. "I thought you'd left without me!"

Draco nodded toward the left, and we turned down the corridor together. "I said I'd see you today," Draco drawled, sounding almost bored. I nodded. "Meet me in the corridor after supper," he said simply. I looked at him, and his eyes were gleaming again. I knew what he meant. I nodded again. Draco's lips curved, and I couldn't help smiling as well. Draco turned at the next staircase and left me staring after him, eager for the night.