Chapter 2
The moment they landed in Draco’s living room, he felt the tension in his shoulders ease just slightly. Home. Finally.
That relief was short-lived.
“About time,” a familiar voice drawled.
Draco barely had a moment to react before a black blur shot past his legs, followed by the click of heels on the marble floor. Pansy Parkinson stood near the fireplace, arms crossed, looking as effortlessly put together as ever. His sleek black cat, Nyx, circled her feet once before padding over to Draco, rubbing against his leg in greeting.
“I expected you home sooner,” Pansy said, arching a brow. “But I suppose getting blown up is a half-decent excuse.”
Draco groaned, rubbing his temple. “Please don’t start.”
“Oh, I will be starting,” she said, striding toward him. “Do you have any idea how awful it is to find out from The Daily Prophet that your best friend was nearly assassinated? She huffed before looking him over. “You look terrible, by the way.”
Draco let out an exasperated sigh. “Lovely to see you too, Pans.”
It was then that her gaze shifted past him, and her expression shifted to delighted mischief. “Oh, Potter,” she purred. “What a surprise.”
Harry, who had been lingering near the doorway, gave her a wary nod. “Pansy.”
Pansy’s lips curled into a smirk before turning back to Draco. “And what, exactly, is he doing here?”
“Babysitting,” Draco muttered, shooting Harry a glare. “Apparently, I’m incapable of functioning without an Auror breathing down my neck.”
Pansy’s grin widened. “Is that so?” She turned to Harry. “Well, in that case, you simply must stay for tea.”
“No, he mustn’t,” Draco said immediately. “He’s leaving.”
Harry opened his mouth, probably to agree with Draco, but Pansy was already waving a dismissive hand. “Nonsense. It’s been ages since I’ve had a proper chat with our dear savior.” She looped her arm through Draco’s before he could protest further. “And besides, you should be resting, not ushering guests out.”
Draco sighed in defeat as Pansy pulled him toward the sitting area. He shot a look at Harry, who looked both amused and resigned as he walked further into the living room.
This was going to be a long afternoon.
. . .
Draco sank into the plush armchair near the fireplace as Pansy breezed into the kitchen, summoning the tea set with a flick of her wand. Nyx hopped onto the arm of his chair, purring loudly as she nestled against him. At least someone in this house was a source of comfort.
Harry, to Draco’s immense irritation, made himself comfortable on the sofa across from him, stretching his legs out like he had no intention of leaving anytime soon.
“I don’t see why you’re still here,” Draco muttered, scratching behind Nyx’s ears. “Surely you have Dark wizards to chase.”
Harry smirked. “You heard Hermione. I’m playing guard dog until further notice.”
Pansy reappeared with a floating tray of tea and biscuits, setting it down on the coffee table between them. “Oh, don’t be so grumpy, Draco,” she said, pouring a cup for herself before handing one to Harry. “I, for one, think it’s adorable that you have a bodyguard.”
Draco scowled. “That makes one of us.”
Pansy ignored him, settling onto the loveseat and fixing Harry with an appraising look. “So, Potter,” she began, sipping her tea, “is this an all-hours kind of arrangement? Will you be tucking Draco into bed at night, too?”
Harry coughed into his tea, and Draco shot Pansy a withering glare. “Pansy.”
“What?” She batted her lashes innocently. “I’m just trying to understand the extent of his protection detail.”
Harry, still smirking, set his cup down. “I’ll do what’s necessary to keep him safe,” he said, his tone maddeningly professional.
Draco pinched the bridge of his nose. “Merlin, I hate both of you.”
Pansy just smiled sweetly. “Oh, darling, now you know that's not true.”
Draco groaned, resigning himself to his fate. This was going to be an insufferable ordeal.
. . .
As the teapot emptied and the plate of biscuits dwindled, Harry finally stretched and stood from the sofa, dusting nonexistent crumbs from his robes.
“Well, this has been fun,” he said, smirking at Draco. “But I should get going.”
Draco waved him off immediately. “Yes, yes, please do.”
Harry chuckled, glancing at Pansy. “Try not to let him push himself too hard.”
She waves him off, “Many have tried, few have succeeded”.
Harry gave them both a final nod before Disapparating with a sharp crack, leaving behind blessed silence. Draco exhaled heavily, sinking back into his chair. “Finally.”
Pansy, to his surprise, didn’t immediately make a snide remark. Instead, she studied him carefully, the teasing glint in her eyes softening into something more thoughtful. “Alright,” she said after a beat, setting her teacup aside. “Now that the entertainment’s gone, how are you actually feeling?”
Draco hesitated, fingers trailing absently through Nyx’s fur. He knew Pansy well enough to know she wouldn’t accept a deflection, so he sighed. “Sore,” he admitted. “Tired. But mostly irritated that everyone is treating me like I’m made of glass.”
Pansy nodded, leaning back against the loveseat. “Well, to be fair, you were nearly blown up.”
Draco rolled his eyes sarcastically. “Yes, people seem to keep mentioning it.”
She tilted her head slightly. “And? Do you have any thoughts on why someone might want to do that?”
Draco frowned, running a hand over his bandaged arm. “It’s hard to say. I have no known enemies—at least, none I’ve heard from in years. But my work has put me in a unique position. I’ve treated high-profile patients, both good and bad. Some people might see that as a threat. Others might see me as… an asset to remove.”
Pansy nodded slowly. “Or a message to the ministry? You've worked closely with them these past few years.”
Draco’s expression darkened. “Yes. That, too.”
Draco preferred to ignore the idea that he was being used as a pawn in a game he didn't even know he was playing.
Silence settled between them for a moment, the fire crackling softly in the hearth. Then Pansy sighed and stood, smoothing out her pants. “Well, whatever the reason, you should be careful. And before you protest—” she held up a hand as Draco opened his mouth, “—I know you hate being fussed over. But you’re not invincible, Draco.”
Draco huffed. “I never claimed to be.”
“You act like you are.” She gave him a pointed look before stepping closer, pressing a quick kiss to his temple. “Get some rest, alright? I’ll check in on you tomorrow.”
Draco didn’t argue, just let out a quiet hmm of acknowledgment.
With that, Pansy grabbed her bag, gave Nyx a final pat, and strolled toward the door. “Goodnight, darling.”
Draco watched her go, then sighed, running a hand through his hair. Alone at last, but with far too much on his mind. He glanced down at Nyx, who blinked up at him lazily.
“Well,” he muttered, “that could’ve gone worse.”
Nyx just flicked her tail and nestled into his lap.