Draco had just gotten out of his car from putting his car on the other side of the curb when Harry and Ron came out of the door.
Harry had his camera in his hand and was narrating to himself. "Close up: Draco Malfoy, our ex-roommate, who married Pansy Parkinson, of the London Parkinsons." Draco tore off a poster on the wall that was promoting Ginny's protest. "His father-in-law," Harry continued. "bought several buildings on the block, and a nearby vacant lot, home to Tent City. Draco hopes to evict all the homeless from Tent City, and build a Cyberstudio." Ron hopped on to the hood of Draco's Firebolt.
Draco finally turned to them. "Ron, you're looking good for a guy who just got off a year of withdrawal."
"What do you want, Draco?" Ron asked, trying to get to the point.
"What do I want?" Draco repeated. "Well, uh, my investor-''
"You mean your father-in-law?" Harry interrupted.
"Right, read about Ginny's's performance in the Village Voice, got pissed, and sent me down here to collect the rent."
"What rent?"
"This past year's rent, which I let slide."
"'Let slide'?" Harry repeated in disbelief. "You said we were golden."
"When you bought the building," Ron continued.
"When we were roommates," Harry reminded. "Remember, you lived here?"
"Yeah." Draco replied. "How could I forget? You, me, Neville, and Ginny." He leaned in to get a closer look at Ginny's poster. "How is the drama queen?"
"She's getting ready for her performance." Harry answered.
"I know." Draco tore another poster down. "Still her production manager?"
"Not exactly." Harry glanced at Ron.
"Still dating her?" Draco asked.
Harry sighed. "I was dumped."
Draco shot him a look, as he tore down another poster. "She got a new man?"
"Well… no".
"What's his name?" Draco started crumpling the paper he had in his hand.
Harry and Ron replied at the same time. "Luna."
Draco looked surprised for a moment, before bursting out laughing. He hit the side of his fist against the warehouse door as he bent over.
"Thanks for being so understanding." Harry muttered.
"You expect sympathy from the guy who shut off our power on Christmas Eve?"
"It got your attention didn't it?" Draco chuckled.
Ron got off the car and walked toward Draco.
Ron
What happened to Draco?
What happened to his heart?
He tapped Draco on his chest with the back of his hand.
Ron
And the ideals
He once pursued?
Draco
And the owner of that lot next door
Has the right to do with it
As he pleases
Ron stuck out his arms, and walked backwards.
Ron
Happy birthday, Jesus
Draco
The rent
He tossed the crumpled up posters to Ron
Harry
You're wasting your time
Ron
We're broke
Harry
And you broke your word
"This is absurd," he muttered.
"There is one way," Draco called
Draco
You won't have to pay.
"I knew it," Ron replied.
Draco
Next door the home of Cyberarts, you see,
And now that the block is rezoned
Our dream can become
A reality
He got up from leaning on the warehouse door and starting walking around them.
Draco
You'll see, boys
You'll see, boys
Draco started walking on the edge of the sidewalk, his hands held out as if on a balance beam. "A state of the art, digital, virtual interactive studio. I'll forego your rent," He jumped off.
Draco
And on paper guarantee
That you can stay here for free
If you do me one small favor.
"What?" Harry asked.
"Convince Ginny to cancel her protest."
"Why not just get an injunction, or call the cops?"
"Yeah, I did," Draco replied, "And they're on standby," He tore down a poster on the streetlight.
Draco
But my investors would rather
I handle this quietly
Ron got up and walked toward him. "You can't quietly wipe out an entire Tent City then watch 'It's a Wonderful Life' on TV."
"You want to produce films and write songs?" Draco asked.
Draco
You need somewhere to do it
It's what we used to dream about
Think twice before you poo-poo it
You'll see, boys
You'll see, boys
He headed onto the street and pointed at the stars.
Draco
You'll see
The beauty of a studio
That let's us do our work
And get paid
With condos on the top
Whose rent keeps open our shop
He turned to them.
Draco
Just stop the protest
And you'll have it made
You'll see
"Or you'll pack," he finalized, before heading down the street to his FireBolt.
AVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAV
I'll do Dean and Neville meeting next chapter.