Chapter 28: The Kelly Courtship
"Leolin, darling, it's nearly half two. You ought to at least be thinking of getting out of bed."
"Mum," Leolin groaned, rolling away from the window her mother had just opened and pulling the covers over her head. "Just five more minutes!"
"Leolin, you said that fifteen minutes ago," Her mother said, yanking on the duvet and exposing Leolin's face for a second time. "And it's a lovely day!" She said in a cheery voice. "Also," she continued less enthusiastically. "You've been sleeping for well over twelve hours. It's not good to be this lethargic. Come on, get up. I want you to go for a run before you have to go to work."
"No," Leolin groaned. "I don't want to go outside. The Prophet's been camped out.
"They're gone," Ariadne said. "Your father set a team of snarling barristers on them. If they come within 200 feet of you or snap a single picture they are facing a huge fine.
Leolin sat up and Ariadne sat beside her, stroking some of her dark curls away from her tired face.
"Everyone is here for you, mon lapin. Trust me. It will feel good to go out and sweat a little. It's a nice cool day."
"Alright," Leolin said quietly. "I'll go."
"How are you this morning?" Ariadne asked.
Leolin had dark circles under her eyes and her hair hadn't been washed in a while, but Ariadne didn't say anything about it. Her skin was dull, her lips dry and colourless.
Leolin sighed quietly. "You don't have to keep asking me that. I'm fine."
Ariadne gave her a knowing look. "Yes I do. I'm your mother, and I know—"
"It's only been four days," Leolin said defensively, and her mother touched her cheek.
"I know, my sweet. But I have to worry about you all the time. That's my job."
Leolin nodded.
"Has—" she swallowed, looking at her mother. "Has Draco been in the paper?"
Ariadne gave her a candid look of sadness.
"Don't worry about him."
"Has he?"
Ariadne looked down.
"Yes."
"With Severina Borgia?"
"Don't torture yourself, Leolin. Please."
"Has he?"
"Yes. But you could drive yourself mad worrying about that. I know this is easier said then done, but try and put all this behind you. If he wants to be petty, you have to let him. All you should be worrying about now is how to heal. Fuck him; if this is how he wants to play, then he was never worthy of you."
Leolin hardly ever heard her mother swear.
"Now," Ariadne said. "Do you work tonight?"
Leolin nodded.
"Six to last call."
Ariadne nodded.
"Please tell me Moira's working with you. I feel so much more at ease when she's looking out for you."
"She feels the same way, I think. She's been working all my shifts with me."
"See?" Ariadne said. "She's in your corner, too."
"I know."
"Also, I know you don't want to talk about this, but—have you spoken to Lauren's son?"
"Who's Lauren?"
"Lauren Rookwood. Her son is the Zabini boy."
"Oh, Blaise. No I haven't. He's not exactly my favourite person at the mo."
"Alright, just wondering."
Leolin sighed.
"I don't like him, I swear. You know I would tell you if I did."
Ariadne shrugged.
"Would you?"
"Of course."
"Alright. But Lai, he's very handsome, and, well, in that picture of the two of you—"
"He's Draco's best mate. At least he was, before the whole…kiss thing. Anyway, it's not going to happen. He's unrequitedly in love with Ginny and I don't fancy him at all."
"Then why did you kiss him at your father's party?"
"What are you, the Wizengamot? Merlin, I feel like I'm on trial or something! And for the record, your honour, he kissed me."
"Of course you're not on trial, I just want you to be happy. I thought maybe this Zabini boy made you happy."
"Well he doesn't."
"Alright," Ariadne said, taking Leolin's hand. "I just have to ask."
Leolin sighed, laying her head on her mother's shoulder.
"I know. I'm sorry. I shouldn't snap at you. Thank you for letting me stay here."
"Of course, my darling. I don't want you to be alone when you're feeling like this."
"Thanks," Leolin said, nodding. "I should get ready for the run."
"Will you be alright here on your own this afternoon?" Ariadne asked, smoothing Leolin's hand in her own. "I've got some errands to run."
"Yeah, I'll be fine."
"I asked Ginny over for the afternoon. She said she hadn't seen you since the party."
"I don't need a babysitter."
"Your best friend is a babysitter?"
"No, I just don't want to be mollycoddled anymore."
"I don't think Ginny's really one of that sort of thing. Do you?"
"No," Leolin said, getting out of bed and trading her pajamas for running pants.
"Neither do I."
Leolin nodded, lacing up her shoes.
"Be back in a bit," she said. "See you later."
"I might be gone before you get back. Give me a kiss just in case."
Leolin obliged.
"I love you," Ariadne said.
"Love you too," Leolin replied, heading down the stairs and out the door.
Her mother had been right; the cool breeze and the pounding of her trainers on the stone and the enchanted music in her ears was cathartic. She felt her old self, her pre-Draco self, stirring, and she felt confident and sexy in a way she hadn't since seeing Severina standing in Draco's kitchen. She ran for a solid five miles or so, arriving at home feeling so much more centered.
"How was the run?" Ariadne asked, stuffing a pearl earring in one ear as she heeled into her pumps.
"Good," Leolin said. "Really good. Thanks for suggesting it."
Ariadne nodded, and the doorbell rang.
"That will be Ginny," Ariadne said, touching Leolin's cheek.
Ariadne was just putting on her coat when Leolin yanked the door open. Ginny was holding an obscenely large bouquet of white lilies and stepping through the front door.
"Um, thanks," Leolin said, but Ginny laughed.
"These aren't from me. They were being delivered just as I walked up."
"Ah," Ariadne said, frowning a little. "How, um…lovely. Well goodnight, girls. Have a lovely rest of your day. Leolin, if you're going to keep those flowers they need to be put in water."
"I know," Leolin said.
"I don't want to come home and find them still wrapped up."
"Love you, Mum," Leolin said pointedly.
"Alright, then. Be good, my darlings. See you both tomorrow."
"Bye," the girls chorused, both still looking at the lilies.
"I thought white lilies were meant for when someone dies," Leolin said, frowning as the door clicked shut behind her mother.
"They usually are," Ginny agreed. "Good thing my mum's not here. She'd think this was all frightfully bad manners."
"My mum does too, obviously. Did you see the look on her face?"
Leolin spotted a black card sticking out among the ivory blossoms and she pulled it out.
"Do you recognize this handwriting?" Leolin asked, showing the envelope to Ginny.
Ginny shook her head. "Could it be Blair's, or Cristian's?"
Leolin shook her head as well. "Blair would never do anything this tasteless; Cristian's got chicken scratches for penmanship."
"Oh well go on then, open it and see."
Leolin raised an eyebrow and tore it open, unfolding the note and immediately frowning.
"I should have known," she scoffed, disgusted. The expensive paper crackled as she balled her hand into a fist, and then she offered the note to Ginny.
"You've got to be kidding me," she sneered, passing the paper back to Leolin. "Draco sent these?"
Leolin shook her head, looking down at the unsigned note, which had been written on Malfoy Enterprises card stock.
More's the Pity
"This isn't his writing. It's Lucius. He's toying with me."
"What a sadistic creep," Ginny said vehemently, and when this didn't cheer Leolin she added, "he can go straight to hell."
"Someday he will," Leolin said dazedly, starting the fireplace with a swish of her wand and tossing the flowers into the blaze. She then flopped down at the dining room table and buried her face in her arms.
"You alright?" Ginny asked, sitting down as well.
Leolin picked her head up doggedly. "Lovely. Why do you ask?"
"Well, I don't mean to be indelicate, but you look miserable. When's the last time you slept properly? Or bathed?"
"What do I need to shower for? I haven't got a boyfriend. I can be as gross as I want now. It's totally liberating. You should really try it."
"Right, okay," Ginny said. "Well, maybe you'd like to get dressed up with me tomorrow and come out? Oliver's got loads of cute friends we could set you up with."
"I've only been broken up with Malfoy for a few days!" Leolin said defensively. "Give me a bit of time."
"I know! I just thought…well, it couldn't hurt to go out with a bloke, just have someone remind you of how great you are."
Leolin laughed bitterly. "I don't need a bloke for that; I have you."
"I know," Ginny said gently. "And I think you are fabulous, darling, weird smell and all. I just thought if you wanted, you know, to start getting out there, I could help you."
"You mean, if I wanted to make Malfoy suffer you'd help me."
Ginny looked at her evenly. "He's taken Severina Borgia to every place that was ever important to you two. He deserves to feel the same sting."
"Look Gin, I appreciate the sentiment, but I still love him desperately and I just don't want to be pawed by one of Oliver's wanker friends at some loud, dodgy club."
"Not all of his friends are wankers! Do you remember Kelly Troy? You know, Ireland's centre chaser? You met him that one time at Oliver's party. He broke up with his girlfriend six months ago and he just said he was looking to get back out there."
"Well then maybe I'll go out with him six months from now. Besides, I don't fancy dating a bloody quidditch player."
Ginny frowned. "What's wrong with dating a quidditch player?" She asked defensively.
Leolin laughed. "Nothing, of course! That's just not, you know, my type."
"What," Ginny said, "You don't like rich, fit blokes?"
"Spoiled, egotistical pricks, you mean. And I think I've had my fill of them, thanks."
"Kelly's not like that," Ginny said. "He's really sweet and genuine."
"Look, we've both dating Harry St. Potter. After him, no one will be sweet enough to matter.
"Alright," Ginny said. "But the offer is a standing one. Your gala is in three weeks…"
Leolin laughed again in spite of herself, though she also looked a bit miserable. "Don't remind me. At this point I'm content to just go without a date."
"There's nothing sadder," Ginny said in a sing-song voice, "than a society girl with no date to her own gala!"
"Oh stop it," Leolin said, throwing a spoon at her.
"All jokes aside, Lai," Ginny said, taking her friend's hand. "I just want to help. In any way I can. I know you said you don't want to take about you and Malfoy and frankly I'm too scared to ask about you and Zabini, but I just want you to know that I am here for you. Seriously, anything you need."
"You sound like my Mum," Leolin said. "but thanks. When I'm ready I'll tell you the whole story."
"Even the bit about Zabini?" Ginny asked.
Leolin smirked. "Why, is that the bit you're most interested in?"
Ginny laughed. "You forget that I like my wanker boyfriend, and I like that he's famous. Oliver is going to be on the cover of Witch Weekly this week."
"Well, if I remember correctly," Leolin said, "Zabini was on the cover of the Prophet last Sunday."
Ginny smiled. "Getting your sense of humour back, I see. Good for you."
Leolin shrugged, though the smile had somewhat slipped off her face. "What am I supposed to do, just cry about it?"
Ginny bit her lip. "Have you cried about it yet?"
Leolin shook her head.
"Ah well," Ginny said. "All in good time, I suppose."
"Yeah, good time," Leolin replied. "Or, you know, never."
"Crying is to good for the soul."
"No, Confession is good for the soul. Crying is bleeding useless. Besides, I've wasted enough tears on that nob-jiggler."
"Nob-jiggler? Well, wasn't that colourful. Too bad your mum wasn't here for that one."
"I just mean that I finally see what you were talking about. Malfoy's the worst."
Ginny bit her lip.
"What?" Leolin demanded hotly. "Now you don't think so?"
"No, of course I do. I just mean…I do think he was trying to shield you from Lucius. I do think he got that bit right. And he did snap Gareth's wand, and he did get Blair out of that scrape with the police, and he did keep Cormac McLaggen from—"
"Well, feel free to elect him for the Order of Merlin, but excuse me if I don't attend the ceremony."
"Keep your shirt on. You know you I'm always on your side. My family is, too. Every single one of my brothers has threatened to kill Malfoy including Ron and Bill, who I think you only really met for an hour or two."
"Even Percy?" Leolin joked, and Ginny laughed.
"Who is Percy?"
"Anyways, I'm not defending Malfoy, I'm just trying to lend some perspective."
"I haven't gotten to that point yet," Leolin said sourly. "I'm still hovering somewhere around brood and destroy things he's given me."
"Alright, that's perfect too," Ginny said in a cheery voice. "Whatever you need, love."
Leolin laughed again miserably, letting her head clunk down on the table.
"I just need you all to take me off suicide watch. Am I hurting? Yes. Am I going to die of sadness? Most certainly not."
"Point taken," Ginny said, standing up and going into the kitchen. "But still, you should take advantage of all this babying. I promise this is the first and last time I make you a full fry. You in?"
"Would I pass up for free food?"
"Great, get in the shower and it will be ready by the time you get out."
"Yes, Mum."
Ginny stuck her tongue out and Leolin returned the gesture before trudging up the stairs and into the shower.
If Leolin didn't like the way her mum and Ginny were handling her post-break up state, the treatment she got at work was damn near unbearable. The only protection she could stand was Moira's. About twenty minutes into Leolin's shift, a handsome Scottish bloke came and sat at the bar, smiling at Leolin. She gave a flirtaeous smile back, leaning over the bar a little so he could get a good look at the v-neck of her white t-shirt.
"What can I get you?"
"Madame Adele's," he said, smiling again.
She flipped the tap and handed him the pint glass.
"Four sickles."
He put the money on the bar, still smiling.
"Listen, not to be forward, but you're Leolin Lefevre, aren't you?"
Her smile dropped.
"And if I am?"
"I'm sorry to hear about you and Mr. Malfoy. It's a shame how he's gone running around town with Ms. Borgia, don't you think?"
Leolin sighed.
"Prophet?"
"Excuse me?"
"Do you work for The Prophet or Witch Weekly?"
"What?"
She could tell she'd put him on his heels.
"Get out," she said casually.
"Look, we're just talking—"
"You know damn well you aren't supposed to come near me. Don't you know my dad is Adrien Lefevre? Publish one word about me and he will bury you."
The man nodded, standing at once.
"My mistake."
Leolin watched him critically as he took a large gulp of his cider before standing. She glanced at Moira, who was watching him as well.
"Oy, boy-o," Moira said as he put on his coat.
"Every step a foot near this pub again and I'll call in a favour to some Knockturn thugs."
He nodded.
"Sorry to bother you."
"Just get out and don't come back here," Moira demanded.
After that, things lapsed into more of a routine, though the boys were tip-toeing around her.
"Jesus, Teddy, I'm single, not handicapped," she'd snapped at Theodore Nott when he'd offered she take a fag break for the third time in an hour. "And I don't fucking smoke."
"Good for you, Lefevre," he'd said hastily. "It's shite for you."
Despite the tongue-lashing, Teddy remained hovering a bit. Leolin rolled her eyes.
"Merlin, what?" she demanded.
"If you fancied a break I could stay around and take you for a pint after," he said. "I'm not trying to hit on you, but I don't know if you need a friend or whatever."
"Look Teddy," she said, softening a little. "I don't mean to snap, but you and I broke up for a reason last year and it would only fuel the fire. Thanks by no thanks."
He nodded and hurried away, trying his best to avoid her the rest of the night.
When a good-looking Welsh bloke had come in and started flirting with Leolin, insuring her a big tip, the barback Liam came over and scared him off.
"Get out of here," He'd warned. "And don't come back."
Leolin scowled at him.
"Don't worry about him, love. You are more than welcome to stay."
"Jog on, cardie," Liam said, trying to pretend it was somehow Nationalist.
The man looked confused.
"I'm not from Cardiff," he said, confused. "I'm from the North."
"Me too," Leolin said, glaring at Liam even as she turned up the Welsh lilt in her voice. "Cheers to that."
"Go on," Liam said more insistently.
"But I haven't paid for my drink," The man said helplessly.
"Never mind that," Liam said.
Moira was on Liam now.
"Sod off, you Paddy," Moira said.
Liam scowled, that term rubbed him the wrong way even when a girl from Dublin said it.
"Feel free to stay," Moira said. "And ignore this mick."
She jerked a thumb at Liam.
"Nah," the poor man said. "I think it's best I just get going."
He gave Leolin a wary look and slunk out, at which point Leolin wheeled on Liam.
"Liam, you sod! What about my tip? You owe me at least two galleons for that!"
Liam began to defend himself, but at seeing the look in Leolin's eyes, he simply dug out the coins and walked away without a word.
Besides that, the night progressed rather normally, and before Leolin knew it, she was yawning as she wiped down the bar for the night. As she turned to re-order the bottles behind the bar, she heard the pub's ancient bell chiming.
"We've closed," she said, not turning.
There was no reply, so she repeated herself.
"Oy mate," she said tiredly. "I said closed."
She turned around and her face fell.
"What do you want?" Leolin said tiredly.
She could barely see him still, but Blaise's green eyes glinted even in the dark.
Blaise stood warily in the doorway, but he was impossible to mistake even in the shadows. As he stepped into the light, Leolin winced involuntarily. His left eye was violet and his left cheek was swollen.
"And what the bloody hell happened to you face?"
Blaise was closer now, and he sat down in front of her at the bar. She surveyed him for another second and frowned.
"Never mind," she sneered. "I'm sure I know. He's forgiven you already then, has he?"
Blaise shrugged, folding his hands in front of him neatly. "A general needs his lieutenant. Besides, we're blokes. This is how we solve all our conflicts. Trust me, his face is no picnic either. I got in some good hits for you."
"Well, bully for you two."
"Lefevre—"
Leolin had gone back to cleaning up, but she looked up at her name. "Oh, Lefevre again, is it? Where was that personal distance the other night when you were standing between my thighs? Goodnight, Zabini, the door's just behind you."
"Leolin—"
"Goddamnit, we're closed. Get out."
Blaise grabbed her wrist, getting her attention.
"Leolin, I know you're furious with me, but please listen. I'm sorry, alright? I shouldn't have kissed you. That was wrong of me."
"No you shouldn't have kissed me!" Leolin agreed, wrenching her wrist away. "But it turns out you did me a favour, so I suppose I have no reason to be mad. You finally got me out of an abusive relationship."
"You don't mean that," Blaise said.
"Don't I? Then why am I so happy now that Draco's gone?"
"That's easy," Blaise replied. "You're not. You're miserable."
"Shows what you know," Leolin scoffed, trying to sound haughty. In reality, despite her vehement insistence that she was fine, she felt so sad without Draco that sometimes she could barely breathe.
"I can see the dark circles under your eyes. I know you haven't been sleeping, and I bet today's shower is the first you've had in a while."
"What, now you're Sherlock Holmes?"
"Who?"
"Oh never mind, you stupid pureblood prick."
"Leolin—"
"If you're here to report back to Malfoy, go ahead. Tell him I'm miserable. I don't care. Just leave me alone."
"I didn't come here for Draco."
"Then why did you come?"
"To tell you I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you. Look, you know I don't have a lot of friends because honestly I don't really see their point, but you are I—we're friends. I value that. I don't want to lose you."
Leolin sighed, looking up at Blaise. He was studying her intently, his jade eyes skidding gracefully across the planes of her face. Blaise was physically incapable of looking penitent, of that she was sure, but she assumed that he were to have a repentant face, this would be it.
"I know you're sorry. And the damage is done now, so it doesn't matter anyhow."
"It matters to me," Blaise said pointedly. "And for the record, I don't think that Draco is happy, either. In fact, I know he's not."
"What's wrong? Severina's not everything he thought she'd be?"
Blaise said nothing, but his silence betrayed him.
"Oh come on, Blaise. Am I living under a rock? I see what he's doing. If he's trying to humiliate me and break my heart, you can tell him it's working. Every time I see them in the paper a little part of me dies. Seriously, tell him that. I know it will give him a sick thrill."
"It's just a rebound," Blaise said. "I don't think he even likes her."
"How reassuring," Leolin said.
Blaise bit his lip. "Listen, I know I am the last person who should be meddling in your and Draco's affairs, but honestly, you two are meant to be together. I don't think you should lose hope.
"The term 'lose hope' implies I had hope to begin with, which I didn't. I don't want him back. Ever."
Leolin said it with such conviction she almost believed it herself.
"Cal, I don't think you mean that."
"Please," she whispered. "Don't call me that anymore. And I do. But if you really want to help me, there is something."
"Anything."
"Talk to Gracie for me. Have her call off the dogs. I still have another year of sleeping in the same room as her, and I don't fancy waking up one night with my braid cut off or a face full of bat-bogey's."
Blaise gave a humourless laugh. "You want me to speak with her?"
Leolin gave him a deadpan look. "Why are you laughing at me?"
"She won't let me within twenty feet of her. She loathes me."
"If you want to help me, find a way back into her good graces. Convince her to stop plotting my demise."
"I'm sorry, but I honestly don't know how you expect me to pull that off."
"I don't care if you have to propose again or walk down Diagon Alley naked. Just please, do it. This year is going to be hard enough. I don't need her breathing down my neck."
"Don't give her any ideas. She's probably telepathically eaves-dropping on this conversation…"
At this Leolin gave an involuntary laugh, which made Blaise smile.
"I will find a way to talk to Gracie," he promised. "Don't worry."
Leolin smiled grudgingly. "Thank you."
Blaise nodded and opened his mouth to speak, but then the door opened and they both turned to look.
"You've got to be fucking joking me," Blaise growled, standing up.
Harry stood in the doorway, and he was clearly surprised to see Blaise there.
"Harry," Leolin said in disbelief. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm sorry," Harry said awkwardly, "I didn't realize you'd be—Ginny said you might—I can leave."
"That would be best," Blaise sneered but Leolin punched him in the arm.
"Not at all," she said. "Zabini was just going."
Blaise turned to glare at Leolin.
"You can't seriously let Potter stay." "
"Why not? I'm a single girl; I'll do as I please. Besides, he's my friend."
Blaise growled something nasty under his breath and Leolin rolled her eyes.
"I suppose you're going to run back to Malfoy and tell him all about my secret rendezvous."
"He has a right to know," Blaise bit out, and Leolin rolled her eyes again.
"He certainly doesn't, but do what you want. I don't care either way. Night, Zabini."
Blaise got up, giving Leolin a hateful look before pushing past Harry and out the door.
"Sorry about him," Leolin said a bit awkwardly after Blaise had slammed the door. "Can I get you a drink?"
"Sure," Harry replied, and Leolin nodded, pulling to shot glasses down and filling them with FireWhiskey. They clinked glasses and downed the shot, after which Leolin poured Harry a pint.
"Thanks," he said gratefully, taking a sip.
They lapsed into uncomfortable silence. Leolin pretended to keep cleaning as the tension built up. Finally, she couldn't bear it.
"So…" Leolin began at last.
"I just think we should talk," Harry said, blushing a little.
"Alright," Leolin said. "What's on your mind?"
"Look, I know it's terrible timing my showing up here, especially since you and Malfoy just broke up, and I'm sorry about Zabini seeing us, but I just…I wanted to apologize. I've wanted to for a long time, but I figured it would just start a fight between you and Malfoy, and I didn't want to cause any more trouble."
"You shouldn't have to apologize, I was terrible to you," Leolin said.
"That may be true," Harry said, "but my behaviour was inexcusable, too. I pushed you into Malfoy's arms and then I treated you like shite and tried to keep you and Ginny apart. None of that was right. I just want you to know that."
"Harry, it's really okay. Trust me, compared to Malfoy, you really are Saint Potter."
Harry blushed again.
"I don't know about that. And I'm sorry about you and him, by the way. I know you really cared about him."
Leolin tried and failed to react casually. In reality she was so exhausted from pretending that she couldn't anymore. She slumped down on the bar.
"What are you supposed to do when the person you thought you were going to marry doesn't work out?"
Harry gave a sympathetic frown.
"I felt the same way, when Ginny and I broke up. But now I see we're not meant to be together, that we're really more like family, and that has been really comforting."
"I somewhat doubt that Malfoy and I are meant to be family," Leolin laughed. Harry smiled, too.
"I think you're probably right. But in five years you won't even remember what it was you loved about him so much."
"I hope you're right," Leolin said. "And I hope that you and I can maybe try and be friends again."
Harry nodded. "I'd like that."
"Me too."
Another moment of awkward silence passed, and finally Harry nodded, finishing his beer.
"Well…I ought to be going. My godfather will be wanting to know where I went."
"Yeah," Leolin chorused. "I should be getting home as well. See you, then."
"Yeah, see you. And I hope Zabini doesn't give you any trouble, you know, for me coming round."
"Don't worry about it. I'll deal with him."
"Alright. Goodnight."
"Night," Leolin echoed, smiling in spite of herself as she put up her last glass and started for the door. The talk with Blaise had left a bitter taste in her mouth, but it lightened her heart to know that there was at least one less person who hated her guts.
Leolin awoke the following morning to a loud rapping on her bedroom window.
"Mum!" she cried pathetically. "Mum!"
There was no response. Clearly, Ariadne was out. Leolin groaned and got up, going to the window and throwing it open to allow whatever owl was outside to come in. Between the break-up and the gala, Leolin had been receiving tons of owls every day, though this was not one she had expected.
"You!" she hissed as Caelus, Draco's owl, swooped in, perching on the desk and scratching the walnut finish with his sharp talons. "Draco sent you, did he?" she snapped at the bird, who hooted imperiously at her. "Get out, " she hissed.
She hated how hideously intelligent his eyes were. There were times that she was convinced he was actually an animagus. Now was one of them.
"What do you want? Have you got a howler or something? Go on then, give it to us."
She held out her hand, and Caelus proffered his leg. Upon seeing the envelope, she jumped back a bit as if she had burned herself. Caelus squawked irritably, and Leolin yanked the mint green envelope from his leg carrier. She rubbed the soft material before opening it.
Inside was the RSVP for her gala, which Draco had filled out in sinister cardinal ink. He'd ticked the box next to attending and on the line next to Guest, he'd carefully written Severina Alessandra Naomi Borgia. Worse still, after the question 'How Much Do You Wish to Donate?' he'd written a number so large Leolin had to count to zero's to verify. As she grit her teeth and screamed in frustration, separate note fluttered to the floor.
I've already sent the check to the foundation.
DM
How dare he? She fumed to herself as she went to her vanity and began tearing through her jewelry box. He had the gall to show his face at her gala? What was worse, he'd made a donation so large she'd have to choice but to let him attend. Hell, at this size his donation was likely to make him the largest benefactor of the event, meaning he and he alone would be the one to determine if it were a success. All he needed to do now was to go and complain to someone, anyone, about the food, the service, the choice of opera, and she'd be the leper of polite society. That is, more of a leper than she already was. Oh Merlin, this was a nightmare.
Finally, Leolin found was she was looking for and cast it to the ground in frustration. When she and Draco had first broken up, she hadn't known what to do with her key pendant, since she hadn't had the heart to destroy it. That was, until now. She drew her wand and aimed it directly at the key, screaming reducto! Immediately it hissed and the white gold bubbled, the diamonds burnished and the gold ruined. Angrily she scooped them back up and cast them back into the envelope, sealing it with a flick of her wand. She all but threw the envelope at Caelus, who shrieked.
"Get out of here before I roast you," she grit out, and Caelus gave another screech before taking flight with the envelope in his talons.
When he was gone, she collapsed into her desk chair, scrawling a note to Ginny.
Bring Kelly Troy to The Vagabond tonight. I get off at nine. The four of us can go out then.
"So he's coming?" Ginny asked, watching as Leolin poured a pint for an older bloke down the bar. Leolin frowned. It was half eight. Oliver and Kelly had owled to say they were going to shower after their quidditch scrimmage and head over.
"Yes. And he's bringing Severina," Leolin said, mimicking her undulating Italian accent. "That stupid viper."
"Why don't you tell him to piss off?" Ginny said.
"Because he already sent a check for two million galleons to the foundation! What I am supposed to tell them? 'Sorry, we could have funded the education of at least six witches in Rwanda, but the money was from my ex-boyfriend, so I told him to piss off instead.' He's forced my hand. I have to let him come."
"Why's he doing this? Because of Harry coming here the other night?"
"Probably. Honestly, who knows what motivates that sick mind of his. Anyways, I've already been to see Amelie. He's going to die when he sees my dress. I seriously hope the shock of it kills him."
"That good, huh?"
Leolin smiled wickedly.
"Better."
"Now you just need to charm Kelly."
"Bah," Leolin said. "I'm stupidly nervous."
"Don't be," she said. "He's so nice. Besides, when Oliver mentioned your name Kelly was…he was excited. He told Oliver you're…"
"I'm…?"
"I believe 'extremely fit' were his exact words."
"Fit? Geez, thanks."
"Okay well your normal superlatives of 'beautiful' and 'gorgeous' are sort of intense. Besides, do not play the 'I'm more than my body card'. You dress like this because you love your body. That's fine, Lai. And don't lie, knowing Draco Malfoy, who has been universally agreed to be the most handsome Wizarding bachelor, worships that body."
Leolin scoffed.
"Not anymore he doesn't."
"Ah, but he did. And I bet you when Severina's not around and he's lying in his stupid expensive bed all lonely, he still thinks about it."
"Ew, Ginny!" Leolin laughed, hitting her with a towel. "Gross."
"Gross," Ginny smiled. "But a total ego boost."
Leolin smiled. "Fair enough."
Ginny smiled triumphantly. "Checkmate."
Just then Moira appeared from the back.
"So the blind date's tonight," She said, smirking. "Ready?"
"Nope," Leolin said. "No at all."
"Shot of whiskey?"
"Always."
The three girls took the shot, and as they were slamming the glasses down Oliver and Kelly appeared. His eyes fell on Leolin at once and they sparkled. He was an average height for a quidditch player, around six feet or so, with sandy curls and hazel eyes, and in this way Leolin found him rather average. However, he oozed Irish charm, and as he smiled at her, she noted the perfect dimples in his cheeks and the sexy muss of his hair.
"Hello, Leolin," he said, coming forward.
Gingerly, she leaned over the bar so he could brush an embarrassed kiss on her cheek.
"How are you, love?"
"Good," Leolin said, looking down and blushing.
She sort of wished she wasn't wearing a push up bra, and she sort of wished Ginny hadn't told her Kelly thought she was "fit".
Before the silence could get too awkward, Moira re-appeared. Kelly's eyes fell on Moira and he smiled dazzlingly.
"Kelly Troy, as I live and breathe!" she cried, coming around the bar to hug him.
She had six years on him, but he had a foot on her.
"Moira!" He said delightedly. "You little she-devil. How are you?"
"I'm the same, you cheeky thing. What the hell are you doing in my pub?"
"Ah," he laughed, running a hand through his curls and blushing a little as his eyes swept over Leolin.
Moira looked between them.
"No!" she said, her facing breaking into a wicked grin. "You're taking my little Leolin out?"
"I am," he said, embarrassed.
"You lucky bloke!" She said, looking at Leolin again. "Look how fucking pretty she is!"
Kelly just laughed, trading a glance with Oliver.
"Well?" Moira demanded, looking at him pointedly. "Are you going to the lady she's pretty or not?"
Kelly looked at Leolin and licked his lips.
"You're—you're gorgeous."
"Very well-said, Kelly my boy," Moira said.
Leolin and Ginny shared a look and Ginny dramatically mouthed "gorgeous!", pretending to swoon.
Leolin shook her head, turning back to Kelly.
"Can I get you a drink?"
"Just a beer."
"Golden Ale?"
He nodded.
"Oliver?" Leolin asked.
"The same. Thank you."
She nodded.
Moira smiled.
"We just got some red currant rum. You four fancy a taste?"
"Yes," Ginny said at once, smiling devilishly at Moira. They were two halves of the same whole.
She poured and they drank. Leolin made a face.
"Merlin's beard. That is strong."
"You need a sip?" Kelly offered, and she nodded bashfully.
"Cheers."
"Now," Moira said. "Leolin, love. Tell me you aren't wearing this out."
"Ah—I'm not. I brought a dress."
"Good. Why don't you run to my flat and shower? Me and Gin-bug will keep these two sods busy."
Leolin did as she was bid, showering and drying quickly and doing her makeup. She then drew out the glittering flapper dress that Draco had made for her. She'd be lying if she said tonight wasn't about making him suffer. She made a bra charm and put on the diamond Loubitons. If the dress didn't drive him mad, the heels surely would.
She made her way down the stairs and back into the pub, and the four of them turned to look at her.
"Bloody Hell," Oliver blurted, and Ginny punched him in the arm.
"You look—" Kelly began, swallowing a nervous lump in his throat. "Fuck."
"Excuse me?" Leolin said, laughing a little.
"I mean—" he fumbled, blushing. "Jesus, Leolin you look stunning. Especially considering…"
She gave him a cold look.
"Considering what?" She said a little snidely.
Kelly was foolish enough to answer.
"Well, when I broke up with Natalie I looked a proper mess. And I mean, Draco Malfoy's running around town with that Italian girl and you've still got the stomach to wear that amazing dress. Good on you."
Ginny groaned and Leolin gave her a pointed look.
"Merlin," he stammered. "That was the complete wrong thing to say, wasn't it?"
"Yes," Leolin and Moira chorused in union.
"It's fine," Leolin snapped, grabbing her clutch and ignoring Kelly's gaze. "Let's go."
Oliver clapped him sympathetically on the back, and Oliver and Ginny shared a pointed look as Leolin straightened her skirt.
"Right," Oliver said, finishing his second pint and putting some galleons on the bar. "Just a heads-up, some photogs followed us in here. They're outside."
"Duly noted," Leolin said. "Bye Moira."
She linked arms with Ginny. And started towards the door, forcing the boys to trail after.
"Give him a break, Lai," Ginny muttered as Leolin held up her hand to shield her face from the camera flashes. "I'd be nervous too if you showed up in that dress. That's a Draco Malfoy frock, not a Kelly Troy one. I think he almost fainted."
"Too bad he doesn't know how to think before he speaks." Leolin shot back. "I'm sure his foot doesn't taste very good in his mouth."
"Will you please loosen up? He's nervous and he wants to impress you. Please just give him a chance."
Leolin glanced over her shoulder and happened to meet Kelly's eye. He smiled at her hopefully and she gave him a small turn of her lips in return.
"I'm trying," she whispered back to Ginny.
"Try a little harder," Ginny prompted.
Leolin shot Ginny a nasty look and continued to say nothing, and eventually the boys simply struck up a conversation about quidditch to pass the time. They'd caught up to the girls and they were now walking in a line.
Every once in a while Kelly would glance up at Leolin, though she gave him no indication that she would return his flirtations were he to make any.
"Where are we going?" Leolin asked finally.
"The most fun bar in the city," Ginny said.
She winked at Oliver, who leaned over to Kelly to whisper something. Kelly grinned, which made Leolin frown. She hated feeling like she was out of a joke.
"Where are we going?" Leolin repeated as Ginny dragged her along.
"Oh, somewhere special. You'll see," Ginny said, squeezing her friend's arm.
They made several more turns, and Leolin began to recognize the neighbourhood.
"Oh no," she said, trying to disengage from Ginny. "I'm not going to The Dip. Not now, not ever. Over Salazar Slytherin's dead body."
"He is dead," Ginny pointed out. "Long dead. Come on."
"What's wrong, lass?" Kelly said as he and Oliver approached. He easily swung an arm around her bare shoulders, grinning down at her in a way Leolin couldn't decide if she found endearing or infuriating. "You've never been to The Dip?"
The Petty Diplomat Inn was a Gryffindor drinking establishment, and for obvious reasons, Leolin avoided it like the plague. The Slytherins all told horror stories of the place, about how people randomly broke out into songs about Godric Gryffindor and everything in sight was a gaudy shade of either scarlet or gold. Even when she was dating Harry she wouldn't have been caught dead going into The Diplomat.
"You're not a Slytherin, are you?" Kelly laughed, his arm still about her shoulder.
She looked up at him pointedly, and he shook his head, laughing to himself
"Oh fuck me! You are! I'm sorry! Merlin, I just can't get it right today."
Leolin didn't smile or laugh.
"You haven't yet," she agreed, and as they approached the door, she stopped walking abruptly, causing a slightly drunk Kelly to stumble forward and let go of her.
"I'm not going in there."
"Come on!" Ginny goaded. "It will be fun!"
"Slytherins do not enter The Petty Diplomat. It's just not done. My housemates would hate me more than they already do."
Ginny pretended to open an invisible prophet, reading a fake headline:
"Gala proprietor Leolin Lefevre tragically arrived alone to the event. Here former flame Draco Malfoy escorted the entrancing—"
"Alright, point taken!" Leolin said, and Ginny gleefully pulled her inside, the boys trailing after.
The interior just how Leolin had imagined it would be. It looked like the inside of a large circus tent, and long strips of scarlet and gold silk made up the ceiling and walls. The bar itself was dark mahogany, and the few scattered bar stools and chairs had scarlet seats. Leolin groaned. The place was packed and drinking music blare from a distant stage.
"Would you like a drink?" Kelly offered her.
"I think I've had enough."
Kelly nodded sadly, and Leolin suddenly felt a bit bad. He was trying, the poor bloke…
The first person to lay eyes on her as they moved farther in was Forest Lawrence, another friend of Blair's from school, and he gave a wicked raise of his eyebrows.
"Well, well, well," he said jovially and she sneered.
Usually she liked Forest; today she loathed him.
"If it isn't Draco Malfoy's little princess! My god, Leolin, that is a dress! You look like a sexy Christmas ornament."
He tried to give her a friendly hug and she shoved him off, making him laugh.
"Bow down, boys," he called, brown eyes glittering merrily. "We have Slytherin royalty among us!"
There were cheers and catcalls.
"I'm no one's princess!" she snapped. "And shove it before I show you how unladylike I can be."
"Calm down, little Lefevre, we're all happy for your sake!" He slung an arm over her shoulders as he turned back to the throng. "Three cheers if you love watching Malfoy suffer!"
A drunken cheer went up.
"I am two seconds away from breaking your toe," she snapped.
"Oh stop it," he said, ruffling her hair affectionately. "You know I love you, kid."
His eyes went over her shoulder now and he grinned.
"Kelly fucking Troy!" he said, clapping him on the back. "How the hell are you, mate? You here with a pretty bird tonight?"
Kelly looked at Leolin.
"I'm her with the most beautiful girl in this dump," he said, and Forest looked at Leolin and winked.
"You better not be talking about my cousin," a voice called, and Kelly grinned.
"Blair Lefevre!" He said, and the two embraced "I was bloody hoping you'd be here."
Blair immediately turned to Leolin, sweeping her off her feet. She smiled for the first time. She squealed and kicked her legs back to keep her bum from showing.
"Hello, my little bug!" He said delightedly. "I can't believe my eyes, but I'm not going to question it lest you should disappear!"
He set her down, smoothing the hair Forest had mussed.
"How are you?" he asked seriously. "And nice dress."
"Thanks," she said, aware of Kelly's active struggle not to look at her bare back as he stood silently next to her.
"I just wish there was more of it," Blair said pointedly, and she tugged a little at the hem and rolled her eyes.
"I don't!" Forest cut in, and Kelly punched him hard in the arm.
"Seriously, Bug, how are you?" Blair repeated.
Leolin glanced at Kelly before looking down at her sparkling heels.
"I'm fine," she said at last, even smiling a little.
"I'm going to kill that—"
"Blair, there's really no need for threats. It was mutual. Please stop acting like he dumped me."
"I don't care! I can't stand the way he's running around with that—that—putain!" He gave a frustrated growl. "Je pourrais tuer ce crétin. Je pourrais encore le tuer!"
Kelly gave her a confused look. He evidently didn't speak French. Leolin shook her head at him then rolled her eyes at Blair.
"Knock it off, Blair. No one is killing anyone. Draco's not my boyfriend. He is free to do as he sees fit. More than free, in fact."
Blair frowned and looked up at Kelly.
"What do you think, Kel?"
"Don't answer that," Leolin said evenly, folding her arms across her chest and narrowing her eyes at Blair.
"Oh no," Kelly said, holding up his arms. "I'm not getting involved." He considered, trying to decide how best to win Leolin's approval. "Also," he continued. "I agree with whatever Leolin says. So…yeah, you're wrong, Lefevre."
Blair laughed, looking at Leolin again.
"What have you done to poor Kelly?" he said, and Leolin spared Kelly a glance.
"Nothing."
"Alright, you little trouble-maker. You and your mouthpiece have convinced me. Can I get you a drink?"
She nodded, and Kelly looked a little hurt.
"Yes, please."
"Alright. Go find Charlie!" Blair called as he worked his way forward. "She's been bugging me since that picture of you and Zabini ran in The Prophet. She was sitting down near the loo."
She nodded, turning to Kelly.
"Do you mind?" she said quietly.
Again, he looked disappointed.
"No, of course not! Um, just—yeah, take your time. I'll just see you when you get back."
"Okay," she said softly, touching his arm. "I'll be back later."
She turn her back to him and heard him groan sadly and Oliver comforting him.
"It's alright, mate. Have a pint and relax."
She felt bad, but didn't have much more time to contemplate this thought, because Seamus Finnegan and Dean Thomas were approaching them. Gods, would that she could disappear right here…
"Lefevre!" Finnegan cried as he saw her, throwing a sloppy arm around her shoulders. He was clearly deep in his cups, as was Thomas. "You are the last person in the world I would have expected to show up here. Except maybe Malfoy. How is Malfoy, by the way? Did you two break up after you snogged Zabini? Also, am I yelling? I've drank a bit tonight. Who are you here with?"
Leolin didn't know what to say, but luckily Seamus was continuing.
"Merlin's saggy shorts! Did you know Kelly Troy is here?"
"Is he?" Leolin asked, pretending to look over her shoulder to where Kelly was standing. He was smiling and drinking with Oliver and Forest. "With who?"
Seamus bubbled his lips. "Search me."
"Well," Leolin said, pretending to be giddy. "Will you get my an autograph if, you know, you go over there?"
Seamus bubbled his lips again. "I'm not going to harass the man! He probably sighs autographs all day long."
"You're right," Leolin agreed "Oh well."
Seamus sighed. "Oh but what the hell though, right? I'll see what I can do!" He promised, jogging off.
Leolin nodded, cutting in the opposite direction to where Blair's girlfriend Charlie was sitting at a small table. There was already a fresh beer sitting in from of the stool across from her.
"Leolin!" she cried, hopping up and hugging the younger girl. "There you are! Come sit down. Blair already dropped this off for you."
Leolin nodded gratefully.
"Excellent."
"How are you?" Charlie said as Leolin took a heady sip.
"I'm good," Leolin said, and when Charlie gave her a candid look she amended, "I'm fine, really."
"I'm sorry about Malfoy," Charlie said in a sweet voice. "It's just beastly the way he's been carrying on."
Leolin raised her eyebrows in agreement taking another sip of beer.
"What did I expect after that picture?" Leolin said sullenly. "That would have made anyone insanely jealous, and Draco's more jealous than most."
"Why did you do it then?" Charlie asked. "Besides the fact that that Zabini bloke is gorgeous, obviously."
Leolin laughed sadly.
"I was trying to get back at Draco because I thought he'd slept with Severina Borgia."
"You mean the girl he's been in the papers with?"
"The one and only."
"Am I missing something?" Charlie said softly. "It kind of seems like he was sleeping with her. I mean, not to rub salt in the wound, but it definitely seems like he's sleeping with her now. Am—am I wrong?"
"No," Leolin said in a bitter voice. "You're not wrong. I'm sure he's had sex with her in every place that was ever special to us. But that's partially because I had been wrong; he hadn't slept with her before the kiss. She'd offered herself to him and he said no because he loved me."
"So, you—" Charlie began delicately, and Leolin nodded.
"Yep," Leolin said, popping the "p" sound and taking the last sip of her beer. "I'm the one that broke us, not him. Everything that's happened since then is just Draco expressing his displeasure. As hideous as he's been acting, I'm the villain here, not him."
"There are no villians," Charlie said touching Leolin's arm. "Don't beat yourself up. And even if you made a mistake, he shouldn't be acting this way."
Leolin nodded.
"I know, but what can I do? There's no stopping Draco once he's set his mind to a task. Do you want another drink?"
Charlie smiled.
"No thanks. I'm not drinking tonight."
Leolin looked at her and smiled, too.
"Why not? Are you pregnant or something?"
Charlie didn't say anything, only blushed and Leolin burst into a smile as dazzling as her dress.
"Oh my god! You are pregnant! Since when? Does Blair know?"
Charlie laughed. "We just went to the healer today. And I'm thirteen weeks."
Leolin laughed. "Charlie, that's amazing! I am so happy for you!"
"Thank you," Charlie said, smiling. "We're—" she paused, biting her lip before beaming. "We're so excited. Blair can barely contain himself."
Leolin smile again, though an odd pit was forming in her stomach. Charlie noticed and touched her arm.
"Don't worry, Bug. You're going to find someone else."
"I know," Leolin said without conviction. "I know that."
"Blair said you came with Kelly Troy tonight?"
"Yeah," Leolin said, chewing her lip. "Ginny set us up."
"Well, what are you doing over here with me?" Charlie said, laughing. "Go hang out with Kelly! He's dead nice, Lai, and look how cute he is!"
"I know," Leolin said unconvincingly, tracing the wet ring her glass had left on the worn oak table. "I just don't think I'm ready."
"Why not?" Charlie said. "Malfoy's already out there! Why shouldn't you be?"
"Because that's how Draco deals with rejection; he explodes. I'm not like that."
"And that's fine," Charlie said reassuringly. "In fact, that's much healthier. But you shouldn't have to feel guilty, and I can see that you do. Why don't you go over there and give poor Kelly a chance. If after tonight you really don't feel ready, then that's fine. But don't be afraid to let someone be nice to you. Sometimes I worry you've forgotten how."
Leolin nodded.
"You're probably right," she said, smiling. "As usual. I'm just going to grab another pint and then I'll head over there."
Charlie nodded, too.
"Good for you, Bug."
"Congratulations again on the—" Leolin said, pretending to cradle a baby. Charlie laughed and nodded. "Thank you."
Leolin smiled a last time and turned to the bar, her resolved crumbling. Maybe she would just go home instead.
She got to the bar and exhaled. Fuck, what was she doing with her life.
"Hey!"
She turned to see Kelly, who leaned on the bar so as not to loom over her.
"Hi," she said breathlessly, smiling.
"How—how's it going? Are you having fun? If you really hate it here we could, you know, go somewhere else. Hell, I'll take you to The Emerald Croc if you want."
She gave a small laugh. "It's nice of you to offer," she said. "But The Em doesn't admit non-Slytherins."
He nodded, his dimples showing as he smiled. "Right, of course. Well can I—buy you a pint here, then?"
Leolin smiled touching his arm.
"Thank you," she said sincerely. "But I think maybe I should be going home."
"You don't have to—"
"Kelly," she said sincerely, looking him in the eye. "It's not you. It's me. I'm a fucking mess. Besides, trust me when I tell you that you don't want to get involved in some snarl with Draco Malfoy. He takes pleasure in crushing decent blokes like you."
She turned to go.
"He never deserved you."
She turned back and he gave a frustrated sigh, fretting that he'd once again said the wrong thing.
"Look ,I know I barely know you, but I think you're class, Lefevre. That spoiled twat—he doesn't deserve to make you miserable from a distance."
She smiled.
"I appreciate the way you all see me, but you should know it's more complicated than that. I drew first blood, not him. Goodnight, Kelly."
He nodded, defeated and likely embarrassed.
"Do you need someone to see you home?"
She shook her head, brushing a soft kiss on his cheek.
"I'll have my cousin take me."
Kelly looked down at the sticky oak floor before looking back up at her.
"Goodnight, then."
She gave another small smile before sliding away from the bar, looking for Ginny as she waded through.
She found her standing with Oliver and Angelina Johnson, and she gave a small smile.
"Where's Kelly?" Ginny asked. "He went to look for you."
"Oh," Leolin said. "Yeah he found me. But listen, I'm not really feeling well so I'm just gonna go."
"What?" Ginny demanded. "No, you can't leave! It's still so early! Besides, you haven't even given him a proper chance."
"Listen Gin, I just don't think it's going to work out. He's just not right for me."
"You mean he's not Malfoy," Ginny shot back.
Angelina and Oliver exchanged a look.
"That's not it at all!" Leolin said, defensively folding her arms over her chest.
"You didn't even give him a chance! The poor bloke has been trying all night to engage you, and you keep treating him like he's a mountain troll."
"I'm going to go. I'll owl you tomorrow. Tell Kelly I'm sorry; this was a mistake."
She turned to go, but Forest was cutting through the crowd towards them now, calling her name.
"Wait, Lefevre, wait!"
"Not now, Forest!"
"Merlin's beard, woman, will you just wait one bleeding second?"
"I'm going home!"
"I know! But will you just listen to one thing before you do?"
In the meantime, the music had stopped playing, and just as Leolin reached the door she heard an excitement in the crowd and heard Kelly's voice in the microphone.
"Hello," he said, "I dunno if yous know me, but my name's Kelly Troy and I'm the centre chaser for Portree."
"Go Pride!" Someone in the crowd yelled, and Kelly smiled.
"Right, anyways, I came here tonight with someone and I've been acting like a sodding idiot all night trying to impress her."
There were screams of 'I love you' and 'marry me' from the girls in the crowd, and Leolin only blushed. She generally found displays like this cheesy and stupid.
"I know I'm a quidditch player and not a singer so probably I shouldn't be up here and I definitely shouldn't be singing, but I just wanted to say one thing to her before she goes. Right, please don't hate me."
With that, he pushed his hair out of his eyes and began to strum, and suddenly Leolin was swept away to another time. Kelly's voice a sweet and strong, and the tune was an old Welsh tune that Leolin's mother had sung to her when she was just a little girl. It made her feel as if she was back in Llangollen, and the memory of that perfect time warmed her from the inside out.
Is that the sun that's setting?
A tear keeps burning my cheek
Or is it the night that's threatening
Ending the venture of the day?
Or is that the forest's choir
Is calming and becoming mute?
Or is it because someone has left me
That I now feel the lonely world
Kelly had reached the instrumental bridge, and he bent his head as he stroked the chords. The crowd was entranced, none more so than Leolin, and she slowly made her way back towards the stage, eventually coming to stand next to Ginny, who took her hand.
But if the sun has set
There's hope in the light of the moon
And shelter in the depths of the shadows
To keep me from the wind and the cold
The melody had what felt like a healing effect on Leolin, and much of the resentment and sadness she'd been clinging to seem to fall away from her, and she felt the a surge of emotion which was so intense it brought tears to her eyes. It was the most bittersweet nostalgia, and she couldn't get enough of it, nor of Kelly's voice. Finally, he began the last part of the song, and the first of Leolin's healing tears fell.
Ac os aeth cri'r gylfinir
Yn un a'r distawyrwydd mawr
Mi wn y daw rhywun I gadw
Yr oed cyn toriad y wawr
"Is that Welsh?" Ginny asked, leaning over.
Leolin nodded, smiling and wiping her tears.
Kelly repeated the last line—Yr oed cyn toriad y wawr—and fell still, at which point the huge crowd that had gathered burst into loud cheers. Leolin didn't cheer, but her eyes never left Kelly.
"Oliver and I are going to go," Ginny said. "I think you and Kelly should talk."
Leolin nodded, wiping another tear from her eye and watching as Kelly handed his guitar back to Mark and stepped off the stage, all but ignoring the girls crying for him as he made his way to Leolin.
"How did you—" she began as he approached.
He smiled, and this time the warmth of it touched Leolin.
"Your name. Leolin? You don't get much more Welsh than that."
"But how did you—"
"Know that song? I've got a Welsh gran. She used to sing it to me when I was being fussy."
"So did my mum," Leolin said. "That song reminds me of home."
They were almost toe to toe now, but Leolin wasn't bothered by the closeness.
"I'm sorry," he said, looking down at her. "About what I said earlier. I didn't mean—I just—Merlin, you are the prettiest girl I've ever known, and you make me dead nervous."
"I'm sorry, too," she said. "I know you were just trying to be nice. I shouldn't have been so harsh."
"Look, I know it probably seems like all I've said to you is how pretty you are, but it's more than that. I really would like to get to know you better. Can I take you out for a pint sometime?"
Leolin considered then looked down, her shoes glittering in the dim light.
"I'll do you one better. You can buy me one now."
Kelly's face split into a smirk, and he extended his hand to Leolin. She looked at it then accepted the gesture, trying not to focus on how different Kelly's grip was from Draco's.
"Lead the way."
A/N: Sorry there were so many parts to this….REVIEW. Also, if you want to hear the song Kelly sang, here is a link to on youtube - watch?v=M7IXXCG9rDU
