Note: We will be meeting a New Character! Character: Matthew Lewis. He is one of the 15 muggles and is quite the gentleman. I hope you enjoy this chapter! Feel free to R&R =] I love hearing from my readers!

Chapter 16

8:47 p.m., Dining Hall, Gryffindor Table, Hogwarts(Friday)

"Hey, Neville?" Vixen whispered, leaning closer to him.

"Y-yes?" he stuttered.

"Did any of those tea leaves have anything to do with Draco?" she asked him. Hermione furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.

"No, no I don't believe so," Neville replied shaking his head. Vixen tightened her lips and nodded in understanding.

Draco stopped beside the Gryffindor table, behind Neville. Vixen looked up at him quickly. He smirked at her and then looked around at the present company.

"Something you need, Malfoy?" Harry spit. Draco scoffed and rolled his eyes.

"Nothing from you, Potter. I had a question for Vixen," he replied, nodding his head in her direction.

"Then ask me the question," Vixen replied with a straight face. No emotion was in her tone for the first time, causing everyone to look at her curiously.

"Have you heard anything more from Jacob?" Draco asked while smirking slightly.

"No. Why do you ask?" Vixen replied looking him in the eye.

She broke eye contact when another person approached the table. He was a tall, dark skinned boy who was relatively good looking. His cheek bones were very high and his eyes were an enticing shade of brown. He placed a hand on Draco's shoulder.

"Draco, Professor Snape wishes to see you," the boy said. Draco turned slightly.

"Ah, hello there Blaise. I'll be on my way momentarily," Draco told him. Vixen noticed Blaise squeeze his shoulder lightly.

"It's urgent, Draco. You must go see him now," Blaise warned him. Draco sighed and nodded.

Blaise released his shoulder and stood quietly around the table for a moment. Vixen locked eyes with him briefly and he shot her a nasty look before rolling his eyes and leaving the table. Vixen sat back quietly curious as to why he reacted the way he did.

"Well, I'm leaving. So I'll see you all another time," Draco said, looking directly at Vixen.

"Bye," was all she muttered. Draco's lips pursed into a straight line and he left the room.

"Are you alright?" Hermione asked Vixen.

"I'm fine. But I'd like to leave now," she responded. Ron nodded.

"Yeah, alright. Let's go back to the common room," he told the table. They all stood up from their seats and left the room.

9:39 p.m., Gryffindor Common Room, Hogwarts(Friday)

The group had returned to the Gryffindor Common Room and were relaxing in the living area. The fire was crackling in the fire place as they sat quietly around one another. Ron was the first to break the silence when another person entered the room.

"Professor McGonagall, what are you doing here at this hour?" he asked, sitting up in the leather chair he had been sitting in.

"Good evening to you all. My apologies for interrupting your night. But I have been instructed by Professor Dumbledore to retrieve the three of you," she said, her eyes falling on Vixen.

"But what about Vixen, professor? Ron is supposed to do everything with her this week," Hermione reminded her. McGonagall shook her head slightly.

"I'm afraid Miss Charm will need to remain here. But don't worry, this will not affect your grade Mr. Weasley," she replied.

"Guys, I'll be okay. Go ahead," Vixen urged. The three nodded and followed Professor McGonagall out of the room.

Vixen sat quietly, watching the flames of the fire move. She rubbed her face with the palms of her hands slowly. She couldn't get what Neville had said out of her mind all night. She sighed lightly to herself.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't realize someone was in here," a deep voice said from across the room. Vixen lowered her hands from her face and looked up.

A boy was standing in the room with her. He had shaggy blonde hair, and a large tattoo on his shoulder. He had somewhat of a beard and looked harmless.

"No, you're alright," Vixen replied motioning him over. He smiled and sat in a chair across from her.

"So I finally get to meet you," he said, still smiling. Vixen raised an eyebrow and tilted her head slightly.

"I'm sorry?" she asked, confused by what he had said.

"You know, the "muggle-girl". That's what everyone has been callin' you 'round here," he told her. Vixen nodded in understanding.

"So, are you an admirer or no?" she asked jokingly.

"I'm just a curious muggle actually," he replied laughing lightly. Vixen perked up and smiled.

"Well hello, curious muggle. I'm Vixen Charm," she told him. He nodded his head.

"Nice to meet you, Vixen. My name is Matthew Lewis. You can call me Matt," he replied. Vixen smiled.

"Well Matt, you have no idea how good it is to meet another muggle," Vixen said, leaning back into the couch.

"What about Jacob? I hear he's almost always around you," he said shrugging. Vixen sighed.

"Jacob is an acquired taste, Matt. A taste that I probably will never acquire," she told him. He laughed.

"Judging from the showdown's that happen all the time, I can believe that," Matt said tilting his head.

"You have an interesting accent, Matt. Where are you from?" she asked him.

"I'm from El Paso, Texas ma'am. Lived there for all 18 years of my life," he confessed. She nodded.

"I thought so. 18 you say? That's interesting," Vixen replied, leaning forward, placing her head onto her arm.

"I guess so. I was actually preparing to travel the world before I got brought here to Hogwarts. College isn't really my thing. I'd rather just go and see everything that this world has to offer," he told her. Vixen smiled.

"Well, look at it this way. You've already got a head start on most travelers. You're in a magical castle in a foreign place," she pointed out. Matt smiled.

"You're one smart girl, Vixen. But I do have one question for you," he said leaning forward in the chair.

"That would be?" Vixen asked.

"I see you with Draco Malfoy, a lot. I was Blaise Zabini's muggle last week, and they're both Slytherin's. From what I gather, Blaise hates anyone who isn't pure-blood or something like that. But Draco is supposedly the exact same way. Is he nice to you?" he asked. Vixen sat quietly for a few moments.

"Not at first, Matt. But lately, he's been being really nice to me. It's strange, I know. But I really think he is being genuine," she told him. Matthew began to smile.

"You like him, don't you?" he asked her. Vixen started to blush.

"Absolutely not. We are just friends," she told him.

"No, we are just friends, Vixen. But you like him, I can tell," he said pointing at her. She sighed.

"Okay, fine. I like Draco Malfoy," she admitted, smiling slightly.

"You like him!" an angry voice yelled from across the room.

Matt stood up quickly, and Vixen turned around. She almost stopped breathing when she saw who was standing there.

Earlier that night…

9:31 p.m., Snape's Office, Hogwarts(Friday)

After Blaise's instruction to immediately go to Snape's office, Draco had finally arrived. Without knocking he walked into the room quickly. He stopped in front of his professor who was leaning over his desk. He looked up through his black hair at Draco.

"Sit," Snape told Draco. Shrugging in the process he did as he was asked, taking a seat in front of the desk.

"Why am I here Severus?" Draco asked, obviously bored. Snape stood up straight folding his arms over his chest.

"When we are present in this academy you will refer to me as Professor Snape, mister Malfoy," he angrily told him. In response Draco groaned.

"Fine, what am I doing here, Snape?" Draco mocked. Severus rolled his eyes.

"Are you aware of what you have done tonight? Did you even think about the repercussions?" Snape asked walking around his desk toward Draco.

"What exactly are we talking about here?" Draco asked, finally taking interest in the conversation.

"Earlier tonight you attacked a muggle boy, correct?" he asked him. Draco shrugged.

"So?" Draco asked.

"Do you understand what you even did? Muggles are defenseless against magic, meaning they cannot fight back. You are under my supervision, Draco. I cannot have you attacking the weaker species," Snape dryly explained.

"Trust me, he deserved it. Not to mention it was just a small jinx," Draco defended. Snape sighed.

"Oh I'm sure he did deserve it. After all, he did strike you something fierce the other day, didn't he?" Severus mocked raising an eyebrow at Draco.

"How did you find out about that?" he angrily asked his professor.

"Oh please, everyone heard about that. It's pathetic, really. Your father would be so disappointed to hear that a muggle nearly broke your jaw," Snape sighed. Draco tensed up.

"Please don't tell him," he quietly pleaded lowering his head.

"Don't fret, Draco. This is one instance that your father won't be hearing about," Snape pointed out. Draco nodded.

"Leave my office, now," he directed.

Draco stood up from his seat and began to walk toward the door. He hesitated before leaving, however. He wanted to defend himself more but decided it was a lost cause. He walked calmly through the halls when he noticed Harry, Ron and Hermione following Professor McGonagall down the hall toward Dumbledore's office.

"Where is Vixen?" he thought to himself as they disappeared.

He was shaken out of his thoughts when he heard a familiar voice yell angrily at the top of the stairs. Without thinking, Draco sprinted toward the stairs.

9:44 p.m., Dumbledore's Office, Hogwarts(Friday)

The golden trio walked quickly behind professor McGonagall down the hallway toward Dumbledore's office. Hermione caught a glimpse of Draco out of the corner of her eye, but kept quiet. The three were slightly worried about meeting with their Headmaster tonight.

"Here we are then. You three go on," McGonagall directed. They stood quiet, nervously looking at her.

"Won't you be coming with us, professor?" Harry asked.

"I'm sorry, but no mister Potter. Just you three this time. Now go on," she urged. The three took deep breaths and entered the office.

They were greeted by a happy Dumbledore. The three took seats in the office and Dumbledore sat beside Ron. He sighed before speaking.

"I hear Neville Longbottom has information about Miss Charm," he told them. Hermione nodded.

"Yes, professor. But they seem like silly signs to us," she told him. Albus shook his head slightly.

"Ah, but they mean so much more, Miss Granger. These are not just tea leaf readings," he informed them.

"So Vixen really is in danger then?" Ron asked.

"I'm not sure, Mister Weasley. There are numerous ways that those signs could fit together. But I do believe that Miss Charm could most likely be in danger," Dumbledore admitted.

"What should we do?" Harry asked shifting in his seat.

"Don't let her think anything is wrong. No need to alarm her anymore. The only thing you can do is keep an eye on her. I trust you three," he said smiling. Hermione didn't smile back.

"Neville saw death, professor," she quietly told him. The room became silent.

"I know, Miss Granger. Which is why this is serious," Dumbledore told her. The three nodded.

"We can do it," Ron told Dumbledore, nodding his head.

"I believe that," he replied.

9:56 p.m., Gryffindor Common Room, Hogwarts(Friday)

"Jacob, what are you doing in here?" Vixen asked, her heart racing.

"Like you even care that I'm here!" he yelled back. Matthew stood between the couch where Vixen was sitting and Jake who was in the doorway.

"Hey, let's not scream, alright?" Matt urged. Jacob narrowed his eyes at him.

"Who the hell are you?" Jacob angrily snarled.

"My name is Matthew, I'm a muggle. I'm also a gentleman and I do not approve of you taking such a harsh tone with a lady," Matt calmly explained.

"Oh I see what's going on here. You interested in her too, Matt? Apparently everyone is around here!" Jake angrily screamed throwing his arms up.

"Jacob, leave him alone," Vixen said while walking to Matt's side.

"No, it's alright," Matt told her calmly.

"How in the hell can you like him!" an aggravated Jacob groaned. Vixen bit her lip.

"You weren't supposed to hear that, Jacob. Nobody should have heard that," she explained walking closer to him. Matt watched her closely.

"It's not right, Vixen! He's different, he's a wizard! You're a girl, a normal girl!" he yelled with a hint of sorrow in his voice. Sweat was pouring off of him now.

"Jacob, calm down. Let's just discuss things, okay?" she asked finally approaching him. She went to touch his arm when he pushed her hand away.

Matthew quickly made it to Vixen's side pulling her back slightly and placing himself in front of her. He locked eyes with Jacob, lowering his eyes slightly. Jacob scoffed and ran from the room. Vixen ran after him.

"Jacob! Wait!" she yelled stepping out of the portrait door. But it was pointless, he was already down the stairs and halfway down the hallway.

"What the bloody hell was all of that about?" Draco asked, leaning against the wall. Vixen was startled by him.

"Why are you here?" she asked.

"Well hello to you too," he sarcastically said. Vixen remained silent.

"Vixen, are you oka- oh, hello there," Matthew said walking out of the room and seeing Draco.

"Who are you?" Draco asked harshly, his eyebrow raised.

"Oh, how rude of me. My name is Matthew Lewis. I'm one of the Muggles here. I actually lived in your house last week with Blaise," Matt explained extending his hand. Hesitantly, Draco shook his hand.

"Draco Malfoy," he said, introducing himself. Matt turned to Vixen and smiled.

"I'll leave you two to your discussion. Nice meeting you," Matthew said before re-entering the painting door. He slightly nudged Vixen as he walked past her.

"I like him loads more than Jacob," Draco said. Vixen sighed.

"Draco, just tell me what you are doing here," Vixen sighed, exhausted.

"Are you okay?" he asked, slightly confused. He watched her turn her head and stare off into the distance.

"Not really, no," she confessed. She didn't turn to look at him.

Draco pursed his lips and sighed. He placed his hands into his front pockets and shifted his weight, leaning slightly. He glanced in the direction Vixen was looking but quickly returned his gaze to her. Her body language was very off tonight. She appeared very guarded with her arms crossed and her legs shoulder width apart.

"Well...what's the matter then?" he asked quietly. Now she looked at him.

"I'm scared, okay? I'm scared, Draco," she told him, her voice quivering. Draco became confused.

"Why are you scared?" he asked her while taking a step closer to her. He stopped when he noticed her tense up.

"What is your problem?" he asked, slightly more frustrated. Vixen unfolded her arms and let them fall to her sides.

"My problem? I'm in a magical castle, surrounded by people I don't really know. I haven't seen my family, or even my friends in a week. Now I have these stupid tea leaf signs to worry about? I can't handle this anymore," she angrily told him. She felt her throat burn and tears started to form in her eyes.

"What tea leaf signs are you talking about?" Draco asked calmly. He felt his heart drop when a tear fell onto her cheek.

"The one's that Neville saw in Divination. Apparently I'm in danger, and someone is going to die," she managed to say. Her face remained cold, but more tears started falling out of her eyes.

"Was that all he told you?" Draco asked, his tone serious. She shook her head side to side.

"He also mentioned a moon, and love. Apparently there was another, but it wasn't really related," she said while running her palm over her wet cheeks.

"Do either of those relate to you?" he asked walking closer to her now. She looked him in his eyes stopping him in his tracks.

"One does," she told him. Draco stood quietly, his heart pounding in his chest.

"I see," he said. He could barely breathe now.

Vixen continued to stare Draco down. Her nearly white eyes were locked onto his pale gray ones. She watched him intently and he did the same. Draco's mouth fell open slightly and she could hear him breathing quickly.

"This isn't right, Draco," she whispered. He stepped even closer to her until he was close enough to touch her if he wanted to.

"What isn't?" he whispered nearly out of breath. She stared at him under her long, dark

lashes.

"I'm not supposed to be in love with you," she whispered.

Without wasting a second, Draco pushed his lips onto Vixen's. He cupped his hand around the side of her face and with his free hand, pulled her into his body. She could feel his heart pounding against her chest as her lips remained on his. This was different from the first time that they kissed in the Courtyard. She felt her heart keeping time with his rapid heartbeat. She grabbed onto the back of his head with both hands and gripped his blonde hair tightly. She started pushing her body harder into his and she heard a breath escape his lips.

"Vixen!" someone yelled close to the two. Vixen and Draco pulled apart quickly, their hearts racing out of panic rather than passion now.

The two stood quietly, staring wide-eyed at Hermione Granger. Her mouth was open and she didn't look extremely happy. Vixen felt as if she was about to vomit. Draco was breathing harder than before.

"Hermione...this isn't...I mean...Draco and I just...I can't..," Vixen stammered. Hermione sighed and shook her head slightly.

"It's okay, Vixen. I don't need an explanation from you," she said quietly. Vixen looked toward Draco.

"You should be going now, Draco," Hermione said to him very seriously. Without even a glance toward Vixen he walked down the staircase and out of sight.

"You are so lucky I saw that and Harry or Ron didn't," Hermione pointed out. Vixen sighed.

"I know. I'm sorry," Vixen said, staring at the ground. Hermione smiled slightly at her friend. She approached her and placed a hand on Vixen's shoulder.

"Don't apologize to me. Come on, let's get inside," Hermione said. Vixen smiled and the two walked into the Gryffindor Common Room.

Upon entering the room, Matthew was leaning against the couch, grinning at them. Hermione furrowed her brow when Vixen sighed. Matthew straightened up.

"So, did you tell him?" he asked Vixen eagerly. She nodded up and down quietly.

"Good for you! I'm glad you did it! Now you have a real chance at being happy," he replied.

"If I live that long," Vixen thought to herself.