"This is all stupid Dumbledore's fault
with his stupid idea to have a stupid Ball to promote stupid interhouse unity like that's going to work. If it wasn't for the stupid Ball, I wouldn't need that gorgeous dress and I wouldn't have to be nice to stupid Granger"
"That's not very nice" teases Daphne as the make their way towards their potions lesson
"Oh ha ha ha" huffs Parkinson
So far the only plan she had come up to survive this ridiculous dare was to avoid Granger until the Ball. A feat that would be difficult given they now had double potions lesson with the Gryffindors. Snape was reknown for picking on Granger and whilst Pansy normally would enjoy the torment that know it all Granger would have to endure, she has to be nice and laughing at her misfortune wasn't nice.
"I don't even know how to be nice to her" whined Pansy
"Just do what ever Potter would do"
"Oh that's wonderful advice Daphne, I'll try and get myself killed at every turn shall I"
Laughing "how about Longbottom then?" offers Daphne
"You're enjoying this far too much Greengrass"
"Speak of the devil" nudges Daphne pointing her chin towards Hermione Granger, nearly nestled safely between Potter and Weasley
Pansy groans inwardly before tensing. It didn't escape her notice that Theodore Nott gave her a sly smile and wink before tilting his wand towards Granger. Before she could react with one quick swish of his wand the contents of Granger's school bag tumbles to the floor through the gaping hole at the bottom of the bag.
Theodore and other Slytherin's laugh as the quills and books laid strewn across the floor. Her ink pot smashed.
Biting her inner lip hard, it takes every bit of self-constraint not to laugh especially with her fellow Slytherin watching Pansy with complete interest. If she laughs or says any type of comment then she has lost because that's not a nice thing to do apparently according to the rules of this dare.
Potter and Weasley, the two bafoons lunge at Nott, Weasley grabbing him by the scruff of the neck as Granger simply begins to collect her items shaking her head.
Heat rises from the base of her spine to the nape of her neck, all Slytherin eyes are on her waiting to see if she would crack with a smile or snide remark. What would Longbottom do she asks herself
Going against every fibre in her being she makes her way towards Granger, acutely aware all eyes are on her, she pushes her shoulders back. I'll bloody teach these Slytherin's that I'm not an easy push over.
With all the confidence she could muster she bends down and begins collecting Grangers things
"What the hell are you doing Parkinson?" snaps Granger eyeing her suspiciously
"Helping" Pansy manages to grind out.
She can hear the snickers from her fellow housemates Laugh all you want revenge will be sweet don't you worry thinks Pansy
"Well I don't need your help" hisses Granger snatching the book from Pansy's hand
The hair in the back of Pansy's neck stands to attention as she slowly moves from shock to anger. Granger has a way of touching every nerve in Pansy's body especially now that Pansy was trying to be helpful and nice.
"Why you-" begins Pansy
"Pansy" warns Tracey trying to curb Pansy's anger
She obviously has a bet in Pansy's favour if the look Millicent shoots her is anything to go by.
"Fine" says Pansy through clenched teeth "I was just trying to be nice" she says as she stands up and steps over the books leaving Granger, the mess and a bunch of sniggering Slytherin's behind.
"Bloody Granger" mumbles Pansy underneath her breath aggressively taking out her quill and parchment and slamming them on the table. "Who does she think is?" continues Pansy as Daphne takes her seat next to her
"You did well there Pans" says Daphne encouragingly
Irritation and anger still bubbling in her she can only give her friend a sideways glare
"Did you see that" Pansy hisses "I tried to be nice and I almost lost a finger when she snatched that book back like a wild banshee. She probably is part banshee if her hair is anything to go by"
"Oh Pansy, you're hilarious" says Daphne "I'm sure she'll come around".
"Around to what?" asks Pansy
Whatever Daphne was going to say is cut short as the door to the potions lesson is flung open and Professor Snape with his black cloak swishing behind him barges through the classroom, closely followed by a frantic looking Granger, holding an armful of books.
"Glad you could join us Ms Granger, says Snape his voice silken and venomous "Five points from Gryffindor for your tardiness"
The Slytherin side of the room, minus Pansy who is still too agitated by Grangers rudeness, snigger at the loss of points for Gryffindor.
Sweeping past the desks Snape begins frantically writing ingredients and instructions on the blackboard
Minced daisy roots
Peeled Shrivelfig
Sliced caterpillars
One rat spleen
A dash of leech juice
A splash of cowbane
Wormwood
Finishing his scribe with the words shrinking potion
"Well? Says Snape turning to the class "What are you waitin for? Go collect the ingredients"
"I'll go get them" says Pansy to Daphne "you get our cauldrons ready"
She had collected only a few ingredients when time seemed to slow down, her eyes widening in shock. Her body tenses, everything around her a blur she feels almost suspended in air. She was falling. Her hand reaching out, she squeezes her eyes shut, bracing herself for the pain she expects to land on the hard cold stone floor.
To her surprise her stumble is broken by something soft and warm. The smashing of vials has her opening her eyes, completely aghast she has toppled into Granger who has grabbed her arms and is now staring at her wide-eyed.
Pansy's face reddens, her stomach twists in embarrassment as laughter erupts all around her. Theodore Nott smiles at her, his wand poised at her from beneath the desk. A tripping spell thinks Pansy, I am going to skin him alive and let the owls peck at his bloodied body in the Owlery" fumes Pansy
Silence! SILENCE!" roars Snape. "What an absolute mess, 10 points from Gryffindor for not watching where you are going Ms Granger"
The Gryffindors begin to groan and protest
"Would you care to make it 15 points" snaps Snape spinning to face the class room, hushing the Gryffindors down instantly.
What would Longbottom do thinks Pansy. She can not believe she is about to do this but
"Sir" says Pansy barely in a whisper, "it was my fault. I tripped"
Gasps of disbelief simmer through the Gryffindor side of the room, while the Slytherin's snigger in delight. Pansy shoots Theodore Nott a deadly stare that would have anyone else running for the hills fearing for their life.
Snape turns slowly to Parkinson, his beady black eyes bore into her with an inquisitive stare.
"Try to be more careful Ms Parkinson" says Snape "Five points to Slytherin for your honesty. Now finish collecting your ingredients and go back to your desk. As for you Ms Granger, clean up this mess. Mr Nott will assist you"
"What?" exclaims Theodore
"You heard me Mr Nott, assist Ms Granger. Now. The rest of you get on with your tasks"
It was Pansy's turn to smile and snigger as she collects her ingredients. That'll teach him muses Pansy as she steps over an unimpressed Nott back to her desk, unaware of the strange look Granger was giving her.
The remainder of potions lesson was without incident. In fact the next few days seem to pass almost with out incident - almost.
Pansy started to feel or perhaps hope that her Slytherin comrades had grown tired of this ridiculous dare, that was until their Transfiguration lesson with the Gryffindors one Wednesday morning.
An uneasiness settles over her, her belly begins to flutter with anxiousness. There are three Gryffindors missing from class, Potter, Weasley and Granger. Despite her mind telling her that they are most likely just late, she can not shake this feeling her inner senses are trying to earn her about.
Striding into the classroom followed by a red-faced Weasley and clearly agitated Potter is Professor McGonagall. Granger is nowhere to be seen, Pansy isn't quite sure whether she should be relieved of worried. McGonagall's usual stern features even harsher if that was possible.
"There has been an small accident" says Professor McGonagall staring disapprovingly towards the Slytherin side of the room
"Ms Granger will unfortunately be unable to attend classes for the next few days"
Whispers break out amongst students
"Is she ok? Will she be ok?" asks Parvati Patil concern laced in her voice
"If you consider one's skin turning bright pink, like a raspberry, as ok then yes she is".
"One of you bloody Slytherin's did it" bursts out Weasley
"Mr Weasley" snaps Professor McGonagall "We do not know that for sure"
"Yes we do" pipes in Potter "they've been picking on Hermione more than ever the last few weeks"
"Really Potter" sneers Malfoy "where's your proof?"
"How about you just admit it Malfoy."
"Or maybe you need a bit of help admitting it Malfoy" says Weasley clenching his fist in anger
Pansy shakes her head, boys can be so dramatic sometimes, but she can't help but smile. Draco will take every and any opportunity to torment Potter.
"Quiet" snaps Professor McGonagall I will not tolerate this type of behaviour in my class. If you would like to help then I suggest taking notes for Ms Granger. I'm sure she'll appreciate that"
"Excuse me Professor" she says Bridget Featherstone a fellow Slytherin.
The smile begins to falter from Pansy's face her spider senses working in overdrive wondering what she is planning. Usually a quiet girl its very unusual for Bridget to speak, especially given the look Bridget just gave her.
"I'm not sure Weasley's messy scrawl would not help Granger at all"
Laughter erupts amongst the Slytherin's
"Hey" says Weasley his face reddening in anger and embarrassment
"It's true. I mean it's not like you have nice, pretty, easy to read handwriting like ohhh I don't know, like Pansy for instance?" says Bridget sweetly pointing her finger towards Pansy
Pansy's stomach drops, her insides twist in fury, as she clenches the side of her seat tightly. She knows exactly where this is heading and when this is all over she will make every single Slytherin who crossed her pay. Her list of who to hex to the moon and back growing everyday. She can feel the eyes of the room bearing down on her.
Clearing her throat "It's true" says Pansy in her best aloof voice "I do have rather delicate handwriting."
"Are you offering to take notes for Ms Granger?" says Professor McGonagall a little shocked
Pansy bites at her inner cheek, digging her nails deep into the seat. Technically that was not what she said, she had simply just said that her writing was very good, perfect even. What would Longbottom do? she asks herself
Taking a deep breath "Well it is hard to decipher between what Weasley calls writing ss opposed to someone who has just dipped the claws of a rat into an ink pot and let it run across the parchment. So yes." says Pansy cooly
Laughter erupts across the classroom again. Instantly Pansy feels some of the tension esse in her chest. The dare says to be nice to Granger, it never said anything about being nice to her friends.
"QUIET" commands Professor McGonagall "well that is very kind of to offer Ms Parkinson. I'm sure Ms Granger would appreciate it. Five points to Slytherin for your generosity" she says softly
Unable to control herself Pansy blows Weasley a mocking kiss from across the room. She wouldn't have thought it possible but Weasley's face reddens in anger more than ever as he begins frantically whispering to Potter. A sly smile crosses Pansy's lips, perhaps tormenting Weasley may make this whole fiasco a little more bearable after all.
With Granger couped up in the hospital wing, the remainder of the day was free from any stress for Pansy. Things had returned to normal, attending classes as per usual without stress or incidents.
"You've upset someone" says Tracy smiling and glancing over to the Gryffindor table at dinner that evening.
Sure enough there was Ron Weasley having a heated discussion with Potter, his sister, Longbottom and anyone who would listen really. Looking over periodically to the Slytherin table, to Pansy in particular.
"I think they are worried about what you might be planning for their precious Granger" says Millicent pouring some more pumpkin juice for her and Daphne
"He is in a tissy, isn't he" says Pansy smiling for the first time in days she feels more like herself more relaxed than ever "who knew being nice would cause such angst, maybe I should have tried being nicer earlier" she says giving Weasley a little finger wave.
The girls burst out into giggles earning them a vicious stare from Weasley full of conspiracy and speculation.
"So who wants to come with me to the hospital wing?" says Pansy curling her lip into a snarl towards Bridget "I have to drop these notes off to Granger"
Daphne, Tracey and Millicent look at each other for a moment, "n'ah" they say in unison.
"Fine" huffs Pansy "I'll do it myself" she says as she hoists herself from the table ignoring the giggles from her friends as she exits the Great Hall
All the noises of the Great Hall disappear in an instant she steps into the Hall. She pictures herself wearing the dress from Madam Bellance's. She smiles at the vision of her walking into the Ball all eyes turning to her in pure envy and awe of her fellow students. Her chest swells with happiness as she imagines all the boys scrambling to dance with her, not that any of the boys have really caught her attention over the last year or so, ever since fourth year, they have seemed still too immature for her, but she feels like she walking on air as she visualises the way the dress flows with her body as she spins and dances around the dance floor.
So lost in her thoughts she doesn't even realise she has arrived at the hospital wing until she was standing before the strict matron, Madam Pomfrey.
"Yes" she says briskly "What can I do for you"
"I've just come to drop off -" Pansy begins but stops at the sight just behind Maddm Pomfrey.
Sitting in the hospital bed, reading a book with the brightest and pinkest face is Hermione Granger.
A small laugh springs from Pansy, a little timid giggle at first, stopping and starting. It's something she's never seen before unable to control herself the laugh grows from deep within her belly erupting like a burst water pipe. Unrestrained gales of laughter bellow from Pansy as she slaps her thighs. Her stomach begins to ache.
"Stop that" clips Madam Pomfrey disapprovingly
"Sorry" says Pansy trying to contain her laughter but little spurts of giggles escape her tight lips "I've got some notes for Granger" she manages to squeak out
"Well give her the notes and leave" says Madam Pomfrey "my patients need rest"
Pansy can only nod as she tries her best not to burst out in laughter again
"What do you want Parkinson?" spits Granger her arms folded across her chest defensively
Pansy has no idea what makes her ask but the way Grsnger has her arms folded across her chest pulling down her dressing gown a little suggests that the colour is not limited to just her face
"Are you that colour all over" she asks between little spurts of laughter
"What. Do. You. Want?" grinds out Granger, anger dripping with every word
"Notes" Parkinson manages to squeeze out between broken laughs, tears threatening to spill down her cheeks
The harder she tries to suppress a laugh the more one threatens to break out. As nice as Madam Pomfrey is, she is not someone Pansy wants to mess with. But it's hard Granger looks like a very, very angry strawberry.
"What notes?"
"Class" - giggle "notes" giggle "took them for you," she says holding out the notes
"Well I don't want them"
"What?"
The shock of Grangers words catching her off guard and suppressing her laughter
"What do you mean"
"Exactly What I said" says Hermione I. Don't. Want. Them.
"But I spent hours rewriting them including bloody Binns boring history notes"
Granger merely shrugs her should nonchalantly
Anger slowly simmers deep within her. How completely and utterly rude. She grits her teeth, and narrows her eyes. Pansy had wasted her free period rewriting these notes for Granger when she could have spent the time working out her hair style and makeup for the Ball, and now know it all Granger is rejecting them and her offer
"The notes are probably wrong on purpose. I don't know what you're up to Parkinson" says Granger pointing an accusatory finger at Pansy "but mark my words I don't trust it or you"
Granger's words fueling the fire burning with her.
"Visiting time is over" says Madam Pomfrey before Pansy can unleash a myraid of abuse towards Granger
"Good" spits Pansy throwing the notes towards Granger and storming out of the infirmatory
Remembering the look of petulance on Granger's face was like gasoline to the raging angry fire burning within her. Most inconsiderate, stuck up, know it all Pansy mumbles as she stomps back to the Dungeons. Her jaw rooted and fists clenched, she could actually hex someone.
Her nostrils flare, her fists are still clenched as she enters the Slytherin Common Room. Two first years scatter from her path the look of sheer terror imprinted on their face.
"Pansy?"
She ignores Daphne calling out to her and storms directly to her room slamming the door firmly behind her. The sound echoing down the corridor.
She can hear the door slowly creak open as she stomps around her room picking up items and aggressively throwing down on her bed to relieve some of this pent up anger and frustration
"Pansy-" says Daphne softly as she cautiously enters the room with Tracey and Millicent behind her both with the same look of concern and fear
"She is the most irritating, rudest, know it all" spits Parkinson picking up a plush toy from her childhood and throwing it across the room "and people have the audacity to call me a bitch. Oh let me tell you that Granger is a bigger bitch than me by far"
"Hey that's mine" says Millicent as Pansy picks up a glass figurine from a bedside table "But you can throw it" says Millicent unconvincingly as Pansy shoots her a deadly look
"Uggg" says Pansy returning the figurine back to its spot and flopping herself on the bed burying her head, face first in her pillow.
"It's hopeless" she mumbles "It's impossible to be nice to her. Here -" says Pansy grabbing the delicate black box holding her dress "take it now" she says thrusting it towards Daphne before biting her head in her pillow again
"Oh Pansy" says Daphne softly sitting in the edge of the bed and slowly stroking Pansy hair, the gesture instantly calming her.
She feels the other side of the bed dip indicating that both Millicent and Tracey have come to join her pity party
Rolling into her back with her friends surrounding her
"It's impossible Daph" says Pansy "she doesn't trust me so this is a impossible bet, I just can't be nice to her."
"Well, you haven't exactly given her reason to tru-" Tracey begins but catches herself
"So you're going to let Granger win" asks Millicent
"What?"
"Granger. You're going to let her be the reason you won't be wearing that gorgeous dress to the Ball." says Millicent
"Yeah. Never thought you'ld let that Gryffindor beat you and so quickly" says Daphne
"I thought you would be happy. Don't you want the dress?"
"Oh of course, but this is too easy. It's hardly an enjoyable win when there isn't a challenge" says Daphne smiling
"So you going to let Granger, the Gryffindor beat you? says Millicent
As much as she hates to admit it, they are right. If the gives up now she's not only forfeited the gorgeous dress but Granger has won, bested her and she will be damned if she let's that happen.
"You're right" says Pansy full of determination "that damn stuck up little strawberry has no idea what's coming for her"