Disclaimer: I still don't own HP.

—

August 8th, 1971

Pansy sighed for the millionth time that night as she watched her sister converse with Bellatrix and Narcissa Black. It was a strange sight to witness as Hermione tilted her head back and laughed at something Rosetta Greengrass had said, causing jealousy to sneak its way to the surface.

She knew there was nothing to be jealous about, Hermione was her sister, but it didn't stop another sigh that escaped her lips as Phillipa Parkinson joined the 'Ayla Shafiq is so cool' squad.

Snorting, Pansy quickly grabbed another glass of gilly water from the tray as a server walked by. It was exhausting playing this damn game where she sat against the wall pouting and being a loner while Hermione made her Slytherin connections. It was disgusting to think that that had once been her a long time ago once upon a time.

Clearing her throat with a furrowed brow, Pansy realized how much she didn't miss this at all. The parties, the gossiping, the need to show up one family and/or another— ugh. No, she really didn't miss this life one bit. So why was she sulking by herself, on her birthday, no less, jealous of her sister? She hadn't a clue.

Before she could go search for her mother to make her excuses and retire for the night, Sirius cleared his throat in greeting as he leaned next to her against the wall.

"Ava," he greeted without glancing her way.

Lifting a brow, Pansy replied, "Sirius."

"Happy birthday." He said to her softly, holding out a small box.

Smiling, Pansy took the box and quickly placed it in her dress robes. "Thank you, Siri."

He rolled his eyes at the nickname but hadn't ever told her she couldn't call him that so Pansy, being who she was, continued to do exactly that. She heard his brother call him that once and thought it had a nice ring to it.

"Why're you standing here and not with your sister, then?" Asked Sirius as he finally glanced her way.

Sighing again, Pansy shook her head. "I don't really click with them as much as Ayla does."

"And why's that?"

Narrowing her eyes, Pansy gave him a curious look. Of course, she knew what he thought of these poncy pureblood supremacists so she decided to throw a bit of truth his way, needing to see his reaction. "Because I don't find demeaning witches and wizards, not of our pedigree, mind you, a fun topic of discussion."

Sirius straightened his spine and turned to her fully, his eyes wide, glancing around the room nervously. "You should be careful of what you say with others around, Ava."

Scoffing, Pansy lifted from the wall, matching Sirius' stance. That was definitely not the response she was expecting of him. "And why not? This is my home. I am entitled to speak what I think. My mother knows how I feel, as do my father and sister." Smoothing out her robes, she sneered, "not gonna talk to me now, are you?"

Sirius sent his own scowl her way and snapped, "don't be ridiculous! That's not what I meant!"

Snorting at his tone of voice, and deciding not to reply, Pansy leaned back against the wall. She was so, so tired of this pretending. Why couldn't she have been born into a world where everyone got along? Where blood status didn't matter; where she wasn't scheming with her sister to bring down a mad man? It sucked having to walk this very thin line where she could fall to her death because she didn't believe the rubbish these pureblood snobs advocated. A belief she once believed in as well as much as she felt ashamed to admit— aloud or otherwise.

She shouldn't be thinking these dangerous thoughts, especially with him here but it couldn't be helped. Her thoughts would always turn to her old life and what her mission consisted of just by her being present in this time.

"I'm sorry," Sirius whispered beside her.

"It's alright," Pansy replied just as quietly.

"And for the record," Sirius added with a small smile. "I don't believe that nonsense either." He nudged her shoulder, "but does your sister?"

At the mention of her sister, Pansy glanced around the hall, zeroing in on her sister across the room. She tensed as she watched Hermione chattering with Tom Riddle. She fought the urge to rush toward the pair and grab her twin's hand to give her comfort but knew that was a foolish idea.

"What do you know?" She whispered under her breath to Sirius, her attention still across the room.

There was no way his comment was random. Sirius knew something about Tom Riddle and she really needed to keep an eye on her friend; he was too observant for a mere eleven year old. It was different for her to act adultish, she was one, damn it! But Pansy couldn't remember a time where she was attuned with her surroundings at his age.

Parties and gossiping and boys and Hogwarts were her main focus, never mind her parents' conversations and such. Yes, she was taught how muggles were a dirty group of people and muggleborns were just as bad, stealing magic from magical children— all things rubbish now that she knew better, but still… Sirius being attentive… She and Hermione had to be careful around this one lest he figured out their secret.

As far as Pansy was concerned, the children didn't know much about Tom Riddle— at least not until they were older, almost graduated from Hogwarts.

"I know enough of what he represents," Sirius offered with sympathy in his voice. "My father went to school with him and preached about the famous Tom Riddle who would set the Wizarding World right."

Shocked he knew so much, Pansy glanced away from her sister to turn to Sirius. "What does that mean?"

Rolling his eyes, Sirius slouched with his hands in his pocket. "It means you should go save your sister. Dear old Bella may love his attention but she's a bit of a looney so that's really not saying much."

Stifling a laugh, Pansy bit into her bottom lip and gave a quick nod as she slowly walked away. Before taking her second step, she glanced over her shoulder and offered Sirius a small smile. "Are you coming with me?"

Eyes widening in surprise, Sirius quickly nodded, offering his arm as they made their way to her sister.

Nodding at the guests who wished her happy birthday, Pansy plastered on a fake smile, refusing to speak with any of these brainless lackeys.

"Ava!" Ayla called out with a bright smile. She turned to Sirius with raised brows. "Siri."

Pansy hid her smirk, giddy Ayla caught on the nickname and started to use it as well. It would stick, she was sure of it.

"Aya," Sirius greeted with a smirk, taking on the nickname Bellatrix had given her three years ago. It was still astounding how one could shorten a four letter name. "All of us younger folks are hanging out in the garden if you want to join? Something about the start of Hogwarts and making bets about what house us mere eleven year olds will be sorted into next month?"

Beaming in excitement, Hermione quickly nodded. "Of course!" She then turned back to Riddle with a small bow. "It's always a pleasure, Tom."

Taken aback, Pansy glanced between the two. Hermione had never mentioned the two being on a first name basis and she fumed silently in anger. How could she forget to mention something so important? No one was allowed to call him by his name, not even Bellatrix. It was always Lord Riddle, My Lord or Lord Voldemort— well, Lord Voldemort in her time, at least.

What else was Ayla keeping from her that she ought to know? Was she overthinking this? Probably.

"Anytime, Miss Shafiq," Riddle replied with a charming smile. He then turned his focus on Ava and the smile dimmed a bit but was still there with a hint of curiosity. "And Ava, happy birthday." He reached into his robes' pockets and pulled out a book and held it out for her to take. "I hope you enjoy it."

Curiosity obviously won out and she reached out, grabbing the book with a bright smile, uncaring if it was rude of her, as she tore through the wrappings and gasped. Oh, he was good. Really fucking good, the egotistical prick.

"I hope you enjoy it. I remembered, from our last conversation, how much you were into exotic beasts and such," Riddle informed her, smiling at the look of dumbfoundedness on her face. "I'm assuming I'm right in my speculation?"

Shaking her head from her stupor, Pansy looked up, clearing her throat. "It's brilliant, Lord Riddle, thank you."

"A pleasure, Miss Shafiq." He then bowed to Pansy and turned to Hermione and bowed to her as well before he took his leave.

"Exotic Beasts; Both Big and Small." Sirius scoffed, "you can't be serious."

"She's not," Ayla butt in with a smirk, "you are."

Pansy burst into laughter as Sirius scowled at her. "Oh, very funny but I've already used that, so," he stuck his tongue out at Ayla, causing another round of giggles to burst free.

"It's one of Newt Scamander's books that he was unable to publish because of the Ministry." Pansy mentioned after her fits of giggles. She then furrowed her brow, "I wonder how Lord Riddle was able to get his hands on this."

"No clue," Sirius drawled with a bored tone to his voice. "But let's get out of here, yeah?"

Pansy and Hermione nodded as they followed Sirius out to the gardens where the younger witches and wizards were gathered. Uriah Avery was speaking with the other eleven year old boys by the water fountain with Regulus Black and Evan Rosier who were a year younger while Rosetta gossiped with Phillipa, Narcissa and Andromeda on the other side with Greengrass' older sister who was in the same year as Narcissa. Towards the back of the garden stood Bellatrix with Lucius, Hyperion Fawley and Thoros Nott's youngest brother, Thaddeus, and other nameless prats Pansy rather not think of… like her stupid father, Perseus Parkinson, who was laughing with Rodolphus as he teased his seven year old brother, Rabastan.

She had never been more proud to be the daughter of Alexander Shafiq in that moment as she watched Perseus push Rabastan's head causing the boy to fall as he and Rodolphus laughed aloud. What a fucking bully. And to think that had been her once. She felt so ashamed of who she used to be, Pansy swore she would never be such an ugly person ever again.

"The audacity of that stupid wizard," Hermione muttered and stomped her way towards the duo and the little boy.

Pansy and Sirius watched in amusement as Hermione began to berate the older Lestrange brother, said brother looking quite embarrassed, as she grabbed the little child's hand and smiled at him as she led him away and into the house. Pansy lifted a brow as she watched Regulus follow after like a lost puppy.

"That kid has it bad," Sirius muttered, shaking his head as he also watched his brother follow her sister.

Pansy didn't think that at all. She knew Regulus lived a life full of lies and deceit. Having Hermione there as a friend, and not just Sirius, was doing wonders for the younger brother.

"Oi! Sirius!"

Glancing over where Rosier was talking with Avery, Sirius gave a sheepish smile, causing Pansy to sigh. "Go ahead. I'm going to put my things away and find my mother, make sure everything is alright."

"Are you sure?" Sirius asked with hesitation. "I can stay…"

"No," Pansy pushed him towards the other wizards. "Go on. I'll see you later, yeah?"

Smiling, Sirius nodded. "Yeah, alright."

Shaking her head in fond amusement, Pansy made her way into her home, wanting to catch Ayla alone so they could speak. If her sister thought for a second that she hadn't noticed that Riddle did not give her permission to call him by his first name, Hermione had another thing to worry about.

Pansy still didn't understand how Hermione was able to have all these purebloods suck up to her so quickly. She couldn't think of a single thing that she did differently than her twin. So she feigned a sickness meeting over tea with the other witches a few times over the years and maybe she chose to hang out with Sirius while Hermione had sleepovers with Rosetta and Phillipa… and maybe she retreated quietly to the gardens while they visited the manor– still… it was hardly enough times to get on the wrong footing with these bigots… was it?

All the while, she still couldn't grasp why she was even thinking these things. It wasn't as if they would be close once she was sorted into Gryffindor. Pansy knew soon enough they would turn against her and speak lies to Hermione and have her go against her as well— she paused in the middle of the foyer, a sudden thought pushing its way to the surface of her mind.

Everyone would try to separate them... turn them against one another dubbing her as a blood traitor. Inaudibly swallowing down the fear that reared its ugly head within her, Pansy placed a hand on her beating heart. Could she really pretend to hate her best friend, her partner— her sister? Could she really watch her sister become a bitch like how she was during their Hogwarts years?

Letting out a humorless laugh, Pansy shook her head. It wasn't as if Hermione was truly being evil. Sure, her sister could be vindictive when she wanted to and so she killed a death eater here and there… but to actually think of her sister joining Voldemort's ranks– Pansy let out another dry laugh, shaking her head. It was such a funny idea to even waste her time thinking of, knowing Hermione would do no such thing in this life or the next.

Pushing those thoughts aside, she groaned as her mother made a beeline for her, along with Walburga and Druella right behind her. Quickly, Pansy spun around walking the other way at a too fast pace. She really didn't want to get into all of that. With them. Not today, at least.

Rushing up the stairs to her bedroom, Pansy yawned as she closed her bedroom door, deciding to call it an early night. She swiftly turned and locked it in case her mother, or father, had any ideas of fetching her for the remainder of the party, knowing it mattered little if the door was locked or not.

It hadn't felt like it was her birthday at all and it made her feel… weird. A feeling as if she didn't belong in her own home. But maybe it was for the best. Soon the people in this house would rather have nothing to do with her and Pansy was okay with that. She wasn't really fond of them in her own timeline and that feeling really didn't change in this one. Hermione once told her that she needed to enjoy herself, live her life… maybe it was about time she did so.

Glancing up as someone let out a loud snore, Pansy narrowed her eyes at the two occupants in her bed. "Seriously, Ayla? You couldn't take him to your own room?"

Hermione shrugged, rubbing Rabastan's back soothingly. "I figured we should talk. I know you, Ava… something is bothering you. Are you alright?"

Sighing, Pansy kicked off her shoes and joined the two on the bed, carefully arranging Rabastan to make room for her. She lifted an eyebrow. "Does his parents know that he's up here with you?"

"Of course, they do, those prats." Hermione shook her head sadly. "Roddy is an idiot for taking him outside while he chugs alcohol and his parents are no better." She glanced at Pansy with unshed tears in her eyes. "Do you know what his mother said to me when I informed her I would be taking him?" Pansy shook her head watching as her sister sniffled. "She said it hardly matters what happens to him, he's the spare which is no longer needed since Roddy is doing splendidly." Hermione cleared her throat, her voice pitched high, "I hardly wanted him, you see? And with Roddy's engagement to Bella," she snorted, shaking her in disgust.

Eyes widening in disbelief, Pansy replied, "she didn't…"

"Yep," Hermione said, popping the p. "Of course, she laughed it off saying she was only joking. I told her I didn't mind staying with him for the weekend and she literally just shrugged me off." Hermione looked down with a fond smile on her face, running her fingers through his light brown hair. "I'm going to save him, Ava."

Letting out a breath of relief, Pansy reached over and grasped her sister's hand. She didn't want to let Hermione know that she had doubted her, for literally a second, but they promised each other a long time ago that they wouldn't keep secrets.

"I was scared, you know," Pansy whispered, staring at her sister as she paid attention to the sleeping seven year old. "I thought I lost you for a moment."

Hermione sharply glanced up with narrowed eyes. "Don't ever do think again, Aves."

"I know, I'm–"

"I know what you were thinking," Hermione interrupted with a fierce expression. "I am doing what I have to do to gain the right people's attention."

Pansy wiped away a stray tear and furrowed her brows at the wetness on her finger. She hadn't realized she'd been crying. "I'm sorry, honestly, I'm just being emotional right now."

"I can't be strong for the both of us, Aves," Hermione murmured. "I can't have you doubting me while I do this. I need you to be there. To be strong and fearless and free. Please."

Pansy nodded vigorously. "I promise."

"The moment you lose your faith in me, Aves," Hermione shook her head, her bottom lip jutting out a bit. "I'll lose it, I know I will, and all of this will be for nothing."

"Okay," Pansy whispered. "Okay, Ayla."

"I know I won't be able to resist any of it and that's what scares me the most, if I'm being honest." Hermione sighed, leaning over the little boy and placing a tender kiss to his hairline. "It's easy to fall for Tom and his charm. It's easy to get lost with the crowd I'm associating with but if I could save as many of them, I'm going to do it."

There were a lot of points in what she had stated that Pansy could have responded to but what flew out of her mouth was, "you're on a first name basis with him."

Blowing out a breath, Hermione sucked in her bottom lip and slowly nodded. "It's a bit strange, right?"

"Uh, yeah?" Pansy answered with an eye roll. "Not even Bellatrix calls him by his first name. And don't think I didn't notice him not offering me the chance to do so as well. We're twins, for Merlin's sake."

"I think he's taken an interest in me, Aves," Hermione whispered even though they were the only ones in the room. "I don't know how or why or when but he has."

Mulling over the situation a bit, Pansy slowly nodded. "Maybe Bellatrix mentioned something?"

Hermione shrugged her shoulders. "Could be but I can't mess this up."

"Of course not," Pansy agreed. "That would be fucking ridiculous."

Chuckling softly, Hermione nodded as she resumed running her fingers through the boy's hair. "It's almost time."

"Ayla," Pansy began and sighed, thinking it was better to get straight to the point. She just needed to know, to be certain, this was what her sister wanted. "Are you sure you will be alright in Slytherin?"

Sniffling, Hermione nodded. "I made friends with Rosetta and Philipa. They aren't so bad. Narcissa finally warmed up to me, can you believe it?" She let out a strained laugh. "Said she'll save a spot for us on the Express."

Scoffing, Pansy leaned back against the headboard and said, "I think I'll pass."

"Figures," Hermione murmured with a soft sigh. "Do you mind if we sleep in here tonight? I don't want to risk him waking while taking him to my own room."

"Of course, you can stay." Pansy smiled as she cuddled against the little boy, wanting to give him as much love she could offer while he slept.

"I love you, Pans," Hermione whispered."

I love you, too, Mi."

Closing her eyes while Rabastan's soft snores lured her into a fitful sleep, Pansy still couldn't shake off her worry for her sister's safety and sanity. She hoped she was strong enough to keep her afloat through the madness that would inevitably arise.

There was something that she knew she needed to tell her sister but as she slowly drifted into slumber, Pansy decided to worry about that later as she enjoyed the warmth surrounding her.

—

A/N: Sweet Merlin's saggy baloney, it's been a minute & I swear I have an explanation for that… this fic has completely changed. I just wasn't feeling the original & so I had to go back & rearrange things a bit.

Sadly, this will not be a Sirimione as was originally planned… who our lovely protagonist ends up with shall remain nameless until further ado.

Also, this is a damn long fic & I promise I will update regularly but it probably won't be once a week. I have a lot going on in my life at the moment & it's freaking havoc so please don't give up on this fic. I promise I will finish it.