However Far Away - Part II of Romance, Slytherin Style

Romance, Slytherin Style - A Trilogy - Part II

However Far Away
Chapter Two

by Sea Isle Witch

"Arf, arf!"

Pansy woke later than usual the next morning. Fefnir was happily playing with his ball, anticipating their morning walk.

"Fefnir, you will have to wait for our walk. I'm sorry."

He came over to the bed and licked Pansy's hand in understanding. She magicked his breakfast over to him, which he ate greedily.

Feeling a bit unsteady, she drank the Pepperup Potion left by Madam Pomfrey the evening before. Within minutes she felt much better.

It was cold, so she wrapped her warm bathrobe around her shivering body and headed to the Slytherin witches' lavatory. After a hot shower, she applied her special herbal hair potion. He knows my scent. She never missed a day, just in case. Somehow it reminded her of him.

As she brushed her hair, she remembered getting ready for the Yule Ball three years ago and how he had invited her to go with him.

*
"Pansy, come over here," Draco commanded loudly, from his favourite chair in the Slytherin common room.

Amused, she glanced over at him. "You come here," she retorted, and returned to her conversation with the very appealing Blaise Zabini.

The common room erupted in laughter, including Blaise.

Ignoring the sniggering, Draco rose and swaggered over. He confidently held out his hand to her, for the very first time, right in under Blaise's nose.

She was surprised by his boldness, but she appreciated his power play. Looking into his eyes, she delicately placed her hand in his. They left the common room amidst a symphony of hissing.

"Where are we going?"

"Patience."

He led her to an oriel window in an alcove off the second floor corridor, with a sweeping view of the grounds. They sat on the window seat, and turned to face each other.

She was curious and looked at him expectantly. Something in his demeanour made her not want to ask; she didn't want to interrupt his thinking, hopefully about her. Besides, she wasn't going to waste time talking when her hair and glamours looked just right.

He produced a single rose from his robes and handed it to her.

Smiling, she took it and inhaled the subtle fragrance. "It's lovely. Pink is my favourite colour."

"I know." He continued to look at her as if was preparing for something.

Ordinarily, being stared at would have made her uncomfortable, but she liked the attention from Draco. The knowledge that she looked her very best gave her the confidence to return his gaze with poise.

"Will you go the Yule Ball with me?"

She couldn't hide her pleasure as a smile played across her lips. The ball had been announced only a few days ago. She had hoped Draco would ask her, but never dreamt he'd do it so early or so romantically. He's so dishy! All the other girls will be so jealous! she thought smugly.

She gave him her sweetest smile. "I would love to."

"Then it's settled." He leaned forward and gave her the slightest kiss on the lips. It was their very first kiss.

Draco stood, holding out his hand to take her back to the common room. It was at that exact moment when her butterflies fluttered for the very first time.
*

Her fond memory was interrupted by two giggling girls.

Bethany! Pansy watched them shrewdly, eavesdropping on their conversation. How dull their lives are! Rambling on and on about sweets and quills. I'm dying here! Cauldron bottoms? Why in Merlin's name would they talk about cauldron bottoms? Pansy shook her head in disgust.

When the girls finally went into the shower room, Pansy hurried up to their dormitory and immediately found the bright pink book bag Bethany carried. She has horrible taste! Pansy thought as she rummaged through the contents. Sod it all! It's not here. She scanned the room; there just wasn't enough time for a thorough search. I'll just have to come back later.

As Pansy closed the door of the dorm, a passing fifth year gave her an odd look. "Prefect business. Go on about yours," she remarked officially, with a flick of her hand.

When Pansy returned to her room, Fefnir was whimpering; the Cruppy had an accident while she was away.

"Poor Fefnir! I'm sorry!" she said, using a cleaning charm on the rug. "We will go for our walk later," she said, giving him a scratch behind the ears.

He barked his understanding, and then curled up in his basket with a bone.

Pansy pushed off her robe and looked at herself in the floor length mirror. I'm far too thin. Draco won't like me this way; he's always liked me slightly curvy. I have to force myself to eat.

"You're skin and bones! You look like a Thestral!" the mirror taunted.

Pansy threw her Advanced Charms book at the mirror. "Ouch!" it said.

~ * ~

She dressed in her school uniform and Slytherin robes, and met Millicent in the common room. Together, they walked down to breakfast.

"Thanks for walking Fefnir last night, Millie, and for bringing Madam Pomfrey too. I feel utterly foolish. I don't know what came over me."

"Pansy, don't worry about it. It wasn't a problem in the least."

"Where you still able to get your Charms essay done last night?"

"I went to the library and had plenty of time to finish it. Oh, Kevin Entwhistle was there. He asked if you were around."

"He did?"

"He also asked if you were seeing anyone."

"What did you tell him?"

"I said you weren't. Is that what I should have said?"

"It doesn't really matter."

"I'm telling you, Pansy, he's keen on you. He's not quite as good looking as Draco, but..."

"Nobody is as good looking as Draco," Pansy sighed as she sat down at the Slytherin table. Millicent thought, like everyone else, that Draco and Pansy had split up last term.

"You just have to put Draco behind you. I'm sure Kevin would be more than willing to help you with that," she teased. "A lot of witches think he's gorgeous, but he seems to have his eye on you. He could be yours, if you give him a bit of encouragement."

Pansy listened carefully to Millicent's words. Hmmm... The other girls like him, but he fancies me. She glanced over at the Ravenclaw table and sure enough, he was surrounded by girls.

"He asked me to the party on Saturday," Pansy whispered.

"Oh!" Millicent squawked. The other Slytherins looked at her strangely. "What did you say?" she whispered to Pansy.

"I told him I needed to think about it."

"What's to think about? He's got everything you'd need: looks, enough wealth, intelligence and a pure-blood line. Your family wouldn't object to that."

Pansy shrugged and glanced back over at Kevin. He saw her looking and leaned back, putting a bit of distance between him and his admirers. Kevin crossed his arms and gazed back at her, with a roguish grin.

He is rather intriguing. A pure-blood Ravenclaw would please Mother tremendously.

Back to the matter at hand, she thought. Pansy watched and listened to Bethany covertly, while she made herself eat some porridge and fruit. By the time breakfast was over, she knew Bethany had D.A.D.A. first and then Potions with Slughorn.

Pansy had a break after her first class this morning. Perfect. I should have enough time to find it.

The mail rushed in. No eagle owl today, she noted with relief.

She met up with the other seventh years, and walked to Advanced Transfiguration. She could tell Kevin was watching her, as he discussed Quidditch with Dean Thomas from Gryffindor.

She walked ahead and swayed her hips a bit, just to see if he would notice. She glanced at him as she turned into the classroom; he was staring at her. Oh, he liked that! she thought haughtily.

~ * ~

Pansy was the first to leave class and immediately went down to the Slytherin common room. It was completely empty, and she was fairly certain no one else had a break right now.

This shouldn't take too long, and then I'll take Fefnir for his walk.

Pansy slithered into the second year girls' dorm, closed the door and began her search.

The letter lay in a box she found in a trunk near the window. Recognising the pink parchment, she snatched it and sat down on a bed. Taking a deep breath, she opened the letter that had been delivered by Draco's owl.

Dearest baby sister,

I have some exciting news! Something that I've been wanting for a very long time might actually become true!

Father is arranging a marriage for me, and the best part is that we agree on the groom! Someone I have a history with. Can you guess who?

Pansy's hands were trembling so badly that she had to lay the letter on the bed in order to finish reading it.

I'll leave you here for today, as I've been sworn to secrecy! I'll write as soon as it's official.

With love, Bunny

PS: If you think very hard about past holidays, I'm sure you will know who it is!

Pansy stood up and paced around the room. An awful feeling was creeping up inside her. What is this all about? Why is this Bunny person using Draco's owl?

She found a piece of parchment. She magically copied the letter and tucked it into her pocket. She skimmed the other letters from the box, but there was nothing of interest to her, so she put them all away.

Bunny. Bunny. Who is this ridiculous Bunny person?

Pansy frantically searched the trunk again and found a photograph book, embossed with the name Bethany Watson. The first pages were childhood photos, but there was a more recent one Pansy believed was the Watson family. The father was dark and handsome, but he had a disagreeable, almost sinister, look about him. The two daughters had blonde hair like their mother, but one girl was much older than the other. Pansy focused on the girls. The youngest one was definitely Bethany.

So this must be Dummy Bunny. Pansy stared at the girl, who was trying her best to give off an air of superiority. That's Montague's girlfriend! What was her name? Ummm... Winifred Watson!

Pansy breathed a sigh of relief. A few years ago, Draco and Montague had played Quidditch together for the Slytherin team. He's two years older than us; I think she's about the same. Yes, she is.

But why did Killer deliver the letter? Perhaps Draco's owl was delivering a message to Montague! That's it! She rudely used his owl without asking! The owl couldn't know that silly Bethany, so that's why it was circling!

Creak! The door was opening!

~ * ~

Bloody hell! Pansy crouched down and stealthy moved around the canopy bed. From her vantage point, she could see it was Emmy, not Bethany. Emmy rummaged through her trunk and pulled out a package of Stink Pellets.

Nitwit! She'll never get away with using them. There just aren't enough other students to blame it on this year, and she will reek of the stench! Filch will know it's her!

Emmy dropped one of the wrapped pellets and bent down to pick it up. Pansy held her breath.

"Who's there? Show yourself!" The younger girl had her wand out.

With all the dignity she could muster, she stood and faced Emmy.

"Pansy! What are you doing in here?" Emmy was startled, but spied the photograph book on the bed and looked at Pansy suspiciously. "You were going through Bethany's photos! Why?"

Pansy knew she could pull out her wand faster than Emmy could mutter a hex. "Lower your wand! And do not speak to me in that tone!" She gave Emmy her most condescending Slytherin look.

The younger witch cowered. She was well aware that Pansy was powerful and not someone you wanted as an enemy.

"Skiving class, Emmy? What would Slughorn and McGonagall say?" Pansy shook her head disdainfully. "But that is the least of your worries. You've been caught with illegal Stink Pellets. I am a school Prefect, and I have an obligation to turn you in to Mr. Filch."

Pansy made sure her words were sinking in before continuing. "Those pellets are worth five night's detention. I hear Filch hasn't had many detentions this year, so he'll be awfully glad to get his hands on you!" she taunted, pausing for dramatic effect. It was working; Emmy had turned white.

"Filch likes it if you come to his office at late at night, around eleven. He'll have something easy for you to do, such as accompanying him into the dungeons to find Mrs. Norris' supper. Or maybe he'll have you going into the Forbidden Forest, so you can find out what's been eating the turnips in that giant oaf's garden. I remember he did that to a group of first years, a few years back. Something was killing unicorns..."

Emmy was trembling and tears were running down her face. "Please, Pansy! I'll do anything! Please don't turn me in!" she begged.

"Anything?"

"Yes, I swear, anything!" Emmy said loudly.

"On your knees and cross your hands over your heart."

Still shaking, Emmy looked fearful, but did as she was told.

"Repeat after me: I, Emmy... What's your full name?"

"Emma S-Sarah Ross."

"I, Emma Sarah Ross, am eternally beholden to this sacred oath," Pansy said.

"I-I Emma Sarah Ross, am eternally b-beholden to this sacred oath."

"I will never reveal the private activities of Pansy Parkinson for as long as I live, or I shall willingly endure the effects of the ancient Parkinson Tongue Curse."

Emmy repeated the oath exactly.

Standing over her, Pansy tapped the girl' head with her wand, while chanting a long, complicated incantation. When she was done, a puff of green smoke emanated from her wand.

"If you sever your vow, you will be cursed with a horrible affliction, too ghastly to mention! This oath must forever remain secret as well, or you will suffer the awful consequences. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Pansy," Emmy said meekly.

"Get up!" Pansy hissed.

Emmy shot up.

"Leave the room and close the door behind you," Pansy ordered sternly. "I will dispose of your illegal paraphernalia."

Emmy hurried away.

Pansy grinned evilly. I am the Sorceress of Slytherin! The incantation was bogus, but Pansy needed this girl's discretion. It's better to let her think she's under my spell than let her roam free. Ha! She might even prove useful in the future.

Pansy transfigured the Stink Pellets into mice. "That should keep them busy this evening," she said with satisfaction.

The album was still lying on the bed. She picked it up and flipped through the photos. There were numerous photos of Bethany and Winifred, or whatever her name was. There was one photograph of a petite Winifred, with her long blonde hair flowing in the breeze. She was wearing a bewitching swimsuit and sitting on the lap of a handsome boy, who was rubbing her shoulders.

It was Draco!

Pansy caught her breath. Oh Branwen! What is he doing with her? When was this taken? Why is he with her?

Impulsively, she took the moving photograph and then magically rearranged the others to conceal its disappearance. She returned the book to its proper place in the trunk and sat down on the bed, watching Draco with this girl.

Pansy was mesmerised by the photograph. That slag! What is she doing on Draco's lap? He's touching her the way he touches me! Pansy started to gag; she couldn't help it. She leaned over and was sick all over the floor.

~ * ~

Pansy didn't know how she survived the next few days. Pansy went to her classes and tried her best to suppress her emotions, but there was absolutely nothing she could do to calm herself. She just couldn't get that picture of Draco and Bunny out of her mind.

She watched Bethany like a hawk. She had even made Emmy keep Bethany in the library one evening so she could search their room again, just to make sure she hadn't missed anything.

Saturday morning found her out on the snowy lawn with Fefnir. Pansy waved her wand, causing a small yellow ball to fly through the air. Fefnir jumped and caught it in his mouth.

"He's ace!"

Pansy spun around. Kevin Entwhistle ran up to her, his hot breath making smoke in the cold.

"Good morning, Pansy."

"Hello, Kevin. What were you doing?"

"Exercising."

"In the cold? Why?"

"I hope to play professional Quidditch next year. There are no house teams this year, so I have to do something to keep fit."

She noticed that he certainly was fit, as he bent to pet Fefnir. He wore Quidditch practise robes, but she could see he had broad shoulders and powerful legs.

"I ride," Pansy told him. She wanted him to know she was fit as well.

"Horses?"

"Yes, Granians."

"You ride Granians? A slender witch like you?" He was clearly impressed. Granians were difficult to manage, even by the most expert riders. "You just don't look like the type of brawny witch who usually handles such beasts."

She smiled. It always amused her when people found out. "My family has one of the largest Granian stables in Britain. I've been riding since I was six, beginning with the colts and fillies that could not yet fly. By the time they were grown, we were used to each other. Have you ever ridden them?"

"Yes. They are temperamental and swift, but beautiful and graceful at the same time." From the look he was giving her, Pansy didn't think he was talking about winged horses any longer.

"Yes, they are."

"We have Aethonans. I've been around them my entire life," Kevin told her.

"I love Aethonans! They are so beautiful. I've always wanted one, but I've never even ridden one."

"Maybe you will one day."

"Perhaps," she said. "Kevin, why haven't I seen you out here before?"

"I've seen you," he admitted.

"You have?"

"I didn't want to disturb you. You always look so peaceful."

"Yes," she said, almost embarrassed. "It's a good way to clear my head, and Fefnir needs to be outside."

"Is there something that's bothering you? It can't be N.E.W.T.s yet."

Pansy looked up into his hazel eyes. "No, not N.E.W.T.s, not yet anyway."

They silently watched Fefnir, who was digging a hole in the snow.

"Well, I'll see you at breakfast," he said quickly, and took off jogging toward the castle.

"Kevin!"

He circled back. He looked at her expectantly.

"The party... is it still going to happen?"

"Yes."

"I'm not...ready...to date yet."

"Will you tell me why?"

She thought he probably already knew. It was common knowledge that she and Draco had been an item but something had happened between them last year.

She shook her head. "I'm sorry, but I will be there."

He shrugged and ran off.

Pansy watched him run uphill with ease. He's tasty! I suppose I've discouraged him now, though. She sighed.

He had made her think. Here was someone who had an uncomplicated future, was all the things she would look for in a wizard and who definitely fancied her. Instead of pursuing something with him, she was waiting around for a Death Eater, who probably wasn't going to come back to her because he was going to marry a bunny.

*
"Yes, I've been preoccupied, but none of this has anything to do with us, and it doesn't change the way I feel about you. It was heartless to expect that you would wait around for me without any explanation."

"Please, Pansy, please trust me; I'm telling you the truth. I'll do everything I can to make sure we can be together soon, okay?"

"Pansy, I will never hurt you."
*

She felt hurt now. It had been six months, and there had not one word from Draco. She was still waiting around for him without any explanation. He wanted her to trust him, but this whole Bunny business was breaking her heart. Perhaps her mother was correct. Maybe she needed to move on.

*
"I've never been with anyone here at school, except you."
*

How carefully he worded that! she thought miserably. He must have been with Bunny, or whatever her name is, during breaks. They were obviously intimate with each other. I hate the thought of Draco with her, doing things he was going to do with me! I never saw them together at school. She was always with that nasty witch Carla or Montague. What does she mean to him? Petite, with long blonde hair, and more worldly, Bunny was everything Pansy was not. Is he going to marry her? Was he there with his owl when she wrote that letter? Were they laughing at me?

*
"It's because you're the only witch for me."
*

Pansy continued to think about her situation. Am I really, Draco? I told him I'd wait, but for how long? What can I do? He was clear he didn't want me involved, but he needed me so much that night. I know he loved me that night. At least for one night, I knew he loved me.

*
"Pansy, I love you. I want to touch you and kiss you. I want to love you--completely."
*

She remembered their passion that night. And then Snape! She shuddered.

She was very confused. Should she listen to her heart and wait for Draco, regardless of what she thought about Bunny, or should she do what her head and everyone else was telling her and move on once and for all?

~ * ~

That night, she met Millicent in the common room before the party.

"You look lovely!" Pansy told her.

Millicent was wearing a sheer turquoise robe over a matching flowing dress in silk. She had slimmed down slightly over the past year, and her brown hair was arranged attractively.

"Thank you. So do you," Millicent returned.

Pansy had chosen an ankle length, purple velvet dress. The dress was simple in design, with a scoop neck and back. She wore a long, sheer cape in black that was tied with a velvet ribbon around her neck. Tall black boots completed the look.

"Let's go, Millie. This is probably the only thing we'll get to do this season." Pansy walked out of the common room. Her cape fluttered behind her and the effect was stunning.

"You should be going with Kevin," Millicent said.

"With his charm and looks, he probably found a date within a minute of leaving me."

Pansy and Millicent arrived just as the music started. Millicent was asked to dance immediately by a Hufflepuff. Pansy watched her friend fondly, as Millicent enjoyed the wizard's attentions.

Kevin was dancing with a Gryffindor, Lavender Brown. She looks pretty enough tonight, thought Pansy grudgingly. They must have come together.

She turned away and helped herself to some of the refreshments. Pansy sailed across the room, cape flowing, to talk briefly to a few people. She made sure Kevin could see her. She kept watch out of the corner of her eye, and she noted that Kevin had already danced with about half of the girls there.

After a half hour, she turned to leave, not wanting to just stand around. There really wasn't anyone she was interested in socialising with any longer, and Millie was clearly occupied.

"Hi." Kevin was standing inches away from her.

"Hi, Kevin."

"You look amazing."

"Thank you."

"Dance?" It was a fast song, and it looked like everybody was having fun. Pansy had forgotten what it was like to have a good time.

"I'd like that."

They danced together until the party started to wind down. Millicent had just left with the Hufflepuff wizard, when a slower song was played.

"Last dance of the night," Kevin said, holding out his hand to her.

*
"Somewhere only we know." He spoke softly, closing the distance between them. Draco stopped mere inches away and held out his right hand, as he had so many times before.
*

Pansy looked down at Kevin's hand. She hadn't touched another boy for a very long time. Instead of taking it she said, "Let's go for a walk."

He was surprised, but followed her into the Great Hall. "Where would you like to go?"

"We could just walk the corridors for a while and talk. Oh, you probably need to go back to Lavender."

"Why? I asked you to the party, remember?"

Pansy gave him a sweet smile and started to walk, and he remained right by her side. Pansy learned a lot about Kevin that night. He was easy to talk to and asked intelligent questions. He also had an interesting family and told her about some of their travels to Egypt and to the Orient.

"Do you have a lot of pressure on you, Pansy, to make the right match?"

She was surprised at his forwardness, but she thought it was a fair question. "We are pure-bloods from ancient times. There are expectations."

"I thought so. My family is pure-blood as well."

Pansy nodded her understanding. Changing the subject, she inquired about his future plans. "So, you would like to play professional Quidditch, Kevin?"

"That's my dream. I play during holidays in a semi-professional league, and I was a Chaser for Ravenclaw the last four years too."

"I remember." He looked good in his blue Quidditch robes, she thought pleasantly.

He smiled. "After I play Quidditch for a several years, I expect I will either start a venture to develop improved Quidditch equipment or take a position at the Ministry in the Department of Magical Games and Sports. I might like to be involved in planning and organizing Britain's World Cup teams. I won't really need to work, though, but I think I would like to have something interesting to do involving Quidditch."

"That sounds reasonable. I really haven't thought about what I'm going to do once I'm fully qualified. I have no need to work either, but I like to be challenged."

"Just make sure whatever you do, you can still come to a few Quidditch matches."

Pansy smiled.

After an Auror passed by, Kevin said, "So tell me more about your family."

"My father is primarily a land owner these days, a Lord of sorts. He leases most of his land to Muggles. My mother is the rider in the family, besides me. I have two older brothers; they are both married with children. One lives in France, the other in Italy. My family has interests all over the world, so my brothers manage those."

Kevin looked interested and that pleased Pansy.

"Oh, my mother was a Ravenclaw, but my father was a Slytherin."

Kevin grinned. "Sort of like us."

"You could say that." Pansy smiled. Why can't things always be this uncomplicated?

She was so tired from the stress of the past week that she found herself stifling a yawn.

"It's late and you seem tired. Why don't I walk you to your common room?"

Pansy agreed, and when they arrived, she said, "Would you like to see the Slytherin common room? I doubt many Ravenclaws have ever seen it."

"Hmmm... Won't you be breaking some sort of secret Slytherin code?"

"What does all that really matter now?" Pansy said, laughing and leading the way.

"Well, this is it." She walked into the room, but he stayed near the archway.

"It's about what I expected," he admitted, taking in the decor. "I heard that this is under the lake. Is that true?"

"Yes. When I first arrived here, I was a little nervous about that--with the giant squid out there and all."

Kevin chuckled. "I imagine you weren't the only one."

"Well, good night, Kevin. Thank you for organising the party. Everyone had a good time."

"I think it went rather well. Maybe I'll be able to convince McGonagall to let us have another one, after winter break."

"I think we'd all be able to use the release before N.E.W.T.s begin."

"It was nice to spend some time with you, Pansy," he told her sincerely. Kevin watched her warm her hands by the fire for a moment. "Good night."

"Good night."

She sighed, and walked over to the message board, looking at the photographs on display. There was one of Draco and the Slytherin Quidditch team after a match. He looked so handsome in his green team robes. They had beaten Ravenclaw soundly that day, she remembered.

She looked at another photograph taken before the Yule Ball. Pansy and Draco stood near the middle, surrounded by other Slytherin couples. "What has become of us?" Tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Don't cry, Pansy."

~ The End of Chapter Two ~