She lay there in a heap on the floor for a few moments longer, sobbing into her hands while tears poured from her eyes and dripped off her face and onto the carpet. She just wanted to get out of this, to leave her horrid cage with her mother and Senus and live a normal life. If she wasn't a pureblood, none of this ever would have happened.

Footsteps sounded down the hall, heels that hit the floor so loudly that Pansy could feel the vibrations off the floor. Hurriedly, she sat up and tried to wipe her eyes with her sleeves.

The door opened, and Regina stormed in, snatching Pansy's wrist again and pulling her to her feet.

"Stop acting like such a baby!"

Pansy sniffed, trying to overcome her urge to sob until she went hoarse, looking away.

"Go to your room, and wash," Regina ordered maliciously, giving Pansy a rough push out the door.

Pansy just rushed up the stairs, with no regard to being graceful and the thought not even crossing her mind. She hurried into her room and closed the door as quiet as she could, turning around to see an owl floating around in her room.

It was Draco's. Thank Merlin her mother had left the room before the owl could get there.

She untied it and gave the owl a quick stroke across his cheek and ripped open the letter. Draco's familiar scrawl made her happy, in a time of such sadness.

Pansy,

I do hope you're all right. Your mother's a bit of a loon, I know. I really am truly sorry if I caused this, anyway. I think we all did, since we wanted to play the Drinking Game. I should've thought of you first, you know, and your fiancé. Was he terribly angry? I'm sure I would be if my fiancé spent the night with a bunch of men. Perhaps you two could come to the Manor for dinner, and I could make it up to him. I told Perchies to wait for you to reply before he left, since your owl got taken away.

Draco Malfoy

Pansy smiled lightly, setting the letter down and whipping out a piece of parchment as fast as she could. She pulled out her favorite quill, dipping it in her Tekka ink and bringing it hurriedly to the paper. She couldn't have Regina walking in on her writing to the very person she was in trouble for seeing.

Draco,

I'm all right, but Mother and Senus were very angry. I can't really go into detail, you'd be bored, but I don't think I'll be out and about much anymore. Actually, never. But I'm getting my fitting for my wedding dress tomorrow at that fancy dressing shop in Hogsmeade. You know the one where we got our lovely dress robes for the Yule Ball? I'm sorry; I didn't mean to remind you. I'll be there sometime around noon, I'm sure. Senus didn't specify a time. Of course, it will be a complete coincidence if you show.

Pansy

She read over it quickly, ignoring any spelling or grammar mistakes she may have made and sending it off with Perchies, hiding her quill and ink and headed off to the w.c. to wash up.

After a long soaking bath, she dressed and performed the necessary spells on her hair, she returned to her bedroom. She felt considerably better after reading and writing to Draco, seeing a spot of hope in all this. Maybe if she and Senus attended the dinner, she would be able to see her friends after all.

Perchies was waiting for her, with a new letter hanging from his leg. She smiled giddily, taking it and opening it.

Pansy,

Good, I'll need to pick up some new dress robes anyway for Mother's Christmas ball… A few months in advance, but you can't be too careful. See you there.

Draco Malfoy

Perchies had left, so Pansy quickly destroyed the letters and then headed downstairs for breakfast. She was absolutely starving, and feeling better than she expected of herself. After eating a filling meal, she went into her father's old study, which had been returned to its previous state. No more mirrors and makeup supplies, thank Merlin.

She went over to the left, second to last book shelf and reached up onto the very top shelf, to a novel looking particularly boring. It was grey and the letters were fading off of it. She pulled it off the shelf and reached behind it, pulling a lever upward. Once she stepped down, she pressed the bookshelf back and it opened, revealing an enormous library behind it.

She hadn't been in there since her father had died. They used to go back there all the time when she was little, and he would read her favorite childhood stories to her and then as she got older, she would go back and read the books he would pick out for her. Each week, he'd order a new book h thought she'd be interested in and place it atop the desk in the front, and she would read it. Of course, when she had attended Hogwarts, she had been sent books every month by mail(since she had a lot less time to read) and over the summer, they'd go back to each week.

Lying atop the desk was A Summer in Paradise that had been there since two days before his death. He had died a few days after the beginning of term in her sixth year and she had not the time to read that particular book over the summer.

It brought back memories of Orion, in his expensive robe with that handsome smile on his features. For some reason, she didn't feel like crying over him anymore. She had cried for the first time in six years the day he had died, and Draco had soothed her. It was a long time ago, but their friendship became more intense that day. She loved Blaise, but she and Draco had been closer since Orion's death.

She smiled lightly, remembering when she was a little girl. Her mother had been putting her through those horrid lessons, teaching her to dress and walk and eat and everything else. After lessons, she'd sneak into her father's study and he'd tell her some magnificent story that he made up off the top of his head. She loved those stories and was certain she would still like to hear one.

Pansy lifted the book off the desk, plopping in a large, ebony chair by the fireplace and curling up in it.

She opened the book to the first page, gasping lightly upon seeing that there was handwriting in it.

My dear Pansy,

It was Orion's handwriting. She'd recognize that anywhere. It was beautiful, far too good for a man to be able to write.

This book is a wonderful story, of two people who come to love each other, against all odds. They weren't meant to be. They're too different, and part of separate cliques.

And I want you to read this and know that despite what your mother says about you having to marry rich and pureblood, you can marry who you want. I want you to be in love, and love your life and your husband and I want you to raise beautiful children in which you both love.

You need to trust him and know he would never intentionally hurt you. I was betrothed as a young boy and I never loved your mother. And you see, my marriage could've been better. Of course, I never would have gotten you. Being married to Regina is worth it so I can have you.

I love you Pansy. Marry for love, not for blood.

With hugs and kisses and everything else mushy gushy,

Dad

Tears were now running down her cheeks as she stared at the letter, hearing her father's voice as she had read it. He wanted her to marry for something other than she was. Of course, that wasn't possible. But why did he have to die?

She opened it to the actual story, snuggling in closer to the comfy chair and began reading.

The next day, Regina woke Pansy up nice and early for her to prepare to have her robes fitted.

"They're going to be beautiful," Regina said as she scanned through Pansy's wardrobe. "Long and flowing and perfect to your figure. I don't know where you for your figure anyway, it's nothing like mine."

Pansy raised an eyebrow from where she had been brushing her teeth.

"Don't raise your eyebrow, I'm serious. You've got this curvy body, probably because you were fat before."

Pansy's eyes widened and she spit into the sink, turning to her mother.

"You shouldn't be offended. You had a little bit of a tummy."

"Mother!" Pansy scolded, shaking her head and slipping on the dress handed to her. Regina was obviously in a better mood than she had been the night before.

At around noon, Senus stopped by to pick her up, acting as though nothing had happened as long as her mother was in the room.

"Remember, something beautiful!" Regina called after them before they apparated, and Pansy remained quiet.

When they arrived at the robes parlor, Senus ushered her in. Pansy scanned the shop for a head of silvery blonde hair, but saw no one that fit his description.

Senus led her over to a lady behind the counter.

"Ah, Mr. Yitel! I was expecting you."

He smirked, dipping his head and pulling Pansy up beside him, his arm looping extremely low on her waist.

"My fiancé, Pansy," he introduced her to the lady. "Pansy, this is Halle. She's been a friend of the family for a long time. She's made every dress robe I ever wore."

Pansy pretended to look impressed. "Nice to meet you."

"The pleasure is mine, dear," Halle said, walking over to Pansy. "Now, what kind of dress would you like?"

"She wants something very fitting, low-cut, simple," Senus answered for her, and Pansy held back the urge to wince. She was going to look like a skank for her wedding.

"Ah, very well then. What color?"

"White," Senus responeded for her, and Pansy sighed, hearing the door open and turning her head.

It was Draco. He looked as magnificent as ever, standing in the doorway like a God.

He found her at the counter and a smirk befell his lips as he casually strode over to them.

"Mr. Malfoy!" Halle called cheerfully, waving her hand.

Senus, however, turned his head and glared at Draco as he approached them.

"Halle, so nice to see you. Senus, Pansy," he greeted them each in turn, smiling at Pansy especially.

"What can I assist you with?" Halle asked, going back behind her counter and preparing her quill.

"Dress robes," he drawled. "Nothing too fancy, you know, another one of Mother's infamous Christmas balls."

"Of course," the seamstress replied, a smile on her lips as she added Draco's name. "I have an appointment with Mr. Yitel and his lovely fiancé for now, but I can be right with you."

"You wouldn't mind if I talked to them alone for a moment, would you?" Draco asked innocently, and Halle nodded.

"No, no, of course," she said, hurrying off to prepare the fabric for Pansy's dress.

"Senus, I do wish to apologize for the prior inconvenience… I can assure you, however, that Pansy remained very loyal to you for the evening. I still feel rather guilty about it. Perhaps you two could join me for dinner some evening? A congrats to a young couple and my apologies."

Senus looked to Pansy, and she couldn't help but smile at little at how smoothly he had laid it out. Draco had always been good at that.

"I suppose it couldn't hurt," Senus replied at last, willing to rebuild the ties between him and one of the richest eighteen year olds in the world.

"Excellent! This Friday is wonderful for me. Have you any plans?" Draco asked, seeming absolutely jovial at his acceptance.

"No," Pansy replied quickly, and Senus nodded.

Draco nodded. "Very well. I shall see you at seven."

"Mr. Yitel! Perhaps you would like to see if this color suits you?" Halle called from the back of the shop waving at Senus.

"Coming," Senus called, casting a warning look at Pansy before disappearing back to Halle.

"That wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be," Draco said, kissing the back of Pansy's hand as he so often had done at family functions, where it was the proper thing to do. This was just a casual meeting though.

"I suppose not," she said, smiling lightly as he let her hand back to her side. She saw Senus, from the other side of the store, motioning for her to come over. "I'll see you Friday."

He nodded, turning and pretending to be examining different shades of green as Pansy went to the back of the store, feeling even better.

"Come on now, in the back room," Halle ushered her through a door and into a stone-walled room with a stool in the middle, surrounded by mirrors and several sewing supplies scattered among the floor. "My assistant will take your measurements."

As she said that, a short and stumpy woman came in, taking the measurer and carefully sliding it around Pansy's arm.

"Can't you just use magic?" Pansy asked. In her previous experience, the measurer had just been charmed to do it's own.

"It's not as accurate as Sylvia here," the seamstress said with a grin, using her wand like scissors as she carefully cut out the shape of the dress into the perfect fabric.

It was a creamy white, but looked softer than anything she'd ever seen. She could only imagine how it felt. Pansy shook the thoughts from her mind once she reminded herself why she was wearing it. To please and marry Senus, who was standing in the corner of the room, watching.

Once all the measurements had been taken and all the fabric had been cut, Pansy was asked to get out of her robes and the process began.

Halle worked quick, and had the basic shape of the dress organized to Senus's request in about fifteen minutes. And then they were asked to come by the next day for the second fitting, where Halle would have Pansy try on the dress and then work with it from there.

Out in the shop, Draco was still waiting, chatting it up with some man who Pansy recognized as a friend of the family.

"Senus," she began, turning to him. "How many people will be coming?"

"Not very many. The family, and then some friends of the family. Close friends. I imagine you want to invite your precious Draco," he replied, leading her out of the shop by a tight grip on her arm. She felt very much like a dog.

"Actually, I was hoping my friend Millicent and her fiancé Vince could come along," Pansy replied, ignoring his comment about Draco. Though she did wish to invite him.

"Perhaps," he gruffly responded.

They stopped by some little shop for tea and then headed off to their separate homes.

"How was it?" Regina asked, lifting her head from the Daily Prophet.

"We'll go back tomorrow for the second fitting," she explained. "Are you compiling a guest list, Mother?"

Regina stood up, folding the paper. "Yes. Come with me." She led Pansy to her study, which was quite different from Orion's study. After rummaging through a few stacks of parchments on the desk, she held one up which had about twenty names listed.

"All your relatives, distant or not, and five of Senus's own. I suppose you'll want to invite Miss Bullstrode."

"Yes. And her fiancé, Vincent Crabbe. Perhaps I could just jot down a few names right quick," Pansy suggested. Regina agreed tentively, handing her a quill.

Pansy sat down behind the desk, dipping the quill in a jar of ink and bringing it slowly to the paper. She added Millicent, Crabbe, Goyle, Draco, Blaise, and Theodore.

"I will have Senus look over it," Regina announced, shooing Pansy away.

Friday came quickly, despite Pansy's increasingly busy schedule. The dress was finished, and Pansy had sat through some very boring meetings where her mother discussed floral arrangements with florists, and then had to attend the robbing shop for her bridesmaids to be fitted.

Her cousins, Danielle and Tabatha were being her bridesmaids, since Pansy's mother refused to let Millicent be one. And Senus had chosen two of his friends, who seemed to be quite a lot of them. She couldn't help but be scared of them, after what Senus had done to her.

He arrived on time at six-thirty, clad in very nice, expensive ebony dress robes that fit his somewhat bulky muscular form. Pansy had not chosen her ensemble, since Senus was being a bastard and wouldn't let her.

"Don't you have anything that isn't low cut?" he demanded, scouring through her wardrobes.

He apparently would like her to wear low cut clothing when he was the one she was wearing it for. But to attend an old friend's home, he wouldn't hear of it.

"Ah! Here, wear this!" he tossed over to her a dress that she had gotten in seventh year, bought by herself. She was a tad larger then, everywhere, and it only exposed a bit of her neck.

She sighed, slipping into the bathroom to change and returning.

Senus lazily pulled out his wand, whipping it around in the air a few times. The dress immediately tightened, to where her breathing was a bit more shallow than usual. Actually, she was beginning to get used to wearing these horridly tight dresses.

She wore her hair up, in an elegant bun with wisps of curled hair hanging down on either side of her face.

"Come, we'll be late," he ordered, snatching her arm and leading her to the porch, where they apparated.

They arrived at the beautiful manor, which was centuries old and had the most gorgeous exterior she'd ever seen. She noticed this, as they had spent their summers in first year outside, playing Quidditch or enjoying tag in the enormous Gardens that toppled over her own.

Senus glanced at his watch, and Pansy glanced at it too. Right on the dot. He rung the doorbell and waited a few moments before a house elf opened the door. Draco appeared behind him, smirking.

"Welcome, welcome," he said as the house elf accepted their coats and closed the door, scurrying off. "Senus, a pleasure."

He shook her fiancé's hand, then let go and moved to Pansy's own hand, lifting it and kissing the back of it as he had done the other day.

"You look lovely," he said, the smirk becoming slightly broader as he led them into the sitting room.

Senus and Draco engaged in a conversation about politics, while Pansy fiddled with her sleeves, unnoticed. She lifted her head when finally, one of them broke the conversation about Dumbledore and spoke.

"How is your mother, Pansy?" Draco asked, as if he actually cared. He quite knew how she was from the letter, but Pansy played along.

"Quite all right. She's rather busy making preparations for the wedding," she explained, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. But she suppressed it, as it had nothing to do with what she was talking about. She just missed her old friends, especially him.

"Good to hear. Are you all having your wedding inside or outside?" Draco continued, again pretending that he was interested.

"Outside, I believe," she responded. "I'm sure you will be receiving your invitation soon enough."

Senus's head whipped around to her. Apparently, he had not planned on inviting Draco. But how did he intend to get away with it?

"I shall anticipate it," Draco said, ignoring the tension that had just risen between the guests.

A tiny house elf popped in the door, looking terribly frightened. "Dinner!"

Draco escorted them into the dining room, seating himself just as Senus pulled the chair out for Pansy. She sat in it and scooted herself a bit closer to the table. The chair made an enormous noise as it moved.

Draco grinned, as they were rather used to that happening over the summer. They made a game out of it once, seeing who could make the loudest scooting noise. But Narcissa had told them off once she'd seen it was scratching the floors. Pansy grinned as well, giggling under her breath and looking to Senus, who looked angry.

Dinner was excellent, roast beef and pasta, complete with a desert of mousse that was so often served at eloquent dinners such as this one.

Senus and Draco got along well enough. Pansy wondered if perhaps Draco was anything like him, but scolded herself for the thought. She knew Draco inside and out, as she did anyone in their group of friends in Slytherin. She knew he wouldn't rape girls or being half as forceful as Senus was.

After dinner, Draco opted to show Senus some of the finer points of their home. He showed him the art gallery, which Pansy was always impressed by, and would have shown him the Gardens if it weren't for the fact that a torrential storm had begun.

"We should be going," Senus announced, glancing out the window. "Before it gets it any worse."

"Are you mad?" Draco suddenly burst out. "Do you remember your apparition exam?"

Senus was a few years older than them, and the memory wasn't as clear. "No."

"It's dangerous to apparate in the midst of a huge storm. Especially for a woman," Draco explained. Pansy couldn't remember that, but it could have been true.

"Why for a woman?" Senus implored, glancing out the window again just as a flash of lightning lit the sky.

"I'm not entirely sure, but they have a much larger chance of being splinched in a storm than men do. Three out of ten women don't get splinched with weather like this."

Pansy hid a grin. Now that certainly wasn't true, but she only knew this because Draco had put his hands in the pockets of his trousers. That was terribly unlike Draco, and he only did it when he was putting up a show.

"I suppose we'll stick around for a while then," Senus muttered, moving over to a particularly large family portrait on the wall.

"If you don't mind, I'll use the ladies room," Pansy said suddenly, and Senus waved his wand nonchantly.

She walked up the stairs, careful to keep her grace as she did so.

"What're you doing, walking like that?"

Pansy turned, seeing Draco at the foot of the stairs with an amused smirk on his face.

"It's proper."

He chuckled softly. "Proper? Since when did you really care?"

"Mother insists," she said, smiling lightly.

"Oh right. Almost forgot about your half-sane Mother," Draco said clearly, and Pansy wondered if Senus had heard. He started up the stairs, stopping on the step which she stood on. "I really can't get over this new you."

"Me either," she said honestly, brushing the curly hairs from her face.

"Is something bothering you? I mean, Senus sounds like an all right bloke, but you look terrified of him," Draco pointed out, and Pansy paled visibly.

Had it been that noticeable? She was frightened of Senus, he was an incredibly scary man who treated her like a little pet, something to add to his collection.

"Why would you say that?" she lied, and awfully at that. Even if she'd lied well, he could see through it. She always paused for a moment and lifted her chin a little when she lied. It was a habit.

"Well it's rather clear. You've been quiet, very quiet, and whenever he speaks to you, you answer like you'd answer to your mother," he said honestly, leading her up the stairs.

"Do I?" she faltered, knowing she sounded like an idiot.

"Yes. If something was wrong, you'd tell me, right?" he asked in a sort of accusatory way, to where she bit her lip, smearing the light shade of lipstick onto her tooth.

"O-of course," she responded mildly, licking off the lipstick from her tooth and rubbing her lips together to make it seem like nothing had been bitten of at all.

He just raised his eyebrow, leading her down the hall towards the ladies room. "What is it?"

She stared at him, long and hard, wondering if she should tell him. She decided against it, because Draco would probably rush down there and start a duel with him over it all, and she couldn't have that. Senus would murder her if he knew she'd told someone.

"Nothing," she said, closing the door in his face. She felt bad about it, yes, but she just couldn't tell him. And he knew there was something to be told.

Once her business was taken care of, she opened the door, half expecting Draco to be waiting there on his stubborn arse. He didn't back down from getting what information he wished to know easily.

He wasn't there. She shrugged it off, straightening her dress and heading gracefully down the steps, Draco's teasing words repeating in her mind. She didn't ever used to walk like that. Actually, she despised stairs because they took far too long, in her opinion. She was always the one scampering up them and quite frequently landed herself in the Hospital Wing for falling.

She heard conversation from the parlor and entered, keeping her eyes on her feet as she seated herself across from Senus, looking up at last. Draco sneaked a glance at her, and then turned his attention back to the other man, who was speaking using wild hand movements.

They talked like that for some time, and it was getting later. The storm had not settled. In fact, it had gotten worse. Rain was pelting against the windows with much more speed and thickness, and the thunder was loud enough to make them have to shout over it. The lightning was coming in near constant streaks, lighting up the sky with each blast of energy.

"Surely you'll stay the night," Draco suggested after glancing out the window as well.

"Stay the night?" Senus repeated, eyes widening.

"You don't plan to apparate in that mess, do you? No worries, my maids and servants will have all the necessary preparations made for your stay. You won't need a thing."

Pansy tried to suppress a pleading expression towards Senus, hoping he would agree. He glanced at her, pinching his lips together for a moment before looking out the window in a lingering sort of way.

"I suppose we will stay," he finally agreed, and Pansy couldn't help but smile a little bit. Draco feigned absolute joy and stood up.

"Come, let me show you to your rooms," he said, smirk returning to his face as he led them out the parlor.

They walked up the stairs and Draco showed them to the second room on the left.

"For you, Senus."

Senus looked in it, seeming satisfied. "Come, Pansy."

"She won't be sleeping in the same room, will she?" Draco asked, acting as though he were shocked beyond belief.

Senus didn't say anything.

"It's not proper, at all. You're not married yet, I would feel like I was breaking a rule," Draco continued. "Pansy can stay across the hall. I will be upstairs in the third room on the right, if you need me."

He turned, waving and heading off. Senus looked over to Pansy, fixing her with a warning stare before disappearing into his room.

Pansy walked into the one across the hall, lighting a lantern and sitting down in front of the vanity.

A maid scurried in lying out pajamas and setting out some toiletries in the restroom before returning to the room.

"Master Malfoy has assured me you will find clothing for tomorrow in the wardrobe. He says they ma be a bit large, but will do until you make it home."

Pansy nodded to the maid, thanking her and slipping into the rich silk pajamas. They were too large for her, and had a pocket with a delicate embroidery reading DM.

She noticed a bit of white in the pocket. Reaching in, she pulled it out to see a folded up bit of parchment.

Come to my room tonight. I will hear of what is bothering you and there will be no objections on your part.

She read it three or four times before tossing it into the fireplace, which was burning a rich aroma into the room. If Senus were to find it, she'd be doomed.

Pansy entered the restroom, nearly tripping on the ends of the pajama pants. She reached down, folding up the legs six or seven times. She had always been a lot shorter than Draco. And it was uncanny he had no female pajamas. He probably did, just didn't bother searching for them.

She brushed her teeth and rinsed all the makeup off her face, leaving her hair up in the elegant bun. She had no want to take it down and mess with it tonight.

She opened the door, peeking out to see the light flicker off in Senus's room. Careful not to make any noise, she crept out and up the stairs, skipping over the third, which she knew creaked.

When she reached the bedroom, she opened it as quietly as she could, closing it behind her and seeing Draco, wearing pajamas identical to those she was wearing, standing in the middle of the room.

"Draco, there's really nothing to tell," she tried to convince him in a whisper.

He shook his head, not willing to hear of it. Reaching into his pocket, he brandished his wand and cast a silencing charm on the room, so no noise inside could be heard outside.

"Sit, Pansy," he said in a regularly toned voice, though Pansy still felt the need to whisper.

She followed him over, sitting down on the sheets of the bed, the silk against the silk of her pajamas nearly making her slip off of it.

"I don't trust him," he finally said, and Pansy turned, shocked.

"You don't? Why not?" she asked, looking away. She always thought his act was fairly convincing. Senus always seemed like a calm, cool man.

"Because Pansy, I'm a man. And I know when someone is fooling," he answered, sitting down beside her on the sheets.

"I don't understand. He's quite a loyal--…"

She was interrupted by Draco, who could see through her like he could see through a glass panel.

"Stop it. I know you're lying too, because you're a horrid liar. Stop pretending and tell me what he did to you."

She looked away, biting back the need to cry again. She never used to cry, it was always something she was able to control and hardly ever saw the need to. But ever since the incident with Senus, she couldn't control herself anymore.

"He didn't do anything to me," she choked out, in an extremely unconvincing tone that sounded on the verge of crying.

Draco reached over and put his hands on her shoulders, gripping them firmly and turning her to face him.

"Drop the façade and tell me."

She couldn't hold it any longer. A tear drifted down her cheek and she fell into Draco's arms, resting her head on his chest as she cried. She cried as silently as she could manage, while he rocked her back and forth.

"Shh…" he tried to soothe her, but to no avail. "Just tell me. Have you told anyone?"

She shook her head no into his pajamas, trying to clear herself up as best she could.

"It's going to feel better if you tell me."

She sighed, taking one last sniff. Regina knew, Senus knew, and Pansy knew. Other than that, it was entirely a secret. And the fact that her mother and her fiancé knew did not make her feel any lighter.

She began shakily, telling of Joel Gazelle, Steven Reynolds, and what they had done or what she had done to be rid of them. She finally told him, with tears bursting from her eyes, what had happened between she and Senus that night. She told him what her mother had said to her, and finished with the shining his shoes.

He looked a bit overwhelmed, and then his expressions turned into a passionate anger.

"I'll kill him," he muttered irrationally, gripping his wand inside his pocket with a fierce intensity.

"Draco, no!" she cried, not willing to risk it. If Senus knew she'd told Draco, she'd be in a lot more trouble than she'd ever been in. However, it felt a bit better to know that someone else knew of what she had dealt with.

He clenched his fist so tightly, she was sure he was going to cut his skin. But after a bit of soothing, he loosened his grip and allowed his wand to fall back into the depths of his pocket.

"I can't believe that dirty prat," he scowled. "And your mother… She should be sent to St. Mungo's, and that idiot should be sent off to Azkaban."

He furrowed his brows for a moment before sighing, looking over to her.

"I'll manage," she assured him, though was not completely certain she would manage.

"I always thought you'd end up with one of us," he admitted after a short silence.

"One of you?" she blurted, surprised. The thought hadn't actually crossed her mind, except in first and second year when she had just been getting to know them. They'd always been such great friends that the idea of anything more didn't get around to her thoughts much.

"Yeah. I imagine we all fancied you at one time or another, but none of us ever did anything about it. Blaise liked you for ages."

She lifted an eyebrow, curious. She had been the messy, tomboy Pansy Parkinson, friend to every Slytherin guy and leader of the gang of Slytherin girls. To her knowledge, she wasn't exactly girlfriend material.

"He did?"

"Yeah," Draco nodded. "I imagine I did in fourth year for a while, when I asked you to the ball. I actually considered suggesting our betrothal to Mother in sixth year when your father died. I wanted you to be happy, and I still do."

She had never quite heard him be so sincere. He was always determined to make Potter's life a living hell. Of course, he was jealous of the golden boy. Potter had all that fame, he was Dumbledore's pet, and more powers than any other student in his year. All because Voldemort had made some stupid mistake when trying to kill him.

"I'll find a way to make things happy. Senus will be at work during the day. I'm sure I'll find a way to entertain myself," she grinned slightly, reaching down and squeezing his hand. He needed to control his fury, and talking like that was going to give him another outburst.

He looked over to her, his trademark Malfoy smirk befalling his features. It was late and dim and they were alone…

She shook the thoughts hurriedly from her mind, breaking their gaze and looking at the door. She couldn't let her emotions take over.

"I should go," she announced, standing up and letting go of his hand, starting for the door. He followed her, stepping in front of her at the handle.

With no words spoken, he leaned down to her height and kissed her, a lingering kiss on the lips that she wasn't expecting.

When he broke apart, she was lost in her wants to be happy. And when the kisses became fierier, more passionate, she started to realize it wasn't the lighting or the time of night.

She wanted him. And it was quite clear he wanted her.

And when the morning arrived, they lay beneath the silky bedsheets, clothes discarded among the floor around them.

It was a shame the creak of the opening door didn't awake her when a very familiar body stepped into the room, shocked.

Author's Notes: Thanks for the excellent reviews! I left you with an ending this time, something to look forward to in the next chapter. For those of you wanting to see more Draco/Pansy, you got your wish. Definitely. Sorry it took so long to update.

WeasleyGirl: Senus is horrible, isn't he? cackle Do keep reading!

Katsumi-SanataSad, I know. And only going to get sadder. Whoops! Did I just say that?

Slytherin-girl TF lover: Well, he might save her… But you've got to remember, its rich powerful pureblood against rich powerful pureblood. So you'll just have to see who's going to win.

Treesharadia: As you wish!