Let the Darkness Become You

Let the Darkness Become You

*~*

Chapter Two

They say that those are the best days of your life. Oh, how I wish I had savoured them. ~Diary of Pansy Parkinson

*~*

For my whole life I have had lesson after lesson drilled into my head. Idea followed by idea that was carefully crafted into my own philosophies. The sudden freedom of school became a large culture shock to me as I was forced day after day to make my own decisions. It was to be the making of me, or so I was informed. However, there are times when too much freedom is unconventional; times when as a Parkinson, I must step down and yield to houses that are more powerful than my own. It is a struggle since I am not use to giving up the fight in favor of better benefits. I prefer to bargain my way around, to manipulate others to my side. But if I ever do get too carried away there is always dear, dependable Zella there to set me down the right path once more...

A sudden burst of obnoxious laughter made me look up and scowl over at the table of third year Gryffindors darkly. Being a first year, my expression carried little weight and I returned to my work, disgruntled that Madam Pince would allow them to be so loud. Then again they were Gryffindors. Teachers always let the Gryffindors break the rules while it was most commonly my own house that got penalized. Sparing them another glare I spied Zella slipping through the large oak doors behind them. She was surprisingly alone and looked around briefly before seeing me and walking towards my isolated table in the corner.

"Homework?" she asked as she took a seat.

"Dark Arts," I replied.

She nodded absently, obviously not having come here to talk to me about school.

"Can you tell me why I just sorted out an argument in the common room involving Draco Malfoy and Millicent Bulstrode?" she asked me unceremoniously. "Supposedly, according to Millicent, Draco was saying what a spoiled and stuck up little brat you were and that you would have been better off in Gryffindor."

My face darkened angrily at her words. For all that Draco and I had established some form of a truce since our summer incident I still found him to be extremely annoying. .The way he was always trying to look and act older than he was; his false, obviously rehearsed, lines and annoying habit at snapping back with surprisingly good, cutting remarks. He just drove me crazy! I assumed that it had to do with our maturity levels. I had always heard that girls mature faster than boys.

"He wouldn't shut it about Potter's bloody position on the Quidditch Team," I replied defensively. "That happened in September, it's now December!"

Zella held the faint edges of a smirk on her face as she said, "He is a Malfoy."

As if that was enough explanation!

"He's a spoiled rich little brat who didn't get paddled nearly enough growing up!"

It was a weak retort and I knew it. None of us had been paddled growing up- there were other methods for such discipline among our families and an heir would never be paddled.

My sister's expression became serious. "You need to be nicer to him," she scolded me. "He will one day have strong ties. Our family is powerful, but no one messes with the Malfoys."

I understood her meaning. Building and acquiring allies was something we started even at my age. I nodded in agreement. The words of my older sibling carried all the weight they would have if Mother or Father had said them.

*~*

"What do you think of the Malfoy boy, Pansy?"

It was all I could do not to stare at my Mother as we moved among the crowds of wizard and witches that had come to our annual Christmas Ball. Thankfully, she didn't notice my slip in composure as she smiled and waved to those nearest us. I looked around me, wondering what had brought up the subject. I spied a glimpse of Draco dancing with someone on the dance floor, the golden chandeliers above casting light upon his blonde hair. I hadn't known he was here.

"We have classes together," I answered carefully, "but I can't say that I like him all that much."

Mother smirked, raising an elegant brow. "Oh? Why not?"

I adjusted the skirts of my blue dress robes purposefully, feeling uncomfortable with the question. Mother's expectant silence pierced through me forcing me to answer.

"He complains," I began, "he's loud, rude, tactless and has no consideration whatsoever."

Her husky laugh seemed almost a purr. "He is a boy still. It will change."

I froze in mid-step. If it had been me in Draco's shoes, age would have been no excuse for my behavior.

"Lucius does favor him," she added, as if to herself.

I nodded, that would definitely explain a lot.

"I want you to be nice to the Malfoy boy," Mother said in a low voice, turning to give me her full attention. "The Malfoys are society. There would be no better connection for us that if you two became friends."

Sensing her unsaid order behind the statement, I clenched my jaw before nodding my understanding. I mentally made a note to ask Zella why she was confiding my business to our Mother.

Smiling, my mother turned to eye a gathering of her personal friends. "Run along now Pansy," she ordered, "dance a little."

I curtsied obediently but she hardly noticed as she walked forward to leave me in her wake.

Despite my new orders I wanted to avoid Draco and instead veered towards where I had last seen Theodore with his parents. A firm hand on my arm stopped me before I got far. Whirling around, a sharp retort upon my tongue, I frowned at the man before me. Neil's eyes glinted at me in amusement. He loved to bring out the worst in me. It had been a disappointment to discover he had managed to make it to the ball after all.

"A dance, little sister?" he questioned, gesturing towards the dance floor as a new dance was struck up.

Damn protocol!

Zella smiled at us as he led me towards the centre. He really wasn't a bad dancer. I just couldn't feel comfortable around him.

"You don't like me," he said after we'd been dancing a few moments.

I smiled at him. "I don't?"

His own smile mirrored my own in its almost mechanical detachedness. "No you don't. Your reluctance to warm up to me worries your sister."

Good, I thought snidely. But aloud I simply uttered a proper apology.

"You are just making her nervous about the marriage," he insisted, moving gracefully to twirl me about.

When we were face to face again I looked up at him, eyes narrowing slightly. "The wedding won't be for another year," I pointed out. "She has time to think."

I barely managed to keep the shiver from jolting down my back as his expression turned dark. "She doesn't need to think about it and you don't need to make her worried. We will be married."

I was tired of having to act polite. "Unfortunately," I muttered, wincing as his grip tightened.

"I get what I want Pansy," he drawled in my ear. "Understand?"

I nodded as the dance ended, tears of pain clouding my gaze. I understood perfectly. Neil Lestrange was a dangerous man and he would not let anyone get in the way of his ambition. It was a trait that I feared more than I had ever feared anything in my life.

He smiled down at me, expression completely different from a second ago.

"Thanks for the dance Sis," he whispered, giving me a peck on the cheek.

I watched with dread as he returned to Zella's side at a nearby table, dark eyes readable even from here as he looked down on her tenderly. Those eyes were easily readable as the possessive gaze of one who controlled every aspect of his life, including others.

I shivered. Neil Lestrange was indeed a very dangerous man.

*~*

I returned to Hogwarts after the Christmas holidays to find things about the same as they were when I left. Millicent was still away on extended holiday in Rome and the others were full of tales of their Christmas. And Draco was still complaining... as usual.

I found it increasingly difficult not to say anything to him anymore, as I was under Zella's strict command to do. Instead I focused all my energy on ignoring him and he seemed amused at my efforts.

"Cat got your tongue, Parkinson?" he inquired one day in Transfiguration. He seated himself at my table without so much as a by-your-leave.

I smiled at him, but it was a frosty smile; one that carried a look of daggers with it.

He remained unperturbed, gray eyes glinting as he leaned forward out of his lounging position to put his face near to my own.

"Or have you finally taken up on those skills you were lacking all these years?" He took on a quoting, lecturing tone. "Women are to be seen not heard and only used for the purpose of child rearing and wifely duties."

"Don't flatter yourself," I muttered, busying myself with opening books and preparing for the lesson.

"Truth hurts doesn't it?" he whispered in my ear.

I was surprised that those near to us did not hear my teeth grinding as I clenched my jaw angrily. He waited, relishing my reaction although only those truly trained in our ways could have perceived a reaction; to others my expression had not changed.

Before I could even think of a retort he laughed and said, "You really should lighten up, Pansy. People are going to think you're a bore!"

It was then that I realized that Draco enjoyed baiting me, hoping to stir me to produce sarcastic and flippant responses. Call it a sparring of words if you will.

I smirked as I turned towards the front of the classroom. He had no idea what he was in for.

*~*

"May I sit here?"

I looked up at Blaise Zabini in surprise before moving aside to allow him room at the table. I smiled at him hesitantly.

There was still not a lot known about the "new boy", as we had so often taken to calling him. We later learned that he was from a very prestigious pureblooded background and was apparently very wealthy due to the numerous deaths of his mother's husbands. The fact that he was wealthy and pureblooded immediately placed him in the acceptable category of typical Slytherins. It remained to be seen exactly where he would go within our circle however.

"Quiet family," Draco had told me one night while studying. "Grandfather heads the family and they're neutral to our ways, not for or against."

This simply meant that the Zabinis were not for Voldemort nor did they oppose him. It was something to be admired that they had remained neutral to such a decision so long. Those with wealth and power did not stay that way often. It made me wonder as to what kind of man his grandfather was. But Blaise was still a Slytherin, and that was enough for the rest of us.

He didn't talk much during Potions but worked quietly over his cauldron. I noticed out of the corner of my eye that he was as good at Potions as I was.

"We will be partnering up for your projects on the Windroot Mixture," Professor Snape informed us towards the end of the lesson as he handed out the bottled vials of the potion.

The project would require us to name all the ingredients in the mixture and attempt to separate them. I could hardly wait to get my hands on it; Potions was becoming a strange obsession of mine.

I looked towards Millicent to affirm our partnering for the project before remembering that she had come down with Snivellitis over holiday (some strange snivelling syndrome that impaired speech as well as breathing). Tracey and Daphne had already partnered up, talking quietly.

My mouth pursed into a petulant frown, hands on hips. Theodore and Draco, Gregory and Vincent...

I sneered at the nearby Gryffindors as Longbottom dropped his vial, shattering glass everywhere as the potion seeped through the cracks of slate covering the dungeon floor. I would rather die than partner up with one of them.

A voice cleared itself beside me and I looked at Blaise in surprise. He watched me, unsure before opening his mouth.

"I'm not going to do all the work," I instantly interrupted him, turning to clean our area as the bell rang.

"And if you don't do your share of the work I'll be forced to hex you. I happen to know a number of nasty curses."

I smiled up at him in invitation to share the joke. He just blinked in surprise. As being an outcast among us - somewhat - I suspected he wasn't used to being included.

He grinned, an attractive sight on his boyish face. "Fine," he said in a deep pleasing voice, "doesn't look like I get much say."

I nodded. "You don't," I informed him.

His laughter followed me out the door as we made our way to our next class.

*~*

It was amazing how fast my first year at Hogwarts passed. Before I knew it I was on a train for home, my friends chatting excitedly around me. Rumours had been flying everywhere about Potter's supposed defeat of the Dark Lord at school. I myself found it hard to believe that a first year could defeat the greatest wizard to be known since Salazar or even Merlin! Apparently so did the others.

"It wasn't right of Dumbledore to give him all those points," Daphne pouted. "We earned ours fair and square!"

Theodore nodded his agreement. "Damn teachers are always favoring him though."

I looked towards Draco expecting him to make some snide comment. He never passed up a dig towards Potter. The blonde remained looking silently out the window however, his expression stony. He was strangely distant throughout the whole ride home.

I stopped him with a hand on his arm once we reached Platform Nine and Three Quarters; we remained the only two left in the compartment.

"Are you alright?" I asked, looking at him in question.

"Fine," he snapped. "Just bloody brilliant!"

My brows drew together in confusion, causing him to sigh. "Drop it Parkinson," he whispered, head bowed. "I don't want to talk about it."

I nodded, stepping away to allow him to walk past me. It wasn't my place to pester him.

He paused in his passage to kiss me briefly on the cheek, lips soft against my skin. "Thanks Pansy," he said softly, before leaving me by myself, mouth dropped open in shock.

Did I just hear a thank you from a Malfoy?

*~*

The summer after my first year at Hogwarts began differently, compared to most. With the passing of my twelfth birthday I was now considered a young adult among my family and was not forced to go through the regular drills of etiquette lessons. Instead, I had a single tutor who kept me current in all of my lessons and that was it. With so little required of me I found myself with more and more free time than I knew what to do with.

I saw my parents little that summer since there always seemed to be an important business meeting or unavoidable engagement to attend. Ever since Harry Potter's testament at the end of the school year rumours had been flying everywhere in the wizarding world of Voldemort's return. None of these rumours had been validated in my family, however, since my parents refused to even hint as to whether they were once again entangled in the Dark Lord's plans.

I knew that it would stay that way too. My parents never revealed anything to me or to my sister that was not decreed appropriate. In fact, my parents revealed very little about themselves; one would have to pry deep into our family to delve out even the smallest crimination to our name.

As for Zella, she was just as busy perhaps busier than our parents. With our return to Hogwarts she would be a seventh year as well as a soon to be bride. Her wedding date seemed to loom closer than ever and she was constantly occupied with arranging wedding preparations and various meetings with decorators or caterers.

Mother claimed that the managing of such a large event would accustom her to the household she would inherit through marriage to a Lestrange. Zella worked through it with a determination that said she would succeed and she never failed.

It was on a Tuesday morning that I finally decided to approach my mother about visiting Millicent. I knew that she would be in her study going over correspondence and it would be a good time to discuss it with her. I moved through the hallways slowly, carefully balancing the tray of tea I had brought with me. It was almost noon, and she would definitely welcome the interruption.

The windows were open when I walked in and sunlight streamed down upon the desk. The sound of the ocean carried a soothing undertone in the room, as waves hit the rocky shores of the cliff our manor sat on. Mother was leaning back in the chair behind her desk, lips pursed as she read a long letter.

"Mother?"

Glancing up in surprise, she took in the tray and steaming food with a swift look. "You can come in," she said, waving me in as she cleared her desk.

She smiled as I set the tray on a corner, careful to keep it away from all her papers.

"This is a surprise," she admitted, accepting a cup of tea as I carefully laid out the sandwiches and refreshments the servants had prepared.

I placed myself in one of the padded chairs before her. "I thought you might like to take a break for a moment."

"Indeed," she acknowledged dryly, brows furrowing as she considered the letter she had put aside upon my entrance. "Your Aunt Grace has decided that the Houflin family will be spending Christmas at her manor. We are graciously invited to attend."

My brows rose as I realized what irked my mother about the letter. For my aunt to so rudely declare that everyone in the Houflin family, my mother's line, would be spending Christmas there was inconsiderate. Especially when the Parkinson line was so superior to that of the Houflins and we would be conducting our own Christmas celebration. Her invitation would place Mother and Father in a tight position, especially if they refused.

"What will you do?" I wondered, genuinely curious.

She shrugged, sipping elegantly at her tea. "It's still July. I will have plenty of time to discover a politically accurate excuse for not attending."

I nodded absently, realizing her eyes were upon me expectantly. The time had come for me to ask.

"Mother, I have been receiving several invitations from Millicent to visit her for a week or more."

"I know," she stated matter-of-factly. "Miranda has informed me that you are more than welcome to visit for the summer."

I glowed with pleasure, a grin quickly spreading across my face. "However," Mother added quickly, "I have also received a similar invitation from Narcissa."

It took me a total of two seconds to place the name - Narcissa Malfoy. Perplexed, I attempted to smooth out the frown I knew was etched across my face. I had never truly mastered the art of deception, however, and my displeasure was apparently evident to my mother.

Staring at me significantly she asked, "You will have remembered our conversation from Christmas?"

I hardly would have considered two sentences a conversation, but I still nodded obediently. "Yes, Mother."

"It would be much better if you could befriend Draco Malfoy," Mother stated slowly. "As dearly as I love Miranda, the Bulstrodes are... mediocre. You will have much more fun at the Malfoys anyway," she insisted, her mind apparently made up. "If the Malfoys permit it perhaps she can visit you there."

The question of whether or not I would like to visit the Malfoys had never come up. Of course it was expected that I would prefer the more societal invitation versus the simple invitation of a friend.

Taking out a spare bit of parchment, she began to write in her flowing hand. "I will let Narcissa know that we accept. You will be expected to behave properly, however." She eyed me sternly until I nodded once again. Sighing impatiently she added, "Please try and remember that you are now twelve, Pansy. The connections and impressions that you make now will influence your life in the next few years."

"Of course, Mother," I replied meekly, although not meekly enough if her scowl was anything to go by.

No emotion was something that my family strived for. In my earlier childhood lessons it was dubbed the "society face"; a mask that hid your condemning thoughts from the world. Apparently, I hadn't gotten any better at it over the years.

Exasperated, she waved me off. "Go and tell Peter to prepare your things. You will leave tomorrow evening."

I reluctantly did as she ordered and dragged my feet every step of the way.

*~*

"Wait one moment please."

I watched the house elf with doubt as it bustled away. Our own manor maintained a small number of house elves that were kept primarily in the kitchens. Mother considered them too vulgar looking to have where company might see. I turned to examine the entrance hall I had just been led to and admired its elegance. The entire woodland estate had an ancient Celtic castle feel to it that was expressed in the expensive decorations inside. Paintings and lavish tapestries hung in the vast entrance hall I was in and a round table was placed in the centre, upon which a display of fire lilies were burning jubilantly.

I felt very small in the large room with my multitude of bags at my feet. Hearing the sound of approaching voices I turned as Draco entered with Vincent Goyle at his heels. Draco looked momentarily surprised before asking casually, "Just arrived?"

I nodded, too apprehensive to make much conversation. For some absurd reason I didn't know how to address him now that I was on strict orders to be polite. At that moment I honestly couldn't cast back to a single memory where Draco and I had been polite to each other. Our sole relationship was built upon barbed insults and petty arguments. I shifted uneasily as I noticed Draco eyeing me oddly.

"Hello, Pansy," Vincent said, breaking my mounting nerves.

Relieved to have someone else to focus my attention on I smiled at the much larger boy. "Hi, Vincent," I finally managed to pipe up. "Have a good summer so far?"

He shrugged. "Guess so," he replied.

I glanced between the two of them, noticing Draco's bemused expression before I asked, "What are you doing here?"

"He was spending the day," Draco suddenly answered with the hint of a smirk. "I do have friends, Pansy."

"As shocking as that sounds," I retorted without thinking.

I instantly snapped my mouth shut, angry at myself for being unable to manage even three sentences with grace. Draco merely cracked a knowing grin, enjoying my frustration.

"You should be more polite to your host," he taunted, already knowing the reason for my annoyance.

I let out an exasperated sigh. "You could make it a little easier for me," I insisted, returning his grin weakly.

"I could," he acknowledged, heading towards a large pair of doors. "Your rooms are this way."

I followed the two boys down a corridor and up a large staircase. "How did you know what was bothering me?" I wondered, absently observing the moving paintings on one wall.

"You are always easy to read," the blonde answered, passing his own bedroom before opening the door across from it.

I scrunched up my nose in annoyance. "Am not," I determined, sweeping past him to inspect my new residence.

"Am too," he insisted boredly, leaning lazily against the doorway.

I ignored him as I glanced over the room. Bright light was coming in from the tall windows along one wall, illuminating the subtle shades of green the room was decorated in. Unlike Draco's room, which I had been in numerous times over the years, this one was in softer shades of green that brought a more feminine air to the room. The bed hangings over the massive mattress were in the finest of lace. A collection of chairs for evening chats reclined along the far wall in front of a small bookcase. To either side of this were two doors which contained, I assumed, a bathroom and a wardrobe.

"Glad that you like it," Draco said, apparently reading the approval on my face.

I instantly cleared my expression, annoyed to discover that the mask of serenity I had always assumed I had was suddenly nonexistent. I raised an inquiring brow, ready to take my next cue from him, but he simply stared back at me nonchalantly.

"What now?" I finally demanded impatiently.

Eyes glinting triumphantly, he answered, "Well, I would assume that dinner is almost ready and Goyle is leaving shortly afterwards. After that it's just us two."

I sighed mournfully. Call it a premonition if you will, but I sensed that it was going to be a long three weeks.

*~*

Surprisingly, my days at Malfoy Manor did not drag by as I assumed they would. The manor was monstrous in its size and was complete with abandoned rooms that Draco and I took full advantage of. The rooms we discovered never lacked interesting artifacts and we entertained ourselves by coming up with grand theories on what they could be used for. On days that we bored of this we would play games, read, and explore the wooded region that surrounded Malfoy Manor.

I noticed that Draco's parents always seemed to be busy with one thing or another. Mr. Malfoy worked at the Ministry and would often stay in his study for hours. While Mrs. Malfoy was usually socializing and maintaining the Malfoy name as far as "society" went; which usually included invitations, teas, get-togethers with her friends, and so on. However, they always took the time out of their day to sit and eat dinner with us. I soon learned that Draco lived a rather lonely life at home and I felt sorry for him. Growing up I had always had Zella to go to at the end of the day when our parents were busy. Draco had no one.

I looked up expectantly at the knock on my bedroom door. Draco had been gone all day to spend a rare day alone with his father. I knew that he had been looking forward to the event and had not voiced my own boredom at the thought. Instead, I had stolen one of his adventure novels and curled up in the chair by my fire.

"Come in," I called, marking my page.

Draco walked in, excitement evident in every line of his body from the bounce in his step to the flush of pink in his pale cheeks.

"Crabbe and Goyle are coming to spend the rest of the summer with me!" he exclaimed triumphantly, falling into the chair across from me.

I smiled at him. It was rare that I saw Draco so excited about something... it was rather endearing.

Sensing my amusement he immediately ran a hand through his hair, which he must have forgotten to gel back this morning before going out with his father. "Well," he stated matter-of-factly, "Daphne and Theodore are coming too, of course."

"They are!" I exclaimed, straightening in my chair.

Glancing at me briefly, I saw his lips twitch in a suppressed smile. "When I told Father how boring you were getting I convinced him to let Daphne and Theodore come too."

I jumped up in excitement and rushed forward to give him a hug. "Ooh, thank you Draco!"

He knew full well that I had interpreted his rather masked way at saying that he asked Mr. Malfoy for me, if some more of our friends could visit.

"Let me breathe, woman!" he muttered, unwrapping my arms from around his neck.

I let go, although I could tell he was immensely pleased with himself. It was by far one of the nicest things I could ever remember him doing and one that I would never forget.

*~*

The rest of my summer passed by quickly after that and it was not long before I was back at school. After the exciting circumstances in which we had left Hogwarts I had half expected the castle to look different when we arrived; which it did not, of course.

The comforting castle remained as familiar and welcoming as ever, and was the only place that I ever felt truly comfortable within. While it may have lacked the grandeur of other castles it was the only place I would ever consider calling home away from home.

The welcoming banquet that had been prepared that night was superb. The hall was splendidly decorated with the colors of all four houses and the tables creaked under the variety of foods that had just appeared on the plates. I smiled as our newly acquired first years' eyes widened in surprise; I well remembered my own shock at having food presented to us from thin air.

Looking around the hall, I noticed similar reactions from other house's tables. I paused to let my eyes roam over familiar faces and frowned when I reached the bushy head of that annoying Granger. Where were her two lover boys?

A small shadow next to her caused me to frown.

"Is that another Weasley?" I wondered incredulously.

"Yes," Draco answered, who had placed himself next to me before Dumbledore's speech. "The woman seems to pop them out like rabbits. I assume that none of them are smart enough on their own so she's hoping sheer numbers will put what little wit they have together."

I laughed at his joke, causing his lips to slip into a knowing smirk. Draco always strove to be cunning and witty and appreciated it when others noticed. I watched him quietly as he turned to continue his discussion with Theodore. He had changed subtly over the summer, gaining some weight to his once scrawny frame. Amused, I noticed that I was still slightly taller than him.

Earlier I had asked him what he did with the rest of his summer after we all left. He had shrugged and responded with an unsatisfactory, "Helped my father with some things."

It was not difficult to believe. As the only heir to such an expansive inheritance Draco would be introduced to the rigors of the family business early. I was surprised his parents had allowed as many friends over as they had. In addition to Goyle, Crabbe, Daphne, and Theodore, we had also convinced the Malfoys that Millicent and Tracey would not make that much of a difference. After all, Malfoy Manor had rooms available by the dozen and it wasn't long before the hallways leading to Draco's room were full of laughter and the yelling of gleeful kids. It reminded me of stories Zella would often bring home after a visit to Neil's.

The thought of my brother-in-law caused my face to twist into a scowl as I peered down the table. Neil had his arm around Zella's waist possessively and almost without thought as he talked with Marcus Flint, our Slytherin Quidditch captain and second sexiest guy in the whole of Slytherin (according to Daphne who had rated Neil as first).

"So," Daphne began, drawing me away from my thoughts. "I ended up meeting my parents in Sweden."

I exchanged looks with my friends, all of us knowing exactly where this was headed.

"Oh?" Millicent said, beginning the inevitable. "How was it?"

I smiled as Daphne launched into her tale of meeting the most amazing foreign wizards. I also noticed that she was starting to eye Blaise, the only foreign one of us, with new interest. It felt good to finally be back where I belonged.

*~*

"Morning, Pansy."

Not a morning person, I waved a greeting at Tracey and sat beside Millicent. As I started to load my plate with food I noticed Daphne leave the Ravenclaw table she had been sitting at to move towards us.

"Still socializing?" I mumbled tiredly.

She scowled at me, hands on hips. "You know, if you all would be a little nicer, people probably wouldn't dislike as much as they do!"

"I am not even going to try and attempt to change centuries' worth of tradition," Tracey answered smartly. Amazingly enough she already had a book open before her and it was only the first day of school.

Daphne opened her mouth to argue but Millicent cut in. "Did you find anything out?" she asked.

Still glaring at our friend, the brunette sat down and poured herself some pumpkin juice. "It's true enough," she admitted. "Some Ravenclaw is friends with the newest Weasley."

"Is what true?" I wondered curiously.

Before they could answer my question a loud roar filled the hall, causing me to jump in surprise, now fully awake.

"- STEALING THE CAR, I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN SURPRISED IF THEY'D EXPELLED YOU, YOU WAIT TILL I GET HOLD OF YOU, I DON'T SUPPOSE YOU STOPPED TO THINK WHAT YOUR FATHER AND I WENT THROUGH WHEN WE SAW IT WAS GONE - "

The roar continued for some time before the Howler self-destructed, leaving the startled hall in total silence.

I whistled quietly. "They stole a car?"

"Not just any car," Millicent informed me, "an enchanted one. Here, read this."

She handed me her copy of the Daily Prophet, which had written a large article on the episode. I was scowling when I finished reading it. This was a bit much even for Potter and it was only the beginning of the year. I wondered, with dread, what else the Trio would have in store for this year. I suddenly realized that it was going to be a very long year indeed.

*~*

"I hate Charms," I muttered irritably, while reading as much as I could on the precise process a spell went through when initiating a Memory Charm.

Blaise shifted in the chair next to mine to look at my paper. We had both decided to spend Saturday morning studying together, since our classes this year were more intricate than our first year. As for myself, I had let my studies fall behind of late and was instantly regretting it.

"Well, I hate History of Magic," he replied.

I rolled my eyes, causing him to grin. Everyone hated History of Magic.

The grin had a nice effect on his face, as his hazel eyes lit with amusement. I studied him, suddenly realizing how attractive he would be when he got older.

"What?" he demanded.

I blinked. Had I been staring?

"N-n-nothing," I stammered, distracted.

He grinned again, causing me to frown at him. I hated being laughed at and he knew it, which just caused the grin to widen. I was about to snap at him when the common room door slammed open to reveal a livid Draco.

We both stared at him in surprise as he paused to glare at us before storming up to the boys' dormitories. I watched his back in surprise. Was he wearing Quidditch robes?

Reading my thoughts, Blaise said, "Seeker. It was decided two days ago."

I made a suitable sound to acknowledge his statement, but kept my eyes on the stairs Draco had disappeared up. He had been testier of late and when joking around with him he would lose his temper at the slightest insult - joke or not. It made being around him difficult since one had to constantly step on thin ice. I wondered what was bothering him now.

"Granger," Tracey informed me over lunch later that day, "said something about Draco buying his way onto the team."

I wasn't surprised at my friend's words, since I had expected something along those lines. But I was confused about why Draco let the "Dream Team" upset him so easily, especially since he hated them so much. As for myself I could hardly care what they thought. They were below me and therefore so were their opinions.

Draco never was able to control the subtle art of discarding such provocation. Instead he predictably rose to every challenge and if none was forthcoming, he created one. It was almost painful for me to watch. I wondered when, if ever, he would learn the art of tact.

As a Slytherin, however, something had to be done. A housemate stuck up for a housemate; no one did this more than Slytherin. We were a family and no one messed with anyone inside our house, not even little-miss-know-it-all Granger.

The perfect time to exact revenge was Potions, since Snape was always favouring us anyway. Millicent and I were the ones handing out ingredients that day and I made sure that a little extra got into Granger's vial. The expected result finally happened at least ten minutes later, when we were all absorbed in our work.

A loud hiss sounded from the Gryffindor side of the room and steam was rising out of Granger's cauldron.

"Too much harrow's brew Miss Granger," Snape sneered as he moved towards her. He twirled his wand and the potion disappeared. "I'm afraid there will be no marks for you today."

Millicent and I shared a smirk as I winked at her. Granger could be heard muttering all through the remainder of class about Snape's unfairness. The punishment was further justified when Snape overheard and took off five house points. Granger's disgruntlement made it hard not to laugh.

~*~

My deed went un-thanked, as I knew it would. A Malfoy would never admit to being helped by someone, even in his own house, and I personally didn't want it to be acknowledged that it had been I that dealt out the punishment. I didn't want Draco to get the wrong impression and as moody as he had been lately he probably would.

Unfortunately, I was already dealing with a wrong impression as people began to take interest in my study habits with Blaise. Speculation was quickly spreading throughout our common room of a romance springing between my studious friend and myself. It was something I hoped had not gone beyond our dormitory walls.

We were reading quietly in a corner one night, the common room full when I hesitantly approached the subject.

"Blaise?"

"Hmm?" he murmured, leaning over a parchment. The firelight from across the room set off features that would dominate his face as he aged; a strong chin and straight nose, full lips and intense eyes.

"Were you aware that there is a rumor going around about us?" I asked him.

That made him look up, face puzzled.

I sighed. I hadn't thought he would know. He was very studious for a Slytherin and hardly noticed anything outside of school at all. When I finished explaining things to him I was surprised when he laughed loudly. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed a lot of students looking towards us speculatively.

When Blaise's laughter abated he turned towards me, mouth twisted into a knowing smirk. "That would be a problem," he commented, a wicked twinkle in his eye.

I smiled at his audacity to say that a Parkinson wouldn't be good enough for him. There was no one above a Parkinson, at least not in my opinion.

"Oh?" I raised a brow. "How so?"

His expression immediately sobered, making me wonder if I had misread his statement. He looked rather casually around the common room before shaking his head. "Never mind."

I tried pressing him on but he wouldn't explain and finally left for his dormitory with a brotherly kiss to the forehead. I watched after him in frustration.

"What was that all about?" Daphne purred, walking up as Blaise left.

I glared at her. "Nothing."

My friend laughed. "It sure didn't look like nothing."

Like myself, not everyone thought the rumors were humorous. Draco's reaction to the speculative rumor was especially different from anyone else's.

I was surprised to find him sitting at my table for Herbology one day that week. It was where Blaise would normally sit and I glanced at Draco questioningly while preparing my work station. He remained solemn, busy with his own preparations until Blaise entered. Draco gave the second year a hard, flat glare. The intimidating look only a Malfoy could perfect.

The other Slytherin raised his hands defensively before placing himself next to Millicent. I noticed Theodore also giving him a dark look. What the hell was wrong with them all?

I didn't have long to wait for an answer long, as Draco suddenly said, "I hear you and Zabini have been getting cozy lately."

My eyebrows felt like they had disappeared into my hairline. I looked towards him in shock before quickly returning to my work, expression schooled. "Did you?" I asked innocently.

He scowled. "Well?" he demanded.

I turned towards him again, hands on hips. "Well what?" I snapped irritably.

His gray eyes searched out my own, their depths never ending as he attempted to read my shielded expression.

"Well, are you?" he retorted.

I turned back towards my books, which only frustrated him. "What is it to you?" I asked. "It's none of your business."

"You are off limits, Parkinson!" he snapped back vehemently. "Even Zabini should know that!"

This time I did stare at him. "What do you mean, off limits?" I demanded in an angry hiss.

The Hufflepuffs near us backed away, not willing to be between two angry Slytherins such as ourselves.

"You aren't to be messed with," he declared, gray eyes hard.

"Who do you think you are?" I asked incredulously. "I am not your property, Malfoy, get over it."

The sneer I received in return was loathing, but nothing more was said on it. To say more would be to fight publicly and Slytherins never did that with each other. We were beyond public emotion.

Pieces of the puzzle didn't snap into place until later that night as I lay in bed, Blaise's words coming back to me - That would be a problem.

I hadn't understood his meaning until now. Never figuring that Draco would get jealous or worse - possessive! My anger continued to boil the longer I thought about it. How dare he! He may be a bloody damned Malfoy, but no one claimed a Parkinson that was not theirs!

I climbed out of bed in nothing but the overlarge shirt that came to my knees. I knew he would still be in the common room, even this late. Draco often liked to read until all hours of the night.

He didn't hear my approach as he remained engrossed in whatever book he was reading. A slim pale hand messed absently with his tie as he read; he never could seem to remain still. The firelight flickered over his features, casting the sharp angles of his face into shadow.

"You sure are dense, Malfoy," I stated, causing him to jump in surprise before looking up at me, expression darkening.

His furious gaze took in my outfit with one sweep before returning to my face.

"How so?" he asked angrily. "Obviously I'm not dense enough to see that you are jeopardizing your reputation for a little "studying"."

My mouth opened and closed in shock that he would even hint at such a thing! No one had ever spoken like that to me in my life.

"You have no right!" I yelled at him.

He slammed his book shut. "You have no right parading yourself around and tainting the Slytherin name!"

He was on his feet now, stance defensive.

"Parading? I'm a Parkinson," I snapped arrogantly. "No one tells me what to do or insult me. You are nothing but a spoiled, jealous - "

"Jealous," he interrupted maliciously. He strode forwards angrily to stop a pace before me, eyes roaming over me with contempt. "Of what?

I bit off my retort in frustration. Merlin how I hated when he did that! Just when I thought I had bested him he would throw something like that in my face.

I never seemed able to outwit him, no matter how hard I tried. Looking up, I met his eyes challengingly, lips slipping into a vindictive smirk. Then I did the only thing I could think of doing - I kissed him.

It was a simple kiss really, an innocent meeting of the lips. We were twelve after all, hardly knowledgeable in the subject for all of our talk.

Afterwards I gave him a hard stare, my blue eyes as hard as ice. "I am no one's, Malfoy. Remember that!"

He stared at me in disbelief as I turned on my heel and stormed away towards my dormitory, excitement heating my cheeks

Ha! I thought. Take that!

I don't think anyone can actually claim to having silenced a Malfoy before, but I did, and better yet I had quite enjoyed it.

*~*

Who ever invented Charms should die!

I thought passionately while glaring at the pillow I was supposed to make flip through the air. Transferring my glare to my partner, I watched as Lisa Turpin's pillow did continuous somersaults, rolling up and down in the air above our heads.

Noticing my resentment she smirked slightly, adding an even more complicated rhythm to the somersaults. I hated partnering up with someone outside of my own house and it didn't help that my partner had to be Turpin.

There was something about her that continuously annoyed me and raised my guard. It could have been because she was one the most beautiful girls in second year, with long silky blonde hair, green eyes and a beautiful rosy complexion.

If nothing else, she was definitely competition as far as boys went. It must have been jealousy that caused me to dislike her, since my own looks were nowhere near that of her own. Turning my attention back towards my pillow, I flicked my wand and muttered the incantation.

The pillow rose in the air steadily, another flick of my wand caused it to begin to hesitantly flip over before haphazardly flying across the room and smacking Blaise in the face. The second year glared over at me accusatorily. I merely shrugged.

"Good aim," a voice commented from behind me.

I smiled up at Draco. We had cautiously started talking again after two weeks of avoiding each other.

"Thanks," I replied, putting my wand away, deciding I would rather embarrass myself in private.

I noticed Turpin glancing at us curiously; her pillow had ceased to flip and was now flying in circles around our heads.

"Are you going to the Dueling club?" he asked.

Looking towards Professor Flitwick, who was helping Terry Boot, I nodded. "Probably so. You?"

He smirked. "Of course. Have you heard who's teaching it yet?"

I shook my head just as Turpin chimed in. "Professor Lockhart."

Draco turned towards her in surprise at the interruption. I watched as he took in the cute figure, pretty face and alluring eyes before breaking into one of his most charming smiles.

"Really?" he asked with feigned interest.

I rolled my eyes in irritation. Over the past two weeks Draco had made a point of flirting with other girls in my presence, and while I normally found this amusing, the fact that he was doing so with Turpin annoyed me.

At least he was no longer under the illusion of claiming me (a relief), and was turning his attention towards more likely prospects. Although I couldn't see what he liked in Turpin beyond looks. The Ravenclaw was a complete bore.

After finishing their brief conversation the Slytherin turned back towards me, grey eyes dancing. I suspected that he knew how I felt about Turpin, and was enjoying baiting at my jealousy of the much prettier girl.

"So I'll see you tonight?" he asked.

I nodded, watching as he strode back towards his own partner, a pretty dark girl named Su Li.

"Are you two dating?"

I turned to look back at Turpin in shock. Me and Malfoy? Date?

Refraining from pointing out that we would probably kill each other in such an arrangement I said, "No, he would probably only date or flirt with a tramp."

I couldn't resist giving her a honeyed smile as she glared at me angrily, taking my implied meaning. I could hear Daphne attempting to hold back giggles of mirth behind us, which only served to sour Turpin's expression.

*~*

I stood in the doorway to the Great Hall, looking at the assembled mass of students in surprise. I hadn't realized so many people would show up for the Dueling Club. Large masses of bodies were something I always tried to avoid and it didn't look as if I would be able to this time.

"Still sulking in the corner?" Blaise asked, walking towards me after spying me in the shadows.

"I'm not sulking," I replied defiantly.

The Slytherin laughed as he grabbed my arm. "Time to mix your perfect pureblood lines with those of not so majestic ancestry," he joked, propelling me forward.

I glared at him. "I swear, sometimes you wouldn't even know you are a Slytherin."

He sobered mockingly. "Tragic isn't it?"

The smile that broke over my face came unbidden and I found myself laughing at his humor. We pushed our way towards the front, where Draco winked at me and Tracey smiled a greeting.

"Gather round, gather round!" a voice was calling.

Professor Lockhart was on the raised platform in the middle of the room, resplendent in ropes of deep plum. I suppressed another laugh as many of the boys around me gave audible groans of disappointment.

"Excellent! Now, Professor Dumbledore has granted me permission to start this little dueling club, to train you all in case you ever need to defend yourselves as I myself have done on countless occasions - for full details, see my published works."

The demonstration that followed was laughable at best, as Professor Snape quickly and stylishly disarmed Lockhart. I exchanged a snicker with my friends before the two professors moved among us, pairing us off.

I ended up with a third year Gryffindor Snape had called Geoffrey Hooper. The duel was rather easy, resulting in Hooper's wand flying through the air as he sailed backwards. He scowled darkly at me as I handed him his wand back. He probably hated being bested by a Slytherin and a second year at that!

Looking around, I noticed that whenever there was a Slytherin pairing, we had turned out the best so far. I couldn't suppress a smirk of pride for my house as I turned towards a commotion from behind.

"I said only disarm!" Lockhart was shouting in dismay.

I watched as Draco and Potter continued to face each other off, faces twisted into sneers of disdain.

"Tarantallegra!" Draco hissed the words to a particularly uncomfortable jinx as Potter's legs immediately started to dance.

I smiled in amusement, familiar with Draco's need to always get the last say. Turning away from watching Snape intercept them, I was shocked to see Millicent and Granger wrestling each other on the ground.

"Millicent!" I called to grab her attention, as Weasley came to the rescue of his friend.

The blonde immediately let go upon realizing she was drawing an audience and her cheeks flushed crimson.

After that display I was somewhat reluctant to continue with the dueling and was relieved when Lockhart decided to have two students do their own demonstration. I watched with interest as Professor Snape picked Draco and Potter.

This should be good.

The students all crowded around the platform as the two combatants bowed to each other and stepped away. An expectant hush fell over the crowd as Lockhart counted the duelers down.

"Three... two... one... begin!"

I looked towards Draco expectantly as he gave a complex twirl of his wand. "Serpensortia!"

I watched with a mixture of shock and admiration as the mascot of the Slytherin name uncoiled from Draco's wand towards the Gryffindor. Where had he learned that useful trick?

The students nearest to the platform all backed away as the snake slithered down the aisle. Harry opened his mouth, obviously to stop Professor Snape from getting rid of the snake for him and a harsh guttural sound escaped his throat. He repeated the noise and many other odd syllables like it before my eyes widened in realization. He was speaking Parseltongue!

*~*

Daphne smiled prettily as Blaise sat down beside me at our table in the library. I had long suspected that my friend had a crush on Slytherin's most recently sought after second year. He didn't seem to notice, or at least pretended not to, as he opened up his Dark Arts book.

Concealing a smile of amusement, I watched Daphne's pretty features settle in a frown. Poor Blaise did not know what he was in for; once my friend set a goal only the Dark Lord himself could stop her from reaching it.

"Why are you looking so smug?" a voice grumbled, as someone dropped into the seat on my left.

I looked at Tracey, smile fading as I noted her reserved features and serious eyes.

"What's the matter?" The others looked up at my question.

She glanced around, hazel eyes darting towards nearby tables. "There's been another attack."

"Who?" Theodore wondered immediately.

"A Hufflepuff named, Justin Finch-Fletchley, and Nearly Headless Nick."

We all stared at her in shock. "A ghost?" Blaise repeated.

She nodded. "I heard the teachers talking, and apparently a large crowd of Ravenclaws saw him there."

There was no need to ask her who "him" was. Ever since the dueling club Potter had been storming around the school as if he really was the Heir of Slytherin everyone thought him to be. The Gryffindor was easy to spot from a mile away, as students practically fell over themselves to get out of his way. I knew that the rumors irritated Draco, who was becoming rather short of temper, as they did us all.

I hated the fact that someone like Potter was even so vaguely linked to our house. If there was anyone who deserved to be in Slytherin less it was him. But how did you explain that to an entire school who thought that Slytherin was the most dark and evil house to be in? Nobody else even came close to understanding the lives that my fellow housemates and I shared.

I had not witnessed the same blind devotion in the other houses and assumed that this was why nobody else understood us. While it was true that Slytherins did not always get along, we worked through our differences or avoided them.

"I didn't think anyone could kill a ghost," Daphne commented, brown eyes troubled.

Tracey threw her an irritated frown. "They weren't killed, just petrified."

"Starts to make you wonder what the monster could be," Theodore said quietly.

*~*

My second year continued to pass by in a blur as anxiety and fear spread throughout the castle. Christmas was a much needed relief for Hogwarts as practically everyone signed up to return home for the holidays. As usual, my parents held an annual Christmas ball. Mother had gotten out of Aunt Grace's invitation firmly but politely. The holiday was relaxing away from the worries of school and I actually found myself dreading my return to Hogwarts.

"Checkmate," I declared triumphantly.

Neil leaned back in his chair, exhausted after an hour of intense chess playing. "I yield," he exclaimed.

Not bothering to conceal a smug smirk I reset the chessboard, watching from beneath lowered lids as he accepted a mug of hot chocolate from Zella, squeezing her hand affectionately before letting go. Reluctantly I realized that no matter how much I disliked him, I could find no fault in the way he treated my sister... yet.

"Another one?" I inquired innocently.

He laughed. "I think not. My ego could not handle another thrashing like that."

"Mother, Father?" Zella turned towards our parents, who were conversing quietly with each other.

I looked up eagerly. Every Christmas evening we exchanged gifts privately, after all our guests had disappeared; it was tradition. They nodded, and as Zella moved out of the room Mother motioned me to sit next to her.

"Your Father and I are both very proud, Pansy," she began. "Narcissa told me that you were absolutely charming this summer and I am pleased that you represent us and yourself so well."

She looked towards my father to finish the speech, and he cleared his throat gruffly. "Therefore, we have agreed to allow you this token in reward of turning into such a fine young lady."

I looked up as Zella reentered the family room and my breath caught as I stared into the cage she held. Within it was a small delicate female falcon, with russet feathers and a regal crest of dark chestnut.

"She's beautiful," I said in awe, standing to move towards the bird - my bird.

Zella grinned happily as I took the cage from her.

"You like her?" she asked with delight.

I nodded. "What's her name?"

"She doesn't have one," Mother answered. "We decided you should have something more than the ordinary owl, however. She came over from Germany."

I reached in tentatively to move my hand under her breast, and she stepped up obediently. Drawing her out, I petted her silky feathers, still in awe of the elegance before me.

"Nightshade," I decided suddenly, staring into her golden eyes. "I will call her Nightshade."