VERY IMPORTANT! A/N: I read in several fics that in "real" time the Dream team and Draco finished school in 1998, so I'll be using this year as a starting point. The following letters will be organized chronologically for you to understand the order of the events. They are only a selection from a whole bunch of letters.

Chapter Forty Three: Everything Is Still the Same.

September, 1998

Dear Virginia,

Here is my first letter to you. How are you doing?

I have started my first year of study and it is pretty tough already. The Academy itself is situated in the Swiss Alphas, so it is quite cold here. But, as you know, I am used to it, so it doesn't bother me in the least. But my classmates are not so lucky.

As I understood, the Academy in Switzerland is a center of high education at least for the whole of Europe, if not the world. There are six of us here: one from Italy, one from Africa, one from France, one from Russia, one more from Poland and me from Scotland. No females among us. Probably, the feature of the profession. Pity.

The place itself is at least three times larger than Hogwarts. Everyone is running somewhere minding their and only their business. I found out an interesting fact that there is a charm on the hallways so nobody could collide with one another.

So how is your final year going?

Wishing successful studying,

Draco

P.S. How are the others?

Dear Draco,

I was so glad when I received your letter! I am fine and the others are fine also. Harry and Ron went into Auror's training and Hermione is studying to be a lawyer. I feel a bit lonely here without them. Of course, I have Della and Colin, but it is different.

As you probably remember yourself, we are buried under assignments for advanced courses from the first day. The main problem is that the Library is still in disorder. Frankly speaking, it is a complete mess so nobody can find anything there. The Headmaster asked me to help with restoration, due to my past experience. It is a very exciting work, takes a lot of my time though.

Hard working and a bit lonely,

Virginia

October, 1998

Hello Draco,

I am writing to you during the Halloween feast. You are probably wondering why I am writing instead of eating various delicious food. Well, actually, I am in the Hospital wing with a broken ankle. Just fell from a ladder in the Library the other day. I know it is nothing serious and I will be released tomorrow, but why should I stay here, when everybody else is partying in the Great Hall?

A group of first and second years decided to have a real treat-or-tricking, making the teacher mute when they entered. They were all dressed up so nobody, especially the professors, could recognize them. I heard they emptied the sweets' supply of the WHOLE school! Even mine! Of course, I gave them some of the twins' candy, so maybe I am lucky to get rid of them, but still!

Do you have a Halloween party there?

Feeling empty without candy,

Virginia

November, 1998

Dear Virginia,

I am sorry about your broken ankle. Should be more careful and not make me more worried about you than I am already. There is no tradition of celebrating Halloween here, so I spent that night preparing for an exam.

I really lack your research help now. I found another way to find the needed materials, but it is different without you. Unpleasantly different.

How are father and Macbeth? Still teaching? They are not hard on you, I hope?

Preparing for exam,

Draco

P.S. In the box is something that will fill your emptiness.

Dear Draco,

You are so sweet! But you are not as sweet as the chocolate you sent me. It was sooo yummy! Della supposed it was made from the magic itself! We almost ate it all at once, but then I remembered what would be the consequences and left the other half for some other time. I still can't understand how my brothers' stomachs work till today after they stuffed them with so much food.

Anyway. Professors Snapes, as I call them, are teaching at full swing and I heard that marriage hasn't changed Snape's teaching style one bit. I am writing that I heard it because I am not taking Potions this year. Of course, I really wanted to study them this year also, but professor Snape suggested to me to pass the N.E.W.T exam a month ago, because he was sure I knew everything I needed for it already. And then he added, you know like he does it, like nothing important, that he'd give me an Outstanding anyway as a regard for being his assistant. Isn't he sweet? Ok, he isn't but I still have an Outstanding for Potions. I really earned it. For working with such a partner like you. Yack! What a disaster! But we can make great things together, can we not? ;-)

As for Macbeth, she insisted on my calling her that, she said she didn't see any reason for her to stop teaching, married or not. You can't even imagine what a rumors' bomb exploded when Macbeth asked the students to call her professor Snape. Firstly they thought she had gone mad, but when the true reason came out, it was like mass shock. The Snapes both insisted on not taking in any sign how to differ them from each other. They must be taking all the fun from the situation.

That's all for now, with love,

Virgie

P.S. Will you come to the Burrow on Christmas Holidays?

December, 1998

Dear Virginia,

Unfortunately, I can't visit you on Christmas because I have an exams' session. And the area isn't that easy to apparate from.

You will find my present under your Christmas tree.

Love, Draco

December, still 1998

Christmas Eve. Everyone is supposed to be happy and cheerful, I can't. The golden watch is absolutely fantastic, but I wish more just for a glimpse of you as a Christmas present. Just to hear your voice, to look into your eyes. Just for a moment and I'll be happy the whole upcoming year. But you are not here and I am not happy.

Harry, Ron and Hermione are staying in the Burrow for the holidays. They found time to be here, why can't you?

January, 1999

Dear Virginia,

I am sorry. I am sorry for your unhappiness. I am not skipping from joy either. The separation from you is even harder than exams. But I am living, knowing that one wonderful day I'll embrace you and never let go.

With love, Draco

P.S. Please, honor this paper with your kiss, maybe it will cheer you up a bit.

Draco,

What is it with you! Letters, kissing back! Are you a pervert or something! It can turn into an addiction! Whatever you done to that paper I absolutely love it! Can all your letters be like this one?

Kissing hungry, Virgie

February, 1999

Dear Virgie,

I am very glad you found my little trick useful.

The other day I looked through a window and saw the rising Sun. It was the most beautiful sight I've ever seen. It reminded me of you. I heard your contagious laugh in my head, I wish I could make a joke to you and hear it one more time.

I absolutely forgot that you were still on the Quiddich Team. Had they made you the Captain this year? If not, they really should. But I still hope the Slytherin team has the chance at last after Harry Potter – they greatest Seeker of all times – graduated. If there is a team that is.

Wishing to laugh with you,

Draco

Hi Draco,

Thank you for the flowers you'd sent me on my birthday, I've never thought that I'd see real edelweisses in my life. Such lovely flowers. I hope you didn't freeze your pretty arse off collecting them in the mountains. The Quiddich opened in Hogwarts as usual in the beginning if November. I wasn't chosen as a Captain, but I still play a significant role in the team despite the fact that I spend more time in the Library than practice.

And here is some really good news for you! The Slytherin table is full again! The Aurors found all the children somewhere in Africa, as I heard. Unfortunately there are no seventh years, because the sixth years weren't found, you know why…

Everybody was Obliviated not to remember not only the knowledge they received during the "training", but also to forget the horrors they've seen. So to your joy there is Slytherin Quiddich Team and they are quite a competition, I might add. They are led by some forth year and he surely knows what he is doing.

Our Captain is Roland Lester, a sixth year Beater. He is pretty good, but that blasted forth year!

So here is the last news so far,

Virgie

March, 1999

Dear Virgie,

I am sorry for your tough Quiddich season this year. But I am really happy for the slytherins, not only due to being one of them, but also because nobody can be deprived from one's childhood, to be turned into a monster in the very beginning of one's life.

Does the forth year, who makes your Quiddich Team miserable, happen to be Perry Wilson? The boy who followed me around like a puppy when I became the Quiddich Captain? He is a quick learner then, But I will tell you nothing about what I told him, don't even ask. It is a professional secret.

I wish you to reach the Quaffle first every time.

With love, Draco

Hey to you too,

And that little prat is really Perry Wilson! You know I am afraid of him a bit now. I watched the match between Slytherin and Hufflepuff, and they practically crushed them. Slytherins, I mean.

But that is just daily matter, something now vitally important. But the date of your arrival is something to look forward to, thus when is this glorious day?

My graduation is in less then three months, I am sure, you'll be there,

Waiting fir you, Ginny

June, 1999

Now where the Hell were you! Graduation happens only once in anyone's life. It wasn't just a date, which could be rescheduled! And you were not there! That was a very serious mistake. Just yesterday I played with the ring, given by you and thought it didn't look good on me. Maybe I could reconsider my thought, but it need a lot of convincing on your part Draco.

(A Howler)

That's it! What are you doing, dammit! Are you really sure that you are studying and not making out with some chick on the beach!

And don't give me this bullshit that you can't apparate or leave any other way; it is school, not bloody prison!

Hi,

We haven't been introduced to each other, but I am Della Chatter, Ginny's friend from school.

I decided to write to you because I think the situation is getting very serious, Malfoy. Ginny partly stays at Hogwarts for summer to reconstruct the Library, but we still hang out a lot. And the thing is that she is angry, very angry at you. She doesn't suffer from longing to see you or, well, you know. She is fuming and you know you deserve it.

Today, I noticed she wasn't wearing your ring, but she'd never taken it off before, even in showers. I can tell you, you are in big trouble, Draco Malfoy, huge trouble. Messing with Weasley's temper won't do you any good. You MUST work something out or your relationship is destined to be ruined.

Best regards,

Della

July, 1999

Father,

I failed. I failed half of my exams. I failed to keep Virginia's love. I failed my life; it is completely pointless now.

I am sitting in my room late at night, feeling her distress and angst towards be in her aura. She has her reasons, I admit that, but I am trying so hard to shorten my staying here by taking first and second years' courses together. But all my studies can be frown out of the window if I know that I wasn't be welcomed with her embrace when I return.

I can't fight on both fronts simultaneously even if I know that she still has my ring, even if she doesn't wear it. We are very young, but giving her my family engagement ring wasn't a silly mistake made by spontaneous decision, I loved, love and will love her forever, but I've lost all hope.

I am confused and scared for my sanity. I don't know what to do anymore.

Your son, Draco

Ms. Weasley,

I am sorry for not having this conversation face-to-face due to urgent business, but even in this form I hope to persuade you not to be so hard on Draco. He is living through harsh times now. He is working very hard to gain a place in society and he is alone in a completely foreign country with no familiar face beside him.

I understand your position and agree with your arguments, but you still should understand Draco too, not like his fiancée or lover, but simply like his friend, which I am sure you still are. Your friendship made Draco do a lot of things that he wouldn't have done under other circumstances.

He is suffering as much as you are. You both must find a compromise.

Yours sincerely,

Severus Snape

SOS, Hermione!

I am writing to you because you are the most sensible of us all. I don't know what to do with Draco. He sends me letters every two days with apologies and love declarations, but they are all just on paper. He is still somewhere and not here. I wish I could just speak to him, that's all I ask. But he doesn't let me, like he is hiding something.

I still don't know what to do. I decided to just wait to see what time will show.

Wishing to not have such problems with Ron,

Ginny

August, 1999

"Harry! Harry! Wake up! Wake up, it's urgent!"

"Huphmph."

"Dammit you, Harry, wake up!"

"Bloody Hell! Ginny? What are you doing in by bedroom at four in the morning!"

"Oh, Harry, I had nobody to go to. It had been happening for almost three days. It felt like life had been sucked out of me and then…then…tonight I felt a sudden urge to wake up and when I did…I felt…I felt that Draco was…he was dead."

"Oh, Ginny, stop crying. It is impossible. Why would he die? And during the night no less. It's absurd! And you said you had felt it?"

"Oh, I don't know how to put it in words. I just had a feeling of sudden emptiness inside me. Like I lost something precious to me and the next moment I knew he was dead!"

"Ginny, hysterics will get us nowhere. I'll just check on his aura and we'll receive a confirmation of his well-being."

…

"Harry! You are white as a ghost! Is he..? Is he..?"

"He is alive."

"Thank Merlin. I thought I'd die right away."

"But he is quite near it. He is hollow, his soul is empty. He has nothing to live for. He doesn't look for anything to save him, doesn't ask for help. He gave up."

"But he can't! I am going to him."

"What! You don't even know how to get there."

"Remember what Draco said on the train: 'Our beloved helped us to recover.' If he is not coming to me, I am going to him. Academy of Magic: Draco's room."

And she disappeared in green flames.

The room she flooed in was almost completely dark. The only source of light was a lamp on a table in the middle of the room. Draco was sitting behind said table, writing something on a piece of parchment without enthusiasm. He was hidden behind thick ancient looking volumes, making him even more invisible in the motionless surroundings. Ginny was rooted to the spot by such a sight.

'He neither heard me nor felt me coming. Odd, he's usually very sensitive to my presence.' Ginny took a few steps towards the table, but was still unseen by its occupant. 'He looks so pale, sickly pale. What is he doing up in the middle of the night? He is definitely ill, he looks more like a zombie than a student.' Ginny slowly moved a bit nearer to Draco, leaving not more than four feet between her and his back.

Only then Draco felt something was out of order, after a few seconds he understood what exactly wasn't right. "Virginia?" he choked out.

'Why isn't he turning to face me? And most importantly he doesn't sound happy to see me. Not happy at all. He is scared. Scared of what? Of me? So he is cheating on me! He's got in so much trouble right now!' "Yes, it is me. I decided to play with the mountains and came here myself. You are not jumping from joy as I see," Ginny remarked coldly.

"Virginia, I -" Draco began weakly, but was instantly silenced.

"What?" Ginny blew up. "Don't tell me the story about building our future! I don't live in the future; I am still in the present. We are living in a material world and I am a material girl. (A/N: you all know where this phrase is from.) I don't build dream castles! I want to sit with you at meals, to wake up near you, I want to bloody kiss you and not somewhere in the future, but NOW! And look at me, damn you, when I am talking to you!"

"I am sure you should and will reconsider the kissing part," Draco replied to her tirade icily, repeating the tone she began with.

"So you are disgusted with me now! Probably have found a bimbo chick for pleasing your needs?"

Draco was boiling inside. 'Why does she accuse me of this of all possible sins? She doesn't know anything!' "It is the other way around, Virginia. I am a monster, not you."

Ginny was taken aback by such a turn of events. She even lost her ability to talk for some time. "What are you talking about, Draco?" she whispered breathlessly, staring at the back of his head. Draco turned to face her.

"Holy Founders!" Ginny exclaimed and would've found herself on the floor the next moment, but a chair was placed for her to fall onto. "What…what happened?"

"An accident during an experiment in May."

"Can it be healed?"

"It was an experiment so nobody, even I, knows what caused it. It is healing gradually, I am not trying for nothing and you shouldn't have seen it," he snapped in the end.

"But, Draco, I…" Ginny stood there and couldn't utter a word. She just stared at Draco's face, the lower half of which was covered with a burgundy mess that looked like a one big bruise. (A/N: Won't elaborate on this part.) 'Merlin, I was SO stupid. Why did I jump to conclusions so fast? He was who he is – Malfoy. He didn't want me to see him like this, so I could pity him. He wanted to work on it alone and come to me like nothing had happened. And nobody would've known that he had made a mistake. He can be so stupid sometimes. Some things never change.'

"I am sorry, Draco," Ginny said with a guilty smile.

"For what?"

"For accusing you of cheating on me, of even thinking about it."

"You are a girl, what else would you have thought?"

"You mean, you wouldn't think that I am socializing with other guys when I am on the other end of the world without you?" Ginny asked with a frown.

"You said yourself, you didn't want anything second-best," Draco said with a smug smirk, which was clear, even with his bruised lips.

Ginny shook her head. "You are such a prat. And always will be. And I still don't know what you are doing here in the middle of the night."

"And what are you doing here in the middle of the night?" Draco asked in return.

"It was a spontaneous decision," Ginny explained, hoping he wouldn't press further.

"Unfortunately, I wasn't up without a reason. I still need a report to finish." Draco sighed and turned back to his table and the parchment he was working on when Ginny arrived.

Ginny moved her chair to stand beside his. Draco gave her a questioning look. "I didn't come just to yell at you. If you can't throw this blasted report into wall and spend some quality with your precious girlfriend then I can at least sit here for a while." Draco opened his mouth to say something, but Ginny made a dismissing gesture. "Even if it is five in the morning." She sat down and snuggled as close to him as possible.

The room was cold and Draco wasn't that warm too, but Ginny managed to warm the both of them; it was not only the heat she provided, but care and love. She watched as Draco slowly moved his quill against the parchment. The low speed was also caused by Ginny, whose presence was a pretty distraction to Draco.

He often dreamed of her during the lonely nights in his empty room. Now, just the smell of her hair made him dizzy. He thought it was another dream, but it was reality. He felt every inch of her body pressed against his. Dammit, it was distracting! He just wanted to grab her and kiss her senseless.

And how could he be such a fool to not visit her earlier! Only now he understood how much he really longed for her presence, her touch, her warmth. The reason why his bruise was healing so slowly was because his magic was very weak. He hadn't any strength for healing, but now he felt almost happy with his little distraction beside him. "Almost" meaning that even after spending a whole night here, she had to leave.

They sat for several hours in peaceful silence content by each others closeness. When the Sun started to rise, Ginny moved. "I need to go back, Draco. Till Christmas," noticing his attempt to object, she silenced him with her hand. "Till Christmas. Or I will come again and drag you out of here." She was near the fireplace already, when she turned back to him. "Will it hurt if I…well…say good bye to you?" she asked shyly.

Draco smiled, not without smugness. "You can try."

Ginny returned and gave him the softest and the tenderest of kisses. It was practically a brushing of her lips against his, but it sent electrical sparks all over their bodies.

"Till Christmas," Draco whispered.

"Till Christmas." Ginny disappeared in the green flames.

The bruise healed in nine days.

September, 1999

Dear Draco,

Back to this unemotional way of communication. You can congratulate me now because I was officially placed as Hogwarts Librarian. The Library itself is completely renovated. Of course, we are still in the most ancient castle in England, but Dumbledore decided to bring some modern trends in on the design. Well, you'll see for yourself, when you come.

All my N.W.E.Ts are well done, so my parents congratulate me to no end.

Eager for congratulations, Virginia

Hello to you too,

I am really happy for you. Congratulations from the deepest part of my heart. Hogwarts will have the prettiest librarian ever! And NO flirting for you!

With deepest love, Draco

October, 1999

Dear Draco,

I was given the honorable task to inform you of the greatest news of the year: Macbeth is pregnant! You will have a brother!

Macbeth confirmed to Dumbledore that she would continue teaching no matter what. Of course, the amount of Dark Magic will be reduced to the minimum because it can harm the baby.

You should've seen Snape the other week. I was told that he assigned no homework for a week to all the Houses for everybody to celebrate with him.

Celebrating, Virgie

Dear Virginia,

I don't even have any words to express how happy I am for father and Macbeth!

In turn, I have some interesting news for you too. I received a letter from Harry the other day where he is asking me for a permission to teach Dragon Fang to his fellow Aurors. Surprising, isn't it? Not the letter or permission asking, but the very fact that somebody else wants to learn Dragon Fang's technique.

I can't say that I pity the guys under his supervision because he wouldn't ever be as horrible as me because he is a gryffindor and all. Interesting how he will control more than one aura…Well, it's his problem, not mine.

I hope you behave well, if not, no kissing letters for you,

Wholly yours, Draco

November, 1999

Hi there, far away,

I heard a bit about Harry and his teaching experience so far. Nothing exact, but I am sure that Ron was quite eager to participate. Speaking of Ron, his and Hermione's wedding is in June and if you won't receive an official invitation, I'll drag you into it as my date, so don't have any plans set in June.

As for the reason all are so anxious to learn the Dragon Fang, (and there are many, I saw the lists) is that they want to know how Voldemort was defeated, because now they know it wasn't some special talent only Harry possessed.

By the way, when did you decide to call him Harry? You were quite reluctant to switch to his first name, if I remember right.

Busy with wedding plans,

Virginia

Dear Virginia,

Hm, June, let me think of it. Maybe, just maybe I will be free, but who knows. But when I think about you dragging me somewhere… Brrrr, I don't like the sight. So I may join you for the wedding then.

Where the world is going? Harry Potter will make other Harry Potters and without a woman no less. When the world will again be in danger, then we just whistle and Potter's Army will come and destroy all the bad guys. What a terrific idea! And nobody will ever know that Voldemort was destroyed by love and slytherin attitude. What an irony! But it is their choice, not mine, isn't it? The whole progress still interests me though.

And to answer your question about me calling Harry Harry, then prison gives a lot of time to think about things.

Counting days till Christmas,

Your Draco

May, 2001

Draco walked through the large oak doors. The usual silence of the Library greeted him. Luckily for him, it was deserted. The only figure he was interested in was sitting behind a large table with lots of drawers around her.

What can three years do to a girl? First of all they can change her into a woman. And what a woman she was…Fiery, wavy, flammable hair, developed curves in the right places, long legs and brandy colored eyes that could make you drunk from the intensity if her gaze. Unfortunately, right now Draco couldn't feel the pleasure of locking his eyes to hers, because she was very busy writing something. Her face was completely covered with her hair waves. Draco stepped closer to the table.

"Is there some particular book you require?" Ginny asked, noticing a presence nearby and thinking it was another student.

"Yes, I would like 'Potions discoveries through history'," Draco drawled.

"Right away." Ginny stood up and hurried to the Potions' section, then stopped in her tracks. 'Nobody has requested this book before. I was only in the laboratory's library and only Draco and I knew -' "Draco!" she squealed and jumped on him, kissing him into oblivion.

They would've caused another Library's renovation, starting a domino effect of the shelves, because they were using them for support (the wall would've been much more effective, but it wasn't there when needed) but it was saved by some fourth year's yelling, "Get a room!" which brought Draco and Ginny to their senses.

"What are you doing here?" Ginny asked astonished, still holding tightly onto Draco's neck.

"What? You don't want me here?" Draco asked in return with a hurt expression.

"I mean, you wrote to me that you'd decided to continue your studying to receive the Master degree in Potions. Have you taken a holiday between two degrees or what? Because you don't usually come in May."

"Well," Draco drawled. "Firstly, I want to ask when you finish because I have a plan to kidnap you and bring you to the Three Broomsticks for a real date. Because I came to a terrifying conclusion that we haven't gone on a date once."

"You mean you are asking me out?" Ginny said, even more surprised.

"Yes, and you have three seconds to decide because otherwise, I'll drag you out of here." The last part was whispered huskily into Ginny's ear.

"Drag? That will be a sight," Ginny stammered, not understanding what his tone meant.

"Your time is up, Miss Weasley," Draco whispered, sending shivers of fear and excitement up her spine.

'What is he up to?'

Her question was answered when Draco took her onto his arms, bride style, and headed to the Main Doors and straight to Hogsmeade.

"Draco! I can walk, you know," Ginny protested with a pout, half way to the village.

"Don't even say that you don't like this means of transportation or you'll go down, down, down, right onto the ground. You don't want to ruin your spectacular outfit, do you?"

"Spectacular outfit? Well, on such terms, I can bear some dragging."

They entered the pub in the same fashion. Draco released her only on the stool in one of the secluded corners of the pub. After their orders were taken and brought, Ginny returned to their earlier conversation.

"So will you explain your sudden appearance? You fall on me from clear sky, no notice, no warning, no anything! I am not even dressed properly! You can't do such a thing, Draco!"

"I am very sorry," Draco really looked sorry. "It was a spontaneous decision. I've received my diploma and apparated right away. I brought some news to the school too, by the way."

"Oh, really. What could that be?"

"Professors Snapes won't be teaching at Hogwarts any longer."

"What! Why! What happened!" Ginny almost choked on her butterbeer when he broke out the news.

"Well, as you remember, I said there had been a great loss for science when father hadn't published his research on multiple poisons' presence in one body. I talked him into defending his thesis with mine, as a result he was invited to teach at the Academy of Magic," Draco said with pride and great respect for professor Snape. "The whole family will stay at Switzerland from now on."

"Have you seen Victor? Isn't he a cutie?" Ginny asked with a dreamy look.

"Well, yes, he is interesting."

"Interesting? Strange opinion about a baby."

"I have never seen the magical aura of an infant, so it was education in a way."

"You are always so serious, Draco. I think he is cute, even if he inherited most of his father's looks."

"Our children won't have such problems. Their inheritance will be perfect. On both sides," Draco remarked with a smirk.

"Malfoys always care about appearances, don't they?" Ginny uttered a bit coldly, not liking his attitude towards children.

Her tone made him change in the face. "Sorry, I didn't mean to say it like that. I just haven't seen babies in my life. Of course, I see how happy father and Macbeth are because of him. I just can't awake such feelings in me yet. I am sure this child will give them a lot of headaches, though. That I know for sure," Draco finished with a distant glance.

"I really don't want to know how you know that because I have a lot of on my own shoulders already. I've never thought that Hogwarts Library was so hard to maintain, but I still manage it somehow. What are you going to do now?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Draco asked with impish eyes, playing with the ring on her finger.

Ginny blushed. She completely forgot they weren't married yet because she already felt like an old married couple. "But what about the future you were so worried about?" she asked softly.

"Right now you are talking to professor Malfoy, Potions' Master of Hogwarts."

"Master? But you said it took five years to gain the se-"

"I rushed things a bit."

"Oh, Draco!" She embraced him tightly. "So you won't leave me again?" she asked, wish glistening tears of joy.

"Never, ever again."

"All right, everyone! Gather in a circle. Ok, now calm your breathing and relax. Concentrate your mind on a blue quill. Picture it in every detail. Now, slowly open your eyes, still having that quill in mind."

On his command twenty men started to open their eyelids. Their reactions were different; some hissed in pain, some stood like nothing happened, white eyes instead of average; some just blinked rapidly and couldn't get the picture straight.

"Now that we cleared out who can and who can not use Vision with open eyes, we can design different learning programs for each group," Harry proceeded in a lecture tone.

"Are you sure?" came a soft, but confident voice in Harry's head.

If his reaction had been called "surprised", it was a huge underestimation. He almost jumped, but decided to ignore it and to go on with his class. "It was a way to find out this ability in each of you. I thought it wouldn't be appropriate to use the way my teacher applied for me."

"What was it?" one of the students asked.

Harry chuckled. "He nudged me forward so I opened my eyes from pure surprise from his gesture."

"Where is your teacher now, professor Potter?"

Harry shuddered. He hated to be called that. Some of his students were twice as old as he, but they still treated him like their superior, their teacher, their commander.

"Well, let's see." Harry concentrated on an image of Draco Malfoy and started to feel the familiar pull when Draco's face appeared nose to nose to his and even winked at him! "He is here," Harry breathed out.

The door slammed open and Draco Malfoy himself appeared in the doorway and marched to Harry's side; his robes, billowing behind him. Gorgeous as always.

When Draco reached him, Harry muttered, "Always make a grand entrance, don't you?"

"Why not? Especially, if it is waited from you," Draco muttered back and bowed ceremoniously to the gaping gathering.

"Meet my Dragon Fang teacher, Draco Malfoy," Harry announced with mock respect.

"Why thank you, Harry. You'll always be a student to me," Draco said with the same irony.

"What is the reason of my receiving such an honor as your presence in my class?"

"Nothing much. Decided to pay a visit to a friend after a long separation, that's all. Of course, I also wanted to look at your students. I don't see Ron here, he must be in the advanced class, isn't he?" Draco replied, eyeing the group, and then frowning instantly.

Harry's jaw fell onto the floor. Not from Draco's words, from the tone he said them with. Like he really missed Harry and really was interested in his students' progress. While Harry was thinking over assumptions about Draco, Draco's frown deepened and he spat in disbelief, "A circle? Are you that dumb? Haven't I taught you anything?" He turned to the students. "Do you often stand in a circle like this during your lessons?" The asked nodded simultaneously, rooted to the spot by Draco's demanding tone and rude attitude towards Harry.

Draco turned back to Harry. "Do you want me to correct your mistake or will you figure it out on your own?"

"Well, if you so kindly noticed it, then you should correct it," Harry said smugly, but in his brain he frantically searched for the possible mistakes.

Draco started to move around, placing everyone in different places of the room; some in pairs, some in corners, one man was left completely alone in a corner with no-one nearer six feet.

"Okaay, remember those places, they are your permanent training places, no moving even an inch." And then Harry groaned. "Got it, didn't you?" Draco asked Harry with a knowing smirk. Another thing Harry hated: when Draco knew something he didn't, or more closely, when Draco knew everything. "Class dismissed." Draco waved with his hand.

"Excuse me," someone from the group began hesitantly, "Could you please show us something?"

Draco laughed. "Eager for some tricks, erh? And don't even think about Mind Games, Harry. We don't want to scare off your students, do we?" Draco said conversationally.

Harry gave him a you-are-so-full-of-it look. With the very question he scared them. Worse was that Harry knew it, but the worst thing was that Harry knew that Draco knew it. But Harry also understood that Malfoy was fooling around, meaning he was in a good mood. But what is that suppose to mean?

"If you are so anxious, I would like to show you my new trick, called 'The Searching Thought'," but we need to go to the library for the demonstration." The students, as one, headed to the door. Draco and Harry followed them.

"You know, when I came here," Draco continued the conversation with ashamed Harry, "I wanted to find the way in which you manage to control power of several people. I've never thought there would be so many of them… But back to the topic. You found a way to be a gryffindor once again." Harry snorted.

"You put them in a circle so their power was equal. At close proximity their auras united, but not united as you wanted – crushed into each other. Of course, you could control everybody when only one stream of power was coming to you from the circle. But they are all different, dammit! It is a conception of power: you can't have all of it, but at the same time, you can't have as much as any other person, even as close as a sibling." Draco sighed. "They are in your care. Treat them according to their differences. You can't play with power."

At that point, after Draco's lecture, they reached the library of the Ministry of Magic. Here, not only a copy of every published book in the wizarding England was kept, but all the statistic reports. The group stepped into the library with Draco facing them.

"Quick, but mind tiring way of research. For example, I want information on the variety of horns added into healing potions." With no movement of even a finger, a stack of no less than a hundred books appeared on the table in front of Draco.

In a strangely monotone voice, Draco continued, "Right now my mind is going through the content of these books, discarding," a book flew away, "irrelevant sources. In this case I'm working with magic hidden in words. It allows me to store information here and there for further research even in useless books in my current searching." The process went on and on until only nine books were left. "These are the most useful books on the subject. You can check them for the proof. I've never thought there are so many books on horns and most of them – rubbish. Brrr," Draco commented, massaging his temple. "Don't try it until you are in advanced class. Class dismissed."

While excited students fussed over books, Harry met Draco's eyes, impatiently tapping his foot.

"You just had to do it, didn't you?" he drawled.

"What are you talking about?" Draco, the picture of innocence, asked in return.

"Well, it is my class and you dismissed it. Twice."

"It is a habit and, on the other hand, I couldn't help it." Draco smiled wryly. "Cafeteria?"

"Isn't it too public?"

"For what? I am not going to spit out my darkest secrets to you." Draco already started to go to the direction of the cafeteria. Harry rolled his eyes and followed.

After taking a seat and ordering a tea and a butterbeer for Draco and himself respectfully, Harry began the conversation. "So what are you really doing here?"

"I told you already, I wanted to see how you handle the training."

"Have I passed?" Harry asked with sarcasm dripping even from his glass.

"You can do better, but it is quite satisfactory. Still, I'll wait a bit before giving you one student I would like you to train. She needs special attention."

"She? But you and the books said no woman possessed the Vision!"

"Well, seems to be there is an exception in every rule. Comes from the long pureblooded family line probably."

"And we are talking about…"

"Virginia, of course."

"Ginny?" Harry gaped. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely. You know yourself that she "feels" my emotions. She managed to concentrate her love in her hands. I didn't give it much of a thought at that time, but on the train I checked her neck – the vision eyes are right there. There is no doubt."

"Why don't you teach her yourself then?"

"It would be pure torture, too much distraction. She only needs the basics, somewhere until the sixth level."

"And I am good enough to do it," Harry snarled. "Basics, nmpth. There are only fifteen levels."

"Who told you that?" Have you forgotten self improvement? You can increase your level any time.

"Like you with your mind searching," Harry mocked.

"You can say so."

"Then check THIS out!" Harry winked and one of his eyes turned white, but the other remained ordinary green. "I called it 'wink'."

"Impressive," Draco sounded really impressed. "You can see a LOT like this."

"Yeh. What did you say about Ron when you entered the class? How did you know he was in an advanced group already?"

"He is very powerful and at last got his brains in the right place. So it isn't that surprising."

"You bragged for so many years about them being the blood-traitors and now you are talking on and on about how powerful their family is."

"Saying this, you, of course, know exactly what 'blood-traitor' means?"

Come to think of it, Harry never thought about it. He knew it was somehow connected with tolerating muggles, but was there any deeper meaning?

Harry's thoughtful expression gave a negative answer to Draco, so he elaborated on the topic, "Pureblooded wizards are considered to be blood traitors when they waste their magic on muggles and not use it for their clan benefit. If the Weasleys are so interested in muggle world, it doesn't make them less powerful or their magic weaker. I am sure all the Weasley men can be your students."

"Well, the twins are making really fast progress," Harry only said.

"I don't know when you or Virginia will be ready for the training. Maybe after the first child is more suitable."

"Child? What child? Ginny is pregnant!"

"No, but I am working on it," Draco sounded very full of himself.

"But you are to MARRY her!"

"Yes, the wedding is in three months and you must still keep your promise."

"What promise?"

"You lost, so you are my Best Man for the wedding. Quite a lot of work to do. Believe me, I am talking from experience."

"So what are you gonna do after the wedding? Live in the Heaven of yours?" Harry asked, referring to Draco's house.

"Only during summers probably. I'll teach at Hogwarts from now on."

"Oh, no, no, no. How could that happen?" Harry wailed. "I will have to see your face every day. When this is all over, I will certainly be placed into St. Mungos."

"Well, Macbeth will surely faint when she finds out that her precious place was given to Harry Potter. And by the way, forget about St. Mungos, the end is too far way. It's only the beginning."