Chapter Twenty Nine

"So you say I am free now?"

"Yes, you can do whatever you want whenever you want. Even get engaged."

"Hum, that's a lot of unexplored possibilities," Veronica drawled, looking to the side.

"You have a lot of time. Your life is only beginning."

"So I can do whatever I want?"

"There are limitations of course, but-" All other words died on Archie's lips, because Veronica crushed them with hers with incredible force. Archie was caught off guard and hesitated to react, but only for a moment. He kissed back and the force was conquered with tenderness. Veronica didn't even notice when she became dominated instead of being the domineer. She became weak in the knees and would've fallen onto the ground quite ungracefully, if Archie had not kept her close to him, encircling her waist with the arms that freed her just several minutes ago.

"What was that?" he asked withdrawing from the kiss, he wanted to last an eternity. Damn the consequences, responsibilities and all the highly honorable stuff. Why couldn't he just have a life?

That was fantastic! Nobody had kissed her like that! Especially her boyfriends. She could bet, Flint would've been better in kissing department than her exes. "It is what I want."

"I am sorry, I can't," Archie responded with a sad smile.

"But what was it… just right now?" Veronica demanded, her head starting to spin from all the confusion and pain, such incredible pain in her chest. As if everything was turning upwards and backwards and just was not on its right place.

"A goodbye."

"What the Hell?!" Veronica burst suddenly, shoving off his hands. "I am not worthy of you? After all I've done?!"

"I'm sorry, it is not in my power-"

"Oh for the mother of Gryffindor, shut up!" Oh no, there was nothing to stop Veronica anymore. She would tell him everything she thought of the saint Archie, the golden boy. She was mad at him, utterly and completely mad. Wanted him? Hah and double hah, how could she be so blind?! "I did everything you said, you bastard!" SLAP! "Even became a pureblood!" Another slap. "Worked my ass off to become a lady!" SLAP! SLAP! "Is it because I made your father's soul leave this world?" Archie wanted to say that it definitely was not the reason, but Veronica wouldn't have heard him anyway, she was on a row of defending her maiden dignity. "I saved your life! I healed you so many times! And this is what I get?! Some lame 'I'm sorry'?! Bastard!"

She kept slapping him and Archie just continued to say 'I am sorry' and nothing more, nothing in his defense. He didn't know if it was intentional on her part, that she hit him with one slap and healed it with the other and then slapped even harder.

"I HATE YOU!!!" Veronica screamed at the top of her lungs and ripped the bracelet off of Archie's hand, drawing blood, but that made no effect on him. She shoved a middle-sized leather bag into his hands and ran off into the sunset that was coloring the sky in red. Quite an appropriate color, to Archie's mind. The color of bleeding heart.

"What happened here?" Harry demanded, coming from behind the corner. "I heard screams and then Veronica ran pass me. She was crying." He added the last part with utter disbelief. He had never seen her show such a strong emotion and so openly, she wasn't even covering her face!

"I rejected her," Archie replied with a dead voice, summoned his broom and was off.

"Oh Merlin…" Harry breathed now totally lost. He thought he was supposed to rejoice because his daughter would not hang around Malfoy anymore, but she looked so broken… and the boy was not that bad… "I don't understand anything anymore," Harry concluded, shaking his head. "And his eyes…"

"Yes, Harry, Veronica was not the only one crying," Ginny cleared his doubts, appearing from behind him.

"But what is going on? This is just so bizarre!"

"All is fair in love and war, isn't it?"

…………………

Despite the sound isolation and the incredibly large size of the orphanage, the news that Archie and Veronica had a huge fight was known by all constant inhabitants of the orphanage, including the staff, by the evening of the next day. The kids, who had already taken Veronica as their own, desperately tried to get to the bottom of the fight and most importantly help, but both doors, which actually situated less than ten feet from each other, were closed with strong enough magic to show that guests were NOT appreciated.

Strong magic have never stopped Harry Potter though. Bizarre or not, the situation must be cleared and he definitely didn't want to talk to Veronica about it. Girl's feelings (Whoa! She actually had them) were not a very comfortable topic for him, even more than the talk about sex. But Harry was her father, so had all the rights to question the offender. So he banged on Archie's door, showing that he was not going to give up no matter how long it takes. He heard a curt 'enter' right away and he did, seeing quite an unexpected picture – Archie was frantically but systematically packing his bags.

"Running away?" Harry asked with disgust. What a coward!

"Taking a strategic retreat," Archie replied in an even voice. There were no visional signs of the turmoil he lived through less than a day ago.

"So you always act like this after breaking a girl's heart?" Harry asked, taking the same conversational tone.

"I am surprised, you are not happy, Uncle. Was it not your wish for Veronica not to be associated with me, especially romantically? And didn't you do the very same thing in your past?"

"Huh?"

Archie had finally turned to him and by the steel color of his eyes Harry understood that the light chit-chat was over. The boy was dead serious. But what was he talking about?

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't you remember? The end of your sixth year? Dumbledore's funeral? You dumped your first love, the girl who had been worshiping you for years."

Harry turned pale. Oh how he hated himself for that day! Regretted it every next day of his life. He dumped Ginny, the only light in his messed up existing. "But I had no choice! We were at war, people died, I didn't want her to get hurt, I had to fulfill my destiny!" Harry supplied the eternal excuses, he made himself believe.

"And you think there is no war now, Uncle?" Archie asked his voice bitter. "We all fight for the place under the Sun. Look at the squibs – they fight to have a normal life with at least a bit of magic. It is not their fault they were born like that. The world is so prejudiced that one must go through hundred of barriers to get to what he wants, even if somebody else just takes it. I've seen it more than enough. I love my family and I will fight for them. My destiny is a very clear cut one, with the scar or without.

My life was planned out the moment I was born. Till the moment I get thirty. You can't even imagine how many responsibilities I have. This orphanage being the major one. I am to marry at twenty five. Do you want me to lead your daughter on for nine years?"

"So you want to have freedom?" Harry asked, not impressed with Archie's speech about the destiny. "So you could have as many girls as you want with no strings attached?"

Archie shook his head. "Not for me, for Veronica. I want her to have a free life. With her own choices and experiences. And I am not to blame for breaking her heart."

"What does that suppose to mean? You imply that she doesn't have one?!" Harry exclaimed outraged. How could that heartless brat say such things? He just tossed her away with no explanation.

"Veronica wants me because of what I represent, not because she has feelings for me. I am only one in the row of the long chain of guys she considers to be suitable. Such approach doesn't suit me."

"So this is a question of pride?" Harry almost laughed. All big words, but in the end it comes to Archie being a Malfoy.

"There is nothing bad in wishing to be loved, isn't it?"

"You are too young to know what love is."

"I know quite a lot about it, Uncle. That's why I am leaving."

What was that supposed to mean? Harry just couldn't get the boy. It seemed that he had three different personalities at the same time. Or even more. He rejected Veronica because he didn't want to lead her on, meaning that way they won't have a normal relationship. Totally understandable. Point to Archie. But on the other hand, Harry considered Archie quite a rational individual, so it was impossible for him not to see what great impact the event had on Veronica. They could just talk things through like normal people. Why such hurried escape then? Why not just get over it and live their own lives? Unless… Unless both parties and especially Archie did not want to get over it.

…………….

"I am so sorry, mother. I must've ruined your plans with Uncle Vlad with all this… commotion."

"No, we are leaving in a week. As do you, if the packed bags are any indication," Ginny remarked, sitting down onto Archie's bed.

"I am transferring to Beaxbutton. I decided to leave earlier too, first of all, finish the process of inheritance and then I will go under Uncle Frances's wing. I will be staying at the cottage under Marcel."

"It seems like you have it all planned out, son," Ginny said with a sad smile.

"You know my leaving was inevitable."

"Yes, but I hoped it would be two more years."

"I know, but this seems to be the best course of action right now. Those millions must be invested quickly and successfully. I won't be able to do it without Uncle Frances's assistance. I am meeting with Uncle Ernest and Uncle Antony tomorrow. Uncle Ernest will prepare all the needed papers including the procuracy on your name to use the seal and use the vault and everything else. And, please, no farewell party, I am just going -"

"To disappear?" Ginny asked with clear reproach. "They are your family, you can't just ran out on them with no explanation. They have the right to know what happened, as do I."

Archie sighed in defeat, hearing strict notes in his mother's voice. He had been given a large amount of freedom from the early age, because Ginny was somewhere on business most of the time and nurses couldn't keep track of him all the time anyway. But Archie knew when his mother demanded something to know and with her special tone of power, it was futile to try to weasel out of it.

"Can't you just… you know, see it in my head?" Archie asked, flopping down onto the bed and positioning his head onto Ginny's lap. He often lay like that in his childhood when he wanted to have an important conversation about a subject where only his mother could guide him.

"As if you don't know that I can't anymore. I bet Vlad is snickering his head off after making your mind so strong. And later he will tell me that in your age mothers can't control their kids anymore, not to mention I can see something ve-e-e-ry high rated there. Which I am not supposed to see – nonsense! You are at the most vulnerable age, you can step onto some dark path and I won't even know about!"

"Don't worry, I will be a good boy and won't talk to strangers," Archie reassured with puppy eyes, though his smirk ruined the picture of innocence he tried to present.

"So you must tell me everything yourself," Ginny uttered her tone serious this time. "I learned to love that girl as my own daughter. And hoped to call her one some day. Everybody saw the chemistry between you two. And you put so much effort in helping and then developing her into a fine young lady with a wonderful untamed spirit."

Archie closed his eyes to gather his thoughts. Why did he act like he did? It was on pure instinct to what? Protect himself? Protect her? "She is not ready for it yet. I am not ready too."

"You were afraid," Ginny concluded.

"That too. I didn't feel any warmth in that kiss. Just wish to claim me as hers, by force if necessary."

"A kiss, you say?" she inquired with just a tiny share of teasing in her tone.

Archie's cheekbones reddened. "It doesn't matter how I understood it."

"But Veronica did cry, and I was reported that she had cried all night."

"Yes, that bothers me the most, mother. What if I am mistaken? What if it was not only a cold calculation?" Archie questioned obviously completely lost.

Ginny looked tenderly at her son. He was worried about investing millions but was still only a teenager at heart with natural doubts and insecurities. "If her feelings for you are deep enough she will understand and maybe even return."

"I desperately hope for that to happen."

"How come?"

"Because I am planning to grant your wish of calling Veronica your daughter. I am going to marry her, but when the time for it is right. For both of us."

"Why are you so sure about it?"

"Only this way I can fulfill father's last will."

…………….

Eric couldn't get a hold of Archie for almost two days after his birthday. Clara had arrived with her mother and he just was not… there. Uncle Blaise and Aunt Luna were just great together! Eric noticed it the night of the ball, they moved so gracefully when they danced. Oh yes, the ball… he won't forget that night in a long time… Eric sighed, feeling complete contentment with life. Grades were high, Quiddich was successful, he had a great family and friends on his side and Clara… Clara… He wished she could always be by his side.

Well, that was accomplishable. In not so far away future. But the happy thoughts aside, what was going on with his older brother? Eric was in total darkness about the real state of things between Archie and Veronica. They certainly got along well, but Archie feverishly denied any romantic interest towards her, on the other hand, (which is very important) he took her to the ball. Archie could cover it however he wanted: just an introduction to the society, another lesson of life, but it was a date, from whichever corner you look at it, and Archie had never took a girl on a date till that day. And now Archie rejected Veronica's… affection? What would happen next, Eric wondered.

With those thoughts in mind, Eric got to Archie's bedroom, but stopped dead on his tracks when he heard Clara's voice from the room because the door was not fully closed.

"Clara, I beg of you! You must agree!"

"But, Archie, what about Eric?"

"Eric will understand. I am sure of it."

"So what am I supposed to understand?" Eric drawled in a dangerously low voice, upon pushing the door open. What he saw in the room made his blood boil. Archie was holding Clara's hands, his girlfriend's hands, and the said girlfriend was alone with a boy in his bedroom and not even protesting about his touching her like that! Despicable! "I can't believe it! We took the vow, brother, don't you remember?! Never fight over a girl!" Eric couldn't find words to express his devastation about being betrayed in such a way. And by his brother no less. Eric shot a glance at Clara. She was his first love for Rowena's sake! The girl was shaking like a leaf. Oh yes, be scared, his wrath won't know bounds. "Damn you both!"

"Accio Eric!" Archie bellowed, the second his younger brother attempted to run out of the room. Eric landed in a heap in front of Archie. "Only one life will be ruined in this mess and it won't be yours. Clara, tell him what I asked of you," the new head of the Malfoy family ordered.

"You asked… you asked to take care of Veronica," Clara began with gulps between sobs. She desperately wanted to remain composed but she just couldn't. She didn't know what made her cry – Eric's lack of trust in her or the danger of ending of her wonderful world. "To become her best friend, a shoulder to lean on. To teach her how to love and prevent any harsh decisions that can hurt her or her feelings in the future."

"Have you heard that, Eric? Never doubt that girl! Now stop this foolishness and make up already."

"I am so sorry, Clara," Eric said softly, his eyes on the floor. "I must've overreacted. I just love you so much and can't even imagine my life without you." The second the words flew from Eric's lips, he turned extremely red in the face. He didn't mean to confess his true feelings like that.

Archie left for the balcony, seeing Clara rushing down into the arms of her beloved. The rest of the conversation drowned in kisses and sweet nothings. Archie didn't want to hear any of it. If only he could forget his duties and rational reasoning, he could experience the same happiness.

"You will go to the Hell and back for her, but you will get the life I died for," Archie uttered aloud the last words of his father's prophecy. He had shared the beginning of it with no-one, not even with his mother. "If only Veronica could understand…"

……………..

News travel fast so before Archie managed to settle in France, he received a Howler that came all the way from England.

And you call yourself a brother?! How could you do something like that to poor Veronica?! She could be traumatized, revert to her shell-shocked self again! Have you thought of that? I just can't fathom what were you thinking at the time, Archie! The girl has been moping around for weeks! And you want to ask me how do I know? Because she came to the Burrow right after you made your coward escape to France. She couldn't stand all those pitiful glances. Her words, by the way. And to my mind, she is not the one to receive any pity. You are so NOT worthy of her! Veronica can do much better, and she will! And if you can't see how beautiful, smart and caring, okay scratch out caring, doesn't really matter, so if you don't see all the good in her, it is YOUR BLOODY PROBLEM!

Your cousin, Rose, who lost all faith in you.

In one moment the unity between the Malfoy and the Weasley, and by extension the Potter, clans was broken. The five years of hard work had gone to waste. They were at war again. And how in all wars innocent people suffered. That time the role got Eric and Clara with whom Rose seized any communication due to them being in the camp of the enemy, as she thought at least. Clara was not so easily discarded though. She was in the same House as Veronica not to mention they shared the same bedroom. Clara tried to fulfill her promise to Archie and didn't only become Veronica's shadow.

As for Veronica herself… Everybody just assumed her being the one who was wronged and nobody had discussed with her what she felt or thought about the situation. Opposite to Rose she continued to come to morning practices with Eric, but remained silent the majority of the training time.

Everybody went on with their lives to the extent of their abilities and wishes. In the end of October Archie received not even a letter, but a note. Despite its briefness, the letters were written with a firm handwriting and with no spots on the parchment.

I have understood your reasoning and I forgive you. But I won't forget you.

Aurora