A/N: Okay, well, um…I really don't have an excuse for not writing anything in ages. Actually, that's not true. I have written…but in these last few months I started maybe three ficlets and I've yet to finish one. My muse and my discipline have been sorely lacking lately. However, I think my friends are starting to get annoyed enough with me to put an end to that…so I'm hoping to post more in the very near future and to wrap up several of my stories. But on the other hand, it's my senior year and I've started to want to spend more time with my real life friends. There's that constant underlying feeling that knows that everything will be changing soon with graduation. Anyway, enough rambling, you've waited long enough.
I wanna find that perfect moment
To believe in love wanna spread my wings and fly
But every time you get up close to me
I'm constantly reminded
How much tears can cost
How much hope is lost when love dies
Deja Vu
Have I been here before with you?
"Déjà vu" by Human Nature
Chapter 4
She's evil. There's no other explanation for it. She has to be evil. Draco thought to himself as he struggled to focus during the board meeting. He fought to keep his attention focused on James' annual presentation and not on Ginny Weasley, but she certainly wasn't making things easier for him. Why? Why did she have to be so bloody cute? Not able to resist, he snuck another look at the object of his thoughts.
Draco groaned mentally when he saw her…he sighed. What's the word for this? Ah, nibbling. She was nibbling on her right thumbnail, a habit she had picked up over the years. Not that he noticed before, of course. She never bit her nails, she's far too classy for that, but she always nibbled on that one fingernail whenever she was deep in thought.
To hell with paying attention, he decided. He gazed at Ginny, hoping to maybe learn some more of her mannerisms. He noted how she was always moving her thumb in slow, subtle movements. He observed how sometimes she kept her thumb still, instead opting to move her head slightly. He decided it was an endearing mannerism; a sign of her buried childish innocence.
Ginny felt as though someone were watching her; not just anyone though, Draco Malfoy. She just knew that if she turned to look in his direction, she would find his steel eyes focused on her.
It's probably a good thing that we're not sitting next to each other, she concluded. Somehow, she got the feeling that they wouldn't be able to resist touching in some way. It would be very subtle as she wasn't much for public displays of affection; but maybe their legs would be touching, or perhaps they would hold hands under the table.
Unable to fight the urge anymore, Ginny allowed herself to look at Draco. Yup, I'm right, she thought as her gaze fell on her blond-haired co-worker. She couldn't help smiling at him. Great, she thought, now I'm never going to be able to focus. Why did he have to be so bloody cute? She watched as Draco held up his legal pad and read his graceful scrawl, "Meet me in my office in 15 minutes." She nodded.
James finally began wrapping up his presentation. He was very confident that the board would agree with his recent decisions and provide additional funding for the projects that desperately needed it.
The company was performing better than it ever had in the past. They had developed more potions, counter-spells, and solutions in the last three years than all of their competition combined.
For James, it was a bittersweet victory since he couldn't share his success with the two people in the world he most wanted to. Maybe Dumbledore's right, maybe it is time to reveal myself. I've proven my point; I've shown that I can help save the world without being the Boy-Who-Lived.
His thoughts drifted back to his new employee, Mia. There was just something so inescapably familiar about her. The feeling he got when he was around her reminded him of…something. I still can't place it, he thought. Where do I know this from? Where do I know her from?
Sighing, James quickly gathered up his supplies and left the boardroom. Upon reaching the door his stomach growled rather loudly, giving him an idea.
*~*~*~*
Mia sighed happily as she swept into the room while effortlessly levitating her last box to the desired location. As the box was set down, she looked around her office. As she did so, a feeling of dread came over her and she began to feel…slightly overwhelmed. Her office - that had previously been neat, clean, and gorgeous - was now a cluttered hodgepodge of boxes, books, papers, and various magical objects used in research. Mia involuntarily let out the tiniest hint of a squeak as she abruptly came face-to-face with the multitudinous tasks that she would inevitably have to complete before any actual research could begin. Yup, she thought, definitely a little overwhelmed now.
A knock sounded at her door. She turned around just in time to see James poke his face in. "How's it going, Mia?" he asked.
Mia glanced over the room again before saying, "Well…let's just say I'm grateful for the interruption."
James laughed. "Is that so? Then I suppose you wouldn't object to my treating you to lunch today?"
"Oh, no," Mia replied with a smirk on her face, "I object. In fact, I strenuously object."
"You strenuously object?" he asked. "And why is that?"
"Because…I'm gonna treat you."
James grinned. "Already sucking up to the boss?"
"Well, you know," she answered, "I always was the teacher's pet in school."
"Ahh," he responded, "thanks for the warning, but you know what? I'll risk it anyway. Come on, let's get going. I know the perfect place."
"Gladly, good sir."
*~*~*~*
"Wow," Mia said, stepping inside what seemed to be a completely different world. The Ancient World's culture obviously inspired the restaurant's style. She could distinctly see Greek, Babylonian, Egyptian, and Roman inspired decor. "This place is amazing."
"Yeah, I love this place. Come here every day, actually."
The Hostess immediately greeted them with a smile. "Mr. Hart, good to see you again. Would you like your usual table?"
"That'd be great, Ashley. This is Mia Carey."
She smiled at Mia as she grabbed a couple of menus. "Welcome to "The Time Turner", Mia. Right this way."
Ashley quickly seated them in one of the more secluded, quieter places in the restaurant.
"Every day?" Mia asked with an amused look on her face as she opened her menu.
"Once you find something good, you gotta stick with it, right?"
Mia glanced at him over her menu. "Didn't you ever hear the saying that too much of a good thing is bad?"
"I have heard that, actually, and…I think it's total bollocks."
"Please, excuse me for the interruption," a masculine voice broke in.
Mia looked at the man. Before thinking, she blurted out, "Justin Finch-Fletchley?"
James looked at her. "You know Justin?"
Mia mentally scolded herself for making such a mistake. Quick! Think of something! She noticed Justin's chef outfit. "I know of you. I've heard you're a great cook."
"Really?" Justin asked, a look of pleasant surprise coming over his face. "Well, I'm flattered."
"Yes," James agreed, "one of the best." He looked at Justin. "Did you need something?"
"Oh, right, sorry. Um, we have some paperwork we need you to look over."
A slightly embarrassed look came over his face. "Okay, I'll stop by the office before I leave."
Justin made to leave, but then quickly turned back and said, "I like her. Bring her around more often."
Mia blushed as James stifled a laugh. "Sorry about that," he said.
"It's okay," she replied. "So…paperwork?" she asked.
James rubbed the back of his neck, slightly uncomfortable. "Yeah…I'm...uh…kind of the owner."
"Wow. A man of many talents then?"
James' face turned red. "I wouldn't say that. More…a man of many passions."
Mia looked at him. "That's a good way of putting it."
He shrugged. "It's the truth."
*~*~*~*
James leaned back in his seat, feeling full.
"That was delicious," Mia said. "I can see why you come here every day."
"The food's not the only reason."
"It's not?"
"Nope," he replied. He sat up and looked at his watch to check the time. Making a decision, he looked at her. "I wanna show you something."
Mia looked at him, puzzlement in her eyes. "Sure."
"Come on," James said, taking her by the hand and leading the way.
He led her to a door in the back of the restaurant. Looking back at her as he opened the door, he said, "Most people don't know about this, but it's my favorite part of this place."
He stepped inside and motioned her to come in too.
A look of awe came upon Mia's face as she entered. She thought just stepping into the restaurant was amazing, but this…made that experience pale in comparison. It was gorgeous.
Her gaze moved over all of the plant life in this room. She felt James come up beside her.
"Do you like it?" he asked.
"It's amazing."
"It's supposed to represent the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Can you imagine how gorgeous those gardens must have been?"
"No…"
"I love this place. Sometimes it feels like the only place I can go to get some peace and quiet."
Mia laughed softly. "Yeah, I know what you mean."
"What I really want is to someday not run the company, but just this place. I mean, I love everything the company stands for, but…the restaurant is in my heart."
"Why did you start the company then?"
James was silent a moment. "I guess I just wanted to see if I could help save the world," he finally said, turning to face her.
Mia looked at him. "It's so weird," she said, "I feel like I know you from somewhere."
James smiled. "Me too." Suddenly, he acted on impulse and slowly leaned forward to kiss her on the corner of her lips. "Um, I'm sorry," he said, realization coming over him as he pulled back. "I probably shouldn't have done that. I guess we should get back to work now."
"Yeah," she replied breathlessly, her mind in a daze, "I guess."
*~*~*~*
Ginny knocked on the door to Draco's office. Upon hearing him say to come in, she opened the door, let herself in, and shut it behind her.
"Hey, want some Chinese food?" he asked.
"Sure, looks delicious," Ginny responded.
Draco handed her the classic Chinese carton and a pair of chopsticks. Ginny flopped back onto a chair and promptly took her shoes and set her feet on the edge of his desk.
Draco raised an eyebrow and said, "Make yourself at home."
"Thank you," she replied with a cheeky grin as she moved to take a bite. "I think I will."
"I think you already did."
Ginny didn't respond as her thoughts rested solely on how good her food tasted. "Draco, this is delicious. Where did you get it from?"
"Got it from The Time Turner. Harry owns the joint so he gives me a discount," Draco said casually, not realizing what he said.
Ginny immediately stopped chewing and stared silently at Draco. After a moment, Draco quit eating and gave her a questioning look. Attempting to regain her composure, she said slowly, "I thought James owned The Time Turner."
"He does. That's what I said," Draco said.
"No," Ginny shook her head, "you said that Harry owns it."
A look of shock overcame Draco's masculine features. "Bugger," he finally whispered.
Ginny dropped the carton and chopsticks on the floor as she finally pieced together the implication behind Draco's slip-up. "You mean to tell me that James is Harry?"
Draco said nothing in reply, just stared silently at the desk in front of him, his light hair falling into his eyes, breathing heavily as though he were a child caught with his hand in the proverbial cookie jar.
"Merlin! How long have you known, Draco?"
"Only since this morning," he said quietly as he placed his food on his desk.
Ginny couldn't help it. She laughed. "Are you really that bad at keeping a secret?"
Draco glared at her. "Apparently," he replied dryly.
Ginny all but leapt from her chair, overjoyed by this news. "This is bloody unbelievable!"
Draco stood up. "Ginny, you can't tell anyone. Harry will kill me."
Ginny looked at her boyfriend. "Honey, you don't understand. Mia is Hermione."
Draco was dumbfounded. His mouth fell open and his face took on an agape expression until Ginny finally strode up to him and gently closed his jaw with her hand.
"You're messing with me, right?" Draco asked.
Ginny shook her head as she bit back her laughter.
"What are the odds of this?" Draco thought aloud.
Ginny just shook her head. "What are we going to do about this?"
"To be honest with you," Draco replied, "I have no bloody idea."
As they stood there, they heard Harry and Hermione's laughter coming from the hallway.
A/N: Hey, I just wanted to say that the story was not inspired by the song. I was just fortunate enough to stumble across it when I was looking for some lyrics to introduce the chapter.
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