It's been a busy few days, I hope you're still with me and enjoying the story.

As always thank you to Mcal who alpha/beta'd for me. She's a precious soul and I'm grateful to her for giving her time to help me.

I don't own any right to Harry Potter and his gang of misfits.

Chapter 10

It surprised him how easily he settled into the routine of living in the Manor again. His bedroom was familiar and brought him a strange comfort he didn't expect, but was grateful for; and his mother was a most welcome distraction from the shambles of his life.

"...So I told her that if she couldn't see fit to give of her time I wanted nothing to do with her galleons."

"Very bold of you mother. What was her answer to that?"

Narcissa gave a small sniff of derision before continuing, "Well, she promptly added her name onto the volunteer rotation schedule. Honestly, what's the point of having all this time if we don't contribute to society."

"I'm glad you have projects you're passionate about." He grasped her hand and gave it an affectionate squeeze.

"The freedom of choice is not a luxury I intend to squander." She gave a resolute nod and returned to her breakfast.

A tapping at the window drew their attention to a large foreboding owl perched impatiently, waiting for entrance. A quick flick of her wand opened the window and the terrifying bird swooped toward the table, landing indolently and promptly snatching up a rasher of bacon from the platter.

Narcissa sniffed at the bird's rude behavior, but unfurled the parchment it had dropped in front of her plate.

"Well this is unexpected."

"Who is it from, Mother?" Draco eyed the owl hesitantly, its yellow eyes meeting his gaze in a challenge.

"Miss Parkinson." Her eyes scanned down the parchment, "She's invited us for tea next week."

After seeing her in his and Hermione's neighborhood, he'd quickly forgotten her invitation to tea, rather hoping she'd forget as well.

Narcissa was in deep consideration of the letter, while Draco was trying in earnest to shoo the voracious owl off the dining table. It had eaten three pieces of bacon and was now edging toward the spiced scones of which Draco was so fond.

"Calm down, Draco, it's only waiting for a response." Narcissa threw the beast the remains of her sausage and it gave Draco a smug look.

"I suppose we should accept Miss Parkinson's invitation?" She looked at him for his agreement as she motioned for parchment and quill from Sprocket.

"Of course, mother. I'll check my work schedule."

"I haven't heard from her in quite some time. Most unfortunate circumstances with her parents. Didn't she return to Hogwarts with you in that final year?"

Nodding he thought back to the final year at Hogwarts and how Pansy seemed more a quiet observer than an active participant. He mentally scolded himself for not checking in with her more, but she'd assured him she was coping just fine, and she'd seemed well enough the other day.

"I remember her being such a spirited child," Narcissa offered as she attached the response to the massive owl and watched it swoop back through the open window.

Vanishing the stray feathers on the table, Draco chuckled, "If you mean bossy and irascible? Yes, she was a very spirited child."

He was sure she would have rolled her eyes if it didn't contradict her upbringing. "Honestly, what do you expect from a young lady surrounded by rambunctious young men?"

She had not meant to, but the mention of bossy young ladies put him in mind of Hermione and her indomitable spirit in the face of her two best friends-even with him. Sadness settled within him, but he schooled his expression and finished his breakfast in quiet brooding; missing his mother's concerned gaze.

Trying to go about his routine-work, tea with his mother, weekly check-in with Potter-the tea date with Pansy quickly left his thoughts. Narcissa reminded him of their obligation one morning and he soon found himself, his arm still linked with hers, looking upon the quaint country cottage where Pansy now lived.

The flagstone walk was bordered by thick lavender, spiked with fragrant purple flowers. It curved gently toward front step of a wood clad dwelling with flowering vines clinging happily to its sides, trained to grow around the windows.

Pansy greeted them at the front door with a demure smile and welcomed them into the cozy interior. The furnishings were overstuffed and floral patterned. There were eclectic knicknacks gracing the shelves and tables, and light streamed in through the sheer curtains.

Pansy drew her arm through Narcissa's and led her deeper into the house, gesturing grandly with her free hand as she talked about the design choices and how much she loved it here.

Draco rather thought the house was wildly out of character with the witch he'd known in his youth. She was sharp and calculated, not soft and inviting as this dwelling suggested its owner would be. As he looked around he thought that Hermione would be quite at home in a place like this.

Shaking off his melancholy temporarily, he sought to try and enjoy himself, if not for him, but for his mother; she needed some distraction from her own sadness as well as his.

Pansy busied herself with fetching tea, chatting amiably with Narcissa the whole while, as Draco continued to wander about the space. A soft cooing drew his attention and as he drew closer, realized it was a pure white dove perched in an ornate cage.

Draco approached the cage and observed the bird; it tilted its head and followed his movements as he moved around the cage, bending to get a closer look. He couldn't recall ever seeing a dove such as this up close. He extended a finger to stroke the silken wing and when he made contact the bird began to coo louder and flap about its confinement.

Suddenly his view of the bird was occluded by a white sheet. "Oh, nevermind her." Pansy giggled, the sound shrill and manic as she arranged the sheet fully over the cage. "She gets a little jumpy around new people."

"I never thought of you as having a bird." Draco mused. "Well outside of an owl, of course."

Pansy scoffed. "Well, it isn't as if you know everything I get up to." She flicked a silencing spell at the cage. "Come." She gestured to the sitting area, "Tea's on. I got the Earl Grey because I know you like it." As she flounced off to sit by his mother on the sofa, a white feather floated into his line of sight. Before he could repress the impulse, he grasped the feather and pocketed it.

His mother and Pansy were deep in conversation by the time he sat in the chair across from them. "These gardens are just lovely, Pansy."

"Thank you, Mrs. Malfoy." She blushed and took a demure sip from her cup. "They're nothing like the gardens at the Manor. I've always appreciated your eye for design."

"Why thank you, dear. I've been toying with the idea of installing some new beds. Perhaps you'd like to join me in the gardens one day?"

Beaming at the older witch Pansy answered, "I would love that! I've always enjoyed a love of plants and their cultivation."

Draco choked on his tea. He gave his chest two sharp raps and cleared his throat, his choking evolving into laughter. "Plants and their cultivation. That's a good one Pansy."

"What are you talking about, Draco?" Her tone was one of offense to match the scandalized look on her face.

"Come on, Pansy, at Hogwarts you regularly bemoaned having to take herbology." He tried to affect a teasing tone. "Always saying that you were going to 'ruin your manicure', and that 'playing in the dirt was beneath you'."

Pansy did not look amused and sniffed, "Yes, well, I'm not the only one who's done something I once thought 'beneath me'."

The teasing smile dropped immediately from Draco face, "Right you are. Forgive me."

Her eyes held something Draco couldn't quite place, but she waved her hand as if shooing away the animosity.

Narcissa clapped her hands lightly, drawing the attention of the two young people and attempting to divert the conversation,."What else are you pursuing these days, Pansy?"

At this distraction Draco sipped his tea and intermittently listened to the two witches chatter on about hobbies, charities, fashion, and idle gossip.

By the time they left, Narcissa seemed to glow with happiness at the prospect of having a young witch to mentor and Draco was pleased his mother had a confidant besides himself.

The click of the latch on the cottage door echoed through the space in the silence left at Draco and Narcissa's departure.

Pansy spun on her heel and looked around the room, her face pinched in disgust. She walked amongst the furnishings, fingering the fabrics in revulsion. Picking up an ornate tchotchke to examine it, she mimed a gag and watched as it slipped through her fingers; the splintered shards spreading across the floor. "Oops." she giggled maniacally.

A cruel smile took over her features as she approached the covered bird cage. Ripping the sheet from the top, the silencing charm was canceled and the bird within seemed to sink in on itself in fear.

Pansy bent and sneered at the trembling animal, it stepped along the perch seemingly to distance itself from the palpable abhorrence. Pansy threw her head back in callous laughter.

"Well, well, well, little dove, what did you think of that? Seems Draco is moving on and Narcissa couldn't get enough of me. Practically drew up the marriage contract right there on the tea table." She cackled as she ran her fingernails over the bars of the cage, the metallic ting reverberating throughout the room.

The dove twittered and flapped nervously. "Hush now, little dove, wouldn't want you to work yourself into a tizzy," Pansy purred as she reached into the cage and with a seeker's dexterity, grasped the bird. Stroking the bird on the head, she began to squeeze its fragile body just enough to feel the bird's heart rate accelerate. She was shaking with pent up rage and excitement.

She shoved the bird back into the cage and watched it flutter to its perch, its feathered breast rising and falling at a rapid rate. "Hush now, silly bird. Can't have you hurting yourself, I have so many plans for you yet." Then tossing a handful of birdseed into the cage, she flung the sheet over it.

It was with severe distaste that she vanished the feathers from her clothes.

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