AN: Thanks for all the kind words and reviews and follows and favs! Here's the next chapter. Enjoy!
For the whole morning, Pansy listened to Harry's mutterings and grumblings to himself. She could tell that he 'really didn't want to' and that he just 'did not understand why this was even necessary'. To his credit, she had to admit that, for all his griping, Harry did not once complain to her directly and hardly bothered to weasel his way out of it.
Dressed in a gently flowing, pale lavender robe with golden highlights, Pansy sat down in front of her mirror and applied the finishing touches of her make-up and cosmetic charms with a quick swish of her wand. Today would mark her first outing since that newspaper article. It felt like ages ago, but it had only been yesterday morning.
She'd be seen in public with Harry Potter, whom everyone knew she was soulbonded to. Her heart was pounding painfully in her chest and the palms of her hands felt clammy with sweat. Wrinkling her nose at that, she grabbed a napkin from her table and hastily wiped them dry. Heaving a sigh, Pansy stood up, then left her bedroom and made her way towards the guest room. If Harry chose to apparate, her parents didn't want him to do so into her bedroom again. Pansy certainly didn't either, so she readily agreed to wait in the guest room instead.
Upon entering, she saw her parents suitably dressed and waiting already. She joined them and sat down on the sofa they were sitting on, crossed her ankles and placed her hands on her lap.
"I do hope he will at least wear a robe to cover his rags," her mother commented with a sniff.
Pansy nodded with a small smile. "He did promise to wear the very best he owns."
Granted, she knew that that didn't mean all that much if all he owned was several sizes too large. She could appreciate the sentiment, however. Harry was trying; she'd have to give him that.
A loud, sudden bang in front of her startled Pansy, making her jump and clutch her heart in surprise. Harry had just arrived and – she glanced at the clock – did so two minutes early.
"Is that a good thing?"
"Yes. You didn't make us wait and you didn't arrive too early to be intrusive." Pansy then did as her parents and stood up from the sofa, giving Harry a once-over.
He wore a simple, basic, closed black robe, much like their Hogwarts robes. His worn and dirty muggle shoes peeked out beneath the hem and she couldn't stop herself from twisting her lips in a grimace and exhaling in displeasure. Harry fidgeted under her mother's and her piercing and judging gazes, but he'd find no mercy with them.
"Welcome to Abaty Gwyn, Harry," her father greeted him. "I assume you are aware of your plans with my wife and daughter today?"
Harry nodded. "Yes, sir."
"Very well, then." Her father gave both her and her mother a quick kiss on the cheek, before excusing himself. "I still have a lot of work ahead of me. Many business associates of mine are not particularly happy with this union coming to light, you understand. That being said, I wish all of you a pleasant day."
While she and her mother were thanking her father with smiles on their faces, Harry was...well, himself.
"Thanks. Uh, likewise." He gave a lazy wave as her father left the room, making her wince.
"Your etiquette is abysmal," Pansy complained with a huff. "You don't do this –," she mimicked his wave with exaggeration and a roll of her eyes, "– when the head of a family takes leave."
Harry, his arms crossed over his chest and a glare on his face, clearly took offence. "How am I supposed to know?"
Before Pansy could snap and tell him just how exactly he was supposed to know, her mother placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed gently.
"It is alright, Pansy," her mother said with a small smile. "Harry is right, of course. He couldn't possibly know. Which is why, before it is time for you two to return to Hogwarts, I wish to teach you basic etiquette befitting a wizard of your age and status. Once a day, for two hours."
"Say yes or I will teach you in Hogwarts myself and trust me, I won't be anywhere near as nice as my mother."
"Yes," Harry hastily agreed, nodding vigorously and eyeing her from the corner of his eyes with pure suspicion. "That'd be nice. Thanks, Ma'am."
"Splendid!" Her mother clapped her hands together, then stepped towards the fireplace and took the glass urn filled with floo powder before turning to address Harry. "Do you know how to travel by floo, my dear?"
He shrugged sheepishly. "Um, I used it once and accidentally ended up in Knockturn Alley…"
"Oh, that happens a lot with first-timers." Her mother chuckled. "My Pansy here, when she used floo for the first time, instead of arriving at my sister-in-law's, she stepped out of the fireplace of her Uncle Humphrey's shop and scared him half to death. Knocked over a shelf with expensive antiques as well in your panic, didn't you, my sweet?"
Pansy was just quietly embarrassed and felt as if her face was on fire. She did her best to ignore Harry's snickers in her head.
Her mother gave her a fond smile, but it did little to ease her fierce embarrassment. She then turned to Harry and offered him the urn. "Take a handful and say 'Leaky Cauldron' in a loud and clear voice."
Harry nodded, grabbing a handful, and Pansy noticed how he tried not to accidentally breathe the powder in. He threw it into the fire, igniting it in brilliant greens, and declared his goal loudly, almost screaming it. Then, he stepped in and was gone in a burst of flames.
"If he gets lost, he can at least apparate back to you, my sweet," her mother said with a small, innocent smirk.
Pansy rolled her eyes and threw her own handful into the fire, following Harry into the Leaky Cauldron. Immediately, her world spun violently as fireplace after fireplace rushed past her. It stretched on and on and any sense of time got lost to her. Only when she felt that tug did she actively change direction and step out into the dingy pub filled with its common customers.
Barely a moment after her, her mother stepped out as well. Pansy took a moment to dust herself off of the soot, then looked for Harry and found him exchanging pleasantries with the old owner of this establishment. She was, admittedly, relieved that he hadn't lost his way in the floo network.
Pansy made her way past the tables and strode towards Harry, trying to ignore the stares like pinpricks on her skin.
Clenching her teeth, she wrapped a hand around his arm, startling him. "I apologize for being abrupt, Sir, but, Harry and I, we do have a busy day ahead of us. If you would excuse us."
With a gentle tug and fingernails digging into his skin through his robes, she led him back to her mother, who waited for them by the back exit leading into Diagon Alley. Once they stepped outside, she immediately let go of his arm and glared at him.
"You couldn't have just waited for us, could you?"
Harry gave her a startled look. "Tom just called for me and asked about our thing, so I just spoke to him for a moment."
"Next time, just tell the person who's trying to be nosy that you don't have the time for chit chat instead of making us look and wait for you, considering that we are the ones accompanying you on this shopping trip," Pansy ranted in a low voice while her mother busied herself with the barrier.
Harry, with utter exasperation on his face, just held up his hands helplessly. "Fine. Sorry, I guess."
"While my daughter could have reined in her tone a bit, she has the right of it, Harry," her mother said with mild disapproval aimed at her.
"Sorry...I just didn't want to be rude to Tom. He's nice."
"Understandable," her mother said, her tone neutral. "Telling him that you have no time at the moment and that you have business to attend to, that you would not want to make us wait – none of that would have been impolite. You will know better next time."
"If there is someone important, however – someone work-related, for example, a potential client, or someone politically influential, then you can always spare a minute or two."
Her mother nodded with a proud smile. "You are paying attention to your father's words. Very good."
Pansy grinned at her mother in return. "The lessons can be boring, I admit, but father makes them somewhat lively with anecdotes on many topics."
Chuckling fondly, her mother nodded. "He does love his anecdotes."
Pansy glanced at Harry, who frowned, looking almost stiffly ahead. Furrowing her brows, Pansy looked around and, only then, did she begin to notice the heads of many inquisitive people turning their way. Her heart began to speed up and she forced a trained, fake smile on her face before placing her hand in the crook of Harry's elbow again and leaning further into his side.
"Don't just walk around as if you are about to get executed, you idiot," she muttered through her fixed smile. "I can already see the headline with that face of yours plastered on the front page: 'Is the Boy-Who-Lived held hostage by the Parkinsons?'"
That, at least, made him snort, then grin. He then glanced at her. "You could've just spoken through the bond, you know."
Pansy dug her perfectly manicured nails as hard as she could into his arm, hoping it would bite through the fabric of his robe and ignored her heated cheeks. "Don't get smart with me, Potter."
They kept walking for a while longer, her hand holding onto Harry's arm tense. Whispers, stares, even blatant finger-pointing – it was painfully uncomfortable, to say the least.
"Congratulations. Now you know what it's like to be me." Harry sounded extremely bitter, which prompted her to glance at him with curiosity from the corner of her eyes. He didn't show what he was feeling and hid his emotions to the outside world with a carefully placed mask. "Not so funny anymore, is it?" he went on, his words sounding venomous and laced with pent up anger and frustration.
"And here we are," her mother announced once they reached the entrance of Madam Malkin's, saving her from having to answer. "You may know her only from buying your school robes, Harry, but Madam Malkin has other exquisite materials suitably tailored for proper finery befitting a wizard of your station."
Harry looked appropriately surprised to hear that and Pansy could only roll her eyes. It wasn't like this was some second-hand shop where the likes of the Weasleys would spend their one or two Galleons.
"Can you do me a favour?"
Pansy narrowed her eyes in suspicion as they stepped inside the shop. "It depends on the favour."
"Can you stop insulting the Weasleys at every turn? They are good people. They treat me like family."
"Ugh. Fine. I can do that, I suppose." She rolled her eyes, then spoke normally. "But still: why ever would Draco purchase anything in here if this was just some cheap shop for the poor? He told me he met you here before our first year."
"Of course he did." Harry scoffed, then shrugged. "Dunno. I suppose I never thought about it."
"Children. Come here," her mother called them over to a stand with various kinds of fabrics in multitudes of colours.
"They have Acromantula silk now?" Pansy looked surprised and she couldn't help herself as she stared at it with greedy eyes. "This is true luxury material!"
Madam Malkin stepped through a door and into the shop, looking surprised and properly humbled at seeing them. "Ladies Parkinson!" She curtsied – not perfectly, but acceptable enough – in greeting, then her eyes widened upon seeing Harry, who stiffened in discomfort. "Mister Potter, a pleasure to see you as well! I – I have heard that congratulations are in order."
Pansy put on her most perfect, fake smile and slipped her hand around Harry's arm again. "It was unexpected that it happened the way it did, but he did selflessly save my life and thus, a soulbond formed! Could this be any more romantic?"
Chuckling nervously, Harry rubbed the back of his head with his free hand and she felt him give an awkward shrug. He mumbled something inaudible before he addressed her directly through their bond.
"Laying it on a bit thick, aren't you?"
"It would've been romantic if it hadn't been you. Besides, she is a huge gossip and it's better if she's telling people that I am over the moon rather than miserable."
"You are a huge gossip, too. Just saying."
"That's not the point, you buffoon!"
"...high time that we move on from clinging onto these old views."
Her mother was an amazing actress and easily lying through her teeth. Pansy was glad that that was one of the talents she had inherited from her.
"Of course, Lady Parkinson," Madam Malkin replied, though her surprise was clear. "Now, how can I be of assistance today?"
"Dear Harry here will need an entire wardrobe of new robes, including dress robes, casual robes and school robes."
The shop owner's eyes lit up instantly at the possible business she was about to make. "Then please stretch your arms to your sides so I can get your measurements, Mister Potter."
Harry did as he was told and the enchanted measuring tape went to work.
While he was being tended to by Madam Malkin, she took the time to look at the different fabrics on display again – the Acromantula silk in particular. She ran her fingers over it and marvelled at how incredibly soft and smooth it was.
Pansy knew that she needed to own at least one robe made of this, but she'd have to be patient. While her family was rich, they were no Malfoys and their financial situation was a bit precarious at the moment because of this blasted soulbond.
She turned around and saw Harry trying on a black robe with thin white pinstripes. "Looking sharp, Harry," she commented with a raised brow and a small smirk. It grew wider at his startled look and faint blush colouring his cheeks.
"Thanks…"
Pansy sighed through her nose. "Show some confidence."
When there was still no answer to be had, she huffed quietly, but let Madam Malkin and her mother keep working in peace. Idly browsing the store in silence, she began to collect a few robes and dress robes for herself. Her allowance was steep enough that she could buy one or two expensive robes without having to worry.
"I don't like shopping."
She covered her smirk with a hand. "Better get used to it. I love shopping."
"You can do it on your own, or not?" he whined. "Why should I have to be involved?"
"Because what would the public think if I were to show up by myself?" A beautiful, deep purple robe for men, its fabric a soft and high-quality velvet, caught her eyes. "You have green eyes, do you not?"
"Yeah, why?"
"I think this would look good on Harry, mother," Pansy said, gaining her attention easily. "The colour would complement his eyes."
Her mother turned away from him and looked at the robe she was pointing at with a critical eye. "I'm not sure if he would like the fabric, but we can try it out at least."
"This is going to be a long day."
Pansy couldn't stop her amused chuckle as she continued to browse. "At least you'll be out of those muggle rags and look like someone befitting your station."
"You and your family keep saying that, but I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Really?" Pansy was a bit surprised, but, honestly, she knew she shouldn't be. It was an open secret just how oblivious Harry was about the wizarding world and his own family's background. "The Potters used to be a powerful and rich family. You are the last, so your position is an important one."
Harry didn't say anything to that. Pansy glanced at him and he looked thoughtful. She didn't envy him, if she was honest with herself. Being the last that remained of a long line of wizards and witches, all of them born into wealth, power and prestige; the thought alone sent chills down her spine. Draco liked to make jokes about Harry's situation and, admittedly, sometimes they were morbidly funny. But now that she was more involved with him, saw him, got to know him – ugh, she hoped no one but him would ever know of that thought process of hers.
"Your secret is safe with me."
She openly glared at his amused tone. "This doesn't mean I like you. I still hate you and this bond and this entire situation."
"The feeling is mutual, don't worry," he replied, still sounding amused.
Pansy just huffed and resumed her browsing of the robes in silence.
Xxx
They returned to Abaty Gwyn almost five hours later. Harry had been polite throughout, never complained and even thanked her mother profusely for paying. It was a nice surprise, admittedly.
Her mother emptied her robe's pockets, then proceeded to enlarge the multitudes of bags, all filled to the brim with various robes, all of the best possible quality that wasn't Acromantula silk, and all befitting someone whom she was essentially married to.
"Now I can show myself with you in public without being laughed at," she said while eyeing the bags and then his new spectacles. He certainly looked much better with the rectangular spectacles instead of those ugly round ones.
Pansy then looked up at him and almost laughed outright at his entirely unimpressed glare. Harry looked as if he was done with the world and just ready to collapse.
Before he could retort, however, her mother spoke up again. "Harry...I have a proposition to make."
He gave her a curious look. "Okay?"
"I would like to offer our hospitality for the remainder of the holidays. This way, you could be more familiar with our family and Pansy in particular and it would make teaching you etiquette and our ways easier."
Pansy's eyes bulged. "Is that really necessary, mother?" It was bad enough that she would have to spend a lot of time with Harry in Hogwarts, but sharing their holidays as well? In their home?!
"Yes, Pansy," her mother snapped sharply at her, making her flinch. "You are being incredibly rude. Harry is family now, such is the situation. It is only proper to spend time together, to get to know one another, to understand one another." Her mother narrowed her eyes at her. "Your father and I have spoken about this at length yesterday after Daphne had left. We put a lot of effort into making this whole situation as comfortable as possible for all of us, but especially for you. It is time you show some appreciation and exert some effort as well."
Properly chastised, she frowned and glared at the floor. "Yes, mother." Then, she focused on their soulbond. "Not accepting the offer would be very impolite."
"What do you mean 'understanding our ways'?" he asked awfully bluntly.
"While the wizarding world has largely adopted Christianity, many families still practise the Old Ways and celebrate Yuletide, Beltane or Samhain."
Harry looked intrigued by that. "That...sounds interesting, I've got to admit. I wouldn't want to intrude, though."
"None of that." Her mother waved his concerns away. "We insist and would enjoy having you here."
Still looking reluctant, he glanced at her and she gave him a quick nod, urging him to say yes. It was rude enough that he took this long with his answer.
"...alright. I'll stay. I need to get my stuff from the Burrow, though." He then glanced at her. "Don't think I'll just go with everything you say. This just makes sense."
Pansy crossed her arms over her chest and gave him a challenging glare. "We'll see about that."
Looking very pleased, her mother nodded at him. "Very well. I will have Biffy prepare a large dinner then while you get your possessions from the Weasleys."
Pansy sighed inwardly. Harry Potter was going to stay in her home.
That tasted weird in her mouth to even think.