Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter! No copyright infringement intended!

A/N:

The Winggoddess, thank you so very much for reviewing again. It really keeps me going! :D

To all my dear and loyal readers: Here comes my new chapter...have fun! I hope you all like it!

Living with a Quidditch Star

Chapter Thirty-Five: Gaunt

I went to my place to change and left for Marc's and Victoria's place afterwards.

I apparated outside their flat and rang the doorbell.

Victoria opened after a while.

„Ally! How good to see you! Come in!" Victoria said and closed the door behind me.

„Hi Vic." I said and hugged her. „How are you? How is Marc?"

„I'm doing quite fine but I'm rather exhausted. Marc is getting better a bit." Victoria replied, smiling valiantly, but I saw her eyes gleaming with tears.

She cleared her throat quickly and offered me a seat at the sofa.

„May I see him?" I asked and squeezed her hand.

„Sure!" she said weakly and pointed towards their bedroom. „But I'm not sure if he's awake."

I got up and walked towards the bedroom. I opened the door gently and looked inside.

I saw Marc lying on the bed. I went inside and closed the door behind me.

I walked towards the bed and sat down on the edge of it.

Marc seemed to be asleep.

He was very pale and his face was sweaty, it had become appallingly gaunt and his skin had a greyish-green tinge. My insides clenched at the look of him.

I heard his low steady breathing.

I saw a bowl with water and a flannel on the bedside table.

I took the flannel and soaked it. Then I wrung it out and dabbed Marc's forehead.

He took a shaky deep breath and stirred slightly.

I stroked his cheek.

I saw him squint and he turned to me.

He opened his eyes weakly, they were bloodshot. I swallowed dryly.

„Ally." he whispered and raised his bony hand weakly.

I smiled at him and stroked his cheek again.

„How are you, Marc?" I whispered and squeezed his hand gently.

He winced and gave a little moan.

I let go of it.

Apparently my touch had caused him pain.

He stared at me beseechingly with his gentle brown eyes, I could see pain and fear in them.

I bit my lower lip, fighting down the rising tears in my eyes.

„I'm still alive." he whispered in a hoarse voice and tried to smile.

I felt tears rise in my eyes once more. I smiled at him and dabbed his face again.

„I'm sure you'll be doing better soon." I said and stroked his cheek, sorrow was almost choking me.

His eyes got cloudy now.

He took a rattling shaky breath that sent a shiver down my spine and closed his eyes again.

„Marc? Marc!" I called, my heart was racing.

He didn't answer.

A sudden shock flashed through my body and I gasped.

I leaned towards him, slightly panicking, and heard his low steady breathing.

Relieved I kissed him on the forehead and rose from the bed to leave.

Victoria was still in the living room.

I walked over to the sofa and took the seat next to her, very worried for Marc.

„Gosh, Vic, I thought he'd do so much better by now." I said.

„Yes, you're right, I thought so too. But our healer says that it takes time. I have to admit I'm glad he survived at all." Victoria replied sternly. „I'm sure everything is going to be alright soon."

„You're right! He'll be fine soon!" I said encouragingly and smiled at her. „It's just that I haven't seen him like this before. It really gave me the creeps. It seems to me he's just skin and bones now."

„Yes, he has lost lots of weight. Due to the poison in his veins. There's still some of it left in his blood. His body has to fight it. I'm afraid this takes time and substance. I hope there won't be late complications due to the still unknown poison used." Victoria said sadly and looked down at her hands.

All of a sudden she started to sob.

„It's just...I...I don't want to lose him. I love him, you know." she said.

„Of course you do! And you won't lose him. He's strong. He has always been." I said consolingly and stroked her back.

She regained composure quickly and gave me a smile, her eyes puffy and red.

I went to the kitchen to get us some coffee.

When I returned to the living room Vic asked me about the wedding plans.

I shrugged and took the seat next to her again, handing her a cup of coffee.

„I'm afraid I'm not quite sure if I want to marry him anymore at all." I said dryly.

„What do you mean?" Vic asked, looking at me in bewilderment.

I told her everything about our latest argument and Draco's intolerable outbursts.

She listened to me silently, a stern expression on her face.

In the end she nodded and said,

„You know what, Ally? Marc would've reacted just the same. I don't know exactly what makes them act like this but I'm sure both Draco and Marc would never want to really hurt us. It's just that they don't want to lose their face by no means. It's those damn rules. They want us to toe the line because if we wouldn't do so this would mean that they're weak. They would be considered to be losers. The whole pure-blood world would think that they aren't able to master their wives. You know what I mean? It's not that I endorse it. I just want to try to show you the possible reasons for this sometimes ridiculous behaviour."

„I know, Vic, I know, the rules. As always. I know that they wouldn't want to really hurt us but all in all I'm unable to get rid of the unpleasant feeling that they use the rules to justify everything. That doesn't seem right to me. It's just beneath them! Beneath both of them. We don't live in mediaeval times anymore! That's oppression! I don't want to go through this." I said sulkily.

„Ally, you don't mean you want to break up? That's a grave decision. This really needs time! Don't rush your fences! You should sleep over this again." Vic said imploringly and gave me stern look.

„He loves you! Keep this in mind! He wouldn't react like this if he wasn't in love with you!" she said in a low voice and squeezed my hand, giving me a smile.

„I will keep this at the back of my mind, Vic! But I'm afraid I won't resign. I'm going to work for Nicefields. I don't care what Draco thinks about this." I said coolly.

„And now excuse me please. I have to go. I'll meet Ginny and Hermione in one hour. We're going to see the match tonight." I went on and drew Victoria into a hug. „Thank you so much for lending me your ear."

„Don't mention it! I hope you'll join us for dinner on Sunday at six? Your parents will be there, too. Bring Draco if you want." Vic said and smiled.

„Sure!" I said and got up to leave.

Victoria waved at me and I left with one loud crack.

Ginny, Hermione and I had decided to watch the match from the box of Ron's and Oliver's team after I had told them what had happened earlier today.

Of course I had left out the part with the Mudblood. I didn't want to hurt Hermione's feelings and was ashamed of Draco's intolerable behaviour.

Harry accompanied us.

About one hour before the match we arrived at the box.

The atmosphere at the stadium absorbed me as always.

Some of the other guests at the box as well as some of Ron's fellows eyed me suspiciously, seemingly wondering what I was doing at their box.

But Ron told them that I was his guest and his friend since childhood.

That made one fellow of him joke that Ron was collaborating with the enemy. He head-locked his mate for that playfully. Both were roaring with laughter, tussling with each other for a while.

Then they left for the catacombs to get ready.

Ginny got us some drinks and we were talking about this and that for a while.

Harry took me aside once.

„Ally, how's Marc?" he asked sternly.

I told him about my visit at Marc's place. He listened to me and nodded sternly from time to time.

„I'm sure he'll make it. Poisoning is always a delicate issue. Ask Ginny. But for now let's enjoy the match!" he said and smiled at me, his arm around my shoulder amicably.

I nodded and smiled, too, while we were walking towards our seats.

„Here!" Harry handed me one pair of Omnioculars. „We don't want to miss a single move of Ron, do we?" he smiled.

I returned his smile and looked at the small silver device resembling a binocular.

„Thank you! Of course we wouldn't want that!" I said and grinned.

I pressed the Omnioculars against my eyes and turned my head, looking for Draco's box somewhere on the other side of the stadium.

Even though I was still mad at him I just couldn't get him out of my head and this annoyed me even more.

I pushed the 'Zoom In' button after I had finally found the box to see whether he was there.

To my disappointment he wasn't but I saw Luca and Blaise who had put his arm around the shoulder of a young blond witch. I recognised her immediately, it was the waitress of the Three Broomsticks.

I wondered where Draco was.

He wouldn't play tonight, would he?

The opening whistle jerked me out of my thoughts.

I watched the teams soar up into the air and moved my head from side to side to see if Draco was there on one of the brooms, when I heard the voice of the stadium announcer.

„Draco Malfoy won't play tonight due to a severe injury of his right shoulder. Well then, get well soon, Draco!"

„Oh, I didn't know he is injured that badly." Harry muttered next to me.

I nodded.

„Well, I think Ron's team will stand a chance then tonight!" he went on.

I nodded again and smiled at him.

Then I looked around once more and spotted Draco on the subs bench next to his coach who was talking to him.

I saw him nodding from time to time, a grim expression on his face.

My heart was racing.

He looked as handsome as always.

I felt heat rise in me.

'Why are you doing this to me? All I want is to be happy with you.' I thought, still staring at him through the Omnioculars.

All of a sudden he turned his head and looked straight at me, he almost stared at me, his platinum grey gaze was piercing me.

I winced a little and wondered if he could see me but discarded this thought again at once.

This was just impossible.

I turned my head to watch Ron playing again.

As it turned out, Harry was right with his prediction.

Ron's team stood a chance and won.

The people at our box were shouting and cheering.

I tried to spot Draco once more and saw him leave the pitch swiftly with a sulky expression on his face, curling his lip. Then he vanished into the crowd in front of the entrance to the catacombs of the stadium.

Inside the stadium several reporters ran after Draco.

„Mr Malfoy, you're injured. How severe is your injury? Will you be able to play the important match against Romania next week?" a small man with red hair and a large wart on his crooked long nose asked.

The crowd was surrounding Draco now.

„We'll see. Our physicians do their very best to fix it." Draco said curtly and turned to leave, giving the man an artificial smile, nodding curtly.

A flurry of flashbulbs started.

He frowned.

„Stop it, guys!" he snarled and shielded his face with his left hand.

„Draco, where is Alessia tonight? We haven't spotted her at your box." a tall witch with long bluish black curls and a turquoise oversized hat asked him.

„Well, uhm, unfortunately my fiancée is indisposed tonight. Thank you!" he drawled, slightly unnerved, giving the witch another strained smile, and tried to elbow his way through the crowd.

„But we saw her! She's here tonight, Mr Malfoy. We've seen Alessia De Russo at the box of Weasley's team. Harry Potter is accompanying her. We've even seen her partying with other guests at this box. How does this strike you, Mr Malfoy?" he heard a voice from behind.

His insides clenched and he felt rage rise on the inside.

'What is she doing the whole time? Why can't she just toe the line? Why Potter? Why does she have to give me such a damn hard time again?' he thought lividly and gritted his teeth for a short moment.

One corner of his mouth twitched as if he was in pain for a split second.

He just wanted to turn around once more to say something when the spokeswizard of his team hurried over to him.

„No more questions, please. Mr Malfoy won't answer any questions about his state of health tonight. I ask you to accept this. In due time we'll make a statement. Thank you!" the spokeswizard said and raised his hands to calm the crowd while Draco got out of the stir quickly and headed for his own box.

Meanwhile Ron came to the team's box, sporting a respectable black eye.

He had got it when a Bludger had hit him hard on the face.

Gavin had aimed it at him.

But Ron was all smiles and drew all of us into a hug.

„Yuck, Ron! Can't you just get changed before you come close to us." Hermione said disgustedly, arching a brow at Ron who was still wearing his Quidditch robes, drenched in sweat.

Ron just shrugged, said,

„Well then, I'll see you all later." and left.

We all knew that he still had a crush on her.

Soon after Oliver joined us, kissing Hermione vehemently.

I saw her blush a little and turned to Harry and Ginny who were grinning at the sight.

Harry handed me another glass of Champagne.

„Cheers!" he said, raising a bottle of Butterbeer at me.

„Cheers!" I replied just as Ginny did.

We took a sip of our drink and looked at the partying crowd around us.

„I feel happy for Ron! He did a good job tonight." Ginny finally said and smiled.

„Definitely, he played a great match." Harry said and took another mouthful of Butterbeer.

„Yes, he did!" I said, giving him a smile, and looked down at the pitch.

My mind was racing again, my thoughts were with Draco again even though I didn't want to think of him.

Soon after Ron rejoined us and started to sum up the match boastfully, Oliver joined in. We were laughing a lot.

Ginny waved her wand at Ron's face to make the black eye disappear but Ron refused.

He wanted to flaunt it, so she stopped.

After a while Ron suggested to move on to Hogsmeade. We agreed to it and turned to leave.

When we exited the box I saw a security man involved in a heated discussion with – Tom!

I gasped.

Ron who had put his arm around my shoulder, leading me towards the entrance, asked,

„What is it?"

I didn't answer.

Tom had already spotted me and turned to us.

„Uh, that's how the land lies!" Ron said and snorted at the sight of Tom.

„Ms De Russo, Mr Malfoy asks you for a word in private." Tom said, ignoring Ron and the others.

„I don't care what he asks for, you geek! As you see Ms De Russo is going with me tonight. So if you please..." Ron said coldly, giving Tom a nasty look.

Tom seized my shoulder.

„Ms De Russo. I have to insist..." he said sternly.

„Haven't I made myself absolutely clear, mate?" Ron cut in sulkily, pushing Tom's hand away.

„That's none of your business, Mr Weasley. Mr Malfoy wants to talk to his fiancée. Now!" Tom said coldly, glaring at him.

Ron wanted to go on at Tom.

I held him back and said,

„Tom, tell Draco I'm busy tonight. I'll get back to him later. Thank you."

I gave him a strained smile and turned to Ron again.

Without saying another word we walked past Tom, Ron was leading me to the entrance hall of the stadium to leave to Hogsmeade.

At the Twilight we were having fun just like in past days.

We were celebrating Ron's victory raucously. His teammates joined us at Ron's table.

Ginny, Harry, Hermione, Oliver and I left for the dance floor after a while.

We were moving to the music, Hermione was dancing at close quarters with Oliver.

All of a sudden Draco stood in front of me - almost out of nothingness.

„May I have a word with you, please?" he said coolly and touched my arm.

His light grey eyes set on me, I almost froze at his touch.

I averted my face, I couldn't stand to look at him.

„Is he bothering you again, Ally?" Harry asked sternly, giving me a questioning look.

„That's none of your business, Potter!" Draco said in a low menacing voice, staring at Harry now as if he would have a go at him any moment.

Ginny was frowning at Draco and Hermione and Oliver had stopped dancing.

„Chill, Malfoy!" Oliver said calmingly.

He stood next to Harry now. Both were glaring at Draco, who sneered at them, arching a brow cockily.

„I think that's alright, Harry, thank you! I'll see you all later." I said and turned to Draco who took my hand.

He conducted me towards the exit.

His hand was cold and dry and he held mine in a vice-like grip.

„What is it now, Draco?" I hissed when we finally exited.

„I wanted to talk to you in private." he said dryly.

„Why do you always have to put on such a show? We could've talked in private inside too." I said, sounding rather bored.

„Such a show? I haven't put on a show! All I want is to talk to my fiancée!" he said stiffly.

„Great, I just wanted to talk to my fiancé, too. What is it, then?" I went on curtly, staring at him.

His face was pale but expressionless.

He was eyeing me with his gorgeous eyes.

My heart was sinking. I knew I still loved him.

We stood there like this for a moment, when Draco broke the silence.

„You wanted to talk to me?" he asked, looking slightly bemused. „Why? Is something wrong?"

„Are you taking the piss out of me?" I said and snorted, arching a brow at him.

I saw a touch of astonishment flash over his face, then he had put up the barrier on the inside again and looked at me, all stony-faced.

„I don't know what you're talking about." he said coldly and licked his lip.

„Oh, you know exactly what I'm talking about!" I hissed, staring at him.

At first his light grey gaze was piercing me again, then he averted his face.

A strand of his white-blond hair fell in his face. He pushed it back roughly.

„But this doesn't matter anymore anyway!" I went on in a slightly choked voice.

There was this stifling feeling on the inside of me all of a sudden and I felt tears rise in my eyes. I wasn't sure whether I was doing the right things now.

I swallowed dryly.

„What do you mean?" he asked, seizing my shoulders, staring at me eagerly.

He wondered what she wanted to tell him. He was slightly unnerved by her touchy attitude.

Why did she have act so bitchy when he was about to tell her about his plans to marry her next month?

The preparations were already under way and he was really looking forward to having her as his wife finally.

This would be the big moment, even though she had disgruntled him a bit again by visiting Weasley's box without telling him. But he didn't care about it now that she was here with him. It would be only minutes now. It was a really big deal for him. He would commit himself to her. That was quite something for him!

He was anxious to see the look on her face when he would tell her everything.

But first of all he would let her tell him what she wanted to tell him.

„Draco, I...uhm...I need to take some time!" I stammered, looking down at my feet for a moment.

„Huh? What do you mean by needing to take some time?" he asked, slightly perplexed, staring at me in disbelief, furrowing his brow.

„I need some time to find out what I'm feeling." I went on, still not looking at him.

„What? I don't get it! Find out what you're feeling? I wasn't aware that Marc's accident was so upsetting for you. I'm sorry I didn't notice this, Ally. Please forgive me this lapse, darling! It's just that I have a lot on my plate lately. Is there anything I can do for him or Victoria? I could send them Mr Schwartz tomorrow if you want me to do so." he said, his face contorted with bewilderment for a moment.

He touched my chin with his left index finger, gently pushing it up to make me look at him.

I shook my head and tried hard to stay focused.

What he had said only seconds ago made my heart sink again.

His words had been so decent. Seemingly he had at least a bit of a heart of gold, hadn't he?

I swallowed dryly.

„Draco, I...uhm...uh..." I started, staring at his expressionless face.

I gritted my teeth. Why was this so difficult?

„Draco, I'm afraid you've got me wrong!" I ground out, looking him straight in the face. I cleared my throat.

His eyes widened but he didn't say a word so I went on,

„It's just that I'm not quite sure if I want to be your fiancée anymore!"

Boom!

I had let the cat out of the bag finally.

He was staring at me in disbelief.

He had let go of me.

His face was expressionless. Only one corner of his mouth was twitching a bit.

His eyes were piercing me again.

„I'm sorry!" I sobbed all of a sudden and ran off.

I felt as if my heart was breaking.

I sobbed hard and tried to get away from him.

Away from all my fears and sorrows.

Aimlessly I ran through the streets of Hogsmeade. My sight blurred with tears.

Wow! That was a fair slap in the face!

What had she done? What had she done to him? She had just ruined everything with her confession. He ran his hands through his hair, feeling distressed, and sighed.

Utter disappointment lay heavy on his heart. He had lost his heart to her a long time ago and what had she done to it? She had broken it! That was at least what he was feeling right now. He felt as if the sun would never rise again for him. He stood there, rooted to the spot, for a while – his mind racing with nerve-racking thoughts. He shook his head as if he was able to get rid of them by doing so.

'No,' he thought, 'no, this can't be the end! I have to fight for her! I have to find her. I won't let her go like this.'

He took off at sprinter's pace to go and find her.

„Ally! Ally, where are you?" he screamed and vanished into the darkness of the night.

„Gosh, where am I?" I said to myself.

I had lost my way completely.

Even though I had been to Hogsmeade before I didn't know exactly where I was right now.

Darkness was engulfing me and everything looked so different, so unfamiliar.

I had left behind the street lights a while ago.

Now I was totally confused about where I was.

I turned my head desperately to come across something well known but couldn't find anything.

I was getting worried a little.

When I finally decided to try to disapparate from this place I heard steps crunching on the gravel behind me.

I gasped and turned around, my hand at my pocket to draw my wand.

My heart was racing so fast I feared my chest would burst.

I tried to calm down and steady my breathing a little.

A dark figure was heading for me.

I swallowed dryly and drew my wand.

I wondered if the figure had noticed me already.

Before I could say anything Draco drew me into a hug and kissed me vehemently.

I moaned and my wand fell to the floor.

I felt his heart beat against my chest and became weak for a split second.

'Don't give me such a hard time!' I thought helplessly.

'No, I mustn't become weak again. I have to see this through now!' I finally made up my mind.

Then I tried to squirm free of his embrace even though I felt it was wrong.

He let go of me.

I backed off a little and picked up my wand again.

„Lumos!" I said and my wand lit.

I saw his pale face close to mine, his expression was tense and stern, he was panting a bit.

„Ally!" he whispered breathlessly, his voice was trembling slightly. „Tell me that you don't love me anymore and I'll let go of you! Forever! We'll break our engagement and go separate ways for the rest of our lives. All I want is you to tell me to my face that you don't love me at all! Come on! Do it! I'm all ears!"

A/N: I'd love to hear what you think about my latest chapter...I promise to update soon!