Wants of the Heart

Chapter 14

I find Pansy at breakfast, each of us hugging the other tightly.

"Salazar, I was scared I'd never see you again." Pansy's voice is small, worry threaded through her words.

"You can't get rid of me that easily, Pans." I manage a slight smile, trying not to think of my brother. It's all for naught when Pansy utters her next words.

"Draco, Theo, and Blaise are missing." Blaise's betrayal still surprises me somehow, despite learning of Luna's missing status before leaving the Hospital Wing.

"Draco took Theo, he tried to take me as well but Harry and Hermione stopped him. I'm not sure about Blaise, but I'm assuming wherever he is, he took Luna with him. She's missing, too."

Pansy shakes her head in confusion. "Why would Draco take Theo?"

I sigh heavily. "I don't believe taking Theo with him was a part of the plan. Theo was protecting me, which means he was in Draco's way. I believe he was only taking him as an incentive for me to come willingly." Something I would have gladly done in order to keep either of my siblings safe.

There's a heavy moment of silence between us before I speak again. "Pansy, I'm not going home this summer." Her eyes widen before understanding sets in, giving me a nod to continue. "I think you should come with me. We can keep you safe." I take her hands in mine, a pleading tone to my voice.

"Cassandra." My friend releases a deep sigh, the hesitation obvious in her features. "It's not that easy. Your friends, the Order, they won't just accept me. I'm the Slytherin daughter of a Death Eater. Besides, it's not like I've been exactly nice to them over the years."

"Well they, we, haven't been very nice to you either. This is a chance for a fresh start. I'm not asking you to fight for the Order, I just want you safe." I squeeze her hands.

It's a tense few moments of indecision before Pansy's shoulders sag and she gives me a nod of agreement. A small smile tugs at my lips, the first since last night.

"Great, now let's start by having breakfast with my sister and figuring out a plan." I pull her along behind me before she can disagree.

I take a seat beside Hermione, across from Ron and Harry. Pansy lowers herself to the seat between Neville and I, offering him a nervous smile.

"Pansy is my friend, I trust her." I state firmly, eyeing each of the Gryffindors around me. I stop my gaze on Hermione. "I just want to keep her safe." My voice is quieter this time, almost a whisper as I take my sister's hand. We stare at each other for a moment before she nods, turning her eyes to my Slytherin best friend.

"Thank you for being there for Rosie when I wasn't." Hermione's words seem genuine as she and Pansy eye each other, my sister's chin jutting out.

"Of course." Pansy speaks after a long moment. "Cassie is my friend, I would do anything for her."

There's a tense silence within the group as her words are absorbed.

"Okay, so are we going to talk about last night?" Ginny decides to forge on ahead, turning everyone's attention to her.

"Which part of last night?" Neville takes a bite of eggs after his question.

"The part where Draco fucking Malfoy killed Professor Dumbledore." Harry's voice is like gravel, barely restrained anger flashing in his eyes. Guilt grips my throat as I stare down at my toast, thinking of my traitor of a mate.

"So he's really a Death Eater, huh?" Ron almost seems surprised.

I shake my with a sigh, looking up at my friends once more. "He's unmarked."