Ok, so, do you like how fast I'm updating? I'm not…I don't get as many reviews. But you guys who review, thank you so much!! It's hard to tell how many chapters this story has left, but it will keep going until it stops.

Here ya go!

Disclaimer: I don't own Eric Landry or Belle. (From Beauty and the Beast: A Latter-Day Tale) or any of the Harry Potter characters. Nor do I own Emma and Andrew Davidson, or Michael or Catharine or Mark (From To Have Or To Hold, by Josi S. Kilpack). I also don't own Utah or any of the cities inside of it. Just Shaylie Brans.


The Obsession With Candles, Fire, and Josh Groban

Chapter Eight: Finding Out and Trying To Forget

By Celebrytie Aris Channas


Ginny walked up the steps and knocked on Hermione's door. She waited a minute and then pushed the strange button Harry called a doorbell. She could hear it's chimes inside the house, but no one answered. She tried the door handle, and she was surprised when the door opened. She poked her head inside.

"Hermione?" She called into the house. "Are you home?" She stepped into the house.

"Who are you and what are you doing here?" a voice demanded from behind her. Ginny whirled around to see Hermione's friend Shaylie standing in the doorway.

"I'm Ginny. I was at the party a few days ago." Ginny explained.

"Oh, yes. I remember you! Isn't Hermione here?" Shaylie asked coming into the apartment.

"I don't think so. What happened to all her stuff?" Ginny asked. Shaylie looked around the room.

"I have no idea. She wasn't feeling well yesterday, maybe she went somewhere."

"But why would she take everything with her?" Ginny asked.

"Good point. Let's go talk to Draco." Shaylie turned and started down the stairs.

Ginny looked around once again, and then followed the short girl who was already far ahead of her, closing the door firmly behind her.


Draco was sipping hot chocolate when the doorbell rang. He sighed. More people had shown up at his house in the past week than they normally did in a year.

A house-elf entered the room.

"Miss Brans and Mrs. Potter to see, sir." She squeaked.

Shaylie and Ginny. "Send them in." He sighed. The two women entered the room.

"Where did Hermione go?" demanded Ginny.

Draco shot out of his chair. "Hermione's gone?"

Shaylie nodded. "We were at her house and she wasn't there. Everything in her house is gone!"

"Are you sure she's gone?" Draco asked.

"Come and see for yourself." Ginny said, turning to walk out of the room. Ginny looked out of the room and then looked at Shaylie, then turned back. A second later she was handing a letter to Draco. "This was on the table in the front entry way." Draco took it and opened it.

Draco,

My deepest apologies, but I must retire my job as your secretary. Something came up and I can't work for you anymore. Maybe we'll see each other again sometime in the future.

Hermione Granger

Draco looked up and handed the note to Ginny, feeling empty inside.

"Why would she leave so suddenly?" Shaylie asked. Draco shook his head. He was pretty sure he knew, but he wasn't about to tell.

"Sorry, ladies, for cutting this short. But I have work to attend to." He said reaching for his suit jacket and slipping it on.

"You're not going to do anything?" Ginny cried, anger crossing her pretty face.

"Nothing that concerns you." Draco said, a little rudely.

"Then you're still that same arrogant, selfish boy that you were in school!" She yelled.

"No, I'm not!" Bellowed Draco.

"Prove it!" Ginny hissed, stepping forward and slapping him across the face. Draco drew back, shocked. He started to pull out his wand, but remembered Shaylie was in the room, watching wide-eyed at both of them. Ginny ran out of the house and Draco was left facing Shaylie.

"I…I'll just be going to work then." Draco said, moving towards the front door. Shaylie followed and grabbed his arm just before he stepped outside.

"Are you really not going to find her?" She asked.

"There's nothing I can do. It's her life, and I have no control over it." He said, looking down into Shaylie's brown eyes.

Shaylie nodded. "I understand." She started down the steps and Draco watched her disappear down the street. He turned back into his house and closed the front door.

"Dory," he called to his house-elf. He pulled a paper from his coat pocket. "Take this to Professor McGonagall. I do believe my vacation is in order. Tell the other house-elves to prepare my bags."

"Yes, sir." Dory took the paper, snapped her fingers and was gone.

Draco, meanwhile, went to his muggle job and notified his boss to let him know what he was doing.

"A month? Draco, are you sure?" His boss, Eric Landry asked. Draco nodded.

"Yes, I share a summer home in Utah with a friend and I want to put it to use." Was Draco's excuse, but not a lie.

"But it's fall, Draco. It will be just as cold there as it is here." Eric said.

"That's ok. I just want a break." Draco sighed.

"Ok then, we'll see you back next month then." Eric turned when his wife, Belle entered the room.

"Hi, Draco!" She greeted cheerfully before going over behind Eric's desk to talk to her husband.

"Hi, Belle. Thanks, Eric. I'll see you both next month." Draco turned to leave, but was stopped when Belle spoke again.

"I got a letter today from Hermione Granger. She says she's quit. Do you know why, Draco?" Draco didn't look back.

"No, I don't, but I wish she had stayed." And then he hurried out of the room.


Hermione finally settled in a townhouse in Payson, Utah, before going to Provo to look for a job. She wasn't sure if there were any witches or wizards in Utah, but she was hoping this place would give her a chance to erase her old life.

"What can I do for you?" Hermione stood on the doorstep of a large mansion, with a young woman staring at her.

"Hi, I'm Teliqua Lockwood. Your advertisement said you're in need of a cook?"

"I'm Emma Davidson. Actually, it's our friend Mark who's looking for a housekeeper and cook. Come on in. He's here right now."

Hermione stepped into the large entryway. Emma led her to a living room and told her to wait. "You can play with the children if they aren't too shy." Then Emma left the room to go get Mark.

The children crept out from behind the couch opposite Hermione. Hermione smiled. "What are your names?" She asked.

The girl stood up. "I'm Cate and this is Michael." She said, motioning to the younger boy.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Teliqua."

"Teka." Michael said, full of enthusiasm for such a small child.

"No, Michael, it's Til-I-qua." Cate pronounced to her brother.

"That's quite all right, you can call me Teka." Hermione smiled at the two children just as Emma entered the room followed by two tall dark-haired men.

"This is my husband, Andrew." Emma said, motioning to the shorter of the two men, but he wasn't much shorter. "And this is Mark." Mark stepped forward and shook Hermione's hand.

"I'm Tel-" Michael cut off Hermione.

"Daddy! That's Teka!" He said, running to grab his dad's legs.

"Is she now?" Andrew said, picking up the young boy.

"Teliqua Lockwood." Hermione finished. Cate came to stand in front of Hermione.

"But you said we could call you Teka!" she said.

"You can." Hermione assured the girl. "But I don't know if everyone else wants to call me that." She explained.

Cate nodded. "Ok." Hermione looked up at Mark, who was studying her carefully.

"I came for-" once again Hermione was cut off, but not by Michael.

"You're hired." Said Mark. Hermione was stunned.

"Are you sure?" she asked.

He nodded. "Do you want to come with me to see the house?"

"Uh, sure." Hermione followed Mark, turning back to wave at the children and their parents as Michael yelled good-bye.

As they drove to Mark's house, he told her what she would be doing. "My friend is coming from England to stay for a month, he's used to good food. I hope you can cook well."

Hermione smiled. "Well, I was always told I was a good cook. I'll have to practice on you, I guess, before he gets here."

"How did you get to Andrew's house? I didn't see a car." Mark asked suddenly.

Hermione was relieved. "I walked actually, I don't have a car yet."

"Oh, well, my house is a little far from the Davidson's. You can have my old car."

"Oh, well, um… thank you." Hermione didn't know what to say at first, but decided to accept.

Mark exited the car and Hermione followed. He led her around the house. He led her through a hall, pointing out his room. "This other room will be the one Draco uses." He said pointing at a closed door. Hermione stopped.

"Who?"

Mark turned. "Draco Malfoy. He's the friend that's staying here."

Hermione smiled. "You didn't tell me his name before. I wasn't sure who you were talking about." She explained.

But now I know exactly whom you're talking about now. She thought to herself. She just hoped he wouldn't see through her disguise.


Ha! Were you expecting that? I bet you weren't. That's ok.

PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!

Celebrytie!