And Then He Was Gone

WHO'S THAT GUY?

"Any guy who thinks he can read a woman like a book must be illiterate."

~Fortune Cookie Day-by-Day Calendar

Pansy was knocked out of her reverie and bounced back to reality. There were four curious faces staring back at her.

"Pansy, are you alright?" asked Hermione. "Do you need the medic?"

"I'm fine, Hermione," Pansy said wiping away the lone tear, "Perfect." Pansy pasted a phony smile on her face and turned to return to her office. "And its code names around here, Hermione."

"Victory, are YOU alright?" Harry asked emphasizing it as if indicating the question to a sixth member.

"Albeit a bit off, but who isn't on a Monday?" she said twirling back around and flashing them a smile again. "Besides, it's just another day, and I'll get through it, just like all the ones before it." This time the young woman made a mad dash for her office to avoid further interrogation. She locked the door behind her and stood with her back against it in a cold sweat.

Damn you, Pansy thought as past memories filled her head. "Toughen up Parkinson, only 43 more years of this damned life if you're lucky. But at the rate you're going might as well be 100. Never seem to be rid of this place!" she muttered angrily to herself.

"Yea, well try staring at the same messy room for 5 years and tell me how you like it!" replied the old mirror placed against the wall in the large office. It was hanging on a wall near the edge of the fire.

"Shove off!" Pansy screamed outraged. Before she could comprehend it, Pansy was across the room and watching the mirror crash to the floor in a heap of glass. "Shove off," Pansy muttered sobbing as she slid down back against the wall. Her exposed heels caught some of the glass cutting bleeding ribbons in her raw pale skin.

"Victory, you alright, there was a loud noise...." Remus Lupin said popping his head in the door. His inquiry stopped when he spotted the young girl in a heap on the floor. Don't make him think you're weak! Pansy told herself angrily. Stop blubbering, Slytherins don't cry! If he could see you now....

"Padfoot, come quick!" the aged werewolf hollered down the hallway.

"No," she said gaining strength and standing. "I'm fine, let him be." But it was too late; Harry was at the door, confusion and concern etched on his face.

"What is it? Pansy, what's wrong?" he asked spotting the shattered mirror. Then, spotting her bloody ankles, cried out, "did someone attack you?"

"No Scruffy," she said trying to lighten the mood, "I did this to myself."

"Alright, that is it Pansy. Tonight expect 4 uninvited guests, you're going to tell us what's wrong whether you like it or not," Harry said taking her hand in his shaking one's.

"Harry...." she trailed off.

"No," he said cutting her off. "I've tried everything Pansy, and I honestly don't know what's wrong. I'm just worried, isn't that okay?"

"No one has ever been worried about me before," she gulped looking suddenly interested in her feet.

"No one?" Harry asked forcing her chin up so their eyes met, cold blue on bright emerald green.

"Him," she said shifting her gaze to the wall.

"Who?" Harry asked looking at his guardian for help. Lupin shrugged and Harry turned back to the mysteriously beautiful blonde.

"You know who Harry," she spat unmercifully. "Don't tell me when you find him; I don't want to know what happened to him."

Harry looked surprised at her outburst and shocked as what she said dawned on him.

"I don't ever want to see that son of a...." Pansy began but was cut off by a sudden trail of tears and Harry's comforting hug.

"Shh Pansy, it's alright. I promise, if you don't want us to find him we won't," Harry said soothingly somewhere above her head.

"No, I want you to find him, it's your job. It's a guideline Padfoot, and we all must obey it. I've walked in regret too long and dwelled on the thought of one day being with him again for too long. It's time to put up my traveling cloak and settle down."

"Did he love you?" Harry asked as she pulled away from him and gathered up her things.

Pansy was nearly to the door before answering, "We Slytherins don't know what love is Harry."

As she started down the hallway to head home Harry called after her, "we're still coming. Do you still want me to look for him?"

"I think the whole world, not just me, wants to know what happened to Draco Malfoy," Pansy said and disappeared around the corner.