Difficulties Will Arise
6. Not My Cup Of Tea

Disclaimer: Guess what! I. Don't. Own. Harry. Potter. Surprise, huh?
Author's Note: Since I can almost completely guarantee I won't be posting a new chapter by Friday or Sunday, I'd like to take this time to wish Professor Flitwick, 17 October, and Michael Gambon, 19 October, Happy Birthdays!

Well, I've made it this far…

It's been exactly a week tonight that I started my life without Draco. And let me tell you, it's been a week of pure hell. I swear, I have never before in my life felt so alone. I have no one to be with, no one to talk to. I'm pretty sure I tried striking up a conversation with the nanny yesterday. Worst. Idea. Ever. I hope I wasn't like that at sixteen.

Speaking of nannies, still no word from Isabella. I'm starting to worry. She's been gone for almost two weeks and no one seems to know where she is. If I didn't know any better, I'd say…never mind.

According to Pansy, keeping a journal is a good way to cope with "emotional stress" like this so that is what I'm doing. I hope she's right because I don't feel any compensation right now. She's trying. Actually, she's convinced me to come out with her on Saturday. She told me to "dress to impress". As far as I'm concerned, people use that phrase when indicating formal attire is required. Pansy didn't say anything about formal attire. She said muggle clothes. Ew, I don't know who she plans to impress while wearing those.

I'll just need to trust her better judgement. Ha. Well, maybe this time she'll succeed in keeping my mind off of Draco. Nothing else she's tried has been successful in doing that so far so I'll give it a shot.

I think it's time I put Tommy to bed.

21 July, 1999

Aurelia looked at herself in the mirror and frowned. She turned on her heel and shot Pansy a desperate look. Pansy grinned.

"I'm not wearing this," Aurelia groaned.

"Of course you are," she chirped.

"This isn't fair! Why can't I wear what you're wearing? Jeans! I can work with jeans."

Pansy frowned. "Skirts aren't exactly an option in a wheelchair."

"Oh," Aurelia said. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that."

"I know," she nodded. "Besides, you look great."

"I look like a hooker."

Pansy laughed and rolled herself out of the room. With a defeated groan, Aurelia followed. After helping Pansy into the passenger seat of her car, Aurelia planted herself behind the wheel and started the engine. It roared to life with a low hum.

"Where to?"

"Just exit out to the main road and I'll direct you from there."

The entire way, Aurelia practically begged that she change clothes. The too-mini skirt and tank top—which looked like it would fit a twelve-year-old girl much better—wasn't exactly Aurelia's outfit of choice. The stiletto heels didn't help much either.

They arrived at a dance club.

"You're joking."

"Not at all," Pansy smiled widely. Aurelia tossed her a pleading look. "Oh, just come on."

The club was obnoxiously loud. Bright flashing lights made Aurelia feel as though she were going to have a seizure at any possible moment. The music boomed so loud in her ears, she was sure she's be temporarily deaf for at least a week. And the people. So many people. They were all crowded together, dancing like a bunch of lunatics. The place smelled of sweat and alcohol.

Pansy led Aurelia through a crowd, people parting ways to let the wheelchair through. When they arrived at the bar, Aurelia looked at the numerous bottles of alcohol. None of them looked familiar. Every bottle was a different shape, size and colour.

"What can I get you ladies?" the man behind the bar said.

"Can I get a butterbeer, please?" The moment the words left Aurelia's lips, she wanted to smack herself.

"A what?"

"A beer," Pansy cut in. "She'll have a beer. Make it two."

"What kind?"

"Whatever."

The man handed them two bottles. Aurelia took a swig from hers. Not bad. She turned around to observe the people on the dance floor. She had never seen so many muggles in one place before. Was this dancing? Really? It was horrible. They were all just sort of thrashing around, looking more like they had something crawling up their pants.

"Can we go?"

"We just got here! Besides, you need a little fun."

"This, is fun?" Aurelia grimaced at the crowd. Pansy nodded and dragged her to the dance floor.

"Pansy, I don't dance like this. This isn't even dancing! What am I supposed to do?"

"Just," she paused to think. "Move with the music."

Aurelia groaned. "No, thanks. I'll just go sit by the bar and finish my bu—my beer."

"Suit yourself," Pansy shrugged, a mischievous glint in her eye.

Pansy was seriously mistaken if she expected Aurelia to come back over there. She sat back on the bar stool and relaxed with the cold drink in her hand. This wasn't helping matters at all. There were so many men in this club. Every time she looked at one, she found something that reminded her of Draco. That one had blond hair. That one had blue eyes. That one was tall. That one had a left arm.

Ugh, get a hold of yourself, Aurelia. This isn't healthy, she told herself.

"Feel like joining me yet?"

Aurelia jumped. She hadn't noticed Pansy roll up. "No."

"You're being really stubborn about this."

"Pansy, this isn't the sort of thing I do. Look at these people. I am the last person you should be dragging to anything muggle related. Do you not know who I am?"

"Point taken," she bit her lip. "So, what do you suggest?"

"Can we please just go to the Leaky Cauldron and get a real drink? A butterbeer, please?"

"You know," Pansy said. "I paid money to get into here. Lots of money."

"I'll pay you back. Let's go," she said and jumped from her seat.

When they arrived to the familiar setting of the Leaky Cauldron, Aurelia practically melted in relief. She never again wanted to be so far from the magical world. Especially since it didn't help her get her mind off of Draco in the least.

"Two butterbeers," Aurelia told the bartender. When he handed her the two bottles, Aurelia reveled in the warm sensation of her drink. Muggles had no idea what they were missing. She paid him and went to sit at the table Pansy had occupied. The pub was crowded with people. Too crowded. It reminded her of the muggles. She shuddered at the thought of the loud music and blinking lights.

"See, isn't this so much better?" Aurelia smirked.

"Yeah, sure, whatever you say," Pansy said.

"Hey."

Aurelia turned her head to see a man walking towards her. He looked somewhat familiar. "Do I know you?"

"Stephen," he said. "We met last week, remember?"

"Last week?" Pansy asked with raised eyebrows.

"Shut up," she snapped at her. "Yes, I remember."

"Hi," he turned to Pansy whom he had obviously not noticed before. "Stephen Wheeler."

"Yes, you are," she eyed him with a smirk. "I mean, Pansy Parkinson."

"Nice to meet you," he laughed and shook his hand. He turned back to Aurelia. "I would offer to buy you a drink but it seems you already have one."

"Seems like it," Aurelia said nonchalantly.

"Er, right," he nodded, thrown off by her response. "Well, I just wanted to say hello."

When Aurelia didn't reply he said good bye and left to sit with his group of friends. Aurelia took a sip of her drink.

"What was that!"

"What?" she looked up from her bottle.

"He was completely gorgeous!" Pansy said in disbelief.

"Really?" Aurelia looked back over at him. She got a good look at his features. Broad shoulders, muscles, golden hair, brown eyes, chiselled jaw, milky skin. Gorgeous. "Oh, he is."

"Unbelievable! Listen, if you don't want him, I'll take him."

"I beg your pardon?" Aurelia dropped her hand on the table. "What are you talking about? You don't expect me to date him, do you?"

"He does."

"No!"

"Aurelia," she dropped her voice. "You're going to have to get over him eventually."

"I'm not trying to get over anybody, Pansy."

Pansy didn't reply. Instead, she held an indignant expression. Aurelia returned it.

.

Have you ever had déjà vu? I have. It's the most bizarre sensation. It frustrates me, actually. Not being able to pinpoint exactly why something feels familiar in the oddest way but it does. You think, hasn't this happened before? And then you realize that it has! Only you can't seem to remember when or how or even why. Infuriating.

I was sitting behind the counter at work today when a costumer comes in. Normal. He looks like your average wizard in Diagon Alley: black robes, shopping bags, exhausted expression. Normal. He asked for Doxycide, said he just bought a new house and the drapes were infested. Normal. He pays for his merchandise and bids me a good day. Normal. Before leaving, he pauses just briefly at the doorway, looks me up and down with his blue eyes, darts his gaze around the shop, looks me over once more and leaves. Not normal.

Strange, right? I don't know why I'm looking into this. It's probably nothing. I'm sure plenty of customers have done that before, hence the déjà vu. I just got a weird feeling, that's all. Well, it's not as if it matters.

What does matter, though, is what happened when I got home today. I had only just finished dismissing the nanny when an owl swoops in with a letter. I pay the oh-so familiar bird and open the envelope. Just as I suspected, Lucius Malfoy. At first, I contemplated not reading the letter, just ignoring it. I figured it was probably something about Draco. I didn't need that on my conscience. Of course, I decided against that.

It was so short I almost thought I was missing a page. All it said was that I come see him. That's all. One three-word sentence. "Come see me." I'm afraid to go. What if it's about Draco? Or what if Draco is there? I can't face that. It's too much. I really don't know what to do here.

26 July, 1999

Aurelia yawned as she removed the ugly green vest and threw it in her small cubby in the Magical Menagerie's back room. She knew she could probably get a better job somewhere but really didn't want to exert the extra energy in something that wasn't of vital importance. Stifling a second yawn, she Apparated home.

"Oh! Miss Finn, you're home early," the nanny started.

"Yes," she nodded, repressing the urge to roll her eyes at the obvious statement. "Everything alright in here?"

"Erm, yeah. Fine, Tommy's upstairs," she said. Aurelia didn't like the way her gaze shifted to the other room.

"Alright, well, you can go. I'll see you tomorrow morning," Aurelia said, waiting for her reaction.

"Oh, so soon?"

"Mhm."

"Well, you know, my shift isn't technically over," she shot a glance to her left. "I could stay if you want some time to yourself."

"No, that's alright."

"Are you sure? Maybe Tawny can draw you a bath," she suggested, casting another sideways glance at the living room.

"No, no, I'm fine."

"Oh."

"Well, goodnight."

"Right, goodnight, Miss Finn."

Aurelia stood waiting patiently. The girl finally got the hint and started walking toward the door. "Oh, and Laura?" Aurelia called back to her, the girl turned around.

"Yes, Miss Finn?"

"Take your boyfriend with you," she whispered.

Laura groaned and a boy stepped out from the living room. "Sorry," she mumbled and pushed the brown-haired, green-eyed boy out the door.

"Laura, come here. I want to have a word."

She hesitated for a moment and closed the door behind her. "Yes?"

"Look," she said in a low voice. "I don't need to lose a nanny right now. I am under enough stress as it is. When you come here, you do your job. And that job is to watch over my son and make sure he's happy and safe. I've already let the issue with the clothes slide the first time because I understand you're a teenager and what not. This, though, is teetering on the edge of a very steep cliff. I don't think you want to lose your job, Laura, do you?"

"No, ma'am."

"Good. So I suggest this doesn't happen again or I won't have a choice. Understand?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Goodnight," she finished.

"Goodnight, ma'am," Laura said and exited the building. Aurelia heard her shouting at her boyfriend outside and sighed. If only Isabella would turn up.

An owl swooped in. Aurelia groaned as she picked a letter. Same one as yesterday and the day before. Come see me. Aurelia simply couldn't fathom what it was Lucius wanted from her. She realized that she shouldn't keep putting it off as it might be important. Somehow, she convinced herself to doubt that and, therefore, postponing the impending visit to the place of so many memories.

Realizing she had no choice, however, Aurelia planned her trip to Malfoy Manor for the following day.

A/N: I bet you're excited now. Malfoy Manor. Dun, dun, dunnnnn. The new chapter will be out as soon as I can manage. Thanks for staying loyal and reading :)

Reviews are more than immensley appreciated at this point. Please! :D