Muggle Year
by Virgi Ca

Chapter 26: Friends Till The End

A/N: Finally... this is a very very very long chapter, probably the longest in this story, but then again, the whole story is long, so...

The normal version without any weird signs (if any) and pictures drawn: http://muggleyear.wildimagination.net

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¡¥Yo Draco! Where¡¦ve you been?¡¦ Montague called across the alley.

Draco looked up, breathing a sigh of relief that Montague didn¡¦t spot him stepping out of Kockturn Alley, it would only raise the suspicion he had already been cast.

¡¥You okay Draco?¡¦ Dolores asked in concern, coming up behind Montague, ¡¥You seem quite pale.¡¦ She eyed the heavy book in his arms and then his attire. ¡¥You got a book in a Muggle bookshop?¡¦

Draco blinked, then racked his fingers through his light blonde hair recklessly, looking away with narrowed eyes. ¡¥Yeah, I got bored with the fitting and got out.¡¦ He replied briefly, not wanting to explain in detail.

¡¥Books, again?¡¦ Montague wrinkled his nose in disgust. ¡¥Don¡¦t you ever get bored with text? I mean, there¡¦s lots of stuff in the world you can do besides reading Draco. To what I see, you¡¦re looking more and more like that Granger.¡¦

Draco rolled his eyes, ¡¥I just got it by chance.¡¦

Dolores smiled. ¡¥Honestly Draco, I never knew you were so into knowledge.¡¦

¡¥It¡¦s hard not to when I¡¦m like this.¡¦ Draco muttered under his breath.

¡¥What?¡¦ Montague asked loudly.

¡¥Nothing.¡¦ Draco said impatiently, ¡¥why were you calling me?¡¦

This time Montague rolled his eyes and cocked Draco on the head, earning a curse from him. ¡¥Did you forget already, what¡¦s the time Mr. Malfoy? Huh?¡¦

Dolores smirked and answered for him. ¡¥ Six thirty .¡¦

Draco exhaled loudly, ¡¥Okay, so I forgot we had to come back at six, big deal.¡¦

Montague slapped him on the back, ¡¥the problem is Mr. Malfoy, we had strict orders to come back to the Leaky Cauldron at six sharp, and may I remind you, Lesley has been going crazy, thinking something had happened to you. You know how sensitive she can be when it comes to you guys.¡¦

Draco snorted. ¡¥Since when did you, Nigel Montague care about rules and time, huh?¡¦

Dolores gave out a laugh while Montague glared at her. ¡¥Now what¡¦s so funny there Marshall ?¡¦

¡¥No,¡¦ Dolores coughed to cover rest of the laughter, ¡¥its just kind of funny when you talk about rules, when the fact is you don¡¦t even follow the rules. And the way Draco said that was just kind of¡K¡¦

Montague put his hands on his hips. ¡¥Stop it Dolores.¡¦

¡¥Okay¡K okay¡K¡¦ Dolores wiped away a tear of laughter.

Draco looked at the two¡¦s backs silently as they headed back to the Leaky Cauldron. All the students from different sectors were coming back and the whole Leaky Cauldron was chartered by the production team. Over half of the students were coming back from the Magical Stadium and others were from the costume fitting and other errands. Practically all professors were out of Hogwarts, except for Professor Binns, who could not possibly leave the Hogwarts grounds and into the muggle world, and Professor Trelawney, who had refused to leave her tower because of some strange prophecy she calimed to that would come true. Even Snape was out, but not because of the production, lots of Slytherin¡¦s were confused of his leave, but no one really planned to ask him.

After all the settling down, they were all seated at the tables of the Leaky Cauldron¡¦s big dinning hall. The food was no where worse that Hogwarts and everyone was glad to have a good meal after a day¡¦s tiring work. Draco, had gone up to his room he shared with Pucey and Montague and carefully hidden the book he had got before heading down for dinner again.

The cursed book.

That was the first thing that came to his mind when he walked out of Knockturn Alley.

Bloody hell¡K

¡¥Draco Malfoy, sometimes I just really want to knock some sense out of you.¡¦ An angry voice said from behind the blonde who had just settled down at a table specially reserved for the senior Slytherins. Draco looked up and saw Pucey sitting down across from him and flung his working robe towards him, aiming right for his face.

¡¥Hey!¡¦ Draco muffled, ripping off the annoying cloth from his face. ¡¥You¡¦re messing up my hair!¡¦

¡¥Since when did Draco Malfoy worry about his looks?¡¦ Faith asked slyly, raising her eyebrows, ¡¥everyone just considered him a natural beauty.¡¦

¡¥Don¡¦t call me a beauty Sherman !¡¦ Draco growled, crumpling up the robe and throwing it down onto the floor. ¡¥I hate people making fun of my stupid face.¡¦

¡¥Stupid?¡¦ Dolores widened her eyes. ¡¥You should thank the gods for a face like yours!¡¦

¡¥Anyway ¡V ¡¥ Pucey started again, but was interrupted by Spencer¡¦s booming voice. Draco could clearly see Pucey swearing under his breath with Faith shooting him a dirty glance.

Just on time, I don¡¦t need to hear Pucey¡¦s bombarding again. Draco thought, rolling his eyes mentally, thanking the Gods and Spencer for the perfectly timed interruption. He knew that Pucey was just being what a ¡¥friend¡¦ should be, but he just couldn¡¦t help but feel annoyed. Reckon he just wants to know what had been disturbing me since I haven¡¦t really been at all good at Quidditch.

¡¥Tonight,¡¦ Spencer started, a smile that wasn¡¦t seen for two months plastered on his lips, ¡¥Since all of you are newbies in musical and drama, we¡¦ve specially prepared you with an opportunity to watch a real professional musical, one of the best in London¡¦s history of musicals. The whole theatre has been chartered exclusively for us, and all the people involved are invited.¡¦

Lawrence nodded. ¡¥The musical we are going to see is ¡§Miss Saigon¡¨ which has been on for five years already. The reason why we chose this musical is because it is much similar to ¡§Fly High¡¨ in many ways. They have huge and complex props, the background, which is a night club, or a brothel, is very similar to ¡§Fly High¡¨ as well. The only difference will be, the actors actually sing their lines out, so it will be a good chance for all of you to learn from them and make our coming dance musical a success.¡¦

Lesley smiled, ¡¥The best part is, the twenty speaking roles will have a chance to meet the actors once the show is over. And after the show, we have got permission from Professor McGonagal and Professor Sprout that all the fifth years and up will have a chance to look around West End , by yourselves.¡¦

A hoot rised from the back tables. All the seniors had complained of being treated like kindergardens, being supervised and ¡¥looked after¡¦ here and there.

¡¥Provided,¡¦ Professor McGonagal said sternly, looking around with her eagle eyes, ¡¥That all of you come back by midnight and that none of you take muggle liquor.¡¦

¡¥Finally.¡¦ Montague whispered quite loudly, leaning forward for his fellow Slytherins to hear, ¡¥I thought we¡¦d never get a chance to have some real fun.¡¦

¡¥And, may I specially remind you Mr. Montague,¡¦ Professor McGonagal added, staring at him hard, ¡¥not to get yourself into any form of trouble or you will regret terribly.¡¦

At that, the Slytherins laughed. It was clear that Montague was a troublemaker, a really troublesome one too, in the eyes of the Deputy Headmistress.

Dolores nudged Montague, ¡¥and dear old Professor Snape isn¡¦t here to save your guts either Montague.¡¦

Montague pinched her thigh in reply, earning a satisfying yelp from her.

¡¥Is everything understood?¡¦ Professor McGonagal asked, looking around again.

¡¥Yes Professor.¡¦

Lesley clapped her hands together. ¡¥Great! The show starts at seven and finishes at nine thirty , so you better hurry up.¡¦

Not influenced by the exciting atmosphere around him, Draco excused himself and stood from his seat, heading for the stairs that led to his room.

_____________________________________________________________________________

¡§You're the one good thing 

That I've found out here¡K¡¨

* * * * * *

¡§This girl is mine! ¡§

 
 

* * * * * *

¡§These are losers and whores 

Who will soon all be gone or be dead¡K¡K¡¨

Go on!

And shoot!

I will not change my mind!

¡§Yes, I'm going to leave 

And take you out with me¡K¡K¡¨

 
 

* * * * * *

 
 
¡§In a place that won't let us feel¡K¡¨

¡§I have found you¡K.¡¨

¡§In a world that's moving too fast 

In a world where nothing can last 

I will hold you¡K¡K¡¨

* * * * * *

¡§I still believe 

You will return¡K¡¨

¡§My heart 

Against all odds¡K¡¨

¡§Won' t you let me inside 

What you so want to hide! 

I need you too! ¡§

 

* * * * * *

¡§You can change¡K¡K

You can learn¡K¡K¡¨

 
 

* * * * * *

¡§Take your hands off! We're finished! Go find someone else! ¡§

* * * * * *

¡§Tell me where, and I'll go

He is longing for me I know¡K¡K¡¨

* * * * * *

¡§I am lost here

Find me please¡K¡K¡¨

* * * * * *

¡§The story of my life began again

With you.¡¨

* * * * * *

¡§One more kiss

And then say goodbye¡K¡K¡¨

* * * * * *

¡§How in one night have we come... so far?¡¨

* * * * * *

¡¥And the Engineer¡K¡K Simon Olzinger!¡¦

Applause exploded through the crowd as the actors and actresses of ¡¥Miss Saigon¡¦ ran out for the curtain call. It was thundering, as some even stood up. Girls dabbed their eyes at the magnificent endings while the whole cast bowed and waved their hands as the red curtain decended upon them.

¡¥That helicopter was the best man, I tell you!¡¦ Pucey exclaimed as he took Faith¡¦s hand.

¡¥And that statue!¡¦ Dolores cried, holding her hands up. ¡¥Sometimes I just don¡¦t know how those muggles do stuff like that!¡¦

¡¥Come on pal, muggles! We can do better, can¡¦t we Draco?¡¦ Montague said lazily, drapping his hands around her waist.

Dolores raisd her eyebrows, eyeing the snaking hand. ¡¥And just what do you think your doing Nigel Montague?¡¦ Pursing her lips, she slapped his arm away.

Montague held up both his hands in surrender, ¡¥Just trying to be a little bit more friendly to my best friend here!¡¦ He smiled when Dolores looked away, her face going suspiciously red.

¡¥All right all right, enough of this.¡¦ Pucey said in his bossy tone. He turned to Draco who was still sitting on his seat, staring at the empty stage. Students were filing out while the older ones were busy chattering away about what to do for the night. They had been portkeyed to the theatre directly so they couldn¡¦t go very far from the theatre if they wanted to go back to the Leaky Cauldron safe and sound without detention from Professor McGonagal. ¡¥So, you gonna join us after that talk section with the cast?¡¦

When there was no response from the blonde, Faith tapped him on the shoulder. Draco looked up expressionlessly, then raised a thick eyebrow in response, which said ¡¥what¡¦.

Montague rolled his eyes. ¡¥Captain here said, are you going to join us after the little peep talk with the whore, the soldier and the American lover.¡¦ He slouched over when Dolores nudged him in the ribs ¡V hard.

¡¥Sure.¡¦ Draco said evenly, standing up smoothly, straightening his black hooded jacket. They had been ¡¥forced¡¦ to wear muggle attire since they were going to go out into the busy West End of London.

¡¥ Ten o¡¦clock at that bar thing, okay?¡¦ Pucey ordered, then pulled Faith along and into the crowd of moving people.

Draco looked at their back sbefore walking out of the seats and into the isle. He looked up when someone called him and found that all the seats were empty, except for a small crowd near the stage. There, Lesley was waving her hands, motioning for the lead to come.

As Draco approached, Barlow D¡¦Aguilar, a cast from Durmstrang smirked. ¡¥Seem to really have gotten into the mood of being Chester Dwight.¡¦

Draco smiled slyly, ¡¥I guess, you never know sometimes¡K you never know.¡¦

Barlow shrugged, then followed the crowd into the backstage. Although Draco was never really called sociable among the cast, he still had some conversation with them, even a butter beer or two at Hogsmeade. Barlow D¡¦Aguilar was, as the Americans say, ¡¥a hunk¡¦, especially among the girls since he was, a, a dirty blonde American/Italian and, b, he was a very out going person, although you could say he was a bit of a playboy.

The ¡§Miss Saigon¡¨ cast was more than friendly and didn¡¦t really seem to care whether they were magic freaking users or not. All the others were very excited, especially Myra , who kept jumping up and down, dragging Pierre here and there. Draco had to admit that they looked good being together, all he hoped was that they didn¡¦t cross the line¡K yet. Draco shuddered at the thought of two kids that aren¡¦t even hitting puberty doing ¡¥that¡¦.

¡¥So, your Draco, the one who will be one of the male lead, right?¡¦ a deep voice caught Draco¡¦s attention. He looked up and saw a young man with hazel eyes.

Draco lowered his eyes. ¡¥You are?¡¦

¡¥Lloyd Gray, the one who was Chris out there.¡¦ The man introduced in his thick American accent.

Draco raised his eyebrows, then held out his hand. ¡¥Nice to meet you.¡¦

¡¥Pleasure.¡¦ Lloyd said, shaking his hand. ¡¥So Draco, I heard you¡¦re doing really well with your moves.¡¦

¡¥You know about the Musical?¡¦ Draco asked, surprised.

¡¥Oh sure.¡¦ Lloyd shrugged as if it was as common as eating a pie for dinner. ¡¥All people doing theatre knows about the huge production coming out. Actually a lot of professionals and guys like me will come and see the performance Lesley and Spencer have put up with you teenagers.¡¦ He gave him a goofy grin. ¡§I really am looking forward to something done by people your age, a lot of people trust in Lesley and Spencer since they both had this experience before, I mean, putting together productions.¡¦

¡¥My age?¡¦ Draco nodded, smiling. ¡¥Hard to believe that something so big would come down on me.¡¦ Thinking back, he hadn¡¦t really done anything you could call an achievement, unless you call fighting with Potter and his sidekick Weasley an achievement.

¡¥It¡¦s hard to believe that kids like you are going to perform, for the very first time at such a huge production. ¡¥Lloyd said seriously. ¡¥This is a really big challenge for both worlds I¡¦m telling you.¡¦

Draco raised his eyebrows. ¡¥Aren¡¦t you afraid of people who know magic?¡¦

Lloyd shrugged, ¡¥why should we? People like us, for once, believe in the magic of theatres because we encounter them with our lines.¡¦

Draco looked at the man before him, not really believing that he was the same person on stage. ¡¥I wonder, do you actors ever put your own feelings on stage?¡¦

Lloyd raised his eyebrows, then exhaled loudly. ¡¥If you¡¦re a professional, you should have no feelings at all.¡¦ He paused, looking into Draco¡¦s gray eyes. ¡¥But that is almost impossible.¡¦

¡¥Why?¡¦

¡¥Because everyone has feelings, and everyone would be affected by some sort of things, no matter if its big or small. Usually when you get up onto the stage, you try to suppress those feelings, but it usually degrades the performance, so it¡¦s hard, very hard. You try to pull yourself back to reality but the fact is, your sinking into the unreal world, the world of lies.¡¦

¡¥Lies?¡¦

¡¥Lies. Everything is fake in theatre, movies, books, anything that that¡¦s created from scratch. It¡¦s a sea of lies, and yet they are beautiful lies that create entertainment and balance to this world.¡¦

¡¥What if you can¡¦t help but fall into that feeling?¡¦ Draco asked carefully.

Lloyd smiled. ¡¥Then just let yourself fall, it can¡¦t be something bad can it?¡¦

Draco couldn¡¦t remember the rest clearly, all he knew was he walked out of the theatre afterwards and into the busy night while the others chattered their way, all in groups or pairs. When he realized how cold it could be at night, the wind was already breezing through the narrow streets.

He walked aimlessly down the streets, voice surrounding him, voices of laughter, of cries, of tears. He suddenly felt so lost, was he really falling for something that he shouldn¡¦t? Was he really doing something no one would consider acceptable, except for him? His memory before he knew Virginia was suddenly very vague, as if it was unreal. Was their relationship so unreal, was it really a lie?

He didn¡¦t think so, because to him, it was more real than anything in his god damned stupid life. The laughter, the tears, the shouts, the cries, everything. She made him really live, and not walking around like a lifeless soul.

She gave him the feeling he should have had, but had tried to suppress so hard.

Draco suddenly let out a laugh. He had finally admit, he had fallen in love with Virginia Weasley, that girl that had such flaming red hair that everyone would recognize it, everyone would be attracted to it, including him. But it wasn¡¦t just that, it was what was inside her. She looked so plain on the outside, but was in fact that most precious stone in existence, so precious that it desperately needed to be discovered, and Draco was just thankful to all the wizards in the world that he was the one who discovered it, and would have a chance to treasure it, if only she would let him.

¡§How in one night have we come... so far?¡¨

The line flashed by Draco¡¦s mind. He remembered how harsh his words were on that rainy night, on that very night where he had so wanted to continue that kiss that he had stopped so abruptly, just because of his damn pride and denial. Just one night, and it seemed that they had gone back to square one, not looking at each other, passing by like strangers from two different worlds.

He should trust her, trust her with all his heart and not care what other¡¦s think, because it¡¦s just him and her.

Is it too late for me to turn around?

A sudden flash made Draco jerk his head. He looked sideways and saw that he was standing in front of a boutique that sold evening gowns. The sales was just moving the model into place, and to Draco¡¦s surprise, it was wearing a black sleeveless gown.

¡¥Don¡¦t tell me that¡¦s you.¡¦

¡¥What if it is?¡¦

¡¥Well, I just can¡¦t imagine you in something like that. A sleevless gown? With white gloves and heels?¡¦

¡¥I¡¦m a girl, a normal girl okay? Of course I fancied these gowns and dresses, woman stuff, you could say.¡¦

¡¥Where in the bloody hell did you get an idea like that? Its not like you¡¦re a muggle, this is obviously something noble, you know, those muggle call it, dresses.¡¦

¡¥I found this cutting in my Father¡¦s study once and stole it. I don¡¦t know why but I kept imagining myself in the dress and starting drawing.¡¦

¡¥This really looks like you. But its kind of unrealistic you know, your breasts aren¡¦t that ¡V OW!¡¦

¡¥Serves you right.¡¦

¡¥You¡K¡¦

With a quick glance at the opening hours, Draco turned and made a run back to the theatre, totally forgetting that his fellow Quidditch Teammates were waiting for him.

_____________________________________________________________________________

¡@

Virginia stared at the ceiling of the Great Hall, her eyes unfocused, fiddling with the red opal around her neck, clearly thinking about something. Books were scattered around in front of her, along with piles of broken quills and scribbled parchments. The Hall and long gone empty although it was only eight at night. People usually did homeowork in the hall or social with other schoolmates of different houses but since half the school was gone, the others usually stayed back at their dormitories, relaxing by the fire or playing a game of Exploding Snap.

Not a lot would still do homework at an hour like this, Virginia was starting to wonder if she was getting even more serious tha Hermione.

But then again, her mind wasn¡¦t really in her books, or school books, but rather on her discovery three days ago.

She had a vague memory of looking at the book back at summer when she had walked past this creepy looking old bookshop, and that was when she was knocked into Borgin and Burks. She had no idea that she had packed the book with her and that it was inside her trunk all this time, compressed by her worn robes and yellowing parchments.

She remembered that that was the very same day she received the blood red opal. She had tried to open the book but once she touched the cover a huge force bounced her back and she figured out that there was a seal on it, a magical seal, non the less. So in the end, the heavy book went back into the trunk, but stayed at the back of her mind.

What is that book? Virginia thought, unconsciously fiddling around with the opal around her neck. It had been giving her strange feelings, as if she had to open it to find some secret, a secret that involved something big.

That it involved the Dark Mark.

Virginia shook her head, ¡¥I¡¦m getting myself all confused, I have to stop.¡¦ Standing up abruptly, she decided that she needed a break. Her thoughts were getting all jumbled up inside and this was not a very good sign. Ever since her working room was blown up, some of her research was gone and this just made Virginia even more frustrated.

¡¥All because of those two prats.¡¦ Virginia muttered as she stomped out of the empty Hall. I am really going to kill those two idiots when they come back from London ! She left her things in the Hall but took with her a parchment and a medical book, not expecting anyone to come and steal them since the house elves were too smart, they seemed to have the ability to read people¡¦s minds and she was almost sure that they knew she would be coming back.

She decided to go to the kitchens, which she had done most frequently these days, to get perhaps some hot chocolate, although it was already summer. Hot soothing drinks seemed to always calm her down, a trick she learnt from her mother.

¡¥Speaking of Mom and Dad, I wonder if they¡¦re going come to Hogwarts before going to the Stadium.¡¦ She had received a letter from them back when they heard of the whole incident, but having no mood to reply any letters at that time, she had tossed it to Charlie and asked him to write a reply on her behalf, saying that she was fine and that she had no hard feelings for losing her position.

It was a lie that she didn¡¦t mind, because the fact was, she minded a lot. Thinking back, she had worked so hard, all through the rehearsals, the practices. She wanted to prove that even a Weasley, a little Weasley girl like her, had an existence that could be noticed, that could be impressed by.

So long for dreams. Virginia thought bitterly as she received a cup of hot lemon tea from a delighted house elf. They all seemed really exited, bustling around with pots and pans, the stoves hovering with fire. It was weird, because dinner was long over and the house elves should be cleaning up, not cooking. But she didn¡¦t ask, since it wasn¡¦t really her business, was it? She had long learnt not to barge into other people¡¦s business, ever since her brother and his two friends had excluded her from all their ¡¥affairs¡¦, to what they were, everyone was clear.

She gave a loud audible sigh as the picture swung shut behind her. She just couldn¡¦t believe that life has changed so much for her, so much for her in a short period of what? Eight months¡K or one night.

¡¥Stop it right now Virginia Weasley! You are not going to think about Draco Malfoy again! Remember what you promised yourself? He will never like you in that way! Just get over him and get on with your god damn life!¡¦ Virginia shook her head violently, and started to run down the corrido unconsciously r. She could feel the eyes, the eyes of the portraits following her. She didn¡¦t want to be noticed anymore! The consequence of being noticed, of being in the spotlight was to be hurt, to be humiliated, to be hated by the one that you fell for, the one that you will never be able to get away from in your heart¡K

Never?

The word struck her like lightening, and at the same time, she was ran around the corner and collided directly with someone heading the opposite direction and fell to the floor, face down.

Am I never going to forget Draco Malfoy? Virginia thought, holding back the tears that were threatening to fall down from her dark brown eyes. He was invading her thoughts, all she could think of, dream of, was him.

¡¥You okay?¡¦ a voice asked from above her. She looked up slightly, some long black hair covering her face. Montague was standing before her, his cloak slightly wrinkled. It was obvious that he was the one she had bumped into. He was holding one of her parchements out, which Virginia looked at suspiciously, wondering why there were no insults from the group behind him, which were all, undoubtedly, Slytherins.

Then it hit her, her brand hair color was gone.

¡¥You okay?¡¦ Montague repeated, confused. In his memory, he didn¡¦t know that there was a girl with that long black hair, excluding Weasley, but her¡¦s was sharp red.

¡¥I don¡¦t need your help Montague.¡¦ Virginia said coldly, brushing her hair back and glaring at Montague. A gasp could be heard from behind him as they all stared at her.

¡¥You¡K are you Ginny Weasley?¡¦ a girl with short dark hair stammered.

¡¥Yes.¡¦ Virginia said curtly, snatching the parchment from Montague, considering seriously to stomp on his foot. She turned around to find her book but found that it was gone.

¡¥Over here.¡¦ An all too familiar voice rang behind her. Virginia froze, her heart starting to slam against her rib cage. She had not heard that voice in two months already, hearing it again wanted to make her cry¡K but she wouldn¡¦t.

Summoning her courage, she turned around, her heart beating so fast it would stop any moment. When she met Draco¡¦s stormy gray eyes, she almost wanted to fall back down onto the floor.

She could clearly see the emotions swarming in his eyes. Swallowing hard, she reached out a trembling hand and snatched the book away from him. ¡¥Thank you Malfoy.¡¦ She didn¡¦t want to look at his eyes again, she didn¡¦t want to recall the painful memory.

And she was oblivious of the sudden flash through his gray eyes, a sudden flash of hurt.

¡¥Ginny Weasley! What in the bloody hell have you done to your god damn hair?¡¦ an angry voice roared down the hallway.

Suppressing the emotions inside, she turned around and faced a flushed Ron Weasley, who was glaring at her so hard his eyes and noise were about to disappear from his face any second.

¡¥Ginny¡K why is your hair¡K black?¡¦ Harry asked carefully, eyeing Hermione, who in turn eyed Ron again, whose eyes were shooting out fire.

The Slytherins snickered. ¡¥Bet she¡¦s too ashamed of being a Weasley, god I¡¦d be humiliated to death if my hair was that red, like your head was on fire.¡¦ Montague snarled, glancing at Draco, and to his expectation, he wasn¡¦t snickering at all, in fact, he was still looking at Virginia with stormy eyes.

¡¥Shut up Nigel Montague!¡¦ Ron yelled.

¡¥Temper Weasley.¡¦ Pucey said calmly, his lips turned into a sly grin. ¡¥You wouldn¡¦t want to roar down the whole school now would you?¡¦

¡¥Say thanks to our beloved twin brothers.¡¦ Virginia said quickly before another argument could rise.

¡¥Fred and George?¡¦ Hermione said surpisingly.

¡¥Yes.¡¦ Virginia snapped, not at all being guilty when Hermione stepped back slightly in hurt.

¡¥Watch your words Ginny Weasley!¡¦ Ron seethed.

She couldn¡¦t believe Ron was talking to her like that. She was his sister, and yet Ron obviously thought that his little lover was far more important that his only sister.

Shaking her head bitterly, she turned her attention to a dark corner and stomped forward, kicking the two figures that were trying desperately hard to hide away from their sister¡¦s piercing eyes.

¡¥Huh, hi Gin.¡¦ Fred said sheepishly, nudging George hard.

¡¥Yeah, how¡¦ve you been these two weeks, miss us?¡¦ George stammered, nudging Fred back.

¡¥I¡¦m tired of your pranks.¡¦ Virginia said in a low threatening voice, her brown eyes narrowed.

And for once, the twins¡¦ smiles faded away and they were staring up at their sister, slightly stunned.

Virginia took a deep breath, ¡¥Please, don¡¦t challenge my patience.¡¦ She wouldn¡¦t be able to stand it longer, she really couldn¡¦t¡K ¡¥Just don¡¦t.¡¦

¡¥Gin ¡V ¡¥ George reached for her, but Virginia shrugged away.

¡¥Just don¡¦t challenge my patience anymore.¡¦ Virginia repeated, turning away. She felt the stares, they were everywhere! She didn¡¦t want that! She hated all the people putting her into the spotlight! She was running way, really running, before she knew it. Throwing the double doors of the hall open, she rushed forward, ignoring Professor McGonagal who was standing before her parchments, reading them with a surprised look.

¡¥Miss Weasley, why ¡V ¡¥

Not waiting for Professor McGonagal to finish, she gathered her things and rushed out of the Great Hall again, trying desperately hard to hold back the hot tears that were welling at the corner of her eyes.

_____________________________________________________________________________

¡¥You okay pal?¡¦

¡¥Yeah, I¡¦m fine.¡¦ Draco responded to Crabbe¡¦s question tiredly, dropping onto his bed without even bothering to change.

¡¥You seem dead.¡¦ Goyle commented, licking at his lollipop loudly.

¡¥Almost.¡¦ Draco said impatiently, and before his roommates could say another word, he closed the draps with a flick of his wand and put on a silencing charm, not wanting to hear any conversation from outside. His roommates weren¡¦t Crabbe and Goyle alone, but they were more or less the only ones who had the guts to make a civil conversation with him.

How pathetic. Draco thought, giving out a bitter laugh. I feel so superior, but the fact is I have no real close friends.

Except for her.

Draco sat up abruptly and racked his hair violently. ¡¥And I¡¦ve ruined everything between us, completely.¡¦ He knew it from the very moment Virginia called him Malfoy, he knew that she wanted to forget about him, to completely erase Draco Malfoy from her memory, and she was doing quite a good job, better than him at least. Her voice was like a sharp knife, piercing right through his heart.

He saw her conflicting emotions, but he was clear that Virginia was determined to forget him, forget all the happy memories she had given him, the happiest among his hopeless sixteen years of life. And he had ruined it so badly, shattered her heart so badly that there was no chance for him to turn around.

No more¡K

Draco rubbed his face with both hands, trying to rub away the uncomfortable feeling rising within him, the feeling of hopelessness. Was this the feeling of lost? Was this the feeling of regret? He had never had anything to regret in his life before, excluding the fact that he wanted to regret that he was the son of Lucius Malfoy. But that was different, he had no choice, and so he accepted. This was also different, he had a god damn choice¡K

¡¥And I fucking ruined everything!¡¦ he suddenly shouted, puching his pillow hard, taking in deep uneven breaths.

¡¥She¡¦s mine Draco Malfoy.¡¦

¡¥Adrian Bradley.¡¦ Draco seethed, narrowing his gray eyes.

¡¥Just thought I¡¦d warn you Malfoy, don¡¦t get in my way, or you¡¦ll regret.¡¦

He glanced sideways at the black metal book on his bed side table, then at a small paper bag that was seated on top of it. The opal around Virginia ¡¦ neck was a clue to the book that he couldn¡¦t open at all, he knew it, that was what Mr. Borgin said.

Draco sat down again, his breath slowly going back to normal. If it was his very last chance, he was willing to risk it¡K

I won¡¦t let Adrian Bradley stay in my way, never!

_____________________________________________________________________________

Days at Hogwarts went by peacefully for Virginia , while others were always running around, busily preparing for the pre performance for the musical¡¦s sponsorers and the ministry people. There was only three days till the show and ten days till the real thing and the whole school seemed to get into a nervous break down, especially Lesley.

O.W.Ls and N.E.W.Ts were over, so the whole school was ready to do anything to help, although she did hear Professor McGonagal complain about the musical dragging down some people¡¦s grades. She even heard Hermione sigh about not having exams while Ron looked at her as if she had gone nutters.

Speaking of Ron¡K Virginia sighed to herself, looking out the window at the green Quidditch field. He seems to be mad at me¡K still. She knew that she had been a bit harsh to Hermione, and, ashamed to admit, she did that on purpose. She was jealous, jealous at why Hermione got all the attention sometimes, the attention of her family. They all treated her as the best, as the future Mrs. Weasley.

She didn¡¦t deny that, since she and her brother were so in love, everyone could see that. She just felt so unfair, she was no worse than her, why did she never get the care that exceeded Hermione? She had once been the most precious one, once¡K but not now. As time passed by, her brothers, her mother and father would treat her as any other Weasley boy¡K no different. And since she had nothing special, it further contributed to her invisibility.

Stop being pestimistic Virginia Weasley. She scolded herself, standing to stretch. Although exams were over, she didn¡¦t have much to do. No one really needed her help in the musical, well no one dared to ask anyway, and there seemed to be less injuries these days. Reckon it¡¦s because I told the twins off.

Another wave of guilt washed through her. Never had she said such harsh words to her family, they really took the cake. But they were acting over the edge! Virginia reasoned mentally.

¡¥Ginny.¡¦ Virginia jumped at the voice calling her. Looking up from her day dreaming, she saw Professor McGonagal staring down at her, her hair in the usual tight bun, but without the hat this time.

¡¥Oh, Professor!¡¦ Virginia quickly stood up. ¡¥Did you want me to do something?¡¦

Professor McGonagal gave her one of her rare smiles and sat down on the couch, scanning the little working room. ¡¥So you¡¦ve been practically living here for the past nine months or so, I presume?¡¦

Virginia looked away embarrassingly. ¡¥Well, I usually work here, but I do go back to the Gryffindor tower on time Professor!¡¦

Professor McGonagal laughed. ¡¥I¡¦m not scolding you or anything, its just rare for students your age to do something so enthusiastically, not even Miss Granger would do so, except for maybe exam periods.¡¦ She gave Virginia a wink, which made her stare.

Was this the Deputy Mistress of Hogwarts? The Professor that would be ruthless enough to take away one hundred points from her own house? Where had their Professor McGonagal gone?

¡¥Ginny¡K do you know exactly how you¡¦ve worked these few months?¡¦ Professor McGonagal asked after examining her.

Virginia looked down. Another lecture again¡K She looked up again and put on her best smile. ¡¥I know I may have been too preoccupied with my work Professor, but I can still manage it, especially my research on the Dark Mark.¡¦

Professor McGonagal nodded. ¡¥I¡¦ve heard, which was a shock to me that Snape said that you were doing an excellent job on the research.¡¦

Virginia ¡¦s draw dropped to the floor. Snape had never given her any compliments about her work, just complains and orders. Of course she wouldn¡¦t say anything and do what she was told, sometimes she had a feeling that Snape was making fun of her, but she never really told anyone of course. In fact, some even sympathized her for being ordered around.

Professor McGonagal tapped her wand and a tea cup with steaming tea appeared. ¡¥Honestly, I was really shocked, and so was Dumbledore.¡¦ She set down the cup on the table and turned to Virginia again. ¡¥Are you sure there aren¡¦t any hard feelings about the¡K incident?¡¦

Virginia just stared at her silently, choosing not to answer.

Professor McGonagal sighed. ¡¥I know we are all being busy, and I¡¦m ashamed to realize that I haven¡¦t approached you sooner since I am your house head and I have a responsibility. But I see you¡¦ve taken it well, and handled with your school work with excellent efficiency as well.¡¦ McGonagal gave her a smile again. ¡¥Gryffindor is proud to have students like you, like Hermione.¡¦

Virginia looked down, she was being compared again, she was sick of that. ¡¥But are you proud of me being a Gryffindor? Virginia Weasley being one? And not just another student with good marks?¡¦

Professor McGonagal raised her eyebrows in surprise, mainly because Virginia called herself by her full name. She cleared her throat and was about to open her mouth when the door of the infirmary burst open and in came Ingemar Crowther¡K¡K

¡¥Dear Merlins!¡¦ Professor McGonagal exclaimed, standing up abruptly.

¡K¡KWith Yvette Dawes in his arms¡K unconscious.

_____________________________________________________________________________

¡¥Who is it?¡¦

Yvette snapped her half opened eyes wide and stared at the white ceiling, feeling something warm and wet at the corner of her eyes. Blinking furiously she turned her head and saw Virginia sitting there with her arms crossed, looking at her in the eye. It was the first time that she found her eyes so piercing, despite their roundness, which made them look so innocent and kind.

¡¥ Virginia ? Why ¡V where am I?¡¦ Yvette asked, trying to sit up, but found herself so weak that she dropped back to the bed, wincing. Seeing this, Virginia stood up and helped her up, stuffing a pillow behind her back. Yvette accepted the help silently, looking at Virginia all the time. It had been quite some time since they had talked since she was so preoccupied with things going around her, and she noticed that Virginia had gone quite thin. A sudden wave of guilt washed through her.

¡¥You¡¦re in the infirmary.¡¦ Virginia replied, sitting back down. She cocked her head and raised her eyebrows.

¡¥Infirmary? Why?¡¦ Yvette asked, looking around in confusion.

¡¥You threw yourself from the circular stage when you were rehearsing for the pre-show. Seems that you¡¦ve been working quite hard, luckily your legs aren¡¦t broken, so you can still perform.¡¦ Virginia added quickly when Yvette stared at her in horror.

Yvette sighed in relief. ¡¥I guess I¡¦ve been too careless, I haven¡¦t slept much and I¡¦m still worried about the performance.¡¦ She lowered her eyebrows. ¡¥By the way, how long have I been here?¡¦

¡¥Two days¡¦ Virginia replied.

¡¥Two¡K¡¦ Yvette widened her eyes in shock. ¡¥That means the pre-performance is today!¡¦ She threw the covers off quickly and attempted to climb off the bed of failed miserably.

¡¥Yes¡K its today.¡¦ Virginia said calmly, pushing her back down onto the bed, ¡¥and to what I¡¦ve heard, they have decided to do the duet by Malfoy and Parkinson instead.¡¦

¡¥Oh¡K¡¦ Yvette looked down in guilt. ¡¥It wasn¡¦t suppose to be that scene¡K I guess it¡¦s all my fault.¡¦ She grimaced at the sorness between her legs and looked at Virginia questionly. ¡¥How did I get here?¡¦

¡¥Ingemar Crowther carried you in, unconscious.¡¦ Virginia said evenly, crossing her arms again.

A flick of disappointment flashed through Yvette¡¦s hazel eyes. She looked away and smiled. ¡¥Really¡K I guess I¡¦ll have to thank him these days.¡¦

Virginia sensed something wrong, well the fact showed that something was wrong, very wrong, and it was time for Yvette to spill, or it will hurt her even more¡K and him.

Leaning forward slightly, Virginia took Yvette¡¦s hand and looked at her meaningfully, while Yvette raised her eyebrows questioningly, not expecting the question Virginia was about to ask. ¡¥Yvette¡K you, you¡K had a miscarriage.¡¦

Yvette stared at her, not smiling, not frowning. She just simply stared at her in bewilderment, not really believing the redhead, well¡K the black head now. ¡¥No.¡¦ she said firmly, shaking her head.

Virginia took a deep breath and shook her head. ¡¥Yes Yvette, you had a miscarriage. When Ingemar carried you in, there was blood all over your legs. Luckily you were wearing trousers, but Madam Promfey and I have already done some checks and you had, undoubtedly, been pregnant and had a miscarriage from the impact when you fell from the stage.¡¦

¡¥No¡K¡¦ Yvette denied, flinging away her hand. ¡¥I can¡¦t have had a miscarriage! I¡¦m only seventeen! How could¡K¡¦

Virginia looked at Yvette with narrowed eyes. ¡¥You were pregnant Yvette, and you can¡¦t be pregnant by yourself.¡¦ She took a deep breath. ¡¥Who was it?¡¦

Yvette started shaking visibly and buried her face in her hands. ¡¥I can¡¦t be¡K¡K¡¦

Virginia grasped her shoulder and forced her to look up. ¡¥Yvette! You had a baby! A life inside your body! It¡¦s a gift to have a child and now you¡¦ve lost it! Whether you like it or not you were a mother, and now your child¡¦s gone! The least you can do is tell the one who did it and take responsibility, both of you!¡¦

Tears threatened to stream down Yvette¡¦s pale cheeks. Bitting her lips hard, Yvette threw her arms around Virginia and burst into tears, crying out all the sorrow and pressure she had been through for all these months. Virginia sat down on the bed and wrapped her arms around Yvette¡¦s trembling form, patting her back. It felt quite awkward for her since she hadn¡¦t really had this experience of comforting people before.

¡¥I¡K¡K I knew it was a mistake! He said it was a mistake¡K I ¡V we didn¡¦t mean to do anything, but I was just so jealous! I haven¡¦t felt like that in my entire life! I so wanted to have him alone, to be exclusively his! I really didn¡¦t know that it would turn so bad¡K¡¦ Yvette cried. ¡¥I don¡¦t know what to do¡K I had the suspicion, but I didn¡¦t want to accept the fact! I¡K¡K¡¦

Virginia sniffed and held her friend tight. She didn¡¦t mind the fact that Yvette didn¡¦t really pay attention to her for the past two months because she knew she had been going through a lot. Seeing her now was like seeing herself, the Virginia Weasley that had been dealing with so much pressure and pain from the people around her, from the person she had minded so very much. It was heart breaking to find that her friend was going through the same thing, and maybe even worse.

¡¥Yvette.¡¦ Virginia pulled away and wiped away some of Yvette¡¦s hot tears. ¡¥No matter what the fact is, it¡¦s in the past. What you have to do is learn to accept and take the responsibility. You need to tell him, and your family.¡¦

¡¥I can¡¦t¡K¡¦ Yvette whispered, ¡¥I can¡¦t put him into trouble, I¡¦ve already been a big trouble¡K¡¦

¡¥And that doesn¡¦t mean you have to take all the responsibility and burden!¡¦ Virginia said harshly, giving Yvette a hard shake. ¡¥He has the responsibility too! You may hate him, but still ¡V ¡¥

¡¥I love him!¡¦ Yvette cut in, then closed her mouth shut, lowering her head. ¡¥But it¡¦s no use, he doesn¡¦t love me, I¡¦m just a fling to him.¡¦

Virginia shook her head firmly and held her face. ¡¥You need to tell him. He has a responsibility too and no matter how hard it is to accept, he was a father for the last week or so.¡¦

¡¥I¡¦m tired Ginny¡K¡¦ Yvette closed her eyes, bitting her lips. ¡¥I¡¦m only seventeen, I can¡¦t believe that, I, I did that and¡K¡¦ she threw her hands up in despair. ¡¥What am I going to do? How will the others see me?¡¦

¡¥Tell him, tell your parents. Madam Promfey and I will not say a word out.¡¦ Virginia said seriously. ¡¥You¡¦ve got to face it.¡¦

Yvette shook her head, ¡¥I don¡¦t know if I can do this¡K¡¦

Virginia gave her a smile and wiped away some of her tears, trying hard to suppress her own tears as well. ¡¥I¡¦ll always be here, when you need me, remember? We¡¦re friends, friends till the end.¡¦

¡¥ Virginia ¡K¡¦ Yvette nodded, giving her a small smile through tears.

¡¥Who is it?¡¦

Yvette looked up at Virginia ¡¦s innocent brown eyes. She knew she couldn¡¦t lie to her.

_____________________________________________________________________________

¡¥Hey ¡V you can¡¦t ¡V ¡¥

Ignoring the two students who were guarding at the double doors of the dance studio, Virginia pushed away their reaching hands and kicked open the door soundly. For the first time in two and a half months, she stepped into the place full of happy memories again. But this time, it wasn¡¦t for her, and she didn¡¦t feel happy at all.

In fact, she was livid.

Everyone inside froze. All the cast and crew were there, including the helpers and some pprofessors. A long table was set at the far end and some men and women dressed neatly, some in muggle attire and some in robes were sitting there. Even Cornelius Fudge was present, sitting right in the middle and staring at Virginia in surprise, then in disbelief as he realized who she was. Everyone was silent as they stared at the intruder, who was panting.

Draco and Pansy, who were in the middle of the routine and stopped, along with all the others. Seeing her enemy, Pansy took the opportunity to lean against Draco. Even Ron had his eyes bugged out while Hermione had her eyebrows raised in surprise, clutching the piece of parchment in her hands.

Ignoring the stares that she hated so much, she looked around for her target. Her brown eyes setting on a group of dancers sitting at the corner who obviously wasn¡¦t in the scene, she stalked forward across the dance floor in silent fury, past a surprise Pansy and unreadable Draco and towards that crowd.

¡¥Barlow D¡¦Aguilar¡K¡¦ Virginia whispered through clutched teeth.

Not expecting her to call him, Barlow looked up at Virginia in surprise, his unruly dark blonde hair sticking in his eyes. ¡¥What is it Weasley?¡¦

Virginia glared at him for at least thirty seconds before reaching down to haul him up by the collar. Barlow was so shocked that he didn¡¦t react at all and before he knew it, he was slammed against the wall hard. After a round of gasps, the studio went into complete silence again, not believing that this violent girl was the little Weasley girl.

Virginia narrowed her eyes, her face inches from him. ¡¥You know exactly what you¡¦ve done to her.¡¦ Barlow widened his eyes and stared at her in bewilderment.

¡¥I don¡¦t know ¡V ¡¥ Barlow stared.

Virginia gave him a violent shake. ¡¥Don¡¦t pretend nothing happened, because something did happen, and you need to take responsibility D¡¦Aguilar.¡¦

[flashback]

¡¥It¡¦s Barlow, Ginny,¡¦ Yvette confessed, looking down, ¡¥Barlow D¡¦Aguilar.¡¦

Not being very surprised, Virginia just raised her eyebrows in response. Yvette looked at Virginia expectantly, then gave out a bitter laugh. ¡¥Am I that transparent, or does everyone know what¡¦s going on?¡¦

¡¥No.¡¦ Virginia said firmly, ¡¥I¡¦ve been suspecting this all along, I just didn¡¦t know you two¡K¡¦

Yvette looked away and dropped back onto the bed, covering her eyes with the back of her hand, trying desperately to suppress the tears that were threatening to fall again. ¡¥It was a mistake, he said that I was a mistake.¡¦ Virginia ¡¦s eyebrows wrinkled together as Yvette continued. ¡¥I never really intended to start a relationship with him, but somehow it just did, and so naturally. I may seem experienced, but the truth is I¡¦m not. We¡¦ve been seeing each other all around school, grasping any opportunity we got. I was more than happy, I was very happy in fact, since I was never really cared by anyone before, until I came here and met you and Barlow.¡¦

Pausing, Yvette turned to her side, lowering her eyes. ¡¥I really thought that he was someone I could trust. He knew I trusted him, and as time passed, I started to depend on him. I just did so naturally and before I could stop, I was having sex with him.¡¦

¡¥You¡¦re only seventeen Yvette.¡¦ Virginia said slowly, ¡¥you know better than doing something so irresponsible at an age like this.¡¦

¡¥I know.¡¦ Yvette whispered. ¡¥I know that I¡¦m wrong, but I just couldn¡¦t stop it, and neither would he. But that was when the nightmare started.¡¦

¡¥Nightmare?¡¦ Virginia raised her eyebrows, ¡¥I thought you two ¡V ¡¥

¡¥I was worth nothing to him after that night.¡¦ Yvette interrupted silently, her eyes begging Virginia not to interrupt. ¡¥We slept together a few times, then he started to act so cold around me. I thought I could be patient with him, forgive anything he did to me, but¡K¡¦ The dried tears started to roll down again as Yvette looked away, trying hard to stop crying.

¡¥When we were in London , I ¡V I walked into him doing it with another girl from his school¡K¡¦

Virginia narrowed her eyes in silent anger. Yvette was cheated, no, she was completely torn apart by what had happened, and now...

[end of flashback]

Narrowing his dark blue eyes, Barlow pushed Virginia away and straightened his clothes. ¡¥What do you know about me Weasley, don¡¦t pretend you know everything.¡¦

¡¥I know enough already.¡¦ Virginia seethed, jumping in front of him again, stopping him with one hand. ¡¥You two are in a very big problem now.¡¦

Barlow gave out a laugh. ¡¥What problem could she possibly have?¡¦ he gave Virginia a sly grin, ¡¥It was just a few nights of fun, do you really think a slut like her would care? Come off of it Weasley, that girl has nothing for me now ¡V ¡¥

Silence dominated the huge studio as a slap rang through place.

¡¥What the fuck ¡V ¡¥ Barlow swore, holding his face.

¡¥You say that again!¡¦ Virginia yelled, hauling him by the collar again. ¡¥She had a miscarriage! If you still have a bit of consciousness in your god damned mind, then go talk to her, before she never talks to you, and I mean NEVER.¡¦

¡¥Miscarraige?¡¦ Barlow shook his head. ¡¥no wa ¡V ¡¥

¡¥YES!¡¦ Virginia yelled again, making everyone jumped. Pushing him down onto the floor, she looked down at him with disgust. Taking a deep breath, she shook her head and turned away. She felt rising up her chest, it was making her hard to breath. ¡¥You¡¦re right, this is none of my business. Do whatever you want Barlow D¡¦Aguilar.¡¦

She turned and looked at him again, then shook her head.

¡¥Just don¡¦t regret.¡¦

_____________________________________________________________________________

¡¥A miscarriage! I wonder who it is!¡¦ Montague said, helping himself to some salad in front of Dolores.

¡¥Have some manners will you?¡¦ Dolores snapped, slapping away his hand. Looking at her innocently, Montague gave that up and grabbed a piece of fried chicken in front of him.

¡¥Aren¡¦t you curious about that though?¡¦ Faith asked, ¡¥I mean, Barlow has a reputation of being a playboy, but, getting someone pregnant was not what I had in mind.¡¦

Pucey shrugged. ¡¥I wouldn¡¦t be that surprised, I heard he has some family problems and doesn¡¦t live with his parents, although both of them still live together in Switzerland .¡¦

¡¥What do you think Draco?¡¦ Montague said loudly.

Blinking, Draco looked up, not really following their conversation. ¡¥Pardon?¡¦

¡¥Who do you think it is? You know, the one D¡¦Aguilar fucked and got pregnant ¡V OUCH! What did you do that for woman?¡¦ Montague demanded, rubbing his waist.

¡¥Stop swearing Nigel.¡¦ Dolores warned.

¡¥What?¡¦

¡¥Mind your own business Nigel.¡¦ Draco grunted, throwing him a piece of beef, aiming right at his face. ¡¥You¡¦re no better than D¡¦Aguilar, believe me.¡¦

¡¥Malfoy¡K¡¦

¡¥I totally agree.¡¦ Bruce chimed in, ¡¥I mean after all, who hasn¡¦t been ticked off by Nigel Montague befo ¡V ¡¥ he was cut off when a piece of beef was aimed at his face.

¡¥Shut up Bruce.¡¦ Montague warned, shooting a glance at a fuming Dolores.

¡¥What? Isn¡¦t that the truth¡K¡¦

Rolling his eyes, Draco tuned the group¡¦s conversation out, concentrating on his dinner. Barlow D¡¦Aguilar is in so much trouble now. He thought, shaking head.

Of all the people in the world, Draco Malfoy knew what was going on before anyone else, and knew that Virginia ¡¦s ¡¥her¡¦ was referring to Yvette Dawes. It was coincidence actually, when he had come back after the ¡¥Miss Saigon¡¦ musical. He had come back late at a little past midnight , trying to get out of McGonagal¡¦s prying eyes. He had been hanging around the hallways of the Leaky Cauldron when Yvette had suddenly stormed past him, oblivious of his existence. She had been fuming as she flung open the door and received the shcok of her life. Draco was standing behind the door all long as he listened to the commotion.

That guy is in for some real trouble, getting Yvette pregnant. Draco thought, stabbing at his salad. And Virginia ¡K Sighing, he looked up, an action he hadn¡¦t done for some time, and searched the Gryffindor table which was behind the Hufflepuff one. The dream team was sitting right in the middle, with their backs to them. Myra was sitting at the far end of the table, chatting excitedly with Pierre . He had noticed for some time that Virginia didn¡¦t come to dinner with the others, and seemed to have special permission from Professor McGonagal.

She¡¦ll get sick, working like that. Draco thought, frowning. He knew Virginia worked over hours, even when exams were long time over and the others were having fun, enjoying what was left from school before everyone would go home for their summer holidays. He didn¡¦t understand why she still did the dark mark researches when he had done things that hurt her so much. She had changed around him so much, he knew and felt it when he thought back to the times when they past each other unconsciously in the hallways or when she stood aside while he kept on bickering with her brother.

Would she be happier if nothing of thie had happened? Draco couldn¡¦t help but think, lowering his gray eyes. Although she didn¡¦t look very happy before, she didn¡¦t have any trouble, but now, with his dark mark and all¡K

The Dark Mark¡K Fury rised within him as he slapped his fork down, making everyone around him jump up in shock.

¡¥Draco¡K are you okay?¡¦ Faith asked, looking at him with her eyebrows twisted. She always treated him like a younger brother, although he never really appreciated it in public.

¡¥I¡¦m finished.¡¦ Draco said bluntly. Standing up, he left his seat and headed for the hall¡¦s exit while the others around him continued to chat. He walked down the halls aimlessly, not knowing where his feet were taking him while his mind was preoccupied with thoughts of her, yes, of her, the redhead he had come to be so aware of, the redhead who he had¡K

Clutching his dark mark, he leaned against the wall and sighed. What use is it now, everything¡¦s in a mess and you¡¦re the one who ruined it all Draco Malfoy! Why do you always have to be so god damn suspicious about everything? You know it couldn¡¦t have been her!

Thinking about the dark mark, he thought of that book he got, and the opal around Virginia ¡¦s neck. There must be something about hit. He mused, narrowing his eyes in deep thought.

He knew it was a clue to his dark mark.

And I¡¦m going to find out about it tonight.

_____________________________________________________________________________

She was hot, very hot. Panting in her sleep, Virginia flipped and turned in her sheets. She was sleeping, and yet she felt no peace in the darkness, instead, chaos. She didn¡¦t understand, was this her means of sleep in the past few months? She wasn¡¦t resting, instead she felt herself fighting, fighting for a safe place to hide, fighting for a person to really love her in a way she wanted.

The moonlight shined upon Virginia ¡¦s unpeaceful form as sweat started to form on her skin. It was dripping down the side of her head and down onto her sensitive neck, where she gave a shiver.

She could feel someone over her, all this time, watching her restless sleep.

¡¥Your mine, a gift my father gave me, your all mine.¡¦

Who was that? Was it someone I know? Why is his voice so familiar? The voice had been dominating her sleep ever since, troubling her sleep, not wanting to let go of her.

¡¥You¡¦re mine¡K¡K¡¦

¡¥Is this the ¡V ¡¥

¡¥Don¡¦t leave me¡K¡K¡¦

¡¥Don¡¦t! Don¡¦t shoot!¡¦

¡¥You will only be mine, I won¡¦t let anyone hurt you!¡¦

¡¥I¡K¡K¡¦

The voices were so far away, the noise behind was disturbing but faint, and yet they felt so real, like it was one of her pasts. Was it? Or was it just another illusion, and illusion, like the things that had happened around her these few months?

She saw red, something glowing in red¡K

¡¥I see you want a game don¡¦t you Ginny?¡¦

¡¥I won¡¦t disappoint you, my fair lady.¡¦

She knew that voice, it was someone she knew! She was sure of it! But where? WHERE?

¡¥Who do you think you are, you¡¦re a bloody death eater. You can¡¦t be compared to Ginny at all, because she¡¦s pure, and you are just evil.¡¦

¡¥And I don¡¦t see anything different in you.¡¦

¡¥You are a Death Eater, like it or not you will be a Death Eater for life. Ginny is something that is clean, and you will just ruin her soul.¡¦

¡¥How would you know.¡¦

¡¥Because she hates you.¡¦

Who do I hate? Who¡¦s a death eater? Draco? Was he the one around her all the time? Guarding over her dreams? No it wasn¡¦t, it was someone else, it was someone that had been watching over her with those piercing eyes¡K who¡¦s eyes were they? Who¡K

¡¥She¡¦s mine Draco Malfoy, no one can have her except for me.¡¦

Who does she belong to? Who does she want to belong to? She knew that answer, but she didn¡¦t want to admit it to anyone¡K it was too painful¡K

¡¥More will come, my dear Ginny, more¡K¡K¡¦

No! I don¡¦t want anymore pain! No please¡K let me go¡K Why did she have to deal with all this pain? She¡¦s only a sixteen year old girl! Why?

Ginny¡K come to me, come to me where no one will control you again, no one will force you to do what you don¡¦t want, where no one will ignore your existence again.

She heard someone calling her¡K could this person help her? Or would this person just drag her into another turmoil of pain¡K

¡¥You will die¡K and she will be mine forever. Everything you own, everything you care, will be mine¡K if I can¡¦t get what I want from you, I will destroy it¡K¡¦

¡¥She will be mine forever¡K¡¦

¡¥Everything you care¡K¡¦

Who would die? Draco? No! She didn¡¦t want Draco to die¡K she wanted him to¡K she ¡V

¡¥I will destroy it¡K¡¦

Destory me?

Where someone would appreciate you¡K

Who would appreciate her? She was just a little girl¡K

But do you want someone to appreciate you?

Yes, above all things¡K

Then come with me.

Virginia felt herself going down, into a deeper, darker place. Where was this voice taking her? Where?

I don¡¦t want to go¡K please don¡¦t! I ¡V

_____________________________________________________________________________

¡¥NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!¡¦ Virginia yelled at the top of her lungs, her eyes flying open, panting hard. It was so real, as if, as if ¡V ¡¥

¡¥What in the bloody hell are you yelling about Weasley?¡¦ a voice screamed from outside the curtains of her fourposter, and without warning, light flooded through the room.

¡¥Ginny? Is anything wrong?¡¦ a voice asked sleepily.

There was no reply, because Virginia was busy staring at the intruder who was hovering over her, his stormy gray eyes boring into hers.

What in the world is Draco Malfoy doing in my bedroom? Her mind screamed.

End of Chapter 26

¡@

A/N: Be kind and review! Email me at virginialo@wildimagination.net if you got any questions! You can also leave any messages on my site's message board: http://pub92.ezboard.com/bwildimaginationworks