Yours Forever, Ginny.

Virginia Weasley had just set foot in the new school that she would be going to for six months. She breathed in deeply, trying to take everything in at once.

Durmstrang.

She'd realized that her current wardrobe would need a drastic change if she was actually going to fit in here. Cautiously, she'd approached various muggle stores as well as magical robe shops to try and find what she was looking for. Never one to be hooked on fashion, over the last weeks, especially with some help from the various friends she'd made in Spain and Germany, Virginia had become something of a fashion guru. Her self-confidence still needed a bit ... well, a lot of work, but what she didn't know was that here, her life would be changed forever.

"Are you new here?" Virginia turned around to the direction that the voice was coming from and saw a tall good-looking boy with dark hair and equally dark features looking at her quizzically. He had a heavy European accent, of what, she could not tell.

"Y-yes, hi, my name's Gin- er, my name is Virginia," she said the last part with confidence, standing up tall. She wanted to make a new start here, a new impression. The boy seemed to be taken by her and smiled.

"I'm Aleksandar Korpov, I'm a prefect," he announced, blatantly looking her up and down. Virginia tried to contain the blush that was threatening to creep onto her pale cheeks.

"Would you be able to show me the way to the headmaster's office?" she asked him, offering him a smile.

"Gladly," he replied holding out his arm. She took it and together, they left.

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

Dumbledore sat there, staring at Harry in silence. The Imperious curse? There was absolutely no way ... the grounds of Hogwarts were guarded with completely unbreakable charms, spells and wards. The castle was unplottable, Voldemort had never been able to set foot - not even in Harry's first year, for he had not been truly human then - in the castle, since the day he left as head boy. This only left two other options. It was a teacher ... or a student.

Coming out of his reverie, Dumbledore waved his hand and the truth spell he had set on Harry as well as the remnants of the curse, were disarmed. Harry shook his head, as if coming out of a trance. When he found his bearings, he looked up at Dumbledore questioningly.

"What happened? What did I say?" he asked, worry etching the contours of his face. After a few moments of silence Dumbledore spoke, his voice grave.

"Harry ... it seems that you have been under the imperious curse ... " he stopped at Harry's look of utter shock.

"What? How could that be? I can fight that curse! Moody - no, I mean Crouch taught me how to fight it in fourth year!" he exclaimed. Dumbledore nodded.

"That may be Harry, but there are different levels of the Imperious curse. It seems that you were working your way through fighting it - the fact that you asked to be place under the Veritas spell signifies that, but sometimes when the spell is applied strong enough, even the most powerful wizard may falter." He looked at Harry again, surprised to see him not even looking his way, but clutching the sides of his face with each hand.

"Oh god ... Ginny ..." he choked out.

"Harry ... I believe that in time, Miss Weasley will forgive you for what you have done, as long as she learns of the real reasons behind your actions. People may change through their minds, through their appearances, through their words. But one thing that can never change is your heart. You must remember that," Dumbledore told him, his kind blue eyes setting a small ease in Harry's mind.

"Thank you Professor, but I'd better go. I have a whole lot of people to explain to," Harry said reluctantly. Dumbledore nodded.

"Please come back if there's anything you need to tell me ... and Harry, we'll find out who did this."

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

It was about 1am when Virginia crept down into the common room silently. She couldn't sleep, so she thought she'd sit in front of the fire for a little while, and try to work out how she felt.

The initial shock of what happened had worn off. She was a strong person, and she knew that she'd be able to get over the frightened state she'd been set in soon enough - after all, Harry hadn't succeeded. No, what bothered her the most was that ... well ... this was Harry. Virginia may have changed, but she thought she knew Harry pretty well ... he just wasn't that type of person ... or so she thought. How could someone just ... turn on you like that? It really tugged at her heart.

"Penny for your thoughts," a voice interrupted her, making her jump. She turned around in her comfortable position to see Draco standing at the bottom of the staircase clad only in black silk boxers and a light black robe thrown casually, undone, over his broad shoulders. Virginia took a moment to glaze her eyes over his firm body before trailing her eyes up to his face. He wasn't sneering, he wasn't smirking at her, the expression on his face was one of concern, something she'd never seen on the likes of him before. Her heart softened slightly.

"Draco ... I ... I'm sorry about the way I treated you ... you really saved me -"

"I don't want you to thank me, I just want to know that you're okay," he said, walking over to the couch and sitting down next to her. She fluttered her eyes up to him. He was sitting extremely close.

"No, I want to. Thank you, you have no idea how much it means to me ..." she trailed off and closed her eyes as she relished in the soft way he had started stroking his long, refined fingers against her cheek. He leaned closer to her until she could feel his presence hot against her skin. Softly, and as gently as it could possibly be, he brushed his lips against hers, and she shivered as a tingle travelled through her body. Her eyes fluttered open briefly again and she looked into his eyes, full of passion, full of care ... the gray was somehow tinged with silver and she suddenly wanted more. She closed her eyes once more and cupped his cheek, pulling him to her again, their lips meeting in a bruising kiss filled with desire and hope. When they pulled away later, she rested her head against his strong chest and he wrapped a comforting arm around her petite shoulders, holding her protectively.

"You okay?" he asked. She smiled softly.

"I will be."

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

Harry trailed back to Gryffindor tower slowly. After he'd left Dumbledore's office he'd gone for a walk, not wanting to face the rest of the house until Ron had had a chance to talk to the Headmaster, which he was doing now.

I nearly raped Ginny, kept going through his head, over and over again, haunting him. He closed his eyes as he tried to recollect himself. Every time he thought about it, it created a rather sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. Footsteps sounded behind him and he turned around to see who it was. The flame-red hair and blue eyes of his best friend greeted him.

Ron stood in front of Harry, his arms clenched tightly at his sides, stance rigid. He didn't know what to say. Dumbledore had explained it to him, and he knew that it wasn't Harry's fault ... but what do you say to the guy that nearly raped your sister? Regardless of the fact that he was under a spell, and especially when it was your best friend.

"Ron ... I ... oh god, I-I'm-"

"I know it wasn't your fault. But it cuts all the same." Ron said rather stiffly, as though getting the words out was causing him a great deal of effort. Harry hung his head.

"I understand, I guess I'll just-"

"And when I find the bastard that did that to you ... I'll kill him." Harry looked up in surprise. He and Ron looked at each other for a moment before Ron held out his hand to shake. Harry took it, but caught up in the fact that he still had his best friend pulled the tall redhead into a warm hug. After a few moments they suddenly jumped back looking rather shocked. They shook hands briefly again before heading off in different directions, both shaking their heads.

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

Virginia had received an anonymous invitation to a 'special gathering' held in a forbidden section of the institute. Together, she and Aleña had left their house dormitory at 11:45pm and headed towards the designated area. Over the past two months Virginia had had the time of her life. The students and especially the friends she had made at Durmstrang had really forced the confidence that she never knew she had inside of her, to surface and stay put. Their tough attitudes and cold exterior's made it easy to build a shell around herself and not let anything in. The only people she had so far let in were Aleña ... and Alek. Virginia had never had a boyfriend before, but her and Aleksander had started to 'date' a few weeks after she arrived. They had become close ... well, as close as you can get without letting your true self emerge. In her heart, she was still a little girl, a girl who loved to be hugged and kissed by her mother, be spoilt by her father, doted on by her brothers - no matter how much Tom had ruined her, she always held a special place inside her heart for those happy memories.

Alek, being older had been somewhat ... demanding on the physical aspects of their relationship. Virginia went along with a lot of things - she decided she needed to be more open to new experiences and to stop being such a prude. Sexuality was a part of life, and something she needed to learn about through experience. She put her foot down when it came to the actual act of sex though. That was something she definitely was NOT ready for.

"What do you think this is all about?" Virginia asked her friend.

"I noticed this morning when certain people got the same invitations as us, that we all had one thing in common," Aleña said confidently. She was very sure of herself, something Virginia aspired to and had started to behold. She looked at her questioningly.

"We're all purebloods. And I don't just mean second and third generation, as you know they don't let half-bloods and ... mud- well, muggle-born's in here," becoming friends with Virginia had somewhat changed the way she spoke about people that were not like her. Virginia had come to dislike half-bloods and muggle-born's alike - not to the point of hatred, but spending 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with the students at Durmstrang made it hard to not think yourself a better person because you have pure, magical abilities from a completely pure bloodline. The one thing she would never lower herself to do, and would not let Aleña do, was call muggle-borns, mudbloods. No, that was something she would not allow.

"I'm talking pure as it gets. Look at my bloodline. I've traced my family back generations and generations and I can't find a single muggle, half-blood or even a squib, and you know for a fact that you can't either," Aleña told her, referring to Virginia's family tree which they had traced back just recently through some old records they'd obtained rather illegally. Virginia looked at her thoughtfully. What could be so selective?

They kept on heading towards their destination, walking carelessly and freely as they'd placed an invisible charm on themselves - something that would have been illegal in England, and definitely considered a spell used for the Dark Art's. Finally they reached the door. On the front, on a piece of parchment charmed so that only the people that were invited could read it, read;

You have been selected - the purest of the pure, the most untainted born of wizard, the epitome of greatness - to join the 'Society of Argentus'.

Please Enter.

Aleña gasped audibly.

"Oh my lord Gin ... do you know what this is? What this means?" she breathed. Virginia shook her head; it was spinning madly with mixed ideas and emotions.

"This is the highest honour in the whole of the Bulgarian wizarding society. You can only be selected if you're from a completely pure bloodline, and then even at that ... sometimes it's not enough ... oh lord," Aleña could hardly breathe properly. Virginia was starting to feel light-headed. This was amazing, how had SHE, a lowly Gryffindor, a WEASLEY for goodness sakes, have been chosen to join such a prestigious order?

"Are you ready to go through?" Virginia asked er friend softly. Aleña nodded and together they pushed the door open. Inside, they were immediately overwhelmed. This section of the castle seemed to have been preserved and forbidden specifically so that the Argentus Society could use it. It was lavish, it was rich, and it was extremely elegant. The people in this order were said to have been taken from nothing and made into galleonaires, governors, ministers, emperors, and kings.

They heard movement and turned to find six other people standing to their left, all looking around the room in wonder. Aleña noted them as fourth year's (you had to be above this year to enter). Jacqueline Fronav, Arnaude Lamont, Jean-Claude Svotzec, Amelie Josquin, Guillaume Machaut, and Olivie Du Fay. They greeted each other coolly.

A shadow appeared to cross past the faded light holding the room from pitch-blackness. Suddenly, standing in front of them were 12 figures dressed in black velvet robes, hoods pulled over their heads to keep their identity hidden. Virginia felt a shiver run down her spine. She was strangely reminded of the picture she'd formed in her head about what Death Eats might look like.

"Welcome," a deep voice spoke finally.

"Welcome, to your death."

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

As did most things that were suppose to remain secrets at Hogwarts, the story of Harry being placed under the Imperious curse had traveled fast and quickly become common knowledge. The students were walking around quickly and quietly, looking over their shoulders every few seconds as if the inflictor was coming back to get them. Suddenly everybody was a suspect. The paranoia level had reached a record high, and the animosity between houses, or one house in particular was rapidly growing. Everyone was blaming Slytherin.

As Harry walked to the Great Hall for breakfast over the next few weeks, alone, he was sharply reminded of his second year when Virginia had unknowingly opened the Chamber of Secrets - the tension in the air was as thick, if not thicker. Just as he reached the huge oak doors, a group of first-year Hufflepuff's appeared next to him. When they saw who it was, they gasped fearfully and scampered into the Great Hall as if they couldn't get away from him fast enough. Harry sighed. This was not a good start to the day.

"Harry?" he turned around to find Hermione standing there behind him. He gave her a wane smile and she placed a hand on his arm.

"Don't worry about them Harry. Things will get better soon - I promise." And with that, they walked into the Hall.

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

Virginia woke up, and paused as she tried to remember where she was. She felt like she had just awoken from the most peaceful sleep she'd had in forever. Her head was clear and she didn't immediately want to turn back over and fall asleep again. She realized she wasn't in her dorm room ... and she was cuddled up next to something extremely warm. Looking down, she saw a strong, palm arm wrapped around her waist protectively. Virginia suddenly remembered that she was in the common room ... with Draco. She'd stayed here late at night with him many times over the past weeks but they'd never spent the whole night sleeping like this before.

She looked up at his beautiful face. He looked so peaceful, angelic even, as he slept. The dawning sun peeking through the curtains cast a pure light on his face causing it to glow almost heavenly. Virginia traced her finger softly over his strong jawbone and chiseled features, drinking in his perfection, when his eyes suddenly opened causing her to squeal in surprise.

"You scared me! How long have you been awake?" she whispered. He smirked down at her.

"Long enough," he drawled back, causing her to blush slightly.

"What time is it?" he asked lazily, glancing at the curtains and yawning. Virginia glanced at the muggle watch that Hermione had given her for her 15^th birthday when she'd been overseas.

"Almost six thirty," she whispered again.

"People are going to be coming down soon, we should probably go back to our dorms," Draco whispered back, glancing around. Virginia was just about to reply the affirmative when she realized something.

"Why are we whispering?" she asked loudly. Draco shrugged, chuckling.

"Who knows? Anyway, do you want to meet me here in an hour to go down to breakfast?" he asked. Virginia's face suddenly fell.

"Breakfast ... people ... " she said sadly. Draco took her in his arms comfortingly.

"Don't worry, I'll be right there with you ... you don't have to do it alone," he said, his gray eyes meeting her chocolate ones warmly. She smiled back at him, and then kissed him softly on the lips.

"Thanks ... I guess I'll go up now then, see you soon," she said, before heading up. Draco watched her, a small smile playing at the corner of his aristocratic lips.

"Malfoy." Draco uncharacteristically jumped around in surprise. It was Aleña. She was standing by the other set of stairs that led up to the Slytherin dorms.

"Lestrange, what are you doing up this early?" he asked.

"I could ask you the very same thing." Her words were cool. It wasn't that she didn't like Draco, she did, and she could see how much he and Virginia liked or maybe even loved each other. But Virginia was one of her closest friends, and there was no way she ever wanted to see her hurt.

"You hurt her Malfoy, and I will hurt you, understand?" she whispered before heading back up. He just stared up after her in a daze.

"Never, I'll never hurt her. I promise."

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

"Mr. Malfoy, I wondered if you had considered the proposal we spoke of earlier in the week?" Professor Dumbledore had seemingly appeared out of nowhere (he didn't Apparate don't worry; 'you can't Apparate on Hogwarts grounds') to the spot where Draco always came to think. It was a secluded little spot near the lake, but not easy to find. The blonde Slytherin looked up at his Headmaster with unmasked disdain.

"With all due respect Headmaster," his voice dripping with sarcasm, "wouldn't one find it inappropriate to be discussing such issues in such an open manner and place?" he finished with a trademark sneer. Dumbledore, appearing oblivious just smiled back at the young man before him.

"Right you are Mr. Malfoy, although I do think we're rather unexposed here wouldn't you say?" the twinkle in his eye was palpable. Draco chose to ignore it.

"In answer to your question, there have been some certain ... developments that I am to muse over. All I have to say to you right now is that it is imperative that I attend my father's Halloween ball this week." Dumbledore looked at him thoughtfully for a moment.

"And will you be bringing a date?" he asked lightly. Draco considered this.

"Yes, I will be accompanied by Virginia," he said almost petulantly. Dumbledore's face grew into a wise expression.

"And tell me young Draco. Do you think it wise to mix fire with ice? A lion does not belong in a serpent's den after all ..." he let his voice trail off as the words sunk into Draco's mind.

"I know what you are implying Headmaster, and as such of your position, you of all people should be able to accept the fact that the lion in question is indeed, no longer a lion, but now wears the skin of the serpent." If Dumbledore was surprised at the maturity and knowledge in the younger man's voice, he did not show it.

"Very well then. I shall give my permission for you to leave the Hogwarts grounds this weekend, although I'm sure that you were not asking for it." Draco turned away and looked over the lake as if deciding that the conversation was over. Dumbledore started to leave but turned around one more time.

"Be careful young Dragon, for the fire in your heart is not what you believe it to be." Draco whirled around ... but he had gone again. Disappeared almost. The fire in your heart is not what you believe it to be. What could that mean?