Harry Potter belongs entirely to J.K. Rowling.
"I hate to interfere with situations that don't involve me directly," Draco says quietly, settling into Charlie's sofa, "But I really must suggest that you contact Pansy soon."
"I can't formally invite her until I've got everything in order." Charlie reiterates, resisting the urge to raise his voice as he organizes the many papers covering his coffee table. "I've told you this before, Draco. Just yesterday, in fact, when you said almost the exact same thing verbatim, only with a God-awful American accent."
"I'm working on it." Draco defends, coloring slightly. "I'll draw a lot less attention in public if I can blend into multiple environments. It's important for work."
Charlie glances pointedly at his friend's Dragon-hide pants and feather-collared cape, ignoring the resulting huff of displeasure and banishing the papers into his bedroom.
"You're changing the subject." Draco declares, cocking his head. "I confess myself impressed by your Slytherin tactics, but the situation stands. Pansy is going spare without your attention."
"Poetry doesn't suit you, Draco." Charlie cracks a smile. "You rhyming skills could use some work."
"When will the contracts be finalized?" the Slytherin cuts straight to the point, leaning forward with a serious expression. "I thought we'd worked through the last of the resistance."
"Well," Charlie takes a deep breath. "I expect, today."
The two wizards share a hesitant smile. The Ministry had fought the signing of the contracts for almost the entire three-week period following Charlie's presentation, since the very day of his initial inquiry, and the setback had left little reason for hope of success. Draco had offered his extensive knowledge of legal loopholes from his upbringing under Lucius Malfoy when he heard of the trouble, but they'd been met with little success.
Interestingly, it had been Griphook's influence that turned the tables in their favor. The Goblins would forever be welcome at any home of Charlie's after all they'd done to remedy his legal difficulty. Without their support and indirect advisement, Charlie suspects he'd never have been able to strike a deal with his blasted government.
Lord Charlie Prewett may still have the might of public approval behind him, but fans don't aid in combating the many layers of red tape employed by the Ministry. As it turns out, it is outrageously hard to purchase land that once belonged to a Sacred family- especially if there is no surviving British Heir to oversee the deal.
"Are you ready to finally send out that invitation?" Draco asks with a slight smile, standing up with anticipation. "You've only had it printed and addressed since the day after the naughty breakfast."
"Jesus, Draco, sometimes I think you're worst than Blaise." Charlie groans, placing a hand over his eyes. "Don't ever say that around Pansy. She'll think I only decided to ask her out after that day because that was when I realized… ah-"
"Realized she has sexual desires, like every other human being?" Draco offers helpfully. "Realized she can have quite a mouth on her? Or was it that you realized she has a rather impressive rack for such small stature?"
"I hope you never say something so offensive in her earshot," Charlie says, frowning, "Or Hermione's, for that matter. But yes, I suppose that was the day I recognized her as a young woman like any other."
"You dare attempt to claim you hadn't recognized those particular attributes before that meal?" Draco jokes.
"You know, maybe it wasn't my smartest move to employ you and Blaise to help me with this plot." Charlie retorts. "I hope you two haven't been hurting her feelings."
"Well," Draco cocks his head. "I don't think so. She's gotten mad, of course, mostly at Blaise, but her real issue isn't the teasing. Pansy's dealt with his behavior since the beginning of time. It was your lack of contact that ruffled her petals."
"Well, consider her petals hereby unruffled," Charlie shoots an annoyed scowl in his friend's direction, "Because I'll be sending out her invitation as soon as I receive word from Griphook that the place is officially mine."
"Hello." a voice emanates from the fireplace. "Pansy's in St. Mungo's and I was dispatched by Hermione to let the both of you know."
"Theo?" Charlie asks faintly, gripping the edge of the table.
The change in the room is so abrupt; it could almost be considered comical. Draco and Charlie remain frozen for ten whole seconds, staring uncomprehendingly at Theo's head sitting calmly in the fire, before the living room furniture begins to vibrate. Draco's hands shake in time with the couches, and Charlie jumps up from his seat.
"Excuse me?" Draco asks much too loudly. When Theo merely looks at him, the younger wizard's entire body begins to tremble.
"Repeat yourself, please, Theo." Charlie says, striding towards the fireplace. "And tell us first and foremost if you know that she'll be alright. Then tell us what happened."
"All I know for certain is that Pansy is in St. Mungo's." he repeats. "I don't know about her injuries. She's there with Hermione and Blaise. I believe there was something said about accidental magic. She's receiving tests at the moment, if I am correct in my assumption that she hasn't been moved since Hermione intercepted me in the lobby and requested I return home to inform you both."
"Was Hermione-? Oh, fucking hell." Charlie slams his hand against the mantle. "Sorry, Theo. No questions, I forgot. Please tell me how Hermione acted when she sent you away."
"Hermione was acting like Hermione." Theo says, furrowing his brow. "She didn't say anything about it being particularly urgent."
"Oh." Draco says. "So Pansy's in St. Mungo's. I understand."
The furniture explodes into fluttering pieces with a deafening crack. Splinters swirl around Draco's frozen figure like a halo of destruction, preventing Charlie from getting near him.
"What the- Draco, stop that!" the Gryffindor orders, shielding his face from the panicked magic that undulates through the room.
"I'm coming through." Theo says quietly, appearing out of the fire within mere seconds. "Do you know the compression charm, Prewett?"
"Do I- do I what?" Charlie demands, eyeing the wooden splinters warily as they multiply haphazardly in the air. "Oh fuck, I mean, yes, Theo. I know the compression charm. But isn't it dangerous-"
"No. On three, at Draco." Theo orders, producing his wand from his sleeve. "One, two, three."
And suddenly Draco is being squeezed on all sides, lifting off the floor with the force of their magic. The splinters fall with a clatter to the floor as the blonde wizard falls victim to distraction, and busies himself with struggling against their spell.
"Let go." Theo says, and shoots another hex at Draco wordlessly. The wizard lowers gently to the floor, shuddering all the while with his arms wrapped around himself.
"Shit, Draco, are you alright?" Charlie gasps, sliding to his knees besides the trembling wizard, ignoring the sting of the splinters.
"I-um, did I do that to your furniture?" Draco asks, staring around with bleary eyes.
"Yes." Theo confirms.
"That doesn't matter, are you hurt?" Charlie stresses, resisting the urge to prod the boy like he would to his injured younger siblings once upon a time.
"You'll have to bill me." Draco says faintly, his nostrils flaring. "I'll have my Goblin at Gringotts contact yours."
"For fuck's sake!" Charlie snaps, pulling his sweaty collar away from his neck as he stands and takes a deep breath.
"Help me get him up, Theo." he orders. "He needs to be checked out by a Healer. I'll eat my belt if they're not already expecting our arrival thanks to Hermione, so we should be able to apparate into the Lobby."
"Ow." Draco whispers, his knees quaking as he attempts to stand.
"What hurts?" Charlie demands, adjusting his hold on the blonde's arm.
"Something inside feels uncomfortable." Draco answers. "I confess, I might be sick."
"Alright." Theo says calmly, conjuring a bag and sticking it under Draco's chin.
"I apologize for my uncouth behavior." the wizard manages before vomiting nosily into the apparatus.
"Jesus Christ." Charlie mutters.
"I accept your apology." Theo responds.
Any guesses at to the nature of Draco's family magic?