In the Light of Things

Darling, Please Pt. II

"It's not working!"

Pansy presses her mouth firmly, turns away to rub her sweaty forehead and sigh quietly. "Darling--."

"It's been weeks, Pansy! If it had been the wand, the new one would have worked already."

"You just have to be patient. There is something blocking your magic from flowing out of your core. We just need to find--."

"And how long will that take," Hermione snaps at her, eyes as wild as her curls.

"Quit interrupting me," Pansy says firmly. "And quit acting like a child. You know why it is not working. You are not trying. You are giving up."

"Can we take a break?"

Pansy nods, dropping her wand on her coffee table and collapsing on the futon. Her chiffon blouse is sticking to her skin, but she just raises her arm to cover her face.

She's exhausted. They've been at it for hours--today since first light--and for weeks, after Hermione tried sending that Patronus to Robards at the funeral.

"Pansy?"

She sighs. "Yes?"

"Can we," Hermione hesitates, and Pansy can just see her biting her lip in frustration. "Can we keep going?"

"That depends," Pansy answers, dropping her arm to give her a half-hearted death glare. "Will you keep half-arsing it so all our attempts are futile?"

"I'm sorry," Hermione groans, slamming her hands on her thighs as she looks skyward. "It's just. It's frustrating!"

"Well, of course it's frustrating, Hermione!" She stands, throwing her arms up in the air. "It's not for shits and giggles--there's a block on your magic. There's not an overnight solution, darling. It can take months, maybe even years before we figure out what's holding your magic back."

Hermione's lip wobbles. "Years?"

"No," Pansy exhales something between a grunt and a sigh, scooping Hermione into her arms. "It won't take that long. You are the brightest witch of our age. And you have me. We'll figure it out."

* * * * * * *

"It's insane, really," Ron's voice breaks her train of thought, it wasn't really going anywhere, anyway. "They put us up with these partners, right? And they make us go through some inter-connected hypnosis to learn about each other better. That way we can work better together and be compatible on the field."

"That sounds incredible," Hermione adds accordingly, not really following the conversation. Tries to, anyway. "Who's your partner?"

"Some bloke named Thackery Thumnus," he snorts into his fist. "He's alright, though. Likes to play Quidditch on his off days. He's even got a bludger signed by Gin, bloke's real funny."

"Harry?" Hermione says, turning to her friend, who's basically inhaling his sub. "Who did you get as your partner?"

He grumbles, rolls his eyes, and takes another bite of the sandwich. Ron cackles from his spot next to him.

"He got Malfoy! Of all people!"

Hermione's eyebrows raise past her hairline. Her interest is piqued. "Harry? Is that right?"

"He's a proper git," Harry spits angrily after swallowing the last bite. "He's got us doing drills at the crack of dawn so we can get a feel of each other's magic. Without breaks! Load o' bullocks, 's what that is. This is the first proper meal I've had in three days!"