Note: Okay people chapter four up! Yay! And thank you for all the reviews! I appreciate it. Thank you. And I hope this chapter satisfies. Now on with the story!
Chapter four: Reasoning
"So Draco. What happened to your wife?" her voice was suspicious and rather amused. She had completely pushed aside her ice cream and raised her spoon like a pointer, "Don't leave anything out." A rather high gesture for her. Apparently she was too interested in this. Too interested.
He frowned. Did she think he was below her? Sure it was a small gesture but it reminded him of his father. He used that position when lecturing him as a child. He won't let a mere...woman do that to him. He let out a smirk. Fine. He'll play her game. For the time being anyway. "And why should I tell you that? I trust you know exactly what happened to my wife." He leaned back in his chair just daring her to respond. He was getting into something bad., he knew.
She took his challenge. If anything it was getting quite amusing. "Yes well my connections don't reach as far as where you are Malfoy. All I heard was that you got married. Quite contradictory, considering your mother just said you were not." The situation was quite tense. Or rather...awkward. Each knew fully well they're getting into a sticky spot. Pansy knew it wasn't her place to ask questions. Draco...well...he was pretty much stuck in putty. Full of lies he was.
"That is much as you need to know then. You know I don't talk about...my private life." he answered. Lie. What was he suppose to say?! To hell will he admit anything to her. He knew fully well that they weren't friends. She had shown her pleasant side to her mother but after she left it was different. Her facade had changed dramatically to the point where he could really read what she was thinking. He could only consider her an enemy. At least till he figures out what Pansy's direct position on him was.
Yes, Pansy knew that was a direct lie. How could she not? She knew Draco inside out. Inside out being a literal term. "Don't fib. You gloat about your life. There isn't a time where you refuse to say so."
"First time for everything. I trust you would know that expression quite well. Considering your actions were...ahhhh....pathetic to say that least."
"How noble," she sniffed, "But Malfoys aren't noble people really. Perhaps my actions were pathetic to your standards, but at least it wasn't as horrid as yours." He was getting through her skin, he was. Now he's targeting her past actions. She may not have been the most righteous person in the world, but she repented her sins. Unlike a certain blonde git who sat in front of her. And..he was testing her. She just knew he was. As children he'd say it outright. Either it was something more to the marriage then bees and flowers, or he was testing her. Trying to find what ticked her. Trying to unleash her flames. He was doing a mighty fine job.
Draco wasn't smirking now. In fact they got into a conversation he did not at all want. He tried pushing it aside but of course, they could never push it away. The past can come back to haunt you. He'd rather have another conversation. But she had just insulted him. He knew this talk won't come out as pleasant as he thought. "Horrid you say? I'm surprised you know that word. Now pushing that aside, why don't we talk as real adults do?"
Pansy's lip twitched. She was irritated . She kept her cool facade and acted pleasant in front of Mrs. Malfoy, but she did not stand her son. Be it the grudge she kept or just that mere attitude of his, she still wanted to hex him. They were dwelling into deep waters. Seeing as it was a while since they seen each other then she'll let it slide. Besides, they might dwell in areas she didn't want. "Real adults? Fine then Malfoy. Let's talk like real adults. Now...what happened to your wife?"
He raised an eyebrow. Still persistent about that part? "Do you think I'll honestly tell you?"
"I won't bite."
"Like that makes me feel safe." Pansy rolled her eyes. Git.
"At least be civil Malfoy," she muttered, "I'm asking rather nicely."
Draco studied her silently. She'll bite. For sure. If he said the truth, he may even send her in fits of laughter till she suffocates. Then she'll call him pathetic. Pathetic Malfoy. Stupid Malfoy. You deserve it. You deserve it. He frowned deeply. Why must her words haunt him before she even utters them? Then what to say.... What to do...? "She died," he found himself saying.
Pansy's eyes widened for a bit before she snapped out of her surprised act. She wasn't expecting that. Maybe something like, "She left me." or even "She eloped with someone else." Not dead. Oh my she's a bitch. "I...my apologies Draco. I didn't mean to press the issues so much."
"It's nothing. She just...she left before I could really get to know her anyway," he kept on saying. This all came out so easily to him. What was he now? A compulsive liar?
"I see."
Well best to get out of this damn conversation. Apparently it was awkward in both sides and he was not at all pleased with himself. Another web of lies he had to face later on. It'll come back he knew. He was practically karma child of bad luck since forever. Stupid, stupid ,stupid. As for Pansy he found out what she thought of him. He egged her on after all. That little conversation had dwelled too dangerously close to what had happened in the past. To the bad things that had happened. She never really did forgive him for that, he found. She held a grudge. It was written on her face. Whether she knew it or not, he could read her still. Those business meetings were helpful after all. So he was a mere acquaintance to her. Or rather a..."frenemy" as they called it. Interesting. He wouldn't change that. It suited him. But...it bothered him too.
"Are you going to the reunion?" He heard her ask. Ah! Right. Decent conversation. He was too lost in his thoughts again. Perhaps he thinks a bit too much.
"Yes. I don't have much of a choice of course."
"Oh?"
"Mother insists on me going."
"I see." She stayed silent and then said, "I won't go."
That peaked his interest. "And why not?"
"Too much drama."
Eh...what? Drama did she just say? Too much what? Drama. He had to laugh. He found himself chuckling. Drama she says. Too much she says. He had to let the mirth come out of his mouth. It was too funny. He felt Pansy kick him slightly under the table. She was protesting. "At least her me out Draco! Shut up!"
But it was funny. At least to him. Ironic and funny. Pansy Parkinson lived for drama. She was the Drama queen of Slytherin. Too much drama! Hah! What a fantastic fib that was! "I...alright. Alright." he tried to contain his laughter, "Alright, I'll listen. I'll listen." He grinned stupidly at her. At least that's what he thought his expression was like.
"I just think...well it's too much for me to take in. That's all." she said. Well that wasn't explaining anything to him. He continued to chuckle. Too much drama. Now that's classic. To viewers around them, he may look mad. Yes he may but they don't know how funny this is. Pansy was just the drama queen. She craved drama. It was just her thing. And now she says its too much?!
"Elaborate," he managed to cough out. Pansy was frowning distastefully at him. She pouted and crossed her arms. To hell she'll tell him. He'll laugh like a hyena. Damn her mouth. He shook his head trying to get out of his laughing situation. "Okay I won't laugh. I promise. It's a slytherin promise!"
She breathed. Find a slytherin promise. "I just think that with everyone there.... Well I'm not exactly what they expect."
"..."
And Draco still doesn't get it. Of course he won't get it. "Well. Just think! I mean after the war...everything changed! I...I haven't been the same. I'd rather not face any of them." She was trying her hardest to tell him exactly what she means. Yet she seemed even more confused and pathetic. Draco only stared at her.
"You're scared. Is that it?" Her eyes widened.
"No! Of course not! Stop being a git Malfoy! I'm just saying I'm not ready!"
"Hence, your afraid."
"Listen to me you arse! I said I am not ready!"
"Keep saying that to yourself, and you'll never be."
She stayed quiet. While she wanted to scream how he suddenly turned so philosophical at the moment, he was right. So right. Yet that didn't make her feel any better. She was after the queen of Slytherin. She owned Slytherin. She was their royal majesty. And she wasn't going to go because she changed? How.....pathetic! She mumbled to herself. What has she been thinking?!
"I take it you're going?"
"Mmm."
"I see." So she was going. He nodded to himself. How he became the good Samaritan of the hour, he didn't know. Yet soon he got Pansy to go. How...odd. But that didn't help him anywhere. He still had to fix his own damn problems after all. He just needed something. Something to help him. Why in the bloody hell did he even say he needed a wife in the first place? What was he suppose to do? Go on with the damn act?! And where will he get a damn wife? Hire a prostitute? He thinks not!
His gaze caught Pansy who was still muttering. She flipped a lock of her hair and continued with her rambling. Something about pathetic and stupid. Hm. Maybe the sun was getting to her. Now maybe he can hire some pretty girl....yes. But where in heavens will he find one? Hire....his gaze was fixed on Pansy. Hire....Hire...Hire Pansy?
He had to laugh. Hire Pansy for his wife? Now that was too much. She wasn't exactly fond of him after all. Hire Pansy. Ha! "What are you laughing at?" he heard her ask.
"Nothing! Just...hiring you! Ha!" he heard himself mutter. Then suddenly he caught himself. He let it slip. Damn him! Why did he just....he just said it! He let it slip! Damn his stupidness. Old habits die hard apparently.
"Hire me?" He let out a sigh. Where was he to do now?
Notes: Its short. I know. I think I may be having a bipolar day. Or maybe I am bipolar. The atmosphere turned so suddenly I don't think its at all possible. I don't know if you'll truly understand it. I'm confused a bit myself. Sorry if it doesn't satisfy. Tell me if you don't understand. I'll try to straighten it out!
