Disclaimer: same old, same old. still not mine

Apology: Life happens. it's a bit shit, but what can you do eh?

Number 10

'Perfect!' the elderly witch said as she ran a gnarled hand over the deep crimson surface of the sculpture. Alerted by the sound of footsteps, she turned and greeted Pansy with a smile ' Hello Dearie, Hasn't he done a marvellous job?'

At least concentrating on the sculpture meant not having to meet Harry Potter's eye.

'It's beautiful' Pansy said, careful to keep the side of her face from the woman's view.

'I know' said the woman, eyes bright with awe.

Harry effortlessly shrunk the sculpture and placed it into a gift box for the woman. Reaching up, she kissed him on both cheeks, leaving scarlet lipstick marks , then turned and began to walk away.

The dog by this time was flat out on the ground, snoring peacefully, like an old drunk.

'Business or pleasure?' Harry asked

'Sorry?'

'Are you here to commission a piece?'

'No'

He smiled briefly ' so, pleasure then?'

'Not that either, your mother asked me to remind you to take the chops from the freezer'

Harry laughed ' that sounds like a coded message. You say "take the chops from the freezer" then I nod and say "chops require mint sauce" are you a secret agent?'

She hadn't expected him to sound so normal, friendly even. Unimpressed as ever, Pansy said ' and she said not to forget Lily's party'

'Ah yes, the party,' still nodding in a spy-like manner, Harry said ' Five o'clock in ze village 'all. Zat iz ven ze party begins. I haff ze situation under control - shit, no actually I don't' he looked at Pansy, then the dog ' Where did he come from?'

'We're looking after him for a few weeks. Actually, it was Andromeda's idea. She thought a dog would get me out of the house'

'And here you are. So she was right. Listen, would you be passing by the shops by any chance?'

'I may be' Pansy eyed him warily 'why?'

'Ze party. I haff ze present, but no paper in vich to wrap it'

'OK' said Pansy, feeling like some tragic little Gofer. She jiggled Boris' Lead in an attempt to rouse him.

'It's ok,' said Harry ' you can leave him here with me. He took the end of the lead and with his other had, fished out a coin from the pocket of his jeans. 'There you go. I'm holding him hostage so you don't run off with my money. Bring me the wrapping paper and you'll get the dog back'

'You're assuming I want him back' said Pansy

'And von more zing' Harry called after her as she made her way down the street

'she turned 'What?'

'Ze wrapping paper, No Pink!'

Pansy acquired 'Ze wrapping paper' and cheesecake and was making her way back up the street. When Harry was back in sight, Pansy felt her mood lighten, like the sun coming out. The last time she'd properly known Harry, he'd been Hermione's irritating best friend/Brother, Boy who lived and wouldn't die, Saviour of the wizarding world, blah blah blah et cetera. Now all grown up, he was….. well, all grown up. For some poor sap there was no denying he'd be quite a catch.

'Are you looking at my chest?' said Harry

'NO!'

'Oh, just wondered. You can help with the wrapping if you like?'

Pansy followed him into the cool of the workshop. Bemused she said ' A wand? You got a seven year old a wand?'

'Don't sound so shocked. It's not a real one. It fires glitter and bubbles from the end. Harry picked up the imitation wand ' Here, try it. I'll just grab the spell-o-tape'

Together they managed to wrap the fake wand, although the end result was secure, rather than stylish.

'I'd better get back' Pansy said

'before they send out the search parties' harry picked up and unused rectangle of wrapping paper and held it out to Pansy in a deep bow and said ' Some-zing to remember me by'

He was teasing her, realising she had to say something, Pansy began awkwardly 'Look, thanks for…. umm….you know, talking to me. Being, umm…. normal'

'That's ok' Harry said, clearly amused. 'I'm actually quite a normal person. Plus, I always do as I'm told'

'Told?'

'By Andromeda anyway. Life wouldn't be worth living otherwise.'

A strange feeling crept across Pansy's skin ' Meaning?….'

Smiling, Harry said ' She told me to be nice to you'

'When?' She could barely get the words out.

'Two minutes before you got here I think' He patted the mobile phone lying on the bench 'Hey, It's ok'

'It is NOT ok. It's humiliating. I don't need to be patronised'

'Don't get your knickers in a twist' Harry's green eyes were alight with laughter 'I was going to be nice to you anyway'

But he would say that, wouldn't he? For a few minutes, Pansy mood had been lifted and she'd almost forgotten about her scarred face.

Now, everything was spoiled.