I apologize for the long wait. I just finished school yesterday and it will be crazy until I graduate next Tuesday, but after that, I should have more time. To add to that, I keep getting sidetracked by NCIS fanfictions...
I'm going to try to update this fanfiction a few times this summer (along with updates for some of my other stories), but I promise nothing...
With that being said, here's the story.
For the fourth time that day, Draco was in a dusty dark alley in the library looking for a book on exotic plants. Pansy was convinced her plant was exotic.
It was Friday, the third day of the project.
Draco had promised to help Pansy search for her plant's identity, and had been doing so everyday after lunch. Draco decided that if they didn't find Pansy's plant today, he was going to spend sometime that night after dinner and over the weekend searching for more information about the fern.
Draco scanned the books on the shelves one more time before walking back to the table empty handed.
"We've searched every page of every book on that shelf. Maybe someone else has the book we're looking for." Draco said.
"Oh, I'm doomed! I'll never find out what my plant is." Pansy said through gritted teeth. She was frustrated to say the least.
"Harry, you can't just give up. This is a grade!" Granger's voice said accompanied by two sets of footsteps.
"There are sixty-seven books on wildflowers, Hermione. Sixty-seven books!" Harry said sitting down across from Pansy.
"Well, we'll have to take the books one at a time." Hermione told him calmly placing a book on the table in front of him. Harry's response was to rhythmically thump his head against the book.
"I think I'll try a book on North American flowers." Pansy said as she led Draco back to the rack on vegetation.
"Is anyone but you and Potter having such a hard time finding this stuff?" Draco asked.
"The majority of the Ravenclaws are still lost." Pansy responded.
"The smart ones."
"Most people don't go and research flowers in their spare time, Draco." Pansy chided.
"Except for you, Pansy. Not even Granger researches flowers."
"You try this one, I'll take this one." Pansy said handing Draco a rather thick book as they started back to the table.
--
Draco would have to pack up to go to class in ten minutes, but he just wanted to finish the section on plants found in Canada. He only had twenty flowers to go.
Draco passed the Bloodroot, Fireweed, and White Trillium before coming across a picture he recognized. Draco looked up just to make sure.
Yes, that was definitely the same plant.
"Potter. You're looking in the wrong book." Draco said before turning the book for Harry to see.
"Elderberry Blossom." Hermione read. "It says that the berries are sometimes used to make wine or jam."
Draco had taken Pansy's book as she looked over the information on Potter's plant. He flipped a few pages absently. One page caught his eye and he flipped back.
"Pansy! I found it!" Draco said. "Your flower! It's Columbine!"
Pansy's attention was immediately on the book between her and Draco. "Genus name: Aquilegia… sixty to seventy different species…"
"It's seeds and roots are poisionous…" Draco put in.
Pansy sent him a dirty look. "It tends to grow in higher altitudes."
"Pans… we need to get to class." Draco said grabbing his things.
"But I want to find out…" She started.
"We'll come tonight. I need to do some research too." Draco said. Pansy gave up and closed the book. Pansy and Draco headed toward Charms while Potter and Granger went toward Care of Magical Creatures.
--
Draco's group had met with Professor Snape just after dinner to inform him that they had all learned their flower's name. He had sent the three directly to the Headmaster's office. They sat in front of the desk now with the portraits jabbering on above them.
Dumbledore came in and smiled at the students. "Professor Snape tells me that you've completed your first step." He said. "Now, the plants are quite lovely, but we didn't give them to you so you could learn how to grow them. I want you to all learn what meaning your plant has and how it relates to you."
"Why?" Potter asked.
"Each plant was chosen specifically for each person. For some, the plant represents some aspect or aspects of that person's personality, which they or others fail to recognize. For others, it is a warning. The purpose is to have you recognize something about yourself and make yourself better." Dumbledore explained.
"Why do this now, Professor?" Granger asked.
"It's important now. Wars change people, Miss Granger. You all are now in a war both outside and in. Voldemort versus us, Slytherin versus Gryffindor, even parts of your personalities are fighting for dominance. It's important to learn who you are so that you can fight the outside wars or make peace." Dumbledore turned to Pansy. "Ms. Parkinson, how is your father doing."
Pansy looked to Draco for help who nodded his head in response. Pansy took a deep breath. "Not too well sir." She said quietly.
Dumbledore nodded knowingly and looked at Draco. "How is your mother?"
"She claims to be fine." Draco said.
"You don't sound like you believe her." Dumbledore said.
"I don't." Draco said.
Potter and Granger both looked at the Slytherins suspiciously before Dumbledore excused all four.
Draco and Pansy headed toward the library in hopes of finding something interesting on their plants.
"What kind of book do you look in for the meaning of a flower?" Draco asked as they scanned the aisles.
Pansy shrugged. "I guess I should start with the book I found my flower in. Maybe it will tell us something." Pansy took the book off the shelf and headed toward their table. Draco shrugged and pulled down a similar book before joining her.
--
After several hours, the books had yielded no relevant information. Draco was about to suggest that they turn in for the night when Pansy's eyes lit up.
"I have an idea. I'll be right back." She said. A few minutes later, Pansy came back with a book in hand. How to Plan Your Magical Wedding.
Draco raised his eyebrows in question. "When you get married, flowers and colours have different meanings." She explained. "It's worth a try."
"Alright. Let's see what it says." Draco agreed.
Pansy opened the book and looked up 'fern'.
"What does it say?" Draco asked.
"It means 'sincerity'." Pansy smiled. "I think that fits you."
"I don't. Look at how I've treated Granger and Potter for the past couple of years. That wasn't very sincere." Draco said.
"No, I suppose not. But you're different around your friends and family." Pansy said. "Anyway, I think we'll have to look in other books too; this can't be the only meaning."
"What does yours say?" Draco asked.
Pansy flipped a few pages. "Here's Elderberry! Let's see. It says 'Humility and Kindness'." Pansy kept going before stopping again. "And Almond Blossom means 'Watchfulness'. I thing those both fit Harry and Hermione."
"Wait a minute. Harry and Hermione? When did you start calling Potter and Granger by their first names?" Draco teased.
"Haven't you noticed that they haven't picked any fights with us. There's been no name calling. They've been awfully nice and helpful too." She said.
"But still…" Draco started.
"Draco. I think we should tell them what's going on. If we gave them information, they could help protect our families." Pansy said.
"What makes you think that Potter will believe us?" Draco said. "I need to be able to prove to them that my family isn't what they think it is. I can't do that. If we tell Potter, our families might be in even greater danger than they are now."
"Well, I'm going to ask for help. I would just like to know that my best friend will be there with me so he can help his family too."
"Alright, but we need to think about what we'll say. And we tell no one. We have to be careful with who we trust."
"Alright." Pansy smiled and went back to the book. She went forward a few more pages before she stopped and frowned.
"What's wrong?" Draco asked.
"My flower. It means 'Deserted Love'."
