Draco Lucius Malfoy (d_l_malfoy) wrote in madisonvalley, @ 2016-11-27 11:43:00 |
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Agreeing to meet Draco Malfoy for a prolonged study session was a very bad idea. Sydney knew this. She could list every reason why she shouldn’t have agreed to help him study. For one thing, he probably didn’t even need to study: the man had a mind as sharp as barbed wire, and a tongue to match. She had a hard time believing he actually needed help distinguishing the three architectural styles he’d mentioned. For another, he got under her skin like no one else. He was pushy, demanding, arrogant, got into her personal space - way into her personal space - and made her keep thinking about that night they’d been stuck in the closet, when he’d kissed her until her toes curled and she lost track of what was happening. Which was a bad thing. And yet...and yet… He challenged her; he kept up with her; he pushed her into things she would have never even thought of. Sydney wasn’t the adventurous sort of person - or at least she didn’t think she was - but she’d surprised herself by liking that challenge. And him. Which was a bad thing. And yet...and yet… She stepped into the Starbucks right on time, her gaze finding his light blond hair in the crowd easily. Before she had a chance to come to her senses and run away, she walked over. “You got a seat? I’m surprised. There are a lot of people here for this time of night.” *** “Someone was leaving and I managed to swoop in quickly behind them,” Draco said, looking up at Sydney. What was it about her that drew him in? As much as he had enjoyed the play and back and forth between him and Pansy, there was much more about Sydney that drew him in. Her beauty for one, but beyond that her mind was so attractive. She was quick witted and deeply intelligent and hid it behind a careful veneer of invisibility - hoping to hide from herself and others. Every moment of the time they had shared had intrigued Draco to more deeply delve into who Sydney was. He longed to figure out every nuance of her - to get drunk on the scent and feel of her. The time in the closet had only heightened his need to have her. And her refusal to acknowledge what had happened made him want to shake her and then kiss her again until she acknowledged what lay between them. So he plotted and planned, laying out what would come next. One step at a time. He would woo her to his side and then reap the benefit of her interest. Gesturing at the chair across from him, Draco invited her to sit. The table held not only her coffee, but his as well. Other than that it was littered with the detritus of Draco’s attempt to study. “I really could use your help.” *** The crumpled pieces of paper gave credence to his claim that he needed help. Sydney relaxed a bit. She’d been worried this had been a ruse to get her out to see him, but if he really did need help, that was safer. Also, he had provided her the promised coffee, which she immediately took a sip of as she sat down. It was still hot; she nodded approvingly before she glanced over to his open textbook. “Is it all three you’re having trouble with, or just elements of them so you can’t figure out the differences?” she asked, angling her body to get a better look. It brought her closer to him, but she didn’t notice: put a textbook in front of her, and that became her focus. *** Unfortunately as she scooted closer, Draco stopped focusing on his struggle with the architectural elements. Now he was only thinking about her. The scent of her wafted towards him and everything in him wondered what would happen if he leaned towards her and kissed her. And his mind spiraled over what might happen if she actually responded how he would like. The smarter part of him knew that wasn’t even remotely likely to happen. So Draco swallowed the desire and instead leaned towards her, arm brushing for a brief moment. He made sure to stay near her as he pointed out the struggle he was having. “It’s a combination of both actually. Every time I feel like I get a grasp on one, I end up realising that I am remembering the wrong thing about the one I was studying.” Draco gestured at the notes across the table before shoving a hand through his hair. “I don’t understand what I’m doing wrong.” Those grey eyes turned to her. “Help me before I manage to out think myself again.” *** Entirely focused on the textbook? Maybe not. When his arm brushed against hers, Sydney had a brief, vivid memory of those arms wrapped around her, his hand thrust into her hair, as he kissed her as a dying man might breathe air. So strong was that memory that she almost missed what he said next, and it took her a moment to backtrack to figure it out. Shaking her head at herself mentally, she edged away from him. She didn’t know how he managed to be distracting even when he wasn’t overtly trying to be, but it wasn’t conducive to what they were trying to do. “I get caught up in overthinking too,” she admitted. “But in this situation, I think the easiest thing to do is put it down in a chart. That way, you can easily see the differences at a glance, and create a mnemonic to remember them.” She pulled out a piece of paper and pen, and drew a few columns and rows, which she labeled with the three styles and distinguishing features. “Let’s start with this.” *** Over the next hour, the dissected the styles and shared struggles - with Draco only managing to confuse the pair of them twice - well, maybe three times. And as the time passed, they, despite Sydney’s intention to stay separate, ended up scooting closer to one another, heads bent over the same piece of paper. Finally, after the second successful run through of the information, Draco sat back slightly. “I think I might finally have it,” Draco said with relief. A long fingered hand ran through his hair, messing up the strands which were normally straight and perfect. “But if we’re going over it again, I need another cup of coffee.” His hand reached out and shook his empty cup. “Do you need another?” he asked, giving her a smile. “I definitely owe you at least one more.” Reaching out the hand that set the coffee cup down, he brush a strand of hair off of her cheek, tucking it behind her ear. He knew that he should have kept his hand to himself, but he couldn’t help it. He’d been looking at it off and on as they studied and he’d finally given into the impulse. *** Although Draco definitely struggled over the nuances between the styles, he was also extremely sharp. His problem, Sydney realized, wasn’t so much understanding the differences as overthinking things to the point of seeing too many similarities between the styles. And while there were definitely influences on each of the styles on the other - hence their similarities - it was the differences that were going to get him through the test. When he finally understood the defining principles, Sydney sat back and beamed at him, genuinely proud of his progress. “I think you do!” she said, more enthusiastic than she had ever been in his presence. In that moment, she wasn’t thinking that he was an evil magic user; he was Draco, and he’d just gotten over his mental block. She didn’t even protest or move away when he tucked her hair behind her ear. High on accomplishment and the promise of caffeine, she just smiled at him. “I could definitely use another.” She didn’t have to specify what she wanted: he already knew, as evidenced by the drink he’d had waiting for her upon her arrival. Sydney took her coffee black. *** That she hadn’t flinched from him was worth noting. Draco mentally crowed with excitement. If he’d been a Gryffindor, he’d have danced with the thrill of it. But he was a Slytherin, so instead he stood up and got them each another coffee before coming back to the table. Sitting down in the chair, cradling the hot drink, Draco sprawled out his legs in front of him. Relaxed now, even as he mentally relived the pleasure of having had that moment when she accepted his touch. Maybe… maybe there was hope. Things were changing now. “So, when we mentioned meeting,” Draco said, turning to look at the beauty beside him, “you mentioned possibly needing help. I’d be happy to repay your efforts on my behalf.” He turned more, sliding on the seat to face her with his body. “What are you needing?” *** Sydney sobered at that. Now she was the one who looked frustrated - and a little bit nervous. No, a lot nervous. This wasn’t an easy topic for her, but she took a deep breath and addressed it anyway. “I don’t doubt that I have magic now,” she said, her voice low. Just because she was starting to accept it didn’t mean she wanted the whole world to know about it. “And if I have magic, I want to learn to control it. It would be irresponsible and reckless otherwise.” And Sydney Sage was nothing if not responsible and cautious. “I want you to teach me how to use it and control it.” It had to be him, she’d realized. He was the one who would push her when her prejudices and Alchemist’s distaste for magic kept her from wanting to move forward. He, who’d never taken no for an answer, would make sure she kept on her training program when other, nicer, more considerate people would likely let her set the pace. Sydney didn’t have the luxury of time. She’d seen how magic gone awry could affect the entire town. The last thing she wanted was for her magic to be an issue. *** You couldn’t have surprised Draco any more even if Dumbledore had walked in the door that moment and proclaimed that Draco was the best, nicest, most wonderful student Hogwarts had ever had. Salazaar, even finding out what that prick Voldemort had been was less astonishing. So he couldn’t help it, he stared at her for a few minutes, trying to wrap his mind around what Sydney had just said. “Wait, what?” he said, trying to get his mind to move forward from what he had just heard. His relaxed posture ceased as he moved to sit up, placing his cup of coffee on the table. Draco turned to look at her fully. “Are you sure Sydney?” he asked, concern on his face. It was an unusual look for Draco and a more unusual question considering how much he had pushed this subject with her and how much he had hoped she would come to this point. As much as he wanted her to embrace her magic, Draco couldn’t believe it and certainly he had wanted her to come to the conclusion without him forcing the issue. “I only ask,” Draco continued, “because your magic is part of you and you should be able to embrace all of yourself, but this isn’t a path with an exit. Once you start, you need to be able to control it all - good, bad and inbetween. You don’t get to choose what you learn, just how you use it.” His grey eyes watched her carefully, worried slightly that she’d lose her nerve. *** It was, perhaps, that look of concern on Draco’s face - so unlike him - that made Sydney inwardly quail. If he thought it was a big deal… But she made herself nod. “I’m sure,” she said, her voice steady. “Because if it’s in me no matter what I do, then I choose to learn to control it, so I can use it responsibly. Or not use it at all. But I can’t go around with magic I can’t control. I’ve seen how it can backfire even with people who do know how to use it.” The latest power swap was an example. “I’d be remiss in my responsibilities if I stayed ignorant.” She lifted her chin, steady and determined. “Will you teach me?” *** “Absolutely,” Draco answered without hesitation. Now that he knew she was behind the suggestion and willing to commit to it, he had not a single worry about helping someone who didn’t know magic to use it and to love it. And additionally, it fell in with his plan of giving them more time together. That was a bonus he would definitely savour. Draco leaned back again in the chair, looking at Sydney. “Thank you for asking me,” he added, reaching out to touch her cheek. “It means a lot that you would ask. What… what made you come to this conclusion? That you really did have magic.” He was curious about her reason to come to this conclusion. He liked it though, he liked it a lot and a that showed with a bright smile on his face. “I will have to make an appropriate plan. Do you know anything about your magic? Like its focus or how you use it. Because the more we know the better and the plan would be more cohesive.” His excitement was showing now, the grin on his face expanding. *** Focus? How to use it? Sydney had barely acknowledged that she had any magic; she hadn't gotten much further than that. But though the questions made her nervous about what she was going to embark on, she was determined not to back down from it. “I know I have magic,” she said. “That's all. It's...not something I have much understanding on, insofar as human ability to use it.” All magic she knew about came from the vampires. Came from Moroi and Strigoi. She didn't know of any humans who had magic, and the Alchemists certainly wouldn't have stood for it. “I think maybe we can draw up a training plan,” she said, trying to approach this logically so she wouldn't be distracted by the memory of his touch on her cheek. It was only moderately working. “What is my next step?” *** Again, she hadn’t objected to his touch. Draco had a mental sigh of relief as he realised he had gotten away with it again - without being slapped or lectured or flinched away from. And they were talking magic without her running from the room. He was excited, but part of him wanted to make sure she suddenly hadn’t been possessed or something crazy like that. “I think the next step is to figure out what kind of magic you have,” Draco commented, scooting his chair back into the table and finding a piece of parchment and a quill. He started writing as he spoke. “From what I have seen around here, there are many kinds of magic. All of them work in different ways,” Draco said. “We’re all from different places and we all need slightly different things to make our magic work. So, in reality, the best way to start is with what you already know.” Draco looked at her, serious now. “I know you already have skills that translate to magic easily - your skill with potions. The things that you consider tools of your skill set, I know have to involve magic of some kind.” “I don’t think how I would make potions is the same, but it’s a connection.” Draco tapped the sheet of parchment he had been writing on. “But before you start with any of that. I’ve got a couple of books I’d like you to read.” Working in a book store did have its perks - one of them was rummaging until you found books on magic and then purchased them. *** Without really realizing it, Sydney raised her hand to touch the silver lily tattoo on her cheek, which Draco had so recently brushed his fingers over. The tattoo ink had been infused with vampire blood, giving her increased health and stamina. It had been a necessary evil, she’d been told, to have to use this bit of magic to do her job better. Now she wondered what other things she’d been doing that had included magic, that she’d attributed to scientific principles instead. She nodded in response to his suggestion. Books: that was something she could get behind. Sydney liked reading and research: if that was the first step towards learning about her magic, it wasn’t such a difficult one. “I can come by the bookstore after classes tomorrow,” she suggested. “And get whatever you recommend.” *** “The tattoo is magic isn’t it?” Draco asked, his eyes having followed her fingers - just another time he was spending more time paying attention to her than anything else. His hand reached up and touched it gently before he pushed back another strand of loose hair. Just doing it was enough to ratchet up Draco’s need for her. Everything in him leaned towards wanting to take his hand from her cheek, thread it into her hair and pull her towards him so he could kiss her. One kiss. That would be enough. For now. Maybe. It took a great deal of effort, but he managed to clench his hand closed, putting it back in his lap. “That would be fine. I have them at home, but I can bring them into work tomorrow. Unless you want them now?” he asked, sure she wouldn’t be interested in such an intimate activity. *** As he expected, she shook her head quickly and leaned back. For a moment there, when he’d brushed his fingers over her tattoo and leaned in, she’d wanted...she’d wanted… She’d wanted something she really shouldn’t want. No matter how much Draco flirted with her, she had to remember that he was a wizard, and she...well, she was just being responsible. Learning how to use magic didn’t mean she ever had to actually use it; she just needed to not lose control of it. “Tomorrow’s fine,” she said, despite her curiosity about the books. It was less than a day away; she could wait that long. Clearing her throat, she reached to tuck her hair behind her ear - only to remember he’d only just done that. Quickly, she let her hand drop back to her lap. Then she raised it again to pack up her notes. “Thank you,” she said briskly. *** Disappointment rocked through him at her movement. He couldn’t control it. Everything in Draco wanted to rage at her for pulling away from him. Why? Why couldn’t she trust him that completely? Why couldn’t she trust whatever this was between them? For that matter, why couldn’t he? Patience was clearly not his strong suit. Not where she was concerned. Not since he had tasted her. That had only heightened the need he felt. But Draco pushed the disappointment aside. It didn’t have a place here. Some day. Hopefully. “You sure you don’t want them now?” Draco asked, wondering if there was any way to tempt her. The deeply cynical part of him doubted that was remotely possible. Nothing seemed to tempt her. Everything about this relationship was under her control. And now he needed a drink. “But tomorrow is soon enough,” he added with a smile. “I can mark some passages that I would consider most important. Then you should make a plan of how you think your education should proceed and we can compare it with mine.” And as he said that an idea came to him and he considered it carefully, wondering if it might work. *** Sydney opened her mouth to tell him that yes, she was sure she didn’t want the books tonight, but for a moment nothing came out. She was tempted. She’d always had a thirst for knowledge, and he was dangling an entire discipline’s worth to knowledge in front of her. She knew, though, that if she got her hands on her books tonight, she’d just end up staying up all night to read them. And she knew that if she went to his place, the books might not be all she would get. She shivered, involuntarily, as she remembered the warm, firm press of his lips against hers. “I’m sure,” she said, finally, although didn’t sound entirely sure. She tried to remember what else he’d said, and managed to nod. “That’s a good idea.” *** “You okay?” Draco asked, concerned as he noticed the shiver, just as he noticed everything about her. He wanted to reach out to touch her, but her previous flinch made him hesitate. So his hands stayed clenched in his lap. “I will have the books tomorrow. When do you want to meet after that? I assume,” Draco’s lips turned up as he called her on what he knew about her, “that you’ll be done within a few days at the most. We should get started. Magic isn’t something you just know. It’s a long process.” Those grey eyes looked at her, his mind lost in more than the knowledge and instruction she needed. *** “Fine, I’m fine.” Sydney abruptly stood up, not trusting herself to stay for much longer. If he tempted her again, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to say no this time. “Why don’t we discuss scheduling when I pick up the books? I can see how much reading material there is and know better then.” It might not even take her several days, depending. And he was right: they did have to start soon. The sooner she got control of her powers, the better. *** He nodded, letting her go. "I will see you tomorrow and we can go from there." Draco gave her a brief smile and turned back to his studying. Hopefully it would distract him enough that he'd not spend his time dwelling on her. It was a slim hope, but it was all he had. For now. |