Chapter Eight: The Park
A/N: For people who want to criticize me or my writing, I just want to say that this is a very old and unfinished fic. I'm trying to finish but, with so many things going on in my life, I don't really have the time to edit or research things, especially things deemed as incorrect. For that, I apologize.
"She asked you who her father is?" Daphne remarked as the two friends sipped their tea. Pansy had come over to Daphne Greengrass-Zabini's large and stately manor for afternoon tea. Daphne was in Pansy's year at Hogwarts and also Astoria's older sister.
"Yes, I was so shocked, all I said was crap. I don't know what to do, she won't let it go. She wants to know who he is. How am I supposed to say to her that her father is Harry Bloody Potter?" Pansy asked, running a hand through her messy hair.
Pansy paused to listen to the sound of Daphne and Blaise's eighteen month old son. His name was Blaire and the one on the way was a boy to be named Edward, they also had a three yearold daughter named Georgia. Pansy thought they were having too many children. She just didn't know how Daphne and Astoria could do it. Emily was enough for her.
"Well then P, you have to tell her and you have to tell Harry. It's just not fair to either of them," Daphne said, running a hand through her long golden tresses.
"You're right but…I've just started getting to know him again, what am I supposed to tell him? Um say Harry, do you remember that night at Draco's party when we shagged like rabbits? Well I got pregnant and you have a five year old daughter. Somehow, I don't think he'd appreciate it," Pansy said, covering her face in her hands.
"Nice words Pansy. I'm not saying just to dump all of that on the bloke. Ease into it somehow," Daphne said, patting Pansy's shoulder.
"Right well. Maybe I'll do it if we get closer. Bugger…what if he wants to take custody of her? What if he can never forgive me? What can I do?" Pansy said, starting to get panicked.
Daphne stood and slapped Pansy hard across the face. "Snap out of it Parkinson! You're not a teenager anymore! You are a well known author and the mother of a beautiful girl. You are strong and you will get through this," Daphne said, in a stern voice.
Pansy looked up at her friend in shock. Daphne had never been so serious in her life, nor as assertive or aggressive as she was that very moment. "You're right, you are absolutely right. I am strong! I can do this. Thank you Daph, I really needed that. I-I'll see you later," Pansy said, standing as well.
"Good, now you go and be strong and brave. It's not as if you need money from him or anything. What's the worst he can say? That he won't pay child support. You don't need him. Now, let me know how it goes when you do tell him," Daphne said, hugging her softly.
"Right. Bye Daphne," Pansy said, as she left her friend's home. She couldn't help but think about what Daphne had said. It was true, she made her own money, she was sitting on millions saved in both her Muggle bank account and her Gringotts account. Besides, she'd lived this long without Harry in her life, if he truly hated her after he found out well…it was no skin off her back. But it would hurt their daughter if he chose to make himself known to her.
She was walking down to her car when the small phone in her pocket rang. She jumped, still not used to the wretched thing. "Hello?" Pansy asked, putting it close to her ear.
"Hello, Scarlett? It's Edgar. I'm sorry to bother you but..I was wondering if you'd like to meet me in the park Saturday afternoon. I'm bringing my son and you could bring your daughter," Edgar's smooth voice flowed through the phone.
"Oh yes, that sounds great. I'd love to," Pansy said, smiling to herself.
"Great, let's meet by the fountain, at twelve," Edgar replied.
"Alright then. Saturday at noon by the fountain. See you and your boy there," Pansy said, grinning.
"I'll be counting the moments," he said, in a low sexual voice.
"Uh…g-goodbye Edgar," Pansy said, before they hung up. The man was a God. A Sex God. He made her feel like a real woman, made her feel burning passion in her unmentionables. Looking around, she continued to walk, thank Merlin her home wasn't a far walk away from Daphne's. It also didn't hurt that she had worn her more comfortable lacey pink flats.
Finally getting home Pansy walked in to the warmth of a freshly lit fire. These House Elves do their job alright. They stay out of sight and leave Pansy to her thinking and writing. Emily would be back soon, with another wave of "Who's my Daddy?" Pansy had no idea about what to tell her. After having a piece of Astoria's famous Apple pie, Pansy felt that she should do exactly what Daphne had told her. She would tell Emily who her father is and give her a picture of him. It's not like Emily will be meeting him anyway. Pansy would make sure that Harry knew he had a daughter before they met. She couldn't bear the thought of Harry meeting Emily before he knew about her.
Three cups of coffee and two cigarettes later, Pansy was still no further on an answer for her daughter. Pansy searched her brain and once again, frowned. Lighting up another cigarette, she sucked in the calming air and leaned back in her seat. Stubbing out the cigarette, Pansy stands up and walks out of her study. She was in desperate need of a shag. But, she wasn't going to let anyone know. Least of all, her best friends.
Looking at the clock, Pansy sighed. It wasn't even noon yet, this day was taking too long and she only had one page typed up for the new manuscript. She was barefoot and in desperate need of a new haircut. Her hair was growing out faster than ever. Still, maybe she would keep it long and try a new style. She hadn't worn it long since Emilia's birth anyway. Maybe she'd grow it to shoulder length. Rolling her eyes, she walked into the sitting room where a wireless radio stood waiting to be turned on. She flicked her wand at it and a waltz was playing.
She just loved ballroom dancing. Ever since she was a little girl. She began to waltz by herself, her eyes closed, she was calm and in her happy place. As she continued to waltz alone, Pansy could swear that she was dancing with a partner. It was another moment before a familiar scent flowed through her nostrils. "Why Miss Parkinson, I had no idea you could waltz so beautifully barefoot."
Her eyes snapped open and she was gazing into the silver eyes of Draco. "Draco! What are you doing here?" Pansy gasped, letting go of Draco's hands. "Bloody hell Draco, you scared the shite out of me!" Pansy hissed, clutching at her heart tightly.
"Well, I just hadn't seen you since before I left for the meeting so I decided to check in on you. Astoria told me that you and Harry had lunch together yesterday and that before that you were having dinner with a certain handsome older gentleman," Draco said, smirking as he crossed his arms.
"Oh you and Astoria will be the death of me," Pansy said, turning away. She didn't want Draco butting into her personal life. Sure they were like brother and sister now and Harry was friends with her and him. Not to mention Draco contributes hundreds of thousands of dollars to London Review.
"Oh please, don't turn back into that Drama Queen you once were. Just do something before you make a big mess. Tell Harry he has a daughter and just get on with your life," Draco said, sitting down in a chaise armchair. Crossing his legs he smirked at Pansy again. Merlin, the man was a menace.
"I'm going to tell him, I just don't know when yet," Pansy said, getting irritated.
"Well, you better do it soon. Our five years Hogwarts Reunion is coming up soon and you need a date," Draco said, raising a perfect eyebrow.
"I don't need a date. I'm bringing Emilia," Pansy said, crossing her arms.
"How brave of you," Draco said, standing up. "Well, I merely came to check on you. Thanks for the dance and I will see you at the Benefit next week if not sooner," Draco said, hugging Pansy. She smiled and hugged him back, before watching him go.
"See you Drake," Pansy said, smirking as he stiffened slightly before leaving.
That Saturday was bright and sunny. Pansy was dressed in a light yellow sundress with light yellow strappy sandals and Emily was dressed in a pink flowery little sundress with light pink shoes. Emily's dark untidy hair was plaited and she wore two daisy hairclips. Pansy's makeup was light and natural and her growing hair was brushed and pinned out of her face in an attractive style. Pansy walked with Emily past all of the families with their bloody mums and dads. This was bound to start up the "who's my daddys" once again.
"Scarlett! Glad you could make it, you look wonderful. This must be Emilia, she is perfect," Edgar said, walking up in a pair of khakis and a light blue polo shirt. His son was dressed in a pair of dark shorts and a white tee shirt. He looked just like Edgar. He would definitely grow up to be a handsome young man, just as Pansy was sure that Emily would grow up to be a very beautiful young woman. "And this is Ian, my son," Edgar said, nudging the young boy in front of him. It was clear that the boy was shy.
"Thank you and yes, this is my Emily," Pansy said, smiling up at Edgar. She'd almost forgotten how gorgeous the man was. "Emily, say hello to Edgar and Ian," Pansy said, nudging her forward. Usually, Emily was shy when meeting someone for the first time.
"Shall we walk?" Edgar asked, offering his arm.
"That sounds lovely," Pansy said, taking his offered arm.
"Mummy, is he my Daddy?" Emily whispered, making Pansy stop dead in her tracks.
"Is something wrong, Love?" Edgar asked, making Pansy heart stutter violently. Did he just call her, Love?
"No of course not," Pansy smiled before asking Edgar to go ahead with Ian and that they would meet them at the picnic table. Once out of earshot, Pansy knelt down and took Emily into her arms. "No my little poppet. Edgar is not your daddy. Your daddy's name is Harry Potter. Here, this is a picture of your daddy, it was taken when I went to Hogwarts with him and Uncle Draco and Auntie Tori. Keep it close to your heart and you will meet him someday," Pansy said, in a soft voice.
"Ohhhhhh….okay. Thank you Mummy, I will," Emily said, putting the picture away in her tiny bag. Pansy kissed her forehead and picked her up to go and meet Edgar and Ian at the table. Edgar and Ian were laughing together about something when Pansy reached the table with Emily.
"Sorry about that," Pansy said, as Emily took a seat across from Ian.
"Not a problem. Now, how about we take a stroll around the park and then get some lunch with the kids?" Edgar said, smiling his breathtakingly handsome smile.
"Yes of course," Pansy said, smiling.
-Harry-
"I don't know why you made me come out here today Tori," Harry said, as he and Astoria walked around the park with baby Jacks in his pushchair. It was a nice day out and he did have all of his work finished but, he wanted to be home just in case Pansy flooed him. Then again, maybe she would call, now that they had cellular phones. Harry was wearing a pair of jeans and a slightly tight red shirt. Draco had said Harry needed to show a little of his muscle so Astoria had bought him the blasted shirt. He was obligated to wear it at times.
"It's a nice day out and I wanted Jackson to get some outdoor time. It's good for both of you," Astoria said, looking around. She knew that Pansy would be here today with Edgar Crane and Emilia so, Astoria hoped to get Pansy to confess to Harry.
"Right, but why this park? It's like a whole park around Malfoy Manor," Harry said, looking down at her.
"Well, I'm always there, I felt a nice change of scenery would do both Jackson and I some good," Astoria said, covering quickly.
"Oh, well alright. Let's sit down over there by the fountain," Harry said, pointing to the bench close by the picnic tables.
"Sure, why not?" Astoria said, as she pushed Jackson down to the bench. After sitting down, Astoria took Jackson out of the stroller and cuddled him for a moment before sitting him on her lap. He was beautiful and he looked just like Draco. "So, how did lunch go with Pansy?" Astoria asked, while she smoothed out Jackson's soft flaxen curls.
"Fine, we talked and laughed and promised to get together again…as friends," Harry said, looking dejected as he spoke that last word.
"Seems to me like you don't fancy being just friends with her," Astoria said, as Jackson giggled in her lap. She was bouncing him on her knee being careful with her large baby bump. Perhaps after a few more children, they would give up. After all, they wanted a large family. Maybe two more after this one. She smiled despite Harry's current predicament.
"I don't know Tori. When I was with her, I felt amazing. It felt right, natural. Like we belonged together in a way more than friends," Harry said, blushing at his confession.
"That's so sweet Harry. You must really care about her," Astoria said, smiling softly. They were just sitting in companionable silence when a familiar laugh made them look up.
Harry's heart just about plummeted when he saw Pansy sitting at one of the picnic tabled with Edgar Crane and two dark haired children. So, Pansy already had a family. Harry knew that it had to be too good to be true. He felt as if his heart had been punched, roughly and with all the strength of a champion boxer. Maybe it wasn't broken, but it sure was bruised.
"Can we get out of here Tori?" Harry asked, in a half-whisper. He didn't want Pansy to see him as it might make him look like a complete fool, and he certainly did not want that, not one bit.
"Oh come on Harry, what's the hurry? We just got here," Astoria said, as she placed Jackson back into his pushchair.
"I just don't feel so well all of the sudden. Let's just go," Harry said, standing up so fast that he tripped and fell flat on his face.
"Harry!" Astoria cried out, as she tried to help him up.
Harry stood up and it took all of his strength not to look over to where Pansy and her could-be-family were sitting. "I'm fine, let's just get the hell out of here," Harry said, wiping the dirt and blood from his face. Rushing off with Astoria, Harry barely noticed the widened and worried eyes of Pansy.
A/N: Okay, as always it never does turn out how I wanted. Still, hopefully you all enjoyed this.