Fan Fiction ❯ china doll ❯ Summer '03 - part #2 ( Chapter 9 )

A/N: this chapter is edited by Dumblydoor, my new beta. Maybe I'll ask her to beta even the former chapters….

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"China Doll" Chapter 09 "Summer '03, part #2"

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" Virginia? Wake up Virginia."

Virginia mumbled something; she turned in the bed and drew the sheet over her head.

" Come on Virginia, wake up!"

"::mumble:: five minutes more..."

Tom snorted, arms crossed on his chest, then a mischievous smile curved his fleshy lips: he sat at the feet of the bed and grabbed the sheet, drawing the thin fabric from the naked form of the girl; he gently took her foot and with delicacy he began to stroke her ankle with his fingertips, going down on her sole. Tom watched the girl and smiled, his skilled fingers slipped just grazing the delicate skin: he knew her little secret and it needed some minutes to work. Moving like an ant's tiny feet, his fingers climbed along the calf, stopping in the hollow of her knee, then slipped onto her thighs up to her sides. Tom grinned as Virginia grimaced.

" Stop tickling me and let me sleep in peace !"

" I won't stop until you'll awake."

He leaned in and kissed her on the forehead. Virginia tried to escape his torture, but it was useless: she should know it; Tom got always what he wanted. Virginia covered herself with a robe and stared at him, surprised to see him dressed at that time in the morning: Tom got up from the bed and went toward the closet, he took a couple of shirts, pants, sock and clean underwear and put them in a small suitcase, thus he went in bathroom and took soap, toothbrush and toothpaste. After he had packed his belongings, he looked annoyed at Virginia.

" What are you doing still in bed? Get up and get ready: I want to leave as soon as possible."

He frowned

" Leave?" wondered Virginia," Where will we go?"

"Capri, I'm taking you there for a couple of days: in these days Isabella is influencing you a bit too much for my tastes; moreover I believe that it would be good to go somewhere. Then, are you getting up?"

After an instant of daze looking out the window, Virginia blushed an ran in the bathroom for a quick shower.

About an hour later, they were on the highway: they were off the ferry and had just left Reggio Calabria when Virginia rubbed her eyes and yawned.

" Tell me, why are we going to Capri by car?"

" Because there isn't a magical community at Capri: therefore we couldn't use the Floo Network and it isn't wise Apparate in the middle of a crowded square. "

Tom replied with nonchalance spotting a truck stop: after a quick breakfast, they took back their trip toward north. The traffic was rather flowing, the day hot and Virginia slept as far as Salerno; soon they reached Sorrento and there they took the hydroplane: despite the journey was brief, Virginia had an attack of seasickness. The young witch was amazed by the beauty of the place: the sea of an intense turquoise, the houses clinging on the island's green slopes, the crowd impossible distinguish Muggle from Wizards- quivered like a hard-working swarm of bees around the souvenir shops. Tom and Virginia had lunch on a terrace giving on the pier, and then they reached the village, greeted by a breathtaking sight: earth and sea united in a loving embrace, with the approval of a clear sky and a sultry air. With a jovial smile, the wizard took the young witch's hand and led her to the pension where they would have spent the night: they left their luggage and begin the sightseeing of the island. First they visited Capri, going through narrow and tortuous streets, and turning an angle they found in a small sunny open space surrounded by front doors or tiny shops or cozy restaurants; or before them opened junctions and arcs; they went in almost every shop, and went out laughing and having bought nothing. Then they visited the little town's environs, following paths that led them in the most suggestive place of the island and though having walked for all afternoon long, they didn't feel the tiredness. And for that afternoon they forgot: they forgot the war raging in Wizarding Great Britain; and they forgot the opposite roles they had in it; they forgot even who they were and for once they were simply a man and a girl tasting the life and its simpler pleasures with joy. At twilight they went back to their pension, where they had a quick shower and got ready for dinner: they spent the evening in the square, sitting at a café's table and talking and joking about nonsense till late in the night; then, when they went back to their room, both collapsed by the tiredness. The following day they hired a boat, with which they explored the steep and rocky coast of the island: she was enthusiastic by the splendor of the Blue Cave and by the Faraglioni's height. Finally they found a protected point and moored, deciding to spend there the rest of the day: they had lunch on the boat and then swam, reaching the shore. They began to squirt each other and play in the water, laughing like two children: they looked like a happy, loving couple. Tom grabbed Virginia by her waist whirling, her feet grazing the water and when he stopped both felt dizzy and fell in the water, in an attack of euphoria; still laughing they looked each other: he grazed her cheek with his fingertips, and he kissed her -a kiss that she returned with fervor - holding her tightly; then Tom looked in her cornflower eyes, so close and reddened by the salty water, his lips grazed hers.

"Are you happy, Virginia?"

Virginia looked at him thoughtful, and she replied without free from his hold

:" I would be only in my home. "

It was like awaken from a wonderful dream. Tom got up, restraining hardly his anger, he then said with a painfully icy voice:

" It's late, we have to go: our hydroplane leaves at 6 o'clock."

They went back to the harbor without say a word; the idyll of those two days was vanished in few instants, leaving a feel of empty and secret regret inside them and a barrier of obstinate and cold silence between them: everything was like at the beginning, like at the previous summer. They took their belongings and they went back to villa Trao: the return journey was incredibly long and flat Tom drove frowning; his lips tight in fury; Virginia, her forehead leaning to the car window, she looked at the landscape change and the trees and the houses and the sea were a blur.

They arrived at Villa Trao late in the night; Bianca and Filomena were waiting them in the kitchen: the old housekeeper served them a cold chicken salad; the landlady looked nervously at his cousin and the girl.

" Ah, Thomas? I have to speak with you. Virginia, go to sleep: you look tired."

Despite Bianca's gentle and apprehensive voice, Virginia knew that that was an order and not a suggestion: she got up from table without finishing her meal and whispered a "good night". Filomena followed her to her bedroom: the young witch had a strange feeling, as if something would happen very soon. Tom began to behave in a weird way: he was nervous, thoughtful and absent-minded, as if something was bothering him; every morning he read the Daily Prophet, which he threw away; he didn't torment Virginia any more, neither he called her his china doll. Then, one morning in late July, he left after has received an owl. Virginia had heard him talk with Bianca:

" I hope this matter ends as soon as possible: how dared that boy to do such a thing to me?!"

Whom was he speaking? About Harry? Or about a young Death Eater not so inclined to obey to the Dark Lord? Virginia was consumed with curiosity: she wanted to ask to Bianca, but she knew that the woman wouldn't answer; besides Isabella had been often about to tell something to her, but she kept silent about the matter. In the following days there was an air filled with anxiety and tension at Trao Villa: even Isabella was nervous, she wasn't even her usual self. Then Tom went back and things were calm again, even if they had lost summer's thoughtlessness. Tom begin to treat Virginia with more gentleness than the usual and he become almost tender with her, without being mushy: it was as if he wanted her to feel something -affection? Friendship?- for him. This it was weird, perhaps too much, and Virginia would stake her life on it: there was something fishy about this.

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It was the first Thursday of August, a day sultrier than the others: Isabella had organized a dinner with her friends and she had wanted that even Tom and Virginia spend the evening with them. They came around at five in the afternoon, and as soon as they arrived they took possession of kitchen; or rather, Rosanna declared hers the kitchen: picked her hair up with a clip, slipped a flowered apron and washed her hands, the twenty-years-old girl began to cook. Tom was amazed by her ability with the knife, but above all by her way to knead egg pasta: it was a simple and innocent gesture, of an intrinsic sensuality. And for one instant, the Wizard felt the desire to possess the young woman. Rosanna was a despotic and quite firm and authoritative with whom helped her and decidedly sour with whom, like Isabella, buzzed around her without help. Tom eyed the tray with inviting tuna sandwiches: he stretched out a hand to take one, but all he got was a sharp and precise blow on the back of his hand: it was like go back in time, when he still lived at the orphanage. But instead of the Junoesque Mrs. Dillon, there was the petite Rosanna: hands on her hips and woody spoon dripping sauce, the girl looked at him with a frown.

" The sandwiches are one each, I couldn't let you eat one."

" Why didn't you make more? Besides how you dared to hit /me/?"

" Listen!" hissed threateningly Rosanna shaking the spoon under Tom's nose," what would you do if I interfere in your business?"

" Well, first I would congratulate with you on your great guts; then as least I would Crucio you because a Muggle couldn't criticize my plans."

" Exactly: keep on your field. And remember one thing, To': in the kitchen I'm in charge!"

Tom stared at the girl, then smiled and shook his head.

" You know, if you are a witch I would do everything to have you at my side."

Rosanna arched an eyebrow, blushing slightly; she then asked and glanced at Isabella.

" Hey Isa, have you heard what this hottie--- your cousin told me? Do you think I should take it like a compliment or what?"

Isabella laughed and answered that she could think what she wanted.

At nine o'clock the dinner was ready: they had settled the table on the porch and arranged the chairs along the baluster. Even if the amount of each course was sufficient for a little tasting, the dinner was various, rich and abundant: Tom must admit it the Muggle girl knew her stuff -and he vaguely wondered what she would have been able to do with a potion's ingredients, such talents were similar and inborn. From the bushes of the garden the singings of the crickets rose; the stars quivered high in the sky accompanies by an almost full moon; a solitary ship ploughed the horizon, bright like a birthday cake and a happy music accompanied the guests' chatting.

" ... Oh, about exams! What will you do after you'll leave school, Gin?"

Chiara asked taking a slice of pan brioche; the young witch jumped and lowered her eyes on the dish on her knees.

" I'd like to be a healer, but I don't think that some one would allow me." she replied sarcastic looking venomous at Tom," What about you, Chiara?"

The blonde swallowed the bit and smiled.

" I will go to Rome to study Direction. We have yet a project, you know? As soon as one of us will become famous" and she pointed her friends," he or she will contact the others and we'll shoot a movie! I will direct; Rosanna, who wants to be a writer, will write the screen-play; Lucry will be the actress; Giancarlo will edit it and Isa will take care of the visual effects."

"But we have a very long way ahead." said Rosanna sipping her coke," And well soon our roads will part: for instance, I'll move in US this Christmas to work at my uncle's restaurant; I don't know it I'll stay there for six months or six years: life never follow our plans."

" From how you're talking, it seems to me that you would give up your dream."

Tom said with contempt. The young woman bewared of the head to the feet.

" Listen who's talking! You, better than anyone else, should know that often we face unforeseen event: even you, like us, have a dream, nevertheless it doesn't seems to me as if you have done so many progress."

Tom stood up, looking furious at her: how dared that girl tell him such a thing?! If it hasn't been for the respect he felt for his cousin, the wizard would have killed that Muggle. Then it was like if a door opened in his mind: Voldemort had never thought that anybody could defeat him, yet years before one-year-old Harry Potter had deprived him of his body and power; he hadn't appraised the hypothesis that his followers could be bound to who fought him, yet Wormtail had been in debt with his enemy. Besides the Dark Lord suddenly had a young and strong body, a body that allowed him to fool his enemies: to a more attentive analysis, Rosanna was right; and Tom told it with a half smile.

" Right belongs to fools Socrates used to say. Unluckily I-m always right and I don't like a bit of it: only Time can prove me right."

Tom bit his lower lip, stuck by her answer: and he thought that, really, he should suggest her a Metamorphosis; some one with her temper would have been very useful to his cause. Convince her wouldn't have been a problem: Lord Voldemort always got what he wanted.

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In the next days, Tom's behavior toward Virginia became even weirder: he had become very kind and almost loving; at times he became jealous and was furious. It was as if he was torn by something, as if he wanted to something but didn't know if act or not. That Tuesday Tom was unusually silent, as if he was thinking about something: then, just after lunch, he went out under the sun and watched the sea for a long time. Bianca was worried for her cousin, she hadn't ever seen him behave in that way; Isabella was her usual self, but her eyes showed worry. Not bearing more that heavy atmosphere, Virginia decided to take a nap. In her half-sleep, the girl barely sensed the creaking of the mattress and the hand stroking her blood red tresses; tumid and silky lips where her jaw and neck joined, just below her ear. Virginia turned her head and looked sleepy at Tom: he was leaning over her, stroking her cheek with his thumb; he then stooped, the tip of his nose grazed her ear.

" For once I would like to.... I would wish you to make love with me without me be forced to use the In Libido Esse: it would be more pleasant; even for you."

Virginia leant on her elbows, looking at him as if she met him for the first time: what was happening? Why right then Tom asked and not claimed? The young witch lowered her look: sometime she had caught herself wondering how it would have been without that hateful spell, but she had laughed hysterically and she had pushed away that thought; but now that she had the opportunity to find out she didn't know what to do. She looked at him in the faint light of the room and opened the mouth to reply, but she didn't utter word. Tom laid a hand on her cheek and kissed her, stroking gently her lips with his own: Virginia didn't withdraw, but she after some minute of hesitation she kissed him back lacing her arms around him, pulling him upon herself.

Tom was extremely slow and tender, as if he wanted to taste every instant, every inch of her skin; his skilled, tapering fingers grazed, pressed and pinched her skin with infuriating delicacy, just where she craved his touch: and Virginia understood that nobody knew or would have known her body better than him, not even she. It was as if the time had stopped for them, while a calm tide of bliss and pleasure rose in them; a jarring note, an instant of pain, and then the first, real discovery of love: it wasn't an invasion, but something harmonious and natural, like two perfectly jammed puzzle pieces. Not the wild lust induced by magic, but something placid and kind that saturated every cell of their bodies; as if from the primordial depths of the flesh a hand rose to play the melodic strings of the soul. In the air echoed sighs, scarcely overpowered by the chirping of the crickets: Virginia opened languidly her eyes and looked at him: Tom's expression was so entranced and ecstatic, so similar to suffering; then he too looked at her, and his eyes shone like twin stars, like that night that he had mourned on her breast. And it wasn't a pyrotechnic display, like her roommates used to say; but spring water, cool and clear, filling a jar. And the water overflowed.

Tom rolled at her side, his eyes closed; his beautiful fleshy lips slightly opened; he breathed in short gasps; Virginia sat on the bed and then, feeling dizzy, she cuddled up in his arms; and he welcomed her, stroking her hair. She didn't care where she was, didn't care if the man holding her was her enemy, she didn't care if Harry has forgotten her, she care of nothing and nobody: Virginia cared only of the feel of completeness and comfort that wrapped her like a cocoon of silk -the silk of his skin. They stayed in this way, in each other's arms for long minutes; then Tom looked at the clock: it was 5:43 PM. He sank his face in her violet smelling hair.

" It's late, we have to get ready."

" Are we leaving again?"

" Yes."

" Where will you take me this time? Rome? Florence? Or Sardinia?"

" I'm taking you back home."

Virginia raised her head, a new wave of dizziness hit her: she stared in his eyes, cornflowers in almost yellowing leaves.

" This is a bad taste joke."

" It isn't a joke: your family waits you for five in the afternoon, you have a quarter of hour to get ready."

She looked at him speechless; then she kissed him on an impulse and rushed out of the bed.

Isabella embraced Virginia and kissed her cheeks.

" Good-bye Gin, it has been beautiful meet you: you know, we'll miss you so much. This is for you, open it when you will be in your cozy bedroom."

The young witch said handing a gift to her friend; the other girl looked surprised at the gift and then Isabella.

" You... you knew that Tom wanted to bring me back home!"

" I'm sorry to not have told you, but these two stupid gits have forbidden me."

Replied the brunette sadly. Then also Bianca embraced Virginia and kissed her.

" Before you go, we have something to do." she clapped and Filomena came with a silvery tray: there was a wine filled black opal goblet, a parchment and matches. Bianca handed the parchment to Virginia," First thing, must read these words, just don't mind their meaning."

The girl looked hesitant at the landlady and the parchment; Isabella seemed dismayed. Arching an eyebrow, Virginia read the rhyme and, following the woman's instructions, she burned the parchment: Bianca collected the ashes and melt them in the wine.

" Give me your hand, Virginia."

The witch demanded; the girl did as required, but she for an instant wanted to withdraw it: with clinical precision, Bianca pricked her a finger with a silvery pin and a blood drop fell in the liqueur.

" Now drink."

" What is it?"

" Nothing, only... a goodbye toast."

Virginia drank hesitant: it was as if the wine imbues her body and mind. Tom said goodbye his cousins and then laced an arm around Virginia's shoulders and said:

" We'll Apparate, using the Floo Network I could do some... er... unpleasant meetings."

And with a pop they were in England, on a badly off way and under wild trees: beyond the wood they glimpsed the Burrow's grungy silhouette. Without let her go, Tom accompanied Virginia to the woody gate that marked the property's entrance, the girl looked longingly at the paternal house with the smocking chimney pots. Tom squeezed her the arm to attract her attention, to prevent her to run to her family.

" Er... oh, yes, Bianca will send you your belongings tomorrow."

" Uh oh, thank you. Er... which belongings?"

They looked uncomfortable; the wind insinuated in the belt of trees raising a whirlwind of dead leaves: feverish lips that searched and found relief in a forbidden kiss; hands that grabbed like a castaway grab on to a wreckage hoping salvation from the stormy sea; each felt as something harpoon to their hearts, their soul, drawing toward the other. Brusquely Tom pushed Virginia away, his hands on her shoulders, his arms stretched, and his eyes low.

" Go, go before I change my mind!"

Virginia looked at him surprised, stunned, upset; then she bit her lower lip and she went back to the gate: before open it she looked Tom one last time; he still refused to look at her; the girl sigh and made her way on the path.

When he heard the gate close, Tom raised his eyes, and hidden in the shadow of the trees, he watched her go through the garden, linger at the door and enter: he left only when the door was closed.

Virginia went through the garden where she had spent the cheerful and innocent days of her childhood under the curious eyes of the gnomes: she didn't need to turn; she felt his eyes on her, as if he was watching over her. The young witch lingered at the door, holding the handle; she then took a depth breath and entered.

" I am home."

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With this chapter ends the Italian phase of CHIDO: Why did Tom have brought Virginia back to the Burrow? What will happen to our heroine? Will she finally know the peace or it's only the quiet before the storm?

At the followings addresses you'll find the portraits of the characters we have met till now: Tom, Ginny, Bianca and Isabella. Leaves a review! And strolling around ArtisticAlley you could find some scenes from this fic.

www.artisticalley.org/reviews/showthread.php?s=&threa did=15992

www.artisticalley.org/reviews/showthread.php?s=&threa did=16094

www.artisticalley.org/reviews/showthread.php?s=&threa did=16158

www.artisticalley.org/reviews/showthread.php?s=&threa did=16159

From FF.net:

Neni Potter: there were no doubt that Tom is a son of a *****. The idea that Ginny and Blaise could have an affair has come suddenly; I have been surprise by it quite a lot! We in the next chapters will meet often Blaise and his sweet little sister Melinda. I admit that Harry hasn't behaved very well, but c'est la vie! Now that Ginny is finally gone back home, she perhaps will make understand a couple of things to ours bespectacled Scareface XP. You find CHIDO also on AdultFanFiction.net and I am trying to publish it also on FictionAlley.org

Little ButterFly: I was a bit disappointed when you wrote me that you couldn't beta read CHIDO any more, but it's ok.

Angel: well, this chapter is published /before/ of the end of the month. The project "China Doll" has revealed larger than the scheduled: I'll try to be faster ;)

Kiss: thank you for the compliments! By the way that wasn't a romantic moment: Blaise asks to Ginny of be his girl while they studied Ancient Runes O.o!!

IncubusSuccubus: Thank you a lot! The new chapter is here and I hope you'll like it. I see this fic as an introspection of Tom and what brought him where he is; and the same is for Ginny: at the end of the story, both will develop in something more. At least I hope so.

From AFF.net:

Sushified: I'm glad that you are so willing to wait, but I really want to be faster! I mean, I've scheduled more than 33 chapters; I'll take years to finish this story! Moreover I'm yet thinking about the sequel: WAAAHHH why my creativeness is so fertile!

Cutie_Blossom: I am sorry, even if DM/ HG is one of my favorite couples, it isn't scheduled in CHIDO :(

From FF.it:

LilithTheBlackSwan: I think that this chapter has left you all a little bit puzzled. And for what concerns the momentary quiet, I think that that is ended, or almost :P

Nimue: yeah, the summer... here it's over, even is some day is still summer-like. The storm? Who knows...

Ele: here an other chapter :D but won't you fatten up with all this chocolate? Gea Demetra and Persefone, I love it too: HURRAY FOR THE CHOCOLATE!! - I want to taste Domori. :'( ::sniff::

Dona86: Thank you thank you :) What you tell me makes me happy: there is not greater satisfaction than knowing that a character is so realistic and well made that the readers recognize themselves in it. I think have understood from the preceding answers that CHIDO will accompany us for much, much time: I hope only that the story doesn't fall in the banality

See ya

Herentas Meridiae, Queen of Evilness