However Far Away - Part II of Romance, Slytherin Style

Romance, Slytherin Style ~ Part II

However Far Away
Chapter Nine

By Sea Isle Witch

Pansy took Fefnir for his morning walk in the new fallen snow instead of going to the Great Hall for breakfast. She lingered outside her dungeon window and saw Draco wave to her. She smiled, knowing he was back from the shower without incident, but she didn't wave back in case a guard was watching, or worse, an Auror.

Why do things have to be so complicated? I'm afraid something awful is going to happen. Maybe we should just run away; then I can be sure he's safe because he will be with me.

When she returned to her room with the Cruppy, she grabbed Draco and snogged him senseless. Please take me with you, she thought as she tried to kiss her anxieties away.

She just can't get enough of me! he thought excitedly. He kissed her until it was time for Pansy to go to class.

She was purposely the last one to arrive for Advanced Arithmancy, enabling her to avoid Millicent's questions and Kevin's adoration. She nodded to her classmates politely, but her gaze lingered on Kevin's face when he raised an eyebrow. He probably wonders why I wasn't at breakfast. She gave him the smallest of smiles, just to be friendly, and he returned with a grin. He's only a friend; I can't help it if he fancies me.

She sat down and immediately noticed Kevin staring at her legs from across the aisle. He does look at me a lot, but Draco doesn't need to worry about Kevin, she thought, touching the outline of the pendent underneath her blouse. We are betrothed.

A bit later, a charmed parchment bird fluttered into the classroom and landed in front of Pansy, attracting everyone's interest. She tried to remain composed as she remembered what Draco had told her earlier while kissing her passionately. I just can't wait to see him! And kiss him!

"Miss Parkinson, you've received a message?" Professor Vector prompted, bringing Pansy out of her daydream.

"Yes, Professor." Pansy dramatically opened the note and feigned despair. "Oh! It says my Cruppy is not well. I must go to him!" Pansy smoothly picked up her velvet rucksack and swept out of the classroom. She didn't glance back; she knew Vector wouldn't do anything, at least not then. She would need to come up with a detailed explanation, but right now being with Draco was more important than anything else.

Pansy hurried down to the dungeons. She stopped in the witches' lavatory, and just as she suspected, the little house-elf was there again. Perfectly timed, Sorceress of Slytherin, she praised her own cleverness.

"Hello, Winky."

"Miss Parkinson! What can Winky do for you?"

"I would like a substantial lunch discretely brought to my room precisely at noon."

"Oh! Thank you! Winky will be honoured to serve Miss Parkinson!" she said bowing.

"You are an excellent house-elf, Winky." She has to love that!

~ * ~

Pansy opened the door with a simple unlocking spell and stepped into her room. She couldn't see Draco, but as the door closed behind her she heard him say the sealing spell. She then felt his chest pressing against her back and his gentle kisses on her neck.

"Did you like my note?" he asked softly.

"It reminded me of the notes you used to send to me from across the common room. I'm sure this one was a bit trickier to charm."

"You've always said I was charming when I wanted to be."

Pansy smiled and spun around to face him, but he was not visible. "Are you going to deprive me of such a handsome view?"

"Finite Incantatem." Draco ended the Disillusionment Charm and reappeared before her with his usual smug expression.

"Much better. I need to see my wizard," she said just above a whisper, touching his face. How am I going to live without him?

They kissed tenderly and held each other. Their time together was precious, and they intended to relish every moment.

I know I'll ache for her when I leave. It was bad enough before, but now...it will be unbearable to be apart. Damn! I sound like a Hufflepuff! I can't fall apart; I need to stop feeling so bloody sorry for myself. I have to make sure that she can truly defend herself if someone tries to hurt her when I'm not around.

"Pansy, I want to show you those spells," he whispered, not able to speak louder right then. He placed his arm around her waist and guided her to the cosy chair, which he stretched with the Expanding Charm again. As they snuggled under the throw, he breathed in her unique scent. "I need you to be safe," he murmured.

She nodded her understanding; it was too difficult for her to talk with the rush of emotions that overwhelmed her. Her throat was constricted, and she ached inside. He's really going to leave! Oh, Branwen, help me be strong. She was holding back her tears, and she couldn't look into his eyes for fear of losing control. I don't want to ruin our last day together by crying. He has awful things to face, and I want him to remember the wonderful times we have together. I need to concentrate on that.

She's upset too. I can make her feel better, but first she must learn these spells. Draco rubbed his temples, trying to concentrate on what he needed to do.

"Pansy...this Shield Charm...I learnt it from Snape," Draco began in a shaky voice, silently cursing himself for his show of weakness. Taking a deep breath, he continued, "Did I tell you that Snape wants me to call him Master?"

"W-w-why?" she managed to say.

"He says I'm his apprentice, so he's my master," he told her in an even voice.

Pansy shook her head. "You are a Malfoy; has he forgotten that?" Her incredulity made it easier to talk.

"Apparently," he snorted, regaining a bit of his edge. "Well, this shield is different than the ones we learned in Defence Against the Dark Arts; what a joke that class was. This spell will surround your entire luscious body, Pansy, and help protect you when multiple spells are flying around, whether it's ricocheted jinxes, cross-curses, or hexes cast directly at you," Draco explained. He showed her the wand movements and said the incantation, "Contegere Cinxi."

Pansy was able to perform the spell quickly, and it lightened her mood. "This spell is the best defence shield I've ever seen." She was grateful to have something positive to think and talk about. "I love that you showed this to me." She gave him a tender kiss.

I will miss your kisses, Pansy.

Draco, don't go back. I need you.

"I made this next one up," he told her proudly. "I call it the Power Reversing Jinx. Insurrectum Retractum reverses the direction of a nasty spell coming at you and sends it right back to the foolish caster, but with a zing."

"Surprising your foe," she added, clearly impressed.

"Yeah, it does. If someone underestimates me, I just throw that out. The power of it always astonishes them," he said, sneering.

"Not everyone is privy to the secret powers of the Sorcerer of Slytherin," she purred, kissing his ear and noting the tremor that ran through his body as she pressed against him.

She has her own special powers.

Draco kissed her deeply, and then guided her hand as she learned the wand movements. "Perfect, just like you," he drawled appreciatively.

Pansy giggled. "What's next?"

"Two more defence charms. Propulso Fulminis, the Lightning Repelling Charm, is a duelling spell that wards off an unexpected curse at lightning speed. It's your only defence if you suddenly see something coming that you can't dodge. It's tricky, but it will give you an advantage if you learn to do it silently; there's not always enough time to say the actual words." When he showed her the spell, Fefnir yelped.

"Everything is okay, Fefnir," Pansy said in a soothing voice, and the Cruppy settled right down.

"He's loyal. He will fiercely protect you, if it came down to it."

She nodded, glancing at her little creature. Fefnir will comfort me when you leave too.

"The other defence spell is Torqueo Impellere, which will violently push away an attacker, like that bloody Ravenclaw bastard. It looks like this," he told her as he demonstrated.

She had to laugh. "Draco! Kevin won't attack me!"

"Pansy, I don't trust him. He saw that you were alone and followed you outside, pretending to exercise. He conveniently waited until the Hufflepuff took Millie away, and then wormed his way into our common room. He was lurking around the corridors last night; it was no coincidence that he ran into you. You don't know what he's capable of, so you need to stay far away from him. If he tries anything, anything at all, you should cast Comburo Valde."

"A burning spell?"

"It will set Entwhistle on fire!"

"Draco!"

"No, not exactly on fire," Draco laughed, "but he will have an intense burning sensation all over his pathetic body."

"That has to hurt!"

"I'm serious, Pansy. You can't Apparate here, so you need to be able to hurt Entwhistle to get away from him."

"Draco, I really don't think..."

"The last one...is...the...Nightmare Curse," he interrupted, teasing her.

Pansy laughed. "Don't tell me..."

"Sopio Insomnium, instantly stuns and puts your opponent to sleep," Draco told her with a wicked smile, "with nightmares." He showed her the spell.

Pansy mastered it quickly. "I would have loved to use this on Granger in our Prefect meetings. Remember how annoying she was? She was always trying to boss the rest of us around, thinking she was smarter than everyone else. She had little natural talent, just forced book skills," Pansy said matter-of-factly. "And that awful hair! She always seemed to be shedding."

He laughed heartily. "Maybe the Sorceress of Slytherin will get her chance to hex the Mudblood one day. Just make sure I get to see it."

He saw her eyes narrow as she took a moment to savour the possibilities. She's gorgeous when she's devious!

Draco turned serious again, tilting her chin so she was looking right at him. "Promise me, Pansy, that you'll practice these spells."

"I promise." She sealed her vow with a kiss.

~ * ~

"Now, you need to know the Door Sealing Charm and the Disillusionment Charm."

He pulled her to her feet, and she practiced the incantation, "Colloportus."

"Do it every time you enter and leave, Pansy. So no one can come in here."

She could see the uncertainty in his eyes. "I will, Draco. I don't want you to worry about me. You need to focus on what needs to be done."

He held her, stroking her hair. She sighed, resting her head against his shoulder.

"The Disillusionment Charm is tricky, but I know my witch can manage it," he said, giving her a quick squeeze. "The incantation is Praestigiae Latesco..."

Pansy and Draco spent a good hour on the charm, but she was only able to Disillusion her hands and feet.

"Well, if I hide behind the draperies, they won't see my feet," she said, trying to keep the mood light even though she was discouraged. I must do it!

"Keep trying. I need to know you can do this."

They were interrupted by a knock on the door. Draco quickly Disillusioned himself and slipped behind the door, his wand at the ready.

"Who's there?" she asked.

"Only Winky is here, Miss Parkinson."

Pansy removed the sealing charm and opened the door. The elf remained outside the room, but magicked the tray across the room to Pansy's study table.

"You have done very well, Winky."

"Thank you, Miss!" The happy elf vanished.

Pansy sealed the door with Colloportus as Draco watched with approval.

"I did ever tell you how talented I think you are?" he whispered in her ear, after he had Reillusioned himself.

"Tell me again."

"You are the cleverest, most delicious witch..." he said softly, nibbling her neck.

I know where this is going, but I need to drink more of the potion. "Speaking of delicious, you must be famished."

They sat at the table and had their lunch, keeping the conversation light.

"My brothers and their families will be home for several days around Christmas this year. I can't wait to see my nieces and nephews. Do you remember them from your visit?"

Draco nodded and smiled. "I'd never been around little witches and wizards before then. The twins were already good fliers. How old were they then?"

"Just six. They remember playing Chaser with you. When they visited over this past summer, they asked me about you."

"What did you say?"

"I said the same thing to everyone; you weren't able to visit this time. They were disappointed, but I played Chaser with all four of my nieces and nephews."

"The little witches were pretty, just like their aunt," he said tucking her hair behind her ears. "I would have loved to see you playing Chaser with them; you were always a good flier."

"I do wish you had been there too." Someday we will all be there together for summer holiday. "Draco, what is it like living at Malfoy Manor these days?"

"It's my home, so I'm comfortable there. It's heavily protected, and we made it Unplottable. No one can find us. Snape's living there, as you know, which is odd. He seems to fancy my mother."

Pansy laughed. "Mrs Malfoy is a beautiful witch; I'm sure she has many admirers. She knows how to handle that sort of thing."

"Hmmm... I suppose. I cannot go to see Father because of the Aurors, so I can't talk to him about it."

"Well, Snape isn't taking his place. He's just staying there to help you. He's not the Lord of the Manor, your father is."

"Someday we will be the Lord and Lady of Malfoy Manor. Would you like that?"

He doesn't want to talk about Mr Malfoy any longer. It must be awful to know your father is in such a predicament. "Lady Malfoy? It sounds perfect for me."

"Yes, it does." I have to keep her safe so that can really happen one day. "I made a list of the spells while you were in Arithmancy."

She met his gaze. "Thank you."

He took her hand and kissed it. "I will do anything for you."

"And I for you."

~ * ~

Pansy didn't go to her afternoon class, Advanced Herbology. Instead, they talked while lounging on the cosy chair.

"This is the last week before the holiday break. Then I'll be home for Christmas. Will I see you?"

"Of course you will; I'll figure it out somehow. The security wards won't let me Apparate directly there from Malfoy Manor; and I might be traced or followed, so I wouldn't do it anyway. That's why I rode Monarch here; it was a long way, but I was sure I wasn't followed. I'll ride Monarch to see you."

"If I know when you are coming, I could meet you at the edge of the property."

"That's too dangerous," he said, dismissing the idea. Blossom Hill Park was a large estate, and he didn't want her roaming through the woods alone.

"You can land near the stables. I'll make sure no one else is there. There's an unused section where we can secure Monarch. We can even add an Imperturbable Charm, so no one will hear him whinny."

"I'll Disillusion Monarch too."

"Then it's settled," Pansy said with a smile, excited to know she would at least see him soon. "Will you let me know when to expect you? Will you stay for a very long time? Will you make love to me, Draco?"

"Yes. Yes. And absolutely," Draco replied, laughing. Mmmm... That's my witch!

"Why are you laughing?" When she heard his laughter, she realised how needy those questions sounded. She felt silly and vulnerable. Now he thinks I'm weak and desperate! I shouldn't have said that!

"You want me," he said with a smirk. She is so adorably sexy!

"That's funny to you?" she snapped. How dare he!

Draco groaned. Here we go again! "No! Of course not."

"Explain," she demanded in an impatient tone.

"Well, you want me as much as I want you. That pleases me, Pansy, so I laughed."

"Okay, then."

Draco kissed her. "I will bring you something when I come."

"Just bring you, Draco; that's all I need," she said. "I wish we could tell my parents about our betrothal. I don't like keeping something so important from them. Maybe they could help..."

"No. I want them to be happy for us when we tell them, not angry that you've gone off and become engaged to a Death Eater," he said bitterly.

"Draco..." She felt tears well up in her eyes.

"I know, Pansy, I know," he said, hugging her. "When we tell them I want it to be when we are free to be together. I want you to have that lavish engagement party and everything else that goes along with being a betrothed witch."

"We have to find a way."

"We will, Pansy. I promise." He kissed her gently and held her. "I have an idea of how I can let you know when I'm coming to see you."

Pansy looked hopeful. "Tell me."

"Last year I used a charm to enchant coins so I could communicate with...certain individuals."

"That sounds promising."

"It's called the Protean Charm. If someone sees the coin, they'll think it's just a regular Galleon."

"I don't often carry money around."

"Hmmm... Perhaps we can charm something else, like a book. No, you don't carry a book around either. It needs to be something with writing, so I can charm it to change to my message."

"There's an inscription on the pendant's setting. Maybe you could charm that."

"Brilliant! It will feel warm against your skin when I'm trying to communicate with you," he said, touching the pendant inside her blouse. "Don't take the pendant off, Pansy."

He leaned in and kissed her gently. His lips were soft, contrasting the slight stubble on his face. He felt her relax against him, and he continued kissing her gently, running his hands underneath her crisp, white blouse and rubbing her back. She put her hands on his face and concentrated on him, remembering how they used to spend whole afternoons kissing back in fourth and fifth years.

"How will I communicate with you, Draco?" she said after a while. "I know! How about your Slytherin ring? You always wear that, don't you?"

"That's perfect, Pansy. There's an inscription on the inside too."

Draco went about charming their jewellery, showing Pansy how to do it. Each had to be charmed twice, once to receive a message, the other to send it.

To test them, Draco sent: 'Love me?'

And she sent back her answer: 'Always.'

~ The End of Chapter Nine ~