*this happens around 11:00 a.m.*

Greg wasn't pleased. Pansy had been off Thursday. There was something bothering her and he'd drag it out of her if he had too. Maeve may not appreciate his overprotective behavior, but Pansy had not once complained. What use was it to be his if they didn't let him help? None, he thought angrily. With that in mind, he apparated to Pansy's home. It was a bit early yet for her though. He smiled as Beren led him through the house. It wouldn't hurt, he decided quickly, to catch her half-awake.



Leaning down, he asked, "How is Mistress Pansy doing?"

Beren shook his head and looked around warily. "Mistress Pansy has been crying." Beren speared him with a look Greg had never seen before from a house elf. "Fix it, Master Val. Only you can."

Greg crouched down as to be eye level with Beren. "What do you mean? What happened?"

Beren's eyes widened and then he grinned mercilessly. "He made her cry, isn't that enough?"

Greg stood, squaring his shoulders. She will tell all. "Yes, yes it is."

He stopped, waving Beren off as he reached Pansy's bedroom door. He turned the knob silently and slid his wand into his hand. "Pans?"

Greg walked into her bedroom and saw what appeared to be a lump underneath the duvet. He approached it cautiously, and sat gingerly on the edge of the bed. "Pansy?"

A muffled sound came from beneath the blankets. "G'way."

"Pet, don't make me get in there with you," he teased. "Tell me what is wrong."

She pulled the covers down to expose the top of her face. "I'm really not up to company at the moment, Gregory. You really have appalling timing."

"Fuck all, Pet. You know I'm not leaving until you tell me everything. Make it easy on both of us and it's double the number of shoes I owe you."

She exhaled heavily. "Fine." A hand snaked out to grab her wand that lay on the bedside table, and she cast a glamour on her face. At once, the red nose, puffy eyes and damp eyes disappeared.

Greg frowned. "Have you been crying?"

"No."

He reached out, tucking her hair behind her ear. "The glamour you just cast says different. I'll take back the offer of the shoes. Tell me."

She sat up in the bed and crossed her arms over her chest like a petulant five year-old. "It's stupid."

Greg shot her an unamused look. "I find nothing about you stupid, Pans."

"Alright. But you stay right there. You will not go off all in a snit looking to thrash anyone, right?"

Right, sure...uh huh. Someone makes Pans cry without retaliation? Not a chance. Smiling innocently, he replied, "Of course not, not without your approval."

"Have you ever fancied someone, Greg? I mean, more than just physically? Like who they were?"

"Yes."

"What if that person that you fancied told you they felt the same way, then practically ran screaming in the other direction not five minutes later, and then never owled or flooed or showed up or anything?"

Me, I'd blow it off...Pans...they'd never find the body. "Who, Pet? Tell me who and I'll take care of it for you."

"Gregory," she growled, getting out of bed. Sighing, she walked over to the vanity, picked up a hairbrush, and began yanking it through her tangled, sleep mussed hair. "Why have I never realized that men were such arsehats?" She glanced at him. "Present company excluded, of course."

"Of course."

"It's stupid.. I'm stupid. This is why I don't-" She broke off and laid down the brush, satisfied with the taming job she'd done on her hair. Smiling at him, she asked brightly, "Do you want some breakfast? What time is it? Lunch? Should we go somewhere, or would you rather Beren or Oscar, that little prat, make something?"

Greg nearly growled in frustration. "I will eat, only if you start telling me all of it. You aren't stupid, you've never been stupid, and you never will be stupid." He held his hand out for her to take, willing to have her lean on him whenever she needed to. He needed her to acknowledge that. "Come on. Pet, let me escort you down while you tell me who it is I need to...teach a lesson to."

Pansy took his hand and then allowed him to wrap his arms around her, enveloping her in a snug embrace. She sighed and let him hold her for a moment. Pulling away a bit, she looked up at him, her large brown eyes still a little sad. "I don't want you to teach anyone a lesson. But I would like you to keep me company for a bit, and for you to never, ever tell anyone that I needed a hug." She scoffed at herself, pulling him towards the door. As they walked hand in hand to the dining room, she mused, "Maybe I need the lesson. Evidently it didn't sink in enough when I was growing up. Don't let anyone close." Pansy glanced at her friend and smiled. "Present company excluded, of course." She sighed. "I knew better. I did."

Greg stopped in his tracks, pulling Pansy into his arms. He tucked her head under his chin and gave her all the time she needed- to fall apart or pull herself together. He could handle either one. "You need no lessons, Pet," he assured her softly. "You know I'll keep all your secrets as I always have."

She relaxed into his chest and closed her eyes for a moment, resting in his strength, before straightening up and pulling away. "I'm fine, Gregory. It will take more than a man to upset me." She looked at him. "No offense, darling."

He chuckled, tucking her back against his side. "None taken, Pet. You will tell me if he bothers you again?" He paused, not wanting to let the conversation drop without confirmation. He did need to know who may be in line for a sound thrashing, complete with limp this time, after all. "It's McLaggen, yeah?" When she didn't answer him, he sighed. "Later, if he's still being an arse...then will you tell me?"

"If, and when anyone I know needs a beating, darling Gregory, you will be the first person I owl. Promise." She grinned at him and squeezed his hand. "But if I catch him in bed with anyone else again, there won't be enough bits of him left for you to do anything properly with."

Greg growled, literally and turned to face Pansy. "What? WHAT?" His eyes narrowed. It's like Nott all over again! "Why is he still breathing? Why can't I beat the ever living shite out of him right now?"

Pansy laughed. "I do so love you, Gregory. My hero." Her giggles subsided, and she continued. "I'm not exactly sure that he's done anything horrible, yet. I don't know. I think the first thing was a misunderstanding, and well, the second... I'm going to allow a little time, perhaps. But rest assured, at the first moment that I deem it necessary, you will be called on to deliver whatever brand of justice you see fit." She leaned up and kissed his cheek. "I swear."

He grinned wickedly. This was more like it. The day he'd invaded McLaggen's office the fool had merely been amused by the warning given. He knew it was McLaggen even without Pansy's confirmation. He kissed Pansy's brow. "My brand of justice? You know what that means when one of mine has been hurt, yeah?" He shrugged, taking her hand and leading her into the dining room. "It's good to know I'm still needed."

{Summary: Greg finds out what is wrong with Pansy, Pansy promises to let him hurt people. Both are cheered considerably.}