Chapter 9:
The first thing Pansy did when she got back to the office was to look over her mail. She had separate piles for work and the fundraiser. It was going to be a happy day when she didn't have to deal with caterers and budgets. She skimmed over the different proposals that the catering companies had sent. Everything would need Clearwater's approval anyway- she was going to be petty and leave the final decisions up to her boss.
Pansy then started looking over the case files. She made notes about her visit with the different cases and looked over Healer Brown's notes too. The Haldenman's case made Pansy sad, she thought of her brother, father and mother. If only she hadn't avoided her family, Pansy at times felt guilty but most of the time she was angry. So angry. If only she had tried hard enough to change their fate. Maybe it would have changed her fate too, a nicer job without wondering how many people didn't like her in the office. At least she grew into her nose, or so her mother told her.
For her lunch break Pansy ate at her desk and decided to review the list of solicitors before sending a letter to each. She then opened the rest of her mail. Two were from Draco, he thanked her for coming to the dinner party and the other let her know Granger had broke it off. She asked if he wanted to get drinks tomorrow. Healer Brown, Lavender, had sent a list of therapists that might be willing to work with the Society. She then sent out a memo to her staff about her home visits and asked for updates, if they had any. Since she had technically worked through lunch she could go home early.
"Parkinson, we need to talk," Clearwater said stepping into her office. She had a couple of papers in her hand and Pansy wondered if they were the catering proposals.
"Yes?" Pansy asked.
"Have you sent out the invitations?" Clearwater asked.
"Probably Wednesday." Pansy told her. She was waiting for the paper to arrive, so she could charm them all.
"Fine. Fine. I think we should go with caterer number four. They have the most options and a good price. You said you sent me the invoice for the venue?" Clearwater asked.
"Yes, it was the first page of the report. I'll let the Lumos Catering know we'll hire them," Pansy told her. Clearwater hmed before nodding.
"Okay, thank you," she replied. She left, and Pansy followed her out the door.
Daphne was standing in her kitchen when she got home. Pansy pretended not to notice her there. Several owls had left her mail- two solicitors had written back. The first had declined to take her on while the second had sent appointment times. Pansy sighed, she'd leave early again tomorrow and after her meeting get a drink with Draco. She'd probably need one herself. She had a feeling her mother had somehow tricked her again. Pansy had a feeling she would need to relax, she tried not to scowl at Daphne.
"SO we're just not talking then?" Daphne asked. Pansy sighed before turning to face her.
"Are you here to apologize?" Pansy asked. Daphne frowned, stiffened and crossed her arms- that was a no.
"What for?" Daphne asked.
"I'm not in the mood to fight with you. If you're not here to apologize, and you know what for, then I'm going to ask you to leave." Pansy told her.
"You can't take a joke?" Daphne pouted. Pansy scoffed and crossed her arms too. Fighting with Daphne, when they did fight, usually ended with neither admitting fault and just going on as if nothing happened. This time however Pansy was going to break tradition because Daphne had been a bitch.
"If calling me a friendless loser who was pitied by everyone was a joke then you're the only one I know who's laughing. Everyone else has apologized, Daphne." Pansy told her.
"So? Come on Pans we haven't had tea in weeks!" Daphne whined.
"Because you were a bitch who hurt my feelings," Pansy told her. Daphne's smile fell, and she paused before responding to Pansy.
"Fine, I'm sorry," Daphne said.
"Thank you," Pansy replied. She moved away from Daphne as she tried to hug her. She shook her head.
"What now?" Daphne asked annoyed.
"I don't know what's dug a whole up your arse but come back when you really mean it," Pansy told her. It was her flat she could walk away if she wanted to, so she did.
Pansy had tried and had almost succeed in relaxing. Daphne had left after she'd gone to her room to change. Pansy had also changed her wards so that Daphne couldn't surprise her again. Maybe she had been real when she had said 'sorry' but Pansy wanted to be petty. There were somethings that you could say but would alter relationships forever- Daphne was pretty close to that line.
Work seemed to go by painfully fast. Pansy didn't even work through her lunch hour, though she had a feeling this was the calm before the storm. Karen had updated her report about the Inarritu family. The caterer had scheduled themselves for Friday, so they could all taste the food beforehand. The solicitor had sent an owl confirming their appointment. She had some left over chicken and broccoli for lunch when a howler arrived. Pansy and everyone in the office waited for it to explode, Clearwater was glaring at it with her arms crossed.
LEAVE US ALONE! NO ONE IS BEING ABUSED! LEAVE US ALONE!
Pansy sighed and shook her head. Her staff wandered over to her- some looked amused while others looked annoyed. She didn't blame them, they were all probably going to get a lot more harassing owls and howlers. She would bet two sickles that it was Mr. Inarritu who had sent the howler. She wondered how one could change the voice when sending a howler. Pansy would probably have to visit the Magical Law Enforcement Office. Pansy sighed as she saw the look Clearwater gave her. She followed Clearwater into her office and sat down.
Clearwater's office was decorated, it looked personal yet professional. Pansy frowned thinking of one more thing she had to add to her list. She sat in the comfy looking chair and waited. Pansy had a feeling Clearwater did not like the idea of howlers being sent to the office or her staff being threaten. While Pansy too didn't like howlers or threats they were poking their nose into marriages and lives of witches and wizards.
"We'll have to have an auror come take everyone's statement." Clearwater said finally.
"Okay," Pansy agreed.
"We'll need to set up steps and a protocol for how to deal with letters of this nature. I didn't recognize the voice, did you?" Clearwater asked.
"No, but I'm sure they can alter it with a spell or charm." Pansy shrugged.
"You're right," Clearwater sighed.
"Is that all?" Pansy asked. Clearwater looked at her, eyes narrowed, before nodding. Though it wasn't technically the end of the day it was close enough.
The solicitor's office was small, a flat above a potions shop. Gladstone & Smith was written in peeling letters on the door, which was stained. The office itself had a smell of mold and old water, the chairs were stained too. There was a witch reading Witch Weekly who smiled at her then put the paper down. Pansy sat in one of the least stain chairs and wondered if she was Gladstone & Smith's only client.
"You can go right in Ms. Parkinson," the witch told her. She pointed to the door that had Gladstone on it, the door with Smith on it looked as if someone had punch the door.
"Thank you," Pansy replied.
Mr. Gladstone looked like a walrus. Pansy tried not to stare as she sat down. Mr. Gladstone wore at dark blue robe with a gold chain that held his glasses. His beard wasn't long but it was multi-colored black and white, his hands were beefy and eyes tiny. Pansy gave her best polite smile while trying to not seem disappointed.
"I've looked over you records Ms. Parkinson," Mr. Gladstone began. His voice was not deep but not high pitched either. Pansy was off put.
"Oh, well I'm here about my mother. She I believe is being tried for possession of illegal goods." Pansy told him. She realized she should have asked her mother why she was being held. It was a rookie mistake on her part.
"Yes, well I believe that you own the title of Parkinson Manor?" Mr. Gladstone asked. Pansy nodded.
"My mother pays the taxes though. Our former solicitor wrote out the contract." Pansy told him.
"I see." Mr. Gladstone sighed. Pansy had a feeling she was not going to like whatever it was he was about to tell her.
"Do you know what is going on with my mother?" Pansy asked.
"It is believed she tried to enchant some goblins into forgetting her debts. She also threatened a ministry official who raided her house, along with the number of illegal goods she had in her home. At this time they aren't pressing charges because they believe there might be something else going on." Mr. Gladstone told her. Pansy frowned. It was good to finally know what was going on with her mother but sad at the same time.
"How do I fit in all of this?" Pansy asked. She knew then that she'd have to sell Parkinson Manor either to the ministry or some witch or wizard.
"Have you gotten any invitations?" he asked. Pansy stared at him for a second. Then she remembered to the world she was Pansy Parkinson last in the pure-blood line of the Parkinson House and the person who wanted to and Harry Potter over to the Dark Lord.
"No, I'm not very popular at house parties," Pansy told him.
"Right, ah…well they seem to think your mother might have connections to wizards and witches that are being investigated by the aurors." Mr. Gladstone told her.
"Right, so what about me?" Pansy tried again. Mr. Gladstone seemed to sink into himself.
"Right now your contract with your mother still stands. She however has not paid for the taxes on Parkinson Manor. The Goblins may come to you for the back taxes." Mr. Gladstone told her.
"How much are the back taxes?" Pansy asked.
"About 4651 galleons. Though I believe that the Manor has been condemned." Mr. Gladstone replied. Pansy sighed. She had about 16592 galleons saved for emergency and just over 5003 galleons in her vault none of which she wanted to spend on Parkinson Manor or her mother's legal troubles.
"And how much would a month's retainer be?" Pansy asked. She remembered Draco complaining about how much he spent on the family retainer. Though if Lucius was her father she wouldn't complain about the price.
"For you or your mother?" Mr. Gladstone asked. Pansy tried not to roll her eyes.
"My mother," she told him.
"50 galleons4 a month," he told her.
"Fine, let's write up an agreement." Pansy told him. He smiled and waved his wand sending paper and quills everywhere.
Pansy didn't rush to the pub Draco had chosen. It was in a brightly lit area of muggle London. It was a fairly popular pub, with people coming in and out and some house specials. Pansy knew some wizards like the place because supposedly a squib owned it. Pansy spotted Draco near the back brooding over a pint. She ordered one for herself, paid, and joined him.
"Sorry about Granger," Pansy said. She took a sip of her pint and sighed.
"It's fine. I should have realized," Draco shrugged.
"Sure?" Pansy agreed. She wasn't sure what Draco was looking for, comfort or just someone to wallow with.
"She said that even if we were just friends that it didn't matter. That I would never get over my pureblood status. And I told her for the brightest witch of our age she's super dumb," Draco told her.
"She's a cunt and you deserve someone who likes you and isn't going to use you for your dick?" Pansy said. Draco looked at her and laughed.
"True," he sighed. They drank in silence. Draco got their next round while Pansy looked over the menu. She was hungry, but she could always wait until she got home. Draco seemed as if he'd started before she got here.
"My mother is trying to fuck me over," Pansy said finally. Draco looked up from his drink and glared at her.
"You should sell me the house. Then I'll sell it back to you or give it to you as a gift when you get married." Draco told her. Pansy stared at him for a second before thinking. Draco would give her a fair price for the house, her mother would be surprised and maybe die of a heart attack. Or she could use the money from the sale to buy her own flat in a nicer area or even a little house in a wizarding community.
"When you're sober maybe we could talk about it," Pansy replied. Draco snorted but nodded his head anyway.
"Daphne been to see you?" he asked after a moment. Pansy sighed, she wasn't done being mad at Daphne.
"Yeah, she didn't seem sorry when she came by to apologize." Pansy told him.
"I don't think she gets how horrible she was or can be," Draco told her. Daphne and Draco had a difficult relationship. When their parents had stopped trying to force a match between them they had turned to Astoria.
"I know," Pansy shrugged. She got up to get them so water. Pansy had to work tomorrow.
"My mother might be coming for a visit." Draco said suddenly. Pansy frowned, Narcissa had written her about Russia but she hadn't said anything about returning.
"That's nice," Pansy smiled. Draco smiled too, Narcissa might not be the warm motherly type like the Weasel and company had but she loved Draco in her own way.
"So your mother…" Draco began. Pansy glared and flagged the barman. She got herself two shots of vodka and a martini. She needed more alcohol for this.
"Is implied in some new master plan by some raising dark wizard or witch. The Ministry thinks I might know something, I think that was the subtext. I was just too worried about the house. She's ruined it!" Pansy told him. Draco looked at her sharply before setting his drink down.
"Someone tried to recruit me. I turned the letter over to the aurors." Draco told her. Pansy stared at him. Usually this was something that he'd tell her, even after the fact. She didn't know how to feel that he'd kept the information from her.
"When? Why didn't you tell me? I need to strengthen my wards!" Pansy babbled.
"I wasn't sure…" Draco began.
"Oh, I get it." Pansy snapped. With friends like these who needed enemies, or so the saying goes she couldn't really remember.
"Pansy," Draco sighed, "I, ah…"
"I don't care Draco. Maybe Daphne wasn't being so much of a bitch after all. Maybe she was just saying everyone's truth for them. I get it, alright? I'll never out live my declaration to have Potter carted off to the Dark Lord. And it's worst because I'm not exactly sorry about it and I'd do it again." Pansy told him, "But the thing is you've changed since then and so have I unless you want to tell me I'm the same 17-year-old at 25. I get that there are things you might not want to talk to me about or tell me. I get it really. But I thought we were better friends then this. So, you decided, okay?"
Pansy slapped some muggle money down on the bar. She drank the remaining shot and martini before leaving. She didn't care that she was too drink to apparate, and she was pretty sure she could walk for a bit and find a cab home. And of course, as she was leaving the first person she should come face to face: Harry fucking Potter. Pansy gave him, his co-workers it seemed, a tight smile before moving more quickly. She'd just get a cab now, what was a few more wasted money?
"Hey," Potter voice came from behind. His fingers were warm as they clasped around her wrist.
"Potter," Pansy said. He frowned and looked around the bar. What he saw or didn't see made him frown. Fuck Draco, fuck Daphne, fuck friends, fuck people. Pansy wasn't in the mood to play nice and polite.
"You okay?" he asked after a second. Pansy snorted, of course he would ask such a stupid question.
"One of my very close and longest friends insinuated that he couldn't trust me. My mother is trying to ruin me financially and I've had a crappy day. I want to go home Potter." Pansy told him. Potter nodded as if he understood, which on some level he probably did, but Pansy was tired.
"I'll walk you home?" Potter asked.
He didn't however let her say no and pulled her into the que for the taxis. He got in with her and rattled off her address much to her surprise. Then again, he was an auror who was probably looking into her connections- she was a dark witch after all. Pansy wanted to cry, she'd suck it up until Potter was gone. She frowned thinking about his friends, they'd wonder where he went. He kept rubbing her wrist but didn't say anything to her. It was nice but disconcerting at the same time. Potter paid the taxis and walked with her to her flat.
"What are you doing Saturday?" Potter asked suddenly. Pansy frowned. She would probably try to find out if in fact Parkinson Manor was condemned and if so why. She could decided weather or not she could fix the damage or if she'd have to hire someone else to do so. It left a bitter taste in her mouth that she might actually have to work Saturdays again and pinch knuts again.
"I need to go to Parkinson Manor. Apparently, it's condemned." Pansy sighed.
"Condemned?" Potter asked. He stepped closer to her, but Pansy wasn't going to fall over.
"Yes," Pansy replied. He started to rub her wrist again, maybe it was a habit he didn't realize he had.
"Want help?" Potter asked. Pansy stared at him for a moment thinking. Potter was so close too, she could see the stubble, his glasses were dirty. Pansy remembered his lips on hers, his hands too.
"I'll bring lunch," Potter added. Pansy smiled. Potter could be useful, he could tell her insights to the Ministry's decision.
"Okay," Pansy said. She let out a laugh and Potter smiled out.
"I'll be here at noon?" Potter asked.
"Yes," Pansy agreed. Potter smiled and stepped away.
"Okay, see you Saturday," Potter told her. He walked to the front door and closed it behind him. Pansy sighed. She had wanted him to kiss her, maybe even for sex. Pansy changed her wards, Daphne and Draco out, Potter was something else.
1 About £1,400
2 £5000
3 £1500
4 About £140
I don't think the footnotes translated well...anyway I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy. Hopefully this forced time at home will inspire me to finish this work! Thanks for reading!
