-Authors Note- This has been updated from the original version...

I don't own Harry Potter. I swear.

1989-Parkinson Manor

Pansy scrunched her nose lightly in the mirror as the house elves pulled her hair into an appropriate style. It made the upturn of her nose even more pronounced, but Pansy ignored her face. There were much more important things to worry about.

Pink.

Why did Mother have to pick a pink dress? And not just a pink dress. A floor length taffeta gown that itched in uncomfortable places whenever Pansy moved. Scratching was not something a little lady should do, but Pansy was finding it difficult to resist the urge. It was an insufferable dress.

She hated pink. It was such an ugly color. Nobody else had to wear pink.

"Mo-th-er."

The Parkinson matriarch nodded her approval of Pansy's attire to the house elf. It was important to make the proper impression on the guests at the party. It wouldn't do to displease potential suitors for her child.

The house elf moved towards the vanity to choose a few jewelry options for the Parkinson women, or rather the Parkinson matriarch, to decide between.

"Hush, child."

"But I don't want to wear this stupid dress to the party-" Pansy scrunched the taffeta between her fingers.

Why couldn't she wear something silky like her friends? Padma had gushed for hours about the lovely sari she was going to wear this evening. Supposedly it was made from the finest acromantula silk threads and had been rushed directly from India from her great grandmother. Pansy didn't even think she had a great grandmother to pass on acromantula gowns…

Lucretia sharply turned towards her daughter. She arched her eyebrow and glared.

Pansy shuffled her feet slightly before turning her chin defiantly up towards her mother. It was an expression Parvati had spent hours teaching her; just the right blend between impertinent and defiant. She wasn't a child anymore. She didn't have to do as Mother said. Not anymore.

"It's an ugly dress."

The statement seemed to cross a line that Pansy hadn't even known existed. Lucretia walked up behind her daughter and sharply pinched her under her arm. The pain wasn't large, but it was a reminder that she had stepped out of line. More importantly, it wouldn't leave a mark where people could see.

"I said to hush."

"B-But Mo-th-er. Parvati and Padma aren't wearing pink. They get to wear red dresses brought all the way from India-"

If anything Pansy's words seemed to enflame Lucretia. As far as Pansy's mother was concerned, the less her daughter interacted with the unruly Patil twins, the better it would be for everyone. The Patil family was like a gang of leeches. They sucked the decency and decorum from Pansy. The longer Pansy interacted with them, the worse her manners had become.

"No Parkinson will ever wear the color red."

"Ever?" That seemed a bit final to Pansy. Why couldn't she wear a red jumper if she wanted to at yule? Pansy thought she would look smashing in red, not that she would know. She had never owned anything red before.

"That's final. Red is a Gryffindor color. No daughter of mine will be a Gryffindor. Do not disgrace the family by even suggesting such foolishness."

Pansy was ready to interject with her thoughts about proper holiday wardrobe when her mother added a sentiment that effectively ended the conversation.

"Do you want the Malfoy heir to think you are destined for Gryffindor? He wouldn't want you then. No Malfoy would ever want to marry a Gryffindor."

Pansy knew when to be quiet. It wouldn't do to upset mother on such an important night. Tonight she would meet the wizard her family wanted her to marry- a boy named Draco Malfoy-and she needed to make the proper impression. He needed to want her.

If that meant she would never wear red, well, Pansy was willing to make that sacrifice. Draco Malfoy was her destiny. At least as far as everyone assumed.

According to father the Malfoy's were a respectable, traditional, and powerful family. Their heir was going to become an influential member of wizarding society and would need a proper witch for a wife. It was the role Pansy had been training for her entire life to fulfill. She needed to make her father proud. She needed to be a proper daughter. This was something she had to do for her family.

Proper daughters did as they were told.

Proper daughters kept to their manners and pedigree.

Proper witches didn't complain.

Proper witches only spoke when etiquette demanded it.

If Pansy wanted to be recognized as a proper witch, she needed to start behaving like one. She had to mind her manners, be respectful of authority, and represent her family well. Basically, Pansy had to learn to shut her mouth even if she was forced to wear stupid pink dresses instead of lovely silk saris. Decorum demanded perfection, not defiance.

1988- Christmas Eve-Malfoy Manor

-Crack-

Everything spiralled into darkness around Pansy. She was pressed hard from every direction as she felt the familiar pull of sidealong apparition. Her chest felt heavy, as though there was something pushing all of the breath from her body. Pansy's ears thrummed with pressure. The sensation was similar to what Pansy envisioned it would be like to be trampled by a Hippogriff. Or being sat on by a troll.

As suddenly as the constriction appeared it ended.

Pansy coughed heavily as she pushed away the familiar feelings of nausea which followed her every time her parents insisted on apparition. Personally, Pansy much preferred Floo travel, but her parents disagreed with her assessment. They had an issue with the soot that persisted for hours after you stepped out of a fireplace regardless of how man scourgify charms were performed. Apparently it wasn't proper to be covered in soot during social occasions.

When she had regained her bearings Pansy glanced around her curiously. She found herself on a delicate lane decorated with high yew hedges as far as her eye could see. The lane itself was cobbled and lit with fairy lights. Pansy was certain she was in a wizarding neighbourhood. Thank Merlin. She didn't want to be destined to live among Muggles her entire life.

"Where are we, daddy?" Pansy questioned.

While she knew that they were going to Malfoy manor, Pansy didn't actually know where Malfoy manor was. The detail had never seemed important before, but now that Pansy was the future Lady of the Estate, it might be significant. Something like that must be important, right? Were they even still in England?

"Wiltshire, my flower."

So, still England then. It was fairly far away from home though. Pansy didn't think that was necessarily a bad thing. It would be good to have some distance from her overbearing mother. Besides, the manor was just an owl away; it's not like she would lose contact forever once she was married.

"And the Malfoys-"

"Hush, child." came Lucretia's reprimand. "Mind your manners."

"Yes, mother."

Pansy followed her parents as they made their way quietly down the lane. People dressed in elaborate robes and formal gowns milled through the street. Some even wore strange costumes. It seemed as though the gala at Malfoy manor had spilled into the street. Either that or these were people not prestigious enough to receive a direct invitation.

Eventually they turned right into a wide driveway that was hidden by the foliage. A wrought iron gate blocked their path, but her father held up a piece of parchment bearing the Malfoy Family Crest. As they approached, the gate swung open. The family followed the curve of the driveway towards a handsome manor that seemed to grow out of the darkness at the end of the drive.

To Pansy it seemed the manor was a story book castle. It was nestled in appealing gardens full of striking blooms and exuberant fountains. The manor itself boasted the most extensive grounds that Pansy had ever seen. It made Parkinson manor look like a hovel which it definitely wasn't. Surprisingly, there were even pure white Peacocks meandering through the rose gardens, seemingly oblivious to their presence. She was definitely willing to be Mistress of this estate! She would move here the second her parents betrothed her to the Malfoy heir.

Light glinted out of the diamond paned windows decorating the manor. As the approached the great doors of the manor itself, sweet music and laughter met Pansy's ears.

As she crossed the threshold of the manor that would one day be her home, Pansy paused to appreciate the magnificence of the manor. She could preside over this castle as the princess. This truly was her destiny

Her father beckoned Pansy along.

"Hurry up, Flower." He said, "We don't want to be late."

Cassius led him family into a lowly lit hallway framed with pictures of the Malfoy ancestors. They were decidedly pale with rather pointed faces, but Pansy would admit that they seemed to have a certain aristocratic flair to them. She hoped her portrait would one day sit among them.

The carpet under her feet was undeniably luxurious. Her feet seemed to sink into it with each step she took.

At the end of the hall was a door with bronze handles that presumably led to the drawing room. Cassius made his way there after waving his wife and daughter away. As he entered the room Pansy caught sight of a group of men drinking and laughing. The sweet scent of pipe tobacco reached her nose. Pansy didn't even want to guess at how many galleons would be exchanged in that room. The fate of wizarding society was likely decided by those men.

Turning away from the men, Lucretia led her daughter through the throng of people into a reception room.

Tables were laid out with delicacies and oddities. Pansy saw champagne flutes full of Gillywater. Tumblers of Firewhisky. Butterbeer. Mead. It was all rather fanciful. House elves ran hither to meet the every need of the assembled guests who all seemed to be having a wonderful time. This was obviously the event of the season.

As they approached the private sitting area Lucretia nodded to her various acquaintances and made the proper greetings. Pansy recognized several people who were regular guests at the manor for mother's weekly gobstones group. She didn't think they ever actually played gobstones; it was more an opportunity to socialize and gossip.

"Narcissa, how lovely to see you again. Thank you for having us in your home." Lucretia addressed a tall pale woman with long blonde hair and cold eyes. She was obviously the Lady of the Manor, Mrs. Malfoy. She seemed to be an ice queen: both dangerous and cold, yet alluring in her own right.

"Lucretia. It has been a long time." The woman answered indifferently. She gestured to an empty couch beside her. "I welcome you to my home."

Pansy's mother set herself in the seat and motioned for Pansy to sit beside her. Pansy obliged her mother's request quickly. She wanted to behave correctly in front of the Malfoy matriarch. Her entire future depended on impressing this woman.

"This is my daughter. Pansy."

The Malfoy woman eyed Pansy critically. Pansy felt as though her cold eyes saw every flaw, from her skinny wrists to her upturned nose. She felt inadequate under the gaze.

"And how old are you child?"

"I had my eighth this spring, Lady Malfoy," Pansy answered politely. She needed to stick to her manners. She had been taught the proper way to act in social settings such as the party.

The edges of the woman's mouth turned up in what Pansy assumed was a smile. It may have just been a quirk of her lips however. She took a sip from her champagne flute before addressing Pansy's mother.

"So polite," She complimented. "And the same age as my Draco. Introductions shall have to be made."

Lucretia smiled lightly. Apparently the Malfoy woman had found Pansy to be acceptable. She truly had the woman's approval!

"Now then, your husband accepted the position of Director of Finances at the Ministry?"

The conversation turned to uninteresting things that failed to keep Pansy's attention despite her best attempts to follow it. Eventually Pansy was able to escape with Patil twins in a corner without insulting anyone. No one took much notice of the three girls as they gossiped. They were insignificant on the guest list; the only reason they had been invited was their family connections.

It would have been much more pleasant evening if Pansy had not been wearing a cheese grater. With every step she took she felt her dress scratch along her skin. Pansy hoped it wouldn't leave ugly pink marks on her skin. Still the party itself was exciting.

Pansy became more anxious as the night went on. She was desperate to catch a glimpse of the boy who would one day be her husband, but the men had not yet come to the reception room. They were still enjoying their libations elsewhere.

In her head, Pansy imagined declarations of love and loyalty when she met Draco Malfoy. A tall blonde boy who would sweep her off her feet and declare his intention to marry her. It would be as lovely and dramatic as the fairy tales her father used to read to her when she was younger. Pansy knew the boy would be everything she had always imagined him to be. He would be the Prince to Pansy's Princess.

When the men finally joined the chamber towards the end of the evening Pansy was called back to her mother's side.

Anxiety swelled within Pansy. This was it. It was time. She was going to meet the boy who would one day be her husband. What happened if he didn't like her? No. He had to like her. That was the only option.

As she approached her parents, Pansy caught sight of her father talking with a tall blonde man and a skinny blonde boy across the room. He made the portraits in the hall look rotund.

The boy wasn't as tall as she'd hoped, but hopefully that would change as they aged. He had a haughty posture, which was probably warranted given that he was the Malfoy heir. Draco Malfoy was going to inherit wealth, prestige and power. A little haughtiness was inevitable.

He also had a pointy chin and sharp features and hair so pale that Pansy immediately suspected that the must charm it lighter. Nobody had hair that blond naturally.

Pansy wasn't particularly pleased with his appearance. Perhaps it was like fine wine and would improve with time and acquaintance.

The Malfoy heir seemed bored with the party and apathetic about meeting new people. That would change once they were properly introduced. Pansy was sure of it, He would recognize her potential and they would live happily ever after, despite his pointed chin.

With a smile Pansy followed her mother as they approached the men.

Narcissa Malfoy stood at her husband's side, carefully commenting on the conversation at appropriate intervals. She was everything a woman should be. Pansy hoped she could learn to emulate everything that Narcissa Malfoy represented.

"My wife Lucretia, and my heir Pansy," Cassius introduced his formally to the Malfoys.

Lord Malfoy eyed the family carefully. His gaze seemed just as judgemental as his wife's had been. Pansy could only hope to measure up to his expectations. Lucius Malfoy nodded his head once then turned back to Pansy's father.

"A respectful family, Cassius," he finally said, "I am pleased that they shall become better acquainted with my own family once again."

Pansy turned to smile at the Malfoy heir but his eyes seemed to scan over her as if she was not there. Pansy felt a weight push down on her chest. Had she done something to insult him? Why was he uninterested in her? Her father would not be pleased if she failed to adequately impress the boy…

1988-Parkinson Manor

Later that night as she changed into bed, Pansy couldn't help but pout. The Patil twins had been wearing pretty red dresses from India. They had been soft and light and not pink!

But that was beside the point. Pansy could have dealt with the ugly uncomfortable dress if she had gotten what she desired. Recognition.

But she didn't even get that.

Even though Pansy had kept to her manners and worn the uncomfortable dress there had been no dramatic marriage proposals. No proclamations of love. Nothing. The Malfoy boy hadn't even seemed to notice her. He didn't even seem to notice her existence.

The wizard was supposed to notice the flower princess!

Pansy reluctantly got ready for bed and tucked herself underneath the covers. Tomorrow was another day. Tomorrow everything would be better!

But Pansy couldn't fall asleep.

The evening kept replaying in her mind. What could she have done differently? Was there something that would have made Draco Malfoy notice her? There had to have been something she could have done.

When her door opened a few minutes later she wasn't surprised to see her father standing stoically in the doorway. He must have been disappointed by the Malfoy heir's lack of attention towards her. Pansy didn't like being chastised, but she knew that was the inevitable conclusion to his presence.

"You looked lovely tonight, flower. Just as a flower princess should."

"I'm too old for that, daddy." Pansy sat up in her bed.

"You'll never be too old," he turned to leave. He was almost at the door when Pansy let out a noise.

She sniffled.

"He never even noticed me."

Pansy honestly felt like crying. Everything that could have possibly went wrong had gone wrong. The evening had been a failure.

Cassius Parkinson paused. "Flower?"

"You said Draco Malfoy was my powerful wizard and that he would notice me and that we would get married and that we would live happily ever after. You said he was the one."

This wasn't her fault! She couldn't make anyone like her!

"Flower, sometimes the wizard doesn't realize that the flower princess is his one true love. Sometimes it takes him time to realize that she is what he really needs. Sometimes he is enchanted by the mudblood crone."

Pansy frowned.

"Nobody enchanted him at the party, Daddy. The Malfoys would never have let someone with impure blood go to their party."

He looked at her thoughtfully.

"Your mother is right. Draco Malfoy will be your husband. He is the perfect match. The Malfoy bloodline is impeccable, they are well connected, and they are affluent. They were on the right side during the War. You are destined to be together."

That didn't make her feel better. If anything she felt worse. She had failed him; she had failed her family.

"He didn't even notice me."

"You'll just have to convince him. You have to lift the enchantment that is hiding you from the Malfoy boy."

"Enchantment?"

"Why else wouldn't he notice the Fairy Princess?" Cassius explained softly.

Pansy thought for a moment. "How, Daddy?"

"That, my little flower, is easy" Cassius looked at his daughter sagely, "You just need to make him notice you. Give it time and persistence. "