Summary: What happens when a coward and a lion become friends?
A/N: The prologue doesn't have much to do with the story, so please keep reading. If you bear with the first few chapters, I promise it gets way better. The dialogue and writing style changes as the characters age.
Rating: K+ for the most part. T towards the end.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all its wonders belong to JKR.
THE COWARD AND THE LION~*~
I looked over the edge. I couldn't do it, I couldn't possibly do it. There was no way. I could hear laughing from behind me. Then chanting. "Pansy won't do it. Pansy won't do it." They were probably right. If there was one thing I learned about myself with my eleven years of life, it was that I was a dead chicken. A coward.
"Oh come on Pan, don't listen to them, you can do it." Whispered Daphne. She was always a good friend to have. "Thanks for the support Daph, but I…". She cut me off, always had a habit of that she did. "Do it or I'll push you." Yep, always the charmer.
"Move it!" Yelled an older boy I knew as Bradley. He stopped when he saw it was me. "Oh I see; it's Parkinson. So Pansy, did your parents name you because you're a chicken, or is that just a coincidence?"
Daphne almost replied when I yelled: "So Bradley, if you were to: perhaps, lose your pants, and run off screaming, would you be the chicken, or would I?" I motioned downward and to his dismay and my triumph, his swim trunks were at his ankles. He looked up at me wide eyed, and back down. Then turned, screamed, and ran off, pulling his trunks back up. The other kids laughed at his retreating figure.
"Pan," Daphne gave me a funny look.
I shrugged, "Guess he needs help dressing…" But I knew that wasn't the case, funny things always happened around me, just not usually in public.
"Ahem." I turned back to Daphne, she was smirking now.
"Right," I turned back to the diving board.
I took in a deep breath. Ok this was it. I would do it. "Pan," Daphne whispered, "I'm going to count to three, okay?" Okay.
"1." I positioned myself on the white lines.
"2..." I took a series of deep breaths; in and out, in and out.
Why am I such a…"3!" I closed my eyes and leapt into the warm summer air.
It was a moment or two before my feet penetrated the cold water below. I could hear cheers from above when I pulled up to the surface. I guess that wasn't so bad.
A few hours later, I was at home thinking about today's events. If I was brave enough to stand up to bullies like Bradley, why couldn't I jump? Daphne is a good friend- well, most of the times. Yet there was still that lingering feeling I had. The feeling that I just didn't belong, that I was different. Even if odd things did happen to me… I felt more out of place when they weren't happening. Even my parents don't even understand me: they treat me as if I'm strange, different. Sometimes, they look at me funny, as if expecting me to lash out or something… but of course I don't.
Well, I know one thing for sure: I am different. I'm just afraid I'll never fit in.
Chapter 1: Hogwarts
I woke up a few days later hearing a scream from the downstairs. Immediately I leapt out of bed and raced down the long corridor to the stairs, well the everything looked fine so I walked slowly down the stairs, just in case. I heard another scream that came from the kitchen so, checking everything was okay, I walked down the hall. Peering in, to my surprise, was my mother: she didn't look frightened at all, but rather overjoyed.
"What's this all about?" I asked.
"Honey," My mother started, "your father and I have something very important we have to tell you."
I waited until my father spoke; "You're a witch."
"Excuse me? I may be a brat but…" I asked incredulously; my parents weren't exactly wishy-washy.
"No Pansy, we mean a real witch; capable of producing magic." My father said seriously.
I started laughing. "You're a little late on your April fools, it's already July."
Obviously, there were two options: either my joke wasn't that funny or they were being completely serious. "Oh, you're not kidding?"
"No were not." My mother spoke; apparently, it was the latter.
"But, if this is all true, why didn't you ever tell me?"
"Well honey, we would have it's just that you never showed the signs and we were afraid that you were a squib."
"A… what?" I asked, thinking I had heard it somewhere before.
"Well, that's the term used when two magical parents carry a non-magical child; rare, but it happens."
"So, you didn't tell me because you thought I didn't have magic? Well that's just ridiculous, you could have asked." I snapped.
"We have," said my mother a little sad sounding, "but you didn't understand what we meant."
"Well then," I hesitated, "I guess, tell me everything"
I learned that I was; what they call pure-blood. Magic was carried on both sides of my family through countless generations. Apparently countless liars as well, seeing as no one decided to tell me that I was a part of it. My parents admitted that they would have been ashamed if I wasn't a witch after all.
I also learned that there were many wizarding events, places, and people. I felt horrible: they never told me, if I wasn't magical, I would have been rejected. I was going to be going off to a school called Hogwarts this year, where I would learn all there is to know about magic: like potions and transfiguration. Hogwarts was the best magical school in the world, according to my parents, and I should feel honored to attend it. There were four houses, and apparently most of my family belonged to Slytherin. I learned a lot about Slytherin, my parents implied they would be very happy if I were to land in it. I thought they all sounded nice.
"Gryffindor," My father said, "Is a house made up of witches and wizards who think they're better than everyone else. They call themselves brave, though they might be; they are nowhere near as cunning as the serpent." Brave, he says? There was no way I'd be in Gryffindor.
"So umm, would it be alright if I told Daphne, or is there some kind of magic- non-magic code of conduct?"
"Oh honey," Mother exclaimed. "Of course, I forgot to tell you; the Greengrass family is magical as well: Daphne is a witch like you." She paused. "As well as the Patils down the street, however they're all Ravenclaws and Gryffindors."
"Oh! That's great, my own best friend didn't tell me!" I exclaimed. She would pay for this.
After breakfast I sprinted over to Daphne's, carrying a certain Hogwarts acceptance letter behind my back. I knocked. Mrs. Greengrass answered. "Oh hello Pansy, do come in. Daphne is over in the parlor."
"Ahem," I said, entering said location. Daphne looked up and hid a familiar looking piece of parchment. "What do you have there?" I asked, pretending I didn't know.
"Er. Nothing." she said looking frazzled, blushing at a furious attempt to cover the parchment.
"Okay then." I sat on the couch opposite her, putting on my perfect poker face.
"So," I began businesslike, "I received a letter today."
"What kind of letter?" She asked looking anxious.
"An acceptance letter." She smiled broadly. "Yeah, some rubbish school, I think I'll decline, here see for yourself." I handed her the letter.
"I knew it! I knew it! This is fantastic Pan! Were witches!" She cheered.
I smiled.
My stomach was queasy. "Oh mum, I'm going to blow chunks."
"Pansy, that is quite inappropriate." Growled my father.
"Oh dear, don't worry now, everyone will be nervous at first. Besides dear, you have Daphne, it's awfully great the two of you will be attending my school together." My mother encouraged.
"We're here" Called Jacques, our driver. Did I mention that I'm a bit wealthy? That explains my father's secret business…
Here it comes. I leapt out of the car just in time to vomit. "Ughh, disgusting…"
I met up with Daphne ten minutes later: we were going to enter the platform together.
I stared, and in front of us was none other than a brick column dividing the two railroad platforms nine and ten. I was just told that I have to run into it.
"No way. Nu-uh. Nope. Not happening, I absolutely refuse." I announced.
Too late, "Okay Pan here it goes." Daphne grabbed my arm and pulled me forward.
At that moment we ran together full speed into this brick column, only to come out facing a rather large, red steam engine. It had the words Hogwarts Express written on it.
I gaped at her. "Close your mouth before you catch flies."
I glared at her.
She returned with a winning grin, "Come on, let's go find us a compartment, I suppose maybe we'll find Padma and Parvati…"
We made our way onto the train and found an empty compartment. About five minutes later the Patils came in.
The journey there was fun, but as the time drew nearer I became more nervous.
Word had spread around that Harry Potter would also be knew this year. I remembered bedtime stories about him when I was young. I guess it turned out that I knew a great deal about the Wizarding world after all, my parents had told me when I was young. I remembered it well.
When we reached the station we were met by a huge man by the name of Hagrid, he told us that we had to ride boats through the lake, I wasn't a big fan of it, but I had to.
When we finally entered I gasped. "Oh my, Daph, it's wonderful." the castle was vast and beautiful, the ceiling very tall.
We were instructed to wait there for a Professor McGonagall. I started getting nervous again. What happens if Daphne and I aren't in the same house? What if I'm not in Slytherin? How do I get sorted? Surely I don't get tested, I don't know much.
My thoughts were interrupted when a strict looking witch came in and explained everything, it turns out we were to wear a Sorting Hat. That was a bit of a relief, but not much.
We entered a few minutes later: there were four house tables and a head table; the center occupied with an elderly wizard, which I presumed to be our headmaster: Professor Dumbledore. In the center of the room was an old hat on a stool.
It sang a song. I was in a bit of shock it could move on its own at all, but to talk and sing? Immediately following Professor McGonagal began calling out names. The first was a girl named Hannah Abbot, who was put into Hufflepuff. A rather unpleasant looking girl name Millicent Bulstrode sat down, she was sorted into Slytherin. None of them looked pleasant actually. Did I really want to be a part of that?
Daphne was a bit later. "Here it goes." she said "Good luck" I patted her back as she walked up.
A few moments later that hat announced: "Slytherin." She looked very pleased, I wasn't. For some reason I didn't like the thought of Slytherin. She winked at me on her way to sit down. Later, a curly haired, very nervous looking girl by the name of Hermione sat down. The hat contemplated her a bit, then placed her in Gryffindor, she looked pleased.
After that a strange thing happened. A boy she knew as Neville, who I thought would obviously be place in Hufflepuff, was put into Gyrffindor. Is it possible, that deep down, I could be? After all, he ran off with it on his head. He looked very frightened, exactly how I felt. Then another strange thing happened. A rather cute blonde boy with a smirk on his face sat down, his name was Draco Malfoy. Immediately the hat yelled: "Slytherin!" That boy must certainly not be one to be messed with. That almost confirmed my doubts.
Finally I was next, I had to be. "Parkinson, Pansy" That was me. I started shaking.My mind was in war with itself. I wanted to turn and run, but I couldn't move my legs to turn. So I did what I had to, I walked forward. I sat down at the stool. "Hmm…" I flinched. It was speaking in my head. "Well, dear you seem to have a good mind, and some loyalty…"
I cut him off; "Umm, I want to be in Slytherin."
"Slytherin, eh? I'm not sure… you may have the cunning, I suppose you do have the blood… but there is much loyalty and bravery… perhaps Gryffindor is best for you…"
"No no no," I thought to it, "Slytherin, I need to be in Slytherin, just put me there, please."
"Very well, but you will find that your true placement lies within you… SLYTHERIN!"
I immediately got off the stool. Slytherin? Oh no what was I thinking? Oh I want to go back. Would they let me go back? Can I transfer? What have I done? I feigned a smile and sat by Daphne. She hugged me. "This is great! I knew they couldn't split us up!" I wasn't so thrilled.
Padma was next she was in Ravenclaw. Daphne sighed, "Oh well, didn't like 'em much anyway."
"What does that mean?" I asked.
"Well, since they're not in Slytherin, we most likely won't be friends; they won't split them up anyway."
But she was wrong, Parvati was placed in Gryffindor. "Ugh, well good thing we aren't friends, I couldn't be friends with a Gryffindor." I certainly could, and I would.
The hall went silent. Apparently Harry Potter was being sorted. He looked nice, I hope he wasn't in Slytherin, he shouldn't have to endure it. No, he was placed in Gryffindor, where some Slytherins booed and groaned, I smiled. Good job Harry.
After the ceremony was a short speech from Professor Dumbledore warning us not to go into the third floor corridor, then a fantastic feast.
Later that night I spoke to Daphne. "Are you happy that you're in Slytherin?"
"Of course I am, aren't you?"
"Yes, I was just wondering, that's all. Goodnight Daph."
Though it wasn't a good night at all, I stayed up thinking about my choice. Why did I do it? It wanted to put me in Gryffindor… why did I say no?
After the first week I finally had all my teachers down.
McGonagal: Tranfiguration, strict, but not mean. She was the head of Gryffindor house.
Flitwick: Charms, nice small fellow. I liked him. Head of Ravenclaw.
Quirrel: Defense Against the Dark Arts, nervous, stuttered, kind of odd.
Sinistra: Astronomy, nothing particularly different.
Sprout: Herbology, friendly, proud. Head of Hufflepuff.
Hooch: Flying, I would describe her as a strict gym teacher. And finally
Snape: Potions, dark, creepy, unpleasant. Head of Slytherin. I'm supposed to like him. I don't really think I do.
I had a few classes with the Gryffindors, unlike the rest of my house, I observed them, and I found them interesting. I wished I could be them. I should be them…
For the first few weeks I dreaded my decision. I wasn't particularly fond of anyone in my house yet, besides maybe Draco. The Gryffindor house seemed to be a close-knit family and I was jealous. I felt deprived of my only chance of having a family, all because I chose Slytherin. In my home, there was no family- only parents.
After two months of Slytherin, I liked it much more. It wasn't as bad as I originally thought. I made some friends with the girls in my house, as well as the mysterious Blaise Zabini who had the tendency to keep to himself. Draco, on the other hand had grabbed my fancy and I wouldn't admit it out loud but I had a crush on him
It was Halloween and Milicent and I were strolling about the castle on our way to the Great Hall for the feast. Suddenly, Hermione Granger, Gryffindor, walked by us. She was crying. I felt bad, I wanted to know why, but Milicent was next to me. "What's the matter Granger?" taunted Millicent, "Your costume looks wonderful, you're a beaver right?" She ran off crying even harder.
"That was rude Mill, she was upset." She looked disgusted.
"So?" I didn't like Milicent. I thought she was a cow, and I won't even get started on her appearance. I was forced into her friendship by Daphne who had known her through family friends and was told to play nice. Whatever the reason, I didn't like her. I also made friends with Tracey, who was probably the dumbest person I would ever meet. A stereotypical blonde bimbo, who I knew would eventually marry a rich pureblood and live fakily-ever after. I didn't really care, she wasn't a close friend so why should I have to think of her as one?
I worried about my house the rest of the year. I forgot most of the time, but sometimes I would remember about my choice and whether it was the right thing to do. Gryffindors and Slytherins had a ridiculous, centuries-old feud that wasn't discouraged by the teachers. It seemed the Gryffindors were just as bad, but the Slytherins always had a way of adding fuel to fire. I grew to tolerate my house, since I was forced to be with them all the time. I remembered a conversation I had with Draco;
"Draco why can't I like people from other houses?" I asked.
"Because, they are inferior." He replied in a snobby tone.
"Why are they inferior?"
"I-er…" he hesitated, "I don't know."
"Then why would you say that?" I asked incredulously.
"Father says that we Slytherins are the best because we're all purebloods. Half-bloods are inferior, and Mudbloods are the worst." He answered self-righteously.
"What's a Mudblood?"
"What's a Mudblood? A Mudblood is a dirty blood, they have no magical parents what-so-ever. They bred from muggles, and muggles are filth." He recited.
"I think that's mean, it's not their fault they don't have magic parents." I replied sympathetically.
"That's beside the point. Anyway, that is why we don't associate with the other houses."
I still didn't agree with him, but I went along with the flow of things. The year went by quickly to say the least, and before I knew it, we were sitting in the Great Hall receiving the house cup. That is, until Dumbledor decided that Potter and his pals should receive points for defeating Professor Quirrell and saving the Sorcerer's stone. I secretly agreed they should be awarded, but wasn't happy when we lost the house cup to the Gyrffindors.
Oh well, summer at last.
A/N: [4-5-11] I revised this slightly, but not much, otherwise I would just re-write it. Maybe someday I will. Anyway, not the best chapter, but it gets better, I promise.
[4-9-11] I added a bit to this, as well as combined the prologue with it.
[7-17-11] I'm sorry if this chapter was exceedingly boring, I'll admit that the next one is too. It gets better in the third chapter though. And by the 9th chapter it's much better but the plot isn't really seen until the 11th chapter. So, I give you my permission to skim the chapters if you'd like I'm attempting to fix them up but there isn't much to go with... I wrote them a long time ago and I'm embarrassed that they're so bad. Hah Anyway I tweaked this chapter a bit and I'm hoping to do the same with the next few.