Chapter 6:
"Yes, me. Surprised to see me? No doubt. But if Draco is to marry you, I must make sure you are...up to par." Lucius smiled venomously. He stepped forward, his smile giving him an odd boyish charm. Pansy realized then where Draco got his power. Lucius seemed to emanate it. Anyone within two hundred yards could feel that ego streaming toward them. But she was not afraid of him as she used to be.
"I will not marry Draco. And as for being up to par, YOU will never find out." Lucius looked taken back by her comment. She knew very few people would speak to him like this, if any. A smile curled over his lips so menacing it was all she could do not to scream.
He walked slowly forward. "You've changed. Grown into a beautiful woman." His hand stroked the side of her face, that smile still in place. She flinched at the touch of his warm hands.
"Get the hell away from me." She wanted to scream, but no words came to her mouth. She simply stared blankly into those cold eyes. His arm snaked around her and pulled her to him. And his lips met hers in a ferociousness she had never felt from neither Harry nor Draco. It occurred to her oddly, that she had only kissed two boys. Well...three now. It was no surprise to her that Lucius was doing this, and though it sickened her, he was quite a good kisser.
But still the bile rose in her throat and she wished she would throw up right then. Unfortunately she did not, and the kiss turned deeper. She tried desperately to pull away but she might as well have been pushing a brick wall.
And suddenly she was shoved against a wall and her sweater was being pulled over her head. She thought dimly that she was glad she word a black tank top underneath. She tried still to push him away but his only movements were to begin unzipping her skirt.
"Father..." the voice came with a low growl from Lucius afterwards. He backed up and turned. Pansy simply sunk to the floor, shaking furiously. Draco, who for the first time in her life she was actually glad to see, stood before them. His father's face was completely calm.
"What are you doing?" Draco asked, not even glancing at Pansy. His voice was toneless but shockingly, Pansy saw fire in his eyes. Could Draco possibly be...protecting her? No, she wiped the thought from her mind as soon as it went in. But still, why else would he be here?
"Nothing I have to explain to you."
"She is my fiancé, and I would appreciate it if you kept your hands off her."
"Do not talk back to me young man."
"Do-not-touch-her."
"And what will you do about it?"
Draco was silent, fists clenched. His wand was in one hand. Lucius grabbed Pansy's arm and pulled her to her feet. Pansy's thoughts were jumbled and it didn't help when Lucius pressed his lips on hers once more before throwing her to the ground. Pansy hit hard, but bit back a groan of pain. With that, Lucius disappeared out the back. After a few moments, Draco hesitantly looked down at Pansy.
"Damnit, do not walk around here alone. Shit Pansy,"
"Don't you dare start getting mad at me. It's not like I knew he was going to be there!"
"Shh. For Merlin's sake." He walked over and held out his hand to help her up. She took it but was shaking so hard she fell back down. He sighed and rolled his eyes, scooping her up into his arms as though she were a mere doll.
"Why did you help me?"
"You're mine." His eyes were guarded and serious.
"I am no ones." Despite his help, she now knew it was only to claim her, not because he cared. But she was too tired from being scared and her eyes portrayed no tears. Instead she was silent after those words, and for a time, so was he.
He carried her out of the shack. Most people had gone back to Hogwarts by then. It was almost deserted as Draco carried her back. Finally, after about ten minutes of walking, he began to speak once more.
"Why did you fake who you were?" His voice was oddly soothing. Pansy bit her lip nervously. She didn't need to explain herself to him, but then again, what could it hurt?
"My Parents told me to. I've hated you since I met you."
"Do you still?" His voice was neutral but she felt tension from him coming off in waves.
"Why do you care? You see Malfoy, I know you don't care about me. You care about being the first to get me into bed, that's all. So why explain myself to you?"
"Because I want to know. Maybe you've become beautiful over the summer, but you are still Pansy, and you are still mine...despite what feelings you thought you had for Potter."
"Oh honestly Draco. I hate to break this to you, but I'm not who you think I am, nor will I ever be that girl again."
He was silent again, seemingly contemplating the conversation. She felt her anger rising. "And what makes you think I would ever agree to marrying you? You have something seriously wrong in the head if you do."
"You love me, all of the women do." And his arrogant self was back in full swing.
"You self centered bastard, get over yourself. I am not in love with you I—"But she was cut off as his lips met hers. It was a beautiful and tender kiss, and it made her realize just a minute ago...he had called her beautiful. Never had he said he found any girl particularly beautiful. Maybe in some odd way, he actually did have some twisted feelings for her. He sure as hell knew how to kiss, and for the first time, she kissed him as she would a boy she truly had feelings for. She felt his feet hault to a stop and his pressure increase on her lips but she pulled back abruptly.
"We really should get back. I think I can walk now." She squirmed out of his muscular arms and walked inside the walls of Hogwarts. Still it was eerily quiet. She had never been through the halls this late at night. Luckily with Draco beside her, a school prefect, was able to navigate her without question through the halls.
When they reached the common room, Draco pulled Pansy into his arms so quick she barely had time to react. His lips met hers again but this time she did not kiss back, only pushing him away.
"Goodnight Draco."
"Pansy..." he grabbed her arm as she turned away. Her eyes met his.
"If you want my heart Draco, not only must you work for it, but I must know yours belongs to me as well. I will not be a victim of unrequited love, and I sure as hell will not share someone's heart. Goodnight..." With that she yanked her arm away and walked up the stairs to the girls dorm. They both knew he could not follow her in there, and for that she was glad.
*~*~*~*~*
The next morning Pansy woke to Celeste bantering with another girl in the room. "Oh, and what are you going to do to me? Turn me into a frog?" Celeste was countering to something the girl had said. Pansy turned warily to look at the two. She raised an eyebrow at the girl standing in front of them. Pansy had seen her before but never really paid much attention. The girl had raven black hair falling stunningly past her shoulders , emerald green piercing eyes, and an absolutely beautiful face. She was not skinny, but by no means chubby.
"What did I do to you? Or are you just in a bad mood because your best friend won the only two men you would ever DREAM of dating. You don't deserve them anyway. She isn't the same friend you had before. So get over it and stop complaining to me every night!" The girl was shouting at Celeste who was red in the face from anger. Pansy slowly sat up, catching the unknown girl's attention immediately. Her face softened at the sight that Pansy was up.
"Good morning Pansy."
"We'll see about that." Pansy sighed and flung off the covers. She gave Celeste a sharp glance before walking into the girls bathrooms. The other girl walked in after her, standing at the sink next to her. Pansy, in a curious mood seeing as how the two girls had been blatantly obvious it was her they were talking about, set about finding out who this girl was, or at least what she knew about her love life.
"What were you two talking about?" She asked nonchalantly. The girl shrugged.
"Your 'friend'," putting a nasty edge on the word, "has been complaining to me about how you have been getting everything this year."
Pansy was silent for a moment, brushing her teeth, then said calmly, "Oh?"
"Just talk to her. I don't want anything more to do with it."
"What is your name?"
"Ciarda. I'm Draco's cousin in case you didn't know." She smiled slightly and Pansy raised a questioning eyebrow. She looked absolutely nothing like Draco nor his family, and she didn't remember ever seeing this girl before.
"We aren't very close with them," she answered Pansy's unasked question. Pansy sighed as Celeste walked in. Pansy flashed her friend and unsure smile. She knew that she would have to talk to Celeste, but now was not the time. Celeste looked more troubled than Pansy had ever seen her. She hurried through getting dressed and then walked out quickly.
Pansy walked alone that day to her classes. Celeste had been avoiding her at every turn making it impossible to find a convenient time for them to talk. She was getting more frustrated with every failed attempt. But what really plagued her mind was the night before. Draco had not once spoken to her as well, and that made her nervous. By lunch, she was completely out of sorts, especially as a small envelope dropped into her lap.
She looked oddly at the brown wrapped box before sliding out the letter. On the front it read 'read immediately after opening'. Her eyebrows drew together as she opened the package carefully. Beneath the wrapping was a small black velvet box. Her eyes widened as she tilted open the lid. Inside was the most beautiful ring she had ever seen with a round medium sized set diamond in the center and tiny diamonds half way around the white gold setting. Shakily, she opened the letter. Inside it wrote,
"Pansy, I am all yours. Will you marry me?" –Draco"
She looked up from the table to see all eyes on her and someone standing behind her. Her heart raced as she turned around. Draco stood there, looking down at her. His eyes gleamed in the light she now realized was dimmed. In her mind she had never once thought that she might truly love Draco, and now...with him standing there looking so vulnerable. Then it came to her. Why was he doing this? They were already engaged, already said to be together anyway. This must have been just some ploy to make Harry angry. Well she would not go along with his plan. Not fall into his trap. She would not go willingly into a marriage she was to be forced into anyway.
Angrily she stood up and shoved both the letter and then ring into his hands.
"Do not think you can buy me off with beautiful rings or cheap tricks such as this. I will not marry you Draco. I told you my conditions, and those are of the kind you can never fill." With that, and the entire Great Hall watching after her, she strode out, head held high, where the doors clambered shut behind her, a deep sense of foreboding clutching her mind.
"Yes, me. Surprised to see me? No doubt. But if Draco is to marry you, I must make sure you are...up to par." Lucius smiled venomously. He stepped forward, his smile giving him an odd boyish charm. Pansy realized then where Draco got his power. Lucius seemed to emanate it. Anyone within two hundred yards could feel that ego streaming toward them. But she was not afraid of him as she used to be.
"I will not marry Draco. And as for being up to par, YOU will never find out." Lucius looked taken back by her comment. She knew very few people would speak to him like this, if any. A smile curled over his lips so menacing it was all she could do not to scream.
He walked slowly forward. "You've changed. Grown into a beautiful woman." His hand stroked the side of her face, that smile still in place. She flinched at the touch of his warm hands.
"Get the hell away from me." She wanted to scream, but no words came to her mouth. She simply stared blankly into those cold eyes. His arm snaked around her and pulled her to him. And his lips met hers in a ferociousness she had never felt from neither Harry nor Draco. It occurred to her oddly, that she had only kissed two boys. Well...three now. It was no surprise to her that Lucius was doing this, and though it sickened her, he was quite a good kisser.
But still the bile rose in her throat and she wished she would throw up right then. Unfortunately she did not, and the kiss turned deeper. She tried desperately to pull away but she might as well have been pushing a brick wall.
And suddenly she was shoved against a wall and her sweater was being pulled over her head. She thought dimly that she was glad she word a black tank top underneath. She tried still to push him away but his only movements were to begin unzipping her skirt.
"Father..." the voice came with a low growl from Lucius afterwards. He backed up and turned. Pansy simply sunk to the floor, shaking furiously. Draco, who for the first time in her life she was actually glad to see, stood before them. His father's face was completely calm.
"What are you doing?" Draco asked, not even glancing at Pansy. His voice was toneless but shockingly, Pansy saw fire in his eyes. Could Draco possibly be...protecting her? No, she wiped the thought from her mind as soon as it went in. But still, why else would he be here?
"Nothing I have to explain to you."
"She is my fiancé, and I would appreciate it if you kept your hands off her."
"Do not talk back to me young man."
"Do-not-touch-her."
"And what will you do about it?"
Draco was silent, fists clenched. His wand was in one hand. Lucius grabbed Pansy's arm and pulled her to her feet. Pansy's thoughts were jumbled and it didn't help when Lucius pressed his lips on hers once more before throwing her to the ground. Pansy hit hard, but bit back a groan of pain. With that, Lucius disappeared out the back. After a few moments, Draco hesitantly looked down at Pansy.
"Damnit, do not walk around here alone. Shit Pansy,"
"Don't you dare start getting mad at me. It's not like I knew he was going to be there!"
"Shh. For Merlin's sake." He walked over and held out his hand to help her up. She took it but was shaking so hard she fell back down. He sighed and rolled his eyes, scooping her up into his arms as though she were a mere doll.
"Why did you help me?"
"You're mine." His eyes were guarded and serious.
"I am no ones." Despite his help, she now knew it was only to claim her, not because he cared. But she was too tired from being scared and her eyes portrayed no tears. Instead she was silent after those words, and for a time, so was he.
He carried her out of the shack. Most people had gone back to Hogwarts by then. It was almost deserted as Draco carried her back. Finally, after about ten minutes of walking, he began to speak once more.
"Why did you fake who you were?" His voice was oddly soothing. Pansy bit her lip nervously. She didn't need to explain herself to him, but then again, what could it hurt?
"My Parents told me to. I've hated you since I met you."
"Do you still?" His voice was neutral but she felt tension from him coming off in waves.
"Why do you care? You see Malfoy, I know you don't care about me. You care about being the first to get me into bed, that's all. So why explain myself to you?"
"Because I want to know. Maybe you've become beautiful over the summer, but you are still Pansy, and you are still mine...despite what feelings you thought you had for Potter."
"Oh honestly Draco. I hate to break this to you, but I'm not who you think I am, nor will I ever be that girl again."
He was silent again, seemingly contemplating the conversation. She felt her anger rising. "And what makes you think I would ever agree to marrying you? You have something seriously wrong in the head if you do."
"You love me, all of the women do." And his arrogant self was back in full swing.
"You self centered bastard, get over yourself. I am not in love with you I—"But she was cut off as his lips met hers. It was a beautiful and tender kiss, and it made her realize just a minute ago...he had called her beautiful. Never had he said he found any girl particularly beautiful. Maybe in some odd way, he actually did have some twisted feelings for her. He sure as hell knew how to kiss, and for the first time, she kissed him as she would a boy she truly had feelings for. She felt his feet hault to a stop and his pressure increase on her lips but she pulled back abruptly.
"We really should get back. I think I can walk now." She squirmed out of his muscular arms and walked inside the walls of Hogwarts. Still it was eerily quiet. She had never been through the halls this late at night. Luckily with Draco beside her, a school prefect, was able to navigate her without question through the halls.
When they reached the common room, Draco pulled Pansy into his arms so quick she barely had time to react. His lips met hers again but this time she did not kiss back, only pushing him away.
"Goodnight Draco."
"Pansy..." he grabbed her arm as she turned away. Her eyes met his.
"If you want my heart Draco, not only must you work for it, but I must know yours belongs to me as well. I will not be a victim of unrequited love, and I sure as hell will not share someone's heart. Goodnight..." With that she yanked her arm away and walked up the stairs to the girls dorm. They both knew he could not follow her in there, and for that she was glad.
*~*~*~*~*
The next morning Pansy woke to Celeste bantering with another girl in the room. "Oh, and what are you going to do to me? Turn me into a frog?" Celeste was countering to something the girl had said. Pansy turned warily to look at the two. She raised an eyebrow at the girl standing in front of them. Pansy had seen her before but never really paid much attention. The girl had raven black hair falling stunningly past her shoulders , emerald green piercing eyes, and an absolutely beautiful face. She was not skinny, but by no means chubby.
"What did I do to you? Or are you just in a bad mood because your best friend won the only two men you would ever DREAM of dating. You don't deserve them anyway. She isn't the same friend you had before. So get over it and stop complaining to me every night!" The girl was shouting at Celeste who was red in the face from anger. Pansy slowly sat up, catching the unknown girl's attention immediately. Her face softened at the sight that Pansy was up.
"Good morning Pansy."
"We'll see about that." Pansy sighed and flung off the covers. She gave Celeste a sharp glance before walking into the girls bathrooms. The other girl walked in after her, standing at the sink next to her. Pansy, in a curious mood seeing as how the two girls had been blatantly obvious it was her they were talking about, set about finding out who this girl was, or at least what she knew about her love life.
"What were you two talking about?" She asked nonchalantly. The girl shrugged.
"Your 'friend'," putting a nasty edge on the word, "has been complaining to me about how you have been getting everything this year."
Pansy was silent for a moment, brushing her teeth, then said calmly, "Oh?"
"Just talk to her. I don't want anything more to do with it."
"What is your name?"
"Ciarda. I'm Draco's cousin in case you didn't know." She smiled slightly and Pansy raised a questioning eyebrow. She looked absolutely nothing like Draco nor his family, and she didn't remember ever seeing this girl before.
"We aren't very close with them," she answered Pansy's unasked question. Pansy sighed as Celeste walked in. Pansy flashed her friend and unsure smile. She knew that she would have to talk to Celeste, but now was not the time. Celeste looked more troubled than Pansy had ever seen her. She hurried through getting dressed and then walked out quickly.
Pansy walked alone that day to her classes. Celeste had been avoiding her at every turn making it impossible to find a convenient time for them to talk. She was getting more frustrated with every failed attempt. But what really plagued her mind was the night before. Draco had not once spoken to her as well, and that made her nervous. By lunch, she was completely out of sorts, especially as a small envelope dropped into her lap.
She looked oddly at the brown wrapped box before sliding out the letter. On the front it read 'read immediately after opening'. Her eyebrows drew together as she opened the package carefully. Beneath the wrapping was a small black velvet box. Her eyes widened as she tilted open the lid. Inside was the most beautiful ring she had ever seen with a round medium sized set diamond in the center and tiny diamonds half way around the white gold setting. Shakily, she opened the letter. Inside it wrote,
"Pansy, I am all yours. Will you marry me?" –Draco"
She looked up from the table to see all eyes on her and someone standing behind her. Her heart raced as she turned around. Draco stood there, looking down at her. His eyes gleamed in the light she now realized was dimmed. In her mind she had never once thought that she might truly love Draco, and now...with him standing there looking so vulnerable. Then it came to her. Why was he doing this? They were already engaged, already said to be together anyway. This must have been just some ploy to make Harry angry. Well she would not go along with his plan. Not fall into his trap. She would not go willingly into a marriage she was to be forced into anyway.
Angrily she stood up and shoved both the letter and then ring into his hands.
"Do not think you can buy me off with beautiful rings or cheap tricks such as this. I will not marry you Draco. I told you my conditions, and those are of the kind you can never fill." With that, and the entire Great Hall watching after her, she strode out, head held high, where the doors clambered shut behind her, a deep sense of foreboding clutching her mind.