Note: Written for a flash fic event "Angela's Rare Pair Party" with the prompt: First Date. Set in a universe where Voldemort and co. didn't interfere with the GOF events (Cedric lives)

"Can I do this?"

Pansy's nose was scrunched ever so slightly as she stood in front of the dark amber door. It was a bit worse for wear; the wood was practically pleading with someone to give it a good polishing. If it were up to her, she would put the door out of its misery and replace it with something posher.

She quickly glanced at the space around her. Actually, she would replace the entire apartment building; it was clearly in need of an upgrade.

While a part of her questioned the stale decorum and effectively stalled her from knocking on the door in front of her, the other part questioned herself. What was she doing in a place like this? This was far from her typical locations for leisure time, entirely beneath the 'Mother Parkinson's Standards'. She could leave right now and be done with it.

Except, her purpose for being there was because of the man somewhere beyond that dingy door.

Ah, yes, and Luna Lovegood.

"I'm not doing this."

Pansy groaned dramatically and sat back on her bed. Why must the perfect outfit always become a conundrum? By all counts, people knew Pansy was a fierce witch with an outfit to match. If only they knew the struggle to blend her Mugglewear, robes, and accessories perfectly. This was the sign she needed to talk herself out of meeting Cedric, surely.

"Why not?" came a voice in the doorway.

The witch casually turned her head towards the intruder. She swore the woman could read thoughts without a need for legilimency. "What do you mean why not? And—Luna, what in the name of high fashion are you wearing?"

Luna tilted her head slightly, confusion coloring her features briefly before she shook her head with a chuckle and adjusted the strap of her floral dress. From the angle Pansy was examining her friend, the dress appeared to be composed of an array of flower petals.

"They were in season," Luna said simply.

Pansy lifted a finger to remark on everything that could improve the dress—she would give the blonde an E for her typical quirkiness—but Luna shook her head once more.

"You're not going to distract yourself with my dress," she said. "You're supposed to be meeting Cedric."

The brunette huffed and lifted her chin. "I was doing no such thing," she replied.

Luna shrugged with a smile. "You're going to be swarming with Bigglewops from all this denial, Pansy."

Pansy snorted harshly. "Yeah? Nothing a little incendio won't fix."

The blonde tutted, rocking back and forth on her sandals. "It wouldn't fix the animal tail they'd give in retaliation. They aren't too fond of flames or extreme heat. People typically end up with a reptilian tail, but it varies." Luna tapped her chin. "Actually, perhaps you should try to burn them. It would be quite helpful for gathering information…"

It was a wonder how Pansy grew close to the former Ravenclaw, even to this very moment. If it hadn't been for her volunteering as Pansy's partner during the reconstruction of Hogwarts, she would have never known. Luna's quirks and enigmatic ways could be bothersome, but Pansy could admit that she'd have been in worse shape without them. She dared anyone to try the witch; it would be an eternal regret.

Before Pansy was fully distracted with memory lane, she shook herself out of her reverie and cleared her throat. Odd as Luna's creatures were, she wasn't daft to test their authenticity. Especially not when it came to one trying to give her an animal tail.

"Alright, darling," Pansy said and clapped her hands together. "You win. Help me piece together a 'first date' outfit."

"I can't believe I'm doing this."

Pansy hadn't cared much for the dating scene after graduation. Sharing a flat with Luna whilst pursuing a career in renovation took up most of the witch's time, and she'd rather her personal life stayed far away from the Prophet's headlines.

The Ministry's attempt to lock everyone down with a marriage law was denied by Wizengamot, much to Pansy's relief, yet the fates above declared a third time's the charm.

Last week she literally bumped into Cedric Diggory at the Natural Charms Food Market.

"Long time no see, Parkinson," the dark-haired wizard greeted with a light chuckle as he helped her gather the food that fell from her handbasket. "I shouldn't be surprised to see you into the organic stuff."

She blinked to recover from the initial collision impact then swiftly took in the nicely built form she ran into. He was still the Hufflepuff she'd known, but there was no denying the fact the last three years had been quite kind to him.

His grey eyes were fixed on her as she cleared her throat and replied, "I suppose I could say the same for you, Diggory."

"Please, call me Cedric."

She quirked a brow. "Only if you return the same courtesy."

Needless to say, their contact information was exchanged and an invitation to spend more time together was given. The natural flirt in Pansy agreed after a tease or two while her rational side questioned her heavily. Regardless, a date was set, and Pansy was a witch of her word.

Taking a deep breath, Pansy finally knocked on the door.

ooo00ooo

Seconds felt like hours as Pansy waited for Cedric to come to the door. Using the floo or apparating would have been easier on the nerves but horrid on her clothes; she wouldn't take the chance.

Her eyes swept over her surroundings one more time before the door opened and revealed her date. He leaned on the doorframe, appearing comfortable in his Muggle denim jeans and plain white t-shirt, hair swept back with his fingers.

"Hey," he said with an easy-going smile. "You look great."

Pansy brushed her hair over her shoulder with a light laugh. "Using flattery as your first tactic?" she asked.

Cedric shook his head. "Nah, merely speaking the truth," he replied. "Though, that does sound like a good idea, huh."

"Now that I'm aware of it, I don't think so," Pansy said. A sly grin formed effortlessly. "You're welcome to try anyway if you must."

He tipped his head and clicked his tongue. "Yes ma'am." Cedric pushed himself off the doorframe and made room for Pansy to step inside.

Pansy gave him a nod before stepping inside. The flat's interior didn't look anything like the outside, which a part of her was grateful for. Its navy-painted walls were complemented well with the cream trimming, and the tan knit-like furniture gave the place a cozy finish.

Continuing her room scan, Pansy turned slowly on her heel to face Cedric. "It's only now occurring to me that you never specified where our date would be."

"If you allowed me to come to you instead, I might have," Cedric said teasingly.

Pansy waved her hand dismissively. "I have a habit of taking initiative," she said with a sniff.

Running a hand through his hair, Cedric feigned disappointment. "Tsk. I'll have to try and beat that habit of yours next time."

The witch ignored her accelerated heartbeat as best as she could. "Bold of you to assume there will be a next time."

"Ahh," Cedric stretched his arm, "yes, couldn't be a great seeker if I didn't make bold actions from time to time."

She noted the cheekiness in his tone, and she had to hand it to him. While there was never any ill will between the two, their school interactions were scarce. Even when he'd been crowned champion during the Triwizard Tournament, her attention was focused elsewhere. Now she had an opportunity to know just who Cedric Diggory was.

"Well, Sir Bold Diggory," Pansy drawled with her brow arched once again, "if you made reservations somewhere we should be heading there." She pointed one of her sharp, manicured nails towards his chest. "And no broom rides. I refuse to set foot on one of those ghastly things."

The former Hufflepuff chuckled deeply. "You won't have to worry about a broom ride tonight or punctuality." He outstretched his arm and gestured at the space around them. "You've already arrived. We're having our date here."

It took a moment longer than she would admit processing his words. "What?"

A few hours had passed since the date officially began. During that time, Pansy's heels were set near the door, and her once pinned hair was swept over her shoulders.

She and Cedric were sitting atop blankets stretched and wrapped around the living room floor. Sheets were pitched up with magic to resemble a canopy, and small fairy lights safely hung around the impromptu canopy.

In front of them was a platter of chocolate squares, graham crackers, melted white chocolate dip, and hot buttered rum. It was not the dinner she imagined, but half a glass into her rum and Pansy was willing to make an exception.

With her legs tucked comfortably underneath her, Pansy reached for another piece of chocolate. "I have to admit Cedric," she said, "this entire evening was completely unexpected."

Cedric drank from his glass then set it down, a small grin on his face. "Mission accomplished I say. I didn't want to start off too big, you know? I wanted us to have this experience without the stuffy pubs and constantly prying public eye."

She glanced around with a contentful sigh. "Part of me felt like a child setting up the Muggle fort, but it was...nice. I am, however, pleased that the rum and list of questions added a touch of maturity to the overall ambiance."

His grin widened, and he scooted closer to her. "I have plenty more tricks up my sleeve, Miss Parkinson. I may not appear lavish, but I'm quite capable of making moves."

Pansy took another chocolate square. Before she placed it in her mouth, she challenged him with her eyes. "Living lavishly is no longer a top priority if you must know, and I'm quite capable of making moves as well."

She kept his gaze as she chuckled and popped the piece into her mouth. Here she was, promoting 'House Unity' like a good Hogwarts graduate.

ooo00ooo

Pansy's eyes shot open, and that's when she realized that she had fallen asleep at some point. She shut her eyes and silently cursed the hot buttered rum; it was her only suspect. Shooting the rum another curse, Pansy opened her eyes once more and shifted slightly. That's when she realized she was not alone.

Cedric was sound asleep with one arm tucked under his head while the other was draped over his stomach. There was an undisturbed blanket lined between them as a barrier underneath the Muggle fort, filling Pansy with relief along with a tinge of disappointment.

His words of future dates echoed in her mind, and Pansy smirked to herself. She'd put his words to the test by nudging him for a proper breakfast, though she wouldn't mind having said breakfast in the fort.

She laid back down, surprising herself by resting a hand on the blanket barrier. Looking between the sleeping wizard next and their surroundings, Pansy was at ease as she made a soft declaration.

"I'm glad I did this."