Chapter Six
In My Possession again
Pansy couldn't believe her good luck. She had been attending her duties as prefect (for once). It had been a long day. She had run into Snape a few hours ago and had left the encounter trying her damnest not to giggle. Snape hadn't said anything, but his look spoke volumes. Pansy didn't really care, the laughter that had bubbled in her stomach for the next hour had been worth it.
That night, Pansy's duties took her to the lower levels, near the kitchens. She shoved her hands into her pockets, walking up and down the halls. She glanced at her watch with a sigh. She only had to do this for three hours then she could at last go to sleep.
Her stomach rumbled. She had skipped dinner to help a first year with his potions. She really must be getting soft. True, he was a Slytherin, so it wasn't that bad. But sacrificing her personal time to help a lowly first year... she shook her head.
It was the sketchbook she decided. It was seven days since she had first found it and her life had taken an entire turn. She wanted to impress her unknown watcher. She had stopped openly ridiculing other houses and She no longer gave Draco a hard time when he came back from some closet with his hair tousled and smelling of cinnamon. She spent more time studying and actually became active in classes shared with other houses. Her teachers were surprised. She was Smart and she got good marks. But she had never actually displayed that in class.
Pansy felt her stomach growl again and winced. There was never any one down here. Why in heaven had Snape given her this area? No, she knew. Because Snape had to punish her somehow for missing all those sessions.
She sighed. Maybe... She was right down by the kitchen. She was still a Slytherin. And Blaise usually spent his rounds curled up with a certain blonde Ravenclaw.
Feeling a little guilty, but too hungry to care, she entered the kitchens. Instantly several house elves surrounded her. She smiled down at them.
"What cans we help yous with miss?" Asked a green one who wore several of the scarves and hats that Hermione left around the school.
"I'm afraid I missed dinner. Could I get a sandwich or something?"
The Elves fluttered around for a few moments, unsure exactly what to do in the face of such an obscure request.
"You have to tell them exactly what you want."
Pansy straightened and spun. Neville Longbottom sat at a table behind her.
He realized he must have spoken aloud, for he flushed. She walked over to him and sat down across from him.
"Why do you say that?"
He met her eyes. "Well, otherwise, they'll just make you every sandwich they know how to make until you tell them to stop."
She laughed at the idea but she knew it was pretty close to the truth. She turned back to the elves. "I'd like a roast beef and cheddar sandwich on rye bread with a dill pickle and chips, please."
The elves were delighted and scampered off. Pansy looked over at Neville as the elves gave her her sandwich.
"So what are you doing out here so late past curfew?" she chided.
He smiled. "I was finishing a project and missed dinner. Hermione let me come down here."
"Ah? Like Hermione, do we?" She asked around mouthfuls of the sandwich.
He laughed. "Nah, She's not my type."
"Who is your type?"
He grinned at her. "I'll let you know when I do."
Neville excused himself shortly after. Pansy finished her dinner and resolved herself to her rounds. She thought of asking Neville to come join her. He wasn't half bad, for a Gryffindor and she enjoyed having him around.
On her way out, something sitting on another table caught her eye. She gasped. It was the sketchbook.
(A/N: (grins) I'm gonna catch hell for this!
To Periwinkle: (grins) the whole point of that chapter was to get that image stuck in your head! You gotta admit it was amusing!