AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey, I am really sorry that it has taken me so long to update. I have been intending on updating for a long time, but life, and a variety of other things, got in the way. Well, enough excuses, here is the story.

Chapter Nine:

I stepped through the floo into the spacious greeting hall of Malfoy Manor. Draco followed behind me, mere seconds later. Draco took my arm and led me into on of the family sitting rooms.

"Now tell me, Pansy, how bad was this particular beating?"

"Well, according to Mippy, I have 83 bruises, and I had five broken bones. This is the worst one ever. Father really lost control this time."

"And what healing potion does your family have you taking? I need to know so we can get you the same kind. Mixing two different healing potions could be dangerous."

"Well, actually, Father decided that as part of the punishment, I wouldn't be allowed to have any healing, or pain relieving potions. He was really mad."

"Duffy," Draco suddenly called.

A house elf suddenly appeared. "What is Master Draco wanting?"

"Duffy, fetch Mistress Pansy a pain relieving potion and a healing potion. Also, her house elf, should be arriving with her stuff. Unpack all of Mistress Pansy's stuff into the room next to mine. That will be her room from now on, so make sure that it is presentable."

"Yes, Master Draco. I is doing that right now, Master Draco." And with that, the house elf disappeared.

Draco turned back to me. "What was the argument about, Peach Blossom?"

"Well, umm, you know, the letter you sent him. He thought that I put you up to it, and all that. And then there was the fact that I choose to be friends with Elizabeth Edmonton, instead of Daphne Greengrass."

"While he didn't need to react like that, he did have some valid points. While I do not mind you having Elizabeth as an acquaintance, you do need to learn to like Daphne. You are to be a Malfoy, love, and with that come certain obligations."

"But you never seemed to mind before. Besides, you know that Daphne is totally brainless. She makes me feel as though I am being stupider by the minute."

"Pansy, I do not care for your excuses. You have obligations. The Greengrass' are in our social circle and I expect you to spend more time with Daphne then you are. As a matter of fact, you will contact her tomorrow and invite her over for tea."

"But, Draco…"

"No, Pansy. You have obligations to the Malfoy family, and this is one thing that I insist on."

I bit my bottom lip, knowing that this was one fight I wasn't going to win. "Yes, Draco. I will write Daphne tomorrow."

"I expect that you will hang out with her on a regular bases, Pansy. And if I have to remind you that you should be spending more time with Daphne, then you will be punished. Fake it if you have to, but you will lead Daphne to believe that you're her best friend. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Draco."

"Good, now it is time for you to rest."

Draco led the way to my new room. When we got there, I saw that all of my things had already been unpacked. I picked up the potion vials that were on the table and swallowed the contents. Then I laid down to take a nap before supper time.

When I woke up, I noted that it was all dark. I looked at the clock, and saw to my dismay, that it was five in the morning. So much for dinner, I thought to myself. I got of bed and wandered into the bathroom. Suddenly a house elf popped out of nowhere.

"I is Mipsty, Missus. I is your new house elf. Is Missus needing anything?"

"Umm, I wish to take a bath. And I need some parchment."

"Yes, Missus. I is getting those things right now."

I watched as the elf quickly filled the tub. She quickly poured in a liquid from a vial. "What is that?" I questioned her sharply.

"Special healing potion, Missus. Master Draco ordered me to use it. Says Missus is very hurt."

I quickly undressed and stepped into the tub. I sunk into the hot water, allowing all of my troubles to pass over me. I noticed that the pain from the bruises was starting to diminish, as did the discoloration on my skin.

"Mipsty, what does this potion do?" I asked.

"It makes bruises go away for one day. It only works once for a bruise. Master Draco said that important peoples were coming and Missus had to look healthy."

I sighed in disappointment, wishing that the potion would have made the bruises disappear for good. "Very well, Mipsty. Did you get the writing parchment like I requested?"

"Yes, Missus. It is on Missus desk, as is Missus pen."

"Very well. Am I expected to go down to breakfast, Mipsty, or will it be served here?"

"Oh, no, Missus. You must go to breakfast. Master Lucius will be very angry at Mipsty if you don't go."

"Just shut up, Mipsty, and go fetch me some clothes to wear."

"Yes, Missus." The elf suddenly vanished, much to my relief.

I got out of the tub and dried off with the towel that suddenly appeared on the warming rack. I then wrapped myself in my dressing gown and walked into my bedroom, intent on writing my invitation to Daphne for tea. Although I did not really want to see Daphne, I know that this was one thing I should take care of sooner rather then later. I didn't want to deal with Draco's anger and disappointment for putting it off.

I quickly finished writing the letter and then sent it off. I got up from the desk and got dressed in the clothes Mipsty had picked out for me to wear to breakfast.

I was just about to call the little house elf back when I heard a knock on the door. Hesitantly, I called out, "Come in."

"Pansy, lovely to see you," Draco said, as he strode in and kissed my cheek.

"Draco, I apologize for not coming to supper last night. I wasn't initially trying to skip a meal. I was tired and…"

"Pansy, stop blattering. I am well aware of the fact that you fell asleep. And you should be aware of the fact that I deemed you in need of sleep enough to not wake you."

"Oh, of course."

"Now, I can see that the potion worked. Have you written Daphne as I told you to?"

"Yes, Draco."

"Good. Now that that is all taken care of, we can continue down to breakfast. After breakfast, you are to tell Mipsty that she is to arrange tea for you and Daphne. Then you should rest some more before you get ready for tea."

"Yes, Draco."

"Ah, here we are," Draco said as we arrived in front of two ornately decorate doors. The doors suddenly opened and I found myself in the Malfoy family dining room. "Mother, Father, good morning."

"Lucius, Narcissa, I want to thank you for letting me into your home. It means a lot to me."

"Nonsense, child," Lucius said. "Nobody is going to lay a hand on my son's fiancé to harm her. Your father stepped over the line. It was our duty."

"Of course." I sat down in the chair that Draco had pulled out for me.

"Draco tells me that you're having Daphne Greengrass over for tea today, Pansy. That is an excellent idea. She is a fine girl, from a very important family."

I decided that it wasn't necessary to reply, so I just concentrated on my breakfast. But no amount of concentration could keep me from feeling Draco's triumphant smirk in my direction.

Tea that afternoon went well. At least as good as it could get considering the fact that she was still as prissy now as she was at school. But she never knew what I was really feeling. Daphne bought every fake smile and polite nod. As a matter of fact, tea went so well that Draco suggested, or rather insisted, that I spent the rest of Christmas break going shopping and having tea with Daphne. By the time the train left the station to go back to Hogwarts, Daphne thought I was her new best friend, an honor considering it was no secret that I was to be the future Mrs. Draco Malfoy. By the time the train left the station for Hogwarts, I was ready to kill Draco, and the rest of society, for forcing me to become best friends with someone I secretly dispised.

Author's Note: I am really sorry that it took me so long to update. I am not entirely satisfied with this chapter, but I am going to call it good enough. I figured that I have made all of you guys wait long enough. I do promise that I will update much, much, MUCH sooner next time. Please don't abandon me. Thank you.