"Draco!" Pansy whined loudly while they were sitting in the Slytherin Common Room.
"What?" he snapped just as loudly, but with more annoyance in his voice. She opened her mouth to speak, but he quickly said, "On second thought, don't say it. It's can't be good if you're saying it!" She huffed in response and sat heavily next him. "Pansy, leave." She did not budge an inch, but rather moved in closer. "Now!"
"No. I refuse."
"Fine, but let it be said that subtlety is not something you possess," Draco reluctantly agreed, as he knew it was the only thing that would, presumably, get him away from Pansy any time soon.
She smiled at him a big, conniving smile. "Tell me what you know about Snape and his cough, cough bride."
He looked at her, put down the text he had been reading, and answered plainly, "I know nothing you don't already know."
"Oh, but I have it on good authority that you do." She suddenly got mean. "Tell me, or I won't hesitate to hex you to next year."
Draco looked at the look on her face, turned back to his book, and shrugged nonchalantly. "There's nothing to tell. And if there was, I would certainly have been under oath not to tell you."
"A-ha!" she sat up straight, smiling happily at Draco.
"And what's it to you that I may or may not know some information in regards to the professor and his wife?" he inquired at her insinuation.
"I was . . . just curious," she said, settling down again. She began to cuddle up to him, placing light kisses along his jaw line and nibbling on his ear. "If you tell me, there may be a very special surprise for you, Dracey-wacey," she whispered seductively.
He stood, pushing her off him, and stormed out without another word to her. Several minutes later he returned and said in a very quiet and threatening voice that only Pansy could hear, "By the way, I've dumped you. You were nothing but a waste of time in the end. I highly suggest you leave the Snapes alone. You may have friends in high places, but theirs are much higher than yours, and you wouldn't stand a chance in hell of getting out of an incident unscathed. I will not hesitate to turn you over to Severus if I feel it is necessary." With that, he turned on his heel and left, leaving a mildly frustrated Pansy in his wake. Unbeknownst to Draco, he had only confirmed in Pansy's mind that there was indeed something being hidden. She planned to find out just what that was.
: P
"Professor? Severus?" Draco had wandered down to the Potions Masters classroom and office, but had not found the man in question. Finally, he found him in a back room checking his supply stock. "There's something I need to tell you."
Noticing the hint of necessity, Severus motioned to his private chambers and the young man followed. Once they were comfortably settled before the fire, he inquired, "What is so urgent, Draco?"
He fidgeted a bit and said, "It's about Pansy. She was rather determinedly inquiring after what you had told me concerning your marriage."
"And you told her?" he asked whilst trying to keep his cool, which was difficult under the circumstances. Pansy Parkinson was considered to be suspect, and her knowing anything would certainly be for the worse.
"No!" came the quick reply. "I didn't say a word about it. She started to press me about the matter, but I told her nothing. However, I snapped and most likely confirmed that there is a secret." He looked down, not wanting to see Severus' reaction.
Severus stood and paced the room. It surprised him Draco buckled under the pressure, but the stress on the young man had been immense since he had become a spy in the order. It was only a matte of time before someone found his week point or pushed him a little too far. Severus sighed. Hermione would have to be alerted of course, but the concern was not immediate as long as Parkinson did not actually know anything, so to speak. "You're sure you mentioned nothing important?"
"Yes, I'm positive. She had that look though, the one that said she would do something about all this. I threatened her, but knowing Pansy, it doesn't mean anything."
"No, it certainly does not. You may know your fellow housemates well enough, but I know them better than anyone. Miss Parkinson is at the top of my watch list." He sat down again. "I will inform my wife of the situation when next I see her, but for now there is little to be done. Keep an eye on Pansy best you can, Draco."
"Yes, sir. That may prove a little more difficult though. We broke up." They had been dating for Merlin knows how long, but it was all part of act. Severus knew it would happen eventually. Now was as likely a time as any.
"Draco, don't be ashamed of that. You were only with her in the first place to learn what you could. We may still yet get something from this." He looked his Godson in the eye. Draco saw a tired and worn man behind the professor's eyes. "Being a spy is not an easy job. Just because I have retired does not mean others have not. You're dismissed." Draco got up to leave, but Severus stopped him before he got out the door. "Draco, you'd do well to remember that there is life beyond the fringe on which you find yourself. Don't let it consume you."
"Thank you, Godfather." He added, "I'll report in what I can." He left in pursuit of Pansy. He would watch from a distance because just maybe there was yet something to learn from her, if one knew what one was looking for of course.
: P
Hermione was heading back to the dungeon from the library when Pansy Parkinson firmly placed herself in front of the Head Girl and refused to move.
"Pansy, please move," she said nicely.
"No."
"I'm not going to ask again."
"Fine."
"What's your problem?" Hermione was frustrated, and the pregnancy was not helping her control her emotions.
Pansy laughed. "That should be obvious. You're my problem."
Hermione looked perplexed. She could not figure out what she had done to the girl to deserve this treatment. But then, she was dealing with a Slytherin, and most of them still had not taken to the idea of their Head of House marrying a) a mudblood and b) a Gryffindor. Just breathing was probably enough for them to hate Hermione. "Look, Pansy, if we could just deal with this some other time . . ." she responded through gritted teeth.
Pansy laughed again. "Granger, you must be joking. We're not going by your time. We're going by mine, and right now works best for me."
"Then have your say and be done with it,' she responded just as perturbed as she felt.
"Tsk, tsk, so rude," came the sarcastic reply. Pansy was circling Hermione now. She finally stopped so that Hermione's back was to the stairs. She started walking forward, forcing Hermione backward. "Listen, Granger, none of us like you. If you want us to believe that Snape married you out of love, you take us for idiots. I want the whole story."
"Well, you've gotten it. Leave me alone, Pansy." Hermione turned and began walking away, but Pansy stopped her and turned the Head Girl to face her again.
"You're not getting away that easy, Granger. Besides, you're a really bad liar." It was true in general, but in this case, Hermione had not given away anything. "Now tell me what I want to know, or you'll be sure to pay for it," she smirked. Hermione fixed her with a look that would have caused even Severus Snape to pause, but Pansy kept coming at her. Hermione inched backward, unaware how close she was to the stairs until she was upon them. Pansy's arm shot out, giving Hermione enough momentum to helplessly tumble backward down the long staircase. A smile firmly placed itself upon the Slytherin witch's features. She turned to run and tell the Headmaster of Hermione's "accident" only to meet a fist, that belonging to one Draco Malfoy. He hurried past her not caring that he just assaulted a member of his own house. For all he cared, she was less than dirt the moment she assaulted Hermione.
A couple of passing third years were given a strange sight in the form of Pansy running toward an unconscious Hermione Snape being aided by Draco Malfoy.
"Hey, you!" he called to the third years. "Get Madam Pomfrey immediately." They dare not question the command and began running in the direction of the hospital wing. He did not realize Pansy was so close until she swiftly kicked him in the ribs. He was unable to retaliate, but it did not matter as the Headmaster appeared suddenly, halting Pansy's attack.
"Miss Parkinson, please escort yourself to my office immediately." She did not question, just left. Presumably she would not actually go to his office as commanded. However, there was a more pressing matter in the prone form of one Lady Hermione Snape he needed to attend. Helping Draco to his feet, the elder man asked, "Are you okay, Mr. Malfoy?"
Draco coughed and caught his breath before answering. "I'll be fine. It's Hermione I'm worried about." They looked at her, and she did not look well. They said nothing more as they waited. Even though it was but a moment, it felt like hours had passed. Madam Pomfrey arrived, quickly assessed Hermione's condition, and levitated her to the hospital wing to further assess the extent of her condition. However, upon first glance, it looked grave indeed.
End Chapter 18Author's Note: I'm mean, evil, and cruel for the cliffhanger, I know. But please review nonetheless. I really appreciate the feedback, as it's a great motivator. So, Please Review. I wish to know what you think, honestly. I live for the reviews, so do tell me what's on your mind.