Kashmir |open|

[PANSY LISETTE PARKINSON]

That aching feeling stung once again at her stomach twisting it slowly. What was Pansy to do about such a situation? She couldn't quite up and leave the school knowing her father would become so enraged with her decision. Then again, she couldn't quite get away with it even if she had tried. He held that power firmly over her head letting her know every moment that he possibly could. Of course Pasny loved her father dearly, but right now she had more than just that on her hands -Draco Malfoy. The slicked haired blonde with a heart of stone. The one she had ached for almost every night wishing she could for once speak out to him. Have him sit down and listen to her for a moment. But, that was close to impossible as well. His attendance had been fading horribly. In and out, he was. Hardly ever to be seen.

Slipping away from school grounds, Pansy found herself drawing closer and closer to the forest. Thankfully, it was daylight. If it had been any other time she would have more than likely stayed back at the castle and hid herself away for the afternoon. She just couldn't seem to hold on much longer to hopeless faith. Things were crashing down and she had known it for a fact. Voldemort had been making his appearance in small pieces throughout the past couple of years. And her father; well, lets just say he hadn't been present either. In and out and always so secretive with her mother. It was only just a couple of months ago that she had learned about his ;Secret'. Frighting as well as mortified, Pansy didn't quite want to believe her mother - She didn't wish to hear about her father and what he had done. But, being as she was a Parkinson and had to follow in whichever way they had so rightfully chose, Pansy stayed by her word with them; although frightened. 

Fear overcame her as she had stopped quickly at the edge of the forest. Her hands running through her long auburn colored hair as she propped herself up against a tall oak. Within moments, tears slipped down her cheeks rapidly sending her to her rear. She couldn't quite. Her legs had become weak and unable to hold herself up. Everything in Pansy's life had been nearing the edge. And, sadly, she couldn't do anything but watch it all happen.

[DRACO LUCIUS MALFOY]

Draco stared at the top of his bed, the enclosed green curtains gaurding him from onlookers. The young Death Eater had gotten back from a meeting with the Dark Lord early this morning and he was still going through it in him mind. He was not happy with Draco's progress in his mission even though it had been just a month. One small, feeble attempt that went unnoticed by everyone. Still, he who must not he named was less than proud. He could still feel the crucio even though it was not nearly as bad as it could have been. Thankfully he also had realized that Dumbledore could not be easily... you know, so the Dark Lord had given him until the end of the school year to complete his job. If graduation went the same as always, Draco would die.

Suddenly the thick curtains were all to close. There wasn't enough room and the air was hot and stuffy. He couldn't breathe.. he had to get out. The blonde fought his way out of his green cell withing seconds. He looked around, he was alone in his dorm. With a sigh of relief he fixed his hair and robes to perfection. Nothing was wrong with him. No one would notice anything. Unfortunately the state of his skin could not be hidden, but people tended not to stare at the small things much, he was just a nasty Slytherin, who cared? Right now he honestly preferred it that way.

For some reason his feet carried him through the halls and out the front doors. The air was light and fresh, he felt as if he could breathe much easier now. Making sure there was not a person in sight he let his posture relax some and he walked towards the forest. He had recently come to enjoy the solitude that it brought. As far as he could tell students hardly went in there, it was nice. As he drew in closer he heard something in the trees. Draco hesitated, but then a slight curiosity drew him in. When he was close enough to see what it was he stopped. Pansy was there with tears running down her face. With a moments hesitation he walled in front of her, sat down, and took her hands in one of his. He didn't say anything, but with his free hand he brushed the tears away.

[PANSY LISETTE PARKINSON]

Pansy was confused. Lost. Unable to open to anyone else aside from herself. Her feelings were scrambled; as said same for her life. It was daunting. Oppressive. - The tears kept swiftly continuing down her pale, plush cheeks. Her stomach, aching and burning - Her mind.. racing. Pansy was known to be one of the biggest snobs in the school with an unbreakable personality. And unbreakable streak. But, little did anyone know about her, Pansy wasn't all that everyone had put her out to be. She was weak at times. She had her episodes and melt downs just like anyone else. And at times, she had felt little compared to others. Pansy wasn't a robot. --Her eyes were closed tightly, unable to see her surroundings. Between the sobs and the dark behind her eyelids, Pansy hadn't noticed Draco's presence. She barely heard his footsteps coming through the cluttered entrance of the forest. 

His hand made it's way towards her own grasping it ever so gently. Slowly and cautiously, Pansy had opened her eyes to Draco standing -now- before her. His cold masculine hand wiping away a few of her stray tears. This isn't how she had wanted Draco to see her. She was usually very cryptic about her emotions and showing them. "Draco..." A small smile made its way to her lips as she glanced over the pale colored boy. His bright blonde hair shimmering with the various crevices of light that had pushed through the trees. He was here... Quickly, she wrapped her arms around him, bringing the two close. Her cries growing slightly stronger as she found herself, not crying out in pain, but crying out in pure and utter happiness. He was alive. He was there. "Where have you been?" Ah, the usual curious question. Where had he been? Why was it that every time she had turned around he had gone missing. And when she had need him the most. 

Pulling away for that brief moment, she caught his glance. Her eyes more focused on him. What was she to say? That she had been down more than usual lately. That her father had declared with her he would be gone for a few months unheard of and not to bother sending him her usual letter of the week? With her father not in the picture, ever, and Draco missing half of the time, Pansy was -for the first time ever in her life- at a loss. Her ability to withstand the constant issues surrounding school had become slim. She hated it. And going home was not an option. It never was. - Covering her face, she looked away quickly. "You always seem to find me at my worst." She forced a small smile, scrunching her nose.

[DRACO LUCIUS MALFOY]

Draco's lips curled up into a light smirk and almost smile as she opened her eyes. He felt a bit guilty at the sight of her tears, as if he was the very cause of them. He nodded as she said his name and let her slip out on a cool breath, "Pansy." He wads bit relieved to see her smile. Before he could really react Pansy was suddenly holding him in a hug, her cries growing more forceful. He was stunned for a moment, but then he brought his arms up to wrap around her shuddering form. He let one hand rub small, comforting circles on her back. He kept a continuous rythym up.. Until she asked that question. His hand falltered for a moment before maintaining the motion. "You know I can't answer that question."

It was the sad excuse for the sad truth. He couldn't tell anyone, if he did he would die. He didn't even think he wanted her to know. How could he even begin to explain it? For some reason he didn't think the words 'Yeah, I'm a Death Eater and supposed to kill the Headmaster this year' would go over too well. He would be putting her in danger if he said anything... He could just tell that he would. No, he would just leave it at what he said. It was bad enough that she was noticing his absences, it might mean that others are as well. He shook the thought from his head, he was focusing on Pansy's problems right now, not his own. His blonde head rested gently ontology of her and he tightened his hold just a bit.

All of a sudden the slytherin in his arms had her face covered and she was looking away from him. He smirked at her words and roller his eyes. "Would you rather someone else find you?" He reached over and slowly brought her hands down from her face. "Pansy, what's wrong?" He looked her in the eyes as he spoke. His voice was soft, serious, and not unkind. He couldn't remember the last time he had seen her cry. She was a strong girl so something must have been wrong.

[PANSY LISETTE PARKINSON]

She didn't want to let go of him. Not now- not ever. But, she knew she would have to eventually. "That is understandable." Pansy sighed softly, her eyes locking with his once again as he had spoke her name. It was relaxing. Almost perfect to hear. As much as she would have loved for him to say it once more, she held back. -It was a relief to see Draco finally after weeks of wondering where he had been. Wondering if he would come back and see her. Hoping to hear his voice once again and long for his touch. It was obvious; she had loved the boy and was still very uneasy about admitting it to anyone. "You do know I am here for you, Draco. I just wish you would have returned my letters." She took in a deep and steady breath. "You had me worried, and you know how I hate worrying about anything." True. It tended to work her up a little more than usual causing her for a small mental break down. -Pansy wasn't one for those sort of things. She could hardly handle her father leaving and belittling her even though she had put up with it for so many years. Not that she could have gotten away from it. 

Placing her hand to his face, Pansy pressed her palm against his cheek gently. Another bright smile coming through as she had kept a close eye on his facial expressions. Oh, how she had missed those over the past couple of weeks. "I am glad it was you who had found me and not a teacher." She chuckled softly thinking about the punishment she would have to face for going into the forbidden forest knowing things hadn't been right in the Wizard world for the past year or so. - But, Pansy had known better. What had been coming out now had been going on for years. Since before her birth or even her thought of existence. Knowing that Draco had.. well.. been somewhat of a big part in it all was slowly pulling her down. She knew he couldn't speak of it, but on other days she wished he could. For once. Just tell her things would be okay. Lie to her. She couldn't bear anymore of the situation knowing that their lives were slowly headed for a big drop off and that things at Hogwarts -and life in general- would never be the same. "I just worry... about you... about life..." Her voice was soft. Torn. - And through it all, broken and little. 

Pansy Parkinson could openly admit she was in fear for what would come about all of this. "I know this is going to sound absolutely silly, but..." She looked down to the dirt covered ground. "Promise me one thing." She could feel her heart rip away from her chest as she had tried to place her words carefully. Not trying to sound too damn needy and hopeless. "Promise me you'll protect me?" Pansy bit down gently at her lip swallowing hard. Again, the tears were coming back into existence. Dammit! Why did she always have to push herself this far into her emotions. "I know we're not headed down the best path, but without you being around.. Blaise and Goyle aren't of much help." She took in another deep breath. "They are not that sigh of relief." Pursing her lips together, she smiled one of her warm smiles. Something she hadn't done in quite some time. "Plus, I am not the same witted Pansy since you have faded from the group."

Pansy wiped her tears away, grasping Draco's hand tightly. She had been around him for years. Ever since the two were just young enough to remember. He was her rock. Even if he didn't feel the same.