Who: Pansy Parkinson, Alice Longbottom What: After days of work, Alice decides it's time to properly introduce herself to Kingsley's "guest." When: 29 March, 2010 Where: Kingsley's Flat Status: In Progress; Talking to Self.
Pansy had lost count of how many days it had been since she had been captured. Her captor was good, more than good, and it was leaving her emotionally and physically exhausted trying to continually resisting his techniques. The only thing thus far that was keeping her resolve as strong as it was was the constant thought of Draco and her certainty that he was getting her messages. She could feel it in her gut that he was, and her gut was hardly ever wrong. She was continually sending him messages, too. They were always the same images she'd been keeping in her mind, but sometimes she would add something else in. She'd thought of the night she'd kissed him in the potions lab, or that time when they were children when they'd gotten lost in Narcissa's gardens or the first day they'd boarded the train to Slytherin Academy. She wanted him to know exactly how she'd seen him all these years. She was sure she wasn't going to die at the hands of the Outsiders, but she didn't know when she'd see him again, and it was important for her to know that he knew in case she didn't seem him again.
For the first few days, Pansy had refused to eat anything that her captor had offered her. After a few days of this, he had imperioed her into eating and, she had to admit, she had come to respect him for that action alone. He'd not used any spell of that caliber except to ensure her health rather than torture. He seemed to prefer mind games and, while Pansy was less capable of withstanding mental torture, she found keeping all thoughts except for those she was sending to Draco out of her head, staying strong was exponentially easier. She wasn't sure how long her resolve would last, though. She was wearing thin.
Outsiders had been in and out of the room, though she'd only been allowed to know who one of them was. Alice Longbottom had never hidden her identity like some of the others had. She was certain her captor didn't look nearly like he did in public. For some reason, Pansy had chosen not to let the image of Alice float in her head. Maybe because she didn't feel threatened by the woman, maybe because she respected the fact that she had been up front without pretension, maybe because Alice was a woman and might understand the process Pansy was going through in her head. Either way, Pansy hadn't been keen on involving Neville Longbottom's mother in the messages she was sending to Draco. Perhaps it was wrong of her to withhold such pertinent information, but Pansy had made her choice and, as with everything she decided, she was not relenting in that decision.
*****
Alice had been to the secluded flat a few times since the fateful dinner at which Kingsley had revealed that he had captured Pansy Parkinson, the young girl responsible for Sirius Black's initial capture. Alice didn't know for certain whether or not she was the only one put off by this revelation. Yes, she agreed that they had needed a break, something to give them even a foothold in this war against the Ruling class, but to hold a child hostage regardless of her actions? Alice wasn't sure she could stand behind that. She saw no difference between this proud girl and her own son, except for the core beliefs the two had been taught by their parents. Alice and Frank had taught Neville justice and honesty, this girl had been taught fear and loose morals. Alice, however, was a strong believer that these things could be changed. As much as she disagreed with how Kingsley had gone about catching this break for them, Alice believed that perhaps this was more beneficial to the girl than to their cause if only Alice could get through to the girl to make her see reason. With any luck, the girl could be released being on their side.
So far, Alice had had no luck. She had been there three times and had finally been able to get the girl to eat without forcing her before she'd left the last time. Finding that an important development, Alice had decided to return to attempt an actual conversation with Pansy.
Alice had chosen today, her day off, to continue her pursuit for real conversation. As such, she had used what little money she'd had left out her own paycheck to purchase a decent meal for the girl. She'd bought grilled chicken, roast potatoes, a fresh baguette and even chocolate eclairs for a dessert. There was definitely no faster way to a girl's heart than through chocolate, and she was sure there was some semblance of a heart inside the girl, as she was getting waves of strong emotion from her, regardless of whether or not the girl's facade ever broke.
Walking into the room where Pansy was being held, Alice set her things on the table and then walked over to remove the bindings from Pansy's arms and held tightly to her wand as she got the knots freed. She didn't want to use magic if she could help it, but it was better safe than sorry. "Please, take a seat." This was the first time that she knew of that Pansy had been free from her bindings, she was sure the girl wouldn't be able to do much but sit at this point. "We're going to have a chat, Pansy," Alice said in a stern mother-like voice, "you can eat before or after, your choice. I give you my word that is laced with nothing it shouldn't be."
And then Alice took a seat herself. It was time to see what Pansy Parkinson was really made of.