Chapter 3: The Owner and The Party
A/N: This chapter will be split into Harry and Pansy's POV. Perhaps even Draco's for a bit. Warning, there will be Weasley bashing. Don't like, don't read.
~~~Pansy~~~
It was early. That much was obvious. The curtains that had cast the room in darkness had been pulled open, causing her to be blinded by the sunlight. Her head snapped up and she groaned at the sight of a curvy brunette with her arms crossed tightly over her chest. "Mil, it's not even nine in the morning. Why are you here?" Pansy grumbled, sitting up in her soft sanctuary.
"Pansy you know that today is a busy day. You don't have time for jet lag. Now, head for the shower while I put the coffee on. You'll need it," Millicent said, before walking out of the room. She stood up and muttered stretching as she left the bedroom. She could hear Emily talking happily to Millicent in the kitchen.
After dropping Emily off at a daycare center for magical toddlers, Pansy and Millicent went off to schedule the book signing. She and Millicent, drove down to the Muggle bookstore. Pansy looked on while twirling a lock of her hair with her finger. This caused it to stick up and made her frown. "Shite, I wish I hadn't cut it this short," she muttered, looking into her compact.
"Well you did P. That's just it. Besides, it looks good and it's easier to manage especially when Emily throws food at your head," Millicent said, as she parked at the side of the street. Pansy never really saw the point of cars but, she had to use them as they were in Muggle London. "Here we are, London Review Bookshop. It's one of the leading independent bookstores here. This is where you'll be doing the book signing," Millicent said, as they stepped out into the rain.
What was the point of it being summer if it rained? Pansy and Millicent rushed into the shop and were met by a young woman no older than they were. Only, she looked miserable. "Can I help you?" she asked, in a toneless voice. She scrutinized Pansy and Millicent, judgment clear in her bitter brown eyes.
"Yes, we're here to speak to the owner, Mr. Edgar Crane," Millicent said, in a business-like manner.
"You can't see Mr. Crane unless you have an appointment. He is very busy trying to put together a book signing," she said, rudely.
"Well in that case, tell him that Millicent Nott and Scarlett Parker are here to see him about the book signing, it is Scarlett's book signing after all," Millicent said, smirking as the look on the girl's face changed drastically.
"Right away Mrs. Nott. I apologize Miss Parker, please forgive me," she said, leading the pair into a corridor.
"Not a problem," Pansy said, walking behind Millicent. Millicent had always been a tough woman, demanding and often showing great leadership. As soon as they reached a large mahogany door, Pansy sighed. She'd never done this before, she'd always preferred to stay anonymous. As they entered the office, Pansy took a look around.
It was a very neat and organized office. An expensive looking mahogany bookshelf held only the most expensive and classic tomes in literature. An old yet perfectly kept 17th century carpet adored the polished hardwood floor. Two comfortable looking sienna-colored armchairs sat in front of the matching mahogany desk where an impeccably dressed man who looked to be in his thirties sat, talking to someone on a company telephone.
"Mr. Crane, I apologize for interrupting but…Mrs. Nott and Miss Parker are here to see you," the girl said, looking quite dazzled. Pansy took a closer look at Mr. Crane and then she knew why the girl looked at him like she did.
"Ah, welcome ladies. Please, take a seat," he said, in a very smooth accent. He stood and was very tall. Even under the expensive suit, Pansy could tell that he was well toned, and muscled. His dark hair was gelled back and his eyes were the softest of bronzes. He had a straight and narrow nose with a perfectly defined strong jaw-line and a cute cleft in his chin. "That will be all Tiffany, thank you," he said, making her smile and blush.
Millicent and Pansy took a seat in the chairs as the doors closed behind them and waited. "Mr. Crane, thank you for meeting us today, you must be quite busy owning such a popular shop," Millicent said, crossing her legs.
"It is not a problem Mrs. Nott, Miss Parker's books are the best sellers here at London Review," he said, looking at Pansy.
"Why thank you Mr. Crane," Pansy said, smiling shyly at him.
"Please, call me Edgar. Miss Parker," he said, smiling a perfectly white-toothed smile. Pansy felt her face go a little red and smiled back.
"Mr. Crane, please keep it in your pants. We are here to discuss the book signing," Millicent said, making Pansy turn bright red.
"Mil!" Pansy hissed, looking at her friend in shock. As Pansy's Editor/Publicist Millicent was ruthless and determined, nothing stood in her way. Business was never mixed with pleasure and that was apparent.
"It's quite alright Miss Parker, Mrs. Nott is correct. We'll have time for pleasantries later on. Let's get down to business, shall we?" he said, appropriately abashed.
~~~~~~Harry~~~~~~
It was very nearly the evening as Harry and Hermione walked down the cobblestone path to Draco's large Manor house. Harry was Hermione's date for the night seeing as Ron who had been invited had most ungraciously declined. As they reached the door, Harry couldn't help but remember one of the very first parties of Draco's he had gone to. He had just been fighting with Ginny because she hadn't wanted him to go to the party.
But he had gone and he had gotten very drunk in the process. He had danced with Pansy all night. She'd listened to his problems, and comforted him, she understood him. And then he kissed her, and they went off to find a place to be alone. And then they'd had sex. And then in the morning, she'd gone. And they'd never spoken a word about it. A month later, they'd left school and he hadn't seen or heard from her since.
"Do you think Pansy's going to be here?" Harry asked aloud, before he could stop himself.
"I don't know Harry. I mean, Draco had mentioned something during lunch today but, she's probably not going to be here," Hermione said, as Draco opened the door.
"Hey, you made it," he said, hugging Hermione and clapping Harry on the back.
"Sorry about Ron he couldn't, well wouldn't come," Hermione said, smiling apologetically.
"Oh, that's alright. More food for everyone else," Draco said, making the two friends laugh. Draco directed Hermione and Harry into the large Banquet Hall where many of their close friends had convened. Luna was there with Neville, Seamus and Parvati were holding hands, Dean was with Lavender who despite the animosity between Hermione and herself during sixth year was actually friends with her. Last year Hermione had helped Lavender get ownership of her and her ex-husband's café when he'd wanted to tear it down and sell the land, they had remained friends ever since. Despite Ron's protests.
Many more of their fellow Hogwarts Graduates were there so Harry knew he would be busy all night, or at least until Draco and Astoria were ready to end the party. He and Hermione were going out of town in the morning. Therefore, Harry would be spending some time with Astoria and Jackson. "Harry, hey. Where's Ron?" Neville asked, walking up to him. Neville was also an Auror at the Ministry along with Ron and Harry.
Only, he didn't plan on staying an Auror. Harry knew he would make a great Herbology Professor. "Ron couldn't make it. He has a lot of paperwork to finish," Harry said, automatically. This seemed to be the only thing he could say to his friends when they asked about Ron.
"Ah, well…that's Ron for you," Neville said, before turning to his wife.
Harry walked around greeting and chatting the entire night. At about a quarter past twelve, Harry and Hermione where heading out of Draco's home laughing about the old days. After walking Hermione home, Harry apparated to his own house where he showered and pulled on a pair of old comfortable sweats. So, Pansy hadn't come then.
Harry still felt that he was owed an explanation for what had happened five years ago. Why had she left? Why hadn't she stayed and just dealt with it. Maybe things would be different if she hadn't sneaked away before he'd woken up. Then again, Harry hadn't exactly helped the situation himself. He'd ignored her just as much as she'd ignored him. They'd avoided each other everywhere and where never alone together after that.
He'd felt so horrid afterward that he'd told Ginny he had slept with some girl from his year and she'd forgiven him. Harry knew that it was only because Ginny hadn't known it was Pansy. Now that would have been the cherry on top of his year. Harry Potter shags Slytherin Pansy Parkinson. Only, it hadn't felt like just some shag. No, it was something more. Alot more. Taking out a pot, he filled it with water and placed it on the stove. Once in his favorite couch with a cup of tea and Scarlett's new book, Harry proceeded to open it and enjoy the rest of his night.
"Wake up sleepy head," a voice whispered. Harry opened his eyes and found himself staring into big brown eyes. He groaned forgetting that Ginny still had the key to his flat.
"What time is it?" He groaned, taking the book off of his chest and placing it aside. He had gotten to the part where Henry and Patricia had made love at the party of Patricia's ex when he must have dropped off to sleep.
"It's nearly noon silly. What where you doing last night? You know we're supposed to have lunch today," she said, in a girlish voice while she stroked his hair. Obviously, Ginny was still infatuated with him. This was going to be a problem.
"What happened to Snake? Did you guys break up again?" Harry mumbled, as he sat up on the couch.
"Yeah I caught him in bed with that slag Brittany again. So we screamed and I hexed him and then I left. You still haven't answered my question. Where were you last night?" she persisted, giving him an expectant look.
"I went to Draco and Astoria's party last night with Hermione, we didn't get back until late and then I read a book. Is that all you want to know?" he said, getting irritated by her constant questions.
"I still don't get how you and Hermione can even stand to be around that slimy git Malfoy, for more than a minute," Ginny said, pouting. She was trying to be cute and so far, it wasn't working.
"I still don't get how I didn't see through your crap all these years. Ginny, Draco is like a brother to me. He's my best friend and there's nothing you can say that will change that," Harry said, in an irritated tone.
"Ron is your best friend Harry! Not Malfoy! He wasn't there for you until after the war! He's just trying to use you," Ginny argued.
"Not this shite again. Ginny lay the fuck off of Draco's prick and go get onto someone else! You're really good at that. Merlin woman, sometimes I think you're like this because you're jealous of Astoria for marrying the man. Is that it? Are you in love with Draco or something? Or are you just pissed that he's the only man who's never wanted to get into your knickers? Just get the fuck out of here and call me when you've grown the fuck up," Harry said, pointing at the door.
Too shocked to speak, Ginny grabbed her purse and stomped out of his flat, slamming the door as she went.
A/N: Okay so the party scene wasn't really all that much. Anyway, now I've introduced the main component that will be coming between Pansy and Harry's reuniting. Hope you liked the chapter.