A/N: this is a filler ch. I FINALLY figured out how to tie the whole thing together and this sets the stage for that. Plus, i just wanted to upload something to get over this writers block.
Draco stood in front of his father's study. He seemed to visibly gather his courage, straightening his back, raising his chin and forcing his shoulders into a more relaxed position. It had been five days since the train ride home and he still hadn't managed to get rid of the sick feeling in his stomach- the feeling that he was doing something wrong. It had weighed on him, rendering him unable to eat or sleep until he was left with no other choice but to talk to his father.
Taking a deep breath, he knocked sharply on the large oak door before pushing it open and walking in.
"Father, I need to talk to you about something."
Lucius Malfoy barely glanced up from the papers he was shuffling through.
"You need more money? Just take it directly from Gringotts. You know better than to bother me with such trivialities."
He waved his hand impatiently at Draco, clearly dismissing him. For a second, Draco considered abandoning his plan altogether and retreating quietly out of the room, but a sudden sharp pain in his abdomen reminded him why he was there in the first place.
"No father, it's not that. I was wondering if it would be okay for me to talk to some Gryffindors."
His father looked up sharply.
"What?"
" I was wondering if it was okay if I talked to some Gryffindors."
"Of course it's not 'okay'! Why would you even suggest such a thing?"
"Father, do you really think I'd do anything without an ulterior motive? I'm just asking for a little trust, that's all."
"I trust you to win the Quidditch cup every year but you never do."
Draco paled slightly.
"Did you even think of the damage it would do to the Malfoy reputation if you were seen talking to Gryffindors?" Lucius spat the last word in disgust.
Be a man for once in your life, Draco.a little voice inside Draco's head chided him as he took a step back from his father.
He steeled his nerves again.
"Father, I'm not asking your permission. I am going to talk to the Gryffindors. I have my reasons and I'm telling you this as a courtesy."
A look of cold fury passed over his father's face. " I have an appointment with the Minister that I can't be late for but I shall deal with you later."
Lucius shoved Draco aside as he left without looking at him. Draco remained standing in his father's study for a few more minutes, trying to control his breathing.
The sick feeling in his stomach was gone, for now.
Ron sat on the Burrow's garden steps with Pansy beside him, a large potted plant was placed in front of them, it whacked at their hands as they tried to pull the dead leaves off its branches. Ron couldn't help but glance at Pansy as another low laugh escaped her lips. Her black hair was tied back into a messy ponytail and there was a smudge of dirt on her cheek. She looked happier than he'd ever seen her before.
A loud whack sound was followed by another one of her laughs as the plant they were pruning slapped Ron firmly across the cheek.
"Ow! What did you that for?" he cried, tearing his eyes off of Pansy, at last.
"This is what happens if you don't pay attention to what you're doing." Pansy chortled.
"Listen, are we going to pretend that that incident at your house never happened?" The smile dropped off Pansy's face and Ron regretted bringing it up but they couldn't just keep ignoring it.
"That seems like a good course of action, yeah."
"Pansy, I'm serious. How long has your mother been abusing you for? We could get her sanctioned by the ministry for abuse."
"It- It's not abuse; she's just trying to raise me to the Parkinson standards. And even if it was abuse- which it isn't- you couldn't get her sanctioned for anything this mild. The Parkinson's go way back with the ministry. She'd need to do something far, far worse."
Ron threw her a strange look, "abuse is pretty high up on the list of bad things."
"It's not abuse-" Pansy begun to protest but was interrupted by Michael Corner's sudden appearance.
"Am I interrupting something?" he asked cheerfully, sitting himself down beside them.
"Yeah, actually you-"
"Not at all." Pansy interjected smoothly, shooting Ron a warning look. "Why don't you help us?'
Michael ignored the writhing plant completely but instead began telling Pansy that she seemed much different outside Hogwart's than inside. Ron couldn't help but silently agree. He wondered if he'd misjudged her completely before remembering the stunt she'd pulled at the party.
Nope. I wasn't wrong about her. Get a hold of yourself. He told himself sternly.
Harry watched the three figures sitting on the garden steps. He was peeling potatoes with slightly more force than necessary. Of all the people in the burrow at the current moment, Michael was the only one who hadn't been assigned chores. Neither had Pansy but she had insisted repeatedly on helping until Mrs Weasley finally gave in.
Of course he wouldn't help Harry thought bitterly, He's probably never worked a day in his life.
He was startled out of his annoyance by Ginny's appearance beside him. She put his hand on his shoulder, watching Michael talking to Ron and Pansy. "They look like they're getting along perfectly." she said happily.
"Yep, Michael's just telling them about the time he and his mother were invited by the Scottish minister to watch the annual Gludgeon match." He tried his best to keep the tinge of jealousy out of his voice.
"He does seem to talk about himself a lot, doesn't he?" Her tone shifted to thoughtful.
"Tell me about it. He could give Malfoy a run for his money." he muttered darkly.
"Don't be mean." Ginny chided him but Harry could see her fighting to keep the smile off her face.
"Do you want to play quidditch afterwards? I have to get back to dusting the shelves or mum will have a fit if she finds me here, talking."
"Definitely. Hurry up and finish, I'll tell the others."
