CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: The elf-made wine

Pansy Parkinson may have hated everyone, but now she tried to focus on something else – on the room she wanted to see. Her and Daphne Greengrass went three times by the unseen until it became visible.

They went in and shared very smug looks. The room was perfect – it wasn't too big but had a big couch with silver cushions and grey blankets, a fireplace and two glasses. It was rather dark, but thanks to some fairy lights, it was quite pleasant.

'Absolutely perfect,' whispered Daphne, sitting on the couch.

Pansy sat next to her, a bit reluctant at first but then it turned out it was one of the comfiest couches she's ever lied on.

Daphne already poured some wine and gave her the glass.

'I wonder what these elves were on about,' she said, studying Pansy.

'I have no idea, but… I have to warn Draco tomorrow,' she replied, looking down on her hands.

'Uh – excuse you – but are you planning to talk to a guy because of who you spent all week in isolation? And you think I'll let you?' she asked furiously.

Pansy looked at her in surprise.

'I have to warn him! You've heard that – Potter's scheming something-'

'It doesn't mean you have to talk to the guy! He's made you feel so terrible that you've literally locked yourself away in this room,' she said with a fire-like determination in her sea-like green eyes.

'It does.'

'You can just tell it to Nott.'

Pansy sighed heavily.

'You don't understand-'

'Try me,' she demanded.

Pansy studied her for a second. It didn't seem like Daphne was going to let this go. She gulped her glass of wine in one go to take up the courage.

'It wouldn't be fair to him. Or me, for that matter.'

'Why?'

'He – uh-'

'Here,' said Daphne, filling up her glass. 'For courage.'

Pansy looked down at the wine. It would sure help her, and it was very good – not too dry and not too sweet. Just how she liked it. She downed a whole glass again.

'There is something between us,' she said finally, realising she wasn't breathing.

'You don't say,' chuckled Daphne, raising her eyebrow.

'I'm saying we kissed but-'

'Wait – what – YOU DID? Why don't I know anything? I want to know EVERYTHING,' she jumped in her seat.

Pansy gave her a warning look Daphne she didn't seem to notice.

'It wasn't like THAT. It was weird and accidental and random and-'

'Sounds scandalous,' she noticed, grinning.

'Oh, would you stop being so gossipy-'

'I'm not! I promise,' Daphne crossed her fingers. 'I'm just excited!'

'A second ago you wouldn't even let me talk to him.'

'And I stand by that,' she said with determination.

Pansy looked at her in confusion.

'Well? Continue!' Daphne tried to hurry her up.

'Well, first time, it was kinda my fault. We were by the lake-'

'Ooh'

'Would you please, stop interrupting me?' Pansy hissed, so Daphne raised her arms defensively.

'And we talked, I felt like he was drifting away from me, so I kissed him. And he kissed me back, but before I could say anything, he just ran away.'

'HE DID WHAT?' she almost shouted, and Pansy thanked the whole line of the Slytherin family that they were in the Room of Requirement and no one could hear them.

'Yup,' she said, trying to hide the pain from her voice. 'He said I should stay away from him.'

'Does it have anything to do with the fact that he now looks like a ghost?' she asked worriedly.

'I can't discuss it with you,' Pansy admitted truthfully.

'Of course,' Daphne waved her hand. 'I'm just asking whether it has something to do with whatever's going on.'

'Yes.'

Daphne nodded her head sadly.

'And then I felt a bit betrayed because he trusted Crabbe and Goyle more-'

'They hate it, you know.'

'What?' asked Pansy in surprise.

'They hate it – doing what they're told, not asking questions. Well, to be fair, they do ask questions. They just don't get any answers.'

'And they still do whatever he tells them to?'

'Yeah,' Daphne nodded. 'They're loyal, Crabbe and Goyle. I've heard rumours that people think that they are afraid of him. I don't think so. They're loyal, and they would never betray him. They may not be very bright, but they are good friends.'

'Well, to him at least,' she added when she saw Pansy's meaningful look. 'Okay, what then?'

'Then, there was this Christmas party-'

'Yeah, what was that about? The girls were surprised you were going with Blaise. They thought you were trying to make Draco jealous.'

'What? No, I went with Blaise because he's my friend. He asked me to go with him since they could bring a plus one. What was he supposed to do, ask Weaslette?'

Daphne snorted.

'Well, Draco got himself in trouble for trying to crash the party. After he left with Snape, I followed him to – er – find him afterwards,' she lied. 'And then, it happened again.'

She took a big gulp of wine.

'It was different. If Blaise hadn't walked on us then-'

Daphne had this annoying grin on her face again. Pansy shook her head in disbelief.

'He said I should stay away from him again and left in a hurry. Anyway, there were a few more situations like that – and for a second, after we drank with the boys, it was even normal – a good normal. But afterwards, he-'

'Here,' said Daphne, filling her glass up again.

Apparently, she was trying to get her so drunk that she was going to be hungover for a week. Even so, she obediently drank the wine.

'I found him at the lake, you know, grumpy and brooding. And he did the worst thing.'

Pansy focused on her shaking hands.

'He left you again?' she asked through gritted teeth.

'Worse – he told me he loves me. But then went on about how it's a bad time and that, and I quote, "you're already too involved, and I have to protect you the only way I can". Then he apologised and then, he left me there.'

Daphne stood up and looked at her thunderously.

'He. Did. WHAT?!'

Even when Pansy didn't look at Daphne, she could feel her rage. She envied her a bit. If she was this furious with Draco, maybe she wouldn't be that heartbroken. Wouldn't hurt this much.

'Oh, that evil, heartless FERRET!' Daphne yelled in anger.

Pansy looked at her, astonished. Calling Malfoy a ferret was rule number one on how to get killed and chopped into pieces in the Slytherin House.

'I promise you if I see his face next time, I will-'

'Please, don't. It won't make me feel better,' Pansy pleaded quietly.

'Are you sure about that? If I turned him into-'

'No, please.'

Daphne studied her for a second with a worried glance. She finally calmed herself enough to sit down.

'Fine. But I will not let him off the hook. He's on my blacklist now.'

Pansy sighed heavily.

'It's just hard you know,' she admitted. 'I shouldn't care, not anymore, but I do.'

Daphne seemed thoughtful for a moment.

'That's what we stole wine for, didn't we? To not care anymore?' she smiled.

'I guess,' Pansy agreed and downed yet another glass.

'Better?'

'Better.'

Both girls smiled at each other.

'Well, there's this thing I wanted to ask you,' said Pansy, suddenly looking all glum again.

'What is it?'

'What are you going to do when the war comes?' she asked rapidly.

Daphne glanced at her, signs of worry on her face.

'I don't know,' she whispered. 'I have no idea.'

'We've talked about it, boys and I. We think the war may start here. At Hogwarts.'

'Why do you think that? And technically, the war's already started.'

'Well, yes, but I mean the battle. And we think the Dark Lord will come here for a cherry on top – when he'll take over the rest of wizarding world. Hogwarts will be the hardest place to get under control. Besides, that's probably where Potter will probably be.'

'I suppose you're right… Look, I don't know. I know for sure that my parents won't fight for either side. I'm not planning on, either. But for some reason, they're not very keen on running away, and I'm horribly scared for Astoria.'

'Why won't they run away?'

'I wish I knew' she sighed. 'But maybe they'll change their mind. Astoria's their apple of the eye so if I manage to convince them that she's in danger, I think we might have a shot at leaving England for… well, until it's over.'

'They wouldn't do it for you?' Pansy asked before she could bite her tongue.

Daphne laughed delicately.

'I suppose they would, but trust me when I say that they would do it for Astoria with much less encouragement.'

'Well, that's a bit sad.'

'Nah,' she waved her hand. 'She's just younger, and they've never quite got used to the fact that she's not little anymore and that she can take care of herself. But enough about that. What are you going to do?'

Pansy studied her for a second, wondering whether she could tell her. Technically, she wouldn't tell her where they'd be hiding. And simple information that they were hiding was useless since, if they had been gone, everyone would be able to figure this out themselves.

'We're going into hiding,' she whispered.

She decided to tell half the truth. It'd be better if she didn't know with whom she was going to hide, even if she could think this out. 'We'll find someplace during the summer, and when it starts, we'll just hide.'

Before Pansy could protest, she gave her a firm, consoling hug. Pansy Parkinson felt weirdly warm and happy at the moment.