The Way

Chapter Five ~ The Way It Began Once More

*Pansy*

Draco dropped by the next day. An unexpected event, I know. But all in all, it wasn't so bad. It was almost as if we were starting over.

Here, let me start from the beginning.

When I woke up I found that I was lying comfortably in my bed under the covers and not sprawled over the cloths. One of the servants must have placed me there when they brought up my dinner and found me unconscious. Anyway, I showered and dressed and headed down the main staircase. I intended to go to our stables and spend the day with the many magical creatures our manor bred, but my plans were cut short by the unexpected visitor waiting in the living area.

Three guesses who.

Draco sat in the antique sofa cushion my great-great-grandparents inherited from the Court of King Arthur when Camelot was lost into the mists. Though I despised red, (for Gryffindor purposes), my mother made it clear to the entire household that if anyone transfigured the sofa to be green in any way, she would make sure they'd be permanently green as well. Needless to say that King Arthur's furniture remained just as it would look had it been used by him or that tactless Queen Guinevere in their own time.

Anyway, I was only passing by the living area when I stopped and back tracked to see who had taken residence within it. The dark turtleneck, the black cloak thrown over the armrest and platinum blonde hair told me all I needed to know about this mysterious intruder. I didn't want to see him, let alone talk to him, but for some reason I called out his name. Thankfully I had worn something black and not pink that morning.

"Draco?" I asked, stepping into the room. He turned around in his seat and looked up at me. Once he saw who I was, he jumped to his feet; and to my unexpected amusement, he bowed as well.

"Good morning Pansy," he said, much too politely for someone whose surname was Malfoy. His formality, however, did much to lighten my outlook on him. Just like the little girl I used to be, I burst out into laughter. Sleep can do people with problems much good.

"Whatever you do, please never bow to anyone again," I said, walking into the room. I looked up at him and saw a grin working its way onto his features. But unlike last night, I didn't mind it being there because of me. He looked eight again; and eight I didn't mind. "But what are you doing here so early?" I asked, pulling together my composure.

Right before Draco could answer, my mother came into the room followed by one of the house elves who worked in the kitchens. In his hands he carried a silver tray with a pitcher and two glasses on it with a plate of scones lying next to it all.

"It's so good to hear from your mother, Draco; I hope she's doing well without--Pansy! Well, I didn't think you'd be up so early this morning sweetheart. You looked down right beat when I came to bring you your dinner last night."

She brought my dinner? I know my mom was fabulous beyond any Slytherin mother, but volunteering to bring my dinner when she could have sent a servant was still a bit odd.

"Yeah, well, I had a good night mother," I told her. Not really wanting to stay and find out why Draco was there, I headed for the door, but was stopped by my mom once more.

"Where are you going now Pansy?" she asked me. I sighed and answered her without turning around.

"Stables," was my only reply. I waited, feeling both pairs of eyes on my back. "I'll probably grab something to eat on my way out," I said, answering my mother's unasked question. Another long pause. "Can I go now?"

"Why don't you take Draco with you?" my mom insisted. "You two don't spend enough time with one another nowadays."

Not enough time?! For the last 42 hours I had seen far too much of him for my own liking!

"Yeah, sure," I replied dully. "Why not?"

Without waiting, I started for the back door; forcing open the back door and letting it swing back to hit Draco in the face. Unfortunately, Draco is quicker than most Slytherins and he stopped it before it got anywhere near his complexion. To Hell with those Quidditch reflexes.

"Hey, Pansy," he called out, trotting forward to catch up with me. I kept my steady pace, making sure I gave the impression that I wasn't going to cut his head off, but that I wasn't going to lay out the red carpet for him either.

"Yes?" I asked politely. We had already passed the stream and were coming up to the stables.

"Look, I'm sorry about last night and I want you to know that you don't have to--,"

"Save it Draco," I interrupted, pushing open the stable door and squinting from the sudden dimming of light. "Why don't we just forget it ever happened, okay?" I walked on, passing the stable hands and nodding to each one in turn. On their part, every one of them lowered their head to me but bowed to Draco. It was only proper that a houseguest of sheer dignity by his surname should gain the higher respect above the house resident. Page 87 paragraph five of the Pureblood Handbook. Oh yeah, there really is such a thing.

"Oh," he replied a bit quietly, but then regained his usually cold drawl. In a way, I had missed it when it was replaced by his sudden helplessness that I really didn't know the origin of. "So why are we here?"

Nodding to the stable hand tending to the unicorns I replied, "I live here, Draco. The more accurate question would be what are you doing here?"

"Your mother sent me--,"

"No. What are you doing here at all?"

"Oh, that. Well, my mother needed to give yours a letter so she sent me on the errand. She said I needed to spend more time with...you." He looked away then, watching the chimera sleeping peacefully in her cage.

"Right," was all I could say in return. I unhooked the unicorn's gate and walked in, breathing in the fresh scent that came from their pen. Unlike muggle horses, unicorns did not leave a putrid smell of hay and droppings around in their wake. Contrary to the hay, fresh grass grew straight from the ground in the large pen where they were kept, with a few magically conjured trees to ensure them a natural habitat feel. Besides, unicorns were the essence of everything pure, so how could such a magnificent creature smell bad in any way?

But being the essence of purity, it was against Wizard Law to breed any at all. The value of their blood was much too high and the magic kept in their horns was a rare commodity. But being a pureblood family, we naturally thought Wizard Law was under us, so we did what we liked in the matter. I was glad my father kept the unicorns, however, because they were my comfort zone. I came to them for relaxation as Draco went to his rose garden for relaxation. To this day I still don't know what is so appealing about that place.

I walked to the closest one, being a mare, and stroked her between her eyes, calming her a bit.

"Zedric," I called to the stable hand, keeping my eyes on the mare. "Could you pass me the pen knife and pouch hanging on the post? I needed some--," But when I turned around it wasn't Zedric who was handing me the knife and pouch, but Draco. His face was impassive, though his entire demeanor did not seem that way. "Thanks," I replied, and took the utensils from his hand. Nodding his head in response, he backed away a little so he could lean against the fence. As I turned back to the mare I could just imagine his crossed arms, his cocked head and stormy grey eyes.

"So, his names Zedric?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his tone. Tying the velvet pouch to the belt of my skirt, I nodded. Then, realizing the 'humor' in his question I rolled my eyes and looked back at him.

"Not like Cedric Diggory, you bloke. If anyone in this manor was named after that show-off I'd curse them back to Hufflepuff."

"Aren't you being a bit judgmental?"

I turned back to the task at hand. "And are you not being judgmental enough?"

"Alright; I surrender." Inwardly I smiled. "So what are you doing?"

"Does it matter?"

"Not really, but I'd really like to know," he pointed out. I only shrugged.

"I'm gathering an ingredient that is a crucial substance in most healing potions; less generally, the more potent types." Glancing over my shoulder, I was quick enough to catch the smallest glimpse of mild surprise that had appeared on Draco's face. "Yes it's true, I do listen to Professor Snape; sometimes, anyway."

I saw the small raise of his eyebrows as he shrugged. "Vital information, yes, but I wasn't about to doubt your knowledge on the matter."

Not doubt my knowledge? Well, if I hadn't known any better, Draco could have just given me a compliment. At that moment I hated the discreetness that was formal language.

"Well, I feel more confident now, don't I?" I remarked, mimicking his sarcastic 'court bred' drawl that he used so often. Taking the pen knife, I began to slowly scratch glistening dust from the pearl white horn of the unicorn. Powdered unicorn horn was usually substituted with bicorn horn in most potions, seeing how it was such a rare find; but mother only wanted the absolute best in her healing concoctions.

As I watch the glistening powder fall from the horn, I held out the pouch to catch it. When it had filled to my desired amount, I pulled the pouch closed and blew the rest of the powder off the pen knife.

"So, has it got a name?" Draco asked from behind me, his breath tickling the nape of my neck. I started a bit; I hadn't heard him come near. Still facing the mare, I answered him.

"Yes, she has a name. It's Diana; named after the Greek goddess of the Hunt. My mother named her." Without thinking I turned around, running right into Draco's chest. "Sorry," I apologized lamely, skirting around him towards the gate. He only shrugged, his face remaining blank.

"My fault," he said.

Disregarding his reply, I hung the pen knife back on its peg on the post and indicated that Draco follow me. We left the stables, my intentions being set on a relaxing interval next to the stream. I would think that, after our brief time in the stables, Draco would want to head home. After all, he did say that he only came on an errand for his mother; did he really have any other purpose for staying?"

I made my way to one of the cherry blossom trees that grew near the water's edge. Breathing deeply, I could smell the sweet fragrance that they gave off. These blossoms were a pink that I didn't mind, and they reminded me of when I was little.

I sat down near the trunk of the closest tree, arranging my long and large skirt so that it fanned around me; a habit brought on from childhood. It was a nice cool day, so I removed my jumper and remained in only my shirt, letting the soft breeze skim over my arms. I closed my eyes, leaning my head back against the trunk. For a while I did not hear anything, giving me the thought that Draco had detoured on our path and went into the house. But contrary to my assumptions, his voice came lazily from next to me.

"It's peaceful here; like in my rose garden."

I opened my eyes and looked at him; I mean, really looked at him. He sat much as any other boy would: one leg was stretched out in front of him with the other one bent up so he could rest his elbow on his knee. He still wore his cloak, but he had rolled up his sleeves so he too could feel the light breeze on his skin. And, as always, his face was inexpressive; well, save for his eyes anyway.

That's what I concentrated on, his eyes. They weren't looking into mine but off in space somewhere. In those steel eyes I could see opposing sides fighting for dominance. Contentment matched with restlessness; satisfaction matched with disappointment; serenity matched with turmoil. All these I could see in the silver orbs set into his face, and that was when I figured out why Draco was able to look so disconnected when he wanted to. With so much chaos and whirlwind of emotions inside of him, each one was balanced out by their counterpart, making it easy for him to dislodge all of them from his features and pull down the façade of boredom over an onlooker's eye.