Greg hadn't known whether to owl or just stop by. He knew Pansy needed a warning about Vin, hell if he thought it would do any good he would have taken out a full page ad in the Prophet and The Quibbler warning the world. With a heavy heart he Apparated into the front hall of Parkinson Manor. Since that damn owl had arrived, Greg hadn't gone anywhere without the boot knife Maeve had given him for Christmas, at the very least. Turning on his heel, he headed straight for the Solarium. It was the likeliest place to find her this time of day. "Pans?" he called, stepping inside and scanning the room slowly.

"Over here," she called from behind a large trellis of yellow roses. She was still very relaxed from her liquid lunch, and it might have been a safe bet that it was a good idea to put down the Pruning shears, anyway. She brushed her hair back out of her face with the back of a gloved hand and looked down at her clothes. Yes, still presentable, she thought. Stepping out from behind the roses, she raised an eyebrow at Greg. "Just popping by, are we? No need to owl first?" she said lightly, walking over to him and placing a kiss on his cheek. "Manners, manners, Gregory."

Pulling off her gardening gloves, she called Oscar, gave him an order for tea, and turned her attention back to Greg. "Now, to what do I owe the honor of an unannounced visit from one of my oldest and dearest? Someone hasn't died, have they? Because you do that by owl." She tapped her lips with a finger. "Hang on, I know... It'll come to me. Famine? Gringotts collapsed and we have no more money?" she asked with a wry smile on her face. "Oh, no. I know. Blaise and Tracey are getting married." She laughed at his horrified expression. "Well, it has to be something horrific, Gregory, otherwise I can't think why you'd cut into your busy schedule to come see me," she said with a mock pout.

Keep it light for now, no need to upset her right off. Greg worked up a pout of his own. "Well, I would have owled. I was just too busy being handcuffed to a beautiful woman and then trying to figure out where the hell Trace disappeared off to. If you'd like, I can leave, owl, and then come back once I have permission, Pet."

Pansy pursed her lips and poured him a cup of tea that Oscar had brought in. "Hush it, you." She sipped her tea and gazed at him. "Are you going to tell me the tale of the handcuffs and where Tracey is, or do I have to do some sort of penance first?" She set down her teacup and gave him her full attention. "I'm listening, darling. All ready for an excellent story." She folded her hands in her lap and looked at him expectantly.

The corner of his mouth twitching as he struggled not to smile, Greg said, "I woke up on New Years handcuffed to River, who had been dressed in the same dress she was wearing when she and I had our...time together in Seattle. Of course, she'd charmed Lex and Rave's hair with pink streaks the night before, so they and Trace, were just paying us back a bit. Trace went somewhere the same day, and if she doesn't reply to my owl I will start searching for her." He held up his hand, enjoying the stunned expression on Pansy's face way too much to stop now. "Her hair had purple streaks, by the way. It was Riv's birthday and we went clubbing in Paris. I kissed her, Riv I mean, the next morning since the cuffs were time release and didn't unlock until later that evening."

He stopped there, snickering all the while. "How was your New Year's?"

"Fine," she replied dryly. She frowned in confusion and paused for a moment, obviously thinking furiously. River? "Did I miss something? What happened to Fred? And the Bell girl?" She sighed, clucked her tongue and leaned back, petulant. "I liked Fred. He was very fun. And clever. And gorgeous." Pansy pouted a bit.

He sighed heavily, bringing to mind the words she'd used back before Christmas. He stared off into space, not wanting to see her pity. "Sometimes things don't work out the way you'd have them to. You adapt and overcome, right? You find something else. Something better. You said that to me, remember? I wasn't just agreeing to placate you, Pet."

"Oh," Pansy said, a bit shocked. "It's not very often I'm quoted back to me, you know. I had no idea anyone paid attention that closely to anything I have to say." She picked up her cup and sipped, and looked at him seriously. "I'm sorry the other didn't work out then, darling." She studied him with a completely serious look in her eye. "I like River. She's a lovely girl. But you'll take it slowly, yes?" She gestured toward him. "You've had... a lot going on in the past few months, and I just want you to make sure what you think you want is really what you want before you go jumping in with both feet, alright?" She gave the barest hint of a smile. "You're passionate about things. I get that. When you see something you want, you go and you get it. I'm a bit like that myself," she said wryly, "but I want you to promise to take care of yourself, as well." Clearing her throat, she whispered, "Please."

Greg leaned over, cupping her cheek with his hand. "I listen, always have and always will, Pans. And yes, I'm not screwing this up." He smiled wryly. "At least not on purpose."

Dropping his hand and sitting back he added, "I am taking care of myself, promise. It's just... I'll not stop taking care of what's mine either. Which brings me to one of the reasons for my visit. Can we go elsewhere?" he asked, not comfortable with the wall of glass even if he knew damn well that the wards were excellent.

She frowned and followed his gaze to the wall of glass windows. Standing, she beckoned him to follow her. She wound her way through the corridors and ended up in the sitting room, pointed her wand at the fireplace to start a crackling blaze, and sat in an armchair, gesturing him to do the same. "I feel like I'm in some sort of espionage. Is someone about to jump out and kill us both?" she asked, amused.

Instead of sitting across from her, Greg sat on the arm of her chair, staring into the fire for a few minutes wondering how to tell her that someone that used to be a friend...family, had returned likely insane and nothing like the boy they'd grown up with. Does she know how close that statement could be to the truth? "Vin is back," he said bluntly, yet softly in an attempt to cushion the blow at least a little bit.

"Vincent?" she asked, raising her eyebrows slightly. "He's not dead? I thought someone had told me he died." She shrugged. "Oh, well, then, wonderful. You've seen him, then?"

Greg gaped, standing quickly, not sure what he was supposed to say to that. Wonderful? Didn't she know? "Pans?" he said carefully. "Are we talking about the same person here? Vin, Vincent Crabbe, the sick fuck who has no morals that I know of? The same one that has no problems torturing someone- and that was years ago?"

Pansy leaned back and looked at him critically. "There was a lot of torturing going on back then, or don't you remember?" She asked with a dead look in her eyes. "So what exactly is wrong with Vincent? I actually don't remember him all that much. He was joined at the hip with you for a while, but he was very quiet. I never heard him say more than a couple of words strung together the whole time we were at school." She frowned at the expression on Greg's face. "You're scaring me, Gregory. What's going on?"

Greg sat down next to her chair, looking her in the eyes. "He's not like the rest of us that could hurt or even kill if we needed too. He likes it, like my father did." And yours. "I saw it in his eyes, Pans. He was a true believer in a totally insane and twisted way."

He laid his hand over hers. "He hurts women, Pans, gleefully."

Pansy grimaced. "Are you warning me?" she asked. "Vincent wouldn't come after me. I did nothing to him." She stood and walked to the fire while Beatrice slinked into the room and wound around Greg's legs, leaping up into his lap and gazing at him with her blue eyes. Evidently judging him acceptable, she curled up in his lap, and started her afternoon nap.

Pansy dragged her gaze from the fire and saw the picture of the kitten and her new pillow, and smiled. "Gregory, meet Beatrice. Cormac gave her to me for Christmas." She nodded towards the kitten. "Woe be to the person who tries to hurt me. That little darling is forever growling at the windows at some stray dog out there. Quite the protector, she is."

"What?" he nearly hissed, eyeing the cat in his lap warily. Exactly when did I become an acceptable pillow? Won't McLaggen just love the fact that his gift likes me? "And that doesn't tell you something? For all we know it could be Vin. Beatrice here seems to be a good judge of character. If she's wary about something, then you should listen. Believe it or not, I learned quite a bit while I was in America. Speaking of which." He lifted Beatrice carefully and laid her in the armchair before getting to his feet and joining Pansy, wrapping his arm around her waist. "You remember that necklace I gave you right after I got back?"

"Of course, darling. It's upstairs."

"I'd like you to wear it all the time, even if you put a concealing charm on it. I'm well aware that you're a grown up and a fully capable witch, Pet. I'd just feel better knowing you had an unexpected bit of protection until we find out what Vin's doing back and whether he is the one sneaking about the grounds."

"Gregory, you're worrying unnecessarily. Why would Vincent come here?" she asked seriously. "He never showed the slightest interest in me, hardly ever even looked in my direction." She patted his cheek. "Don't be concerned for my safety, darling."

He shook his head at her implacable expression, matching it with one of his own. "Not happening, Pet. You don't want me dropping by the MLE and having a bit of a chat with McLaggen about your lack of regard for personal safety, do you?"

She threw her head back and laughed. "Are you joking? You're going to join forces with the Undersecretary to the head of the MLE? Who, I'd like to point out, you threatened with bodily harm just last month?" At the clouded expression on his face, she stopped laughing abruptly and sighed. "Fine, Gregory, I'll wear the necklace. No need to involve Cormac. He's seen enough of the insanity that surrounds me, and I'm absolutely sure that Vincent is nothing to be concerned about."

She sat on the arm of Greg's vacated chair and stroked Beatrice, lost in thought for a moment. "Vincent. For Merlin's sake, I used to help him with Arithmancy, after all." She chuckled. "Bit of a lost cause, that, as I really ended up doing it for him, but I'm sure if he's the sort you say he is, that he'll go after someone he hates, don't you think? Why would he have a grudge against any of us? We were on his side, more or less, right?"

Greg crossed his arms over his chest.I am not telling her about the 'gifts' Draco and I received. She doesn't need to know about that. "I'd 'join forces' with Hades himself if it meant those that matter most to me are protected. None of us, save for Draco, joined that madman like Vin did. I don't want you to underestimate him is all."

Pansy nodded, becoming increasingly more concerned at Gregory's vehemence on the subject. "Alright, darling. If he comes to the door, I'll hex him straightaway. I won't wait for pleasantries. Does that make you feel better?"

"Don't even open the door, Pet." He hated this. Hated upsetting Pansy. Simply loathed Vin for coming back and forcing him to do this. If Pansy had been this difficult to convince, how long would it take to convince Maeve? Or River? At this rate, moving back to Stone Walk and taking all three with him was looking like a fine idea. Must ask Draco if he'll look over all the wards, he'll understand...won't he? When she nodded, obviously not fully convinced, he smiled and sat down in her chair since the cat was still occupying the other one. Now that she'd been warned, his goal was to get her relaxed again if at all possible. "Come over here and sit with me, tell me how you've been doing? Have you and Trace talked about your birthday party? Is there anything specific that you want for said birthday?"

Pansy picked Beatrice up and sat in the chair, frowning and staring at Gregory. "Stop talking about my birthday." He's done it, he'd made her nervous, and now he was going to spill whatever it was. "There's something you're not telling me."

He shook his head. "Not anything you need to worry about. Can I at least get a hint about what you want for the occasion - not - to - be - mentioned?"

Her frown intensified. She dropped the kitten onto the floor gently, crossed her arms over her chest, and glared. After a full minute of scrutiny, she raised an eyebrow. "I'll be the judge of whether I need to worry or not. You come here, tell me to wear a protective amulet, to not open the door to an old school friend, and-- what? I'm just supposed to take it all at face value? Nod obediently and say, 'Of course, Gregory. Whatever you say?'" She scoffed. "I think not." She stood and put her hands on her hips, scowling. "Now what has you so upset?"

His brows rose. Pansy obedient? When hell froze over. "Nothing that you need to worry over, Pet. Trust me, you don't want to know. Just trust me that you need to be very, very wary of Vin."

Pansy pursed her lips. He wasn't going to tell her. Damn. She contemplated throwing a tantrum, but decided that it was far too much effort. She'd find out eventually. She always did.

Sitting on the arm of his chair, she huffed. "Fine. Wary. Check."

Snickering, he pulled her down into his lap, kissing her brow. "Now, no pouting at me. It won't work. Gifts, Pet, what do you want?"

"Oh, pouting works. I'm just not giving it enough effort. I'm tired. Had too much wine at lunch." She sighed. "You gave me such lovely Christmas presents, Gregory. I can't imagine what else I'd want."

He rolled his eyes. "You'd better come up with something soon, Pet," he teased, feeling a bit better now that the subject had been changed, "Or I'll get you a pup. That would make life really interesting around here, wouldn't it?"

She swatted his chest. "Oh, Merlin, no. No dogs. I quite like my little kneazle, though. Isn't she a darling?"

"I've no answer for that, Pans. No matter what I say it'll make me sound girly. You want a friend for her? That I'm sure I can handle." He grinned cheekily, wondering how long it would take before Beatrice was the most spoiled kneazle in Britain.

"I think Beatrice is fine as an only kitten, darling." She leaned her head against Greg's and rested for a moment, closing her eyes. Her thoughts were jumbled, and she couldn't figure out just how everything fit together. The deaths in the Prophet, that strange mark at Halloween, Gregory insisting that Vincent was a threat to them. She sighed, pulled away and looked at him. "What is it Gregory?" she asked softly. "Is it starting again? And I know Vincent can't be behind it all because he's just not that smart, frankly. Do you know? Do you have any idea?"

He felt helpless. How did he admit that he had no idea at all what was going on? At least before he had known, they all had. It was worse this way. How the fuck are we to defend ourselves from whatever this is when no one seems to know what THIS is? He held Pansy a tick tighter. "I think so. No, I know something is starting. I don't know that Vin is even a part of the other incidents..."

He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "This shite was supposed to end. Why now? Who is it this time? I don't like this, Pans, not at all."

"I don't either, darling. And rest assured, if anyone goes around mucking up my life now I've got it just the way I like it, I will not be happy. I think people may have forgotten what an unhappy Parkinson is capable of."

"I remember," he said with a light, teasing shudder. "I feel for whoever it is, whatever it is."

"You always were smarter than anyone gave you credit for." She patted his arm that wrapped around her.

"We'll not allow this to screw up our lives, promise."

"Alright, Gregory. I'll hold you to that," she whispered.



{Summary: Gregory drops by to visit Pansy. He gives her a LOT of information in true Slytherin style, and convinces her to be wary of Vincent. (She thought he was dead. Go figure.)}