Pansy Parkinson sat in the Three Broomsticks. Her arrival at the popular hang-out was heralded by a rude welcome from a man who pushed roughly past her, knocking her into a nearby patron, and continued on his way. No word of apology, no look of concern. As she watched him leave, his stride and the way his shoulders were hunched reminded her of Draco Malfoy. She shook her head; Draco would not have bumped into her without apology, surely. But the whole episode made Pansy start to wonder.
Sipping her red currant rum, she looked down at her robes, covered and stained with something; gillywater, most likely. Pansy had apologized to the man she was knocked into, the man who had spilled his drink on her. But who had bumped her in the first place? People can be so rude, she thought. I hope he gets trampled by lumbering troll.
Having finished her drink, Pansy headed out the door. She walked up the street, towards Hogsmeade Station, and decided to point herself homeward. As she walked, an owl came swooping down to her, delivering what appeared to be a letter. Pansy froze. She immediately recognized the fine script as Draco's. That prat, she thought. So why was her heart pounding three times faster?
She sat down on a nearby bench and began to read.
As she finished reading, the tears were streaming down her cheeks. Why on earth am I crying? she thought. Draco is certainly not deserving of MY tears. But, as she regained her composure, she realized that maybe she really did want to see him. It was difficult enough to read his letter, but thinking about how to respond was even harder.
When they were in school together, Pansy had looked on Draco as a possible life mate. They were both from good, pure-blood families. And they were both in Slytherin House. But as the years moved on, their relationship became more of a master–servant relationship, although not as clearly defined. Pansy was never able to resist Draco's requests. And really, they were more demands than requests. But she acquiesced on every occasion. He allowed her to fawn over him, and be his arm decoration, and she really knew that's all she was. But, as they say, hope springs eternal, and Pansy was ever the hopeful lapdog, just waiting for a crumb of admiration from Draco.
When that fiasco with Professor Dumbledore happened, Draco had left. Not a word was spoken, written or Floo'd to her. Professor Snape had disappeared as well, and no one knew what had happened to either of them.
Once the war escalated to the all-out battle that ended the Dark Lord's life, Draco reappeared. He was a little more haggard than Pansy had remembered him, but he came looking for her, and his two thugs, Crabbe and Goyle. She gladly went to fight by his side. But that wasn't what he came for. He simply wanted to say good-bye. He had too much to plan for, and think about, with that Potter fool running loose. He had made it clear that he had no time for her, and her silly girlish hopes.
And that was it.
When Pansy was told of the death of his parents, her thoughts immediately went to him, and what she could do to ease his suffering. But he wanted no part of her. Try though she might, he continued to dismiss her as unnecessary in his life.
And so she finally gave up.
But now. She was willing to open up. A little. But should she? She was curious to hear what he had to say. And it seemed so strange to her to receive a letter like this from him. But, Draco … she was still a girl, after all. And, for better or worse, still pining over the memory of a boy who, at one time, let her be his friend.
Pansy continued to sit, wondering where to begin. At any rate, she needed a quill and parchment. It gave her some time to think while she tried to put her hands on them. Her feelings were mixed. Part of her wanted to be cruel in her response, show Draco how angry she was, hurt him the way he'd hurt her. The other part of her wanted to jump at the chance to see him again.
A/N: Sorry it's taking me so long to get updates out. Life happens, ya know? My wonderful beta is on holiday right now, and so I'm not rushing, however she is still doing a wonderful job and I can't thank her enough! I hope you enjoy this chapter, and that this story is somehow intriguing you as much as it is me. Please review…would love to hear thoughts.