I just want to reply to a review from WaterInAPuddle. Normally I'd just use the review response, but I'd rather make it clear to everybody. There actually is some bone in the nose. Most of it is cartilage, like you said, but higher up on the nose, there's bone. I don't want to sound like an expert on the human body, and I have no first-hand experience with broken noses, but I do know that there are bones in the nose. The injury I had Draco have is actually a nose fracture, and according to About .com, a nose fracture is a break in the bone over the bridge of the nose.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of this. Only the plot.
Chapter 35: Pansy Perturbed
After Ginny and Hermione got back to the castle that afternoon, they split their ways. Hermione wanted to wait in the common room for Harry and Ron to get back from Hogsmede, and Ginny decided that she had better finish her homework. Ginny thought that secretly Hermione was worried about what Harry and Ron were doing to Ewan, but the older girl had said nothing of it and Ginny had decided not to question her.
So hours later, Ginny found herself sitting cross-legged on her bed with the curtains pulled shut, a book sitting on her lap, and a piece of parchment resting on one page. She tapped her quill against the blank parchment, her vision blurring as her mind started to wander. The two lines that she had written started to grow fuzzy and soon blurred together, but Ginny didn't blink. Her mind seemed so strained from her attempt at her Transfiguration essay that she was too tired to think of anything.
With a sigh, Ginny blinked a few times to get her eyes to focus. Then, suddenly realizing how stuffy it was, Ginny parted the curtains to let in some fresh air. She looked out the window and saw that it was dark already; the days were just starting to get longer, but even still the sky was black long before dinner.
Ginny stuck the parchment in her book and set her items on the nightstand. As she stood from the bed, she stretched her back and felt a tingling sensation run through her numb legs. Shaking her head against the dizziness she felt as the blood rushed to her head, she walked down to the common room. There she found a very upset-looking Hermione shouting at Ron.
"How could you do that to him?" she shrieked. Most of the common room was empty since it was dinner time, but those who were still there were watching the three Gryffindors with curiosity. "You know how much I like him! Ron, you're a complete block-head!"
"Hey, at least we were trying to be nice, right?" Ron countered, his face already red. "You have to give us credit for that!"
Ginny paused on the bottom step, unsure exactly what Harry and Ron had done.
"But look what you've done to him!" Hermione threw her hands up in the air and flopped onto a couch, putting her head in her hands. "You've ruined one of the qualities I liked best in him."
"Come on, Hermione," Harry said hesitantly. "We didn't do anything wrong. In a way, we've made him better."
Ginny let out a nervous laugh, but nobody heard her. Hermione's head was slowly rising to look at Harry incredulously. Ginny knew better than to get in the middle of this. She tip-toed across the room as quietly as possible, knowing that at any minute Hermione was going to explode, and exited the common room as she heard Hermione declare, "Better? You think he's better now! I'll have you know, Harry James Potter, that I liked him just the way he was!"
Ginny sighed in relief as the portrait hole closed behind her, blocking out the sound of Hermione's fury. She wondered just exactly what Harry and Ron had done to Ewan to deserve such a berating, but she was just glad she didn't have to put up with it. Sure, Hermione was her best friend, and when she wanted consoling, Ginny would be there for her, but Hermione, Ron, and Harry had their own triangle of friendship formed. More than a few times Ginny had felt awkward around them, like she was intruding on their space, but Hermione insisted that she spend time with them. She knew that Ron didn't like her hanging around them very much, but he was better about it than when Ginny had first come to Hogwarts. Nevertheless, Ginny didn't want to become annoying to them.
When Ginny sat down at the Gryffindor table, she put a bit of food on her plate and ate as she contemplated things. She had by now decided that after dinner, she was going to go to the Owlry and send Draco another letter. Though their, or rather, her, last trip into the tunnel hadn't been successful at all, Ginny was more confident now. And with the newest disappearance, even if it was someone she hated, she wanted more than ever to solve the mystery. It was eating at her mind, taunting her, and she couldn't seem to think of anything else. Neville was the only person she wanted to get back. The boy was very sweet and didn't deserve half of the trouble people gave him. Ginny tried to tell others not to pick on him, but it seemed Neville's fate had been decided for him already. She sighed and shook her head. It just seemed so wrong that Neville Longbottom of all people should have this happen to him.
Ginny had positioned herself at the Gryffindor table so that she had a perfect view of the Slytherins. Thankfully nobody was sitting directly across from her to block her vision, and she searched the table to find a certain blonde-haired boy. She found him almost immediately and smiled. He was sitting next to Crabbe and Goyle but he was eating silently, looking down at his plate. She thought back to the way Draco had kissed and held her a few nights ago and she blushed.
Ginny looked down to hide her red face. Nobody had ever kissed her like Draco had and she found herself wishing he would do it again; this both embarrassed and excited her. But Draco was verboten to her. She knew that even if by some miracle they could be together, it wouldn't be able to go far. Nobody would support their relationship. Her family would feel betrayed, she knew, but they might in time learn to accept Draco. At least she hoped her parents would. Ron would try to kill Draco. All of that she could handle, but she knew Draco's family would not be so accepting. As Draco had put it, if Lucius Malfoy found out about Ginny, he would try to kill her. Ginny didn't think Narcissa Malfoy would be quite so drastic, but she already knew deep down that the woman disliked her; she had seen it in Narcissa's eyes a week ago. And that was just their families. What would everybody else think? People would think it was all some big joke, some stunt to gain attention or money. They'll think I'm trading up, Ginny thought as her heart sank. It could never work out.
Ginny looked back up to see Draco watching her. He looked away quickly, and Ginny couldn't help but smile softly. She told herself that she was being ridiculous. She and Draco had only kissed once; it wasn't like they were engaged now. She was getting way ahead of herself, thinking off all this relationship business. Draco would probably just shrug off the whole situation and never speak of it again. The thought of that happening pained her, but she knew Draco had never committed himself to one girl before. He was with a new girl every week, though she had to admit, he had been with hardly anybody so far this year. But she knew Draco's reputation. Why would he suddenly stop with the play-boy act and be solely hers? If he admitted that he liked her and Ginny plucked up enough courage to request it of him, that is.
Ginny sighed and laughed at her own silliness. She'd just wait and see how Draco acted around her. By now she had finished with her meal, but Draco was still eating. She didn't want to go send the letter until she knew that he'd be in his room. So she waited. And while she waited she watched Draco. He had gotten to the Great Hall before Ginny and still he was eating. It amazed Ginny that anybody could eat so much. But then she thought of Ron and she wasn't so amazed anymore; her brother ate like a pig. Had the manners of one too, she decided.
She glanced back at Draco. Ginny had never taken him for one to eat a lot. His body certainly didn't look like he ate much; on the contrary, he looked rather underfed. Curse Malfoy and his bloody fast metabolism, Ginny thought with a frown. If her metabolism worked half so fast, she'd never complain again.
Her eyes traveled over Draco once more. Goyle apparently had just said something funny, because suddenly Draco laughed; Goyle looked proud, as if he had just done something right. Ginny smiled herself as she watched Draco. He rarely laughed or smiled like that in her company. Once in a while he would, but it still seemed like he was getting over any scruples he had about being friends with Ginny.
Just then, a still-angry Hermione blocked Ginny's vision of Draco by taking the seat across from her. Ginny looked at her friend and then at the worried looks on Harry's and Ron's faces behind her.
"Hermione, we're not sure what we did wrong, but please –"
"Don't talk to me right now," Hermione said tiredly, though Ginny could still see the fire in her eyes. Ron made to protest but Hermione turned to them with a deadly look on her face. "Don't," she said heavily. Ron and Harry looked at each other and then walked away, glancing back anxiously at their friend. They sat down several feet away and started whispering.
"What on earth happened?" Ginny asked, her eyebrows raised.
Hermione looked back at her and Ginny could see the frustrated tears in her eyes. "They ruined Ewan," Hermione said, folding her arms across her chest.
"What?" Ginny asked as worry filled her.
"They ruined him," Hermione repeated. "They took him to that stupid Quidditch store and Ron said that by the time they left, Ewan was, in Ron's words, mind you, 'so fascinated by the game that the bloke would probably try out for the Ravenclaw team if this wasn't his seventh year.'"
Ginny felt herself relax and bit back a smile. "So they got your boyfriend into Quidditch, did they?"
"I mean, when they came back to the common room, they actually seemed proud, by it," Hermione said, her voice rising a few notches. "Proud!"
"Don't shout, Hermione," Ginny said, glancing around.
Hermione looked around embarrassedly and continued on more quietly. "Sorry," she said. "But I can't believe they did this to him."
Ginny didn't say anything. Honestly, she didn't know what to say. She secretly agreed with the boys; teaching Ewan about Quidditch wasn't a bad idea. But Hermione was different. Ginny couldn't just come out and say that to her. She sighed.
"Really, Hermione, it's not as bad as you think," Ginny reassured her. "Quidditch isn't all that bad, and besides, it's not like Ewan actually plays the game. He won't be obsessed about it like Ron and Harry are."
Hermione looked doubtful. "You didn't hear Harry and Ron. They said Ewan was in love with it, Ginny. In love, with it!"
Ginny laughed. "Hermione, listen to yourself for a second. It's just a game, after all. Isn't that what you were saying just this afternoon?"
"That's different," Hermione pouted. "That was before my boyfriend liked it."
"Oh come on, Hermione," Ginny said, rolling her eyes at Hermione's uncharacteristically juvenile behavior. "Ewan isn't suddenly going to turn into some crazed fan just because he's picked up a new hobby, if it can be called that. He's in love with you, not Quidditch."
Hermione suddenly blushed crimson and looked away. Ginny, seeing her opportunity to get her friend off the Quidditch tirade, took advantage of the situation. "Why are you blushing, Hermione?" she asked slyly.
"What?" Hermione asked, turning even redder. "I'm not blushing."
"Right," snorted Ginny. "So you just got an instant sunburn. Indoors, I might add."
"Well what's your point?" Hermione asked, shifting in her seat uncomfortably.
"I said that Ewan loved you and your face just burst out in blush," Ginny said, grinning widely. "Do you love him back?"
"Hush," Hermione said, looking around to see if anybody had heard. She leaned forward across the table, and Ginny did the same, not wanting to miss what Hermione was about to say. "Ewan has said no such thing yet and neither have I."
They sat back in their seats. Hermione sighed, thinking that the conversation was over. Ginny wasn't about to let her off the hook just yet. "But you obviously want him to say it," Ginny continued. "You wouldn't blush otherwise.
"Oh for Heaven's sake, Ginny," Hermione said in exasperation. "Give it up. You'll not get anything more out of me."
But as Hermione got up and went to sit next to Harry and Ron, the smile on her face gave Ginny her answer anyway. Ginny smiled as she saw Harry and Ron tentatively watch Hermione as if she were about to bite them.
Then she suddenly remembered why she was in the Great Hall and glanced at the Slytherin table. Draco was gone now, so, knowing that it was safe to send the letter, got up and went to the Owlry.
Once there, she grabbed a quill and some of the parchment there and wrote:
Dear Draco,
I was thinking that we should probably try going down into the tunnel again tomorrow night. We need to figure this out before anybody else is taken. If you agree, write back and let me know.
Ginny
Ginny read the letter over and frowned. Something about it didn't seem right to her, but she shrugged it off and called down one of the school owls anyway.
Half an hour later, as Ginny was once again mulling over her homework, she heard a tapping at her window. Knowing exactly what it was, she jumped off her bed and ran to the window, opening it to let in the same owl she had sent her letter with. She untied the response and the owl flew off.
Dear Ginny,
That's fine with me if we go tomorrow. Same time, I suppose? I just know how much you love midnight. I'll meet you down by the tunnel entrance then.
Ginny frowned. I just know how much you love midnight? What was that supposed to mean? Normally she would've expected Draco's letter to end right there, but to Ginny's surprise and delight, it continued on.
I went to see my mother today. She seemed well enough. Reina says she stays in her room most of the day, but it's for her own good. She can't be seen around by any of the customers. Word would surely get back to my father if she was.
Thanks again for helping me with her. You have no idea how much I appreciate it.
Draco
Ginny sat stunned, and then read the letter again. She started smiling halfway through it. Draco had thanked her the night they saved Narcissa, but it had just been a simple "Thanks." Ordinarily it was nothing too special, but coming from Draco, it meant so much. And he had thanked her again! Ginny's mind spun.
You have no idea how much I appreciate it.
Ginny sighed happily. She felt like a silly twit for letting his words affect her so much, but she couldn't help it. Draco had never before paid her a compliment of any kind. Even the fact that he had written more than was necessary in his letter showed how much more open he was with her than earlier.
That night Ginny went to bed with a smile on her face and her heart lighter than it had been in days.
Sunday afternoon found Ginny Weasley walking down the path towards Hogsmede. She had finally finished her homework that morning and had been sitting bored in the common room listening to Ron and Harry complain about how much homework Snape had given them. Hermione had been saying quite cheerfully that it wasn't that much homework and that if they had started it a week ago when it had been assigned, they wouldn't be in such a mess now. When Ginny had voiced her agreement with Hermione, Ron had told her to bugger off.
So, here she was. Frankly, Ginny was enjoying the surroundings. The sun was shining, sending down rays of warmth to ward off the late winter chill. There were only a few other students walking to Hogsmede that day. Ginny was planning on visiting Reina to make sure everything was really turning out with Narcissa Malfoy playing room-mate. Ginny had debated with herself whether or not to actually go; she didn't fancy another meeting with Narcissa. But Draco had said that his mother usually stayed upstairs during the day, so Ginny decided to risk it. She kept telling herself that if she didn't stay long, nothing bad would happen.
She heard a loud crack to her left and jumped at the noise. A branch that was almost disappearing under the load of snow it was holding had just split and was only hanging onto the tree by a few splinters of wood. Ginny sighed and rolled her eyes at her own jumpiness; her heart rate had skyrocketed at the sudden sound of the branch breaking.
Ginny paused when she reached Reina's shop. She stared at the door, once again thinking if she should or shouldn't go inside. Ginny wasn't about to let one person ruin the friendship she had with Reina, however, so as she took a deep breath, she resolutely pushed open the door and walked inside.
Nervously Ginny looked around, half expecting to see Narcissa Malfoy jump out from around the corner and hex her at any second. Ginny didn't see her, though. She made her way to the back of the store and saw Reina sitting at her desk, hands resting in her lap, head staring straight at the ceiling. Ginny stood in front of her for a second and was just about to announce her presence when Reina spoke.
"I thought I'd be seeing you soon, Ginny," Reina said, straightening her head. "How are you doing?"
"I'm fine," Ginny said, getting over her momentary shock that Reina had noticed her; then she remembered the woman's psychic abilities. Reina stood, stretched, and motioned for Ginny to follow her into the kitchen, which Ginny did. Once they were seated and each had a cup of tea, Ginny said, "I was just checking to see how things were going."
"If you mean how things are going with Narcissa Malfoy, then they're fine," Reina smiled. "The two of us have a sort of respect for each other, I like to think. She doesn't say much, but then in what she doesn't say, in a way, she says a lot."
Ginny frowned, trying to make sense of Reina's words. Reina seemed to notice Ginny's puzzlement for she laughed. "Let me rephrase that, sugar. Think of it. I don't know a lot about the wizarding community at large, but I do know that folks like the Malfoys pride themselves on being pureblood. I was there once; I know what kind of 'honor' that is," Reina sighed. "My own parents were never particularly fond of muggleborns or…or – or of squibs." Reina paused for a moment, and Ginny felt her heart go out to the woman. "That was why when I turned out to be one, they took it so hard. But anyway, folks like the Malfoys are like my parents. Now I see no reason other than the fact that I took her in that Narcissa Malfoy should like me or even talk to me."
"I don't get it," Ginny said with a shrug her shoulders.
"Well think about it," Reina continued, looking thoughtful. "Narcissa could taunt me, degrade me, and boss me around all because I'm a squib. But she doesn't," Reina said, pointing her tea spoon at Ginny. "She says nothing. And I think that's her way of saying that she accepts me," Reina concluded.
"But why doesn't she just come out and say that, then?" Ginny asked. "Why does she have to beat around the bush about it?"
"She's not used to accepting people much is my theory," Reina shrugged. "So instead of being mean, she says nothing and therefore accepts me."
Ginny nodded contemplatively. If Narcissa was so accepting of Reina, then perhaps she might accept Ginny as well. Ginny shrugged to herself. She saw no reason why a Malfoy would like a squib and not a muggle-lover. Maybe she read too much into the way Narcissa looked at her the night she arrived at Reina's; maybe Narcissa had just been tired and overwhelmed by everything. A ribbon of hope unraveled inside Ginny. This might not be so bad after all, Ginny thought.
As if their thoughts had suddenly materialized, the door to the kitchen opened and in walked Narcissa Malfoy. Ginny panicked then, wondering what in the world the woman had come downstairs for; Draco had said that she stayed upstairs. Then Ginny recalled the conversation she'd just had with Reina, and she smiled at Narcissa, who was still standing in the doorway. All she got in response was cold look.
Ginny looked away, feeling foolish. Her smile was gone and in place was a crest-fallen look, her heart weighed down by the disappointment she felt. Narcissa looked around the room momentarily, and then she locked eyes with Reina, completely ignoring Ginny's presence.
"I'm sorry, Reina," Narcissa said stiffly. "I didn't know you had company. I'll go back upstairs and we can talk after she's gone." Narcissa sent Ginny one last hard, disapproving look before she turned around and left the room.
Ginny felt unwanted tears fill her eyes and she looked away in embarrassment. Sniffing, she wiped her eyes dry and looked back at Reina, offering an apologetic smile. "Sorry," she said, standing up. "But I think I'd better be going now. Lots to do." Ginny wrung her hands together nervously, before she turned around and ran from the room.
"Ginny, wait!" Reina called after her, but Ginny didn't care, didn't listen. She fled the shop and ran though Hogsmede. She didn't know where she was headed but at the moment, she didn't care. Ginny just shut everything out of her mind and let her feet carry her wherever they wished. The tears she had earlier wiped away now came full-force, leaving hot trails down her face that the cold air left stinging. Her throat burned from her hurried flight and the chill air she was breathing in and Ginny slowed down. Eventually she stopped and looked around her. A laugh she didn't quite feel escaped her when she saw what she was standing in front of.
A small, snow-dusted bench sat along the Hogsmede walk-way. It was the same bench that Ginny had sat in before Christmas, the one she had fallen asleep in right before getting lost in the snow with Draco. She sat down, a reluctant smile on her lips as she thought, But I won't fall asleep this time.
Ginny sighed as she thought of how silly she was being. She shouldn't care if Narcissa Malfoy liked her or not; she didn't need the woman's approval. But for some reason, Ginny did care what the woman thought of her. It bothered Ginny to know that she wasn't good enough for Narcissa. Never before had she needed anybody's approval. When Draco Malfoy and his cronies had made fun of her, it had never bothered her.
So why the sudden change of mind? Why did Ginny need to be liked? She honestly didn't know. Nothing had changed, nothing was different in Ginny's life. Years ago, Ginny could've cared less about what Narcissa Malfoy, or any other Malfoy, thought about her. There was only one thing that was any different and that thing was…
Draco, Ginny realized with an intake of breath. Then it all hit her and she knew why Narcissa's approval was so important to her. If she could even envision some sort of future with Draco, it would mean nothing without the approval and help of the only family member he had who cared for him at all. Ginny knew there was reason for her to even consider a future with Draco, especially since he had only kissed her once and never spoken to her since, but she couldn't help but think of it. Often times, if she even had the minutest crush on a boy, she'd think of herself with that boy's last name to see how it sounded. Such silly thoughts were those of a little girl, but even though Ginny wasn't little anymore, she couldn't reform her ways.
Ginny could only hope that Narcissa would change her own ways. Maybe one day Narcissa would be able to look past Ginny's last name and see her as a human being, not just some crazy person who was decent to muggles.
But until that day, she would always have to endure Narcissa's cold looks that robbed Ginny's heart of any sort of hope.
Down in Hogsmede, Pansy Parkinson was giving her captors quite the beating. Verbally and mentally, that is. For the past half-hour, he'd been up in his work-room trying to ignore her shouts for help, demands that she be released, and plain shrieks of annoyance. As the girl let out a particularly loud screech, he shook his head to get rid of the ringing and got back to work. He felt sorry for Neville Longbottom; the two were chained up next to each other and he could only imagine what the boy's ears must be going through right now.
"Poor lad," he muttered, shaking his head before resuming his reading. The book that lay before him now was entitled Fantastic Feats You Never Knew You Could Do, written by the late Alfred P. Hephernire. The book had lay unused downstairs in his library for some time now and only recently had he thought to look in it. It was a good thing he had looked, too, because this book was vastly interesting.
Turning the page, he sat up straighter as a particular section caught his eye.
To the average wizard, ears are merely a means of listening. Though that is a very useful feature, Piers Hopkins, a retired Ministry employee, recently discovered a new and highly entertaining way to alter the shape and appearance of the human ear.
During a 4-year study of muggle habits, rituals, culture, cuisine, and careers, Hopkins discovered a renowned character in muggle children's folklore: an elephant by the name of "Dumbo." Dumbo, an elephant rejected because of his abnormally large ears, captured Hopkins's attention and he returned to England with his heart set on creating a spell to alter his own ears to look like those of Dumbo's.
After several botched attempts, including one where he removed his own ears, Hopkins successfully created such a spell. The wizarding community ridiculed Hopkins for his apparent waste of time for creating a spell of "no significance," but we here feel that it is worthy of being remembered. That is why, below, instructions can be found on how to transfigure one's ears into those which Piers Hopkins's spell is designed to create.
He stopped reading, a gleeful smile spreading across his face. This wasn't exactly what he was looking for, but it seemed entertaining enough. Perhaps he just needed a break from the work he was doing at the moment, something to refresh his mind.
Plus, the thought of his newest captive wearing large, elephant-like ears was vastly amusing.
So, after he had memorized the instructions, he left the room and walked downstairs. Once on the main floor, he walked into the kitchen and opened the door that led to his basement. He always kept the basement brightly lit, and though the basement was small, he found it very inviting.
As soon as his feet stepped onto the wooden stairs, the shouting from below stopped. When he got down below, he walked over to the wall where Neville Longbottom and Pansy Parkinson were standing, their hands chained to the wall. Neville, who had at first been terrified, had by now grown accustomed to his presence and had even warmed up to him slightly when he found that he would be released shortly. Pansy Parkinson, on the other hand, had refused any sort of condolences and had made it her mission to torture them both into insanity with her cries for freedom.
"You had better let me out of here right now or I swear that my father will sue you until you own nothing but your own shattered dignity!" Pansy wailed, her tear-streaked face eliminating any sort of harshness her hoarse voice held. "Did you hear me?"
He was just about to reply that he was sure everybody in Hogsmede would be able to hear her if it weren't for the silencing charm on his house when she let out a blood-curdling scream. Wincing, he clapped his hands over his ears. He saw when he looked up that Neville, whose hands were chained and therefore offered no protection for his ears, had a pained look on his face and his eyes were squeezed shut. When Pansy finished, she glared at him, panting for breath.
"I don't know how many times I've told you," he sighed, "screaming will do you no good. This house has a silencing charm on it and nobody outside can possibly hear you."
"I don't care," Pansy whined. "I want out of here!" She screamed, trying to yank her hands from the chains. "Let me go! You can't do this! You of all people shouldn't be –"
He sighed loudly, cutting her off. "Never mind that." He rubbed his eyes tiredly. "I've finally found out what I'm going to do with you."
Pansy's face went white. "What are you going to do? You'll be sorry if you mess with me. I'm Pansy Parkinson for crying out loud! This is not right!" She let out an irritated scream. "This goes against all things natural! I am a pureblood! I am to be treated with respect!"
"You do know who I am, right?" he asked quietly. "You do know what I do? I wouldn't be saying you could make me sorry."
"Just because you're –"
"Enough!" he said harshly, quieting the girl. "I've had enough of this. The only thing you're making me sorry of is that I chose you of all people!"
Neville suddenly laughed. He turned to look at the boy, and when Neville saw that he had been heard, he stopped laughing, but a smile remained on his face. "Well, Neville," he said, "what do you think we should do with Miss Parkinson?"
"Don't ask him!" Pansy shrieked, suddenly looking panicked. "He's practically a squib. He doesn't know anything. I, for one, find being in his presence highly insulting."
Neville looked back at him uncertainly. "Well, for starters, you could, uh…" he looked nervously at Pansy, who was silently daring him to say anything. "Well, I-I mean, if you wanted to, er…"
"Come now, Neville, don't be shy," he said happily. "I'm sure anything you wish to put Miss Parkinson through would only be fair considering how annoying she's been. Go for it, boy!"
"How dare you say that I'm annoying!" said Pansy indignantly. "If you want annoying, I'll show you annoying!" With that said, Pansy then took a deep breath and shouted at the top of her lungs.
He covered his ears again, and Neville started shouting, "Take her voice away! Please!" He sounded desperate. "I can't take it anymore!"
Pansy kept screaming, the sound echoing a bit in the room. His own ears were throbbing quite painfully.
"Silencio the stupid bint!" Neville shouted, and he himself didn't need to be told twice.
Pansy, seemingly deaf to what Neville had just said, kept on screaming as he pulled out his wand and shouted, "Silencio!"
A blessed silence filled the room. He tentatively brought his other hand away from his ear. Neville was looking awe-struck at what had just come from his own mouth, but a look of relief was on his face. "Thanks," he said.
"No problem," came the reply.
Pansy's mouth was working furiously, no doubt saying some very unpleasant things to both himself and Mr. Longbottom, but thankfully nobody could hear her. After a moment, she stopped with a very affronted look on her face.
"Well, now that we are all quiet," he said, clearing his throat, "I can do what I came down here for. You, Miss Parkinson, have proved useless until now. I took you with the specific thought that a girl would work better for my experimentations, but I was wrong. You worked no better than Mr. Longbottom here. No offense, Neville," he said, nodding towards the boy. "I could just return you to the school, but I think I should have a little fun first. You shall be able to entertain me for I have a spell here that I've never tried before. However," he continued, "it sounds highly amusing and I can just picture you with it."
Pansy looked frightened at the fact that a spell he'd never tried before was going to be performed on her, but she didn't open her mouth to silently protest.
He suddenly thought of something. "Tell me, Miss Parkinson, has your face always been so squashed?" he asked, looking interestedly at Pansy. Neville let out a short laugh. Pansy opened her mouth, and he suspected that if the girl could speak, she would've just gasped very loudly. Her face was that of peer astonishment. Then her brows creased angrily and a look of hatred appeared. She thrashed her arms, trying to free herself as she tired to shout at him.
Sighing, he shrugged. "Ah, well, I suppose it has. Anyway, that's beside the point. It will, however, create a most interesting look once I give you your new ears."
At this, Neville looked at him questioningly and Pansy stopped screaming, a look of terror on her face. "Now, how did that spell go?" he asked himself, raising his wand. "Oh yes, now I remember."
Grinning, he raised his wand and performed the spell he'd seen in the book. Pansy was at once consumed in a grayish mist, completely blocking her from sight. Neville watched on curiously but a little frightened as well. When the mist disappeared, Pansy was revealed to them.
He gasped as he saw Pansy, but he was smiling as well because the sight was so amusing. Pansy was standing just where she had been before, except instead of human ears, she now wore a large pair of elephant ears. She glanced terrified out of the corner of her eyes, trying to see exactly what was attached to her head, and when she saw the tip of the grey ear flopping beside her nose, she opened her mouth and let out what he was sure would've been a piercing scream.
Doubling over in laughter, his whole body shook. The sight of the girl, so conceited and enamored with herself, wearing elephant ears was almost too much for him to take. He could hear Neville laughing as well. Looking up, he saw that Pansy's face was white and she was breathing heavily, no longer fighting the silencing curse on her; her very large ears were moving back and forth with each deep breath she took in, and the sight of it almost sent him into hysterics again.
Then, fearing that the girl was about to pass out because she was hyperventilating, he conjured a calming draught and forced it down her mouth. At once some color came back into her face and her breathing slowed, but now she was glaring at him most venomously.
"Well," he said, not bothering to hide his grin, "I'd definitely say that that spell was very amusing, wouldn't you say so, Neville?"
Neville nodded eagerly.
"Miss Parkinson, I'm so glad that you were able to join us," he said politely. "This has truly been an experience. No doubt you'll be glad to get rid of this memory, and those ears as well, but I like to return the students with a little something special. Mr. Harding, I regret to say, got no parting gift from me, but Mr. Johnson did. I hope your fellow students will find your new ears as entertaining as I did." He chuckled good-naturedly. Good-bye," he said, tilting his head forward in acknowledgment before he raised his wand.
"Obliviate!"
-----------
-------------
-----------
-------------
-----------
-------------
-----------
A/N: Hmm…so what's going to happen when Pansy returns to the school? Hopefully it'll be interesting. And I promise, the next chapter will finally be better than these last few have been. Also, there'll be the confrontation between Draco and Ginny. Quite frankly, I have no idea how that'll turn out, so I can't give you any clue about when this'll be updated. I sense writer's block coming on. Please review though! Thanks to everybody that reviewed the last chapter!
Lauren
