Pansy wondered, the next morning, if she should go with her father. When they'd sent her home from Hogwarts she'd been told to stay away from The Leaky Cauldron and Diagon Alley, but that had been weeks ago and she'd heard nothing since. They couldn't ban her forever, could they? She decided to take the chance and come home if she was turned back.

There was a frisson of excitement as she got herself ready. Diagon Alley was one of her favourite place to go and she loved seeing what she could find in the shops. Of course, that had been before, when she could perhaps arrange to meet...with her friends.

Once more, Pansy's emotions swooped. Every day was like two steps forward and one step back. Just as things seemed to be improving a memory, or a thought, would drag her back down. She'd never go shopping with her friends again, never sit with them having something to drink in one of the tea shops whilst they examined their purchases. It took her a while to calm herself down and remind herself that the past would always be with her, but this was today and she had to go on, even if her expectations had been tarnished.

Diagon Alley had changed since the last time she was there, though it was less than a year ago. Then there had been either a tension or excitement in the air, depending on which side you belonged to. People had hurried about their business, always looking over their shoulders. Now it was quiet. The people were still there, but there seemed to be a heaviness about them. Pansy realised that they, too, were carrying their history with them.

Nobody bothered her much, although she thought she heard a call of "Judas" but, when she turned around, there was nobody there. Only once was she approached, by a small girl whom Pansy thought looked vaguely familiar.

'Hello, Pansy,' said the girl, shyly. She turned to her parents. 'This is my Head Girl, Pansy. She's the one who took me to the floo in Hogsmeade when we were sent home.'

The girl's parents took her hands in theirs. 'Thank you, said the girl's father. 'Thank you for looking after our daughter and keeping her safe.'

Pansy shrugged it off. 'It was my job, that's all.' She looked at the girl. 'I'm glad you got home safely.'

The adults squeezed her hands again and led the little girl off, although she turned back to wave and smile.

She didn't really fancy going to Gringotts with her parents so arranged to meet them later, when she'd had a look around. She kept herself to herself, just moving through the crowds and mostly looking in shop windows. In one shop she saw a rather nice bag in the window, so thought she'd go inside to investigate. The door opened as she approached it and she found herself face-to-face with Granger, who was being shown out effusively by the owner.

Pansy froze, as did her nemesis. Both girls stared at each other, for what seemed like hours, until Pansy dropped her eyes and moved to the side. Granger said nothing to her but walked quickly away, the look on her face being the only conversation they needed to have. It must have been pure coincidence that she happened to toss her head as she passed, whipping Pansy across the face with her hair. Pansy fled towards the sanctuary of the bank telling her parents, when she met up with them, that she had a headache and would they mind going straight home?

She spent the day in her room, hugging Simon and wondering what the rest of her life was going to be like. Now she was the one who had no friends, no welcome, whilst the mudblood was treated like royalty. The only person who welcomed her was Narcissa Malfoy, whose son had told her to stay away from him, for her own sake. Her old world had gone, and could offer her nothing. Once the tears had subsided Pansy came to a decision. If nothing was offered to her then she would have to take control of her own life, somehow. Anyone who wouldn't accept her could go to hell.

-o0o-

She awoke early the next morning. Now that they had some more money she could buy food, and go for another coffee. Collecting the shopping list she left the house and started walking. Before long she noticed a bus, heading in the direction she was going. It was rather like the Knight Bus, but moved more sedately. On the front it said "Train Station" and it came to a halt not far away, by a post with a sign that said "Bus Stop" on it. Seeing some people getting on Pansy ran to join them, listening to what they said to the driver and copying them.

'Train Station, please.'

'50p' replied the driver, and she gave him one of the funny shaped coins in her bag. In return he gave her a little piece of paper.

It was ridiculously easy and before long she found herself at the train station, having saved a five mile walk. Even better, the bus also stopped at the shop where she went to buy food. She could get it to all the places she needed to go!

Pansy was about to go for coffee when she changed her mind and headed for the clothing shop she had seen on her previous visit. They still had the "jeans" in the window, so she went inside. An assistant approached her, smiling.

'Can I help?'

'I want to buy a pair of those trousers...jeans you have in the window. Please.'

'Certainly. What size?'

'Oh. I don't know.' Crestfallen, Pansy turned to the door.

'Try a size 10, short,' said the assistant, moving towards a rack and selecting a pair. 'The changing rooms are at the back of the shop.'

'Thank you.'

Pansy tried on the jeans, which felt strange compared to a dress. The material was quite rough on her legs, and she wasn't sure how comfortable they were. Everyone else seemed to wear them, though, so maybe it was just a case of getting used to them. She decided she would give it a try today, to see how she got on. Then she realised she couldn't, because she had nothing to wear with them and they would look silly under her dress. On the other hand, she had plenty of money on her and the shop was full of clothes...

An hour later she left behind a very happy assistant, who was well on her way to becoming salesperson of the month, and carrying several large bags, one of which contained her dress. The assistant had been only too pleased to recommend some tops to go with the jeans, and a pair of ankle boots that even Pansy admitted looked good on her. Then she found a skirt that was green – and had a silver snake motif down the side – so she chose a pair of sandals and some more tops to go with it...a jacket...

It could be her commission from the sale of Narcissa's item, Pansy decided...and hoped her father would agree with her.

She felt strange as she walked to the coffee shop. It wasn't just that the clothes felt different on her, but that she felt different in them. Now that she was dressed like everyone else she blended in more. Only she knew she wasn't the same as these people, they didn't. It was as if she were a spy, infiltrating an enemy camp, who could be unmasked at any moment. However, this time she was less uneasy about entering the coffee shop, and sat at the same table. The same assistant as before came over to take her order.

'Hi,' he said, smiling, 'good to see you again. Same as last time?'

'Yes, please.'

He went to get her order, soon returning with the cup and some biscuits on a plate. 'Compliments of the house,' he said, placing them on the table.

'Thank you.' Pansy was a little peckish.

'Are you new around here?' the boy asked her. 'I'd not seen you before the other day.'

'I've...been living abroad.'

'Interesting! Anywhere nice?'

'Scotland,' said Pansy.

'Good one!' The boy laughed, leaving Pansy a little confused; she hadn't thought it was funny. 'I'm Mike, by the way.'

'Pansy,' said Pansy.

'Nice to meet you, Pansy. Enjoy your drink,' he said, with a smile, moving away to serve another customer.

She sipped her drink, slowly, watching the mugg...Mike as he served other people. He didn't seem to chat to them as much, and she didn't notice any complimentary biscuits being handed out either. Pansy may have been with Draco all the time she was at school but it hadn't stopped her seeing things. Was he trying to pick her up? If so, it was a fairly blatant attempt, to be honest; something one of the fourth years may have tried.

There were two problems if he did, and Draco was the first. She'd known him forever, and was virtually promised to him. To go with somebody else would be almost an act of betrayal in his hour of need and Pansy couldn't walk away from him, despite his letter. If nothing else he was the only link to her childhood left.

Secondly, Mike was a muggle. That gave her an advantage because she knew what he was, but he had no idea who he was dealing with. Also, she knew a few additional things about him, like where he worked. Even so, he was a muggle. It was different when they were doing work they were capable of, like serving her when she bought clothes, food or drink. Engaging with them at a social level was a different nest of Nifflers, especially in a situation that could have romantic connotations. Her stomach lurched at the thought of letting him touch her, and yet he was quite attractive and seemed carefree in his attitude. He laughed and smiled a lot, which was not something she'd experienced much of recently. Could it do any harm? Oh, it was all so difficult.

Pansy left the last mouthful of coffee in her cup, until it had gone cold , whilst she weighed up her options. Then another thought occurred to her; maybe she was completely misreading the situation and he was just doing his job. The cheek of it! He had no right to make her look a fool by getting her confused and worried when he was just trying to get money out of her. Typical muggle behaviour; he could go to hell with the rest of them! Pansy drained her cup, collected her bags and stood up. Mike approached, smiling nervously.

'Thanks for coming in again.'

'Yes,' she said, coldly, as she made for the door.

'Pansy, wait.' She turned to face him. 'I was wondering...if you're new around here...if you...I don't really know anyone either. I'm at the Uni up the road, but I've stayed over the summer to earn some money. Maybe we could...sort of...if you fancied it...meet up. Tonight? You know, go for a drink...or something.'

'Meet up? You and I?'

'Yes, if you wanted to, and you're not doing anything. We could maybe have a drink and go for something to eat, or see a film. Maybe.'

Two of the three things he said made sense. 'I'm not doing anything tonight.'

'Shall we meet by the clock outside the train station at seven?'

Pansy took a deep breath, thankful that the wand Narcissa had given her was small enough to fit into a bag. It would come with her on her evening out. 'I'll see you at seven.'

Mike looked as if the weight of the world had fallen from his shoulders. 'Great! See you then.' He gave her a smile and held the door for her.

Pansy took her time over the food shopping, not wanting to rush home. Going home meant planning for this evening. What on Earth had she been thinking? She'd seen enough of Muggles now to know that most of the stories she'd been told, especially the more extreme ones, were wrong. They weren't animals, but they were still different to her. Their world was not hers...but neither was her own.

Getting back to the house she put her food shopping in the kitchen before rushing up to her room; she didn't want her parents to see her purchases which, in the cold light of day, did look rather a lot. After pacing up and down for a while she decided she would meet Mike, as she had promised. She had promised, even if he was a muggle. What was she going to wear? The jeans were rubbing her legs, just slightly, so she decided on her new skirt. She wondered about the design, but it must be pure coincidence. Even so, having something that reminded her she used to be a Slytherin was comforting, given where she was going. After selecting a top to go with it she then did what any girl, anywhere, would do in her situation; she headed for the bathroom to get ready, having collected some food first. This would take a while.

Her mother had asked what was going on but Pansy said she felt like pampering herself for a change, and maybe she'd go out for a walk later as it was a nice evening. The clothes were explained away as things she'd had for ages, honestly. By five-thirty she was ready to go.

Her first thought was that the owl tapping at her window was from Mike, confirming their date. Then she remembered he wouldn't use one. She pondered briefly on how Muggles kept in touch with each other. Opening the window she let the bird in, removing the letter from its leg.

'Pansy,

The trial date has been set. We've all been charged. Please, I need to talk to somebody. I'm so scared and there is nobody else I can turn to. Please come as soon as you can.

Narcissa.'