AU! No war!

Written for Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

House: Thunderbird

Class/Task Number: Divination. Tarot Card Reading: someone discovering something about themselves.

Word Count: 985/1000

A Sudden Realization Hits Hard

Pansy feels weird every time she looks at Hermione. Why is she so obsessed with her? Hint: it's not because she hates her.

The first time Pansy thought something was wrong with her was when she caught sight of Hermione Granger on Viktor Krum's arm. She watched with that bizarre feeling in her chest as Granger danced happily in Krum's arms, her periwinkle-blue dress swirling around her.

Pansy heard Draco mutter under his breath, "Merlin, Granger cleans up well." She silently agreed, too flabbergasted to say anything else.

Pansy had no idea what that feeling in her chest was, but she wanted it to go away. She turned her back on Granger, so she wouldn't have to see her smiling at Krum and forced Draco to dance with her.

The second time Pansy thought something was wrong with her was when Granger smiled at her in Transfiguration. It was an honest-to-God smile and it sent Pansy's heart into overdrive. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest and wondered what was wrong with her. Did she need to go and see Madam Pomfrey?

Granger called out, "Hey, Parkinson, could I have your quill for a moment? I broke mine."

Pansy's heart was in her throat as she handed the quill to Granger, her hand trembling with nerves. "Keep it… I don't want your germs on it…"

Granger rolled her eyes but nodded. "Thanks anyway, Parkinson."

As Granger bent over to jot down her notes, Pansy felt that same emotion she had felt when she had watched Granger dance with Krum. It wasn't a good feeling, and she fisted her hands by her sides in anger.

When Pansy felt that same emotion for the third time, she realized it was only Granger who kept on inciting the sensation deep in her heart. No one else had ever made her experience it, only Granger would - especially when she laughed at something stupid Weasel or Potter had said.

"I want to punch Weaselbee," Pansy grumbled as she watched Granger laugh at him. The terrible feeling increased when Weasley wrapped his arm around Granger's petite shoulders.

"I want to punch Weaslette - look at how she's draped all over Potter… like she's a bloody curtain! The harlot…" Draco snarled as he clenched his fork in his hand and glared at them.

"I thought you would want to punch Potter," Pansy said, frowning at Draco.

"No, Potter's face already looks terrible, it's that Weaslette's face that needs a good beating," Draco muttered.

Pansy suddenly smirked and said, "You'll get punished for beating up a girl…"

Draco sneered and grumbled, "Never wished I was a girl just so I could get away with that, but now I do."

Pansy rolled her eyes and said, "Draco, you don't understand! I meant… You could beat up Weasley for me, and I'll beat up Weaslette for you!"

Draco grinned deviously and nodded instantly. "Hold on, why do you want to beat up Weasley? I mean, I get that he looks like he deserves a fist to the face, but -"

"Do you want me to ask you why you want to beat the Weaslette up?" Pansy interrupted him quickly.

"No… Got it," Draco said, shaking Pansy's hand. A few days later, both Weasley siblings were taken to the infirmary with broken limbs, shattered teeth, busted lips, and concussions.

When Pansy found Granger standing too close to Potter one day, that emotion rose in her chest once again and Pansy was furious at Granger. She knew it was all Granger's fault; Pansy had even gone to Madam Pomfrey to get checked for any abnormalities, but the results were normal.

"Granger, that's enough! Come with me!" Pansy snarled, dragging Granger by her arm.

"Woah, what? What are you doing?" Granger gasped as she was shoved into a closet. Pansy slammed the door behind them and locked it. "What's your problem, Parkinson?"

"You're my problem! You're always giggling and batting your eyes at Weasley or Potter! Merlin, what is wrong with you?" Pansy snarled, grabbing Granger by her collar and shaking her fiercely.

"Parkinson, are you crazy? I don't bat my eyes at anyone!" Granger barked, placing her hands on Pansy's shoulders to push her away.

"You do! You look ridiculous when you do that! Stop it or I'll -"

"Wait, what's it to you if I look ridiculous doing it? Not that I do bat my eyes, but still… Shouldn't you be happy that I look bad?"

Pansy stopped dead in her tracks when she realized Granger was right. Why was she so obsessed with Granger, then? As she stared into Granger's eyes in the dimly-lit closet, she was hit with the sudden realization.

Merlin's beard! She was interested in Granger. Romantically.

Pansy swallowed and cautiously stepped back, but Granger grabbed her tie and yanked her forward. "No, you're not going anywhere until you tell me what's gotten into you!" she snapped at Pansy, her eyes bright with annoyance.

Pansy's cheeks reddened as she realized there was no way out of this situation. There was no way she could tell Granger the truth; she would only mock her for her feelings, but what if she didn't? If Granger did make fun of her, Pansy could just Obliviate her.

She plucked up her courage and stammered out, "I am… j-jealous."

"Of me? Why would you be jealous of me, Parkinson? You're so pretty and always so -"

Terrified, Pansy choked out, "Of them!"

Granger's eyes widened and Pansy could see the cogs turning in her mind. When she finally understood, Granger muttered, "Oh… Okay."

"Okay, that's it? That's all you're going to say to me? Is that the correct response to - Mmph!" Pansy was cut off by Hermione's dry lips against hers. The kiss was sloppy, but Pansy had never felt anything more wonderful in her life.

Her heart thundered against her ribs when she felt Granger's arms wrap around her waist. She didn't know if Granger would ever kiss her again, so she chose to enjoy the moment instead. She would handle everything later.

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