uno amore
Gnomes.
The gnomes annoyed her, from their constant-sneering faces, frozen in time, to their plump bodies complete with stumpy legs. They seemed to watch her with blank eyes as she walked, robes swishing madly around her legs, almost tripping her over. Pansy was delighted when other students felt the need to toss one or two into the lake, the only form of stress relief they could have from the constant pressure they were put under. She watched with happiness as their bodies soared through the air, landing with thick splashes into the lake.
Draco felt the need to toss a pair in one day, particularly ugly, his face bruised on his left cheek, the pale skin turning purple. He scowled unhappily, sitting down next to her, and drawing his knees up to his chest. Something was wrong with him, and lines of worry had been etched onto his face, tarnishing the pale skin.
She turned to him; concern sketched on the faint frown lines of her face. Slowly, as if she were afraid he was going to flinch away, she placed her hand on his arm, rubbing soothing circles in his skin. He didn't move, but grunted, tossing his head dramatically over towards where the other students were playing, a blonde-haired girl darting out of her friend's line of fire.
Nothing needed to be said. He will tell her what's wrong later, like he always does. She is his confident, the only one he can run to when things get to tough for him to deal with them on his on. Both were content to remain in silence, perfectly happy with just sitting there.
Pansy hates the gnomes.
But still, she summoned a few tears when a particular favourite of hers was crushed in the battle, its sneering face twisted into a mass of china fragments, so fragile in her fingers.
She doesn't need them anymore.
She had Draco to protect her now.
Written for the Aboard the Love Boat Challenge.
