Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, but he owns me :-)
Chapter 5 – Red, Red Wine
Percy remained quiet for much of dinner, seeing as Pansy, who sat to his right, talked enough for the both of them. Although she was doing an incredible job of keeping everyone thoroughly entertained, there was something about her manner that made him think her giddy rambling was due in part to nerves. Perhaps she was trying to compensate for his silence.
As he glanced around the table at the other guests, Percy realized no one else seemed aware of this anxious habit. If they were, they disregarded it in favour of enjoying her captivating narrative. Grasping the opportunity to partake in his favourite pastime, Percy covertly studied each guest, analyzing what he observed of them as they sat unaware.
First came their hostess. Ms. Millicent Bulstrode ruled at the head of the table. She was a formidable presence with very little of the feminine about her. She seemed quite matter of fact and practical, giving no indication of possessing even an ounce of romance within her. In his own mind, Percy acknowledged that this was the kind of woman he could see himself marrying – a partner driven like him to succeed in life. If he remained on good terms with Ms. Parkinson and this group after all was said and done, he might consider courting her if she were inclined to receive him favourably.
On her right sat Blaise Zabini. Now there was a man that Percy could really learn to hate. Mr. Zabini was quite obviously trying to get into Ms. Bulstrode's good graces, and his purpose for doing so was also just as apparent. He was looking for the financial windfall that would come from marrying the young woman. This was not the reason Percy was beginning to loath the man so thoroughly though. Mr. Zabini had been eyeing him nervously all night just as Percy had been glaring daggers at him for the same amount of time. Early on in the evening, both men wordlessly came to the understanding that another woman not present that evening figured prominently in their current discord; one who both men adored for very different reasons.
Shifting his eyes over, Percy briefly considered the woman sitting across from him. Daphne Greengrass was gorgeous, blond, and completely devoid of any compassion that might actually distinguish her as a human being. She wasn't exactly vapid. Rather she was callously unwilling to recognize other people's needs beyond her own.
Moving his gaze to the left once again, the person sitting at the other end of the table wasn't much better. His dislike for this particular man rivaled all others. Percy didn't even need to go into any great detail analyzing him. Whether it pertained to business, personal, or social matters, the man was a git through and through. And the current gleam of affection, amusement, and adoration sparking in his eyes as he focused on one Ms. Pansy Parkinson was causing an odd kind of twisting in Percy's gut. There was nothing sinister about Draco's expression – he clearly cared for the young lady. The look just seemed entirely out of place on Malfoy, giving Percy the unwarranted, inexplicable desire to wipe it clear off the man's face.
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As the evening wore on, Pansy had taken to playing idly with Percy's right hand throughout dessert. At first, she had purposely meant it to be all for show. She'd made a big display of holding his hand and fussing over him.
Gradually though, she'd grown quiet, abandoning her talkativeness from dinner and becoming entranced by the smoothness of the skin over his knuckles juxtaposed to the strength she could feel working just beneath the surface. The graceful, mindless play of his long, nimble fingers was an enticing distraction for her.
Oddly enough, Percy had only been slightly startled by her initial touching, but quickly grew accustomed to the sensation of her small, delicate hands exploring his. He easily fell back into the conversation with little thought to what she was doing.
It was the voice of a very disgruntled Draco that brought them both out of their absentminded state.
"Sweet Merlin Pansy, leave the poor man alone. You must be driving him absolutely batty with your constant fiddling and prodding."
Pansy instantly stilled and glared at her long time conquest. She'd always been far too doting with her suitors. It had been a major bone of contention with Draco in particular. Feeling self-conscious, she began to ebb herself back into her chair when Percy turned his hand palm up, and clasped her hands fiercely to stay her departure.
"Quite the opposite I assure you, Mr. Malfoy. Unlike some people, I rather enjoy Ms. Parkinson's attentions."
Averting her eyes down and toward Percy, a subtle smile teased at Pansy's lips and a light blush suffused her cheeks. He was far too good at this she mused. She'd seriously have to consider sorting out some kind of bonus system for him when he went above and beyond what was called for.
Draco's gaze became frigid as the full weight of Percy's statement bore into him.
"Give it time, Mr. Weasley. She's beautiful to be sure but her very annoying habits will become glaringly obvious to you soon enough. Talk to me then of her "oh so" wonderful attentions." He sneered before snickering maliciously.
Percy was utterly gobsmacked by Malfoy's unreserved public cruelty toward his future wife. Was the man so desperate to scare off a potential rival that he'd debase her in front of everyone?
He gave a sideways glance to Pansy to find her chin had lowered considerably, and her chest rising and falling with a little more force than normal.
"I highly doubt that, Mr. Malfoy." He uttered quietly, still regarding Pansy. Shifting his eyes back to the man seated to his left, he took a deep breath before daring to answer. "I believe I have been intimate with Ms. Parkinson long enough to be aware of her strengths and weaknesses, thank you very much."
Everyone's eyes snapped to him wide with shock. Pansy instantly covered her mouth and began to giggle uncontrollably. That was it. She would consider Mr. Percy Weasley among her friends from that day on. He was far too entertaining for his own good. He simply did not understand how vicious Slytherin's could be with one another, and his Gryffindor nature apparently wouldn't allow her to stand slighted. He truly was adorable.
Draco mistook Pansy's laughing fit as being evidence in support of Percy's claim, and his mouth dropped open giving him the incredible likeness of a fish.
"Well, isn't that… too much information for me to take in on a full stomach?" Millicent announced plainly.
Everyone began to titter until finally the table burst into hysterics. Draco scowled darkly, refusing to join in with the merriment.
As the laughter waned, Millicent piped up again. "You are quite the gentleman, Mr. Weasley, standing up for our little Pansy like that. What a lucky girl. Not only do you come bearing gifts but you also defend your lady's honour from nasty prat's like our dear, sweet Draco. Did you all know that Mr. Weasley provided the wine for dinner tonight?"
"Wasn't that a DeNeuve Vintage?" Blaise asked unable to conceal his disbelief.
"It was. 1934 I believe." Millie puffed up proudly.
"Are you sure we should be drinking it then if he provided it? It might be poisoned or something." Came Draco's snarky reply.
The light mood instantly vanished as everyone felt the chill invade the air.
Percy glowered darkly at the other man. "No, Mr. Malfoy." He finally gritted out. "Weasley's don't poison people with wine. As you know, they get poisoned."
"What are you implying, Weasley?" Draco growled, shocked by Percy's audacity to bring up such a subject.
"I am implying nothing, Malfoy. I simply do not appreciate being accused of something so loathsome. I'm certain you of all people can understand that feeling."
Both men stared at each other in unwavering hatred.
"Isn't that a very expensive vintage?" Daphne finally asked nervously, trying to break the tense silence. "How ever did you afford it?"
"Daphne!" Millicent reprimanded.
"What? He works for the Ministry, and he's a Weasley. No offense." She offered almost as an afterthought.
Percy seriously had to purse his lips together to stop from saying something entirely too rude for polite company. "I am not without resources, Ms. Greengrass." He finally managed. "The Ministry pays more than one might think, and I have invested quite well under my brother Bill's guidance. And to be honest, before I met Ms. Parkinson, I hadn't had much desire to spend."
That wasn't a complete lie. He'd been painfully single for longer than he cared to remember. Everything about what he'd said was the truth just reflected in a better light, save for the bit about the cheap tossers he worked for.
Daphne's eyes brightened considerably at the prospect of a new man with money.
"Mr. Weasley," she simpered, offering him a coy smile, "please call me Daphne. There's no need to be so formal."
Pansy's eyes flashed dangerously at the other woman's blatant attempt at flirtation. Could the little bint not see that he was spoken for? 'Conniving little bitch is just looking for a rich husband.' She seethed inwardly.
Percy flushed slightly, and began to stammer. "Um… of… of course... Daphne." He sounded out her name uncertainly.
"Percy," she very nearly purred as his name slipped past her lips, "I hear you have five brothers. I find it hard to believe they could all be as dashing, successful, and eligible as you."
"Well," Percy squeaked then cleared his throat awkwardly. "Well, each one is quite successful in his own right I'd say, but Fred and Bill are married. And as you probably are aware, Ron is marrying Hermione Granger in a little over three months. Charlie is in China at the moment, and I believe he met someone there. That would just leave George, and myself of course."
"George? Isn't he one of the twins that own that extremely successful novelty company? Wheezing Weasleys, or something like that? Oooh, I simply adore twins… but not as much as a man in Ministry robes mind you." She leered at him suggestively.
Percy looked down, and quirked a shy smile. "I hardly think Ministry robes are very flattering, Daphne."
"Then perhaps it's merely the idea of you in Ministry robes that I find so appealing."
At that, Pansy tore her hands from his, and folded her arms crossly over her chest. Slightly shocked by the clear pout forming on her full bottom lip, Percy knew he'd done something wrong but was not sure of what exactly.
Recognizing Pansy's rapidly darkening countenance as the harbinger of a nasty storm, Millie interjected. "Careful there, Queenie. You know full well Pansy doesn't like to share."
"I was simply being friendly." Daphne protested.
"Of course you were, love. The best way you know how." Blaise piped in, trying desperately to hold in his laughter as the others began to snicker.
"Well, it's not fair." Daphne railed, put out. "Why does she get to have two men doting on her, and I can't even have one. Just selfish I tell you."
"She doesn't have two, Queenie." Draco managed through his own barely controlled laughter. "It doesn't appear she has any thanks to you."
Pansy shot up quickly and left the dining room in a huff. Everyone sat stunned by her unexpected departure. After only a moment though, the entire table erupted in laughter.
Glancing around sullenly, Percy steeled himself and then stood up slowly. "Excuse me." He mumbled.
As he made his way to the door, Draco's voice stayed his progress. "Let me know how you find her 'wonderful attentions' mate."
Without turning to acknowledge the git, Percy clenched his fists and made his way out of the room to find Pansy.
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Percy barreled into the study determined to deal with an insolent child, and was met with the image of a woman whose passion could rival that of a Valkyrie. Her magic was crackling with fury as she stared fixedly into the fire, its warm glow only serving to enhance how unearthly and ethereal she was in her seething rage. She was remarkable and powerful and terrifying and exquisite. It took Percy a few moments to convince himself that he was in fact physically larger than she was by a fair margin.
When he felt he was finally ready to be on the receiving end of the ire firing in her eyes, Percy cleared his throat lightly, and clasped his hands behind his back.
Pansy shot him a withering glare, and snarled. "I was wondering how long you were going to stand there staring at me." She then whirled around, and stormed over to the liquor cabinet to pour a drink.
Percy instantly felt as if he were back in first year, being reprimanded by Snape for doing something or other. He had to be careful not to snivel. The head potions master always did have the knack for turning him into a groveling mess. And so did this woman it would seem.
"I thought all things considered the evening was going quite well. Your friends seem to be accepting me, much to my surprise. Did I do or say something to offend you, Ms. Parkinson?"
She reeled around, and he knew from her scathing expression that he was in for an earful. "Ms. Parkinson!" She barked out, growing angrier by the second. "Ms. Parkinson? That's your bloody problem right there. You were completely happy and willing to call that little bitch by her given name. But me? I'm Ms. Parkinson… Bloody hell, you're supposed to be in love with me. You're supposed to dote on me. I feel like my bloody mother every time you call me that. My name is Pansy… Pansy… Say it… Pansy!"
"Pansy." He mumbled, mortified.
"What? Sorry, couldn't hear you. What was that?"
"Pansy." He offered, a little more forcefully.
She turned back to try and pour herself a drink, but her trembling hands made it near to impossible. She slammed them down on the wood surface in frustration then took a deep breath to calm herself.
Without looking at him, she began in an alarmingly quiet voice. "Let's try this. Let's pretend that I'm a woman you actually care about… choose someone from your past… I don't care who… and you've done something to hurt me."
Throughout her tirade and her final suggestion at role-playing, Percy felt himself growing increasingly uncomfortable. It had never been more apparent to him that women just weren't his strong suit.
"The thing is, Ms. Par… Pansy, I'm not very… I haven't been… I've never really gotten past the point of being nervous with a potential love interest." He rambled. "I'm sure you've already noticed that I'm not very suave when it comes to these things. I wouldn't even know where to…"
"Alright, alright." She waved her arms quickly to stop him. Turning around, she regarded him coolly. "Try this. Pretend I'm like family… like your sister. Pretend I'm the most important person in your world, and talking to me comes naturally. Can you do that?"
"I think so," he offered cautiously. "But you could never be my sister, and…"
"Why not?" She prodded, becoming incensed again.
As his eyes traced the lines of her delicate features framed by her rich, dark hair, he felt his heart begin to hammer wildly in his chest. "Well, you're… you're very… I find you… Never mind."
Clenching her jaw, she turned her back to him quickly, and gritted out. "Fine. Now, as I said before, you hurt my feelings. What would you say or do to make me feel better? Whatever it is, don't tell me. Just… just do it."
Percy took a shaky breath, and stepped toward her. Worrying his hands in front of him, he had absolutely no idea where to start. He took another awkward, measured step bringing him directly behind her.
"It was never my intention to…" As he spoke, he reached up and tentatively placed his hands on her arms, but felt her go rigid under his palms.
'No. Stop being so formal and stiff with her.' he counseled himself before continuing in a much softer voice. "I never meant to hurt you. You… you're everything to me."
"Use my name." She uttered, coaxing him on.
"Pansy…" He sounded it out slowly, savouring the feel of it on his lips.
As he stepped in closer to her and pressed his left cheek to her right temple, she felt her senses swell and spin. Completely overwhelmed by his close proximity, she sank back against his chest in wanton pursuit of more physical contact. The energy was so potent, and he was so earnest, so genuine, so… real. Either he was an incredible actor, or…
'No "or"' she told herself. He was simply doing what she had asked of him. It was her response to him that should be of concern.
"Pansy," he whispered reverently. "I'm sorry. You've no idea how much. If I could take it back… if I could erase it, I would. You know I love…"
Suddenly, a loud burst of laughter and a gaggle of rambunctious voices at the archway shattered the quiet of the room, sending him away from her and leaving her heart to pound feverishly in her breast.
A/N: So sorry for the delay. I've been trying to post this for three days now, but some screwy things have been happening on this site.