Pansy smiled at Granger, that little coquettish smile that she liked to give to people she didn't remotely like. Daphne simply leaned forward, her eyes predatory at the slightly nervous (but, deliciously, trying to hide it - and utterly failing) Gryffindor girl. Blaise simply leaned back and laughed, saying, "Sit down, you. Quit acting like we're the enemy."
Pansy smiled meanly, adding on, "School's out, you know?" She paused for a second, looking thoughtful, "Unless you're such a swot that you didn't notice?"
The comment surprised a snort of amusement out of Daphne, who responded, "Half the booth's free, unless that's too small for your ego."
Blaise purred, "With Malfoy there too, it's quite a snug fit."
With a bit of a huff, Hermione Granger sat down, and Draco Malfoy followed. "Have you ordered yet?" Draco asked smoothly.
Blaise said, "No." He eyed Hermione up and down, lasciviously. "When you bring a dish like her, I'm glad I waited."
Draco looked at Blaise coldly, saying, "Blaise, stop trying to pick up my date. It's gauche and plebeian." Hermione giggled at what he had said - Hells Bells, he hadn't been aware the wench knew how to giggle!
Draco said to Pansy, "Draw the blinds, I don't want strays coming over to look for scraps."
Daphne said, crossly, "I'll have you know I'm no scrap!"
Draco responded, "Of course you aren't, my dear, I was talking about Blaise."
Pansy heard the door open, on the other side of the restaurant, as she deliberately didn't look over at it. Pinning her ears, she held her breath as Blaise started asking Hermione Granger what fascinating things she'd done since graduation. That was perfectly boring. Pansy hated boring.
However, she heard the scrape of the curtain beside them being pulled shut, and smiled suddenly. "Hermione, I've been meaning to apologize to you..."
Hermione Granger, wisely, looked at Pansy like a deer in the headlights, blinking big brown, trusting eyes.
"I was an absolute bitch at school to you, and it was completely uncalled for!" Pansy said, smiling conspiratorally, "Would you believe I was the least bit jealous?"
"I'd sooner believe that your father threatened you into being a bitch." Hermione said, knocking back her water as if it was a shot of liquor.
Daphne giggled, and said, "No, they bred that into us. If you weren't quick enough, or mean enough, that's the belt for you!" Her voice had dropped on the last bit, and giving every clue that she was referencing Someone In Particular.
Pansy sighed, rolled her eyes, and said, "Nobody actually got the belt. That was years ago, back in my grandmum's day." Pansy straightened, looking Hermione Granger straight in the eyes, "I propose we start over, as if nothing stupid like Houses or anything got in the way. Blank Slate."
Hermione eyed her, sighed, and said, "I suppose that might work..." It sounded like her mind was already putting together ideas, and discarding them all at once.
Smiling warmly, Pansy held out her hand to be shook, and said, "Hi! I'm Pansy Parkinson. Will you be my friend?"
[a/n: Blaise was originally going to spend more time flirting with Granger. He can't resist baiting the bear.
Draco's friends ate the chapter, but I do assure you, Harry has Entered the Building.]
