Muggle Year
by Virgi Ca

Chapter 28: Only Draco Malfoy and Virginia Weasley

Magnificent.

That was the only word that could describe what the million audiences saw down at the circular stage. It was really hard to believe that such a performance was done by teenagers that were no more than twenty years old and was prepared within a year.

Million pairs of eyes were trained on her, only her, the one that was up on the stage, leaping wildly, moving her svelte body as the Weird Sisters¡¦ rock n¡¦ roll music crashed through the air. A party was in full swing, on the stage and off the stage. Lights flashed everywhere in the wild nightclub ¡V Lactract Lane.

Why was she here? She didn¡¦t know. All she knew was, her feet were moving on their own, she wasn¡¦t controlling herself, her body was moving to the music without any thought. It felt so natural, she felt belonged here, she felt that someone finally wanted her here, but she knew that it was all just a dream, it just a façade, bitter thoughts that were to comfort her void soul.

But she was willing, she found herself willing to do this, even if she would regret dearly in the end.

Because she wanted to do this, sincerely wanted to do this.

And she would.

_____________________________________________________________________________

¡¥Draco, I¡¦m telling you, she¡¦s even scarier than you.¡¦ Pucey muttered, nudging Draco in the ribs.

¡¥Who?¡¦ Draco asked absently, his eyes trailing somewhere else.

Pucey rolled his eyes. ¡¥The one that you¡¦re looking at now!¡¦

¡¥Shut up.¡¦ Draco mumbled, racking his blonde hair.

¡¥Draco, get your ass over here, we need to run the lines while we still have the time!¡¦ Lesley shouted across the dressing room. ¡¥You¡¦re on the next scene with Ginny!¡¦

¡¥He¡¦s got it!¡¦ Pucey shouted, knowing that Draco would have no intention of acknowledging the choreographer at all.

¡¥Draco, you need some more foundation.¡¦ Florence, a make-up helper said, blushing slightly.

Exhaling impatiently, he plopped down onto the chair and let the girl dab on his face as people ran around behind him, crashing into each other now and then. The show has been on for twenty minutes and three scenes have run already. The first scene had been a blast and the atmosphere was just getting better and better outside at the audience stand.

What they don¡¦t know is the change of the female lead, they think its still stupid Parkinson. Draco snorted mentally, looking at the reflection of Virginia¡¦s back whom was directly behind him. He blinked in surprise when Virginia suddenly looked up from her calm state and locked eyes with him.

Why was she here? Even he didn¡¦t know exactly why.

[flashback]

¡¥We have a major problem.¡¦ Lawrence said, his face blanch.

¡¥What, problem?¡¦ Felicity asked carefully, her hand stopping in mid-air.

¡¥We¡K¡¦ Faith looked around frantically.

¡¥Is it about Pansy?¡¦ Draco asked, eyeing the panicking girl.

Faith nodded frantically. ¡¥We can¡¦t find her, she¡¦s nowhere!¡¦

¡¥What?¡¦ Felicity cried, then burst out of the room to find Spencer

¡¥Where¡¦s Adrian?¡¦ Spencer demanded, throwing the door open after a few moments.

¡¥I¡¦m here.¡¦ A cold voice rang from behind Draco.

¡¥Where in the hell have you been?¡¦ Spencer snarled. ¡¥Where¡¦s Pansy?¡¦

¡¥She¡¦s nowhere found.¡¦ Lawrence said, taking deep breaths.

¡¥What?¡¦

¡¥Pansy¡¦s missing?¡¦ Lesley cried, rushing into the room with Felicity behind her. ¡¥How come?¡¦

¡¥We couldn¡¦t find her anywhere!¡¦ Faith cried at the verge of tears. ¡¥I was sure she was with us when we came here, but she¡¦s gone now! Vanished!¡¦

¡¥Calm down.¡¦ Pucey coaxed, rubbing Faith¡¦s back.

¡¥The show starts in five hours and our female lead is missing.¡¦ Lesley laughed bitterly, pulling at her hair. ¡¥Great, just great. What in the hell do we do now?¡¦

¡¥Find a replacement.¡¦

Lesley blinked and stared at Draco as if he was insane.

Felicity shook her head. ¡¥You have to be kidding, we might as well just find Pansy one more time.¡¦

¡¥What if you don¡¦t?¡¦ Draco countered, standing up straight.

Draco smirked when nobody answered. Shaking his head and started for the door that led to the floo powder fireplace.

¡¥Draco, you aren¡¦t ¡V ¡¥ Lesley asked carefully.

¡¥I am.¡¦ Draco said softly, not turning around.

Pucey smirked. ¡¥Told you so Draco buddy.'

_____________________________________________________________________________

His instincts were right, Virginia really was in the Chamber of Secrets, he could feel it.

Draco glared at the opening of the chamber and stared down, clutching his broom so tightly he was about to break it. Fury was rising up within in, but he didn¡¦t now why, his mind was playing games with him again.

He knew that Virginia was down there, he knew it would only take a few minutes till he¡¦d really see her again, really see her in three months.

Damn, his heart was starting to race like mad.

¡¥I¡¦m not doing this for myself.¡¦ Draco said outloud, narrowing his eyes. He looked up and saw Moaning Myrtle¡¦s translucent form floating around, then shook his head violently. ¡¥I¡¦m doing this for the production, I¡¦m doing this for myself, I do not want to see her.¡¦

It felt void even to him. Laughing bitterly, Draco hopped onto his racing broom and flew down the huge pipelines, wincing at the wind that hit his face.

He was really losing his mind.

¡¥Damn it.¡¦ Draco cursed, realizing that it was pitch black. Sighing loudly, he took out his wand and held it before him, concentrating hard.

¡¥Accio Hand of Glory.¡¦ Draco whispered, his eyes closed.

After one minute, his ears twitched as he heard the Hand of Glory flying down towards him. He opened his eyes slowly and reached out, finding what he wanted in the dark.

¡¥Incendio.¡¦ Draco said softly, lighting the hand of glory. Taking a deep breath, he walked down the dark place, wincing inwardly as his feet hit the cold water.

He remembered, he still remembered the time when Virginia¡¦s soft hands rested on his. It was the first time they actually ¡¥held hands¡¦, although they weren¡¦t actually friends then, enemies were more like it.

¡¥Enemies.¡¦ Draco whispered to himself, stopping in his tracks, looking up with no particular reason. It seemed like yesterday when he had grabbed her poisoned hands and forced them into the water, he remembered clearly it was the first time he¡¦d called her name, her full name, his enemy¡¦s name.

They were enemies, when did the relationship between them become so unclear? For four year, their relationship had been so obvious, so obvious that there seemed to be no relationship between them at all. He was the son of the almighty Lucius Malfoy, former governor of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry; she was the daughter of Lucius Malfoy¡¦s own long time nemesis, Arthur Weasley, the Muggle Lover and father of seven redheads.

He still remembered the times when he picked on Harry and his sidekick Ron. He had also been jealous about Hermione since she was a muggle born and still aced every subject she took. It wasn¡¦t fair, he thought it wasn¡¦t fair that they got all the attention, Harry Potter got all the attention just because he got a bloody scar from Lord Voldemort. He had been so busy dealing with them that he never realized that there was a little girl that always trailed behind them. A quiet little girl, none the less.

He didn¡¦t know why, but he hated it whenever people called her ¡¥Ginny¡¦. He felt it unsuitable for such a girl, though it was ironic for the fact that he didn¡¦t even know what kind of person she was, let alone understand her. It wasn¡¦t until this year that he really paid the attention she deserved, and it was funny that he was the one that actually gave the attention she desperately wanted.

¡¥Virginia.¡¦ Draco breathed, closing his eyes. He was hopeless. He didn¡¦t know why but he suddenly felt like he was living without a reason at all! The thought had become stronger and stronger ever since the Dark Mark incident in March.

The Dark Mark. Draco mused, his lips curving into a slight grin. Virginia¡¦s reaction towards his Dark Mark had been out of his expectation. He never thought she would be the one to give him comfort for having such an ugly mark burned to his arm.

Virginia Weasley gave him a lot of surprises, whether they were good surprises, or bad surprises.

His sensitive ears heard water running and without another thought, he ran down the pipes, his feet splashing filthy water onto his slacks.

He was here again, the second time, in the Chamber of Secrets.

¡@

_____________________________________________________________________________

¡¥Virginia.¡¦

Only one person would call her that, there was only one person that would even bother to call her by her full name.

And his name was Draco Malfoy.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, Virginia wrapped her arms around herself and turned slightly, feeling her heart slamming against her ribcage.

Draco stood at the side of the pool, glaring down at her with his sharp gray eyes. He was nothing but angry, she could see it. But the funny thing was¡K why was he here?

¡¥What are you ¡V ¡¥

¡¥Why are you in here again?¡¦ Draco interrupted curtly, trying to ignore the fact that Virginia was standing in the middle of the pool, nothing but long black hair covering her body. ¡¥I thought you said you¡¦ll never come down here again? And what¡¦s with Myrtle floating around in the girl¡¦s lavatory, unconscious.¡¦

Virginia closed her eye and turned away, trying not to feel happy. He actually remembered the time they came down here, but who wouldn¡¦t? This was, after all, the secret chamber Salazar Slytherin himself built. Taking a deep breath, she tried hard not to bite her lip out of nervousness. ¡¥That¡¦s none of your business Malfoy.¡¦

Draco narrowed his eyes, the name that came out of her lips was as sharp as a knife.

Suppressing the anger within him, he took a step forward. ¡¥Come with me, we don¡¦t have much time.¡¦ He ordered impatiently.

¡¥Huh?¡¦ Virginia turned around rapidly and stared at Draco.

¡¥Pansy¡¦s missing, I doubt they¡¦ll find her in two hours time. You have to replace her.¡¦ Draco explained impatiently. ¡¥We don¡¦t have much time.¡¦ He repeated

Virginia glared at him and walked forward in the water. ¡¥What do you mean I have to ¡V hey!¡¦ she shouted when Draco walked towards the pile of clothings and books.

¡¥You know exactly what I mean.¡¦ Draco said coldy, eyeing her briefly before picking up her black school robes. If she stayed naked before him any longer, he¡¦d lose his control, even lose his mind. He was, after all, a very normal sixteen year old with more hormones than one could think, especially in front of Virginia Weasley.

¡¥I¡¦m not going!¡¦ Virginia declared, crossing her arms stubbornly.

Draco was about to throw an insult at her when his eye caught sight of a leather bound black book which looked too familiar to him. But before he could even touch the book, a voice behind him halted his hand.

¡¥Don¡¦t you dare touch that!¡¦ Virginia screeched, coming out of nowhere and snatching the book from the floor.

¡¥What¡¦s that?¡¦ Draco asked in a low voice as Virginia turned around again, her back facing him.

¡¥None of your business.¡¦ Virginia scowled, clutching the book to her chest tightly.

Draco glared at her back, taking deep breaths, trying not to get angry. Before, she¡¦d tell him everything, but now¡K

Clutching his fingers into a tight ball, he charged forward and grabbed her arm, forcing her to turn around. ¡¥Go with me.¡¦

¡¥No.¡¦ Virginia said firmly, refusing to look at him. ¡¥I don¡¦t want to replace Pansy, I can¡¦t replace Pansy.¡¦

¡¥Don¡¦t lie.¡¦ Draco jeered. ¡¥You haven¡¦t forgotten your role, you couldn¡¦t have forgotten your role as Gladys Winifred, you care too much about it to forget it.¡¦

Virginia¡¦s eyes widened in shock, then turned her head and glared at Draco with hateful eyes. ¡¥So what? I don¡¦t have the duty to replace anyone! I¡¦m myself, I don¡¦t need to be anyone else, I don¡¦t even care about the production anymore!¡¦

¡¥I don¡¦t think so Virginia Weasley.¡¦ Draco sneered when Virginia pushed him away, backing a few steps. He reached behind him and like magic, pulled out the script parchment. ¡¥Guess where I found this?¡¦

Virginia stared at him in horror. ¡¥What do you mean?¡¦

¡¥You¡¦ve been reciting this thing even when you were replaced.¡¦ Draco smirked. ¡¥I got this from the infirmary. Don¡¦t lie Weasley, you couldn¡¦t put this down and now you are going to be Glady Winifred, that¡¦s final.¡¦

¡¥Fine!¡¦ Virginia threw the book down in fury, clutching her fists to her side. ¡¥I¡¦ll perform a memory charm on myself, satisfied? I¡¦ll erase all memories of the Gldays Winifred, memories of the production, memories of YOU!¡¦

Virginia gasped when Draco suddenly appeared before her, grabbing her wrist and pulling her forward. ¡¥Don¡¦t you dare.¡¦ He whispered dangerously, training his eyes on her.

Virginia held her breath as Draco¡¦s lips caught hers in a very rough kiss, biting and licking her lips. She didn¡¦t even try to push him away but instead let him pull her even closer, his hands trailing down her back. She blinked at him dumbly when they parted, then gasped again when Draco summoned her robe and wrapped it around her in lightening speed, sweeping her of her feet and heading for the exit of the chamber.

¡¥Let me go! Put me down Malfoy!¡¦ Virginia screamed, kicking her bare feet.

¡¥I won¡¦t let you go Virginia Weasley, not now not ever.¡¦ Draco declared. ¡¥You¡¦re mine and only mine. You¡¦ll belong to me forever whether you like it or not!¡¦

[end of flashback]

_____________________________________________________________________________

¡¥You¡¦ll belong to me whether you like it or not!¡¦

He said those words, she couldn¡¦t believe Draco Malfoy actually said those words to Virginia Weasley. She had dreamed in her sleep, day and night that someone would tell her that she belonged to him, that she could find protection under the soft wings that would wrap her up from all the dangers and pain from the outside world.

And Draco Malfoy had said it.

¡¥Gladys, your still here, I thought you were with Mr. Goddard.¡¦ Yvette¡¦s voice rang from off stage. Virginia looked up and smiled as Yvette, now Wallis Murray, sat beside her at the circular bar counter.

¡¥I wasn¡¦t feeling too well so I asked him to drive me back earlier.¡¦ Virginia explained, giving Yvette a weak smile.

Yvette looked at Virginia thoughtfully, then closed her eyes, smiling slightly. ¡¥You still miss Chester.¡¦

Virginia blinked, then looked away, silent.

Yvette pursed her lips. ¡¥Don¡¦t deny it Gladys, your in love with Chester Dwight.¡¦

Don¡¦t deny it Virginia Weasley, your in love with Draco Malfoy.

¡¥Gladys?¡¦ Yvette pushed her friend slightly on the shoulder.

¡¥Don¡¦t be silly Willis.¡¦ Virginia said quietly, tossing her a mixer that she had been fiddling with.

¡¥Don¡¦t you be silly.¡¦ Yvette snorted, leaning back slightly. ¡¥Everyone here knows you two are more than just friends. Come on! Even the blind can see that Chester¡¦s got something for you.¡¦

¡¥He doesn¡¦t.¡¦ Virginia whispered, lowering her head.

Yvette rolled her eyes. ¡¥Come off of it girl. You haven¡¦t seen it but he¡¦s been pacing the bar like crazy whenever Glenn Goddard comes. Do you really think he¡¦d do that because he treats you like a sister? You guys have known each other forever!¡¦

¡¥So what?¡¦ Virginia muttered, looking down at her worn fingers.

Yeah, so what? Draco and I have known for five years, so what?

Yvette exhaled loudly. ¡¥Then, may I ask you, what do you feel about him? Chester I mean. Do you miss him whenever you go out with Goddard? Do you think of him, do you wish your with him whenever you sleep with Goddard?¡¦

¡¥Maybe¡K¡¦ Virginia said slowly, ¡¥but ¡V ¡¥

¡¥No buts!¡¦ Yvette stood up, hands on her hips. ¡¥I tell you, you do not have the duty to sacrifice your happiness to raise funds for Lactract Lane, it¡¦s just too unfair!¡¦

¡¥But I¡¦ve done nothing to contribute this place when Uncle Enoch had practically raised me!¡¦ Virginia protested. ¡¥This is the least that I can do.¡¦

Yvette looked down at her close friend, then sighed and reached for her pocket, taking out a piece of small paper, slamming it onto the counter hard.

¡¥What¡¦s this?¡¦ Virginia asked curiously, looking down closely.

¡¥A pass.¡¦ Yvette said gruffly, shoving it to Virginia. ¡¥Chester told me to give it to you.¡¦

¡¥To me?¡¦ Virginia raised her eyebrows in surprise. ¡¥Why?¡¦

¡¥Jeez!¡¦ Yvette threw her hands up. ¡¥So that you can go to this competition as his partner, as his other half, as his lover, Whatever!¡¦

¡¥Why?¡¦ Virginia repeated.

Yvette rolled her eyes and exhaled loudly. ¡¥Because he loves you, you idiot!¡¦

Virginia blinked and stared at the pass.

¡¥Winifred, sometimes I wonder if you have a brain.¡¦ Another silky voice snarled from the dark.

Yvette held her fist up and turned around abruptly. ¡¥Leilah! Nobody asked for your opinion!¡¦

¡¥But it¡¦s the fact.¡¦ Gabrielle purred, sitting herself down gracefully, looking at Virginia coyly.

¡¥What¡¦s the fact?¡¦ Yvette demanded.

¡¥That Winifred doesn¡¦t have a brain.¡¦ Gabrielle smiled.

¡¥Leilah!¡¦

Gabrielle shrugged, unaffected by her ¡¥sister¡¦s¡¦ glare. ¡¥Who would be dumber than to actually hesitate between Chester Dwight and Glenn Goddard? I mean, Glenn Goddard! The wealthiest man with the most potential here! Every girl would give anything to be in your shoes Winifred! Besides, he obviously fancies you. Having a man that is rich and loves you is not that easy. I really don¡¦t understand you.¡¦

¡¥What does Malfoy have that I don¡¦t?¡¦

Virginia didn¡¦t understand herself either.

¡¥No one understands you either.¡¦ Yvette muttered.

Gabrielle snorted at her comment and started filing her nails. ¡¥I really don¡¦t know what you see in him. In Chester Dwight.¡¦ She added, spitting the name out as if it were foul.

What do I see in him? What do I see in Draco Malfoy? Virginia thought. Ever since my birth, I¡¦ve been taught to stay away from the Malfoys, from the enemy of the Weasleys, and now I¡¦ve fallen for one, the one that puts on a arrogant façade to hide his true self, the Draco Malfoy that was actually kind, caring and¡K

¡¥He¡¦s arrogant, he¡¦s mean, and worst of all, he¡¦s penniless.¡¦ Gabrielle continued in mock sympathy.

Is Draco considered penniless now since he¡¦s left home? Virginia couldn¡¦t help but think.

¡¥Not everyone¡¦s like you Leilah.¡¦ Yvette scowled, then turned to Virginia. ¡¥Don¡¦t listen to her Gladys. Gladys?¡¦

He said he wouldn¡¦t let me go. Did he mean it? Virginia thought, her eyes in a daze.

Pursing her lips, Yvette stood up and retreated towards the curtains, pulling a protesting Gabrielle with her.

He loves you you idiot! Did Draco love her? Did he?

¡¥Marcellus World Latin Dance Championship.¡¦ Virginia whispered, gazing down at the pass. Right then, the circular bar started to slide and at the corner of her eye, she saw student helpers behind the curtains, casting spells with their wands. She closed her eyes as the set moved aside and the lights dimmed down. She looked up again when the other side of the stage started lighting up, a soft and yellow color that was very comfortable and warm, symbolizing a scene of the past.

¡¥Do ¡V don¡¦t¡K stop now!¡¦ Myra¡¦s scream was first to ring through the stage as she settled herself against the bars with Pierre holding her leg up, pushing it against her back in a particularly difficult stretch exercise, a stretch exercise that all female dancers did during their dancing sections back at Hogwarts.

¡¥Shut up Gladys, if you don¡¦t do it then you won¡¦t dance well, that¡¦s what mother told us.¡¦ Pierre grumbled, adding pressure.

Myra yelped in pain and kicked Pierre in the face, causing him to fall back, covering his face with his left hand in pain. ¡¥You did that on purpose!¡¦ she cried, rubbing her thigh.

¡¥How¡¦s it going kids?¡¦ Una Cret, taking the role of Antonia Dwight, the deceased mother of Chester Dwight, smiled, carrying a bag with her.

¡¥Aunt Antonia, Chester¡¦s doing it again on purpose!¡¦ Myra wailed, running towards her. ¡¥Again!¡¦

¡¥Chester, have you been teasing little Gladys again?¡¦ Una scolded, oblivious of the silly face Myra made at Pierre.

Pierre snorted, still rubbing his face. ¡¥She¡¦s just being the prat like she is every day Mother.¡¦

¡¥Am not!¡¦

¡¥Is too!¡¦

Una smiled at the two bickering kids, then sat down, motioning for them to follow suit.

¡¥What¡¦s this Mother?¡¦ Pierre asked, peering down at the piece of paper Una took out from her bag.

¡¥A flyer.¡¦ Una replied softly, gazing down at it. ¡¥A competition that I wanted to participate for a long time, but didn¡¦t have the chance.¡¦

¡¥Why Aunt Antonia, no one can beat you!¡¦ Myra declared, snuggling against her.

Una smiled and ruffled the little girl¡¦s hair. ¡¥Because I can¡¦t with my leg injury.¡¦

Pierre looked at Una thoughtfully.

¡¥Promise me.¡¦ Una said softly, hugging both of them to herself. ¡¥Go to this competition.¡¦

¡¥Mother?¡¦ Pierre looked up.

Una stroked his cheek lovingly. ¡¥It would be a very good chance for you two.¡¦

¡¥Really?¡¦ Pierre looked at his ¡¥mother¡¦ skeptically, raising his eyebrows.

Una smiled and reached for her bag, pulling out a shimmering outfit.

¡¥It¡¦s beautiful!¡¦ Myra exclaimed.

¡¥Do you like it?¡¦ Una asked.

Myra nodded. ¡¥I love it!¡¦

¡¥Then its yours.¡¦ Una said gently, ¡¥when you grow up.¡¦

¡¥Really?¡¦ Myra blinked at Una.

¡¥Really.¡¦

¡¥Aunt Antonia, why did you teach us dancing?¡¦ Myra asked, hugging her.

¡¥Because you can fly high.¡¦ Una replied.

¡¥Fly high?¡¦ Pierre repeated, wrinkling his nose. ¡¥How?¡¦

Una smiled and stood up, doing a leap then a full circle turn in front of them. ¡¥Don¡¦t you feel free when you dance? That¡¦s what I feel. Whenever I leap up in the air, I feel free, I feel like I¡¦m flying in the sky, like a bird with no worries, no doubts, no anxieties. That¡¦s what you feel when you get into the real world darling.¡¦

¡¥Fly¡K¡¦ Pierre looked at his mother.

¡¥High?¡¦ Myra repeated, blinking.

Una nodded. ¡¥When you grow up, there will be a lot of things to worry about, a lot of obstacles and barriers in life. When I was young, I danced whenever I felt lonely, it gave me a sense of belonging, I felt that hope was within me.¡¦

Hope? Virginia lowered her eyes as she gazed at the scene before her. She thought her own life was hopeless, until Lesley came a long with dance, until Draco walked in and unconsciously gave her support, without even noticing it.

¡¥I still don¡¦t understand Aunt Antonia.¡¦ Myra said, shaking her head.

Una laughed and held out her hands. ¡¥Let¡¦s start.¡¦

Myra stared up at her, then looked at Pierre, then smiled broadly and jumped up.

The lights started to dim and the bar table started to move back to its original position.

Setting down the pass gently onto the table, Virginia stood and exited the stage on the opposite side, not turning back.

_____________________________________________________________________________

¡¥Gladys, you seem to be hiding away from me.¡¦ Adrian said gently, taking Virginia¡¦s gloved hand into his.

¡¥Ginny! Your hiding from me.¡¦

Virginia looked up sharply, staring into Adrian¡¦s cold blue eyes. She still remembered Adrian cornering her, demanding why she chose no one but Draco Malfoy. Why did she anyway? He hurt her too much, it was just silly to fall for him again after all the agony she went through. Adrian was right, what did she see in him?

You know what you see in him. A little voice whispered in her head.

¡¥Gladys?¡¦ Adrian said again, stroking her cheek.

¡¥Yes.¡¦ Virginia whispered slowly.

Adrian smiled at her softly, then leaned down and kissed her on the lips softly. ¡¥It will be alright, just stay relaxed, I told my family a week ago about our engagement.¡¦

Engagement? But¡K she didn¡¦t want to marry anyone! She didn¡¦t want to be with him! She wanted to be with Draco!

¡¥Gladys? Are you not feeling well?¡¦ Adrian asked, placing his palm on her forehead.

¡¥Master Glenn, it¡¦s about time.¡¦ Jacquez said solemnly, bowing before his ¡¥master¡¦, appearing at the far end of the stage.

Adrian nodded. ¡¥Thank you Andres, I¡¦ll be there, please tell mother.¡¦

She wanted to be with Draco and only Draco! She wanted to be with him, she wanted him to hug her, kiss her, protect her! Only Draco, she only wanted to belong to him and nobody else. She wouldn¡¦t deny it anymore, she was going to accept it.

¡¥I¡¦m sorry Glenn.¡¦ Virginia whispered, trying to hold back the tears. It was silly really, that she was thinking about Draco and herself when she was on stage, replacing Pansy Parkinson as Gladys Winifred. But she couldn¡¦t help it, she just couldn¡¦t help it. The situation in the play resembled her own life too much, resembled her relationship with Draco Malfoy.

¡¥Gladys, what are you talking about?¡¦ Adrian asked.

¡¥I¡¦m sorry, I ¡V I just can¡¦t ¡V ¡¥ Virginia stammered. She pushed him away and fled across the stage into the curtains, oblivious of the ice blue eyes that stared after her, threatening to turn gold under the dimming lights.

_____________________________________________________________________________

¡¥She¡¦ll come, don¡¦t worry.¡¦ Seamus, dressed in very baggy cloths and had a bushy moustache attached to his face comforted ¡¥Chester¡¦ in a hoarse and low voice.

¡¥Don¡¦t worry Chester.¡¦ Lavender smiled, sitting beside Draco. ¡¥She¡¦ll come, you know she always does.¡¦

Draco looked before him at particularly nothing, his eyes empty as people bustled around him on the stage, getting reading for the ¡¥dance competition¡¦. On the other side of the stage, a pair of competitors were dancing mutely while others ¡¥prepared¡¦ on the other side.

She¡¦ll come.

The production had so far been a complete success, there were only three scenes to go, and yet Draco didn¡¦t feel happy at all. The position he had was too depressing for him, it reflected his real life, his real thoughts, his real feelings completely. He had been cursing every minute of it. The audience had applauded for his performances with Virginia, yet they didn¡¦t know that this was the real relationship between them.

¡¥Lighten up.¡¦ Barlow slapped him on the shoulder. ¡¥She¡¦ll show up. She hasn¡¦t disappointed you before, she¡¦s been through so much shit with you.¡¦

Yeah, Virginia had been through a lot of shit with him. They had been through a whole lot of shit together through the year. The Wolfsbane, the basilisk poison, the Chamber of Secrets, the Dark Mark he possessed, the production¡K they have been through a lot, probably more than a couple who have been married for over fifty years would have.

Draco suddenly stood up, surprising everyone because it wasn¡¦t the move he should be taking. He suddenly felt very tired, he didn¡¦t want to do it anymore. He was tired of all this shit, he was tired of seeing Virginia and Adrian hugging and kissing on stage, it was making his blood boil! He couldn¡¦t stand it anymore, he just wanted to leave.

What was the use in forcing her by his side, it wasn¡¦t how things worked in this field. Maybe he was just too selfish, Virginia had certainly not felt happy with him, she even wanted to use a memory charm to erase all the memories of him, of them.

¡¥Che ¡V Chester, where are you going?¡¦ Lavender asked uncertainly when Draco made a move to exit the stage.

¡¥I¡¦m leaving.¡¦ Draco muttered, putting his hands in his pockets. Even though he knew what the ending to this story was, he didn¡¦t trust it, he didn¡¦t trust himself, he wouldn¡¦t bring his hope up¡K

¡¥Chester!¡¦ a voice echoed through the whole stadium. All the lights went out and two spot lights suddenly shone on either side of the circular stage. Everyone seemed to hold their breaths as Draco turned slightly.

¡¥Chester.¡¦ Virginia whispered, smiling softly at Draco.

Draco blinked, then turned and faced her fully, not believing his eyes. It was her, it was actually her. It wasn¡¦t Gladys Winifred, it wasn¡¦t Pansy Parkinson¡K

It was Virginia Weasley.

His¡K Virginia Weasley.

_____________________________________________________________________________

¡¥It¡¦s about to be over I guess, Muggle Year.¡¦ Yvette whispered.

¡¥One more scene to go, and the show will be over.¡¦ Lavender said, exhaling loudly. ¡¥I¡¦ll be missing it, really.¡¦

Seamus smirked. ¡¥You know, this year was really fun.¡¦

¡¥With all these incidence, hell of course its fun.¡¦ Ingemar Crowther grumbled, scratching his head.

Una Cret smiled. ¡¥I really enjoyed every bit of it. Especially all the people who worked in this production. I wouldn¡¦t have dreamed of having this chance.¡¦

¡¥Damn right you are.¡¦ Leonard Giordinins echoed.

¡¥It¡¦s been hard work.¡¦ Blanche Mitterand said, smiling broadly, ¡¥but it was more than worthy.¡¦

¡¥I¡¦m glad all of you think so.¡¦ Lesley said, walking up to them.

¡¥And you¡¦ve been the best instructor too.¡¦ Barlow added, winking at her.

Lesley laughed, then looked at the two figures whom where darting across the stage gracefully.

¡¥I really hope those two work it out.¡¦ She whispered.

_____________________________________________________________________________

¡@

¡¥I can¡¦t believe Ginny¡¦s actually dancing out there. I can¡¦t believe it¡¦s her.¡¦ Hermione exclaimed in a whisper, inching herself at the edge of the curtains on the verge of being shown on stage.

¡¥Hermione! People will see you!¡¦ Ron hissed, trying to pull her back.

¡¥No one would believe they¡¦d never practiced together before in three months.¡¦ Harry said, impressed. ¡¥It¡¦s just incredible, they, I ¡V I just don¡¦t know what to say.¡¦

Ron snorted. ¡¥I still don¡¦t approve of Draco Malfoy, it will take all my will power not to stab him after the show.¡¦

¡¥RON!¡¦ Hermione and Harry hissed together.

¡¥What?¡¦

_____________________________________________________________________________

¡¥They look good together, really.¡¦ Myron Wagtail, the lead singer of the Weird Sisters commented.

¡¥Much better than Pansy Parkinson, I have to say.¡¦ Orsino Thurston, the drums smirked, turning to Spencer and Lawrence.

¡¥They don¡¦t just look good together.¡¦ Spencer smiled.

Lawrence nodded his head.

Gideon Crumb, the one playing the bagpipes, raised his eyebrows.

¡¥They feel good together.¡¦ Spencer replied.

Myron nodded in agreement. ¡¥They, they¡¦re just too natural for words.¡¦

Orsino smiled broadened. ¡¥I think it¡¦s because they¡¦re meant for each other, neh?¡¦

¡¥Our Serpent King is never honest to himself I tell you.¡¦ Pucey snorted, crossing his arms, looking out on the stage.

¡¥He¡¦s been like that since first year.¡¦ Faith commented, holding her hands together.

¡¥It¡¦s just a miracle how a Weasley and a Malfoy can work so well together.¡¦ Montague smirked.

¡¥I heard there¡¦s going to be a party after the show.¡¦ Dolores said, coming up to them.

¡¥You think of nothing but parties Dolores.¡¦ Montague rolled his eyes.

¡¥Shut up Nigel Montague!¡¦

_____________________________________________________________________________

¡¥It¡¦s almost the end Professor.¡¦ Charlie smiled.

Professor McGonagal bowed her head. ¡¥Your sister is one of a talent Weasley.¡¦

¡¥I know.¡¦ Charlie whispered, widening his smile, looking down the stage. ¡¥We all know¡K¡¦

¡¥Hey Professor Weasley.¡¦ Felicity whispered.

Charlie raised his eyebrows at the costume designer.

Felicity winked. ¡¥I really have to thank Ginny this time.¡¦

_____________________________________________________________________________

The lights slowly dimmed on stage as Draco set Virginia down. The stadium was deathly quiet except for the slow decrescendo of the music floating in the air.

The feeling had never been more natural, there was only the two of them. Not Chester Dwight and Gladys Winifred, but Draco Malfoy and Virginia Weasley.

It would be more than enough for her, even if Draco was acting accordingly to the story, and not to his emotions.

¡¥Draco¡K¡¦ Virginia said in a bare whisper, so softly that no one except for the one who was meant to hear it could hear.

Draco placed a slender finger onto her lips, silencing her in the gentlest way. As the atmosphere around them tensed, he leaned down and captured her lips in the sweetest, most tender and heart-breaking kiss.

The stadium thundered with applause and roared as the audience stood up, clapping and hooting for them enthusiastically.

¡¥I can¡¦t believe it!¡¦ Lavender cried, throwing her arms around Seamus.

¡¥They did it!¡¦ Lesley whispered, covering her mouth with both hands.

¡¥That was amazing!¡¦ Yvette shouted, jumping up and down.

Barlow rolled his eyes. ¡¥Calm down Yvette!¡¦

¡¥Ron!¡¦ Hermione tried desperately to hold the redhead back.

¡¥I¡¦m going to kill him!¡¦ Ron yelled over the thundering noise. ¡¥I¡¦m going to kill him right now!¡¦

¡¥Did you see that.¡¦ Montague asked, flabbergasted.

¡¥I think I did.¡¦ Pucey responded, his eyes wide open.

¡¥Let¡¦s see what Fudge will have to say this time. That old coot.¡¦ Felicity snorted, hands on her hips.

Charlie laughed. ¡¥I think he¡¦ll need to apologize to Ginny very soon with us beside him.¡¦

¡¥Virginia¡K¡¦ Draco whispered into Virginia¡¦s ears, pulling her into his arms tightly.

Virginia froze as his warm breath brushed against her ear. She returned the embrace, wrapping her arms around his neck tightly, not wanting to let go. She knew that if she let go this time, she would never be able to be with him again, never¡K

¡¥I love you, Virginia.¡¦

¡@

The End of Chapter 28