Chapter 11

Every lyric stabbed him like a knife; the music twisted the handle. Her pain flowed through him. How could such simple words cause such a reaction? How could a stranger know his story so well? She sang as though she was there, when his world fell apart. He wiped away the tears, before anyone could see.

She did have a lovely voice. Yes, he could see why she was so popular. She was singing a fast song now, but the words still stung deep. She must have had her heart broken too. Maybe that was something they could bond over. Mutual heartbreak.

He was careful to stay in the shadows, as the show continued for another hour. He prayed it would end soon; his insides were being pulled apart. He was a mess.

The lights dimmed, a spotlight shined on her.

My friends (Cheers abrupted around her)

We have come to the end of the show. (Boos filled the arena)

I just wanted to say thank you, to all of you who have supported me through the years. (Encore, Encore)

I'm sorry. There will be no encore tonight. (Boo, boo)

Although I am retiring, it doesn't mean that this is the end. (Gasps and whispers echoed)

This isn't goodbye, it is only, until we meet again.

Ella ran off stage and into her dressing room. Slamming the door shut, she slumped against it and slid down, finally letting the tears fall.

"Kind of dramatic don't you think?," Owen extended his hand.

She took it, accepting the bottle of water he offered with his other hand, "Yeah, just a little."

He wiped her tears, handing her a tissue' "Any plans tonight?"

She smiled, "I thought I might hide here until the crowd clears."

"You could always just hocus-pocus yourself and leave."

She laughed, "Hocus Pocus?"

He shrugged, "You know what I mean."

"I don't want to leave yet. I want to freeze time...just for a little bit."

Owen hugged her tight, "Come see me tomorrow?'

She nodded.

/

Draco stared at the stage. Most of the crowd had gone, but he couldn't move. She was retiring? She was retiring. Was it because of him? It couldn't possibly be. Could it? He never meant to push her that hard.

He walked outside and leaned against a brick wall. He needed air. So now what? She would just disappear? How could he get her to sing at his enagagment party if she was retring? He was so lost in thought, he almost missed the back door creak open.

The figure was wearing a long trench coat and a hat, but he could see red hair flowing down her back. She ran down the street to the corner and looked around. He raced to catch up with her. He grabbed her arm, "Ella?" She apparated away, taking him with her.

They landed in Diagon Alley, in front of a bar.

"So you are a witch!"

Stunned, she pushed him away, backing into the shadow of the building.

He threw his hands up, "I'm not gonna hurt you."

"What do you want?"

He took a step closer to her, "I just wanted to talk." He pointed to himself, "It's me, Draco Malfoy."

She took a step back, "I know who you are. I have nothing to say to you."

He smirked, "Then don't talk. Just listen."

"No."

He gestured to the door, "Let me buy you a drink."

"I can buy my own drinks, Mr. Malfoy."

"Why are you so stubborn? I came all this way, sat through your whole show-"

"You saw the show?"

"Yes...you really know how to make an exit."

So he didn't recognize her. Her confidence roared back to life, "I think I will take you up on that drink."

/

Sapna flipped through her engagement itinerary, again. It seemed so depressing now. A month ago, she was ecstatic. Now, she knew the truth. He would never love her...but could she really love him? Life had become a compromise.

She sighed deeply, reading the same lines over and over.

Entertainment:
Ella

Why did she make such a big deal over such a small detail? Did it matter who would sing? It was like asking what you wanted as your last meal before you died. The outcome would still be the same.

Sapna put the book down and stepped into the floo. She landed in a huge room decorated with quidditch memorabilia. Grimmauld Place had changed since her last visit, but then, so had she.

"Pansy?"

Pansy walked into the room as her floo alarm activated, "Right here."

"Got a minute? I really need to talk."

Harry walked through the swinging door, "Hi Sapna."

"Hey Harry."

"No Draco today?"

She shook her head, "I need to borrow your girlfriend."

He looked confused. Pansy slapped his arm, "She wants to talk."

Harry nodded, "I gotta go out anyways." He kissed Pansy's cheek, "Be back soon." She nodded.

That was what Sapna wanted. A man who wanted to be with her. A man who adored her. She envied Pansy.

"Hey. Come. Sit down."

Sapna sat on the chair next to Pansy.

"So...?" Pansy questioned.

Sapna stumbled on her words, "He doesn't love me. He'll never love me."

Pansy nodded, knowing that it wasn't a question, "But you knew that."

"I knew he didn't, but I didn't think he could never."

She nodded again, "Drake is...complicated."

"I know about Mia."

Pansy sighed, "Who told you?"

"He did."

Her ears were on fire, shock was an understatement, "Wow. Okay."

"He still loves her."

"So what are you going to do?"

Sapna shook her head, "I don't know. Am I suppose to do something?"

Pansy shrugged, "I guess, no. You don't have to do anything."

They sat in silence for awhile. Pansy couldn't think of a single thing she could say, that would comfort Sapna at the moment. So she did the only thing she could think of, change the subject.

"So, where is Drake?"

"He went to Ella's show."

Crap! They weren't suppose to meet. He didn't know who she was...who she really was. Fuck! Even Pansy, herself, didn't believe it when Harry told her. This wasn't going to end well.

"Pans, you don't look so well. Are you feeling okay?"

"Oh, yeah I'm fine. So, um, how long has he been gone?"

"A couple hours."

"Um, okay."

"You seem distracted, you wanna talk about it?"

"No. I'm fine. I just have alot going on with...um..the new fashion line."

This seemed to cheer Sapna up. "Oh! I saw one of your dresses in a magazine last week. It was gorgeous."

Pansy blushed, "Thanks. I'll send you a catalog. Anything you want, on me, of course."

Sapna nodded, "Thanks," but her smiled faded again, "Pans, you're his best friend, but we're friends too, right?"

"Of course we are."

"You wouldn't lie to me, right?"

"What are you asking me Sapna?"

"Do you think he could ever love me?"

Pansy grabbed Sapna's hand and shook her head, "Honestly," she took a deep breathe, "he's only ever loved one woman and neither one of us is her. Don't waste your life trying to change that. Nothing ever will, believe me. I know."

Sapna nodded, "He broke you too. How did you get over it?"

"I didn't. I just found something better."