This is for Tru Lys, who requested a Draco/Pansy ficlet. I know I've been away for a long time, but I haven't felt fanficky lately. I hope you all understand. Perhaps I'll continue writing, and perhaps I won't. I'll make no promises, but I will say -- Tru Lys, your review inspired this one. It just came to me and flowed, so I hope you like it! ) Thanks to all my loyal readers.

The morning is bleak and sad and gray and he's sitting in a stone room, heavily protected by dark magic. They say that it is for his protection, that if they let him out, he'd be torn to pieces by a grief shattered world, but he knows the truth. The Dark Lord is punishing him for his failure, and shutting him away from the sun. Most days, Draco sits in his little stone room, nauseated by the life he leads.

No one speaks to him, not even Severus. They know that it is taboo; his period of shame is not over yet. He is protected, but the loneliness and guilt weighs down on him so heavily that sometimes he thinks that he'd rather be dead. One day, there is a light tapping at the door, and he raises his head in surprise.

"Hello?" he whispers, his voice hoarse.

The door slowly opens, and a familiar head pops inside, short dark hair and bright sparkling eyes.

"Hi," Pansy whispers back, offering him a weak smile.

He wonders what she's doing here. He wonders why it suddenly hurts so much to have her here. He wonders why he feels like he would die if she turned out to be just a dream.

She steps inside, softly closing the door behind her. Her long black robe brushes against her ankles as she sits on the bench next to him. "How are you doing?" she asks conversationally, her voice hushed. Her eyes are filled with concern.

"Okay," he says, swallowing hard. He reaches out with a trembling hand to grab hold of hers. She wraps her fingers around his. "What are you doing here? You're not supposed to be here – they'll know. He'll know."

He's filled with panic. They can't hurt her. They can't take her away from him. He's taken her for granted for so long, and suddenly he regrets it. She's been the only constant in his life for a long time.

"Shush," she smiles tensely. "It's okay. I… I just wanted to make sure you were okay. Everyone's out on a mission anyways…" Her face darkens. "It shouldn't be too dangerous, but they won't be back for a few hours at least."

"Your parents will be okay," he says in reassurance. She smiles a little, but he can tell that she's still sick with worry inside.

"Draco," she says tiredly, leaning against him. "Maybe it's selfish, but I think I came to see you because I felt awfully lonely without you."

He slings his arm around her shoulder and breathes in the scent of her hair. Mint and green tea. God, he's missed her.

"Pansy," he replies hoarsely. "I felt awfully lonely without you too."

She snuggles into his neck, and he squeezes her shoulder, and they sit together in silence. They don't think of the war, or of whether or not their side, the "dark" side will win. They are together, and that is all that matters for now.