Title: In Your Head

Pairing: Hermione/Pansy

A/N Reviews, follows, and favs are very much appreciated. I hope you enjoy

Chapter 1

The first time I tried a legilimency spell I knew I had found my niche. I was in my second year at Hogwarts when one of my professors, during her exceedingly dull lecture, happened to mention the "legilimens" charm. When I learned how dangerous and powerful it was, well, I just had to give it a try. Millicent, my bestest mate at the time, large as an ox and about as smart as one, volunteered as my lab rat. Or did I volunteer her? I pointed my wand at her face and shouted the incantation with enthusiasm.

"Legilimens!"

Millicent screamed and suddenly my world went black. There before me, as clear as day, was an enticing cake, slathered in white frosting and topped with a bright red cherry. I was in a kitchen of some sort. Just as I took a step forward the world evaporated, returning me to my place in front of Millicent.

"Bloody hell what was that Pansy?" Millicent questioned frantically.

"I, that was wicked! I actually saw inside your mind! Hungry I take it?" I was elated, there was no use hiding it. Stepping outside myself for just a moment felt like a lifetime of freedom. After that I was hooked. I practiced as often as I could on my fellow students, willing or not. Seeing what great fun this was for me, a few second year Slytherins tried their hand at the charm. None of them quite had what it took to get very far. It appeared I had quite the gift for getting inside people's minds.

That was only six years ago. It seems longer. Political strife has that effect on those unfortunate enough to be thrown in its path. Now that the war is over, I am back in the place where it all started: Hogwarts. The eight year, for those of us who missed out on a normal final year. Apparently, our schoolwork for that year doesn't fit with the current curriculum, and if we want credit we have to repeat a year, like simpletons. Most Slytherins from my year chose Durmstrang or the Beauxbatons to finish out their education. I would have as well, were it not for my unusual talent for Legilimency. Once a saving grace, it was now a curse.

"Again!"

I'm wrenched from my reverie, perspiration sliding down my temples. My personal tutor and new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is yelling at me again. His name is Professor Casimiro Dominicus, an elegant chap from Spain. His dark eyes and tan skin make him quite popular with the female students. More than once I've caught them glaring at me jealously as he and I make our way to his classroom after supper. I admit I was quite taken with his handsome features at first. After a solid month of being stuck in a room with him, I've reconsidered.

He is the reason I returned to Hogwarts. Extremely skilled in Legilimency, Professor Dominicus is working with me to control my growing power. As of last year, my ability to enter people's minds has become uncontainable. Concentrating on a person for any length of time can send my consciousness flying into their own without my meaning to. Thankfully, I am skilled enough that they don't realize their mind has been breached, but leaving my body, even for a second, leaves me disoriented. It happened twice during class where I've entered the professor's mind accidentally. When I am not prepared for legilimency I inevitably lose control of my own body. I fell out of my seat both times. Yeah. Embarassing.

"Concentrate Parkinson! I don't do this for my health you know!" Professor Dominicus is growing irritable after only twenty minutes of training.

"I'm sorry! Yes! I know! This is only the tenth time you've mentioned that. Not including the other ten times you told me while I was inside your head!" I shouted back. We always squabble this way. It's a necessary outlet for the extreme tension.

After an hour alone with Damn Dominicus I'm exhausted and head straight to bed. I share my room with only one other Slytherin. Daphne Greengrass and I are the only girls of our year to return to Slytherin house. I stare up at my ceiling thinking about the days events. Lets see. At breakfast I was tripped and called a "fucking Slytherin bitch" by some sixth year Gryffindor twat with hair down to her fanny and a nasal voice. I returned her kindness with an insult of my own. Something to do with her hideous face. At lunch someone, I didn't see who, threw a chicken wing my way. It landed smack dab in my soup, which then splashed on my sleeves. After supper I spent a lovely evening with Damn Dominicus like I do every weeknight.

As I open my eyes to the morning light, I sit straight up in bed with my heart drumming in my chest. Oh no! I forgot that exam in Potions today! After that training session yesterday it completely left my mind! There is no way I can fail that exam. The new Potions master Professor Raine, already thinks I'm not suited to this subject. I jump out of bed and run over to my Potions textbook to cram as best I can. This is impossible.

I feel like a doomed woman as I enter Potions class. Falling onto my stool as if my legs were atrophied, I look around at the faces of the other students. So happy. They all look so annoyingly happy! All except one. Hermione Granger has her head down, an expression of grim concentration on her face. She sits across the room from me. I watch her sometimes out of sheer curiosity. What must it be like to have all the answers? To be so adored? After people heard about her role in defeating the Dark Lord she became an icon of feminine intellect. That's it! Hermione Granger, the bloody Know-it-all of Hogwarts will no doubt be passing this exam. It's settled. I'm going to slip inside that brain of hers and steal the answers. If I can penetrate that bushy hair of hers that is.

I'd considered using legilimency in the past to help me pass classes but never had the nerve to actually go through with it. This year was different. It felt like there was nothing to lose. I prepare to enter Granger's mind by planting my feet firmly on the ground, resting my elbows on the desk, and placing my head in my hands. Here goes nothing.

My field of vision narrows until all that's left is a pinpoint of light. When it expands again I am walking along the footpath to Hogsmeade. My left hand feels warm, and somewhat wet. I look over to see Ronald Weasely holding my hand. He smiles warmly at me.

Ah! I have to get out of here!

After years of trial and error I've learned to navigate through the treacherous terrain of the mind. It's not easy. Everyone's brain is different. Getting to where you want to go can be tricky. I have the general directions. North. South. East. And West. It's the landmarks that differ.

I maneuver my way from Granger's memories to her current state of mind. She's looking at her paper. Yes! This is what I want! My eyes are filled with the correct answers. Thank you Granger. I do my best to commit what I see to memory.

Before I leave my concentration slips a little. Unintentionally, I'm vicariously sensing what she senses. Her body is now mine. She runs her fingertips over her brow slowly. When she shifts her weight her right thigh brushes gently over her left. Her tongue reaches out to her lower lip and she nibbles on it. Now the hand that was on her brow lowers to the nape of her neck. The caress is subtle, almost imperceptible. Her thumb glides up her neck and then back down. Just absent minded movements to her, they are something else entirely to me.

Granger has soft skin.

Shit! I got what I needed. I have to get out of here so I can hurry up and finish my own test.

All goes dark momentarily. When I come to I am back in my own body. I get to work on my test. To keep from attracting suspicion, I purposely put down some incorrect answers. There is a fluttering in my chest. Must be the worry of being caught cheating. I think...