"In My Life"
Disclaimer: I don't own anything in this story except the plot.
Chapter 4
Hermione woke up the next morning feeling as if an incredible weight had been lifted from her shoulders. To spend some time thinking about her parents was what she'd really needed for a long time. And as for Draco, she didn't know what to make of him; he certainly wasn't the heartless bastard she remembered, but it was going to be a while before she completely trusted him. She decided to give him a chance, after all, it was perfectly possible that she wasn't the only one to have changed in four years. Smiling and shrugging to herself, Hermione left her hotel room and headed for the set.
"Now, Mr. Foroy, I have a few questions to ask you about this film." Lucius Malfoy's cold voice spoke as he walked next to the director.
"Oh, really? Well, I'd be honored to answer them." said Mr. Foroy warmly. "Anything for our executive producer."
"Yes, yes, well I'm happy to help." Mr. Malfoy smiled a smile that did not reach his cold black eyes. "I was going to ask you, when are you expecting the opening night to be?"
"Well, we're not really sure yet. It all depends on the cast members' speed in filming it," Mr. Foroy saw the coldness in Mr. Malfoy's eyes and hurriedly continued. "But we're expecting it to be done around autumn."
"Yes. I see..." Lucius looked thoughtfully at Mr. Foroy. "Well I would encourage you to finish it as soon as possible." He said icily. "My son and I will not be able to oversee the filming after the beginning of fall. He's on a rather serious sports team, and will have to travel a lot."
"Oh is he? What sport?"
"You wouldn't have heard of it. It's very modern."
Mr. Foroy smiled. "Well don't worry, Mr. Malfoy, I'm sure we'll be done in plenty of time. The young Ms. Madison is doing an excellent job with the part."
"Nicole Madison? Ah, yes. Well, with a cast of many stars, what can you expect?" He chuckled softly.
"Speaking of Ms. Madison, she was wondering what your inspiration was for directing this film. Could you tell me?"
"Hmmm. Curious, was she?" Lucius's eyes flashed. "Tell her that she'll know in the end."
Draco walked into the Ministry office building in search of his father. He smiled at the receptionist at the front desk and headed for the stairs. As he was walking, he heard someone shout his name from the front doors of the lobby.
"Malfoy!" A tall man Draco's age walked quickly to catch up with him.
"Potter." Draco nodded in acknowledgement.
Harry looked at Draco with a curious expression before handing him the day's Daily Prophet. "Interesting," he said. "I never knew your family took such an interest the entertainment of muggles."
Draco looked down at the newspaper before him. He saw a picture of himself on the front page, under an article titled "And Cut!: Malfoys donate thousands to Muggle film production." "Well perhaps days have changed." Draco said, trying to shove the paper back into Harry's hands.
Harry glared at Draco. "Some things never change. Why does it suddenly interest you to put so many muggle and magical actors and actresses into one lousy film? Don't you have enough money yet?" Harry spat angrily.
"Why are you so interested, Potter? Just because you've never changed in your whole entire life doesn't mean that everyone else is just the same as they were years ago. We have our own reasons for our actions. Besides, what makes you think that not all of the actors and actresses are muggles? Magic folk don't film!" Draco snapped at Harry.
Harry gave Draco a weird look. "Why, of all things, do you care about THAT?"
"I don't." said Draco quickly, "It's just I was curious about who you were talking about. You're obviously making it all up, however, so please pardon me, I have work to do." He smiled fakely at Harry, then stepped around him and headed towards the doors again.
"It's your star." Harry shouted to Draco's back. "Nicole Madison."
Draco stopped in his tracks. "Who?" He asked.
"Nicole Madison." Harry repeated. "Why, does that mess up your plans to take over the world?" He asked sarcastically.
Draco glared at him. "How do you know?" He asked suspiciously.
"Know what? That you plan to take over the world?"
Draco nodded sarcastically. "Yes, Potter, that's what I meant. No, you prat, how do you know that Nicole Madison's a witch?"
"I met her on the bus a few days ago. She knew what the Daily Prophet was." Harry skipped over his foolishness of reading it on muggle transportation.
Draco looked at Harry, trying to decide whether or not he was lying. "Oh. Right." He finished lamely. He had a concentrated look on his face. He was experiencing mixed feelings at the moment. A sense of relief, and one of dread. "Potter, have you seen my father around here lately?" Draco asked after a minute.
Harry looked at him as if he were insane. "I don't know, ask the receptionist." Harry said, still looking at Draco.
"Great. You're sssooo helpful." Draco said sarcastically.
"Yeah whatever." Said Harry as he walked towards the stairs to his office.
Draco headed towards the receptionist's desk. "Excuse me?"
"Yes?" Asked the receptionist with a smile.
"Have you seen Lucius Malfoy come by here this morning?" Draco asked.
The receptionist looked thoughtful. "No, not today, sir. He hasn't been in for at least a week.
"Thank you." said Draco irritably as he quickly left the building, exasperated. He checked his watch. "Damn!" He swore. It was nearly noon and he had to get to the set. "Damn that Potter..." He mumbled under his breath as he ran down the street. At the same time, he couldn't help wondering... was Potter really telling the truth? And if so, what on earth was Draco going to do about it?