Desperate Measures

Chapter 8 - Pansy

The Quibbler, Special Flyer, Monday, October 7, 1996

Current Count of Suitors: 3,452

Most Admired Person: Elfrida Clagg. She was a true visionary. Not only was she the first woman chieftain of the Wizards' Council, a feat that speaks of her determination, but she was the first to actively work to preserve magical environments and species; one of the first things she did as Chieftainess was to protect the golden snidget. If not for her, we'd not have any golden snidgets alive today at all. Plus, she tried to get laws passed about recognizing legal rights for all magical beings. Just because everyone else kept her from enacting those laws doesn't mean that she should be any less honored for presenting them. I would love to have known her.

Favorite Invention: Not the floo, that's for certain! I never can land right, no matter what I do. I'd have to say the broom. I really love to fly.

Harry read his letter from "D" and indulged in the occasional snicker as he read about one of his suitor's youthful adventures. Who knew that Draco Malfoy was a closet skinny-dipper? Draco maintained that such illicit baths were much more invigorating than a boring shower and were, of course, healthier for the skin, and the healthier and more sensitive skin thus gained necessitated appropriately soft undergarments. Harry didn't buy that explanation for a second, but it was definitely a nice creative excuse for that week's gift; Harry now found himself in possession of ten each t-shirts, boxers, socks and handkerchiefs.

"Underwear?" Hermione asked in disbelief. The surrounding students looked a bit appalled at her statement and stared at Harry uncertainly.

"What's wrong with it?" Harry asked, somewhat surprised that his friends and housemates seemed offended on his behalf

"Well," Hermione said uncomfortably, glancing around for support, "It just seems a bit...too personal."

Harry blinked in surprise and furrowed his brows in thought. "I suppose," he said slowly. "I don't see anything wrong with it, though. I mean, he is working on filling out my wardrobe and these are considered an integral part, are they not?"

"Well, yes," Hermione agreed reluctantly. "Still."

"Still what?" Harry asked curiously. Really, he liked the present. Why was everybody so flustered?

"It's just not something that you send as a present," Ginny explained calmly while unconcernedly loading more eggs onto her plate. "Even for a courting gift."

"Oh," Harry said, still somewhat clueless. "But they're quite nice. And they're silk." He lifted one of the t-shirts partway out of the box to show his housemates.

Hermione blushed. "Yes, well..."

Ginny grinned at Harry and said, "Such things are usually gifts between lovers."

Harry blinked, then nodded, then smirked, and said, "Well, he is trying to get into my pants eventually, so I guess these are quite appropriate."

Ginny, Lavender, and Parvati giggled, Dean, Seamus and Neville lost their looks of discomfort and smirked back at him, and Hermione turned even redder. Harry grinned at his friend unrepentantly. How he loved riling her up!

"So, you like them," Hermione said, determined not to be conquered by her embarrassment.

"Very much, actually," Harry said as he carefully tucked his t-shirt back into its box.

"Then that's that," Hermione said decisively. "No one is to give Harry a hard time about his present." The girl followed up her command with a glare to her fellow students. A few snickers and giggles met her rather unnecessary proclamation. As far as they were concerned, if Harry was happy, then they were happy.