Private message to Pansy

[alt_draco]

I told Blaise that I have an essay to write, and that's why I'm not down in the common room celebrating. I've gone to the library, instead. So if anyone else asks, could you just tell them that I spent so much time working on the banners and flags that I got behind in my homework?

Father's furious with me. Harry, too. He almost seemed as angry as he was when we freed that stupid hippogriff. I suppose in that case I'm lucky that all he did was order me to write an essay on the inferiority of mudbloods. Normally that would be easy enough, but he says if it's not thorough or convincing that he's going to talk to Mr Tenebridge about taking my name off the credits for "Hey, Hey Merlin." He also said I have to Anyway, hopefully that won't happen.

Harry's been punished too, by the way. But I wouldn't ask him about it, if I were you.

Comments

[alt_draco]

I know she's not She's less of an idiot than Harry, at least. I don't know if you saw, but the summer before last, she and Harry had a row in the journals. She was calling him "sire" and Harry was telling her to "come off it," and it was pretty obvious (to me, anyway) that she was trying to at least keep up the facade of being a groveling slave, but Harry didn't seem to get what she was doing at all. And I know that she's told him to call her Granger, not Hermione, but he never remembers and she probably doesn't push it because he's Harry Marvolo and if he says it's okay, then maybe it is, right?

Except it's not. It's him who's got to learn to set the boundaries, because...well, he's the one with all the power. Even though he likes to sit back and pretend he hasn't got any, he does.

But he doesn't listen to me, even though I feel like all I do is follow him around trying to get him to not do something to get either me or Granger cruciated. I'm not sure who he listens to, if anyone.

[alt_pansy]

That's just it, isn't it? That he doesn't want to be responsible, or recognise that he does have power even if he does? I mean, for someone who is the most important student at the school, he certainly doesn't seem to like attention, and he gets angry when people try and treat him like he's someone special even though he is.

I mean, that's why he didn't want to do the tournament, right?

So I think it's more than just Granger and how he treats her. Or. Maybe that's how he shows he's unhappy with it all. Like... treating her all familiar is one of the only things he can do to sort of be contrary, even though it's going to hurt her, and hurt you. Which is utterly backwards and I don't know if it makes any sense, but it sort of did when I started writing it.

And you're right, if she has to tell him what to do, that would not be on.

[alt_draco]

Sooner or later, he's going to have to start dealing with the fact that he's the most important teenager in the Protectorate; pretending doesn't change anything. What is, is.

I wonder what he would say if I told him that, though.

There's definitely a part of him that likes to tempt trouble, but in a brainless way instead of a crafty way, you know? I think he's trying to figure out a way to make his father realise that he can't REALLY control Harry. Which, yeah, that's not going to happen. Ever.

[alt_pansy]

Yeah.

I can see how that would be frustrating for you.

[alt_draco]

Sorry, I'm whinging again.

I'm working on the essay now that supper's over. Father wants it by tomorrow or else "Hey, Hey Merlin" is all yours. There could be worse things, I suppose?

It's a good thing I can write for inches and inches about how inferior mudbloods are. Those first few years of muggle studies were good for something, at least.

Speaking of, I might have to have a talk with Granger about all of this - next week, when she's allowed to talk again. I think I can get her on my side and if we approach Harry together, well, maybe we'll get somewhere.

[alt_pansy]

Who knew the Carrows would be useful for something?

Talking to her does sound like a start.

And I'll have you know that even if your name isn't on there properly, it's still yours and mine. At least that's how I'll always think about it.

[alt_draco]

I've a feeling that part of the reason father threatened to take my name off it is because he doesn't approve of my playing guitar in the first place.

I guess that's just my way of being contrary, heh.

[alt_pansy]

And don't be silly.

I'd much rather think of it as "confiding" rather than "whinging." You can confide in me whenever you want. I don't mind one bit.

I'm just glad you find me worth confiding in.

[alt_draco]

Likewise, I hope you know.

So. Next time we go to Hogsmeade, let me buy you a butterbeer, yeah? And maybe we could go

[alt_pansy]

I'd like that.