Second chances they never matter, people never change -- Spring 2000

"EVerything he did to me and June," I replied honestly.  "He's modified memories... tried to pin us against each other... made us take the Mark."  How could she not see any of this?

I nodded, understanding all of that.  "But you really don't think he's changed?  He doesn't seem that way now, Draco.  He's really trying to be different."  At least, that was the way it appeared to me.

I shook my head.  "No, I don't," I said to her.  "It's all a ruse... he's good at doing that.  He's a master at deceiving people, Pansy."

I sighed.  "Okay," I said slowly.  "So why would he want to be deceiving, though, Draco?" What would Lucius's end game be?

I could not believe that Pansy had to ask that.  I sighed and shook my head slightly.  "Why do you think?  So he can find ways to manipulate us and turn our children into... well, into what June and I were forced to become," I explained to her.  Clearly Father was startng to get his claws into Pansy.

I bit my lip.  Why did Draco have to be so horrible about his father?  Lucius could turn to being good, right?  I sighed.  "But with us, they'll be protected," I said to hi, putting a hand on my husband's shoulder.

I sighed and shook my head.  "Not always," I said.  My father worked in many ways and I knew we could not constantly protect our children when it came to him.

I sighed.  "If we're there with them, Draco, they will always be protected," I assured him.  I did not want the family to fall apart.  I had the values of family driven into me... granted, it was all about being Pureblooded and the like, but still.  My parents instilled in me the will to keep the family together no matter what.  Along with the status.  Which was why they always pushed me towards Draco.  

If I had not loved him, I would not have followed through with it... I did not think, anyways.  I looked at Draco and knew he would continue arguing.  "I want them to know their grandparents, Draco," I explained simply.

"They can know their grandparents," I assured her.  "From a safe distance.  And it's only Father I'm worried about; Mother can visit as she pleases."  I knew that Pansy would not fully, ever understand any of that.

I sighed and stared at Draco.  "You know, my parents aren't the best people in the world, either, but you allow them to visit when they want.  I don't understand any of this," I said to him.

"I don't expect you to understand, I expect you to just trust me and listen," I said to her.  then I realized how much I sounded like my father.  I sighed and shook my head.  "Please... just do this for me, Pansy."

I stared at Draco, a bit indignant.  I could nto believe he was going to try to treat me the way we saw our parents be treated.  He always said he wanted something different.  I sighed.  "We have to do what's best for Keegan and Ian... not what's best for ourselves," I pointed out to him.

I could see the way my words upset her.  I softened -- especially when she brought up the kids.  "Pansy," I said to her gently, "I realize that.  But my father is not what is best for the kids."

"They need to be able to figure that out on their own in due time," I said to him cautiously.  "They will never forgive you if you don't let them see him now and then they try to reach out to him later."

I sighed, knowing that Pansy had a point... with anyone but my father.  She just had no idea and how could I make her see how he was?  She would never truly understand.  "Pansy..." I trailed off, unsure if I could argue anything else at the moment because, with my kids, I had no good proof to keep father away from her.