Haley Potter and The Goblet Of Fire

Stairway Stumbles and Slytherin Shenanigans

Lost in her own mind game, Haley forgot about the disappearing stair, and you know what that means.

As Haley stumbled forward, her mind spiraled with thoughts like, "Oh, brilliant! Tripping over air again, aren't we, Haley? I had to forget about the disappearing stair and do a fantastic impression of a wobbly newborn giraffe. Way to go, Haley, Way to go!"

"Haley!" Ron and Hermione screamed behind her as she was falling forward.

She prepared for the inevitable impact and an epic tumble down the stairs, just like those hilarious scenes of an unfortunate cat Dudley used to watch in those old cartoon shows.

"Why do I have the grace of a newborn flobberworm at times like this?"  Haley mentally screamed as she closed her eyes.

But instead of the expected cartoon-like catastrophe, she collided into a hard chest. Seriously, was Hogwarts conspiring to turn her into a walking comedy show?

Lo and behold, as she opened her eyes, she found herself face-to-face with none other than Draco Malfoy, minus his cronies. Just her luck! With his perfectly coiffed platinum hair and an annoyingly pleasant whiff of delicate perfume and apples surrounding him, Ugh, did he bathe in that stuff?

Another personal encounter with the Slytherin Prince Charming. Damn this should be a series "When Haley Met Malfoy... and His Perfume Obsession!"

"Hello there, Potter? Is this a new way of greeting me now?" he said, sounding like he just won the House Cup for 'Most Annoying Comment.'

Ugh, was this some cruel joke the universe was playing on her?  "Oh, absolutely, Malfoy. I've been practicing my 'bump into annoying people' technique. It's all the rage these days," Haley retorted, trying to yank her hand free from his grip.

Draco, however, seemed to be savoring the situation. "Not so fast, Potter. I just saved you from falling. The least you could do is show some gratitude."

Gratitude? To Malfoy? She would rather drink a bubbling cauldron of Skele-Gro. Her cheeks flushed with irritation at the very idea. "Saved? Oh, please. I was just testing out a new dance move. I call it the 'Stumble and Mumble.'"

"Stumble and Mumble... really did I finally lose it?" a question arose in Haley's mind.

A smirk played on Draco's lips as he reminisced. "You know this brings back memories of the Leaky Cauldron last year."

"So it does." Haley nodded in agreement, recalling their unexpected encounter at the inn.

Draco's grip on her wrist relaxed, but he didn't let go completely. "You know, you really should be thanking me."

Haley quirked an eyebrow and feigned indifference. "Oh, should I? Thanks for what, exactly? Your heroic timing?"

Draco's smirk widened, and he leaned in a bit closer. "Indeed. I'd say I make quite the knight in shining armor, wouldn't you agree?"

"Really Malfoy! , Maybe you should start career in Jokermagus at the Leaky Cauldron because this shtick is hilarious," Haley replied, her irritation melting into reluctant amusement.

Draco leaned in with a teasing glint in his eyes. "You know, they say humor is one of my many talents."

"Wow, what a versatile wizard." Haley quipped, as she tried to supress the corners of her mouth twitching with a smile.

Draco's grin turned more mischievous. "Why, thank you, Haley. It's nice to know you appreciate my charms."

Haley rolled her eyes, trying to ignore the little flip her heart did at the sound of her name on his lips. "You know, there are more productive ways to spend your time than messing with me."

"But where's the fun in that?" Draco replied, finally releasing her wrist, though not without a theatrical flourish.

But Draco wasn't finished with his performance. "Anyways, wouldn't want to keep you from your thrilling Gryffindor adventures."

Gryffindor adventures? She'd had enough of his Slytherin shenanigans. "You wouldn't understand Gryffindor bravery even if it bit you on the nose!" she retorted.

Draco feigned offense, hand dramatically over his heart. "Ouch, Potter. That hurts."

"Well, maybe if you weren't such a pain, it wouldn't," she shot back with a smirk.

Draco's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Ah, but I'm just trying to be charming. It's hard not to be around you, you know."

Oh, puh-lease! Haley fought the urge to roll her eyes again. "Charming? Save it for someone who's interested."

Draco leaned in slightly, his voice lowering, his close proximity and the faint scent of apples that now seemed strangely enticing made Haley's cheeks flush, but she wouldn't let him see that.

"Oh, you'll see, Potter. You have no idea what I'm capable of."

Finally, Draco with a theatrical bow. "Until our next encounter, Potter."

Oh, Merlin, give her strength! "In your wildest dreams, Malfoy." she yelled at him as he left.

"Crashing into people does really seems to be my theme for this year," she thought with a mental eye-roll, as she turned to join her friends, Hermione and Ron, she couldn't help but feel a mix of frustration and amusement. .

"Haley, did I just witness some strange, alternate reality?" Hermione asked, unable to make sense of what she had seen.

Ron scratched his head, clearly perplexed. "I have no idea what's going on. I think Malfoy's gone bonkers, he acting all flirty and Haley not hexing him into oblivion? It's like we're in a parallel universe. That's like Snape giving out free candy in Potions class! "

Haley, feeling a mix of irritation and amusement herself. "I have no idea what's gotten into him. Maybe he got hit with a Confundus Charm by accident."

Ron looked skeptical. "Are you sure he wasn't under the influence of some love potion or something?"

Hermione chuckled. "I highly doubt it. Maybe he's just trying to distract you from something. But we can't help but find it amusing."

"Amusing? It's infuriating!" Ron exclaimed, his annoyance clear. "I just want to hex that smug look off his face."

"Trust me, Ron, I've had the same thought," Haley replied with a smirk.

Ron's eyes lit up mischievously. "We could learn you a few good hexes, you know. We can take him down together."

Hermione shot Ron a disapproving look. "We can't go around hexing people, Ron."

Ron shrugged. "It's just a thought."

Hermione, giving Haley a reassuring smile. "Just be careful around him, okay? You never know what he's plotting."

"Thanks, Hermione. Don't worry, I won't let his charm - or lack thereof - distract me from what's important," Haley replied, feeling grateful for her friends' concern.

And as she walked away, still shaking her head at the whole ridiculous encounter, she couldn't help but wonder if Draco Malfoy had recently enrolled in Hogwarts' School of Comedic Distractions. But one thing was for sure - she was determined not to let his mind games interfere with her own. The 'What if?' game had to take a backseat to the hilarity of Malfoy's flirtatious antics. After all, laughter was the best defense against any distraction, magical or otherwise!