Hermione Granger heard a tiny pop and she knew that one of the guys were home. Dumbledore's Army had settled into making Grimmauld Place as their Headquarters while the Order settled for the Burrow. She quickly went for the door and opened it just in time. Dean Thomas was standing on the front steps carrying a girl that was rendered limp in his arms. She let him in.
"Looked for her all afternoon. She's really quite elusive, that even those filthy gangs are having a hard time finding her. And she's a real difficult little pureblood brat." Dean rolled up the sleeve of his right arm and showed Hermione bite marks embedded on there. "Bit me, that ungrateful witch."
"Shush, Dean. She must've panicked and decided to go with the defensive."
Dean shrugged. "Whatever, Mione. It's her fault she's being hunted down anyway."
Hermione shook her head. "Look at the state of her, Dean. She's not fat as I can remember but she's definitely not this thin." Hermione raised one of Pansy's wrist and examined it. "And look how pale she is, and her bruises and scars... No one deserves to be punished like this."
Luna Lovegood emerged from the kitchen, with a dream catcher in one of her hands. "Oh, is that the Parkinson girl?" she asked, looking apprehensively at the figure lying on the couch. Dean nodded in answer and looked quite resentful about how he acted minutes ago. Hermione knew her words had taken effect. "I'll go fetch Draco." Said Luna, in her calm, dreamy voice.
Draco Malfoy, as part of his rehabilitation, had been working with the D.A. to round up Voldemort's scattered supporters that are still threatening the Wizarding World's peace and order. He had been like Snape, somehow. Working on both sides of the blade. Ron was so much against this appointment but Harry insisted he trusts Malfoy. He was assigned with a dangerous assignment a few days back. He needed to spy on the Death Eater's hiding in Crest Valley, west of England, and these Death Eaters include some of his former mates: Zabini, Goyle, Nott, Flint, Davis, etc. It was dangerous, because he knew they didn't trust him anymore. He might be hit with a Killing Curse the moment he stepped into their camp. No one knows of course, that Draco is now working for the right side. But that his family was spared from Azkaban roused suspicion.
He would go, he said. But only if they manage to agree on his one condition. And that is to find Pansy Parkinson, who ran away after the war, and bring her to safety. "What if she's already dead?" Asked Ron, and Draco shot him a look of loathing and abhorrence that mangled his handsome features. Ron never said anything about death right after that.
Harry and Ron are now working as part-time aurors in training, and had to be away for most of the night and day. Seamus was assigned on the security of all the families of D.A. members, along with Neville, Hannah, and Cho, and they come and go but never stay at Grimmauld for long. Which leaves Luna, Draco, Ginny, Hermione, and Dean. The rest had gone with their families and not participate in D.A. anymore.
Dean was assigned the task of looking for Pansy, and after a whole week of painful search, he managed to bring her to safety.
Draco arrived with Luna in tow, his face was hard to read. There was anxiousness there, eagerness, and relief. She kneeled beside Pansy on the couch and took her hand in his. He raked her whole face with his eyes, making sure she was real, making sure she was alive. Her lids fluttered but they remained shut.
"Luna, where's Ginny?" Hermione asked quietly. "Asleep. Tired from helping George in the shop. I'll go make you guys some tea." said Luna and she smiled. "I- I- I'll help Luna." stammered Hermione. It did not feel good, watching Draco and Pansy, it was like intruding into something really private and intimate. She scuttled off after the swinging dirty-blonde hair.
Dean, however, didn't seem to mind and just sat on one of the couches.
"Happy now, Malfoy? You already have your girlfriend back."
But Draco didn't look happy. A shadow crossed his face at the mention of the word girlfriend and he said, "She's not my girlfriend anymore." before he could stop himself.
Dean was surprised by these words. He looked at him with curious eyes. Draco met his gaze and shook his head. "I won't answer questions, Thomas." He stood up and straightened his shirt, then bent down to retrieve Pansy where she lay. "Where are you bringing her?" Dean asked, suddenly tense on his seat. "To my room" answered Draco simply.
"No." Said Dean.
Draco turned to look at him like he said he just peed in his pants.
"You're not taking her anywhere Malfoy."
"And why not?" snarled Draco.
"She's not your girlfriend. She's gonna stay in Cho's spare room. I'll carry her."
And before Malfoy could stop him, he was carrying Pansy up the stairs, leaving Draco burning with suppressed rage.