Author's notes:
1) No, when I say "The Mole" I'm not talking about spots on human skin, nor about furry, semi-blind animals, nor about breakwaters – it takes you about two hours and half by car to go to the seaside from Turin. The Mole Antonelliana (pronounced as it is written) is Turin's most famous monument: looks more like a tower than an animal or a wall. Have you seen the logo for Turin Winter Olympic Games 2006? Yes? No? Anyway, that is the Mole Antonelliana. More or less…
2) Carabinieri: Italian military police.
Draco… said Lucius Malfoy coldly when his son arrived into the dining room. Today I received a letter about you.
The boy tried to disguise his sudden stiffening on his chair. Luckily, his father didn't notice. Do you know a man called Jeremy Cross? Lucius asked him, putting the roll of parchment down and arching his eyebrows.
Not personally…I think he is Victoria's father. She's one of my Housemates, Draco answered as his heartbeat gradually slowed down.
This man asks me if you could spend the last months of summer with his family, in Italy…What do you think I should do?
What you think right, father. the boy murmured, staring at his plate.
Obviously, you'll stay at home, said Lucius in a voice that admitted no reply. There are many things you haven't learned yet…
I beg your pardon. Lucius, but I do not agree. Narcissa said.
Her husband cast her a slightly puzzled glance. Why not, Narcissa?
You see, I think it would be good for Draco to go away for a while….since we have this offer, we should accept it.
Oppositely form her husband, Narcissa always hid her true intentions behind a mask of courtesy. Or, in this case, false motherly love.
Lucius's mouth curved. What do you want to do, Draco?
Whatever your choice will be, it'll be all right for me, father.
Very well, the man said putting his napkin beside his plate. We will talk about it later.
That meant that before deciding, Lucius would have checked the Crosses family tree since the Deluge, but Draco was sure he would found no faults. He got on his feet and went back in his room. He closed the door and sighed, silently praying that his parents would allow him to go.
Maybe somewhere there was a shooting star, because his wish was granted. He had a very hard time disguising his happiness to leave his "home" and spent the last three weeks of the holiday with the person he loved and cared the most.
By Lucius' order, Narcissa would have taken him to the Crosses.
And remember… Draco heard him saying …if you see something wrong – you know what I mean – you'll take him back home immediately.
Of course, Lucius.
After eavesdropping on that conversation, Draco had run in into his room to write a letter to Victoria and warn her.
Finally came the leaving day. Draco ad Narcissa traveled via Floo Powder Special (for international travels only) to the Cross House. Jeremy and Elena Cross, and naturally their daughter Victoria, were waiting for them in front of the fireplace. It looked like the Crosses had taken the countermeasures Draco had suggested in his letter. There wasn't the smallest trace of Muggle items. The Crosses greeted their guests with polite and cold courtesy and Mrs. Cross made them visit the house. Narcissa looked pleased with the inspection, so she magically transported Draco's luggage and, after coldly saying goodbye to her son and his hosts, she returned in England to report to her husband. As soon as she left, Mr. Cross took off all the spells that disguised all the "Muggle items" that would have had Draco taken back home immediately.
Welcome to Italy. Mrs. Cross smiled kindly at him.
Thank you for your invitation, replied Draco happily.
The following day, to his great surprise, Draco woke up early. When he was at home or at school, he preferred to sleep in. His mother and his father said he was a sluggard timewaster, but really he spent so much time sleeping because it was the only way he had to avoid reality. Sleep was his only refuge and to be sure that nothing, not even nightmares, would disturb him, back in his Second Year he had started to take sleeping potions closed in small red capsules. He never needed them during his staying at the Crosses.' His days were more or less the same. In the morning, after Victoria's parents left to go to work – Jeremy was an important member of the International Confederation of Wizards, head of the Department for International Security seconded in Turin, and Elena was a researcher of the International Center of Defense Against Dark Arts – Draco and Victoria went out and walked around Turin, both in the Muggle and Magic part. Draco couldn't have wished for a better guide. Victoria was born and grew up in Turin and loved that city from the bottom of her heart.
Turin is not Venice or Rome, but it's my city and it's the one I prefer above every other! she said categorically one day, citing the other two greatest magical-mystical cities of the whole Italy.
Soon Draco discovered at his own expenses that his friend's love for Turin was very infectious. He discovered he not only loved the Magical part of the city but the Muggle one as well. Piazza Castello, the Royal Palace, the Duomo, Carignano Palace, Porte Palatine, the Mole…all those places and those monuments built by mere Muggles fascinated him and then, during a sudden shower, he appreciated via Roma and its arcades. There was only one place in Turin where he didn't feel at ease…
One Thursday afternoon Draco and Victoria walked along Via Garibaldi from Piazza Castello to Piazza Statuto because Victoria wanted to show him a monument. In the middle of a big flower-bed stood a heap of blocks of stone, like a small mountain. On the mountain, laid marble statues of men and on its top stood a winged statue in bronze.
It's the monument to the workmen who bored the Frejus tunnel, that connect Italy and France, Victoria explained as both admired it.
Draco wanted to take a picture of the square and the monument, but to have a good shot he had to cross the street and reach the side walk around another bed-flower quite big. As soon as he set foot on the side walk, a strange shiver ran through him, from head to toe.
Are you cold? Victoria asked him.
No. he cast her a brief glance and noticed she had grown pale.
Hurry up with this photo, she urged him.
Draco took his camera and shot quickly. Usually he spent hours checking the shot, making sure that nothing had been left out and waiting that people and cars had passed by, but that day he barely checked that the subject was in focus.
You can feel it as well, don't you? he murmured, lowering the camera There's something strange here…
Victoria nodded. We should go
Wait, I wanna know what's going on, he said taking on of the paths that lead to the center of the flower-bed.
Half-hidden by the trees, in the middle of the flower-bed stood an obelisk with a bronze globe on its top. Draco went near the monument and felt a light chill. He could feel Victoria's presence a few meters behind him.
Have you noticed? he asked her keeping his voice low, as he was afraid to wake up a sleeping force. Piazza Statuto is a crowded square, full of traffic, and yet… he turned and looked around, his senses on the alert …and yet the noise doesn't reach this place. The obelisk is the middle of a silence zone.
It's much more… Victoria murmured Have you ever wondered why the International Center of Defense Against Dark Arts is here? Or why there's a detachment of the Department for International Security?
No, Draco admitted, shaking his head. …I've never thought about it.
Victoria took a deep breathe. As you know, there are Lines of Energy, like Muggle meridians and parallels, that run trough the Earth…they're like cables branching out in every direction. The boy nodded and she went on. Torino is the only city in the whole world crossed by Good Line and Evil Line. She swallowed hard Right now, we're close to the maximum concentration point of the Evil Line…Imagine an underground river that suddenly surfaces forming a spring of water.
This is the spring. Draco murmured, shocked.
Victoria nodded: It flows right there…On the top of the obelisk, where there's that globe.
Draco backed away, keeping his eyes on the bronze sphere. Let's go away, he whispered, his gaze unmoved.
As soon as they crossed the street again, Draco's breathing returned normal and Victoria's cheeks got back their usual color.
God, I wish that those idiots who accuse you to be a Death Eater saw you.
Why? asked Draco, arching an eyebrow.
If you were a Death Eater, you'd be inevitably attracted by that Line. But you fought it back, it disgusted you…This is the proof you aren't a Death Eater and you'll never be.
Draco lowered his gaze. You can't say so, Torey…One day I could become one.
Not of your free will, replied the girl, absolutely sure. Your soul rejects evil.
That feeling… murmured Draco It was so strong…almost like being close to a Dementor.
Victoria hung her head. They say that the Line is fomented by past and present evil souls…Especially present. It started to grow stronger two years ago. To souls predisposed to evil it's like a flame to a moth. Her gaze rose and their eyes met. But you fought it back.
Draco smiled bitterly. Maybe because I'm not Lucius Malfoy's perfect replica, contrary to popular beliefs.
Victoria laid a hand on his shoulder: Undeniably, you look like him a lot, but…
But?
But you aren't Lucius, nor his replica: you are Draco.
Draco's hand covered hers.
Torey… he murmured after a few minutes. …you said that the Good Line runs through Torino as well. The girl nodded. Would you take me there?
Forty-five minutes later, the two friends walked trough Piazza San Carlo, heading toward an equestrian monument. The sun had begun to set, painting the sky in pink, yellow and dark blue.
Here we are… said the girl, reaching the sidewalk, It's right here, where the horse is.
Draco didn't say a word. He felt warm, but it wasn't because of the sun. It was like a fire had started in his chest, and now it shone and warmed every part of him.
Victoria awoke him from his trance. We have…we have to go…I think.
She'd have preferred to stay there near the statue that stood against the burning sky, wrapped up in a light warmer and brighter than the sun himself.
Draco couldn't hold back a smile. Whatever the other Houses may think, that Slytherin would never be a Death Eater, he'd bet his own life on her. But he wasn't so sure about himself.
As long as he stayed in Torino, Draco often came back to Piazza San Carlo, but he always avoided Piazza Statuto.
During his second week of holiday, he met Victoria's friends. Before Hogwarts, Victoria had attended a private Italian school, where she had met Elisabetta Bercalli and Veronica Pergolesi, two girls very pretty and very nice. They hung around with two funny American witches, Lara Grethco and Elisa Callaway, whose parents worked with Victoria's father.
At first, Draco had felt a little bit out of place being the only boy in a group of five girls, but soon he had come over his own embarrass. Every afternoon they met at Victoria's house and then they went to the cinema or hung around in town or simply stayed at home, chatting and playing games. Their favorite game was volleyball. They played in the back yard using a rope instead of a net with variable teams of three against three in a reduced ground and with one center and two outsiders. During the first week, Draco had spent quite a long time in that yard, chatting and trying sets, bumps and beats, so he felt at ease.
And so, one sunny August afternoon, Draco made all his ancestors roll over in their graves playing with Elisabetta and Veronica in the Muggle team against the Witches Team…and winning. After the match, the players sat down on the stairs to rest.
You owe us a rematch! said Lara, sipping her pumpkin juice.
So you can lose again? asked Veronica "innocently."
Draco threw his head back and burst out laughing.
Victoria looked at him amazed and enchanted. She had known him for years and yet she had never seen him or heard him laugh.
Elisabetta, who had started to keep an eye on her, didn't fail to notice the almost ecstatic expression she wore on her face. Exactly as she hadn't fail to notice the way her best friend looked at the blond English wizard. As Draco chatted with Lara and Elisa, Elisabetta motioned Veronica to come close.
I think our little Vicky has been taken prisoner by a pair of beautiful gray eyes, she whispered nodding toward her friend that, instead of listening to the chatting, was looking at Draco with eyes full of stars.
Veronica smiled and nodded slightly. I noticed. Do you know what? I also think that our friend's not completely indifferent to the Englishman.
Almost confirming her words, Draco turned to throw his characteristic half-smile to Victoria, but it was an half-smile very, very different from the ones he cast at the other girls.
Since nobody wants drinks anymore, I'll take the bottles back inside. Victoria said, rising and starting to collect bottles and glasses.
I'll help you, said Draco, jumping to his feet.
You don't have to…
I insist. Those bottles are too heavy for you. You'll carry the glasses.
Okay, answered Victoria with a smile.
Din-don! I can foresee wedding bells for those two, said Elisa as soon as they went into the house.
You foresee? said Lara turning to her. As you weren't a total disaster in Divination!
As you didn't try to guess out of pure luck! Elisa muttered.
Anyway, that's true. Elisabetta added her two cents. They would be a great couple. It's not exactly a mystery that they fancy each other.
We all know it, except for themselves, said Elisa.
Lara made a face. I don't think so…In my opinion, they're not as blind as you think.
Elisabetta nodded silently, caught up in her thoughts.
But then… Elisa started, but Veronica cut her off immediately. Hush, they're coming back.
The door opened and the two friends came out. None of the girls failed to notice that Draco chivalrously held the door open for Victoria, who thanked him with a bright smile.
So, what did we miss? asked the girl, sitting down on a step.
Absolutely nothing, said Veronica Come on, let's play again!
Okay! agreed Draco. But this time, me and Torey are going to play on the same team.
Okay, said Elisabetta, not hiding a smile.
Damn it, it's so hot today! said Draco, wiping the sweat away from his forehead.
In that Tuesday of August, he and Victoria had decided to do the nth tour of Torino and now they were in Piazza Castello, under an oppressive heat.
I like Torino and I wouldn't change anything… said Victoria. …but in certain days I wish there was the sea, and this is one of them.
Draco was about to answer her when something attracted his attention. There's no sea…but I think I've just found a substitute. He grinned.
Victoria looked at him puzzled and he nodded towards the fountains. They weren't your average fountains with basins full of golden fishes and big statues in the middle: they looked more like groups of holes in the pavement from which sprung jets of water of various height. Then the water dripped down inside a grill that surrounded the pseudo-fountain.
You don't mean to… Victoria started, then she shook her head. Oh, the hell with that. Let's go!
They came near the fountain and put down their backpacks. As soon as Victoria put down hers, Draco pushed her among the jets of water. The girl shrieked and caught him by his arm, pulling him in with her. Then Draco splashed her with some water and Victoria immediately splashed him back. They started splashing each other, laughing like children. Draco felt light and happy, like a boy who didn't have a single problem…And it was the most beautiful feeling of the world. Victoria laughed and threw some water at him, thinking she had never seen him so happy. She was happy too, but she didn't know if that happiness came from the consciousness that Draco was happy or not. Unknowingly, they were both thinking the same thing. There was still a week left to their return to Hogwarts -- plenty of time.
Okay, kids. I think bath-time is over, said an unknown voice behind them. They turned around to find themselves face to face with two Carabinieri, a man and a woman both in their thirties. The man had black curly hair while the woman had light brown hair – lighter then Victoria's own – pulled into a ponytail.
I understand that you feel the heat… said the woman, smiling at them …but if you want to have a shower, then do it at home.
Draco and Victoria came out of the fountain and picked their bags up.
Come on, go home.
Aren't you going to fine us? Victoria asked, surprised.
Not today. It's too hot…And now be gone before I change my mind.
The two friends walked away quickly.
What's wrong with you today, Anna? asked the man, puzzled. Usually you don't let anybody get away so easily…
The Carabiniere shrugged her shoulders. Usually I don't run into Romeo and Juliet's modern version splashing in a fountain.
I think that Fellini's "Dolce vita" would be more adequate, but how can Shakespeare fit in?
The woman smiled amused. Haven't you seen how they looked at each other before we stopped them? If they aren't a couple yet, then it's going to happen soon.
I didn't notice.
Anna rolled her eyes. Men never notice anything.
Five minutes later, Draco and Victoria arrived at home via Floo Powder.
My goodness, we're all covered in soot! said the girl, getting back to her feet.
And wet. It's better if we change our clothes, Draco suggested.
I agree. Hey, have you noticed that you got yourself a cut? she said, pointing to the back of his right forearm. Two cm. under his wrist there was a long cut that bled slightly.
I'll change, then I'll put something on it, said the boy, swiftly inspecting the cut. It's just a scratch.
A scratch quite deep.
Draco shrugged his shoulders and went into his room.
A couple of minutes later, Victoria came in with a bottle of oxygenated water and a bundle of cotton. I've brought you… her voice died in her throat.
When she had entered the room, her best friend was taking off his dirty t-shirt and had his back turned toward her. The girl almost dropped the thing she held, seeing his back covered with marks. Draco blushed deeply and turned around, hiding his scars from her view.
Oh my God, Draco, but…what…let me have a look! she said going near him.
No! replied the boy firmly. It's nothing, really… he added, trying to get the t-shirt he had left on his bed, but Victoria was faster than him.
I would not call what I have just seen "nothing." And that isn't nothing: she said, pointing to an almost-faded bruise on his shoulder.
What happened? Who did this to you?
Draco lowered his gaze and muttered something. She barely caught the words "my father".
Why?
Many reasons…and none at the same time, he smiled sadly Our dear Housemates are not the only ones to think I'm a complete disaster…
That's not a good reason to reduce your back to that state…My God, do the teacher know? And the boys in your dorm?
Draco shook his head. Nobody knows…nobody had to know.
Not even me, she whispered with a mixture of anger and sadness in her voice.
Not even you.
Silence. A long and difficult silence.
Finally Victoria found again her courage to speak. Why have you never told me?
I've already told you, Torey… Draco couldn't look at her face. Nobody had to know. If my father knew that you've found out… He didn't have the strength to go on.
What did he do to you?
The boy raised his gaze for a second, then came back to stare at the floor. Believe me….you don't want to know.
They fell silent again and then Draco spoke as he put on his t-shirt. You must promise me you won't tell anyone, Torey.
But…
No buts. It's my problem, not yours.
This time it was Victoria who lowered her eyes. I thought we were friends, Draco
We are. But it has nothing to do with this, has it?
Yeah, it has… she replied, looking at him in the eyes. Because if we are friends, true friends, then your problems are mine as well.
Draco looked suddenly embarrassed. You're my best friend, Torey, really…but believe me, it's better if you stay out of this. I'm serious.
How can I be your friend and stay out of this? Friends don't do these things , Draco! Now Victoria was really starting to lose her temper.
I know. But I have my reasons.
Suddenly Victoria realized how tired Draco was. Not physically, but mentally and emotionally tired.
Please, Torey, listen to me. I don't wanna fight with you as well.
All right, she said slowly after a moment of thinking. I'll do as you wish. But…if you ever need anything…
I can count on you. I know and I'm immensely thankful.
Suddenly he came near her and softly caressed her cheek. Victoria started. During the school year, they both had unconsciously started to avoid physical contact and now she burned under his gentle touch.
You're everything I have, Torey, Draco whispered.
The two came closer still, and maybe they would kiss, but… The imperious ring of the phone interrupted them. They broke apart quickly, as they had been caught doing something forbidden. Victoria ran to pick up the phone and Draco was left alone.
The hated, feared last day of the holiday came. The morning had been spent walking around Torino for the last time with a last visit to Piazza San Carlo. In the afternoon, there had been a small party with Veronica, Elisabetta, Lara, and Elisa. But now the party was over. Victoria was saying goodbye to her friends. Draco was alone in the garden and watched sadly the table covered with plastic plates and glasses, more or less empty, cards and games piled under a tree, and swags and banners that Elisabetta and Veronica had hung from the linden to the magnolia. The sun was slowly setting. The boy let out a sigh. Victoria laid a hand on his shoulder, then she went to fuss over the stereo, now silent, that had been working for the whole afternoon, filling the garden with music. Suddenly the music started again. The stereo played a song from the '70s quite cheerful in spite of its lyrics that told the story of a final goodbye.
…Why did things turn out so bad?
Was it just a dream, everything we did, everything we had?
Draco rose to his feet and approached Victoria, holding her in his arms. They started dancing in the twilight.
Baby, give me one more
Dance while the music still goes on
Don't think about tomorrow
Dance and forget our time is gone
Tonight's a night we borrow.
Let's make it a memory, a night of our own
A thing to remember when we're all alone
So dance, it's our way to say goodbye
Yes, all we have to do is
Dance while the music still goes on
This is no time for crying
Dance, don't you hear them play our song
God knows that we've been trying
But we didn't make it 'cause nothing's the same
We just couldn't help it, nobody's to blame
So dance while the music still goes on
And let it be our last goodbye
They danced among the remains of the summer now ended, both lost in those words and in the other's eyes. Dark times were waiting for them, like clouds in the sky before a storm and they couldn't do anything to avoid it. They could only dance.
Yet it seems to make me sad.
Why did things turn out so bad?
Was is it just a dream, everything we did, everything we had?
Those days in Torino had been the happiest of their lives, but now they were over, they had passed away soon like a dream. Next day they were going to come back fighting and it was unavoidable.
Baby, give me one last
Dance while the music still goes on
Just like the night I met you
Dance and believe me, when you're gone
You know I won't forget you
Our love was a snowbird, it's flying away
You tell me it's over, what more can I say?
So dance while the music still goes on
It's gonna be our last goodbye
Dance while the music still goes on
Don't think about tomorrow
Dance and forget our time is gone
Tonight's a night we borrow.
Let's make it a memory, a night of our own
A thing to remember when we're all alone
So dance while the music still goes on
And let it be our last goodbye
Victoria had never told anyone, not even her friends, but she had wished that that day wouldn't come, that the summer wouldn't end, that she and Draco could stay in Torino forever. Maybe it was the song, maybe the desolation of the end of the summer, but she feared it was some kind of goodbye.
Dance while the music still goes on
This is no time for crying
Dance, don't you hear them play our song
God knows that we've been trying…
Dance while the music still goes on
Just like the night I met you…
The music started to fade. Draco and Victoria broke apart, standing face to face for some seconds. Then the boy bowed quickly and grazed her forehead with his lips. When he stepped back, Victoria saw a shadow in his eyes, like a regret. Of what sort, she couldn't understand. The next song started, but Victoria turned the stereo off. She didn't want to hear it. She heard Draco's footsteps on the steps and the door closing. She raised her eyes, watching the sun disappearing behind the hills as in her head echoed the last verses of the song.
"…Dance and believe me, when you're gone
You know I won't forget you"
Draco had kissed her right when those words had been sung. They were marked in her memory. They almost sounded like a promise. She recovered and came back inside. She had to pack her things. The garden was empty.