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And now, the…
FOURTH YEAR
Victoria ran to Draco as soon as she saw him coming through the barrier and threw her arms round his neck. Breaking apart from him, her features darkened. Are you okay? she asked him, looking at him closely.
Draco threw her one of his half-smiles. Everything's all right, Torey. So, are you still lusting after that Ravenclaw?
Victoria blushed deeply. I'm not lusting after him.
Yeah, right…So it was just a case that last year you always sat down facing Ravenclaw table, wasn't it?
Victoria smacked him on his arm. Shut up!
Are you planning to do something or you'll be satisfied with adoring him from afar? The boy insisted trying to distract his friend from the previous subject.
I don't adore him from afar! Her face aflame, Victoria tried to lift her trunk without succeeding because it was very heavy.
Here, let me help you, said Draco, bending down to grab the other handle. While they walked toward the train, Draco kept distracting Victoria, teasing her of her "crush" and telling her of the World Quidditch Cup he had assisted in during the summer. Doing so, he managed to distract her, so she stopped staring at him and failed to notice that the other Slytherins avoided them while they walked.
A few minutes after the ride started, Adrian Pucey joined them.
How come you're not with your seventh-year friends? Victoria asked naïvely.
Oh…they're gossiping like old maids and I don't feel like listening to them. He cast a brief glance toward Draco and Victoria understood.
They reached Hogwarts and, after the Sorting, dinner was served: Victoria, Draco, Adrian, Crabbe, and Goyle sat near the end of the table.
Is everything all right? Victoria asked Draco leaning toward him.
The boy simply nodded toward a group of people near the other end of the table. Ingrid Grimm, a second-year, was talking to the new first-year Slytherins, who looked quite scared. Two of them cast a frightened glance toward Draco and immediately looked away. She's telling them I'm a hoodoo, he remarked dryly.
What a pack of idiots! Victoria growled between her clenched teeth. In that moment, Dumbledore rose from his chair to give them the last news and the whole Hall fell silent.
*******
Well, you should be happy that the Triwizard Tournament will be held here, Draco said to Victoria while they headed to the Common Room.
Why? the girl asked him, casting him a puzzled glance.
There's the Yule Ball linked with the Tournament…it could be a good chance to ask Marvin out.
His name is Martin, she corrected him for the hundredth time.
Whatever…So, what are you going to do?
It's early… murmured Victoria, blushing I'll think about it.
Next day, a girl in a Slytherin uniform proceeded prudently among the thickly-planted bushes on the lake banks, approaching a boy lying on his back. I warn you, Victoria. If I hear the word "ferret" once more I'm going to bust someone's face in and really I don't wanna start with yours.
How can you think I came here to tease you? she replied wounded.
Draco shook his head. Forgive me. I've had a bad day. And that… He pointed to the remains of a Howler. …didn't help.
You father? Victoria asked, sitting down next to him and holding her legs to her chest.
Draco nodded. Right.
Victoria didn't replied, but, after a few minutes, she decided to break the silence. It wasn't for the "do-worse-things-then-what-they-expect-from-you," was it? she whispered softly.
Exactly, he sighed. I thought I had better control over my emotions.
What happened?
Draco shrugged his shoulders: Nothing.
Draco… she said in a slightly stern voice. Don't lie to me.
Another sigh. Yesterday evening I had a "little argument" with Jackson Headsman. This morning, after Charms, Zabini and company made me a certain speech I prefer not reporting you. He glanced at her. You can imagine what they wanted to talk me about. The girl bit her bottom lip and nodded. Then I ran into Potter and his friends on the stairs and…well, you know what happened then.
Victoria laid down next to him. Really a good way to start the new school year, Draco, she murmured in a sad, depressed voice.
It's not the start that I'm worried about… the boy whispered. It's the rest.
She squeezed his hand. Don't you worry, Drac. You'll make it, I'm sure. You're strong.
I have to… the boy murmured squeezing back her hand …or I might fall apart, like today.
Victoria held his hand tighter. You'll make it. I'm sure.
Draco turned to look at her. You're the only one who has faith in me, Torey…you're my only and dearest friend.
A shadow passed swiftly on Victoria's face and disappeared as much as swiftly, like it had never been there on the first place. Draco raised an eyebrow questioningly and she shook her head smiling to tell him nothing had happened.
She rose on her feet, smoothing her uniform. I'm going back inside. Are you coming too?
The boy shook his head without breaking eye-contact: No, I'm staying here for a while.
As you wish, Victoria said, shrugging her shoulders and starting to head back. When she reached the passage among the bushes, she turned to him and he was still looking at her: Hey, Drac…
Yeah?
Whatever happens, whatever they say…I will always stand by you. While she spoke, a blush crept on her face.
Draco was initially astonished, but after a few seconds replied, So will I, Torey. and matched his words with a smile -- the first, real smile Victoria had ever seen upon his lips since she had known him. She waved one last time and disappeared among the bushes, praying he hadn't noticed how red she had become.
The first school day, however, was nothing compared to the hell Draco lived in for the following months. His housemates avoided him and never missed an occasion to throw in his face his supposed "evil eye." The previous year, Marcus Flint managed to hold them back using the influence he had on both younger and older students thanks to his position as Captain of the Quidditch Team. Unfortunately, Flint had graduated and now remained just Adrian and Victoria, who certainly weren't enough. Outside the dungeon, the Slytherins pretended to listen to him but they did so just because they feared the students from the others Houses would discover their "shameful secret." Their House was already famous as den of Dark Wizards. If someone had found out there was a hoodoo among them, there would be no mercy on them. To get all this off his chest, Draco did his best to make his eternal rival's life an hell like his own was.
Two days before the end of the term, during the break, Draco Malfoy saw Victoria Cross shyly approaching Martin Dooley from Ravenclaw and taking him aside. A few moments later, Martin Dooley went away with indignation clearly written on his face. Victoria stood still for some seconds, as if somebody had slapped her. Then she threw her head back, straightened her shoulders and marched through the yard holding her head high and with a queenly carriage. A couple of Ravenclaws who were Dooley's friends sniggered as she passed by, but she turned around and threw them such a look that their laughter transformed into something resembling a low squeak. The two boys' faces became so red they looked like they were going to die from suffocation. Draco saw her slipping into one of the girls' bathrooms and followed her. Victoria was bent over the sink rinsing her face. Raising her head, she saw his reflection in the mirror. What are you doing here? she asked him, turning around If you get caught I'll be in deep trouble.
I don't care, Draco replied firmly. Things can't get any worse. What happened with Dooley?
Victoria looked away. He laughed and said he wouldn't come near a filthy Slytherin not even with a three-meters-long broomstick and he would never go to the Ball with one of us disgusting snakes.
Draco clenched his fists: I'm going to kill that scum, he growled in a low, menacing voice, which was a very bad sign.
Victoria laid a hand on his arm. Leave it, he's not worth the trouble. He's just like everyone else, she added, shrugging her shoulders.
But you feel bad, Draco whispered.
It'll be over soon. And I can grant you that discovering he was just another vain-as-a-peacock full of prejudices does help me a lot. She tried a small smile. I'm just sorry I'll miss the Ball. I'd have really liked to go.
It's a real pity you cannot come, Torey. But…maybe somebody will ask you out… he sighed. If I wasn't already stuck with Pansy Parkinson, I'd ask you myself.
You're just trying to console me, Victoria replied. I don't think you would trade Miss Fourth-year-beauty-queen for me.
Are you kidding? cried Draco. She would be a beauty queen? In a dog contest maybe…Hey, you're ten thousand times prettier than her.
Then why did nobody ask me? Victoria asked softly.
Draco looked away. Slytherins… he said, deeply ashamed of himself. …don't ask you because you're my friend. And everybody else doesn't because you're a Slytherin and everyone knows that Slytherins are ugly, dirty and bad…Practically trolls.
Well, Pansy, Crabbe, and Goyle do look like trolls, Victoria remarked, giggling.
Exactly.
The girl sighed. What a pity…I was really keen on going.
Right in that moment, Draco had an idea. Hey, don't despair…maybe there's still a way, he told her, winking at her with an air of conspiracy. Victoria looked at him puzzled but he didn't say more. Instead he hugged her and whispered in her hear in Italian: "Bimba, bimba non piangere per gracchiar di ranocchi. Tutta la tua tribù e i bonzi tutti del Giappone non valgono il pianto di questi occhi cari e belli" ["Child, child, don't you cry 'cause of toads croaking. Your whole tribe and all bonzes of Japan are not worth the crying of these dear, beautiful eyes"] He swiftly kissed her cheek and then he was gone. More astonished, Victoria brought her hand to the cheek Draco had kissed, as she was trying to hold back the feeling of his lips on her skin. Apart form the kiss, she was surprised by the words Draco had whispered to her. They were a quote from "Madam Butterfly," an opera written by Puccini, an Italian Muggle composer. She knew them because her father was fond of opera, but Draco came from a Pureblood, totally anti-Muggle family so how could he know them? Victoria shook her head and, after collecting her textbooks, headed to Transfiguration class.
*******
I'm sorry Draco, but I really can't chaperon Victoria Cross to the Yule Ball, said Adrian Pucey, folding his arms.
Why not? She's a girl, she's prettier than your average Slytherin…What's the matter?
The matters, my dear, are two. First, she's thirteen and I'm seventeen; second, I'm going with Patricia Ash, my girlfriend…So forget it!
You just have to let her in. Once she's inside, they can't kick her out. Adrian, Torey needs to go to the Ball!
She fancied a Ravenclaw, didn't she? Why doesn't she ask him?
Draco's eye lit up with anger. She did.
And…? asked Adrian, raising his eyebrows.
He told her he'd never go with a disgusting Slytherin. Maybe these weren't the exact words, but I think you get the meaning.
Bloody bastard, Adrian muttered.
Do you understand now why I'm asking you? She was really keen on going with him…and he has insulted her and laughed in her face! Come on, Adrian…you don't have to dance with her. Please.
Adrian scratched his head and sighed, Okay. I'll explain to Pat why I can't escort her to the Ball. But if she gets angry I'll tell her it's all your fault!
Draco smiled. Thank you, Adrian. You're a great friend.
You're welcome.
*******
Draco entered the Great Hall escorting Pansy Parkinson, who was all wrapped up in a huge pink dress. They went to sit at a secluded table and after a few minutes Crabbe and Goyle joined them, followed by Millicent Bulstrode and her partner, a fifth-year guy. Draco ignored completely their chatting and watched closely the other entering students. Finally out came Adrian Pucey escorting Victoria Cross, followed suit by Patricia Ash. Draco had to admit they were quite a strange couple. First of all, Adrian was at least forty cm taller than his damsel. Then he wore a light blue suit while she had chosen a plain, light lilac dress that was becoming to her eyes and her complexion, but clashed with her escort's. The couple, escorted by Patricia Ash, naturally went to sit at their table. Victoria sat between Draco and Adrian, while Patricia took a seat on her fiancé's right. Thank God she didn't look very angry.
During the meal, Draco couldn't help but comparing the two girls who sat by him. Victoria's lilac dress was a poor thing compared to Pansy's "ancient pink" one, where the fabric was barely visible, suffocated under layers and layers of lace, frills and fringe. Draco didn't know anything about fashion, but it was clear that whoever made that dress had fabric to waste. Their hairdo was very different too. Pansy had gathered up her hair in a complicated hairstyle, Victoria had let it loose on her shoulders, except for two small braids on the front that were pinned on her head like a bow. When the Weirdo Sisters started to play, Draco was forced to dance with Pansy Parkinson, who was as graceful as an elephant and her enormous dress didn't help her.
After some dances with Feet-Killer Parkinson, finally he managed to get rid of her and passed her to an unlucky student from Drumstrang. He was about to come back to his table when Goyle came to tell him that Rita Skeeter wanted to speak with him. Sighing, Draco followed him. He told Rita Skeeter a certain amount of things-made-up-on-the-spot just to get rid of her as soon as he could. When he came back into the Great Hall, he looked round for Victoria. She was still sat at the table, watching with great longing the couples who elegantly glided on the dance floor. Draco slowly approached her from behind and then cleared his throat with a small cough. Victoria turned to look at him and smiled. Posso avere l'onore di questo ballo, signorina? [May I have the honor of this dance, miss?] he asked her in Italian, bowing slightly.
Victoria's smile became, if it was possible, even brighter. Con piacere [With pleasure].
Draco gave her his arm and guided her to the dance floor. He put an arm around her waist and held her hand in his, gliding to the beat. Victoria was on cloud nine and Draco had never been happier in his whole life as well. He stayed there and danced; nothing else mattered, just Victoria, his partner. No rumors on his bad luck, no Harry Potter, no Voldemort, no Lucius, just the music and Victoria. Nothing else. After the first, they danced another song, then another and another one. At the sixth dance, when the Weirdo Sisters started to play a wilder piece, they decided to have some fresh air outside, in the garden. It's wonderful, isn't it? Victoria murmured leaning on his arm.
Draco smiled at her. You are wonderful. That Dooley-idiot did miss a lot.
Victoria laughed and then was silent for a while as they strolled among the roses. Thank you for asking Adrian to escort me, she said, stopping suddenly and turning to look at him in the eyes. I wouldn't be here tonight if it wasn't for you.
Well, you deserve it…and then you were so keen on coming… He swallowed hard.
You've done so much for me.
No, I haven't done anything.
Yes, you have, Draco replied firmly without looking away from her eyes. The fairies shone from the rose bushes around them. The music was still in the air.
Come, let's sit down here, he said, guiding her to a bench on the lake banks and keeping on watching her.
Victoria sat down and shivered. Are you cold? Do you wanna come back inside? Draco asked, worried.
A little, but don't you worry. I can survive.
Take this, at least, he said, taking off his jacket and putting it on her shoulders. Better? The girl nodded. It's not so cold in Italy, I guess.
No, it isn't…By the way, you didn't tell me you speak Italian. You're good.
Thanks…And to think I've never been in Italy.
Victoria's eye widened. Really? Trust me, you do miss a lot of things.
I'd like to go there, Draco sighed But, according to my father, it's a country chaotic, dirty, and full of good-for-nothing. He and my mother think the three best countries in the whole world are, in order, England, Germany, and France. He shook his head with half a smile upon his lips. My mother would be the happiest woman in the world if I learned to speak French perfectly…Unfortunately I can't manage it. I have no attitude for that language.
Your Italian is pretty good, Victoria reminded him.
Again that half-smile: Many thanks. I guess I took after my grandfather. He adored Italy, the opera and Greek and Latin cultures as well. I haven't been named after him for nothing.
He was called Draco too? Victoria asked, curiously. Draco had never talked so much about himself and his family. Usually, he just talked about the things his father had said or done.
No, his name was Flavius, that is my middle name. The girl giggled.
What's so funny?
Your name…in Latin it means…
"Blond-haired dragon." I know.
Victoria's eyebrows rose: You study Latin too? Draco, you're a real wonder.
I study ancient Greek as well, by the way.
Really? I do too! Oh, I can't believe it, this is great!
At first, grandpa Flavius taught me just Latin and ancient Greek, but from Latin to Italian the step was very short. He looked away. Unfortunately, he died two years ago and I've had to study by myself since then. I keep revising the lessons, studying on his grammar texts, and reading his books, but it's not the same without him.
You should've told me! Victoria cried out, almost offended I could have helped you. Draco stared at the grass at his feet. Well… Everyone studies French or German or any other modern language except Italian. I thought you would laugh at me if I had told you I'm trying to learn two dead languages.
What a foolery! Victoria snorted. They don't understand anything.
A sudden chill made her shiver and Draco put an arm around her shoulders, holding her to him and making her lean her head on his shoulder.
I'd be very grateful if you helped me with my Latin and my Italian, Torey, he whispered in her ear.
The girl felt herself blushing. Don't forget Greek, she smiled.
Right… Draco whispered again I mustn't forget my Greek… his voice sounded almost far away, while he toyed with Victoria's hair.
The girl rose suddenly. I think we should come back inside, she murmured, grateful to the darkness because it hid her flushed cheeks. Draco nodded and got to his feet, giving her his arm. They came back in hallway. The ball was almost over, the Weirdo Sisters had started to play their last songs. Victoria moved as to walk away from Draco but he kept her kindly, not letting go of her arm. Wait…Can we dance one last time? Victoria wanted to refuse, but in his eyes shone a bright spark that made her hesitate. Ti prego, Victoria, [Please, Victoria] he whispered with an expression she had never seen before on his face.
Victoria nodded: Sì. [Yes] Draco smiled at her and together they entered the Great Hall. As soon as they reached the dance floor, the world stopped existing. That was the only time of the year which he had fun.
*******
On the day of the last trial of the Triwizard Tournament, Draco was very worried. It wasn't for the exams, no, he was sure he had passed. Since the rumors of his bad luck had started spreading, he had devoted himself to a mad, desperate study, building around himself a barricade of books. Adrian at first used to call him "Granger-boy," until Victoria, who understood perfectly the true nature of all that studying, had told him the reason.
When rumors of Cedric Diggory's death started to spread, Draco understood he was right. That night he didn't come back into the Common Room. Victoria and Adrian looked for him for hours, but they couldn't find him. He had deserted even his usual refuge on the lake banks, which worried Victoria a lot. Where the hell are you, Draco? she whispered in a tears-stained, cracked with worry voice when she came through the bushes into that little, empty clearing. If he wasn't there, it meant the situation was very serious: troubles were in the air. Draco didn't come the next day neither and Victoria and Adrian had to do their best to keep his defection secret from the teachers. Finally, that evening, Draco reappeared. His clothes were messy and he looked shattered. His own Housemates' icy looks welcomed him in the Common Room.
You're looking at me like it was my fault, he murmured, speaking to everybody and no one at the same time. It wasn't me…
Really? said Derrick, looking at him sternly. Well, I don't think so. Remember, I was there six year ago, at St. Gwylim's. Now there are two, Malfoy…How many will have to die? How many can you have on your conscience? While he spoke, he kept on raising his voice and the last words were shouted from his mouth. How many will you kill, Malfoy? he shouted, gabbing his arm and shaking him roughly.
Draco didn't answer, his eyes fixed on the floor.
Derrick step back suddenly, as he feared Draco could burn him…or worse. In a deadly silence, Draco climbed the dorm stairs. As he closed the door, his brain registered that into the Common Room a furious fight had broke out. He couldn't make out the words, but he could hear the sound of furious, clashing voices. He fell heavily on his bed, the far roaring that came through the closed door was faint but it was still there, like a kind of evil presence. As tears stung his eyes, he mentally noted that he should came back down and tell Adrian and Torey to stop it, that it wasn't worth…But he had not the strength to do so. Slowly, he fell in a restless sleep, the far, angry shouts still echoing in his ears.
The last evening of the term, Dumbledore told it. He told how Cedric Diggory had been killed by Voldemort and remembered him lovingly. Then he spoke of the current situation, of the Dark Lord's return and hinted at the part played by Harry Potter in the loss of their schoolmate…Draco heard less then half of those words, lost in memories of another time. A time he had thought, or maybe hoped, was over…Instead, everything had started again. Derrick's words echoed in his mind and not only his…Other sentences, other words, other scornful voices full of accusations more or less hidden had reemerged from his subconscious. During the last week, he had spent all his time repeating to himself that it wasn't true, he wasn't a jinx, it couldn't really be his fault for those two deaths…But if it was? He had started to doubt. What if it was really his fault? Part of his head noted that the feast was over. He rose and followed the others toward the dungeons, the world around him little more than an unclear shadow in the fog. Without seeing her, he felt Victoria's presence by his side. He kept staring straight ahead not really seeing anything, thinking about Cedric Diggory. He was a good boy, kind with everyone, even with the Slytherins (well, more or less). Draco shook his head. It wasn't fair.
If it was possible, the next day was harder than the whole school year. You couldn't find a Slytherin who didn't say to him some nasty remark. Draco acted like he was deaf, like those words where drop of rain that fell from him without leaving a lasting mark, but instead were glass splinters that cut his skin until he bled. He never knew what drove him to Potter, Weasley, and Granger's compartment to bother them. He never knew where those words about Diggory came from. It was Victoria who found him lying on the floor in front of the compartment with Crabbe and Goyle. It was Victoria who ran to fetch Adrian because he helped them without telling a soul. The last thing Draco needed was that the others knew what had happened. They could think that his bad luck had affected the wands or worse. Just like the previous year, he and Victoria were the last ones left on platform 9 and ¾. Just like the previous year, Victoria couldn't leave his side. Are you sure you'll be all right? she asked him for the nth time and for the nth time Draco simply nodded.
Draco… Victoria whispered. Draco, please, look at me.
Unwillingly, he raised his eyes from the floor. Victoria was a few cm shorter than he, and yet it was hard for him to look at her in the eyes.
Draco… There was no need of any other word. Their eyes spoke for them.
Torey… whispered the boy, lowering his gaze again. …don't say anything. I know.
A feminine voice called Victoria's name, inciting her to hurry up. The girl stood still where she was.
Your mother's calling you, he told her.
It doesn't matter. Silence. Another calling. Promise me you'll be alright, Draco…promise me you'll take care of yourself.
The boy sighed. The first one is a promise I can't keep…About the second one, I'll do my best.
Are you sure you can't come to stay with us this summer? It seemed a simple question, but really Victoria was begging him with her eyes and her voice.
He shook his head. I'm sure. My father will surely have other plans about me. His voice was dull and lifeless.
Victoria's eye filled with tears. Oh, Draco…
He stopped her: Don't say anything. You should go, now
Victoria nodded and hugged him as tight as she could, as she never wanted to let go. Her mother called her for the third time and she had to let him go. Draco went to sit down on a bench, waiting for his mother who was late as usual. Just like the previous year , Victoria kept turning back. Going through the barrier, she still managed to cast him one last glance over her shoulder, before he disappeared from her sight.