"Parkinson. Parkinson"
In such a deep slumber Pansy barely registers the gentle nudges willing her to wake.
"Mmmm" she mumbles as she tries to burrow herself deeper into the lumpy mattress and ignore the prods for a few more peacefully minutes.
"It's late. We fell asleep, it's probably past curfew" persists the voice still nudging at her shoulder
Stretching her arms well above her head while letting out a big yawn, it takes a moment for her eyes to adjust to the dimly lit room. It takes a further minute for her brain to catch up to where she is. Turning she sees the anxious face of Hermione Granger staring down at her
"We fell asleep, I'm sure our friends will be worried sick, and we'll have to think of something to tell them" rambles Granger
Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Pansy realises that Granger has not told her friends where she was going or who she was meeting.
"My friends know," says Pansy looking down to see her shirt is still completely open and her bra raised to expose her breasts
"They do? And they are ok? That you were meeting me a-" she stops
"Gryffindor?" interrupts Pansy assuming Granger was about to refer to her blood status "They are more than fine with it," she says straightening her bra and buttoning up her shirt. She wants to tell Granger that the whole bet in the first place was about getting them together but thinks better of it, now is not the time to raise the details of the bet.
Granger is silent but Pansy can tell her mind is racing trying to comprehend what she has just heard and what it means for her. Pansy suspects that Grangers friends Potter and the Weasley wouldn't be as supportive of this situation, particularly Weasley given he's been gagging to get into Grangers pants.
As Pansy slowly buttons her shirt back up, the slow realisation of what had just occurred between her and Granger begins to seep in. They didn't have sex, but there was an awful lot of kissing, touching and exploring.
Nerves build, her body tightens unsure of what to say or do, as much as she would have liked to kiss Granger she never imagined it would actually happen.
Doubt sits heavily on her chest, the air around her thickens making it just that little bit harder to breathe, what happens now she asks herself. That niggling stream of insecurity flows through her veins to the surface, coming to bite her like an angry Hippogriff. Her friends would be fine with this, whatever it is, but there are many in her House who would not be, Draco for instance. He hates Granger. And of course, it's obvious Potter and Weasley would not approve.
A little sadness overcomes her at the thought that perhaps they may never get a chance to be alone again, it was just too hard with their friends and if the rumours of You Know Who's return were true, how could they even be seen to be civil to each other let alone anything else. She knows Granger would be thinking the same.
"I already packed up," says Granger nodding towards the empty floor interrupting Pansy's thoughts "when you're ready we should make our way back".
"Ready," says Pansy straightening her skirt as she rises from the bed
Any insecurity disappears as Granger gently fixes the collar of her shirt giving her an awkward angelic smile. The gesture is so sweet it sends a warm feeling straight to her belly, all she really wants to do is take Grangers face in her hands and kiss her.
"Let's go then" whispers Granger softly before making her way to the passageway.
The walk back to Hogwarts seems to take less time than before. Both walk in silence perhaps in deep in thought about what had happened today. How their quick chat had turned into something much more, and what it meant moving forward.
The memories of the day surge to the forefront of Pansy's mind with every step, the way Granger moved beneath her, the softness of her kisses against Pansy's skin, the way their hands tentatively explored each other. Her lips still burn from the taste of Grangers touch. She replays every moment of their kisses, the way Grangers soft tongue caressed hers, the little moans of pleasure they shared all sending pins and needles down her spine to gather in the core of her womanhood. She had never felt such an intense dull ache of desire before, an ache she needed to itch and it was now obvious only one person could relieve this tension building within her every step they take down this dark earthy passage. It takes every ounce of constraint not to reach out and smother Granger in more kisses.
"We're here," says Granger finally as they arrive back at the entrance to the Whomping Willow
It suddenly dawns on Pansy, if it is after curfew, how on earth are they going to get back to their dorms undetected.
"How will we get back in without getting caught?" says Pansy trying to keep the worry and panic from her tone
"Don't worry about that" says Granger pushing on a knot hidden between the roots of the tree penetrating the earth and opening the entrance to the Hogwarts grounds. "I have something"
Taking a deep steady breath Pansy winces slightly as the crisp coolness of the night air burns her nostrils, but fresh air a welcome relief to the cramped dirt tunnel they had just emerged from, she takes a deep breath.
Nerves build as she watches in silence while Granger rummages through her beaded purple bag before producing a cloak.
"It's Harry's" she explains, "they won't see us under here. It's a family heirloom"
"An invisibility cloak?"
A tingle of nerves run through Pansy. She had seen invisibility cloaks before but generally they were not 100% effective, the charms wear off the cloaks when they get old, or they get ripped by spells but the cloak Granger was holding up seemed to be near perfect despite its age.
Pansy gasps as Granger flings the cloak over herself, completely disappearing, normally an old cloak would show some outline of the individual, but this cloak was different, Granger had completely disappeared. Despite knowing Granger was right in front of her body couldn't help but tense, a twinge if fear swells through as if she was alone in the dark.
"Coming?" says Granger lifting the cloak over her head, offering Pansy refuge underneath
It takes a few steps for them to fall into rhythm with each other, Pansy follows Grangers movements almost robotically. The closeness of Granger and the sound of their deep breaths as they make their way across the grounds of Hogwarts, bringing forward the swirl of images of her hands on Granger's smooth body again. Her pulse pounds in her temples, like a stampede of Hippogriffs as she tries to control the dull throbbing ache within her. She had never felt like intensity or desire like this before. It was as if their kisses had opened up a plethora of undisclosed longing that she never knew she had within her. Tension builds inside of Pansy with every step, all she really wants to do is lean into Granger to kiss and touch her again.Merlin, Pansy internally scolds herself for objectifying Granger so. It was as if she was turning into one of the exceptionally randy boys from her house who had only one thing on their mind, something she always found undignified.
"I'll walk you to your common room" whispers Granger as they slowly enter through the large wooden entrance doors of the castle.
Pansy looks about desperately hoping and silently praying to the deities that the cloak works.
Only the sounds of their footsteps and slow shallow breaths can be heard as they make their way towards the Slytherin Common Room. Pansy was prepared to lead the way, but to her surprise, Granger seems to know exactly where she is going, something Pansy was going to question her on later.
Only a few moments pass before they both instinctively freeze. Pansy's heart suddenly stops before beating viciously against her chest as the squeaky sound of a cat meowing can be heard directly behind them.
Turning slowly Pansy sees bulging yellow, lamp-like eyes staring directly at them. It was Mrs Norris, a scrawny, skeletal dust-coloured cat that belonged to the caretaker of Hogwarts, Argus Filch. Filch is a bitter and mean person who's greatest pleasure is catching students doing something wrong and punishing them. If he had his way students would still be getting flogged.
Pansy's heart beats furiously against her chest. They were done for, not only would she be punished for breaking the after hour rules, but how in Merlin's name would she explain being out with Granger to her housemates or more importantly her family.
"Mrs Norris, Mrs Norris" comes the wheezing voice of Filch rushing down the hallway "who have you found? We'll get those students, get them good"
Pansy's hands become clammy, her body feels on fire every nerve ending like a hot poker pricks at her skin. She barely registers Granger sliding her hand around her waist to gently pull her closer against to the wall. She tries to maintain a steady breath as Mrs Norris continues to stare at them meowing loudly.
"There's nothing there, you silly cat," says Finch affectionately as he scoops up Mrs Norris into his arms while staring directly in their direction. "You silly little kitty, c'mon there's always students near the kitchens," he says as he hurriedly shuffles down the hall with Mrs Norris still meowing loudly as she peers over her his shoulder at them, with what looked like a look of annoyance in her eyes.
Pansy let's out a deep breath she didn't even realise she was holding.
"Nothing to worry about" whispers Granger into the nape of Pansy's neck, sending a new wave of goose pimples down her spine to the pit of her belly and beyond. So distracted by fear, she hadn't realised that Granger still had her hand around Pansy's waist and had pulled her back flush against Granger's chest. Instinctively Pansy cocks her neck towards Grangers lips and is rewarded with a soft warm kiss which has her moaning out loud.
Granger's lips continue to caress the soft skin of Pansy's neck, she too is obviously still aroused from their previous encounter if her kisses and the way her hand gently strokes along Pansy's ribs are anything to go by. Another soft mew escapes Pansy as Grangers strokes reignite the desire simmering inside of her.
The sudden clicking sounds of distant footsteps at the far end of the corridor has Granger stopping her actions immediately. It is two Ravenclaw prefects on duty making their way towards them in a deep conversation.
"They can't see us" whines Pansy who was desperate for more kisses and touches
"No" whispers Granger amused into Pansy's ear "but they can still hear us"
Of course, so caught up by lust and desperate for more intimacy, Pansy didn't stop to think that the cloak was not soundproof.
Pansy watches with bated breath as the two Ravenclaw prefects walk towards them passing within a few feet completely oblivious to their presence. Pansy couldn't help but be impressed with how well this invisibility cloak worked to hide them.
It is only when then the two Ravenclaw's turn down a corridor away from them that Granger speaks
"We've had two near misses, let's get back to our dorms" whispers Granger when the Ravenclaw prefects are out of earshot.
Pansy couldn't argue with Granger, they may not so lucky a third time. Slowly they continue to make their way towards the Slytherin Common Room under the protection of the invisibility cloak. To Pansy's relief they do not encounter anyone else as they arrive at the hidden entrance to the Slytherin dorm.
Still beneath the thin invisibility cloak, it suddenly feels heavy on her shoulders as Pansy turns to Granger, a loss for words. Pansy can't help but smile as Granger neatens Pansy's robe again.
"I better go" whispers Granger before casting another worried glance down the corridor. Pansy couldn't blame her, she was not in friendly territory.
Slowly lifting the cloak from them Granger waits as Pansy places her hand on the stone wall and whispers "Pureblood". Her cheeks flush, she is a little embarrassed by the choice of the Slytherin password in front of Granger.
"I...I...enjoyed today" stumbles Granger before quickly placing another kiss on Pansy's lips. She doesn't give Pansy the opportunity to reply before hurriedly throwing the cloak over herself. Pansy can hear Grangers footsteps quickly making their way down the corridor away from her.
"Me too" whispers Pansy into the cool night air unsure if Granger heard her.
The Slytherin Common Room is unusually quiet except for the sound of the dying embers of the fireplace crackling gently against the cool night air. It must be later than I thought thinks Pansy as she cautiously creeps her way to her room.
As slowly as she can she opens the door to her room, hoping not to wake her roommates. The sound of the old wood cracking bouncing off the walls loudly sounding like a stampede of mountain trolls against the otherwise silent night.
Before Pansy can even set foot within her dorm the door is flung open from her grasp almost causing her to topple forward. Her heart leaps to her throat in shock.
Standing before her is Daphne dressed in a bright purple nightgown with illuminated moons and stars scattered gingerly over it. She is completely wide awake, panic written all over her face.
"Pansy Persia Parkinson. Where in Merlins realm have you been?" scolds Daphne as she drags Pansy into the room and shutting the door loudly behind her "Where have you been? We've been worried sick" she continues grabbing Pansy into a strong hug that almost winds her, before pushing her away, her emotions obviously moving from anger to relief and back to anger again.
"Sorry" replies Pansy in the same sheepish tone she reserves for her mother when she is being reprimanded for something. In fact, the way Daphne was looking at her with her hands firmly placed on her hips, she couldn't help but be reminded of her mother.
"Sorry. Sorry. That is all you have to say? Don't you realise there is a war at our doorstep?" challenges Daphne
Pansy turns to Millicent and Tracey, who are sitting quietly on their beds, for support but to no avail. She furrows her brow in confusion, Daphne seems so stressed and anxious, and she mentioned the war, a topic she usually attempts to avoid.
"Daph-"
"What you couldn't send an owl? Even a bloody pigeon to let us know you were ok?" Continues Daphne flapping her arms in the air. "Well?"
"We lost track of time after we fell asleep" responds Pansy meekly and still slightly confused by Daphne's reaction
"Lost track of time!. Fell asleep! Are you serious?" says Daphne her voice rising in frustration
"I think what Daphne is saying" begins Tracey carefully casting a glance to Daphne "We were worried because of what happened today to Katie Bell"
"What happened to her?" asks Pansy still wondering what could have happened to have her friend so worked up
"Someone cursed her" snaps Daphne "They've taken her to St Mungoes hospital.
"What?" gasps Pansy "Are you sure? Why would anyone curse her?"
"Yes we are sure, everyone is talking about it. And we had no idea where you were or if something had happened to you."
"It was horrible," says Tracey "Her arms were just flopping at her side, her hair whipped across her face, she was unconscious and then her eyes flew open and she screamed. I've never heard anything like it before. She was in so much pain"
"You could have been lying in a trench withering in pain for all we knew" continues Daphne scolfing Pansy
"Death Eaters?" asks Pansy quietly, her belly suddenly feeling like she had swallowed a bag of rocks. She now understood why Daphne was so worried about her
"Not if you ask Potter," says Millicent "He's blaming Draco"
"Oh that's just ridiculous" snaps Pansy defensively "why would he do that to her? I mean he has been acting strange lately but I just don't believe it. He wouldn't attack Katie Bell, he has no reason to."
It's true Draco had been acting strange and that he alluded to something at the Ball but there was no way Draco had the stomach to attack someone. Until proven otherwise she would defend her friend.
"Well Potter and Weasley have been racing around the entire castle accusing Draco and they are practically beside themselves trying to find Granger".
"Well that's just stupid"
"I know. I mean I could understand people accusing Draco of cursing someone he hates like Gra-" starts Millicent before stopping herself suddenly
Pansy's throat restricts, overcome with a feeling of nausea. Millicent didn't need to finish that sentence for her to know she was going to say. Her mouth dries up like a desertIf anyone would be a target of a curse it would be Granger, she is after all Potters best friend, a muggle-born and has rubbed lots of people the wrong way with her know it all attitude and there would be no way for Pansy to do anything about it if someone wanted to attack Granger without giving away her new feelings for her. It could put her and everyone she holds dear in danger.
Pansy's stomach twists, no doubt both Potter and Weasley would be waiting for Granger ready to pounce and accost her with questions the minute she returns to her common room. Pansy wonders what Granger will tell them.
"Speaking of" interjects Millicent, pulling Pansy from her thought. "Have you something to tell us. I mean you have been gone all day, that's a rather long 15 minute chat. Although..." pauses Millicent for dramatic effect "if that mark on your neck is anything to go by, there was a little more than just chatting going on"
Pansy's hand flies to her neck, had Granger left a love bite on her? Daphne whips her head between Pansy and Millicent and back again.
"Hang on," says Daphne slowly, "you said you fell asleep, do you mean-"
"Come on, spill it," says Tracey excitedly
"There's nothing really to tell" blushes Pansy her cheeks burning hotter than dragons breath
"Well you obviously did more than talk," says Millicent
"The least you can do us give us details, especially after all the stress you've caused us" pouts Daphne
"Did you?" asks Tracey wiggling her eyebrows up and down suggestively at Pansy
"I didn't catch the golden snitch if that's what your implying" blurts out Pansy
She had always found sports metaphors to describe making out or having sex rather crude but it seemed the only way to explain.
"But you got the quaffle through the keeper? "
"Not quite" replies Pansy her cheeks burning even hotter.
"So just passed the quaffle around the field"
Lost for words for the third time this evening, Pansy can only nod which results in shrieks of delight and hand-clapping from her friends.
"Where did you go?" asks Daphne, "You said you fell asleep"
Pansy shifts her weight awkwardly from foot to foot, she knows their reaction will not be good and she doesn't want to betray Grangers trust but her friends are waiting, watching her expectedly.
"The Shrieking Shack" Pansy barely whispers out bracing herself for their reaction
"What?" yelps Daphne before dramatically collapsing on her bed "have you lost your mind? That place is possessed and dangerous, you could of been killed! Oh my, Merlin. Why did we choose Granger a bloody Gryffindor, they are reckless. And not just any Gryffindor either" she continues her arms again flapping dramatically at her side "one that had to be best friends with Harry bloody trouble follows me everywhere, and I like putting everyone around me in mortal danger Potter. We should have tried setting you up with a Hufflepuff, at least you would be safe"
"It's not possessed" defends Pansy softly
"Oh really, so all those horrid sounds witches and wizards heard over the years were what? The wind?" argues Daphne
"Sit down and tell us everything. From the beginning" interrupts Tracey.
Taking a deep breath, Pansy knew she had no option but to tell them everything. Pansy begins retelling what happened during the day, speaking slowly and softly in an attempt to defuse the anxiety and ensure Daphne does not have a coronary
To their credit, Daphne, Tracey and Millicent do not interrupt but rather choose to stare piercingly at Pansy absorbing every word as she relays the story from the Whomping Willow to the Shrieking Shack to nearly being caught by Filch and his cat Mrs Norris.
"She organised a picnic, that is so sweet" coos Millicent, a dopey lovestruck look plastered on her face
"So she is a good kisser. Who knew Granger had it in her. I wonder who she has had experience with?"
The thought of Granger kissing someone else sends a sharp jab of jealousy straight through Pansy's ribs. She hated feeling jealous but she hates the thought of someone else being with Granger more.
"What happens now? I doubt she told Potter and Weasley where she was going today with the way they were behaving towards us Slytherins" asks Daphne
"Well they are hardly open-minded," says Millicent, "they think all Slytherin's are evil and out to get them like they are that important"
"They are so prejudiced"
"And righteous"
"Well when you have the headmaster in your cloak pocket you can be all those things and get away with it" mumbles Millicent
Pansy can feel the colour drain from her face. She gnaws gently on her bottom lip as the slow realisation of the difficulty that faces both her and Granger from friends, family and society as a whole sink in. Suddenly a dark cloud of sadness hangs over Pansy. She feels hollow as if the very wind has been sapped from her. This, whatever it is with Granger would not be easy, in fact, it could be deadly. Nerves build, her fingers playing nervously with the hem of her skirt.
As if sensing Pansy's panic Daphne compassionately says "don't worry about that now, just enjoy the moment and see what plays out. But-" she continues cautiously "maybe let's just keep this between us"
Pansy swallows hard, Daphne's advice going astray as the images of her housemates turning on her, black-cloaked Death Eaters chasing her and her friends flow through her thoughts.
"Pansy" interrupts Daphne a little more forcefully "it will be ok. We will always look out for each other. Now don't worry about anything or fill your thoughts with negativity."
"Yeah Pans, tell us more about lover girl and her magical touch" teases Millicent playfully mimicking kissing the air while rubbing her hands on her breasts mockingly.
The laughter that erupts from all the girls instantly easing Pansy. "Oh go back to dreaming about Looney Lovegood will you" jokes Pansy
"With pleasure" sighs Millicent dreamily
"I want to hear more about Pansy and Ms know it all"
"Does she make you all funny in the fanny? Are you dating now? Will she invite you to muggle London?"
The questions fire thick and fast at Pansy, she barely has time to answer one before another is flung her way
"More importantly when and where are you going to see her alone again?" asks Tracey enthusiastically
"I've no idea, I'm not sure we will be able to" responds Pansy honestly. They had not discussed it and given the current information she discovered tonight it was not going to be easy
"Oh don't you worry about that" smiles Daphne "we'll make sure it happens. Especially after all the hard work, we put in to getting you two together in the first place"
"Hard work you put in" gasps Pansy "what about everything I was put through? The torment? Cold classrooms, embarrassing spells. With friends like you, who needs enemies"
"Oh hush Pansy," says Daphne cutting her off "it was all worth it wasn't it" she says in more of a statement than a question
"This is so romantic" coos Millicent dreamily "Two lovers from different worlds, forging against all odds to be together. It could be a novel. What a love story"
"Settle down Millicent - no one has said anything about love," says Pansy blushing
"Just physical then is it" teases Tracey knowing full well that Pansy was a lot softer and emotional then she let on
"Whatever it is, I think it's just wonderful," says Millicent "
"Whatever it is," says Daphne "We have to work out a plan to get you two alone again so you can know for sure how you feel"
"Any chance we can do it in the morning?" yawns Millicent "I'm knackered"
"Not as knackered as Pansy is I'm sure" giggles Tracey
With one quick flick of her wand, Pansy laughingly sends a pillow hurtling towards Tracey.
The tension in the room continually easing as Tracey quickly followed by Daphne begin hurling pillows at one another.
Millicent manages to moan "I never get a good nights sleep" before a pillow is flung directly at her
Life was good thought, Pansy, as she easily ducks a poorly aimed pillow hurtling towards her. She could not wait to see what and how the girls were going to get her and Granger some more alone time.