Disclaimer: Anything you recognize I do not own.
In regards to my author's note: at this point I think I have fixed the error entirely. I replaced chapters 2, 3, and 4: so hopefully there is no more confusion. Thank you for your understanding, reviews, alerts, favorites, etc.
Monday July 2, 2007
The rest of June passed by quickly. No one had heard from Pansy or Blaise since they travelled to Greece weeks ago and both Harold and Draco were starting to get worried. The court date had officially been set for the beginning of August and Astoria and her fancy Spanish lawyer were already working on improving the public opinion of Astoria.
Just last week Astoria had been 'spotted' volunteering at a children's hospital. To those at the office it was obviously staged, but the general public was a lot easier to convince. However, Draco found that he couldn't be too concerned about Astoria's exploits in trying to look like a good person. He was, after all, married and having a baby with Hermione Granger.
By now it was obvious to everyone with the ability to see that Hermione was pregnant. At seven months, her belly proudly stuck out announcing to the world that she carried the first half blooded Malfoy.
Just this past weekend, Draco had taken Hermione and the kids out for a public appearance of their own. After taking the kids to the park, the family made their way to Diagon Alley for a very public enjoyment of ice cream. And sure enough, it was the featured headline of the paper today.
"I mean, really, isn't there anything else more important than what we do as a family?" Hermione asked disgustedly as she tossed the Daily Prophet back onto Draco's desk from her position in Draco's lap.
Draco smiled and shook his head as he rested his chin on the top of Hermione's curly hair and wrapped his hands around her belly. How he loved their lunch breaks now that their relationship had changed for the better. There was nothing better than snuggling up and talking in his office as they ate sandwiches.
"You know that this paper is mostly trash, Hermione. There really is nothing more interesting for them to report about. I guess we can be partially thankful for that in a sense."
"True, at least there isn't any war to report on."
"In the mean time—"
"Oh, Draco! I'm back!" Blaise sang as he barged into Draco's office with Pansy trailing behind.
"We're back!" Pansy corrected with an elbow into Blaise's side. He grunted and sent Pansy a scowl, but said nothing as he watched the couple behind the desk.
"I see you two finally came to your senses and moved things along." Blaise grinned.
"Yes, we did. However, I am much more interested in what the two of you learned while you were in Greece." Draco retorted as Blaise and Pansy sat themselves down in the two chairs on the opposite side of his desk.
The two of them shared a knowing look before turning back to Draco with smiles on their faces, "It was an interesting trip; that's for sure." Pansy said secretively.
"Well, we're all ears here." Hermione interjected.
"All ears?" Blaise laughed. "What the bloody hell?"
"It's a muggle thing, Blaise. Now shut up and tell us what you learned!" Draco yelled.
"Well, it all began on the day we arrived." Pansy said dreamily.
"Obviously it began on the day you arrived, Parkinson." Draco rolled his eyes.
Pansy shot him a scowl, "Do you want to know or not?"
"Go on, go on."
"What bloody coordinates did you give the Port Key office, Blaise?!" Pansy shrieked as she looked down at the sheep excrement her brand new, shiny, red pumps were now coated in.
Blaise stifled a laugh and looked around their surroundings. They were definitely not in the city like they were supposed to be: someone had messed up and he doubted that it was himself. He had given the correct coordinates before when he and Harold had made a trip and they had not ended up in some field full of sheep.
"I gave them the correct coordinates, Pansy. I'm not an idiot."
"That's debatable." Pansy mumbled as she pulled her wand from her robe pocket. "Come on, I'll apparate us out of here; I know exactly where I want to be right now."
"Not so fast, Parkinson. I can apparate us out of here just as easily as you can."
"Where to? Another sheep field?"
"Ha ha. Aren't we going our separate ways anyway? I've got a hotel reservation to make and you have Kostos' sympathy to work. I assume you know how to get there."
"I do."
"Good, well then, I'll leave you to it. I expect you to report back to me in a few days. I'll be staying at the Olive Pit."
With that said, he apparated away leaving Pansy standing there fuming, sheep shit still on her shoes.
Xxx
It was easy enough to locate the Olive Pit, and even easier to find Zabini at the pool surrounded by a gaggle of Greek women. Rolling her eyes and steeling herself for a confrontation, Pansy approached the lounger the dark man was stretched out on.
"Ahem."
Blaise and the three girls looked up at the intruder. The girls looked embarrassed, whereas Blaise only smirked before murmuring something in Greek that sent the girls rushing away, giggling to one another.
"You are disgusting." Pansy sneered. "I thought you had a girlfriend."
"Not anymore. I'm a free agent and those nice ladies wanted to bring me food and drink in return for the pleasure of my company." Blaise grinned.
"What happened with your girlfriend?"
Blaise sighed, his good mood shattered, "She decided to become promiscuous while still attached to me. Now what exactly are you here for? I hope you have news to share?"
Pansy nodded and took a seat on the lounger next to his, "Indeed, I do."
"I take it Stavros took you in?"
"Yes, Kostos played right into my hand. In fact, he spent the first night crying on my shoulder about Hans. I conjured up some tears of my own, even though I'm relieved to be free of the bastard."
"I heard rumors he was abusive, was that true?" Blaise asked seriously.
Pansy shrugged his question off and returned to the topic she had come to discuss, "Anyway, I haven't been able to learn much. There definitely has been a woman's touch in his house and I would recognize Astoria's gaudy taste anywhere. There is also a little boy's room all done up and a nursery, neither of them used, but waiting. It's really quite creepy."
"Do you think Kostos has any idea of the fact that Astoria does not have custody?" Blaise asked curiously.
"I don't know. He has been away most of the week on business and I've only been able to snoop around the house. He's back this week and I plan on getting him drunk and seeing what I can get out of him. He was always quite talkative with a few drinks in him, if I remember correctly."
"Just be careful, Pansy."
"I know what I'm doing."
Xxx
A few days later when Pansy went to report in she found Blaise poolside again. However, this time he was alone and seemed to be working on a tan…as if he needed one. His eyes were covered with sunglasses and they must have been closed because she had to clear her throat before he seemed to realize she was there at all.
"Learn anything new?" He asked as he sat up in the lounger and pulled off his shades.
Pansy nodded, "I got him drunk last night. However, he wasn't as talkative as I remember, but at least I confirmed that his lady is Astoria. Sadly, that was all I was able to learn besides that Astoria is in town tonight and he's taking her to dinner at eight."
"Where?"
"That place down on the corner from here."
"We're going there as well. Go out and get yourself a fancy dress and a glamour charm to mask yourself, Parkinson."
"Are you joking?"
"Nope. I'll disguise myself as well. Meet me here at eight and we'll go."
When eight rolled around Pansy was waiting in the lobby of Blaise's hotel wondering how the bloody hell he was going to recognize her with this glamour charm. Though she loved her shiny black hair, she decided tonight was her chance to find out what the big appeal of being a blonde was. And as she usually wore her hair pin straight, she decided to throw in some voluptuous curls to really throw people off the scent. Besides her hair, she didn't change too much of her appearance. Her brown eyes paired well with the blonde hair and besides wearing more makeup than normal, she was still the same old Pansy. However, a look in the mirror confirmed just how different she must look to everyone else.
Pansy was also worried she wouldn't be able to identify Blaise in his glamour, but when the tall, olive skinned man strutted out of the lift, she knew immediately that it was Blaise. His skin and hair may have been lighter, but there was no mistaking the strut and grin on the man.
And judging from the size of his grin he recognized Pansy immediately as well.
"Blonde looks good on you." He smirked. "You need a code name and tonight you look like a Daisy to me."
Pansy quirked a brow, "Do I get to give you a code name?"
"Sure."
"You look particularly Greek tonight, so I think I shall call you, Alkandros."
"What the bloody hell? Where did you get that?"
"Never mind where I got it, Alkandros, let's go to dinner now."
After paying off the hostess, the two of them d secured a table within sight and sound of Kostos and Astoria. There was no mistaking the couple as they laughed loudly, drank heartily, and kissed passionately without a thought for those that may be watching them. However, most of what they talked about did not prove useful to Blaise and Pansy.
"Well, it's been an hour and all we know is that Astoria bought new lingerie they are going to use tonight in a variety of ways." Pansy sighed before taking another sip of her wine.
Blaise ran a hand through his hair, "Okay, so, it's probably best that you do not go back to his place tonight."
"Yeah, so I don't have to hear that all night."
Blaise chuckled, "That too, but I was thinking more about not letting Astoria see you. Kostos hasn't said anything about you to her, and I doubt he will. The man isn't about to risk a sure thing by mentioning he's been playing host to a young widow."
"Where am I supposed to go then?"
"I have a hotel room, Pa-Daisy, with a pull out bed."
"Sounds like it will be immensely comfortable for you." Pansy grinned.
Blaise scowled, "I was thinking you would sleep in it. I am a tall man, in case you haven't noticed."
"Oh, I've noticed." Pansy blurted out before finishing her wine in one huge swallow. "It's hard not to notice."
"Well, then, you can see why it makes more sense for you to take the pull out bed."
"Or we could share the bed?" Pansy suggested, and then laughed at Blaise's astonished face. "Oh, come on, Alkandros, I thought you would be the one playing that card."
"How much wine have you had?"
"The same as you: two glasses. I am fully aware of what I'm saying."
"Are you suggesting we sleep together?!"
"Yes, precisely that. Sleep together. Nothing more."
Blaise looked embarrassed, "I see."
"Do you want it to be more?" Pansy asked seriously.
"Can I be honest with you, P-Daisy?"
"Of course."
"As soon as I saw you with that blonde hair I wanted to shag you."
"What about when I'm plain old me?"
"I still want to shag you, but I'm able to control it. You with blonde hair though? It's intoxicating."
Pansy quirked a brow, "Really?"
Blaise nodded, "What about you? Do you want to shag me?"
"Yes, especially you as Alkandros."
"Then what are we doing here watching those two moon over each other when we could be doing much more productive things in my hotel room?"
Xxx
"What?! You two shagged!?" Draco screeched, causing Hermione to wince from her position on his lap.
"Yes, and if you'll let us continue you'll see that it's all part of the story." Blaise replied calmly.
Draco rolled his eyes and ran a frustrated hand through his hair, "Yes, go on."
Xxx
Pansy awoke to the feeling of pressure. A quick survey confirmed that she was snuggled up to a very naked Blaise, whose arms were holding her tight to him and one leg was thrown over her own legs. Despite being unused to the feeling, it was not an uncomfortable position for her. In fact, it was quite nice.
Even nicer when a moment later Blaise opened his eyes and smiled down into her own.
"Good morning."
"Good morning." She responded. "I can't believe we shagged."
"Multiple times." Blaise smirked. "And it was absobloodylutely amazing."
Pansy grinned, "It was. So, what now?"
"Well, you go back to Kostos' house to try to find out more information today and come back to spend the night with me. As for right now, I say we have another go."
Xxx
"Okay, do we really need these details?" Draco interrupted.
"It's all part of the story, Draco." Pansy stated. "Do you want to know what we found out or not?"
"Yes, but I don't see why we need to know every little detail of your side story."
"It'll all make sense once you let us continue."
"Fine, fine."
Xxx
Time went by rather quickly after that for Blaise and Pansy. The days were filled with finding out all they could about Kostos and his relationship with Astoria and the evenings were filled with shagging: tons of it.
Blaise was waiting for another round of shagging on his hotel bed, a bottle of wine beside him on the table when the door was thrown open and Pansy came charging in. She didn't even seem to realize Blaise was naked and waiting for her as she jumped up and down excitedly.
"Get dressed now; we have to follow Kostos and Astoria!"
Blaise raised a brow, "What's going on?"
"I think they're going to get married."
"What?!"
"Get dressed and let's go, Blaise!"
Blaise needed no more urging and jumped off the bed to begin his search for his trousers. Once he was dressed, the two of them left the hotel room and the waiting bottle of wine behind. Blaise followed Pansy closely as she navigated the streets confidently. He had no idea where they were headed, but obviously she did.
It took them a bit of walking, but when they finally caught sight of Kostos and Astoria standing in the Enchanted Gardens in the town square they both breathed a sigh of relief. They were about to get married, Blaise realized, when he saw the man in robes standing before them.
The two of them moved closer to the couple, straining to hear what was being said, and being careful not to give their presence away.
"I promise to provide you with many children: starting with my son Scorpius." Astoria stated with a smile.
"Where is Scorpius?" Kostos asked.
"With my Mother on a trip to France." Astoria lied smoothly with a radiant smile. "Let's continue, shall we?"
Blaise and Pansy exchanged a glance. It appeared that both of them were debating whether or not to break this marriage ceremony up. If they revealed themselves, they could possibly jeopardize the entire case, and if they just let the two of them get married that meant even more problems to deal with in the case.
Thinking quickly, Blaise cast his glamour charm that turned him into Alkandros and gestured that Pansy do the same. She had no idea what he was up to, but complied anyway. Once she was turned into the blonde Blaise had so loved that night a while ago, he stood up and charged up to the couple and the official.
"Excuse me!" Blaise said loudly. "It was my understanding that my fiancé and I were to be wed tonight at this very time and in this very spot!"
The official looked at Blaise and Pansy wide eyed before nervously flipping through the book in his hands. Meanwhile, Kostos and Astoria were obviously aggravated at the interruption to their wedded bliss, especially Astoria.
"I believe you are wrong, sir. My fiancé and I are set to be married here and now." Astoria snapped. "Now reschedule and leave us to our ceremony."
"Astoria, there may have been a double booking." Kostos said soothingly, and then turned to the official, "Isn't that right, sir?"
"Uh, yes." The official replied uneasily. The truth was that he had forgot the list of ceremonies to be performed and had no clue which couple was the correct couple to be married here tonight. But he wasn't about to advertise his mistake.
"In that case, the two of us can wait." Kostos said which sent Astoria into a fit of protests. "Come on now, Tori, we have plenty of time to get married. I did want your son to be here with us and now we can wait until he can."
Pansy and Blaise had to fight to hold in their grins as Astoria carefully schooled her face into one of acceptance.
"Alright, some other time." She finally agreed. "I wanted a better ceremony than this anyway."
"And you shall have it." Kostos promised.
With that said the couple walked out of the garden and disappeared into the night, leaving Pansy and Blaise standing with the official.
"Well, I guess it's your marriage I will be performing tonight." The official shrugged.
Blaise and Pansy exchanged a look. They couldn't just walk away after that little drama: especially since he was a Greek Ministry Official. And what could it hurt? They weren't themselves anyway.
Xxx
"So, that's what we learned. Kostos wants Astoria for children and Scorpius is her proof that she can have children. Our guess is that he thinks she will be a good Mother, because that is what she has led him to believe. Astoria's motives are entirely for money, but what else is new?" Blaise summed up.
Hermione and Draco were wide eyed. Not because of what they had learned about Astoria's motives, but at the last part of Blaise and Pansy's own story. It was apparent that neither one of them realized just what they had done.
"What kind of ceremony was performed?" Hermione asked curiously.
"A traditional marriage ceremony with fake names, therefore, it's null and void." Pansy replied carelessly.
"Did he perform the circle of unity?"
"The circle of unity?" Blaise asked in confusion.
"The Greeks still typically include that in standard marriage ceremonies, making them permanent. The circle of unity also has no care for the law and what names are given. It's a binding of souls."
Both Pansy and Blaise paled at Hermione's words.
Pansy inhaled sharply, "We're bonded for life?!"
"Hermione and I aren't even bonded for life!" Draco inserted with a laugh. "You two are stuck together forever!"
Hermione turned her head sharply to look Draco in the eye, "Does that mean you are glad you aren't stuck with me for the rest of your life?"
"That's not what I meant! I just meant that we were just married legally and didn't have the circle unity performed at our marriage."
"Well, we still can."
"Is that a threat?" Draco asked with an amused grin.
"Yes, it is."
"Excuse us, but we're in a crisis here and you two are flirting!" Blaise interrupted with a note of hysteria in his voice.
Hermione turned back around to face the stunned pair and smiled in a way she hoped was comforting to them. "Thank you two so much for going to Greece to find out Astoria's motives. You have done us a huge favor, and the only way we can return it is by helping you out through this realization. Especially since this happened to you while performing duties for us."
Draco nodded his head in agreement, "However, I'm afraid you two are bonded together for life. That shouldn't be too hard considering how much you two enjoyed shagging, 'eh?"
Draco was met with silence.