Pansy was sitting in her bed with her head in her hands. It was due to this headache that she was awake at five in the morning. Since she had skipped the dinner the day before she was also hungry. Grudgingly she rolled out of her bead and showered. After making sure that no was awake yet, she made her way to the common room. The common room was empty so she thought she would visit the great hall for breakfast. She opened the door and stopped in her tracks.
There in front of the door was Harry Potter leaning against the wall leisurely like it was the most common thing to be standing in front of the Slytherin dorms at five in the morning already dressed in his uniform. "Going somewhere Pansy?" he asked. Not going anywhere now! Pansy thought. Nevertheless she replied," I am going to the grounds to get some fresh air." Not looking at him directly. "Great. I'll accompany you" Harry said cheerily and started walking towards the great hall.
During the breakfast, both of them did not say anything which was very fine with Pansy. She was busy eating because she hadn't eaten anything since a long time. Harry was quietly observing her from the corner of his eyes. After the breakfast they moved towards the grounds. When they were going out they passed by a few younger students who were coming down to get a breakfast.
The grounds beside the black lake were colder than the green houses. Feeling the nippy air, Pansy pulled the cloak tightly around herself. Harry asked smirking, "A bit cooler than our liking?" Pansy glared at him but did not reply. "Maybe the greenhouses are warmer." Harry commented off handedly looking at Pansy. She stopped and turned to face Harry now "What are you playing at? How the hell would I know about the greenhouses?" Harry replied "Have you forgotten I have an invisible cloak and a Marauders Map." Pansy sighed and looked towards the lake. "How do you think I was able to track you when you are trying so hard to run away from us?" Harry said, irritated.
"So what do you reckon I do? Laugh and smile in front of Draco and Hermione like you do?" Pansy snapped. "God, there is more to this world than Draco. Open your eyes and see that" Harry yelled. "And I do not like this world." Pansy yelled back. "Running away is not a solution. You are trying to run away from yourself." Harry said trying to make her see reason.
Pansy stomped her foot in frustration. "You, Pansy Parkinson, are a coward." Harry said. He got the desired effect from Pansy. "Don't you dare call me a coward. Me, standing here right in front of you, in this castle where the person I love is off with some person a thought to be a friend, is the proof enough. I have loved him for years Harry and still he didn't spare me even a glance. You don't know how badly that hurts Harry. I am burning from inside, all the FUCKING time. And still I am here. So don't you dare call me a coward." Pansy said pushing him.
She turned around and faced the edge of the lake. She was panting now, tears trying to roll down on her cheeks. Harry let her be alone for a moment. After a few moments when Pansy was wiping tears off her face, he walked towards her. Pansy turned around and hugged Harry. Harry said, "How are you ever going to live with so much frustration in your head all the time? " Pansy sobbed freely into his shoulder now. "Talk to us Pansy. You are not in this alone." Harry said. Pansy replied in between her sobs "I am not ready to talk to him." "There are others. Me, Theo and….. Blaise" Harry said pointedly looking at Pansy.
After Pansy calmed down they went back to the castle to attend the morning classes. Her first class was with Blaise and Theo. As Harry and Pansy neared the classroom they saw Blaise and Theo waiting for them. "Where were you two? Didn't see you at breakfast." Theo asked. "We went for a walk on the grounds" Harry replied picking up his textbook. Pansy noticed Blaise was a bit off. As Theo and Harry entered the class, she pulled Blaise aside and said, "Listen Blaise, I am sorry about yesterday. I was real cranky." Blaise quirked an eyebrow. Pansy sighed and continued "Okay. I am really sorry that I yelled at you. I was tired completing all the art project work and then you just came into the way. I am really sorry."
Pansy saw Blaise erupt into a wide smile. He said "Oh it's all gone with the night.!" Pansy asked,"So are we alright?" Blaise said putting an arm on her shoulder, "Oh we are the best.!" Pansy smiled at him. Blaise continued "So Harry told me he saw some nudes in your house.." Pansy swatted on his arm playfully as they entered the class.
Pansy was relieved when Blaise sat with her in all the classes. At last she was not bored all alone in the front desk of the class. Thankfully she did not have any classes with Drcao that day. After the classes, Blaise and Theo went for quidditch practice while Pansy returned to her dorm and spent the rest of the day there. When it was the time for dinner, Millicet, her dorm mate informed her that Theo, Blaise and Draco were waiting for her in the common room. Pansy told Millicet, "Tell them to go without me to dinner. I'll catch them later." and she returned to her books.
Pansy sneaked out of her room half an hour later when almost the whole school was eating the delicious treats made by elves. Almost everyone…. Excluding Blaise and Harry who were going to the Slytherin common room to see where Pansy was. They met Pansy near the third floor tapestry. "C'mon lets go eat" Blaise said turning back to return to the great hall. "Blaise" Pansy called him. "Actually I was going to the kitchens." "Kitchens, oh really?" Harry asked not believing her. "Yes of course." Pansy replied, glaring at him. "But why?" Blaise asked "I was.. goint to.." " Yeah why were you going to the kitchens instead of eating apples in the greenhouse backyard?" Harry said, suggesting her escape plan.
Pansy needed the distraction to think of a reason "I wanted to eat an ice cream. That why I was going to the kitchens" Pansy told Blaise ignoring Harry. "Well then. What are we waiting for? Let's get the ice cream" Blaise said. A smiling Harry was following Pansy and Blaise who were arguing about which flavor was the most popular.
After a double scoop blueberry ice cream, Pansy, Blaise and Harry were returning to their dorm rooms. The whole school was still at the great hall. Harry held the door open for Pansy. When she passed him laughing at what Blaise had said Harry said, "Who needs calming draughts when you have friends?"