Disclaimer: I do not own anything in this story except the portrayal of Pansy. Pansy, Harry, Draco, Hermione, etc. belong to J.K. Rowling.
Chapter 1'Here we go again,' I sighed. The start of term feast had ended not too long ago and Dumbledore had asked for silence in the Great Hall. This always meant that he was about to give one of his ridiculous speeches. Sure enough, the old man began to drone on while I looked for ways to distract myself.
"Welcome back! I would like to extend my fondest greetings to our new first years and also to our returning students. Please bear with me as we go through our annual notices," he began. I knew exactly what he was going to say but I decided that I might as well pay attention; I wouldn't want to look like an irresponsible prefect, would I?
"Our caretaker, Mr. Argus Filch, would like to remind the students that magic is not allowed in the corridors between classes and announce that any student caught using a portable swamp will have detention until the end of term. I do not have the heart to argue this punishment, so heed the warning and obey it."
"Now that I am back as headmaster, I would also like to announce that all previous bans will be lifted after a careful review of the incidents that led to said ban. In addition, any groups formed by last year's temporary headmistress will now be disbanded. This also includes her Inquisitorial Squad."
This last bit was unsurprising news to me, but infuriating nonetheless. I knew the old git would never allow students to interfere with Potter's free reign over the school; it's precious Potter after all! What bothered me most was the load of bollocks that I was going to hear from my mum about how Dumbledore was ruining the school and how she couldn't wait for the Dark Lord to overthrow him. The dissolution also cut down the power I had around school, making me no better than Weasley or that mudblood, Granger. I comforted myself in the fact that I still had my prefect privileges; I could still dock points from any snot-nosed Gryffindor that crossed my path. I looked down the table… Draco was as incensed as I was. He had my sympathies; I could just imagine the tantrum that Lucius Malfoy would throw. It would be worse than anything dear old mum could say.
"Now, as you all know, we are living through a dark period. I must emphasize how vital it is to learn all you can while you are here at Hogwarts. The world outside these grounds is not as safe as one would like to think, so, please, listen to an old man's advice. With that said, I bid you all a good night and good luck for this new term!"
I took my time getting up from the table and leaving. Dumbledore's final statements really resonated with me. It played on certain thoughts that had occurred to me over the summer. You see, you'd think that with a family full of dark wizards and Death Eaters that I'd turn out the way they had. Here is the thing; I'm not the same. I hate mudbloods and half-bloods in general but I don't have any inclination to do away with them like my parents and the Dark Lord. In truth, it's his control and dominance that keeps me from becoming a Death Eater. To have one man, or sadistic beast as I see him, wield so much power over me, my friends, my family, and anyone I cared about? No, I could never put my life, or the life of those around me, under his jurisdiction. Oh, I put up a brilliant façade, there's no doubt. I've got my whole family and everyone in the Slytherin dormitories convinced that I will be the next Bellatrix Lestrange. After all, not many besides Draco could match some of my curses. To be honest, though, the Dark Lord's resurrection has stricken such a fear in me that I never knew possible.
As I walked, I caught up with some of the other Slytherin girls. Draco referred to these as my 'devotees' as they always followed me, hanging on my every word. I immersed myself in their conversation about Umbridge's short reign last term. As it would, the conversation soon turned to the disbandment of the Inquisitorial Squad.
"I bet you must be really pissed off at Dumbledore, Pansy. I mean, it's really not fair for him to do so," said one of the girls, Elizabeth Harding, turning to face me.
"Oh, I'm furious, but it wasn't really a surprise to me. Any git with half a brain would've known that Dumbledore was going to get rid of the Squad. He wouldn't want anyone to interfere with his Darling Army of course," I snickered. "After all, it's Potter's idea… and we all know Potter is the king of this castle!"
"Honestly, Pansy, I never thought you'd have become one of his adoring fans. It just goes to show, even some of the best can sink to such filth," scoffed someone behind me. I wheeled around and saw Draco wearing one of his 'infamous' smirks.
"Oh, sod off, Draco!" I said in mock annoyance. He offered me his arm and I promptly linked my arm through his. Draco may be an egotistical, pompous, and overbearing prat sometimes, but we get along well. We also have appearances to keep up.
Harry Potter isn't the only one with a fan club of sorts. The Slytherin dormitories are filled with squealing Draco admirers. It's hardly possible to sit around the common room for more than half an hour and not hear girls whispering about how 'handsome' and 'devilish' he is. I can't say I disagree, but I would never date him. After all, we have a deal. If I pretend to be his 'female interest' and keep away his fangirls, he won't tell about the time I walked in on his father, half-dressed, during the summer after our second year.
We reached the dungeons and I slipped my arm out of Draco's. I said a short goodnight to the rest of the group and headed to the dormitories while everyone else hung around the common room, talking about a myriad of things. I changed into my bedclothes and lay on my bed, with the curtains drawn. My thoughts automatically turned back to the Dark Lord's return. How would I avoid my parents' questions? How would I react to the backlash from everyone around me?
A sudden thought came upon me. It had been nagging me since the feast but I had ignored it. It was unthinkable, preposterous, and just bloody impossible. But maybe… no. It wouldn't work and they'd never let it happen. Still, the odds that I'd be allowed would increase a little if only I talked to one of them. I've got nothing to lose though, right?
It only took a little more planning and some imagination for me to make my final decision. Tomorrow morning I would send Hermione Granger an owl asking her to meet me in the library after dinner. If she met me there, I'd present my proposal. I would ask if I could join Dumbledore's Army.