Chapter 17

            Two hearts beating as one…

            Shutting out the rest of the world

            It's true that ignorance is bliss…

           

            So! I see that you're here again. It's not entirely surprising as I might add…Apollo's voice boomed merrily throughout the realm. It seems that you have gotten yourselves into a fix…though at the moment I don't know which one is to blame…not that I really care. He added cheerfully.

            He narrowed his eyes as the voice before he spoke defiantly. It isn't my fault that these memories had to start reappearing! I don't even know what to do with myself anymore! Both reality and here! In reality I can't decide what to do. Here I don't know how I'm going to be able to explain to her…

            Explain to me what? She demanded as she arrived into the scene. Hello Apollo. What is he ranting on about now?

            I don't know, why don't you ask him yourself. He chuckled.

            She turned to face her Soulmate. Well, I'm waiting for an answer.

            He cursed mentally before telling her. Obviously you can tell that there's something going one between the two of us in reality? Right. It's my fault because I should've told you earlier that…

            Should've told me what?

            He told her everything, his past, all the memories of before, what has been happening inside his brain at the moment and what kind of turmoil his experiencing. He was tired by the time he had told her everything…everything.

            She was flabbergasted. She never expected this come from him. When she looked at him now, he was helpless and all alone. She reached over and took his hand in hers and hugged him. It's all right, I wont hold I against you. But why didn't you tell me sooner?

            I wasn't sure that you'd understand.

            Well, there you have it! It wasn't so bad. Apollo spoke up. Now that both of you know what you're dealing with, you might as well sort things out. I think your realities are really close to finding out what is really happening when you get closer each day. It would be harder for your realities to work it out if you don't at least get to a decision here.

            What's there to work out? She wanted to know. I'm perfectly fine with it.

            We have to work out my reality's feelings. I don't think it's going to be easy when my reality will explain to yours. A frustrated sigh escaped his lips. Knowing that my reality isn't exactly easy to cope with it's just going to take a lot of time and effort. I'll have to fight him so I could make things easier to understand.

            I guess I'll have to fight mine too. She agreed. Apollo, are there rules about this whole thing?

            Yes, there is, now that you mention it. Apollo sounded thoughtful.

            Oh great! Rules! Why did you have to do that? He threw his hands up.

            We might get into trouble, you know! I don't want to lose everything. She shot back.

            Now, now, let's not get hasty. There are rules, but they are very simple to follow. If you're going to manipulate your reality, you can't do it all the time because it might cause complications. Sometimes their feelings and thoughts change. Secondly, you mustn't make it known directly to them about the Soulmate Realm. It's a rule that they must figure it out by themselves, the only way that could happen is if you two keep coming back here which would prompt them to talk about it more often. Apollo explained to them as if they were children. I trust that you two can follow these instructions? There are consequences you know.

            The two were silent.

            Well, I'm glad we had this little chat. I'll be on my way now. Apollo said jovially and disappeared.

            The two looked at each other.

            You heard him!  There are rules! Who knows what kind of consequences we might have to face if we mess up? Probably we'll never get to see each other again… She told him as she began pacing the realm.

            Yes I know. You don't need to tell me anymore. So what do we do now? We can't use direct means. We have to get them closer to each other as possible! Everyday, every moment if we have to! It's the only way! He sounded like he was making a speech. By the way, I won't let us be apart. I don't think I could handle it. His voice softened. I would never want to lose you. Another tragedy like before…I just hope I won't have to go through it again.

            You wont, I promise you; you wont have to if we work things out. If somehow we grow distant in reality, we'll always find a way back to each other because we're Soulmates. She promised him, determination in her voice. You heard what Apollo said. We're destined to be Soulmates, throughout time; we'll always find each other and be together once again.

            You're right. Was all he said as he relaxed against her. I guess the only thing to do now is to wake them up, don't you think?

            I guess…

            Soulmates throughout time…

            Incessant and bondless…

            Silver and gold as one…

            *                                                           *                                                           *

            A steady heartbeat woke him up from his sleep. At the moment he couldn't tell where he was. He had that feeling again that he came from darkness…if he could recall, the darkness thing overwhelmed him thrice, including now. Was it starting to be a regular thing already?

            Where was he anyway? His memory from last night was somewhat hazy. He lifted his head to find himself staring into Ginny's face. He held back a gasp as he hurried over his memories of last night.

            All right, so he was feeling bad in his own house and needed some company. He had walked in the rain for some time before he found himself standing outside her house. That was when she caught sight of him from her window and brought him inside. She had discarded him from all of his clothing except for his remaining undergarments. A bath was prepared for him. For a while she was gone but she came back quickly attending to his needs.

            He could recall her holding him like a child, consoling him from whatever he was running away from. She was there for him even though she didn't know what was plaguing him. She was reading a book. He was sleepy and had fallen asleep with an arm around her and his head on her chest, her heartbeat comforting to his ears. What he remembered most was the way her hand had stroked his hair.

            It was so comforting.

            His eyes roamed her face and fell to her hand, the hand that tired itself out for his sake. He took her hand in his and caressed it lovingly. He brought it to his lips and laid a loving kiss on her palm.

            Her eyes fluttered open at his kiss. For a moment they stared into each other's eyes.

            "Good Morning," she whispered, smiling faintly before slowly getting up.

            "Good Morning," he responded just as softly, never letting go of her hand.

            "Did you sleep well?"

            "Thanks to you,"

            "I'll go prepare breakfast and get your clothes from the dryer, you can freshen up for the moment." Ginny began to get out of bed to start the day when Draco's grip on her stopped her.

"What is it?" she asked gently. "Do you need anything?"

            He shook his head before reluctantly letting go of her hand.

            She smiled at him before leaving the room.

            Ginny pulled out his clothes from the dryer and laid them on the ironing stand. She quickly pulled her hair into a bun before she began fixing up breakfast for two.

            What had happened last night seemed so…so…she didn't know how to describe it. It was like a dream yet she knew it was real because she had awoken to Draco staring at her. She could recall only to vividly what had happened last night. He was just like a child. She felt her heart going out to him. She knew that she might be able to help him if only he opened up to her, but she didn't know when he would do that. She hoped that he would realize that the sooner he confided in her, the sooner he could be free of whatever was ailing him.

            She was halfway done with her cooking when she felt someone watching her. "If you're hungry then you might as well sit down." She smiled to herself as she continued what she was doing.

            She heard a shuffle of feet, a pull of a chair and a plump on the seat.

            When she was done,

            She laid out a full-course breakfast for her guest and herself. She helped herself to a serving of pancakes, eggs, bacon and juice. She began eating and noticed that her guest hasn't touched his food yet. "What's wrong?" she swallowed her food before speaking.

            He didn't move.

            She sighed to herself. He was still acting strangely. Frankly, she was kind of getting tired of this. She knew that she was supposed to help him somehow but this was getting ridiculous! "Do you want me to serve you?"

            That did it. He began piling his plate up with food.

            She was glad that she made extras because Draco seemed to have a huge appetite this morning. From experience, she knew that if you're feeling sad or anything negative, eating a lot was one way to relieve yourself from the pain

            She nodded approvingly before she set out to devour her own meal.

            When the meal was over, she still had some work to do before she actually took a bath. She felt sorry for Draco because he wouldn't be able to take his bath without his clothes. So Ginny had to rush her ironing to tend to Draco's needs. After handing over his newly pressed clothes, she began doing the dishes and drying them before she actually went up to wait for Draco to finish in the bathroom.

            It was really strange that the he was so quiet. She usually saw him as someone who can't keep his mouth shut for just one moment. The words that usually came out of that devious little mouth were either snide remarks or something that you would never hear him saying. 

            She heard the shower stop. She went to her closet and pulled out casual clothes. It was Saturday and they weren't required to go to work…except for poor Harry and her brother. She wondered if Valerie had to go to work too. She picked out a jumper and a loose long sleeved shirt and her undergarments. By the time she closed her closet, Draco was dressed and looking at himself in the mirror.

            "Here's a comb, do whatever you like just as long you don't mess up anything and that you don't pry into my personal things" she put a comb in his hand and went into the bathroom to take her own shower.

            Draco ran the comb thoughtfully through his hair while thinking about Ginny. She has done a lot for him and it wouldn't hurt if he told her. Maybe she could help him. If she didn't, it as worth trying and he could always swear her to secrecy or use the "obliviate" charm on her.

            When he had finished with his hair, he put the comb back on the dresser and felt intrigued by the quaint containers she had there. Gingerly, he opened a delicate looking box. A soothing lullaby filled the air as he ran his fingers over the simple jewelry she had. Come to think of it, he never saw her wear jewelry. What she had were rather simple but elegant. She had just enough to suit her needs and he wondered whether it would be appropriate to present her something more exquisite.

            He began looking around her room. Her room was in Gryffindor colors, just like his room was in Slytherin colors. Funny how it's hard to break tradition. Her bed was queen size and she had around five pillows to keep her comfortable. He didn't want to look in her closet because that would be abusive to her privacy. Instead, he made himself busy by going out of her room and taking a closer look at the interior of her home.

            He had been here, some time ago, but he never really got the chance to roam around. Now, he found himself in one of the back rooms, rather dark and he could tell it was huge. He ran his hand on the wall, trying to find the switch so that he could see what this room contained. He found it and with a simple flick of his finger the light came on.

            His eyes widened at what lay before him. He never would've guessed to what she had lying hidden here. He allowed a small smile on his lips before moving forward into the room. The room was carpeted with a black carpet and some closets, bookcases and drawers lined the walls. Huge windows were set up against one wall, covered by a heavy black curtain. He gripped the cord that would pull the curtains apart and moved it to one side to let more light in.

            "Oh, so this is where you've been." She said cheerfully as she came up beside him. "I see you've infiltrated my secret lair. Quite shocking, isn't it?"  She sat down in one of the sofas that adorned the room.

            "How long have you been doing this?" he asked her as he continued to take in his surroundings.

            "Ever since my parents thought that it would be rather nice for their only daughter to learn how to do refined things. They thought that living with my brothers would make me a tomboy, so they quickly decided to make me learn these." Ginny gestured around the room with both hands.

            "Does anyone else know?"

            "Well, aside from my brothers, yes. Harry and Hermione, but they never took an interest in it. Hermione was at least supportive about the whole thing, though I doubt that she knew anything about it." Ginny said thoughtfully. "I brought one or two of these treasure to Hogwarts, but I never really found someone who could actually share my interest."

            Draco wanted to tell her that she should've came looking for him. But then, he was always torturing her in Hogwarts, so he couldn't really say what he wanted to say to her.

            Ginny ran a hand lovingly over the keys of her Grand Piano. It was made of ebony and still had quality sound. Besides from playing the piano, she played the violin, the cello and the flute. People often wondered how she could've learned all these and mastered them in such a short time. Obviously, the key word there was practice…and constant vigilance. She had gone from simple pieces to contemporary to the wondrous classics of age. Her favorite composer was Ludwig Van Beethoven, he was a genius and his music connected with her.

            "Why are you so quiet again? Does it surprise you that I play?" she grinned. Then she added playfully. "Or does it shock you that my parents had enough money to let me learn all these?"

            Draco nodded and shook his head, which made Ginny laugh. "Would you mind playing for me?"
            Ginny smiled. "I don't know, I haven't played for a while…"

            Draco went over to the side and pulled out the violin case, resting on its stand. He flipped open the case and took out a lovely Stradivarius. He knew that the Stradivarius kind was the rarest and most beautiful violins that were ever made. How she had attained this, he didn't know how. He picked up the bow and felt it meld into his touch just as his own wand did. He positioned the chin rest under his chin and closed his eyes as he touched the bow to the lower string and brought it down smoothly, a clear and precise note singing in the air.

            Ginny stared at Draco. He was positioned against the rays of the sun and just looking at him was blinding her vision. The sun was lining his hair, making it all the more pale. Who would have ever guessed that he shared the same interests as she did? She could've asked him to play with her back in Hogwarts, but they were enemies then.

            Draco smoothly brought the string up and down the strings of the violin, his fingers nimble in moving so that each note resounded with clarity as he played the scales. Each note grew higher and higher until he suspended the final note. He opened his eyes when he finished and walked over to her carrying the violin and bow in his hands.

            "Why don't we take a walk first? I'm sure that it would be better for us to get out first before we actually start playing. Besides, I'm not sure if I remember how to play." She laughed nervously. She didn't know why she was acting so nervous. Maybe it was because she didn't want to show him how she played. Maybe she wasn't good enough for him. If they were going to do a duet, she might mess up.

            Plus, whenever she played, she always lost herself in the music. Sometimes, strange things happen when she played. It's like darkness overwhelmed her when she played, but the darkness that took over her was welcoming. She trusted it. It was sort of like the darkness she was experiencing just a few days ago and last night. Last night's darkness seemed to be clearer than the last two…

            As if on cue, the rain started to come down.

            "I guess, we wont be able to go out then," Draco said softly. The way he said it sent shivers through her body. "Pick a piece, "

            Ginny took a deep breath. Her favorite piece was the Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven. It was mystical and soothing, eerie yet beautiful. It spoke of so many things when he had written and played it.  She placed her fingers on the keys and quickly did the scales on the piano. From the lower keys, moving on to the higher keys. From decrescendo to crescendo. She felt adrenaline pumping through her body as her fingers moves swiftly throughout the keys; each note was played well without a mix up.

            Draco stared at her fingers moving across the keyboard. Somehow the sheer movement enthralled him. Her fingers were pale like the keys and seemed to melt with them as the moved along. When she finished, her hands remained where they were and she lifted them off gracefully.

            "Alright, I'm ready." Was all she said before she told him the piece. "Moonlight Sonata"

She set her hands into position as he set the violin under his chin and bow scant inches form the strings.

            They breathed both at the same time before Ginny stuck the first note. She felt her body move with the music and she heard Draco play his part on the violin. The violin sang its sad part as she played the hypnotic melody. The violin cried its despair as she played, the climax of the piece nearing and nearing.

            They could feel it both. Something strange was settling in with them, but it was familiar to them both. This feeling they get when they were wrapped in their music usually came to them when the piece they were playing captured them in its core.

            Somehow, a wind filtered the room even though all windows and doors were shut. The wind played with their hair danced in the room as they continued to play.

            Through their music, they could feel each other's thoughts. It's as if the music had intertwined their minds. Notes flashed before their eyes and fire pulled at their cores.

            *                                                           *                                                           *

            When they had finished playing,

            Draco felt his heart thumping wildly in his chest as he put the violin back in its case. He ran a hand across the violin before shutting the case.

            Ginny felt exhilaration throughout her body as she covered the keys with its velvet lining and brought the cover down.

            They both felt it. There was the connection there a while ago. Somehow it was connected to the strange thing they were both experiencing days ago, but this one seemed more real and they were both conscious when they felt it.

            Ginny was still sitting down on the piano bench when Draco came over to her.

            They remained silent.

            "Great minds think alike" Draco touched a finger to her temple.

            Ginny smiled broadly as she breathed heavily. "Like yours and mine?"

            He nodded as he took away his finger.

            *                                                           *                                                           *

            That was exhausting! She gasped as she flew back and forth in the realm. Why didn't you tell me this earlier? You're a great player!

           

Thanks. I can play anything that you can play you know. I have my own room filled with instruments back at the manor. He informed her as he collapsed to the ground…if there was a ground.

            It was a great idea for us to get them to play together. The force there is almost the same as the force here anyway. She sat back down and fanned herself. I guess we helped in speeding it up a bit…

            It better work. We must've spent a lot of energy getting them to play like that again after a long time. Seriously, they wouldn't have played so well I it wasn't for us. He panted. I don't think I'll be able to do that again for some time…

            Me too! She agreed breathlessly

            I see that you've gotten straight to work. Good for you! Apollo said approvingly. And you didn't break the rules either! Very resourceful. I'm so proud of both of you!

           

            She laughed. Thank you, but it was actually his idea. I just followed him. I never would've guessed that he played like me. He could've told me sooner, though.

            Well, how would I know that you played as well? He joined in their conversation. How much longer do you think it will take our realities to figure it out? He asked Apollo. I don't think I can stand this any longer. I want to be in the open. I want our realities to fuse with us in here…that's possible, right?
           

            Is it? She echoed her lover.

            Of course it is. That's the whole purpose of this entire thing! You being the subconscious, have to prompt you stubborn realities. Once you get them to realize everything, you and your realities will fuse and you can come here anytime you want to. When you come out of this realm, you'll remember everything. That's the beauty of it.

            That's the whole beauty of it…