Greg rushed around his flat, having overslept. Pansy would never let him live it down if he was late. He hopped across his bedroom in search of his other shoe as he tried to button his trousers. His black button up shirt was hanging open, the tails getting in his way. He had tried for appeasing Pansy by not wearing battered jeans, but he really did loathe the irritations that went with 'nice' clothes. He managed to button up his shirt and tuck it in before getting on his hands and knees to peer under the bed for his missing shoe. He shoved his foot into it and snagged his belt. Pansy was going to be testy enough about going into Muggle London and he didn't want to brass her off further by being too terribly late.

He'd had a hard time getting to sleep and then the nightmares had kept him from getting much quality rest. He didn't want to add an irritated Pansy on top of everything he was trying to deal with; it would be hard enough to keep his mountain of problems from her. He wasn't about to share when she was off-kilter. Hell, she'd likely swoon if he did share what was bothering him. They had an unspoken agreement and always had- there were certain things they just didn't talk about. As he rushed towards the door he had to wonder if Pansy remembered anything about where he was taking her today.

He was chuckling as he Apparated. It wasn't very often that anyone could trick Pansy Parkinson and yet he'd managed it without any pre-planning at all.

***********

Pansy hated to be kept waiting. It was Gregory, though, so she had to give him a little grace. He was taking her shopping, she remembered him saying that, but she really couldn't remember where, or what her end of the bargain had been. Damned vodka. Does nothing for the memory, she thought. Maybe Snape has something for that, too. She thought furiously. Before she'd fallen asleep the other night, she knew he had said something about shopping in London. Of that she was sure, and she got the impression that he was taking her somewhere new. She pursed her lips. She'd been to every store in London several times over. He must've forgotten who he was dealing with.

She was just deciding to give way to a tantrum when he Apparated into her entrance hall. She glanced at her watch, giving him a look. "You just made it, darling." She looked him over with approval. "And wearing my presents. You do know how to make me happy, don't you?"

Greg grinned, hoping that his facade would hold. "I am fashionably late, pet. And yes, I figured I should get some use out of them." One eyebrow winged up as he added, "Are you ready for shopping in Muggle London?"

The smile left her face abruptly. "Muggle what?" Her mouth fell open. "That's what it was!" He'd gotten the bargain out of her while she was falling asleep. "You tricked me," she said accusingly. "That's just, just--"

"Cunning?" He finished smugly, pushing his hair out of his face and cursing mentally about forgetting to tie it back. "Slytherin, pet."

She squared her shoulders and resigned herself. She had, evidently, made a bargain. But he'll pay for this she thought. Make no mistake about that. "Fine. I won't welch. But you had better make this worth my while, Gregory. Shopping, lunch, and drinks after."

He held out his hand. "It's my galleons you're about to spend."

"Too right, I am," she replied haughtily. "You'd better brace your pocketbook. Tricking me has its price, darling."

Greg shrugged. "I knew that when I made the deal, pet. Shall we go?"

She pouted as he helped her into her cloak. "I suppose. Under protest. And I don't promise to be nice. To anyone." She buttoned her cloak and put on her gloves. "Except maybe to you. I can't seem to be nasty to you, no matter how hard I try. Now come. Try and integrate me. I dare you."

Greg laughed uproariously. "I never turn down a dare and you know it."

********************

They'd had lunch at a Muggle restaurant, and had a lovely time at the Muggle shops. Pansy had decided that they weren't all bad, although she did have some trouble with the dressing rooms in Harrod's, Greg having told her that you simply couldn't use a tailoring charm in plain view of Muggles and that they took their clothes to a tailor. Pansy stated in certain terms that she didn't need any 'tails' on her dresses, and perhaps the Muggles could get over themselves. Greg suggested that they go to a jewellery store, and this placated Pansy quite a bit.

She was bent down looking in the cases, when Greg came up behind her. "See something you like?"

Pansy nodded and motioned to the clerk for service. "Yes. I'll have a look at the sapphire, then," she ordered. Looking at Greg, she asked, "What's that you've got?"

Greg shook his head and gave her a look that would have scared a lesser person. He'd hoped that he could sneak around since she'd been distracted. He should have known better. He wasn't telling her about his Pixie or the shiny bracelet he picked out for her. "I'm not telling. I may tell you later...much later."

She pursed her lips, gazing at him.. "You think you're so mysterious, Gregory. I think I may understand you better than you think I do, love. You should give me a little credit, hmmm?" She turned her attention back to the clerk. "No not that one," she said, pointing at another stone, "that one."

The clerk pulled it out from beneath the glass and she tried it on her finger. "Lovely," she breathed. "I'll take it, and the brooch in that cabinet over there," she declared, smirking at Greg. "We're buying Tracey a gift, as well. Aren't we nice?"

Greg laughed lightly, pocketing his purchase while Pansy amused herself spending his gold. He'd owl it to Pixie tomorrow morning and hope she liked it. He sighed lightly and stepped up behind Pansy. Don't ruin the day. Have fun or Pansy will question everything. "What are we getting Tracey then?"

"This brooch," she said showing Greg the piece that the clerk had handed her. It's Muggle, she whispered, "But I'm not telling Trace." She giggled.

"Actually, it's eighteenth century Elizabethan," the clerk mentioned softly.

Pansy turned to him sharply. "No one was speaking to you, sir," she spat.

She glared at the man and turned her attention to Greg. "I'm going outside. You'll finish up here, then?"

Greg rolled his eyes and turned to the sour faced clerk. "Wrap up whatever she wanted." He looked over his shoulder to make sure Pansy was out of earshot before adding, "You really would do better catering to her, you know."

The clerk stiffly boxed everything quickly. Greg paid him and met Pansy outside. "He was quite offended," he teased her.

"He can go to-" She stopped herself. "I'm being charitable, right? Giving the Muggles a chance and all that?"

He laughed aloud. Pansy never failed to amuse him; it was one of his favorite things about her and always had been. He held out his arm for her to take. "You've been very charitable, pet. How about a drink to toast your first foray into Muggle culture?"

She lunged for the metaphorical lifeline. "Oh, Gods, yes. Please. A Muggle pub, too, then?" She asked timidly.

"Their alcohol is...very potent, you certain you want to try it, pet?" he replied teasingly, knowing that Pansy wouldn't step back from the unspoken dare. He also knew that she needed a bit of a drink just now since he definitely did.

She regarded him quizzically. "Gregory? Is that some sort of gauntlet that you're throwing down? I can certainly handle anything Muggle. She tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. "Lead on, then. I'm certainly not afraid of a Muggle pub." She faltered. "But Gregory, I have been extraordinarily good, after all. And I didn't say anything about the restaurant at lunch, or the waiters, or the fact that I couldn't use my wand to pour the wine." She looked up at him pleadingly. "So would it be too, too much to ask that we go to Grendell's?" She batted her eyelashes twice. "Please?"

Greg smiled softly. She was so fragile underneath her mask and it broke him a bit. I left her here, unprotected. What a bastard. Will she ever forgive that? "Of course we can, Pet. Grendell's it is then."

Pansy exhaled in relief. "Oh, thank Merlin. I don't know that I could have taken one more mad Muggle thing!" She straightened and remembered herself. "But I did do well today, didn't I?"

Greg nodded. "You did brilliantly, Pans. Let's get you back to something familiar, yeah?"

Once they were situated at their table at Grendell's, and they were well into their third round, Pansy poked Greg in the ribs, making him jump involuntarily. "Are you ever going to share more of your travels with me? Or, better yet, your love life? I'll share a secret with you, if you share one with me. Even, see?"

Rubbing his ribs, Greg shot her a wicked grin, but remained silent.

Pansy huffed. "Alright, how about if I just ask some questions and you just nod?"

He nodded.

She smiled. "Good. So. Do you know who I think is just lovely? River Montgomery. Isn't she lovely?"

Greg nodded silently, his face a mask.

Pansy continued. "Uh huh. Yes, yes she is. Do you know who else I think is lovely?"

Greg shook his head.

"Fred Weasley. He's absolutely divine, for a Gryffindor, anyhow. Don't you think he's divine, Gregory?"

Gred nodded once, slowly, and Pansy smiled triumphantly. "I knew it!"

Greg buried his face in his hands. He wasn't sure if she had spies all over wizarding Britain or if rumors were flying already. Knowing Pansy as he did, it could be either. It wasn't as if he was ashamed of his behavior- quite the opposite in fact. He just had never been sure if Pansy knew about his preferences. Mentally shrugging, he decided to deal with her reaction, no matter what it was. "What do you think you know, Pans?"

She frowned at him. "You know, I don't know whether to be offended that you think I'm stupid, or offended that you don't think that I know you well at all. We've been friends a long time, darling. Longer than most anyone else. Do you not think that I've picked up on your preferences? The fact that I've never had any effect on you whatsoever is not lost on me, although I prefer to think that it's just the fact that I'm a special case, sisterly affection and all that. I choose not to be insulted." She sipped from her glass and continued. "But I think, my dear, that among other things," she whispered, lowering her voice, "that you may enjoy the company of men." She sat back, satisfied. "Tell me I'm wrong."

Greg's hands dropped to the table, nearly knocking over his glass. He opened and closed his mouth a couple of times in an attempt to say something, anything. All he managed was a whispered, "You are my sister." Shaking his head he pushed on, knowing it had to be said. "You meant a lot to me, Pet. I didn't want your disapproval is all. You and Tracey were...are...always will be my family. I'd do anything for you two. I...I hope you will forgive me someday for running. I just broke, Pans. And, no, you aren't wrong."

A wash of concern covered Pansy's features. "Oh, Gregory, how could you ever think that I'd disapprove of you, love? Ever?" She covered his hand with her smaller ones. "And no more apologising. My heart can't take it. Seriously. We were all in bad shape back then. I don't even want to think about it. So we'll just focus on the here and now, alright?" He nodded once, and she continued. "So. That doesn't count as your secret, since I already knew. That's the bargain, right? One for one? Hmmm?"

Greg squeezed her hands in thanks. He really didn't deserve such friends and he would be doing his best to be a good friend from here on out. he needed to lighten the mood again, neither of them needed to be dark and broody right now. "That was the bargain. Are you sure you want to know what I've been up to with a certain...divine redhead?"

Pansy's delighted expression lit up her face. "Really? She giggled softly. "Fred Weasely then? Oh, my, yes, he is ever so lovely." She smiled in earnest. "Too soon to bring him 'round for tea?"

Greg rolled his eyes. "He and I took inventory of one another in my main vault at Gringotts. As for bringing him round for tea, I'll get back to you on that. I've no clue if he's even interested in another go yet." He grinned. "Now, your turn."

"Fair enough," she replied. "Keep me posted. As for my turn, I've been a little preoccupied with a Gryffindor, myself. I keep running into him in the oddest places. Nothing of note, yet, but I think eventually, it may be beneficial for both of us," she added cryptically.

Greg's eyes narrowed. "Which Gryffindor, Pet?" But he knew, oh did he know. McLaggen is due for a sound thrashing. He'd shown restraint before. Knowing Pansy could handle herself and facing the reality of her shagging McLaggen were two different things entirely. He wouldn't thrash the wanker just now, but if he hurt Pansy then all bets were off.

"I'm not sure I want to share. Is that alright? It may be nothing at all, and then again, it may be something bigger. Time will tell. It hasn't been exactly easy so far, as we seem to get interrupted an awful lot." She giggled. "It's probably nothing though. Don't look so stormy." She ordered another round. "Maybe we should have gone to a Muggle pub. You look like you could use something stronger."

Damn right I could. He downed his drink and motioned for a refill. "Fine, but if it's McLaggen then I get to thrash him soundly if he hurts you. Deal?"

Pansy's gasp was involuntary, but she recovered quickly. "Has Tracey been talking?"

"No, I saw the three of you the other day. He looked like he wouldn't mind a nibble and I don't like him, Pans."

"Oh." She paused. "Keeping in mind, of course, that I am Pansy Parkinson, can take care of myself, can throw a stinging hex as easily as breathing, and that my aim is deadly accurate, why don't you like him?"

Greg shrugged. "Just so you know, I would be thrashing his sorry arse after you hexed him. I don't know why I loathe him, I just do. He's a man-whore, Pans. Are you sure that's what you want?"

She raised an eyebrow, and sat back against her chair, subdued. "Some might say the same about me, love. Not the man part, but you know, the other. Anyway, that's neither here nor there. Nothing even to speak of," she said dismissively. However, I would like to have tea with yours should the occasion arise," she continued, winking at him. "You know, I'm meeting Blaise here in just a few minutes, can you stay?"

"Some might want to keep their gobs shut," he snarled. "No one is allowed to say things like that about you. Tea? You, me, and Fred?" He chuckled. "If it gets to that point then we'll have to try it." Making a point of checking his new watch, he said, "I can't stay. Wouldn't want to intrude on you and Blaise." He got to his feet and set a stack of coins on the table before kissing Pansy's cheek. "I'll owl you directions to my flat so you can drop in for a visit. Have fun with Blaise."

He didn't give Pansy a chance to reply or protest. She was left surprised and frustrated by her friend's sudden departure. Sighing, Pansy signalled the bartender for another drink, and settled in to wait for Blaise.

{summary: Greg and Pansy spend the afternoon spending, lunching and drinking, and then Pansy confirms her suspicions about Gregory.}