Alright here's the next chapter. The following one shouldn't be too far away, i've had the ideea for the next chapter in my head for weeks, it was just a matter of filling in the gaps until i could write it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter nor any of its characters (if i did i would be set for life)
I hope you all enjoy this chapter, not much Dramione action but again an essential chapter in relation to the story itself.
Chapter Ten: Pansy's Outburst
Hermione was walking down the corridor, heading towards lunch. Harry and Ron were walking on either side of her silently, each engrossed in their own thoughts about what they had witnessed between Draco and Hermione in the DADA classroom.
"Hermione?" Harry tentatively began.
"Yes Harry?"
"What's going on between you and Malfoy?" he asked gently. He didn't want her to get the wrong impression.
"We're friends of sorts Harry, I'm just helping him get over his fear, or at the very least, helping him to learn how to control it! You know that" Hermione replied with a pointed look at her closest friend.
"Does it have to include so much touching?" Ron asked sourly. Though he and Harry had called a truce with Draco, Blaise and Theo. It didn't mean that they were comfortable with their best friend being so touchy feely with the Blonde.
"Oh for Merlin's sake Ronald! You know that the only way he can control his fear is if he and I are touching in some way!" Hermione huffed.
"Couldn't you have just held his hand or something? You didn't have to hug him like that" Ron insisted. He wasn't about to let Hermione know that the green eyed monster had visited him upon seeing her hug his former enemy as if she were familiar with him.
"Ron!" Hermione glared at him, "Stop being stupid! You and he have called a truce, its not like he's going to hurt me!" Ron sighed heavily, he knew that Hermione would never like him in the way that he liked her, in fact he was pretty sure that she fancied Draco, though she herself wasn't aware of it yet.
"Sorry Mione, I'm not worried about him and his friends, but the other Slytherins. I don't want to see you hurt that's all" Ron swallowed his pride and forced himself to act as her friend only, instead of the spurned suitor he felt like. Hermione smiled at Ron, he had matured in leaps and bounds since Voldemort had been killed, and even more so since the attack on Harry and Draco. He was now able to control his temper and think before he opened his mouth.
"I'll be fine Ron, I can handle myself"
"Just be careful Mione, Parkinson still believes that she has some type of claim on Malfoy. Blaise was telling me yesterday that she refuses to accept what both he and Lucius have plainly told her. If she felt that you were a threat to her fantasy life as Malfoy's bride then she could be dangerous" Harry cautioned her. Hermione smiled at both her best friends.
"I'll be fine, trust me" she replied as they entered the Great Hall.
Pansy Parkinson sat fuming at the Slytherin table glaring at the Golden Trio as they took their places at the Gryffindor table and began to eat their lunch. Her rage was directed at the brown haired girl of the trio. 'How dare that filthy Mudblood lay a hand on my Drakie-Poo, I'll show her just who he belongs too' she growled to herself. Casting a glance down the Slytherin table to where Draco sat next to Theo and opposite Blaise, Pansy hoped that he would cast a glance her way. She was convinced that Draco and Lucius had said those things to her to test her devotion to the younger Malfoy. She stared at Draco, waiting for him to acknowledge her look and invite her to move down the table and join him for lunch. She saw Blaise glance her way and then say something quietly to Draco. The blonde grimaced in disgust and purposely shifted so that he presented his back to her. Her eyes widened in hurt when he flipped her the finger over his shoulder, not even sparing her a glance as he did so. Turning back to her plate, Pansy held her tears as she picked at her food. She knew that she had to be strong if she were to pass the test that Lucius and Draco had set for her. Begging Draco would only ensure her failure, she had to be strong and wait for them to come back to her and inform her that she had passed and that she would become the next Mrs Malfoy. She grinned evilly, that didn't mean that she couldn't curse the Gryffindor Mudblood for touching her man though, it would only prove to Lucius and Draco that she was willing to do whatever it took to protect the Malfoy name. Turning in the direction of the Head table she smiled at Lucius and Narcissa, receiving a scowl from Lucius and a blank glare from Narcissa.
Snape noticing the actions at his house table, glanced over at Lucius and Narcissa.
"I should warn you Lucius, Miss Parkinson believes that you are testing her devotion to Draco" Lucius turned towards him with a blank look.
"What do you mean Severus?"
"She is convinced that you and Draco only said those things regarding her supposed betrothal to test her loyalty to your son" Snape clarified.
"Merlin's beard! Is she really that stupid?" Lucius asked.
"Apparently so, Miss Bulstrode came to me and asked me if it truly was a test, apparently Miss Parkinson had asked her to be a bridesmaid at her wedding to Draco"
"She's insane!" Narcissa gasped, having overheard the conversation.
"That she may be, but she can also be dangerous" Snape warned.
"Dangerous? To whom? She wouldn't dare touch Draco if she believes that she will one day become his wife" Lucius stated.
"Not to Draco, but to Miss Granger. Miss Parkinson witnessed the interaction between Draco and Miss Granger in the DADA class today when she helped him to face the Bogart, she may take it upon herself to punish Miss Granger for touching him"
"And being a Slytherin, she will be cunning and underhanded in the way she does it, if she were to directly challenge her, Hermione could protect herself and would win the duel" Narcissa commented.
"Miss Parkinson is perhaps the only student who is unaware of whom is responsible for saving Draco's life and where your loyalty was during Voldemort's time. Her fellow students have not bothered to inform her, knowing that she wouldn't believe them" Snape added. Lucius and Narcissa nodded in understanding. Lucius was thinking to himself, planning on contacting Pansy's mother when he felt Narcissa tense beside him.
"What is it dear?" he asked, turning to his wife.
"Pansy just followed Hermione out of the Great Hall, she's alone!" Narcissa answered as she quickly rose to her feet and left the table. Lucius and Snape noted that Harry and Ron were still sitting at the Gryffindor table and quickly followed her, Lucius motioning to Draco, Theo and Blaise to follow them as he passed the Slytherin table.
Hermione felt the prickle of danger seconds before she heard a feminine voice shout 'Crucio' It was instantly followed with a deeper masculine drawl calling 'Protego'. She whipped around to see Pansy Parkinson with her wand pointed at her. Behind her, hurrying down the corridor was Lucius, Narcissa and Snape. Lucius also had his wand pointed at her, it was then that she realized that it had been Lucius who had cast the shielding charm over her.
"Hermione, are you alright?" Narcissa asked as she rushed to the shaken girls side and enveloped her in her arms.
"I'm fine Narcissa" Hermione replied shakily as she stared at Pansy. Draco, Theo and Blaise came sprinting up the corridor towards them.
"What's going on?" Draco panted to his father.
"Miss Parkinson just tried to Crucio, Hermione" Lucius answered.
"Mr Malfoy! How could you protect the filthy mudblood?" Pansy shrieked as she again pointed her wand at Hermione and prepared to throw another curse at her.
"Expelliarmus!" Draco shouted, catching Pansy's wand as it flew towards him and handing it to Snape.
"You dare to raise your wand at Hermione? Much less when my wife is standing with her?" Lucius asked in cold fury. Pansy realized her mistake but forged ahead.
"She touched Draco, she put her filthy mudblood germs on him and tainted his purity!"
"Pansy you stupid bint! Hermione is the one who donated her blood to save my life!" Draco snarled, purposely using Hermione's first name to drive the point home. "If she's tainted then so am I" he added, casting a small smile at Hermione to let her know that he didn't mean anything by his comment. Hermione returned the smile and nodded, indicating that she understood what he was doing. Pansy however didn't listen to Draco.
"You put your hands on my betrothed mudblood! For that you have to pay!" she shrieked.
"WHAT!?" Draco shouted. "PANSY YOU AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN BETROTHED NOR WILL WE EVER BE!"
"It seems that Miss Parkinson believes that we were testing her loyalty and devotion to you Draco" Lucius told his son.
"You have got to be shitting me!" Draco cried, forgetting in his anger that his parents and Godfather were there.
"I shit you not" Lucius replied with dignity. Draco flushed, 'Oops' he thought to himself.
"Oh no you don't! Locomotor Mortis!" Snape suddenly snapped. Immobilizing Pansy who had been advancing on Hermione and Narcissa.
"Miss Parkinson I believe that there are a few things that you need to be made aware of" Lucius started, his cold tone sending shivers of fear down the pug nosed girls spine.
"Like what?" she asked timidly, Lucius Malfoy had always intimidated her.
"Firstly, you and Draco have never been betrothed, nor will you ever be! I meant what I said that day in the hospital wing, it was never a test for you, it was simple fact! Secondly, Hermione here is the reason that Draco is still alive! She was the blood donor for the transfusion that saved his life, her blood now runs in his veins! And thirdly, I believe that you are under the misconception that I was on Voldemort's side! I was a spy and a member of the Order of the Phoenix! My loyalty was always to the light side, Narcissa is close friends with Harry Potter's mother Lily, whom, I might point out is also a Muggleborn like our Hermione here" Lucius finished, pointedly stressing the word 'our' when referring to Hermione, knowing that Pansy would correctly interpret it as his acceptance and affection for the Gryffindor. Pansy stood in shocked silence, she could see the cold truth shining from Lucius Malfoy's eyes and finally realized that she had been wrong. There was never a test, Draco truly did hate her and Lucius had no intention of forcing his only son to marry a girl he hated. Snape turned to Theo and Blaise.
"Go and get Dumbledore, inform him that one of the students attempted to cast an 'unforgivable' on a fellow student"
"There is no need Severus, the portraits have already informed me" Dumbledore said as he joined the group of people standing in the corridor. "Miss Parkinson you will accompany me to my office where we will wait for your mother to arrive. Severus as her head of house I will need you to accompany us"
"Of course Albus" Snape replied as he waved his wand and released Pansy from his spell.
"Albus I would like to come if I may, I believe that Narcissa and I will need to speak to Pricilla personally about some issues" Lucius stated.
"Of course Lucius" Dumbledore agreed, then he turned to Hermione, Draco, Blaise and Theo. "You are all excused from your current classes, however your next class will begin soon"
"Yes sir" the four answered politely. Dumbledore nodded then turned and headed in the direction of his office. Snape followed him, his hand clamped firmly on the silent Pansy's shoulder. Narcissa gave Hermione another gentle hug, then after dropping a chaste kiss on Draco's forehead she took Lucius's arm and left with him in the direction that the headmaster had gone.
Pansy sat sullenly in Dumbledores office as she waited for her mother to floo in. Her father had been sent to Azkaban after Voldemort was defeated, he had received the kiss six months after Voldemort's demise. Pansy didn't miss her father, he had been cruel to her mother and herself. The fire glowed green and Pricilla Parkinson stepped out of the grate.
"Dumbledore! What is the meaning of summoning me in the middle of my weekly spa treatment?" Pricilla shrilled as soon as she saw the Headmaster.
"A matter of grave importance" Dumbledore replied. It was then that Pricilla noticed the Malfoy's.
"Lucius, Narcissa! How wonderful to see you both! We really must sit down and finalize the arrangements for Pansy's betrothal to Draco so that we can finally make it official" Lucius scowled and held his tongue, Narcissa however didn't.
"There will be no betrothal Pricilla! That is why we are here! I will never marry my son off to your daughter!" Pricilla gasped in dismay, seeing her grand dreams of being linked to the illustrious Malfoy family going down the drain.
"But, but why?"
"Mrs Parkinson, I called you here to discuss the future of your daughter" Dumbledore interrupted firmly. Pricilla swung her attention from the Malfoys and finally noticed Pansy and Snape. Seeing the forbidding expression on Snape's face and the grave expression on Dumbledore's, Pricilla took a seat in the vacant chair next to Pansy.
"What has happened?" She asked, casting a glance at her silent daughter.
"Your daughter just attempted to cast an unforgivable on a fellow student" Dumbledore stated calmly.
"Which student?" Pricilla asked.
"Miss Hermione Granger" Dumbledore replied.
"The mudblood? What of it?" Pricilla asked dismissively.
"Mrs Parkinson, I don't believe that you understand the gravity of this situation. The casting of an unforgivable is grounds for immediate expulsion from this school and is also punishable by a stint in Azkaban" Dumbledore stated. Pansy gasped and paled, tears beginning to streak down her cheeks.
"You said that she only attempted to cast the curse" Pricilla stated shakily, Dumbledore's words finally impressing upon her the severity of the situation her daughter was in.
"She cast the curse but it was blocked"
"Which curse?"
"The Cruciatus"
"Who would have the strength to block that curse?" Pricilla asked in awe.
"Harry Potter for one, though it was not he who did so, Miss Granger also has the strength to block it, but she was attacked from behind" Dumbledore replied.
"Then who did?"
"I did" Lucius stated coldly. Pricilla turned in shock to stare at Lucius.
"Lucius? You protected a mud…er…muggleborn?"
"That muggleborn is the reason why my son is still alive!" Lucius snapped.
"Yes, I heard about the Manticore attack from Pansy"
"It was Miss Granger that provided the blood for Mr Malfoy's transfusion" Dumbledore pointed out.
"Then why would Pansy try to curse her if she saved Draco's life?" Pricilla asked confused as she stared at her daughter.
"Draco and Hermione have become close, she has been helping him with the fear that he developed after the attack! Your daughter took offense to it and decided that Hermione needed to be punished for her closeness with Draco" Narcissa snapped with a scathing look at Pansy.
"My daughter has every right to take offence to another girl moving in on her betrothed" Pricilla snapped.
"Draco is not her betrothed!" Narcissa retorted heatedly. Lucius placed a calming hand on his wife's arm and addressed Pricilla.
"Draco has no desire to be anywhere near your daughter much less being forced to marry her, quite frankly I agree with him. Nothing was ever set in stone, it was merely mentioned in passing, you would do well to remember that, your daughter chose not to take what Draco and I told her to be truth and as such now finds herself in the predicament she is currently in" hearing Lucius say that was the final straw for Pansy.
"Its all her fault! She took him from me! I remember what he said to me that day when you told me that I would never be a Malfoy! He said that he would rather marry her as opposed to me! And now you are friendly with her, calling her by her first name! its sick! You actually approve of her! I have grown up believing that one day Draco would finally realize that I loved him and yet he turns from me and goes to her! And you allow it! All the girls in this school want Draco for his money and looks and I have jealously and possessively protected him from them…"
"And it precisely that reason as to why he cannot stand you" Lucius interrupted before she could continue. "You call him by a childish and immature nick name that he detests, cling to his arm until he fears that it will fall off, follow him everywhere, demand his attention when he is otherwise occupied, warn everyone away from him, try to make his decisions for him, and continually force your attentions on him! Its no bloody wonder that he can't stand the sight of you, the only thing that stopped him from hexing you was the fear of my wrath if he did so!" Lucius shouted, losing his temper at the utter stupidity displayed by the Slytherin girl.
Pansy whimpered as Lucius pointed out all the things that she had done, put that way it was no wonder that Draco wanted nothing to do with her. What she had been doing to try to make him love her, had in actual fact pushed him away to the point where he couldn't stand the sight of her. She had effectively pushed him into the arms of another girl. It was there in the headmaster's office that Pansy finally accepted the truth, she had lost all chances with Draco, he would never love her, nor want her, she would be lucky if he was even civil to her from now on. Seeing her daughter break down in tears finally brought out some type of maternal instinct in the selfish Pricilla Parkinson. Rising to her feet she moved to kneel at her daughter's feet and slowly brought Pansy into a motherly embrace. Pansy wrapped her arms around her mother and sobbed into her shoulder. Narcissa felt a twinge as she heard the girls heartbroken sobs, but she was still too angry at what the girl had done to both her son and Hermione to spare much sympathy. Finally Pansy's sobs subsided and Pricilla looked at her daughter sadly for a moment then turned to Dumbledore.
"What's her punishment?" she asked softly. Dumbledore sighed heavily.
"Miss Parkinson will be suspended until Christmas Break. After the break she may return but will have detention every night for a month. Her Hogsmeade privileges will be revoked until such a time as I deem to re-instate them. She is not to attempt to communicate with Mr Malfoy or Miss Granger unless they approach her first, and for the first two months after she returns she is to surrender her wand to her Head of House at the completion of her final class for the day. Professor Snape will give it to her at breakfast every morning in time for her first class. Two hundred points will also be deducted from Slytherin for her misconduct. If any of these conditions are broken or she starts a fight then it will be immediate expulsion" Pricilla nodded in agreement, knowing that her daughter was lucky to not be expelled on the spot, let alone escape Azkaban.
"Can I take her home now?"
"Yes, I will sent one of the house elves to your home to deliver her belongings" Dumbledore replied. Pricilla smiled then helped her tear stained daughter to the fireplace and with a burst of green flame they were gone.
"Two hundred points Albus?" Snape groaned.
"She should have been expelled Severus" Dumbledore pointed out.
"Why didn't you expel her?" Narcissa enquired.
"I had every intention of doing so until I saw her breakdown, it was then that I realized that there is some hope for the girl"
"Merlin you really are a sucker for hard luck cases Albus" Snape grimaced.
"That I am Severus" Dumbledore agreed as he sat back in his chair and waved his hand to the clear glass bowl on his desk, "Lemon Drop anyone?".
Well there it is, hope you enjoyed it, please read and review but no flames please.