A/N: It's been a lil bit, but here we are again with Part 10(still more on the way)
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When Pansy's eyes blinked open, a little bleary, it was to a room that wasn't her own. The light from outside suggested it was some hour between dawn and noon, but she paid it no mind. Instead, she raised one hand to her eyes to clear the sleep from them, and turned her head.
A pair of green eyes stared back.
Harry.
Pansy smiled, and as his arms around her grew a bit tighter, she burrowed further into him.
"Morning." His voice was deeper than usual. Morningy.
"Hello," she whispered. "How long have you been awake?"
Harry shrugged and pressed a kiss to her hair. "Not too long."
"Mm." Pansy's eyelids fluttered shut. "Do we have to leave this room?"
"Eventually."
"Ugh." Pansy wrinkled her nose and buried her face in his chest. "Yesterday happened? Morgana, I wish I could have dreamt all of that."
"I was hoping I'd dreamed that too," Harry mumbled.
"At least we can't be bothered here." Pansy let out a huff when he slid up; he'd be up and out of bed come soon enough. "Mother and Father both will take this as an attack. Maybe it wasn't bad if it sees Father more firmly on our side."
"Maybe," Harry mumbled. He'd not really spent any time with either of her parents, and each for a different reason; at least Mother hadn't had any qualms with the man she'd chosen, but Father... he was much too focused on how others perceived them. Like how she'd been, before her cousins had talked sense into her.
"It seems you'll spend the remainder of your summer here, with us. For the sake of your safety." Pansy couldn't stop the pleased little grin on her lips.
Harry gave a chuckle, and the rumble made her heart skip a beat. "Yeah. It does — you're sure your mum and dad won't have a problem with it?"
"I'm sure." Pansy gave him a look. "Father will rarely be here, especially with this most recent problem having arisen."
Harry looked at her for a moment, then he nodded. "Alright." That hold of his tightened further. "Merlin. Glad there were only two. Gladder you're alright too."
"I know," Pansy pecked his neck. "Lucky for me, you were there. I was serious too, you know. I'd have you teach me how to cast the Patronus."
"Easy." Harry promised. "Just need a really good memory."
"What do you use?"
He shrugged. "Just about any with you works well enough to conjure it."
"Oh." Pansy's heart fluttered again; how did he always know exactly what to say to woo her? "If you're teaching me this, I can teach you..."
"You're already helping me with potions, you do—" Harry tried to argue, but Pansy was having none of it.
"Potions doesn't count. You were never taught right. I'm only writing Professor Snape's spiteful wrong." Pansy's tone was imperious, and she lifted her nose; he'd not change her mind on what else she could offer aid towards. "Occlumency. Hogwarts doesn't teach it, but most any Pureblood or Half-Blood will have learned it by now. I've had lessons since I was ten — it'll help if anybody ever tries to enter your mind... if you don't know what it is."
Harry seemed to ponder this for all of a moment before he nodded. "Sure. If you're certain it won't bother you."
"It won't. More time with you could never be a bother." Pansy leaned forward and nuzzled him, but the sound of footsteps outside had her groaning.
"Pansy?" Her mom was knocking on her door. "Are you awake?"
"Yes, Mother!" Pansy called back, only now shifting away from Harry and rising to her feet. Her legs and arms shook in that manner a body did after a long sleep, and already, she missed Harry's warmth.
"Your Father's at the Ministry. He gave orders that neither you nor Harry are allowed outside. The house-elves will bring you whatever you desire, and I'll be in the study." Her Mom sounded like she was finished, but then she added something more that made her groan. "If you go in the garden or forest, bring two of the guards with you."
"Guards?" Harry asked as her mother's receding footsteps faded.
"Of course we'd have them," Pansy said with a roll of her eyes. "But usually only split between our businesses. Father must be very angry if he's had a few brought to our home. He's only done that once before, so far as I can recall, and that was for a very long period of time."
Harry only whistled. "Really are a Princess, aren't you? What do they usually do?"
Pansy shrugged. "Guards things?"
Harry's brows rose.
"Stand near the main Floo, patrol the grounds, and make sure nobody comes in or out without permission. I think they're mostly just a deterrent." She wasn't interested in speaking about the hired wands her father often enlisted. No, she'd much rather see Harry bettered in knowledge and abilities alike...
There was an idea.
Pansy had known a few of those men that guarded them since she was a little girl. Father and Mother both seemed to trust those they'd had around longest; there was a reason only a select group were ever allowed to stay 'round them. So, with that in mind, couldn't she have one or two of them aid her and Harry both in learning and bettering themselves?
She'd have to see just what Mother thought in an hour or so of time, after breakfast had been had and the pair had washed.
For now, though, the morning had only just begun.
Pansy looked over at Harry and gave a little wave of her hand to catch his attention. The pair had only just received a notification in regards to the Dementor attack and the Ministry's inquiry; one that went better than Pansy had even dared to hope for. "I told you Mother and Father would see it solved."
"Didn't know your family had that much pull." Harry's eyes went to the slip of parchment. "How d'you reckon they sorted that so quickly?"
"It wasn't them alone. Others, like the Longbottom woman or the Bones' had your side as well. Really, all those who Dumbledore has the favour of, Father just went to Greengrass and the others that tend to stay more towards the centre, and pleaded his case — his daughter and heir to all that he has was attacked by Dementors and you, as the one courting her, took up your wand to defend me." Pansy gave an exaggerated hair flip and batted her lashes.
"Oh yeah?" Harry looked a touch amused. "What does all that mean?"
"They've decided that it was justified, and so no hearing will be needed. They've also sent us a letter." Pansy pointed at the parchment. "The Dementors were acting on orders, apparently. I wonder what sort of lunatic would attack us with Dementors?"
"Not many, I'd wager."
"Well," Pansy sniffed, "Whoever it was won't remain hidden for long. Mother and Father won't stand for this. The Ministry won't either — a few have already expressed their disapproval for an attack on a family such as mine. Whoever they are, we'll see them dealt with."
Harry let out a breath. "Feels strange, having everything go my way."
"Not a stranger thing than a pair of Dementors being used against us." Pansy leaned against his side and rested her head on his shoulder. "Now, why don't we take a look at those Prefect badges again? I'd like to see how we look with them on our Hogwarts uniforms."
"Already thinking about school, are we?"
Pansy gave a shrug. "It'll be a little while longer, but I like seeing how I'd look with my Prefect badge."
"I get it." Harry pressed a kiss to her temple. "Just a little bit longer here?"
That made her snort. "You grown attached, have you?"
"A bit." Harry nodded.
She flushed. She hadn't expected him to just admit to that so openly. Just how bold were Gryffindors in comparison to Slytherins?
"I suppose I'll not begrudge you some extra time cuddling." Pansy looked outside, to where she saw two men dressed in dark wizarding robes walking slow circles around their manor's grounds. They'd not yet asked one of them for lessons or anything else, but the pair would soon enough.
Pansy was growing ever closer to her Harry, and the more he knew, the better he'd be at keeping himself and her safe.
She didn't like that there were people, or perhaps a person, out there that wanted her Harry.
But Pansy wouldn't let them take him.
Pansy cheered Harry on as he dove to the side, a spell only just missing him by the tips of his fingers. She was sure she'd have a heart attack every time she saw him sparring against Orville or Ryland — the two guards she'd picked out to teach them both — but so far, her Harry was holding his own.
"You're improving!" Orville called over the sounds of spell-fire and exertion.
Harry ducked and rolled, then he was back on his feet and running a few paces.
Orville fired another spell.
A Stunner.
"Protego!"
The spell bounced off the Shield Charm.
Harry returned the favour, and when a second spell followed a mere breath later, Harry didn't bother with a shield; no, instead, he ducked low, his leg swung, and in the blink of an eye, the guard was on his arse and staring up at Harry's wand.
"Nicely done," Orville had a grin on his lips, and when Harry held a hand down, the man took it and allowed himself to be pulled up. "Most Magicals won't expect a leg or hand thrown. It makes it all the more fun when you put them on their ars— rear." His eyes went to Pansy, seemingly uncomfortable in speaking so freely with his bosses daughter right beside him.
Pansy had grown bored of sitting, and so she hopped to her feet as she watched Harry summon a glass of water; sweat-soaked and red-faced from his exertions, she smiled and gave him a nod as he downed it in seconds. "You're getting much better."
"Thanks." Harry's chest was still heaving, and he gave Orville a nod. "You've a knack for teaching."
"Nah. I'm just a soldier, is all." Orville gave a wave of his hand.
"A good one, nonetheless," Pansy assured. She wasn't going to have his modesty.
"You'll do well when you get older. Both of you." Orville's gaze flicked between the pair.
"I'm glad," Harry said, and Pansy felt his hand slip into hers.
Orville nodded. "Just remember, don't show any hesitation. Don't give them an opening, and don't think just because a spell doesn't have a visible effect, that it's harmless — now, reckon you two are off for dinner now, is that right? I'll clean up."
"Are you certain?" Pansy frowned. "We can clean up, it's not a problem."
"Nah, you go on." Orville waved the pair off. "I'll have the place cleaned up and the wards reset in a jiffy. Go on, now. Have yourselves an evening together."
"Thank you," Pansy said. She'd see to it that Father or Mother slid a little extra to Orville and Ryland. The pair had been invaluable, and she and Harry both have already shown a few signs of improvement — they'd said those first tips and the greatest indications would be visible early on, when one went from 'rabble to something better' as Ryland had so eloquently put it.
With their new skills in the works, she could see it becoming something great.
"Fancy a detour by the library after we've washed?" Harry asked.
Pansy nodded. "We'll have to ask Father about the other books. The ones in the private section. He's strict with access to them."
"That bad?" Harry knew her family was one such that'd have much most would consider 'dark' or taboo in nature.
Many Purebloods had a few things that were more closely held than others. The Malfoys had a large collection of Dark Arts books, the Greengrasses a large portion on curses, the Blacks had a fair few on blood magic, and the Parkinsons a few books that were rumoured to contain ancient magics and rituals.
If one did but a little bit of digging, it wouldn't be too hard in finding what each of the ancient families specialised in early in their history.
"It's not too terrible." Pansy gave a little shrug. "We should hurry, though. We have dinner, then our Occlumency lessons, and after that, we'll read what tome we decide on for the night in my room."
"Your room?"
Pansy blinked at him. "I have the larger bed." It was obvious hers was the better choice; her sheets were carefully picked out too, hence the softness that had her wanting to melt into them.
"Ah, yeah."
Pansy couldn't stop the little smile as Harry flushed. He was still so easy to fluster, and she was still just as easily pleased when he reacted that way. It meant her beauty was real as she'd always known.
"Walk me to the table." And with those parting words, Pansy pushed away to her room; she'd meet him after she had a nice long and hot bath.
Pansy groaned.
Father had just informed her that nearly one-thousand Galleons had been spent in-tandem with the Greengrasses and Carrows to the Prophet so as to keep the Malfoys from running smear pieces on Harry — ever since he'd claimed Voldemort had returned after Cedric had died, the Malfoys and a portion of the Ministry itself had seen fit to call him a liar and a lunatic.
It wasn't only he they'd wanted to discredit either. Dumbledore had been a target too, but the man had not the sway or galleons to buy off the Prophet as her family and their friends did.
"It's a lot of gold," Pansy said with a sigh. "But the damage would've been worse if we'd not."
Those words were said aloud to herself before she tossed aside the parchment. The Prophet would continue its coverage on the 'growing relationship' between her and Harry, and speak little and less in way to prove truly bothersome. In truth, it was better those articles that spoke of their 'forbidden' romance than those that would see Harry attacked by the public.
She wouldn't forget this either.
The Prophet controlled the public, and their loyalty was to naught but gold at the end of the day.
Lucky for her, whilst her family couldn't match the Malfoys galleon for galleon, those close to them could do so without a problem. She supposed her cousins Hestia and Flora had come through once more.
She'd have to make sure her father gave them a nice little Yule gift at the end of the year.
It was time, she thought, to see her Harry. He'd be wondering where she was by now, no doubt.
With a hum, Pansy headed down the hall, and to his room, where she entered without a knock.
He was sat on the balcony, which itself was visible from the open doorway, and was looking out across the rolling fields, and the small copse of trees that lay a few paces away.
"No Orville or Ryland today. Father has them taking a well-deserved day to themselves." Pansy plopped down atop his lap, and wrapped an arm 'round back of his neck. "We can do more Occlumency, speak of politics, or we could have a little duel, just the two of us in the backyard."
Harry grinned. "Duel."
That made her arch a brow. "Think you'll best me, do you, Potter?" She injected that old haughtiness that had so often accompanied her during the first three years at Hogwarts, and smirked when he flushed.
"You're too good at that." He grumbled at her.
Pansy giggled, and leaned forward, brushing a kiss across his nose. When she pulled back and looked him in the eyes, she gave him, a wink. "At least you know it's little more than a game — a witch has to keep you on her toes, doesn't she? Otherwise, you'd think it'd be easy."
"Oh, no. I know it's never easy."
Pansy's smirk was a wicked thing.
And then they were off for their duel.
She hadn't a doubt in her mind that she'd win... but she could make him work for it. Well, she hoped, at the very least. If he absolutely trounced her, she'd be very cross with herself. Pansy wouldn't be some weak and useless witch that needed protecting. No, she'd be a witch that was worth fighting alongside, not fighting for.
Pansy threw up a shield and summoned a loose bit of tree bark, and flung it at her opponent.
"Stupefy!" Harry bellowed.
Her shield deflected the spell, but the strength in his spell was such that the bit of wood shattered and was scattered around them.
"Incarcerous!" She shouted, wand waving.
A length of rope shot towards him.
Harry didn't even look. He intercepted the rope with his wand, and sent it straight back at her. She hadn't thought he'd do that, and the rope wrapped her wrist, and yanked. Pansy fell forward, but with a surge of adrenaline and a show of athleticism she didn't know she possessed, she rolled, and landed on her side.
"Finite!"
The rope was gone.
"Impedimenta!" Harry cast the spell just as he was turning, and it was all Pansy could do to throw herself back, and onto her bum, to avoid being struck in the head with a curse that would've left her a touch woozy.
Pansy rolled again, but then Harry shot forth, and grabbed her wand hand.
She yelped.
And then Harry was atop her.
That grin he sported was devilish, and his green eyes twinkled. "Looks like I've won, Princess."
"Humph," Pansy let out a huff, and blew a bit of hair from her face. "Best of three?"
"I think I'd rather have my victory kiss."
That brought a smile to her lips.
"Well, come and get it."
Another few days later, Pansy saw fit to challenge Harry to a true best of three.
She was not going to lose, even if the first bout had gone in his favour. There was no Orville or Ryland, just the two of them near the treeline, where a secondary set of practice wards were set up. Obviously, no truly harmful or dangerous spells were permitted, but they had a full array of non-harmful, yet highly effective spells to choose from, many of which they'd learned together via the Parkinson library, books from Hogwarts, and gifts from her cousins.
Hestia and Flora would have to visit soon, and seeing how she and Harry were locked up 'til Hogwarts started for the sake of their safety, they'd have plenty of time.
"Ready, Pans?"
"Don't get cocky, Potter."
Harry smirked. "Me? Cocky? Just planning on getting a nice victory kiss again. I rather enjoyed the last one."
"We'll see who kisses whom, won't we?" Pansy said, a smirk on her lips. "Three!"
"Two," Harry called out.
"One!"
"Begin!" They said in unison.
Pansy ducked and rolled, and fired off a hex, and then another, and a third, all of which Harry deflected or countered. Unlike him, she relied not on the power of her magic, but the sheer speed which she could cast with. Her slight frame was a blessing, as was her nimbleness. She couldn't move as physically fast as him, but she had a certain grace and fluidity to her movements that aided her in dodging.
Mother had been a duelling champion back in Hogwarts, and her tutelage had given Pansy an edge over others. Even now, she and Father would have little play fights here and there, and every time, it was the same; whilst Father had the power and the experience, she had the same attributes as Pansy, but she'd mastered them and cast with a certain cunning, always incorporating spells that weren't typically used in duels.
"Protego!" Harry blocked a stunning spell, then cast a counter hex.
Pansy dove behind a tree, and shot off another spell.
This time, she hit very near to him, as she desired, and when a red-tinged cloud exploded, her ears were filled with a cacophony of squeaks.
Bats, hundreds of bats, came swarming out.
"Bugger!" Harry yelled.
Pansy laughed, and dove to the side, avoiding an errant spell that came her way. She was running, then, and heard him behind her. He'd no doubt been forced to disperse the bats. That was the problem with creatures and conjured beings. They weren't the most reliable of things, and whilst useful in a duel as a distraction, they didn't tend to fare too well.
But in truth, Pansy didn't care about winning. She was having a blast, and seeing Harry try to catch her was making her heart pound and her lips pull up into a smile.
She ran through the woods, and he was hot on her tail, and then, she slipped.
Her foot caught a tree root, and Pansy was sent flying forward; but she didn't make contact with the ground, no, instead, strong arms wrapped her middle, and she was saved from the fall.
"Gotcha," Harry said, breathing heavily.
"Mm," Pansy hummed, and turned in his arms, and leaned up to brush a kiss across his cheek. "I suppose you win again. You must really like my kisses."
Harry smiled. "Or you like giving them." he grinned when he pulled back, and she followed for a half-second's time. "Best two out of three, remember?"
She narrowed her eyes — then she darted up, and stole a kiss from him. "I do." He'd learned much from her, so it was only fair she steal a sliver of his boldness; it brought a flush to her cheeks to do. "Carry me back for our second match? That's much too far to walk."
"I thought the victor was supposed to demand special treatment?" Harry asked.
Pansy arched an eyebrow. "Victor doesn't equate to Princess, does it?"
Harry laughed, and hefted her up, into his arms, and began walking. "Guess it doesn't."
Pansy smiled, and snuggled into his arms, content to be held aloft by those strong arms of his after having run into the wilderness.
Who knew too, maybe this act would see him a touch more tired for their second — and potentially final — duel, and perhaps, she could have her victory.
How sweet it'd be to win the second and third parts of their duel.
"You start." Harry said, and raised his wand.
He'd decided she could go first.
"What a gentleman." Pansy smirked at him, and then, her face turned serious. "Incarcerous!"
Harry stepped aside, and cast his own counter.
The pair were off.
They circled each other, firing spell after spell. The first one had been a warm up, and this was the true duel. They were both sweating, and the sun was beating down upon them, but Pansy wouldn't relent. She'd been on the losing side of the previous two duels, and it was time for her to take the upper hand.
She threw out a Stupefy, which he deflected, and fired back a stunning curse that she leapt to the side to dodge.
Harry was grinning.
"Expelliarmus!" He shouted.
Pansy threw up a shield.
"Reducto!" She sent the blasting curse right back at him.
It was a spell of such a force that Harry was blown back, and landed flat on his bum.
Pansy was quick, and ran, and then jumped, and when she landed atop him, Harry was looking up at her, a dazed expression on his face.
"Looks like I won."
He looked down, at his feet, and saw very near to them a bundle of rope. "Thought you'd missed that by a long-shot. You planned to trip me, didn't you?"
She grinned. "I can't beat you otherwise. You're more powerful, but I have the advantage of having been raised a Slytherin long before Hogwarts started for us. Mother and Father saw to that."
Harry let out a laugh. "Alright, Princess, I concede."
"Hmmm," She made a show of thinking. "Should I get up? Or should I have my victory kiss right here and now?"
"You haven't won yet." Harry sat up, one arm supporting her. "But if you think you'll just lose, you can say it and I'll give you your kiss."
Pansy arched a brow at him, and rose up and away from him, dancing back to where she'd started. "I'll get it in a moment, once you've lost come soon enough."
"If you say so," Harry smirked.
She didn't wait. Pansy launched right back into the duel, and the pair exchanged volleys of hexes, and counter-curses. The heat was making her sweat, and her hair was plastered to her forehead, but she pressed on, intent on victory.
It came with a stunning spell.
But not one of hers.
Pansy had misstepped, and Harry's spell had connected. She was falling, and she'd not a moment to throw up a shield, and then, Harry was summoning her wand, and catching her, and laying her down on the ground.
"Looks like I win," He grinned down at her.
"Not a bad consolation prize." She reached up, and tugged him down by the front of his shirt, and claimed 'his' kiss.
They parted after a few seconds, and Pansy was still a little winded. "I hope you know... you're carrying me... back to my room."
"Is that an order?" Harry asked.
"Yes."
He let out a little laugh, and scooped her up.
Pansy sighed as she looked out from her balcony across her family's land.
Hogwarts started again on the morrow, and still, the investigation into who'd used the Dementors to attack them had gotten them nowhere. Little and less had come out in the way of the Dark Lord as well... Harry hadn't been pleased about that, but she'd had to tell him it was better he and Dumbledore weren't attacked by the Prophet than trying to force the majority to accept his return; his reputation, and the Headmaster's mattered.
"You're brooding again." Harry came up behind her, and wrapped his arms around her middle.
Pansy leaned back into his embrace, and hummed. "Am I not allowed to do so? Whoever attacked us has yet to be caught. That's tedious, and showcases the incompetence or willful ignorance the Ministry is full-up with." She sighed. "At least Father convinced the Ministry to add a dedicated Auror contingent. Dumbledore and those that're fond of him agreed with the suggestion."
"Can only imagine Malfoy's look. Aurors aren't fond of his family or the company he keeps."
She smirked, and turned in his arms. "I'd pay to see it. I should've asked Father to use a wizarding camera."
Harry snorted. "You have one?"
"I wished we did." Pansy shook her head. "It's too Muggle for us to be seen using. Even if I'm dating you, Mother and Father do have a certain reputation they must maintain."
"Reckon that'll ever change?"
Pansy shrugged. "Magic and Muggle machines don't work well together. Until it does, I doubt any of it will be used by most."
"That's a shame. Reckon magic could do with some new ideas."
She agreed.
Pansy huffed as she took in the Hogwarts Express.
Hestia and Flora were nearby, and Daphne and Tracey were already growing near to them.
"Aren't you lucky?" Pansy asked as she gave his hand a little tug. "You get to sit with five Slytherin witches."
Harry shook his head. "Lucky is just you and I."
Those words made her eyes go wide and the fiercest of blushes come forth. That was... very forward.
"Uh, sounds a bit bad, that, doesn't it?" Harry asked, his own face a tad red.
"Wasn't that your intention?" Pansy raised a hand to her chest. "The big bad Lion come to pounce on a helples—"
Harry pulled her close, the act of boldness with so many others around silencing her.
"One more kiss? Before we sit with the others?"
Pansy licked her lips. "You've gotten a bit addicted, haven't you?"
"To the best kisses in the world?" Harry smirked. "Reckon so."
"Quickly." Pansy wanted that flush on her face to stop, and the easiest way to do that, was to give him that kiss he wanted... yes, it was all him. She didn't clutch his robes to keep the contact for an extra second or so.
Nearly ten minutes later and in that compartment, who'd have thought the first words would come from Tracey, and make mention of that kiss?
"You two look so sweet together." Tracey clapped her hands together, and looked over at Hestia and Flora. "Don't they?"
Before any answer could be given, Daphne flicked Tracey's ear, and gave her a look.
"Ouch! Why'd you do that?" Tracey whined.
Daphne rolled her eyes. "Because, you're teasing."
Pansy snickered. "Did any of you read the Prophet?"
Tracey, again, was the first to speak. "Duh! You two were brought up a half-dozen times — enough that Witch Weekly promises to do a story on the pair of you. But Morgana, Skeeter can't write anything romantic and ha… I get carried away, I can't help it."
Harry chuckled.
"You'll have to get used to it, Harry. Tracey's only going to speak more and more as she gets comfortable around you." Daphne then gestured to the Carrows. "You two don't mingle much. I'm sure Pansy and Harry both wouldn't mind hearing from you."
Hestia looked up from her book, and smiled.
"Well," She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "We believe the match better made than most."
Flora picked up when Hestia's mouth closed. "And it gladdens us to see Pansy pleased. Malfoy is far from a good match for any witch."
Tracey made a noise in her throat. "You two definitely seemed in Potter's corner."
The Carrows replied as one. "It's worked out."
Pansy shook her head at their serious answer, and looked over at Harry.
He was grinning.
"Wanna go find a wizard for me next?"
Daphne sighed at Tracey's question, but Harry and Pansy shared a laugh.
As for Hestia and Flora, they simply looked betwixt each other with a clear thought in mind.
As their trip was truly underway, the vast countryside flying past them, Pansy found herself snuggling into Harry sans care of what her cousins or companions might think. Unlike other houses — save for Tracey — there'd be no teasing or jokes of an inappropriate nature made.
The quiet of their compartment was broken after a few moments.
But not by any of the usual suspects.
It was Flora. "Have you heard about the Ministry's most recent meddling?"
"You've been quiet, if you have." Hestia added.
Then, together, the pair finished. "Malfoy might need planning around."
Pansy narrowed her eyes, and shifted a bit, so that she and Harry were closer. Then, she looked over at her cousins — Father hadn't mentioned anything more, so what had he failed to inform her of? "What was it?"
"They desired a Ministry official be installed as our newest Professor for Defence Against the Dark Arts." Hestia started, and then, Flora finished. "Your father was called away before the voting had begun. A meeting with one of the Directors, I believe Father said."
Hestia picked up again. "Ours was able to see any votes that might falter restored, so that the position would remain open for a person of the Headmaster's choosing after the lack of confidence in the Ministry following your attack. They had no chance in seeing it through."
"It was an attempt at reestablishing their influence, one of many that they'll have, if Father's right." Pansy shook her head. "I wonder who the Headmaster put into the position instead. I suppose we'll have to wait and see. And, thank you, Cousins."
Harry and Pansy were walking hand-in-hand towards the Great Hall, an eagerness about them in seeing who the newest Professor would be.
"It's almost certainly somebody known to him, and not one hired by way of interview alone. The Headmaster wouldn't put somebody in that's simply applied after getting the Ministry denied its right to install a Professor — there'd be a chance that person was the one in which eh didn't want." Pansy cocked her head at Harry, who'd simply been looking her over. "What?"
"You love this sort of thing, don't you?" Harry asked. "The mystery and the politics of it."
"Yes." Pansy nodded. "It's fun. Much better than being forced to attend those dinners or meetings that Mother and Father drag me along to."
"Still have to do many of them?" Harry asked.
Pansy hummed. "Not as many. I'm not expected to be a proper Pureblood daughter any longer, not with our being together. Only a portion of those we formerly spent time with persist in friendship, but with those paths closed, new ones have opened up that more than make up for the lack of previous business."
"So you've got the freedom you wanted?"
Pansy looked at him curiously. "That's a charming way of putting it. I suppose I have. I'm even free to experience Muggle places with you — I'd never had much of a desire to do so, but you've given it a sense of appeal."
Harry smiled, and tightened the hand holding hers.
Then the pair entered the Great Hall proper, and she gave his hand a little tug. "Sit with me."
He sent a look over to his table, but followed after her to a spot where Daphne, Tracey and her cousins were already sat. "You'll have to join me one of these nights over at the Gryffindor table. Think 'Mione wouldn't mind getting to know you a bit more."
Pansy hummed, and sat down, Harry following suit. "She's the witch you spent most of your time with in school, isn't she? You must have a great deal of affection for her."
Harry nodded. "Like a sister."
"I suppose I'll try and spend more time with her. She'll not speak of her teeth-fixers, will she?" Pansy hadn't enjoyed the graphic nature of Granger's words.
Harry laughed. "Only if you bring it up."
"Never." Pansy shuddered.
And then, their food was appearing, and she let out a little sigh. There were so many sweets — her favourite pudding amongst them.
"Look at the table." Tracey said, nodding towards where the staff table was. "Looks like we've a new Professor."
The group turned their attention to the staff table, and there was indeed a new wizard in their midst.
"Isn't that one of the Weasleys?" Tracey looked to Harry. He'd been the one to live with them before Pansy had 'stolen' him; Daphne she imagined, like her, remembered he was either Charlie or Bill. They'd heard of the eldest before.
She didn't detest them as she previously had, they'd been kind to Harry, and hadn't made a pass at his wealth or name... but was any member of that family qualified to teach? Hadn't most only just graduated these past few years?
"Bill," Harry said. "He's good."
"How good could he be if he's only just graduated?" Daphne asked, her gaze still fixed on the new Professor. "Hasn't he only worked with dragons? Or is that the other?"
Harry shrugged. "Dumbledore thought he was good enough, and 'only' dragons is still more than most, isn't it? It's not like he can be worse than Lockhart either."
"Or Squirrel." Tracey added.
Pansy hummed, and leaned in close to Harry; even at Hogwarts, she could be content as ever.
"We'll see soon enough." Her eyes drifted up the table, to Draco; he was looking where they were, at the newest Professor. Evidently, the thought of a Weasley teaching them was a sour one. She wasn't especially fond of it either, given Ron hadn't been the best of friends, and the Twins would only exchange short words where once there'd been many.
"What is it?" Harry asked, noticing her gaze.
"I'm imagining how sour Draco will prove to be in class." Pansy let out a snort when a new thought struck her. "If he proves too bothersome, he could lose his Prefect status. Morgana, could any of you imagine him getting given a detention by a Weasley?"
The laughter that ensued was quiet, but true. Even Hestia and Flora seemed amused at the thought based on the little smiles they wore and the way they raised their hands to their mouths to try and stifle their own amusement.
Thankfully, Harry took it for what it was too; a joke, one that didn't demean the Weasleys, and only showcased Draco's way of thinking.
"First class with Bill here soon." Harry adjusted his tie and looked at her; the pair had opted to sit side by side, with Granger and Weasl— Ronald, in-front of them, and Daphne and Tracey to their right.
"Where do you think he'll fall in?" Pansy asked, curious with the start so soon.
"Better than Lockhart, I'm sure." Daphne added. "And as Tracey said, Squirrel."
"He'll be good as Lupin was." Ron said so with a glance over his shoulder. He seemed confident in that — she imagined that it was his brother's classroom that gave him a sense of certainty.
Granger's answer was diplomatic. "He'll be better than most we've had, and genuinely kind-hearted." A clear dig at the faux Moody last year.
"I hope we have practical lessons." Daphne said, her voice full of confidence. "I'm rather tired of all the reading most Professors have us doing."
"Thought you liked History."
Daphne and Hermione answered as one, just as her cousins did. "What's wrong with History?"
The pair shared a look while Pansy stifled a giggle and gave Harry's arm a little tug. Those two, for all their differences and the competition between them, were so much alike it was amusing.
"Do yo—" Pansy paused when the tell-tale sign of a door opening came from up above and before them.
Her eyes — most of the classes, she imagined — went to the stairs that led up, into the office of this years DADA classroom. Bill Weasley stepped out from the room, and smiled at the lot of them, his apparel so casual and non-magical, one would think him a student ready for a trip to Hogsmeade... albeit one that looked a bit older than most.
"Good morning." His eyes roamed the lot of them, and she wondered if he were looking at all the Slytherins. Most of the teachers hadn't taken kindly to any house, but especially not theirs. "For those that don't know me, I'm Bill Weasley, your new Professor."
"Aren't you a bit young for a Professor?" The question was voiced by one of the many students sat with them.
Bill raised a hand to his chin, and nodded. "Yes. I'm a bit younger than most, and it's a position that's been offered to me after working abroad."
"Where?" Another student asked.
"A place with dragons. That's where most of my experience comes from, so I'm sure you'll learn a lot this year." Bill grinned.
There was a collective intake of air from the lot of them.
Dragons?!
"What?" The voice of the girl she'd seen on the platform sounded out.
"A joke. Only the Seven Years get to dance with dragons." Bill danced on down the stairs, and came to a stop behind his desk. "We'll focus mainly on defensive magic, in truth. Shield charms, summoning debris or other materials to intercept spells, and the like."
"Will we learn offensive spells?" It was Draco who asked, a smirk on his face. "We can't solely defend ourselves, Professor."
Bill nodded. "You're exactly right. You can't focus on nothing but defence — you have to learn how to get away too. Distractions, trickery, anything to pull attention from yourself is an option. The more creative you are, the better. We'll have plenty of examples throughout the year. Now, I think I'd like to see what each of you are capable of this first set of classes. I'll pair you up, you'll have a friendly duel before the class, and we'll slowly go 'round until everybody's had three chances." He summoned parchment, and had one sheet placed before each and every student. "Those of you watching will take notes of issues in a classmate's fighting, or something notable that could be used as an advantage in the future. You're not trying to harm anybody, so only spells that wouldn't cause a serious injury or kill are allowed. Wards are placed, but let's not test them, yes?"
"Are there any questions?"
"Why three rounds, sir?" One of the Gryffindors, Dean, she thought, asked.
"Because once or twice didn't feel quite good enough." Bill gave a nod at that same Slytherin. "You'll get to go first too..."
"Dean," The boy supplied.
Bill grinned. "Thank you. Dean." His eyes scanned the Slytherins next. "And let's see — you. Goyle, isn't it?"
Gregory nodded, his head hanging a bit.
"Good. So, Dean, if you'll take the stage with Gregory here. Anybody else have a question?"
Pansy leaned in close, and whispered to Harry. "This is a rather unorthodox way of starting a class."
Harry's reply was eager as he looked at the two boys taking their spot on a 'stage' that'd risen up from the ground from a flick of their Professor's wand. "We're going to learn a lot though."
"I hope I get to trounce Lavender." Pansy's eyes went past him, to the aforementioned witch. "She's been looking over here far too much."
Harry shook his head, but his lips curled upwards. "Behave."
"Never."
As one had suspected, Goyle emerged victorious, his years of experience pre-Hogwarts the only thing keeping him afloat against an opponent who was nearly as good, with far fewer years of having Magic to his advantage.
Draco seemed to find that amusing, however, for he commented loud and for all to hear as his dog sought his side once more. "Not a real test, is it?"
Professor Weasley raised a brow. "Would you like to come up then? Face off against..." The man's eyes snapped her way, or more accurately, Harry's; she hoped he wasn't fool— "Harry. Would you care for a go?"
Draco's expression was a mix of pride and anger at the mention of Potter. His enemy turned all the more so, given he'd 'stolen' Pansy away from him, and was the reason why his father's power-base was weakened.
Harry's own response was to stand, and make his way up the steps. "Can do." He looked back, and sent her a grin. Undoubtedly, he was very pleased at the prospect of a duel with Malfoy, and before the eyes of their class. Maybe he'd knock Draco down another peg or two; Harry'd have her and another victory after all the issues Draco had caused him.
Maybe, if Draco persisted in being problematic, she'd see a story given to the Prophet that the Malfoy's would have to spend no small amount to prevent from spreading. One that spoke of a stolen witch he'd been courting by Harry, the Arch-Enemy and wizard that'd bested him time and time again. How would their peers view him then, or the public?
Her lips curled into a smile. It would be quite amusing, wouldn't it?
Pansy huffed and shook her head. Mother and Daphne each had filled her head with too much fun.
She didn't need that drama, and she imagined, nor did Harry — it'd have to be but a fun thought. Bit that didn't mean Draco would get away with meddling in her and Harry's relationship. No, if he proved bothersome, she'd see him suffer, if only just a little. Harry wasn't fond of such things, so she'd keep them quiet, and small.
Professor Weasley's voice broke her out of her reverie, and she blinked, and focused.
"To your spots, you two."
Pansy watched the pair, and was happy to see Harry was smiling and taking this as if it were a moment of levity. She knew Draco was better than their average peer, but Harry had strength and a more refined control on account of their recent, numerous lessons. His repertoire of spells was larger too, even if he'd seldom used many of them against her — he'd taken it easy regardless of her desires.
How sweet of him, but Morgana, had it frustrated her at the time.
Her eyes switched to Draco, grinning when she saw a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.
He must be realizing he may have bitten off more than he could chew.
"On my mark, you two." Bill Weasley raised a hand. "Three, two, one — begin!"
Pansy watched, her eyes darting between the pair. Harry was quicker to draw his wand, and sent a spell Draco's way. A curse, one meant to send the other flying, but that was a ruse; he followed it up immediately with a spell that'd see Draco's legs bound.
But the blond was fast too, and was casting a shield, which blocked both curses, and a third from Harry.
Harry overcame it with a shield-breaking charm so strong that it sent Draco stumbling backwards. He tried to regain his footing, but his feet were already frozen in place.
"Done!" Bill called out, and gave a wave of his hand as he put a shield between the two. "Well done, both of you. Harry, good use of utility spells. Anybody like to say their thoughts?" He looked for hands in the crowd. "Pansy, what did you think of the match?"
Draco scowled her way.
As for Pansy herself, she began to wonder if Professor Weasley knew of her and Harry; why else would he pick her if not to aggravate Draco?
Ah well, she wasn't one to decline a good opportunity. Not one that was all but gifted as if it were Yule.
"Draco was defensive throughout the majority of the fight. Harry was more versatile in his attacks. Draco was much too slow and uncertain upon his feet." She cocked her head as if a thought had just occurred. "I'd thought Quidditch would've had them both equally fit, but it seems Draco needs a bit more work; it's surely an advantage most of us lack."
That was enough, she supposed — the snickers and laughter that rose up from the lot of them was enough to make Draco's face turn a bright shade of red.
She caught Harry's eye as the pair made back for their seats and hid a giggle behind one dainty hand; Harry's amusement was plain as day.
When he slid into the space at her side and watched together with her as Draco moved passed them, to where he'd once been sitting, she had to resist the urge to press her lips against his own. If only to press further salt into those boyish wounds of his. It was disgusting to think once she'd desired little more than to be the future Lady Malfoy.
"Good job, Harry." Pansy gave his arm a squeeze.
Harry's gaze was on her, and his mouth quirked upward. "Had to tease him, didn't you?" There was naught but amusement in his voice as he whispered while Professor Weasley called forth the next two pairs.
"Of course." Pansy looked to the front. "You can't expect me to let such an opportunity slip, now can you? Not when your friend offered him up the way he did."
"He did do that, didn't he?" Harry laughed softly, and shook his head.
The two shared a laugh, quiet and private, while the next set of duelers faced off against one another.
Pansy would readily admit that watching him best Malfoy before the class had made him out to be all the more appealing.
She'd show as much once this lesson was over, and the pair were free to walk the grounds.
"On my mark."
Professor Weasley's voice drew her from her admiration of Harry, and she let her eyes go to the new pair, Daphne and Granger.
This would be a match.