(no subject)

[pansy_parkinson]

Who: Theodore Nott and Pansy Parkinson
What: What is this, Slytherin reunion month?
Where: Diagon Alley
When: Lunch break (backdated, somewhat)
Rating: Relatively PG, actually!

Theo Nott
Theodore was in another mood that day. It wasn't horrible, really. He just had no patience for the children who knocked his things off the shelves and ran behind the counter, despite the sign stating against it. Finally he put a chair in the walkway, glaring at parents who seemed to ignore their insufferable children as they ran incompetently around the room. Finally the families left, and Theo glanced at his watch, deciding that, after making eight sales that morning, he could give himself a little break. After all, selling wands contributed to his income, but it certainly wasn't the bulk of it. He closed the shop and walked his way to the cafe next to Twilfit & Tattings, avoiding the coffee shop at the other end ever since he ran into a mudblood girl who was a bit too friendly for his liking. In a bit of a tired daze Theo walked up to the counter, reaching into his pocket for money. His piercing gaze lifted to the girl behind the counter, hardly noticing that his elbow almost hit the girl behind him while he dug his fingers into his pocket. "Something strong. And a lot of it."

Pansy Parkinson
Miss Parkinson had made her way, rather drearily, to the cafe beside Twilfit, glad that the walk was so short and the scent of brewing coffee was so strong that it kept her alert enough to make the journey. Too little sleep, and too many ominious conversations, had her mind awhirl, and it showed: the faint smudges beneath her eyes did little to lend the senior shopgirl an attitude of vigilance. It was only by the grace of Merlin, or something equally as ridiculous, that she managed to dodge the flying elbow; she'd been intent on counting precious change from her fashionable drawstring bag. "Watch it," she yelped, eyebrows furrowing as her short fuse found something incendiary. It felt good, being angry, after such a dreadful day of catering to wealthy witches' whims. She closed her little bag, draping it around her wrist, as the fingers of the same hand tightened over the currency she'd manage to unearth. If nothing else, sickles and knuts made for very good impromptu brass knuckles; she'd made quite a few unfortunate trips into Knockturn Alley, and found that out the hard way. Getting a good look at her would-be assailant, she paused, attempting to put a half-forgotten face to the one who stood in front of her. "...Nott...?"

Theo Nott
Theo's eyes flashed darkly when he heard the sharp little snap that was given to him from behind. His reaction was almost immediate as he turned his head with a cold glare. "Watch who you take the tone with, little gi-" His own retort was cut short when he met the face and eyes of a familiar memory, one of which he hadn't seen for a good amount of time. Years, even. He blinked when she spoke his name and his annoyance melted away, replaced by a surprised look and then, finally, a small smile ."Well, well." His voice was softer now, a bit smoother, and he tilted his head as he took in the girls appearance. She looked tired... but not too different from the last time he saw her. "Miss Parkinson... forgive me." He looked at her with a gentle, apologetic gaze. "I wasn't aware it was you." It had been quite some time since he was around a pureblood woman that he knew from the past; Theo had cut most of them off long ago. His eyes moved to the girl behind the counter again before back to Pansy, and he stepped aside for her. "Order, let me pay for your drink to make it up to you." He flashed her a smile. In Theo's opinion, they were on decent terms in school... and it was always nice to see a somewhat friendly face. "How have you been, Pansy?"

Pansy Parkinson
She had quite a moment of surprise. Granted, the years hadn't exactly been easy on her, or any of them...so it really wasn't her fault, if she expected someone she'd known in the distant past to scoff at the employee name tag pinned to the generic, if well-made, robes that all Twilfit employees wore. A show of respect left her a little flat-footed. She floundered, for a moment, and only when she caught her footing did she order her caffeinated drink of choice. She stepped aside, too, and angled herself to face him. "That's rather civil of you." Oh, if she sounded surprised, he shouldn't be too offended! That was just Pansy, these days. "I've been--" Surely he'd heard, but she shrugged, nonchalantly. "Well, thank you. And you, Theo?" See, she could be civil! Miss Parkinson hadn't lost all her social polish, rubbing elbows with the working class!

Theo Nott
Theo couldn't help but cock an eyebrow at the way she had reacted to his offer. The Pansy he knew probably would have DEMANDED a drink from him... in the least. Probably a bagel or pastry to go with it, but instead she seemed quite surprised at the offer all together. Time did the strangest things to people, apparently. He couldn't help but notice that she was in a uniform with an employee tag stuck to her robes, but he said nothing of it. A pureblood woman was a pureblood woman, they were a rare breed these days. Especially ones that weren't related to him. "I've been fine, thank you." He gave her a polite smile, dismissing the fact that she didn't give him an answer. That, really, was an answer in itself. Apparently, time hadn't been too kind to poor Pansy Parkinson... it was sad, really. "Please..." He politely took her arm before pulling out a chair for her, and he stepped to the other side of the table to pull out a chair for himself, sitting with his drink before he cracked a smile. "You know, if you're working around here you could have visited my wand shop a few times... I'm a little hurt, Parkinson." His tone obviously potrayed that he way teasing, and he sipped his coffee, his icy eyes set on her face. "How has your day been?" He thought it was easier than asking about what she had been up to for the past four years. It already seemed that she didn't want to speak of it.

Pansy Parkinson
She was on the receiving end of a most unbearable suspicion: that he...felt a bit of pity for her? Was being kind to her, not out of any personal merit of her own? Oh, the opportunities for blame were endless, and Pansy, these days, was always on the lookout for people looking at her funny, so to speak. She settled into the chair he'd offered, fingers cupping themselves loosely around the chilled beverage she'd ordered. She was overworked and hot, after all. Momentarily ignoring the question he'd asked, she lifted an eyebrow, gathering to her all the mental calm she could summon. Nerves, frazzled; brain, working at too unrealiable a speed. "You've got a wand shop, nearby?" She vaguely remembered hearing of that, perhaps from Mrs. Malfoy, who often frequented Diagon Alley, as much to be seen as to shop. Perhaps the information just hadn't registered; perhaps she'd had a lot on her mind. "Beg your pardon, then," she murmured, smiling a ghost of the former cheeky, self-satisfied smile she'd often displayed. "I'll have to drop by, if you offer more than just wands, Nott." Perhaps a bit of playful suspicion lingered in that last statement.

Theo Nott
Theo paused, watching Pansy closely as she smiled at him. It was so faded it almost made him sick. What in the world happened to this woman? It actually pained him... what was happening to their kind? Voldemort fell and the once great purebloods fell with him. People went to Azkaban, lost money, or died. Whatever happened, Pansy Parkinson was not the woman she was in school. And that bothered Theo more than he thought it would. "Yes, I have one down the street from here, and I offer several things, Miss Parkinson." He gave her a playful grin. "You should visit, really. It would be nice to see a pretty face among the idiots that swamp me every day." He sighed softly, sipping his drink before he glanced back at her. "Pansy, forgive me." He said it before continuing. "But you look... absolutely exhausted." His voice was lower now, as if to keep the conversation between them alone. "Are you alright?"

Pansy Parkinson
"It's kind of you to ask," she murmured again, lifting the drink to her lips for a long swallow. In reality, it was as much to whet her thirst, as it was to give her a moment to think. Or, rather, to stop thinking. He had that look on his face... She leaned back in her seat, the Twilfit employee robes, in various gradients of gray, draping elegantly across the seat. A few more moments passed, as she tasted the words on the tip of her tongue, weighing them, pondering what to tell, what to keep quiet. She still had her pride, after all, and even if it manifested itself in different ways than it once did, it was as strong as ever. "I'm doing well enough. Everyone knows the story, and I'm assuming that you do, as well." Granted, Pansy herself hadn't been as good at keeping up with her old schoolmates, since becoming dispossessed and moving into Malfoy Manor. However, because she'd been completely oblivious, that didn't mean that others were.

Theo Nott
Theo stared at her, and he knew that she was deciding what to tell him and what not to. He was alright with that... he was curious, but he certainly didn't expect to be the girl's therapist. He had his own problems to deal with, after all. After she spoke, however, a frown creased his lips... yes, he had heard rumors, mostly from friends, and through the grapevine, but he certainly didn't BELIEVE them. Gossip was a terrible habit in a pureblood world, after all. But it seemed that the gossipers were right. He stared at Pansy for a long moment, emotionless, with a blank expression... and he finally leaned back, before smiling. "So how long have you been working in Diagon? I never see you around." Yes, he was changing the subject. If she was uncomfortable, he wasn't going to push. In the end, Pansy Parkinson was Pansy Parkinson, and disrespecting or pushing a lady past her limits, in any sense, was not something Theo was comfortable doing. He wasn't his father. "Who have you kept in touch with? I haven't seen anyone in ages." He thought that it was a given that he was leaving Draco out of that question. He never liked the boy and, really, he never would. He was too spoiled for Theodore's taste, and in his eyes, Draco Malfoy needed a good stun to the stomach. Everyone knew it in school, and nothing had changed since then.

Pansy Parkinson
"I haven't seen anyone in ages, either," she confessed, and here, again, he might have seen a bit of the Pansy of old: a bit of malevolent glee. "It feels rather good, too, to know that one is being talked about, but that those who talk are too afraid to show their faces. Let them stay away: all the pureblood girls were rather tedious, after all." She shrugged a little, choosing to address his former question. "Some of them come into Twilfit, every now and then, and either pretend not to recognize me and order me about with gusto. It's been the same for the four years I've been there--but seniority does have its benefits." That old, malicious little smile, again. She lifted the drink to her lips, and returned it to the table, the tips of her fingers drawing inconsequential little designs on the condensation. "How did you come into the wand business? I'm guessing, from your prior statement, that you haven't kept in touch with our former compatriots?"

Theo Nott
Theo couldn't help but smile when he saw her little grin. Ah, there she was. "The Pansy Parkinson I know would make them regret every word they uttered." He leaned back, lifting the hot coffee to his lips and, after blowing on it, he sipped it softly before returning the cup to the table. "I've always had a skill with my hands, so carving them is a hobby I can enjoy. And no, I didn't keep in touch with anyone, really. Graham, but thats all." He shrugged. "They were all too tiring." He smiled softly, before he paused, sighing softly. "I really am glad that I ran into you, Pansy. We should find each other when you have a day off, grab something to eat maybe." He leaned against the table, tilting his head as he looked at her again. She was always a pretty woman, and he could even see it now, despite the tired bruises under her eyes. It almost made him angry, that she seemed this exhausted. What the fuck was Draco Malfoy doing for her if she was tiring herself like this? In retail, even! "How long is your break? I usually have at least two coffees here... and I must admit, its nicer to have company than to sit alone."

Pansy Parkinson
"I've got a little while longer, don't fret." She was warming up, slowly but surely. She found that she didn't want to leave; she liked being thought of as an entity unto herself, the way she used to be; she liked someone who remembered her from her Hogwarts days, when she was brash and selfish and had the whole world in front of her. Someone who wasn't Draco; someone who didn't have her wrapped around their little pinky. Theo wasn't nearly as lone-wolf as he used to be; then again, they weren't all back at Hogwarts, with most of them under Draco's sway. Sipping her drink, she watched him thoughtfully. "I didn't know much about you, back then. Most of us thought that you were either too jealous of Draco to try and make friends, or that you wanted to rip his head off, and so you stayed away from the rest of us out of courtesy." From the tone of her voice, she must've felt like it was the latter option. A pause, though, as she mulled over his words. Her voice took on a rather sour note. "Ah, Graham Montague. I had the--pleasure--of running into that arrogant sod, a couple of days ago."

Theo Nott
Theo couldn't help but give a dark laugh when she mentioned his actions in school, and he said, obviously unafraid of who was listening or who would hear, "Draco was an insufferable brat, and spending more than a few moments around him made me want to swallow knives." He shook his head. "I don't know what he's like now, and to be honest, I'm not too concerned." He sipped his coffee, calmly. "I didn't speak to too many people because they were always in his shadow. It didn't mean I didn't like them... that I didn't notice them... it meant that I didn't want to get close because that would require me to, as I said, swallow knives." He seemed a bit amused by this, and he finally laughed when she mentioned Graham. The sound itself was a rare one, but not unattractive. "Yes, Graham has a habit of coming off a bit... rough to some people. I apologize for any problems that he caused." He grinned softly at Pansy, obviously enjoying himself. He couldn't remember the last time he sat with someone and just... spoke to them like this without animosity. Except for Graham, but that was mostly business. And strip clubs. He kept that part to himself. "So, no, you didn't know much about me back in the day, but I suppose no one really did. It kept me out of trouble, really."

Pansy Parkinson
"It did," she said, rather solemnly, remembering the occasions upon which she'd had to listen to Draco rant and rave, because some scheme involving Potter and his precious friends had failed. She took a sizeable swallow from her drink, and returned it to the table, looping her hands around it once more. Pansy was quiet, for a few beats more, eyes downcast. "Changes are coming," she murmured, finally, loud enough that he'd hear her, but not so loud that curious ears could overhear. She sounded hesitant, and, really, the words were innocuous, in and of themselves... Perhaps she was testing him, dipping a toe into the proverbial waters, as it were... Murmuring the innocent words, to gauge his reaction. Her eyes lifted, watching him intently. It was important to know where people stood, even people with whom you'd never had such a pleasant and lengthy conversation, even people you didn't know at all. And these silly Muggle-lovers and Potter-sympathizers, all around them, had no idea just how vitally important allegiances would become, to them all, yet again.

Theo Nott
Theo was sipping his drink when he heard a whisper... hardly, really...a breath of a statement that rose from Pansy Parkinsons lips. He froze for a moment, holding the cup to her lips and his eyes didn't move from the table for a long moment. Finally, his gaze moved, his light, sky blue stare catching Pansy's eyes as he comprehended her words. Smart girl. He put his coffee down, and he finally answered, so low that she probably had to strain to hear him, "I know. And not fast enough." He stared at her with intent, and he bit his bottom lip before he continued softly, "But it needs to be done. Doesn't it, Miss Parkinson?" He tilted his head up, almost as if he was making sure that no one around them was listening, although the closest person was a good few tables away. "I'm doing my part to make sure that they come as quickly as they can. I would love to show you, some time." He knew that Pansy was one to be trusted. Living with the Malfoy family said enough right there; He couldn't stand Draco, but the family itself was still pureblood, and still proud. Showing Pansy the back of his shop could have spread the word among the right people, and the things that Theo had were the things that people needed. "But that is up to you."

Pansy Parkinson
In her head came Lucius Malfoy's voice, and his warning; she couldn't prevent it, and she couldn't unhear it. She could feel the water into which she'd stepped begin to boil. But--surely not her. Surely people like her didn't become caught up in epic struggles. She watched him, weighing his words, hearing Draco's voice, seeing Lucius Malfoy's thinly-veiled offer--and threat. Hesitating, she nodded, just a fractional move, so light that it didn't disrupt the long coils of black hair that draped over her shoulders. "Alright," she murmured, and, like him, having a good, leisurely look around. Caution never hurt, when one was a pureblood in such a reactionary society.

Theo Nott
"Good." He spoke the word shortly, leaning back. She seemed uncomfortable, but that wasn't a problem. He knew that he had to earn trust, and being so quiet in school, he knew that not many people knew where his loyalties were. Not following Draco Malfoy's shadow automatically made him a threat, after all. He could have disliked Draco... or he could have been a blood traitor. But his confidence showed as he leaned forward, muttering simply, "Meet me at my shop after work. Alone." His last word was stressed, and his eyes flashed with an intensity that said how very important that was. "I close at eight, if you get off later, knock on the side door." It was all he was willing to say in public and he leaned back, sighing calmly. "Well. Now that that is settled..." He smiled softly at her, "Stop looking so terrified of me. From what I remember, Parkinson, you're much prettier when you smile." Speaking about what he did in public was the only thing that could possibly unsettle Theodore, and he never did it for a long period of time, if at all. He knew that he would spend life in in Azkaban if he was caught; that was not an option.

Pansy Parkinson
She did smile, then, only because she wasn't really used to being spoken to in such a conciliatory way. Not that she was mistreated, no! It was just that, when one spent so much time working for one's wages, and living beneath the roof of the Malfoys, and thus, in their shadow... One learned to walk very softly. Ease was not something she was comfortable with, not just yet. Not until she could find her place in the world, or, even better--make it. She lifted her chin, just a little. She'd go, see what he had to show her. No one was holding her at wandpoint, just yet, forcing her to make a decision. "Stop telling me what to do, Nott," she replied amicably, "before I remember that I'm a witch who knows how to use a wand."

Theo Nott
Theo couldn't help but give another laugh, grinning widely; another rare action for him, but he was capable of it, now and then. "So very like you, Pansy. Good to see you're still there." He winked softly at her before he finished his coffee, and he glanced out the window for a moment. No matter how much he hated it, befriending Pansy probably meant befriending the Malfoy's. But in a world like this, beggars couldn't be choosers. Bitterly ignoring Draco's ignorant rants was no longer an option. "I'm glad that I ran into you, Pansy. It's been far too long." He gave her a gentle smile, then. "I do hope this won't be the only time we run into each other."

Pansy Parkinson
"I know where to find you, and now, you know where to find me." She smiled, pausing only to lift her drink and finish off the dregs. She'd enjoyed it, too, loath as she was to admit it. The day had started out in a most uninspiring way, and for the longest time, prior to her break, she'd been convinced that nothing could salvage her mood. Well, there went that assumption. "I'll come by, once I'm done with my shift, hm? Thank you for the coffee, and the company."

Theo Nott
"I'll be expecting you then." He nodded, as if making it official, and he softly stood. "I won't keep you any longer, I don't want to keep you from work and I really shouldn't keep the shop closed for too long." He smiled at her then, and took her hand to help her to her feet. "And the pleasure was all mine." With that, he smiled and released her hold, nodding to her softly. Well the day certainly got much more eventful, and the idea of having company tonight, even if it was strictly platonic, certainly beat a night alone listening to the radio and reading a book. "I'll see you in a few hours then." He took his cup, and hers, tossing them into the waste basket at their side before he gave her one last, polite look, with a nod, and he turned to leave the cafe. He sighed the moment he saw the small crowd waiting for him in at his front doors. There really was no peace in the world these days...