Another round of thanks to the lovely Mcal for beta'ing for me. She is so generous with her time and talents. Truly a gift!
Standard disclaimer: I own no rights to Harry Potter.
Chapter 12
Pansy, it seemed, had decided that all her free time should be spent at the Manor.
Draco found her having tea with his mother, helping in the gardens and even enthusiastically levitating vases and furniture about rooms in an effort to help redecorate. His mother smiled more and it pleased him to see some of her vibrant spirit return.
"Yes, just there, dear. That looks lovely." Narcissa smiled at Pansy as she waved her wand positioning a large flower arrangement in the middle of table. "And you say you grew these in the garden at your home? Marvelous!"
Pansy blushed at the praise and stepped closer to the arrangement to tweak some stems. Deciding to interact for once, Draco stepped through the door and greeted the women.
"Look at what a wonderful gift Pansy's brought me, Draco. It's so nice to get flowers again." She mused with a faraway gaze.
Making a mental note to send his mother flowers occasionally, Draco watched as Pansy busied herself with the arrangement in lieu of making eye contact with him. He was hoping the weeks that had gone by would lessen the awkwardness from what, he kept telling himself, was an accidental kiss, but she maintained a coy demeanor around him. He wasn't really complaining, but he had enough on his mind without worrying over Pansy's misplaced affections.
A sharp clap of Narcissa's hands drew both Draco and Pansy's attention. "Shall we retire to the solarium for tea? I made a fresh batch of truffles this morning and I'm dying to try one." She gestured in the direction of the solarium and when Draco offered his arm to escort his mother she insisted he escort their guest instead.
Pansy tucked herself deeply into his side as they walked along the corridor. He could feel her eyes on him, but he kept his forward, not wanting to encourage her further.
Passing the floo room, the signature whooshing of an unexpected arrival drew the small group's attention. Draco released Pansy's hold on his arm and ducked into the room, his hand on his wand, just in case.
"Malfoy, just the man I was looking for."
"Well, it seems you've found me, to what do we owe this singular pleasure, Potter?" Harry rolled his eyes in response.
"I was hoping we could speak about the case."
But before Draco could answer, "Who is it, Draco, your mother is waiting?"
Harry's brows shot up his forehead as he peaked over Draco's shoulder. "Parkinson? What are you doing here?"
She gave a haughty little hmph, "I'm an invited guest into this grand home. You are the one that barged in uninvited." That seemed very much like the Pansy of old. How odd.
Harry lips were poised to answer, but Draco lifted a hand hoping to cut them both off. Turning to Pansy, "Go ahead to tea with mother, I have business with Auror Potter that must have slipped my mind."
Stepping forward, Pansy laid a soft hand on his bicep and gave him a demure smile, "Try not to be too long," her voice breathy and lilting, a stark contrast to moments before, "all business and no… pleasure," she ran a finger down his arm and then turned with a sweep of her full skirt and sashayed from the room.
Harry stared in confusion as Pansy left the room, Draco closed his eyes and concentrated on his breaths to ease the vexing sensations of Pansy's flirtation.
"What in the name of Merlin was that about?"
"She and mother have grown close, but I fear that she fancies there being an opportunity for something with me." Draco grimaced at the idea. "Come, Potter, let's go to my study."
Of course, Harry Bloody Potter could not leave well enough alone, "Is your mother encouraging her? Have you encouraged her?"
Draco scrubbed his hand down his face as they walked, "No, of course not. It's just a… misunderstanding." he tried to wave it off, not wanting to think about-or explain to Potter-that untimely kiss from weeks ago.
Potter didn't seem convinced, but Draco managed to silence him and make it to the study without further discussion of Pansy.
Immediately walking to the drink cart along the far wall, Draco unstoppered the decanter of firewhisky and shook it in Harry's direction. He shook his head and took a seat in the chair across from Draco's desk. Firewhisky in hand, Draco fell into his desk chair. He looked at Harry in question and sipped his drink.
When the silence dragged on several moments too long, Draco finally spoke, "You came to talk to me, Potter. I'm afraid social convention dictates that you start the conversation."
That did the trick and after a weak withering glare, Harry finally started. "Things have been a bit slow in the Auror department lately."
"How nice for you," Draco goaded.
Harry rolled his eyes, but continued, "I was able to pop down to Missing Persons."
That got Draco's attention. He put the firewhisky down on a coaster and leaned forward, hands clasped tight and elbows resting on his desk, "Aaaaannnnndddd…"
"There may finally be a lead."
Draco's eyes grew wide, his heart pounding, his breath catching in his throat, "Well, what the bloody hell are you doing here, you should be out following this lead!" He practically jumped from the chair.
He was pacing about the room muttering, making plans when Harry stopped him, "That's just it… I am tracing the lead."
Confusion colored his face, swiftly followed by anger. "What do mean, Potter? Surely no one thinks I've anything to do with her disappearance?"
Harry quickly backpedaled. "No, no, nothing like that."
"Well what is it then?" He was getting frantic.
"It's a pulse of magic. It's weak and its intermittent at best," Harry looked defeated, "but it's the most solid lead we've got."
"So, how is sitting in my study 'following the lead' exactly?"
"Like I said, it's intermittent, but it regularly traces here to the Manor."
"Her wand is here, but no one's touched it in months. Surely that's not it?"
"The trackers don't think it has anything to do with her wand. That's not how traces work anyway. The trace picks up on the magical core-a person's magical essence if you will."
Collapsing in his chair once more Draco raised his brows at Harry, "I'm aware of how one's magical core functions, thank you."
"Well, excuse me, Mr. Finished-second-to-the Brightest Witch of her Age, it was a new concept to me."
"Are there any theories as to why her magical signature traces here to the Manor?"
Harry resumed his seat, "That's what I was hoping to talk to you about. Have you noticed anything strange, no mysterious communication, no blips in your wards?"
Thinking back over the previous weeks and months he'd been at the Manor, Draco couldn't recall any such occurrences.
Resignation poured off Harry as he trudged back through the Manor halls and vanished into the floo.
"Did Auror Potter leave?" His mother's voice was soft and concerned behind him as he watched the emerald flames subside.
He answered with a nod and made to return to his office, but was stopped by his mother's voice: "I'm sorry you missed tea."
"That all right, Mother. There will be more tea. We do live in Britain after all." He was trying for nonchalant, but felt he's failed if the sad look on her face was anything to go by.
She gave an amused hum and looped her arm through his as he began to walk aimlessly down the hallway. "Pansy certainly missed your company."
"I thought she came more for your company, mother."
"I'm sure a vibrant young woman such as Pansy has better things to do with her time than entertain an aging widow." The suggestive tone in her voice was not missed by Draco.
Stopping in the hall and disentangling their arms, he turned to face her, "Just leave it, mother."
She met his eyes beseechingly, "I just want you to be happy, Draco."
He nodded and leaned down to bestow a kiss to her cheek, "I'll be in my study if you need me." And with a sigh he retreated, Narcissa watching him walk away as tears gathered in the corner of her eyes.
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