Chapter Five: Dates Upon Dates
~~~Pansy~~~
After the book signing, Pansy stood up. How could Draco and Astoria betray her like that? They better not have said anything to Harry about Emily. She ran a hand through her hair and sighed. Fucking Malfoy's, all they did was screw you over. At least, that was how Pansy was feeling right at the moment. She could really use a stiff one. A drink that is. "Well Scarlett, this book signing was a success. Nearly all of your books have been sold," Edgar said, making her turn to face him.
"It makes me happy when I see my books being bought. I honestly never imagined myself doing this when I was in school," Pansy said, looking up at his eyes again. The man had impossibly beautiful eyes.
"What did you see yourself as back then?" he asked, as they walked out of the store.
"A model maybe, I guess I just decided that being a writer was more fulfilling though. Also, I didn't have the right look," she said, smiling at him.
"I think you do, but personally..I prefer the smart ones," he said, smiling again. "Would you like to go out with me tonight, Scarlett?" he asked, making her stop.
"I'd love to Edgar but, there's something you have to know…I have a daughter," Pansy said, staring up at those smooth bronze eyes.
"I don't see a problem with that. So you have a daughter, I have a son. I see no problem at all, do you?" he said, smiling brighter.
"Alright then, tonight it is," Pansy said, biting her lip playfully.
"Would you like a ride home?" he asked, as they stopped in front of a very expensive car.
"Um…sure. I'd like that. Thank you Edgar," Pansy said, as he opened the passenger door for her. Pansy stepped in and he closed the door softly. She watched him as he walked around the front of the car and then, settled into the Driver's seat. He started the car and they drove in a companionable silence. Pansy contemplated telling Edgar her birth name but then she decided that Scarlett Parker was much more seductive. Not that she wanted to seduce the handsome older gentleman.
"So, this is where you live, it's beautiful," he said, as he parked by the side of the wrought iron gate. Pansy smiled as Edgar got out of the car and walked over to her side of the car and opened the door for her. She looked up at him and took the hand he offered, helping her out of the car. She was starting not to mind Muggle cars so much anymore.
"Thank you and yes. This is where we moved to, it's a friend's property and he is letting me live here," Pansy said, as he walked with her past the gates.
"Oh? Are you romantically involved with this friend?" he asked, carefully.
"Oh no, not at all. He is someone I've known since my nappy days, we are strictly best friends. Besides, he is married to another good friend of mine," she said, to him seriously. Maybe she'd held a soft spot for him long ago but, ever since that one night, Harry was the only person she'd held it for.
"Ah well, glad to hear it, who is your friend by the way, if you don't mind my asking?" he asked, as they stopped at the front door. Pansy looked up and smiled.
"His name is Draco Malfoy," she said, watching his face go into complete shock. Thanks to Draco, Malfoy was the name every Muggle knew as one of the greatest lawyers and businessman in all of Europe.
"As in the Draco Malfoy? The Lawyer/Business Genius Draco Malfoy?" he asked.
"Yes, that Draco Malfoy. He and his wife offered me their small country home in order to bribe me into coming to live here," she said, smiling at the expression on his perfect face.
"Ah well, I shall have to thank Mr. Malfoy sometime at one of our benefits, he is in fact one of our most generous contributors. So, I shall pick you up at eight o' clock?" he asked, taking her hand in his.
"Eight it is," she said, biting her lip softly as he bent slightly to press a kiss to her hand.
"Eight it is," he said, smiling a perfect smile at her before walking down the cobblestone path to his car. Pansy watched him get into his car and he waved before driving off. Today was definitely going perfectly. Except for that meeting with Harry. She still had to kill Draco and Astoria for not telling her he was going to be there.
-Harry-
Harry sat back in his flat, thinking about this newest revelation. Pansy was Scarlett, Pansy wrote all of those wonderful books. How had he not seen it before? When Draco got back from his trip, he was going to get an earful. He got dressed and stood in front of the mirror. As promised, he was going to keep Astoria company and this meant having dinner with her. Astoria wanted to go to some new restaurant in Muggle London. It was called The Opal Lounge and it was criminally expensive. Also very difficult to get into. But as luck would have it, Harry got the reservations for one of the best tables in the house.
He suspected that this had something to do with Draco. Merlin, the man was a storm of success. After spraying a small amount of cologne on, Harry grabbed his keys and opened the door only to be facing Ginny. He sighed heavily and stepped aside. "What do you want Ginny? I'm on my way out," Harry said, in a less than pleased voice. In fact, he was downright irritated.
"Hot date? I thought you were over the dating scene," Ginny said, fingering a lock of her flaming red hair. She was wearing a tight red dress that barely covered anything and a pair of matching five inch stilettos. She looked like an over-paid doxy.
"It's not a date, I'm going to dinner with Astoria," he said, grabbing her by the arm and leading her out of the door. He also took the time to grab the copy of his key from her unsuspecting hand. "And, this is mine," he said, making her frown.
"Why are you going out with her? She's Ferret's wife and she is not at all good looking," Ginny said, pouting at him.
"Oh my God Ginny, lay off of the Malfoys! Draco asked me to keep her company and that's what I'm going to do. They're a right sight more fun than a night with you, geez. At least when I'm with her, she doesn't try to get into my trousers. Now if you don't mind, I'm leaving and so are you. Don't come back Ginny," Harry said, in an angry voice. After finally getting away from Ginny, Harry drove to Malfoy Manor to pick up his very pregnant date.
As soon as Astoria opened the door, Harry smiled. She looked very pretty tonight. She was wearing a knee length soft lavender dress made out of silk with matching heels and her dark curls were pinned up into an elegant style. Her eyes were shadowed in light lavender and her lips were a very soft pink. "Well Mrs. Malfoy, if you weren't married, I'd think you were trying to seduce me," Harry said, teasingly.
"Oh hush you silly man," she said, as he offered his arm.
"Shall we, Tori?" he asked, as they walked down the pathway.
"You are quite the charmer tonight Harry, what's bothering you?" she asked, not missing a beat. Her clear blue eyes scanned his face
"Ginny showed up at my door before I came to pick you up," he said, giving her only half of his preoccupations.
"Ah, well you needn't worry about her, tonight is a night for just friends. Remember we're going to The Opal Lounge tonight!" she said, excitedly, as he helped her into the car. Despite trying to keep out of the reporters greedy clutches, Harry knew that tonight they would be thrown right into their clutches. Astoria was the wife of Draco who was quite famous in the Muggle world as well. Harry was also well known as he always attended Draco's benefits as Hermione's date. Ron never went to anything hosted or attended by Draco.
The Opal Lounge was rumored to be filled with several "Beautiful People" as Ginny had always put it. This was going to be a long night. "Right, are we taking my car?" Harry asked; grimacing at the expensive present Draco had bought him last year as a birthday present. He didn't even want to think about what he would be receiving this year.
"Yes, now come. I don't want to lose our reservations," she said, buckling her safety belt. Harry smiled before starting the car and then they were off to The Opal Lounge.
~~~Pansy~~~
Pansy smiled as reporters photographed her with Edgar. They asked questions about her personal life and when her next book was coming out. She was so glad that she had gone with the pale pink dress that came up above her knees, showing off her long legs. It had a plunging neckline that showed a little cleavage accessorized with a silver necklace that held a small rose colored diamond and matching diamond earrings. She smiled at the cameras but really, she just wanted to get to the table. "Excuse me gentleman but, I believe the lady and I wish to get to our table," Edgar said, leading Pansy away from the reporters.
"Thank you, I just hate reporters," Pansy said, quietly. Edgar leaned in and smiled at her. He smelled amazing.
"Not a problem Scarlett," he said, placing a hand on her lower back and leading her to their table.
They sat together and Edgar ordered wine for their table. They talked about many things from their families to their kids. "I had Emily when I was young. She's going to be five years old soon. And she's beautiful," Pansy said, smiling. She really missed Emily.
"Well if she looks anything like you, I'd say she's perfect," Edgar said, smiling at her.
"What about your son?" Pansy asked, blushing at his comment.
"My son is five years old and he looks just like me. His name is Ian, he loves to read and is interested in an acting career and he wants to take over the London Review when he's old enough. He's very smart for his age," Edgar said, smiling to himself.
"He sounds like a wonderful little boy. So…what about his mother?" Pansy asked, in a soft voice.
"His mother, Karen died when he was born. I haven't been able to really get over it until this past year. You see, I have been raising him all his life, with the help of my live-in Nanny," Edgar explained.
"Oh Edgar, I am so sorry," Pansy said, placing a hand softly on his.
"It's alright. So what about your daughter's father?" he asked, changing the subject.
"Well, I hope you won't think less of me when I tell you this," Pansy said, looking ashamed.
"Never, go on," Edgar said, squeezing her hand.
"It was my final year of school, and Draco was having a party for all the graduates. Someone had brought alcohol and I had been dancing with the father the entire night. We'd never really got on during the years at school but that year, everything had changed. So we talked and danced and got drunk. We went off to some dark room and then he kissed me, and then it happened. After that night, we never sought each other out. A few months later, I found out I was pregnant with Emily. I never told him and I haven't seen him since. Except for today. He was buying my book," Pansy said, looking down at her plate.
"Wow, that was quite a tale. Are you planning on telling him?" Edgar said, giving her hand another squeeze.
"Yes, but only when I am able to talk to him one on one," Pansy said, smiling slightly.
"It's alright Scarlett, I'm here for you," he said, making her smile even bigger. They talked for awhile longer before someone familiar spoke up.
"Edgar Crane, how nice to see you," Astoria said, making Pansy look up. Next to Astoria was…crap…Harry. They both looked quite beautiful and slightly winded. They must have just escaped the reporters.
"Mrs. Malfoy, you look radiant. Why don't you and your friend, join us?" he asked, standing up.
"Oh sure, shall we Harry?" Astoria asked, looking up at Harry's flushed face.
"Of course," Harry said, awkwardly. Pansy stared into his eyes and she knew that all was fine. Until she told him of Emily that is.
"So Mrs. Malfoy, who is your escort for tonight?" Edgar asked, smiling genuinely.
"Oh, this is Harry Potter, Draco's and my best friend. He was the Best-man at our wedding and one of Draco's partners in business. He is also a fan of Scarlett's novels," Astoria said, making both Pansy and Harry blush.
"Oh yes, well great to meet you Mr. Potter, Edgar said, shaking Harry's hand.
"The pleasure's all mine Mr. Crane," Harry said, a bit stiffly.
The rest of the night went by without a hitch and before long, Harry was taking Astoria home. "Well, that was interesting. Did Mr. Potter also go to school with you, Scarlett?" Edgar asked, as he walked her to her door.
"Yes, actually….he is Emily's dad," Pansy said, making Edgar look at her in surprise. "Well, that certainly makes things different. I'll have to watch out for him now, wouldn't want him to steal you away," he said, grinning at her.
"Oh Edgar, you're just so…I don't know," Pansy said, smiling at him. Merlin, the man was perfect.
"Thank you Scarlett," Edgar said, bending over slightly. Pansy's breath hitched as Edgar lips soon found themselves pressed softly against her's. He kissed her a bit harder and soon her hands were placed against his chest. It was definitely firework worthy. Absolutely wonderful. She hadn't felt this way in a long time. "Goodnight, Gorgeous. I'll call you," he said, kissing her once more and then smiled. He turned and walked away, making her heart flutter.
"Goodnight Edgar," she called, before walking into her house.
"Seemed magical, eh Scarlett?"
A/N: Are you cringing yet? I know I am.