Word Count: 511
Pansy knows what she has to do to be noticed; her mother has instilled in her the importance of being beautiful, the influence that physical beauty can have on men. As long as Pansy can remember, she has been trained to smile the right way, dress the right way, laugh the right way.
Tonight is no exception. If anything, it is more important that she look as beautiful as possible. Draco Malfoy likes pretty things, she's told. She has to make him like her; her father had his heart set on a marriage between the two of them, and she will not let him down.
She stands in front of the mirror, making a few last minute adjustments to her makeup. Every subtle angle of her face is sharpened. Her eyes are dark, and her lips are glossy red. The sea green dress hugs her curves, showing off her hourglass figure.
"Only one thing missing," she says to herself, plucking her pearl earrings from the ornate jewelry box and putting them. "Perfect."
Having to play dress up for the sake of attracting a husband is tiring, but she knows it is her duty. For her family's honor, she will do as she is told.
…
She hates her family's parties. When she was a kid, Pansy was allowed to stay upstairs and play. Now, she longs for those days.
"Hi, Draco," she says, finding him by the serpentine ice sculpture.
His pale eyes flicker briefly over her, but he doesn't comment. Instead, he just nods. "Pansy."
Not the reaction she was hoping for. Pansy resists a scowl because it isn't proper and ladylike. "Would you like to dance?" she asks, battling her long lashes and offering him her most perfect smile.
Again, his gaze moves along her body, but there's nothing in his expression to indicate that he's impressed. "I don't think so," he says. "Excuse me."
And with that, he's gone. Pansy's dark eyes follow him through the crowd. Maybe she shouldn't be surprised when he ends up beside Astoria Greengrass. She and her sister are like Sirens, beautiful and hypnotic.
"If you ask me, he's an idiot."
She lets out a squeak and turns. Theodore Nott stands behind her, slender arms folded over his chest. His freckled face is a mask of amusement.
Pansy huffs. "Well, I didn't ask you," she says sharply.
He just grins and shakes his head. "Dunno why you fancy him so much."
It isn't that she fancies him. She's supposed to because her father expects it of her. Of course, she doesn't bother to tell Theo this. Let him and the rest of the world assume she's just another lovesick fool.
"I wouldn't mind dancing with you," he adds, cheeks glowing a soft pink.
He isn't the one she wanted when her evening started. Everything she has ever done has been with Draco in mind. But maybe one dance won't hurt. After all, Theo is from a good family, and he's cute in his own way.
Pansy smiles and takes his hand. "Shall we?"
