Cold Feet

Pansy stands before the mirror. She smiles absently at her reflection as she takes off all of her rings and places them in a round dish on her dressing table. Her diamond earrings soon join her rings in the dish and are replaced with simple silver studs. She places her mother's old silver chain with a small dragon around her neck and steps back from the mirror. Her black dress robes are molded to her body and she smiles. 'Perfect.'

The doorbell rings and Pansy awakens from her trance-like state and walks to the door. On answering she sees Draco complete with smart, dark green dress robes and two-dozen roses. She beams at him and takes the roses. He follows her to the kitchen and watches as she places the roses in a huge vase. He compliments her on her robes and hair and she turns to give him a chaste kiss and coy smile. He takes her arm and they Apparate to the restaurant. 'Perfect.'

Upon arriving at the restaurant, Draco hurries to open the door for her and walks her into the restaurant, Villa de Flora. They are seated with haste by a well-dressed maitre'D. They pick up the menus from the table and look over them with casual curiosity. When their server comes they both order the roasted game hen and the waiter suggests a wine to go with their meal. Draco nods to the server and smiles at Pansy. Pansy brushes her hands along the small tabletop herb garden. 'Perfect.'

Draco fingers the small scissors, meant to cut the herbs, which are lying on the table. He begins to tell Pansy about how his mother would take any scissors she found lying around the house and clip her toenails with them. A shaking hand goes to the nape of his neck and he pats his hair nervously.

"And one day she had done just that, cut her disgusting toenails with a pair of scissors. Then she used those same scissors to cut my hair. Why she had felt the need to personally cut my hair I do not know," he said. Revulsion is evident on Draco's face as he tells her all this.

Pansy is playing with the fragrant greens, not paying close attention to Draco, and blurts out, "Oh, I do that all the time."

There is silence. Eyes wide and innocent, Pansy looks up and into Draco's face.

"Go on," she prompts.

Draco just shakes his head as though trying to clear some unusual blockage out of his ears. "I'm sorry," he says, "Did you say you do that all the time?"

Pansy is impatient. 'Why is he talking about clipping toenails?' "Yes, of course. Who doesn't?"

Draco's jaw drops in horror and he stands, knocking over his chair. He backs away from Pansy.

Pansy looks at Draco in confusion. 'What, cold feet? We've been talking about this for years.' "What's wrong, darling?"

"I...I have to go. Please. Don't talk to me again. I can't...I can't take it. Please, I'm sorry."

With that, Draco runs out of the restaurant.

Back at home, Pansy stands in front of the mirror jamming rings on her fingers and pulling on every piece of jewellery she owns.