New chapter! Yay~
disclaimer: I do not own HP, blah blah blah, nothing is mine (:well obviously the plot but not the characters/other HP stuff:)
So, this chapter is dedicated to: ALL WHO REVIEWED!
Thankies, guys! So, here we go~
Chapter Four
My Friends
Pansy yawned and stretched her legs, resting them on Draco's lap. Draco frowned at her, but she only replied by grinning innocently.
Pansy Parkinson had changed incredibly. She was no longer the insecure bully that followed him around like a brainless zombie. She'd grown into a confident young woman with her own ideas and thoughts. She was actually quite smart once you got past her annoying bitchy side.
Yes, Pansy had always had strong opinions and was never afraid to speak them. But, it wasn't until she returned to Hogwarts last year that Draco had noticed these quirks. Yes, she was annoying and screechy. But she was also loyal to Slytherin house and her family and a very promising pure blood wife. Though, now Draco had no intent to marry her.
She was just a dear friend. Even if she was drop dead gorgeous. Pansy was good at bringing Draco back to reality. She wasn't afraid to tell him the truth.
Blaise Zabini, on the other hand was another matter. Draco had known Blaise his entire life and the boy had rarely opened up to him, if at all. Blaise was a major flirt and often hid behind cheeky smiles and rebellion. He was alway cheerful and devious. He kept Draco from being extremely depressed though teen wizard problems. Adelina Zabini was close friends with Narcissa and their fathers were good mates as well.
Friendship was expected. Blaise was an elitist as much as Draco was, but was much more quiet about it. He'd always tried to act civil but often could not prevail.
Draco adored Blaise and Pansy, they were his closest friends.
Then there was Daphne. The beautiful airy blond. She always seemed like she knew something everyone else didnt. She smiled often and rarely spoke. The exact opposite of the loud Pansy. Daphne was polite, and very smart. So, she was perfect pure-blood elitist wife material. Look pretty, don't comment. To be seen, not heard.
She never really peaked Draco's interest but Blaise and Pansy seemed to have taking a liking to her so he just ignored her.
Daphne sat beside Blaise who was currently cooing over the girl.
"Aww, Daphne looks lovely, doesn't she Pans?"
Pansy snorted. "Right, Blaise." Draco lifted a brow amusedly but said nothing. Daphne's sister Astoria was another thing. The girl was possibly the most annoying witch on the planet. She followed him around like a lost pup, always whining and taking pictures. Then, he'd come across his fanclub discussing a fanfiction piece with him and Potter and then his strong dislike for her became hate.
He preferred Daphne over Astoria, thank you very much!
Crabbe, Goyle, and Nott sat behind them, chatting away mindlessly. Draco only let them follow him around because they were good body guards. Plus, they had no other friends...
And his mother was friends with theirs and she'd ordered him to help them out.
Draco sighed. His mother and his crazy old bat of an aunt were sure telling him to do things alot lately. Not just them, but also...
"Drakey-poo, why don't you invite your wittle fiance over for a nice chat?" Pansy suggested, smirking slightly. Draco gave her a look.
"Pans, I told you I have to take it slow." Blaise played with a piece of Daphne's white blond hair. "It's just a chat, nothing too fast."
"Blaise, she has know idea we're engaged. As far as she's concerned we still hate her guts."
"Well then, wouldn't now be a good time to show her we dont?" Pansy asked, tilting her head to the side.
Before Draco could comment, an average young woman peeked into their compartment. They turned to her with raised, very well plucked, brows. The woman gulped. "Err-um, well..."
"Spit it out!" Pansy barked.
"Blaise Zabini has been invited to lunch with Professor Slughorn and-" Draco gave Blaise a questioning look.
"Message delivered." Pansy said glaring at the girl. "You are dismissed." The girl nodded and retreated. Blaise stood and stretched his back.
"You're actually going?" Draco asked, slightly surprised his friend was interested in something so... academic. Blaise shrugged, and then grinned. "A nice opportunity to make friends, dont ya think?" He winked at Draco, before strolling out of the compartment.
"Don't know why a teacher would take an interest in Blaise." Pansy commented Draco nodded in agreement. "Well, atleast he can read. Better then Crabbe and Goyle." Pansy howled with laughter.
"AHA! It's funny because they actually can't!" She whisper-laughed. Draco gave her a weird look before turning his attention towards the window.
"Daphne, fetch us some sweets, will you dear?" Pansy asked the blond witch. Daphne nodded, before leaving the two old friends alone.
Pansy placed her chin on her hands, smiling knowingly at Draco. "Whats wrong Drakkykinz?" Draco shivered and then shot her a glare.
"Everything. I have an arranged marriage, my father is...and.." Draco trailed off, his silver eyes burning into hers.
Pansy frowned. "Yeah, arranged marriages aren't the best thing in the world, are they?" Her dark eyes sparkled with the secrets she held. The ones even Draco didnt want to ask, with fears of angering the very violent woman. "But they grow on you, don't they?"
Draco gave her a look. And it wasn't a happy one.
"I suppose, if when you say grow on you, you mean like mold." The distaste in his voice made Pansy cackle. Sometimes, she reminded him of his aunt Bellatrix. That thought alone made him even more afraid of the young witch.
"Merlin, Pansy it wasn't that funny." Draco said, smirking. Pansy's mouth closed and she glared at him. "Well, your face is!"
Draco rolled his eyes. "Whatever." After a small silence, Pansy spoke up again. "How are you going to woo her, then?"
Draco growled in frustration. "Whats with you and Blaise poking into my business with her all of a sudden?"
Pansy lifted her index finger, as if her point was floating above them.
"You're. Our. Best. Friend." She spoke slowly, hinting towards Draco being slow. Draco's glare intensified. "I'm not an idiot, Pansy."
"Well, then why didn't that teacher invite you to the fancy lunch meeting Blaise is off frolicking at?" Draco turned away from her, very annoyed. "I don't know. Maybe I'm too bloody brilliant."
Pansy shook her head, making her dark curls bounce. "I think it's because you're one of the very few men that PMS..." Draco growled again.
"What are you a dog?" Pansy asked loudly in the blond's ear.
"Pansy..." He warned. Said witch backed away, mumbling something incoherent. But Draco did pick up the word "ferret" a few times.
Just then, the blond one returned with an armful of candy. She gave Draco most of the chocolates, and the rest went to Pansy.
"I knew you like chocolate best, Draco." Daphne said quietly, smiling eerily at him. Draco gave her a suspicious look as he bit down into his chocolate frog.
Daphne giggled. Draco's suspicious gaze turned towards the chocolate frog in his mouth. Meh. If it tastes like chocolate, chances are it's chocolate...
"When's Blaise going to be back?" Pansy whined, biting off half of a licorice wand. Daphne shrugged and returned to eating her sugar mice.
"Hopefully soon." Draco mumbled. "You two are a snore." Pansy pouted.
"You don't mean that Draco!" She cooed. "You know you love us."
Draco said nothing but continued to munch on his chocolate frog.
"So, Daphne, hows your little boyfriend doing?" The blond paled at Pansy's words. Pansy wore a wide smirk, but her eyes were innocent.
"How'd you know?" Was all the quiet girl could manage. Pansy smirk turned into a frown. "I'm not an idiot." She quoted Draco, tone perfect.
Daphne's eyes scanned the floor, as she bit her small lip. "Err- well..uh.."
"Blaisey won't be too happy to find your doing a W-"
"I heard my name, who's gossiping about me?" A sarcastic voice filled the trio's ears. Pansy frowned. She was right about to break a case.
"Oh, we were just discussing with little Daphne here that..." Pansy stopped immediately after noticing the messy brown hair behind Blaise. "Oh!" She whispered, standing.
Blaise smiled wickedly at Draco, who was now paying his friends more attention.
"I thought I'd bring a friend along..." He started. Hermione peeked over from behind Blaise and smiled weakly.
"Uh, hello?" She tried. Pansy grinned. "Oh, Hermione! It's so very nice to see you." Hermione's mouth fell agape. "How ever do you know my Blaise?" Pansy asked, pulling Blaise's arm so his hip collided with hers.
"Um.."
"She was invited to the Slug Club as well. We've spoken a few times in class as well." He rubbed her messy hair. "A smart one, she is."
"Shouldn't you be sitting with...?" Pansy started, but never finished due to the nasty words she would of chosen.
Hermione shook her head. "Well, they don't mind, and Blaise invited me so.."
Actually, Hermione had no idea why she wanted to join Blaise and his friends. She'd spoken to him once or twice pleasantly and he seemed genuinely interested in her at lunch. Some part of her felt very connected to him, and she didn't know why...
Draco stared blankly at her, a frown sitting prettily on his face. Hermione blushed under his gaze.
Pansy grabbed her arm, and pulled her into the seat beside Draco.
His gaze was burning into her back. Hermione was very uncomfortable and had no idea why she was putting herself in this position.
The tugging of her heart could not be ignored. Something about Blaise and Pansy reminded her of the feelings she had for Ron and Harry.
She couldn't explain it and she wanted to get to the bottom of it.
"So, how are you taking the news with your parents?" Pansy asked suddenly, startling Hermione from her thoughts.
Hermione frowned. So, thats why they were so interested in her. Her family. She was suddenly one of the pure blood heiresses worthy of their time. It made her Gryffindor blood boil.
"Well, it's been difficult." Hermione said politely, regretting she'd accepted Blaise's invitation.
"I suspect it would be." Pansy said airily. "Discovering how wealthy and powerful your family is most have been a shocker. Especially since you and Draco are expected to be the best of friends now."
Hermione was confused. "What?"
Pansy raised a brow. "Surely your parents told you?" She looked over at Blaise worriedly.
"Tell me what?"
"Well, your mother and Draco's dear Auntie are practically sisters...and anytime there's that close of family connection the children are always expected to be friends. Take Draco and Blaise for an example. Their parents are good friends, resulting in the two being forced upon each other to be best friends. Much like Daphne and I."
"And Crabbe and Goyle."
"Oh, I guess you could say I was kind of forced upon you and Draco too, huh?" Pansy laughed.
"Well, what we're trying to say is you'll be expected to visit during the holidays..."
"Parties..."
"Summer..."
"..balls.."
"And stuff like that."
"So, you'll be spending alot of time with us."
"We figured nows the time if any to get to know our new little pure blood princess."
Hermione did not like this one bit. How dare they assume she'd be pulled along into such superficial things just because her parents were wealthy!
She hadn't even decided if she were ever going to forgive them for lying to her all these years. And her mother couldn't be friends with such a horrid being who killed Sirius...no, never.
They were stereotyping her to be like them. They expected she'd join them! The Dark Side! Have they no idea who she was? Hermione was deeply offended.
She should have expected such creatures would only want her so they'd look better to the Dark Lord.
Her eyes turned icy cold as a million dreadful thoughts ran through her head. She didn't enjoy being used...
"I'm sorry, but I do not intend to be at any of these events you speak of or become acquainted with any of you. As for my mother, there's no way she'd ever be friends with such a horrible per-"
Draco stood, towering over Hermione. "Get out. How dare you speak of my family and friends in such ways. They only assumed you'd be joining your family for the things they were expected to do and thought you'd like to actually have some friends. It's only natural a daughter attends with her parents, but apparently you don't appreciate the life they've given you enough to grant them that. How can you even call yourself a Gryffindor? You toss your parents so easily aside only thinking of yourself. You never once stopped to consider their feelings did you?" Hermione's face was pale white as she stood shakily, her honey eyes on Draco's fury filled silver ones.
It's like he was in her mind. Like he knew everything... Hermione was scared out of her wits.
"I-"
"Oh, and don't even think of insulting anyone from my family again." He smirked. "You'll soon be part of it."
Hermione's eyes widened in confusion. What did he mean by that?
"Now leave." Draco hissed. Hermione's shaky legs took a step back, and before she knew it she was running back to her own compartment, tears falling freely from her eyes.
Draco's heart clenched.
Pansy smacked Draco's head.
"What was that for you wench?" He gasped, his hand flying to his head to comfort it.
"That was for being a total git!" She ground out. "She's really confused right now, and she doesn't need you poking about in her head confusing her even more."
"How did you know I was in her head?"
"That particular spell your Aunt used on you two, it's easy to find out about. Increases occlumency." Pansy said quietly. "When close enough and if done properly, you can read your fiance's mind. But only when in a high emotional state. It was done so one could avoid upsetting until marriage.."
Draco nodded. "It's like she was screaming at me in my own head. She was thinking the worst of us. And Bellatrix, the one witch who deeply cares for her, though she may not know it..."
"You can't expect her to be fine with this. She's a goody-two-shoes. It's going to take some time to adjust..."
"And we weren't always the best of friends to her either." Blaise added, stealing a piece of chocolate from Draco.
"Still, she shouldn't be so narrow-minded." Draco snapped at them. He sat back down and crossed his arms.
"Draco, sometimes you can be a total prat!" Pansy said, hands on her hips. "Wouldn't you be a little disoriented if your mum and dad were mudbloods?"
"No, cause that's not even possible."
Pansy shot him a glare, before turning and marching out in search for Hermione. She loved Draco to death but sometimes she just wanted to let loose a million bludgers on him.
She was serious, too.
The crowded train stared at her. She mumbled angrily to herself.
Stupid gaping first years. Don't know to move out of her way...
When she finally found the golden trio's compartment she pulled it open and found the sulking Hermione being patted on the back by Ron.
"Err- Hermione, listen..." Her eyes flew to Ron's and her lips stopped.
"What do you want, Pansy?" Harry asked, glaring at her through his glasses. Pansy frowned at him. "I just wanted to apologize for Draco's behavior. He's a very sensitive guy and...yeah."
Hermione sniffled. "He was right though. I should have been more accepting! They did raise me with lots of love and, and, and..."
Pansy smiled sadly at the witch. "It's okay. You're confused. No one should hold it against you. Draco's just a git." Harry and Ron gaped.
"T-thanks, Pansy." Hermione said quietly. "I shouldn't have assumed you were trying to convert me to-"
Pansy chuckled. "Oh, Hermione, you were spot on." She winked. "We are trying to convert you." With that, she blew them a kiss and stalked off.
Hermione couldn't help but giggle.
"H-harry?" Ron asked his friend hesitantly.
"Yeah, Ron?"
"Pansy's kinda hot... in like a scary kind of way..."
END
Well? Likey likey? clicky clicky? haha! :P i got this chapter out in half a day, and I'm so proud. I know everyones kinda mad cuz of no real progress with the two and they've been on the train for two chapters...but i just want to get both pov's until they develop a relationship.
and where's bella, you ask? well she'll be coming up in a bit and you all should suspect some dramione in the next chappie haha. I think Drakey really got to mione, dont you? hehehe
Well, review please.
Gotta run now, ciao! :P
Review, pwease!