Red-Devil15 - THANKS! And as for Sirius being dead? Well, according to the Ministry, he's still on the run... or maybe probably sort of dead. According to Dumbledore, he's dead. According to Harry.... well, we shall see, shall we not.
Nathonea- ditto. Also Welcome! First time I've heard from you.
preciousonee - Understood. But always good to know you are out there.
Empire and Exigency
Chapter 19: Roman a Clef
by Annie B
Rated PG-13
JKR owns all things Hogwarts. Malfoy wishes he did. I don't even hope.
.o00o..o00o..o00o..o00o..o00o..o00o..o00o..o00o.
Draco's first day back at Hogwarts. Lunch was a mob scene. Of course, Lunch at Hogwarts was always a mob scene, what with four houses of students grabbing a quick bite on the way to and from twenty-eight different classes. Not to mention the teachers, staff, and apprentice aids that also took lunch in the Great Hall.
Lunch hour was the hardest time to pick out any particular student - and therefore the best time for just that. The best time -provided ones first thought was not being noticed.
He had wanted to make contact over lunch, but Flitwick had held Draco after class to go over his missed Charms work. (Draco, personally, hadn't missed it all that much - but he would still have to make it up if he didn't want his grades to drop below the M... Hermione. Which they would not. True love was one thing - house pride was another.)
By the time Draco made it down to the Hall, the only seat left at the Slytherin table was one at the first-year end.
He looked for Crabbe and Goyle. Either of them could have been evicted to make a space. Unfortunately, he couldn't spot either of them. They has probably grabbed sandwiches and gone outside. That - or they had just finished before he got there. The boys were both fast eaters.
For a moment, Draco considered leaving. But... he had decided last night to spend one last night at Malfoy Manor, and between packing and flooing and Hagrid being late with the carriages...? Hagrid blamed the thestrals. Draco knew better. (He could see them now. The bloody thestrals looked bloody fine. The dammed half-giant had it permanently in for Draco. Which they both knew - but Draco could not yet exactly prove. ) Hagrid was late picking Draco up which meant Draco was late to his first class which meant that McGonnagal took points which meant... Draco was already in a killer mood.
He could feel the beginnings of a headache.
Anyway, with all that going on Draco had missed breakfast. A few pastries snatched at the Hog's Head did not count. So he was hungry. Hungry enough to sit near first years - as long as none of them dared try and talk to him.
None did.
He helped himself to an entire platter of chicken pies ( it wasn't like any of the firsties was brave enough to ask for a share ) and waited patiently until the bell.
In the scramble, it was easy to catch up with his target.
"Patsy.."
"Wha...?" Pansy Parkinson spun, fingers already on her wand.
Draco caught her hand, pulling her behind a statute of Veronica the Vengeful (Head Girl, Ravenclaw, 1253 ) "I said PANSY, DEAR."
"Yes....Draco..." The Slytherin girl tucked back her wand. Also straightened her robe and smoothed her hair. Also smiled alluringly. (At least, that it what Draco assumed the display of teeth was supposed to be. Pansy could benefit from a visit with Hermione's parents. ) "What can I do for you?
"It's more what I can do for you." Draco snaked one slim finger over her palm. "I.. have something ... you will want."
Pansy preened. The action expanded her already over-charmed frontage. "You think?"
"Not that." Draco had to struggle to keep his tone seductive. I mean - he thought - I'm as fond of breasts as any mean but... some are pillows and some are bean bag chairs. A few more inches on her's, and suffocation would be a serious danger. "At least - not now."
Pansy licked her lips. "When?"
"Tonight. Down in the sunken courtyard. Behind the poison apple tree." Draco slid out a piece of parchment. He had written the passwords in advance, in charmed ink. "I have something to show you."
Pansy leaned forward, sliding her hand under his robe. "I bet you do."
"Pansy!" He gasped.
"Draco!" she giggled.
"Miss Parkinson!"
They both jumped.
Professor Snape was standing behind them. "Mr. Malfoy!"
"Snape!"
"Sir!"
Draco and Pansy answered together.
"Class. Now."
"Yes sir." Pansy scrambled, books clutched to her chest.
Draco followed. Screwed by the Snape.
As soon as they were out of earshot, he caught up with her again. "The sunken courtyard. Midnight," he whispered. " Trust me."
.o00o..o00o..o00o..o00o..o00o..o00o..o00o..o00o.
Ohhh. Is Draco playing Hermione?
Sort of a short chapter -- but I need it as a 'set up' for what is to come. Things start to get nasty. I'll try to keep it PG-13 but....
Oh - and reviews are my crack - feed the habit.
Nathonea- ditto. Also Welcome! First time I've heard from you.
preciousonee - Understood. But always good to know you are out there.
Empire and Exigency
Chapter 19: Roman a Clef
by Annie B
Rated PG-13
JKR owns all things Hogwarts. Malfoy wishes he did. I don't even hope.
.o00o..o00o..o00o..o00o..o00o..o00o..o00o..o00o.
Draco's first day back at Hogwarts. Lunch was a mob scene. Of course, Lunch at Hogwarts was always a mob scene, what with four houses of students grabbing a quick bite on the way to and from twenty-eight different classes. Not to mention the teachers, staff, and apprentice aids that also took lunch in the Great Hall.
Lunch hour was the hardest time to pick out any particular student - and therefore the best time for just that. The best time -provided ones first thought was not being noticed.
He had wanted to make contact over lunch, but Flitwick had held Draco after class to go over his missed Charms work. (Draco, personally, hadn't missed it all that much - but he would still have to make it up if he didn't want his grades to drop below the M... Hermione. Which they would not. True love was one thing - house pride was another.)
By the time Draco made it down to the Hall, the only seat left at the Slytherin table was one at the first-year end.
He looked for Crabbe and Goyle. Either of them could have been evicted to make a space. Unfortunately, he couldn't spot either of them. They has probably grabbed sandwiches and gone outside. That - or they had just finished before he got there. The boys were both fast eaters.
For a moment, Draco considered leaving. But... he had decided last night to spend one last night at Malfoy Manor, and between packing and flooing and Hagrid being late with the carriages...? Hagrid blamed the thestrals. Draco knew better. (He could see them now. The bloody thestrals looked bloody fine. The dammed half-giant had it permanently in for Draco. Which they both knew - but Draco could not yet exactly prove. ) Hagrid was late picking Draco up which meant Draco was late to his first class which meant that McGonnagal took points which meant... Draco was already in a killer mood.
He could feel the beginnings of a headache.
Anyway, with all that going on Draco had missed breakfast. A few pastries snatched at the Hog's Head did not count. So he was hungry. Hungry enough to sit near first years - as long as none of them dared try and talk to him.
None did.
He helped himself to an entire platter of chicken pies ( it wasn't like any of the firsties was brave enough to ask for a share ) and waited patiently until the bell.
In the scramble, it was easy to catch up with his target.
"Patsy.."
"Wha...?" Pansy Parkinson spun, fingers already on her wand.
Draco caught her hand, pulling her behind a statute of Veronica the Vengeful (Head Girl, Ravenclaw, 1253 ) "I said PANSY, DEAR."
"Yes....Draco..." The Slytherin girl tucked back her wand. Also straightened her robe and smoothed her hair. Also smiled alluringly. (At least, that it what Draco assumed the display of teeth was supposed to be. Pansy could benefit from a visit with Hermione's parents. ) "What can I do for you?
"It's more what I can do for you." Draco snaked one slim finger over her palm. "I.. have something ... you will want."
Pansy preened. The action expanded her already over-charmed frontage. "You think?"
"Not that." Draco had to struggle to keep his tone seductive. I mean - he thought - I'm as fond of breasts as any mean but... some are pillows and some are bean bag chairs. A few more inches on her's, and suffocation would be a serious danger. "At least - not now."
Pansy licked her lips. "When?"
"Tonight. Down in the sunken courtyard. Behind the poison apple tree." Draco slid out a piece of parchment. He had written the passwords in advance, in charmed ink. "I have something to show you."
Pansy leaned forward, sliding her hand under his robe. "I bet you do."
"Pansy!" He gasped.
"Draco!" she giggled.
"Miss Parkinson!"
They both jumped.
Professor Snape was standing behind them. "Mr. Malfoy!"
"Snape!"
"Sir!"
Draco and Pansy answered together.
"Class. Now."
"Yes sir." Pansy scrambled, books clutched to her chest.
Draco followed. Screwed by the Snape.
As soon as they were out of earshot, he caught up with her again. "The sunken courtyard. Midnight," he whispered. " Trust me."
.o00o..o00o..o00o..o00o..o00o..o00o..o00o..o00o.
Ohhh. Is Draco playing Hermione?
Sort of a short chapter -- but I need it as a 'set up' for what is to come. Things start to get nasty. I'll try to keep it PG-13 but....
Oh - and reviews are my crack - feed the habit.
