Unfortunately for Cormac, the thought came at the same time he was sipping at his drink and he began coughing and sputtering. He stood up suddenly, jumping away from Pansy as if he had been burned.

She turned to frown at him over the top of her sunglasses. "All right, darling? Do you need anything?"
Shite. What the hell was that? "Er-no. I think something went down the wrong way. Sorry if I startled you," he said, as he resumed his former position draped around Pansy. Looking over the side of the sailboat, he was mesmerized by the rolling waves and the vast expanse of blue. "Beautiful view, love, don't you agree?" He turned back to Pansy and smiled. "Although, not as beautiful as this one," he said, stroking her cheek with his fingertips. "So soft," he murmured.

The corner of her mouth lifted a little, and she leaned over and kissed him softly. "You're sweet," she whispered. "But don't worry. I won't tell anyone."

She leaned against him with her back up against his chest, thinking that this was one of the best ideas that she'd had in a long time-and with her track record, that was saying something. There was something about Cormac; she found it easy to be in the same room with him for extended periods of time and not have to fill the empty silences with conversation. It was a little like being around Gregory, or Draco or Blaise; they'd all known each other so long that talking wasn't necessary. It both puzzled and pleased her that she felt the same way about him, this incredibly handsome man that seemed to be content, for the moment, at least, to merely sit with her and run his fingers through her hair.

She closed her eyes and felt the sun wash over them, allowing a smile to creep on to her face.

Cormac smiled slightly at the 'I won't tell anyone.' "Thanks for that. Although, I do doubt anyone would believe you," he said laughingly. He leaned forward and rested the side of his face against Pansy's hair. He inhaled deeply, wondering how just the smell of her hair could do the things it was doing to him. As he sat there enjoying her company, he felt a small nagging from his conscience. "How have you been sleeping, Pansy? Have you been well?" He wasn't sure if now was the right time to bring this up, but he felt slightly bad that he was the cause for her coming apart like she had.

"Yes," she replied automatically.

"Really? No more fitful sleep?"

She tipped her face upward so that she could look at him. Could it be that he was sincere? He looked it. Could anyone honestly care for her well being? Apart from the people that she'd known her whole life, that is. She heard her father's voice in her head faintly, Don't allow him close, don't show him anything but strength. Stupid girl...

She decided to ignore it.

"I've been alright. No more nightmares than usual, anyway." She smiled faintly, touching his arm lightly. "Nothing a glamour charm can't fix, right?"

He pulled her in closer to him and kissed along the side of her neck. "Not like you need any of those, though." He paused, not sure how to continue. "It's normal for you to have nightmares? What do you dream about?" he asked, hoping he wasn't prying too much.

She sighed softly, letting him kiss her, ignoring the thought that she should push him away. "I told you about the Potter thing, right?"

"Mmhmm, what else?"

A slight frown creased her brow. "I have these dreams about children - not mine, of course," she said, suppressing a shiver. "And nightmares about fire, and then the recurring ones that I've had for years since-" She broke off, moving away from him. "Do you want another drink?"

"No, thank you, I'm fine. Children?" Cormac did shudder. "And fire? Wait-what's the recurring dream?" He tried to make eye contact with her, but she wasn't having it. "What happened that haunts you so, love?"

He stomach roiled, and her hand shook slightly as she poured the liquid over the ice. Why would he want to know that? What could he possibly gain from knowing my dreams?

She looked out at the sea and inhaled the sharp tang of salt, and felt herself calm. Lie, stupid girl, she heard.

She forced herself to go and sit back beside him, almost aching for the quiet solitude that they'd shared before. She looked at him searchingly, and saw no malice. None.

And decided to ignore the voice again.

"I have dreams where I'm... doing unspeakable things. Horrific curses, torturing people. People that I don't know, that haven't done anything to me," she answered softly. She shrugged and looked at the horizon. "Nothing stops them but dreamless sleep, and I look worse after having taken that than I do having the nightmares." She smiled wryly. "So, you see the choice I have to make." Shut up, now, Pansy. Shut up, shut up, shut up.

Cormac looked at Pansy, shocked by her admission. "Gods, that's terrible. I'm sorry."

She shook her head and waved her hand in the air. "It isn't real. It's fine. What kind of girl would I be if I let a few bad dreams ruffle me?" She shifted so that she was lying with her head in his lap, and she studied him briefly, letting the gentle rocking of the boat calm her further. "So you, Cormac McLaggen. What do you do for fun?"

Threading his fingers through her hair, he smiled briefly. "A little of this, a little of that. Mostly I'm at the Ministry, but you know that. There's not a lot of time for 'fun' in my life right now, but it has to be like this for awhile, if I'm to accomplish what I want to." He shook his head to stop his thoughts. "This is fun." He looked down at Pansy and his smile widened. "I've been trying not to say I like doing you for fun."

Pansy laughed, a deep, throaty sound that echoed over the sound of the waves. "Well, yes of course. I am rather fun." She reached up and touched her finger to his lips. "But then, so are you," she said, smiling. "The Ministry, though. That doesn't sound like much fun at all. Going to work every day, all day."

"No, it's not exactly fun, but it's... satisfying. Besides, I am good at what I do." He winked.

"Mmmm. That you are," she purred. "And there is something to be said for satisfaction."

"Yes, love, there is." He lifted her gently and turned her so that she was sitting sideways in his lap, facing him, and proceeded to kiss her breathless as the sun slipped slowly over the horizon. "Now, let me show you a thing or two about satisfaction," he said softly, as he carried her down below deck.


{Summary: Cormac and Pansy go sailing. Cormac tries not to be a bastard, Pansy ignores her inner voice.}