10. Storms at dawn

The day was going to be rainy, something usual for the beginning of November. The clock showed half past six and the sun was yet nowhere to be seen, but it had already colored the clouds that were gathering in all shades of red. The wind was cold, but somewhat nice. The leafs flew all over the huge garden and the air was thick with the scent of smoke.

"Hello, November!" she smiled to herself as she went out of the house.

Victorya was wearing her fave leather jacket and a worn-out pair of jeans, but they worked fine for the occasion. Taken there was no such…

"So you didn't sleep that much," Theodore grinned from the swing.

"Almost not at all."

"Thinking of me?" the boy raised an eyebrow.

"You wish," she snapped back, though her voice showed thrill from the early "date".

"And so it happens, Onix," he said in her ear.

How he moved so fast Vicky didn't really have the time to figure out, because now Theo was standing right behind her, his hands on hers, and he kissed first her cheekbone, then her neck.

Hard as Riddle tried, it was simply impossible for her to resist, so she turned her head slightly to the right and in a matter of seconds they were making out.

"Now we are talking," mannered Nott somewhere in between the kisses and the moans, making Vicky laugh.

***

The Sun was not in a hurry to rise. It became silent spectator of their reunion. For both Theo and Vicky the world was not important. At least not the world from other's point of view. Because, well, everything they needed they found in the eyes of the other.

Victorya had missed him. It had been years, of course, but as it often happened with the first love, you never actually stop loving the object of your purest feelings. She had thought she'd never see him again, let alone see him wanting her. Now she just admired the green eyes and kept running her fingers trough his dark hair.

Theodore had missed her. It all started like a very clever plan, he just wins the Ice Princess, then the throne is theirs. But as he got to know her, he realized she was not only the pretty, hot-legged, nice-assed shell. There was a lot more to her. For the hours they spent talking of poetry, fate and real life, for the blue eyes that never ceased glittering, for the laughter from the rosy lips, he fell in love. That's why when the truth came out, he regretted being so selfish. Theo never imagined Onix would ever talk to him again, and what's more, love him again. That's why he drank hungrily from the lips, caressed the cheeks, the neck, reminding himself how soft her skin was.

"Onix?" he started softly, wondering is she is asleep, as she had closed her eyes.

"Yeah?" she purred.

"Don't leave me anymore, okay?"

Victorya laughed.

"Sure!"

Then their kisses outshined the sun…

***

Why do I feel guilty?!?

Still not able to realize everything that had happened, I sat in my chair, my eyes wandering the gray garden of the manor. The sun was already setting, early enough to make me remember Christmas is coming. I hated that holiday more than others, mainly because it was a family celebration, and in my life I have had family only three years, two of which I did not recollect. A sudden gust of wind made me shiver. That was maybe because I never dressed properly, as Draco noted a few days, when he came home for Halloween.

I smiled. God! Why did I smile?!? Stop that!!!

My thoughts did not obey, in a matter of second I was back in that day.

I was taking a walk in the garden, when I heard his baritone voice from behind.

"Hello, mistress! Miss me?"

I turned slowly, calming myself.

"What are you doing here?"

"That's my house. Last time I checked, at least," the blonde snot scowled at me.

"You know what I mean! You should be in Hogwarts, doing your best to befriend Potter!" I hissed.

He was getting on my nerves.

"They left for the holidays too. Plus, I'm doing pretty well," damn, his smile was so self-satisfied I felt an urge to punch him.

"Hmm…and how is that?" I raised an eyebrow, which annoyed him more that I intended to.

"If you think I'm incapable of completing the task, why did you choose me?" he almost shouted.

He might have grown a few inches, but he was still a silly bunny!

"I'm wandering too, Draco, I'm wandering too," I teased him, and then I tried to be serious. "Anyway, I'm dying to hear how you convinced Potty you are good?"

"Well, I can be very persuasive," he whispered.

What was that? Attempt in being clever? It surely did not work.

Crossing my arms, I waited for him to get to the point.

"To start with, on the first day of school I went to him to say sorry, and all these dramatic shits from the movies. He did not completely fall for it, but the mudblood, such a girly girl, believed every word of mine. Then, on lunch, I was showing off with my loneliness, sitting in the end of almost empty Slytherin table all by myself. Then guess what? She invited me to sit with them. The first two weeks Pothead and Wiesel weren't very happy with that, but then, when I offered a trip to the Three Broomsticks in a male company, they were both fast to join. Then, yeah, you know, alcohol draws people, especially men, closer.

"And now you are friends?" I couldn't trust my hearing.

"Well, what so scary about that?" he laughed.

"Pardon me?" was he trying to be funny again?!

"You are shaking. What's the matter?" his voice was not worried, but teasing.

It was then I realized how cold I was. Like, my fingertips were a bit numb, and my lips have lost sensation.

"Nothing. I'm a little cold."

"You are an awful lot cold, if you ask me…"

"Very funny!" I hissed and started for the house.

"Hey, come on, don't be so stiff, doe!"

I was way too angry to react on the nickname. It was not as annoying as I made it seem, it was just a good reason for me to beat him up everytime I wanted.

"I just…," he gasped for air running to catch up with me, "I just meant you never dress warm enough, Vics!"

And then it was Halloween. And he was kissing me. And then I was fully asleep…

***

I dreamt of these lips. Of the striking blue eyes. Of the scent of perfume, mixed with the shampoo and lavender soap. Even when I woke up, my thoughts kept getting back to the dance, the lights and the black dress.

You, idiot! You have fiancée! What if somebody saw you? What if someone told her? Idiot!

"Hey, Draco-o-o!"

OMG! How I hated when she acted like fifth-grader.

"Yeah, babe, over here!"

When I finally opened my eyes, I almost chocked. Pansy had put her bodies in something that may have suited a sixteen years old prostitute, or an anorexic girl, but not her for sure.

Note to self: Don't let her choose her underwear.

"Oh! That's nice! What is the occasion?" I moaned, trying not to laugh.

"Just that I used to think you are having sex with Victorya."

After I recovered from the shock, which took pretty long, I managed to blast, "What changed?"

"Well, she is with Theo in the garden and they are so into each other. Like us…"

She kept going, but I was not paying attention.

What the fuck?!? Victorya was with Theodore?! But… but we kissed a few hours ago!

Yeah, and you, idiot, told her it was nothing. That you are friends!

You don't want to make friends. You want HER!!!

Before Pansy had the chance to take her undies off, I was gone.

***

Five hours and a dozen of miles later he decided on talking to her. Making everything clear. And shouting at her for being such a slut!

He ran up the staircase and almost knocked Vicky's door off.

"How could you…," he suddenly stopped.

Something was wrong. Victorya was in her armchair, facing the dark window. And her head was unnaturally distorted.

"Oh, God! What…?!?"

Malfoy ran to the chair, terrified, only to find Riddle lightly sleeping.

She was somehow peaceful, as if she was having a pleasant dream. On her lips trembled a small smile that disappeared almost immediately.

"Oh, just let go of the fight, man! She chose. You can't hold her responsible she didn't chose you, " Draco thought to himself, then smiled at the sleeping girl, made sure she was warm enough, and left the room.