Hello everyone. Sorry I haven't updated in a while, between university and writer's block I had a bit of a problem seeing where this is going. Fortunately, I've had a few ideas, so I'm back to writing and updating.
Thanks very much to xxTeardropKisses for some lovely long reviews. All will be revealed in time…this chapter is for you.
Hope everyone likes it. Istalindar.
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Ginny Weasley, fiancee of the famous Harry Potter, sat silently in the passenger seat of Harry's lambergini and stared bad-temperedly out of the window, watching the scenery fly past. They had had another argument, on the familiar topic of Constantine DeVere. Harry had a fixation on the woman, bordering on obsession, and it did nothing for Ginny's ego or her sense of security. After all, DeVere was a single woman, with rumoured ties to Amadeo Malfoy but nothing certain. There wasn't technically anything stopping Harry dumping her for DeVere.
However, DeVere never showed anything but icy disdain for both Harry and Ron, though she was warm and welcoming to Ginny. It was something Ginny didn't understand, and neither did Harry, which served to fuel his irritation at her constant rejection of even the most basic social interaction with him.
Ginny could feel the acceleration of the already speeding car and turned her attention to her fiance.
"Harry, slow down. You're driving too fast." She said. She felt her heart sink at his body language, the blank cold face, the white knuckles from clutching the steering wheel too tight. And she could see the numbers on the speedometer still climbing. "Harry!" She snapped.
"I know how to fucking drive, Virginia." Harry snarled back. Once this would have intimidated Ginny into silence, but she was becoming too used to these moods.
"I'm not debating that, Harry." She retorted. "But you are driving too fast. And even if it was legal, there are too many people on this road to drive at 200mph!"
"Shut up and let me drive." Harry snapped, his green gaze never shifting from the road ahead of him.
"Harry!" Ginny saw the car a split second before he did, and though he swerved, she still saw the accident almost before it happened. She screamed and covered her face with her hands. There was a screech and a crunch and the sound of shattering glass. Then nothing.
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Hermione sat at the breakfast bar, flicking through the mail the owl post had just brought. There were a lot of invitations, both to parties and brunches and lunches. There were a few bills, some modelling offers and a bank statement. Hermione sighed and sipped her coffee, twisting on the stool to look out the big window behind her. She had a beautiful view of London from here, as the apartment was out of the city central so she wasn't surrounded by equally tall buildings to block her view.
As she stared out the window, she suddenly noticed a bird flying straight for her window. With a start she realised it was an owl and she hurriedly rose and threw the window open. The bird soared through the casement and landed on the breakfast bar. It released the letter it held in its beak and looked at her.
"Hello." She said politely, going to the cupboard for some treats for the bird, filling a saucer with water and setting both in front of the owl. It had its fill and hooted at her, so she opened the letter, recognising the seal as St Mungo's Hospital.
Miss DeVereMiss Virginia Weasley has had an accident and is in recovery. During this period she has requested your presence if you would be so kind as to attend. Visiting hours are Monday to Saturday 1pm until 5pm.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Morrango
Head of Accidents ward.
Hermione frowned, staring at the letter in front of her. She glanced up at the owl.
"Do you want a reply? I'll go, of course." The owl hooted and took flight, soaring out of the window and away. Hermione shook her head, shutting the window behind it.
It was strange, she though as she put away her breakfast things and headed to the bathroom to shower, that Ginny had requested her presence. Not that there was any love lost between the two women, it was simply that Harry had a mild obsession with Constantine that Ginny was forced to watch, though Constantine did her best to put Harry down at every occasion. She wanted nothing to do with him, and didn't see why she should hurt Ginny by humouring him.
Hermione picked up the engagement ring Draco had given to her from the dressing table and looked at it, sparkling in the late morning sun. The three sharp stones, an opal flanked by diamonds, was too recognisable now as the engagement ring Draco had bestowed on Constantine before the business with Hermione Granger, so Hermione transfigured it into a different piece of jewelery depending on her outfit, allowing her to retain Constantine's form while not advertising the fact she wore Draco's ring.
Hermione slipped the ring onto her right ring finger, concentrating on Constantine's model-like form. When she felt the change was complete, she got out her wand and turned it on the ring, trasnfiguring it into a gold ring set with a giant square cut yellow topaz, held in four golden claws. Then she went to her wardrobe and picked out a narrow fitted black trouser suit and a pale gold silk chemise to wear underneath. She dressed quickly and twisted up her hair, applied mascara and lipstick, and checked the clock. It was twelve forty-five so Hermione slipped on black platform courts and grabbed her purse, checking quickly that everything she needed was inside before leaving a short note for Amadeo should he come over and apparating to St Mungo's.
The hospital was, as ever, quiet, not too busy, and scrupulously clean. Constantine approached the desk and the receptionist looked up with a shock of surprise in her eyes. Constantine smiled.
"Hello. I'm looking to visit Miss Virginia Weasley, if I may."
"Of course, Miss DeVere." The receptionist gabbled, typing quickly on her computer. "She's in room 22, Block C. I could show you, if you wish." Constantine looked around and saw the sign pointing to rooms 15-30, Block C.
"That's very generous of you." Constantine said. "But I'm sure I can manage. And I'd hate to deprive your post of such an efficient worker."
"Oh, it's no trouble." The receptionist said, rising. Constantine reached over the desk and gently pushed the receptionist back into her chair.
"Thank you. But that's quite alright. Your help has been much appreciated." Constantine smiled and headed down the corridor towards Room 22 as directed by the sign. It was easy to find.
Constantine knocked gently and pushed the door open at the soft call. Ginny was lying on the bed in the middle of the room, face turned to the sunlight streaming through the window, her eyes closed. There was a bandaged gash on her forehead.
"Virginia." Constantine said, standing by the door. Ginny turned to look at her, and pushed herself slowly into a sitting position.
"Constantine. I'm glad you came." Ginny smiled. "How are you?"
"Better than you, by the looks of it. What happened?" Constantine crossed to Ginny's side and perched on the edge of the bed.
"Car crash." Ginny said, rolling her eyes. "Harry was driving too fast." Constantine frowned.
"That's awful. Are you okay?" Ginny nodded.
"I had a concussion and a broken wrist. I'm still here for observation on account of the concussion."
"But concussions are cured in a second with magic." Constantine said, confused. Ginny nodded.
"Yes, but I reacted weirdly to the healing spells because of an obliviate on me." Constantine froze, and Ginny looked at her levelly, then smiled. "So how have you been?"
Constantine now understood. Ginny had called her here to tell her the obliviate was lifted. However, what the youngest Weasley intended to do with the information she now remembered was still up in the air.
"I've been well, thank you." Constantine said carefully. "Ginny-"
"I would like to talk to you about it at a later point." Ginny said. "That's all." Constantine nodded.
"Of course." Constantine said. Ginny smiled.
"Thank you." Constantine nodded again.
"So how long will you be here?" Constantine asked, looking around the room. It was pleasantly, if impersonally, decorated, with clean cream walls and a blue trim. There was a painting on the wall of sailboats in a harbour.
"The mediwizard says another two days. I was wondering if we could arrange brunch." Constantine nodded.
"Certainly. My apartment, at eleven? On Thursday." Ginny nodded.
"That would be lovely." Ginny smiled, and there was a familiarity in her eyes that Constantine (and Hermione) had missed.
"Virginia." The door opened and Harry strode in, a small bouquet of mixed flowers bought from downstairs in his hand. He saw Constantine and stopped.
"Constantine." He blurted. She stood and looked at him cooly.
"Mr Potter."
"I wasn't aware that you were visiting Virginia." Harry said, struggling to regain his composure as his familiar greeting was flattened by her formality.
"I heard she had been injured in a car accident and was concerned." Constantine said cooly, green eyes distant and impartial. "I felt I should visit her, ascertain for myself the extent of her injuries."
"Well, she's fine." Harry smiled, but it faded under Constantine's scrutiny.
"For a woman in such an accident, she's a living miracle." Constantine corrected. "And is incredibly lucky to be alive. I'm thankful to providence that a concussion and broken wrist were all she suffered."
"Well-" This wasn't what Harry had expected at all. It was like receiving a dressing down from Molly Weasley, only a million times more condescending. Every nuance in Constantine's voice told him he was lucky she was lowering herself to even speak to him.
"Darling, I'm looking forward to seeing you on Thursday." Constantine said to Ginny, utterly dismissing Harry. "Please look after yourself." She bent and kissed Ginny on the cheek.
"Thanks, Constantine." Ginny said with a smile. Constantine turned to Harry.
"Mr Potter." Then she turned and headed out the door, letting it swing gently shut behind her. Harry turned to Ginny.
"What the hell was that about?" He demanded. Ginny looked at him levelly.
"I'm allowed to have what visitors I would like." She said icily, sounding frighteningly like the woman who had just left.
"Actually, I was referring to her bitchiness." Harry corrected, feeling now quite irritated. First Constantine DeVere, whoever the hell she was when she wasn't prancing around in expensive clothes and putting people down, had treated him worse than the scum on her shoe, and now his own fiancee was treating him as a sub-human. Ginny shrugged.
"She's particular about her friends." She said simply. What was left unspoken hung in their air between them.
And you aren't worthy, Harry Potter.
&
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Amadeo asked, watching from the sofa as Constantine tidied the living room up. "Miss Weasley is a little close to your person to be a truly safe friend."
"The obliviate's been lifted." Constantine explained. "She knows who I really am. And she knows that Harry and Ron were trying to kill me."
"They still are." Amadeo interjected.
"But so far she hasn't said anything. We were good friends, Amadeo. I don't think she'd betray me."
"You and the Golden Wonder were good friends and you didn't think he'd betray you." Amadeo said. Constantine sent him a withering look, which he returned.
"You can stay if you like, Amadeo. Though the conversation will probably be dominated by girl talk."
"Thank you, but no." Amadeo said, rising and straightening his clothes. He headed for the door and Constantine paused in her tidying to walk him to the door. Just as they got there though, there was a knock. Amadeo shot her a look and opened it, revealing Ginny Weasley on the doorstep.
"Miss Weasley." He gave a short bow. Ginny glanced past him at Constantine then looked at him with a nod.
"Mr Malfoy." She stepped back so he could pass her and he did without a backward glance, disappearing into the lift. "Hello."
"Hi Ginny." Constantine smiled. "Come on in." Ginny passed her into the foyer and looked around.
"Nice place." She commented. Constantine nodded.
"Thanks. Drink?"
"Coffee. Thanks." Ginny followed Constantine into the kitchen and sat on one of the stools at the breakfast bar. She watched in silence as Constantine made two coffees, and when the mug was placed in front of her Ginny looked up and met Constantine's gaze. "I remember."
"So you said." Constantine nodded, sitting across from her at the breakfast bar. "What, precisely, do you remember?"
"The entire conversation from the kitchen the night of Draco's party." Ginny said. "About Harry using me, about Harry hunting you, and about the fact that Constantine DeVere isn't your real name or even your real appearance." Constantine arched an eyebrow and Ginny rolled her eyes. "You are Hermione Granger, despite the fact you've been hidden by some incredible ingenius spells. Though that hardly surprises me."
"They were Draco's doing, actually." Constantine said absently, toying with her mug. "Though that isn't surprising either. He was second to me in all our classes." She looked up at Ginny. "So what are you going to do with this information? Telling Harry will certainly win you brownie points with him."
"What makes you think I want them?" Ginny returned. "Things with Harry have always been rocky…first he was obsessed with finding Granger, and now he's obsessed with DeVere, if only because she rejects him so constantly. It does appear you are the only woman in his life whatever your guise."
"Ginny, I'm sorry." Constantine said sincerely. "I never meant to-"
"It's alright." Ginny interrupted. "Plenty more fish in the sea. And I'm starting to think that even if he did love me, things might not necessarily be that different. He'd still be egotistical and obsessive. He always has been, to be fair, though to lesser degrees. He can't really help it, he's always been the one who saves the day, the one everyone turns to. It's gone to his head." Constantine nodded.
"It's a shame."
"Of course it is." Ginny agreed. "He has a good heart. And to be perfectly honest with you I have no idea what fuels his thing against you…Hermione, that is. It's out of character – he's usually loyal to his friends to the point of folly. Do you have any idea?" Constantine shook her head.
"None. One day we're working together as aurors, making cracks about what we'll find next that needs to be either destroyed or deported to keep the public safe, next day I've been kidnapped by Draco Malfoy because my name came up on a hit list." Ginny raised her eyebrows.
"Romantic." Constantine didn't answer, eyes down as she sipped her coffee. "Oh, hun. I'm sorry." Constantine looked up.
"What for?"
"You fell in love with him, didn't you?" Ginny asked, reaching across the table to take Constantine's hand. "With Draco. And now you're living a lie and he's on the run." Constantine gave a soft laugh.
"Very concise, Ginny." She said. "Well done." Ginny nodded with a sad smile.
"Have you heard from him?" Ginny asked. Constantine shook her head.
"The point of hiding is not being found."
"Do you miss him?"
"Like hell." Ginny nodded, retracting her hand and picking up her mug.
"So what are you doing now? What's the grand scheme?" Constantine shrugged.
"I'm a socialite, and recently turned down a trip to Europe with Daniel Masters, I don't know if you know him. I've got a series of projects in Africa and Asia helping poorer children understand and develop their magical abilities because a lot of them are shunned and even killed for being different. And because they can't control their magic they make it worse. So I'm pouring a lot of money and effort into making those schemes work. But apart from that, I'm not doing much. ."
"That's so typically you." Ginny said with a smile. "Remember S.P.E.W.?"
"Do I ever." Constantine laughed. "No, this is a little bit different, in that I have both the money and the power to actually make a significant difference. And its satisfying to see Malfoy money go to good use." Ginny raised her eyebrows.
"Malfoy money?" Constantine nodded.
"A lot of my funding comes from Amadeo." She explained. "He was the one who set me up with the flat and the clothes and the invites. Now I'm starting to make money on my own with some modelling and jewelery design so I can be a bit more independent." Ginny nodded.
"Is there something between you and Amadeo?" Constantine shook her head.
"No. We're friends, which is surprising considering his pureblood surpremist views, but that's all."
"And you're with Draco." Ginny added. Constantine nodded.
"Kind of. As much as you can be with a guy who's missing and incommunicado." Ginny nodded in agreement. "What about you?" Constantine changed the subject. "Up to anything much?" Ginny shook her head.
"Recuperating. Apart from that though, I have a plan that mostly involves working out what angle Harry is working." Constantine frowned.
"I don't understand."
"Constantine…Hermione…it doesn't make sense, Harry suddenly turning on you. Something set him off, and I want to know what that something is. And do you even know what your crime is?" Constantine shook her head. "Well, I'll find that out too. There's too many questions, and not enough answers."
"Ginny, that's dangerous. I can't ask you to do that." Constantine shook her head and Ginny shrugged.
"You didn't ask me to do it. You're my friend, and it's not right that you have to live in a stranger's body for the rest of your life while your lover is on the run. So I'm going to find out why." Ginny looked resolute and Constantine nodded.
"Alright. But be careful." Ginny nodded, a triumphant smile crossing her face.
"I will." She paused. "So what's this about Daniel Masters?" Constantine laughed.
&
"Oh, shit." Amadeo looked back as Constantine stopped.
"What?"
"My heel's caught in the drain." The redhead said, looking up. Amadeo sighed impatiently and returned to her side where she was tugging fruitlessly at the green satin stiletto that had wedged itself in the grate. It was raining and cold and they were metres away from her warm dry apartment, but now she was stuck.
"Just take it off and leave it." Amadeo said with a shrug. Constantine fixed him with one of the filthiest looks in her repetoire, one she usually reserved for Potter or Weasley.
"These are Manolo Blahniks." She said like it should mean something to him. "I am not going to leave it behind." Amadeo shook his head.
"You're being ridiculous, Constantine." He said. She glared at him and continued to tug at her heel. "Look, I'll buy you a new pair, just like those. Just leave that. You're ruining that dress in this rain."
"Fuck the dress." Constantine muttered rebelliously.
"That is an Armani silk dress and there will be no fucking done anywhere near it." Amadeo returned. "Just leave the damn shoe and let's go!"
"No." She returned. She looked back down at her shoe and gave it one last hard tug that both freed the shoe and sent her falling backwards. Amadeo winced at the damage it was doing to the dress. "There, you see?" She said with a bright smile.
"All I can see is the damage you're doing to that dress." He said sourly. "It's only a pair of shoes, Constantine. They don't matter that-"
An almighty explosion interrupted his spiel and the two looked up to the see the top floor of Constantine's apartment building, that is to say, her flat, explode. Amadeo flung himself over Constantine, protecting her from the shrapnel. When metal had stopped falling on them, Amadeo pulled back, took one look at the still burning building and grabbed Constantine. With a pop, he apparated them both to the manor.
"What the fuck?" Constantine demanded, shaking herself free of him and drawing herself up to her full height, which, while wearing four inch heels, was quite impressive.
"I was saving your life you stupid bint." Amadeo snapped. She glared.
"Not you, idiot. I know what you were doing. I want to know what my appartment is doing spontaneously blowing up!"
"Trust me, there was nothing spontaneous about it." Amadeo said darkly. "You might have to go on that trip with Masters."
"We already talked about what it would do to Constantine's reputation." Constantine said, shaking her head though hope flared in her chest.
"Constantine, someone is trying to kill you. We'll say that Masters, as a friend, took you to Europe to help you forget. And anyway, you're constantly being linked with people. What does it matter if Masters is one of them?"
"That's not what you said two weeks ago." Constantine said, folding her arms.
"It's inconvenient, Constantine." Amadeo said. "And you don't need the speculation. But someone is trying to kill you and I'm damned if they're going to blow up the manor to do it!" Constantine huffed and blew an escaping strand of red hair out of her face.
"Fine. Are you going to call him or shall I?" she asked imperiously.
"I'll do it. You go upstairs and get a shower and some clean clothes, and give that dress to the House Elves to see if they can salvage it. I'll call Masters." Constantine nodded, turning on her heel and heading up the stairs to her old bedroom.
As she pushed open the door she closed her eyes, feeling waves of feeling and memory wash over her. She stepped into the room, heels sinking into the deep carpet. Then she opened her eyes and looked around. It hadnt changed since she'd moved out, nearly two months after she'd found the letter on her pillow, two weeks after she'd fallen asleep, thanks to Draco's sneaky spell.
A pop behind her alerted her to the House Elf's presence and she turned and saw Dimmy standing in the doorway.
"Hello Dimmy." She said quietly. The House Elf bowed to her.
"Mistress has returned." She said gleefully. "Bad goings on though, bad bad bad." Constantine nodded.
"Yes, Dimmy. You're right." She sat down on the bed and bounced experimentally. She hurt inside, just from being here. Here, where the memories of Draco were strongest, was where she could feel his absence like someone had reached in her chest and pulled out a handful of whatever, leaving a gaping hole.
Cliched as it was, her heart hurt. Or her chest hurt like her heart had gone.
Constantine swallowed back tears and reached down to unbuckle her shoes.
"Does Mistress need a bath?" Dimmy asked. Constantine nodded.
"Please. And then could you see if you could save this dress? It's horribly water-stained." Dimmy nodded, disappearing into the bathroom. Soon the sound of running water appeared and steam began to billow out of the door. Constantine stripped unselfconsciously and put on the bathrobe laid out on the end of the bed and walked into the bathroom, twisting her hair up as she went. Dimmy turned off the taps and went into the bedroom to look at the dress while Constantine shed the robe and stepped delicately into the hot water, hissing as the hot water touched her skin. Then she let herself submerge up to her shoulders, leaning her head back against the side and closing her eyes, breathing deeply and letting the lavender scented steam relax her. And then she fell asleep.
She jerked awake, water splashing over the side. It was cold and she was shivering, and she quickly climbed out and wrapped herself in a towel, wondering at Dimmy's neglect. Normally the House Elf woke her up long before the water even became tepid. Constantine quickly dried off, rubbing circulation back into her cool skin, and dressed in jeans and a shirt that used to belong to Draco before heading downstairs.
She could hear voices as she came downstairs, and saw the light under the reception door was on. She knocked lightly and stepped inside, and saw Daniel and Amadeo sitting in armchairs beside the fire. Both men looked up when she came in, and Daniel stood. Amadeo remained sitting, looking mildly amused.
"Constantine." She smiled widely, glad to see him.
"Daniel." She held out her hand and he took it, raising it to his lips. He raised his eyebrows at the wrinkles in the skin. "Sorry. I'm still pruney."
"Fell asleep in the bath?" Daniel asked with a smile. Constantine nodded with a sheepish shrug, moving past him and transfiguring a pile of books into an armchair before sitting in it. "Nicely done." Constantine smiled again. She didn't know what it was with this man, but she couldn't stop smiling around him. She looked at Amadeo, who was watching the pair of them with a knowing expression.
"Amadeo." She said in greeting, and in warning. He glanced at her and his lips twitched as he restrained a smile.
"Constantine. Dear." She rolled her eyes and focused back on Daniel.
"I'm sorry about your apartment." He said. "It must have been a huge blow. Do you have any idea who did it?" Constantine shook her head.
"None. Someone against the Projects, maybe. Or someone jealous of my status…I don't know."
"Know anyone with vendettas against you?" Daniel asked. She looked at him sharply and he shrugged. "I'm trying to look at all the options Constantine." She shook her head.
"No. No one I know of." The lie felt wrong to Daniel, but there weren't any other options. He nodded.
"Alright. Amadeo's said that Europe will be safest for you."
"That isn't why I want to go!" Constantine blurted, glaring at Amadeo. Daniel smiled, pleased. "I'd like to go, and not because it's safer than staying here."
"Well, either way, I'd love to have you with me." He smiled. Then he frowned. "What's that?" They all quietened, and heard a whooshing noise before the flames in the fireplace flared green and Ginny Weasley stepped out of them, looking perfectly coiffed and dressed, as though she'd just come from a rather late running party.
"Constantine." She said. "Are you alright?" Constantine stood up and hugged the witch.
"I'm fine." She said. "We were outside when it blew."
"Oh, thank Merlin." Ginny breathed. "You sure you're okay?" Constantine nodded.
"Little bit shocked, but it's okay." Ginny nodded, pulling out of Constantine's embrace to look at the two wizards.
"Amadeo, Daniel."
"Miss Weasley." Amadeo said, standing. "You look lovely." Ginny looked down at herself with a smile.
"Thank you. I was at an after party."
"Well, I'm sure you quite outshone everyone else." Daniel said with an easy grace. "Please, sit down." Ginny smiled and with a flick of her wand transfigured a side table into a chair and settled herself in it, Amadeo following suit. "We were just saying I will take Constantine to Europe with me. It'll do her some good to leave, and will go some way to protecting her." Ginny nodded, looking thoughtful.
"It will." She looked at Constantine. "The Ministry is in a right tizzy over this, I'll tell you. Nobody knows how or why it happened."
"Nobody?" Daniel questioned. "Someone must know."
"No one officially knows." Ginny clarified. "Harry was furious when he found out."
"Potter? How is Potter involved?" Amadeo asked. Ginny glanced at Constantine.
"He's got a bit of a preoccupation with me." Constantine said sheepishly. "And he can't seem to shake it."
"Preoccupation?" Ginny laughed. "It's an all-consuming obsession, Constantine."
"Wonderful. It's been promoted." Constantine said drily.
"And you're alright with this?" Daniel asked. "You're meant to be marrying the man." Ginny nodded.
"We'll see." She said simply. "Well, Constantine, if you're going with Daniel, is there a way I can contact you?"
"Send everything to Amadeo." Daniel said. "He can forward everything onto us." Ginny nodded, and rose, Amadeo and Daniel rising also.
"Well, I should leave." She said. "I said I'd only be gone a few minutes, I just wanted to check you'd be okay."
"How did you know she'd be here?" Daniel asked with a frown. Ginny shrugged elegantly.
"I assumed she'd be with Amadeo. That's all." She stepped towards the fireplace and withdrew a handful of floo powder from her tiny clutch and threw it into the fire, throwing them one last radiant smile before stepping into the flames and vanishing.
"She's certainly something." Daniel commented. Constantine nodded, and noticed Amadeo still looking thoughtfully at the fire where Ginny had disappeared. Daniel noticed too and sent Constantine and questioning glance. Constantine just smiled.
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