Chapter 2
Harry is barely holding her tight smile, Leo knows. It's very tough for her to face those she once knew under a different name at the gala. That's why he's come with her, to be by her side in case she needs him.
He sees Parkinson approach, and he waylays her with a dance.
Except Parkinson knows it, and goes along with it anyway.
He makes sure not to let his eyes stray from her to Harry, else she would suspect his reasoning. It's not that hard.
Parkinson is interesting.
"How could I say no to such a charming company, young Mr. Hurst?" She says, and her voice is so perfectly sweet and free of suspicion or irritation that Leo immediately knows it's affected, "It would be my pleasure."
Even knowing so, however, doesn't make it sound condescending. In fact, Parkinson is so good at it, that Leo starts feeling guilty of suspecting her honesty despite himself.
"Please, call me Leo," He says, smiling.
"Then I shall be Pansy to you." She replies, taking his hand. She doesn't hesitate, but he can sense that she's feeling his palm for something. And when he looks at her face again, for a split second he sees Harry — Control. Hiding her true thoughts.
Pansy pulls off a courtesy almost effortlessly, and then begins to sway in perfect rhythm to the melody playing.
"What do you tend to do in your free time, Leo?" She says, smiling prettily. He notices a thin braid amidst her long hair falling ahead of her ear. Her hair, though loose, is held with braids, he realises.
Go figure, he thinks wryly, Harry and her friends. Boots and braids.
"Duelling." Leo says with the same wryness, "People enjoy challenging me, and I find it difficult to say no."
Little do you know how true it is.
"Indeed? I would like a fair hand with you myself, then," Pansy says, and her curiosity in this, Leo gages to be genuine.
Leo pulls her slightly closer and lets her take control of the next step, instead focusing on her build. She looks fit. More so than most pureblood heiresses, at the least. She is Harry's friend. Perhaps they exercised together, when she was Rigel.
"I'm sure that would be a match to watch." He says.
"Indeed," She smiles as she gives a graceful twirl.
"And you, Miss Parkinson?" Leo's smile is almost shark-like, "What do you do in your free time?"
He must admit he is curious.
"I love unicorns." Pansy says, "and horse riding."
Something disappointed flashes through him, before he masks it.
What had I expected? Leo thinks with some annoyance at himself, Such is the life of the rich. Their pastimes are unicorns and horse riding.
Who is he to expect a different answer from her? That the closest thing to a unicorn the Alley kids had seen were mules is not something Pansy knows. Why does he resent this answer, then?
"Of course you do." He softens his smile, "Nothing befits a lady such as yourself more."
He sees some confusion in her sparkling, almost unnatural baby blue eyes. He realises he was not as good at masking his frustration as he thought. Leo is a little sheepish.
"I thank you." She says, and smoothes it over. "Are you currently working anywhere?"
"I work at Maywell Clinic," Leo says almost automatically, "Just some paperwork."
He isn't sure she believes him. Just how much can this girl see?
"Oh." She says in confusion that is definitely affected (though well done), "I'd have thought you in some positions of leadership."
That surprises him. How has she come to that conclusion? After he's told her what he does for a living?
Be careful around this one. He thinks with a smile.
"Caught you." He says.
"Caught me?" And isn't it nice to surprise her for once? "Whatever do you mean?"
He waits for her to finish another twirl, and says, "You are indeed a brilliant social butterfly, Miss Parkinson." She was. She had been trying to have him figured out, and she had, to an extent. Only, she'd forgotten he could do the same to her.
Perhaps she was used to people falling for her facade. Leo almost had. It was very, very well done.
"It was an interesting dance, Leo." Pansy says, and he realizes some of the sugar-coated words are gone. She knows she has been seen, and now she thinks to trust, just a little. "I look forward to more such."
He gives her a charming smile, and they part ways as the music concludes.
Leo watches her make her way through the crowd to Draco Malfoy, then turns to look for Harry.
She is nowhere to be seen. Perhaps she decided to haunt a corner until the gala is over. He smiles sadly, and begins to search for her.
"Harry." Leo says.
Harry’s head lifts, and she smiles at him, "Leo!"
He pulls her into a hug, "How are you doing, lass?"
She shakes her head slightly against his chest, "I don't know, Leo. Everybody is searching for Rigel, and I just—"
She looks up at him, "It's the end for me, if anyone finds out. It's the end for my family. For you."
Leo doesn't like to see the despair in her eyes.
"You-You shouldn't be helping me—"
"Don't be a stranger, lass." Leo said softly, "Your problems are mine. We'll make it through this firestorm together, alright?"
Harry’s lips tug upwards, "Did Archie tell you that phrase?"
"Consider it so." Leo says, "Your cousin is an interesting man."
"He is." Harry says, looking down the balcony to where Archie is talking animatedly with Sirius Black, "And of good heart."
"You are of good heart." Leo says, "Never forget that."
"Thanks, Leo."
"Pansy?" Leo says as the guests are about to leave, and she is at last alone, "I have an offer."
"I'll help you find Rigel."
You'll never find her.
Harry will be safe. From Azkaban. From Bigots. From Unknowing Friends.