PRETENDING TO LIVE~ {The Lestrange Daughter #2}

𝟐𝟒. Delinquents

Valentine peeked around the heavy black curtain lining the wing of the stage. There were easily several thousand people filling the square, all there for the same reason. They were rather rowdy, smiling and laughing, awaiting the entertainment eagerly.

She noted that they all dressed similarly to the band in one way or another. Brightly coloured hair, piercings and tattoos, clothing often black, ripped and studded.

" 'Cuse me." A voice said gruffly behind her and Valentine quickly stepped out of the way to let a man wearing a t-shirt reading 'Tech Crew', get on to the stage.

She glanced at the busy scene of people rushing about in the wing. She decided it was best she stood clear out of the way. It was times like this she realised how often she was in her element. As difficult as her day-to-day life at Hogwarts was at times, she managed it well. It wasn't always easy but it would have been a lie to say that she didn't excel in the situation she'd agreed to be a part of. Here in the wings, waiting for a band- that were apparently much more popular than she had realised- was not her element.

She'd come here with the band, but as soon as they arrived they had all been whisked away to get ready. As they were hurried along into the tall building that the stage backed up on, Axel had quickly pressed a plastic card hanging from a lanyard into her hand. He told her to look for a tall man in a suit named Adrian.

At first Valentine had tried asking around, but everyone she'd come across didn't know where to point her or were preoccupied. Since this was a completely new experience for her, she opted for just staying out of everyone's way.

She looked down at the plastic card in one hand. It read 'All Stage Access- VIP PASS'.

Well, at least I'm not going to get kicked out.

The show itself wasn't set to begin until dark and she could see the sun slowly disappearing behind the buildings in the distance. She knew she wouldn't be waiting too much longer. She also knew that this was 'Ashes 2 Ashes' last live performance in London, as Del had told her on the way over.

In two days they would be going on a European tour and if that went all well, they would be extending it to Asia. She didn't like to think too hard on them leaving. After all, it's what they wanted, it was their job, their life and apparently a tour was a very big deal.

Valentine didn't jump when a hand suddenly touched her shoulder, but she hid her surprise well.

She turned to the man standing behind her. He was fairly young, no older than thirty-five at the most. He had bright white hair- clearly not natural- and a face sprinkled with freckles from ear to ear. He was lanky and also quite tall, not as much so as Axel, but still easily taller than everyone else in the band. He wore a closely tailored grey suit, far more formal than anyone else in the wing.

She realised immediately that this had to be Adrian.

"Axel told me to find you." She said.

"Yes, I know. I've been looking for you everywhere. You're Val, right?" He gestured to the card in her hand, speaking with a thick Irish accent. "Axel told me you'd be looking for me but it's a total maze back here if you're not used to it."

"So, I've noticed."

"I'm Adrian O'Connor, 'Ashes 2 Ashes' overworked and underappreciated manager." He stuck a freckled hand out towards her, the one not clutching a clipboard. "At the band's insistence, I am at your service."

Valentine hesitated for a moment before taking his hand and shaking it.

"Nice to meet you."

"Likewise." Adrian glanced down at his bulky wrist watch. "They should be finishing up with hair and makeup in about two minutes. Well, five minutes for Parker. He does like to preen like a peacock, that one."