beta-ed by jessicadamien

A Movie Matinee

"Gitfellow, this is so stupid. If Father knew--" Draco fumed. His sunglasses hid the annoyance in his eyes.

"You're the one who asked what the Hufflepuffs were up to," Richard Goodfellow interrupted, his eyes also covered by sunglasses. Draco never could seem to mind his own business; this summer he seemed to be obsessed over the activities of his various classmates.

The two young wizards were arguing on a sidewalk in a poorer part of London. Crabbe and Goyle were not with them and Draco felt unprotected, as if some Muggle would run out of a shabby sidestreet and steal his wand when he wasn't looking. That Richard was older and more streetwise was not a comfort at the moment.

"It's right over here. Don't you want to at least look at the place?" Richard pointed to a vacant storefront. The windows had been soaped up and adverts taped to the windows. The shoppes next to it were equally empty.

As they watched, a couple of their older school mates from Hogwarts were walking towards the place, looking about casually. One walked through the closed front door, the other paused, looked around and followed.

"See? Easy," Richard said, leading the way.

Together they plunged through the door into a small dark room. Richard took off his sunglasses but Draco kept his on.

Someone who was wearing a Hufflepuff coat of arms on her yellow tee-shirt stood by the door. "Pay up," she ordered.

After a short discussion, Richard gave her his money and got two pieces of paper in return.

"Here's your ticket," Richard said, handing it to Draco, who was studying the shabby walls and ceiling.

"How much money do you think that they make?" Draco asked, sneering at the ticket-seller.

"More than we're making today," Richard grumbled. "Wish someone had told me that the price had gone up."

They went through another doorway, through a heavy curtain ("When was the last time this thing was cleaned?" Draco complained) and into a large room filled with chairs, all facing a big blank wall. A few people were sitting around in groups of two or threes, quietly talking. Richard pointed out two seats in the center of the back row.

"What if someone turns around and sees me?" Draco whined.

"Would you rather sit in the front row?" Richard suggested, thinking that he'd turn it down.

Front row it was. Once there, Draco took off his glasses. The lights went out. They had to tilt their heads back to watch the movie trailers--Richard was sure that they'd both get neck strains and hinted about moving back a coupleof row. Draco ignored the hints and kept asking questions. Richard glanced back and saw that the small theater was now two-thirds full. Someone had brought in popcorn.

Americans--can't stop eating, Richard thought. He wondered who had brought the foreigner and if they'd be selling treats at the next show.

Another Hufflepuff was acting as an usher and was patrolling the side aisles using his lit wand as a torch.

"Keep your voice down or we'll get kicked out," Richard ordered.

They continued their conversation, whispering in the darkness. The movie started.

Draco read the words in a low voice, "Universal, an MCA Company." He knew he was annoying Richard. "Spielburg. Is he related to the ones in Cheshire? David Kirschner. Father knows a Kirschner. He's not a Muggle, though. Nibbelink. There's a Hufflepuff name if there ever was one. 'An American Tail.' 'Tail' is misspelled. What kind of a name is 'Fievel'?" He mispronounced the name. "This is stupid," Draco said, putting back on his dark glasses and getting ready to stand up.

Just then someone sat next to Draco, cutting off his exit.

"Each night the moon kisses secretly the lover who counts the stars," a girl's voice said in a dreamy way.

"Oh, bother," Richard said under his breath, then louder, "Hello, Luna."

"Hello, Richard," she replied. "Who is your friend?"

"A guest," he said. "He hasn't been here before." He noticed Draco's glasses. "And the light hurts his eyes."

Luna started to talk, but Richard cut in.

"We're here to watch the movie," he said firmly. Draco smirked.

Luna obediently stayed quiet. Draco stared at her profile for a moment longer and thought about how her eyes bugged out.

He dozed during the opening song, "Somewhere Out There". He fought to stay awake, yet every time he nodded off he dreamt that he was the smart and suave character Cat R. Waul. The girl mouse, Tanya, had Luna's features and Luna's voice. Her solo, "Dreams to Dream," came on. He dreamt that she had grown taller, and as cat and mouse they danced together. He fell solidly asleep, continuing his dream.

He was surprised when the movie ended. She was gone; Richard had waited for the theater to empty before nudging him awake.

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