THE PERFECT STORY
by shiningbright

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter & Co. Get over it.

A/N: Hello. You've noticed my new penname (obviously). I'm actually going to stick with this one too, lol. I'd include a preview of chapter eleven, but I haven't finished writing it yet..Lol. Thanks so much for all the reviews! Enjoy.

CHAPTER TEN: I'M WITH YOU

The mist was barely settling as a very disgruntled Obliviator made her way through the narrow wood surrounding the Malfoy Estate.

"Never in my contract- why I volunteered..." she muttered furiously under her breath, sweat dripping off her forehead as her face grew redder and redder in the growing heat. Pansy Parkinson finally broke through the small forest and embarked on the long trek up the freshly manicured lawns encompassing the Malfoy Manor. As it was quite late in the morning she was surprised to see that the yards were empty. From the reports Shacklebolt had prepared for her she had imagined it flurry with activity.

Dressed in a set of light dark violet robes and wearing black, high-heeled boots, Pansy estimated she'd have a broken ankle by the time she reached the door. Wishing she had chosen more trail-worthy attire she continued, wiping at her damp forehead every so often, cursing the early spring warmth.

About ten minutes later she pulled a small handheld mirror from her purse and used a complex spell to make herself look presentable.

All right, she thought frantically. Just pretend I'm the Pansy I was back at Hogwarts. No worries. I'll be fine, really. Just stick to the plan. Stick to the plan.

Heart throbbing out of her chest, she raised a trembling fist and rapped on the door three times in quick succession, all the while trying to look as though she couldn't wait to see Draco Malfoy.

A moment passed. Pansy wondered if the manor was deserted. Had they caught wind of Shacklebolt's plan? Was she in danger? She couldn't apparate- you just can't on the manor, otherwise she wouldn't have walked. She'd have to run all the way to the woods in these terrible shoes. She'd never make it in time...

A series of locks and latches on the other side of the door clicked, whirred, and spun, unlocking. A second later the door opened a crack. A whiny, wheezy voice demanded, "Who are you and what do you want!"

Pansy tried to suppress a grin. She, after all, had to play the part of the missing, dead, rose-from-the-dead, betrothed, ex-girlfriend. "Pansy Parkinson here," she answered stiffly, sticking her pug nose in the air. "Here to visit Mr. Draco Malfoy."

The door slammed shut rudely in her face and the locks slid back in place. Pansy examined her nails. But before she could think about this turn of events, the locks slid, clicked, and whirred a third time and a single gloved hand suddenly pulled her inside.

As the doors shut behind her and the locks locked themselves once more, Pansy looked up into the steel-grey eyes of Draco Malfoy, the man she dated at Hogwarts, dreamed of all those hours...

But cold reality crept up on her like a slap in the face. The wave of hatred that had knotted up her insides for the past five years crashed over her. For a moment her eyes glazed over with anger, but she caught herself. Hundreds of lives were at stake here, on her shoulders. It was then she realized how important it was she achieved this mission.

"Pansy..." Draco breathed, holding her in his arms. "When Wheezy said it was you, I couldn't believe it. We found your body...We thought you were dead..."

Pansy clenched her teeth. Regaining her senses, she fluttered her eyelashes. "It wasn't me... Just some man my father paid gold to take some Polyjuice Potion...We knew the Order of the Phoenix sought to kill me," she paused, smiling grimly at the memory. "We would hate to disappoint them. Only now I have to come out of hiding. Draco, please keep me safe!"

She'd been rehearsing those words for days, yet they tasted dry and unfamiliar in her mouth. Fat, faketears spilled from her large, blue eyes. Draco held her close, running his fingers through her hair. "Sshh...Ssh... It's okay," he whispered. "You're safe here."

Pansy looked up at him, biting her lip. As much as she hated him, he still made her feel woozy and lightheaded. "I know I'm okay," she cried softly, hating herself for saying this but knowing inside it was the only way. "I'm with you."

sb