Who: Draco and Pansy.
Where: A villa in France.
When: Shortly after
this conversation.
Why: A brief, possibly ill-advised, respite from the demands of their families.
Draco was leaning on the verandah of Pansy's grandmother's villa, basking in the sun as he stared out at the sea. The warmth of the mediterranean afternoon was doing wonders for his head, which always felt a bit groggy and off-kilter after he'd apparated. He was sure he'd improve with practice.
They'd only been here about fifteen minutes. Most of Draco's belongings were still in his suitcase. He'd only bothered to change into a pair of khaki trousers and a loose-fitting vanilla-white shirt. It was an extraordinarily warm French summer, even this late in the day. He was therefore grateful when Pansy came out of the house, carrying two glasses.
"We could go swimming," he told her as he took a glass. "The beach starts right at our doorstep."