However Far Away - Part II of Romance, Slytherin Style

Romance, Slytherin Style - Part II

However Far Away
Chapter Six

by Sea Isle Witch

"Sponsalis Conludo Nodus." There was a blinding flash of blue light.

"Draco?" Pansy whispered as she opened her eyes.

They were kneeling, facing each other, and his left hand firmly held hers, which was shaking.

"I think it worked," Draco said as he moved his hand. The parchment package had vanished, just as the spell book described.

Pansy and Draco exchanged a meaningful look. The ancient magic that further bound them together would protect their thoughts and memories of each other--past, present and future--from being forcefully taken by Legilimency or Veritaserum, or from being altered or Obliterated.

"We are brilliant together." She leaned forward and kissed him.

"We should celebrate," Draco said, suggestively stroking her hips and thighs.

"Honestly, Draco," she scolded, but smiled. "I found that rather exhausting. I need some water." She Summoned a tray from her bedside table, but it started to wobble in mid air.

Draco jumped up and caught the tray. "Pansy, you're shaking! Are you okay?" he asked, setting it down.

"I'm fine, just a bit drained," she said, rubbing her forehead.

He knelt down next to her, giving her a kiss on the forehead. Draco poured two goblets of water and handed one to her. "Are you sure you're all right?" he asked.

She tilted her head to the side and smiled at him. "You're actually quite sweet, Mr Malfoy."

Draco gave her his best smirk. "Don't tell anyone."

"Your secrets are safe with me." She took a sip of her water.

He nodded. "They are now."

~ * ~

Drinking his water slowly, Draco pondered the inevitable. I can't put it off any longer. She has a right to know what she'd involved herself in when she agreed to be mine. I wonder what she's expecting to hear. I need to explain the situation very carefully. Pansy's clever and perhaps together we can find a way out.

"Are you sure you are well enough for our discussion now? Do you want to lie down for a bit, Pansy? Alone?"

"I'm fine, and we need to talk," she told him. "And, Draco," she paused, smiling sweetly, "I don't want to lie down alone when you're here with me."

He smiled back. That's my witch!

Draco took a few moments to make sure she was really okay, and then he said, "I want to tell you something before we begin."

"All right then." Pansy saw how serious he had become, and it alarmed her.

"Do you recall what I told you at the tree house, about how I've been forced to do things?"

She nodded.

"I have done some horrible things, but my parents and I are still alive because of it. I've had no choice."

"I'm nervous about what you're going to tell me, Draco. I just need to know the basics. Please, no details unless I ask for them." She was teary eyed.

"Of course, Pansy. Trust me." He touched her cheek and she leaned into it. "I'm afraid I'm going to lose you," he whispered.

"Draco, I will not leave you--ever." She looked directly into his eyes. "I do trust you." I want him to know I'm here for him.

He gave her a gentle kiss and offered his hands. "Let's go sit over in that cosy chair together," he said, pulling her to her feet.

"It's snowing again. It's beautiful," Pansy said, looking out at the snow piling up on the small dungeon window. She shivered and rubbed her arms.

Standing behind, he wrapped his arms around her.

"Mmmm... You make me feel safe and warm," she told him. He needs that just as much as I do. "Do I make you feel that way?"

"I feel happy and loved when I'm with you."

Pansy turned to face him, smiling. "I know just what you mean," she said, hugging him.

"Before you sit down..." He cast an Expanding Charm on the chair and ottoman, stretching them to fit two comfortably. He peeled off his sweater, while watching her as she settled into the chair. She's perfect for me: powerful, sexy, loving and beautiful. He loosened and untucked his shirt, then kicked off his shoes. "Accio throw."

They snuggled under the wool throw for a while, allowing their nerves to calm before they began their talk.

~ * ~

"I'll start from the beginning, Pansy, okay?"

Pansy nodded.

"After I was summoned and received the Dark Mark, the Dark Lord gave me a dangerous mission. I think he wanted to punish Father through me. Although I was never told by my parents that I had to become a Death Eater, I started to think that it had all been predetermined since my birth. There was nothing I could do about it, so I would just make the best of it. Part of me thought it would be thrilling if I could do the difficult tasks and become his most favoured one."

"I think I know what you're saying, Draco. You had to find a way so that this could make sense to you."

"Exactly, Pansy." She understands me so well. "I was learning all types of new magic, and that part was exciting. I was duelling too, and you know how much I like that."

Pansy nodded, remembering how she and Draco used to practice duelling on Crabbe and Goyle.

"I decided I wouldn't die, and I actually began to feel invincible. That's why I boasted a bit on the train." Draco paused to see how she had taken that.

"I had no idea you were hinting at the truth. I thought you were grandstanding for Blaise, Vincent and Gregory. Afterward, when you told me that Potter had snuck into our compartment, I thought it was all for his benefit."

"It still makes me angry to think how Potter spied on us like that," Draco said, gnashing his teeth.

"So rude! What did he think he was going to gain by that? He was lucky that we all weren't there when he fell out of the luggage rack," Pansy ranted. "What if he had seen us snogging? Urgh! I would have hated knowing that he had seen us together."

"I took care of him, and since I suspected it, he didn't have a chance to see us kissing," Draco told her with a smirk. "He better never come near you."

"I don't think he'd be that foolish, Draco."

"Enough about him, I still have more to tell you," Draco said, changing the subject. "Now where was I? Oh, yeah. So my life had changed drastically over the summer. I really didn't know what to say to you, so that's why I didn't send an owl to you after my visit. I hadn't told you that I loved you yet--and I do very much," he said, gazing into her eyes and squeezing her, "but at that point, before term had started, I thought it would be best for us to end it."

"You were actually going to break up with me?" Pansy was surprised. "Go on, Draco."

"I didn't want you involved or in danger," Draco said, sighing, "but the moment you walked into the train compartment, I knew I couldn't let you go," he told her passionately, touching her cheek. "Do you remember?"

"Yes, Draco, I remember. When I didn't hear from you all summer, I thought maybe you had changed your mind about us," she said. "The moment you kissed me on the train, though, I knew you still wanted me. Your kiss couldn't lie."

"I was confused, that's my only excuse. I wanted you to know that I loved you," he said, kissing her lips lightly, "but I just couldn't tell you. My life was not my own, and I couldn't offer you anything. So, I strung you along, as you so skilfully put it that night, keeping my claim on you. I did it with the hope that maybe things could work out for us someday."

"Everything will, I just know it," Pansy said with conviction, and then she kissed him thoroughly. "I wish kissing is all we have to do tonight, but we have a lot more to talk about. Let's try to get through it, so that we have time for kissing later."

"Okay, later then, but I'm going to want to do more than just kiss you," he said, biting his bottom lip.

Pansy smiled at him, but sat ready to hear what else he had to say.

~ * ~

"As the year went on, the pressure was unbearable. I worked on my project whenever I could, but I'd almost always lose track of time and come back to the common room too late to see you," Draco said, remembering one time in particular.

*

Tired and frustrated, Draco stalked into the Slytherin common room. "It's too late. She's not here," he grumbled to himself, walking over to the fireplace to warm up. Pansy was lying on a sofa asleep, curled up with her Charms book.

She is here. She did wait for me, Draco thought, watching her sleep. I wonder what she believes I've been doing. She never pressures me; maybe she thinks I'll tell her one of these nights.

He paced around the room a bit. I'm not going to wake her up, but she shouldn't be down here all alone, he thought. He took off his student robe and covered her with it. "Good night, Pansy," he whispered, as he gently kissed her cheek. He sunk into a nearby chair with her book, and then closed his eyes, drifting off to sleep.

"Draco," she whispered. "Draco." Pansy was on the sofa, leaning towards him.

"Pansy," he yawned, waking up. "Come here," he said, patting his lap.

She rose slowly and sat in his lap, leaning against his chest.

She always feels so good, he thought, wrapping his arms around her waist and giving her a squeeze.

He gazed into her green eyes, while she caressed his face. Their lips met for one intense kiss.

"We should go to our dorms before everyone else wakes up," she said.

"We are Prefects, Pansy. We're allowed to patrol the common room."

She kissed him again, but this time it was gentle and sweet.

"Miss Parkinson, why are you sitting in Mr Malfoy's chair?" a silky voice said, surprising them.

Pansy jumped up and smoothed her robes. "Professor Snape! We were...um...just..."

"Professor, sir, Miss Parkinson was helping me with my homework," Draco drawled lazily, holding up Pansy's Charms book. What's he going to do? Put me in detention?

"Malfoy, see me in my office in five minutes." Snape left the room.

I'll be right there, Draco thought sarcastically. He drew Pansy back on to his lap and snogged her soundly, until they heard the other Slytherins making their way into the lavatories.

"I'll see you at breakfast, Draco."

"Save my place next to you."

*

"The nights you weren't there were unbearable."

"Draco, I knew something was wrong. All sorts of things occurred to me, but I could always tell in your kiss that you were still mine."

"I was hoping that you trusted me, even though I didn't trust myself with you. That's why we always stayed in the common room last year and never went to the tree house or anywhere else. I knew we had to wait until the right time." Draco didn't smirk, he smiled. "Last night was amazing, Pansy."

"If nothing else is ever perfect again, we will always have last night."

"We are going to have many perfect nights together, but tonight I have to tell you things I wish never happened."

"Go on then. Let's get it over with, so I can kiss you some more."

Hmmm... She keeps kissing me and talking about kissing me. She must want me... Draco bit his lip. "We could take a break..."

"Draco..."

"All right," Draco sighed. "Well, I tried several ways to accomplish my mission, without much luck. Then over Christmas break I was summoned again. I was dreading it, because the project wasn't going well. He used the Cruciatus Curse on me, in front of all the Death Eaters," he said, remembering how painful and humiliating the ordeal had been.

"I hate the thought of you in pain," she said, her voice cracking. Hold it together, Pansy; he needs to tell me. He needs my support.

"He made sure I knew my family would be tortured and killed in front of me, if I didn't do the project to his satisfaction. I couldn't let anything happen to Mother, and I had to save Father."

"Of course you wanted to protect your family," Pansy said, taking his hand.

"I didn't want you to know, but I thought I would probably die in my attempts."

"Oh, Draco!"

"That's why I stopped myself that night at the tree house. I didn't think it would be fair to you...to take your pure-blood virginity...if I died."

Pansy caught her breath. "I love you for thinking about my welfare so unselfishly. I knew you were trying to protect me, but I wanted you to know you weren't alone any longer. I knew you needed me that night."

"I did need you--all of you. Thinking about that night is what kept me going all this time, but now I have so much more to live for." Draco kissed her passionately, and then rested his cheek against hers, dreading what he would tell her next.

Pansy closed her eyes and held onto him. Oh, Draco...

~ * ~

Things are going fairly well. I'm being honest with her, and she still believes in me. Now, here's the true test of her loyalty--how she reacts to this. He took a deep breath. "Part of the project I was being forced to do last year was to find a way to get a group of Death Eaters into Hogwarts, and that's what I did."

Pansy's eyes widened, and she shook her head. The Daily Prophet had reported that Snape had secretly let the Death Eaters in through a portal, but that the Ministry had destroyed it, rendering Hogwarts safe once again.

"Why are you saying that you let the Death Eaters in? They said Professor Snape did it."

Draco looked down. "No, I did; I didn't have any choice. I knew they weren't after the students; it was planned late so everyone would be in bed. I wanted to warn you, but you were already in your dorm room, and I thought you'd be safe there. Did you leave right away afterward, like I told you to at the tree house?"

"No. Professor Slughorn gathered us in the common room, and we all stayed there until morning. My parents came to take me home, but most of the students were staying for the funeral. I just couldn't go home because I was hoping you would turn up somewhere in the castle. I searched for you, Draco." A few tears rolled down her cheek as she remembered.

"You looked for me?" It had never occurred to him that she had stayed, much less searched for him.

She nodded as a few more tears appeared. "I even tried to get into the tree house, but I couldn't make the ladder appear without you."

"I'm so sorry, Pansy." He wiped her tears away. "Professor Snape forced me to leave the castle immediately. I didn't know what else to do because people where trying to attack us."

"How did you get the Death Eaters into Hogwarts?"

"Remember the broken vanishing cabinet that Montague was stuck in?"

"Yes." Pansy nodded.

"There was a pair of cabinets, one was at Borgin and Burkes in Knockturn Alley, and the broken one was moved into the Room of Requirement on the seventh floor. It took me all year to figure it out how to mend it. Crabbe and Goyle had to stand guard, so that's why we used Polyjuice Potion to disguise them from nosey Potter and his gang of Mudbloods and misfit blood traitors..." Draco told her about how he fixed the cabinets and how they worked.

~ * ~

It's better she knows everything; although, she might be afraid of me when I tell her the rest. No, she knows I love her and that I'd never hurt her. "Pansy, there was another part of the project that is even worse."

Oh, no! What could be worse than letting the Death Eaters in?

She looks scared. Maybe I won't tell her. No, if I don't and she finds out later, it could cause problems between us. If we are going to talk about what our options are, she needs to know everything.

"Okay, go on," she said bravely, bracing herself.

"The Dark Lord wanted me to murder Professor Dumbledore."

Pansy went completely pale. "No! You didn't do it! Professor Snape did it!" Her stomach lurched, and she felt like she was going to be sick.

"I didn't do it," Draco said, grabbing her shoulders and looking her into the eyes. She's going to pass out! "Accio goblet!" Draco put the goblet to her lips, and she took a sip.

"I didn't do it! Did you hear me?"

She nodded, and then sipped more of the water. Oh, Branwen! I just can't believe how horrible it must have been for him!

"I went up there, but I couldn't do it. I'm not a killer. I disarmed Dumbledore and told him what my assignment was, but he wasn't afraid of me. He knew I wouldn't do it."

He glanced at Pansy.

"Go on," she prompted.

"I could tell he was impressed about my cleverness and all the difficult magic that I used. He told me that I had options. Dumbledore said that he could hide me and my family--fake our deaths, but that's right when the Death Eaters came. They kept yelling at me to do it, but Dumbledore talked to them calmly. Dumbledore was very weak; he seemed like he was already dying, and his hand was all black and withered. He could hardly stand up and kept sliding down against the rampart. By that time, Snape came and just did it."

Pansy took a few minutes to let it all sink in.

He rubbed his temples. There, I told her. I wonder what she will say.

"Draco," she began, "I completely understand why you felt you couldn't tell me, but realise that I would have supported you then, just as I am now. Haven't we always been there for one another? For six and a half years now." She sighed, shaking her head. "You're very strong to have gone through all this alone, but you didn't have to." How he's suffered!

"Pansy, I just didn't know what to do; I was confused, and I didn't think I was going to live through it. I didn't want to drag you down with me, or put you in danger."

"I can't image how awful it must have been! I'm surprised you're so calm, telling me," she told him.

"I've had plenty of time to think about everything and to gain some perspective," Draco said, sounding wiser than his years.

Pansy nodded her understanding. She snuggled closer to Draco, wanting him to feel her love and support.

Draco told her a cursory version of where he'd been and what he'd been doing over the last six months, tempering it for her sensitivity. It was partly her innocence that captivated him, and he wasn't going to jade her.

"That's most of it, Pansy," he said, sighing and rubbing his temples.

~ * ~

They sat in silence, thinking about the cruel reality of their situation.

What are we going to do? she wondered. I just can't imagine how we are going to get out of this alive. If we try to run, they will come after us and our families. If we don't, then Draco is in constant danger, and we can't be together. Our only hope is for him to trust Snape.

Now that I've told her, I wonder if she regrets knowing, thought Draco. It's so complicated and everything is at risk.

Finally, Pansy spoke. "It's so much to think about. My head hurts."

"I'm sorry," he said, kissing her forehead. "We can talk more a bit later, or even tomorrow. Is that all right?"

She nodded, but then said, "I'm afraid something bad is going to happen to you." Tears were streaming down her cheeks.

"Please don't cry, not tonight. I'll figure out something to make you happy," Draco said, pulling her closer and stroking her hair. I've made her cry again. She deserves better. Please don't let her change her mind about us.

~ The End of Chapter Six ~