A Small Café

[Pansy Parkinson-Malfoy]

A small café in a corner Hogsmeade, nicer than the Three Broomsticks, and less fluffy than Madame Puddifoot's.

[Draco Malfoy]

Draco smiled as she kissed him, "You're welcome." He squeezed her hand softly and led her into hogsmeade. Down a little side street they reached the bistro and he opened the door. When they stepped inside he helped her out of her coat and gave the maitre'd his name. They were led over to their table and he got her chair for her there sat down opposite. He accepted a menu from the waiter and looked at her over it, "So what do you think?"

[Pansy Parkinson-Malfoy]

Pansy followed him to their table, glad that it was a little bit off to the side so people wouldn't be staring or anything like that. Even if they weren't Pansy knew she would feel like they were. She took a menu and glanced at it, completely not sure what to make of a situation like this. She'd never really been taken somewhere nice for dinner. Her parents certainly didn't go out with her like this, and it wasn't as if she'd had a boyfriend to take her out like this before. This was a completely unfamiliar territory for her, and she had no idea what to do if she were perfectly honest with herself. She shrugged quietly at Draco, chewing on her lip. "Whatever you think sounds good." She hated herself for giving an answer like that, wishing she'd been able to pick something excellent and order it up, but really, poor Pansy's at a loss here.

[Draco Malfoy]

He thinks that's adorable. Draco nodded at her and scanned the menu, looking for some options for them. He knew Pansy preferred chicken so he pointed out the chicken dish to her, it came with potatoes and a spinach thing. "What do you think of that one?" He had decided on the steak frites for himself, it had always been a favourite of his and if a restaurant ever had it it was what he got. The waiter walked over and asked for drink orders and they ordered, Draco got a butterbeer then he put the menu down and smiled at her. "So how has Max been?"

[Pansy Parkinson-Malfoy]

Pansy glanced down at what he pointed out, deciding that sounded pretty good, except maybe she would get some glazed carrots rather than spinach, because those would be good and sweet. I don't really like those because they're too sweet, but Pansy has decided she does. Pansy ordered a butterbeer as well as her dinner when the waiter came, turning her attention to Draco afterward. "He's been alright. Chewed through three separate shoes, none of them the same pair, but only one of them mine. The others were Astoria's, so I can't really complain." Pansy laughed a little, shrugging. "Otherwise he's been an angel. Quiet when I'm reading, cuddly when I'm sleeping, he only really gets to be a problem when I have to leave him in there. I don't think he likes being left alone. He gets bored. And that's when the shoes fall prey to his chewing."

[Draco Malfoy]

Draco ordered too and took a sip of his drink when it arrived. When she mentioned Max becoming a shoe destroyer he laughed, "Well then make sure you hide your shoes and leave out some of Astoria's. You know he didn't eat any of mine when he lived in my closet, there he always snacked on my ties. And I'm glad to hear he's a good cuddler, nice and warm too I bet. Also what did your mum think? Did he get the cats yet?" Draco hoped he had, or at least scared them into submission.

[Pansy Parkinson-Malfoy]

Pansy laughed, hoping that maybe Max would grow out of his chewing stage soon. It was fun while he was eating Astoria's shoes, but when it was Pansy's, she wasn't exactly the happiest with him. "Yes, he's quite nice and warm. Wonderful cuddler when it's bed time. Merlin, I love that dog, I really do. He's so sweet even though he gets into a little trouble, it's like he knows when I'm sad and just need a little nuzzle and... he's so cute. Mum hated him, which made it all that much more fun. Her cat actually disappeared a few days after I brought Max home, but if that's because of Max, or a join effort between him and dad, I'm not sure. I'd be willing to be on the latter." Pansy laughed, because her dad hated the cats as much as she did, and they had a habit of 'running away' if they ever messed up anything of his or if he could ever find a good excuse to have one disappear.

[Draco Malfoy]

Draco smiled, glad that she and Max were so perfect together and somehow he wasn't jealous of the puppy and the snuggling. Mostly because it was an adorable puppy, he couldn't always snuggle her and because he gave her Max and thus there was a connection. "Well I'm glad to hear that, I bet that irritated your mum though. How soon do you think she'll get some new terror. Oh Merlin, I hope she doesn't think of getting some sort of tiny lapdog now. Can you imagine the yapping?" Draco wouldn't be able to go to the Parkinson's house ever again if Muffy got some sort of small devil dog.

[Pansy Parkinson-Malfoy]

Pansy grimaced at the idea. "That's worse than a cat! Luckily though, she insists that she hates dogs of any shape or form, so I think she'll stick to feline demons. I bet she'll get another persian by the end of the month. Dad'll be asking to borrow Max again." She laughed, picking up her glass and taking a sip. This was really sort of nice, being on an actual date with him. She crossed one leg lazily over the other, her foot accidentally brushing his leg. The table was small, and they could probably bump their knees together if they both scooted in a bit more. She reached under the table and patted his knee, apologizing for bumping him, though she smiled at the same time, not really sorry at all. More physical contact with him was always nice, a reminder that he was really there, that he was with her on a date and that he'd chosen her to be his girlfriend. She was happier every time she thought about it.

[Draco Malfoy]

Draco grinned when she patted him on the knee and reached down with his hand to put it on hers, holding it for a moment before letting go and leaning forward slightly, his leg now pressed lightly against hers. "So I take it Leo likes Max? He's always been more of big animal person." Draco really likes being out with her too, it makes a wonderful change and even here in the crowded restaurant it still feels more private than anywhere in the common room could.

[Pansy Parkinson-Malfoy]

Pansy smiled as he took her hand, biting her lip slightly as she played with his fingers, feeling quite like a child holding hands under the table. "Yeah, dad really does like him. He's always wanted big dogs, but mum's never agreed to it. I don't know why he never just went ahead and got them anyway, but he's glad to have Max around now. I think he's tempted to go buy a few dogs himself since the whole 'no dogs in the Parkinson home' rule has been broken by our lovely Maximus." She absentmindedly moved her foot up and down as she talked, and if it happened to move against his leg a little, so be it.

[Draco Malfoy]

Draco grinned, "I hope he does, then he'll have an army to fight off the psychotic felines." He could imagine their home turning into some kind of war zone now, Muffy's pets versus Leo's. Draco's foot moved to meet hers as it ran up and down his calf, his fingers playing with hers. He only let go when the food arrived and he gave them one last squeeze before pulling away because one can't cut steak with just one hand.

[Pansy Parkinson-Malfoy]

Pansy laughed at the idea, and truly hoped her father would decide to get a few dozen dogs. She glanced up as their food arrived, thanking the waiter and looking over her plate, which really did look rather delicious. Her fingers were still held in Draco's though, at least for the moment until he squeezed her hand and let go to dig into his food, just as she'd suspected would happen almost immediately. She pulled her own hands from under the table, picking up a fork and knife and cutting a bit of her chicken. Her foot kept close to his leg though, she was determined to keep at least that contact between the two of them if their hands had to be otherwise occupied with dinner.

[Draco Malfoy]

Draco grinned at her foot, he didn't want it to move away either. He tucked into his food with a polite enthusiasm, meaning he ate at the speed of a normal person for a change. Draco looked at her plate, "That looks good, is it?" He ate one of the chips and pretty much had a foodgasm. Mmm. He picked one up and held it out to her, "You have to try this."

[Pansy Parkinson-Malfoy]

Pansy ate some of her food, really actually enjoying it and forcing herself not to destroy it too badly before eating it since they were out somewhere nice. "It is good." She laughed at him a he held a chip out to her, leaning forward slightly and just deciding to eat it from his fingers. It was good, better than any she'd had at Hogwarts or at home. She ate some more of her meal until she started to get full, which really didn't take that long. She sat her utensils down and her hands went automatically to smooth out her dress before she realized that you can't really smooth out a leather dress.

[Draco Malfoy]

Draco is incredibly pleased and rather amazed at the lack of food destruction occurring opposite him. Maybe he should take her out on a date every night, just to foster neat and healthy eating habits. When Pansy put down her utensils he was just finishing up his steak. He smiled at her and nudged her foot with his. "You done? Don't need to destroy it at all?" If she was done he was going to take some of that, it really did look good.

[Pansy Parkinson-Malfoy]

Well, eventually she'll get comfortable in public and she'll destroy her food like always, some things are just hard habits to let go of, especially one Pansy has been doing for her whole life. She nudged his foot back playfully and laughed, pushing her plate toward him a little. "Yeah, I'm done, and I'd bet almost anything you want some of what's left." She picked up one last chip and ate it, and then sat back a little more comfortably, definitely done, and definitely quite full and happy. It felt weird going on an actual date with him like other couples did. They'd never done anything like this before together, and she'd never done anything like this at all. She'd had that one boyfriend a few summers back, but they mostly just hung around their houses or the park, never went on real dates or anything. This was nice, and she was glad it was with Draco.

[Draco Malfoy]

And Draco will keep trying to break her of that habit, he really will. No matter how long it takes. He grinned at her and helped himself to some of the food left on her plate, "You know me oh so well." This whole going on a date thing was great. It was a way for them to escape from school without having to go home or sit in the lounge for night after night. Draco was also glad he was with Pansy, he couldn't imagine bringing any other girl out like this and feeling comfortable enough to nudge their feet or hold hands with them under the table. Pansy brought out that side of him, the side that didn't mind not hiding their relationship, that wanted people to know she was his.

[Pansy Parkinson-Malfoy]

Maybe he'll win eventually, who knows. Depends on how good at persuasion he is. "Of course I do." She grinned at him as he polished off her plate. Pansy was glad she got to bring out this side of him, knowing full well that he'd probably never relax if she didn't make him sometimes. He'd worry himself to death about the expectations his father had for him, but luckily she did what she could to make him forget about it from time to time. She knew he needed that. "I'm glad you suggested this, it's fun."

[Draco Malfoy]

Draco can be very persuasive. Unfortunately one line of persuasion will get him injured so he'll avoid that one for the time being. Draco smiled at her, "It is, I'm glad you agreed to it." He finished eating and reached across the table to take her hand. Draco's abilities to worry about things are incredible and without his Pansy he would never ever take any risks. His Pansy. His Pansy. It always made him feel good whenever he thought about that, that she was his girlfriend. "So do you want any dessert? Share something with me?"

[Pansy Parkinson-Malfoy]

Yes, how horribly unfortunate he cannot use those methods of persuasion until much, much later. He'll just have to get more creative, which is good for his brain, so really he should be thanking Pansy. Yep. Pansy smiled as he took her hand, loving the easiness between them, how normal it all felt because of how close they'd always been before. And she likes the sound of 'his Pansy', btw, it makes her all smiley and if she could she'd be doing that happy jumpy dance like the girls do on tv once they get inside after getting kissed on the front porch. You know the one. She thought a moment when he suggested dessert, and even though she was full, sharing one sounded good. "Sure, whichever one you like best. I'll trust your tastebuds tonight."

[Draco Malfoy]

I know the exact dance. So cute. Draco thinks that if he could use the persuasion he wants to then he could still be very creative. He smiled at her and looked at the dessert menu when he was given it. When the waiter came back he ordered the molten chocolate cake then turned back to Pansy, still holding her hand. He also couldn't stop looking at that dress. "You look beautiful tonight Pans, where did you get that dress from?"

[Pansy Parkinson-Malfoy]

Though there isn't any doubt that his particular favorite persuasion could get creative, that still won't work. Not yet anyway. Pansy grinned at him when he complimented her again, shrugging slightly. "I've had it a little while. Picked it up on a solo shopping trip a few weeks ago. Usually I'd have gone with Scorp, but he never really liked clothes shopping with me and he never would let me get anything too short. I saw it and liked it, and just couldn't bring myself to put it back. I think it had the whole 'Muffy would hate this' thing going for it." Pansy laughed, glancing down at the dress for a second, pleased that she had ended up buying it. She figured if Scorp ever saw it he'd definitely have something to say about it, but that was all good and well because she liked it, Draco liked it, and that was all that mattered in the end.

[Draco Malfoy]

Draco wants to poke out his tongue and laugh at Scorpius but that would be childish. Also he needs Scorp to say good things about sex. He really really does. Looking at the top of the dress again he smirked, "I think she would try to kill you if she knew you had worn this out for an evening. I can't decide what she would hate the most: the colour, the fabric or the style. I think the fact that it's leather might be the worst for her though." It was, however, Draco's favourite part. By far.

[Pansy Parkinson-Malfoy]

Pansy was still smiling, because really she does like this dress and feels quite amazing in it. There was something empowering about wearing leather. "Too low, too short, too tight, too black, too leather, I don't know, she'd go on for ages and never let me leave the house. I'd get the 'Pansy Delia Parkinson you take that off this instant!' speech, I'm sure. She'd hate it." Pansy leaned forward, whispering as if telling him some great secret. "That only makes this all the more fun."

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