May 1, 2005, Moscow Russia…opening night…This is it; this was the night she had been dreaming about since she was 15 years old, and it had finally arrived. Aurora's stomach knotted with anticipation, she tried to steady her hand as she applied her makeup. Her hands always trembled when she was nervous, she hated it. What could be more inconvenient?!

"Relax…" Cooed a soothing voice.

Aurora looked up from the mirror and saw Farlan standing behind her. She took in and deep breath; he was the last person she expected to be backstage. Especially after she had just told him a few weeks ago how she had no interest in pursuing a relationship with him. He had asked her out right and she declined. She couldn't give him what he wanted, not when she had feelings for another; so, Aurora thought it best to decline and was hoping to get a clean break from him. She had zero interest in wasting his time or hers for that matter. Relationships were time consuming, and she didn't have time to play around.

Why was he even here?! Shouldn't he be licking his wounds right now? Clearly Farlan had other things in mind. If he was going to suggest that they be friends, she will decline that offer as well. It would just be an excuse to keep her close and for him to try to change her mind.

"I am relaxed." She stated bitterly, knowing full well that, that was complete bullshit, she could barely keep her hands still!

Farlan shook his head, "No you are not," he moved closer "I can see it all in your face, you look tense…you can barely hold that makeup sponge steady."

Aurora turned back to face him. "Is this what you came her for? To tell me to relax? How did you even get back here anyway?"

"No." He pulled up a stool taking a seat "and to answer your other question I told security that I was your attorney, no one ever questions an attorney."

Aurora rolled her eyes and turned to face the mirror. "What do you want?" She continued patting the white powder into her skin.

"What makes you think I want anything?"

"Stop answering my questions with questions. You had a purpose for coming here, what is it?"

Farlan paused, she was getting irritated with him, best to choose his words carefully. "…I know I mistreated you in the past…and I can't help but think that is the reason why you turned me down."

Aurora let out a slow breath, this again? He came here to ask her why she rejected him? She already told him why.

"I told you before it's water under the bridge. We were kids when that happened."

"Is there someone else?"

Her eyes hardened. She said nothing but her body language said it all.

"I see…" Farlan stood up and made his way to the door "if you ever change your mind, you know where to find me."

Aurora watched him leave through her vanity mirror. That was it? Was that all he wanted to ask? Aurora was relieved that, that was all he wanted to know. It would have been exhausting if he bombarded her with a slew of questions that she had no intention in answering. She heard the door shut and continued applying her makeup.

"What the hell was that about?" She mumbled to herself. As of late she has been in a terrible mood. She wasn't sure if it was her nerves or the weight of what she will do next after tour is over, but she had turned into a bit of recluse. She disliked being around people, she found them so irritating and too demanding lately. Even Esfir was getting on her nerves. But her old friend had the sense to give her, her space. Despite Aurora's unpleasant attitude Esfir had been silently supporting her. Small acts like leaving a plate of food out for her when she came home from recital or even bringing her an extra coffee and leaving it in the kitchen with her name on it. She really should apologize to her friend-

"Ms." There was a knock at her door.

"Yes!" She called out snapping out of her thoughts.

"10 minutes until curtain."

"I'll be right here!" Aurora put down the sponge and looked at her reflection in the mirror. She took a deep breath 'You are no longer Aurora Pontellier. You are Odette…'

She stood from her seat fully dressed in her costume, she looked at her reflection once more then exited the dressing room.

XXXX

3AM, Aurora was practically skipping down the sidewalk. Opening night had been a huge success! A bunch of her cast mates and their friends went to a local bar to celebrate, they invited her to come along. Aurora initially declined but Esfir wouldn't hear any of it and dragged her along on the promise that she would only stay an hour. 1 hour turned into 4, Aurora left but Esfir stayed behind. She didn't drink that much but enough for her to feel the effect of the alcohol she felt heavy and light at the same time and it had improved her mood. It was a beautiful night, so she deiced to walk back to the apartment. Speaking of, how much longer to the apartment? She had been walking for a while and should have reached it by now…

"Aurora?"

She stopped in her tracks and turned to look at the caller.

"You?!" It was Farlan, he was outside sitting on some steps in front of an apartment building smoking a cigarette "What are you doing in my neighborhood?"

He blew out a puff of smoke, "look around sweetheart…this isn't your neighborhood. It's mine."

…So that's why it had taken her a long time to get home, she had been wandering around the city without even realizing where she was! Damn alcohol!

Farlan stamped out the cigarette and walked over to her, he grabbed her hand and pulled her up onto the steps and into the building.

"Come on, it isn't safe for you to be wondering around this late alone."

"…but I need to get home and pack! We're leaving for Paris in two days."

"You can do that in the morning, but in good conscious I cannot allow you to wander around on your own."

"Well…take me home then."

"No, I'm tired."

"If you're tired then why were you out smoking? Shouldn't you be in bed?"

"My bother doesn't allow me to smoke inside." With a flick of his wand the door unlocked, and he let both into the building ushering her into the apartment he shared with his brother.

Aurora looked around; it had still looked the same as it had the last time she was here. It was bland and looks like it hadn't been lived in.

"Do you people even live here? This place looks like it's been completely untouched. Which is shocking since two bachelors are currently inhabiting this apartment. It should look like a Hippogriff ransacked the place. And yet not even a speck of dush can be found here!"

Farlan rolled his eyes motioned for Aurora to sit down on the couch and walked into the kitchen pulling a couple of beers out of the fridge. Placing them on the counter he flicked his wand and the caps came right off. He grabbed them once more then walked back to Aurora handing her one.

"Here. And for your information Philip is very OCD about cleanliness."

Aurora leaned forward and sniffed the roof of the bottle ignoring Farlan's words, she scrunched up her nose in disgust.

"Ugh how can you drink this?" She took a sip. "…yuck…"

Farlan shrugged and took a big gulp of his. "Why were you wandering around the city in the middle of the night?"

"…I was trying to get home…"

"Good job!" Farlan feigned enthusiasm "don't do it again. It's dangerous."

"Not my smartest move I know…" Aurora took another sip of her beer "ugh…why does it taste sour?" She lifted the bottle her lips again and took two big gulps.

"You keep complaining about the beer and yet you still drink."

"It's a sin to waste." Aurora looked ahead of her took another big gulp and made a face 'God this shit is awful!'

Farlan shrugged and continued to drink.

The pair sat on the couch together drinking beer and staring at the wall.

'Oh what the hell?! This is so awkward, why did you even insist on her coming inside?!' Farlan thought to himself. He knew why, it was because there was no way he could let her roam around the city at night alone and intoxicated. So now they are both here in his brother's apartment sitting this couch drinking beer that she claims she doesn't like and not speaking.

"Is your brother here?" Aurora asked breaking the silence.

"No…he's in Glasgow. Visiting family."

"Ah, that's nice. Why didn't you go?" She turned to look at him.

"Well…I wanted to see your show."

"Really?"

"Yes. Really. You were great and looked so beautiful."

"Thank you." Aurora nodded. "I'm happy it was a huge success." She smiled. "There is something so special in fulfilling a childhood dream."

"I'm happy for you."

"Thank you."

"Are you excited for Paris?"

"I guess." Aurora shrugged.

"You guess?"

"Yeah…my family lives in France…I haven't spoken to them in months…I just have this fear of running into them."

Thinking about running into her family made her stomach turn and chest tighten. What if her mother comes or her father or worse….what if she sees Draco when they go to New York?! The color drained from her face the moment the thought entered her head. What would she do if she saw him again? Would she try to explain herself? What would he do?! That was the real question, she hurt him not the other way around. She often thought about what she would say to him if their paths ever crossed again. 'Hey I'm so sorry I disappeared after you told me you loved me and asked me to marry you'? It sounded asinine.

"Are you okay?" Farhan's voice broke her out of her thoughts.

"hm?"

"Are you okay?"

"Oh…yes. I just hope I don't get any backstage visits for the rest of my tour."

Farlan chuckled and drank. "Noted."

Silence…

"…So…" Farlan drawled

"So…" Aurora repeated

"Why haven't you spoken to your family?"

This question irritated Aurora why was he being so nosey tonight?!

"We haven't really had the best relationship and there is a bit of a falling out between my parents and I…I don't really want to talk about it."

"I understand…what about this mystery man you rejected me for?" Farlan smirked watching Aurora's face grow red with irritation.

"Why do you want to know that?"

"Ahhh, so there really is someone else. Tell me. Who is this lucky man who has stolen your heart."

"An unlucky man who fell in love with a coward…" Aurora drank from the bottle finishing its contents "…I'll be right back I need a cigarette." She stood up and exited the apartment.

XXXX

Draco stood staring at the poster in the window of the local café. The Russian ballet was coming to town and there she was smack dab in the middle of the poster elegantly leaping into the air. So, she finally did it huh. Aurora has become a professional dancer…She looked so beautiful and elegant. Draco felt his chest tighten; he began to feel anger bubble up in his chest. So that's where she ha-

"Draco!" A voiced snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Hm? Sorry dear, what was that?" He looked down at the red head standing next to him. Willow Stanley, she was a pretty thing who spoke with a southern drawl. He had met her about a month ago. She was one of the nurses that worked in the hospital with him. Originally from the state of Louisiana, she had come to New York to continue her education, currently training as a nurse.

"I asked if you were interested in going to the ballet, you've been staring at the poster for a good minute."

"Oh-um-sure…do you want to go?"

"Yes! I love the ballet. The girl who they cast as Odette is stunning! Look at her!" She motioned toward to poster.

"…Yes…stunning…" Draco stepped forward and pulled the door to the establishment open. "Let's grab something to drink hm?"

Willow's eyes light up and she stepped inside. "When will you buy the tickets?"

"For?"

"The ballet! Are you okay?" Willow asked, "you seem out of it."

"I'm fine, just tired from my shift yesterday." Draco half lied as he pulled a chair out at a table and motioned for her to sit. "What would you like?"

"Turmeric chai latte please!"

"You got it." Draco stepped away to the counter to order their beverages.

What did he just agree to? He should have just said he had no interest in seeing the ballet. Taking his new girlfriend to see his old…friend…? What would he even call Aurora, yes, they were friends, but it felt more than that. He looked back and saw Willow smile at him and wave, a pang of guilt hit him. How can he date her when he clearly still had feelings for another?

Dealing with the loss of Aurora, he turned to alcohol and women to numb the pain. He loved and hated her at the same time. Thinking maybe if he busied himself with vices, he would forget about her. His escapades were short lived though. It was beginning to affect his work; he had a goal to become a healer and being drunk all the time was a sure way to get him kicked out of the program. Also, a stern lecture from his mother helped him sober up, he couldn't bear to disappoint her, not after what he had put her through when he was younger. So, he promised her he would sober up and get his act together. And that's what he did, he was able to get back on track. Even met a nice respectable girl, they haven't been together that long, but he has hopes this relationship will go somewhere, he liked Willow well enough…

"Turmeric chai latte and a black tea!" Called out the barista.

Draco stepped forward to claim their beverages and made his way back to their table.

"Thank you darlin!" Willow smile as he handed her, her drink.

Draco sat across from her. "How was your day?"

"My day was fine, and yours?"

"It was good, I played quidditch with some of the guys today."

"Oh yea? Did you win?"

"Of course." Draco gave a wolfish smile.

"I want to come and watch you play one day."

Draco was about to respond when he heard an all too familiar voice.

"Hello love birds!"

The pair looked up from the table and found a pair of brunette twins standing in front of them.

"Wyatt." Draco greeted. "I see your womb-mate is here as well." He acknowledged seeing Ramona stepped out from behind her brother.

"Got a problem with that?" Ramona asked unamused by his womb-mate comment.

"Not at all. It's been a while, come sit." He motioned for the twins to sit.

'It's been a while?' Willow thought looking between the 3, 'it's only been 3 days!' trying her best to mask her annoyance Willow bit her cheek. She wasn't the biggest fan of the Belby twins. She found Wyatt to be obnoxious and loud. His sister…well, she found Ramona, just, extremely unlikeable, nosey, rude, and arrogant...She kind of hated her really. She got the sense that the twins weren't fond of her either but feigned politeness for Draco's sake. Something about seeing the 3 of them together made her uneasy, it was like they all had this secret that she wasn't in on and they had no intention of telling her. She didn't like it, not one bit, it made her feel like an idiot. What could it possibly be? Did they have a 3 way or something? See eye the 3 of them once more. Ramona wore her usual pompous sneer; Wyatt had a dumb expression on and Draco looked bored. Willow shuddered at the thought of the 3 of them together. Maybe she was just being paranoid…

"Did you hear?" Wyatt leaned back into his chair.

"The Russian ballet is touring in the U.S." Ramona finished crossing her arms over her chest.

Draco tensed, Merlin! Did they have to do this now?! These two loved to create awkward situations, he knew they didn't like Willow. Dating her was a sort of betrayal to Aurora. But what the hell did he betray? Aurora rejected him by leaving and he stayed like a fool waiting for her. He felt himself growing hot with irritation. No! Don't let it get to you! Let it go, she's gone. She's doing her thing in the ballet, and you need to move on. Focus on the woman in front of you, not a phantom of a woman who never was and never will be!

"Yes!" Willow's voice broke him out of his mental tirade. "Draco and I are going to see them, when are they performing again babe?"

"July."

"Is that so?" Ramona said with a devilish smile creeping up her lips. "Wyatt."

"Yesssss?" Wyatt sang.

"We should go with them."

"What a splendid idea dear sister! Draco what do you think?"

Willow opened her mouth to protest however Draco was quicker to respond.

"Sure, whatever." Anything to shut them up, which was almost impossible.

Willow gave Draco a hard look and her lips pressed into a thin line. What the hell? Why do these two always feel the need to tag along with them everywhere?! This isn't the first time it's happened, and Draco's complicity with the matter was so irritating.

The twins shared a side glance with each other a bit the inside of their cheeks to stifle their sniggers. Ever since Draco brought this red head into their lives, they made sport of irritating her. Yes, yes it was juvenile and was not the nicest thing to do. Willow Stanley was completely clueless and innocent. She has no idea who Aurora is or what transpired between Aurora and Draco, but still, they couldn't help it. Out of loyalty to their wayward friend they couldn't help but twist the knife just tiny bit. Almost telling Willow that they would never accept her without really saying it. Not that it mattered, they both knew that. It was Draco's business and as much as they loved meddling, they can't tell him who he can and cannot date. So, they settled with torturing the poor girl.

"Excuse me, I need to use the rest room." Willow stood abruptly, shot Draco an irritated look and stormed off to the bathroom.

"…I think she's mad…" Wyatt stated.

"Fuuuuuck herrrrr!" Ramona leaned into her chair.

"Hey! That's my girlfriend you're speaking of!" Draco chided. "I don't understand why you two constantly have to irritate her like this."

Ramona looked him dead in the eye. "Simple…we don't like her."

"That's not fair, you don't even know her."

"I don't have to know her to not like her. I've already had enough interactions with her to know who she is."

"Oh really? And what have you concluded? Pray tell."

"She's boring, and she wants to marry a healer so she can call herself a healer's wife and live the high life."

"You don't know that."

"Oh really? I bet deep down you know that's exactly who she is. Someone who will eventually lech off your accounts. Does she even know you?"

"What kind of dumbass question is that?!" Draco sneered. "Of course, she knows me!"

"No, I mean does she know you. Does she know about your family linage? Who your family is?! Does she know you are currently the richest bachelor in the UK? Does she know about your inheritance?"

"Why does that even matter?!" What the hell was she on about?

"So, she doesn't know. You won't tell her."

"I-"Draco paused, Ramona was crazy no doubt, but there was some truth to her words that he was ashamed to admit. Willow knew nothing of his past, his family, or anything of that sort. Just what's on the surface. He didn't want her to know who he was. Here in the States, he was just an average man in a medical program working to become a healer. Back home he was Draco Malfoy, son of Lucious and Narcissa Malfoy. Only living scion of the Malfoy estates. His family was very old and pure. Before now he never really cared what the women, he dated knew about him but here he was careful. Didn't want to reveal too much, it attracts the wrong kind of attention.

"Mate…how can you date someone who has no bleeding idea of who you are?" Wyatt interjected.

Ramona continued "Look I know we give her a hard time…we give her a hard time because well…she's beneath us."

Draco shot Ramona a disgusted look. "Ramona, what the fu-"

"She's a commoner Draco! You can't date a commoner! She's not from our circle! Not our kind of people! What would your father say?"

"Not our kind of people? She's a pureblood, what do you mean 'not our kind of people' and Ramona…when have you ever given thought to anything my father has to say?"

"Oh, Draco please! Two generations of pureblood ancestry is hardly anything to brag about! Also, she practically reeks of swamp and crawfish! I'm just saying old Lucius would have a heart attack if he knew you are dating a common girl, pureblood or not. SHE'S POOR! She has no assets, no family name!"

"…okay so let me break down what you're trying to tell me. You don't like Willow because she isn't rich like us?"

"...Yes!"

Draco rolled his eyes. What the hell is wrong with this woman?

"Willow is not poor, she's middle class. Also, she's not from the swamp you know. She grew up near the bayou-"

"Which is practically a fucking swamp!"

"She lived in New Orleans for a time."

"You call that that a city?!"

"You know Ramona is a bit of a snob when it comes to pedigree. I think what my dear sister is trying to say is that she's worried that should Willow find out that you have money…and lots of it, she may not stick around for the right reasons. Also, sorry mate but I just don't see it. There's no spark between you two…not like you had with Aurora-"

"Enough about Aurora! I don't ever want to hear that bloody name again! She's gone!"

"Well actually she's in Paris right now…"

Draco rolled his eyes. "You know what I damn well mean. Also, I don't recall asking you for your opinions on my relationship."

"As your friends our opinions will always come unsolicited." Ramona looked up when Willow came into view. "So are you all excited for the ballet!" She changed the subject not wanting her to hear that they were just talking about her.

"Oh, I'm super excited." Willow stated as she sat back down in her seat. Draco took her hand and held it up to his lips placing a gentle kiss on the top of her hand. "What about you two? I didn't know you both like ballet."

"Well, we want to go to support our friend. She's a very talented dancer." Wyatt explained.

"Oh? Is she in the ballet?"

"In it? She IS the ballet…Odette."

It took a minute for Willow to register what Wyatt was saying. "Oh wow! You're friends with Odette! What's her real name?!"

"Aurora Pontellier. She's a dear childhood friend of ours and a close friend of Draco's as well!"

Draco cringed. Oh. My. God! Wyatt and Ramona were ruthless today! Why? Why did they have to bring up Aurora!

Willow gasped. "Draco! Why didn't you tell me?!"

"Well..." Draco began. "Aurora and I haven't spoken in months. You know the type, very passionate about their dance career, they kind of just drop everyone and everything."

"Oh, do you think I can meet her?!"

"Er….maybe, we'll see." Draco glared at Wyatt who was now smirking at him.

Great, not only does he have to go to the ballet with these whack job twins but now his girlfriend wants to meet his former muse…maybe he can fake his own death to get out of going all together. Truth is, he did not want to see Aurora or even be in the same vicinity as her.