Torn Apart – Blood and Bone Saga - Part 2

Chapter 6

Warning: this chapter touches briefly on events of infant death which I'd rather flag here than just apologies for at the end.

Ron came down to the common room and again found his sister waiting for him with her friends. She saw them off as they left before she came over to him. She had her sad face on again that he took as pitying him and as much as he knew she was there to help, it only cemented his poor mood.

But Ginny saw his face and anticipated his thoughts. "Before you start, I'm not here to lecture or ask how you are or any of that, I just wanted to walk with you to breakfast".

He bit his lip as she took away everything, he was about to gripe at her with. "I'm supposed to be meeting Katie", he said with his well-practiced frostiness.

"Yeah, sorry about that but I convinced her not to".

"She's just a friend".

She took his arm leading him away from a group of second years who began to perk up at the possibility of gossip. She led him from the room and through the portrait hole, offering him no escape as she used one of her mother's old tricks. She had been very accomplished at silently herding them all when they were younger and brought them all to heel when out shopping.

Leading him by a half step she controlled their pace, "I know that you see her as a friend and believe me I know Katie's abilities for resisting boys, so if she's told you your just friends then I'm sure she'll mean to be. But is today seriously the right time for you to stroll into the Hall with her by your side".

He couldn't argue her logic, the girl was all brilliance when it came to her intelligence. "So, what did you tell her".

"What I just told you, and she agreed. I'm guessing she was all too comforting when she went after you last night".

"Gin, you just said yourself she only wants to be friends".

"I said she'll mean to be; I didn't say she'll resist entirely. Let's face it you've done enough to make her smitten".

"I haven't done anything", he was tired of the repetition now.

"No you prat, I know you haven't, but that doesn't mean you haven't been doing so unknowingly". She waited but he only pulled a face, rolling her eyes she led him down the staircases. "Look, you know you've gone through enough bodily changes that you've caused a stir this year, especially as you've forced it so much".

"I haven't!"

"Oh please, nobody just exits the summer break with a new physique and look, it takes hours of hard work and determination. I get as bored as you do at home, so I notice everything. Like your bloody two hundred push up's and sit ups a day routine, Merlin, I thought you were doing something else shacked up in your room with all that grunting".

She caught the look of horror on his face and laughed, "and once we were at the headquarters you were all the more determined when Hermione arrived, so you can't keep claiming ignorance. Like all the arguing with mum that you didn't want a haircut so you could grow it out, who's that for, when you've never had an interest in grooming before?"

"Right, so your point is?"

"My point is you know you've made yourself more desirable, then there's your quidditch interests".

"Were teammates Ginny of course we have the same interests".

"Exactly, and in your first match you pulled off more spectacular saves than Wood did in his entirety on the team. Then there's the other night and… ". She stopped, "I really have no words for what you did the other night, you made me so proud to be your sister".

He scoffed and looked away not wanting the attention. "No, that's exactly my point", she accused, "you do something so amazing, and you don't see how impactful that was for someone who clearly fancies the pants off you, someone who's already been wowed by you. I don't think she's even realised how much she likes you".

"Right, I get it she likes me, so what, I just ditch her?"

"You're already reeling after nearly loosing Harry because you were too close to Hermione", Ginny said with warning. "Do you really not see the parallels with this. You and Pansy Ron, it's honestly not something I'd bank on, I'd see you with Katie over her. But you two seem hell bent on colliding over and over, I just wouldn't feel comfortable seeing you hurt any girl, especially when I know you don't mean to. I know it's not you, but you're not used to all this attention, and you've done great so far dealing with it but eventually you're going to get yourself hurt".

Pansy and Tracey sat watching Harrier and Liza, sat right in front of them they were clearly speaking loudly but it was quiet and hazy to their ears. They both held up their hands and pointed to their ears.

"… -Incantatem ", they head the last as Liza circled her wand overhead. "Like so!" she sang.

"Brilliant", Tracey said excitedly, "teach me how to do it".

"I will at our next meeting", she said with pride. She'd been demonstrating a spell she'd been learning after they found that silencing wards in heavily populated areas was very difficult to use correctly. The Incomunicados spell allowed the wielder to hide their words behind a cloud of verbal fog, it distorted their voices to anyone sat listening in. More importantly it worked perfectly for places like the Great Hall.

"So, we are having more meetings", Pansy asked.

Liza threw up a hand to hush them. She waved her wand overhead as she spoke the incantation, pausing again she lifted her wand to her ear, then nodded to Harrier once satisfied they were now plunged into privacy.

"Of course we are", Harrier said offended, "I mean obviously we were worried about Farah and if she… didn't want to after everything".

"Try and bloody stop me", she defiantly said as they smiled to her in turn.

"But are we going back there?"

"We have to, I told you all if I stopped then we'd lose Aspis, his power comes from the magical perpetuation, the triangle of Salazars Runestone, the Moon, and Aspis himself, they continue the cycle".

"But we can't go back".

"That's not true, we just need to be smarter in how we do it, and Aspis has had some interesting suggestions".

"Certainly chatty for a thousand year old necklace", Tracey muttered, she saw the danger in Harriers eyes and ducked her head, "no disrespect of course".

"Besides", Harrier went on, "I've been thinking about that room all night and how we could use that to break things up. Enough nights their might just make the old toad in the hole rethink what she thinks she knows".

"But the DA lot are in their", Pansy said in alarm, she really didn't like the idea of a repeat of yesterday.

"So what, I'd be interested to see what they do, what levels they're at. Besides, it doesn't hurt us to practice. Away from the Cascade they can't see what we draw power from, but we can still learn. We've nothing to hide in there and more importantly, we need to do better after the other night".

The way she finished had them all staring from one another, "we nearly lost her and from the get-go we went to pieces. Only Pansy had the wherewithal to act. Any other time, Weasley and Potter not being their and we'd have… ".

Harrier's voice caught and Farah took her hand for reassurance.

"Shit!" The word spilled from Pansy automatically as an envelope slapped onto the table in front of her. Looking up she noticed the usual flood of owls, still in greater numbers as some of the school still sent their pen pals letters. The cause of the sudden anxiety now threatening her was the deeply discoloured letter landing at her cup of tea. Its Acid green wax seal bearing the Parkinson family crest.

"I wondered what took him so long", Pansy casually threw out.

From the corner of her eye, she saw all the faces that now stared daggers into her. Draco and the others were sat watching, his's face unnerving her as it appeared a picture of triumph. Another owl swooped overhead, and she saw the same style of envelope fall. As it did it span, she made out that same green speck.

"Oh gods no!", Harrier breathed as she looked between Pansy and Draco.

"What, what is it?"

"Letters of Betrothal", Harrier's hands covered her mouth, anyone might of thought her reaction over the top, but to Pansy it was understated. Her insides hollowed out and the doom returned, making her sick and anxious all at once. She pushed the letter away as a spike in fear hit her.

Pansy watched as Draco opened his letter and his smile spread wider across his face as his eyes trailed the page. He stood on the bench and reopened the letter dramatically.

"Friends, I'm happy to announce that I've been officially issued the right to Pansy's hand by her father, Arachnus Parkinson, he's accepted my father's offer of betrothal, and we are now officially bound to each other by the laws of old".

"Liza drop the ward!" Pansy got to her feet hurriedly.

"Don't you dare", Harrier ordered Liza, "Pansy don't rise to it".

But Pansy wasn't looking at Draco. She had seen, as Draco stood to give his announcement, a solid mass enter with its flame atop. He'd stopped as he came in, seeing Draco's farcical spectacle and began making straight for him. She knew Draco had seen him and was staring right at him as he spoke, it was deliberate.

"Liza, drop the fucking ward!" she shouted and hurried off, trying to shout at Ron to stop.

"Ronald don't!" she shouted when nearing him. Only quick enough to get between the two, feet away from each other. Everyone in the Hall now stopped to watch as the Slytherin's sat wide eyed in their front row seats.

Crab and Goyle stood from behind Draco, but Ron didn't flinch, eyes only on Malfoy, he was fixated.

Pansy pushed into him bodily, heaving against him as she tried to stop it escalating. Looking for help she saw the Gryffindors on their feet. "Ginny help!" she shouted.

Quickly the girl started shouting orders at her brothers, but they were already scrambling to get out of their seats to make over.

"Come to congratulate us Weasley", Draco smirked, Pansy was surprised to see him not back down under Ron's anger.

"Draco don't please, Ronald stop! Don't give him what he want's".

Thankfully she got his attention on her, "please", she pleaded. Breathing a sigh of relief as his face softened looking into her eyes.

"I'm sorry", he muttered the apology that had been on his mind all night.

"I know", she managed but an arm grabbed her from behind and pulled her into Draco's embrace.

Struggling against him she heard as he hissed, "come on Weasley we'll share her".

It was enough and Draco knew it, he released her, pushing her aside as Ron lunged.

Bedlam erupted in the Hall, screams of shock were drowned by sudden cheers as Ron and Draco started throwing punches. It was wild and unrestrained. Ron already had a fist full of Draco's hair as his good arm ploughed into him over and over. Blood splattered across Draco's face as his nose imploded but a sickening smile remained. He pumped his own fist into the larger boy's face as he too reached for a handful of his hair.

Locked together they wouldn't separate, Crab and Goyle rushed in but Ron's fist deviated, striking them both in turn. They relented and opted to grab at Draco to pull him back. The twins had already arrived, and both took to trying to pull Ron off his target. Grabbing him around the neck they both heaved until Nott and Blaise jumped in and the scene started to resemble the brawl on the Quidditch pitch.

The noise in the Hall increased with the intensity of the fight as a primal desire sparked at the sight of the violence in the room. From the top table blue and white Spector's were fired from the present staff members. The ghostly forms ran from the room, disappearing through the walls as the teachers jumped into action barking out demands to stop.

Pansy watched in horror as Ron went feral with rage striking at everything in front of him. He still had a tight grip of Draco's hair, continually trying to hit him. The crowd finally managed to make way separating the two inch by inch with great effort. Pansy saw Ron's face was red and bloody, but Draco appeared an entirely different mess, covered in his own blood. She was horrified to see she could still make out that sickening smile on his face.

Bellowing shouts deafened the room as McGonagall, Snape and Flitwick entered. "Stop this immediately", Snape's voice projected with use of the Sonorous charm.

Understanding Draco's goal, she saw as Umbridge entered the room like a little overweight cherub late to the party. The cheering rose again as both boys pushed through the crowds, clashing together anew as fists rained down on each other.

Screams rang out and students jumped out of the way as McGonagall shouted, "Stupefy", the spell struck Ron in the back dropping him instantly. But Draco was now as blood drunk as Ron was and he kept swinging, holding onto Ron's hair, his unconscious face being held up as he swung his free hand into him over and over.

The teachers all continued screaming for an end, but Pansy acted on instinct and jumped into Draco knocking him to the floor as she swung her hand at him now to protect Ron.

From beneath the mass of humanity all climbing over each other Pansy threw herself over Ron to protect him when she was grabbed again. Pain seared as her hair was pulled so hard it brought her to fall back. Draco pulled her close to his own face which was crimson now.

"He's done, your mine," he spat, "or he's marked!"

Another spell was fired, this time Pansy saw Draco struck, his body snapping together in rigidity as he was hit with a full body bind curse by Snape.

"I have never, in all my life had to use force on a student like this", McGonagall snapped, banging her fist off her desk. "I really don't know what the hell you were thinking Weasley, but you might have just done it this time!"

Ron was sat silently stewing in the chair in the corner with his head low, blood slowly dripping from his lip and the cut above his eye.

There was a rapid knock at the door which was given no time to be addressed as it flew open and Pansy stormed in holding a box.

"Parkinson, what do you think your doing… Severus?" she paused as he entered behind her.

Snape continued to her side, "believe me I'm as ready as you are to dish it out, but I think we should allow It for the moment. Besides, were contractually obligated to see they get first aid", he muttered sarcastically.

"Malfoy?", she asked quietly.

"Broken nose and blooded ego".

Pansy went to kneeling by Ron, opening up the box he saw that it was one of Pomphrey's healing kits. He didn't argue as she went about patting clean the cuts on his face. More hurried knocks on the door grabbed their attention. Opening it, Pansy briefly saw the red hair of Ginny and the blonde of Tracey with a large group at their backs. Snape watched as the group recoiled, surprised to see him before a handful of questions were blurted at him.

"We don't need the gabbling of more students filling our ears, get to waiting for your lessons before I start handing out detentions", Snape slammed the door shut.

McGonagall gave him a wounded look as her door rattled, to which he inclined his head in apology.

"Well Parkinson, were waiting. Why was it so important that I allow you in here", Snape quizzed.

"He needs treatment as much as Draco does, but as you won't let them both in the hospital wing", she said bitterly.

Snape sneered ready to retort but McGonagall came to his defence. "You pack that attitude in young lady, this is nothing to take lightly, this is as serious as it gets".

Pansy ignored them, tired of people telling her what to do. She concentrated on Ron as his eyes seemed to refuse to meet hers. She couldn't comprehend the way it hurt her, like he was rejecting her. She grabbed his face gently, turning him to meet her.

"Please don't do that", she said softly.

"I'm sorry", he apologised again, and she knew it was for what happened and not his refusal to look at her.

"Don't, I can't blame you, he was looking for this, I'm just sorry I never told you". She allowed herself to stroke the side of his face, avoiding the swollen cuts.

A cough from behind them brought Pansy back to her senses.

"There have been some very serious and crude rumours going around the school recently. Please god tell me they aren't true!" McGonagall said exasperated.

"Is that what this is about?" I thought you better than this Parkinson", Snape jabbed.

Ron's hand caught hers as he recognised anger brewing in her. "Don't", he whispered.

Frowning now as a rebellion grew in her she defiantly leaned in, pressing her lips to his. She was sorry, knowing it stung him to do so, but she was pleased in the admonishments behind her. She stood and turned to them, determined not to be bullied.

"You are tethering a fine line", Snape warned, "your dangerously close to a month's detention, as a start!"

"You both asked me if I needed to speak in private, I do".

"This is not a game", McGonagall too warned.

"No, its my life and it's being taken from me. I recognise I should have come to you both, particularly as I have the utmost respect for the two of you, but I didn't. But I am now it's gone this far". She was pleased with the shock on their faces. "As for detentions, I doubt I'll be here much longer for that to be a credible threat professor".

The two teachers shared a concerned look before Snape conjured a chair for Pansy and himself. He showed his true nature as he pushed in McGonagall's chair after her before taking to his own. Demanding she begin explaining herself she opened up to them both about Draco's threats of marriage. She tried to leave out as much as she could but details had a way of creeping in, like the out of hours' time she spent with Ron as she tried to be as dangerously close to the truth as she could.

"I've been battling myself for days about coming to see you… to inform you I intend to flee my home and denounce my blood rite to avoid this". Pansy knew that neither teacher was a pureblood but the looks on their faces explained that they understood enough to show concern.

"That is a very serious decision to make Pansy", McGonagall seemed to soften audibly.

"Indeed", as did Snape. "And what happened today?"

"We received our Letters of Betrothal", she stood and took her envelope from her cloak blazer pocket, dropping the yet unopened letter down in front of them.

Snape inclined his head, requesting permission to open it, receiving a nod back he opened it, laying it out for them both to read.

McGonagall's hand came to her temple a number of times as they both read. "Has he lost his mind?" she whispered.

"I dare say on the contrary this seems to have finally focused old Arachnus' addled brain".

"But she's not of age, and he can't take her out of school!"

"It doesn't matter Minerva, our laws pertaining to the rights of the pure blood families have gone unchanged for centuries, there are very few laws that we actually have to stop him. As you say she's not of age, so she has no adult rights".

"And yet she can be married off as one?"

"You know the answer to that as well as I".

Snape turned back to Pansy. "And are we to presume that fight, that was because of your… affiliations and liaisons with Weasley", he appeared to be at least trying to be tactile, although she failed to see the necessity.

She hesitated but eventually nodded. "But Draco started it, I don't mean that in some childish accusation either, he wanted Ron to attack him. And after Ron was unconscious, he attacked me and…", she had to still Ron with a hand on his shoulder. "He… he threatened Ronald's life".

"Pansy I hear threats to life thrice a day in this school-… ".

"Not like this you don't! you didn't hear him, he's obsessed at this point, and I don't know what he's going to do, he's already got Umbridge giving him power to attack students".

"Attack students, what are you talking about girl!"

Ron stood defiantly, "don't have a go at her" he warned.

"Get that temper of yours in check boy", Snape warned back.

"Ronald please", she pleaded before dropping her head in defeat, going into things she knew she shouldn't. "I'm sorry to say I refuse to give details, except to say that I'm part of something that put us in the grounds the other night and we were attacked by Slytherin's under order from Umbridge. I can't say why or who but one of us was injured… ". Terrified she was walking an impossible tight rope she went on, "they stopped breathing and Ronald and Potter had to, bring them back".

McGonagall stood looking to Snape in disbelief. "Are you trying to tell me one of our students nearly died and you kept that to yourself", they remained silent, it was enough, "I don't believe this Severus".

"What could possibly have gone through your minds that you both failed to report this sooner", Snape scolded.

"Who's the student?" she shouted.

"We can't-… ".

"Don't you dare tell me you can't give me that damn name!"

"Farah!"

Snape did a double take from Pansy to the door. He stormed over and opened it, looking down the corridor. "Redmond-Reed", he shouted.

"Sir?"

Pansy noticed the eye roll as he realised that he was right to think that they would all linger, but softened as she approached, "can you come in here please?"

"Sir, might we join her?"

"I told you to get to class Davies!"

He slammed the door and conjured a chair for Farah who entered timid and unsure. She quizzed Pansy with a look and she gave the girl a silent apology.

"Miss Reed", he said softly, "have you recently been injured?"

"No", she replied all too quickly and Pansy dropped her head to her hand.

"Miss Reed?" he pushed.

"It was fine, Ron saved me, and they looked after me through the night, it was an accident".

"I don't believe you two", McGonagall whispered to Ron and Pansy.

"In what way were you injured?"

She looked to Pansy who tried to nod subtly, "We were running in the dark when I hit a tree, I sort of impaled myself on a sharp branch and I… bled out".

McGonagall now mimicked Pansy, bringing her head to her hands in disbelief. Snape asked Farah to see where she was injured and Pansy stilled, realising she hadn't checked to see how it had healed. Farah agreed and Pansy saw with guilt that she had a visible red scarring that mimicked the lines she'd drawn with her wand as she'd closed the wound. But Snape's keen eye saw it for what it was and turned to her with cold understanding.

"Clearly Weasley isn't the only one in need of thanking for their quick thinking", his voice thick with dark sarcasm.

There was a bang at the door and McGonagall's temper flared, she strode over and opened it.

"Minerva, where is the Weasley boy I need to speak with him", Umbridge demanded.

"Damn it woman can't you see I'm busy", she slammed the door shut. Opening it again with a snap she added, "and learn to knock, good lord". She slammed it shut and locked it with her wand.

Pansy thought she saw a slither of amusement on Snape's face as they shared a very meaningful look. Then came the banging on the door again as Umbridge demanded to be let in. This time Snape opened it.

"Yes?"

"Severus, what is going on here, I am Senior Under-…".

"We're dealing with Head of House business; this is nothing Under Secretary or High Inquisitor based and as you are not a Head of House, we're not in need of your assistance". He shut the door on her and locked it, but this time he followed up with a silencing ward to shut out her banging. This forced a look from McGonagall that Pansy thought was reminiscent of rivalry.

McGonagall turned back to them, gripping her desk she sighed, "She's coming to expel you", she glared at Ron. "And believe me I've a good mind to let her".

She walked over to Snape, stopping next to him to speak privately before they both nodded and she sat down, He vanished all the chairs and unlocked the door from where he stood by her side. Umbridge came bowling into the room looking round at them all.

"You two!" she pointed at the two teachers.

"What can we do for you Professor?"

"I am here, as Senior-…".

"Your here to teach", McGonagall snapped, "now what do you want".

"That boy has committed a serious and unprovoked attack on another student, I'm here to destroy his wand and escort him off the grounds. It will be up to Lucious Malfoy to decide if he presses charges".

McGonagall sighed, "very well then, although you can't take his wand we don't have that power until a hearing. Leave it with me and I'll take him to pack his belongings. I'm assuming the same stands for the other Weasley boys?"

"Professor no you can't!"

"Silence!" Snape scolded.

Quite taken aback Umbridge recoiled in shock hearing McGonagall working with her, "well… yes, I do as a matter of fact, quite right well met Minerva and I suppose your right about the wands too. We should keep this to code".

"Exactly, who ever said you were tiresome and unreasonable", McGonagall said politely, this made Umbridge to scrunch her nose. "Severus could you do the same with Malfoy please, and you better get Crabb Goyle and Zabani".

"I believe I saw Nott too", he said curtly.

"Of course yes, Seven students! I dare say I think this is a record".

"Erm excuse me Minerva, Severus, what do you mean, were only expelling the Weasleys, and I saw Parkinson strike Malfoy, I've reason to believe she's been acting otherwise outside of the school rules in other areas too".

"Well, I'm sorry Dolores we can't flout the rules for one and not the other, I happened to witness Malfoy, Crabb and Goyle all assault someone in front of me".

"And Nott".

"Quite, Nott too, but I'm trying to work with you Dolores, we get rid of one bad apple we get rid of the lot. As you rightly said, keeping it to code".

"I see, well as it happens, I have word from a number of Slytherin students who saw the assault first hand, described precisely as an unprovoked and violent attack".

"Argh, well," Snape said, "did you happen to see the group of Slytherin's just outside, Miss Reed here was the last we had to be interviewed, and all have given a solid account. It would seem this was Malfoy's doing, brought on by some childish triangle". He cut across her as she went to open her mouth, "and as bitter as it makes me to admit about my own house, Malfoy and his friends have a history of less than savoury behaviour. The witnesses we've spoken to have exemplary school records".

"I see what your doing", Umbridge shot back.

"I doubt it", McGonagall muttered. Speaking up she said, "well Dolores rules are rules, if we punish one then they all need punishing. We can't very well expel one side alone; the Governors would have a field day".

"Cornelius will-…".

"Be busy with matters of state I should imagine, and not waiting on news that Weasley and Malfoy have knocked seven bells out of each other in the Great Hall. If that's everything, your late for your morning class, were on a free period if you wouldn't mind", she held her hand up to the door.

"So, he gets off just like that does he, likely because he's a friend of Potters eh!"

"Of course not, he's got a detention for his shirt not being tucked in".

"We told you Dolores, there all punished, or none are".

She marched out of the room, the door slamming shut as she left. Ron had enough about him to not smile at either teacher. Keeping his head down he apologised to them both.

McGonagall stood, gripping the back of her chair she glared at them both. She turned to Farah, "you're coming with me straight to the hospital wing for a full check-up when we leave". Turning back to Pansy and Ron, "the fact that I had to stunner my own student I can forgive, considering this business with Pansy is very worrying", she pointed a finger at her, "and you will be speaking to us about that", Pansy nodded silently. "But if you two ever do anything again that jeopardises the lives of one of our students, I will snap your wands personally and feed you to that Cantankerous Clump Womble".

Next to her Snape turned to cough into his hand, Pansy was sure she might be the first person to have seen the Professor laugh, or at least hide the act.

"I'll be giving serious thought to rescinding your Hogsmeade privileges and I'd stick a curfew on you If I didn't already know you have a proclivity for sneaking about unseen", she finished waving her finger at Ron. She paused when she finished, deciding she wasn't done, "You Potter and Granger have become the regular suspects in our lives for some time now, I don't want to see the pair of you back in front of us as the new thorns in our sides".

They both nodded and made to leave but Snape stopped them. "You weren't dismissed", he halted them. With a wave of his wand the door opened, and they saw as all their friends scattered from where they had been eavesdropping. "No!", they all froze as Snape shouted after them.

The group all came back into frame, pained looks at being caught. "Let's see, we'll have five points apiece for-…".

"Severus we've already taken a battering today let's not start demolishing our points too, Filius and Pomona will have a field day", McGonagall muttered through gritted teeth with Snape pulling a face in agreement. "Besides I'm down two Beaters and a Seeker, If I don't get the house cup, I'm coming away with nothing this year", she added the last grumbling to herself.

"Very well, a detention scrubbing out our classrooms for each of you skipping out on your lessons". They all groaned, and he turned to Farah, "your accomplices the other night?" Farah pointed at everyone there the night she was injured. "The rest of you get to class. You lot are coming with us to the hospital wing. If you think you've heard a dressing down from Poppy Pomphrey before, your very much mistaken".

Pansy had to do a great deal of throwing herself down at the mercy of her sisters once they were alone. After they realised that she had broken a major rule, giving details, and to a teacher, it was hard to forgive. But eventually even Harrier had to agree with her when Pansy confessed that she was relieved it was out, just so that she could see Farah go to Pomphrey.

Snape had understated the truly biblical rollocking they all received from the school matron, she fiercely admonished them all, Farah included, for not going straight to her. However, both McGonagall and Snape were visually displeased when she stated that she had to at least praise the methods they used to save her. Her final punishment was to ground Farah, confiding her to the ward over night for what she claimed were long overdue observations.

After this Pansy and the Gal's, minus their youngest, were all sat in the kitchens. They had purposely skipped dinner with the masses and now sat drinking tea after their food, to the delight of Dobby who was happy to have made yet more friends.

"I'll admit this is actually a pleasant enough place to get some privacy and a bru, considering the amount ears in here", Pansy pointed out, they had found no need for wards.

"How are you though Pansy", Liza said softly.

"I'm sorry we were so hard on you before", Harrier smiled.

"Its not your fault", Pansy said, "it was a knee jerk reaction". She sipped her tea thinking before she thought about how she was really doing. "It's hard to say when you don't know yourself. On the one hand, because I went sprinting to stop Ronald you've got everyone convinced the rumours are true".

Tracey made a noise; Pansy questioned her with a look. "Well… ", she drew the word out, "it's just that again you say 'convinced it's true'… it is true though, isn't it. I mean amongst us at least; we know it's true. You did sleep with him really didn't you. In fact, you've been in bed with him twice over two separate nights".

"Yes, thank you Tracey", Pansy's voice riddled with sarcasm, "good to know I can count on my best friend". She turned to the others, "Anyway as she said, I've all but confirmed the… truth, so now everyone's going to be all over that. Then there's the fallout from the gossip ringing that I'm betrothed to my bastard of a fiancée ".

"Oh, Pansy no", Tracey retched visibly as she heard this, "please gods don't put it into words like that, its foul to comprehend".

"Foul but true I'm afraid", she sighed, "finally read my pig of a father's letter after McGonagall gave it me back. She wasn't wrong, he's lost his damn mind".

"What did it say?"

They all froze as she took it out and tossed it to the centre of the table, "see for yourself".

Pensèe,

I write this letter to you in celebration. But I also write for your forgiveness as I confess my own short comings. For the entirety of your life, I believed you had brought me nothing but disappointment and the pain of knowing that our line will end with you and your fruitless being. I have tried to guide you in life to better yourself for the good of your line, as is expected of you. Instead, you proved time and again that you are incapable of following the simplest of orders and cannot be trusted to see a task through to its completion. You were growing plain and unpretty, with little charisma or intrigue to make up for your shortcomings.

And now, today I see I am finally able to call you my daughter with pride and admiration having seen that you have put the legacy of our House first, above all other desires. You have triumphed where I thought you would drown, and you are vindicated.

I am proud to inform you that you are to be wed to Draco Malfoy and your sires are to take the name of the Malfoy-Parkinson's.

I officially order you to return home for the Christmas period where you will be thrown an engagement party with your Betrothal who I await as the son I have always desired. You will then be joined officially at your Binding Ceremony on the date of New Years Eve.

It has already been arranged with your future in-laws that you will be taken as their financial burden, and you will leave your schooling to learn the traditions of old in preparation to receive your first heir.

You have made me proud, and I see now the woman of standing that I always knew was there, behind a girl of unimportance.

Father,

They all sat staring at her wide eyed with shock. Tracey and Liza stood when they finished reading and rounded the table, both taking Pansy in their arms holding her. Pansy could feel Tracey tremble with anger. She allowed this, the language her father used wasn't knew to her, only the details of marriage within shocked her. But for Tracey and Liza, she understood why they were upset. Feeling them was welcome though and it filled her with the same sense of family she always wanted but never had.

Eventually she looked up to Harrier who stared at her with hard eyes. She shook her head, "Pansy I honestly didn't know", she said softly. "I always heard from my farther that Arachnus was unhinged but I had no idea you were raised on this kind of, bile!".

Pansy shook her head, she smiled shrugging her shoulders, "that's actually quite tame for him".

As was usual at times like these there was a pause among them as they all sat reflecting. As they did Harrier sat staring at Pansy with an off look which didn't go unnoticed.

"Pansy, what's Parisa like? I've never been told much at all", finally asking what was on her mind.

"Mother?" she took a breath, thinking how best to answer. "She was quite beautiful once, very stringent, and always fiercely demanding when I was younger. I always liked it if I'm honest, her wanting the most out of me during our lessons. She was never overly soft with me and if I'm truthfully honest I craved her touch more than anyone's growing up as I got it the least. But I like to think it was because she wanted me hard, no fragility, ready for the world. And in my mind that was her love".

"Pansy," Tracey leaned across the table to take her hand, "why do you keep saying, was?"

There was a fear in Tracey's eyes and Pansy knew what it was. "She's… she's still with us", she smiled sadly, squeezing back on her hand.

Reading her face and an amount of guesswork told them enough. "I'm sorry", Harrier said, "I had no idea."

Deciding to be honest she wrapped her hands around her tea, "she remains mostly in a catatonic state that she rarely comes out from. In all honesty its more frightening when she does because to her time hasn't moved on and she doesn't recognise me, she expects a child".

"My gods", Liza breathed, "how long has she been like that?"

"Around eight years. When my brother Paris died before he turned one, she went into herself and never came out". Noticing the shock in Harrier, she understood it wasn't common knowledge among their circles. "He was different from me. I don't want to say he was wanted over me, but they had been desperate for an Heir. It destroyed me, I'd been waiting for a brother or sister for years and then he was taken. When I got older it turned to anger when I realised it cost me him and mother".

"Can I ask what happened".

"Cot death, I believe it was classed as; she was over tired and fell asleep with him and…".

Tracey came back round to hold her as she slipped into the memories. "I think we should call it a night", she said to others.

A weight flopped bodily onto the couch next to Ron, causing a brief alarm as it surprised him. "I was warned off you today".

"Really", he couldn't help the smile that Katie usually drew out of him, "well curiously, I was warned off you too".

She smirked back at him, "very curious indeed".

She handed him a bottle of butterbeer which he accepted in awe, "where'd you swipe this?"

"I've a couple hidden in the bottom of my trunk; I usually top up every Hogsmeade. Quick Glacias charm and their ice cold".

"Have I told you how brilliant you are".

"No but please do", she paused with an awareness of where she was quickly going. "Tell me, do you think you can be friends with me?"

"Yeah I do. I don't think I could play about, hurting people, so I what problem could there be. Besides you've been too good a friend to give up on".

"You don't half wear war wounds well you know", she leaned back getting a good look at his face. "Very… rugged".

"Err thanks", her quick change of topic throwing him slightly. "So, what's the damage?"

"With the masses, well it's all but confirmed you've been bedding Parkinson-… ".

"We never", he said rolling his eyes.

"Did I say anything", she teased, "I'm merely telling you. The marriage things a bit of a mind screw though, no one knows what to make of that", again she paused, "do you want to talk about that?"

"No".

"Very well".

"I'm not being funny with you".

"Ron, I know your not, don't worry". In truth she'd been wanting to hear from him on this all day, but she'd wait. "Anyway, what's your damage?"

"A week's detention", he pulled a surprised face.

"Wow, that's it? a week's detention… and Malfoy beaten to a bloody pulp, I'll drink to that!", they clinked their bottles with a laugh as she went into a quizzical storm of asking for details of the fight, who he punched and what stray digs he managed to get in.

After wishing he could sneak out to see Pansy and avoiding the bristling of his sister or the attention of the Common room, Ron decided a butterbeer with Katie was well received. He took to enjoying the next few hours that they spent going over their different views of the brawl, laughing at the looks they received from everyone and falling back on quidditch. By the time he went to bed he couldn't help the feeling that Katie's company was one of the only comforting presences he had right now, outside of his lusting's with Pansy.

A/N

I just thought I'd take the time to explain that I don't see the addition of things like what was warned about at the beginning as a simple throw away details to be impactive and give shock value to a story. I couldn't do that, the fact that it's so impactive is why it's a part of the lore for my version of Pansy's character.

One of my biggest ideas with Ron and Pansy's characters was to try and grow them naturally. Slowly making changes and adjustments to adapt them in time like we do in real life. For me I work in a role that involves a significantly high number of deaths of people of all ages, that over time has given me a very straight and morbid view on mortality and I think death can be a powerful subject in stories if done right or intended to be used right. Its those experiences that shaped me, as they did when I was younger as I put a lot of my true experiences, sometimes too much, into what I write.

Anyway, it is what it is, and I hope that those who have followed this story can look past any issues this might have raised, I'm heartily sympathetic if this effected anyone negatively. Losing a child young is an experience I have dealt with among others, so I hope it's believed when I say I treat that subject matter with the respect it deserves.

Plans and plots change but as it stands there are intended character deaths in this story which I hope will also not further put anyone off following.

x

Actual Righting Note,

This and the last chapter have been very conversation heavy and just to say that this is just the way the stories naturally progressed. I know that this fiction has been a very conversation led story and it may continue to be.