Thanks: Goodybad - Yeah, bad Pansy, bad!- Accepts chocolate and icecream - Thank you! Hehe. Thanks for reviewing this, and also, Fear of Love. I do have a chaptered Seamus/Pansy story being added soon as you predicted... you seem to know me and my weird pairings too well!

Scoutcraft Piratess- Yup. Bad Pansy. Thanks for the review. Enjoy the update!

Pansy pulled the hood of her cloak up, hiding her cold face and dark hair. Her eyes glided around the crowds of Diagon Alley quickly, before she started to walk through the people and make sure she did not stumble on the un-even paving.

She took a final look around before sliding into The Three Broomsticks. She placed a quick order for Butterbeer before taking a seat as far away from people as possible. She glanced around at the people she never saw during her lunchtimes, which were usually spent in Knockturn Alley.

Pansy opened the paper and read the front page, chewing her lip.

Sirius Black – Innocent

For years now, the Wizarding World has suspected Sirius Black as the notorious murderer of Muggles and Wizards alike. Today, Lavender Brown reports the sad truth around his innocence and death…

Pansy rolled her eyes and turned the page. Adverts for Fred and George's shop beside an article of Zonko's announced closure, something about a Memorial Service in the coming week, and an article called 'Where is Harry Potter Now?' stared back at her.

She took a sip from her drink and read some of the comments of him being an Auror, living with his Muggle-born wife Hermione Granger, his reluctance to involve himself in interviews, and how his best friend Ronald Weasley was writing a book based around the everlasting trust, honour and love, between himself, Harry and Hermione.

Pansy gave a reluctant smile.

She had always felt sorry for the way he was a victim – though she would never speak that out-loud. She knew what he had been through in Hogwarts, and like the rest of the Wizarding public, she knew about his struggle with depression and trying to fit back into a fairly normal routine.

"Natalie!" A sudden shout distracted her from her thoughts, and she looked up angrily, only to see George Weasley storming towards her. Pansy took a deep breath and prepared herself for the worst.

He took a seat opposite her, glanced down at the paper and then looked back up at her. "You left last night," he pointed out.

"I had somewhere else to be." She watched as George raised his eyebrows. He nodded before pushing his seat away from the table and standing up.

"I'm sorry," Pansy muttered quietly and he nodded.

"Yeah, so am I. I wasn't trying to force you into some kind of relationship Natalie, it was just an arrangement that suited us both."

"If I could make it up to you…"

"Come to ours for lunch." Pansy looked up at him in surprise, frowning.

"George…"

"I'm serious. My family's going to be there and they've all got their 'significant others' coming along… I thought maybe you could make it up to me by coming along." Pansy rolled her eyes and realised she seemed to be doing that a lot lately. "Please," he added as an afterthought.

"I don't think it's a good… I still… there's Percy." George frowned.

"And he buggered off and left you with no one. What do you owe him? Absolutely nothing. Well, why don't you hurt him as he's hurt you? He deserves it. He deserves to be hurt more than anyone." Pansy swallowed hard.

"Fine. But after tonight, I don't want to see you again… I'm doing this as a favour and nothing else."

"Understood. Well, c'mon then. We can floo from the shop."

-- -- -- --

Molly Weasley opened the door to them and greeted her son with a strong embrace. "Oh, George! It's wonderful to see you. I was sorry you couldn't come last week."

"Me too… mum, this is Natalie. It's alright her coming along isn't it?"

"Of course, of course. Lovely to meet you dear." And she hugged her as well. Pansy froze, her face suddenly showing emotions of shock and confusion. Molly let go of her, and told Pansy and George to follow her into the house.

Pansy looked around with judging eyes, her hands fiddling with the tie on her cloak nervously. "There's Fred and Angelina," George said, pointing to his twin and wife who sat on his lap on the sofa, reading the paper Fred was holding for her, whilst he kissed her neck. Fred grinned at her. "Bill and Fleur over there."

Pansy looked to the side and saw Bill and Fleur talking by a kitchen table. She waved, smiling. "Charlie's over there with dad. Ron can't make it today, he's meeting his editor to look over the book… should be a hit when it's published. People are already pre-ordering." Pansy smiled slightly; glad she had read the article earlier that afternoon.

"Dinner's almost ready," Molly announced suddenly, turning around to face them. "So, come on! Sit up. Arthur, you can carve the meat, Charlie, you're at the end there, next to Bill..."

"Yes, mum, we know where we sit. We sit here every week," Charlie pointed out, smiling as he took a seat at the end of the table. Pansy smiled nervously, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable.

"Natalie dear, you can sit next to Arthur in Percy's usual…" Molly faltered suddenly before speaking again as though she had never mentioned her other sons' name. "The chair next to Arthur. George, why don't you sit next to her dear?"

George had noticed Pansy's sudden change In expression as she took a seat next to the one Arthur was getting ready to occupy. His wand was currently carving the meat in the centre of the table.

Warm plates were soon served up, dishes of carrots; roast potatoes; cabbage and parsnips levitated over to the table, along with the gravy, and everyone started helping themselves to food. Pansy leaned over and dished herself some carrots.

"Pass us the potatoes Charlie."

"Oi, Bill! Gravy!"

"Boys, manners."

"Meeses Weasley, could you pass me ze cabbage sil vous plait?"

"Certainly dear." Pansy listened as the topic gradually turned to Bill's hair (which was obviously a regular topic), Quidditch, the upcoming Memorial Service and round to Ron's book. "I'll have to invite Harry and Hermione round for Christmas… when's the baby due? Can anyone remember?"

"March wasn't it?" Arthur asked, helping himself to some more meat. Molly nodded.

"Of course. I think we'll have a nice, large Christmas this year. And if you and George are still together, you'd be welcome to come along Natalie." Pansy faked a smile and turned back to her food.

"Don't I know you from somewhere?" Charlie asked suddenly, causing Pansy to look up in surprise.

"You what-sorry?"

"I recognise you… You don't go to the Bloody Toad do you?" He stared at her for a few moments. "You're friends with Percy aren't you… I know I saw you somewhere before! It is you isn't it?"

"I-well…" Pansy tried to start, but she suddenly became aware of the man in the seat beside her standing up and walking out of the house.

"Charlie!" his mum scolded. "What did you have to go and say that for?" Molly moved to walk away, toward her husband, but Pansy stood up first.

"I'll go, Mrs. Weasley. There's something I need to say to him… Sorry about ruining you dinner."

"You did nothing of the sort." Pansy nodded at her, smiled cautiously at everyone else before turning and walking out of the Burrow. The cold, crisp air hit her face, but she walked to where Arthur was standing, looking out to the villages in the surrounding area.

"Mr. Weasley?" she began, taking another step forward. He didn't respond. "I know Percy's a difficult topic for you… I understand why. What he did… what he's not done… is inexcusable. He hurt you and your family in a way no family should be hurt. But there's something you should know, even though you probably don't want to hear it."

"Percy loves you. And he was trying so hard to try and make it right again… and I think he was going to… and he knew it was going to be hard but he kept trying…"

"You speak in past tense," Arthur pointed out suddenly. Pansy thought for a moment before speaking again.

"Him and I… we had an argument. A bad one. I don't know if it's going to be alright, but, I do know he loves you, that he misses you, that he wants your love and respect. And he was willing to work for it, and I think, maybe, he still is."

Arthur turned to face her slowly, a single tear drifting down his cheek. Pansy looked up at him nervously. "Thank you Miss. Parkinson. I do believe you… but I don't know if I could ever forgive him – he's had plenty of chances."

"I understand that. But he's proud. So proud that letting me in just a small bit was a big struggle for him. In that sense, I suppose him and I are just the same."

"He got his stubbornness from me," Arthur said slowly. "Miss. Parkinson, it is late. Maybe you should be getting home." She nodded.

"Yeah, I should."

"You would make a wonderful daughter in law. I hope you and Percy work things out." And he walked back into the house, leaving Pansy to think over his words. Suddenly, a small popping sound made her turn her head.

She saw a woman looking up at the house. "Is George in?" she asked, not looking over at Pansy.

"Yeah, he is."

"I'm Alicia," the woman said slowly, looking at the door. "I need to talk to him… Are you here with Charlie?"

"No, George." Alicia froze and turned to face Pansy, anxiously. "We're not together," Pansy informed her suddenly. "He loves you. And he misses you. I think you better go talk to him."

"That's the plan," Alicia said, her face brightening. "Thanks… I'll see you." And cautiously, she walked towards the door. Pansy smiled and disaparated.

-- -- -- --

The Bloody Toad was it's usual empty self, Pansy noted as she walked in, lowering the hood on her cloak. She walked towards the bar, wondering what she felt like drinking, when she felt a hand on her arm. She turned to the side, and her heart froze.

"Take a seat," he said, holding up a drink. "Your favourite," he pointed out. "It is still your favourite isn't it?" Pansy nodded slowly. "Sit down Pansy… please." Slowly, she slid into the seat and accepted the drink he handed her.

"I'm sorry…" she began, but he held up his hand.

"I know. But, let's just enjoy a drink for now and talk tomorrow. I'm sure we have a lot of catching up to do." Pansy nodded and took a sip from the drink.

"Thanks Percy… my favourite flavour."

"I know." He smiled at her, and Pansy slowly smiled back, beginning to realise that tonight, there would be no need for apologies. Tomorrow would finally be a better day.