Pansy bolts down the hallway refusing to look back. The sound of her high heels hitting the hard floor echo off the stone wall. Sweat forms on Pansy's skin, her eyes throb from the pace she is running. She can feel the oxygen burning her throat as it floods in and out of her lungs. Her heart throbs inside her chest, her skin feels like it is roasting. Her brain feeling like it has been shredded from the inside. The sound of the music from the Ball becoming louder and louder, she was running towards the Ball, she couldn't do that, not now. Panting for air Pansy races into the nearby girl's bathroom. To her relief it's empty.Her chest heaving Pansy clings to the side of the white porcelain sink, a carousel of confusion plaguing her thoughts. Her legs feel numb and unsteady. Her heart feels constructed in her chest, her skin clammy she can feel herself beginning to hyperventilate as she leans further over the skin.
"What in Merlins name" Pansy pants as she stares at herself in the mirror. She looks paler than ever. "I'm ruined" Her thoughts are charging horses pulling in opposite directions, her stomach knotted up. "What possessed me to - I've never, it's not me I -" Pansy stops suddenly staring at herself "Imperius Curse, I must of been hexed. Yes that's it someone put me under the Imperius Curse"
Pansy's heart jolts forwards as the door to the bathroom opens wide and in walks a laughing Daphne, Tracey and Millicent.Pansy is equally relieved and annoyed, she needs time to process
"Pansy, what's happened?" says Daphne rushing towards her in concern
"This is your fault" blames Pansy "you and your stupid bet"
Pansy's words combined with the look on her face has Daphne stopping in her tracks.
"Pansy-"
"All your faults" says Pansy pointing an accusing finger at her friends "your fault, the bloody infirmary, stupid dreams, attacked by birds, and now - oh dear Merlín, I'm ruined" Pansy says walking backwards into a cubicle and slumping down on a toilet seat. "Ruined, ruined" Pansy repeats to herself, her head in her hands "Imperius, it has to be the Imperius Curse"
"Pansy stop. Calm down" orders Tracey "Your not making sense. Tell us what happened"
Taking a big breath Pansy begins "I went after Granger, like you all told me to do" she says accusingly "she had birds flying around her head-"
"What type of birds?" asks Millicent
"I don't know little yellow ones, she had conjured them out of thin air"
"That's impressive spell work"
"Mils, that's not important now" says Daphne "Go, on" she says encouragingly to Pansy
"She sent the birds to attack me"
"She what!"
"Mils" snaps Daphne
"Sorry" says Millicent looking rather sheepishly
"Go on Pansy"
"And then she just kept lecturing me over and over, having a go at my character and our house. She would not let me get a single word in, all I wanted was for her to be quiet, and then - oh Merlin" says Pansy thrusting her head into her hands again.
"And then" urges Daphne
"I - I - I - kissed her" mumbles Pansy burying her face deeper into the palm of her hands "oh dear Merlín, I'm ruined"
Pansy is expecting shocked gasps of disbelief from her friends, she is expecting them to tell her she is disgusting or to walk out leaving her there alone, but what she didn't expect when she peered up at them between her fingers was to see three faces staring down at her, their lips pursed outwards trying their hardest to suppress a laugh.
"What's so bloody funny?" Questions Pansy "can't you see I'm ruined
"Oh Pansy" says Daphne putting a comforting hand on her shoulder while still trying to keep a laugh at bay.
"So did you like it?" asks Millicent directly
"What?"
"The kiss. Did you like it?"
"I don't know" what an odd question to ask in her time of need thinks Pansy. She is desperately confused "it lasted two seconds"
"Did Granger like it?" presses Millicent
"Mils! What in Merlins name-"
"I think what Mils is trying to say is," says Daphne softly and gently "We had our suspicions that you might prefer witches to wizards and so-"
"What" exclaims Pansy in shock "What, when but what -" says Pansy lost for words
"Well, after the Yule Ball you didn't seem to show much interest in the boys from our house -
"Or any house" interjects Tracey
"That doesn't mean I like witches! It just means that the boys at this school are not to my standard"
"You seem to really focus and pay extra attention to the female models in Witch Weekly"
"Because I was trying to decide on a style for the Ball" defends Pansy
"Well you did kiss Granger" says Millicent bluntly a statement that hushes Pansy instantly
"And so we thought" continues Daphne before Pansy could erupt further "we would test it out. We needed to find a person who was worthy of our Pansy"
Her emotions and thoughts are a whirlpool swishing and swirling about within her. Pansy can not believe her ears, the bet was never about the dress but some crazy experiment to see if she liked witches.
"And you chose Granger" Pansy says more to herself than anyone else
"Well she's smart, a good person, much prettier now that her teeth have shrunk and her hair is not so bushy-"
"And she's fiesty. You need someone to challenge you and keep you on your toes" says Millicent
"And we thought we sensed some chemistry, with all the teasing and what not" adds Tracey
Pansy sits in silence staring at her friends mouth open desperately trying to comprehend what they are saying.
"If it's any consolation" says Millicent after a long silence "I have a little crush on Lovegood, and let's not even talk about these two" says Millicent pointing her thumb between Tracey and Daphne.
An awkward silence hovers over them as Pansy still tries to process all that she has learnt.A loss for words, Pansy can only stare aimlessly between her friends. Confusion reigning within her. They think she likes witches over wizards, and they do prefer witches. Not that she cares if they like witches, but they think she does. Her head is in a spin, like every brain cell has been rearranged and just trying to find it's rightful place. The more she tries to absorb and comprehend it all, the more her brain becomes a spinning top, always finding more questions than answers.
"Maybe we should go back to the Ball?"
"I can't go back there" says Pansy aghast "Granger could be there, she's probably told everyone. The entire school will be laughing at me"
"It's Granger. She wouldn't have told anyone yet. She's probably in the library researching what happened" jokes Tracey
"Pansy, it will be fine. There will be more questions asked if you don't come back to the Ball. Just put on that smile we all do when our parents host their boring dinner parties" says Daphne
Begrudgingly Pansy rises from the cubicle. Daphne is right. More questions would be asked if she didn't go back to the Ball and put on a brave face "Ok, but if one person -"
"We'll hex them all" says Daphne linking her arm with Pansy
Pansy couldn't help but think back to the Sorting Hat's song from first year "Or perhaps in Slytherin. You'll make your real friends" It's true, when a Slytherin befriends you, they are friends for life. Daphne, Tracey and Millicent were her friends and she would do anything to protect them just like they would for her.
"Wait a second" says Pansy stopping in her tracks "Lovegood?" she says turning to Millicent as in "Looney?"
Millicent merely shrugs her shoulders "she's cute, in a weird way"
They walk back to the Ball in silence, Pansy still trying to comprehend what she had learnt about her friends and what she herself had done. Her heart rate speeds up with every step and as the music becomes louder and louder. Her shoulders feel hard and heavy like concrete. Her stomach twists and clenches at the prospect of facing Granger after what she did.Daphne gives her arm a gentle squeeze of encouragement as they enter the Great Hall.She expects everyone to point their fingers and laugh at her. Bracing herself for ridicule Pansy is completely surprised when no one does, in fact everyone is either dancing or mingling in their groups.
"Pansy, there you are. You promised me a dance" says Blaise grabbing her by the hand and dragging her to the dance floor.
Pansy lets herself relax just a little when she realises no one at the Ball knows. She can feel an intense stare boring right through her. She knows without looking that it's Granger, she can just sense it. Casting a sideways glance her suspicions are confirmed. She didn't think it was humanly possible for her heart to beat this fast, but here it was thumping hard against her chest.She chooses to do the only thing she can think of, to ignore it and Granger.
Pansy spends the rest of the night strategically avoiding Granger and any mention of what occurred in the corridor. By the end of the Ball she is utterly exhausted.
Arriving back to her dorm, with her heels in hand her eyes feel heavy, her body aches with tiredness, all she wants to do is crawl into her bed and sleep.
"So debrief?"
"I'm so tired guys, I just want to sleep" says Pansy collapsing on her bed
"Oh no you don't missy" says Daphne "you've avoided this topic all night. What are you going to do now, with Granger.
"I can tell you what I'm going to do right now, and that's get into bed and sleep" says Pansy "as for Granger, no bloody idea" she says before pulling the curtain around her bed shut.
Shimmering out of her dress, Pansy slips into her nightgown and slides into bed. Despite her eyelids feeling as heavy as lead only a few moments ago, she can't get to sleep. Her body is riddled with nervous energy, the type that makes your soles of your feet tingle. Tossing and turning in a tangle of sheets she just cannot find a comfortable position, no matter how hard she tries, instead she chooses to lie wide awake in bed replaying the evening and trying to process all that occurred. She shivers in embarrassment at the thought of seeing Granger again. She has never regretted anything in life as much as she regrets kissing Granger.A medley of emotions spiral around her body as she lies there wide awake hoping for sleep to come and give her some respite.Sleep does eventually come in the wee hours of the morning.
Pansy wakes early, earlier than she normally would for a Sunday morning, particularly after the little sleep has had. She can hear movement just outside the curtains around her bed, someone else must be up.
"Pansy, are you awake?" comes a whisper. It was Daphne
"Yeah"
"Oh good" she says drawing the curtains apart with her elbows and slipping into bed with Pansy "move over"
Daphne is holding a tray filled with breakfast delights. "I got the elves to bring up food, I figured you wouldn't want to go to breakfast" whispers Daphne
"What's going on here" says a sleepy Tracey pulling the curtains apart. "You better not have started gossiping without me" she says before joining them on Pansy's bed.
"Might as well wake Millicent too then" says Pansy rolling her eyes
With one flick of her wand Tracey sends one of the pillows from her own bed across the room to smack a snoring Millicent in the head.
"Wha- wha-what?" says a dazed Millicent looking around trying to work out what woke her from her deep slumber
"Breakfast and gossip"
"Surely this can wait until a reasonable hour" moans Millicent "it's Sunday"
"That's ok Mils, you go back to sleep. We'll just chat over here and maybe fill you in later"
"Wait. Fine" says Millicent rubbing her sleepy eyes before making her way towards Pansy's bed "but it better be good gossip worth getting up for"
"Right. Now Pansy" says Daphne as soon as Millicent has made herself comfortable "What are you going to do about Granger?"
That feeling of dread quickly overcomes Pansy again, she has absolutely no idea what to do about Granger and she told her friends so.
"Let's go back and trace this out" says Tracey "Do you think you might like Granger?"
"I have absolutely no idea" replies Pansy honestly "I didn't even think about her or any other girl like that before this bet"
"Really?" asks Millicent in surprise "didn't think of any girls in that way"
"No."
"Ok. Lets take a step back" says Daphne "how did it feel to snog Draco after the Yule Ball"
Pansy recalls her first kiss. Draco had asked her to take a walk after they danced a few songs at the Yule Ball, they sat in awkward silence for so long before Draco finally turned to Pansy and kissed her. It wasn't quite she had expected or read about in the romance section of Witch Weekly. It was nice but it wasn't the earth shattering moment she had expected.
"It was ok, I guess. It was our first kiss so we didn't really know what we were doing"
"What about when you snogged Blaise. Did you get a tingly feeling in your stomach"
"Not really" confesses Pansy. Her kiss with Blaise was certainly better than with Draco but again it was not as earth shattering as she had expected either.
"What about with Granger?"
"I felt like vomiting"
Pansy's response has all three girls laughing out loud.
Wiping the tears from her eyes Millicent asks "you said you had dreams about her last night, the dreams of Granger...are they..."
Pansy's cheeks flush with embarrassment.
"No need to answer Pansy, the look on your face says it all" says Daphne coming to Pansy's rescue "what we have to do now is work out if Granger likes you too."
"You really need to snog her again" says Tracey biting into a croissant
"Don't be bloody ridiculous" gasps Pansy "I'm not doing that, I don't even know if I like her or girls"
"Well, there's one way to find out" giggles Millicent
"She's right" says Daphne
"No. Can we drop this please and talk about something else. Anything else, like...when in Merlin's name you all turned into a girl liking girl coven, and how did I not know?"
The girls spend the remainder of the morning gossiping and giggling like a gaggle of hens. Pansy feels so much better than she had the night before. Her friends have convinced her not to worry about her improntude kiss with Granger, and that Granger would be trying to analyse the situation herself before confiding in anyone else.
The remainder weekend passes in a blur. They spent it in their common room with many of the other Slytherin's playing games, eating sweets and gossiping about whatever came to mind.
Monday morning rolls around quickly the antics of the weekend feeling like a distant memory as Pansy lies wide awake bed.It's far too early to get up, the sun is just breaking through the night sky. She had managed to avoid Granger all weekend, even when she did venture out of the common room, but there was no way she could avoid her now, not with a week full of lessons to attend.
Pansy has no idea how long she lies awake for, visualising their potential first encounter after the Ball, so many different scenarios run through her thoughts varying from Granger slapping her to grabbing her by the shoulders and kissing her senseless. Whatever scenario she envisions, all Pansy knew was she didn't how she was going to handle it.
"It'll be fine Pans, you'll see no one will even know" says Daphne yawning and stretching
So preoccupied with her thoughts, Pansy hadn't even realised her friends had woken and were about to start getting ready for the day.
She dresses in silence after a long shower, doing her utmost to avoid the inevitable which was going to the Great Hall and seeing Granger for the first time since the Ball.
The jitters begin again as they reach the large wooden door of the Great Hall. Her heart thumps at the prospect of seeing Granger again. Her mind runs in overdrive as she creates an array of embarrassing scenarios. She imagines the entire school turning towards her as she enters to heckle and tease her. Her mouth is dry. Bracing herself for ridicule Pansy is completely surprised when she enters the Great Hall to find that no one really pays her any attention. They are all chatting among themselves, gingerly talking about the Ball still no doubt.
Pansy straightens her shoulders and purposefully walks past the Gryffindor table not daring to look at Granger. She can feel an intense stare burning into her back, even without looking she knows it's Granger.
"Granger is staring at you" whispers Daphne as they sit down at their table Pansy has purposely sat with her back to the Gryffindors so she can't see Granger. "Are you going to talk to her?" asks Daphne in a hushed voice "I think you should"
Pansy chooses to ignore Daphne and focus on buttering her toast.
"So glad we have a Hogsmesde trip in two weeks" says Millicent "I'm running out of Fudge Flies from Honeydukes" says Millicent breaking the awkward silence
Pansy had completely forgotten about their upcoming trip to Hogsmesde, with the bet, the Ball and Granger occupying her thoughts. Hogsmeade weekend was always a highlight of the school calendar, a time they could visit the nearby township and let ones hair down but it had taken second place to the Ball this time around. The buzz of laughter and excited chatter in the Slytherin common room before any trip was infectious. It was an opportunity to stock up on lollies from Honeydukes and engage in Pansy's favourite pastime - shopping.
"Maybe you could invite Granger to Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop" giggles Tracey before taking a sip of her juice
Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop was a small tea shop located off the main road of Hogsmeade. Its location secluded enough to make it a perfect setting for a romantic rendezvous for happy couples to kiss and hold hands. Its decore was filled with soft romantic colours, it's tables decorated with frilly bows, and of course decorative and dainty tea pots.
Pansy again chooses to ignore the jibe and focus on her breakfast. In fact, this was the very beginning of Pansy ignoring things, and she did it well. She successfully ignored Granger, she had no other option from that moment on. As hard as it was she purposely did not look at Granger when she entered any classroom or at meal times, even thou she could tell Granger was trying to catch her eye on too many occasions to count, Whenever, her friends raised the topic of Granger she promptly changed the subject or would leave the room. That's not to say Granger and their shared moments were not constantly on the forefront of her mind, tormenting her every waking moment. She had become so distracted by her continual nagging thoughts of Granger that she had forgotten some basic spell work, particularly in the classes she shared with the Gryffindors. And that is why she had just finished an after class meeting with Professor MacGonigall who was, to her surprise, genuinely concerned about her. Pansy had of course reassured her nothing was wrong but perhaps she was coming down with something. She could hardly tell MacGonigall the truth about what happened with Granger could she.
Her temples throb, her feet drag, her walk back to the Slytherin Common Room from her meeting with Professor MacGonigall is slow as she grapples to come to terms with things. Nearly two weeks had passed since the Ball and here she was still none the wiser. In fact, it had been tortuous, her inside twist and ache like someone has cast the Crucio Curse onto her. Even her appetite had diminished somewhat.
Pansy yelps, her blood freezes, a hand has appeared from nowhere and tightened on her wrist. She should fight, she should turn fist clenched and defend herself, but so surprised and shocked by the grasp she lets herself be pushed into a nearby classroom. The door slams behind her, it happens all so quickly her brain hasn't had time to catch up. Her breath and heart rate have quickened to an unspeakable pace. Spinning around, she sees Granger with her hands on her hips and an annoyed look on her face blocking the exit of the door.
Pansy simply stares at her shocked by the attack. Her brain hasn't caught up to her mouth when she instantly blurts out in a panicked voice "I was Imperiused"
Pansy cheeks burn with embarrassment at her nervous outburst. To Pansy's surprise Grangers features soften, a small amused smile crosses her lips and she drops her hands from her hips. What's so bloody amusing thinks Pansy, and she would of said so if she trusted herself not to say else silly.
"Hogsmeade weekend, meet me at the Whomping Willow, say 10am?"
It wasn't so much a question more a statement. Pansy's brain stops functioning. Time seems to stop still, she feels numb. Staring wide eyed, her mouth slightly agape all Pansy can do is nod slowly in agreeance.
"Well, right that's good" says Granger stepping from foot to foot. Pansy can tell it looks like Granger wants to say something else more serious but instead she says "See you then" and exits the room, leaving Pansy standing there stunned and confused.
It takes a few minutes before Pansy realises she is standing in the room just simply staring at the closed wooden door. Shaking her head, Pansy races from the classroom towards the Slytherin's dorms.
She is panting vigorously by the time she arrives back at her common room. Ignoring the odd stares from her housemates she walks past everyone and straight to her dorm slamming the door behind her.
"Granger wants to meet" she blurts out to Daphne and Tracey who are both lying tummy down on Daphne's bed reading a text book together.
Millicent who was leaning against her bed headboard with her knees up reading a magazine promptly puts the magazine aside "Good for you Pans"
"What did you say" asks Daphne, her attention now completely focussed on Pansy
Pansy's can feel her cheeks flush with heat as she recalls the situation. "I just nodded"
"And..." urges Daphne sensing there was more to the story than Pansy was letting on
"I may have said I was under the Imperius Curse". She confesses blushing furiously
"What!" exclaim all three girls in unison laughing hysterically between themselves
"Well she bloody surprised me, when she grabbed me from behind and pulled into a classroom" Pansy says defending herself
Tracey stops laughing Instantly "Pansy" she says seriously "You're going to have to be more careful, especially if the rumours are true"
The rumours of You Know Who's return were rife amongst the Slytherin House. Some had boldly claimed they would join his ranks gladly, but most had been quiet, secretly scared knowing if the rumours were true things would not be pleasant for anyone.
"Let's not worry about that just yet" says Daphne redirecting the conversation "explain what happened"
Pansy does as she is told and retells the short story
"So you just stood there like a stunned Flobberworm" laughs Millicent heartedly
"I was taken by surprise" says Pansy who was now becoming offended at being at the brunt of her friends laughter and teasing
"Why the Whomping Willow?" questions Daphne
"Oh Merlín, maybe she's going to throw me under the branches and kill me in revenge" says Pansy flopping herself onto the bed face down and burying her face deep into the pillow
"I don't think so Pansy" says Daphne
"Maybe she'll have the entire Gryffindor House standing around laughing at me" mumbles Pansy through her pillow "This is a disaster".
"There's one way to find out" says Tracey "Now What are you going to wear?"
Pansy simply groans into her pillow, wishing the mattress would engulf her whole. She never would have expected to find herself in this predicament.
Hogsmeade weekend rolls around quickly. Pansy is convinced someone, somehow has made time move quicker, that somehow the hours have been replaced by minutes and the minutes have become seconds.She stares at herself in the mirror, Dilated pupils peer back as she just peers at her reflection, her brain feels on fireIs she really going to do this, to go meet Granger. Curling her toes in her shoes nervously Pansy's breath becomes restricted, her heart hammers against her chest, her brain a blur she feels she might actually faint.
"You'll be fine Pansy" says Daphne reassuringly "She probably just wants to chat. It'll all be over in 15 minutes and then you can join us at Hogsmeade"
"I never thought I'ld see the day cool, calm collected Pansy Parkinson would turn into a nervous bumbling Longbottom" laughs Tracey behinde them
Her words fuelling Pansy, attacking her pride was never a good move. She briskly spins around "And you never will" she says with more conviction and boldness than she was actually feeling "See you at Hogsmeade" and with those words she straightens her back and walks from their dorm
The sharp clacking sound of her feet hitting the stone floor reverberate off the walls as she hastily makes her way through the halls of Hogwarts. All around her students are chatting merrily, excited about the trip to Hogsmeade, relaxed without a care in the world. But Pansy's heart pounds hard against her chest threatening to break out at any moment. She feels completely disjointed unable to comprehend what on earth she is doing or why she is making her way to the Whomping Willow and Granger instead of Hogsmeade with her friends.A tidal wave of fear washes over her forcing her to take a deep breath. Her brain is in a violent swirl of chaos as she tries to organise her thoughts and feelings, what if this is one giant joke. What if she was right and the entire Gryffindor house are waiting to laugh at her.Yet, still her feet carry her onwards from the giant castle doors, across the grounds towards the Whomping Willow.Pansy's heart jolts, standing quite alone is Granger, near the Whomping Willow, but far enough to avoid any of the aggressive and dangerous swishing and smashing branches. Gryffindor's. Completely insane thinks Pansy why would you even consider going near that tree.Pansy considers turning away and just ignoring it all, but just as she completes that thought Granger turns and sees her. She has no option but to continue.
"You came" says Granger in a surprised tone as Pansy nears
Pansy doesn't correct her by saying that she was about to leave.
"I thought we needed to err chat" continues Granger
"And you thought this death trap here was an appropriate place" says Pansy pointing towards the angry tree trying her best to remain calm and not show fear as the branches continue to swing and smash about
"Oh, there's a trick" says Granger smiling pulling her wand from a hideous purple beaded bag she was carrying.
Pansy furrows her brow in confusion as Granger shoots a spell at a partially hidden knot on the trunk of the tree. She can't help but gasp as the once thrashing branches still.
"How did-" Pansy is lost for words
"Long story. C'mon" says Granger making her way through the branches
"What are you doing? Why are we going in there. What if it starts again?"
"We need somewhere quiet" says Granger peering through the branches "And it won't start again until we are safely in"
"Safely in what?"
"You'll see"
Pansy takes one last look around the Hogwarts ground before reluctantly following Granger through the branches.
Pansy follows Granger into an earthy passageway. It was a small cramped tunnel, that Pansy has to duck so she does not hit her head on the roots of the whopping willow that had penetrated the dirt.
"What is this? Where are we going?" asks Pansy trying her best to keep any hint of panic from her voice beside the feeling extremely stressed and worried.
"You'll see" replies Granger joyfully
Taking deep steady breaths Pansy winces slightly as specs of dirt fall around her as she follows Granger through the earthy tunnel.
They walk in silence. Unwittingly Parkinson's eyes slowly scan over Grangers slender form, taking in the curves of her hips before casting down to her backside.Parkinson swallows hard, her throat restricts slightly, despite the dim light from Grangers wand she can easily make out the movement of muscles beneath the skirt Granger is wearing. The mouth becomes dry as she admires how perfectly curvaceous Grangers derrière is. Her hand twitches with the overwhelming urge to reach out and touch Granger.
"Not much further"
Pansy's heart jolts in surprise before racing uncontrollably, as she realises that she was once again admiring Grangers form.Pansy has no idea how long they have been walking but she's about ready to confront Granger and tell her she's going back when
"We're here" says Granger her hand on a door that leads out of the passage.
Pansy can only nod as Granger opens the door wider to reveal a distressed and derelict room. Pansy could tell it was a very old building. It was someone's old bedroom she deciphered. The wallpaper was peeling from the walls, furniture was broken as though somebody had smashed it. Even the bed headboard and had deep scratches and was slightly lopsided. The broken windows were all boarded up, but despite the atrocious of it all, it was dust free and broken furniture neatly stacked, as if someone had given it a quick clean prior to their arrival.
"What is this place?" asks Pansy with a distinct look of disapproval on her face. Any worry of what Granger was going to ask her and how she would reply disappearing instantly at the sight of the place.
"The Shreiking Shack" replies Granger as she pulls out a rug from her purple bag
"What!" exclaims Pansy as she frantically looks around in a panic "Are you mental? This place is possessed. not even the Hogwarts ghosts will enter it."
"It's not possessed" laughs Granger
"Oh so people just made up hearing all the screams did they. Look at this room, it's as if a dozen Peeves have lived here"
"I'm not sure I can tell you yet. But it's not possessed but people think it is so it serves our purposes to have a quiet chat" Granger says as she continues to pull a number of containers from her bag a places them on the rug
"You'll have to do better than that if you think I'm staying in here." says Pansy walking towards the door. To her surprise she twists and turns the knob but the door does not budge
"The doors and windows don't work, the only way back is the tunnel" says Granger casually
Trapped again thinks Pansy. This whole fiasco and confusing thoughts and feelings started after she was trapped in the abandoned classroom. Frustrated she turns to Granger is still neatly placing things in order on the rug that she pulls from her bag. The bag much have an extension charm on it thinks Pansy, she really is good at spell work.
"What are you doing anyhow?"
"I thought- I mean it's always easier to have a conversation over something to nibble on. Well that's what my mum would say" says Granger sheepishly as she sits at the rug opening one of the containers
Pansy looks around, she curls her toes in her shoes, the soles of her feet tingle. She doesn't want to stay, face what Granger has to ask but equally she has no desire to head through that dark dirty tunnel on her own. Granger has played this very well. Pansy is trapped between a rock and a hard place. How that girl was not put into Ravenclaw Pansy will never know.
"Cracker?" offers Granger holding out one of the containers
Resolved that there was no way of getting out of this predicament, Pansy takes a cracker and sits down.
A heavy silence settles over them, a thick uneasy tension in the air as they both nibble on their cracker. Unsettled, Pansy glances unceremoniously around the room she hadn't planned what to say, she wasn't the one to instigate this meeting so she didn't feel the need to. Their slow methodical crunching fill the otherwise soundless room. Shifting uncomfortably on the hard floor she wipes a nervous sweaty hand along her skirt. Minutes feel like an eternity as the tension builds, she just wants to break out and run for the door.
"Were you really only being nice because of a bet" asks Granger quietly but Pansy can tell there is a dangerous edge to her question and she wouldn't put it past Granger to lock her in this room for eternity
"That's how it started but..."
"But what" questions Granger her eyes narrowing
Squirming "I don't know" answers Pansy Nerves building, her fingers play nervously with the hem of her skirt. Her body tightens unsure of what to say or do. She can hardly say tell Granger about the fantasising she has been having about her "the letters were fun and..." she trails off wishing the floor would just open up and gobble her whole.Again they are both silent
"Professor Lupin used to come here" says Granger after a long moment of silence
"What?" Says Pansy both relieved and confused by the sudden change in topic
"When he was a student, and it was a full moon we would come here to change"
"He was a werewolf as a student" says Pansy scandalised "And they let him come back to teach?"
She recalls the outrage when students and parents alike found out that Remus Lupin, their Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor was a werewolf and that Professor Dumbledore let such a vicious and dangerous creature near children. She couldn't blame anyone for their out rage it was complete and utter madness, not to mention completely irresponsible.
"He was a good teacher" says Granger defensively crossing her arms across her chest
"That would become a raging blood thirsty animal once a month"
"With the right precautions-"
"You can't tell me it wasn't dangerous to an extent " interrupts Pansy "I mean what if a student happened to be out of their dorms, and you can't tell me people don't sneak out every now and then, and he was roaming about. They would have no chance would they?"
Pansy notices Granger promptly close her mouth deep in thought, as if she was recalling a memory of sort. She obviously wanted to say something in defence of Professor Lupin but whatever Pansy has said has surprisingly quietened Granger into deep thought. Pansy can't help but think she had a little win against Hogwarts brightest debater.
Yet again the awkward silence engulfs them. Pansy turns to the entrance they arrived, blood pumps through her veins she's tempted to face that dark tunnel in her own and race back to her friends.
"It's not his fault thou" says Granger finally "he was bitten on purpose, he didn't choose that life. It's beyond his control a bit like when someone is under the Imperius Curse. They can't be held accountable for their actions can they?"
Granger's eyes glean mischievously. Pansy knows she's referring to her panicked false confession in the classroom that she was under the Imperius Curse when she kissed Granger at the Ball.
And just like that the energy in the room has changed to one of playful challenge. The air around them cracking with tension. Granger smirks victoriously at Pansy, she knows she has taken back the reins. Pansy's stomach flutters like a thousand butterflies dancing an intense tango. Pansy purses her lips, biting back a smirk as Grangers eyes dart down to her lips, a small pink tinge noticeable on her cheeks.
Granger is the first to break their stare reaching for another container.
"Strawberry?" she offers Pansy holding the container out to Pansy
Pansy has a flashback of Granger in the infirmary with bright pink skin after one of the pranks a Slytherin played on Granger. She remembers how bright her skin was against the stark white hospital gown, how she looked just like a giant strawberry. Pansy can't help but giggle a little.
"What's funny?"
"Nothing" says Pansy trying to bite back her nervous laughter, but the more she tries to hold back her giggle the more it threatens to burst out like an overflowing damn. Unable to keep it in any longer, Pansy's giggle rolls about the room, in fits and bursts "infirmary" she gasps "you looked like a giant strawberry" she manages to squeeze out before laughing out loud again.
If her own eyes were not filled with tears of laughter, she may have noticed Grangers pupils dilate to almost black just as a cats would before it attacks.
Suddenly without preparation Pansy finds herself on her back on the hard floor, her mouth, lips and chin covered in a delicious sticky sweetness.Granger has lunged at Pansy with a handful of strawberries, squishing them into her part open mouth. The surprise attack instantly silencing her, and the now precarious position of Granger hovering above her pinning her down is causing her heart rate to speed up immensely at the closeness.
"That was not funny" says Granger her eyes sharp and challenging, perhaps still unaware of their now awkward and intimate position. "It was very cruel, all of those pranks were"
Pansy can merely nod, her thoughts transfixed on the movement of Grangers lips rather than the words coming from them. She can feel her heart vibrating against her chest. Time moves slowly what is only a second feels like an eternity.Their eyes lock and Pansy can tell Granger now realises the position they are in but she doesn't move, instead her eyes dart towards Pansy's lips. Confusion and tingling anticipations whirls through Pansy's entire body. She lifts her knees a little, drawing Granger that little bit closer to her.
Violent swells of emotions run through her as she raises her trembling hand to Grangers waist causing Granger to inhale sharply, but instead of pulling away Granger moves ever so slowly closer and closer to Pansy. Cautiously their eyes shift between each other's lips and eyes, as they move closer together until their breath mingles, and the swirl of sensations churning within Pansy makes her dizzy as a warmth broils through her body.
The air around them thickens with tension and desire. A jolt of searing hot excitement races through Pansy as their lips touch ever so gently and tentatively. Her stomach flips and sparks like a thousand fireworks have been let off as Granger's eyes flutter shut, her lips parting slightly, inviting her in. Their lips meld into each other perfectly.The way their lips move leisurely against each other and as their tongues intertwine has a low moan escaping Pansy. No other kiss had felt like this before, Pansy could kiss these lips forever.
Pansy exhales as they break momentarily to look at each other, both with shaky, shallow breaths. Granger gives Pansy a crooked smile before slowly licking the strawberry juice transferred from Pansy's lips to her lips away, a move that completely captivates Pansy sending a whole army of tingling goose pimples down her body.
What she really wants to say is kiss me again, but "Ummm" is all the words that Pansy can muster as Granger still hovers dangerously close above. "You don't happen to have a cushion in that bag do you?" The hard floor now hurting the back of her head, despite her wanting nothing more than to stay in this position for eternity.
"No, but I did clean and change the sheets on the bed". Back peddling quickly "because the room was a mess, and it smelt musty, so i gave it a quickly clean, I didn't mean to imply, I mean I just -"
Pansy places her finger on Grangers lips, hushing her instantly. She can't help but smile as Grangers cheeky burn redder than a tomato. "That would be more comfortable" says Pansy smiling, her entire body alight with with an aching desire to kiss Granger again.
Granger returns the smile as she holds her hand out and helps Pansy from the floor. Nerves tingle down her legs to the tips of her toes as she sits carefully on the bed still holding Grangers hand, her stomach knotted with excited nerves, her heart beats faster against her chest. Gently she leans back onto the mattress pulling Granger towards her until they are lying face to face.
"Still under the Imperius Curse" whispers Granger, her voice raspy as her fingers wipe away the remaining strawberry from Pansy's chin
"I think so" smiles Pansy leaning in towards Granger
In that split second before their lips touch every nerve in Pansy's body is electrified in anticipation.
Their lips caress. Granger's kiss burns through her skin. Warmth radiates slowly spreading through the rest of her. Instinctively Pansy's hands work their way around Grangers waist, back and legs, feeling each crevasse, each smooth curve along her physique. Granger's hands mirror her movements, venturing over her own body exploring. Pansy let's out a whimper as Granger breaks from their kiss and softly kisses and nibbles up and down Pansy's neck. Her senses have been seduced to a point she can no longer think straight.
Hearing the sound of her own heart beating with desire, Pansy traces her hands along Hermione's hip to cup her buttocks, pulling her closer, until there is barely any space between them. Legs tangle among the old sheets.
Her kisses becoming harder as her hand traces upwards along Grangers hips, slowly lifting her shirt upwards. The tips of her fingers gingerly move towards Grangers breasts. The low moan that escapes Granger as she brushes her fingertips over Grangers nipples, creates a longing pressure in the very core of her womanhood, a pressure she's never felt before and that can only be released one way. She groans herself as Grangers hand skims over her breasts and down her stomach downwards stoping just short of where she is desperate to be touched.
Time disappears as they kiss and caresses each other. Drunk on endorphins Pansy's only desire is to touch Granger, to feel her perfect softness, to hear her little moans of pleasure and squirm under her touch. Their kiss the beginning of a promise of much more to come.
There's a longing in Pansy, she can't control. Her clothes feel too tight, too restrictive. Their kisses becoming harder and feverish.
Pansy's hand carcasses up along Grangers thigh, she can feel the wave of goose pimples she leaves in her wake as she moves towards Granger's underpants. Her fingers timidly trace the edges of her underwear.
To her surprise and disappointment Granger breaks from their kiss, her hand now over Pansy's, stopping her from going any further "we should maybe slow down" pants Granger
The look in her eyes betraying her words. If that look in her eyes was anything to go by, she wanted anything but to stop, but she was right they were getting carried away. Pansy had never been so bold before.
"Yeah, of course " replies Pansy equally out of breath
They stare at each other, deep into each other's eyes as they lie side by side clothes dishevelled. Their look filled with curiosity and passion.
Granger raises her hand to play with the button on Pansy's shirt, a move that is equally sweet and arousing. "Have you been with many girls" asks Granger timidly now playing with the second button on Pansy's shirt after having successful and perhaps accidentally unbuttoning the first.
"I hadn't even kissed a girl before" scoffs Pansy quietly
"Really?" replies Granger her eyes filled with surprised curiosity "not even Greengrass?"
"No, why would you think that" asks Pansy now placing her hand in Grangers waist
"You seem really close, and well I just assumed that you two perhaps -"
"What about you and the Weaslet?"
"Ginny" corrects Granger "No we are friends"
They speak softly and openly, as if they have been friends for years. There's genuine vulnerability between the two as they open up and share their secrets. There is no malice in their chat just softly spoken words and an innocent investigation of each other's thoughts and past.
"Have you ummm kissed many others?" continues to question Granger.
"A few" replies Pansy coyly
"Who?" This time there's an obvious hint of jealousy in Grangers tone that has Pansy feeling mischievous
Pansy inside tingle with joy. She likes the idea of Granger feeling jealous about her and who she may have been with.
"Oh just Draco, Blaise, Theo, Pike -" says Pansy flippantly
"Anybody else" interrupts Granger now playing with Pansy's shirt button a little more forcefully
"Ummm" teases Pansy making out she has to think about the answer. The look on Grangers face has Pansy smiling with glee "No. what about you? Potter perhaps?" asks Pansy casually despite now feeling a tad jealous herself that others may have kissed or done more with Granger.
"No, Harry is like a brother to me, but I did kiss Viktor" says Granger blushing furiously
"Krum" says Pansy impressed "Oh he is hard to resist " teases Pansy "just kiss?"
Truth be told she wasn't sure if she wanted the answer. Viktor was tall, dark, handsome, his physique was impeccable, he was an international Quidditch star, basically he was perfect. It would be impossible for anyone to resist that charm and she wasn't sure if she wanted to know that anyone else may have had Granger to themselves.
"He's a gentleman" is all Granger replies with
Pansy's stomach lurches forward as the back of Grangers fingers gently brush against her skin as she continues to aimlessly play with Pansy's shirt button. Unquenchable need still floods Pansy's system. The dull continuing ache in her pants has not surpassed.
Placing her hand on Grangers cheek she really doesn't want to talk anymore. She draws her nearer, working her way back to Grangers tender, smooth lips and Granger instantly responds. As they kiss she gently rolls her over to lie on top of her smooth body. Granger arches into mouth as she runs her lips up her neck and before landing another intense kiss on her lips. Each soft stroke of the body and brush of the lips rebuilding the fever deep within her.
A low moan escapes her as Granger wraps her legs tight around her waist pulling her flush against her body. Their bodies move and grind against each other as hands rove, exploring, unaware of the commotion happening in the world outside.