A/N: Just to let you guys know for future reference, I am not bringing my
parents into this fic, because they are both made up here. If anybody's
reading this.....please review. *hint, hint* I LOVE reviews!!! ^_^
Arwen Sol: Thanks a lot for your reveiew! It's cool to know that you like my story. Well, you know the later chapters, but please be patient because it will take a while. Writing a chapter, such as this, takes a few hours! Unbelievable, I know.... But I will post them up. (Just don't tell the people who are reading, though. I know you won't spoil it for them, I trust you.) Neways, Please post your fics soon! I wanna read them (
Disclaimer: Draco Malfoy, Severus Snape, Angelina Johnson, Voldemort and Hogwarts belong to J.K. Rowling. I don't own team Canada, the guys, Shakespear and anything belonging to him and Buffy. I own myself, Lucy and Brutus.
*
In the lounge of the Canadian Olympic Village, Ryan Smyth and Eric Brewer were sitting and arguing.
"Ryan, I honestly don't see what's so special about her!" Eric grumbled.
"Honestly, man! Just look at her! She's a babe! She's got beautiful eyes, a cute nose, a killer body, really nice hair.." Ryan droned on, ticking off his fingers for each good qualities.
"Yeah," Eric interjected, "Why are guys always attracted to the female exterior? I don't get it."
"You don't even know her, bud. You don't know if she's your type or not," countered Ryan.
"Hey guys! What's up?" Ed Jovanovski called out and slumped on the couch beside Eric.
"Hey, Ed," Eric greeted cheerfully.
"Hey, Jovanovski. We were just discussing if we can get Brewer and that Kariya girl to hook up." Ryan said shamelessly.
Ed raised his eyebrows. "I see," he said quietly.
"Got any tips?"
"I say don't mess with her too much."
The three of them turned around to face Joe Sakic.
"Hey Sakic! When'd you get here?" Ed asked, surprised.
"Just now." Joe sat down beside Ryan, "Well, it's seven thirty. There's just Paul and Mel left. Wonder why they're late?"
"Oh, is that her name?" Eric asked, "I forgot it."
"Yeah. There will be no funny business tonight, especially from you Ryan," Joe warned with a slight glare.
Ryan looked shocked and clutched his heart, "Moi?!?"
Joe nodded, "Yes, you. I've got this feeling that she's not the type to be fooling around with."
"Yes, we shall heed thee, O, wise old Joe," Eric pretended to grovel from his seat.
Ed looked slightly puzzled, "And how would you know this?"
Before Joe could reply, they heard familiar voices. The four of them turned as Paul Kariya entered the lobby with a sleepy and somewhat disheveled Mel.
"See? I knew picking you up was a good idea. Otherwise you'd never get out of bed and we'd be stuck here worried sick, wondering whether you've disappeared off the face of the planet," Paul gloated in his best know-it- all voice.
"And how dare you!" Mel growled, hitting him on the shoulder, "I was having such a nice dream, you bloody git!" She hit him again.
Paul tried blocking off her attacks, "Ow! I'll think I'll call Aunt Lucy tonight, ow! And tell her how, ow, horrid you've been to your, ow, dear, helpless and respe-, ow, respectable /older/ cousin. Ow, ow! Melody, stop that right now! Ow!"
"You're not the boss of me," Mel retorted.
"Alright! Alright! Ow! I believe you now about, ow, the whole self-defense, ow, thingie! Would you stop, ow, hitting me?!"
The guys watched, stunned, as Paul was being hit and kicked by whom they thought was an innocent and shy young lady. They had to laugh at the strange sight.
"Nice and shy type my ass," Eric muttered under his breath.
"Ha, ha! Well, what do you know?" Ryan laughed, "The gal's a kung-fu expert! There ya go, Brewer, inner strength and aggressiveness."
"That's shocking, I'll admit," Eric agreed.
Joe sniggered, "I told you she's not the type to mess around with."
"Hey Kariya! I though you're a hockey player! How come you're letting a girl kick your ass?!" Ed mocked.
"I can't hit a girl! Plus she's family, ow!" grunted Paul. Having enough, he grabbed Mel and threw her over his shoulder easily like a sack of potatoes.
"Put me down you prat! You'll break my wand! I mean, my.my spine!" Mel shouted groggily, pounding on his back.
Eric's head jerked slightly.
"Hey guys," Paul approached the guys, panting.
"I see zee lady eez geeving you a harrrd time, n'est-ce que pas?" Ryan drawled in his French impersonation.
Paul waved his free hand, "Nah, she's just cranky." He set her down on her feet and pinched her cheek, "Aren't you, baby?"
Mel responded by snapping her teeth at his hand, which he pulled away in time.
Ed's eyes widened in mock horror. "Whoa, Vicious!" he said under his breath.
Ryan put on a puppy face, "Aw, does baby Buffy wanna bottle?"
Paul looked at Mel teasingly, "You hear that, baby girl? Have you got one on you, Ryan?"
He was rewarded by a light punch in the abs.
"Oof! Fix your hair."
A punch in the arm.
"Is she always like this?" Joe asked, bewildered.
"Only around him," Mel replied matter-of-factly, now fully awake.
"Alas! The baby speaks!" Eric teased.
"And around blokes who call me 'baby'," added Mel, eying Eric menacingly.
"Methinks the lady doth complain too much," Eric recited in a very good British accent.
"Methinks, 'To kill or not to kill, that is the question'," Mel retorted back in her best British accent.
Both of them looked at each other for a few seconds before they started to laugh.
Joe finally stood up, "Before we listen to any more Shakespere, those in favour of getting something to eat say 'Aye!'"
"Aye!" The guys shouted back.
Ed also stood up, "Finally! I'm starving!"
*
Draco Malfoy watched them leave from a hidden and deserted spot and smiled wickedly.
'So, you're here, eh? You just wait and see what's in store for you, mudblood,' he thought with an evil glint in his eyes. He quietly slithered along the walls being quite sure that nobody has spotted him and followed them to the restaurant/bar. He stopped near the entrance. No, he didn't want her to know about his presence. Not yet. After all, he was here to destroy her. And he wanted to do it so that nobody suspected him.
"Good evening, Mr. Malfoy," a calm and oily voice called from behind him. Nearly crying out, Malfoy jumped around 180 degrees and nearly rammed his face onto somebody else's. It came as a big shock that the man who stood in from t of him was none other than his former housemaster.
"G-good evening, Professor Snape!" Malfoy spat out with as much decorum, "Fancy meeting you here."
Severus Snape smiked, "And may I ask what one of my favoured students is doing here?"
"Malfoy shook his head slightly and blinked, "Er, um, nothing! I-I mean business!"
"Curious," Snape looked at Draco with a questioning look, "It is curious that the one who loathes muggles with a passion is mingling among them. Unless there's a reason."
Malfoy sighed impatiently but put on a tight smile, "Actually, there is, sir. Do you remember that blasted mudblood you hate so much?"
Snape raised an eyebrow, "Which one?"
Malfoy jerked his head sideways. Snape looked at the direction then he turned back to Draco, unsurprised.
"You're still on about that?" Snape asked amusedly.
"As long as I'm getting my end of the bargain," Draco replied darkly. For years, Malfoy has been keeping tabs on Mel. He had uses mild to extreme measures in order to win her over to the Dark Side, but in vein. However, as the son of one of the most reputable Death-Eater and going to become one himself very soon, he needed to break her of her foolishness and futile resistance, "You know I'll win her for him."
Snape chuckled, "I'm sure you will. You are after all, a powerful wizard."
"He'd better be," came a third voice.
Startled, they turned around. It was the same man wearing a black trench coat and the wide brimmed hat. He was two inches taller than Snape and was thin. His voice was low and seemed to hiss and echo. He didn't take off his hat, but he looked up so that they could see his face. The face nearly resembled a monkey, but looked evil. He was smoking a cigarette. One can say that the most evil looking thing about him were his eyes, which at the moment resembled the end of his cigar, burning embers of red.
"Good evening, Brutus," Snape greeted, I believe this is a non-smoking area. You wouldn't want to intoxicate these muggles during their ridiculous games."
Brutus regarded them coldly and shrugged, "Ask me if I care about these brainless mudbloods. What's the matter with you anyways? You are suppose to call them mudbloods." He exhaled smoke.
"Good evening, Brutus. I see you are well!" Draco said with a haughty smile.
"Save your childish formalities," Brutus spat impatiently with an idle wave. Draco's features hardened, but he kept the smile on his lips. A fellow Death Eater himself, he was also highly regarded. However, him and the Malfoys have always hated each other for petty reasons. The Malfoys have always thought of Brutus as too serious, too conservative and old- fashioned in his beliefs. Brutus have always thought of the Malfoys as arrogant and muddle-headed. He saw them as Voldemort's mere pets, sucking up to him for favours and praises.
"WHO'S GONNA BRING HOME THE GOLD?!?!?!?!?!"
"US!"
"I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!!!!!!"
"US!!!!!!!"
"CANADA! CANADA! CANADA! CANADA!"
The three of them jumped. The crowd was chanting for their beloved country.
Brutus shook his head in disdain. "Animals!"
"I suppose that's the country they will be playing for, eh? Say, Brutus. Shouldn't you be cheering? You're fr-"
Malfoy was cut off by Brutus' annoyed response, "I care nothing for useless events!"
Trying to break the tension between the two, Snape spoke up, "What can we do for you?"
Brutus cackled. Snape winced. He didn't like it when Brutus did that every time he asked that.
His laugh subsided and he spoke calmly, "What can you do for me? You can /help/ me by getting that idiot girl on out lord's side! That's what I want you to do!"
"We are doing our best!" Malfoy hissed. He was no longer smiling, but staring at his rival with a cold glare, "I will win her over. Just remember our bargain."
Brutus exhaled smoke onto Draco's face and raised his eyebrow in an amused manner, "Oh, believe me boy. I do remember. Just as long as you remember to do your bit. I need her to join us or she will be a disgrace to us."
Draco coughed and shot daggers with his eyes, 'I am going to kill him.'
"You worry about you own affairs, Brutus and leave this to us," Snape put in harshly, "She is enough of a disgrace just by living."
Brutus glared at him but said nothing, "Very well. I will leave you for now. But do be warned," Brutus glared at them intently, pointing at them with the butt of his cigarette, "If you fail, you won't only have Voldemort to deal with. I'll make sure you suffer immensely at my hands." With that, he disappeared silently.
Malfoy and Snape stared at the vacant spot with anger and hatred.
"Why don't you do your dirty work?" Snape sneered.
"Why did we agree to work for /him/ anyways?" Draco's voice dripped with cynicism.
Snape only sighed, "Whatever we do for him we do for Voldemort. Anyways, I have other important matters to take care of." After saying that, he, too, disappeared silently.
Draco sighed and shook his head in annoyance. 'Fine! Leave me here with all these mudbloods!'
He turned around and stepped aside so that an indoor tree beside the entrance hid him from view. He surveyed the inside of the restaurant. It was dark with a lot of neon lights and lout music. The place was bustling with busy waitresses and rowdy athletes. It looked like a British Muggle Pub, only it was a bit cleaner than the ones he'd visited.
'Doesn't look too bad, I suppose.' He turned his attention to the people then smirked, 'My, my. Look who's here?' He saw Angelina Johnson, the Gryffindor Chaser. He wanted to laugh at the fact that one of Hogwart's popular and well known witch was now serving muggles. 'That proves that my theory of "people being accepted into Gryffindor because people feel sorry for them" right! Look at Miss Johnson. She's desperate for money that even the muggles felt sorry for her that they accepted her as their 'servant'!'
Then he saw Mel. She was having fun with a bunch of guys. Malfoy studied them. They were huge! They looked as though they could beat one into a bloody pulp in a fight. But he'd heard stories about muggle athletes, or 'jocks', having no brains because they spent too much time playing silly games to get a proper education. The one who sat beside her looked similarly oriental. He was drinking beer and laughing loudly along with the others. His short black hair was spiked up and his face was flushed. There was nothing special about him. 'He must be that filthy mudblood she's related to. I don't see what's so 'cool' and 'awesome' about him. Maybe it's his stupidity she's on about all the time at school. Ugh! They're all stupid! I hate mudbloods!' His hatred towards the non-wizarding folks had reached an insanely dangerous level over the past few years.
She got up and appeared to be headed towards the loo. He noticed that she was holding a glass and he wondered why. An idea formed in his mind and he nearly cackled.
'Time to have fun.'
*
They walked in the bar and the hostess showed them to their table. Angelina Johnson was their waitress. She was tall and well built with a tan. Her brown hair was pulled up in a neat French twist and she had a beautiful smile that showed off perfect teeth. Her dark eyes sparkled as she greeted them. The others started flirting with her, including Paul surprisingly, much to Mel's disapproval.
"Aw, c'mon, Mel. Girls flirt all the time," Paul whined.
"I don't. And it's really improper," she rebuked.
Ryan reached over and tousled her hair, "Relax! It's not like we're gonna jump her."
Mel blushed.
Eric reached over and patted her on the shoulders. "He's teasing," he smiled reassuringly and winked at her.
Paul could have sworn the Mel blushed some more.
More athletes started to pile in. Soon, every table was filled with loud gibbering people and loud upbeat music.
Their orders arrived. Mel settled for juice and salad while the guys had fish and chips, burgers and nachos.
"Wanna come join us, babe?" Ed called out to Angelina.
She laughed but shook her head, "I'd love to, but if I do, I'll have to do it for everybody."
"Aw, you're no fun!" Paul called out teasingly and was rewarded with a disapproving look.
"Hey guys!" Mario Lemieux, Chris Pronger and Theo Fleury shouted as they headed towards their table.
"Hey Captain Canada! Fleury! Pronger! Come join us!" Ed greeted.
Mario and Theo pulled chairs and sat with them.
"How's it going? All hyped up for our first game?" Joe asked.
"Yeah! The gold's good as ours!" Theo whooped.
Mario stood up and bellowed, "WHO'S GONNA TAKE HOME THE GOLD?"
"US!" The Canadian crowd shouted back.
"ARE WE READY TO KICK SOME SERIOUS BUTT?!?!!"
"YEAH!!!!!"
"I CANT HEAR YOU!!!!!!!" Mario cupped his ears.
"YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" The crowd shouted some more and they started to chant, "CANADA! CANADA! CANADA!"
Mario laughed as he sat down, "I love doing that."
"That's your job. To boost our morale," Chris pointed out. He turned his attention to Mel, "Say, Kariya, who's your girl friend?"
The heads swiveled to Mel's direction. She sank in her chair a bit.
"Oh, I forgot!" Paul turned his attention to her.
"Thank a lot," she grumbled softly.
"Mario, Chris, Theo, meet my cousin Mel. Mel, these are Mario, Chris and Theo."
"Hey, Mel! Nice to meet you!" Mario extended his hand and gave her a firm handshake.
"Pleasure," she replied shyly and nodded.
"I didn't know Kariya had a cousin. Yeah, nice meeting you!" Chris Pronger smiled warmly and shook her hand.
"Fancy meeting you, too."
"Hi, Mel. Glad you could watch us play!" Theo and Mel shook hands.
"Pleasure."
Ryan leaned back on his chair and shouted, "Eh, Angelina! Can we get three more beers here? Thanks!"
"Sure thing, cutie!" came Angelina's voice.
The guys started to whoop.
"She's hitting on ya, buddy!"
"I knew she likes me!" Ryan replied in a cocky manner.
"So, Mel, tell us about yourself," Chris said.
The whole table directed their attention towards her.
She looked at them nervously and smiled, "Like what?"
"Like where you're from," supplied Theo.
"By the way, I meant to ask you," Eric interrupted to Theo's annoyance, "Are you British?"
"Yeah." The guys agreed, curious, "Are you?"
"You sort of have an accent," Joe explained.
"No, I'm not. I was born in the Philippines, moved to Canada when I was ten, went to the U.K. at eleven and studied there for seven years, then moved back to B.C after that."
The guys were impressed.
"Wow! So in essence, you have lived in three countries, right?" Mario asked.
"Yes," Mel nodded.
"Which school did you go to?" Eric asked curiously, taking a bite from his fish.
Mel nearly said "Hogwart's" but held it back just in time, "Ah...."
Beside her, Paul sniggered. She ignored him and quietly said, "I went to a finishing school."
"Ha ha!" Theo spat out without thinking then composed himself, "Sorry."
"Is it fun there?" Eric asked nicely, ignoring the teasing and laughter directed at Mel.
Mel forced herself to smile, "It was ace! So, yes."
"Ace! I like that!" Theo nodded, satisfied.
"So, how are you related to Kariya here?" Chris patted Paul on the back and drained half of his beer.
"Paul? Oh. His dad and my mum are siblings."
"And are you full Japanese?" Ed asked with his mouth full of nachos.
"No, my dad's Chinese."
"Eh! Can you teach us some British expressions?" Ryan called from the other end of the table.
This time, Mel fixed Ryan a cocky look, "Like what?"
The guys thought for a while.
"How do you say 'wow'?" Joe asked.
"Oh, um, we use "Blimey!" or "Wicked!" or "Ace!". At least, that's what I use. I know we use "Wicked" here," Mel answered.
The guys started saying "Blimey!", "Wicked!" and "Ace!" to each other!
"You can also use 'ace' or 'wicked' to compliment," she added
"Hey Theo! You're ace!" Eric called out.
"Thanks! You're wicked Brewer!" Theo shouted back.
"What about, 'Fuck off'?" Chris drawled with a cocky smile.
"Hey! Watch it!" Eric called out warningly, eyeing Mel nervously.
Paul looked at his cousin anxiously, expecting her to blush or look away in embarrassment. Instead, she looked him straight in the eyes and said, "Sod off, you bloody git."
"I think she meant that, Prongs," Paul joked, easing up.
Eric shoved Ryan hard jokingly, "Yeah! Sod off, you git!"
Ryan shoved Eric back, "/You/ sod off!"
"Any other words of wisdom you wanna share?" Mario prodded, "Some encouragement?"
Mel thought for a while, "What about, 'The best of Canada'. It means good luck."
"Hey, I like that!" Mario smiled and raised his glass, "The best of Canada!"
The guys raised their glasses in agreement, "The best of Canada!"
They toasted. "Anything else?"
The guys looked expectantly as Mel knitted her brows, deep in thought.
"Ooh, she's thinking of a good one!" Theo whispered to Chris.
A smile slowly crept on her lips.
"She's /really/ thinking of a good one."
"Wonder what it is."
She looked up at their expecting faces, smiling and not saying anything.
Paul poked her side, "Are you gonna keep us hanging? Say it!"
She cleared her throat and stood up, "Draco dormiens nonquam titilandus."
The guys' smiles dissolved into stumped frowns. Eric choked. Nearby, Angelina dropped her tray of beer.
"Bloody hell!" She cursed loudly and started to clean up the mess.
"Heh?!?!?" Ryan spat out dumbly.
"Say what?!?!" Ed exclaimed.
"Would you mind running that one by us again, slowly?" Paul asked with a stumped tone.
"Yeah, kindly repeat what you just said." Eric persisted with a curious look.
Mel only smiled, winked, took her glass, and said, "Kindly excuse me. I need to go to the loo."
Paul grabbed her arm as she was about to leave, "Not until you repeat what you've just said."
Mel yawned, "Maybe later. I really need to take my pills and fix myself." She yanked her arm out of his grasp, walked over to another waitress and asked her to fill her glass and then disappeared into the washroom.
"Well, there she goes, that butter tart," sighed Ryan, "Women!"
"Yeah..Hey, she's really cool! Why didn't you tell us you had a cousin like her?" Theo asked.
"You never asked." Paul replied casually and shrugged.
"Is she taken," Ed asked.
"I see you've taken a liking to the young lady, Jovo." Ryan teased.
Ed shook his head in annoyance, "I don't /fancy/ her. I was just wondering. In case you forgot, I'm already hooked up."
Paul laughed, "No, she's not. For your information, she's not interested."
"Now that's something you don't hear everyday," Ryan began without looking up from his burger, "A hot chick that isn't interested in relationships."
"She's different, I'll admit..innocent, you know?" Joe voiced out thoughtfully.
"Innocent my ass!" Ryan spat out, "You should have seen her beat up Kariya a while ago! I tell you, the girl's a Charlie's Angel!" He then doubled over.
The guys gaped at Paul.
"Did she really?!" Chris asked, wide-eyed.
"I woke her up from her nap. She was cranky," an embarrassed Paul replied, sending daggers Ryan's way.
"Which is a lesson you should learn," Ed interjected, "Rule number one: Never wake a girl from her beauty sleep."
Mario and Theo gasped.
"You disturbed the poor thing's beauty sleep?!" Theo mocked, "Paul! How could you? How would /you/ like it if we woke /you/ u-?"
There was the sudden shattering of glass accompanied by a blood-curling scream.
Arwen Sol: Thanks a lot for your reveiew! It's cool to know that you like my story. Well, you know the later chapters, but please be patient because it will take a while. Writing a chapter, such as this, takes a few hours! Unbelievable, I know.... But I will post them up. (Just don't tell the people who are reading, though. I know you won't spoil it for them, I trust you.) Neways, Please post your fics soon! I wanna read them (
Disclaimer: Draco Malfoy, Severus Snape, Angelina Johnson, Voldemort and Hogwarts belong to J.K. Rowling. I don't own team Canada, the guys, Shakespear and anything belonging to him and Buffy. I own myself, Lucy and Brutus.
*
In the lounge of the Canadian Olympic Village, Ryan Smyth and Eric Brewer were sitting and arguing.
"Ryan, I honestly don't see what's so special about her!" Eric grumbled.
"Honestly, man! Just look at her! She's a babe! She's got beautiful eyes, a cute nose, a killer body, really nice hair.." Ryan droned on, ticking off his fingers for each good qualities.
"Yeah," Eric interjected, "Why are guys always attracted to the female exterior? I don't get it."
"You don't even know her, bud. You don't know if she's your type or not," countered Ryan.
"Hey guys! What's up?" Ed Jovanovski called out and slumped on the couch beside Eric.
"Hey, Ed," Eric greeted cheerfully.
"Hey, Jovanovski. We were just discussing if we can get Brewer and that Kariya girl to hook up." Ryan said shamelessly.
Ed raised his eyebrows. "I see," he said quietly.
"Got any tips?"
"I say don't mess with her too much."
The three of them turned around to face Joe Sakic.
"Hey Sakic! When'd you get here?" Ed asked, surprised.
"Just now." Joe sat down beside Ryan, "Well, it's seven thirty. There's just Paul and Mel left. Wonder why they're late?"
"Oh, is that her name?" Eric asked, "I forgot it."
"Yeah. There will be no funny business tonight, especially from you Ryan," Joe warned with a slight glare.
Ryan looked shocked and clutched his heart, "Moi?!?"
Joe nodded, "Yes, you. I've got this feeling that she's not the type to be fooling around with."
"Yes, we shall heed thee, O, wise old Joe," Eric pretended to grovel from his seat.
Ed looked slightly puzzled, "And how would you know this?"
Before Joe could reply, they heard familiar voices. The four of them turned as Paul Kariya entered the lobby with a sleepy and somewhat disheveled Mel.
"See? I knew picking you up was a good idea. Otherwise you'd never get out of bed and we'd be stuck here worried sick, wondering whether you've disappeared off the face of the planet," Paul gloated in his best know-it- all voice.
"And how dare you!" Mel growled, hitting him on the shoulder, "I was having such a nice dream, you bloody git!" She hit him again.
Paul tried blocking off her attacks, "Ow! I'll think I'll call Aunt Lucy tonight, ow! And tell her how, ow, horrid you've been to your, ow, dear, helpless and respe-, ow, respectable /older/ cousin. Ow, ow! Melody, stop that right now! Ow!"
"You're not the boss of me," Mel retorted.
"Alright! Alright! Ow! I believe you now about, ow, the whole self-defense, ow, thingie! Would you stop, ow, hitting me?!"
The guys watched, stunned, as Paul was being hit and kicked by whom they thought was an innocent and shy young lady. They had to laugh at the strange sight.
"Nice and shy type my ass," Eric muttered under his breath.
"Ha, ha! Well, what do you know?" Ryan laughed, "The gal's a kung-fu expert! There ya go, Brewer, inner strength and aggressiveness."
"That's shocking, I'll admit," Eric agreed.
Joe sniggered, "I told you she's not the type to mess around with."
"Hey Kariya! I though you're a hockey player! How come you're letting a girl kick your ass?!" Ed mocked.
"I can't hit a girl! Plus she's family, ow!" grunted Paul. Having enough, he grabbed Mel and threw her over his shoulder easily like a sack of potatoes.
"Put me down you prat! You'll break my wand! I mean, my.my spine!" Mel shouted groggily, pounding on his back.
Eric's head jerked slightly.
"Hey guys," Paul approached the guys, panting.
"I see zee lady eez geeving you a harrrd time, n'est-ce que pas?" Ryan drawled in his French impersonation.
Paul waved his free hand, "Nah, she's just cranky." He set her down on her feet and pinched her cheek, "Aren't you, baby?"
Mel responded by snapping her teeth at his hand, which he pulled away in time.
Ed's eyes widened in mock horror. "Whoa, Vicious!" he said under his breath.
Ryan put on a puppy face, "Aw, does baby Buffy wanna bottle?"
Paul looked at Mel teasingly, "You hear that, baby girl? Have you got one on you, Ryan?"
He was rewarded by a light punch in the abs.
"Oof! Fix your hair."
A punch in the arm.
"Is she always like this?" Joe asked, bewildered.
"Only around him," Mel replied matter-of-factly, now fully awake.
"Alas! The baby speaks!" Eric teased.
"And around blokes who call me 'baby'," added Mel, eying Eric menacingly.
"Methinks the lady doth complain too much," Eric recited in a very good British accent.
"Methinks, 'To kill or not to kill, that is the question'," Mel retorted back in her best British accent.
Both of them looked at each other for a few seconds before they started to laugh.
Joe finally stood up, "Before we listen to any more Shakespere, those in favour of getting something to eat say 'Aye!'"
"Aye!" The guys shouted back.
Ed also stood up, "Finally! I'm starving!"
*
Draco Malfoy watched them leave from a hidden and deserted spot and smiled wickedly.
'So, you're here, eh? You just wait and see what's in store for you, mudblood,' he thought with an evil glint in his eyes. He quietly slithered along the walls being quite sure that nobody has spotted him and followed them to the restaurant/bar. He stopped near the entrance. No, he didn't want her to know about his presence. Not yet. After all, he was here to destroy her. And he wanted to do it so that nobody suspected him.
"Good evening, Mr. Malfoy," a calm and oily voice called from behind him. Nearly crying out, Malfoy jumped around 180 degrees and nearly rammed his face onto somebody else's. It came as a big shock that the man who stood in from t of him was none other than his former housemaster.
"G-good evening, Professor Snape!" Malfoy spat out with as much decorum, "Fancy meeting you here."
Severus Snape smiked, "And may I ask what one of my favoured students is doing here?"
"Malfoy shook his head slightly and blinked, "Er, um, nothing! I-I mean business!"
"Curious," Snape looked at Draco with a questioning look, "It is curious that the one who loathes muggles with a passion is mingling among them. Unless there's a reason."
Malfoy sighed impatiently but put on a tight smile, "Actually, there is, sir. Do you remember that blasted mudblood you hate so much?"
Snape raised an eyebrow, "Which one?"
Malfoy jerked his head sideways. Snape looked at the direction then he turned back to Draco, unsurprised.
"You're still on about that?" Snape asked amusedly.
"As long as I'm getting my end of the bargain," Draco replied darkly. For years, Malfoy has been keeping tabs on Mel. He had uses mild to extreme measures in order to win her over to the Dark Side, but in vein. However, as the son of one of the most reputable Death-Eater and going to become one himself very soon, he needed to break her of her foolishness and futile resistance, "You know I'll win her for him."
Snape chuckled, "I'm sure you will. You are after all, a powerful wizard."
"He'd better be," came a third voice.
Startled, they turned around. It was the same man wearing a black trench coat and the wide brimmed hat. He was two inches taller than Snape and was thin. His voice was low and seemed to hiss and echo. He didn't take off his hat, but he looked up so that they could see his face. The face nearly resembled a monkey, but looked evil. He was smoking a cigarette. One can say that the most evil looking thing about him were his eyes, which at the moment resembled the end of his cigar, burning embers of red.
"Good evening, Brutus," Snape greeted, I believe this is a non-smoking area. You wouldn't want to intoxicate these muggles during their ridiculous games."
Brutus regarded them coldly and shrugged, "Ask me if I care about these brainless mudbloods. What's the matter with you anyways? You are suppose to call them mudbloods." He exhaled smoke.
"Good evening, Brutus. I see you are well!" Draco said with a haughty smile.
"Save your childish formalities," Brutus spat impatiently with an idle wave. Draco's features hardened, but he kept the smile on his lips. A fellow Death Eater himself, he was also highly regarded. However, him and the Malfoys have always hated each other for petty reasons. The Malfoys have always thought of Brutus as too serious, too conservative and old- fashioned in his beliefs. Brutus have always thought of the Malfoys as arrogant and muddle-headed. He saw them as Voldemort's mere pets, sucking up to him for favours and praises.
"WHO'S GONNA BRING HOME THE GOLD?!?!?!?!?!"
"US!"
"I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!!!!!!"
"US!!!!!!!"
"CANADA! CANADA! CANADA! CANADA!"
The three of them jumped. The crowd was chanting for their beloved country.
Brutus shook his head in disdain. "Animals!"
"I suppose that's the country they will be playing for, eh? Say, Brutus. Shouldn't you be cheering? You're fr-"
Malfoy was cut off by Brutus' annoyed response, "I care nothing for useless events!"
Trying to break the tension between the two, Snape spoke up, "What can we do for you?"
Brutus cackled. Snape winced. He didn't like it when Brutus did that every time he asked that.
His laugh subsided and he spoke calmly, "What can you do for me? You can /help/ me by getting that idiot girl on out lord's side! That's what I want you to do!"
"We are doing our best!" Malfoy hissed. He was no longer smiling, but staring at his rival with a cold glare, "I will win her over. Just remember our bargain."
Brutus exhaled smoke onto Draco's face and raised his eyebrow in an amused manner, "Oh, believe me boy. I do remember. Just as long as you remember to do your bit. I need her to join us or she will be a disgrace to us."
Draco coughed and shot daggers with his eyes, 'I am going to kill him.'
"You worry about you own affairs, Brutus and leave this to us," Snape put in harshly, "She is enough of a disgrace just by living."
Brutus glared at him but said nothing, "Very well. I will leave you for now. But do be warned," Brutus glared at them intently, pointing at them with the butt of his cigarette, "If you fail, you won't only have Voldemort to deal with. I'll make sure you suffer immensely at my hands." With that, he disappeared silently.
Malfoy and Snape stared at the vacant spot with anger and hatred.
"Why don't you do your dirty work?" Snape sneered.
"Why did we agree to work for /him/ anyways?" Draco's voice dripped with cynicism.
Snape only sighed, "Whatever we do for him we do for Voldemort. Anyways, I have other important matters to take care of." After saying that, he, too, disappeared silently.
Draco sighed and shook his head in annoyance. 'Fine! Leave me here with all these mudbloods!'
He turned around and stepped aside so that an indoor tree beside the entrance hid him from view. He surveyed the inside of the restaurant. It was dark with a lot of neon lights and lout music. The place was bustling with busy waitresses and rowdy athletes. It looked like a British Muggle Pub, only it was a bit cleaner than the ones he'd visited.
'Doesn't look too bad, I suppose.' He turned his attention to the people then smirked, 'My, my. Look who's here?' He saw Angelina Johnson, the Gryffindor Chaser. He wanted to laugh at the fact that one of Hogwart's popular and well known witch was now serving muggles. 'That proves that my theory of "people being accepted into Gryffindor because people feel sorry for them" right! Look at Miss Johnson. She's desperate for money that even the muggles felt sorry for her that they accepted her as their 'servant'!'
Then he saw Mel. She was having fun with a bunch of guys. Malfoy studied them. They were huge! They looked as though they could beat one into a bloody pulp in a fight. But he'd heard stories about muggle athletes, or 'jocks', having no brains because they spent too much time playing silly games to get a proper education. The one who sat beside her looked similarly oriental. He was drinking beer and laughing loudly along with the others. His short black hair was spiked up and his face was flushed. There was nothing special about him. 'He must be that filthy mudblood she's related to. I don't see what's so 'cool' and 'awesome' about him. Maybe it's his stupidity she's on about all the time at school. Ugh! They're all stupid! I hate mudbloods!' His hatred towards the non-wizarding folks had reached an insanely dangerous level over the past few years.
She got up and appeared to be headed towards the loo. He noticed that she was holding a glass and he wondered why. An idea formed in his mind and he nearly cackled.
'Time to have fun.'
*
They walked in the bar and the hostess showed them to their table. Angelina Johnson was their waitress. She was tall and well built with a tan. Her brown hair was pulled up in a neat French twist and she had a beautiful smile that showed off perfect teeth. Her dark eyes sparkled as she greeted them. The others started flirting with her, including Paul surprisingly, much to Mel's disapproval.
"Aw, c'mon, Mel. Girls flirt all the time," Paul whined.
"I don't. And it's really improper," she rebuked.
Ryan reached over and tousled her hair, "Relax! It's not like we're gonna jump her."
Mel blushed.
Eric reached over and patted her on the shoulders. "He's teasing," he smiled reassuringly and winked at her.
Paul could have sworn the Mel blushed some more.
More athletes started to pile in. Soon, every table was filled with loud gibbering people and loud upbeat music.
Their orders arrived. Mel settled for juice and salad while the guys had fish and chips, burgers and nachos.
"Wanna come join us, babe?" Ed called out to Angelina.
She laughed but shook her head, "I'd love to, but if I do, I'll have to do it for everybody."
"Aw, you're no fun!" Paul called out teasingly and was rewarded with a disapproving look.
"Hey guys!" Mario Lemieux, Chris Pronger and Theo Fleury shouted as they headed towards their table.
"Hey Captain Canada! Fleury! Pronger! Come join us!" Ed greeted.
Mario and Theo pulled chairs and sat with them.
"How's it going? All hyped up for our first game?" Joe asked.
"Yeah! The gold's good as ours!" Theo whooped.
Mario stood up and bellowed, "WHO'S GONNA TAKE HOME THE GOLD?"
"US!" The Canadian crowd shouted back.
"ARE WE READY TO KICK SOME SERIOUS BUTT?!?!!"
"YEAH!!!!!"
"I CANT HEAR YOU!!!!!!!" Mario cupped his ears.
"YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" The crowd shouted some more and they started to chant, "CANADA! CANADA! CANADA!"
Mario laughed as he sat down, "I love doing that."
"That's your job. To boost our morale," Chris pointed out. He turned his attention to Mel, "Say, Kariya, who's your girl friend?"
The heads swiveled to Mel's direction. She sank in her chair a bit.
"Oh, I forgot!" Paul turned his attention to her.
"Thank a lot," she grumbled softly.
"Mario, Chris, Theo, meet my cousin Mel. Mel, these are Mario, Chris and Theo."
"Hey, Mel! Nice to meet you!" Mario extended his hand and gave her a firm handshake.
"Pleasure," she replied shyly and nodded.
"I didn't know Kariya had a cousin. Yeah, nice meeting you!" Chris Pronger smiled warmly and shook her hand.
"Fancy meeting you, too."
"Hi, Mel. Glad you could watch us play!" Theo and Mel shook hands.
"Pleasure."
Ryan leaned back on his chair and shouted, "Eh, Angelina! Can we get three more beers here? Thanks!"
"Sure thing, cutie!" came Angelina's voice.
The guys started to whoop.
"She's hitting on ya, buddy!"
"I knew she likes me!" Ryan replied in a cocky manner.
"So, Mel, tell us about yourself," Chris said.
The whole table directed their attention towards her.
She looked at them nervously and smiled, "Like what?"
"Like where you're from," supplied Theo.
"By the way, I meant to ask you," Eric interrupted to Theo's annoyance, "Are you British?"
"Yeah." The guys agreed, curious, "Are you?"
"You sort of have an accent," Joe explained.
"No, I'm not. I was born in the Philippines, moved to Canada when I was ten, went to the U.K. at eleven and studied there for seven years, then moved back to B.C after that."
The guys were impressed.
"Wow! So in essence, you have lived in three countries, right?" Mario asked.
"Yes," Mel nodded.
"Which school did you go to?" Eric asked curiously, taking a bite from his fish.
Mel nearly said "Hogwart's" but held it back just in time, "Ah...."
Beside her, Paul sniggered. She ignored him and quietly said, "I went to a finishing school."
"Ha ha!" Theo spat out without thinking then composed himself, "Sorry."
"Is it fun there?" Eric asked nicely, ignoring the teasing and laughter directed at Mel.
Mel forced herself to smile, "It was ace! So, yes."
"Ace! I like that!" Theo nodded, satisfied.
"So, how are you related to Kariya here?" Chris patted Paul on the back and drained half of his beer.
"Paul? Oh. His dad and my mum are siblings."
"And are you full Japanese?" Ed asked with his mouth full of nachos.
"No, my dad's Chinese."
"Eh! Can you teach us some British expressions?" Ryan called from the other end of the table.
This time, Mel fixed Ryan a cocky look, "Like what?"
The guys thought for a while.
"How do you say 'wow'?" Joe asked.
"Oh, um, we use "Blimey!" or "Wicked!" or "Ace!". At least, that's what I use. I know we use "Wicked" here," Mel answered.
The guys started saying "Blimey!", "Wicked!" and "Ace!" to each other!
"You can also use 'ace' or 'wicked' to compliment," she added
"Hey Theo! You're ace!" Eric called out.
"Thanks! You're wicked Brewer!" Theo shouted back.
"What about, 'Fuck off'?" Chris drawled with a cocky smile.
"Hey! Watch it!" Eric called out warningly, eyeing Mel nervously.
Paul looked at his cousin anxiously, expecting her to blush or look away in embarrassment. Instead, she looked him straight in the eyes and said, "Sod off, you bloody git."
"I think she meant that, Prongs," Paul joked, easing up.
Eric shoved Ryan hard jokingly, "Yeah! Sod off, you git!"
Ryan shoved Eric back, "/You/ sod off!"
"Any other words of wisdom you wanna share?" Mario prodded, "Some encouragement?"
Mel thought for a while, "What about, 'The best of Canada'. It means good luck."
"Hey, I like that!" Mario smiled and raised his glass, "The best of Canada!"
The guys raised their glasses in agreement, "The best of Canada!"
They toasted. "Anything else?"
The guys looked expectantly as Mel knitted her brows, deep in thought.
"Ooh, she's thinking of a good one!" Theo whispered to Chris.
A smile slowly crept on her lips.
"She's /really/ thinking of a good one."
"Wonder what it is."
She looked up at their expecting faces, smiling and not saying anything.
Paul poked her side, "Are you gonna keep us hanging? Say it!"
She cleared her throat and stood up, "Draco dormiens nonquam titilandus."
The guys' smiles dissolved into stumped frowns. Eric choked. Nearby, Angelina dropped her tray of beer.
"Bloody hell!" She cursed loudly and started to clean up the mess.
"Heh?!?!?" Ryan spat out dumbly.
"Say what?!?!" Ed exclaimed.
"Would you mind running that one by us again, slowly?" Paul asked with a stumped tone.
"Yeah, kindly repeat what you just said." Eric persisted with a curious look.
Mel only smiled, winked, took her glass, and said, "Kindly excuse me. I need to go to the loo."
Paul grabbed her arm as she was about to leave, "Not until you repeat what you've just said."
Mel yawned, "Maybe later. I really need to take my pills and fix myself." She yanked her arm out of his grasp, walked over to another waitress and asked her to fill her glass and then disappeared into the washroom.
"Well, there she goes, that butter tart," sighed Ryan, "Women!"
"Yeah..Hey, she's really cool! Why didn't you tell us you had a cousin like her?" Theo asked.
"You never asked." Paul replied casually and shrugged.
"Is she taken," Ed asked.
"I see you've taken a liking to the young lady, Jovo." Ryan teased.
Ed shook his head in annoyance, "I don't /fancy/ her. I was just wondering. In case you forgot, I'm already hooked up."
Paul laughed, "No, she's not. For your information, she's not interested."
"Now that's something you don't hear everyday," Ryan began without looking up from his burger, "A hot chick that isn't interested in relationships."
"She's different, I'll admit..innocent, you know?" Joe voiced out thoughtfully.
"Innocent my ass!" Ryan spat out, "You should have seen her beat up Kariya a while ago! I tell you, the girl's a Charlie's Angel!" He then doubled over.
The guys gaped at Paul.
"Did she really?!" Chris asked, wide-eyed.
"I woke her up from her nap. She was cranky," an embarrassed Paul replied, sending daggers Ryan's way.
"Which is a lesson you should learn," Ed interjected, "Rule number one: Never wake a girl from her beauty sleep."
Mario and Theo gasped.
"You disturbed the poor thing's beauty sleep?!" Theo mocked, "Paul! How could you? How would /you/ like it if we woke /you/ u-?"
There was the sudden shattering of glass accompanied by a blood-curling scream.
