Disclaimer: I don't own anything Harry Potter related.
Chapter 2 – What Women Want
"How romantically involved are we talking, Ms. Parkinson?" he asked her warily.
She tried her damnedest to force down the self-satisfied smirk that was threatening to curl her lips, and instead offered him the gentlest smile she could muster. It couldn't hurt to ensnare him just a little. It would ensure that he played this game by her rules.
"Enough so that displays of affection during social occasions and events would be viewed as both appropriate and genuine."
He huffed slightly at her vague response. "Perhaps I was unclear. How romantically involved are we to appear? Am I to kiss you, or merely hold your hand so to speak?"
From any other man, Pansy would have taken these questions as an attempt at flirtation. But the cold, efficient manner of this man, and the utter distaste lacing his voice left not a doubt in her mind of his disinterest. She could hardly fathom it but he did not seem the least bit attracted to her. She thought she'd spied something appreciative in his face when he first looked at her, but perhaps she had just surprised him. She should have been happy about this development. This meant matters would not get unnecessarily complicated or messy. She should have been pleased, but she couldn't help being reminded of another particular man's apathy toward her.
"You would be required to kiss me Mr. Weasley, as well as hold my hand. An embrace or two may also be necessary." She growled at him sarcastically.
Percy merely nodded, then reached up to give the nape of his neck a gentle rub and squeeze. He placed his arm back on the desk and clenched his hands together, threading his fingers so tightly that his knuckles began to go white.
"How long do I have to consider this proposal?" he asked cautiously, mulling over the situation.
"I need your answer by this afternoon." She leveled at him in her most business like tone. "I am attending a dinner party at Millicent Bulstrode's tonight, and I would very much like to reveal our attachment in front of my friends. It would be an extremely opportune moment."
"And who exactly is going to be there?" he asked uncertainly.
"Those in attendance will be of no concern to you. You will be there simply to be with me as a show of how much you adore me."
Percy clenched his jaw tightly in an effort to control his reaction to the little tart's condescending tone.
"I do not require you to provide me with my motivation, Ms. Parkinson." He ground out. "I think it should be fairly obvious that I am there solely for you. I would never be found in the company of those who share your social circle for any other reason."
"Are you saying my friends are not good enough for you?" she railed at him clearly offended.
"No, quite the opposite." He spat out vehemently. "They have made it quite clear that I am not good enough for them."
Unflinching he glared at her, fierce spite firing within his blue eyes. For the first time, Pansy felt the sickening taste of her own past cruelty revisiting her.
After a thick silence, Percy inhaled sharply through his nose and looked back down to his work before continuing. "Now if you'll excuse me Ms. Parkinson, I have a great deal of work to finish if I am to accompany you at dinner tonight."
Pansy's eyes went wide, and she stared at him dumbfounded. Wasn't he just angry with her?
Finally finding her voice, she began to ramble. "Oh, thank you Mr. Weasley. Thank you so much… I… I promise you will be…"
"Ms. Parkinson… Pansy…" he managed to interrupt her gushing. "I believe it would be prudent to view this evening as a trial run. If all goes well, then perhaps I might consider your proposal. However, if either of us are dissatisfied with the evening's events…"
Pansy stood quickly, effectively cutting him off. "Nonsense. It will be perfect."
He considered her for a moment then gave a sharp nod, and returned to his work inwardly seething at her already apparent tendency to brush him off.
As she stared down at him expectantly, Pansy began to fume. 'Does this man not know what it means to be a gentleman?'
Feeling her eyes boring into the top of his head, an itch of annoyance crawled its way down Percy's spine, and he looked up at her in aggravation. "What now?"
"Are you going to see me out?"
"You're not serious." He gaped at her.
She simply crossed her arms over her chest, and arched a disapproving eyebrow at him in response. He stood in a huff, and moved swiftly to the door. Swinging it open in a grand gesture, Percy stood stiffly and glared at her as if to hurry her departure.
For a moment, she regarded him holding the door for her, and was caught by the picture he presented. She hadn't realized just how tall he was. He could almost be considered handsome in his own right if it weren't for his shocking red hair.
She started for the door but as she passed him, an idea took shape in her mind. Turning abruptly to face him, she stepped quite close and placed her hand on his chest.
Leaning in, she pressed her cheek against his and whispered into his ear. "Fair warning, Mr. Weasley. I will be kissing you at some point this evening."
She pulled back slightly, and brushed the ghost of a kiss to the corner of his mouth.
Completely taken aback, Percy gasped softly, flushed a deep red, and drove his eyes downward to avoid meeting her gaze.
As she made to leave, Pansy could barely conceal the happy smile gracing her lips. She still had it. She could still make a man blush. Little did she know how this need for an ego boost would be her down fall.
Percy shut the door quickly behind her. Once alone, he reached up and traced his fingers along the corner of his mouth and cheek. He could almost feel the heat of her kiss on the edge of his lips.
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Pansy sat brooding darkly on the settee in the study. Legs crossed, her right foot hung mere inches from the ground and pulsed to a soundless, menacing beat. Beside her, she could feel Millie eyeing her nervously, but it made little difference to her mood.
Where was he? It was now a quarter past seven, everyone else was there, and the evening had already progressed well into pre dinner drinks. He was late. No, he was more than late. He was a complete no show. It was unconscionable of him to leave her sitting here making an utter fool of herself. Granted no one was aware yet of her latest supposed attachment, but she could just feel everyone's cruel gazes cutting into her, especially Draco's.
Suddenly, a loud bell rang signaling a new arrival. Pansy instantly jumped up like an excited schoolgirl, drawing the attention of the entire room.
"Are you quite all right, dear?" Millicent asked quietly as she stood, concerned for her friend's odd, giddy behaviour.
"Yes, yes... Wonderful. That should be him."
"Him?"
"My special guest. You remember I asked if I could bring someone?"
"Oh, right." Millicent smirked at her knowingly, and offered a playful wink. "Perhaps as the hostess I should greet the mystery man personally."
"Millie!" Pansy whined.
"Well, since you won't tell me who he is, I want to get an eyeful of the bloke who has you jumping like a jackrabbit."
With that, the formidable woman made to leave, and Pansy could only straggle along behind.
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Percy stood on the dark steps staring up at the Bulstrode mansion's massive black doors, the sound of the loud bell still ringing in his ears. He couldn't recall ever being this anxious over a dinner party before. He tried to tell himself that his nerves could be frayed for any number of reasons.
For one, going to dinner at the Bulstrode mansion was certainly considered a terrifying honour by some. There was also the fact that he had no idea with whom he was going to be sharing his evening. In all likelihood, he'd be the sole Gryffindor sitting in a Slytherin den for much of the night.
In truth, he knew exactly why his heart was currently racing. After being teased by the slight brush of her lips against the corner of his mouth this morning, the prospect of actually being kissed fully by Ms. Parkinson had his head in a spin. But this was a reality he was not yet prepared to acknowledge out loud.
Without warning, the heavy door opened to reveal a very unimpressed servant. "May I help you?"
"I'm here for dinner?" Percy uttered, sounding more like a question than anything else.
The man slowly looked him up and down before replying. "Of course you are."
"Who is at the door, Lyle?" Came a woman's voice.
"I believe it to be a Mr. Weasley, Mistress."
The door flew open to reveal an equally unimpressed Millicent Bulstrode.
"Mr. Percy Weasley." She sneered slightly in amused disgust. "And to what do I owe the pleasure? I don't believe I have any outstanding business with the Ministry."
"He has informed me, Mistress, that he is here for dinner." The servant provided snottily.
"Really? I think you may have the wrong house, Weasley. Diagon Alley is that way." She drawled at him arrogantly as she gestured out and to the left.
Percy had slowly but surely begun to flush red at the insulting conversation playing out before him. This whole evening was a terrible idea.
"I'm afraid not." He answered quietly, and offered her the bottle of wine clutched in his right hand.
Brusquely, she grabbed for the proffered gift and eyed the label.
"DeNeuve, Vintage 1934. Well, Mr. Weasley," she uttered softly, pleasantly surprised by the incredibly valuable offering. "I certainly can't turn a gentleman away bearing such a thoughtful token. And what brings you by?" Millicent graciously stepped aside to allow him entrance.
In a flash, her tone and manner had altered so completely from when he had first arrived that Percy barely recognized her as the same woman.
"Well, I'm here for…" Percy began to answer as he stepped forward when a small blur rushed at him.
"Percy! Darling!" Pansy squealed.
Quite suddenly, slender arms encircled his neck then soft, full lips captured his mouth in a searing kiss. His hands instinctively went around her waist.
Percy found himself completely engulfed in a full on snog. He knew if he didn't pull away soon, the fog threatening his brain would take over completely. But finding the will to cut short such a numbingly wonderful sensation was another matter entirely. Then Pansy did the unthinkable. She opened her mouth and deepened the kiss and at that, Percy was lost.
For her own part, Millicent stared on utterly gobsmacked. Before her stood her best friend happily snogging a rather captivated Weasley. The two not only seemed content to be in each other's arms, but blissfully ignorant of the show they were putting on. The sight was beyond surreal.
A/N: I'll be posting more soon. As I said before, this idea just won't leave me alone (much like one of my other stories... lol)
stoneofpurity: Thank you :-)
IHeartMCR: lol... You always make me giggle, but you already know that. Yes, this is an odd couple, but there going to be quite a bit of fun :-)
MissAnthrope: Be warned. There be PercyxPansy ahead... lol...
Nicky: Oh, thank you :-) There actually going to be a few chapters.
Avanell: The girl I love. Loyal to a fault :-) Can't wait for your CVO update...