A/N: Hello everyone, sorry for the long waiting periods. Work has been CRAZY! Let me tell you. And School for me is almost out and I've got finals to take and AH! But, I finally found time to get online, and post another chapter for you guys. Be happy yo!
RANDOM DISCLAIMER: I own nothing except for the plot
REVIEWS:
spviilicious: yes, yes, sadly I have kept you guys waiting for far too long. I'm sorry about that, and I recently went back to wal-mart to return my life and get a refund, but they have a no-return policy on lifes. So sorry bout that. But here ya go! A Chapter to keep you satiated!
thekatherine: You know, I do teacher's aide work for a librarian and there's a book called: "An Abundance of Katherines" I haven't read it, but your name just reminded me of it. Anyhow, yes, you shall finally get to know about the inconspicuous ''pop''. Er...you as readers, were supposed to forget about said ''pop'' until now...but alas you have thrown off my evil plan. Either way, thanks for the review, and enjoy the chapter.
Enigmus: Hey thank you, yet again, for another wonderful review. It's good to know that some of my original readers are still sticking with this story. Also, I have my doubts about the whole 'amazing writer' deal, but I try my best. So thanks again and R&R!
AngelikRebel: I recently visited your home page (I like to check out people's stories who read mine) and your favorites list? Has kept me quite busy. I was tempted to go read something, instead of write, but I knew that if I did, you'd have my head. So here's to your good taste! Enjoy the chapter!
olupotter18: YAY OLU! lol. sorry, just had to. I love your name! I wanted to thank you for sticking with the story for so long, and reviewing the chapters, it's meant a lot to me. Enjoy, R&R!
otaku3kagome: I absolutely loved reading your review, so thanks, and enjoy this chapter!
DBZfanalways: Yes, and if I wasn't writing him, said crazy guy would creep me out as well. But you'll be suprised at what he's really talking about later on. Thanks for reviewing, I appreciate it! Enjoy the chapter and R&R!
As always thanks for reviewing, and I do so hope that you will enjoy this chapter! Much love, and later days,
HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM
Chapter 17
''Disillusion''
Harry
Plush carpeting absorbed the slight sound that Ms. Norbury's heels would've made had we been on a hard floor, as we made our way to the conference room of my double decker plane. Myself being, if nothing else, a gentlemen I opened the door for her and then closed it behind me. As we walked to the center of the table and chose the chairs directly opposite from eachother, we both knew this was it. There was no going back, and after this, Star Shine would be mine. This whole nightmare with Norbury would be over and I could get back to spending the rest of my life with Draco.
"Well then," I started as soon as we were seated, "Shall we get started?"
There was a curt nod from her side of the table.
"Fine, then let it be stated, that from henceforth the proceedings of the buying of Star Shine Magazine by International Magazine is hearby in session."
"Potter, quit wasting our time and get this over with." She replied, much in the sense of the Draco I knew in my school days.
"Listen, we may be beginning the proceedings, but there are still the legal documents to sign, the staff papers to handle, and so many other things. If this could've been settled in just any old place, then believe me, nothing would give me more pleasure than to sack you in your own office but the fact of the matter is we've got to do this through proper channels. Are we clear?"
Norbury mumbles something that I can't quite make out, but sounds like 'if you can agree you're an ass than we're clear'.
"Ms. Norbury, I'm not quite sure what I heard, but if I heard correctly then let me just say this: You should learn to keep your business life and personal life separate."
"Well now, isn't that the pot calling the kettle tope?"
"Excuse me?" I utter.
"You have some nerve Mr. Potter. Business executive or not, do you have no heart? Furthermore do your eyes fail you yet? You've been so blindly running around with my advice columnist that you haven't seen the things going on around you. First of all, I have no personal life, I have my professional life. I eat, breathe, and sleep Star Shine. I've proudly poured my blood, sweat, and tears into the company and worked my ass off to get it where it is today! Not only that, but I have been trying, for the past few weeks to get you to notice the positive things that I think we can achieve by working together. Think of it...a partnership."
"And what would I have to gain from a partnership with you?" I drawled, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
"My...expertise. My company is like my baby. It needs the tender loving care of it's own mother."
"How so?"
"Well...it's a delicate process. I live in New York, I know the people, and the local happenings. I have connections that had kept the business afloat since it's conception. I know things that it would take any stiff in a suit you send to run the office years to learn. Get rid of me, and you get rid of a valuable resource. We could be millionares together. Oh sure you already are, but you'd be earning more money if we partnered up, than if you just bought me out."
"Again, care to explain?"
"If we make it appear as if we're still rival magazine companies, than we can get more consumers interested in either of our magazines, and take in twice the revenue. Stocks would go up, and buisness would BOOM."
I sat in silence for a little while and contemplated this.
"Ms. Norbury, what is it you're trying to accomplish? First you're rude to me, and now you're trying to be my best buddy and partner up with me?"
Looking over at me sadly for a moment and sighing she decides to answer. "I know you're doing this to secure a future for yourself and your future family, whoever that may be with...but I...I have nothing to gain, and everything to loose if you take this away from me. I alienated my family, I have no friends, and would have no means to support myself if this buisness deal went through. But it's more than that, it's the fact that the one thing I can be proud of in my life, is the one thing you'd be taking away. I was on the rise for a while there, I was becoming a star or something. People read what I had published, and they liked it. They actually liked it. Surely as a fellow publisher, you of all people can identify with how I feel?"
"Ms. Norbury..." I sigh, "If you're trying to get me to reconsider buying the company, I'm afraid--"
"I know that it's too late for you to stop this deal now...but if I can't have my cake and eat it too, then I at least want to be apart of the cake's life..."
We looked at eachother across the room and after a moment we both laughed loudly at the same time.
It was a welcomed distraction from the tension in the room.
"I will consider doing things your way Ms. Norbury. That doesn't mean you get to keep Star Shine, even if she came out of your own vag, but I will let you be in someway involved with the continuance of the company."
"Thank you Mr. Potter," She said getting up to shake my hand or hug me, I'm not sure which, "That's all I ask."
Draco
Heeding my dear lover's wishes, I turned away from the runway and headed to the hangar. I would've settled for a back alley or even an empty field, but it seemed Harry was adament about the hangar, and I had a weird feeling anyway. With a small pop, I apparated home, and started to lock the doors and windows. I was just about to ward the small appartment when all of the sudden I was hit by a wave of nausea. I felt terrible, and I almost puked on the floor. I ran to the bathroom and quickly unloaded the contents of my stomach into the porcelain bowl.
What was wrong with me? I didn't understand it. Surely I couldn't still be sick from that carnival food. I got up from my kneeling position and then walked the small distance to the sink. For a moment I just stood and stared at my reflection. How my life had changed in the past month or two. Never had I thought I would be in a serious relationship and that it would get to the point of moving in together. I mean...that was supposed to be a pretty huge deal right? I shook my head slightly, vowing to take some meds and potion when finished warding my appartment, and bent over the sink to wash my face.
I turned on the faucet and water began pouring out in a never ending stream and I splashed some of the cool liquid onto my face. When I was a child, holding cold things to my head when I was sick, always made me feel better. If I hadn't been busy, and had the faucet not been on, maybe I would've heard a small popping noise in the background. I rubbed all over my face, and then without looking up, grabbed a hand towel from the rack just above the loo. I stood up, patting my face dry and then started to put the towel back -- and screamed.
Midway through my scream I was cut off, and a black leather gloved hand covered my mouth. Another gloved hand held me flush against a muscular chest of another man. My hair, slightly longer than I usually wear it, was covering one eye and my arms pulled against the hand covering my mouth.
''Miss me?" someone hissed into my ear.
The voice sounded familiar, but through the menacing death eater mask, I couldn't quite place the person it belonged to. My eyes began to water and fear bubbled up inside of me as this unknown invader slammed his hips into my arse and rubbed harshly against me. My muffled moans of 'No' and 'Stop' were nothing, being absorbed inside his hand.
"You don't know who I am do you?"
I shook my head, and tried to turn my head sideways as he tried to lick my ear.
"Then let me help you remember!"
With a flourish his mask was gone, and for the first time I saw clearly...the face of Jess.
Fresh screams eminated from my mouth and my struggles began anew. I kicked and bit and punched anything that was within range and for a fraction of a second his grip loosened. I kicked his shin hard, then dragged my foot down and stomped on his foot, and then I knelt to the ground and elbowed him where it counted. As he fell to the ground in pain I crawled a few short feet and then started to run.
I made it to the door and was about to push open the lock when pain shot through my scalp and I was yanked back by my hair.
"You're not going anywhere, my pretty." Jess chuckled at his own joke.
"Fuck you!" I yelled, not sure where this defiance was coming from in the face of absolute danger.
"I'll save that for later kitten. Right now someone is expecting us. It would be in both of our interests not to dissapoint him."
My mind raced, thoughts whipping through my head so fast I thought I could throw up again. Voldemort is dead. Harry killed him, I know it. He killed him and made sure he stayed dead, this is not possible.
Jess still held me by the hair and was attempting to drag me away from the door, so that I wouldn't have anything to bang on or make noise with. No passerby could hear me. My last hope died with my voice as Jess pulled out a beautiful black wand and uttered the 'silencio' spell. I couldn't speak, I couldn't yell, and was finding it hard to breath. My eyes wide I searched for anything that could be used as a possible weapon.
Inside my jeans I remembered were the keys to my appartment...and Jess thought I was too scared and too hurt to do anything with my hands. I dropped to my knees, and pretended to be hurt and crossed my arms over my stomach, almost like a natural instinct, Jess still gripped my hair painfully tight but he did nothing to stop any of my movements, figuring he had control with his hand in my hair.
"You're proving to be difficult pet. What will I ever do with you?" He chuckled again, sending shivers down my spine. "I have a few ideas."
During his talking my hands slid slowly, painstakingly slow down the sides of my stomach and into the pockets of my jeans, all going unnoticed by Jess, so far. I fished the keys out of my pocket, my fingers curling around the ring that held them together and slowly bring them out. I got a grip on one of the keys and made a tight fist with it.
I was trembling with fear and adrenaline as I waited for the perfect opportunity.
"What's the matter, pet? Why are you shaking?" He bent low, next to my ear, "Afraid of me?"
I lifted my head, my bangs covering my eyes, and smiled a littled manically as I mouthed "Fuck. You." Even though he couldn't see.
Quickly I braced myself and brought my head back so that it knocked his face away from mine and made it hurt, and then I plunged the key into the hand that was holding my hair so tight. Instantly I was freed, and I raced to the bedroom, where on the desk, my wand lay waiting for me to hex the bastard into next week. Faster Faster! I urged my legs. I heard feet scramble and a clumsy body run after me a few seconds later and knew I had to be that much quicker.
He was gaining on me, I could feel it. So I did something I think he wasn't expecting. I stopped and quickly turned around and punched him in the face just as he was about to grab me and then ran for it again as he was still recovering. Finally! I reached my destination and pulled the wand off the desk, turned it towards my self and mouthed 'finite incantantem' and I could speak again, I whirled around a second later and pointed my wand at Jess. He had his leveled at me, and was taking in a breath to no doubt say some spell.
"Expeliarmus!" I yelled before he could even begin.
His wand flew from his hand and I smirked as I began to walk slowly forward. Payback's a bitch and he just bought himself a one way ticket. My mouth opening, beginning to form the words, I whispered like they were the sweetest tasting words that ever left my mouth.
"Petrificus Totalis."
I gazed on in shock as the spell bounced off of him like nothing, and then, my wand flew from my hand as a thought formed in my mind. 'Wandless Magic'. Of course. Jess knew wandless magic. He was a death eater or some form thereof and he would of course be powerful. Expectations of a death eater were no less than that of excellence.
"Tsk, Tsk Pet. I would've expected better from you. You of all people. You've caused me and my master so much trouble, so much trouble. But not anymore. Goodnight pet."
And all I could do was stare in horror as the darkness surrounded me. The last think I did was think about Harry, and hope he made it back in time to help me, and how much I would miss out on if he didn't. And then I faded from conciousness.
A/N: Sorry it was short guys, but I just have a lot going on. I'm going to continue posting what I have of this story, but it's taking me so long because I changed the outcome of the story and some plot elements coming up. Then I'm going to have them beta'd and put up. Thank you sooo much for your patience.
Read, Review, and as always, Enjoy.
-Dark-
