Author's Note: For my lovely reviewer who asked, Ginny is marrying another guy. I appreciate all the feedback. I chose this title because of my amateur knowledge of Game Theory, that is exactly what Marlow does later in the chapter. But if someone who happens to be majoring in game theory happens to read this chapter, please don't chew me out.

Chapter Seven: Game Theory

Get a grip, Marlow I told myself as I walked into the cafe. Draco had left early on some attorney business and I was meeting somebody. Naturally, I hadn't thought to tell Draco and if I had my way I never would.

I caught sight of a flaming redhead with his back to me. For a brief moment I sighed and smiled before getting myself back together. I walked over and sat down across from him, ordering a cup of coffee with no sugar. Charlie didn't say anything. He was looking well, a pale but well. Handsome as ever. Bloody fuck, I need to stop thinking about that!

"What is it you um, wanted?" he asked uneasily.

"I wanted to talk."

"Don't let me stop you."

I sighed. "To be honest Charlie, I don't know where to begin."

"How about at the start?"

Taking a deep breath, I formed words before my mind could catch up. "My name is Alexandra Marlow and I am the daughter of the late Zarek Marlow, a pureblood business man and a deatheater. I attended Hogwarts for six and a half years and was in slytherin house. My best friends growing up were Draco Malfoy, Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott. My father was indicted and I took the reigns of his company after he killed himself. I fled England with Blaise Zabini on Christmas Eve of my seventh year. We traveled to Turkey and . . ." I continued with the details of life up until the present moment.

"And now, I am looking to reclaim my company and it is most exhausting." I waited anxiously for a response.

Charlie looked like he had just been hit by a bus. "You've been married all this time and you didn't tell me." Oh lord, out of all the things I told him, he picked that.

"You never asked and it wasn'tas thoughBlaise didn't know about you."

"So all those business trips . . ."
"Were to see him, yes. But to be honest, he was my partner in the company. It was legitimate."

"And you are really a slytherin?" he said in a soft voice.

"I am an expatriot."

He smiled bitterly. "And all this time I thought you were just simple Alex Marlow, innocent and green."

"I was green in the world of dragons."

"But you're not anymore."

"That's right."

"I'm sorry for . . . storming outthe othernight. It was wrong of me no matter how angry I was."

"No, you were just," I said sipping my tea. "I should have never built so much on sand to begin with. I just never learn my lesson with that. But what you have to understand Charlie, is that I hated my life when I left England. You were shocked when I smoked a single cigarette, before I left I consumed packets and packets a day. I was happy with you. I was happy being Alex instead of . . ."
"Instead of what?"

I half-smiled, "I have always been called Xan, Xandra or my last name."
He wrinkled his nose. "Doesn't suit you."

I smiled, "That is what I love about you, Charlie."

"It's just . . . try to see this from my point of view, Alex. Growing up,my family has been marked by our Gringott's account. Here I find out that I girl I fell in love with on the otherside of the world was one of those people looking down on us. I am mean, merlin, you were in Ron's year!"

"Yeah, I was. Look, Charlie. I can't make excuses for who I was, who I am or who I surround myself with. I cam here today to tell you the truth because I love you and you deserve it."

He smiled. "Thanks, Alex. I appreciate it."

"Though I know we can never be together again, don't try to deny it," I took his hand like a sentimental schmuck and said, "We'll always have . . ."

"Romania?" he offered.

"Yeah. Something like that."
After a moment he said, "So what are you planning on doing now?"

"Supervise at a distance I guess. Probably promote someone while I'm here."
"And after you get Marlow Enterprises?"

To be honest I hadn't thought about that. I smirked, "Probably find another chizzled boy to spend my life with."

"I am a man, thank you very much."
I just laughed. "And you?"

"Going to go back to work if that is alright with you, Boss. I need some time just to think and--"

"Manly activities?"

"Something like that."

Charlie paid the bill even though I offered. Outside, as we were saying our last goodbyes, I didn't want to admit that without him I felt empty. "Charlie, if you ever decide you can love me again . . . do write."
He shook his head. "It wouldn't be fair, Alex. Not to you and not to the guy who gave you that ring. Call me old fashioned but there's plenty of fish in the sea," he glance down at my hands, "for both of us." He kissed me on the cheek and turned to go.

I'll admit I was sad but that was all. The empty feeling would pass and the bitterness would subside. So, I settled for walking around London coming to terms with a chapter in my life closing.

After a few hours of walking and consequently smoking, I found myself in front of a bizarre looking shop. "Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes," I read outloud. Oh merlin. Having just broken up with a Weasley, you know I had to go in.

"Hello, hello," a good-looking redhead said from behind the counter. "Looking for anything special today?"

"Um, no. Just browsing,"I said, quickly dashing down an aisle.

"Okay?" the bloke said, a bit confused by my behavior. I couldn't take the chance of the Weasley offspring recognizing me.

Safely away from the counter, I began my inspection of the shop. The shelves were piled up to the ceiling and there were colors. Everwhere. I briefly considered that maybe this was all a dream and was down some sort of rabbit hole. Upon closer inspection, I discovered a variety of goods, none of which I had ever seen on an export sheet.

I picked up a random box. "Skin changing goo?" I read, turning it 'round. "Sweet merlin. It's a joke shop." Yes, I had heard of the infamous Weasley twins but honestly, I was busy with my own circle at the time. This establishment was so . . . entrepreneurial. Why hadn't I signed these people? Furthermore, why did I not know about this booming business? Perhaps after I get Marlow Enterprises back and if they brother never mentions my name, I could have a client on my hands.

"Oi, Harry! Great to see you, mate! Why didn't you say you were coming by?"

"Shh, George! I'm going to go hide."
"What happened?"

I peered around the corner, using the shelf to support me. Harry Potter was indead in this joke shop, my friends, and he looked dreadful. He was panting, sweating, in non-jogging clothes and downright dishy.

Okay, maybe that didn't come out right. What I meant to say was, he looked sincere about his plea to hide.

"There is a mob of girls after me," he panted. "Someone screamed out my name in a public place!"

"You know, if you didn't run they wouldn't think it was you," the Weasley boy pointed out. Couldn't have agreed with him more.

Suddenly, due my whale-like nature, the shelf began to creak. I was naturally oblivious because at the moment my eyes were glued to Harry Potter's back and the muscles made visible by his sweat. Creak. There it was again. Still I didn't know but looking back I would say this was a habit of mine. The dress. The shelf. I was a destructive behemoth. But back to the present.

So I continued to put more and more pressure on the shelf while trying to get a better view (and plot my escape) when . . . you guess it, crash! bang! boom! I basically broke the shelf and the piles I had mentioned came crashing down upon me.

I heard muffled men's voices and the tossing of objects. "Be careful with those! They could be toxic!"

"Harry, this is our shop, remember?"

"Merlin, I hope she isn't dead!" That made me feel better.

Boxes, soft and gooey things were pushed away from my face and I found myself staring into two green orbs. Two green concerned orbs but alas, they were concerned for any poor schmuck that might have caused this accident. Unfortunately, only I have that sort of luck. But before I could get a word in, or do much of anything at all, high pitched screams rang in my ears.

Next thing I know, well, according to doctor's reports over the course of my life, I experienced the most painful and disasterous apparation of my life.

I was awakened by my own incoherent gurgling. I couldn't see straight, weird purple blobs were floating around and I could have sworn I was in a bed. Hey, wait a minute, I was in a bed! Whoa, who was pacing around the room? Wasn't a purple blob, that's for sure.

"Oh thank merlin, you're awake!" the pace said, around to my side of the bed. My eyes fluttered and I tried to sit up. "No, no, lay down," he lightly pushed my shoulders down to the bed.

"Harry?" I croaked, as my eyes focused. Ah, it was all coming back now. Sweaty Harry, joke shop, crash---oh lord. "What happened?"

He looked at me sheepishly. "You found yourself at the bottom of a pile at the Weasley twins' joke shop and--"

"I remember that," I snapped, still groggy but still irritable. "I mean what happened to me. Do I still have hair? Why am I seeing things? Why am I not at a hospital?"

"You see, I was being chased by a mob of--"

"screaming fans?"

"Yeah," he said, looking embarrassed though I not a clue why. "I apparated out of panic and took you with me."

"I can see that. Why am I not in medical care? I am in pain." It was true! I felt like I had been hit by a train.

"Look Xandra, I know your skin is purple but could you try to be civil?"

"What!"

"Oops."

He got me a mirror and it turned out that my skin was indeed purple. There were patches of my regular skin tone here and there but mostly, I looked like an eggplant. "Why am I with you and not with a healer!" I screeched.

"Because I didn't want to ruin your reputation!" he shouted back.

"People's reputations aren't ruined by going to St. Mungo's!"

"Think about the bloody situation for a moment, Xandra!"

And I did. Harry Potter. Alexandra Marlow. Found together in joke shop. She, with purple skin. Sort of messes up the corporate coup, doesn't it?

"That was too thoughtful of you," I said sarcastically, leaning back into my pillows.

"Look, I contacted the team doctor and he told me to make you mustard tea and in a couple hours it should be fine."

I raised an eyebrow, "Mustard tea is going to make this all go away?"

"That, some other liquids and rest."

"How much rest?"

"Couple days."

"I can not stay here a couple days."

Harry sighed, obviously understanding where I was coming from. "At least stay til tonight."

I pursed my lips. "Why is it that all of a sudden you are Mr. Niceguy when I distinctly remember you shouting that you hated me?"

"Well now, that you're here and your skins purple I can't very well throw you out into the street."

"You are such a boy scout."

"I don't know what you're used to, Xandra but I call it 'polite'. You aren't exactly my favorite person in the world."

I frowned. "Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why do you hate me? I never did anything to you!"

"Never did anything! You did bloody everything!"

I really wished I wasn't feeling whoozy and lying down while he stood up fuming.

"I go trusting you, giving my heart to you and you disappear!"

"Oh come off it, Harry," I said. "You mean to tell me that one little disappearing act that you inspired left you hating my guts for six years? Honestly! I think you blaming me for events that you know damn well weren't my fault."

"I inspired you to leave? Can you be any more--"

"Honest!" I shouted. "I had my back to the wall, Harry. Ministers were changing and it was the perfect opportunity. I escaped that life, Harry!"

His expression didn't change. "You seem to have found your way back just fine." He got up and turned his back as if to leave the room.

"Harry!" I shouted, reaching out to grab him. My hand missed his robes and with all the strenght I put into the movement, I found myself rolling out of the bed. I cried out in pain when I hit the floor. My skin burned against the hardwood.

"I can't believe I am drinking mustard," I muttered to myself.

"Can you promise not to going doing anything stupid for the next few hours," Harry pleaded, sitting on the side of the bed.

"That depends," I said, looking at him over my teacup. "Will you stop hating me?"

"You can't just ask me stop hating you."

"Yes, I can. I would hate to fall and be in excruciating pain again."
"Merlin. Weren't you the one screaming at me for ruining your life?"

"Yes but as of this morning, that's behind me." He looked at me quizically. "I saw Charlie," I explained. "It's over and we're both okay with it. Thank you for your meddling."

"So . . .you're single?"

I showed him the back of my left hand. "Not quite."

I heard him breathe a sigh of relief but I decided not to comment. It wasn't the time. Besides, I wasn't trying to coerce himinto that. Yet."So if you could kindly stop hating me and looking sour at parties, I would be much obliged."

"Why do you care so much? Do you want to be mates, or something because I can safely say that isn't going to happen."

"I have enough to chew at the moment, Harry and the last thing I need is grudges from the past following me around. So what do you say? Can you stop being a prat and get over it?"

"Are you apologizing?"

"No, because I don't regret anything."

"Not even how you ripped my heart out?"

I stared at him. The mustard tickled my nose. "I didn't know I hurt you that much."

"Obviously." I could feel his eyes on my ring.

"Well, can you or can't you?"

Now it was his turn to think. "I suppose I could."

"That's all I'm asking."

I eventually passed out again (though some would call it 'sleep') and by the time I awoke, I had most certainly missed dinner. "I need to go," I said to the empty room, pushing the covers back and getting to my feet.

"Xandra!" Harry exclaimed as he passed the open door to the room. "What are you doing! You shouldn't be up."

"I have to get back before Draco throws a bloody fit."

"Did he give you that ring?" Harry asked while casually handing me my cloak.

"What if he did?"

"I'd be disgusted."

I laughed. "Cheer up, Potter. It's from Blaise."

"If I remember correctly you said you would puke upon such a pairing."

"You remember too much."

When I arrived back at Malfoy's flat, I raised my hand to knock but he beat me to it. The door swung open and he looked livid. "Where in the bloody hell have you been?"

"I had a busy day, care to hear all of it or are you going to let me inside?"

"Fuck, Marlow!" he snarled as I pushed past him.

"Are you telling me you were actually worried?"

"Your skin is lavender. Yes, I am unnerved."

"Still?" I dashed to one of the corridor mirrors. "Bloody fuck."

"Tarquin owled for you," Draco informed me, slamming the door. "As did Daphne Dolohov and Calway."

"Tarquin junior or senior?"

"Junior. You're just a pretty face at this point. Tarquin senior would have nothing to do with you."

"What did they say?"

"Are you suggesting I read your mail?"

"Yes."

"Tarquin seems infatuated. Daphne is curious as to your reappearance and Calway wants you in his harem."

"Fabulous," I didn't even pretend to hide my disinterest.

"I suggest you take up Daphne's invitation. You could use some female friends. Don't want a reputation as a tart, now do you?"

"You're infuriating," I said, turning from the mirror to go to my closet. Unfortunately, Malfoy-the-prick was in my way.

He held my shoulders and sniffed my hair. "You smell like tacky-cologne and . . . candy."

"Who are you? My father? I passed out in a shop and some guy helped me up."
"Not just any guy," he said, giving me an interogating look.

"Why Draco, are you worried about me?"

"I'm worried about my investment," he said shoving me away and giving me a callous look.

"Draco," I began as I started up the stairs. "Did you know that Ginny Weasley's getting married?"

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see he was bothered but trying not to show it. "Who did you hear that from?"

"Harry Potter," I said casually before shutting my door.

I collapsed onto my bed, wondering why my days always seemed to end in the same repetitive manner."Bloody hell, I wish something interesting would happen." But be careful what you wish for, my friends. Be very, very careful.