Muggle Year
by Virgi Ca
Chapter 30: Healing With A Simple Kiss
A/N: La la la... the last chapter... la la la...
The normal version without any weird signs (if any) and pictures drawn:
;
'Virginia…'
Who is it, is somebody calling me?
'Virginia……'
Big chocolate eyes opened slowly and was met with pure whiteness. It felt so clean, it felt so comfortable.
Was this the feeling of death?
'Virginia… I welcome you.'
_____________________________________________________________________________
Ronald Weasley looked down at the dark earth dumbly, not believing what he just saw a few seconds ago. It seemed like forever as the four of them stared at the muddy ground where Virginia was sucked into.
Ginny, his only sister, the only girl in the Weasley family, the one he never really paid attention to at all.
Hermione sniffed, clutching her hands to her chest tightly. 'Ron, you – you don't think…'
Harry swallowed down the gulp in this throat as he stared at Draco's still figure on the ground. For the first time in his six years of Hogwarts school life, he was in total dismay. He really had the feeling of loosing a family member when he saw Virginia slide down into the time swirl. Thinking back, he had been a coward, a complete coward! He didn't feel his Gryffindor courage inside him now, the courage he thought only he had ever since he saved Virginia from the Chamber of Secrets five years ago was gone.
He had failed, he wasn't fit to be a Gryffindor anymore.
'Say something!' Hermione cried, biting her lip hard as she turned and shook Harry by the arm. 'Do something! We – we can't just let Ginny die! If we don't find a way to open the time swirl again Ginny will really die! Ron!'
'Draco Malfoy…' Ron seethed, setting his eyes on the quiet blonde.
'Ron!' Hermione screamed as the angry redhead hauled numb Slytherin by the collar, shaking him hard.
'Give me back Ginny!' Ron shouted into Draco's face. 'Give her back to me! Give her back to me!'
'Ron! Stop it!' Hermione screamed as Ron punched the lifeless Draco in the gut repeatedly, trying to vent the unbearable frustration within him.
'Give her back to me! Give me back my sister!' Ron yelled, hitting Draco blindly, drawing blood from his mouth.
'Ron!' Harry clutched him by the shoulders, stopping him from hurting Draco anymore.
'It was him.' Ron whispered weakly, shooting death glares at his enemy, struggling from Harry's strong grip. 'It was him! He's the start of everything! If it weren't for him, Ginny wouldn't have, she wouldn't have – ' Ron choked as he fell to the muddy floor helplessly.
'Ron, this is not the time to beat the crap out of Malfoy now!' Hermione scolded, trying to look stern despite her trembling eyes. 'We need to find a way to reopen the time swirl and get Ginny back.'
'Hermione, that's impossible.' Harry whispered, shaking his head. 'There's no way we can open that time swirl again! We don't have that power!'
'Then get Dumbledore!' Ron practically shouted.
'No! At least we can't now.' Harry shook his head. 'It would be impossible to do so anyway.'
'Why?' Ron demanded. 'He's a genius, he can do anything!'
'It won't be of any use either.' Hermione said grimly, shaking her head. 'I've read about time swirls, its somewhat ultimate dark magic. I read about it when I was using the time turner back in third year. All magic associated with the control of time is considered dark magic and if you don't act fast, Ginny maybe trapped in time forever.'
Dark magic? Draco coughed out some blood, holding his stomach, standing up with weak knees. That book will have a way, it must have a way to open the time swirl again.
'Sure that book will have a way to open the time swirl.' A loud voice scoffed sarcastically.
'What?' Harry and Ron looked around for the voice desperately.
'Here you big prats.' The voice continued from below.
'Are you sure?' Draco demanded, tearing the sorting hat from Fawkes' beak.
'Hey, stop it your hurting me!' the sorting hat squealed, 'struggling' to get free from Draco's dead grip.
'Is it true, will that book have a way to save Virginia?' Draco demanded once again.
'What book?' Harry asked, eyeing Draco skeptically.
'Yes.' The Sorting hat scoffed.
'What? What is it?' Hermione demanded, looking from the sorting hat to Draco.
'Good.' Draco whispered to himself. 'Good…'
'What?' Ron shouted impatiently, grabbing Draco by the collar again. 'What is it?'
'Get off me Weasley.' Draco snarled, pushing the tall redhead away from him disgustingly.
Ron stumbled back in surprise, staring at the blonde whom had been lifeless just a minute ago.
'What do you want to do?' Harry asked, not wanting to play guessing games with his enemy anymore. He just wanted to save Virginia, he couldn't stand her getting hurt again by any means.
Ignoring Harry's question, Draco straightened his collar and bent down, picking up his wand from the dirt. He pointed it up to Pansy's hanging body and muttered a spell, releasing the bloody girl, whipping blood from the corner of his lips with the back of his hand. .
'Hey, what are you trying to do?' Ron exclaimed when Pansy was 'wingardium leviosaed' into his arms.
'Take her to the hospital wing, she's not dead yet.' Draco said in a commanding voice, staring at him hard.
'But…' Ron stopped at Draco's threatening glare. For once, he was certain that Draco Malfoy was dead serious.
'You.' Draco turned slowly, lowering his sharp gray eyes at Harry, pointing his wand at him. 'Come with me.'
_____________________________________________________________________________
'Where am I? Am I in heaven?' Virginia whispered, closing her eyes again. Maybe I am dead, I wonder what Draco would think of, will he be missing me? Does he still……
'Do you want to die? Do you want to be seperated from the people you love forever?'
'Maybe…' Virginia opened her eyes slightly, feeling the warm light wrap around her. 'Maybe not.'
'You don't want to die Ginny, I know that you don't want to die yet. Don't die because of Adrian, it's not worth it.'
_____________________________________________________________________________
'Moaning Myrtle's toilet?' Hermione exclaimed incredulously, looking at Draco as if he were crazy. 'First you order Ron to take Pansy to the hospital wing when you do it perfectly by yourself, then you drag Harry to the Slytherin tower and go in there by yourself, threatening us to wait for you, and now? Moaning Myrtle's toilet? What do you think we are Malfoy?'
'Malfoy,' Harry shook his head slightly. 'Why are we here? Don't tell me you know…'
'What have I missed?' Ron shouted, flying into the toilet which was flushed slightly, a thin layer of clear water on the marble floor. He looked around, rubbing the side of his head. 'Why are we in Moaning Myrtle's Toilet? Isn't this the entrance to the Chamber of – ' his hand flew to his mouth and he widened his eyes at the three before him.
'The entrance of the Chamber of Secrets.' Draco finished for him.
Harry sighed. 'So you do know about the whole thing.'
'I'm not stupid Potter.' Draco mumbled. 'I'm a Slytherin, I know more that you stupid Gryffindor's think.'
'Oh yeah?' Ron taunted. 'And you think that makes it oh-so-better for the crap you've drove us into.'
'Don't Ron.' Harry warned, shaking his head.
'Why are we here?' Hermione asked, looking at Draco.
'Open it Potter.' Draco whispered lowly, staring down at the tap that had the serpent embossed upon.
'What?' Hermione exclaimed.
'You want me to open it? Are you sure?' Harry asked in an equally low voice. 'The Chamber hasn't been open for four years already, hell knows what it's like now.'
'You're wrong.' Draco eyed him loathingly. 'I've been in here today.'
Harry widened his eyes. 'What? You couldn't have opened it, you aren't a parselmouth… are you?'
'I'm not, or I've already opened it you stupid bastard.' Draco muttered. 'I'm not, but Virginia is.'
Ron gave out a laugh. 'you've got to be kidding Malfoy, there's no way Ginny's a parselmouth, she's a Gryffindor, she can't – '
'Do you really want to go into this Weasley?' Draco interrupted, glaring at Ron.
'Open it Harry, we don't have time.' Hermione said, nodding at him.
'Fine.' Harry muttered, closing his eyes, trying to concentrate.
'You can do it Harry.' Ron whispered under his breath, bitting his lips.
'Harry…' Hermione closed her hands, praying to all the Wizard's known to the world.
Draco just looked at Harry calmly, but his eyes started to tremble in fear that Harry was unable to do it. If he couldn't, Virginia would die, she would surely die.
'Heshasah…' Harry hissed, opening his emerald eyes.
'Oh my God!' Hermione gasped as the sinks started to open.
'Welcome to the Chamber of Secrets.' Harry whispered, stepping back slightly.
Without another word, Draco grabbed the broomstick he had brought with him from his dorm and mounted.
'Hey!' Ron shouted as Draco disappeared into the deep pipe.
'How on earth are we going to get down there?' Hermione said loudly, her voice echoing in the dark washroom.
A hoot provided them with an answer.
'Fawkes!' Ron exclaimed as the bright red phoenix flew towards them with the sorting hat on its back.
'Here to save the day again!' the sorting hat cried, 'hop on!'
_____________________________________________________________________________
'Why? If I don't die for Adrian, whom should I die for?' Virginia whispered
'The one you love.'
'Why?'
'Because that is your fate Ginny.'
'My fate? My fate isn't about Adrian… then why is he? Why would he…'
'Because my son should have come to me much earlier ago, he was never intended to ruin your peaceful life.'
'My peaceful life…'
_____________________________________________________________________________
'Everything started from here.' Draco whispered. 'And everything will end here.'
'Malfoy!' Harry shouted, the splashing of water resulting from his rapid footsteps ringing through the vague space.
'Oh my God, this is a wonderful place.' Hermione exclaimed, looking around.
'Is this really the Chamber of Secrets?' Ron asked uncertainly, 'it certainly doesn't match the pipe that leads to it.'
'No, it wasn't like this four years ago.' Harry shook his head, turning to Draco. 'What in the hell happened here?'
Draco eyed Harry sideways, 'Do you really want to get into this issue now?'
Harry opened his mouth, then snapped it shut, glaring at his enemy instead.
Snorting, Draco knelt down and lifted up the clothes Virginia had left behind earlier and found the leather-bound book laying on the floor.
'Are these Ginny's clothes?' Hermione exclaimed, picking them up.
'You won't get away with this Malfoy, I swear.' Ron seethed, trying to suppress the anger within him.
Reaching for it experimentally, he wasn't surprised when an invisible barrier rebounded his hand.
'What was that?' Harry demanded, reaching for it himself.
'Don't touch it!' Draco slapped his hand away, shooting him a warning glare. Reaching into his black school robe, he took out the heavy metal covered book, feeling its weight double.
'What is this?' Hermione whispered, widening her eyes in disbelief. The strong dark magic emitting from it started to scare her.
'Hermione!' Ron exclaimed when Hermione went slack and leaned against him for support, holding her forehead in dizziness.
'What's the matter?' Harry asked anxiously, turning to the two.
'The dark magic.' Draco snorted, shooting Hermione a dirty glance. 'Certain Gryffindor mudbloods like you won't stand it at all.'
'Why you – '
'Oh my God…' Harry breathed as Draco slowly lowered the huge metal book upon the leather bound one. 'It's combining together!'
'Apparently.' Draco scoffed coldly, narrowing his eyes to shield away some of the brightly light that was emitting from the two books.
Draco stared down at the now one black book without even a title. It was so black that Draco could clearly see his reflection on it.
'Dear Merlin's, this thing is evil!' Ron exclaimed, biting his lips.
'Oh, the ancient book written by Tom Riddle!' the Sorting Hat exclaimed, leaning the tip of his hat forward as if wanting to get a better view of the book.
'Tom Riddle!' Harry cried, 'that would be like his diary Ginny wrote in four years ago!'
'Yes, I saw Riddle writing in this book since his fifth year.' The Sorting Hat explained. 'Riddle really was a genius I tell you. He was not only a Dark Magic expert, he also had a lot of interest in medical and concoction studies. Everyone thought he was only interested in the dark, but he was a very clever boy. He knew that he couldn't expel the good without actually getting to know about the good, so he spent a lot of his school years doing his research on magic focused on the good side of wizards. That was the book he finished right before he graduated from Hogwarts.'
'The book Virginia had.' Draco muttered, exhaling loudly.
'That book was Ginny's?' Hermione cried. 'Where in the world would she get a book like that?'
'From that ruddy muggle book shop.' Draco replied promptly, 'that was where I got mine, then I was pushed into Borgin and Burkes.'
'Not a surprise.' The Sorting Hat scoffed. 'I heard Dumbledore mention once that a lot of Riddle's old dark talismans and artifacts have landed at Borgin and Burkes, that bloody dealer.'
'This can't be good. Things with so much dark powers call people, why would it call Ginny?' Hermione reasoned. 'It's not possible for something so evil to call a Gryffindor.'
'That would have to trace back to what you Gryffindors have done to Virginia.' Draco whispered, glaring at the three Gryffindors before turning back to the book before him. Reaching for the cover with slightly trembling hands, he winced as he felt the dark mark on his arm pound faster as his fingers inched closer to the black cover. Turning the heavy cover over, he widened his eyes slightly at the dark mark spilled over the creamy colored paper that had burning marks at the corners.
It was clawing out to him, just like the Dark Mark he saw in the Forbidden Forest a few months ago.
'What do you want Draco Malfoy.'
Draco widened his eyes and looked around for the sound that just rang in his head.
'What do you want, my most important descendent? Son of Lucius Malfoy…'
'Malfoy!' Harry cried as Draco grabbed his forearm with the Dark Mark and slouched over, sweat sliding down the side of his.
'What do you want?'
'I…' Draco snapped his eyes shut as unbearable pain shot through his forearm.
'Tell me Draco Malfoy, what do you want at this very moment?'
'Who are you?' Draco whispered, his blonde locks falling into his gray eyes.
'I'm the one who can grant you your wish, only if you help me in the future. You are the only one who can help me. Tell me, what do you want? What do you want now?' the voice continued to demand in a harsh voice.
'I…...'
'Tell me Draco Malfoy!'
'Fine!' Draco shouted abruptly, looking up. 'I want Virginia and only Virginia, I want her by my side! I want her to be mine forever! Tell me what I can do!'
Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at Draco in shock and backed away when a shadow seemed to surround him.
The pounding stopped abruptly and Draco fell to the floor again, panting hard. His blonde locks started to blow into his eyes as the yellow pages of the book started to flip rapidly by itself, stopping at a page filled with signs that seemed incomprehensible to any normal being.
'Hey, these are runes, ancient runes!' Hermione exclaimed excitedly as she leaned forward.
'You not the only one who knows how to decifer runes Granger.' Draco snapped rudely, slapping Hermione's hand away hard.
'Watch it Malfoy!' Ron warned, glancing at Hermione's hurt expression. 'Hermione just wants to help! And don't forget who put Ginny into all this shit.'
'Getting out of my way would be a good help.' Draco muttered, brushing his silver locks away from his eyes. Squinting them slightly, he picked up the surprisingly light book, running his fingertips over the rough surface.
'What does it say Malfoy, need some help from the pathetic Gryffindors?' Ron scoffed as Draco's eyes ran up and down the signs.
Setting the book down, he stared before him, gulping before he turned and looked at the Sorting Hat whom was 'looking' back at him with what seemed like a mocking glare.
'What is it Malfoy?' Harry demanded impatiently, looking back and forth from him and the Sorting Hat.
'You've got to be kidding.' Draco whispered in a barely audible voice.
'Nothing in the book jokes Malfoy.' The Sorting Hat replied.
'But – '
'The only problem is, can you do it.'
_____________________________________________________________________________
'Virginia… Virginia…'
Someone was calling her, the voice was coming closer, she knew it.
'Virginia, I'm here, don't worry, I won't leave you, not ever again.'
She knew that voice, she could recognize that voice anywhere!
'Yes. I'm here, I'll protect you. I'll be your shelter forever I swear. Just, just don't leave me anymore, Virginia, be mine forever.'
Draco…
_____________________________________________________________________________
'She's waking! Molly dear she's waking up! Ginny's waking up!' Mr. Weasley shouted in the infirmary, alerting all the Weasley whom were currently resting in Virginia's former working room.
'She's awake?' Mrs. Weasley cried, her slightly chubby form flying through the infirmary.
'Yes!' Mr. Weasley announced.
Dull chocolate eyes rolled around lifelessly as heavy eyelids refused to cooperate.
'No no no!' Fred cried as the heavy eyelids started to slide back down. 'You can't go to sleep again, you've been sleeping for five days already! You've got to wake up this time Gin!'
Five days? Virginia repeated mentally. Where am I?
'Oh my God, you finally woke up.' Mrs. Weasley cried, tears streaming down her cheek. 'You finally woke up my dear…'
'Calm down Mom!' George bit his lips.
'She's going to be fine Mom.' Charlie smiled, eyeing Bill who nodded in anticipation.
'Gin's a Weasley, she's tough!' Bill added. 'I'll go get Madam Pomfrey!'
'And I'll get Harry and Hermione!' Ron announced, throwing the doors open.
'I'll go with you.' Charlie said, giving Virginia a wink. 'I have to go get Professor McGonagal, she's been bugging me every five minutes for the past five days'
During all the commotion, Virginia was still in a daze as the Weasley's bustled around, shooting her loving glances. It was like she was at The Burrow once again from an exhausting school year, enjoying summer holidays at the cozy house she had lived her whole life.
'Ginny, dear, you gave us a real fright!' Mrs. Weasley scolded lightly as she helped her up, setting her pillow upright for her to lean comfortably on.
'Ginny!' Harry cried as he burst into the infirmary with Hermione behind him.
'Mr. Potter! Do mind the volume of your voice!' Madame Pomfrey scolded before disappearing behind the white curtains of another cubicle once again.
'Sorry Madame Pomfrey!' Hermione called before turning to Virginia.
'How do you feel Ginny? You had us scared to death!' Hermione cried, grabbing her hand.
'I – I'm fine I guess.' Virginia replied weakly, still not quite following what was happening.
'Are you sure your fine?' Ron asked worriedly. 'I mean shouldn't you get Madame Pomfrey to check you out again? You have been lying here for five days already you know!'
'I'm fine.' Virginia repeated, trying desperately to refrain from rolling her eyes.
'We're all proud of you my dear.' Mrs. Weasley exclaimed, ruffling her daughters red hair.
'Of what?' Virginia asked blankly.
'For the musical production of course.' Bill replied, crossing his arms.
'What?' Virginia blinked. 'You know?'
'Your family knows Ms. Weasley.' A gentle voice said from the doorway. They all looked up and saw Dumbledore standing there with Professor McGonagal and Professor Snape behind him.
'All of them?' Virginia repeated. 'But I thought the Minister…'
'Screw Cornelius Fudge.' Bill muttered.
'Yes, the
headmaster insisted that at least your family should know about it.' Snape
scoffed, glaring at one of his favorite student that he constantly denied.
'Why am I here?' Virginia finally asked, looking at Harry.
'Um…' Harry looked away, biting his lip.
'Honey, you don't remember anything?' Mrs. Weasley asked, smiling. 'You fell from the stairs when you were wandering around Hogwarts after you came back from the performance! Filch was the one who carried you back!'
Virginia raised her eyebrows.
'Uh… yes Ginny, you were very careless!' Ron stammered, shooting Harry and Hermione helping glances.
'Yes Ginny!' Harry continued for Ron. 'You slipped and fell, it was all Mrs. Norris' fault actually. You had a concussion and was unconscious for five whole days!'
'I'm so glad you woke up!' Hermione added lamely.
Virginia watched as McGonagal and Snape exchanged glances. Sighing, she lifted the covers and lied down again, closing her eyes.
'Ginny?' Mrs. Weasley, cocked her head. 'Are you okay dear?'
'Just one thing.' Virginia whispered, looking at Dumbledore.
'Anything my dear.' Dumbledore returned Virginia's glance meaningfully.
'Where's Draco?'
_____________________________________________________________________________
'She asked where you were Draco.' Snape said the first thing he entered the Slytherin Common Room, ignoring all the curious stares that shot across the dim room.
'Who asked about Draco Professor Snape?' Pucey asked mischievously, smirking at his fellow Quidditch team members.
'Ginny Weasley.' Snape replied, shooting a glare at the far end of the common room.
'A Weasley?' Millicent Buldstrode gasped, sitting up abruptly. 'You've got to be kidding Professor.'
'Finally, a Gryffindor in love with our Serpent King.' Hase smirked, 'I mean, the Malfoy charm is still on ain't it?'
A wave of conversation started but the spotlight of the talk, Draco Malfoy was quiet all along, lying down on a couch at the far end of the room, staring up at the black ceiling.
She asked where I was, she was looking for me. Draco thought, lowering his eyes. What in the world was he thinking about? He should be by her side now! That was all he wanted to do after he saved her from the time swirl. He wanted to gather her into his arms and never let go, he wanted to kiss away all the terror and fear inside her, he just wanted her, more than anything in his life.
But he was sure that he had once again made her disappointed. He admitted that deep down, he was afraid that she wouldn't want to see him, wouldn't want to hear him. What was he thinking, he was a bastard to her, all grief and agony was resulted from him. He didn't have the guts to face her.
You have the courage to save her from the time swirl but you don't have the guts to face the person you love most, your pathetic Draco Malfoy.
'I am.' Draco whispered, holding his arm in the sunlight, glaring at the Dark Mark which was slightly visible through his thin white shirt.
[flashback]
'Wha – what do you mean, can he do it?' Ron demanded, grabbing the sorting hat.
Ignoring Ron, the Sorting Hat turned to Draco who was now staring at nothing. 'It takes a true Slytherin to pull out that bow, just like Godric Gryffindor's sword Harry had pulled out of me four years ago. Do you really want to do it Malfoy?'
Hermione rolled her eyes at the Sorting Hat. 'What do you mean? Of course Malfoy's a pure Slytherin or you wouldn't have put him in that bloody house!' she turned to Draco. 'Why don't you do it now?'
'I don't make the correct decisions every time, Miss Granger.' The Sorting Hat mumbled solemnly. 'I make the wrong decisions too sometimes, but no matter how much I regret it, I can't change it, and Draco Malfoy, well…'
'What do you mean?' Ron cried. 'Draco Malfoy is bound to be a Slytherin! You sorted him into that bloody house before you even touched his head! How can he not be a Slytherin?'
'I sorted him into Slytherin because he, at that time, accepted his fate as one subconsciously! He accepted his fate as an inborn Death Eater so he was sorted into Slytherin. He does, like Harry, possesses a lot of fortes Salazar Slytherin himself was gifted with, and yet he lacks something.' The sorting hat paused, turning to Draco.
'I lack the stamina of continuing the spirit of being a Slytherin.' Draco replied for it, narrowing his eyes.
'Exactly.' The Sorting Hat nodded. 'You suspect your identity as a Slytherin already Draco. You don't want to be a Slytherin anymore to be exact, this is generated by the hate you have towards the Dark Mark, and of course your hate towards – '
'Shut up!' Draco suddenly roared, standing up abruptly, snatching the Sorting Hat from Ron. 'I'll show you, I'll do anything it takes to save her!'
_____________________________________________________________________________
'Even if it requires you to fully recognize your hidden source of power for Lord Voldemort?' The Sorting Hat whispered, wriggling its tip slightly against Draco's death grip.
'Yes.' Draco whispered, staring down at the earth Virginia had disappeared from moments ago.
'Why?' The Sorting Hat asked. 'Why have you fallen in love with a Gryffindor, a Weasley no less.'
'She changed my life.' Draco replied promptly. 'She changed my way of thinking, my vision of love and life. Before I really got to know her, I was a lifeless soul controlled by Lucius Malfoy, my father, exactly like Adrian Bradley. I never expected anything from myself, I never expected love to come to me because I was never granted with love, thus I never trusted in it. Virginia gave me life, she trusted me, she always believed in me even though she never showed it, and I had failed her so much. I've been thinking of how to protect myself only and have totally disregarded her feelings and pain, and now…'
'This may cause you life-long regret, are you really willing to try?' The Sorting Hat asked.
'My fate has been ruled by my father ever since my birth, all I want now is to control my own fate, and I'm going to do it, even if it takes my life.'
'Is she that important to you?' The Sorting Hat asked one more time.
'Yes.' Draco replied firmly. 'I won't let someone like Adrian Bradley take her away from me, never. The story will be like it was, it's not meant to be changed, not now, not ever.'
'Malfoy!' Harry called, finally catching up with Hermione and Ron.
'I'll help you Malfoy.' The Sorting Hat sighed.
'What?' Draco looked down at the old patched fabric.
The Sorting Hat snorted. 'Don't look down on me like that you bastard, I can do much more that you people think!'
'That, I agree with you.' Draco shot back.
'Come on, take whatever you need from me, and leave the rest to fate.' The Sorting Hat said, nodding its tip.
Giving it one more look, Draco turned it around and reached into the bottomless pit of the hat, feeling, once again, the strong pounding of the Dark Mark.
Please, help me. Draco pleaded mentally, closing his eyes shut as he reached into the hat deeper, trying desperately to search for the one thing that could save Virginia with his fingers. The old hat started to shimmer as Draco felt something materialize into his palm.
'Yes…' Draco whispered, his lips curving into a slight smile as he pulled out the silver bow Adrian Bradley had once used. Virginia could be saved, once its arrows opened the time swirl once again, Virginia would come back to his side.
Forever.
'Malfoy!' Ron shouted as a dark shadow started to engulf Draco.
Swallowing hard, Draco let the Sorting Hat drop to his feet lifelessly. While trying hard to fight with the dark magic flowing within him, Draco steadied the huge bow onto the earth with one foot and pulled on the string hard, a silver arrow shimmering into place. Lowering his eyebrows, he winced at the blood that started to drip from his fingers and pulled hard, looking away as strong light shot up, blasting up into the sky.
'Oh my – '
'Ginny!' Ron shouted, his eyes widening.
Virginia's body started to surface from the pool of bright light, inching up bit by bit. Her whole body was still bleeding and her face was smeared with earth and tears. It seemed like forever until her whole body finally surfaced and settled safely in Draco's arms.
'Draco?' Virginia whispered, opening her brown eyes slightly, meeting with stormy gray eyes that trembled with uncontrollable emotions.
'Virginia… Virginia…' Draco whispered over and over again, wrapping her into his arms tightly, burying his face into her messy red hair.
'Is it really you?' Virginia murmured, closing her eyes, leaning against him weakly. She was so tired, as if all her strength had been sucked away from her. Where was she?
'Don't leave me Draco.' She pleaded, trying to return the embrace, but instead started to lose conscious.
'Virginia, I'm here, don't worry, I won't leave you, not ever again.'
'Really?'
'Yes. I'm here, I'll protect you. I'll be your shelter forever I swear. Just, just don't leave me anymore, Virginia, be mine forever.'
'Draco…'
[end of flashback]
'Draco! Yo Draco!' Pucey shouted across the common room in front of all the Slytherins.
Opening his eyes impatiently, Draco sat up and glared at his Quidditch captain. 'What?'
'Oh my God,' Dolores cried in a mocking voice. 'Don't tell me you've fallen in love with that Weasley too!'
'Dear Merlins…' Faith breathed, looking up at Pucey after a few moments of complete silence.
'It's not true is it Draco?' Montague aid seriously, looking straight at Draco. 'You know that's – '
'Will you shut up Montague.' Draco growled, standing up abruptly. 'What do you think I am, a love-struck idiot? I've got better things to do.'
Montague snorted. 'Yeah right, like mopping around like a useless prat and snapping at everyone that gets in your way. Before, you only snapped at people from other houses, and of course Harry Potter. Really Draco, it's as if you've been driven mental by that red headed chick – HEY!' Montague cried out in surprise when a dart suddenly appeared out of nowhere and aimed for Montague's head, barely missing him as it cut just above his ear and stabbed into the black wall behind him neatly.
'Mind your own business Montague.' Draco said in a low dangerous voice, 'and I will mind mine.'
'Draco, where are you going?' Snape demanded as Draco opened the common room's stone doors. Montague was telling the truth about Draco mopping around and snapping at everyone in his way. Draco had the reputation of being cold and unmoved by the most serious situations. Draco's behaviour was unusual in most people's eyes and the reason was clear to Snape.
'Somewhere where no one will bitch around about my love life.' Draco muttered, stepping out, letting the stone doors close behind him.
Really? Snape smirked mentally, turning around. I think you don't know yourself that much Draco.
'Professor, do you have something to announce?' Faith asked politely. As Head Girl of the school, she was surprisingly lovable to all the teachers due to her hard work at classes and efficiency in problem solving, despite the fact that she was in Slytherin, the house that was usually ganged up on by the other three.
'Yes.' Snape replied gruffly, reaching for the parchment in his robe pocket. 'This year's graduation ceremony for the seventh years will be attended by all student of Hogwarts on Friday, the day after tomorrow.' A series of 'wows' and 'whats' started up from the Slytherins. This was the first time in twenty years for all students to participate in the graduation ceremony.
'Reckon its because all students are going to have a short summer holidays this year.' Goyle muttered.
Hase turned and raised his eyebrows at him. 'What does that have to do with the graduation ceremony?'
'Who cares.' Bruce shrugged. 'it's just a dumb excuse thought up by Goyle.'
'Point taken.'
'Anyway,' Snape continued, annoyed from being interrupted. 'It won't be just a graduation ceremony, but also a ceremony to honor those whom have put their efforts in the muggle year production. Faith, you will have to see Dumbledore and Professor McGonagal with Brad Dolerite for the last preparations of the ceremony.'
Faith nodded in response while Pucey leaned back and frowned, growling at the name Brad Dolerite.
'Professor,' Millicent called before Snape turned, preparing to leave. 'is Pansy okay?'
'Yes she is.' Snape replied in a barely audible voice. 'She's been sent home two days ago.'
'Phew.' Blaise sighed. 'She must have really got injured during the production.'
'Yeah,' Hase agreed, 'it's weird that no one was allowed to find her, let alone comment on the great job she had done in the production.'
As the conversations started up again, Snape turned and walked out of the common room, melting into the sable corridors again.
_____________________________________________________________________________
She recalled everything, she remembered everything from the start to the end.
She remembered being sent back to Hogwarts on Cornelius Fudge's orders; she remembered talking to the sorting hat in the hospital wing before the large falcon knocked on the windows. She remembered chasing after that falcon after it had stolen the sorting hat; she remembered entering the Forbidden Forest and finding Pansy Parkinson hanging from a barren tree branch, blood dripping down onto the earth.
The memories came to her like flooding water, it was almost unbearable. She recalled Adrian transforming from that big black falcon, she remembered him taking Salazar Slytherin's bow and aiming for him.
Aiming for Draco.
'Ginny, you shouldn't be up dear, quick, get back into bed.' Madame Pomfrey ordered, bustling into the infirmary with bottles and trays floating behind her. 'And you absolutely should not stand near an open window where the wind is blowing so hard.'
'Madame Pomfrey, its just a little breeze, it won't hurt.' Virginia replied, smiling gently at her favorite matron.
'No, no.' Madame Pomfrey shook her head and dragged her away from the windows with one hand and shut it with the other. 'You should get plenty of rest after that ordeal you went through. Do you know what state you were in when Draco Malfoy sent you in? It was even scarier than the time when Adrian carried you in after you fell into the lake a few months ago. The last thing I need in the coming years of my life is for ballistic brothers like Ron Weasley barging into my hospital wing ever five minutes.'
Virginia giggled slightly as Madame Pomfrey tucked her in again, pulling the white sheets to her chin. 'Any other last things you don't need Madame Pomfrey?' she teased as the school matron sat down at the edge of the bed.
'Yes.' Madame Pomfrey said seriously. 'The last thing I need is for you to be in the hospital wing again.'
Virginia bit her lip, feeling guilty. She was the only helper in the medical wing and her recent physical and mental conditions were not much of a help to her.
'I'm sorry Madame Pomfrey, I know I've given you a lot of trouble.' Virginia said quietly, turning away.
'It's not the trouble dear.' Madame Pomfrey shook her head. 'It's about you. You know you're my favorite student, I don't want to see you get hurt, let alone sending yourself into the hospital wing. Seeing people coming in and out of the hospital wing all year long makes my heart break.'
Virginia smiled. 'I know how you feel, sometimes I feel the same too.'
Madame Pomfrey smiled back and patted her head. 'Now get some sleep young lady, you'll be able to get out of this bed by tomorrow if you behave.'
'Thank you for your care Madame Pomfrey.' Virginia said quickly before the school matron got up again.
'You, are more than welcomed.' Madame Pomfrey replied, winking before she stood up and disappeared behind the white doors again.
Turning on her side, Virginia lowered her eyes slightly, trying to shed away the sunlight that was streaming in from the windows. She could totally understand Madam Pomfrey, no one would want to have a job that only watched people coming in with something wrong or missing. After working in the infirmary for two years, Virginia had that feeling too.
I've slept on this bed twice this year. Virginia thought. First time I fell into the lake, second time, I fell into a time swirl.
'A time swirl.' Virginia whispered, biting her lips.
A time swirl.
[flashback]
'Virginia…'
Who is it, is somebody calling me?
'Virginia……'
Big chocolate eyes opened slowly and was met with pure whiteness. It felt so clean, it felt so comfortable.
Was this the feeling of death?
'Virginia… I welcome you.'
'Who are you?' Virginia whispered, closing her eyes again. If this was heaven, then she never wanted to leave. It felt so comfortable, it felt so right.
'Your in the wrong place, you shouldn't be here.' The voice continued.
Opening her eyes again, Virginia saw a figure outlined by bright light coming towards her. Squinting her eyes, she tried to distinguish but failed because the light was too bright.
'Who are you?' Virginia repeated, clutching her hands to her chest as the light started to surround her.
'I'm here to tell you where you really should be, and why you shouldn't be there.'
_____________________________________________________________________________
'Where am I?' Virginia asked, looking around. She was in a very dark room with only a candle hung on the ceiling for vision. The place was so sable that it was impossible to make out a door.
'What happened?' Virginia asked herself, kneeling down, her knees hitting the cold rough tiles that were made from rocks. She remembered distinctly that she was in a very bright and warm place just a few seconds ago, how could she have, seemingly, apparated here?
'My Lord, who is this woman?' a distant voice echoed. Standing up abruptly, Virginia ran forward and threw herself against the nearest wall which luckily turned out to be a door. Reaching for her pocket, she breathed a sigh of relief when she found her wand lying there, just like before.
'Lumos.' Virginia whispered, then creaked open the door and peeked, but gasped in surprise when something ran over her foot. Gulping nervously, she looked up but found that the man whom the voice belonged to didn't even turn around. Curious, Virginia stomped forward and tried to kick him, but gasped in surprise when she lost balance and fell right through him.
'Oh my God.' Virginia breathed. 'This is a memory of someone!'
Yes, its my memory Virginia.
It was that voice again, she was sure of it.
Before Virginia could open her mouth, a dark figure emerged from the corner and stepped into the bright light, appearing to be a young man with jet black hair and slightly tanned skin. He was wearing a black robe made of heavy fabric which had a silver cuff at the front carved in a form of snake or serpent. His eyes were dark brown, almost black and were very sharp, emitting power naturally from it. She had a young woman with short dark blonde hair, unconscious and slightly damp. She wasn't wearing any robe, but instead a very slutty red lingerie. Her slender legs were bare and she was wearing heels on her feet.
'That's none of your business Ackers.' The man replied in a low voice, narrowing his eyes at the small man before him.
'Yes my Lord.' Ackers bowed, then disappeared.
Watching his servant disappear into the darkness again, the man turned and whispered a spell. Virginia widened her eyes in surprise when the stone wall was suddenly carved open and revealed an elegant chamber inside, lit softly by blue flames. Deciding to find out what was going on, Virginia hurried behind the tall man, cursing when the wall suddenly turned solid again, almost trapping her inside.
Looking up again, she watched as the man carried the woman towards the king-size four poster bed that was situated on a low wooden platform.
Setting her down slowly, the man gazed down at the beautiful woman before her, his features softening as he reached out a gloved hand and caressed her cheek. Sitting himself at the side of the bed, he leaned forward and brushed away some blonde hair that got its way to her mouth and planted a soft kiss on her pale lips, deepening it until the woman's eyes twitched open. The woman gasped at finding who was kissing her and pushed him away hurriedly, panting slightly from the heated kiss she just had with him.
'What are you doing here? What am I doing here?' She demanded, looking around frantically.
'Your in my castle.' The man said solemnly, his lips curving into a sly smirk. Leaning forward, he trapped her by placing both hands on the pillow she was sitting on.
'Who are you…' the woman widened her eyes, 'you're the man I slept with two weeks ago!'
Virginia's jaw dropped open. Slept with? A one night stand? What was she a whore?
The man's smirked widened. 'I'm honored that you still remember me Germain Bradley.'
Virginia's jaw dropped further open. If she didn't hear wrong, her surname was Bradley, that meant this might be Adrian's mother, and if she was Adrian's mother, then that meant that this man was…
'Your name's Tom Riddle I remember.' Germain Bradley scoffed, glaring at the young man.
'Oh my God!' Virginia gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. The woman had bright blue eyes, exactly like Adrian's!
Germain looked at Riddle skeptically. 'Why do you know my name? And why am I in your castle?'
Riddle shrugged, letting go of her. 'Simple.'
Germain held her breath.
'I see you know too then.' Riddle narrowed his eyes dangerously. 'Then everything may just go very well.'
Germain's eyes widened in shock. 'You know that I'm pregnant? How did you know that I was pregnant?'
Riddle smirked, then grabbed her arm and pulled her forward, forcing her to look into his eyes. 'You don't need to know how I knew, you just have to know that you are going to give birth to this child, my child, at any cost.'
'You're crazy.' Germain whispered.
'Maybe I am.' Riddle countered, letting her abruptly. Standing up, he walked towards the stone wall which had once again opened.
'Why me?' Germain whispered before Riddle stepped outside.
'Why?' Riddle gave out a low laugh, then turned, blue light flicking in his eyes. 'Because you are my whore.'
_____________________________________________________________________________
Virginia blinked again as her surroundings changed, not at all surprised to find herself standing in a different room now. Looking around, she found herself in an even darker corridor that seemed endless. Her eyes widened when candles suddenly lit up.
She still didn't understand, where was she? The voice in her head was gone already and replaced by her own questions and fear.
'Where am I? Am I in heaven?' Virginia whispered, closing her eyes again. Maybe I am dead, I wonder what Draco would think of, will he be missing me? Does he still……
Do you want to die? Do you want to be separated from the people you love forever?
Virginia bit her lip at the voice again. Who was this person? Whoever it was, she must be the owner of the memory she was trapped in.
Do I want to die? Virginia thought bitterly. Of course I don't.
'My Lord.' A familiar voice rang again. Her ears twitching slightly, Virginia recognized that voice, it was Tom Riddle's servant, Ackers, and he was with someone else, a woman.
Following the voices, Virginia found herself standing in front of a different door. Deciding against the idea of doing nothing, she reached for the knob and opened it, revealing another candle lit chamber, but this time, it was obvious that it was a study.
Mountains of books were neatly organized on mahogany book shelves, emitting from them a natural source of dark magic.
'This book.' Riddle whispered in a low and dangerous voice.
'Yes.' Ackers responded obediently.
Standing up, Riddle turned and walked forward, staring out at the stormy dark night. Lightening struck through the sky, reflecting his dark face from time to time.
'What do you see in me Ackers?' Riddle asked suddenly, narrowing his eyes down at the raging waves that were hitting the base of the castle, the place he now called home.
'Darkness my Lord.' Ackers replied promptly while the other woman bowed her head in complete silence. 'Darkness… and only darkness.'
'You're wrong Ackers.' Riddle whispered, closing his eyes. That obviously caught Ackers off guard as he widened his eyes at his master in shock. Never in the world would he even dare think Tom Marvolo Riddle, the master of the dark would say that he didn't have only dark powers.
He has light powers too? Virginia thought in bewilderment, widening her eyes like Ackers.
'Everything has a counter part.' Riddle said, turning around to face his subordinate. 'Everything.'
Counter part? Virginia bit her lip. It sounded so familiar.
'Men and women, light and dark, good and evil.' Riddle continued. He looked down and rested his pale hand on the huge black book. Looking closer, Virginia found that there was no title on the cover and it was so black and shiny that she could see her reflection on it. Lifting his hand up slightly, Riddle whispered a spell and the cover started to shine and turned over by itself, the pages flipping so fast the wind from it blew Riddle's dark locks up. A final shine caused the three of them to look away and when it all stopped, two books were situated on the table, one in a leather bound cover, the other, a black metal one with marks embossed upon it.
One of them was the one Virginia had.
'My Lord?' Ackers raised his eyebrows.
'If you don't know about the good, you will never beat it.' Riddle said simply, gazing down at the two books. 'These books are my life Ackers, just like the diary I left to wonder upon the Death Eaters. If ever I go down, the two people whom these two books choose will help me rise again.'
'Rise again?' Virginia whispered, covering her mouth with both her hands. She still remembered how she got that book. 'It's impossible.' She whispered, her eyes trembling. 'It summoned me? I'm going to help Lord Voldemort rise to power again?' Thinking back, it wasn't impossible after all, since Tom Riddle did use his diary to attempt it.
Raising his hand up in the air, he summoned two other servant soundless, two figures apparating behind him in the shadows. Making a sign with his slender fingers, the two figures bowed and the two books disappeared along with them.
Riddle's thin lips curved into a sly smile as he sat down again, resting his chin on his palm. 'Those books will be safe in the Muggle world. When it is time, it will come back to the one they chose.'
Virginia found her legs weaken and she dropped to the floor, still not really ready to accept the truth behind everything.
'What business did you have Ackers?' Riddle's voice rang again, his eyes setting on the woman whom was silent all this time. 'Lady Osberg?'
'The Lady has given birth already.' Lady Osberg replied in ultimate respect, her features cold.
'And?' Riddle asked inadvertently, narrowing his eyes.
After pausing for some time, Lady Osberg closed her eyes. 'The child is non-magical.'
Riddle smirked and closed his eyes, leaning back into the chair. 'I should have known.'
'My Lord, what shall we do with the two then?' Acker asked.
Riddle stood up again and turned, his back facing them. After a lightening struck the sky, he closed his eyes. 'You know what to do Ackers. You know what to do.'
_____________________________________________________________________________
She was in that room again, the dark room that had been lit with blue candles before. Standing up with her weak knees, Virginia walked towards the four poster bed, the vision of Germain Bradley becoming clear, this time, a Germain Bradley with a little baby in her hands.
'Thank you Lady Osberg.' Germain whispered, stroking the baby's thin layer of jet black hair absently, staring at a candle flame.
'You have to go Lady.' Osberg said, dropping the cold façade Virginia saw back in Riddle's study. Rushing forward, Osberg took Germain's hand, thrusting something into her palm.
Germain looked down at the red opal in her hand, then back at Osberg. 'Why?'
'Because his master has already ordered Ackers to kill you.' Osberg said anxiously, looking around. 'The master wants you dead, including little master here.'
Germain looked down at the little baby softly, tears dropping down, splashing onto the baby's white, flawless face. He looked so small, so vulnerable.
Only Voldemort would be as ruthless as killing a little baby boy, his own son no less. Virginia thought in anger, clutching her fist tightly.
'You'd think he'd change Lady Osberg.' Germain whispered, closing her eyes. 'You'd think he'd change…'
'Lady,' Osberg stroked Germain's dark blonde hair. 'You're in love with the Lord.'
Germain bit her lip, trying to refrain the tears that were threatening to slide down once again, tears that have been shed endlessly for the past ten months. 'I'm just an experiment to him Osberg, just an experiment. What should I have expected in the first place anyway? I've been imprisoned here for almost a year, but has he ever seen me? I can't believe I actually fell for him Osberg, I'm an idiot, a complete fool… and now, I've put my son in danger too, my only son… the son I had with the man I love, and also the man that will never love me in return.'
'You have to go.' Osberg sighed, setting herself down onto the bed. 'I've watched you for these ten months, your ordeal is unbearable for a young women like you. And know that his master wants you dead, you have no choice but to escape, run away from this palace. If his master ever knew that this child is actually magical, I can't imagine what he will do. His master can do anything to heighten his powers, you have to go. For you, and for the child.'
Closing her eyes, Germain hugged the baby boy towards her. He was all she had left, everything she had was this baby, no matter how much she loved Tom Riddle, she had to go, she had to bring safety to her child.
Looking at her sympathetically, Osberg sighed and stroked the baby boy's hair. 'What is his name?'
Opening her eyes again, Germain smiled down at the baby lovingly, a very sad but loving smile.
'His name will be Adrian, Adrian Bradley.'
_____________________________________________________________________________
Anxious footsteps met Virginia's ears before she opened her eyes again, finding herself in a dark alley with no lights. The fog was thick and it seemed to be winter since people walking by were wearing heavy coats. Dozens of men wearing black wizard robes rushed past her, knowing better Virginia followed them quickly.
The one in lead reached for his wand as they halted in front of a wooden door. Shouting a spell the door burst into pieces and revealed a very small, dirty and cold room. A woman with her dark blonde hair tied up in a short pony tail looked up, shocked to see the men in her apartment. A boy with shoulder length dark hair was standing behind her, expressionless and unmoved by the men whom had barged in.
'Adrian.' Virginia whispered. He looked exactly like the picture she saw in the Daily Prophet last summer, except without the stubble on his chin.
'We found him.' The man in lead said, his lips curving into an evil grin. With a flick of his wand, the surroundings changed and they were sent to a dark room that was made up by stones. The sound of dripping water echoed through the dark place and rats could be seen running around.
'You thought you could hide from me didn't you Germain.' A familiar voice echoed.
Gulping nervously, Germain reached for Adrian and hugged him to her protectively, biting her lips as Tom Riddle emerged from the shadows. Owing the thirteen years, both of them had grown more mature, with more emotions and feelings within each others eyes.
In Tom Riddle's case, he had become more ruthless.
'You thought you could hide a child with magical powers away from me?' Riddle whispered dangerously, looking down at Germain like a subservient.
'What do you want Tom Riddle?' Germain demanded, tightening her grip around Adrian.
'I want my son back.' Riddle replied promptly.
'You want your powers back.' Germain spat, glaring up at him. 'I don't care what you say or what you do, Adrian is mine, I won't let you take him away from me, not now, not ever!'
Riddle looked at Germain's white neck, finding the red opal settled on her chest. 'So you used this, Lady Osberg gave you this to escape the castle with your son, our son.'
Her heart pounding madly, Germain bit her lip. 'So?'
Riddle's lips curved into that familiar sly grin. Snapping his fingers, a body that was dripping with blood appeared, floating in the air.
'Oh my God.' Germain loosened her grip around Adrian and stared up at the floating body. It was Lady Osberg, covered in blood, her left arm freshly cut, blood oozing out from the wound.
Virginia bit her lip and closed her eyes, an urge of wanting to throw up rising up her stomach.
'Why did you?' Germain whispered, her eyes wide.
'This is the result for disobeying me.' Riddle said. Kneeling down before Germain, he reached out his hand tilted her face up, forcing her to look into his dark eyes. 'Do you want to disobey me Germain?'
Germain closed her eyes. 'What do you want?'
'I want my child's powers.' Riddle whispered, then planted a deep kiss on her pale lips. Leaving her slumping to the floor, he stood up again and stared down at the thirteen year old boy who was looking back at him with cold blue eyes. Seeing no magic in him yet, Riddle turned and summoned a whip from one of the Death Eaters. Without a second thought, he turned and struck at Germain, the whip cutting through her skin and flesh.
'Still no reaction.' Riddle said, smiling to himself, not the slightest guilty for whipping the woman whom had once loved him so much, now lying on the tiles, breathing in heavily, gasping for air.
Adrian looked up at him, his cold blue eyes starting to tremble at the sight of his bloody mother lying before him. Seeing that he still didn't want to show the magical powers that he was desperately trying to suppress, Riddle narrowed his eyes. He could see it in his eyes, those cold blue eyes. They wanted to burst with flame.
Smiling slyly, Riddle turned and motioned for one of the Death Eaters, who stepped out from the dark. Stepping back, Riddle crossed his arms as the Death Eater walked towards Germain's lifeless body. 'You know what to do Sullivan.'
Sullivan smirked and kneeled beside the body, lifting it up, surveying it with his greedy, erotic eyes.
'No.' Virginia whispered, shaking her head violently. 'No…'
Riddle closed his eyes, a self-assured smirk plastered on his lips as his servant started to rape Germain's seemingly lifeless, but desperately struggling body.
Virginia closed her trembling brown eyes and looked away, covering her ears in a desperate attempt to block away the screams and shouts from Germain. She dropped to the floor and buried her head in her lap, the sound of ripping clothes ringing inside her head.
Do you want to die Virginia? Do you want to die like her, and be separated from the ones whom you love?
Virginia looked up at the echoing voice, then looked back down and stared at her palm, images of the past flashing before her. Closing her eyes again, she buried her face in her palms, not wanting to revive those painful memories.
'Maybe…' Virginia murmured, opening her eyes again, feeling the warm light wrap around her. 'Maybe not.'
'You don't want to die Ginny, I know that you don't want to die yet. Don't die because of Adrian, it's not worth it.'
Virginia looked up and saw Adrian's eyes flashing with anger as the raping continued. Riddle smirked at him as Adrian's started to grow long. Opening his mouth with his fangs showing, he suddenly gave out a loud roar, the room bursting into blue flame. Seeing this, Riddle covered his face with the sleeve of his robe and apparated before the flames started to lick away the Death Eaters there.
The Death Eaters and Adrian's mother.
After the strong light faded away again, Virginia saw Adrian standing there, his blue eyes hallow, his hair lying around his ankles.
Riddle appeared again, surveying the damage his son had done. While his dark eyes wandered, they set upon the red opal which was shining around Germain's burned neck. Reaching out his wand, he pointed at the shining gem and summoned it, levitating it before Adrian, the red light reflecting in his cold blue eyes.
'Your powers are too strong.' Riddle whispered, 'even stronger than me. I won't let this happen, I won't let anyone stronger than me, including my own son.'
As his lips moving in a whisper, something surrounded by light started to come out from Adrian's chest and enter the red opal. When all had stopped shining, Adrian fell down onto the cold floor, the red opal dropping down beside his head with a clang.
Glaring down at his son, Tom Riddle clenched his teeth.
'Ackers.'
'Yes my Lord.'
'Take that thing to Borgin and Burkes, I never want to see it again.'
_____________________________________________________________________________
'Why? If I don't die for Adrian, whom should I die for?' Virginia whispered, opening her eyes, meeting the warm light again.
The one you love.
'Why?'
'Because that is your fate Ginny.'
'My fate? My fate isn't about Adrian… then why is he? Why would he…'
'Because my son should have come to me much earlier ago, he was never intended to ruin your peaceful life.'
'Your son?' Virginia repeated, holding her hands together. 'Your Germain Bradley?'
'Yes I am.'
Virginia widened her eyes as a figure floated towards her. She smiled as warm hands lifted up her face.
'Don't let my son ruin your peaceful life Ginny.'
'My peaceful life…'
'Virginia… Virginia…'
Someone was calling her, the voice was coming closer, she knew it.
'Virginia, I'm here, don't worry, I won't leave you, not ever again.'
She knew that voice, she could recognize that voice anywhere!
'Go, he's waiting for you. He's the one fate bounded you to. He's the one whom loves you, and whom you will love in return.'
'Yes. I'm here, I'll protect you. I'll be your shelter forever I swear. Just, just don't leave me anymore, Virginia, be mine forever.'
'Really?' Virginia whispered, closing her eyes.
'Trust me, I never lie.'
Draco…
[end of flashback]
_____________________________________________________________________________
Draco peered into the infirmary with his stormy gray eyes and watched as Madame Pomfrey shooed Virginia back into bed.
Draco lowered his head and turned as Virginia rolled around and closed her eyes, pulling the covers up absently.
What am I thinking? I can't see her, I can't even look at her in the eyes. Draco thought, turning away. He couldn't, he didn't have the courage to face her, the sight of her being tortured by him emotionally contained enough guilt to torture himself.
It was heart breaking.
'I'm scum.' Draco muttered as he wandered down the corridors, oblivious by the merriment that surrounded him. Students rushed down corridors, couples snuck into classrooms and broomstick closets. He never enjoyed happiness, not until someone by the name Virginia Weasley came along.
'Hey Malfoy!' an annoying voice called down the hallway from behind him.
Suppressing the urge to roll his eyes and take off, Draco turned and faced the three most irritating people in the world.
'What?' Draco asked coldly as Harry, Hermione and Ron approached him. People in the hallway stopped to watch, expecting afight of some sort to occur.
'When are you going to see her?' Ron demanded in a low voice, glaring at the blonde.
'Why the question?' Draco smirked, stuffing his hand sinto his pockets. 'I mean, you wouldn't want me to see your precious little sister now would you Weasley.'
'He doesn't.' Hermione replied for him, 'but for Ginny's sake, he wants you to.'
'You don't know how disappointed she was when she didn't see you there.' Harry said quietly.
'No.' Draco said firmly, turning around again.
'Say that again.' Ron spat, forcing him to turn around again.
Draco looked down at the large hand then back up at Ron, then brushed the hand away in disgust. Taking all that in, Ron grabbed Draco's arm and without another word, punched him right in the jaw, causing him to fall back and hit the wall. Students around them started to scream and hoot.
Draco laughed to himself bitterly, holding the back of his hand against the bruise Ron just made. 'An eye for an eye Weasley?' At the blink of the eye, his fist connected with his gut.
Ron just glared at him as he doubled over. 'I'm just returning the favor you gave me a year ago.'
'And now I'm returning the favor you gave me in the Forbidden Forest.' Draco spat.
'Just go and see her Malfoy.' Hermione pleaded.
'No.' Draco repeated, turning around.
'Why?'
There was silence before Draco started down the hallway again, ignoring the stares and calls from the other students.
'Why?' Draco whispered to himself. 'Because it's all over.'
_____________________________________________________________________________
'Well well well, who do I have here? The big star of the century.' Lesley teased as Draco entered the glittering studio.
Draco gave her a weak smile and sat beside her. 'What are you doing?'
'The question is, what are you doing.' Lesley asked back, cocking her head at him. 'So, what's my favorite dance student up to? I never really saw you in here except for dance practices.'
Draco was silent for some time before he opened his mouth again. 'Will there be any Muggle Year programmes next year?'
'I don't know.' Lesley replied honestly. 'But owing to the fact that it was so successful this year, there's a big chance that it will come around next year.' Lesley smiled at the silent Slytherin, then placed her hand on his shoulder. 'But I won't be the instructor, that's for sure.'
'Why?' Draco asked quietly, staring at nothing with his hallow gray eyes.
'Because I'm getting married.' Lesley smiled.
'Right.' Draco snorted, turning to the instructor. 'When is it anyway?'
'Late August.' Lesley responded.
'Is this the only Weasley getting married?' Draco asked innocently.
Lesley laughed. 'Yes, the only Weasley for now, but I won't guarantee in the future.'
Draco turned his head again in silence, shadowing his eyes with his blonde locks. Seeing this, Lesley shook her head and leaned back against the wall
'When are you going to see her?' Lesley finally asked.
At the question, Draco stood up and walked towards the lockers in silence, opening and closing the doors absently.
'Don't avoid the question Draco.' Lesley stood up and followed him.
'What question?' Draco whispered.
'The question between you and Ginny. The problems you have may be oblivious to everyone in the world, but to me, they are more than obvious.' Lesley said.
'There isn't even an issue between us, why would there be a problem.' Draco responded stubbornly, slamming a locker door shut in anger.
'Listen to me Draco.' Lesley continued. 'if you don't see her, you'll regret for life, I'm certain of it.'
'Will I?' Draco murmured, looking down.
'You will.' Lesley assured.
Swallowing a lump in his throat, Draco opened another locker door, surprised to find a green leotard and ballet shoes. With trembling hands, he reached for them, taking them out carefully.
'My first present for Ginny.' Lesley commented as Draco slid to the floor, staring down at them with trembling gray eyes. It smelled of her, it…
'She's changed around you Draco.' Lesley whispered, sitting beside him. 'She's changed a lot, both of you have changed a lot.'
'How do you know?' Draco countered softly. 'You don't even know me well enough.'
'Oh I do.' Lesley said, looking up. 'I see you change, I see you being effected by Ginny. She's made you happy right?'
Draco looked at Lesley, stunned by her words.
Lesley smiled at him. 'I don't know what happened between you, but I know that you two make each other happy. Before Ginny met you, she was a shy little girl, a shy, unattractive girl in the inside. She never showed her real self, not even to her family. She always hid herself in a shell to protect herself from the pain only she knew of. But when you came up, it was like she finally found a place she could call home, both physically and mentally. Even Professor McGonagal commented before that nothing had made her than enthusiastic, it must be you, and only you.'
The Dark Mark. Draco thought, smiling to himself. He remembered Virginia being all uptight and nervous about him having the Dark Mark. She was the first one whom ever looked at him as him, and not Lucius Malfoy's son, the symbol and role model of the evil Slytherin House.
Seeing Draco lost in thought, Lesley took a deep breath and slapped him in the back, making him choke in surprise.
'Find her.' Lesley said, standing up.
Draco looked up at her grinning face.
'Before you regret.'
_____________________________________________________________________________
'Where in the bloody hell have you been?' Montague hissed as he found Draco sneak into place, avoiding the eagle eye of Professor McGonagal.
'You had Faith go crazy!' Pucey scolded, nudging him in the ribs. 'The graduation ceremony is almost over and your about to go on that bloody stage soon.'
Draco rolled his eyes. 'Calm down, I'm not dead yet, for your girlfriend's sake.'
'Why you little – ' Pucey pushed his sleeves up.
'Calm down!' Bruce hissed, pressing Pucey down onto his chair. 'Jeez, the press is here, even Rita Skeeter, do you really think getting into an argument will not provide that wretch with an excuse for a headline?'
'A headline?' Dolores raised her eyebrows.
'Okay, maybe not a headline, but think about the chance of it getting up on Witch Weekly.' Bruce reasoned.
Draco tuned the conversation out and scanned the huge hall for a certain redhead. His sharp eye caught her small figure surrounded by some of her fellow housemates. She looked the same, but her eyes looked tired and anxious.
Anxious for this stupid ceremony to end.
Draco smiled to himself and sat back, feeling relieved, very much relieved.
'Draco, smiling?' Montague leaned sideways towards Dolores. 'I'm I seeing things?'
Blushing slightly, Dolores turned and pushed Montague's face out of the way, feeling heat rise to her face. 'Pay attention Nigel.'
Pursing his lips, Montague sat back and raised his eyebrows when Dumbledore stood up.
'First of all, on behalf of the Ministry of Magic, Durmstrang, Beauxbaton and of course, Hogwarts, I would like to congratulate all of you for your magnificent work in the theatre production 'Fly High'. As a result, I would like to take this opportunity to honor all those whom put effort in this production.' Dumbledore cleared his voice and turned to Professor McGonagal, whom stood up and handed the twinkling headmaster a cream colored parchment. At the far end, the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge nodded and smiled at the head boy, Brad Dolorite, who was to lead him to the stage for the presentation.
'Bastard.' Draco muttered, crossing his arms as he shot glares at the Minister of Magic. He turned his head and glanced at Virginia at the far end, but was disappointed to find that her head was down, her long, bright red hair covering the side of her face.
'Hey, I wonder what they're gonna do with Pansy.' A forth year Slytherin whispered.
Draco raised his eyebrows.
'How would I know? Injured? I heard that she was sent back home or something.' Another Slytherin replied, shrugging.
She was sent back home alright. Draco thought, rolling his eyes mentally. Not because of any dance injuries but because she was caught and tortured by Adrian Bradley.
'First, to the wizards behind this wonderful project.' Dumbledore smiled, motioning his hand towards the guest table. 'Lawrence Tombane, the writer of 'Fly High'; Lesley Chestwood, the choreographer and Spencer Soloman, the director!'
Applause and hoots erupted from below, just like what happened after the musical was over a week ago. Smiling and waving at the students, the three of them walked on stage. Lesley was in a elegant white evening gown while the other two men were in muggle suits, looking fresh and smart.
'And now,' Dumbledore pushed up his glasses slightly. 'Our backstage managers and designers. First of all, our costume designer, Felicity Notting; set designer, Nikki Winjnands; stunts and action director…'
Draco watched with silent eyes as the muggles went up stage one by one to be congratulated by the Minister of Magic. He smirked inwardly at some of the glares given to the man, knowing that he wasn't the favorite person in the eyes of these muggles.
'Our music makers and performers,' Professor Dumbledore continued, 'Ann Walters, Marcus Beatty, The London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Weird Sisters!'
As the favorite wizarding band, the Weird Sisters were given loud applauses and screams from their fans. The three sisters looked as wild as ever with their flamboyant hair colors and attire. Some students even laughed when Sapphire seized Fudge's hand and shook it wildly, almost shaking it off its socket.
'And now, for our stage heros, the performers.' Dumbledore's eyes scanned the crowd a gentle smile, then turned to Professor McGonagal whom handed him a gold parchment accordingly.
Dumbledore cleared his throat and opened the parchment, adjusting his glasses slightly before taking a deep breath. 'To Alain Juppe, Beau Remond and Edonard Balladur for their amusing performances that brought so much laughter to the show.'
The three Beauxsbaton students whom gave so much fun, joy, and frustration to Hogwarts for the past six month jumped up and gave an exaggerated bow and kisses to everyone while jogging up the stage to accept the honors from the Ministery of Magic.
'To Seamus Finnigan, Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil for their excellent performances in bringing out the characters of the production.' Dumbledore continued.
Seamus blushed while Lavender pushed him towards the stage. Some Gryffindors laughed and hooted as Seamus held out his shaking hand, his face as white as a tomato.
'To Ingemar Crowther, Blanche Mitterand, Jacquez Fernandez, Una Cret, Leonard Girodins and Faith Sherman for their outstanding performances as supporting characters, bringing out the gist of this wonderful story.'
The six of them stood up and were applauded. Draco sneered with the rest of the Slytherins while Pucey pulled down Faith for a kiss before letting her go.
'To Yvette Dawes, Barlow D'Aguilar, Gabrielle Delacour, Myra Kirkimburgh and Pierre Rouban who had proved that even supporting roles can be vivdly presented through their outstanding dancing skills.'
Gabrielle snorted, standing up in a graceful way, holding her head up as she walked passed the rows of students, parents, teachers and press. Yvette, following her, made faces at her back, stirring laughs from the crowd and earning herself a few angry glares from the blonde.
'And now.' Dumbledore paused for effect, successfully stopping all conversations. 'The wonderful leads chosen by our casting crew. They are the ones whom had successfully brought to the audience all that had to be presented by the production. To Adrian Bradley, whom, I must regret to say, has been forced to attend some business and will not come back to Hogwarts anymore.'
Draco narrowed his eyes at the disappointed sighs from the female population. He was snapped back to reality when Dolores nudged him in the ribs, forcing him to sit up slightly.
'It's your turn!' Dolores whispered excitedly.
'To Draco Malfoy, the wonderful Chester Dwight whom had done such a good job in illustrating the ups and downs of this complex character and had showed us his wonderful talents in dance and acting. Please give him a big round of applause!'
The crowd burst into deafening applause and girls jumped out of their seats and shouted his name. But to Draco, all this was unreal, was unwanted.
He didn't want all this credit, he didn't want it without Virginia by her side.
'Come on Draco!' Pucey and Montague hissed at the same time, nudging him to stand up and go up stage. Draco looked up and found that Virginia had stood up and was turning around, obviously wanting to leave the hall. Without another thought, he stood up quickly, wanting to follow her, but was halted when Dumbledore started to speak again.
'Along with Draco, I would also like to honor someone else with him.' Dumbledore announced, his eyes twinkling secretively. The crowd silenced, an uncomfortable silence, especially the people from the production.
'To the wonderful dancer and actress performing Gladys Winifred whom vividly presented her with grace, power and excellency. She and Draco have presented with all of us a wonderful, yet heart-wretching love story that none of us will forget and will treasure deep within our hearts.'
Dumbledore smiled to the crowd, looking far way. 'Please everyone, please give applause to Hogwarts' beloved Ginny Weasley.'
The hall went into complete silence. Cornelius Fudge's blood was drained away completely from his face. All eyes turned and landed on the redhead whom had just reached the exit of the hall back, her whole form trembling. Quite gasps and whispered rang as Draco stood up and walked towards the trembling Weasley, unaware of the silent stares following him. He could feel her heart beating, beating for him as he approached her. Virginia looked up at him with trembling brown eyes. His face expressionless, he held out his hand.
'ENCORE!'
_____________________________________________________________________________
'This is unbelievable!' the Gryffindors exclaimed over and over again as they marched Virginia back to the Gryffindor tower.
'This is my sister.' Ron said proudly, 'she deserves the credit!'
Charlie laughed. 'Yeah, you should have seen Fudge's face!' this led to series of laughter.
'You deserve it Ginny.' Lesley said, smiling broadly. 'I always knew you were my best student.'
Virginia smiled at everyone, hiding to uneasiness within it. 'I – I did my best, I just did the best I could.'
'The best?' Dean Thomas exclaimed, 'You weren't just the best, you were indescribable on that stage! We're very proud of you Ginny, proud to have a Gryffindor like you.'
'Yes yes, I know all of you are excited and happy for Ginny.' Professor McGonagal's stern voice rang from behind the crowd. 'But if you would like to have a pow wow, I suggest that you have it in the Gryffindor Tower and not in the hall, shall we people?'
'A pow wow?' Fred exclaimed, widening his eyes in disbelief. 'We're not going to have a pow wow, we're going to have a party, we're going to have a bash.' He turned to the crowd again. 'Aren't we Gryffindors?'
'Gryffindor rules!' all of them shouted.
Hermione frowned. 'Aren't we forgetting something. It's not only Ginny, even Malfoy – '
'We cares about Malfoy!' George shouted, 'let's party!'
Harry laughed as Virginia was pushed and shoved through the squeling Fat Lady's portrait hole and into the cozy Gryffindor common room. The night went on, filled with joy and merriment as Fred and George summoned batches of butterbeer, pumpkin fizz, honeydukes and whole lots of other snacks and treats. A party was in full swing, even the Weird Sisters came in with some of the casts from the other schools. Virginia didn't know what time it was until the Gryffindor Common room finally fell silent, people scattered on the floor, fast asleep.
Today was the last day of school and other houses were probably celebrating too, but not like Gryffindor, that was for sure.
Surveying the dark common room, Virginia sighed and stood up, rubbing her aching shoulders. Rubbing her eyes and yawning, she decided to take a walk in the dark corridors. She was tired, but she didn't feel like sleeping at all. She caught sight of Yvette and Barlow sleeping on a red couch, cuddling. Smiling to herself, she carefully walked through the floor, gasping lowly when she stepped on George's feet. Lesley and Charlie had long retreated and had gone back to their quarters.
Probably enjoying their last night at Hogwarts. Virginia thought, rolling her eyes as she stepped into the hallway, ignoring the Fat Lady's sleepy inquiries of her whereabouts.
Till now, it will still quite unbelievable. Dumbledore had called her name, he, the whole production team, the whole school and perhaps even the whole wizarding world had given her credit, had recognized the hard work she had done ever since the start of everything.
She sighed, looking down at her palm as she continued to wander endless through the dark corridors of Hogwarts. She was happy, really, she was happy that everyone accepted the work she had done, accepted the fact that she, the Weasley that was never meant to be in the spotlight, could have finished something that was so magnificent and so rewarding, both physically and mentally.
But somehow, she felt something missing in her heart, something that didn't make this happiness complete.
And she knew perfectly well what it was, and who it involved.
'Miss? Are you the Miss?' a squeaky voice asked from below. Virginia looked down and found a pair of very big eyes staring back at her.
'I, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to – ' Virginia stammered, looking sideways guiltily.
'No miss!' the house elf shook her head, jumping up and down excitedly. 'I'm here to give you a note, the sir asked me to give miss the note!'
Virginia stared at the enthusiastic house elf, the kneeled down and got the note, thanking the house elf before she disappeared into thin air.
Smiling to herself, Virginia turned the envelope over but found that there was nothing written on it. Filled with curiosity, she opened the cream colored envelope and took out a card. There was an outline of a man and a woman dancing embossed with silver. In the middle, 'to the studio' was written in elegant writing.
'Who would give me something like this?' Virginia wondered out loud, looking around. Deciding to find out who wanted to find her and why all the secrecy, she turned and headed for the studio, surprised to find that no light seeped through the elegant double doors.
Hearing her heart pounding, she placed her hand on the cold metal handle and gulped. Closing her eyes she pushed open quickly and stepped in, letting the door close behind her quietly.
Opening her eyes again, she felt her heart skip a beat.
Draco was standing in the middle of the dance floor, holding a black evening gown carefully in his arms. He was wearing a tuxedo and the whole studio was lit with candles, bathing the elegant room with a mixture of moonlight and warm candle lights.
Draco looked up and smiled at her. Virginia gulped when he took a step forward.
'Would you have a dance with me, Virginia?'
_____________________________________________________________________________
It was still like a dream to her. The Draco Malfoy before her, the one she knew so well and was also a stranger, but that didn't deny her strong feelings towards him. In fact, she was even more attracted to him.
Her heart almost stopped when she saw him standing there in the soft glow of lights, looking into her eyes with what could be only described as love. She had accepted the gown wordlessly and changed, finding gloves and heels ready in the changing cubicle where the curtains were pushed back automatically. She changed into the elegant evening gown, noticing that it was similar to the one she had drawn.
She couldn't believe that he still remembered.
Stepping out again, she looked had looked at Draco uncertainly, but felt a surge of warmth wash through her at the gentle look he offered. Turning her around, he took out a clip from his coat and gently lifted her long soft hair up, setting it in place, his soft hands brushing against her pale neck. He then turned her around slowly, placed one hand on her waist and took her gloved hand in the other, and waltzed them across the perfectly polished dance floor.
During this whole time, they were silent, not a word was said. All they did was look at each other, the connection between them was not describable by human language, it was only describable by the feeling in each other's hearts.
Now, they were standing in front of the shimmering lake, the reflection of the moonlight shining upon them. All along, candles were lit and they were even circling the lake now, the soft glows seeping through the grass. How Draco did this behind Filch's back was a complete mystery, but she was happy, really happy.
So happy, that her heart was breaking.
How could someone so caring, so romantic, so soft and gentle be a Death Eater, be the one who had sent her into so much pain before?
Virginia looked up from her deep thoughts when Draco dropped his coat onto her shoulders. When she turned and looked at him, she found that he was looking straight into the lake water, lost in his own thoughts. His hands were in his pockets and she could faintly see the dark mark through the thin material of his shirt.
'Lots of things have happened.' Draco said quietly, his throat a bit dry.
Virginia turned, clutching the coat tightly to herself. 'Yes.'
'We've changed so much.' Draco sighed, looking up as a soft breeze blew through his blonde hair. Draco lowered his eyes at the silence, then closed his eyes.
What was he thinking?
'How long have we met Draco?' Virginia suddenly asked, breaking the silence.
Draco opened his eyes slightly. 'Five years.'
Virginia smiled to herself, brushing away some red locks. 'To me, I've only known you for a year, but that has been more than enough. I know you too well, maybe even more than your family.'
Draco's lips curved in a bitter smile. 'You may be right Virginia.'
Virginia… how she loved it when he called her that.
'I saw Adrian.' Virginia whispered, something Draco expected to hear.
Feeling stabbed, he lowered his head, shadowing his eyes from Virginia's sight.
Virginia glanced at the faint dark mark again, then sighed. 'I've seen how he was born, why he was born, how he was tortured and how he was sealed, living like a nobody. His mother saved me, and no matter what Adrian did to me, I can't hate him, although you can't say that I really like him. I just pity him.'
'Why?' Draco whispered.
'Because he looks so much like you.' Virginia replied promptly, turning to look at him.
Draco turned at the same time and their eyes locked. 'What do you mean?' Adrian had commented on that too, but he never really wanted to accept the fact.
'His father was Tom Riddle.' Virginia continued. 'His mother was an experiment for Lord Voldemort. In order to awaken the powers within him, Riddle actually killed his nanny, tortured his mother and ordered one of his servants, one of the Death Eaters to rape her.
Draco's eyes widened in shock.
Virginia turned away again, her eyes trembling. 'The grief and pain he suffered was understandable. He never lived like a normal kid. And now you, you will never live normally with the Dark Mark.'
'I know.' Draco murmured, looking away.
'I can't help but wonder.' Virginia choked, feeling her neck with her right hand, trying to sooth away the discomfort rising within her. 'The scene with Adrian's mother being tortured and raped by that Death Eater still haunts me. I can't help but wonder, will you do the same to me? Will you make me suffer again Draco?' she turned and cupped his face with her small hands, forcing her to look into her eyes.
Will he? He didn't know. He was a Death Eater, this was not a road he wanted to take. He despises the fact that he had no choice. Adrian had a point, he was a very special Death Eater, this had to be important to Voldemort. He was scared, deep down that one day, that ruthless side of him will show up. It had showed up before Virginia, he had tortured her endlessly with the rejection and loath he had showed her.
That was why he had no courage to find her, to see her again. Deep down, he knew that he was evil although he never wanted to be it, and Virginia was good.
He didn't and will never live up to her.
'Don't cry.' Draco whispered, watching as tears fell from Virginia's trembling brown eyes. Brushing her hands away from his face, he enveloped her gently, pressing her small and cold body against his, burying his face in her hair that was now flying in the soft breeze, smelling its unique scent.
'I just don't understand!' Virginia cried into his chest. 'I don't…'
'You don't have to understand anything.' Draco murmured in her ear. 'I may be a Death Eater, but I won't act like a Death Eater. You've changed me to much Virginia, you made me alive, you made me really think for myself, you made me want to be loved, want to be loved by you and only you.'
Virginia froze.
Draco stroked her hair in the gentlest way. 'I don't care what people say, what people think. I don't care about the past, I just want to look forward to the future, a future with you. I meant everything I said, from the beginning to the end.'
'The beginning to the end?' Virginia repeated into his chest.
'Yes.' Draco pulled away slightly, caressing her cheek with the back of his hand, looking into her dark brown eyes with his stormy brown ones.
'I love you, and I won't let you go, not now, not ever.' Draco declared, leaning forward. 'You're mine and only mine.'
Virginia closed her eyes, letting the rest of her tears being brushed away by the soft summer wind as Draco placed his soft warm lips onto hers in a kiss, a gentle and loving kiss. A kiss that told everything he felt for her, everything they felt for each other.
A kiss that had the power to heal everything.
Leaving her lips slowly and reluctantly, he smiled at her.
'Marry me.'
End of Chapter 30
