Chapter Five: pureandproud

seaislewitch in pureandproud

Chapter Five

Apr 25, 2007 13:45

Pure & Proud

Chapter Five: Pansy Parkinson
A Beautiful Witch Needed

Story by Sea Isle Witch

Yesterday, I received that message from Viktor Krum. Viktor and I have been close friends for five years, and he knows he can rely on me, just as I have relied on him in the past.

During the Ministry's war on Lord Voldemort, my parents shipped me off to the Continent to stay with my married cousins. I ran into Viktor at a celebration party when Bulgaria had soundly defeated Spain in the Continental Quidditch Cup. We immediately recognised one another from the Triwizard Tournament and struck up a friendship. We soon found out that we had something unfortunate in common -- we were each nursing broken hearts.

To this day, I don't understand his attraction to that bushy haired Gryffindor, but he had it bad for her. Of all the witches in the world who are just dying to be with him, he found something in her that he's found with no one else. That's the part that I can relate to. I understand the why; I just don't comprehend the who. Well, Viktor didn't have that high of opinion of my wizard either once he found out about the past nastiness directed at the object of his affection. So you could say that we were on the same flying carpet, and we bonded because of it.

Recently, Viktor had an encounter with that witch and of course, being the Quidditch superstar that he is, it made the gossip page. The article said she had been secretly meeting him at a hotel in Paris for the past three years, and that they were expected to announce their engagement at the ball this Saturday night. Who knows what the real story is but apparently something happened.

Viktor's note said that he needed me, and after all this time, I knew exactly what that meant. She has done something hurtful again, and he needs a friend. If I ever see her, I will send a very nasty hex her way.

I don't particularly like the press getting the idea I'm some fill-in after they reported she was going with him, but I did use his owl to send my reply immediately. I don't want him to suffer any more than he already has; that's how much I care about him. Besides, Viktor is great fun, and he knows many attractive Quidditch players, so this is really no hardship for me.

Much to my surprise, Zach sent a return owl immediately.

I can make it up to him then? Zach is just teasing me. I'm certainly not going to his flat, so I'll send an owl when I return suggesting another location.

In his note, though, he did seem put out I was cancelling. Perhaps he didn't appreciate me postponing our dinner on such short notice, leaving him alone on a Saturday night. No, no, that can't be it. Zach has acquired a reputation as a playwizard, so I'm sure he has many options for Saturday night entertainment.

It must be a Quidditch rivalry thing because he realises I'm going to the EAQT ball with another professional player. Zach is a Chaser for the Appleby Arrows, the team his family owns. I've seen him play on a number of occasions, and he is quite good. Quidditch wizards are notoriously competitive -- on and off the field -- so it makes more sense that he was ticked off I cancelled on him to see another player.

I've known Zach since childhood because our parents travel in the same social circles. Although we are only a few months apart in age, he was in the year behind me at Hogwarts, so we didn't run into each other often at school. During holidays, I'd see him at my family's many parties. He knew I was with Draco, so perhaps that's why he never tried to be anything more than a casual friend. Zach and Draco were civil yet indifferent to each other whenever the young wizards would talk about Quidditch at those parties. Draco and I never discussed Zach, or anyone else for that matter, because we were too busy kissing in the gardens or ante chambers. Well, all that really doesn't matter any longer. I shouldn't be concerned about what he thought about Zach.

After the war, Zach sought me out on the rare occasions we were at the same social gathering. He was entertaining enough, and we even had a few quick snogs. Of course, I was still broken-hearted over Draco, so I didn't make any effort to further capture Zach's attention. I just wanted to see if the pain would go away if I kissed another wizard. It didn't. Since I divided most of my time between England and the Continent, I didn't see Zach very often. When my first book was published, I spent my time travelling the world. I've been back in England since this past summer, finishing up my second book, Charms for Charming the Charmless.

For five years, I've been able to systematically sabotage my mother's matchmaking efforts, but this summer I discovered her focus is now on Zach. He is actually the best candidate my mother has put forward, since Draco -- before everything went horribly wrong. Apparently, there have been formal talks with Zach's parents, and they are amenable to the idea of a match. Mother told me the Smiths have discussed this with Zach, but he has never given me any indication that he knows, and that is just fine with me.

I didn't want my parents to even think about magically binding me to an arranged marriage, so I agreed to meet Zach for the occasional dinner. Our mothers were thrilled and quickly organised the first dinner this past July, but Zach has coordinated the rest via owl post. Since neither of us look at it like a romantic date, I just meet him at whatever restaurant he chooses. We have a pleasant dinner, after which he gives me a quick kiss on the forehead, and then we go our separate ways for the rest of the evening. I usually go straight home to Blossom Hill Park, where Mother waits for a full account; I have no idea what Zach does.

I have to admit that I do sometimes look forward to seeing Zach. He is capable of pleasant, intelligent conversation, and he's aesthetically pleasing as well. There is an extremely remote possibility he may become my husband one day, so I do want to know him better.

I have many wizards that I see socially. Zach is just one of them.

In addition, I still hope one day I will find out what happened to Draco and why he broke my heart.

On Saturday morning I took a Portkey to Sofia, Bulgaria and met Viktor at his town home. After his house-elf settled my things into a beautiful guest chamber, I freshened-up a bit. Viktor and I walked to a little cafe where we had coffee and talked for hours. We ended up having lunch there too, and I had the most delicious ginger-carrot soup. Viktor thinks my passion for soup is humorous, but he does plenty of things that amuse me.

After a while, his sister, Svetlana, met us. She was off on a mid-term break and made the trip home to see me. Viktor went to the pitch, while she and I walked to the shops. Svetlana is a fourteen year-old Chaser for a Durmstrang school team. She can ride rings around most wizards, but she is also quite feminine and likes pretty things. We had an enjoyable afternoon of shopping in Wizarding Sophia, and then we went back to the house so I could take a late afternoon nap. I wanted to look well-rested for the evening.

Later, Svetlana helped me dress, and I met Viktor at the bottom of the stairs. I was wearing pale blue dress robes with black trimmings and a black fur cape. I also wore my favourite blue sapphire necklace, the one Draco gave me for Christmas one year. Viktor was wearing black with a spectacular black cashmere dress cape, which was embroidered with cobalt blue dragons and wizards. We looked the part, and I know that pleased him.

We Apparated to the ball held at the castle of the Minister of the Bulgarian National Assembly of Magic. It was an extravagant affair, but I love such decadence. I saw many wizards I knew, especially Viktor's Quidditch friends. I danced all night and had an absolutely marvellous time, the best I've had in ages. Afterward, I dished all the drama for Svetlana over hot chocolate. After listening for two minutes, Viktor had shaken his head and said good-night.

The next morning, the three of us went to the Quidditch pitch. I hadn't flown in a while, but I used to fly with my older brother and sometimes with Draco too. I was given one of the finest racing brooms in the world to ride, and I ended up staying all day. I hadn't planned on it, but the three of us get along so well -- almost like cousins. I was sad to say good-bye, but they both promised to visit me soon, and I will hold them to it. They wouldn't dare cross Pansy Parkinson.

There were two owls waiting for me when I returned to Blossom Hill Park. One carried a copy of the Daily Prophet with a nasty article, and the other was a note from Graham.

PARKINSON DOES IT AGAIN! THIS TIME WITH KRUM!

Sofia, Bulgaria, November 27
By Nassie Nosiers, staff reporter

Last night at the Bulgarian National Gala, Pansy Parkinson, self-proclaimed celebrity, showed up on the arm of no other than Bulgaria's favourite son, Viktor Krum. It was a shock to all who attended.

Recently it was reported that Mr Krum and his long-time lover, Hermione Granger, were to attend the ball together and announce their engagement.

What did Pansy Parkinson do to push Ms Granger out of the way? Rumours are circulating she has been practicing Dark magic and may have bewitched the Quidditch star and cursed Ms Granger. Only time will tell what lies ahead for this trio.

In the meantime, Parkinson shamelessly danced with every wealthy wizard at the gala, resurrecting her old nickname, The Gold Digging Brit.

Viktor told me that Granger witch said she wasn't ready to settle down and that her research in Wizarding genetics was extremely important to her. Apparently she travels a great deal but so does Viktor. Granger decided to go to Beijing to work with a scholar there rather than go to an important ball in support of his career, even though she had promised to attend with him.

I could see the hurt in Viktor's eyes as he told me. I told him that she didn't appreciate him as she should. He nodded and said he knew that, but he still loved her.

I hope she hates the fact that Viktor took me to the ball last night.

Well, that is exciting news! I hope it's everything I imagine it to be. Graham is quite an asset.

Chapter Six: Pansy Parkinson ~ One Step Forward, Two Steps Back