Sold-Chapter 21-Random Happenings

By Marmalade Fever

A floo connection had been set up in Professor McGonagall's classroom. "I wish we could have some more time with Evander," Hermione Malfoy said, frowning.

"It's a few more months 'til Christmas. We'll see him then," Good Malfoy replied, nodding.

"But if he's anything like me, he'll probably be off saving the world," Hermione Malfoy replied.

Hermione frowned at her counterpart. Yes, it had been important for them to stay at school at times. Now, to her, it felt as if it had been in vain, but to her counterpart it still was important. She shook her head to try and clear her thoughts. There was no use in torturing herself about the past. "I forgot," she said out-loud, "I wanted to say good-bye to Harry."

Her counterpart turned to her. "Oh, not to worry. The Potters are coming over for dinner tonight." Both Malfoys rolled their eyes.

"Don't tell me that I have to attend," Bad Malfoy asked, gritting his teeth.

"You're under no obligation, Draco," Hermione M. replied, "though we really would like to have you over."

"And if I can put up with Potter, you can," Good Malfoy added, sniggering. His wife punched his arm and he rubbed it as if it smarted. "What was that for?"

"Setting a bad example." Hermione smiled at the playful interaction between the couple, but felt suddenly uncomfortable as she felt a familiar set of eyes watching her.

"If I say something snide, are you going to hit me, then, Granger?" he hissed into her ear as they continued to follow their counterparts down the hall.

"I think you're forgetting who has the wand here," she said, "and that I'm not interested in you're well-being."

"Be careful, Granger, or I might just come for dinner, after all."

"It's a free world, Malfoy. And by the way, don't pretend that I don't know you're interested in watching their interaction. You told me yourself that the situation intrigued you."

He looked thoughtful for a moment as they trailed behind the couple ahead of them. "Have I told you how good you look in those orange robes?" She remained resolutely silent. "I see you haven't forgotten what you did to earn them."

"My point exactly," she said, speeding up to walk beside herself.

…

Draco stepped lightly out of the fireplace in the kitchen. It looked the same, except that it was sunnier and cleaner. His counterpart was just helping Granger to her feet. It was still fairly early, maybe 8:30.

"Draco," the Granger that was now a Malfoy said, "are you sure you wouldn't rather stay here?" There was something about the way she said his name. It wasn't scornful, it was actually rather endearing. Her long curly hair was splayed over her shoulders and her eyes were bright with flecks of cinnamon.

"Why do you care so much?" he asked, crossing his arms indignantly.

"Because I know you and I know your scum of parents, that's why," she said, easily.

Draco opened his mouth to protest, but his counterpart beat him to it. "She's right, you know."

"Don't forget that they're my in-laws. Between Lucius threatening to kill me if I didn't marry and Narcissa being her lovely self, I've learned to avoid them whenever necessary."

"Just because they hate you doesn't mean they won't welcome back the prodigal son," Draco said darkly.

Granger stepped forward. "His mother is sick," she said, rather suddenly. "In our world."

"How do you know?" Draco asked, staring. Her eyes went wide and her mouth clammed shut. "I never told you."

"Come on, let's leave them alone," the other woman said, leading the other Draco out of the kitchen.

"HOW DO YOU KNOW?" he asked, forcefully.

The frightened look on her face changed to triumph. "You want to know, do you?"

Draco stared at her, furiously.

"Simple." With that she turned from human to bird and back again so fast he could barely blink in time to catch it. "Like I said last night, don't go underestimating me just because I haven't handled a wand in a while. Because maybe, just maybe, I don't need one!"

"Granger," he said, his voice gravel, "you did something illegal." He grabbed her hand and yanked her to him, planting his lips so firmly on hers that he surprised himself. She shoved him away and put the wand to his Adam's apple.

"Petrificus totallus!" she cried, before storming out of the room, huffing and puffing.

…

Draco was left lying there for far longer than he could have imagined. When his counterpart finally came in and found him, he had laughed his head off before he finally ended the spell.

…

Harry knew these woods. He had been there before, long ago. He wasn't incredibly far from Voldemort's Lair, and he had to repeat to himself the old saying about keeping your enemies close. Suddenly he heard a noise and he froze, slowing his breathing. He turned slowly and finally let out a puff of air. It was just a niffler. Nothing to be worried about. It sniffed the air once and went trotting in the opposite direction. Harry followed it, and paused when he realized just which wood this was. He stepped cautiously around a blackberry vine and into a clearing. There it was: a gnarled old tree. He smiled in appreciation as he kicked at part of it, triggering a hidden staircase to open. Yes, he knew exactly where he was. He climbed down into the good-sized hole and allowed himself to rest in a pile of leaves. He pulled his cloak off and set it aside for the moment. The niffler had followed him down.

"Hello boy," Harry croaked softly, as the niffler nuzzled at his hand. He padded away to a corner of the room and returned with a sparkling chain of silver in its mouth, dropping it into Harry's outstretched hand. Harry adjusted his glasses and drew the chain to his eyes. It was a locket. "Huh," he said, turning it over in his hand. "Where did you get this?" he asked the niffler, absentmindedly. Delicately, he undid the clasp and looked inside and his heart caught in his throat. There was a very small wizarding picture inside… A young girl with long black hair… and himself? The other half of the locket had an inscription and Harry's heart felt weak. "To Lily, love Daddy." What did it mean?

A.N.: I honestly had no idea what to write. No idea at all. Hence the chapter title. Thank you for all the lovely reviews. Oh, and hi GG!