Draco Lucius Malfoy (d_l_malfoy) wrote in madisonvalley, @ 2016-10-22 08:40:00 |
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Shaken by her encounter with Paige where she’d had her magic confirmed, Sydney had spent the rest of the week in a daze. Her mind almost couldn’t grasp the possibility that she had magic of her own, and that she could use it for things beyond what the Alchemist’s toolkit could help her do. She kept trying to mull over the fact that she had magic, and her mind just kept skipping over it - and coming back to it. - and skipping over it - and coming back to it. All this had made her behind in her research for her report, so she’d stayed late at the library tonight to make some headway on it. It was a relief, in a way, to have something else to focus on. For a few hours, it was just her and Roman aqueducts, and everything was so much simpler. When she finally lifted her head from her books, she realized it was nearly 9 and the library was closing. Quickly packing up, she gathered her books to head to the checkout counter. *** Despite what many people would have thought, Draco wasn’t stupid. He may have been egotistical and arrogant, and generally with good cause in his own mind, but he was also incredibly observant and intelligent - able to piece together puzzles, finding patterns and connections. And right now, Sydney was something of a rather large puzzle. He’d spent the week attempting to spark conversations with her, whether during or after class, and found that her mind was not completely focused. Something was distracting her and Draco wasn’t able to find a clue as to what might be the issue. But perhaps her lack of clear thinking could lead to his benefit. Deciding that it was time to put the plan he and Rose had discussed into action, Draco reached out to Rose and together they finalized some details as Draco tracked down Sydney. It didn’t take much thought to find her in the library, busy researching. The only question now was how to lure her into the closet. That ended up being Rose’s job in the adventure. Draco found the convenient closet to the library, using magic to let himself in and make sure that the outside didn’t read ‘supply closet’ so that Sydney wouldn’t be suspicious. *** When Rose showed up near closing time to announce that Sydney had been there too long and she was there to take Sydney to eat and go home, Sydney was less surprised by the unexpected visit than the fact that Rose was in a library. (She didn’t mention that to Rose, though.) They were just about to leave, when Rose suddenly opened a door by the exit and hipchecked Sydney into it. Completely taken by surprise, Sydney didn’t have a chance to resist. One moment she was buttoning up her coat, and the next she was in a closet with the door slammed in her face. “Rose?!” She banged on the door. “Rose, what’s going on? This isn’t funny!” *** That Rose’s solution to the problem would have been violence should not have been a surprise to Draco. Somehow, he still was surprised. Which is why as Sydney banged on the door, Draco mentally sighed. Really this could have been done with a great deal more of finesse. Beggars could not be choosers on the other hand so he would have to make the best of it. Which meant, Rose would get the blame all the way around, allowing himself and Sydney to find a common enemy. “Don’t bother,” Draco drawled from the seat he had made for himself on a large box of hand towels. “She doesn’t appear to be interested in any sort of appeal. So I suggest you get comfortable.” He gestured at the box beside him, indicating she could have a seat. “Perhaps you have insight into her … decision to trap us into here.” *** Intent on trying to get Rose to let her out, Sydney didn't realize she wasn't alone until Draco spoke. When he did, she nearly jumped out of her skin. “Oh my god, what are you doing here?” The closet was tiny; now that she was aware of him, she couldn't believe she hadn't noticed him before. He seemed so close. *** “I suggest you pose that question to our captor,” Draco said, gesturing at the closed door. “Rose did not, unfortunately, provide me with an opportunity for question and answer time regarding her motives. So here I sit.” His hands opened wide, including the entire 5ft by 5ft space of the supply closet wherein much of the floor space was taken up by boxes and shelving. “What are you doing in here?” he asked in return, folding his arms across his chest. “I figured this was my own personal punishment for some imagined slight instead of getting a pleasant companion as a reward.” He gave her that patented smirking grin, wondering what Sydney would do now. Hopefully, he could lure her to come and sit down at the least. *** While Sydney could very well believe that Rose would lock Draco in a closet to punish him for something, she couldn't understand why she was also being punished. She banged on the door again, yelling for Rose, but when there was no reply, she let out a frustrated sigh and turned to look over her shoulder. “You're a wizard,” she said, even though the words tasted like ash in her mouth. “Can't you...magic it open?” *** “You really want me to cast magic so close to you?” Draco asked, raising an eyebrow in disbelief. “I believe you have repeatedly told me that magic was evil, thereby implying that I am evil, so I am not sure that is a chance I should take.” Of course her lack of understanding of magic would make it easier for him to indicate that the attempt failed. But he wouldn’t do it unless she was willing to take the risk. “Though you are clearly desiring to get away from me,” Draco added, the sulky teenage boy in him attempting not to pout. “I had not realised you found me so offensive.” *** Sydney scowled. What a time for him to throw her words back at her! “Fine,” she said grudgingly. “I...admit there are times when magic can be useful.” The words sounded as pained as it was painful for her to say them. “And I don't find you offensive. It's just that the library is closing and I don't want to be locked in here all night.” *** That actually surprised Draco - she was willing at admit such a thing. He could see nothing about her that promoted deception in the statement. Standing slowly, Draco made his way to the door, deliberate in his actions. Pulling out his wand, Draco looked at her. “I can’t guarantee this will work,” Draco noted. “Not all magic is the same and mine may not react to someone else’s in a normal fashion.” HIs mind was already plotting for how to make sure the magic didn’t work the way she wanted - with an unlocked door and freedom to go. “So just be prepared to be stuck in here,” Draco commented and then stood still, inches from her. “Though you could try using your phone thing to call Rose. I don’t have mine or I’d do that first.” Of course Rose wasn’t likely to answer for either of them at this point, but it was a logical step. *** He was standing close - so close - and for a moment Sydney forgot why he'd come over. “Um…” she said, and then shook her head to clear it. “I'll try.” She pulled out her phone, taking great care to keep her elbows in so she wouldn't brush up against him. “But if she's not answering the door, she probably won't pick up her phone.” *** “Nothing ventured, nothing gained,” Draco pointed out, not moving to give her more space. Crowding her was part of the reason they were in this situation. So he stood there as she dialed and listened to to phone ring and ring. When it was obvious Rose wasn’t answering her phone any more than she was answering the door, Draco gestured at the locked exit. “Want me to try magic?” he asked, leaning slightly towards her, ostentatiously going for the wand in the pocket of his trousers. He grinned wickedly at her for a moment before adding, “Just be prepared for an abundance of ‘I told you so’s.” *** Leaning over her as he was, there was no way Sydney could sidle away while he worked his magic. She just had to stand there, breathing in his scent, while he applied his wand to the door. She kept waiting for the click of the lock, but it didn't come. She chanced a look behind her, bringing her shoulder against his chest. “Any luck?” *** “No success with the lock,” Draco said, shaking his head. He hadn’t even really cast of spell, but then he doubted she’d be aware of that. The wand was enough of a symbol to her to make her think he was doing something. Looking at her, reveling in the fact that she was so close to him, close enough for him to see the flecks of color in her eyes, feel her lean strength, Draco momentarily lost his train of thought. What was he doing here? His body decided it wasn’t important - the feeling she inspired was far more intriguing. Leaning towards her, as if pulled by a magnet, Draco’s only thought was Sydney. And then he realised that wasn’t what he should be doing. Crap. “I could blast the door open,” he said, clearing his throat and trying to get himself under control. What was it about her that made him lose his mind? *** Sydney didn't even realize that he was leaning into her and that she should be moving away until he moved back - and then she sagged slightly, as if she were a puppet on a string and he was the only thing holding her up. “I...um…” What had he suggested? She'd forgotten. But she didn't want to admit that, because then he'd smirk knowingly at her, and he'd know that he had this stupid, inexplicable effect on her. “If that's what you think will work.” That was a safe enough response, she hoped. *** For the moment, Draco was worried too much about his own inability to keep his own cool to notice Sydney’s reaction. It wasn’t like him to be so … out of control. This was supposed to be a seduction of Sydney not him. He was supposed to be able to walk away with ease, but somehow he wasn’t in all that much control. A deep breath in and out and Draco considered his own suggestion. “I don’t know,” he said, not willing to get them out just yet, though a part of him was rethinking this whole plan - it was appearing that he was being seduced as much as Sydney was. He shoved aside any doubt to comment. “Somehow blasting open the door with us so close doesn’t seem like too bright of a plan.” Reaching up a hand, allowing it to pass near to her without touching her, Draco touched the door frame. “Perhaps if we sat down and thought this through instead of just reacting, we would come up with a plan,” he noted, looking down into her eyes. For another few moments, he lost himself to her gaze. At this rate, he’d just confess to falling for her and to Salazaar with getting her to admit the same. *** ...had she just agreed to blasting the door open with them both in it? That had to be a sign of how much he'd rattled her. Sydney made a mental note to herself to kill Rose when she got out of there. But first, she had to get out of here. “Fine,” she said, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “So your magic doesn't work.” And she had no control over hers. “And you have no idea why Rose put you here or how she's countering your magic?” *** And now he was busy thinking about the fact that he wanted to be the one who tucked away that strand of hair. Bloody hell, he was losing his mind. Gathering back all his wits with a deep breath, Draco looked at Sydney, realising they were still inches away from one another. “Um,” he started of, seriously mentally hampered as he looked at her. Get it together Malfoy. Follow the plan. “All magic is different. And she may have used a spell that a simple unlock won’t counter. It may require a different spell, but that could take time to think of. I’m not aware of all the ways that she could have locked it. And that doesn’t take into account that she may have found a physical means of keeping it closed.” He shoved a hand through his hair. “And I don’t know why. I mean, we talked last week and it was quite civil….” He trailed off, letting Sydney come to her own conclusions. *** “Do you think something's messed with her?” Sydney asked, trying to concentrate on the situation. It was difficult when he was standing so close. She kept feeling like the air was being sucked out of the room, leaving her breathless and anxious. She was concerned about her friend, though. It was unlike her to do this kind of thing without provocation, and she definitely didn't have the kind of magic needed to keep a door locked. The more she thought about it, the more she disliked their situation. *** “It’s possible,” Draco said, looking at Sydney, his hand reaching up and tucking aside a strand of her hair for her, almost absently. “This place certainly makes people do strange things - things that are not explainable.” Taking his hands and putting them in the pockets to keep himself out of trouble, Draco asked, “What about you? What did she say to you before you ended up in here? She lured me in here, telling me about a book she thought I might find interesting…” He shook his head at his pretended gullibility. “I mean, last week we’d talked just about the classes you and I were talking and how…” Draco stopped and looked at Sydney and then shook his head. “I can’t imagine that had anything to do with this.” He gestured at the tiny space they were in. *** “If Rose is possessed, we have to warn people,” Sydney said quickly, trying to keep herself focused. It was not easy when her skin still tingled from where he'd touched her. “We have to...we have to…” She'd forgotten her train of thought again. Was there magic in this room too? Magic that made her unable to look away from his lips whenever he talked and wonder what his words would taste like? “We have to get out of here,” she finally managed. “Maybe we can pick the lock.” *** “Do you know how to pick a lock? Because I would like to assure you that I wouldn’t know how to do anything so mundane,” Draco pointed out. “So that would be an excellent idea if either of us had that skill as I can’t imagine, though you are amazingly smart and beautiful, that you have such a skill.” Unintentionally he leaned towards her again, voice lowering as he continued to talk. “Though maybe we shouldn’t be in such a rush,” he whispered, giving into the visceral need to touch her by brushing back another stray hair. “We could sit and talk.” Though talking would happen to be the last thing on Draco’s mind at the moment. *** “Well, I don’t have my lockpicking set, but…” Sydney pulled a pin out of her hair, unaware that she might be surprising anyone with her lockpicking skills when she presented such a prim and proper front normally. But lockpicking was a skill any self-respecting Alchemist had. How could they do their work properly and dispose of dead bodies otherwise? Her hand fumbled, though, when he leaned in close and she felt his breath against her ear. The pin slipped out of her fingers, and she quietly cursed. “We-we have to find out if Rose is possessed,” she pointed out. She wanted to bend down to find the pin, but doing so would make her butt brush against his...his… She was glad for the dim light. She was probably bright red right now. “I dropped my pin.” *** The information that she could pick a lock distracted Draco enough that he dropped the attempt to seduce Sydney - for the moment. “Wait… you can pick locks?” Draco asked, astonishment coloring his voice. “That requires discussion. And a demonstration. I’ll get the pin.” Draco started to bend down to get the pin and then realised his face was nearly in her bosom. Immediately he froze. Instead of standing back up right, he remained so his face was right near her breasts, unable to decide whether or not he should bend down further or stand back up. And as close as he was, he could smell how delicious she was and it muddled his decision making ability. “Uhhhhh…” he stuttered, unable to get himself back on track to actually complete the action he had been trying to do. *** Sydney came to the realization around the same time he did, and she froze as well. For a moment, neither of them moved, neither of them spoke. If Draco opened his mouth to talk, he might very well just graze her… Sydney pressed herself as far back against the door as she could. “Did you get it?” she asked in a strangled voice. *** “Uhh,” Draco continued, unable to find a way to jump start his brain. At this precise moment, he was all hormonal teenage boy. Nothing was registering. Standing up slowly, Draco attempted to get himself back under control. It took an iron grip and thinking of his Father and Voldemort before he managed to rein in every hormone and get his brain to function forward. “No, I did not,” Draco said after clearing his throat. “And I don’t think it is a good idea for me to bend down again. Perhaps you would care to try?” And then Draco realised what would happen if she did and his brain went off the rails once more. “Never mind. Probably not a good idea.” He took a deep breath in and out, hands moving to roll up the sleeves of his button down shirt. “Is it just me or is it suddenly warm in here?” *** Sydney knew her face was burning hot. She was so painfully aware of him, of how close he was, that she had to time her breathing to be out of sync with his, lest any parts of their bodies touched. She felt like she was surrounded by electricity; every nerve tingled. Her only solace was that he wasn't being smug about it as usual. He seemed as affected as she was. “If we open the door,” she said, “we could get out of here and cool down.” It made total logical sense to her, and in the spirit of expediency, she bent down to hunt for the pin, body parts be damned. *** It may have been expedient, but it did not help Draco. Hormones overrode everything else. Very little mattered except for the fact that her body was cradled into his in a rather intimate manner. He couldn’t help the groan that escaped from his lips. Fingers clenched and unclenched. It had become less about him being able to seduce her. Draco had been so sure that he would be able to be coolly in control of the whole venture. Instead, he was being dragged around by emotions and need for the woman locked in here with him. It wasn’t like him - he didn’t expect it and he couldn’t fight against it. “Sydney,” Draco managed to get out between gritted teeth. “Sydney could you not… not do that. Please.” *** “Do what?” Sydney asked, still fishing for her pin. And then she felt it, and she almost made a Sydney-shaped hole in the door. “Oh,” she said, with great feeling. “Oh.” Fortunately, she’d managed to find her errant pin, and she brandished it like a trophy. “I found it! Can you...if you can just go to the other side…” She made vague shooing motions, even though there wasn’t much space for him to move at all. *** Sure, he’d just do that. Draco was completely in control of everything. He looked at Sydney and managed to get himself together enough to start the process of trading spaces. Things were going alright until they were about halfway through the process. In that split second of time, Draco’s grey eyes met Sydney’s green ones and Draco lost control. Slamming his hands on either side of her shoulders, bracketing her between his arms, Draco leaned into to Sydney. Without asking or telling, his mouth covered hers and he kissed her, enticing her into participating in the passionate outpouring by employing all the tricks he’d learned. It was time to bring this game to a head. *** She should have pushed him away. No, she should have shoved him away and slapped him for good measure, because she hadn't asked for this, and he had no right and...and… And it felt so good . Sydney hadn't been kissed before, and definitely not like this. His lips and tongue coaxed her mouth open, and she let him in, her arms rising to wrap themselves around his neck so she could draw him closer. On and on the kiss went, until she was gasping and had completely lost track of where they were and why. *** Nothing in Draco’s past or present prepared him for kissing Sydney. It was an intense experience, but Draco wouldn’t have traded it for anything else. For a few moments, he feared she would hit him, but then she let him in and Draco ceased worrying. With her arms coming around him, he wasn’t sure he could even consider going back to a time where she didn’t offer herself to him with such passionate abandon. With her arms around him, Draco felt less like he wanted to keep her trapped and more that he needed to touch her himself. One hand left the door to weave into her hair, gripping her nape, and tipping her head slightly so he had better access to taste every aspect of her mouth. The other hand left the door, wrapping around her waist so that there was less space between them. Thought no longer mattered. All that mattered was the taste and feel of Sydney. *** Sydney had no idea how long they were there, pressed up against each other in a tangle of arms and lips and tongue, but finally she regained enough presence of mind to realize she was in a closet making out with an evil magic-doer, and she wrenched herself away with a gasp. Already her body missed him, wanted to go back to him and start kissing him all over again, but she managed to refrain. This was not in the plan! “What’d you do that for?” she demanded. *** A few blinks and Draco returned to himself instead of being lost in his sheer need for Sydney. That was definitely not the last time that would happen. In fact, he’d rather not be having a conversation right now. It would all be better if they just could spend the rest of the time in here locked together, exploring the taste one of another. “Because I wanted to and more important than that,” Draco said, taking a deep breath and looking at her pointedly, “you wanted me to as well. Don’t bother to deny it. You wanted me then and you still want me. As much as I want you.” A shiver of need rippled through him and he met her gaze. “We can hide from the desire or acknowledge it, but hiding won’t make it go away.” He was blunt with her, hoping she would at least be willing to be honest with herself here. *** But Sydney wasn't ready to be honest with herself. She'd already been reeling by the revelation that she had magic, and now she’d gone into an all-out makeout session with another magic user, and where had her head been at? “It will absolutely make it go away,” she said firmly. “There's probably some kind of magic going on here, and Rose probably thinks it's funny, but I don't. Now move back and let me open the door.” Because she needed to get out of here before she did anything else that was inadvisable. *** How can she keep denying it? Draco mentally wondered, completely and utterly astonished by her lack of willingness to admit what, to him, could no longer be denied. But this was Sydney. He really did need to stop being amazed by how much denial she could live in. Reaching out, Draco firmly grasped her face between two hands so she was forced to look at him for the next statement. “The only magic in this room,” Draco retorted, firmly, “is between you and me and the desire we have for one another.” Having said his piece, Draco let go of her and shuffled aside so that she could have access to the doorknob. He wasn’t about to allow this to be over. She kept thinking she was in control of this relationship and Draco was tired of it. He’d had a taste of what could be and he wanted more. *** In that moment, Sydney feared - hoped - that he'd kiss her again, and when he released her, she let out a small sigh. Relief? Disappointment? She didn't want to think too deeply about it. Instead, she went to work. There was little chance she'd actually be able to open the door if magic couldn't do it, but she had to try. She couldn't stay in here; she couldn't trust herself not to do something utterly crazy like kiss him again if she stayed. Miraculously, she felt the tumblers of the lock connect with the pin, and she triumphantly pushed it open - right in the face of the janitor who was reaching for it. Once he got over his surprise, the janitor scowled. “You kids! What're you doing here? Go to Lover’s Lane if you want privacy.” Mortified, Sydney shook her head. “No! We weren't - no absolutely not. We were locked in and -” She turned to look at Draco expectantly, entreating him to corroborate her words. *** Draco, on the other hand, was not feeling at all helpful. She wouldn’t corroborate their mutual feelings, therefore he wasn’t about to corroborate what they were or won’t doing. Smirking, Draco immediately came up beside Sydney and put his arm around her waist, dragging her against him. Leaning down he nuzzled his face against her neck and then grinned at the janitor. “Sometimes,” he drawled out, pleased to have another opportunity to touch her, “you just need a study break.” Removing his hand from around her waist, he snaked it down to grab her hand, threading her fingers through his. “Come on, bashful, let’s go home. I have a great idea about how you can help me study for my test - and we can let the poor man do his job.” His grin pure delight as he nodded at the janitor. “Sorry about that sir. She’s just so sexy.” Tugging on her hand, he pulled her with him, toward the exit of the library and out into the cool night air. *** Shocked by his claim, Sydney couldn’t even manage to come up with a denial until they were outside, at which point she smacked his hands away. “Why’d you do that?” she hissed. “Now he’s going to think...he’s going to - oooh!” Sputtering into inarticulation, she just made an angry, frustrated gesture and stalked off. She was definitely going to have to kill Rose. |