"In My Life"
Chapter 5
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot.
Draco ran down the street in hopes of catching the next bus to the neighborhood where the set was. Suddenly, a thought occurred to him. He stopped, turned around, and headed into the muggle library just down the street. He looked around the library briefly before coming to a reference desk.
"Excuse me? Does this library have any computers?" Draco asked. His father had made sure that Draco knew how to work a computer before they had commissioned the film.
"Yes, sir. Just down the hallway there."
"Thank you." Draco said hurriedly before rushing down the hallway. He found the computer room easily, and sat down at the nearest computer with internet access. He searched the internet rapidly, every few seconds gazing at his watch. He knew for sure he was going to be in deep trouble with his father if he didn't make it to the set today. "Damn." He cursed as the second hand ticked nearer to one o'clock. He was about to give up when he tried one last site. He read through it carefully. He tried to work everything out in his brain. Nothing fitted together. He printed the page and hurriedly rushed out of the library.
Hermione tiredly walked off the set to go and get her jacket. It was only four in the afternoon, but she was still tired from her uncomfortable sleep in the hotel's bed. She was on her way out the door when someone behind her shouted, "Nicole!" She spun around to see Draco smiling and running to catch up with her. She smiled back.
"Hi Draco," she said. They walked out onto the street together. "I didn't realize that you came to the set today."
"Yes, well, I came rather late." He looked down for a second, like he was feeling guilty, but he soon shook it off and smiled at her again. Hermione gazed deeply into his dark gray eyes, trying to answer some questions in her brain. However, his eyes were expressionless, and she failed to see anything.
"Would you like to have dinner with me?" she asked, "I know this great place a few blocks from here."
"Sure." Draco replied, his charming grin larger than ever. He thought for moment. "When did you move to America?"
Hermione inwardly tensed. Questions were not good. "After my parents died. A few years ago." She said vaguely.
"Which school did you say you went to before then?" Draco asked casually.
'Why is he suddenly so inquisitive?' Hermione thought frantically. "H-Hartswell Academy. It's really small, I doubt you've heard of it. Why do you ask?"
"Just out of curiosity." Draco said simply.
They went down the street, talking more than Hermione ever would have expected they could, and found a small restaurant that had been a favorite of Hermione's as a child.
They ate dinner and Draco insisted on walking Hermione back to her hotel. Outside the front doors, they stopped to say goodnight.
"Thanks for everything, Draco, I had a really nice time tonight." Hermione said truthfully, smiling warmly up at Draco.
"So did I." They stood quietly for a moment before Draco, on a sudden impulse, leaned down and kissed Hermione gently on the lips. Hermione, somewhat surprised, but also somewhat pleased, responded. After a moment they pulled away and Draco smiled. "Goodnight, Nicole."
"'Night Draco." Hermione said, and turned towards the hotel doors and went through them.
"Father, we-what-" Draco couldn't find the right words to phrase his question.
"What are you on about, Draco? Stop mumbling!" Lucius's cold voice made Draco shiver.
"Well," Draco took a deep breath. "What are we going to do about the plan?"
"The plan? What about it? It's still going to happen, just as planned." Lucius's eyes glared into Draco's. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have things to attend to." He turned his back to Draco.
"Yes sir," said Draco and he turned and left the room. Outside, he smashed his clenched fist into the marble wall in frustration. But what had he expected? His father was unaware of any reason that a change might be made in the plans he and Draco had laid down over a year ago. Draco doubted that Lucius would change the plan for anything. Draco leaned against the wall and slid down it, putting his head in his hands. Never in his entire life had Draco felt as helpless as he did at that moment. He searched his mind for an idea to get him out of the situation he had somehow managed to make for himself. Nothing came to him. He had but two choices. He had yet to make up his mind.
"Draco, what's the matter?" Hermione sensed that Draco was feeling uneasy at the moment, and he had had a concentrated look on his face all day long.
"It's nothing, Nicole." He smiled at her. "I've...just been thinking about the film...technical stuff." He shrugged to himself. It was sort of the truth.
"Draco, it's Saturday!" said Hermione with an exasperated laugh. "You still have the rest of today and all of tomorrow until you have to worry about work anymore!"
"I-I know." Draco fiddled with the ring on his finger, something he only did when he was nervous about something. For the first time, Hermione studied the ring a little closer, and saw that it was silver with a glistening silver snake on it with emerald eyes. Hermione noticed it and it brought back several unfavorable memories between her and Draco. She unintentionally inhaled sharply. Draco looked at her curiously then followed her gaze. He twiddled his ring some more. "I'm sorry, Nicole." He said finally. "I need some time to myself right now to think things over." He stood up quickly. Hermione followed suit. "It's not you; I just need to decide some things."
"Okay, give me a call tomorrow, okay?" Hermione said, watching Draco curiously.
"Sure." Draco quickly kissed her goodbye and left.
Mr. Malfoy-
It is now official that the release date for In My Life, the film you have so generously donated to is the tenth of October. I know that you requested the date as quickly as possible and I am sorry we were delayed.
Sincerely yours,
Frank Foroy
"Excellent." Lucius Malfoy smiled to himself as he checked his calendar. October 10 was only a month away. "Filius!" Lucius shouted. A ragged-looking house elf appeared before him. Lucius looked at him disgustedly. "Summon my son immediately."
"Yes, master." said the elf in a squeaky voice. "Anything else, Master Malfoy?"
"Yes. Tell Draco that the plan involving the muggle cinema will take place the October 10, and have him send invites to all of the-" Lucius thought for a moment. "No, never mind the invites." The elf waited expectantly by the door. "Today, Filius!" Lucius ordered, and the elf hurriedly scurried out of the room. Lucius sat down at his desk, and began to write letter after letter, hours past noon.
Draco opened the letter he had just received from his father with apprehension.
Draco-
The date for the plan is now officially the 10th of October. You are to come to the manor upon receiving this message. There we will arrange everything.
-Lucius
"Fuck!" Draco moaned as he threw the letter on his desk. The owl that had delivered the letter looked at him in disgust before ruffling it's feathers and flying out the window. Draco sat on his bed and put his head in his hands. He knew that eventually he would have to disapparate to Malfoy Manor, but in the meantime he had other things to attend to, and a decision to make. He slowly reached for a slip of paper that had been tucked away a little over a month ago.
Biographies, etc.
MADISON, NICOLE
Nicole Madison, nominee for Best Actress in the Oscars for her performance in "The Power", is currently 18 years of age. She was born in London England, where she lived until her parents died in an automobile accident, when she was 14. She then moved to Hollywood, CA in the U.S., to live with her great aunt. She attended a public High School there, but didn't graduate, as her great aunt died, leaving her with little money. This was when she started her acting career, at the age of sixteen. She rose to stardom at an unbelievable rate, and is currently working on a film in England, with director Frank Foroy and Producers Draco and Lucius Malfoy.
The article continued to list several films that Nicole had starred in, but Draco's mind had wandered. He put the paper back on his desk. Draco twiddled the ring that his father had given him when he was eleven, when he had first gotten into Slytherin House. He remembered Nicole's strange reaction to it the previous day. He thought for a little while more before disapparating to Malfoy Manor.
"Draco, I'm afraid you don't have any choice." Lucius Malfoy smiled grimly as he said this.
"Yes I do, father. You cannot go through with this." Draco tried to remain calm through his anger. Lucius's smile flickered.
"Oh but I will, Draco." Lucius pulled out his wand from his pocket and fiddled with it wit his hands, a habit Draco found slightly unnerving. "And neither you nor your precious muggle girlfriend are going to prevent me."
Draco's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Nicole?"
Lucius narrowed his eyes and grinned. "So it's true? Yes, I've heard all about you and Ms. Madison. Perhaps she's too special for the plan, is she?" Lucius raised his eyebrows derisively. Draco only glared back in hatred. "Maybe she deserves...special treatment?" Lucius laughed his cold laugh. "Yes...that can be arranged."
"Stay away from Nicole, father. If you don't, I assure that you're in for a surprise," said Draco ominously, quickly stepping away from his father and disapparating before Lucius could stop him. Lucius smiled as he pocketed his wand.
Miss Nicole Madison,
You are cordially invited to attend a celebration party hosted by Lucius and Draco Malfoy on the evening of October 10, in celebration of the release of "In My Life" in theaters at last. If you are unable to attend, we are regretful, and wish you luck in your career in the future. If you are able to attend, please respond as quickly as possible to:
Lucius Malfoy
666 Mystere Place
Batonstown
We look forward to seeing you.
Lucius & Draco Malfoy, Producers
Hermione placed the letter on her desk. She thought for a moment. October 10 was the night of her birthday, and Draco had promised to take her to dinner, before she returned to the U.S. on the 12th. Surely Draco wouldn't have forgotten his promise? Hermione sighed. She wondered about Draco. Ever since they started dating, several weeks ago, Draco had been nothing short of the perfect boyfriend. He was handsome, intelligent, and nice, but Hermione still wondered if that was his true personality. At Hogwarts, he acted like the most despicable being on the planet, besides Lucius Malfoy. Why the sudden personality change? Well, she thought, perhaps it wasn't sudden; a lot can happen in four years. Still... Draco's new personality was wonderful, and she could tell from the way he looked at her that he cared deeply for her. With a jolt, Hermione realized that she cared for Draco, too. How could she have let this happen? She had hated Draco, hated him, and now? She began to feel frustrated, and tried to stop thinking about Draco. I'll figure out his personality later, she thought lazily, and drifted off to sleep. Or so she would have, if at that moment Draco himself hadn't knocked on the door.
AN: Sorry this chapter was boring, but it was needed for the story to develop.