Disclaimer- Obviously I don't own Harry Potter or any of its characters, though it would be nice to!

Song lyrics: "Blurry" by Puddle of Mudd.

I thought the song maybe described their relationship from Draco's POV. :shrugs:

Deceiving Appearances: Chapter 2 Meringue Pie

Everything's so blurry
And everyone's so fake
And everybody's empty
And everything is so messed up
Pre-occupied without you
I cannot live at all
My whole world surrounds you
I stumble then I crawl

You could be my someone
You could be my scene
You know that I will save you
From all of the unclean
I wonder what you're doing
I wonder where you are
There's oceans in-between us
But that's not very far

Everyone is changing
There's no one left that's real
So make up your own ending
And let me know just how you feel
'Cause I am lost without you
I cannot live at all
My whole world surrounds you
I stumble then I crawl

Cho heard the faint beeping of something in the background, and shifted groggily in her sleep. She breathed in deeply, cuddling the soft pillow under her and bringing her legs to her chest to harbor the warmth.

It hit her three seconds after. "OH BLOODY MERLIN!" Cho's eyes flung open as her scream echoed through the awakened city. Panting, she pressed all the buttons on the muggle-contraption in haste. It was a rather nice digital alarm clock. It had been a gift from Ginny, who taught her how to use it…but at this point, she was too panicked and out of it to remember which button turned the beeping thing off. "Oh no, no, no, no, no, no!" Cho shook her head, running around the apartment, flinging clothes and toothpaste everywhere. It was only her first day at her new job, and already she was late!

She hurriedly put on her uniform, making sure it was nice and neat…to some extent, and then put in a pair of long, silver hanging earrings. She tied her hair up in a ponytail using a green ribbon, and slipped on some white sneakers. Cramming down a blueberry muffin she found in the cupboard, she swallowed some pumpkin juice and brushed her teeth. Cho applied some clear lip-gloss, grabbed a thin jacket, (which she stuffed her wand in) and was out the door before something caught her attention. She eyed the distraction of silver beside the couch on the table.

It was a ring. Silver and thin, as well as very plain…just the way she liked it. Cho bit her lip as she slipped it on her ring finger on the right hand. With precise care, she turned the ring so that the engraved letters weren't visible unless you looked on the palm side. Touching her wand from its hiding place in her jacket, she briskly apparated to the beginning of her newest challenge.

And here she was…again. Cho flung the door open, letting herself in quietly, and looked around to see that Blaise was flirting with the secretary. Cho waited patiently there, expecting them to notice her eventually. Oh, how horribly wrong she was. As she waited, she eyed the bar wearily, taking in every detail, from the color of the ceiling to the tiny little dots on the floor. This had to have taken at least ten or so minutes, so she looked up at Blaise and the secretary…still nothing. At this point, Cho was getting somewhat annoyed, so she cleared her throat waiting for them to snap out of it, and…still nothing. Cho cleared her throat louder, nearly to the point of coughing. If any attention was being paid, it definitely wasn't directed to her. They certainly seemed like they were in some fantasy dreamland.

She rolled her eyes. This was ridiculous. Cho walked up obstreperously, although they didn't notice. "Excuse me-" she was interrupted by the sound of footsteps, and looked up questioningly. The secretary and Blaise were on different sides of the room, presumably keenly intent on their work. "Chang." The voice was flat, and soon was followed by the appearance of the speaker. Draco seemed as if he could care less, and he tilted his head as a sign for her to follow him. Cho walked over, slightly astonished that he had dressed so casually. After all, wasn't he supposedly the owner of the place?

He was wearing a dark maroon hoodie that was gray on the inside, with jeans and sneakers that Cho had never seen before. They had some odd type of check mark…or something like that on one side of both shoes. What struck her as even more mind-boggling was that here she was, in front of a guy who claimed to completely detest muggles, and he himself was dressed like one!

What was the world coming to! It was completely hypocritical and didn't make any sense at all! "Why are you…uhm…" Cho pointed to his clothes, giving him a glance from head to toe to make sure the point got across. He smirked, continuing with his infamous and overused line, "Like what you see?"

Cho scoffed, rolling her eyes. She gave him a look, and he in turn started to chuckle. "You're not the only one who's changed, Chang." Cho tilted her head slightly, still holding on to his glance, but he looked away. It struck her as insanely odd…he didn't even have that usual drawl in his voice when he uttered the statement. Not to mention he was the first to break eye contact, and Cho shrugged mentally to herself.

She checked herself in, then walked over to the newly imported, older piano, plopping down on the dark brown bench. She poked a couple of keys, slowly breathing out. With nothing better to do, she turned around, taking in the view as well as finding that there was no one in the room. "I guess Blaise, that secretary, and Malfoy left while I was preoccupied." Cho thought. She shrugged, being alone didn't bother her…in fact, it made her feel more at peace. However, the only downside to this was that she'd get bored…fast.

A customer walked in just then, and after looking around, spotted her. "Uhm…miss?" And before Cho knew it, she was behind the counter, mixing the woman a drink, thankful the bottles had labels. She knew she should've been playing the piano or something of the sort, but it was only one customer after all…right? "Ah well, I doubt Malfoy would kick me out for it." Cho thought. And since she was there…Cho took out some vodka and sipped. Right then, she closed her eyes, letting the relaxing sensation take over. She began to drift off when someone's voice broke through her slowly impeding thoughts. Somehow, it was peculiarly familiar…but she just couldn't tell whose voice it was.

"Nothing like a good drink, eh? I think I'll have some vodka, too." With the mention of her drink, Cho's eyes snapped open, and she met the color of a cloudy sky. Cho winced, rapidly averting her eyes. He was seated right in front of her, waiting. She pulled out a glass to pour it in, handing it to him, her eyes discovering a sudden zealous interest in the patterns on the counter. She wondered whether he was irritated or not, but she didn't want to risk having to look into those eyes again…she shivered.

"Cold?" he inquired, and honey brown connected with a flickering gray for a moment, and she hesitated before giving a weak smile and leaving to go put away her glass. Once she did so, she walked from behind the counter, seating herself back to the instrument like a child caught red-handed, waiting for their punishment. She waited for his reprimand, his long lecture…"Chang." he stated frankly, pausing, "What were you doing behind the counter?" Cho restrained herself from rolling her eyes at his tone. He sounded as if he was rebuking a three-year-old of some sort. "I was mixing a drink for the miss." Cho motioned told the young woman sitting, unaware of their conversation.

"And, pray-tell, what inspired you to do so?" he voice was calm, but mouth turned into a slight agitated frown and his eyes were forming into a slight stormy blue. Cho shook her head, standing indignantly. "He's acting so irrationally!"

Cho crossed her arms, "It was only one person." She glanced tenaciously to the side, nibbling on her lower lip as her fingers tapped against her crossed arms.

"One person?" He looked at her incredulously, scoffing.

"Okay, so maybe two," Cho slightly reddened at the remembrance of the scene a couple minutes before.

"Two!" Draco pressed on, his voice rising while he sneered at her.

"Okay then, THREE!" Cho flung her hands up in the air, snapping at him. Her eyes flashed. "Though I hardly count you a person. What does it matter, anyway!" She managed to keep her voice soft, although it rang with the anger that was coursing through. She wouldn't lower herself to fighting like this in front of people.

"What does it matter? I specifically told you that you weren't going to be a bartender, and you disregard my instructions! You could've poisoned someone!" Draco stood, his temper a menacing spark behind his cool exterior.

Cho couldn't believe him! She undeniably felt insulted, and her cheeks flushed. Why was he being so impossible? "I'm not STUPID for heaven-sakes, Malfoy!"

Draco rolled his eyes, scoffing again, "I would beg to differ."

Cho sent him a deadly glare, and reduced her voice farther to a murmur, "Do you remember what house I was sorted into? Do you? I happened to do my portion of studying before proceeding to apply for this work. Besides, how could I possibly poison anyone when the bottles are labeled?" Cho administered all her calm to point over to the cupboard behind the counter. From this motion, Draco noticed a strange silver shine from Cho's hand. As her hand fell back, Draco leaned slightly closer, observing unwaveringly. Cho was muttering angrily to herself about some "insolent fool" when Draco interrupted her blatantly.

"Chang." Cho whipped her head up to see him staring at her. Where, she didn't know, until he continued on, "Lift up your hand…" Cho's eyes widened slightly, and she threw her hand behind her back, swallowing involuntarily. "Why?" Cho asked discreetly. Her eyes glanced around for something to distract them from the awkward situation. "Why not?" Draco looked at her impatiently. "Come on, just show me your hand!" He extended his arm, reaching out his hand for her to take, but she backed away again.

"No!" Cho blurted out. Draco's eyebrows raised up in surprise, then his eyes narrowed as he took a step towards her, and she took a step back. "Chang…" he spoke with exasperation. She took another step back, and Draco ceased, massaging his temples and letting out an irritated sigh. "I just want to see your hand, Chang." He initiated his step towards her again, and she continued to back up until she felt the stiffness of the wall.

He appeared right in front of her, closing the distance and making her feel utterly uncomfortable. Being only inches apart, she could smell a whiff of his cologne. She inhaled deeply…the cologne was intoxicating, and Cho struggled to keep her mind on track. How was she supposed to concentrate when that was clouding her mind? It was unmistakably unfair play. "That cologne should be banned." Cho decided. Her heartbeat accelerated as he came even closer, almost restricting movement. He leaned down, his breath tickling her ear. "Your hand," he whispered. She had to think fast. No way was she going to lose to the likes of him. Instantly, a plan formed in her mind. Cho hoped that Draco wouldn't catch on…

She turned her head to look at him, keeping his eye contact. Stealthily, she slipped her other hand behind her back, gradually pulling the silver ring off her finger and clasping it tightly in her opposite hand. She took her hand out, flipping it to show that nothing was there. She smiled to herself while Draco took her hand, regarding it carefully. She had almost declared a score in her mind, but then he said, "Show me the other one." He held the wrist of her inspected hand, waiting for her to show the other. Cho bit her lip, very aggravated that her plan didn't succeed.

With no brilliant plans in mind, Cho grudgingly revealed her other hand, balled up into a fist that clasped tightly around the jewelry. She waited for his reaction…and was very shocked when she gazed up. He was laughing…at her. "Run out of ideas, Chang?" Bewildered, she blinked at him. How in the world did he find this so amusing? He was nutters! Absolutely nutters! His eyes had changed from a stormy gray to a light, serene blue. And were they…twinkling? He continued to laugh, and she noticed that his smile was actually pretty nice…

Whoa. Okay, obviously she was going nutters, too. "Don't think about him like that…not now, Cho. Not now…that was in the past." Cho shook her head, shutting her eyes. Draco had stopped laughing, but he stood there watching her with a mischievous smirk on his face. They broke contact when a bustling bunch of burly men walked through the doors, seating themselves at the tables. Cho casually turned around, seating herself once again at the piano.

Expecting Draco to already be gone, she resting her hands on the keys when his breath tickled her ear once more, "I solemnly swear I am up to no good." Cho laughed, turning around to comment, but he had already strutted towards the hallway. With a smile, Cho mumbled, "Pompous arse." She watched as Blaise walked in, mixing drinks without a second thought, yet looking remarkably suave. Cho observed the process as he did the same thing over and over. Glass, pour, mix, and serve. Although the liquids varied and were enticing to observe, the whole process wasn't exactly inspiring her with any songs.

Cho turned around with a sigh again when she noticed that rain drops had clung to the windows, sliding down slowly as they began to increase. Suddenly, Hermione's voice filled in her head as she remembered encountering her while she walked down the compartments. She was trying to find an empty one, and found that Hermione had been alone, singing very beautifully to a song… not noticing Cho coming in. They had started up an immediate conversation and had acquired a bond through music. From there on out, Hermione would sing and write lyrics, while Cho would create the melodies to it on the piano…a remarkable duo.

Cho grinned at the thought, reminiscing on how Hermione had explained that the song had sung before was a muggle song, "Sunday Morning" to be exact, by the group Maroon 5. She proceeded to sing it again, and Cho remembered the notes exactly, surprising Hermione later on when she played it for her…an arrangement of the tune that Cho had come up with herself.

"Perfect." Cho thought, beginning to play while the rain beat steadily against the glass of the windows, in beat with the song. More customers appeared, clapping to the song and lightening her mood. She had mostly took requests of songs (if she knew them), but when the requests were all done, she'd play a couple songs she composed herself.

After a while of continuous playing, Cho stopped for her shift was over, though it was hardly a break. It seemed that many would scoot her from table to table, telling their interesting and humorous stories…not that she minded. She was quite happy of the fast acceptance, and listened and remembered each unique tale.

Cho needed a drink…her throat was really dry, so she excused herself from the chattering table to get some rum. No later did she do so when she was practically knocked over from an excited hug. "Cho!" Cho immediately recognized the voice and hurriedly turned around. "Ginny!" Cho hugged the fiery red head. "So, how are you," she paused to look over at the sulking figure beside the beaming woman, "…and Harry?" Ginny's bell-like laugh resounded, and she glanced over to the dark-haired figure. "I'm doing great! Oh, Harry's fine…although you won't believe how hard it was to get him to come inside," she shrugged.

"And how are you? You haven't been calling me in a rather long while…Hermione's getting anxious, too!" Ginny shook her head, "Tsk, tsk!" She shook her finger at Cho jokingly. "Is that any way to treat your best, and most awesome friends?" She crossed her arms in mock anger. Cho shook her head, rolling her eyes, and laughing. Cho led them to an empty table, motioning them to sit. "I'm doing pretty well, actually." She went on to tell them about her newfound job, and gave a shortened summary of the events that happened there the day before.

"So that's what's up with those colors," Ginny motioned to Cho's clothing. If that bloody git lays a hand on you, I'll hex him, mark my words!" Ginny crossed her arms, shaking her head disapprovingly.

Cho laughed again, "Don't worry, I think I'll be able to take care of myself against that smirking prat. By the way, how's Hermione doing?"

"She's doing well, although I have absolutely no clue how she can put up with Ron. You'd think she'd go nutters by then!" Ginny shrugged again, ordering some red wine.

"Ginny," she began casually, "do you think you could persuade Hermione to come by here sometime?" Cho inquired, hopeful that she would do this favor.

The redhead turned to face her. "I dunno…I mean, I'm not sure Hermione would like another encounter with the ferret, if you catch my drift."

"Please, Ginny? Just try, and if she won't, then I won't ask you again," Cho pleaded.

Ginny sighed, thinking to herself for a couple of minutes. Then she grinned, "Okay, but if she won't then you better not ask me again...and you definitely owe me for this. If she decides to come, it'll probably be a couple of days before she shows up, so don't go bonkers on me. Out of curiosity, what exactly do you need 'mione for?"

"She's going to sing," Cho responded.

"Oh!" It finally dawned on her, "Do you really think you can convince Hermione to apply for a job here? What if Malfoy won't hire her?"

Cho shrugged, "I guess it's worth a try anyhow. It can't be too impossibly hard to persuade them both…right?"

Ginny looked at her skeptically, then glanced over to Harry. "I think I'd better be going…I think I've tortured Harry enough for one day," Ginny grinned sheepishly, giving Cho a farewell wave. She motioned to Harry, who was more than willing to get out.

Cho laughed quietly to herself, still seated, sipping at her rum. In the very next moment, she noticed a tall shadow looming very near her spot, so she turned around, curious to see whom it was. Unexpectedly, it was Draco, seating himself beside her, holding a rather large bottle of vodka that he was currently swigging to no end.

Cho watched as he ordered another bottle, downing that one in minutes. "You're going to be wasted by tomorrow," Cho stated in an amused, but slightly concerned way.

He turned towards her, placing the vodka on the counter, "I have a high alcohol tolerance." He smirked, and Cho frowned.

"What was that song you played before?" He asked, facing before him and taking another huge gulp of another one, finishing that bottle.

"Which one?" Cho asked, eyeing the increasing stack of bottles wearily.

"The first one you played," he replied, seeming to drink up another bottle as fast as he could inhale.

"Oh…that one," Cho smiled to herself. "It's a muggle song, called "Sunday Morning" by Maroon 5." She took another sip of her rum, idly resting her head against her hand.

The blonde turned to her, making a funny face and giving her a confused look. "Meringue pie?"

Cho laughed, "High tolerance level, eh?" Draco sent her a dirty look. "Not meringue pie, Maroon Five!"

"Whatever you're mumbling about Chang, I can't comprehend…moon rye?" He raised his eyebrows in a frustrating attempt to decode what she was trying to say.

To his annoyance, she laughed even more. "No, no, no! Maroon Five," she enunciated each syllable, speaking slowly and clearly.

It was already past closing time. Blaise and the others had left, leaving a deserted room with only two occupants…her and him. She observed him for a couple minutes. Seeing him return to his drinking, Cho got up, stepping out of her chair. Accidentally misplacing her footing by underestimating the tallness of the barstool, she ultimately fell backwards into a certain blonde male, who stood up and caught her with unusual ease. Her back was up against his chest while his arm was snaked securely around her waist.

"Can't get enough of me, eh?" he asked, smirking as she attempted to get off.

"You wish," Cho mumbled, sincerely wondering why she had to be clumsy at this particular moment. The raven-haired girl attempted to walk forward, then found that his arm was still restraining her movement. "What're you doing?" She asked indignantly. She attempted at struggling, but to no avail. Instead, she stood motionless, hesitating.

"I rather like it here," he whispered huskily into her neck, causing a shiver to run down her spine. She closed her eyes, inhaling sharply.

"You're drunk," she stated with slight aggravation.

"Well, aren't you a bright one?" he retorted. She could feel his mouth form into a smirk before he lifted his head. "I like this ribbon, you know…" he tugged at it and it untied easily, raven hair cascading down her back gracefully.

Cho opened her eyes, shaking her head. Her voice was delicate and quiescent, "Draco…"

He rested his forehead against the back of her head, still smirking. "So now it's Draco, eh?" He took his free hand, slowly tracing his fingers up her arm, the sensation evoking another shiver from her. "You know…you could be my someone…" he breathed into her hair, half-joking.

Cho gulped, biting her lip, "Draco-"

He continued on, his voice low and coaxing, "Can you take it all away?" There was a hint of a plea for forgiveness in his voice, and Cho shifted uncomfortably, focusing ruefully ahead.

A troubled expression spread across her face. "You know I can't…" she replied, and almost concurrently, she felt Draco tense. She felt his arms drop from her, a frigid silence following.

Not knowing what else to do, Cho let out a regretful sigh, walking out of the bar without a single glimpse back, incapable of facing him.

She found herself at her apartment again…her mind riddled with perpetual thoughts. Cho tediously changed, brushing her teeth and plopping down on the couch. Yet again, she was too overwrought and confused to even regard anything about the piano, so she laid her head dejectedly on the plumed pillows.

How in the world did she get into these predicaments? Was she really that unfortunate? "But you yearned for his touch..." Cho shut her eyes and quivered. She shoved her thoughts away angrily, holding her head in her hands. She felt immensely horrible…especially after what had just transpired. His voice was haunting her inside, and she couldn't help but deem herself a bit cowardly.

She grasped for the ribbon in her hair, and comprehended its disappearance. She inhaled as she recollected, and gradually brought her hand back down. Laying on the firm couch, she twisted about, trying to fall into a sleep that wouldn't come to her easily…regrets from years before muddling her mind recurrently.

Oh, nobody told me what you thought
Nobody told me what to say
Everyone showed you where to turn
Told you where to run away
Nobody told you where to hide
Nobody told you what to say
Everyone showed you where to turn
Showed you where to run away

Can you take it all away?
Can you take it all away?
When you shoved it in my face
This pain you gave to me
Can you take it all away?
Can you take it all away?
When you shoved it in my face
This pain you gave to me
No, this pain you gave to me

Can you take it all?
Can you take it all away?
This pain you gave to me
Can you take it all away?
This pain you gave to me
Take it all away
This pain you gave to me

I Heart Chocolate- Thank you very much for your review:D You must've been surprised when they walked in on you! I'm also a piano player, but I've never had that happen to me before. Lol! I did associate Cho with the piano…I don't know why either…somehow it just seems to fit her.

Sabe- Thanks for the awesome review:D I actually used to not like Cho either, but after a while, I understood her actions, and I didn't dislike her as much. Now I'm writing a fic about her…lol! I'm also guilty of reading fics, but not reviewing them. I'm usually extremely lazy when it comes to that…XD It's so amazing to find another Selphie/Seifer pairing lover:high-fives: What exactly is your pen name? I tried to type in Sabe, and I couldn't find you! I was also thinking about doing a website to support the pairing, but alas, I'm no good with html either. XD I think I'm going to take up your suggestion and write a Selfer after this fic, though! You've inspired me to do so!

Wow, second chapter done, and I am SO making progress…please note the sarcasm. XD

Anyway, I hope this chapter's good. If it isn't, go ahead and start throwing the apples while explaining to me how I am an incompetent fool that can't write fanfiction worth crap…XD

Okay, now, make my day and maybe review me:D I love feedback!

I'll try to make the third update snappy, but like before, I must warn you, I'm very bad getting stuff done (including updating fanfiction) so don't hate me too much! XD