A Pinch of Salt

Canape 2: A Pinch of Salt

Running behind as usual, Pansy Apparated in front of their restaurant and rushed past Tony, the maître d’. She was ransacking her purse when a throat cleared, and her eyes snapped up to meet emerald green.

“I’m going to kiss that sneaky prat,” Harry said.

“I am going to kill him,” she hissed in return, abruptly turning on her heel. He caught her hand and tugged her into a seat before she could leave.

“Don’t,” he replied. “Draco explained how much the house means to you. I’m sorry I didn’t listen, Pans.” He Transfigured the cut-crystal salt shaker into a pansy and presented it to her.

She changed it back and pushed the shaker toward him. Meeting his bleak gaze, she drawled, “It’ll make the crow taste better.” His expression clearing, he laughed as they clasped hands.

---**---**---

“Tobias and I had a horrible argument, Grand-mère.” Troubled blue eyes met hers over a motley assortment of kitschy figurines. Harry had started the collection, but she had contributed her share too. “It seems all we do anymore is fight. I think I’m making a mistake.”

Ah, young love, mused Pansy, surveying the dining table covered with shakers. The family didn’t understand why she insisted on cleaning them herself. That’s what house-elves were for.

“It was such a silly quarrel too. I want singing doves released at the ceremony. He claims they’re too ostentatious. He’s right, of course. But Grand-mère, I said the most awful things. How can he forgive me?” Nina cried, her eyes filling with tears.

Pansy found the shakers she was searching for. Smiling, she pushed the pair of ceramic doves toward her granddaughter. “The arguing isn’t as important as the making up, love,” she said gently. “The secret is to swallow your pride with a little salt.”

A/N

Written for the pphp_ldws LJ community

Prompt: "No one ever choked to death from swallowing their pride."