LOVE IN A TATTOO PARLOR

Sitting in the tattoo parlor was "Mia", formerly known as Hermione Granger, bookworm extraordinaire. Now, the girl browsing through the graphics on the wall was "rocker extraordinaire" Mia. Her caramel colored hair was pulled back in a high ponytail and her eyes were hidden behind silver and black sunglasses.

She had decided, since she would be of age in approximately twenty two minutes that she was going to get a tattoo. However, wizard tattoos are much different then those that muggles get because wizard tattoos are known to roam your body before finding a nice place to settle.

Mia decided to get a phoenix on her back. It would have a red body with blue and silver wings and a green tail. The guy at the desk told her it would be no problem, but she'd have to wait a little while because the artist wouldn't be in for a ½ hour. That was twenty minutes ago. Countdown 10 minutes.

Mia heard the distinct sound of someone Apparating in the back room. A few seconds later, a tall, shaggy-haired blonde boy came out and started to get his station ready. 'There's something familiar about that boy.' Mia thought to herself. Suddenly she heard her name and went to meet the all-too-familiar face.

"Hey, how's it going? I'm Dray." he said as he turned to face her. 'Oh Merlin! It's Malfoy!' she said to herself. 'Damn, he's good looking.' "Mia," she mumbled and held out her hand. He grasped it and felt a slight tingling sensation mixed with some vibration. Her hand had betrayed her! It had given her away.

"Nervous?" he asked gently. When she nodded, he continued. "Don't worry, I have about twenty tattoos and about ten piercings, it's nothing." He motioned for her to sit down. To make her comfortable, he began making small talk. "So, do you live around here? I've got the feeling that I've seen you before," he asked. "Actually, I'm in my seventh year at Hogwarts," she replied. He laughed, shaking his head. "Gryffindor?" he said, and she looked up at him, wondering how he knew. Before she could even say anything, he interrupted, "You're giant red phoenix gave it away."

"Oh," was her only reply. 'Damn, I'm being really slow today. What's up with me?' she asked herself. "Speaking of my tattoo, are you going to start anytime soon?" she asked with a little sarcasm. "Start? I'm almost finished. The outline is done, I'm just working on the shading now." Mia was in complete shock. He'd made her so comfortable; she didn't even feel the needles.

"It's beautiful, Dray," Mia said, as she inspected her freshly drawn phoenix. He was gliding around her back, and just moved to perch on her shoulder. "It looks lifelike. It's amazing," she said, looking in awe at her shoulder blade. He smiled at the beautiful girl in front of him and mumbled a "Thank You".

She turned around and was about to hand him a sack full of galleons, but he stopped her before she could object. "No, please, take back your money. The first one is on the house. Just let me take your picture to add to my portfolio," he said as he reached for his camera. "Are you kidding?" she said, looking at him in shock. "You did an amazing job. Let me pay for it." He debated her request, but finally shook his head no. "You can help me in some of my lessons, Ms. Hermione Granger, it would be nice to have help in Transfiguration, not to mention looking at a beautiful face everyday." She was taken aback. He recognized her, too! She was about to turn away but he grabbed her hand, pulled her back, and kissed her cheek. At this point she was blushing a shade darker then Ron's hair.

"I didn't think you would recognize me. Nobody else did," she whispered. "Yeah," he stated, "well nobody has seen what I've seen for six years. Your eyes give you away. No one else has the same expression that you do."

She laughed shyly. "Yeah well, I knew you from your eyes as well. There's only one person I know with eyes the color of ice." This time he laughed, but it wasn't a shy laugh at all. "What can I say, it's the Malfoy charm." Something dawned on Mia. 'He's flirting!' she thought to herself.

Not knowing what to say, or how to calm herself down, she started stuttering. "Um… I have to get going. See, it's my birthday and some of my muggle friends want to take me out to this club tonight." She started fumbling with her car keys.

"Ah. Well congratulations!" he said, looking a little surprised. "Yep, I'm barely legal," she said and they both started laughing. "If you want to show up, we're going to The Craft, you can bring anyone you want, just don't bring Pansy." She said, making a face of disgust. Dray smiled at her, thinking of her dancing at the club, but then the thought of Pansy entered his mind and he grimaced. His facial expression made her think that he was disgusted. "Well, I'm not forcing you into anything you don't want to do. We'll be there if you change your mind." And with that, she walked to the door. Pushing it open, she said "Thank you… for everything." And she walked out.

He watched her leave and smacked himself in the forehead. 'You MORON! You let her go!' he said to himself, but the next minute he was formulating a plan to get her back.

Mia was getting dressed in her room, music blasting and clothes being thrown everywhere. After deciding on a red halter top, black leather pants and a pair of black heels that made her three inches taller, she walked over her jewelry box. She picked out a black and silver choker, silver snake earrings that coiled up her ears, and a silver stud nose ring.

Feeling like this was as good as she was going to get, she decided to say goodnight to her parents. When she entered the living room her father was in the recliner reading and her mother was busy doing the dishes. Her dog, Troy, was unsurprisingly lying in front of the air conditioner. "I'm going out with Nikki and the Gang. I won't be home until later." Her parents didn't care. Her father didn't even acknowledge her presence and her mother absentmindedly waved from the kitchen. She walked out of her house, not bothering to look back.

Dray was finishing up his last client of the day, a mean spirited fat man in his fifties who wanted a skull and crossbones. The skull he wanted was putrid, and skulls had a reputation of settling somewhere like your buttocks, so he felt bad for the man already.

At seven o'clock, Dray went back to his apartment in London. He had time for a quick shower, change of clothes, and an errand.

Twenty minutes later found Dray in black slacks, a silver silk shirt, and a white wife beater underneath. He admitted to himself that he looked good, but that wasn't who he was anymore. He could be who he wanted to be; the guy that She met today at the tattoo parlor. Quickly muttering a few spells, he was in black cargo pants and a black wife beater. He muttered a countercharm on his body to show his tattoos, and he let his hair shag. 'Perfect.' He thought, and Apparated to Hogsmeade.

Pulling into the parking lot of the club, Mia noticed all her friends' cars. She showed her ID to her friend Alex, the bouncer, and walked in. Turning the corner, she opened the door to the dance floor and walked in to the sound of a mighty "SURPRISE!"

"Oh my gosh! You guys!" Mia said, in awe of all her friends. "This is amazing!" and she almost started to cry. Nikki came running over to her, followed by Hunter, Nikki's boyfriend and all around good guy. Nikki was Mia's best friend; they'd been friends ever since they were in diapers. "Nik, this is AMAZING!" She said, and gave her a hug. "All for you, Princess Mia."

Mia had been dancing for the past hour. All her friends worked here, so it wasn't really difficult to get into the scene. Andy was spinning records, James was at the bar, and Spike was sitting upstairs watching everything from his office. Spike, who was only twenty three, had owned this club for 2 years. His father had passed away, and in the last will and testament was an order for Spike to take over his club. Andy and James were twin brothers, and had both been recruited to work here when Spike took over management.

Mia walked over to where James was and jumped up onto the stool. "Jamie! Can I have a bottle of water?" she asked politely. He pretended to be upset about the nickname, but got it for her anyway. Before placing it on the bar, he looked at her and said, "No drinking and driving, remember that Mia." She laughed and said a thank you before heading over to where Nikki and Hunter were dancing.

"Mia! I'm glad you're back. Something was dropped off for you…" she lowered her voice so she wouldn't be heard, "it was by owl." Mia looked up and over at the table and saw that there was a beautiful silver package sitting on it with a note attached to it.

Walking over to it, she took the note off and untied the string around it. She didn't realize that she was holding her breath until she finished reading the letter. She handed it to Nikki who immediately had the same reaction that Mia did. The letter said:

Mia,

You ran off with out a chance for me to explain everything that I was thinking this afternoon. I'm truly sorry that you got the wrong impression. Pansy? Please. Like I would ever talk to that foul… thing… intentionally, let alone want to be with her. I'd rather be with you. I am glad that you invited me; however, I did not know what your reaction would be after recent events. That's why I've sent this letter with Rogue. If you want to find me, I am on the roof. If you come for me, I'll know that I didn't come here with false hopes. If you do not come to find me, I won't hold it against you. But I can't say I won't be disappointed. No pressure though, eh?

Always,

Dray

Mia and Nikki both looked at each other, smiled, and then Mia ran as fast as she could to the hatch on the roof. When she couldn't find it, she started to panic. But, being theclever witch that she is, she ran to the darkest corner of the room and Apparated up to the roof. Before Dray could even react to seeing her there, she leapt into his arms and kissed him, placing her arms around his neck, and wrapping her legs around his waist. This pushed Dray to put his arms around her waist, still kissing her with as much passion as he could muster. After a good three minute snog session, Mia pulled away to look at the boy standing in front of her. "You've got me." She said and she kissed him again.

When they pulled apart again he looked at her as though she were an angel. "I'm so glad you came up here. I seriously thought that you wouldn't show." He placed a gentle kiss on her lips. She laughed, "with a letter like that, how could I not?" He put her down and said, trying to sound like the Godfather, "Eh. I made you an offer you couldn't refuse."

Now was the tough part. There was an awkward silence that neither could fill. They didn't know what to say to each other. Being bold, Dray asked, "Did you open the gift?" She looked taken aback. "No. You mean you weren't my gift?" she said, trying to sound disappointed. He smiled at her, knowing what she was playing at, and said "You know very well there is a present down there with your name on it." Giving up the act, she said, "Okay you're right. No I didn't open it. I wanted to see you again." Saying this, she lowered her gaze to the floor, trying not to turn the absolute brightest shade of red there was. He put his finger under her chin, tilted her head up and placed a kiss on her lips. "Lets go open it, shall we?" and with that he placed his arm out and she linked hers with his before the Apparated down into the girls bathroom.

Poking her head out of the Handicap stall that they appeared in, Mia looked around, hoping that no one had been in there. However, she was wrong. 'Oh shit, there's someone here' she thought to herself, but sighed when it was Nikki. "Holy Crap Mia! How'd you get in here! I didn't see you come in." Mia laughed. "I told you I was a witch." She said, and she Apparated from the stall she was in, to behind Nikki, just to show her best friend her powers. "Wicked!" Nikki said, "I wish I could do that." Mia laughed at her and said, "Come out, Dray, it's okay." And with that the most beautiful boy Nikki had ever seen popped out of the bathroom stall. "Hey, how's it goin?" he asked her. Nikki, the ever patient one that she was, immediately bombarded Mia with questions. 'Who is this? Did he send the letter? Why didn't you tell me he was so hot? What's going on? Mia! Answer me!" she said all in one breath.

'Whoa. Slow down, Nik." Mia said, trying to calm her best friend. "Dray. Yes. You can see for yourself. An introduction." Mia said, answering her best friend's questions as best she could. "Dray, this is Nikki, my best friend. Nikki, meet Dray." And with that Dray held out his hand, and replied, "Nice to meet you." And Nikki, as usual, ignored the hand and hugged him. "We don't shake hands. We hug." She said, before letting go. Looking him up and down, she said to her best friend, "Well, he looks alright to me. Don't tell Hunter I said he was hot, or he'll never forgive me." Then she turned her attention on the blonde. "Seeing as Mia likes you, I guess I do too. Welcome to the family," she said before she left to go find Hunter.

"Sorry about that. She's crazy. But I've known her since I was a baby, so we are family." Mia apologized for the rudeness of her friend. "Don't worry," Dray replied as he went over to hug her, "I might like being in the family. Invitation still count?" he asked as she blushed. "Even with a lowly mudblood like me?" she asked him. "Most definitely. I got some of your blood on my hands today, and I have to tell you, it looks just like mine." And with that he kissed her, ending that part of the conversation.

"So," he spoke softly, "Want to dance?". She nodded and he led her out to the dance floor as a slow song came on. He twirled her around before holding her tightly and they began to sway slowly, just barely moving. They both were just content with listening to the music and being with each other.

I don't get many things right the first time,

In fact, I am told that a lot.

Now I know all the wrong turns,

the stumbles and falls brought me here.

And where was I before the day I first saw your lovely face

Now I see it everyday,

And I know

That I am… I am…

I am the luckiest.

They were both identifying with the lyrics of the song, imagining life before and after today. The past six years were torture, but this one night would definitely make up for it. Mia just prayed that whatever happened would be real and not some scheme that Dray and his former cronies had put together. Even though she still had doubts, there was nothing she could do about the future, so she settled with the fact that she had to deal with the present.

Dray was thinking about all the stuff he'd put her through before he knew the truth about life. He'd called her names, things that he'd known would hurt, he attacked her friends, he'd spread vicious lies about her, he'd even thrown a curse her way that made her front teeth four feet long. He regretted everything that he'd done. He didn't know how to make her realize that he was sorry for being an immature brat. Thinking about what he came to give her, he said, "So, do you want to open your present now?"

She smiled shyly and started to walk over to the table that had all the gifts on them. She spied the present with the silver wrapping. Taking it in her hand, she gently slid the glittering paper off a little black box, letting it slip to the floor. Before she even opened the box, she handed it to him and said, "I can't accept this." He shook his head and said, "Trust me, it was made for you. I want you to have it. Please.." he said with puppy dog eyes that he must have been practicing forever. That look alone made her weak at the knees. She knew she wouldn't be able to resist him now.

He held it up for her to see and opened the box. Inside was a beautiful silver locket. It had a dragon etched into the middle of a heart. Dray took it out of the box and opened the locket so that she could see what was inside. There was the picture of her that he took today at the tattoo parlor on the left half, and on the right was a picture of him, smirking as usual, on the right. He ingeniously put it this way so that he'd always be hanging on her heart. Before placing it on her neck, he turned it over and showed her an inscription that read "For new loves and fresh starts." Turning back to her, he placed the locket around her neck, clasped it, and kissed her neck where the chain lay.

"I don't know how to thank you. Really, I don't deserve this. You barely know me; I bet it must have cost a fortune." Mia had one hand on the locket and the other was twirling a loose strand of hair. He looked at her with admiration. Never had he seen someone with so much gratitude and appreciation in their eyes. He taking two steps, he placed his arms around her and said, "Just dance with me." He took her hand and led her once again to the dance floor where they spent hours just holding each other.

Dray and Mia spent the whole night dancing slowly with each other, even during the fast songs. They were very content to just hold each other, like they were part of a jigsaw puzzle and both had just found their missing piece. At the end of the night, Mia was gathering her things. She magically shrunk all her presents to fit into one shopping bag while everyone was saying their goodbyes. Putting the bag down, she walked over toNikki and Hunter, who were saying goodbye to each other. "Thank you guys for everything. This was the most amazing party, I had the time of my life" Mia said, hugging both of them like her life depended on it. Hunter was sizing Dray up. "Man, take care of her. I'd say if you hurt her, I'll kick your ass, but I think she might do it herself." Hunter said, shaking Dray's hand. Dray laughed, although I think it was more out of nerves. "I just found her, I'm not going to do anything to let her go."

Meanwhile, Mia and Nikki were talking as well. "Damn, he's a hottie, Mi." Nikki said looking at her best friend's new boytoy. "He is, isn't he? I still wonder why he wants me." At that point Nikki took a hold of her best friend's shoulders and said, "Don't you even think like that. You deserve a sweet, charming, and wonderful, not to mention GEORGOUS man in your life, Mia. Don't think otherwise. I'm sure Hunter would say the same thing. I mean look at them, Dray can't keep his eyes off you. Every time you and he go your separate ways for even a minute, he can't keep his eyes off you. He's head over heels for you." Silently agreeing with her, Mia simply nodded and said, "I've got to be going home. Mom and Dad aren't the happiest with me these days. Apparently I'm still a "juvenile delinquent" and they don't really approve much." The two girls separated with a wave of their hands and Mia gathered her things and walked to the car.

After putting her things in the trunk, she started to lower the hood when someone came up behind her and pulled her close. The mysterious person behind her leaned in close and whispered, "Were you going to leave without saying goodbye?" Deciding to play a little game with him, she said, "I don't know. I've already said goodbye to everyone important." She laughed inwardly to herself as he subconsciously pulled her closer. "Are you SURE there wasn't anyone you forgot?" He asked, pushing his words a little. She put her index finger to her lips and thought, "Hmm… lets see. I said goodbye to Nikki and Hunter, I said goodbye to James, Andy, Alex, and that blind lady that keeps the bathrooms stocked. I think that was it." Dray was a little hurt and confused. He untangled himself from her and said, "Oh, well if that's all then." And he started to walk back into the club.

"Dray! Come back here." Mia said as she ran to catch up with him. "Baby, please talk to me, I'm sorry. I was just messing with you." She grabbed his should and spun him around, but before she could say anything else, he scooped her into his arms and said, "I like that. Baby. It's cute. But nobody but you had better ever call me that, or they'll get their teeth knocked in." He said and he walked her back to the car. "Can I come with you," he asked as he opened the door for her, "I just found you, I don't want to let you go already." And without her permission he jumped into the passenger seat.