A/N: so many plotlines, so little time… (sigh) so this idea came to me after watching some old reruns and this is the end result. Hope you like!

Cedric had been shelving some books in the Mystery section when he noticed her. A girl was wandering through his small shop… he had just barely unlocked the doors and didn't expect many costumers this early in the morning. But there was something strange about her that seemed to demand his attention. Staring at her peruse the shelves he thought he noticed something move underneath her coat. Which also piqued his curiosity, it was only the beginning of October yet she was bundled up like it was mid-December. She didn't look older than nineteen; her long dark hair was bound in a ponytail similar to his, and her large amber eyes flitted nervously about. Narrowing his eyes he watched from behind the bookcase, she seemed harmless enough… but then again so did the Guardians. At the thought of the meddlesome teenagers an involuntary angry hiss escaped his lips and he bared his teeth aggressively. Damn those girls! How they managed to beat him at every turn was going to drive him insane!

"Hush Draco you're going to get me into trouble!" the girl whispered urgently, as she patted her shoulder.

Frowning at her from his perch on the ladder behind the shelf Cedric was puzzled, what is in her coat? Curious of her strange behavior he descended the ladder and called out to her. "Perhaps I can be of assistance?" he asked giving her a smile that had seemed to affect all the other females that came into the book shop.

Her reaction was quite different though, while most gave him a dreamy, shy, or sickeningly sweet smile back, she didn't smile at all. Her eyes flashed in brief fear but it was as fleeting as a gargoyles shadow over the moon. "Do have any books on snakes, or more specifically on constrictors?"

Now you really have my attention human… "Yes I'm sure I do, are you looking for a biology/science textbook or something else?"

She shrugged, "I just need a book that tells me how to take care of one. Like how close should the heat lamp be? How often should I feed it? How big will it get? Those are the questions I need answered but a biology book probably wouldn't hurt…"

It was then that the bell on the front door rang loudly announcing someone else had entered. "Hey is anybody here?" A man called out.

It was then Cedric saw deep terror on the girls face and she grabbed his sleeve. "I was never here! You didn't see me, and you don't know anything!" She released him and bolted to the back of the shop.

Confused and mildly irritated at the intruder for scaring the intriguing female away, he walked towards the front door. When Cedric finally saw the human that frightened the young girl, he understood why she had run. The man looked to be in his forties, with a shaved head and hard features; he looked Cedric up and down with barely hidden distaste, and glowered at him. He immediately set Cedric's teeth on edge, and he felt a growl start to build in his chest at the sight of him trying to sneak behind the counter. "Can I help you sir?" he asked curtly.

A hard glare was exchanged but the obsidian ice chips in Cedric's eyes finally made the other man break eye contact first. "Yeah, you seen a girl in here recently?"

"This is a book store near a co-ed public school; you need to be more specific than that." Cedric deadpanned.

The man's face scrunched in anger and looked on the verge of losing his temper, but reined it in before he spoke again. "About 5' 8'', dark hair, yellowish eyes, and she has a small crescent shaped scar right here." He pressed a meaty finger to his chest below the throat.

"No, she doesn't ring a bell… why are you looking for her?"

"She's a thief! She stole something of value from me and I want it back." He growled.

Cedric merely raised an eyebrow at the irritating man and turned away going back to his quiet books. "Haven't seen her, sorry."

Grunting the oaf dropped a business card on the counter and called out before leaving. "If you do see her, give me a call."

Going back to pick up the card Cedric saw a fifty dollar bill underneath it. Ha as if that was anywhere near enough to buy his loyalties. However the girl had done nothing to garner his loyalty and yet he had still lied for her. But the man had annoyed him while as the girl had… gotten him curious, something he hadn't been in a long time. "Not on your life, worm." Cedric ground out, angrier than he should be at the human's questions.

"I would love to see the look on his face if he ever heard you say that to him."

Glancing up in mild surprise at the females' reappearance, Cedric reached up and grabbed the book she requested. "Am I to assume the reason he is after you is because of the snake you have in your coat?"

She blanched but stood firm, "You saw him then?"

"No, I saw you pet your coat and talk to thin air, and then the book you asked for was a large clue. You should know I don't allow pets in my store and I could report you to the authorities for stealing."

She shrugged and walked to the check-out counter digging for money in her front jean pocket. "I'm not afraid of cops, and he didn't deserve to keep Draco."

"But you are afraid of him."

She froze. "You would tell Oscar?"

"Perhaps… for a price." He was lying, but he was renowned for a brilliant poker face and wanted to test her. For what he wasn't really sure but…

She turned around and looked him up and down, with an expression similar to Phobos' when he was interrogating suspected rebels. The fact that she had it was a little disconcerting, and that it made her look extremely appealing was another. "I don't think you would tell him."

"Why would you assume that?" he asked stepping closer.

Unfazed she answered, "There'd be no point. You passed on telling Oscar anything once, it's a safe assumption you would do it again."

"Money is a great incentive to tell people things."

"I saw the cash on the counter and your furious and disgusted expression when you picked it up. It's not a huge leap for me to make that you would be insulted if he offered you cash for my whereabouts."

Narrowing his eyes he got up into her face challenging her, "I wouldn't count on it, girlie."

She stared back at him with those searing amber eyes calling his bluff. "I already have."

A/N: This is just a test chapter to see if anyone likes it. Since I made a promise to my beta that I will keep it on here, I hope you leave reviews and tell me to continue as well. Till next time my lovelies!