40.
Pansy:
And the House Cup goes to...!
SLYTHERIN!
Ha, we wish.
Damn Dumbledore.
The end of the year has arrived. Pansy, Rachel, and Sophie were climbing the stairs to go to the Great Hall. The results were already defined, and little could change from the last class of the day until the time of the banquet. Some idiot could always get in trouble, of course, but five points more or five points less rarely made a difference. Slytherin would have been in first place if not for the altercation between Pansy and Daphne, which caused them to lose eighty points in one fell swoop. According to Professor McGonagall, and even Snape agreed, they couldn't tolerate fights like that in a common room, a space of healthy coexistence, for which thirty points were deducted. But also, Hermione exposed the continuous harassment that Daphne did, and Pansy, although she felt that she was betraying her house, confirmed it, alongside several students from Slytherin and from other houses; this time, with McGonagall and Dumbledore present, Snape could not feign indifference and another fifty points were deducted from Slytherin. With this, Daphne made everyone want to kill her. Nobody did, of course, they did not want to lose as many or go to Azkaban, but there was no lack of enthusiasm. Even Draco screamed loudly in the common room over this, telling Daphne that she was stupid, and to make it worse, her sister Astoria didn't defend her.
Astoria was a funny case lately. From her first year, at eleven years old, she always followed her older sister, defending her and excusing her no matter what. Pansy would have said that a dragon would be more likely to play Quidditch rather than Astoria not taking care of her older sister. But that day that Draco yelled at Daphne, that improbability happened. Astoria didn't insult her, nor did she look at her with disdain, but rather, she seemed disappointed or uncomfortable about everything. After that event, paying attention to the interactions of the most popular people in her house, she noticed that Astoria actually seemed to have gained her own autonomy. She was curious to see how different that girl would be from Daphne as time went on, after all, she was already fourteen years old, and seemed to be maturing and forming her own ideas; She even seemed to get along with Draco. Pansy wished her luck in her mind, because she would surely have her own tough disputes with her older sister...
"I'm sure Headmaster Dumbledore won't dare to give Gryffindor nearly fifty points out of the blue," Sophie commented, as they entered the Great Hall.
"Don't tempt him," Pansy replied, seeing how the tables were already packed with euphoric students. "In our first year he gave them not ten, not fifty, but one hundred and seventy."
"Morgana, I cried so hard that night. It was so unfair!" Rachel snorted.
Maybe crying could have been an overreaction, but they were the three eleven and twelve year old girls when it happened! Slytherin hadn't won even though they had all gotten a lot of points by answering correctly in their lessons. Yes, maybe in Potions, Professor Snape gave a little more than usual to his house and took the opportunity to deduct from Gryffindor (and Neville), but please, they had not cheated, they deserved to win! If Gryffindor had lost before Dumbledore added last minute points, it was because they kept getting into trouble, and more importantly, because they didn't know how to hide so they wouldn't get caught for their messes.
However, she could admit... grudgingly... that Dumbledore was not being entirely far-fetched by giving her girlfriend a few points for nearly dying saving the wizarding world when she was only twelve years old, and well, Harry, Ron and Neville while he was at it.
Anyway, it was still unfair. She wanted to win the cup with Slytherin sometime. How could she have been unlucky enough to enter Hogwarts just when their winning streak was snapped?
"Hopefully we win in sixth year," Sophie sighed.
"You know what they say, the sixth is the charm!" Rachel exclaimed enthusiastically, and when they sat down at the table, she spoke more calmly. "I never liked the number three. Nor four, nor five…"
The four hourglasses in the Great Hall were filled with gemstones instead of sand, representing each of the houses. The bright red rubies were for Gryffindor, the slightly orange yellow topaz for Hufflepuff, the highly polished blue sapphires were for Ravenclaw, and the deep green emeralds represented Slytherin. Throughout the year, stones were added and removed, visually showing how the competition for the House Cup was going until the last moment: now, on the clock, the topaz outshined the rest of the precious stones.
The Great Hall was dressed in yellow and black. Behind the teachers' table was a large banner with a picture of a badger, the Hufflepuff animal.
"Yuck yellow," Pansy complained.
"Do you like a color other than black?" Sophie asked with a raised eyebrow and a tight smile playing on her lips.
"Well... I must admit that so much yellow is dazzling," Rachel defended.
"Besides, yellow is disgusting," she insisted.
"Why? Too positive for you?" Sophie teased her.
"Auch!" Rachel exclaimed with a laugh.
The conversation ceased, as Dumbledore rose from the staff table and stood in front of the lectern.
"And like so many others, this year is ending!" he started his speech, pausing to give all the students a smile. "I hope you don't boo this old man to shut him up, because you are much more interested in eating all the delicious dishes from the end of year banquet." A few laughs interrupted him, but he patiently waited for them to finish, laughing a little too. "This was, and I think many will agree, a wonderful school year. A very productive and laugh-filled one, and I am hopeful that Mrs. Vacations will not steal all the knowledge you acquired during this year.
As you well know, we come from some… difficult times. Last year ended in a very bitter way, it took Cedric Diggory, a student much loved by all, and many previous years were like that too: difficult. Even inside Hogwarts we couldn't help but see what was going on out there. Nor, as some say, was the great Albus Dumbledore able to take care of you at all. That is why today, surrounded by so many young and smiling faces, I find myself with the need to remind you: take advantage of these moments. Enjoy the happy days, remember the good years.
And now, before they throw tomatoes at me, let's get down to business! The House Cup!" The Hufflepuffs were soon hitting their tables with their glasses, and some Gryffindor and Ravenclaw too, happy as long as Slytherin didn't win, whistled. But the ruckus was brief, a patient look from Dumbledore was enough. "In fourth place Gryffindor, with four hundred and thirty points. In third place Slytherin, with four hundred and thirty-two points. Second, hot on the heels of the winner... Ravenclaw, with four hundred and seventy points. And with four hundred and seventy-five points, Hufflepuff. Congratulations!"
The Great Hall erupted in applause and shouts, Hufflepuff were very excited. Gryffindor wasn't far behind, happy to roar. The Ravenclaws ended up getting caught up in euphoria, clapping loudly, and some of them even standing up. The Slytherins preferred to start eating, as the dishes had appeared on the tables.
"Uff! The potatoes have gratin cheese!" Rachel squealed happily.
Sophie chuckled, pouring herself juice. Pansy was having fun with her friends. She could see, from several meters away, that Isa and their friends (most of their bandmates) seemed to be having a good time too. She looked over at the Gryffindor table: Hermione and Harry were chatting while Ron stuffed food in his hands and mouth. Hermione at one point turned to scold Ron. It looked like she must be having fun, or at least Pansy would have fun criticizing the Gryffindor duck. Angelina, Fred, George and Lee were together too, as usual. Ginny and Neville were with Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan, although every so often Ginny would yell something at someone at the other end of the table. Always so loud! Then she looked for Luna, who was sitting next to her house, and made a face of discomfort when she noticed that she was eating in silence. She didn't seem sad... but she wasn't smiling either.
She did a quick scan of the Great Hall again. Most at least had happy faces. All her friends did, except Luna; she was playing with her food while reading something under the table (probably The Quibbler). That was not right.
"Would you hate me if I left?" Pansy said, though she was already getting up from her seat.
"Hey?" Rachel wrinkled her nose as she tried to understand what the hell she was talking about.
"Where are you going?" Sophie asked, always faster.
"Luna was my first real friend. Why shouldn't I have dinner with her today?" she answered.
She did not wait for an answer. She crossed the Great Hall, managing to catch several curious glances, since she was going to the opposite side of the exit door and she was a Slytherin…
She shoved two Ravenclaw students who were eating, ignored their moans, and sat between them, facing Luna. When she noticed Pansy, taking longer than the entire Great Hall put together, she looked into her eyes and tilted her head.
"What are you doing here Pansy?" Asked Luna.
"You make me feel pity," she replied fondly, a smile escaping her.
Luna's gray eyes seemed to flash in recognition, smiling as well.
"Are you trying to have a friendly conversation with me?" She asked, joining the game. Although she tried to fake a dismissive tone, it turned out badly, being the opposite.
"Sure, you helped me," Pansy replied with a shrug, thus ending the imitation of that conversation at the beginning of the year.
"You're a very good friend," she stated happily, grabbing her fork, while the Ravenclaw boys around them looked at them strangely, after all, they weren't present when the nargles stole Pansy and Luna's clothes.
She was about to answer something, but a hand crushed her face and pushed her back, colliding with the Ravenclaw student on her right. "Who the heck...?" she thought, until that energetic, annoying and, already well-known voice, sounded next to her ear:
"Luna is mine!" Ginny complained as she sat down next to Pansy. "Damn best friend stealing snake. First Hermione, now Luna."
"Sometimes I feel like words aren't enough to describe your stupid brain," Pansy muttered, rubbing her ear. She had screamed very loud in her ear!
"Is there room for us Luna?" Hermione asked kindly.
Harry and Ron were after her. The three of them had followed Ginny, who ran to the Ravenclaw table as if she had been possessed by a hare.
"I don't really understand why we're here," Ron muttered, as he sat down and started eating again.
"Because we're friends with Luna," Harry clarified.
"I know we're not exactly best friends yet..." Someone behind Pansy spoke: Sophie.
"But we like you, and you've kidnapped Pansy," Rachel concluded, as she sat down, too, and grabbed more cheese potatoes.
Already several of the Ravenclaws had moved enough for the huge new group to settle in. They kept looking at them like they were crazy, but none of them dared to verbalize it or try to separate them.
"EEEEH, ZURI!" Someone yelled, even echoing off the walls of the Great Hall. It was Chris, a Slytherin boy who certainly lacked shame.
All the students were speechless. Professor McGonagall started to stand up to calm the ruckus, but stopped when Dumbledore raised his hand to her, signaling her to sit back down while trying to hide a smile.
"CONGRATULATIONS ON WINNING!"
Chris got up from his seat when he finished speaking, raising the glass he was drinking from. He slapped Isa on the shoulder, who was next to him and their face was white from the screams, but trembling and with a shy smile, they also got up, raising the glass to symbolize a toast in the distance.
"I LOVE THEM!" Screamed a Hufflepuff girl who jumped out of her seat. Pansy recognized her right away: Zuri, the drummer in Isa's band.
Zuri looked for her glass as well. All the students seemed stunned by the Slytherins, both by those at the Ravenclaw table eating, and by the screaming troublemaker. Another Slytherin, who seemed to be a friend of Zuri as well, gave her the toast. Two more Gryffindors rose, imitating. As if the first celebration after Dumbledore's speech had not been enough, the joy in the Great Hall erupted into shouts and smashing glasses. This time, Slytherin made the most noise.
. . .
One of the great advantages of being in fifth year, or well, finishing it, was the parties that students held in recent years. Angelina had asked Pansy, Hermione and their groups of friends in general a couple of days ago if they would join the party in the Hufflepuff common room, which regardless of whether they won the House Cup, they did every year to close the school year. They were the ideal hosts, with the kitchens attached to them and the barrels that decorated the place, which Hufflepuff students secretly filled with butterbeer and even Muggle brands throughout the year.
It was almost midnight by now and Pansy was planning to join all of her friends for the party, which she had probably already started. She had finished dressing and getting ready in her bedroom first, and she preferred to go out rather than listen to Rachel whimper any longer because nothing suited her.
Upon reaching the patio, she stopped to observe the water fountain. She felt a little homesick. But then her blood ran cold as she realized she wasn't the only one there. Headmaster Dumbledore was sitting near the statues, also looking at the fountain. She took a step back, trying to be quiet and escape, but nervously managed to make the heel she was wearing hit the concrete floor badly and make a click.
"Are you having a good night, Miss Parkinson?" Dumbledore was smiling, he had been warned by the sound and seemed amused by her mistake.
"Hey...! Yes!" She raised her voice, sounding several pitches higher than normal. She squeezed her eyelids tight, angrily, scolding herself, "Fine, fine, not at all suspicious Pansy, not at all suspicious."
"You don't have to worry. I'm also enjoying the last day," he added, he spoke most of the time with a warm and charismatic tone that managed to calm others. "Although surely our plans are very different. Hufflepuff's still having those parties...? They were very funny, yes. One day, during one, a young man from Ravenclaw went to the principal's office and... ahem. Maybe I shouldn't give you ideas? Anyway, it would be a shame if they lost that Hufflepuff tradition."
Pansy clasped her hands together, twirling one of her rings nervously as she considered backing up and pretending she never saw the headmaster.
"I won't hold you back, calm down. I would prefer you to stay a moment though, if you have time. I'm glad to find you just now, I was thinking of you because of what happened in the Great Hall."
"You won't punish me, will you?"
"No, no," he soothed her with a kind smile. "I wanted to congratulate you."
"Me?" She asked, tilting her head in bewilderment.
"This was the first year I saw several houses sit together during the final banquet. On normal days it happens sometimes, Luna or you are a good example of that. But something like this was unthinkable on a day when the pride of belonging to your house is so great."
"I... didn't... it's an exaggeration that... I just sat down to dinner with my friends," she stammered, her cheeks turning pink and she gestured foolishly with her hands to prove her point.
"Don't take credit from yourself, please."
Pansy looked down, uncomfortable.
"The beginning of my farewell speech was somewhat grim, as you may have noticed. I hope I have not bothered anyone, but I saw it necessary to talk about it. Pretending nothing happened... achieved more bad than good in the past. So it must be said. Despite being redundant: Voldemort died. Last year a big change happened and it had to be highlighted."
She paled then and looked at the director fearfully.
"You... you must not say his name," she said in a small voice.
Dumbledore offered her a reassuring smile, as he stood to get closer to her.
"Fearing is sometimes helpful, it reminds us that danger exists and warns us not to underestimate it. But do you know why he was so powerful, as to fear him to such an extent?"
"He... because he was one of the most talented wizards that ever existed," she answered, raising her head so that she could see his face, trying to look confident, although she wasn't quite sure what she wanted to hear from him...
"Of course, yes. But there are many talented witches and wizards, more than you realize."
"But he was evil."
"True, his ambition led him to do very cruel things." Pansy frowned, but did not interrupt the headmaster. "However, the ambition of a single man is not so destructive, but that of many people. And don't get me wrong, I'm not blaming ambition, that's something we all have. I blame what many, sadly, aspired to."
"Everyone. We all gave the power to Voldemort. Fearing his name or helping him with his crimes. A whole generation of wizards who wished for horrible things gave him power. And why? What did they want? To attack the other. To differentiate themselves from the rest. To believe themselves better than others for their magical lineage. That defined a large part of your parents 'generation, and all of your classmates' parents.
Now do you understand why I congratulate you, Miss Parkinson? Tonight, I got to see a new generation. I want to be optimistic and say that, from now on, a new era arrives in our beloved school."
"It wasn't me alone, Headmaster Dumbledore. You can't... I don't deserve it, Luna or Hermione deserve your words more than I do."
"Something that I highlighted in my speech during your first year was bravery. It is a trait that, as you can imagine, I appreciate a lot. Even if it represents Gryffindor, every house has it, and correct me if I'm wrong, but daring to cross a line, being the first to stand up by breaking a tradition of segregation, is brave. Oh well! You are also Slytherin, of course. I'm sure you're cunning, determined... but I think you showed tonight the most hidden feature of your house: its valuable friendship. You have great friendships now. And you are also a true friend. Let me congratulate you on that too, Miss Parkinson."
Pansy was shocked, she didn't even know what to say... Was the headmaster seriously congratulating her personally for the second time?
"Your father would be very proud of you," Dumbledore said, letting her process his words. "Narcisso Parkinson was, and can you believe me when I tell you, as good a friend as you. He proved that while studying at Hogwarts. So take pride in yourself and your family, in everything you learned this year. Regardless of what the Prophet or its companions have said, be proud of who you are."
"I." Her words broke as she felt her throat constrict. "Thanks a lot."
"Fifth year started very difficult... you rejected my offer to occupy the position of prefect, you had family difficulties and even the occasional altercation with your colleagues... But I also see that you managed to overcome all those adversities with flying colors. Tell me: was it a good year in the end?"
"Yes," she whispered lamely, and took a few seconds, searching for her words, as her memories flashed, from her dates with Hermione, Sophie's kindness when she needed her most, and even her pointless but hilarious discussions with Ginny. "Despite everything, I still have many things to be happy about," she admitted.
"I won't take any more of your time then," he said in a cheerful tone, patting her on the shoulder to say goodbye. "I think Miss Granger wouldn't be very happy if I did."
She managed to hold back her tears with emotion as she chuckled, and dared to joke, in an attempt to regain her composure:
"No points for Slytherin for this?"
"Well... that you will find out next year. A hundred points, maybe?"
Pansy opened her mouth, turning her body to see his better. Dumbledore laughed, winked, and disappeared down one of the corridors. "He... She was joking, right?" she thought, staring at the place where she last saw him.
"GINNY!" A voice yelled, startling her, her unmistakable, grumpy girlfriend.
Hermione appeared on the opposite side from which Dumbledore had exited. She was already prepared for the party. Her hair was straighter than ever, though her signature curls still lingered there. She also had a bit of makeup on her face and was wearing a blouse that was definitely not hers (maybe Ginny's), along with trousers that were tighter than her usual classic baggy jeans. She looked casual and at the same time very pretty.
"I CAN'T HEAR YOU!" Ginny yelled back, rushing up some stairs.
"Can anyone think of poor Professor McGonagall?" Pansy asked, as Hermione got close enough for her to hear her. "Grandparents need to sleep."
"Agh, Pansy!"
"I scared you?"
"No," she muttered, moving closer to her.
"Why are we hunting Weasleys around the castle? I'm not judging you huh, I'm happy to join," she joked, crossing her arms.
"Because she and Dean Thomas were making special desserts for the party."
"Wow, put down the salt shaker!"
Hermione laughed, bringing one of her hands to her mouth to stifle her.
"Your...!" She complained cheerfully. "You know I don't mean those kinds of desserts. And that joke was terrible. Just... stay away from the muffins. Yes?"
"Of course. But I will not stay away from alcohol, I warn you."
"I'm not that boring at a party. You know?"
"You look very pretty, by the way," she blurted out, because she was dying to say it.
"You moreso," she returned, and extended her hand toward her.
Pansy laced her fingers through Hermione's. They walked together to the Hufflepuff common room, to join all of their friends at the party.
. . .
As soon as the sun rose, the little first-year Slytherins began to make a ruckus in the corridors that connected the dormitories.
"I'll kill them," Rachel growled hoarsely.
"I'm done with my prefect duties, so you're free to go," Sophie stammered against her pillow.
Pansy let out a plaintive groan as she put her hands to her head. She had drunk too much, and slept too little.
Fortunately for all the girls in the dorm and half of the castle's student body, since few fifth, sixth, and seventh years didn't join in on the last day, there were anti-hangover potions. They took twenty minutes to take effect. So, in theory, the freshmen had twenty minutes to get away from Rachel.
The morning went well after the headaches disappeared. They ordered their trunks that would be magically transported to the train while the students ate breakfast, and they took special care to check that their clothes were really theirs; Confusing clothes, whether or not they loaned them to each other, was more common than it seemed. Breakfast was delicious, and the tables in the Great Hall have never been so mixed up. During the party in the Hufflepuff common room there was much more movement than usual, breaking up groups of friends more than usual. They even invented various games where students from the four houses participated. Too many new acquaintances, many potential future friends.
It is not that the Slytherins have never gotten together with members of other houses, Isa's band was a clear example. But in general there was always a distance and resentment against Slytherin. Which seemed to have been broken now, if details like the famous Harry Potter of Gryffindor with all his friends sitting at the table of snakes, counted as fact.
Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny and Luna (Ravenclaw's always undercover) hadn't hesitated this morning to go sit with Pansy and her friends at the Slytherin table.
"It seems to me that most assumed that the Slytherins only hung out with each other. Nobody imagined they could be the kind of people who congratulate Hufflepuff like that," observed Luna, who was eating some cereal and was the only one who did not seem dead on her feet, since she did not go to the party. "It's like... they demystified a bit after the end-of-term banquet."
"Well, Malfoy and his little group are just the same as ever," Harry pointed out grumpily.
Just like she said, they were staying away on one edge of the table. They seemed generally angry, especially Daphne. But the rest of the panorama said otherwise. Isa and their friends were at the Hufflepuff table with Zuri, she saw two players from the Slytherin Quidditch team in the distance, one at the Gryffindor table and the other with Ravenclaw students...
"They are not all, now they are the minority," Pansy said, after taking a sip of tea.
"And the muffins worked miracles," Ginny added, ignoring Hermione's glare.
Although she wouldn't admit it out loud because she appreciated her life, she had no doubt that Ginny and Dean Thomas' mischief paid off as it helped to further ease tensions and competitiveness. And not just between Slytherin and the rest of the houses, but also between Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, who had their own rough edges.
"Besides, it was a Parkinson who sat at the Ravenclaw table," Luna added. "A pureblood who considered Muggleborns inferior, became the girlfriend of one of them, befriended blood traitors, weird people like me, and more people who weren't as 'special' as Draco Malfoy. Can you imagine how most Slytherin half-bloods must have felt watching you do that?" Suddenly, from looking everywhere and nowhere, she focused her gaze on Pansy with intensity. "I'm sure you gave them courage, to be themselves, not to worry so much about appearances."
Hermione watched her proudly. Even Ginny seemed mildly impressed with her. Ron had even stopped eating and didn't seem to disagree with Luna at all. And well, Harry... he seemed to see her as if she were now an honorary Gryffindor (What a disgrace!).
It seemed to be that at Hogwarts sometimes they forgot that everything was more than Slytherin against Gryffindor or Ravenclaw against Hufflepuff, that beyond Quidditch or the House Cup, they were just teenagers who wanted to have a good time. Why then couldn't they sit with whoever they wanted? Why should they look at them strangely if they changed tables during meals? Today, no one was curiously watching red invade green, or blue with yellow. Today, that was not unusual. Those imaginary lines that had always imposed themselves began to fade, little by little...
"Uh... did you see Fred and George?" Ron asked, as they got up from the tables since they had finished eating.
"No," Hermione and Harry answered at the same time.
They all tried to pay more attention to their surroundings; for redheads, they were hiding too well. When all the students had left the castle and had walked several meters down the road to the Hogsmeade train station, as if the twins sensed that the public was looking for them, they appeared, opening the great doors of the Hogwarts entrance wide which generated a sound similar to an explosion. Following that, they made a real explosion: a bunch of fireworks shot out from inside the castle, ascending to the sky and exploding in different colors.
"But what...?" Hermione murmured, horrified.
Several owls came out of one of the towers, escaping the noise. A second wave of fireworks began. The difference was that these were shaped like different magical creatures: a blue unicorn that galloped through the air until it exploded, releasing lights of all colors, a red dragon that snaked as high as it could before the wick was completely consumed and it exploded, surrounding itself in a blaze of fire. It was a very beautiful sight. Some students put their hands above their eyes, to block the Sun and better see the show.
"Along with our graduation, we announce the opening of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes!" Fred and George said at the same time, using an amplifying charm so that everyone could hear them as they stood in front of the door talking. "You can find us at 93 Diagon Alley starting from...!"
Professor McGonagall had appeared behind them, removing the enchantment with a flick of her wand. No one was listening to what they were saying now, but the teacher was so angry that Pansy had to rub her eyes to make sure she wasn't hallucinating - she was red with rage. McGonagall, aka "Impassive Face", was red!
When she turned around, to go back inside the castle, Ginny started laughing at her siblings, and almost all the Hogwarts students joined in. It got worse as they watched Fred and George run and push through everyone to move forward and be the first to get on the train.
"McGonagall will come out again, for sure," Fred gasped.
"How lucky we set a timer for closure!" George cheered.
Colors exploded in the sky again, and this time it was also unique: after the noise, many papers began to rain. Pansy grabbed one that fell on her foot, it was an advertisement for Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. Under the logo and the name of the business, it said: "OPEN AS OF JULY 1".