Part II ~ However Far Away ~ Chapter One
Please Note: This story is Part II of a trilogy.
Please read Part I, Somewhere Only We Know, first.
Important: This is an Alternate Universe story, where Draco and Pansy are both 18-years-old.
This story was written after Half-Blood Prince but before Deathly Hallows.
(Written from 2005 to 2007.)
Romance, Slytherin Style ~ Part II
However Far Away
Chapter One
by Sea Isle Witch
It was a perfect summer night: clear and mild, with a light breeze, but life was far from perfect.
It was very late, yet she stood on the loggia, staring at the starry sky. Sleep didn't come easily to her these days; there was too much on her mind.
She was still waiting for him.
Pansy went inside and curled up on her chaise lounge, slip-covered in pink linen. As she pulled a light throw over her bare legs, her thoughts turned to those two precious weeks last summer.
"The royal bedchamber, I presume," Draco teased, looking around her suite of rooms, which was as grand as the rest of the manor. The walls were upholstered in pale green silk damask, and the wood floors were covered in antique Aubusson rugs.
He picked up a framed photograph. "Who are those wizards with you?" His voice had a hint of suspicion.
"My brothers, Gareth and Reed. You'll meet them both this weekend, along with their wives and children."
Draco nodded, and she watched in amusement as he inspected her decor. He then sat down on her extravagantly draped and tasselled canopy bed.
"So, this is where the princess sleeps," he said dreamily, leaning back and closing his eyes.
Mmmm... Draco's on my bed!
He propped himself up on his elbow and gave her a devilish look.
Draco's on my bed! "Mother might come up!"
Taking the hint, he moved across the room to her Rococo-style vanity table, where she kept an assortment of crystal bottles. He selected an ornate emerald decanter.
Annoyed, she tried to take it from him. "Draco!"
He held fast and twisted away from her, removing the silver top. Turning back with a grin, Draco dramatically inhaled the contents. "Ahhh... That's the one," he drawled appreciatively.
"What are you going on about?"
"It's the potion you use on your hair."
Such a small detail yet one which made her heart skip a beat. He recognised her scent. She had never suspected he knew her so intimately.
Now, she waited desperately for him to contact her. Keeping her promise, she had remained at her family's heavily protected estate all summer long. She spent most of her time outside, drawing and reading near the pond, where they had shared picnics the summer before. She rode her Granian too. There was nothing else she could do.
He knew where to find her.
~ * ~
"Miss Pansy, are you wanting anything?" A little house-elf with cerulean eyes hovered at the foot of the chaise. Her attire, a Toil de Jouy pillowcase, was clean and starched, and a pink braided cord, with petite tassels, was tied at her waist. Rose-coloured elfin slippers completed her ensemble.
Pansy shook her head. "No, Pinkie. It's late, go to bed."
"You are so sad. Pinkie wants to make you feel better, Missy."
"There's only one thing that can help me."
"Master Malfoy."
Pansy sighed. "If there is a message from him, you must find me -- wherever I am."
"Pinkie will tell Miss Pansy if the eagle owl approaches. Pinkie is a good house-elf and wants to see Missy happy."
"Even after I leave for Hogwarts tomorrow, you must find a way to get his message to me."
"You can count on Pinkie."
"You are not to tell a soul."
"Pinkie is your faithful house-elf, Miss Pansy."
"I know."
"The trunk is packed. Pinkie made Missy's favourite snack, lemon biscuits, to eat on the train ride. You must eat! You is too thin! Pinkie is afraid for Miss Pansy."
"I don't want food. All I want is to know he's safe. Now, it's late, go to bed."
"Good night, Missy. If you need Pinkie..."
"I wish you could come back to school with me -- to take care of my needs, of course," she added quickly. "I don't know who will be there. I might be the only Slytherin."
"Pinkie is missing you already, Miss Pansy."
"Find me if you hear anything, anything at all."
"Pinkie promises."
~ * ~
"Pansy, please stay home. You will be privately tutored. I'll do it myself, if it will suit you."
"No, thank you, Mummy. What good does it do me to be isolated from witches and wizards my own age? I've had enough of that this summer. The N.E.W.T. level classes will challenge me, and I need something constructive to do. I must go back."
"It is not safe!" Emily Parkinson insisted.
"'The Ministry has heavily fortified Hogwarts. There are now guard posts on the perimeter, Auror teams stationed inside, strict inspection procedures and several new magical protections, of which the Ministry declines to comment,'" Bertram Parkinson said, reading from his Daily Prophet.
Pansy had already read the article earlier this morning, when she made her daily scan in search of news about Draco. As usual, she found nothing specifically about her wizard. There was a small disturbance in Cornwall, however, which some old witches thought may have been Death Eaters, although no Dark Mark was sighted. She always wondered if Draco was involved in the evil deeds reported, but she dismissed those ideas. Draco would never do any of the things reported.
Bertram Parkinson put his paper down and turned to his daughter. "I've spoken to Horace Slughorn myself, for his assurances of your safety. However, I want you home if there is even an inkling of trouble. Do you understand me, Pansy Elizabeth?"
"Yes, Father."
"Will you reconsider going to Beauxbatons this year? Your French is sufficient, and you would be near Gareth and Clarice."
"No, Mummy. I want to finish at Hogwarts and become fully qualified, as you and Father did. I'm sorry to disappoint you."
"How could I possibly be disappointed in my very intelligent, committed daughter? You may have a little Ravenclaw in you yet," Emily Parkinson teased.
"There's nothing wrong with Slytherin, my dear lady," Mr Parkinson stated firmly, but with a grin. "Pansy is very clever and takes after me."
Mrs Parkinson suppressed her smile. "Please eat something, Pansy."
Pansy took a bite of her toast. "It's time for me to leave. Pinkie is bringing my trunk," she said, rising from the breakfast table. She kissed her father on the cheek.
"Your mother and I will see you off."
"There's no need."
"We shall Apparate together."
~ * ~
Pansy looked out at her parents, standing arm in arm on the platform, and blew them a kiss. She had arrived early in order to claim their compartment, the same one as last year, but no one came in. Now she felt even more miserable and lonesome than she had all summer, causing tears to well up. Keep it together, Pansy.
The Daily Prophet reported there was less than half of the student body returning this year, and the sombre atmosphere aboard the Hogwarts Express reflected the change. So far she hadn't seen any other Slytherins. Most were Gryffindors and Ravenclaws, with a few Hufflepuffs. Prefects were expected to meet in the head compartment and then patrol the train, but she decided to leave the Gryffindors and Ravenclaws to monitor their own. She just wanted to stay in this compartment. As the train moved out of the station, she leaned her cheek against the cool glass and closed her eyes, remembering last year's journey.
"Pansy, you lovely witch," Draco said smoothly, when she entered the compartment.
Ignoring his attempt to make her smile, she parked her luggage and stared at him with her arms crossed.
"Did you miss me?" he asked, glancing at her as he stowed her trunk in the overhead rack.
"Did you?" She was perturbed, not having heard from him since his visit, but she was also relieved he was making an effort now. She couldn't imagine school life without him. She quietly slid the door closed, hoping for a moment of privacy to sort things out.
"You know I did," he whispered, moving closer. Holding her face, he kissed her gently.
Pansy melted into his kiss, never wanting it to end...
Just then, the door of the compartment slid halfway open. It was Crabbe and Goyle.
"Wait," Draco commanded, slamming it shut. He turned back to Pansy. "We had a brilliant time at Blossom Hill Park, didn't we?"
"I thought so," she said, sitting down next to the window.
"So, did you miss me?" He stretched out on the bench and laid his head in her lap. His light grey eyes searched for the answer.
"Yes, Draco." She stroked his silky blond hair from his forehead and smiled.
"I really did miss you, Pansy, more than you can imagine." Draco kissed her hand and held it over his heart. Waving his wand at the door, he allowed the other Slytherins to enter.
"I'd do anything to have him here today," she said to herself, tears rolling down her cheeks.
At the tree house last June, he had finally confessed his love for her, but he had also revealed the awful truth about his situation. For her safety, he had insisted they pretend it was over between them. It had been extremely difficult to hide her intense feelings, especially after their passionate encounter, but she did as he asked, knowing it was the only thing she could do. Pansy had never felt closer to him, yet she was forced to accept his determination to keep her away from his evil assignment.
If he didn't love me, he would have let me help him.
Later that week, Death Eaters had invaded the school, Headmaster Dumbledore had been murdered and Professor Snape became the object of a massive wizard hunt led by Ministry Aurors. It was rumoured that Draco had left with Snape, and she couldn't find him anywhere in the castle. Draco had just disappeared.
"Pansy, if something bad happens, go home to your family where you will be safe."
Professor Slughorn had gathered the Slytherins in the common room, saying it was safer to stay than to leave in the middle of the night. Pansy's parents came to get her the very next morning, but they ended up going home without her. She had Prefect responsibilities, and she hoped Draco would turn up. He hadn't. A few days later, her parents returned for Professor Dumbledore's funeral and took Pansy home afterward.
"Always remember this: I love you, no matter what happens or what you hear. Nothing will ever change that."
All summer long she lived on edge, waiting to hear something. She felt empty, restless and as though nothing could satisfy her. Draco's cruel reality terrified her. When she was able to sleep, she often had nightmares involving Death Eaters torturing Draco, and she would wake up screaming. Pinkie, who had been sworn to secrecy, would tend to her with a damp cloth and a shot of Firewhisky.
Pansy's appetite was non-existent, and she had to force herself to eat even the smallest amount at meals. Subconsciously, she couldn't help depriving herself because she knew he was suffering. Pinkie had taken to making health potions as means of nourishment. Pansy tolerated them only because the concoctions were flavoured with fresh strawberries, her favourite.
Now she was on the train going back to school, where she would spend her time engrossed in her studies. Improving her skills may prove useful in the future, and it might even help Draco in some way. She knew he would understand her need to carry on with her magical training, and he would know where to find her.
Pansy stretched out on the seat and pulled her robes over her legs. Opening her Advanced Charms book, she began to read.
~ * ~
There was only one other Slytherin in her year, Millicent Bulstrode, who had not taken the train due to her parents' concerns. Pansy and Millicent sat in a corner of the Slytherin common room, while Professor Slughorn conducted the start-of-term House meeting. They noticed there were no sixth years at all.
"We really should take both witches' dormitories," Pansy whispered to Millicent.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you can have the sixth year dormitory all to yourself. I'll take the seventh year." Pansy wanted to have her privacy, since she was prone to nightmares and crying jags, and Millie would ask too many questions that Pansy couldn't answer. This is the perfect answer to my dilemma. It will be better this way.
"I don't know..."
"Think about it, Millie. You can sleep whenever want, with no one to disturb you. You know how I always pace late at night."
"That's true."
"We'll have more room to spread out too, and we'll need it to study for N.E.W.T.s. This might be the only positive thing that happens this year. We should take advantage of it before those fifth years get any ideas." Pansy nodded to a few fifth year witches, who were whispering frantically.
"Hmmm... Won't you be lonely?" Millicent asked.
"Well..." What can I say? Oh! I know! "Millie, do Kneazles and Crups get along?"
"No! Fluffpuff does not like other creatures, especially Crups! Why do you ask?"
"Father thought I might be lonely this year, so he's sending a Crup. It's been arranged for over a month," Pansy lied. "I suppose we have no choice but to use both dormitories."
So, Pansy commandeered the girls' seventh year dorm. Professor Slughorn completely understood her need for privacy and comfort, and as the seventh year Prefect, he thought she had earned it. It didn't hurt that Slughorn knew her parents either. The beds and chests were removed, and a cozy chair, a study table, a wardrobe and a larger bed were found in a staff furniture storage room. Pansy spent a considerable amount of time that evening casting Upholstery Cleaning Charms at the bed and chair. She had even found an odd yet enthusiastic Hogwarts elf to polish the furniture and cast more cleaning spells at the bed.
Pansy then sent an owl to her mother, requesting various domestic items and a large tin of crystallised pineapple for Professor Slughorn, and she also asked for the Crup. She didn't want to lose her long-time friend by getting caught in a lie, and she did think a Cruppy would be an amiable roommate. Special permission from the Headmistress was needed for unusual student pets, so Pansy made sure to remind her mother of the rule in the letter.
Fine bed linens, a rug, two lamps, several pillows and other comforts arrived with Pinkie the very next evening. Her elf was allowed to stay for a few hours, while they decorated the room. Pansy was satisfied with the result. Sorting out the room had temporarily taken her mind off her despair.
~ * ~
Most of Pansy's classes had less than ten students. For assignments, she was paired with people she had rarely spoken to before. She found a few were acceptable, especially the Ravenclaws. Harry and his entourage were nowhere to be seen, and that suited Pansy just fine.
"Miss Parkinson, please wait after class," McGonagall instructed after one particularly challenging Advanced Transfiguration class. As the acting Headmistress, McGonagall was only teaching the N.E.W.T. level class this year.
"Yes, Headmistress."
After the last student had left, McGonagall said, "Follow me."
Pansy caught up to McGonagall in the corridor.
"May I ask what this is about, Headmistress?"
"You have a visitor."
Shocked, Pansy dropped her rucksack, spilling a few books onto the stone floor. Oh, Branwen, is it him? Her heart was in her throat.
A passing seventh year Ravenclaw, Kevin Entwhistle, retrieved her books and rucksack with a flick of his wand and handed them to Pansy.
"Oh, thank you."
"Anytime, Miss Parkinson," he replied stylishly with a bow, continuing on his way.
Pansy shot him vacant look and then hurried after the Headmistress. Oh, please, please let it be him!
"I'll allow you some time alone," McGonagall stated crisply. "Nepeta cataria." The password revealed the stairway up to her office.
"Thank you, Headmistress."
Pansy leapt up the steps and flung open the door. Is it him?
"Oh... Mummy," Pansy whimpered, collapsing at her mother's feet and sobbing uncontrollably.
"It seems I have arrived precisely at the right moment," Emily Parkinson murmured as she knelt down to hug her daughter. "Hush-hush, Pansy, Mummy's here."
"Oh, Mummy, she told me I had a visitor! I thought..." she cried, wetting her mother's fine robes with tears. "Is everyone all right at home?" she asked, starting to panic.
"Yes, Pansy. Everyone is just fine."
Pansy felt something warm press against her leg. "You brought the Cruppy!"
Pansy picked up the baby wizards' dog and cuddled it. It was snowy white with chestnut markings, brown soulful eyes and a forked tail.
"I can see the two of you will be great friends."
"This is just what I needed, Mummy."
"Shall we go outside for a walk?" Mrs Parkinson asked, handing Pansy a linen handkerchief. "We can talk more freely," she whispered, nodding toward the portraits.
"I could use a little fresh air. I miss that about home."
The Parkinson witches were soon strolling across the heavily guarded grounds, with the Cruppy at their heels.
"Pansy, I know you have been sad all summer long, and now I see you like this. Please, tell me what I can do to make things better for you."
"I think this sweet creature will help me."
"Yes, but there's more you are not telling me. Does this have anything to do with Draco Malfoy? He hasn't tried to contact you, has he?" Mrs Parkinson took Pansy by surprise and looked directly into her eyes.
"Mother!" Pansy looked away and attempted to use her limited Occlumency skills, which was impossible given her emotional state. Still, she had to be cautious while under such close scrutiny, so she avoided eye contact.
"Pansy, I saw an image."
"Mother!"
"It was Draco. In a romantic setting."
"Well, that shouldn't come as such a surprise. We've been... I mean we had been together since fourth year."
"He was nude."
"No, Mother, you have misinterpreted my thoughts. There was never a time when Draco was completely undressed in my presence." Pansy chose her words carefully.
"We were all charmed by him, Pansy. He appeared to be everything we'd want for our daughter: pure-blood line, significant fortune, social position, intelligence, fine manners, exceptional appearance and of course, there was fact that he was clearly enamoured of you."
"He was? How do you know?"
"It was written all over his face, dear," Mrs Parkinson said, smirking.
"You used Legilimency on Draco?"
"He was an open book when you were nearby."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Pansy wailed. "I needed to know! I might have been able to do something if I had known."
"Your father and I decided not to cultivate the courtship, so I didn't feel it was in your best interest to know."
"You decided? What right do you have? Why did you not want me to be with Draco?"
"We had only one reason."
"What was that reason, Mother?" she demanded, her anger rising. She needed to know everything.
"His father. We cannot have a Death Eater in the family. We've always been worried Draco would follow him, and we did not want that for you. I know you told us that Draco was different and would never be involved, but we seem to have been wise in our choice. I understand that he is not enrolled this year and is apparently missing."
Pansy didn't have a reply.
"Pansy, I know how terrible this is for you..."
"How can you?"
"You are my daughter. I know you."
"What do you know about me? You know nothing about how I feel!"
"Pansy, I know enough to see that Draco Malfoy has caused you great sadness. I'm worried about you, dear. Surely, you must see that there's no hope with Draco. Can you imagine living in constant terror? Or horrifying cruelty? No, I know you would never choose that for yourself."
"Draco would never hurt me!"
"And now that Draco has chosen his path..." began Mrs Parkinson.
"We don't know that to be true! There's still hope! Please, Mummy, try to understand how deeply I feel about him!"
"Oh, Pansy, dear, I can tell, and it breaks my heart that he has already hurt you emotionally. Let us not forget what He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named would do to your marriage, your family and even your children, if you lived that long. He could harm you to force Draco to do unimaginable things. Any association with those Dark Wizards could be fatal."
"I'm so worried about him, Mummy."
"You must close your mind to Draco Malfoy. Use what your father and I have taught you." Mrs Parkinson saw Pansy look startled. "Yes, I know about the secret Occlumency lessons with your father. Use those skills to push Draco out of your thoughts. There really is nothing else to be done."
"I-I don't know if I can. He made me feel weak and powerful at the same time. I couldn't stand to be near him and not touch him. He told me he loved me, and I believed him. How can I forget that?" I wish I could tell her everything.
"Pansy," her mother said, hugging her, "I know it's difficult. If it were easy, then it wouldn't have been love. You must realize that Draco Malfoy is not your wizard prince."
"I thought we would marry -- ever since the Yule Ball, when I wore my pretty pink dress robes. He told me something special that night; he said I was his princess."
"I am truly sorry, Pansy. All your hopes where he is concerned are tragically gone. You must do your very best to overcome this. You are stronger than you think."
"I don't feel very strong right now. I feel dead. I feel like I'm walking around in someone else's body. I don't feel connected to anything!"
Just then, the Cruppy placed its head and paws on her leg. Pansy immediately picked up the adorable little creature. It was soft, warm and soothing to hold.
"Pansy, maybe taking care of the Cruppy will help you realise that you are alive. You have a future, dear. You just have to claim it."
"I'll try, Mummy."
"Is there anything I can do to help you?" asked Mrs Parkinson.
"I can't think of anything." Except helping me to go back in time.
"You should know all of the Ministry Time-Turners were destroyed last year -- by Draco's father."
"Is that true?" Draco's father did that? "Stop intruding in my mind!"
"I'm sorry to tell you, but it is one more piece of information that stacks up against that family."
"Mummy, it's been so hard on me."
"I was afraid of this."
"Millicent and I are the only seventh year Slytherins, and there are no sixth years. I-I'm trying to start new friendships with seventh years from the other Houses."
"I'm very happy to hear that. There are many good people in Ravenclaw, I'm sure."
"I suppose so."
"Are there any Ravenclaw pure-blood wizards to choose from? That may help get your mind off Draco."
"Yes, there is one who might be acceptable, but I don't think I could do that."
"When you're ready, dear, you will know. Now, off I go. I have an appointment later, and you have classes. Everything is settled with the Headmistress. She's being quite lenient this year, and I've given her a copy of the Ministry Crup license. I don't think we'll need to have the tail removed; there are no Muggles here at Hogwarts and certainly none at Blossom Hall Park."
"Thank you for bringing the Cruppy, Mummy."
"I love you, Pansy. Please give careful consideration to what we have discussed," she said, embracing her daughter. "I'm always available to you, Pansy. Never forget that." Her mother walked toward the sentry at the front gates, but then she turned back and said, "Send an owl to tell me the name you choose for him.
"I will!" Pansy called. She sat down on the leaf-covered lawn to cuddle her new Cruppy.
"So, you're a boy? You won't break my heart, will you?"
~ * ~
It was two weeks before winter break. Pansy and Fafnir were returning to the castle from a brisk walk near the lake. She relished the dawn walks with her animal companion. It gave her a chance to clear her head after a restless night.
Sometimes, passionate dreams of her night at the tree house with Draco invaded her slumber. If she ever had another chance, absolutely nothing would stop her from loving him -- completely.
I should have hexed Professor Snape, she thought bitterly. He wouldn't have expected it from me; he was too busy staring at my breasts.
She took the Cruppy back to her room. After his morning meal, he curled up in his basket for a nap near the heater. It's nice to have something warm and loving waiting for you. I wonder if Draco thinks about me waiting for him. It's been so long...
"I'm being forced to do something, so my family won't be killed, and I would never forgive myself if something happened to you. I need you to be safe, so I have something to live for."
Pansy remembered everything he told her that night. I have to wait for him. I want him to live.
She met Millicent in the common room, as always, but today a small boy was sitting in the chair Draco used to favour.
"Leave," Pansy told the first year in a threatening voice. He jumped up and ran to his dormitory.
Millicent raised her eyebrows, but said nothing as they walked down to breakfast. They were accustomed to the emptiness of the school; however, sitting in the Great Hall was still challenging. The other House tables were half full, but there were very few Slytherins in comparison. Pansy only picked at her food; it was just too depressing to eat.
"That Ravenclaw is looking at you again," whispered Millicent.
"So."
"He's quite fit. Or haven't you noticed?"
"Haven't noticed."
"Well, he's coming over here."
Pansy looked up to see Kevin Entwhistle approaching. She gave him a quick smile, knowing he probably wanted to borrow some notes again. He seems to be obsessed with note taking.
"Good morning." Kevin greeted them with a smile.
"Morning," Pansy chimed.
"Hi, Kevin," Millicent said. "Oh, no! I forgot my Charms essay in the dorm. I'll see you in class later," she called out, leaving Pansy alone at the end of the table.
"May I sit?" A Ravenclaw would have never asked to sit at the Slytherin table in the past, but relations between the Houses were more relaxed these days.
"Of course," Pansy said graciously as she looked through her emerald velvet rucksack. "Here they are." She offered the roll of parchment containing her Charms notes.
"I don't need your notes today, Pansy, but thanks anyway."
She looked at him curiously. What does he want then?
"Some of us -- Wanye Hopkins, Dean Thomas and I-- have been working on a plan," he began conspiratorially, leaning in. "With no Hogsmeade visits this term, it only seems right that there's something to make up for it."
"I suppose," Pansy said flippantly.
"McGonagall's given us permission to have what she is calling a gathering. We're calling it a party. Only the sixth and seventh years will be allowed to attend."
"Oh."
"It's this Saturday night, in the antechamber just off this hall. We're having music, dancing, butterbeer and food. I wanted to be the first to ask -- will you go with me, Pansy?"
Huh? Why is he asking me? Pansy looked closely at Kevin, trying to understand his motives.
He smiled at her reaction. "Surely you've noticed that I admire you, Pansy."
He does? Well, I can't blame him really.
"It's just a party. I think we all could use a bit of cheering up. What do you say, Pansy? Go with me."
"May I have a while to think on it?" She didn't want to hurt his feelings by rejecting him on the spot, but she couldn't think of an appropriate excuse to say no. She obviously couldn't mention her promise to Draco.
"I hate to say this, but it's best that people think we're no longer together."
"You have all week to decide, but I hope you'll go with me. I'll be a perfect gentleman." He flashed a dazzling smile and then left.
He just asked me to go to that party -- with him! If Draco knew about this, he'd... But Draco wasn't there, and she knew it was likely he would never know.
The morning mail came rushing in. It was always late now, since every package was inspected. A handsome black owl belonging to her father landed in front of her. She quickly skimmed through his letter; he was proud of her for enduring her seventh year under such circumstances. She would read it more carefully later; it was almost time to head up to Arithmancy.
As she prepared to leave, an eagle owl swooped in and circled the room. Killer! She sat down so Draco's owl could find her; the butterflies in her stomach fluttered wildly. Good thing I'm alone. The owl continued to circle and then landed in front of a second year Slytherin girl at the other end of the table. I'm over here, you brainless bird!
She watched as the girl squealed with delight. She removed the pink parchment and opened it!
Daft girl! Pansy marched over.
"Whose owl is that, Bethany?" asked her companion.
"I don't know, but the letter is from my sister, Bunny."
"Will you let me read it?"
"After I have a chance, Emmy. Let's go now, or we'll be late for Herbology!" Pansy heard the girl say. Bethany shoved the letter into her bright pink book bag and practically skipped out of the Great Hall.
Pansy was stunned. The eagle owl was still standing on the table, eating a scrap of ham. It is Killer! The owl gave her a disdainful look and then flew away.
What just happened? She felt faint from the shock and also from the lack of food. Everybody had already left the Great Hall, so she sat down in a daze.
She didn't know how much time had passed. When the house-elves arrived to clean-up from breakfast, she snapped out of it. Pansy grabbed her bag and left.
"Pansy! Where have you been?" Millicent shouted to her as she passed her in the hall.
Pansy ignored her and went straight to her room. She slammed the door and fell into her cosy chair, crying. Fafnir jumped into her lap, providing some comfort.
~ * ~
Much later, there was a knock on the door, causing Fafnir to bark. Pansy opened her eyes; it was already dusk. She heard another knock and quickly smoothed her hair and skirt.
"Yes?" she called.
"Pansy, it's me, Millicent, and Madam Pomfrey is here too. May we come in?"
"Err..." Pansy faltered. "Yes, you may come in."
"Oh, dear, you are faint!" Madam Pomfrey said, rushing forward. "I'll just take a look at you, if you don't mind. Lie down on the bed, dear." The kind nurse pulled back the covers and helped Pansy in.
"I'll take Fafnir for his walk," Millicent said.
"You're a good friend," Pansy mumbled.
When Millicent left, Madam Pomfrey waved her wand over Pansy. "It's just a case of the nerves. I don't usually see this sort of thing until just before N.E.W.T.s, but with everything that's been going on lately, we've all been on edge."
She handed Pansy two potion bottles. "This will help you sleep through the night, and then in the morning, take this one -- every last drop. It's a new version of my Perk-Up Potion, so you'll be feeling better in no time. Please eat a little more, Miss Parkinson; it will help."
Pansy looked up at the lady in the white hat; she remembered watching her climb the shimmering ladder. She must miss Professor Snape.
Pansy fell into a dreamless sleep.
~ End of Chapter One ~
However far away
I will always love you
However long I stay
I will always love you
Whatever words I say
I will always love you
I will always love you
From 'Love Song', by The Cure
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