Greg felt better than he had since his descent into utter stupidity. He'd gone to sparring practice yesterday and explained that he'd been ill. The lack of a telephone wasn't even an issue since his former team apparently warned the new one of his 'dislike' of that particular object. He should get a cell phone, though. He needed some way to get in touch with the Muggles he interacted with. Maeve had one, too. The light session had shaken his lethargy- it had felt good to be doing something, even if it wasn't his usual brutal regime. Overdoing anything wasn't on his agenda, though, especially since Pansy was due to arrive soon. He'd stopped in and picked up a couple of movies he thought Pansy would enjoy. After the events of Halloween, she definitely wouldn't be up for his brand of movies. The Princess Bride and The Wizard of Oz would do just fine. After she had catered to him while he was recovering, he could deal with Buttercup and the Munchkins. Maybe, just maybe one of the movies would get a chuckle out of her.


He turned to see Luthien carrying trays of food from the kitchen and sniggered. "It's only Miss Pansy and myself, Luthien, not an army."

Luthien huffed, making it known that he was still a bit upset. "You need to eat and Miss Pansy is very thin. Beren says she's not sleeping." She lowered her voice and leaned forward. "Nightmares, even when the nice Mister Cormac McLaggen stayed."

Greg blanched. "I don't need to know if McLaggen stays or not, Luthien. I'll watch her today, all right? I know something was bothering her before the Hogsmeade mess too. I won't push," he said hastily, seeing the look in his elf's eyes. He'd learned that while he was the Master that the house elves his mother had 'raised up' were far more independent than any other elves...even the Hogwarts ones. "Don't let on that you're worried about her, well, not any more than usual. She'll hex us both."

No sooner than the words had come from his mouth than Pansy arrived at the door of his living room and gazed at Greg intently. "You haven't been resting," she declared.

Before he could get a response out, she interrupted him. "Do not LIE. You went to the Halloween festival, one of my spies," at this she looked fondly at Luthien, "informs me that you also went out for a spot of Muggle dueling with people that aren't your friends, which, I must say, is an improvement overall, but you should know that I'm very cross with you, Gregory," she said, sitting on the edge of the couch and slipping off her shoes. She glared at him before tucking her feet underneath her, curling up next to him, and putting her head on his shoulder. "Very cross."

Greg scowled, but pulled her close anyway. "It was Nott, Pans. And, I'd promised Trace that I would go. He said...well never mind what he said. It was rude and..." he trailed off angrily. "You just don't say things like that, Pet. He forgot everything we were taught as children." He turned to kiss the top of her head. "I'll not discuss that prat today. Don't be cross with me."

He accioed the DVD's that he bought her and dropped them into her lap. "I thought if I was to introduce you to movies, we should do it properly...as in more than one."

"I don't want to discuss him, either," she said tightly. She frowned at the selection of movies. "So you're saving the one I brought you for later?" Shrugging, she handed him The Princess Bride. "Let's have this one then. We'll see if she's a princess." She was glad for the peace that being around Gregory provided. Even when he was partially broken, she still felt safe and contented snuggled close to him.

They settled in to watch, and Greg smiled as Pansy made appreciative noises about the farm boy. Smiling back, she asked, "So darling, how are you?"

Greg shrugged. He'd been mulling over some ideas. The school was being looked into and the other... He knew he had to do something positive with his time and money. Something with children, to honor Abbs. He would have to touch base with River about it soon. They'd discussed it a bit on Tuesday. People wouldn't be as willing to talk to him as they would be her. But, that didn't mean he couldn't tell Pansy a bit first. He wanted her reactions. "I've been mulling over doing something instead of lounging about this place."

"Oh, yeah?" Pansy stretched a bit, and settled back down next to him. "Like what, darling?"

Greg shook his head. "It's still simmering, Pet. Something to do with children though...medical funding...a primary school."

"Really? I've been having dreams about children. And Potter-elfs," she muttered, shaking her head, "but that's beside the point. Dreams nightmares about children. I'm with a group of children. Have you ever heard anything so mad? I don't even like them. Little ankle biters. A sticky lot. And loud." She looked up at him. "What with Primary school?"

Greg chuckled. He knew the school idea was a good one. He would definitely have to research it as much as possible...Well River would. Half formed thoughts became ideas, all circling in his head together like a half-made potion. "In America the children all went to school together, no separation by blood status...even the squibs were welcome. I think we need something like that here..."

Pansy frowned. "Squibs go to school with the magical children? Gregory, come now. Next you'll be saying that Muggles could come, too."

Greg just rolled his eyes. He knew that Pansy wouldn't like his idea all that much. But he did and that was what mattered. In fact, he was warming more to the idea every minute. Integration, that was what Raven had called it. Hell, the proof in how well it works was in the fact that there was very little prejudice in America. Raven had always gone to magical schools even if he would be considered a squib in Britain. Raven's magic was impressive though it wasn't anywhere near the same sort of magic he'd grown up with. Greg rather liked the fact that he had a 'back-up' form of magic, one that no one here would understand or even expect. "River is already looking for buildings, Pans. We need this, the world needs this."

Ignoring the movie, she studied him for a moment. "Alright. I don't need convincing. If it's something that you want to do, you should. You'll let me know if I can help?" She sighed and rested her head back on his shoulder. "Someone should be doing something constructive with their time and money."

His lips quirked into a half-smile. "You could always donate to my school...once it is up and running." Ahh, the confidence returns. "You can also chat up anyone with kids once the plans are put into motion, if you want to help."

She laughed. "You want me to talk to people with children,? Gregory, darling, think that through. I don't even know any families with children, let alone how to 'chat anyone up'. Unless he's a dashing blond at a bar, then I'm your girl."

Greg snickered. "Fine, fine...I'll take your gold though. I won't ever ask you to come by and check on your investment." He outright grinned. "You could pick out the uniforms, Pet. We both know you love to shop. You wouldn't trust me with such a thing would you?"

She wrinkled her nose. "Certainly not." She was quiet for a moment, and then nodded once. "Yes, I could do that. I think I'd be good at that. You'd have the best dressed students in Britain, you know."

He tugged a lock of her hair lightly. "I'll take your help and even tag along if you'd like. I do owe you a shopping trip, don't I?"

She cleared her throat. "Yes, you do."

He ducked his head, trying to hide his smirk as Draco's words came to mind. He pulled the blanket off the back of the couch and laid it out over the both of them. "No more business talk. I want your opinion on this...Is Buttercup a real Princess?" He couldn't resist teasing her a bit. "I know she could never measure up to you, Pet."

"Well, I certainly wouldn't allow myself to be kidnapped. How absurd. By a giant, a man with a sword, and a very short fellow with a lisp? Please. And to be scared by a big mouse? Clearly she never had Hagrid for a Care of Magical Creatures class," she huffed.

"Of course not," he said indignantly. "No one is that stupid. After you were done hexing them they would have to deal with me, Draco, and Blaise." Feeling a bit wicked since her mood had lightened, he added, "Well, if it was enormous spiders? Would that make it better?"

Her eyes widened as she gazed up at him. "That's not nice, Gregory. You know I don't like spiders. They're unnatural. With their too many eyes and too many legs. Ugh." She shuddered. "Be sweet, Gregory, or you'll find a baby Blast-Ended Skrewt in your stocking at Christmas."

He blanched. Those damn things had him looking over his shoulder for months after that class and Pansy knew it. He should have known she wouldn't have forgotten. "Those were unnatural." He shuddered, only half in jest. He shifted and his hip hit the box he'd set on the couch. It was something he'd picked up in America for her and had been waiting to give her. With all the shite going on on his birthday, he figured she deserved something sparkly. "Here, Pet," he said, dropping the pretty blue box in her lap. "Hope you like it."

She opened the box and sighed in pleasure at the delicate chain with its diamond pendant. "Oh, Gregory. It's just beautiful." She reached up and kissed his cheek, and shook her head. You'll spoil me if you keep this up, darling. You don't want me more rotten than I already am." She held out the necklace for him to put around her neck.

"You aren't rotten, and I'll thrash the first person who says different." Didn't Pansy realize that she could do no wrong in his eyes? She was perfect just how she was. Anyone that said different would learn how painful it was to go up against him.

After he'd clasped the chain, she settled back into his side. "I'm glad you're back, you know. I'm glad you're here." She smiled where he couldn't see. "Even if you do force me to watch these idiotic Muggle things and are afraid of Skrewts."

Greg shifted so that she could lean on him and wrapped his arm securely around her. He felt peaceful. He felt needed. He kissed the top of her head and murmured, "So am I, so am I."

{Summary: Pansy goes to check on Gregory. They discuss plans for what to do with their time and money.}

Gift: Tiffany's Diamonds by the Yard neclace