The Abuser

Bolted in the Bathroom

It is true that I can see Only what I want to believe? But if it were, would I choose What I see in front of me?

- Fade Away by Matthias

...Draco's POV.....

I can't tear my gaze away from her. Why did mother have to have selected such a stunning outfit for her to wear?

It had been hard enough last night; when I slipped into her room to bring her dinner. I had been unable to stop myself from lingering outside the bathroom, listing to the soft sound of her singing. It would have been so easy to open the door. I know the charm.

I bite my lip and turned away from her as she sends me a wary look.

That dress! Tight, black, modest...yet it gives me such a clear idea of her curves. Damnit! What was mother thinking? She must know that I want DeLuce... why else would she tempt me like this?

I look down at my lap, frowning in frustration. Snap out of it! This is going way too far! First you nearly beat her to death and you steal her jewels. Now you're lusting after her like she's an object for your use. I think for a moment about going to my room to get her precious jewels... but the shame of admitting to that proud and beautiful girl that I was wrong to take them is nearly too great to comprehend. I've promised myself that I will never lay hands on her again, and I intend to keep that promise. Aside from that, I'm free to continue as I please.

I sigh and re-read that lengthy love letter that I received from Pansy Parkinson this morning. I will, I know, be required to reply.

Why couldn't it have been DeLuce instead of Parkinson that mother chose? I know the real reason. The DeLuces had been generally disliked in the pure-blood community. My father still refers to them as "blood-traitors".

Why can't mother just come out or her room, already? DeLuce would be able to return home by the Flu Network, and I would finally be able to get her out of my head.

Suddenly, I slam my fist down on the low glass coffee-table in front of me. I feel so done with everything! I storm out of the room, leaving DeLuce sitting on the low couch in front of the fireplace, wearing that beautiful black dress.

...DeLuce's POV....

"Oh, hey Malfoy. What's up?" I say casually.

Malfoy has ignored me completely and totally since earlier in the summer when I was forced to stay the night in his manor. I took the Flu Network home later that morning, where I was greeted by my terrified guardians who had returned home after searching for me all night at the burned down campsite. I don't really care if he ignores me, though. I mean, it's better than him bullying me!

He gives me a sullen glare and tugs his arm free of Professor Moody, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher's grasp.

"Mr. Malfoy is being taken to see Professor Snape on account of his dirty tactics and rude behavior." Snarls Moody, giving Draco's arm a sharp tug.

I hurry up, walking in pace with them. "Oh. What happened?" I suppose that it's somewhat rude, but the occasion of seeing a teacher other than Snape in the dungeons is rare. Besides, my curiosity is quite aroused.

"I'll tell you what happened!" Malfoy snaps as he's dragged along. "I've just been turned into a bloody ferret and then half murdered! My ribs are broken, I swear. I should be seeing Madam Pomfrey!"

"Wait- did you just say... a ferret?!" I almost laugh in disbelief.

"DeLuce, please abstain from asking any more questions at the moment. This matter will be dealt with by Severus Snape. Feel free to continue interrogating this scummy little sneak, after he receives his punishment." Moody is so threatening that I immediately rush off in the opposite direction. There's no way that I'm about to risk being turned into a ferret!

....

I watch a group of Beauxbatons girls enviously. They're tittering like mad, waving a group of dazed looking boys off.

They're so gorgeous and perfect! No one's asked me to the Yule Ball yet...and I was so looking forward to it! I mean... I understand that I'm no beauty, but I've got a few curves after the last summer, and I know how to dance! Someone should ask me... if it's for my money alone. I try to remind myself that there are still another three weeks before the event...but it's still depressing. Nearly everyone else has got their dates months ago!

I idly braid my hair, eyes drifting across a 5th year couple who are practicing their dance moves in the chilly court. I could be dancing with a boy right now... Who am I kidding? No one's going to ask a potato like me out! I stand and stroll towards the castle doors. Perhaps a nice bath will help...

"Awww! Drakie-poo! You're so romantic. You wait just as long as you want to ask me to the ball. I appreciate your suspense tactics...but just so you know, I've already said yes!"

Pansy Parkinson's annoyingly falsetto voice makes my stomach turn. There are couples everywhere! I can't escape the shame...I groan inwardly. I don't bother to look back as the bush that Pansy and Draco are lurking behind rustles.

I push the heavy doors open, stepping inside the warm castle. This has to be the dullest Saturday that I've ever endured! The Golden Trio are off helping Harry prepare for the Tri-Wizard Tournament. I'd be with them, but Harry's been so tense lately that I'm worried I'll only be a distraction.

Soft footsteps clatter behind me, but I keep my head bowed. "Hey! Hey, DeLuce!"

I whip around, coming face to face with Malfoy who is flushed an uncomfortable shade of greyish pink. "What do you want?! Come to tease me? Huh? Just because you have a pretty little partner to amuse yourself in the rose bushes with doesn't mean that we all do!" I yell. I'm not sure why, but I feel absolutely outraged by Malfoy's relationship with Parkinson.

Malfoy takes a step back, looking surprised. "No, I haven't come to tease you. And I wasn't amusing myself with her either! I-I just was wondering..."

"What?!" I snap, glaring at him. I don't know why I'm so angry- I pride myself on being able to keep a check on my emotions- but right now nothing in heaven or earth is going to stop the flow of hate pouring from me.

"Doyouwanttogototheballwithme?" He mumbles, his flush changing from pink to magenta.

"Pardon me?" I say, drawing myself up and looking down my nose at him in righteous anger.

"Do...you want to dance with me? At the Yule Ball, I mean." He says a bit loudly.

"Are you kidding me?! This is a joke, right?" I stare at him, my mouth slightly open. Malfoy begins to protest, but I cut him off. "Yeah, sure. Really funny, Malfoy! 'Let's go ask DeLuce to the ball and then rub the fact that no one has even given her a second glace in her face!' Well sorry, but I'm not letting you get the best of me. So just go back to your rosebush and get out of my life!" I shout, tears streaming down my cheeks.

I wheel around and storm away down the hall, ignoring Malfoy's yells behind me. "You know what? Fine! If you won't go with me, you won't go with anyone. I'll show you, DeLuce! I'll show you exactly how serious I am!"

...

I flop, sobbing onto my bed, running my fingers through my hair. What does he think he's playing at?! He can't like me. There's no way! None. Malfoy has given me a lot of things over the past years, but love isn't one of them. Why is this even affecting me? There's no reason it should. I'm just moody...that's it. I roll over and stare at the ceiling. The door swings open and Pansy Parkinson comes skipping in, giggling gleefully.

I ignore her as she bundles herself onto her flamboyantly pink bed. She lays still for a moment, then sits bolt upright, squealing. I look up at her with tearstained cheeks and red puffy eyes.

"Hey, DeLuce, you'll never- ARGH! What happened to you?! You look disgusting." She smirks and then pulls her wand out, tracing "Mrs. Pansy Malfoy" in the air in glowing letters.

I roll over, burying my face in my soggy pillow.

She continues to no one in particular. "So, yeah! He asked me out. I'm going to be Draco's date for the ball. I hope that I'm not too fat for my dress... maybe I should go on another diet. He finally asked me, right after he went in to talk to you! What did he want with you, anyway? Oh, well. Eek! The next step is just to have his children..."

I burst into tears and rush to the bathroom, bolting myself in.