To the tune of The Middle by Jimmy Eat World:
But they are not mine, Harry Potter
The characters just are not mine
everything, everything but please don't fine
everything, everything will be alright, alright
Author's Note: Hello everyone! I am home again from my Floridian vacation, and here with another chapter! I realize there was a little bit of confusion about Charlie Daughton, so let me clear that up. In Chapter Three or Four (I think), Draco was talking about the reason he knows movies and stuff was because he hung out all summer with his best friend Charlie. Low and behold, the guy who he spent his summer with has now come to visit Hogwarts. I wasn't sure if everyone got that, mostly because I didn't draw a lot of attention to it, so I thought that I would clear that up. Anyway, here's some more! Enjoy!
Chapter Sixteen: Serendipity
"You know, I have decided for the first time in my life just how much I hate the sun. It's so damn chipper. It's like the Barney of the sky."
Draco smiled. "Except that Barney is a big purple dinosaur from our imagination."
Charlie stuck his head out of the bathroom. "Hell no! Don't you go makin' me sing that damn song! You know once I get something in my head I can't get it out unless I sing it aloud."
Draco frowned. "Shh... you'll wake up Hermione."
It was Saturday morning at Hogwarts, and Charlie and Draco were getting ready for the day. Draco had gotten up a little earlier to take his shower, knowing full well that Charlie would take forever. Draco smiled. It was good having Charlie back. He was there for Draco every day of the summer, when he needed him the most, and he was here now, helping with his recovery.
"Speaking of Hermione... what's up with you and her?"
Draco shrugged. "Nothing."
Charlie raised one eyebrow. "Let me tell you something Mr. Malfoy. You used to be a very good liar to the point where I believed the lies to be the truth. You are now incapable of telling a lie that I can actually believe. I think that G has rubbed off on you."
Draco looked puzzled. "G?"
"Hey. You can call her "Granger", or "Hermione" or "Herm", or if you're really bold, "pussycat". But my nickname for Hermione is G. And if you don't like it, you can call the man who invented the alphabet and ask him to get rid of that letter. Of course, I don't think Hermione would appreciate being called "Ranger" due to the absense of her beloved G. Unless of course she was Aragorn. He's a ranger."
Draco rolled his eyes. "You know what? You need coffee. And I need food. Let's head down to the Great Hall and get a bite to eat."
Charlie jumped up. "Now that's the first smart thing you've said all morning, and that I actually believe, by the way. You sure that you can walk? I'd really hate for you to re-break something. It's like re-pulling a muscle when we were working out. Hurts like hell."
"Kind of like heartache" thought Draco. "Yeah, I'm okay. Hungry though."
The two headed out of Draco's room and had just headed over to the painting when Charlie stopped walking. "Should we invite the dearest and certainly nearest Miss Granger, soon to be Ranger, to join our breakfast party?"
Draco stopped for a moment, thinking. She had really had a bit of a trying night. They had talked for another couple hours before finally going to bed, and had probably kept Hermione awake in the process.
Draco shook his head. "I'd hate to wake her. She needs her beauty sleep."
Charlie laughed as they headed out. "Beauty sleep? D, are you blind? That girl is gorgeous! Hell, I'm the one that needs some beauty sleep!"
Draco smiled. "Yeah, you sure could use some for that face of yours."
"Gentle Mr. Malfoy. My mother happens to be very proud of this face of mine, though I have no idea why."
They entered the Great Hall without drawing too much attention to themselves. Draco hoped that his absence for so long would go unnoticed, and it certainly had. Only a few people looked up as they entered the room, and one of them called him.
Draco dropped his head. "Don't look at her."
Charlie laughed and turned to the person who had called Draco's name. "Hi there... nah, he can't hear too well, what with the accident and all... no, he's fine, be back in class in no time... huh?... Okay, I'll tell him for you... okay, see you later."
Charlie nudged Draco to stand up. He stood up to a grinning Charlie.
"Damn, man. And you were talking about my face? Hell, she must have been beaten over the head with an ugly stick once a day. I mean, D, I haven't been here for seven years, and when I can recognize Pansy Parkinson by her face, there has got to be something seriously wrong. I remember faces, but in her case I'd be glad to make an exception."
Draco laughed as he heard someone call out. "Malfoy! You lost?"
Draco grinned and tapped Charlie on the shoulder, who was still going on about Parkinson. "You would think there is some surgery or something she could do, I mean... damn! Not even her personality could make up for that, man."
Draco walked over to the owner of the voice, Charlie still muttering behind him. "Morning, Potter."
Harry nodded to him and cast a glance at the empty bench across from him. "Have a seat."
Draco thanked him and sat down, nodding to Ron, who was looking at Charlie talking to himself.
"He okay?" Ron asked.
Draco laughed as he helped himself to some eggs. "We're not sure. Dropped on his head as a child, you know."
Ron nodded and Harry laughed. "I noticed you haven't been five minutes into freedom and Parkinson found you. How'd you survive?"
"He sacrificed his nearest and dearest friend to the dreaded femme fatale, that's how," said Charlie, who had come over to the table, "I am shocked that I made it out alive."
Harry smiled. "And you are?"
Charlie opened his mouth to say something but stopped. After a moment, he frowned. "I got nothin'. Charlie Daughton, at your service. How are you today, Mr. Potter?"
Harry smiled. "I'm good. I remember you, from first year. I didn't know you were a friend of Malfoy's, though."
Charlie leaned forward towards Harry, whispering. "Is that who this is? I thought he was Tom Felton!" He leaned back to look at Malfoy. "I daresay that you are the spitting image of him. I would say what other kind of image you are besides spitting, but I don't think that anyone will stay for breakfast."
"Thank you so much for sparing us all the trouble," Draco said, rolling his eyes.
Ron laughed. "You're a funny guy, Charlie."
Draco scoffed. "Oh God, Weasley, don't encourage him!"
Charlie playfully shot a look of contempt at Draco, then turned to Ron. "And that makes you, my new best friend. So," he said, turning his attention to the rest of the table, "... is it just me or Parkinson looking worse every year?"
Ron smiled. "Looks that way."
Charlie smiled. "And here I thought it was my imagination." He gave a quick look around the room. "There are so many fine lookin' girls at this school. What is it, they all just decide to come here? Why wasn't I here earlier?"
Draco fought back the impulse to respond. Charlie must have noticed what he said, as he continued to ramble on.
"But you know what? If I had to pick anyone, it would have to be G. Man, that girl is just beautiful all over. Inside and out. Come on, we all know that she's the prettiest one of them all."
Draco swallowed as Harry looked up. "Who's G?"
Suddenly, a voice came from behind Harry. Draco tried to keep himself calm.
"Good morning, everyone! How's breakfast?"
"G!" Charlie said, getting up from the table. "How'd you sleep, honey?"
Hermione shrugged. "Oh, fine. I just wasn't expecting to wake up to find everyone gone to breakfast except me."
Charlie sighed. "I can explain. You see, there was this band of wild yaks..."
"We decided to let you sleep in because we weren't sure whether or not Charlie kept you up all night with his talking," Draco interrupted.
Hermione's eyes met Draco's, and she smiled. "I appreciate it. Thank you. I needed to catch up on my beauty sleep."
"From what we've heard, you don't need any," said Harry, casting a quick look between Draco and Charlie.
Hermione looked puzzled between everyone at the table. She smiled. "Well, I just came down to make sure everyone was okay. I'm going back upstairs to start getting some work done."
"Don't you want to eat?" asked Charlie, motioning towards the mounds and mounds of food. "It's not a lot, but we can all share."
Hermione laughed. "No, I'll have a bite to eat later. I'm okay."
A shiver went up Draco's spine as Hermione smiled at everyone and excused herself from the hall. Something was wrong. There was something bothering her. He watched her back head out the door of the Great Hall.
Charlie caught his look. "She's okay," he whispered, "but I've got something to tell you later."
Harry suddenly felt that Draco and Charlie needed some privacy. He stood up.
"Well, that was a good breakfast. C'mon Ron, we better get started on our work too."
Ron seemed puzzled but caught on. "Yeah, okay. See you guys later. Think of some more jokes, Charlie. I wanna laugh the next time I see you."
"Just look at his face," Draco muttered under his breath.
"Don't mind Draco. He hasn't had his medication yet," said Charlie, patting Draco's head, who scowled.
Ron and Harry laughed and waved. "See you guys later."
"Ta ta! Adios amigos! Support your local sheriff!" Charlie shouted as they headed out the door. The second Ron and Harry were out of sight, Draco dropped his head on the table.
"What the hell is the matter with me?"
"Well... there was this band of wild yaks..."
Draco lifted his head and looked at him skeptically. "Wild yaks, huh?"
Charlie frowned. "That's twice I've tried to use that joke, and twice I've been shot down. But seriously... I do have something to tell you."
Draco frowned at Charlie but listened attentively as Charlie rehashed the previous night's events.
********
Hermione put down her quill. She had finished half of her essay for Potions and the essential importances of poison in literature, but she couldn't find the strength to finish the other half. Her thoughts kept drifting back to Draco, and the guilt that started to well up inside her for not telling him the truth. She had to tell him sometime. She had to.
Didn't she?
Why did she have to tell him? Jim was a figment of her imagination, and Draco seemed to have let the idea of Jim go a little bit. In time, Jim would just float to the back of everyone's mind, and soon enough, she wouldn't even exist anymore. She knew it was horrible- that Draco deserved to know more than that, but there was no other way. She was a coward, and she wanted nothing more than to take the easy way out.
Hermione sighed and went to pick up her quill again as there was a knock at the door. She stood up and went over to it.
"Who is it?"
"It's me."
Hermione's heart skipped a beat. She opened the door to a tired and worried Draco standing in the hall, trying to catch his breath.
"Hermione..."
"Draco, what's wrong?"
Draco stood in the doorway. He lifted his hands, then dropped them again. "I'm sorry."
Hermione gave him a puzzled smile. "Sorry for what?"
"That I wasn't there last night. Charlie told me what happened."
Hermione sighed as a voice shouted from the hall, "I didn't tell him anything! It was the band of wild yaks! They told him everything!"
Hermione managed a small chuckle and looked at Draco. "What is it with him and his wild yaks?"
Draco shrugged. "I don't know. But seriously, Hermione..."
"Draco, look at me. You cannot be there every waking moment for me. It's just not possible. Even if you were to get Lynx out of the way, there's still going to be others who are going to do the same thing. I have to learn eventually how to protect myself. I was just lucky that you and Charlie have been there for me on two occassions...
"Three" Draco corrected.
"Three occassions," a puzzled Hermione continued, "but one day there is not going to be anyone there to protect me. Eventually I'll have to manage on my own. You didn't do anything wrong. You can't apologize for not being there every time something happens that is beyond your control."
Draco sighed and sat down on the bed. "I know, I just... I don't want anything to happen to you. You're my friend, Hermione."
Hermione couldn't help but smile. "Friend?"
Draco seemed caught off guard. "Well... you know,.... um,... strictly on a professional basis... to prevent any undefining emotions..."
Hermione laughed as she took a step towards him, still sitting on the bed. "Undefining emotions?"
Draco frowned. "Yes. After all, every Malfoy is known to have a high level of charm... and should one not be able to resist such, well... there could be a kind of dilemma."
Hermione found herself standing in front of him as he continued on. "Charm, Malfoy? What charm?"
Draco looked up at her, frowning. "What do you mean, what charm?"
Hermione laughed. "Well, I haven't seen any legendary "Malfoy charm" as of yet."
Draco stood up. "I'll have you know, I live up to the very edge of my charm."
Hermione smiled at the brassed-off platinum blonde standing in front of her. She crossed her arms. "Really," she said, skeptically.
Draco smirked. "Really."
Hermione laughed. "I might throw in a few extra dollars and send you to charm school. I have no proof of this "charm" otherwise."
Draco raised an eyebrow. "Proof, huh?"
Hermione eyed him cautiously. "Yes..."
Draco smiled and took an extra step towards Hermione, closing the space between them. He tilted his head and smiled at her, licking his lips. "I'll give you proof."
He leaned in towards her, his heart pounding behind his ribs. Hermione smiled and watched as he closed his eyes, edging his lips closer to hers. In an instant, she turned away, his lips brushing her cheek. She grinned as he pulled back, smirking.
Draco took a deep breath and gave her a light smile. "You're a tease."
Hermione smiled. "And you're not trying hard enough." She winked at him and headed to the door. She opened it and motioned out the door. Draco strolled over to the door, stopping next to her. For a moment he just looked at her, and Hermione crossed her arms.
"What?" she asked finally.
Draco smiled, gently brushing a stray hair out of her face. He shrugged, dropping his hand. "Nothing. It's just that you have beautiful eyes, that's all."
He turned to head out the door as Hermione grabbed his arm, turning him back towards her. She brought his mouth to hers in a quick kiss, but as she began to back away, Draco slid an arm around her waist, bringing her back. Draco's head was spinning when he finally let her go. Hermione leaned and whispered in his ear.
"Now that was charm."
Draco gave Hermione another quick kiss and stepped into the doorway. He gave her a gentle bow. "Good day, Miss Granger," he said, grinning.
Hermione smiled and forced herself not to laugh. "Good day, Mister Malfoy."
He went out the door, leaving Hermione standing there, grinning. She started to close the door when suddenly a foot popped out of nowhere, stopping the door. Hermione faked a groan and opened the door.
"Draco..."
"Don't insult me, G. We both know that I am way hotter than D is."
Hermione laughed and opened the door to find Charlie standing there. "Sorry Charlie. Where are my manners?"
"At Toluca Lake with mine. Damn manners and their vacationing! What's the world coming to?"
"Now that's an excellent question. But I highly doubt that you came to talk to me about the vacationing needs of our manners. What's up?"
"Ah, yes. You see, there was a girl who came looking for you about, oh, ten minutes ago in the Great Hall. I was asked to bring her up to your quarters to see you. She's very nice and polite. Pretty too. Brown hair, nice figure."
Hermione seemed puzzled for a moment. Suddenly a look of horror crossed over her face.
"Oh my God, where is she?"
Charlie seemed concerned. "I left her in Draco's room. You two were in here, so..."
Hermione didn't give Charlie a chance to respond as she ran down the hall into Draco's room. The door burst open and she ran in.
The girl was sitting on Draco's bed, with Draco sitting in a chair on the other side of the room, his mouth slightly open. When Hermione came in, he shifted his gaze to her, his look becoming a combination of hurt and confused. Hermione felt Charlie stop behind her. The girl also turned her head, smiling as she spotted Hermione.
"Hey 'Mione."
Hermione forced a smile. "Hey Jules."
"Hermione..."
Hermione turned to Draco, who looked slightly upset. "What..."
Hermione opened her mouth to answer, but suddenly felt a wave of dizzinness wash over her. Suddenly, everything went black. The last thing she heard was Draco's voice.
"Jim"
*********
Author's Note: I know, I know. I am SO incredibly horrible for stopping it there, but don't worry. More Malfoy fun with a hint of Granger will be returning soon!I hope you guys all enjoyed it! Don't forget to review! You all know the drill. Here is my review song, compliments of the greatest singer of all time, Mr. Frank Sinatra.
My review song is "Come Fly with Me" by Mr. Frank Sinatra:
Review for me
Review, review away!
If you could use
some exotic news
Then review for me today!
Review for me
Review, review away!
If You Liked this Fic, try...
- Haunted by Kara Black
- Secrets by Rebeltawn
- The Moment by Sabriel4
** Don't forget, if you want your fic added to this list, don't hesitate to e-mail me and ask, or tell me in your review! **
To My Reviewers:
some13: Well, in that case, to quote Harry Potter from this chapter, "I remember you". I actually loved the list of stories that you had on your "Favorite Stories" list, so if I ever felt like reading something, I would go on your list and look at what your favorite stories were. You have great taste! And I also have a bad habit of doing that with movies- predicting what's going to happen. I went to see "Uptown Girls" yesterday, and I bet that I could have written that movie- I knew exactly what was going to happen. And yes, Mr. Orlando's hat is what makes the movie. Anyway, thanks so much for the review! Come back soon!
Kara Black: Aw..., thanks for the review! And I apologize to you for taking so long to update this story. I really do have good intentions of getting it read as soon as possible, but you know how it can be sometimes. Anyway, there is a very good reason that I made Hermione lie, but don't worry- everything will come out together in the end, that I can promise you. This chapter actually ended up being longer than I anticipated, but that's okay. I think I'm only going to have two or three more chapters, and then that ought to about do it. I have a good idea for my next story that is going to have something to do with "The Breakfast Club". I won't say what though. From what I've got in my mind so far, it should be pretty interesting. I look forward to reading more of "Haunted". I'll try to get to read some more as soon as I update this. Thanks so much for the review! It's reviewers like you that make my writing worth it!
tfluver2142: I figured that you probably talk the way you write. That's awesome! It's like actually listening to someone talking when I'm reading your reviews- it's really cool! Anyway, I'm glad you liked the chapter, and I hope you like this one just as much. And I know that I gave you the worst cliffhanger in the history of cliffhangers, but I had to. You know, to make sure you and your speed-typing ways would come back. Thanks for the review! Come back soon!
Mudpie: Hee hee hee... I should really do something between Charlie and Hermione.... nah! Lol! That would be interesting though, but I might actually consider writing a sequel with everybody coming back to help Charlie find a girlfriend. Hee hee... oh, it's so interesting how I always get the best ideas while I'm responding to someone else. Thanks so much for the review! Come back soon!
leonsalanna: Hee hee... weird humour. Is there any other kind? Anyway, I'm glad that there is someone else out there who enjoys my sense of humour. It makes me feel better. And of course you're useful. You guys who review every time are the ones I'm writing this story for! Thanks so much for the review! Be back soon!
pocketgopher: Wow! I have to say that I am quite impressed. If I were to say that to ALL of my friends, none of them would have know that that quote is from "Arsenic and Old Lace". NONE of them. You and I have much to discuss I think. Anyway, that is VERY convenient that I am on your favorite author's list. Very convenient indeed. Thank you so much for the review, and I look forward to your next one for this chapter.
Sarah: Thanks for the review! And you know, with that whole Cinderella thing... you do have a point. I can definitely see where you're coming from. And you're right... it is weird. Huh. Well, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Let me know what you thought!
Cach-A-Lot: Thanks so much for the reviews! And I would tell you where that quote is from, but I am saving all that stuff for the very very last chapter! I will reveal all of my movie quotes to you- now THAT is going to be a long chapter! Anyway, I hoped that you liked this chapter!
Kiyoko: When is Draco going to find out about Jim? Uh, well... I think by the end of this chapter, he's well on his way, don't you think? But don't worry. There's going to be some sort of a twist. Well, I'm not sure what to call it. I could tell you what's going to happen, and then you can tell me whether or not you think it's a twist, but then that would spoil the story for you. So... let's just say it's a twist. Anyway, thanks for the review! Hope you liked the chapter!
Autumn Malfoy: Ah ha ha! "Bruce Almighty"! B-E-A-UTIFUL! Yay! Anyway, I'm glad you like the story. I hope you like this chapter as much as the rest... although I feel really bad about the whole cliffhanger ending. Thanks so much for the review! Come back again!
girldevil: Thanks so much for review! And for the compliments! And I'm happy to see that someone else like movies as much as I do! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Let me know what you thought of it!
michie_limie@hotmail.com: Thanks for the review! I'm glad you like the story. And as you can tell, I have indeed updated! So, yay! Come back soon and let me know how you like the chapter!
RebelRikki: Hee hee... Charlie. I've decided that Charlie is probably my muse. He's just been created in my imagination. I don't think I really know anyone like Charlie... but he is constantly stealing my jokes. Now that, I have to be careful of. But other than that, he's a good guy. Anyway, thanks so much for adding me to your list. That makes me very happy! Yay! Thanks so much for the review! It means a lot!
swimcutie: Thanks for the review! I felt kind of bad lying to Draco, but you are indeed right- there is a reason. You weren't the only one who felt bad either. One of my other reviewers said that she felt bad about what had happened. So, I guess I kinda feel bad about making you guys feel bad... but don't worry. I'll fix it up soon! Come back soon! Hope you liked that chapter!
Lily of the Shadow: Lol! Bob! And as you can tell, I have indeed updated! Yay for updates! I am feeling kind of comatose today, though. Maybe some coffee will fix that right up. Oh, and according to my dictionary of "Words that aren't really but should be in the dictionary", Hypernessness is a word. So yay for that too! Oh, and Yay for the review! Thanks so much! Come back soon!
tommygurl: Oh my God! I love Spike and Buffy's relationship thing that they have going on. Except that Spike died... you know, which was really really sad. And I cried. But anyway, yes, I actually believe that Spike and Malfoy are somewhat related. I should do a story about that. Oh! And Hermione could be the next slayer! See? Good ideas come from talking to good people! I have just had another idea for a story! That's three today! Yay! Anyway, thanks so much for the review, and I'll see what I can do about your requests. I might have Hermione say it though. For what I've been planning, it might actualy fit perfectly.
AndinaOfRivendell: Lol! Thank you, thank you! *bows* I'm golad at least SOMEONE thinks I'm funny! Lol! And I know the ever faithful question of "Where do you get your ideas from?" was rhetorical. I've found myself asking that as well. Bad habit of mine. Don't worry. No harm done. And of course, I will look up "One Last Breath" by Creed. I love getting suggestions! Thanks so much, and thanks as well for the review! Let me know what you thought of this chapter!
BellethePhilosopher'sCookie: I have, as of now, seen Pirates of the Caribbean FOUR TIMES! You would think that they can treat people like me. I can't believe they're letting we wander down the street without medication! It's just not right! But it is just SOOOO good! I'm going to try not to see it again, though! SWAT was really good. Colin Farrell... mmmm.... but he's quite the womanizer I've heard. Anyway, getting off topic. Thanks so much for the review! I hope you liked this chapter!
Obbsessive: Thanks so much for the reviews! Ah... Orlando Bloom! He is SO incredibly hot! It's indescribable! And thank you so much for the honor of being in your top 15! It means so much to me! Yay! And I know what you mean about the LOTR thing going on- you can't improve something that is already perfect. It's impossible. But people always try. Meh. Anyway, thanks again for the review! I hope you liked the chapter!
eskimopie: Thanks for the review! Hopefully, all of your questions were answered in the Author's note up top. I know what's it like to go on and off and on and off a story, until you begin to forget little details that happened. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'd hate to let you down!
sgrplumprincess3: Yay! I'm writing a good story! I like people telling me that! And reviewing! It lets me know that all my hard work hasn't been for nothing! See, you made me happy and smiling! Thank you! And I also am a sucker for Draco/Hermione fics... what do you think the odds are that JK Rowling will pair the two of them up together? Probably slim to none, but it still doesn't hurt to dream, now does it? Anyway, I'm babbling. Thanks so much for the review! Hope you liked the chapter!
OneOfaKind92: Aww, thanks so much! I'm glad my story means so much to you! Aww... well in that case, I'll just have to update sooner, now won't I? Sounds good, huh? I think so. I will update as soon as possible so that you can continue getting lost in my story! Hee hee! Thanks so much for the review! Hope you enjoyed the chapter!
firefly50: Thanks so much for the review! It's amazing how addicting my story can be, isn't it? Hee hee! I'm glad you're enjoying it so far! I hope you enjoyed this chapter that I just wrote. I apologize about the cliffhanger though, but I had to do it. Anyway, come back soon and write me some more!
Slytherinangel922: Thanks for the review! Yes, I agree with you that Viggo is also nice to look at in LOTR. Actually, I was looking at him more than I was Orlando! *gasps* The shame of it all, I knoW! But I just can't see Mr. Bloom in that really good-looking light in LOTR. I'll try harder though. And I'm glad you like Charlie. He's my muse. He is also a figment of my imagination. He thinks he's funny. But anyway, I'm glad you're enjoying the story! Hope you liked the chapter! Come back soon!
BookwormBelle: Your wish is my command... except if you ask for pizza, cause there's only so much I can do with my powers. But as you can see, I have updated! Yay! Thanks for the review! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I'm glad you enjoyed it, and don't worry- of course I'll finish it!