A Matter of Propriety
Eight: Rumors
"How did you know that Draco was the one?" Leaning back lazily into the cream colored sofa in the parlor that Parvati had all to herself in the Malfoy Mansion, Padma folded her arms, staring at the fire that was burning strong in the hearth. It thawed her out, drying her from the sleet that was falling outside. Even her warming spell had left her hands freezing as she attempted to keep her umbrella upright against the wind that blew through the streets today. It was a dreary winter day but Padma felt at ease in her sister's home. The house elves had come through with steaming black tea and a tray of little cookies and sandwiches for the girls to nibble on as they lazed around through the afternoon.
Taking a sip of her tea (three sugars and some milk), Parvati considered the question with severity. "Well," She said in a slow voice, "I guess when you know, you just know." This is what made the sisters different as Padma sipped at her cup of tea (just milk), frowning lightly. Parvati was all about feelings and how something made her feel; Padma wanted to know the mechanics behind the feelings, a concept that didn't work with her sister.
"Yes, I understand that bit," Padma replied after a moment of thought, "but how did you know? Just knowing really isn't an adequate response and you know it." Parvati made a face over the sandwich tray, which Padma made right back before the girls dissipated into giggles. Recomposing herself (though with an impish smile on her lips), Parvati took a sandwich, popping it into her mouth and chewing thoughtfully.
"Why all the questions about me and Draco?" There was a sly look in her eyes that never failed to make Padma a little uneasy, as though Parvati knew more about things than it seemed.
"No reason, I'm just curious," Padma shifted her eyes from her sister to the tray, grabbing a biscuit and stuffing that into her mouth so she didn't have to say anything more. Parvati continued to eye her with that strange, knowing look. "What?" Padma added through her mouthful, frowning a little.
"I've heard you've been spending a lot of your time with a certain lawyer," Parvati cooed, smirking a little. Padma couldn't hide the blush that crept up her neck and into her face. "When were you planning on telling me about him? I thought we shared everything!" Her expression changed from knowing to pouting, lower lip jutting out as she frowned a little at her twin. "I mean, I had to catch this from Daphne and its all fine and well if it's about someone I don't know but when this juicy bit of gossip about the notorious loner seeing my sister has to come to me through the grapevine…" Parvati puffed up a bit, indignant as she took another bite of her sandwich. "It's just not right!"
"That's why it's called gossip," Padma stated wryly. "Besides, Theo and I are simply friends, nothing more and nothing less so you can tell your society girls that they have their information incorrect." For now at least, she added silently as she took another sip of tea to distract herself from answering any other inquiries that her sister had. She didn't want to jinx anything, not when there was some precarious understanding between them, an unspoken thing that neither rejected nor acknowledged. Parvati could talk about it lightly but Padma knew the situation wasn't exactly a light one, not to her. Affection was mutual, that much she knew. But how far did it go?
She was so lost in thought that it took a moment before she heard her sister calling her name. Her head snapped up again and Parvati rolled her eyes lightly. "I hardly think it's gossip, not with the look you've got on your face there." Another smug smile and Padma rolled her eyes.
"Fine, not entirely gossip," Padma admitted slowly as she set her tea back down, curling a leg beneath her, attempting to shift position on the couch. "I mean…I'm not entirely sure what's there. We're friends but I keep feeling like there's something more but I don't know what that something more is, you know?"
Parvati nodded sagely from her seat by the fire. "Well, does he find reasons to hold your hand or touch you? Do you catch him staring? Does he find ways to spend time with you?" Padma bit her lower lip.
"Yes, sometimes for all of those. I mean, he's just a gentleman and I don't know what to think." Her teeth worried her lower lip, sighing. "Why is this so hard to figure out?" Padma's logical mind couldn't comprehend why this was such a hard problem to solve. There should have been an easy solution in front of her eyes but thus far she couldn't see one.
"Love isn't logical, Pads," Parvati said softly and Padma knew she was right. But she had to say one final thing on the matter.
"I'm not in love." Not yet, at least.
author's note: Hey folks! I know, it's been a while but, with school gone and then finding myself without internet, I was able to get cracking and actually get some of these written. I'm really enjoying reading the reviews so please, keep them coming :D They make me happy and keep me writing. I should have at least one, if not two, more coming up in the next couple weeks. Until then, thanks for reading and keep telling me what you think!