Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.

Challenges listed at the bottom.

Word Count - 749


Happy New Year


"Are you okay?"

"I'm blind, not stupid," Pansy snapped, using her hand on the wall to get herself up the steps. It was a long way, and probably not the most sensible thing to do, but it was tradition and she wouldn't break it just because she no longer had the use of her eyes.

"I didn't suggest you were stupid," Astoria said softly. She touched on Pansy's arm, and gently placed Pansy's hand on her arm. "Let me help you get to the top."

Pansy wanted to tell her to piss off, but she was also tired of almost falling into the gaps the large windows caused, on the wall, so she tightened her grip on Astoria's arm and nodded her head once.

Astoria led her to the top of the Astronomy tower. "Where do you want to be?"

"The opening," Pansy requested. "Against the bars."

She felt Astoria nod, and moments later, felt the gentle touch of Astoria guiding her hands onto the bars. The cold air on her face was welcome, and Pansy stood still, just letting the cold sink into her skin.

She'd never liked the cold before, but since… she enjoyed the sensation now.

"Are the stars bright?" she asked, before she could stop herself.

"There's fog everywhere," Astoria told her. "You'll probably feel the mist on your face soon, it's drawing closer."

Pansy nodded, and sighed. "You don't have to stay. I'll be able to get back by myself."

"I don't mind," Astoria replied. "I was heading up here anyway. The common room is a bit rowdy for my taste."

"You should probably get used to socialising," Pansy muttered. "What with you and Draco being betrothed."

"Pansy—"

"It's fine," Pansy said, shaking her head. "I've always loved Draco, ever since we were kids, but I'm not and never have been in love with him."

Pansy heard Astoria's relieved breath.

"I didn't want anyone to be hurt, you know?" Astoria said after a minute. "Draco assured me that it was fine, but I guess I always thought you and him… well, you know?"

Pansy smiled. "That was by design. I didn't want to deal with the Pureblood boys thinking I was fair game, and Draco wasn't particularly interested in any of the girls when we were younger so he stuck by my side and let people make their own assumptions. He's a good man."

"I know," Astoria replied softly. "Better than he does, I think."

Nodding, Pansy added, "You'll have a hard time convincing him of that, but it'll be worth it, in the end."

Astoria moved up to stand beside Pansy. There was still evidence of the battle that had taken place in May, little things, but still there. The bridge still hadn't been fixed, which was probably the biggest difference.

"I can't believe it's already New Year. So much has happened this year, it's insane."

"It's insane that any of us are still alive," Pansy whispered. "I wonder sometimes, if it would have been better than this."

Astoria swallowed hard, looking at the older girl. She'd only heard stories of the bloodshed and violence of the battle, but Pansy was stuck living with the consequences for the rest of her life. She felt embarrassed that she had no idea what to say in reply to Pansy, but then, she wondered if Pansy was even expecting a reply.

"I always come up here on New Year's Eve," Pansy said suddenly. "I always stay up here until just after midnight. I didn't think I was going to be able to do it this year but… well. Thank you."

"You don't need to thank me for being a decent human being," Astoria muttered. "It's not like I came to your rescue or anything. I helped you up some stairs."

"You'd be surprised how many people avoid me to avoid doing even simple things like that," Pansy said. "Nobody wants to deal with the cripple."

"You're not crippled!"

"No, I'm not, you're right. You're just one of the few to realise that."

Astoria checked her watch and blinked. She hadn't realised it was so late. "A minute to go," she murmured, watching the seconds tick by. When it got to ten, she started a soft countdown, smiling when Pansy joined in.

As the clock struck midnight, Astoria leant over and pressed her lips to Pansy's cheek. "Happy New Year, Pansy."

The older girl smiled and it made her beautiful. "Happy New Year, Astoria. And… thank you."


Written for;

Assorted Appreciation; 2. Staying up until midnight.

Book Club; Sugi; Embarrassed / Rescue / "I've always loved [name]. Ever since we were kids."

Pop Figure; Hawkeye - 1. Hurt/Comfort / 4. A Character losing one of their senses.

Cheese Board - Meat; Chorizo - Astronomy Tower

Birthstone - Bloodstone; "I can't believe it's already New Year. So much has happened this year."

Flower; Camellia - Pansy Parkinson

Element - Mist

Slytherin - Pansy Parkinson

365. 3. Bloodshed

1000. 460. Fog