Part II ~ However Far Away ~ Chapter Eleven

[seaislewitch]

Romance, Slytherin Style - Part II
However Far Away
Chapter Eleven

by Sea Isle Witch

"What am I going to wear?" Pansy stood wrapped in a large, white towel with her hands on her hips. I shouldn't have let Draco lure me into that tub, no matter how luxurious it was; although my skin is velvety soft from the herbal bath potion.

"Just put your clothes back on," said Draco, who was dressing in a navy shirt and grey flannels from his school trunk. He knew they would be able to leave the Room of Requirement as soon as the students went to dinner. That bath was exactly what we needed. She's always given a brilliant backrub, but today, she was inspired.

"No! I must have fresh clothing!" she said incredulously.

"I know it's less than ideal, but you can change into a beautiful witch's dress for me as soon as we return to the dorm," he said, fastening a charcoal cape around his neck.

"I really cannot do that, Draco," she said, ignoring his possessiveness. "I'm clean, and the clothing I wore earlier is dirty!"

"You were hardly dirty before, Pansy, a bit naughty, but not dirty."

"You're not helping me."

"A cleaning charm?" he suggested.

"Not good enough."

He rolled his eyes. "Do you want me to call that bloody elf?"

"I don't want Dobby going through my lingerie!"

"He'd probably be very curious."

"Draco!"

"What about the female?"

"Yes, I could call her. She would understand what a witch needs. I suppose you better stand over there so she doesn't see you."

"Advoco Elfin Familiaris Winky!"

Pansy sighed when the little elf did not appear. "Draco!"

"She didn't come?" he asked, looking around.

"No. Maybe she can't hear me from this room. Well, she isn't my house-elf, but she always seems to want to help me." Pansy crossed her arms, rethinking her options.

"Pansy, just put your robes on -- without your skirt and knickers," he said, laughing and moving closer. He smiled slyly at her, knowing she was seriously considering his suggestion. He thought of their alcove and how much he'd like to stop on the way back to indulge in one of his school boy fantasies -- it would be easy if she wasn't wearing her lacy panties. He gently titled her chin up so she was looking into his eyes. "I'll try to be a good boy and not slide my hand inside your robes."

Pansy felt a rush of warmth and excitement. "I might like that, Draco," she whispered and then gave him one of her most delicate kisses. "Have I told you how incredibly handsome you look?" She ran her hand lightly across his chest and gave him another soft kiss, letting the towel drop to the floor.

You don't know what you do to me, Pansy. He took the opportunity to rub her hips and bum, pulling her tightly against him and pushing his tongue into her warm mouth.

Here I am again, completely nude, and he's fully dressed! His clothes were rough against her sensitive skin, even though they were of the finest quality, but at the moment she didn't care. Oh, Draco, the way you make me feel...

I could stay here with him for as long as he'd have me.

I wonder if we have time to... No, we need to go. Damn!

"Come, Pansy, we must go now." He gave her one last kiss, a tender one. Draco put her clothes in his rucksack and resealed the trunk.

Pansy dressed in her robes, making sure they were buttoned completely, and put her shoes on. "I hope no one will know I'm missing my knickers. Can you tell?" she asked, spinning around.

"Only I know what lusciousness lies beneath that fabric," he teased.

She gave him a deceivingly innocent smile and then looked around to see if they had everything. The photographs! Pansy picked them up and slid them into the pocket of her robes.

"I get one of those," Draco reminded her, holding out his hand.

She handed him the one where she looked the best, and he carefully put it into his rucksack.

"Do we just leave your trunk here?"

"I don't see any alternative."

"I'll think of some way to get it back to you."

"You don't need to do that, Pansy."

"I know."

~ * ~

Disillusioned, Draco carefully followed Pansy back to the dungeons. They used all of the secret passageways and hidden staircases they had discovered together over the years, but they did not stop in the alcove--it would have been too dangerous at that time of day. Still, Pansy had to slap his hand away a few times; otherwise, the journey was uneventful. Just when they thought they were safe, Millicent walked into the common room.

"Pansy!

"Millie!"

Draco froze against the stone wall in a darkened corner. Pansy moved to stand in front of him, blocking Millicent's view.

"Where have you been? Everyone keeps asking me!"

"Who?"

"Professor Sprout."

"I missed Herbology today because Fafnir was ill."

"That's what I told her."

"Thank you, Millie."

"Oh, and Kevin is looking for you."

"Why?"

"To shag you! What do you think? He wants to talk to you, Pansy."

"Um..." Wonderful, Millie! I'm sure Draco loved that.

"I told you this before, Pansy, but you need to snatch him up before some other pure-blood witch does."

"I need to go check on Fafnir now, Millie."

"I'll come with you!"

"No!" Pansy said quickly. "I mean, he's not feeling well. Cruppies can be fierce when they are not well."

"I never heard that before. Well, we're late for dinner. Do you want me to wait for you?"

"No, I'll just see you in the morning -- for breakfast."

Millicent didn't move. "Have I done something?" she asked pointedly.

"Of course not, Millie! I've not been well and then Fafnir was sick. I'm sure everything will be back to normal by tomorrow."

"All right then. Listen, Wayne and I are studying in the library after dinner. Why don't you ask Kevin to meet you there? Afterward, we can all sneak up to the south tower. I'm sure Kevin would love to give you an astronomy lesson, Pansy; he's definitely smitten."

"Millie!" Draco has to be completely ticked off now. Pansy stepped back until she felt Draco behind her. I don't want him to curse her.

"Don't tell me you haven't kissed Kevin yet! Not even on Saturday night? He told me he walked you back to the common room; I know what that means."

"Of course I haven't kissed Kevin, and I don't plan on it!"

"Pansy, you really should. Kevin can make you forget all about Draco. You must realise that Draco is probably a full-fledged Death Eater by now, and he's either going to end up dead or in Azkaban. Who knows how many people he's already killed?"

Pansy drew her wand. "How dare you say that!" She heard Draco hiss, and she could feel his breathing on her neck.

"What do you think Death Eaters do, Pansy? They kill people!"

"Shut up!" Pansy yelled, pointing her wand at Millicent's heart.

"Lower your wand!" Millicent said sharply, drawing her own wand.

Pansy did not comply; she was as close to hexing her best friend as she had ever been.

"Look, you'd be foolish to let Kevin slip away because you are pining for a childhood crush. Draco has to be so altered by now that you wouldn't even recognise him. If Draco got a hold of you, he'd probably hurt you, Pansy, and I don't mean your feelings. Death Eaters rape and torture witches, even pure-bloods, if you don't do what they say."

"Shut up!" Pansy jumped forward and jabbed her wand into Millicent's neck. "Don't you dare say another word against Draco. He would never hurt me," she said in a low, dangerous sounding voice.

Millicent grabbed Pansy's wand, and Pansy struggled to maintain control. With a grunt, Millicent pushed it off her neck, causing Pansy to step back. Pansy quickly pointed it at Millicent's heart again.

Millicent was red in the face, and her eyes flashed with anger. Her wand was pointed at Pansy, and she moved into a defensive stance.

Pansy tightened her grip on her wand. Her mouth was dry, and she felt her heart beating wildly. "Draco would never hurt me! Now shut up before I hurt you!"

"Remember how cruel he was to you last year?" Millicent taunted.

"He didn't mean to be," Pansy managed to say in an even voice. "Just go away, Millicent!"

"I remember how you suffered; I saw you fall to pieces every time he ignored you and walked away," Millicent continued, disregarding Pansy's order. "Now that I think about it, he was probably doing you a favour."

Pansy remembered how awful last year was. Draco was cruel to her at times, and she had suffered horribly. The only time Draco wanted to be with her was late at night, so she'd often wait up for him under the guise of studying. It was almost the same every time; he would come into the common room, and she would pretend not to notice. He'd sit down nearby and stare at her; after a while, she'd look up at him and smile. Draco would reach out to her, pulling her to him and kissing her intensely at first and then gently. They'd stay like that, kissing and whispering, for as long as they could stay awake. The next morning, he'd sit next to her at breakfast with his hand discretely on her thigh, yet he'd barely talk to her for the rest of the day, and it broke her heart. She knew now what he had been dealing with, but last year she was worried that he had been losing interest in her.

Pansy pushed the hurt of last year out of her thoughts and looked at Millicent. "What happened last year is really none of your concern," Pansy said, stepping back again until she could feel Draco behind her. He immediately put his hand on her back.

"Oh, no? It concerned me enough to protect you last year."

"Protect me? From what?" Pansy asked; she was extremely aggravated. Just go, Millicent!

"I protected you from the rumours, but I guess I shouldn't have concerned myself." Millicent paused, looking at Pansy sadistically. "I bet you can guess what they were. I know you thought about it all last year, when Draco was nowhere to be found."

"No." Pansy shook her head; she didn't want to hear those rumours. She felt Draco press against her back. "Don't..."

"Everyone knew about Draco's outside interests, except you," Millicent said quickly, interrupting Pansy. "For starters, he was seen all over Hogwarts with a pair of young Slytherins; I think they were Emmy and Bethany. Who knows what he was making those little girls do!"

"Millicent, you don't know..."

"Apparently, Draco was running his own Inter-house relations campaign too. He had a taste for Ravenclaw witches last year, whichever ones would submit to his bad-boy image, like Cho Chang -- he wasn't choosey. Oh, and that nasty Gryffindor, Lavender Brown, was one of his slags for a while too. That's why Lavender and Ron broke up -- because Weasley found out about it."

"No...he..." Pansy sputtered, her wand hand falling to her side.

"Do you want to know the real reason why Potter attacked Draco?" Millicent continued. "It was because he caught his slutty girlfriend, Ginny Weasley, shagging Draco in the sixth floor boys' bathroom!"

Pansy felt sick and had to put her hand on the wall to steady herself. She felt him gently stroking her back and heard him whisper, "Lies."

"Look how easily Draco deceived you, keeping you in the dark about his activities and giving you just enough attention to string you along in case he decided he needed something from you," Millicent ranted. "Waiting and hoping for something to happen with Draco is pointless. Draco can't offer you anything ever again, except more pain and misery and probably death." Millicent stomped across the room, away from Pansy.

"I hate you!" Pansy screamed, stepping away from Draco. Her wand was shaking in her hand.

Millicent turned around by the common room entrance and shook her head. "You don't hate me; you hate the truth! Don't be daft, Pansy. There aren't many quality pure-bloods left; you don't want to end up marrying someone beneath you. Kevin is everything you could want; he's handsome, athletic, smart and he's fairly wealthy too. If you marry him, he will treat you well, and your babies will be beautiful," Millicent said as the doorway slid open, allowing her to leave.

~ * ~

Draco grabbed Pansy by the waist and pulled her down the hallway. Sod it all! This is not what we needed right now! he thought bitterly. He made the door to the dorm fly open, causing Fafnir to bark. Pansy stormed inside and threw the Cruppy a treat.

"Colloportus," he whispered and then Reillusioned. He leaned against the door, watching her pace with her wand out. She is furious! She's hurt too. This is bad! He knew better than to make any sudden movements, but he desperately needed to hold her. All she hears are lies about how evil and horrible I am and how bloody wonderful that bastard is! Damn! I should have shut Millicent up! She's lucky Draco the Death Eater didn't cast the Cruciatus Curse on her! Merlin knows I wanted to, but then I would have had to Obliviate her again. That would have made Pansy furious at me too, if she's not already, and I didn't even do anything! Draco removed his cape, but actually broke the clasp with his anger and frustration. Damn! "Reparo," he whispered.

I hate her! Pansy ranted to herself. How dare she talk to me like that! After everything I've done for her since first year, inviting her to my parties, helping her with charms and being her friend, and this is how she repays me? I could just kill her for saying those awful things about Draco! In front of Draco! She knows how much I love him, have always loved him. She purposely tried to hurt me! She doesn't even know anything about last year! She can't possibility begin to understand! I will not let her ruin what I have with Draco.

She thinks just because she snogged that Hufflepuff a few times, she knows which wizard is best for me? Kevin is a great wizard; he's all the things she said, but he's not the one I love. If Draco weren't in my life, I'd have no problem securing Kevin. I wouldn't need her to tell me how to do that!

Some of the things she said seemed like they could be true, but I would have known if Draco was with other witches. He wouldn't have kissed me the way he did. I could tell he needed me, but he didn't want to get too close. I think...

Draco gave Pansy a long look; she looked dangerously sexy. She is gorgeous when she's angry! Her face was determined, her eyes were lit with emotion and her robes had opened a bit, revealing her long legs as she paced the room. It's time for a bit of the Malfoy magic to soothe my vexed witch, before she turns that anger on me!

"I will never hurt you, Pansy," he said softly, slowly drawing near. He was careful to stay behind her -- and her wand.

"I know, Draco," she choked out, trying to hold back her tears by focusing on her anger at Millicent.

"Everything I told you about last year was true. You're the only witch for me." He stood behind her and leaned in, gently nuzzling her neck.

"Why would she say those things to me? She was thrilled to hurt me. You saw her face!" she said, battling to hold her tears back.

"That stupid bitch! She had no right to upset you like that. I should have cursed her." He put his arms around her waist, giving her a squeeze.

"I can handle Millicent," she said firmly, pulling away slightly so she could turn to face him. "Did you use Bethany and Emmy to Polyjuice Crabbe and Goyle?"

"Most of the time. I already knew Bethany, so it was easy to get strands of their hair," Draco said, rubbing her arms.

"You knew Bethany because of Winifred!" Pansy said viciously, pushing him away. "How did everyone know about those rumours? What happened to start them?"

"Millicent probably started them! She's always been jealous of you and what we have." He tried to touch her again, but she moved back and tightened her grip on her wand. Calm down, Pansy...

"Is that really why Potter attacked you? He caught you with that...that s-s-slut?" she asked in a quivering voice.

"No! Absolutely not! That is not what happened. Potter wanted to know what I was doing in the Room of Requirement, so he took to following me around, spying on me -- just like he did on the train. That's why Crabbe and Goyle had to take Polyjuice, so he wouldn't know that they were acting as look outs," he told her.

"I know all that!" she snapped, her wand pointing at him momentarily.

Draco flinched. Merlin! "Well, I was in the washroom, and Potter snuck in behind me. I didn't know he was there until I saw him sneering at me in the mirror. I turned around, sending a hex his way. He dodged it, and we duelled. Then he attacked with that spell that ripped me apart. I know Snape helped me, but the next thing I remember is seeing you, Pansy, in the hospital wing." Draco had an awful feeling in the pit of his stomach as he remembered the shock of being sliced open.

She recalled how distressing it was seeing him in the hospital wing, so badly injured. She wanted to kill Potter for hurting Draco like that! They were lucky Snape knew what to do; Draco didn't even have as much as a scar from that encounter. Snape had let Pansy sit with Draco, holding his hand, and he had woken up once during the night, asking her to stay. Early the next morning, she had been woken by Draco's mother, who insisted she go to bed. Pansy didn't want to leave his side, but she didn't want to make a bad impression on Mrs Malfoy by arguing with her.

He saw that her face had softened a bit, but couldn't have her doubting him like this. "Pansy, you can't believe what Millicent said, it simply isn't true."

"I know," she whispered, tears running down her cheeks. "I just don't want to think of you...touching other witches the way you touch me." Pansy choked on her words and started to cough, which led to her gagging. I'm going to be sick.

Draco quickly poured a goblet of water for her and rubbed her back while she drank it. Why did Millicent have to do this now? Haven't we had enough drama? How much harder does it have to be?

Pansy sat on the edge of the bed with her head in her hands. She wouldn't look at him; she didn't want to cry anymore and looking at him would make her cry. How much more can I take? I love him completely, but everyone and everything seems to be against us. Why does this have to be so complicated?

He stood there, not knowing what to do. His heart ached for her. She had done nothing but love him.

As difficult as this is, at least I'm here to dispel these rumours. If I wasn't, who knows what might happen with that Ravenclaw buzzard circling his prey -- my Pansy! Draco looked at her. Hmmm... What can I do? I can't show her the memory of Potter attacking me; it's too gruesome.

Draco knelt on the floor in front of her, placing his hands on her thighs. "I'll take Veritaserum to prove to you that I didn't even talk to those witches last year," he blurted out. I will! I'll do whatever it takes for her to believe me. "I barely had enough time to talk to you last year, the rest of the time I was in the Room of Requirement trying to fix that blasted cabinet."

She didn't respond.

"Pansy, I've never touched anyone they way I touch you. Everything about being with you is special to me. I'm in love with you."

She looked into Draco's soft grey eyes and saw what she needed to know, the truth.

"Pansy, you know what we have, what we've always had. Don't doubt that because of what that troll says."

"I can't tell Millicent anything about us to shut her up. I can't be friends with her anymore either, not after that."

That slag hurt Pansy on purpose. Damn her! "She is going to regret saying those things to you. She's always been jealous of you, you know that. She won't know what to do without you, Pansy."

"She has that Hufflepuff now. I have no one."

Things would be so different if I hadn't let those Death Eaters in; I didn't even think about how it would affect her. He looked into her teary eyes and said, "I know I'm not at school with you this year, but you only have a few more months after the break. With N.E.W.T.s coming up, you'll be studying most of the time anyway."

Fafnir had come over with his yellow ball, wanting to play. Draco picked up the Cruppy. "You have Fafnir here with you. He's the only boy you're allowed to be with when I'm not around." He gave the Cruppy some much needed attention.

Pansy forced a weak smile and reached down to pet the Fafnir.

"Draco, I just don't know what will become of us. Everything seems so impossible."

He gently put Fafnir down and tossed the ball across the room. Draco moved to sit next to her on the bed.

"Listen to me, Pansy," he said, touching the pendant between her breasts, hoping to remind her of their commitment. "We are going to find a way out of this mess, and then we are going to have a fantastic life together; the kind of life you deserve, and everyone will be envious of us -- just as it should be. And our babies will be more than just beautiful," Draco said and sneered, "they will be absolutely perfect."

"Babies?" Pansy asked, wiping her tears away. "You want babies?"

"Well...um...someday. Yeah, someday, Pansy -- with you. More than one, I think. You want that too, right?"

Pansy turned toward him. "Yes, Draco, someday I do."

"Then it's settled," he said, kissing her tenderly.

~ * ~

After they kissed, Draco held her until he realised the time. "I have something planned for us tonight, but I need to get my clothes together, and you need to put on some knickers," he said, running his hand idly over her breasts. "On second thought, don't put on any knickers, just a pretty dress. Oh, we need food...like a picnic."

Pansy laughed. "What are you up to this time, Draco Malfoy?"

"Patience," he said, smiling wickedly.

Standing behind the door of her wardrobe, Pansy slipped on some rather complicated, sapphire blue lingerie and then donned a simple black witch-dress, trimmed in the same blue. I don't want to make it too easy for him; he really wouldn't like that anyway. He's always liked a challenge; it excites him. She also took another dose of the potion in anticipation of tonight's activities.

Draco used a few quick spells to pack up his rucksack, including an Expanding Charm. It was overloaded with his clothing and the things he had brought back from his trunk, so he added a Feather-light Charm as well.

Pansy moved to him when he was done packing, pressing her body as close as she could. She closed her eyes. Branwen, forever watch over my wizard and ensure he always returns safely to me.

"I'll be right back, my love," she told him.

Pansy attached her Prefect's badge and hurried down to the kitchens. Dobby and Winky saw her immediately and rushed to her aid, pushing past the other elves.

"Miss Pansy, what can Dobby do?"

"Winky will help you!"

Pansy smiled. They're so funny! They live to serve, just as they should.

"I require a picnic basket with food and drink."

"Oh, yes! Miss Parkinson, I will do it!" Winky ran off to gather the items.

"Dobby can do something!"

"In about an hour, Fafnir will need to go out for his walk, and he will need to be fed too."

"Dobby is honoured to care for the Cruppy!" he said.

"That is what a truly good house-elf would do," Pansy teased.

"Dobby is a good house-elf!"

Winky returned with the basket, which was laden with a feast. "There are Warming and Cooling Charms, as well as a Feather-light Charm on it for you, Miss Parkinson!"

"Excellent. You are an efficient house-elf, Winky."

The happy elves bowed to her as she left.

Pansy slinked back to the Slytherin dungeons. A group of students were returning to the common room, so she walked slowly, hiding the basket from view. A fourth years cast curious glance, but she gave him a sharp look, and he quickly turned away. Before she could enter the common room, someone took her arm.

"Pansy," Draco whispered, "quickly walk all the way down to Snape's old office. I've unlocked it, but don't let anyone see you go inside."

"So mysterious," she whispered. And exciting!

Draco was invisible, but he guided her down the corridor with his hand on the small of her back. They could hear more students returning from dinner, so they quickened their pace. They made it into the office before anyone saw her.

"Colloportus," she said, sealing the door.

"Finite Incantatem." Draco appeared and took the basket from her. "That went well."

"Are we having a picnic in here, Draco? It smells horrid; I cannot eat in here."

"No, we're not," he said, putting the basket and his rucksack down on the desk. "I am looking forward to dinner." Draco opened the basket and nodded approvingly.

He removed her folded cloak from under his.

"Where are we going, Draco?" she asked.

"Somewhere only we know, Pansy."

Draco wrapped the cloak around her and held out his hand.

She smiled as she delicately placed her hand in his.

"Butterflies?"

"Every time, Draco."

He gave her a quick kiss on the lips and slung the rucksack over his shoulder. "Come with me," he said, taking the basket.

They walked into Snape's private rooms. There was a small kitchen and eating area, as well as a sitting room and a bedroom, both decorated in rich colours and not the all black she expected. Draco placed the basket and his rucksack down on a table.

He opened the door of a wardrobe in the bedroom. "Snape's clothing, consisting of black robes, each the same."

Pansy giggled. "I'm glad to finally know it wasn't always the same set of robes."

He laughed and closed the door. "Watch this. Cuniculus Pateo." The wardrobe opened by itself this time, revealing a hidden passageway. Draco picked up the items and led her into the dark.

~ * ~

"Lumos," they said in unison.

Pansy held up her wand and looked around. They were standing on a stone landing, which gave way to a narrow tunnel carved out of the earth. There were roots sticking out of the walls, and Pansy thought she saw something small run away from the light. It was cold and damp, so she pulled her cloak closed. The smell of dirt and decay made her nose wrinkle up.

"This is a fine place to bring your betrothed," she said sarcastically.

Draco feigned innocence. "I knew you'd like it. We're going to spread out your cloak and have our picnic right here. It's perfect for a romantic interlude too; we won't be disturbed here."

"Draco!"

He laughed, shaking his head. "Just wait."

She narrowed her eyes at him and pursed her lips together.

"Pseudothyrum Occulto," he said, closing the wardrobe and sealing the portal. "Listen carefully, Pansy. You must remember four spells to be able to use these passageways that Snape built -- in case something happens again."

"Okay." He's quite concerned and protective of me now. He's always been a bit jealous, but this is different.

"I've added the spells to the list I made earlier -- it's under your pillow, but I also copied them down for you to use now," he said, handing her a note. "You must say the revealing spells to gain entrance to the tunnels and doors, and you must use the hiding spells when you leave."

"So each portal, both into a tunnel or another space, must be revealed and then hidden."

"Exactly. I'll bring you back tonight, of course, but it will be good practise for you to say the spells as we go. Later on, we'll hide this note somewhere in Snape's rooms, where you can access it quickly."

"That's a good idea, Draco," Pansy said, looking around. She didn't like being enclosed underground. "Is this safe?"

"Don't worry, I'll protect you." He kissed her firmly and then picked up a broomstick. "Here's my old Comet two-sixty; I had to bring it with me to get to this side, but Snape left another one here," he said, pointing to an old school broomstick propped up against the wall. The broom had seen better days and even had twigs sticking out of it.

Pansy broke into a fit of giggles. "That's a pitiful broom!"

"Only use it in a crisis. I don't want the future Mrs Malfoy riding that thing unless it's absolutely necessary," he said, laughing.

The future Mrs Malfoy! Pansy thought, smiling.

Draco mounted the Comet 260 and slid the handles of the basket and rucksack on. "Fly with me, Pansy."

She wasn't sure about flying in this narrow tunnel, but she trusted Draco's skills. She sat side-saddle on the broomstick because of her dress, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her head against his back.

Mmmm... He feels so good. I love being with him.

"Hold on to me tightly."

She squeezed him and rubbed her cheek against his back.

Yeah, just like that, Pansy.

"Lumos Maxima!" Draco said. He held his wand against the broom handle to light the way.

Draco kicked off and flew fast and steady along the narrow passageway.

"Hold on!" Draco yelled as their path suddenly dropped off.

She felt her stomach lurch, and she clung to him. They were hurtling at a sharp angle deep into the earth, and Pansy felt her ears pop as they continued their steep descent. When the path levelled out, it ended.

"What now?" she asked in a bit of a panic. She was not happy being so far underground.

"Use the Portal Revealing Spell."

"Lumos," she said, lighting her wand and opening the note. "Pseudothyrum Pateo."

The earthen wall shimmered, and Draco flew threw it. He spun the broom around and said, "Now cast the Tunnel Hiding Spell."

"Lumos," she said, so she could read the spell. "Cuniculus Occulto." The shimmering stopped, and she was now facing a rock wall.

Draco spun around again, and she saw they were hovering over a ledge that opened into a cavernous space, complete with stalagmites and stalactites.

Bats, Pansy thought, shivering.

Draco hovered a minute to talk. "Snape carved out the tunnels magically over ten years, connecting them to this cave. Can you believe it? Only the three of us know about it now. Wait until you see where this ends up," he said, leaning his head back so she could hear him.

"This is amazing," Pansy agreed. "So, he didn't have help?"

"He said he did it all. He's more powerful than I thought he was. It takes a lot of magic to carve this out, charm the whole thing to hold indefinitely and still act as the Potions Master and Head of Slytherin House, while keeping it all a secret."

"I agree. I wonder how he even knew this cave was here."

Draco shrugged as they flew across a pool of black water. "I'm fairly certain that this cave is under the lake, Pansy."

Pansy looked up, but all she could see was blackness and the occasional stalactite. The sooner we leave, the better, Pansy thought.

They hovered in front of a wall of rock. "There's another tunnel somewhere. Try saying the spell here, Pansy."

"Cuniculus Pateo." Nothing happened.

"Snape said the tunnels line up, so you just need to remember where you came out and go straight across."

"Draco, go a bit higher and to the right."

"Cuniculus Pateo!" she said, casting the spell at the rock. The other charmed tunnel was revealed, and they flew into it.

My clever witch, he thought with satisfaction, as Pansy cast the Portal Hiding Spell.

Draco flew down a straight passageway, and then they began to ascend, their ears popping from the change in pressure again. Draco touched down on a stone landing and held the broom still while Pansy jumped off. He retrieved the picnic basket and rucksack, and he leaned the broom against the earthen wall.

"How did you like that, Pansy?" he said, his face flushed with exhilaration.

"It was creepy, but exciting."

Draco laughed. "Come with me," he said, as he led her to a doorway.

~ * ~

"Lumos. I think I know the spells now, Draco, but I'll just double check." Pansy opened the note he had given her and recited the spell, "Pseudothyrum Pateo." The door opened, and Pansy gasped with delight. "Just as I suspected; we're at the tree house! This explains why Snape was able to surprise us that night."

"Exactly. I figured out there must have been a secret passageway. Before I left on Saturday, I asked him to tell me about it and he did." Draco quickly cast the Hiding Spell.

They removed their cloaks and looked around the tree house, remembering the last time they were here -- before that fateful night.

Draco dropped his rucksack on the chair and rubbed his temples. Things would be different if...

"Shall we eat, Draco?" Pansy asked when she saw Draco's mood change.

"Yeah." He put the basket on a little table and magicked two chairs over, glad to have something to do.

Pansy touched his rucksack. She started to feel desperate, realising that he intended to depart from here tonight. He's going to leave me! She couldn't look at him for fear she would cry again.

Draco saw her touching his rucksack. Oh, Pansy...

"We have most of the evening to be together," he said, taking her hands. "I will take you back later, but then I have to return here so I can leave the grounds undetected. I will still need to retrieve Monarch from Hogsmeade and get home before Snape begins to hunt me down. It's a long ride, but Monarch is swift."

She nodded and gazed at him. "I need you," she whispered.

"That's right, Pansy," he said, pulling her firmly against his chest. "I'm going to do to you tonight what I wanted to do the last time we were here." He kissed her passionately.

Pansy could tell he was already aroused, and she decided to remove his clothing, similar to the way she had that night. She leisurely unbuttoned his shirt, and then pushed it off his shoulders forcefully.

Draco grinned. I see what she has in mind. I'll let her do what she wants, but I'm taking over -- very soon.

Pansy undid his belt and pulled it off in one swift motion. Then she whipped it across the room.

Draco suppressed his laughter, trying not to interrupt her plan.

She undid his trousers and pushed them down, revealing his white silk pants. She surprised him by pushing those down as well.

Ha! Now I'm fully dressed and he's naked. This is rather sexy too, Pansy thought.

Merlin, she likes to be in control! he thought as he kicked off this clothes and shoes.

"I want to do something for you, Draco," she said running her hands over his chest. "You need to tell me what you would like." She moved her hands down to caress him, and she watched his face to see his reaction.

"I like what you're doing now," he said in a ragged voice.

"Like this?"

"Exactly."

Pansy kissed his neck sensuously.

Draco wanted her so badly; there was so much he wanted to tell her before he left -- physically and emotionally. He arranged the pillows on the sofa and had her recline against them. Gazing into her wide green eyes, he thought of how he had felt that night last June. She still looks innocent, but now I know for certain that she wants me as much as I want her.

He slipped her dress off her shoulders and was clearly delighted when he saw her lace-up bra. "Beautiful," he said, smiling and pulling the ribbon that held it together. He gently touched the blue satin covering her breasts and then the milky white skin of her décolletage. Draco ran his finger over the betrothal pendant, proudly knowing that she was his. He tucked her hair behind her ears and leaned in to kiss the witch he loved.

I love him, more than I thought possible. He is my wizard prince. She closed her eyes in anticipation of his kiss, but he abruptly moved away. Confused, she opened her eyes and saw a terrible sight.

Draco was on his knees, grasping his left arm. The Dark Mark had turned black, and he was in excruciating pain.

Her heart stopped beating for a moment. She lunged for him, but Draco pushed her back onto the sofa.

He jumped up, dressing in his trousers and shirt, not bothering with anything else, except for his shoes.

Tears were streaming down her face, and she was shaking.

He was obviously frightened too, and that terrified her.

"I love you," he told her and kissed her quickly on the lips. He backed away, allowing himself one last look.

She was in shock. This isn't happening. Not like this! Pansy held out her hand to him, but he turned away.

Draco grabbed his cloak and went outside to the platform, where he cast the spell to make the ladder appear. He half slid, half climbed down and ran deeper into the Forbidden Forest, away from the magical protections of the tree house, to where he could Apparate.

He was gone.

Draco! No! Pansy screamed over and over in her mind.

~ The End of Chapter Eleven ~

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