Dean watched them send each other secret glances from across the Great Hall. Lost in their own world, they thought themselves so discreet; they were oblivious to everything and anyone. But Dean definitely noticed something as he unconsciously clenched his fists. He abruptly left the Gryffindor table, and Pansy shot a bewildered-looking Seamus a worried look.

The beautiful Pansy…Dean still couldn't manage to fully hate her. She had been the only one he could fully and completely open up to. Who would have thought the beautiful, superior, Slytherin pureblood witch would ever consider him, a 'dumb brave Gryffindor,' as a friend, let alone a good one. Of course Dean had to fall for her. On the other hand he really couldn't blame his best mate for noticing her as well. Dean's face took on a sour twist as he remembered the details of how Pansy Parkinson, Slytherin Princess, had ended up the center of his and Seamus' world.

August after 5th year

Pansy ran across Seamus in Diagon Alley. She had been itching for new jewelry and had stopped by the glittering Gerald's Gems, a shop she had come to love. As she surveyed sapphire tennis bracelets, diamond chokers, and ruby encrusted gold necklaces, she noticed a familiar sandy blonde head behind one of the counters.

"May I help you, Parkinson?" A smooth teenage voice came from behind the counter.

"Finnigan. Fancy meeting you here," was her bored response, as she delicately examined her manicured nails.

"Yes well, I needed a summer job. Were you looking for something specific, or perhaps just browsing? I think I saw some stunning platinum and emerald earrings that would look wonderful on you." The Irish lilt came out as he steered her to one of the jewel cases.

As Pansy surveyed the earrings, which happened to be gorgeous, Seamus surveyed her. Feeling his gaze on her, Pansy began to wonder if she had something on her teeth or face. She checked herself in the mirror on the counter, and couldn't find any visible flaws. Confused, she continued to debate whether or not to buy the expensive earrings, when another of her schoolmates walked in.

"Seamus! I came as soon as I was able to leave the nifflers!" A blonde and ethereal being wafted into the shop and gave Seamus a peck on the cheek. He reddened slightly and hugged her back.

"Hello Luna, how is the article coming?"

As they made small talk, a slightly curious Pansy watched from afar. Finnigan and Lovegood? Oh, this is rich. I would never have predicted this…She continued to watch the couple, pretending to be interested in a silver necklace. From across the room, she fully noticed how Seamus had grown through the years. Her Irish classmate had grown tall and his round face had matured. He was actually pretty handsome, with a light scattering of freckles on his nose, and thick sandy hair. And his eyes, they were the palest blue eyes she had ever encountered. Next to him, the petite and small Luna looked out of place. What an odd couple. Ooh, he has a really nice bum. Pansy had to stop herself from checking out his round rear too obviously, and she turned back to the jewelry case.

She was interrupted when a whispered voice reached her ears,

"I saw you checking out Seamus' bum." She turned around to see that Lovegood had glided over and was speaking to her.

"I know it's nice, and I just know you're imagining him naked, which I did myself when I first saw it, but listen here Parkinson, he is MINE."

Pansy looked at her incredulously, torn between shock and anger. She had never known Lovegood was so…weird. Well, she knew she was odd and slightly off her rocker, but she never expected that she'd be accused of mentally undressing a boy by Luna of all people.

She recollected herself and brushed off the comment with a cold "Whatever" and turned back to the mirror. From the look Luna had given her, she somehow felt that this wasn't the last she would hear of her.

As Luna stalked off, Pansy heard her mutter,

"What a slag. She's been with Zabini AND she broke poor Ronald's heart." Big mistake. First of all, Blaise had been her longtime boyfriend, but they were on and off. She truly loved him, but didn't think it'd go anywhere. But WEASLEY?? As Luna kissed Seamus on the cheek and left the store, Pansy had to forcefully stop herself from pulling out her wand, or worse, giving Luna one of her world famous dressing downs. Pansy's snide comments could make the toughest and coldest of villains run home to their mums with tears streaming down their faces. She was actually a pretty nice person, once you got to know her, and fiercely loyal, but she could hold a grudge worse than any hippogriff. Pansy narrowed her eyes and sauntered over to Seamus with a sweet smile.

"So Finnigan, you're looking well these days. I was thinking of going to Ireland before school starts, and was hoping you might advise me on some tourist spots I should visit." Pansy fixed him with a flirtatious look, and he smiled at her.

"Of course! Ireland is beautiful! There are so many places to visit." He paused for a second thoughtfully before adding, "Say, Dean Thomas is coming for a visit next week, and we'd love some company if you wanted to join us. We can take you on a personal tour! Although, I should warn you, Dean wants to attend a football game. But don't worry, we won't tell anyone you came if you want it to remain a secret."

Pansy actually had no intentions of visiting Ireland, but she thought "What the heck? Why not" and responded that she'd love to join them on their holidays if she wouldn't be inconveniencing him. As they chatted for a while longer, and arranged plans, she turned back to the earrings she had been eyeing. Suddenly her mood plummeted. The reason she had walked into the shop at all was because she was under immense pressure to choose a side in the upcoming war and needed a distraction. With the Dark Lord's official return, and the chaos that ensued, Pansy was torn. On one hand, she was a pureblood and found most muggleborns and all muggles tiresome and beneath her. They were a waste of her time and she didn't like to associate with them. On the other hand, she felt like that was her personal preference, and she didn't really have the urge to take her wand, put on a mask, and kill them off.

Yes, she decided she would definitely buy the earrings.