Dragon's Rekindler

Dragon’s Rekindler~Chapter 3

Dead or Alive

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~November 2nd~

* * * * * * * * * * * *

A couple days after the ‘Rescue Mission’, Draco started to show his feelings for Virginia more openly.

It was dinner time and Draco kept sneaking glances at Virginia. She of course noticed and realized that Draco just might like her back. She decided to take advantage of Draco’s feelings.

Draco was collecting some asparagus on to his fork---and was staring at Virginia at the same time. Virginia had to hide her smile when she noticed this. Draco hated asparagus. Virginia raised her hand to her mouth and coughed to gain his attention.

He looked up from staring at her unfocusedly and looked into her eyes.

“Yes?” he asked her.

“Well Draco, I’ve noticed you staring at me for the past ten minutes. What? Is there something on my robes?” Virginia asked him sweetly, trying to control the laughter welling up inside herself. She had never seen him act so “open” before. Usually he’d look at her and not act so... nervous. But today and the last few days he proved to be acting weird around her. Draco again looked at her robes, they were a sunny yellow, and looked back up at her shaking his head as an answer.

Virginia smiled and said, while enacting her plan to take advantage of the situation, “Draco, I was planning on taking Selena to a muggle zoo sometime this week. I think I’ll need my pay in advance.”

He still had that nervous look about him, but answered in a clear, unaffected tone, “Sure, sure. But you don’t need to use your paycheck; I’ll give you my Gringotts card. Just use whatever you need.”

Virginia was still smiling at him, but was blushing slightly. She wasn’t exactly expecting him to trust her with a Gringott’s card to his vault.

“Draco, why don’t you come with us. It’ll be great fun. We can see all these different kinds of animals...and the muggles even keep animals that aren’t originally from London...” she was chatting excitedly, but was interrupted by Draco.

“No. I can’t come with you and Selena. Trust me, I won’t be any fun. Go along without me,” he said to Virginia while looking down at his plate.

When he saw the asparagus on the end of his fork, he made a face and took a napkin to wipe it clear off. Instead he forked up some fried chicken. Virginia laughed when she saw this.

“What?” he demanded of her, looking at Virginia from the corner of his eye.

“I was wondering when you’d notice the asparagus on your fork. I thought you hated them?” she answered with a smile plastered on her sunny face.

Draco smirked and asked her, “Since when have you noticed my favorites and dislikes?” Virginia sobered down and looked him seriously in the eye, “Since you attempted to save my life.”

Draco looked at her and smiled. “So, do I get a reward of some sort?” he asked Virginia while a mischievous smile tugged at the ends of his mouth.

“Depends what kind of reward you want,” she answered seductively, completely forgetting that Selena was sitting right next to her. Selena had a look of concentration on her face. Finally, she resolved to ask ’Ginny’ and ’father’ the question on her mind, “Whad es re-word?”

Virginia smiled at the little girl’s confusion, and was about to answer when again Draco interrupted. “None of your damn business!” he growled at her. Virginia was shocked. Her mouth was gaping open with clear and obvious anger because of Draco’s uncalled for reaction to an innocent question.

“Draco! You really need to shut your uncontrollable mouth! She didn’t say anything to offend you did she?” Virginia shrieked at him. He appeared somewhat shocked by her reaction and started to refute when Virginia got up from her seat, walked over to the scared Selena, and picked her up lovingly.

Virginia carried Selena out the dining room doors, slamming them behind her retreating back. It was Draco’s turn to be shocked. His mouth was open, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

“Bransworth! Clean up this room!” Draco clearly wanted to show the household that he still had control over his own home. Maybe if I want Ginny to like me...Draco gulped, I’ll have to be nice to Selena. Draco gulped nervously again.

* * * *

~November 4th~

* * * *

The day was sunny, not too cool, and not too hot. Downtown London seemed to be having relatively high temperatures this year. The day before today, Virginia had run into Draco after breakfast. He had his Gringott’s card in his hand. He handed the silvery blue card over to Virginia without looking at her face. She took it, nodded her head in thanks, and walked away.

Virginia was still angry about Draco’s behavior. The day after that, today, Virginia had taken Selena to the London Zoo. They traveled there by first flooing to Diagon Alley, and then Virginia waved for a muggle transport bus. Virginia was grateful for taking advanced studies of muggles back in Hogwarts. They had finally reached the zoo, paid the fare, and walked along the pavement path.

The first exhibit Selena went to was for Polar bears. Virginia had brought sketch pads for Selena to draw her favorite animals, and Selena was seated on a bench---pencil in hand, drawing the bears.

Virginia got up from the bench next to Selena and asked her, “ Would you like some pretzels?” Selena nodded joyously. Virginia left her to her drawing for only a few minutes, when she returned and what she saw made her pretzels fall out of her hand. Selena was dangling from the ledge of the polar bear exhibit.

Virginia ran over to her, grabbed her, and pulled her up out from behind the protective glass.

“What were you doing?!” Virginia yelled at her. Selena was crying hysterically, her tears and hiccups very loud---and attracting the muggles’ attention.

“I not know! ‘hiccup’ I see the bears an’ I wann’ ‘hic-up’ ‘ed to ped ‘em! I sorry Ginny!” Selena was no longer coherent, she was still sobbing.

Virginia hugged the frightened four year old, gently rubbing her back. “Selena, I’m not mad anymore. I just want you to ask me before you decide to leave the bench I put you on. Besides, the important thing is that you’re alive. God bless, I think we got lucky there---didn’t we?” Virginia smiled down at the tear-streaked face below hers. She wiped Selena’s tears away with her thumbs, and kissed her on the nose.

Selena stopped crying and hugged Virginia---very tightly. Selena’s grip was desperate, as if she would lose Virginia at any moment. Virginia hugged her back, this time singing in Selena’s ear the Welsh song Mrs. Weasley used to sing to her. Selena felt ‘beddar’ now, as she soon informed Virginia.

They walked to other exhibits---safer ones, such as the reptile house and petting zoo. While walking along the snake portion of the room, Virginia explained Hogwarts’ four houses and their corresponding house animals. Selena was eager to know where Virginia was and where her father had been.

“I was in Gryffindor, house of the lions. Your father--Draco, was in Slytherin, house of the serpents,” Virginia informed the curious girl.

“Mah-bee I could draw’ed dis snake for daddy?” Selena asked Virginia, while trying to point at the green boa constrictor behind the glass terrarium. “Sure, let me get your pencils out,” Virginia told Selena, and she let the girl sit down on the floor---drawing away. Virginia stood protectively over the fair color haired girl and admired the effort she spent drawing a snake for her daddy. ‘Mah-bee’ Virginia felt admiration more because Draco wasn’t worthy of Selena’s unconditional love.

Virginia smiled as the girl put the finishing touches to the picture. With a little help from Virginia, Selena wrote, “Slytherin’s Snake” on the top part of the parchment in green crayon.

“Do you want to touch some animals?” Virginia asked Selena. “Yeah!” she responded enthusiastically, delighted for having permission to do what she had tried earlier on polar bears. “Ok, great. Let’s go,” Virginia said, taking Selena’s hand as they walked to the petting zoo.

* * * *

~Later that day~

* * * *

“Good neet Ginny! Fankoo fur tak’ed me to the zoo!” Selena smiled widely---still too excited to go to bed, but Virginia insisted that a long day of walking and petting should tucker out a small four year old. How wrong she was. “Good night Selena love. Tomorrow you can tell your daddy everything you saw. Alright?” “Ok. I tell him tomurrow,” Selena responded, while barely being able to stifle a yawn from escaping her mouth.

“You’re tired. Go to sleep darling,” Virginia told the little girl, kissed her forehead and whispered ‘good night’ in her ear again.

Virginia’s red hair fell from her braid and into Selena’s nose. “Ack! Dat tickles! Ha, Ha!” Selena screeched, while laughing. Laughter, which is proven contagious scientifically proved correct now. Virginia laughed and pulled the stray hair back. Still smiling, Virginia kissed Selena on the top of her head instead. She pulled the covers around the small girl---a small smiling and happy little girl. Virginia felt pride at making Selena smile---something she deserved no doubt.

Virginia got out of the rocking chair beside Selena’s bed and as softly as she could, shut the door.

Virginia was just on her way back to her room, when Draco popped up out of nowhere and asked how the day went. “Selena will tell you tomorrow,” Virginia answered tiredly. “No. Tell me now. We can go to my library, “Draco pressed on. “Oh...Alright,” Virginia gave in.

“What’s that in your hand?” Draco asked her after they discussed the zoo trip.

“Oh damn, I almost forgot. This here is a picture drawn by Selena for you,” she said while handing it to him. Draco frowned and refused to take it. “Damnit Draco! Just take the damn drawing! It’s not going to hurt you!” Virginia told him---her patience for his behavior wavering. “Fine,” he said, and grabbed the drawing out of her outstretched fingers.

Virginia smiled smugly and made Draco open it. He thought it was impressive for a four year old. He was eyeing it with admiration, especially the lettering on the top.

“Good night Draco,” Virginia called out from the doorway.

“Good night Ginny,” he responded. This he knew would definitely take time---loving his daughter. Accepting a gift from her was just one step in the right direction...for Selena and Virginia’s love. Double jackpot.

* * * *

~December 24th: A few hours after dinner~

* * * *

Virginia and Draco continued to be friends. Merely, and only friends over the next couple weeks. Draco was right, Virginia opened up to him more after taking the drawing from Selena.

Draco still couldn’t say anything to Selena. He didn’t even say ’thank you’ the day after receiving the drawing. He did feel a bit of the ice on his heart melt when Selena appeared downcast at not receiving a ’fanks’. But Draco knew he could never push himself to like someone---even Selena.

Draco had insisted the day before Christmas, to talk with Virginia. Virginia told Draco that she wished to go home for the holiday---and maybe even take Selena with her. And that was the topic being discussed in the library at this very second...

“Draco, please. She needs to get out of the house!” Virginia said.

“No. She will not leave this house! How many times have I gone over this with you?” Draco said annoyedly.

“Why must you be so difficult! I wouldn’t keep going over this with you so many times if you’d just agree with me!” Virginia shot back. She wanted Selena to stay with her---no matter what Draco had to say.

In fact, Virginia was just going to take Selena with her, no matter what Draco had to say about it. Being who she was, Virginia felt that she should at least ‘sort of’ ask permission.

“Bransworth! Bring me a Mai Tai!” Draco shouted. He really hated arguing---because he usually got his way with a snap of his fingers.

“Me too!” Virginia shouted to Bransworth.

“I thought you didn’t like Mai Tai’s,” Draco asked. “Well, if you’re getting drunk, I’d only say it’s fair for both of us to be,” she answered. “I don’t get drunk,” Draco said shortly, defending himself it seemed. “Wanna make a bet?” Virginia asked him, her hand outstretched. “Sure, but remember, you’re going to owe me a lot of...By the way, what are the stakes?” he asked.

“If you get drunk before me---I take Selena. If I get drunk before you, which isn’t going to happen mind you, then... for old times’ sake I’ll kiss you,” Virginia told him. She knew Draco wanted to kiss her, it was pretty obvious. “Fair enough. Now where’s that butler when you need him?”

* * * *

~9 glasses later~

* * * *

“Ginny, do you love me?” Draco asked, straightening up and trying not to act drunk out of his mind. He wanted to take advantage of Virginia’s lowered guard. He knew she would definitely answer him truthfully under the magical spell of a Mai Tai. They seemed to work just like Veritiserum.

“Well, erm... uh I do lurv yooou! Jurst that---yooou’re sucher bastard ter Selena, and I really would lurv you irf yooou’d lurv ‘er. Will yoooou ever lurv ‘er?” Virginia’s slurred speech clearly indicated the state of her mind. Draco was just about to answer, when Virginia slumped to her left side on the sofa. She was completely out. Completely drunk senseless.

Draco chuckled softly, remembering that he had won their little bet. He started to worry for Virginia’s health when she wouldn’t raise her face form the sofa. He jumped out of his chair and to Virginia’s throat.

Feeling the beating pulse beneath his fingers, Draco calmed down.

Only God knew how many friends he had had that died because they choked on their own vomit or had alcohol poisoning. Damn! I never should’ve let her drink this much! Virginia wasn’t on the tall side, she was more petite, but at the height of 5’4”, couldn’t necessarily be classified as petite.

Draco carried Virginia out of the library and to her room. By the time Draco reached her room, he was starting to feel dizzy from the alcohol as well. He pulled back the covers and laid her down---her face to the side, to prevent choking. He pulled the covers back up around her still body, and laid down on the covers next to her. Earlier on, when Virginia first saw her bed, and told Draco how wonderful it was---he had told her that it was an exact replica of his.

The reason for this was because it had many safety features on it. Such as, an invisible boundary that only activated once you fell asleep---it prevented you from ever falling/rolling off the tall bed. Another feature Draco himself installed---after the tragic death of Pansy, was an indicator of one’s vital stats. Draco knew where the indicator was, in the drawer at the very top of it.

He pushed the button with his wand tip, and a green light shone---it blinked twice. Because there were two people on the bed, Draco and Virginia, thus it blinked twice. The green indicated no problems, whereas the red would indicate something was wrong. Completely relaxed now, Draco started to fall asleep. Not being able to conquer his eyelids’ battle with closing---he gave in.

* * * *

~A couple hours later~

* * * *

Virginia yawned and slowly opened her eyes. She rubbed them frantically. No! Her blurry vision had to have something to do with seeing a tousled haired blond man watching her sleep! “Draco?”

“Yes, they do call me that sometimes,” he answered while smiling down at the surprised Virginia.

“What the hell are you doing in my bed?” she squeaked.

“I watched you sleep. I was concerned for your health. I’ve had enough friends dying on me---by choking on their own vomit, to allow you to sleep alone. Although I did have to strip you and put your see-through black nighty on you,” Draco smiled at her sweetly.

Virginia blushed fiercely, and quickly looked under the covers. She sighed in relief. The clothes she wore earlier that day were still on her body. She realized Draco was only joking. Virginia lightly, and playfully smacked him on top of his blond head. Before Virginia could retract her hand from the top of his head, he grabbed her hand and leaned forward---closing the gap between them. Draco’s lips on Virginia’s felt the same as the ’staircase’ kiss, except this time it was less urgent.

Draco took his time, letting Virginia take the lead with her mouth. Virginia couldn’t help but think that Draco was like a fine wine; Only getting better with age. His kiss was very refined, very smooth, as if he were born only to kiss. Only to kiss Virginia that is.

They wrapped their arms around each other, while Virginia unknowingly threw her leg over Draco’s thighs. She continued to wrap herself, letting loose her inner tiger, to overtake Draco’s lean figure. She only tamed herself when his gentle fingers touched her skin.

His fingers trailed over her arms, over her long legs, over her eager face, and over her backside, sending waves of pleasure through her body. She let out a sound of pleasure and happiness when his tongue enveloped her own. He was just starting to unbutton her shirt when she broke off the sensual kiss. Draco was surprised and glared at her with a longing look in his gray eyes.

“Now who said taking your nanny’s clothing off was part of the job description?” Virginia asked him---watching him, she had a playful grin on her flushed face.

“Oh, all right! I’ll wait until you decide its alright!” he answered. Draco suddenly had an image of his Virginia and Harry Potter getting it on, much further than Draco would have approved of. From what he could remember from his second year, Virginia was completely, and utterly in love with Potter. He wanted to make sure it was just an image of his vivid imagination---not reality.

“I never did get around to asking you how Potter took it,” he asked her.

“Took what?” she asked, confused as she was---she knew Draco hated Harry.

“You working for me,” he answered.

“Oh...well you shouldn’t ask,” Virginia told him with a faraway look in her eyes.

“Why not?” he asked, curious to find out what caused her to look so far away.

“Because ’Potter’ isn’t part of our ’family’ anymore,” she answered tersely. Draco was beyond curiosity now, “Why the hell not?”

“Because he tried to rape me,” came Virginia’s quiet reply.

Draco’s emotions went from shocked to anger in quick succession. Who the bloody hell does he think he is? Draco thought, anger was quickly shown on his red hot face. Voicing his anger, Draco practically shouted at Virginia, “Who the fuck does he think he is? I’m going to find him, kill him, then beat him to an unrecognizable pulp!”

Virginia’s laughter was a very out-of-place behavior---so naturally, Draco started to question her sanity. Virginia’s face reddened more and more every second she spent laughing. Tears were in her eyes, she quickly wiped them off her smiling face. Draco was feeling pretty scared by now.

“What’s wrong with you Ginny? He tried to rape you, and all you can do is laugh...” Draco stopped mid-sentence because dawn of realization fell upon him. Draco looked on at Virginia---now barely in control of her laughter.

“It seems that I’ve been had,” he finally spoke, quietly.

Virginia, sensing that he had been very sincere about his threat to Harry, that she almost felt bad for making a mockery of Draco’s feelings for her. Then again, Draco had scared Virginia shit-less when he told her about stripping her. Now that they were even, it was easier to apologize.

“I’m sorry Draco. I won’t ever do it again,” she quickly spoke.

“I’ll only let it go if we kiss again---it better be better than the last two.”

“What last two?”

“Staircase, and the one we just shared! How could you forget already?”

Virginia smiled seductively at him and said, “Yes indeed, how could I? Please refresh my memory.”

They looked into each other’s eyes, feeling like two opposite ends of a magnet---unable to resist the evident pull between their bodies. Draco’s hands started forward for Virginia’s arms. he wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled. She pulled Draco down on to her welcoming body, and they started to kiss. Just as Virginia was treading her fingers lovingly through Draco’s fine silver locks, a sound of crashing and thudding came from behind the closed door.

They jumped away from each other and both ran to the door. Draco opened the door for Virginia and stuck his head out the doorway to make sure it was safe. Then he let her go first, always the gentleman, Draco was. He soon followed after her, but didn’t get far.

Virginia had stopped short of the top stairs of the marble staircase.

“What was that noise?” he asked her quietly, voicing her fears along with his.

“I don’t know. I’m going to check to see if Selena’s alright,” she whispered.

“Tell Selena I love her,” Draco said aloud without realizing. He widened his eyes and wondered where that came from. “Good, Draco. Finally, you came out with the truth!” Virginia smiled up at Draco approvingly and patted him gently on his back.

Virginia reached Selena’s door. It was open. Usually, Selena slept with the door closed. Virginia panicked and ran into the room. She lit up the dark room with her wand light. No one was in the bed. Virginia frantically checked all possible hiding places the four year old could fit in. Still nobody was found. Virginia ran out the door and screamed for Draco.

“What!?” Draco yelled back from the guest bedrooms---where he was checking for the source of noise.

“Selena! She’s not here!” she shouted back.

“You’re joking!” Draco yelled back, he gave up his search in the room, it was getting futile, and ran to meet up with Virginia by the staircase once again. Seeing the stricken face Virginia wore, he became serious as well. He finally felt like a responsible parent. Scared for his child.

“Let’s check downstairs. She might’ve snuck into the kitchens for a late snack,” Draco told Virginia, trying to sound optimistic. They started to descend the cold, hard marble stairs slowly. Virginia had her wand light on the floor to watch where she stepped. She grabbed onto Draco’s strong arms to prevent from slipping. This staircase was very slippery.

Virginia caught a glimpse of silvery blond hair on the floor ahead of her. She let go of Draco and practically ran to the side of the blond hair. Virginia screamed.

Draco had just caught up with Virginia and now knew why she screamed.

The blond hair was the only part of Selena’s little crumpled body that wasn’t covered in thick, flowing, red blood.