Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, but he owns me :-)

Chapter 4 – Wiley Weasels and Bouncing Ferrets

He reeled her reluctant form back to him, and muttered. "Do you think you might hold off until…"

When he didn't continue, she squeezed his hand, and pressed. "Until?"

"Um… until I have become a little more comfortable in this environment?" He whispered, somehow ashamed of the request.

The insecurity lacing his voice caused a very foreign feeling to well up inside her. It was as if she wanted to take his hand in both of hers, and sooth away the fear and anxiety playing so evidently across his face.

Greatly alarmed by this disturbing emotion looming within her, Pansy yanked her hand out of his, and hissed. "Get a hold of yourself, Weasley. I was merely going to fetch you a glass of water. Are you so completely incapable of standing here for two minutes by yourself that you need me to hold your hand?"

She hadn't intended her response to be quite so biting, but the overwhelming desire to protect and allay him had been very shocking to her.

Unfortunately, her words had the opposite effect on Percy. He drew stiffly up to his full height of 6'3" and glared menacingly down at her.

"I have absolutely no qualms being alone, Ms. Parkinson. In fact, the solitude of my own home seems quite appealing to me right about now. So much so that perhaps I will make this a very… short… night." He gritted out in a hushed growl.

Trying to avoid a potentially disastrous situation, Pansy quickly stepped forward, and snaked her arms about his waist.

She smiled up at him with an easy, flirtatious air, and whispered her warning with deceiving warmth. "You wouldn't dare."

He marveled at her. She was trying to manipulate him, and he wasn't going to stand for it. Percy clenched his jaw fiercely and locked his arms by his sides.

"Don't you test me, Ms. Parkinson." He rasped out harshly.

Letting her bottom lip slip forward ever so slightly, she pouted at him softly. "And don't you threaten me, Mr. Weasley. You might possess a position of power within the Ministry, but I am not entirely without influence myself. If you value your work as much as you say you do, it might do you well to think before you act. Now wrap your arms around me, and at least try to appear adoring. Apparently, we have an audience and I'd very much like to take advantage of this opportunity."

Percy gawked at her in disbelief. What had he gotten himself into? This woman was proving to be a right terror.

Seeing that he had very little choice in the matter, he cautiously placed his arms around her, and pulled his eyes up to scan the room. They were receiving a few furtive glances from the other guests, but it was really one gentleman's unwavering glare that drew his attention.

The other man had been either completely unable or unwilling to tear his focus away from them, and had chosen instead to leer at them, quietly seething at their affectionate display of togetherness. A smirk instantly found it's way onto Percy's lips at the prospect of pissing off Malfoy.

The addictive sense of satisfaction it gave him quickly overtook any of his misgivings, leaving him instead with the need to push further for more of a reaction.

His anger forgotten, Percy glanced down into Pansy's hopeful face, and he felt the tantalizing call of the game. This could be a great deal of fun if they played it right.

Grinning down at her, he whispered. "I believe we have his undivided attention, Ms. Parkinson. Do you think it would be effective if I kissed you?"

For some reason, the teasing look playing happily over his face and the gentle rub he gave her back caused a short flutter to race through her chest. Did this mean he was up for helping her?

She smiled coyly in return. "I believe, Mr. Weasley, that it would prove quite effective."

Licking his lips ever so slightly, he leaned in but hesitated. "How long should I kiss you for?"

"I don't know, Mr. Weasley. Long enough to get a rise out of him I guess." She was growing frustrated with his annoying habit over analyzing everything.

Pulling back, Percy regarded her seriously, and then asked in a clinical tone. "And how long do you believe that should be? Would a small peck suffice, or do you think a full snog is necessary? I mean what do you feel would do the most damage? Wouldn't it seem…"

"Oh for Merlin's sake Percy, just get on with it." She huffed at him, exasperated.

"Right. Sorry." He flushed slightly.

As he slowly bent into her, she felt his hands on the small of her back press her closer and an unexpected swell of anticipation rushed into her chest. Just as they were about to connect, she let her eyes flutter shut, and then she felt full lips brush against hers. The sensation was surprisingly delicious, and far too short for her liking. All too soon, those lips were gone, and she whimpered slightly in protest.

When she forced her eyes open, she found him hovering mere inches away. He was close enough for her to easily take another kiss if she wanted but he seemed to be wavering on the edge of some kind of decision.

Suddenly, a slighting voice cut through their quiet struggle. "Really Pansy, are you trying to make us all sick?"

She quickly spun in Percy's arms to face steel grey eyes teeming with derision.

Her heart began to pound mercilessly in her breast as her eyes greedily ran the course of his delicate features. Draco Malfoy was an absolutely gorgeous man regardless of the sneer that often marred his lips and he was currently focusing seductively on her. It made her body hum when he looked at her like that.

It took everything she had in her not to pull out of Percy's arms, and launch herself forward to partake in a wonderful bout of flirting with Draco.

'Control yourself,' she reprimanded herself. 'Remember what you're trying to achieve.'

"Oh please, Draco. You are so melodramatic." She waved him off dismissively.

"I apologize but it really is disconcerting to see you slobbering all over a weasel."

"Draco, you are being incredibly rude." Pansy tittered, trying to conceal the laughter in her voice.

"What? It's true. I'm amazed actually that Millie let you in her home with a rodent."

"And why shouldn't she?" Percy finally piped in. "She obviously has no problems with vermin, considering she allows a ferret to dine at her table."

Draco's eyes went wide and then became slits at the well-aimed insult.

"Well at least…" he began before he was cut off.

"Dinner is served." Came Lyle's voice from the archway.

With that, Pansy turned back around, and wrapped Percy in a tight hug. She looked up to his face to find his eyes locked on Draco's in a wordless battle for dominance.

Glancing over her shoulder with as much flirty coyness as she could muster, Pansy took in Draco's stiff, angry posture, and simpered. "You're still here, Draky? I thought dinner was announced. Do you mind giving us some privacy? I would really love a few extra moment's alone with my Percy if you don't mind."

Shocked, Draco sputtered at her slightly, and then shifted his eyes back to Percy who was glaring at him triumphantly. After only a moment, the blond swiveled quickly on his heel and huffed from the room, indignant at being so misaligned.

Once Draco was safely out of earshot and the room was quite empty save for them, Pansy pulled out of Percy's arms and twirled about happily.

"Mr. Weasley, that was incredible. I really… I apologize for his rudeness but I don't think you could have played that better."

Percy clasped his hands tightly behind his back, and fought the mad blush crawling its way up his neck at her unfettered praise. "Um… thank you."

"How marvelous. Did you see the look on his face when you called him a ferret? Poor Draco… Wonderful really. Are you ready to join the rest of the party for dinner?"

"Ms. Parkinson, about before…" he began uncertainly.

"Before?"

"When you said…"

She quickly clued in that he was referring to the near blow up from earlier.

Ignoring his sullen state, she roughly weaved her arm in his and started their progress toward the archway. "Oh Mr. Weasley, idle threats and empty promises. I would never do anything to interfere with your position at the Ministry." She cajoled as she offered him her most coquettish smile.

He eyed her warily. He didn't believe this playful manner for one second. This woman's moods seriously turned on a galleon. She seemed quite capable of committing absolute atrocities without even batting an eye. He could easily imagine her handing a baby over to a pack of wolves, and waving them off merrily.

"Come along now," she tutted as she dragged him unwillingly from the room. "We have yet another grand entrance to make. I dare say I'm beginning to enjoy this."

A/N: And next, dinner will be served with a side of crow ;-)

Avanell: My mind is full of scheming... lol. I'm off to read your update now :)

MissAnthrope: I think I'll laugh with you... MWAHAHAHHA!!! lol... Our dear, sweet Percy will have quite a few run ins with lil' old Draco. Dinner promises to be quite rocky.

stoneofpurity: Thank you so much :-) Insecurity seems to be something he shares with Ron.

namelessxfreak: Draco's not nearly done reacting. Dinner is going to be rough... lol.

IHeartMCR: You're calling it, are you? Well, the only thing I will tell you is that Pansy definitely does not get pregnant with anyone's child... ;-)

autumnlover: Oh, thank you. I know they're a weird pairing but there is so much comedic potential there, it's hard to resist them.

ginger28: I aim to please, lady. Anything to make you laugh :D