~chapter 4: Preparations~

                                    

                                          
Pansy-
                          
Mother, Draco, and Mrs. Malfoy are sitting around a round table in the dining room, I go to sit between Mother and Draco. 
                          
After exchanging pleasantries, Mrs. Malfoy says: "We need a plan, and fast, the Dark Lord would be waiting on a progress report soon." Mrs. Malfoy clearly looks like she's panicking.
                          
Parkinsons don't panic. We hide it. 
                          
Mother replies: "Cissa, don't fret, we will always come up with something,"mother doesn't look as panicked as Mrs.Malfoy, but I could hear her voice shake, "the Dark Lord is giving us a year to complete this task."
                          
"Mother and Mrs.Parkinson, you two shouldn't worry," Draco speaks up, "The Dark Lord will not punish you both too harshly, and besides he gave the task to Pansy and I. Let Pansy and I worry about it."
                          
"Yes, I agree," I replies, "we'll be at Hogwarts in less than a week, and spending more time with Dumbledore. Mother and Mrs.Malfoy you leave this task to us."
                          
"No." mother vehemently replies, just as Mrs.Malfoy says:"absolutely not!"
                          
"You two are just children and behaving immature, this is not just a homework assignment, this is the Dark Lord! Do you two have a plan? Do you? Answer me!" Mrs.Malfoy yells.
                          
"Yes, we do" Draco says confidently.
                          
It took everything in me to stop my eyebrows from raising up in surprise. We do? If I act surprised now, it would most certainly ruin whatever Draco is planning, so I went along with Draco's act. "Indeed, we do have a plan, and we wouldn't need any assistance, so if the Dark Lord asks for the progress report just tell him to come to Draco and I."
                          
Draco looks over and smiles at me.
                          
Mother looks absolutely livid,"you foolish child, you don't know what you're saying!" She didn't even attempt to conceal her anguish this time.
                          
"I think you know precisely what Pansy said, Mrs.Parkinson," Draco says, "we can handle it, trust us."
                          
"Draco you are my only son, I don't know what I will do if you are harmed" Narcissa Malfoy says, looking at Draco with love in her eyes.
                          
Weak, so weak.
                          
Draco looks away, clearly embarrassed, "it is okay, mother."
                          
I don't expect my mother to show affection in front of others, she is the perfect Parkinson. Cold, calculated, cunning, and put together.
                          
"Paulina, say something!" Narcissa says, turning to mother.
                          
"I am sure you knew there's nothing left to say, we won't have any control over them after they arrive at Hogwarts. And we don't know more about Dumbledore's whereabouts than the kids. Let them try first." Mother says. I didn't hide my surprise this time. Really, Mother? Letting Draco and I off this easy, she must have something up her sleeve. 
                          
"Then it is settled," Draco says, standing up, "I need to talk to Pansy alone now." Then Draco takes my hand and leads me out of the room.
                          
"Keep your clothes on!" Mother yells out. Her attempt at humor is pathetic, before she could say more Narcissa Malfoy starts to yell at Mother:"What are you playing at? Paulina, that is your daughter, she could die if she doesn't succeed! We can't let-----"
                          
Narcissa Malfoy's voice fades away as Draco pulls me into an empty spare bedroom. "You are not thinking about undressing me, right?" I say.
                          
Draco let go of my head, but I could see him lingering at my stick-like legs, "Of course if you want me to. But on a serious note, Pansy you're getting too skinny."