Chapter 19

            Harry smiled at Valerie who was beside him and clinging to his arm. Valerie was talking with some other co-workers while he looked around for Ron or Ginny. So far, it had been twenty minutes and still there was no sign of neither of them.

            Ron circled the party grounds, looking for his sister. He had arrived twenty minutes ago and hasn't seen Harry or Valerie. Actually, he didn't bother looking for them in the first place; he had wanted to look for his sister first. Now that he was lost in the crowd, he was starting to wish that he should have gone to Harry first.

            From outside the Ministry of Magic, a sleek black car pulled up. Out stepped a man with blond hair, almost to the brink of being white. His eyes were of a summer blue sky. He opened the door and helped a young lady out. She smiled, her eyes glowing like embers in the night. The man brushed her silky auburn tresses gently as he offered his arm to her. She hooked her own arm around his and together they walked up the grand steps to the ministry.

            The people who had witnessed the arrival of the couple started whispering among themselves. The man was Draco Malfoy, a respected man and one of the most loyal clients of the Ministry. Not only was he a client but also a reliable source of information to the ministry. The beautiful woman with him was the daughter of the Head of Muggle Creations or Artifacts. She was somewhat under him in a sub-branch, she was in Muggle Activities. A few days ago, she had helped Mr. Malfoy in a very important business or reclaiming the old Malfoy Estate built a long time ago. She was intelligent and a lot of people loved her charisma and loved the way she was around other people. People called her Ginny, because she refused to be called by her first name: Virginia. She was Virginia Weasley.

            But why would a Malfoy be seen with a Weasley? Almost everyone knew that a Malfoy would avoid a Weasley or any lower class wizarding family except if it were a dire cause. But this was not a dire situation. What could possibly happen between these two different people? It seemed unnatural. Maybe it was just because it was hard to break old habits or traditions. But society changes, the society changed right after the war. Old ties may break and new ones have been or will be made.

            The music could be heard from the next street loud and clear, it was even louder when you step out of your car. The music didn't bother Draco and Ginny. Maybe it was because they grew up to this kind of environment. Not the party environment but the musical atmosphere. Only Draco would have been used to these social gatherings.

            People turned to stare at the two as they made their way to the reception hall where not much people were. Most of the others were in the Grand Ball Room dancing, talking or eating. Draco wanted to be alone for a while without anyone disturbing him. Ginny guessed that he must probably be in the same stage he was a few days ago. She didn't really mind. She didn't like social gatherings much herself. She didn't really know what to do in times like these. Sure she had lots of friends and had good conversational skills and enjoyed their company, but she felt that it was all a show. She didn't really like it and just had to adhere to it because it would reflect badly on her and her parents.

            Last year, they had asked her to perform in front of everyone. It was embarrassing. She couldn't refuse because it would be disrespectful to the Head of the Ministry. She wondered if they'd ask her to do it again. If she had to do it again, she guessed that she wouldn't mind because maybe they'd ask Draco to play with her too. She really hoped that Draco would play with her it would seem less intimidating with him there. She didn't have the case of stage fright, but she just hated playing for other people's enjoyment. She felt that if she should play, she play for herself and they people she truly loved. She wasn't meant to be an entertainer. It was degrading to her.

            *                                                           *                                                           *

            Harry sighed in relief as he spotted Ron coming through the open doors to the ballroom. He nudged Valerie indicating that Ron was already here.

            "Where have you been?" Harry demanded as Ron stopped before them.

            Ron braced his hands on his knees as he caught his breath before speaking. "I've been here probably the same time that you were here, I just didn't look for you first because I wanted to see if my sister was around."

            "Actually, we haven't seen her yet," Valerie informed him. "We've been here the whole time waiting for either of you to come." She made a face at Ron. "You sure took a while!"

            Ron stuck his tongue out at her. Harry smiled, thinking that his friend still acted the way he was when he was still in Hogwarts. Harry sighed and glanced at Valerie. He was happy that she was with him tonight, though he somewhat felt confused about the whole thing.

            He loved Ginny and still does, but when he met Valerie, it seemed like his feelings for Ginny had been bestowed upon Valerie. He felt weird when he thought about it. He had confessed to her and he was doing this. Why? Was it because he found Valerie beautiful and engaging? But Ginny was also like that. So what makes Valerie different? He didn't know, he just felt that there was this link between them that kept them close to each other. He hadn't felt that with Ginny, not once. It was like a cold fire that stuck at his soul constantly when he saw her. It didn't feel good nor did it feel bad, it was just like an irrepressible nagging. He wasn't annoyed with it, just unsure.

            He still loved Ginny and nothing could change that.

            Did he love Valerie? It seemed to soon…

            Draco smiles softly at Ginny. "You go on ahead, I'll catch up to you, I need to rest and think for a while."

            Ginny frowned slightly. "Are you tired?"

            Draco shook his head. He waved at his hand at her, shooing her away.

            Ginny sighed as she made for the door. "Alright, but promise me that you'll tell me what's bothering you once this whole night is over." She waited for his answer.

            Draco nodded. "I promise."

            Ginny smiled at him before leaving him for the world of dancing and wine.

            Draco locked his fingers together lightly, looking at them thoughtfully before unlocking them. He took in a deep breath.

            Something didn't feel right here. It wasn't ominous, but it bothered him. He could sense it somewhere in this place. He needed to think. What could it possibly be? Whatever it was, he should be on his guard. He knew he shouldn't have let Ginny alone in there, but he needed to gather his thoughts before he followed her. The unknown presence in this place reminded him of something. He had to protect Ginny from whatever it was, he didn't know if it was good or bad, but he just didn't want her around it.

            He promised to tell her after tonight. He was really going to tell her everything that happened before. He couldn't believe it. Why did he say that? He couldn't go back on his word; a Malfoy would never go back on his word. He could make something up, but that would still be breaking a promise. He didn't have a way out.

            He did want her to know, but he was just uncertain…unsure. He didn't know if she would understand. He didn't know how she would react to his past. All he cared about at the moment was for her to accept him, for who he was, right or wrong, it wouldn't matter. He was sorry for all the things he did to her and her friends back in Hogwarts. He acted that way because of the past that scarred him. His first year up to his fourth year of being a prat had nothing to do with his past; he simply acted that way because it was expected of him to do so. People had so many connotations of what other people are or might be and his father though that it was just right to make the people see what they were thinking of.

            He didn't really have a choice. He was constantly watched and anything he did wrong was reported to his father. When he went home during the breaks, his father would give him long sermons and would punish him for the entire break. He had to do what he was told.

            The only time he started rebelling against his father was during the time he was betrayed. Betrayed at the age of fifteen in the fifth year of his learning. He had decided that it was already enough, not only was it enough but also he couldn't allow his father to keep using and ordering him around. He also couldn't accept that they had used his love against him.

            That was the hardest pain to bear. It was hard to forget too.

            Now that his memories were resurfacing he was trying to shut them out again. It took him some effort to be rid of that memory. It didn't take that long because he had his hatred to charge him. But now that he didn't hate anything, it would be hard.

            Not unless the opposite of hate would help him. He had the key with him here and he was afraid to lose that key. She was his key. He wouldn't know what to do if she disappeared or something bad happened to her.

            Then what are you doing here? If you don't want to lose her then you better go find her now!

            Draco smiled grimly as he stood up. He checked himself in the mirror before heading out to find her.

            *                                                           *                                                           *

            Valerie had wanted to take a break from all the people. She told Harry that she was getting bored and suffocated in the ballroom. Maybe some time in the gardens would just be the perfect remedy to her aching ears and head. Harry was happy to oblige her, frankly, he was feeling the same way and had wanted to go out earlier but he didn't say so because she might've wanted to stay longer.

            Ron told Harry before he left that he would be going around to see if his sister was around yet. It had been around ten to fifteen minutes past since he had found Harry. Harry told him that they'd be in the garden in case he got tired of looking.

            Ron was searching the hallways and other rooms and still couldn't find a trace of her. Maybe she was in the crowd? But then he knew that he could pick her out from the tightest and most crowded place on earth, he would've seen her already.

            He rounded a corner and heard the Head of the Ministry talking to someone.

            "How long have you been here?"

            "Not too long, I must've arrived some minutes ago." Was the reply.

            "Ah, I see. Would you mind gracing us with your talent as you did last year?"

            Ron smirked. Aha! So he found his sister. They wanted her to play again. He knew she hated it but only did it because she couldn't say no. Honestly! "Ginny! I've been looking all over for you!" he stepped out from where he was hiding.

            Ginny glared at him. "Were you spying on me? How long have you been there?" she demanded as she put her hands on her hips.

            "Not long, long enough to hear that you might be playing again." He grinned wickedly. "Good luck."

            Ginny stuck her tongue at him. "Ron, go somewhere else to be an ass."

            The Head of Ministry laughed uproariously. "Siblings," he shook his head. "Either way, you will grace us with your performance?" he raised his eyebrows at her.

            She sighed because she knew that she had no choice. "You can expect me to be there."

            The Head of Ministry nodded with approval and left the siblings to continue bickering.

            Ron continued to grin that annoying grin of his. "Well, what have you been up to besides trying to get out of playing?"

            Ginny crossed her eyes at him.

            "You do know that you look awful that way," Ron commented as he laughed at her. "Do it more often and it will stick that way."

            "So I'll get a mediwitch then." Ginny shrugged. She stared off into the distance where the Head of Ministry walked down. "I hate this."

            Ron smiled sympathetically. "As much as I love to see you suffer, I'll admit that I would want to perform in front of all those people"

            Ginny returned his smile, grateful for the comfort. "Well, I guess I better go get ready," at the back of her head she was thinking of finding Draco and getting her to play with her.

            *                                                           *                                                           *

            Actually, she didn't need to find Draco because the Head of Ministry had already gotten to him first and had asked him to do a duet with her. Draco glanced at her and nodded. She motioned for him to follow her.

            "Alright, what do you want to play now?" she asked him in a secluded place. She was afraid that her brother or Harry would spot her talking with Draco.

            Draco shrugged. "Whatever you feel like playing. I practically know everything you know."

            Ginny rolled her eyes. Honestly, can't he get any more egotistical? "Alright, how about Mozart? We played Beethoven before, it just seems fair that we do one of your favorites."

            Draco considered the idea. "Alright, we'll do the Turkish March."

            Ginny grinned. Somehow she knew he would pick that particular piece. The Turkish March was a favorite of people around the world. It was lively and had a series of notes that made your body tingle, making you want to dance with it.

            There was a distinct difference with the composers and pieces that they chose to play. While Beethoven was a romantic and very commanding, the Moonlight Sonata was lulling and enigmatic. Mozart's music was described to be for the angels. Mozart was always light and had out his life into his pieces. There was a theory that if you listened to his pieced before you take a test, you would get high marks.

            "Alright, now there is the fact that my brother and Harry is out there, what do we do?" Ginny informed him, a frown creasing her brow.

            "We act the same way as if we still hate each other." Draco replied. "We don't need to tell them what's going on, do we?" he stared into her eyes.

            She shook her head. "But they'll be suspicious"

            "Simply tell them that we were tasked to do it." Draco said. "They both know I hate to do these things too and they'll take delight in my suffering."

            Ginny had to put a hand to her mouth to hide a smile.

            Draco smiled ruefully. "I better let you go ahead and I'll make a grand entrance after you." He kissed her on both cheeks before letting her go.

            Thunderous clapping rang in her ears as she felt the light on her. Everything grew dim as she made her way to the piano. The guests had opened a space for her to pass through and whispered excitedly among themselves. The Head of Ministry awaited her by the piano.

            "Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to present our very own Virginia Weasley!"

            Everyone applauded as Ginny plastered a smile on her face and took a bow.

            "In addition to the performance, I'd like to present Draco Malfoy to play the duet with her!"

            Everyone started to applaud again as Draco appeared in the ballroom and sauntered lazily to the piano. He took a place to her far right and didn't look at her.

            Ron's jaw dropped open as he heard Malfoy's name. He was going to be playing a duet with his sister? Harry had the same reaction as Ron as he watched Malfoy stay away from Ginny as if she were a disease.

            "Did you know Malfoy could play?" Ron hissed into Harry's ear as wrung his hands.

            Harry shook his head. "I didn't until now. I guess if you're that rich you might as well have learned an instrument or so."

            Ron narrowed his eyes as they he watched Malfoy take a violin from one of the band players in the ballroom.

            Ginny was already sitting on the piano bench, her hands poised and ready to play.

            They both could see that she was ignoring Malfoy. They wondered if the Head of Ministry had something to do with this.

            They both crossed their arms over their chests as the two struck their first notes.

            It was there, the strange presence settling over the two as they played the Turkish March. Once again they were lost in the music. They felt their minds connect as they played the piece.

            From the shadows, a pair eyes narrowed into slits as the person watched the two play.

            He was here, alive and breathing.

            The person glanced at the woman at the piano and felt hatred rush through her veins.

            The music mocked the soul as the person continued to watch.

            *                                                           *                                                           *

            Applause rang throughout the ballroom as the two finished their piece. Ginny stood up from her seat and bowed. Draco did the same except that his bow was only slight. He stoically gave the violin back to the owner and stalked out of the room.

            Ginny smiled to herself as the Head of Ministry took her hand and began to shake it. He kissed it before letting her go to mingle with the crowd.

            Ginny was supposed to go to Draco but Harry and Ron got to her before she had the chance. They brought her to a corner and began asking her questions if she knew this was going to happen. She told them that she knew she was going to play but she didn't know she was going to play with Malfoy. She made a face when she told them that she had to discuss with Malfoy what piece they were going to play.

            "Actually, he was very arrogant when he said that he could play any piece I knew and much better!" she told them as she drank from her glass.

            Ron growled. "I'll kill him, just wait till I get my hands on him!"

            Harry sighed and said nothing further as he continued to listen Ginny talk.

            Ginny told them that she had to go to the ladies room to freshen up. She also told them not to wait for her because she wont be coming back to the ballroom. She needed to get away from the crowd.

            Harry and Ron kissed her on the cheek, congratulating her one last time before she disappeared.

            Draco stared at his hands as he sat down in the garden. No one was with him and the breeze felt good on his face.

            His favorite piece was the Turkish March in contrast with Ginny's Moonlight Sonata. They were different in some ways. But nevertheless, he liked her…like or love? If he used like, it seemed to light, if he used love, it was too much. He didn't have the appropriate term for it.

            He faced the sky, staring at the stars and watched clouds move overhead.

            It was a good night despite the fact that Potter and her brother were here. He didn't like the fact that people stared at him when he came in Ginny earlier ago. They acted as if it was unnatural. Draco was vexed at what was happening and wanted to shout at everyone to leave him and Ginny alone. It was none of their business that they were seen together. He wondered if those people who have seen him with Ginny started spreading rumors?

            He'd probably see it in the press tomorrow. He'd have to devise some way to stop them from printing the article. He hadn't thought about the consequences of showing up with Ginny. He felt angry at himself for forgetting about what might happen if a Malfoy was seen with a Weasley in a social gathering.

            He'd have to stay up tonight and go to the press to stop them from printing. He knew that there were already some reporters here in the party. He'd have to get all of them and convince them not to bring it to the press. If they refused to follow, he'd have to get to the core of the problem. He'd have to go the Daily Prophet and talk to the head himself. He could threaten them. Of course, they'd ask him for an explanation.

            I can say that I had no choice and someone put me up to it. That wont work, they'd want to know who that someone is. I can say that he chose to remain anonymous. If that doesn't work then I'd have to resort to bribery. I hate giving money to idiots! If that's the only way to quiet them up then I'd have to do it.

           

            Ginny was done in the ladies room and began her search for Draco. Knowing him, he'd avoid the crowds just like her. So he'd probably be in the library of the Ministry or the gardens. But she knew looking in the library was futile because most of the old people there were discussing theories and such. Then it must be the gardens. But, there were also a lot of people in the gardens and she hated to be spotted. Draco would have chosen a secluded spot in the garden to be away from everyone else.

            The only problem was, she'd have to pass by the ballroom to get to the gardens. Passing through the ballroom would mean being seen by Harry or Ron. She wouldn't want that to happen. They'd probably keep talking to her to delay finding Draco or worse, they might keep her with them for the entire night.

            By the way, she hasn't seen Valerie all night either. She knew that Valerie was supposed to be with Harry. She also wondered if Valerie was able to make the impression that she wanted. She certainly hoped so or else they'd have to go through the same shopping trip for the next annual party.

            Sure she liked shopping as any girl did but she didn't like it enough that she would rush to every sale she sees. She though that fighting the many crowds was tiring and was a waste of time.

            She decided to go outside the building and pass through the side. It was a long way but at least it will keep her safe from Harry and Ron. Passing through the side was somewhat quicker to the more secluded parts of the garden, though she knew that getting to just the side would take time because she'd have to make sure that no one saw her. She wished she had Harry's Invisibility Cloak right now so that she wouldn't have to go through all this trouble!

             She sighed and stalked off to go outside the building.

            *                                                           *                                                           *

            Draco wondered why Ginny was taking such a long time to find him. Surely she would have already realized that he wasn't anywhere else except here. Then a thought came to his head.

            Of course, there was the matter of her brother and Potter, she'd have to be careful around them and find another way to get to him.

            He'd give her another five to ten minutes to appear by his side.

            *                                                           *                                                           *

            Perfect.

            Just where I want him to be.

            I doubt that he'll remember me, if he does, it would be very ague, but it won't matter because this is only the beginning.

            *                                                           *                                                           *

            Draco looked up from the rose he was holding in his hand. He heard footsteps on the grass to his left.

            His breath hitched as he saw the woman before him.

            She looked very familiar, a woman that haunted him from the past. Though it couldn't be her because she was already dead.

            This woman looked like a reincarnation of the woman of the past.

            He couldn't speak, he couldn't breathe as the woman continued to stare at him, stare at his soul, rendering him speechless and spellbound.

            He hated this feeling.

            The presence he had felt earlier, that presence was this woman. He hated the fact that he didn't know her identity although she looked very familiar. He hated it that she reminded him of so much of the past.

            *                                                           *                                                           *

            Ginny cursed under her breath as she finally untangle herself from a bunch of trees, which served as her last obstacle to getting to where she wanted to go. She brushed herself off and proceeded to find him.

            She then saw Draco and a woman in front of him. They weren't talking and Draco looked like stone. The woman's back was to her but somehow Ginny thought the woman looked familiar.

            She edged closer and saw that Draco didn't notice her approach.

            She frowned. Just what was happening here anyway?

            She came beside the woman and glanced at Draco before looking at the woman.

            Ginny gasped as she realized that the woman beside her was Valerie!

            "Valerie! I've been looking all over for you! I thought you were with Harry?"

            Valerie looked at her, her eyes dark at first then reverted back to their usual cheerfulness. "I came in with Harry, we were one of the earliest to arrive. Your brother arrived the same time as us but he didn't bother to look for us first."

            Ginny shook her head. "Well, you know, Ron is like that." She then glanced back at Draco.

            How do they know each other? Was what Draco and Ginny were thinking.

            Valerie then took Ginny's hand and squeezed, "Is Harry still there?"

            Ginny nodded. "Ron's with him. Harry is waiting for you to come back."

            Valerie nodded. "Alright, I guess I should be heading back now."

            Harry and Ron found the girls in front of a bench when they ventured into the garden. They walked towards them and quickened their pace as they saw Malfoy with them.

            "Ginny! So here you are! You shouldn't be meddling with him!" Ron grabbed her back and held her by his side.

            Harry took Valerie in a more gentle fashion as they glared down at Malfoy.

            "Just what were you doing here?" Ron demanded Ginny.

            "Uh-I was looking for Valerie since I haven't seen her the entire night."

            "What were you doing here then?" Harry asked Valerie.

            "I wanted to talk to Mr. Malfoy about his exceptional performance." She answered him. "What's wrong with that?"

            Harry shook his head. "This guy's bad news."
            Ron agreed with his best friend. "Trust me, you don't want to be around this guy, he'll just pull the bag over your eyes."

            Ginny and Valerie looked at each other and shrugged.

            Draco felt annoyed that the two came in and started talking to the girls as if he wasn't there.

            But somehow, he felt glad to be away from the tension from the earlier moment with the new girl.

            What did they say her name was?  Valerie? Valerie what?

            The couples walked away from him. He heard Potter saying: "Valerie Dainne Cloephyst! You had me worried! Done ever do that again!"

            Valerie was protesting against Harry's admonishing and grip on her arm as they moved farther away from him.

            Valerie Dainne Cloephyst…why does it sound so familiar even if I haven't heard of the girl or met her? Such a beautiful name.

            Ginny turned around to send a quick apologetic look to Draco.

            Draco just nodded in understanding and turned away.

            Ron asked why she turned back to look at him. Fortunately, he was watching Harry and Valerie that he didn't see the type of look Ginny sent to Draco.

            "I wanted to glare at him for being so arrogant!" Ginny said waspishly. She then realized that she wasn't able to talk to Draco about his promise to her…

            *                                                           *                                                           *

            Valerie Dainne Cloephyst…