He watched her as she spoke elegantly and freely about her grandmother. So young and yet so important the crowd, especially him, hung onto her every word. Soon she would depart and go to some tea thing and then she would be home again. However, being here in Bulgaria surrounded by her people remninded him that she would be back here in her world soon enough. In almost three weeks actually. He sighed a heavy sigh and his mother looked to him. She read his thoughts and seemed to understand. She took his hand and squeezed it.

Verina stepped down and Draco stepped up he took her hand and guided her back to her seat. She looked up at him with a sweet smile. He didn't understand why she ran from him the night prior or what changed, but if he didn't know any better he would say she liked him too.

Someone else got up and ended the ceremony and a receiving line was formed as Verina welcomed everyone. Draco never left her side and his mother wasn't far behind. The three got together for a picture or two and then his mother was called off by someone she knew. A photographer asked to take their picture and they agreed. Several Healers shook Verina's hand and asked for pictures and other such things. Verina's smile never wavered; her voice never became annoyed or unkind. He watched her in awe. She deserved so much more than one hundred and twenty roses.

He thought for a moment that maybe he was actually falling in love with her, but no that was impossible. This was still Verina, no matter how wonderful she had become. He thought back to last night as she sat on the desk her face so close to his. He was, for the first time, really physically attracted to her in a way he never had been before. It was different now and he wondered if it was because they had actually gotten to know each other in their moments spent together this summer sharing their dreams, knowledge, thoughts, feelings, likes and dislikes; their forming of a friendship or if it was because of their new found knowledge that they were not related at all.

He noticed things more now that he hadn't before. Things such as they curves of her lips, the rosiness of her cheeks, the deep rich violet of her eyes that seemed to peer deep into the inner most parts of your soul, the song like quality of her voice, the sparkle of her smile, the smallness of her hands as they clasped his, the tininess of Verina, but yet the womanly way her body curved and was formed, the elegant way in which she walked, the lavender smell of her perfume and the cascading curls of her hair. He noticed all of these things about her physically, but what he also noticed was how much he actually did like her and for so much more than what she was worth.

It was the sarcastic way in which she joked, the deviant grin she gave when she pulled one over on him, the spunky attitude she gave anyone who crossed her, her wit, her intelligence, her passion, her love, her kindness, her excitement for baking, for healing, for potions, for snakes, for flowers, for anything she like really, but even more so the way in which she spoke about those she loved. The way she could turn any person of stone into a person of silk; how she could melt your heart and make it hers all because she was that kind.

Yes, he noticed these things he noticed a lot of things. What really got him though was last night when she saw the angry Dark Mark that now stained his skin. She didn't yell, she wasn't angry, she was hurt and he could see that. Oh he could see the pain in her eyes and feel the grief of her tears. But he also felt the acceptance of what he had done. She traced it with his finger soothing it with her very touch and then she held it to her like she could wish it away, but instead kissed it. He knew she would stand by him no matter the choices he made, and he supposed that is what really got him. He felt like a fool for pushing her away when really she would have accepted him. She was a complex person so full of surprises and yet she was so predictably accepting and kind.

She turned to him as the crowd cleared away " A sickle for your thoughts."

He smiled " for you they're free."

She grabbed his hand as they headed to the car that would take her to the tea. "Your guard said he would meet you at the entrance of the hospital. Your mother is waiting on me in the car."

He peered around to see if anyone but the guards were watching and when he got the all clear he pulled her close to him. She hugged him warmly and pulled back.

" I don't have to go to the tea if something is the matter."

He kissed her cheek. " I thought you said you couldn't read my emotions."

She laughed " Oh I can read them I just can't feel them. Your eyes betray you, my love. Now tell me whats the matter. Is it something with Father?"

He wondered how she knew everything and sighed. " A little yes."

"What about him?"

He didn't dare tell her the assignment that weighed on his mind constantly nor how he wished she didn't have to go back to Durmstrang, but he could tell her how much he wanted the Dark Lord to accept him. " I just don't think he accepts me because of my father and I really want his acceptance."

Verina frowned. " It's because of me isn't it? You joined him because of me even before we knew?"

Briony was his only thought. " Yes." He answered honestly.

" Draco, I-" she said but the driver interrupted her.

"My Lady we're going to be late."

She turned " Yes, I am coming." She said and squeezed his hand and without a word walked off.


Verina looked back as Draco walked away. Could she love him without the guilt she felt? She would never know unless she tried, but she knew for certain it was too soon.

Narcissa squeezed her hand as she peered out the window.

They arrived at the tea on time and Verina was greeted warmly by her classmates. Most seemed to pity her, but there was something in the room she did not expect.

"Of course she would move on. It's just her families way. I heard she's with the Malfoy boy now."

"He's her cousin."

"That's the way of the English."

Verina ignored the gossip and didn't know how they knew, but she was sure she would find out.

"Their picture was all over Witch Weekly and my grandfather who gets the Prophet to keep up with those crazy Brits said they were in the social pages. Nothing has been confirmed, but I think they're together. He was with her at the hospital today."

"No, poor Lev the ground not even fresh on his grave."

Emilya walked up to Verina. " Don't listen to what they're saying. It's all nasty gossip."

Verina blinked away the tears for the first time she felt like this was no longer her world. Emilya held her hand.

"Verina, I have no doubt in my mind you loved Lev, but the fact of the matter is he's gone and you're sixteen. If you like someone else then do it. Be happy you deserve it. These girls they're just jealous because you have something they'll never have and that's genuineness. Alright? Now come on let's go get some tea."

Verina smiled. " I don't belong here anymore."

Emilya kissed her cheek. " You'll always belong with me, Verina, but I understand. Do me a favor?"

"What's that?" Verina asked.

"Smile." She said and Verina had no choice but to do so.

"Now go on. You have better places to be. I'll make up excuses for you."

"I love you so much, Emilya."

"And I you."

Verina grabbed her god mother and together they left and she never saw Durmstrang or most of those girls again.


Let me know how I am doing! :)

Reviews are always appreciated.

AR