"Draco!" Vega screamed, jolting upright in a panic.  He was gone.  She was all alone in the cell of a room.  "Draco!" Nothing.

They had both been so tired from the night's events that he had fallen asleep in front of the fire on the floor.  He was curled into a ball like Noori would have been, and it made her smile.  The smile left when she realized he had set her up.  There was no escape from the prison he left her in without his permission to leave. 

"Draco!" she screamed until her voice cracked from the volume.  It was no use.  Draco had abandoned her.  She pulled her knees to her chest and sobbed, letting go of all the pent up emotions that plagued her mind.  The Hufflepuffs, Draco, her father, all of it.  She let it all out in tiny droplets that darkened the sheets around her.

"Are you okay?" Her head snapped up at the sound of his voice and she practically flew out of bed.

"Where have you been!" she demanded, shoving him hard.

He stumbled, catching his foot on the mirror, and frowned.  "Sorry, I thought you would still be asleep.  I went to get some food." He held up a bag that smelled heavenly and carefully sat it on the table, watching her watery eyes all the while.

Vega wiped away the tears and sniffled.  "I thought you left me here," she sobbed into her hand.

Draco bent down slightly, grasping her shoulders and meeting her eyes.  "Look at me," he said gently, "I would never do that.  I want you to stay, but I won't force you to."  Something in the way he said the words to her made her heart flutter.  She felt like she had a choice.  "I bought something." For a moment, she could have sworn she saw him flush a bit, but it went away quickly.  He reached into the bag and pulled out a silver collar with a forest green tag attached to it that.  In big, curvy letters it read, Noori.

"I don't understand," she breathed, turning it over in her hands.

"You wanted to go visit your mother.  I just thought this way we could both be happy.  You can see her, and I can make sure you're safe."  He shrugged, and Vega felt her heart swell with gratitude.

"Thank you," she said and kissed his cheek.  The pinkness returned to his face and he coughed to hide his fluster. 

"I can take you to my house whenever you're ready.  You can shower and I'll arrange a change of clothes for you as well," he told her.  "Oh," he said suddenly, "I almost forgot.  Its not much, but there was a tree just beyond the school border loaded with them."  She watched him pull out three apples, so dark they were practically black.

"Black Diamond apples," she gawked and took one from his hand.  "I didn't know these even grew around here."  She bit into it and tasted its honey flavor.

"You said apples were your favorite."  The statement surprised her more than it should have, but she beamed up at him for remembering such a minute detail of their first encounter.

"Thank you, Draco," she said through bites.  "We can go whenever.  I don't have anything besides your stained shirt."  She gestured back down to her bare legs and bloody sleeve. 

His gaze fell upon her forearm and a wave of sorrow overtook his pale features.  His lips turned downwards and his eyes glazed over as he gingerly picked up her arm and turned it over in his hands.  "I can fix it for you.  It wasn't done with magic, at least it doesn't look like it was."

Vega pulled her arm back bitterly.  "No," she gritted out, "it wasn't."  Her gut twisted at the recollection of the knife.  She doubted very much her father even cared about what happened, or that she was now missing.  "Can we go?"

He furrowed his dark brows.  "Are you sure?  Don't you want to..." He trailed off when he noted her expression.  "Alright then," he held his arm out to her and pulled her back through the dern.  "Take a breath," he instructed when they were back in the little dirt room. 

A thunderous crack rang in her ears as he disapparated with her.  She felt the breath whoosh from her lungs, but it lasted barely a second before her feet were on the cool marble floors of Malfoy Manor. 

Draco loosened his grip on her and she gawked at the massive room they had arrived in.  Immaculate marble floors with fine black carpets scattered about made the stony floor of Hogwarts seem suddenly less grand.  She spun around upon hearing clicking steps behind them and froze.

A beautiful woman with black and white hair had stopped just before them with a look of utter shock.  "Who is this?" The woman hissed at him.

Draco pulled her in a bit closer.  "Vega Candlewood," he said in a tone that demanded not to be questioned.  Vega wrapped her arms around her scantily clad self.  The bloody shirt and lack of pants had her face heating up.

The woman's eyes flew open wide as she stomped forward in her dainty black heels.  "Are you mad!  Half the ministry is out looking for you and you brought her into our home?  We narrowly escaped persecution and you wish to throw us in Azkaban over what?  This-this succubus?" Draco had pushed her behind him and stepped forward.  That familiar sneer he wore so proudly at school reappeared and she watched as the woman back down.

"Last I checked, this was my home."  The woman opened and closed her mouth, not finding the right words.  "You aren't even supposed to be here.  I thought you and Father were in America."

Vega gaped in realization that the powerful woman in front of her was his mother.  His overbearing assertive self made much more sense.  "Ghastly place," she laughed without humor.  "Your father is there still, but I couldn't bear another second of whatever it is they do over there.  Boy bands and flashy colors.  Nonsense."

"Then you're staying here?" He narrowed his eyes.

His mother scoffed.  "Of course not.  I wouldn't dream of tarnishing your reputation again," she said sadly.  "No, I just came to gather a few things."  Vega took it as sarcasm, but she noted the way she averted her gaze.  His mother looked to Vega and scrutinized her.  "So you're the one that's stolen my son's heart."

She moved around him to speak when he said nothing.  "Mrs. Malfoy, Draco and I are just friends."  Truthfully, she wasn't even sure that friends was an accurate assessment of their relationship, but she didn't know what else to say.

She laughed again, this time a smile tugged at her red lips.  "I'm sure.  My son wouldn't risk his life for just anyone."

"That's enough," Draco snarled.  "We're leaving."

Her dark eyes swept over Vega once more and focused on her hands.  "What's this?"  Before Vega could react, she had snatched the collar that dangled from her fingertips.  "A collar?  A dog collar?" Rage dripped from every word.  She spun on her son, eyes ablaze, and shoved the thing at his chest.  "You've let that girl cloud your judgement!  She knows?  Do you have any idea how dangerous this will be for you?"

"I won't tell anyone!" Vega cried out and they both turned to her.  "I would never do that."  She fiddled with the hem of Draco's shirt, wishing it would swallow her up so she could disappear.

"But you'll force him to sport a collar and slap a leash on him, won't you?" she barked in an accusatory tone.

"I'm the one that bought the collar, not Vega.  It was my idea."  Draco's slender fingers wrapped around her waist protectively.

"If your aunt could see you now she'd-"

"Well she can't.  She's dead.  Dead because of your values.  If you don't mind, we have a schedule to keep."  He grabbed Vega under her arm, a little roughly for her liking, and hauled her away.

"Draco!" He paused at the top of the stairs.  "I love you," she said pitifully.  He didn't look back, pulling Vega onward.

"You're mother seems..." she trailed off, not knowing how to politely finish her sentence.

"I don't want to talk about my family.  Shower is this way." He didn't wait for her as he crossed the vast room and opened a sleek black door.  Vega did her best to seem casual, but the bathroom made an audible gasp escape her.  Draco smirked at her reaction.  "This is my bathroom," he boasted.

"Er-where is the shower exactly?"  There were two sinks, a large clawfoot tub, flickering candles hovering around the ceiling and tub, but no shower.  She didn't feel like a bath would cleanse her properly after everything.

"Right there," he said, pointing directly in front of her.  She looked harder and saw what appeared to be a walk in shower.  Draco flicked his wand and water began to cascade from the ceiling and walls as steam rose up.  "Take as long as you want.  I'm going to send Nelly to fetch you some clothes."

Vega nodded, dying to get under the hot water.  "Is there a towel in here?" She looked around but saw no sign of one.

Draco muttered a curse under his breath.  "I'll bring you one." With that he left her to it. 

Once the door closed, Vega peeled off his shirt.  She hissed in pain as the sleeve had dried to the blood of her arm and tore her skin.  The scab that had formed overnight began to bleed all over again.  A lump formed in her throat as she caught sight of the horrid words.  If it hadn't been for Draco, she shuddered to think what else would have taken place. 

She rushed under the water, wanting to scrub every inch of her body to erase their touch.  Swirls of red ran down her body as she scrubbed her arm.  It hadn't occurred to her before that her shock had protected her from truly registering what happened, but now that she was alone it all came rushing back to her.  Every detail of the previous night had a sob rip through her body violently as she wrapped her arms around herself.  She hadn't heard the door open, or heard Draco approach, but she flinched when he placed one large hand on her shoulder.

"No!" Vega screamed, cowering away from the touch. 

"Vega!  It's just me, you're alright." His eyes were wide and searching her own green orbs for a sign that she recognized him. 

"Draco," she collapsed into his arms.  He pulled her to his chest, uncaring for how soaked his suit was getting.  "I'm so sorry," she sniffed.

"For what?"

"All of this.  This...this mess I've put you in.  You don't deserve this."  She felt him stiffen at her words and looked up at him.  His face was hard, unrevealing, and thoughtful.

"There is worse things I deserve.  You," he lowered himself to her height, "are not a burden by any means.  I chose this."  His eyes shifted to her lips, as if debating on whether or not to kiss her, but he didn't get the chance to decide before Vega reached up and made the choice for him.

At first, he did nothing, but then she felt his arms snake around her naked body as he returned the kiss with fervor.  His tongue slipped into her mouth and she moaned against him, tugging at his tie.  When she pulled away to catch her breath, he misread the action and stepped back.  "I'm sorry," he wiped his mouth with his thumb. 

"No," she pulled him back.  "I want this.  Please," she pleaded, eyes glistening.  "I want it to be your touch burned into my skin, not theirs.  I," she bit her lip, fumbling for how to word herself, "I want you Draco.  I need you."  He was staring at her as she stepped back to put her body on display for him.  His gaze hungrily swept over every inch of her.  The dip between her breasts, the slight curve to her hips,  the water trailing down her navel and between her legs.  The dark tuft of hair that concealed what he so desperately yearned for.  "Please," she whispered.

Draco tore off his tie, ripping his shirt over his head and discarding it on the shower floor.  He practically leapt out of his trousers, kicking his shoes off and standing naked before her.  She looked him over, never having the pleasure of truly appreciating his body before.  The way his pale skin wrapped taut over the muscles of his stomach.  How his white hair darkened ever so slightly under the water.  The white scars that just barely stood out over his neck and torso.  The slashes over his left forearm where he undoubtedly had tried to rid himself of the cursed dark mark.  He was beautifully broken, and she felt herself melt under his lustful stare.

He didn't move for a moment, both of them drinking in the other's visage.  Finally, Vega raised up on her toes and gently brought him back down.  His plump pink lips caressed her own, and he moved to kiss down her throat.  All thoughts of Gavin and the others faded as his touch was all she could feel.  He took a hardened nub into his mouth as his hand cupped her breast and she moaned into the touch.  She could feel his excitement pressing against her thigh and she let one hand reach down to stroke him, earning a shiver and a groan of pleasure from him that vibrated against her.

"Are you sure?" Draco breathed as he nipped at her earlobe.

"I've never been more sure of anything." His hands ravaged her, grasping and squeezing all of her, kneading her delicate flesh in his palms.  His touch left shockwaves of pleasure it its wake.

She dropped to her knees, ready to take him in her mouth, but he gently pushed the hair from her face and swept his thumb over the bruise on her cheek where she had been struck.  "No," he breathed and pulled her back up, "I want to make you feel good." He was careful not to slam her back too hard against the wall, knowing how it pained her still, and buried his face between her legs.  She threw her head back, running her fingers through his hair and gripping it to keep herself grounded.  His tongue glazed over her expertly until she felt she couldn't take it anymore and he stood up.  He kept his eyes on hers as they fluttered and fought to keep open.  Draco ran his smooth hand up her leg and hitched it around his hip before teasing her entrance with his engorged member.  

"Vega," he whispered as he pushed into her.  Her breath caught in her throat at the full sensation he provided her with.  Her nails raked down his back, drawing blood, and he moved deliciously slow within her.  She could tell that he was straining to hold back, to be careful with her, and it made the fire in her belly blaze hotter.  She bit her lip, fighting to control the building climax.  She wasn't ready yet, she wanted more.

With one hand holding her thigh in place, he raised the other to cup her face.  His forehead rested on hers as their breath mingled with each thrust.  Her arms wound around his neck to balance herself.  "Vega," he said again with more conviction this time.

"Draco," she moaned back, unable to keep her voice even as the pleasure proved too much.

"I love you," he murmured as his eyes burned into her own.  She hadn't expected to hear those words from anyone, let alone Draco Malfoy, and it threw her off guard.  He didn't stop his movements, but the way he watched her face spoke volumes.  He was scared, nervous even, and it was such an endearing thing to see on his usually arrogant self.

Vega looked up into the swirling steel orbs and kissed him hard.  Pulling back she nipped his lower lip lightly.  "I love you," she breathed into his mouth.  He attacked her lips with more passion than before and his thrusts picked up pace.  She cried out blissfully as he hit all the right spots.  His muscles flexed with each movement and he grunted and moaned, spurring her on.  She could tell he was nearing his end, his moves growing rushed and sloppy, his hands gripping her harder as if he couldn't get close enough to her in that moment.  With one final groan, she felt him pulsate inside of her as her own orgasm racked through her body, clenching around him and making him shiver.  

Neither made a move to break apart for quite some time.  The words still lingered in the air around them and cast a heaviness that was both intoxicating and terrifying.  After what seemed like a lifetime, Draco lowered her leg and stepped back into the running water with a satisfied smirk while Vega still tried to catch her breath.  All she could think about was that he loved her.  Draco Malfoy loved her.  Not only that, but he had proven that he would do anything in his power, risky or not, to keep her safe.