Warning: This chapter (and fic, for that matter) contains strong language and a few adult themes. That's why it's rated M, meaning mature. So if you didn't already see the M when you clicked this fic, and don't want to read an M-rated fic, click your back button…….NOW! And on with the story!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the other copyrighted characters. Credit must be given to J.K. Rowling.
Him
Chapter One
He had stopped just in time. If he hadn't looked up right at that moment he wouldn't have seen her suddenly freeze. He glanced down to check that his feet weren't sticking out of his invisibility cloak.
"What, Potter?" Pansy turned around and narrowed her eyes. Harry's eyes widened a bit and he pretended he hadn't been shocked by her outburst.
"How did you know I was behind you?" Harry asked casually as he pulled his cloak off. Pansy flashed her white teeth at him in a mock-smile before answering in an annoyed voice.
"You're not very discreet, you know." She took a step away from him but he moved closer. Her mouth tightened. "I've seen you pull your invisibility cloak on. You've been following me for a week." Her hands were on her hips now. "I can hear you walking!" She lifted an accusing eyebrow and pointed to the frozen grass in front of Hogwarts.
"Now it's my turn for questions." She said as she flipped her medium-length dark hair. "Why have you been following me? Enjoy watching me cry, do you?" She wore a bitter smile before her expression fell into its familiar scowl. Harry shook his head hurriedly, taking a reluctant step away at the sign of her anger.
"No! I mean, I wanted to make sure you were okay." His voice had gotten softer near the end, mostly because she was shaking her head incredulously.
"Why? We aren't friends," she laughed scornfully, "and you've definitely made it clear in the past that you wish I didn't exist!" He could see the color begin to rise in her cheeks. He wanted to say something to calm her, but it wouldn't be right; it wasn't his place to do so.
"Really?" He asked her sincerely. Her frown deepened. "Because it always seemed like the other way around." He stated factually. He wasn't too surprised when she began to push past him.
"Wait," Harry grabbed her arm, stopping her, and was able to see her eyes shining from unshed tears. "I've been worried about you." He cringed at his words, knowing he should have said something else. "I want you to be like the old Pansy. I want you to make fun of me and be rude. You haven't been the same since he's left."
"Why do you care?" She questioned again, sounding exasperated now. He could feel her begin to struggle under his grip so he released her.
"I—It's all different." He tilted his head towards the castle. "I just want a bit of normalcy in my life." He met her eyes eagerly. "If I could just help—"
"Stop!" She shouted as she wiped a tear on her robe sleeve, "Stop doing this! You have this stupid hero-complex, Harry Potter!" She spat his name. He looked affronted.
"Though," A bit of her usual drawl seeped into her voice, "Your motives to 'help' are unusually selfish of you." She shook her head at his skeptical look. "You don't care about me or anyone else. As long as you feel comfortable."
"Bull." He retorted, looking extremely offended.
"Whatever. But you are just trying to be a hero again." She shoved her hands in her pockets as she moved towards him.
"Stop it." She said softly, her face very close to his. Harry frowned at the proximity. "Stop trying to help people. I don't need your fucking concern and sympathy." She continued past him and he watched her walk all the way back to the castle.
"Concern and sympathy?" Harry furrowed his brow in unease. No. Never. Not for her. He could feel his mouth growing dry. But then what was that miserable feeling he got every time he had seen her cry? Crying over him, Malfoy? Harry continued to mutter to himself as he slowly made his way back to the castle.
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