A/N: Unbeknownst to her friends, Pansy finds a fairly simple way to cure her sour mood. It wasn't difficult to guess, a good shag could put anyone into a better mood. Unfortunately, like usual, Potter ruins everything.

September 8th, 1996 (evening)

The weekend came and went without another moment alone with Draco, much less heard a word from him. Each day, Pansy woke up, bathed, brushed her hair, took her potions, and went through the motions of the day, all without hearing a word from Draco Malfoy. And each day, she spent every waking moment with a heaviness in her heart that brought her to tears almost every five minutes.

And Merlin, she hated it. Not Draco's avoiding any conversation with her, that was far from unusual and while it never lasted long, but she had never truly cared. But now, one part of her did care, intensely and painfully, a part of her that cared about the physical distance between her and Draco.

And it was killing her. And the worst part was she had no idea why.

More than once, Pansy's hand shot over her mouth in the middle of her attempting to busy herself, and she quickly excused herself to use the lavatory, only to dash out before hearing a response. Once she was within the solitary confines of the bathroom stalls, she would wail and cry and vomit, then slapped herself across the face to steel her nerves long enough to make it through the rest of the day. It was a terribly miserable existence and one that Pansy certainly did not choose. In fact, she didn't know if she was pining over Draco or hated him, one thing was clear, however-

Theo wasn't pleased.

"I can smell your bloody breath from here," he muttered as she reappeared next to him after a short detour to the bathroom. The laughter and loud conversations in the crowded corridor made it difficult to hear her companion, but she could read by the expression on his face and often times that was enough.

"If you're not going to say anything new, don't bother saying anything at all," she said, her voice ironically singsong in response.

"Pansy," Theo seemed as if he wanted to continue, but instead he merely said her name and let it hang in the air between them as they descended the staircase leading towards the Great Hall. She could feel his reluctance to lecture her again all throughout their planned homework session, and honestly she was glad he had held his tongue until now.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to worry about me?" she said after a missed beat, attempting to sound kind.

"I know it's odd for our lot to admit this," he started slowly, keeping his voice low as he took Pansy by the elbow and pulled her out of the crowd. "But I'd actually rather not see you die this year. We're barely two weeks into the semester and you look like you're dying of the plague-"

"Wow, thanks," she spat, yanking her elbow away from him and crossing her arms over her chest. She had thought that a touch of makeup and a heavier dose of her invigoration potion would fight off the worst of it, but apparently not.

"Meanwhile," he continued as if he wasn't interrupted, "Malfoy looks like the walking dead. What's going on? I thought I told you-"

"To suck his cock and make him happy?" she shot back again, her face reddening at the accusation in his voice.

"That's not what I meant."

"What is it then? You want me to make sure he's alright and happy and satisfied-"

"I'm worried about you too, Parkinson, whether or not you care to believe it."

By now, most of the crowd that had blocked the entrance to the Great Hall had dissipated, taking the loud voices and commotion with them. Now, their voices rang throughout the hallway and even Theo's normally low and quiet tone carried throughout the corridor. Pansy noticed his face twitch and frown as he made a concerted effort to ensure their conversation remained private.

"I don't mean for you to continue having sex with Malfoy if you don't want to," he said, his face flushing as he spoke. It surprised Pansy to know that the notoriously emotionless Theodore Nott was capable of embarrassment.

"Then what do you mean, Nott?" Pansy sighed with exasperation and dropped her hands to sides. "I'm tired of your vague bloody riddles and-"

"I don't want to lose either of you," he cut in. "You and Malfoy aren't together anymore, but let's me honest, you practically the only thing that keeps him human some days. That's all. If Zabini and I, Slytherins to the core, are taking the time to voice worries over a pair of friendships, then I'd urge you to heed our concerns."

She pressed her lips together to keep from smirking. Though Theo spoke very little, whenever he did he sounded like a Ministry official from the late nineteenth century. However, instead of smirking, Pansy knew, her friend needed some assurances.

"Theo," she laid her hand on his forearm and took a step closer to him, feeling a intimate magnetism draw her closer to him suddenly, "I'll be okay."

She muttered those words as she looked at her hand on him until she finally looked up again and into his eyes. Instead of his typically blank stare, she noticed a confused frown. Rather than comment on it, she felt his hand suddenly heavy on her shoulder. Though the was plenty of space around them in the empty corridor, they were standing closer to each other than they had been before.

"You don't have to be alone," he responded cryptically, though she wasn't surprised. Theo had never been the type of actually say something that was meant to be understood.

Before she could answer him, a sharp exclamation came from behind him.

"Oi! You two," Zabini's voice rang out loudly through the corridor, "I was just about about to trek to the dungeons to find you. Come on, then."

Rather than jump from her skin like Pansy felt like doing, she merely looked over her shoulder and dropped her hand from Theo's arm. He mirrored her motions, and in seconds it seemed as if nothing has occurred other than a pleasant conversation.

The pair said nothing as they followed an impatient Blaise back into the Great Hall. Pansy purposefully walked ahead of Theo as she attempted to blink away what were by now very familiar tears building in her eyes. Just when she felt a barrier fall down between she and Theo, the ever present heaviness returned to her heart and she remembered how pitiful her life as felt as of late. As they entered the Great Hall, Pansy willed away the blurriness in her eyes just as her gaze set upon none other than Draco Malfoy. It was his first lunch at the table all week, yet for some reason it seemed as life nothing had changed.

"Where have you been?" Draco ask gruffly as she elbowed Goyle aside (no easy feat) to sit directly next to him. Even acknowledging her was more of a reception than Pansy had expected. And truth be told, Theo was right. He looked as if he had gone the past week of avoiding her - purposefully or no - without sleep. Knowing that Draco wasn't out whoring his way throughout the castle with another witch brought Pansy twisted sort of pleasure that she hadn't felt in years. She quickly pushed that thought away and cleared her throat.

"I wasn't hungry," she said simply, though her stomach growled loudly just as if said it, as if for an ironic effect. Across from them, Blaise was busying himself again, but Daphne and Theo gave her a look she couldn't place. "But I am now."

Beneath the table, Pansy laid a simple hand on Draco's upper thigh. Though he had been cutting a piece of chicken breast and raising it to his mouth in that moment, he paused and gave her a curious look. A beat passed before he did another and Pansy's heart couldn't have pounded harder if she tried.

"Right," he drawled, his face unchanging as he laid his fork and knife down. Her heart skipped a beat at the thought of being rebuffed again, but instead Draco reached below the table bench and pulled up his school bag. "See you lot later."

She didn't think twice as she secured the strap of her school bag over her shoulder and followed Draco out of the Great Hall. Though she didn't mean to, Pansy glanced over her shoulder and caught Theo continuing to stare at her as she attempted to stroll away as casually as possible.

More surprising, however, was when she caught Potter's eyes just as she turned her head to fix her gaze straight forward again. It was a split second, and in all honesty she couldn't tell if he was looking at her or at Draco, but whatever it was they locked eyes for a split second before the connection was lost. Potter seemed curious, if not the tiniest bit confused, but she couldn't place the glint in his eyes and as she went back to staring at the back of Draco's head, she realized she didn't really care.

"Draco-"

Before she could continue, she felt his hand encircle around her wrist and in seconds she was pulled up the same staircase she and Theo had just ventured down. Struggling to keep up with Draco's significantly longer legs, Pansy briefly wondered what she had gotten herself into. Though the second Draco acknowledged her and accepted her advanced she felt an immediate sense of relief, she wasn't sure if this was what she wanted.

It was too late to think things over, however, as the moment they reached the first landing, he took a sharp right and they were in an empty classroom before she had a chance to open her mouth again.

Draco wrapped his arm around her waist and lifted her until she was forced onto the tips of her toes to meet his lips. Blindly, they fumbled into the classroom with their hands eagerly tearing away at the others' possessions and clothing. He didn't waste time to shove her robe down her shoulders and pull her blouse from it's perfectly tucked position in her skirt. Though her body felt warm pressed against his, Pansy couldn't help the tiny gasp that separated her lips from his as the castle air touched her skin.

"Cold?" he teased, and Pansy swatted his arm as she kept the space between their lips when he tried to kiss her again.

"Feeling talkative now, are we?" she said breathlessly, a weak smirk on her face as she began unbuttoning his shirt.

"Don't tell me you hurting."

Pansy laughed off his joking assertion while peppering light kisses on his pale chest, though if she weren't so enthralled in the moment she might have cried again - or, better yet, walked away. Theo had noticed her misery throughout the week, and meanwhile Draco was none the wiser. He has always been a prick but this was a new level she was unaccustomed to.

"I kept myself busy," she responded with a mischievous smirk as she laid a hand over his growing erection. Draco hissed when she started to massage him from outside of his trousers and her smirk sharpened when she noted the effect the was having on him.

"Lucky you," he exhaled. Draco placed his hands on either side of her face and forcibly tilted her head upwards, and his lips met hers a moment later. Pansy again gasped against him, this time from the instant response her body had. She desperately tried to rub herself against him, to him some kind of friction for her aching body.

"Pansy," he grunted, pulling away from her. She heard him muttering something about time and before she could ask what he meant, his hands were on her hips and her entire body was turned around in one quick motion.

Biting back a yelp, Pansy braced herself with flat palms against the blacktopped desk in front of her. He flipped her skirt upward and kneaded and groped her arse as he readied himself. She couldn't last another moment without glancing over her shoulder and she wasn't disappointed; Draco was more disheveled than she had ever seen him and his face was a brilliant shade of red, a stark contrast from how pale he looked in the Great Hall. A soft moan left her lips as his trousers fell to the ground and he urgently shoved her panties down to her knees.

"Pl-please," she begged, watching him with lustful eyes. Draco stroked himself twice more before slamming into her wet pussy.

"Oh gods."

His weak voice sounded like music to her ears. Pansy's body moved backwards against him, drawing another muffled groan from him and within seconds they found a rhythm that satisfied them both. While Draco's fingers dug into and steadied her hips, Pansy went to the tips of her toes to meet him in the thrust, his cock hitting her deeper and deeper with each movement. Minutes in she already felt herself reaching the edge, and even the weight on her chest felt elevated, as if all she needed was a good shag to get over her feelings of anxiety and inadequacy.

As if all she needed was for Draco to pound into her again and again-

"Harder," she panted, her hands gripping the side of the table. "G-gods, harder! Please!"

Draco didn't wait another moment to comply. He reached down and took up one of her legs by the crook of her knee and lifted it until her knee rest on the table with the rest of her body. In the new position, she felt herself open up and accept even more of Draco's cock into her tight cunt. Pansy had to throw her hand against her mouth to keep from shouting out. It was enough that with each thrust the table scratched loudly against the floor; they didn't meet her screams to further give away their position.

It didn't matter, however. The deeper and more intense feeling that nearly caused Pansy to shout out her lovers' name also made Draco's breath ragged and his thrusts harder but erratic. The moment she felt his fingers dig deeper into her hip, verging on painful, she knew he wasn't far from his orgasm.

And she was right. Seconds later, Draco's hips bucked forward, pushing the table Pansy harder into the table, and with another shudder he was spent. She could hear the wisps of her name on his lips as he also desperately tried to remain quiet, but it was hard for both of them.

He caught his breath for another minute before stepping backwards and slipping out of her. Not wanting to remain in such a vulgar position for too long, Pansy moved quickly after him. Though her knees weak and barely held her up after such a quick but rough shag, she managed to pull her knickers back up and tuck her blouse back into her skirt before Draco even finished buckling his belt.

"Damn, Parkinson," he muttered, his breathing still hard. Pansy laughed under her breath as she made a half-arsed attempt to smooth her hair down and ensure that her clothes weren't too wrinkled. She felt comfortable enough to smile towards him, at least, after days of feeling miserable and lonely. With as much earnestness as she could muster, she leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on his jawline.

"Looks like I wasn't the only one who needed that."

Draco snorted but said nothing else as he undid and began redoing his tie to make sure it was impeccable. She could almost roll her eyes as she gathered her things and headed towards the door. Glancing over her shoulder once before before she left him, Pansy shot him another wink then ducked out.

September 9th, 1996

Pansy wasn't sure how she looked to the outside world, but internally she felt as if she had just pranced through the castle. She felt a sense of newness in her very soul, like perhaps this year wouldn't go to the dogs after all. Even when she plopped into her seat beside Potter towards the back of the classroom, she didn't feel the same sense of despair that has been plaguing her for the past days weeks. She felt as if, for once, everything would be alright.

Potter turned to her and mumbled something in his typical grating manner.

She merely smiled back. She may have even nodded, though her thoughts were entirely on Draco and the way he held her down, fucked her until she peaked, thrusting and jerking back and forth in a way that—

"Parkinson!"

Potter's face came into focus suddenly, his angry, furrowed eyebrows and reddening face seemingly calling her attention out of nowhere. In a flash, the slightly dazed smile dropped from her features and she felt the dark attitude that had been creeping over her entire body begin to seep back. And in her annoyance, Pansy found clarity. For over a day, she had been walking around as if she was on cloud nine: she practically floated into the classroom and felt so mind-numbingly giddy that she didn't even notice that classroom around her or Potter's sourness beside her. She had smiled at the prick as she sat down. It seemed almost as if her mind was awash with feel-good insects that distracted her from reality, from Potter's continued attitude, from the hush that had fallen over the class when she walked in, from everything. And she just hadn't noticed. The only thing she could think about was Draco, and his body against hers, him entering her over and over again. The way he-

"There's something wrong with me," she muttered, interrupting her own internal ramblings.

"I know," Harry replied, his tone softer but still dark.

Before she had a chance to response, Slughorn waddled to the front of the room and clapped his hands together in a kind of excitement that he shared alone. Pansy clenched her fist under her desk and took in a shaky breath. Of course she enjoyed her quick session with Draco, it was an enjoyable stress reliever, not to mention it reconnected them after a dry week, but she hadn't felt so dependent on him since she was a young teenager. Now, it felt as if he had saved her from falling into depression.

Worst of all, the short exchange with Potter didn't go unnoticed by Theo, and judging by the look on his face, whatever he was thinking would have to be something that she contends with later.

"Hello, hello, students! I have a very exciting task for us today. The very lovely Madam Poppy Pomfrey has requested our assistance. She is pitifully low on her Essence of Dittany supply and would greatly appreciate the help of N.E.W.T level students. Now, I understand this isn't a very difficult potion, and as sixth years you won't need much guidance, but this class will still apply to our little competition!

"Rather than the pair that creates the best potion, the winners will be determined by the quantity of potions made! That's right; working by working together you and your partner will need to create as much Essence of Dittany as possible. In fact, I implore you to work into the night for since Essence of Dittany needs to periodically sit and be stirred and this process typically works best under moonlight."

As improbable as it seemed, Potter's mood seemed to get worse as Slughorn explained their next project. He grumbled and shifted in his seat, visibly and audibly expressing his displeasure. Potter was so laughably bad at masking his emotions (probably after years of being lauded for being passionate and 'real') that Pansy nearly assumed he was actually trying to get Slughorns attention. Whether or not it was a conscious attempt, Slughorn began walking down the rows of desks towards the back of the classroom, then paused to clap a hand on Potter's shoulder. Apparently even former Slytherins can have for the Orphan Boy Wonder.

As he continued to walk towards the back of the class, his voice boomed around room. The prize would be an automatic 15 points towards the next exam as well as Madame Promfrey's long-lasting gratitude. His bombastry came off as so absurd that Pansy could even hear Draco scoffing and scowling from across the room, though she couldn't bring herself to attempt to catch his gaze and share an eye roll.

I was just happy to get laid, she told herself, shaking her head as her eyebrows continued to wrinkle in confusion over her behavior. So much pent up energy—I needed a release.

"Parkinson."

This time Potter's voice sounded calm, though it did have an edge to it, as if he didn't want to call attention to the reach of the class again but anything even resembling a kind word towards her would be a step too far.

"Yes, I was listening," she bit back, her usually callous attitude falling back into place. "We have to find time to do this before Wednesday. I don't like this any more than you do, but if we work overnight then-"

"I've got Quidditch practice at 6, I need to start working on assembling the team. Then homework afterwards. I don't want to spend my time stirring with you—"

"I have shit to get done, too, Potter. But 15 points off of an exam seems to me like a spectacular offer. After a crap first week, I'd like to actually attempt to get something out of this damned class. I know how much your precious Captain's pin means to you," she paused to dramatically roll her eyes, "but I'm sure whatever homework you have is either already late or you're not really going to do it anyway. So I'll give you two hours to fly around, or whatever, because I'm not doing shit alone."

Potter scowled, and Pansy immediately knew that she had won the argument. She could also tell that he was the type to take advantage of any opportunity to study less for an exam.

"You're more like Hermione than you know," Potter responded ruefully, a tone that Pansy thought said more about his friendship with Granger than it did about his hatred towards her. The pair frequently shared looks across the room but Pansy saw nothing remotely romantic in their interactions. In fact, regardless of how many students (boys and girls alike) stare wistfully at him, Potter seemed completely oblivious. That in itself was a bit charming – the exact opposite of Draco, as well; someone who not only noticed everything lustful look aimed in his general direction, but also willed for it. It was one of the few differences in personalities Pansy had noticed between the two boys, though neither would ever admit to how similar they are to each other. Their stubbornness, sense of calling for a high purpose, hair trigger rage, and not to mention the Quidditch obsession; you could think they were practically brothers.

"Except with better hair and nicer tits," Pansy replied a beat too late. She had gotten too wrapped up in her own thoughts and her hesitation allowed Potter the opportunity to turn around and begin packing up his things.

Though thankfully, like any boy, the word 'tits' did catch his attention and he glanced over his shoulders to give her a once-over. She could almost smell the contempt off of him. It was almost ironic how the boy who apparently saved the wizarding world was able to dislike so many of the witches and wizards in it.

Or maybe it was just the students in Slytherin who were content with making his seven years at Hogwarts miserable. Who knows.

"We both know that puberty skipped you over, Parkinson," he said flatly. "Nine-year-old boys have more tits than you."

Pansy frowned and resisted the urge to stick out her tongue at him, a move that would have earned a heartfelt laugh from someone like Blaise but would certainly cause her to be taunted by Potter.

"Jealousy is extremely unbecoming of you, Potter," Pansy said after a curt harrumph. "Clearly you're yearning for what you can't have so I suggest you get over it and focus on the task at hand."

"Malfoy's used goods you mean?" he snorted, "No thanks."

That one hurt, though Pansy pushed past the pang in her chest and sneered to hid her emotional wound. For a generally unaware and overemotional Gryffindor, sometimes Potter really did know exactly where to stick the knife.

"You bring up Malfoy so often, I think you'd rather shag him than me," Pansy feigned a look of heartbreak by putting her intertwined fingers over chest. "Though I wouldn't blame you. He's quite the lay."

She was glad when that comment earned her a sneer back from Potter, breaking up his almost Slytherin-like pretentious grin.

"We can meet in the dungeons tomorrow," he avoided her comment with a slight cringe as he threw his school bag over his shoulder.

Pansy smiled to herself as she elbowed past him and begin following the pack of dispersing students. She would have to wait to irritate Potter tomorrow, and thankfully with him separated from his friends, it would be easier to keep his attention on the assignment for the evening, which she desperately needed so they could make as much of this potion as possible and win the challenge. Considering the emotionally dubious headspace she's been in lately, Pansy needed any boost she could take advantage of.

"It's going to be a long night, Golden Boy," she added cheerfully, looking over her shoulder and shooting Potter a devilish grin. With a short glance over around the room, she realized a least she and Potter won't be the only two battling personalities. She noted Granger scolding Draco, who was slowly but clearly reaching for his wand and Nott was covered in a mysterious green slime with an unabashed Weasley pointing and laughing beside him.

"I hope you're ready," she finished with a wink as she glanced back at Potter, whose red face told her he also noticed his friends troubles.

A/N:

Sneak peek for the next chapter:

Clearly her throat, Pansy quietly excused herself as she moved around the table. When she reached Potter on the other side, she squeezed between him and the able, her bum shimmying across his front, and she felt Potter freeze against her. The room was just small enough to make it difficult for him to move out of the way but he didn't even make an attempt.