Hello. Like magic, I posted another chapter. The day after, no less. I'm going to try to adhere to a real schedule, but I might do things like this and post whenever. In response to a review I received, I chose Pansy because wile she may be irritating and power hungry, she's also really the only female in Slytherin we see achieve a position of power in their hierarchy. If anything, it shows she's determined and interesting enough to write about. Also, she has a flower name, and it's interesting that she's really the only memorable female character outside of the sisters who has one.

Lastly, it's shown again and again the loyalty and passion that Slytherins can show towards those whom they love and the causes they believe in. If nothing else, the sometimes extreme measures they go through makes it more likely to me that one of them, more than anyone else, would go back.

When Pansy opened her eyes to a canopy seemingly made up of diamonds, she knew it had worked. For a moment she found herself filled with an unbridled joy, the thrill of it reaching into her bones. The old future was over, and a new one waiting to be written.

Clutched in her now much smaller hands was Blaise's journal. She knew he had started chronicling in it about first year, and had continued up until...

An image of green lightning and Blaise collapsing filled her mind. She burrowed herself under the covers, shutting her eyes tight to keep the tears from falling. Pansy Parkinson didn't cry, not anymore. The warm cocoon soothed her shaking form, and she had to remind herself that that timeline was no more. Blaise wasn't dead, not really. Not yet.

Gathering herself with all of the dignity she still had, she popped back up and reached for her wand to cast a tempus charm, before realizing she didn't have it anymore.

"Shite." she muttered, momentarily taken aback by how high and girlish her voice was again. Concentrating, she summoned her magic and tried to cast the charm wandlessly. The familiar tingle of her magic trickled up, and up, then sputtered out of her finger, useless. She frowned. Pansy was no Lady, however she thought it would be easier than this to cast such a simple charm, especially with all the knowledge she had accumulated over the years. She tried again, and again until finally something in her snapped and the magic came rushing out of her, blue smoke tracing figures in the air.

June 5th, 1991 8:59am

Pansy frowned again. Something in her remembered obsessing over this date for weeks. Something about the Malfoys...Oh. This day in the original timeline, Draco and his family had come over for a visit. When they were alone he started saying things she had then seen as blasphemy. He said that he was rethinking everything he had ever thought about what it meant to be a pureblood.

Things about how maybe purebloods weren't above everyone, about how he had a nagging suspicion that his father wasn't as great a man as he thought he was and how he was afraid of turning into him.

Of course. The words stung her now.

Pansy at the time had simpered and consoled him saying that of course his father was a great man and that purebloods were the greatest of them all. Even if she didn't always believe it herself, to lose Draco to those...heinous beliefs would have been one of the great tragedies of her youth. Pansy was a rather dramatic child.

Now she intended to do the complete opposite. First step to saving her best friends life? Making him a blood traitor.


TOF


Pansy pulled on the hem of her blue silk robes a little self-consciously. It was...odd being in this body, this time again. The air seemed cleaner somehow. Her mansion was still intact, there were no scars littering her body. It was nice having all of her fingers again.

Seeing her mother once again towering over her was a little disconcerting, but it was even more odd to see that the older woman still had some spark inside of her. She looked so happy, so carefree. Well, as carefree as a pureblood woman in high society could ever be, but that was still saying something.

Pansy was also unused to feeling certain, how you say, sensations in her younger body. First of all, she didn't feel like the twenty-two-year-old that she was anymore. She was unsteady and very eleven. If it weren't so clear, the future seemed like a bad dream.

Her attention span was shorter, and her emotions were out of control, though not as bad as they would be in a couple years. It was as if she were two very different people. Plus, now she had to go through puberty again, which she absolutely was not looking forward too. Thankfully now she knew exactly when her period was coming, which meant she would be able to take the proper supplies when the time came to school instead of being forced to rely on Daphne Greengrass for supplies the entire year. Everyone knew a snake never did anything for anyone else without expecting something in return.

Now Pansy was standing somewhat impatiently in between her two parents, awaiting the arrival of the Malfoys. For a moment, she wondered why her family would look so blatantly interested in their arrival before she remembered that at this time her family was trying to convince the Malfoys to enter into negotiations for a marriage contract.

A bitter smile graced the girl's face. She had been in love with Draco during their school years for a good while, but she knew his heart had always belonged to another, one he would never have because of his own foolishness. A small part of her wondered if she could fix that.

They had indeed been able to secure the marriage contract, however, they lost it her sixth year to the Greengrasses because of Lilac's birth. Now that they had her, the entire conversation of who would inherit the Parkinson estate and how much any dowry would be suddenly got a lot more complicated due to the policies their families had instated a thousand years ago.

Daphne was already betrothed to a somewhat reluctant Theodore Nott, but Astoria was free. The Ancient and Noble House of Greengrass was more powerful than before, and Daphne had lorded it over her.

A knot of sadness welled in Pansy's throat. After Hogwarts the two of them grew rather close. About two months before she left, the blonde girl was struck down. Pansy simply couldn't wait to see the girl who had practically become her sister when the school year began.

After what seemed like ages, the Malfoys finally arrived. Most likely they had made themselves a couple minutes late on purpose, their way of saying "Our time is more important than yours". First Narcissa and Lucius walked in, regal and strong, their light blonde hair fluttering in an invisible wind. They looked resplendent in their matching pale green silk robes, and Pansy couldn't help but smile at how they clutched hands in their obvious fondness for one another. Lucius was an idiot, however no matter his shortcomings he was entirely devoted to his wife.

From behind them came a familiar blonde head.

Draco

Pansy had to bite her tongue to push through the rush of fear that suddenly swept through her. He looked so young, so alive. Looking at him, she couldn't help but overlay his image of when she'd seen him last.

"I can't do this anymore Pans."

Best friend. Partner. Childhood playmate. Protector.

Draco

He graced her with that heartbreakingly cocky smile that she hadn't seen in years. In his eyes, though, she could see the dancing uncertainty that she now knew was the precursor to what he had to say to her later on.

"Alright children, you go sit and socialize in the Blue Room. I know you want to be rid of us old bats," Ms. Parkinson said with a self deprecating smile. The other adults nodded fondly, though she wasn't fooled into thinking they weren't evaluating them to see how well they worked together.

I hope they never know just how well we can work together

"Yes Mother," Pansy said sweetly. She bowed to the Malfoys, then turned to walk down the corridor, Draco following closely behind her. She had only just closed the door when Draco engulfed her in a hug. She practically melted.

Oh Draco, I've missed you so much.

He pulled away, and she looked into his face to see his face twisting and contorting. It was cute, almost, to see how unguarded and innocent he was at this age. He was still nothing more than a pure, if extremely spoiled, child who knew nothing of the ways of the world and whose pride was easily bruised.

"Pans, we need to talk," Draco said, stalking over to one of the overstuffed armchairs and plopping down rather ungracefully. In her past life she had taken this as a sign that Draco was truly upset, since he never lost his grace unless otherwise. It hadn't been completely trained into him yet.

"What do you need Dray?" Pansy asked carefully, choosing an armchair that was close to his. He wrung his hands before realizing what he was doing, before sitting back heavily and running the heels of his hands roughly against his eyes. This was really tearing him up, she noted. His face was pale as a sheet, his hands were shaking. His twisted view of the entire world was about to change.

"Pansy, what if we're wrong?" he said heavily. Pansy paused. She knew that she would have to tread carefully or risk losing him completely.

"Wrong about what?" she asked in what she hoped to be a somewhat lighthearted and curious tone.

"About...everything, dear Merlin, Pans, I've been reading some of the old newspapers from the time of the war in my father's study and do you know what I found?" He said, leaning forward now. His eyes were intensely focused on her, and she knew she wouldn't have to respond for him to continue. This was all him, and he needed to get it out.

"I was looking a one from near the end and they said another Child Massacre had happened, five miles out from London in the middle of a field. So I looked into it more. The Death Eaters would round up as many muggleborn children as they could find and they would slaughter them. They would torture them and strip them of their magic and kill them."

"Some of them weren't even old enough to be out of their nappies yet Pans, some of them were babies. They killed five hundred and thirty-two kids like that, they had an inside to the Hogwarts ministry and looked up the magical kids born recently. That's like... almost all of Hogwarts! All that magic, wasted."

Pansy listened as Draco rambled on, careful to keep her face shocked and disgusted as if she were just hearing all of this for the very first time. In truth, she had seen and cleaned up the aftermath of such events, though she refused to take place in such things herself.

The Dark Lord understood and attributed it to a woman's "naturally delicate and motherly constitution". Pansy had barely contained her sneer and neglected to correct him with the information that she simply didn't wish to be a complete monster. However she did cut her eyes at Bellatrix, who was rubbing the front of the Dark Lord's robes in an ungodly obscene fashion.

"I can't believe that killing babies is right Pans," Draco finished. She looked in his eyes and knew what he wanted. He wanted her to tell him that of course it was alright, that everything he had been raised his entire life to believe was right and just and he shouldn't let what was obviously dirty mudblood propaganda corrupt his mind.

He was only eleven

But, he was also a future Death Eater doomed to kill himself and lose everything he loved unless she changed the future. Unless she changed him, right in this moment, right now.

"I can't believe that either," Pansy replied truthfully. She watched his face fall, and she knew with it fell everything he'd ever been taught.

For a moment, Pansy's vision sharpened, and she felt as if she were looking straight through him. Something tiny and dark, something that already had set it's roots deep within his psyche, shriveled up and died. Before she could really think about it, her vision went back to normal and she was looking at her Draco again.

The tips of his ears were red, and his mouth was twisted down a little at the corners. He was holding himself together better than she expected. She had forgotten how he handled his upset at this age. He held everything in, and those who dared to cross him soon found him targeting their weak spots.

"Do you think I'll end up like my father, Pans?" Draco asked. She blinked, feigning surprise. "I mean, like just a pawn for some Dark Lord?"

She sighed softly and crossed to sit in his chair so that their bodies were pressed close together. Draco wrapped an arm around her waist and tucked his face into the crook of her neck, and she just held him even tighter.

"You're nothing like him Dray, you'll be so much better."

I'll make sure of it


TOF


After their conversation it was much easier for Pansy to talk to Draco about previously unspoken matters.

Dear Pansy,

I've been thinking a lot about what we talked about, and also have been reading up on the historical records from the time of the first war. I've even delved into when Grindelwald was in power, and back when the Hogwarts founders were about.

Did you know that Slytherin didn't actually hate muggleborns? Well, he did and he didn't. It seems like he hated more what they represented. Witch hunters were much bigger back then, and he feared that letting in muggleborn students would expose everyone else to their world and in turn, hunters.

That's also part of the reason why, despite the other founders misgivings, Gryffindor gave the sorting hat the power to see into the deepest recesses of our minds instead of just our surface personality traits. He thought that the hat would be able to warn them if a hunter was coming for them. I guess that it didn't really work out all that well in the case of the Dark Lord, but then again he was our age back then and knew next to nothing about the wizarding world, so it isn't as if he could have had extensive plans of world domination back then. There are also some records that may indicate that the hat is spelled for secrecy except in certain situations.

Gryffindor also wanted the muggleborns educated separately from everyone else because there was no way they'd be on the same level as everyone who grew up in the wizarding world, which is a good point. I mean, they don't exactly teach us about the exchange rates between galleons and whatever they use or how to use the floo at Hogwarts now do they? The muggleborns are just expected to know everything we do then go on to prosper. Sounds like some shite to me.

-Draco

Pansy laughed lightly. She'd forgotten what a good little researcher Draco could be. It didn't take long for her to write back.

Dear Draco,

I never knew about the whole Slytherin thing. Now that I think about it, it makes a lot more sense why there is so much fear about them coming in and ruining our world.

But then again, that entire ideal is still very true today, even in places that are supposedly unbiased, like the ministry. We aren't supposed to use magic outside of school, yet they can't really tell who's doing magic in magical households, so that means the kids are allowed to practice all the want. That puts muggleborns at a severe disadvantage, and they only put the rule into place in 1979 under the influence of The Dark Lord, since he knew that.

Do you know when you're going shopping for school supplies?

-Pansy

She got a reply back within the hour.

Dear Pansy,

Father said he'll take me the 31st of July. You should come with us, so it won't be so boring. Your family can come as well, but if they wish they can send you on your own. I know your father is a very busy man.

-Draco

Dear Draco,

I would be most delighted to come with you. My parents, of course, think it's the perfect opportunity for me to show just how perfect we are for each other.

-Pansy


TOF


Pansy was a lot of things. Smart, resourceful, cunning, and loyal. Two things she definitely wasn't, though, were humble and patient, and she typically had no regrets about this.

However, she was wishing she had just a little more patience right then as she wished for the Malfoys to get their fucking hoity toity arses down to this goddamn alley.

Her father had already given her much more money than she would even need out of their vast vault, and now she just had to wait for the Malfoys. Technically they weren't late, but she still wished for them to just hurry up already.

Maybe it was because she didn't know what time Potter was scheduled to walk into Madame Malkins. She knew that that meeting with Draco that he had recounted in faked nonchalance over and over to her over the years was what really had initially pitted Harry against the Slytherins, and if she wanted the faintest hope of Potter helping to save their families then she would have to ensure that the relationship got off to a good start.

Pansy shuddered ever so lightly at the idea of defecting to the light and being under Dumbledore's rule. Everyone with half a brain knew that the old man was a manipulative old coot who would stop at nothing to make sure everything played out the way he wanted it. He was a Light Lord after all, and Lords were inherently a bit manipulative. She knew that under him she wouldn't be able to flourish as she had before as a Dark Witch.

Dark Magic wasn't inherently bad, just as Light Magic wasn't inherently good. That was a lesson everyone learned during the war as lines began to blur. A hard lesson.

She was shaken out of her thoughts by the sight of gleaming blonde hair approaching. The Malfoys had finally arrived...and then almost immediately abandoned the two in the robe shop.

It couldn't be that easy

Malkins let the two climb up on the platforms and began measuring them for their robes and reviewing fabric swatches with them. Pansy had just chosen a lovely shade of black when the bell rang over the door.

Oh yes, it was that easy.

Pansy held in a gasp at just how little Potter looked. He was practically swimming in dirty, stained, ragged clothes. He was all dark messy hair and big green eyes and Pansy just wanted to hold him and pet him.

Potter was scrawny for his age, despite the fact that she knew both of his parents were tall and healthy. A little twinge of sadness went through her.

Potter was directed to the platform next to hers. She aimed what she hoped to be a nice smile at him.

"Hello, Hogwarts too?" she asked softly. Potter looked at her with faint surprise, but she could see the hunger in his eyes for human interaction. It was the same hunger she saw in Draco from time to time. Draco who had so few friends and was so often kept up in his house for long periods of time to study.

"Yes," He said shortly. She could see he was rummaging about for something else to say, so she took the initiative.

"I'm Pansy, and this is my friend Draco," Pansy said, waving her hand over to where the blonde boy stood staring at Potter as if he was some sort of specimen. He had a familiar gleam in his eyes.

"I'm Harry." The boy said. Once again he seemed to be scrambling for something else to say, and Pansy had to wonder just how much time Potter got to spend interacting with other children before he came to Hogwarts. It was interesting how shy and sweet he was now, she noted with amusement. By the time they were thirteen he was more than a bit of an arsehole.

"So Harry, what house do you think you'll be in?" Draco asked carefully. He was assessing him, she knew, the way their parents had always taught them how.

"Uh, house?" Harry asked, confusion evident in his tone. A flash of realization light up Draco's eyes, and Pansy just hoped he wouldn't screw this up.

"Ah, are you a muggleborn?" He asked in barely contained excitement. At his confused expression Draco added, "Are your parents non magical?"

"Oh, no. My parents are both magic, but they died when I was young. I've been raised by muggles though." Harry explained. Then he flinched as if he thought they wouldn't want to talk to him anymore just because he didn't know as much as they did. Pansy knew that Draco still remained just as much of a sarcastic, pompous, vain, self centered jerk as he was before, but his extensive research had led him to more sympathy towards blood status, and she hoped that that and his inherently good nature would capture Harry.

"Oh, that's a shame." Or maybe not. Draco looked at Potter with genuine sympathy, and Pansy wondered what he was up to.

"Really, why?" Harry asked a bit warily. Draco lit up again as if he had just been waiting for Harry to ask exactly that.

"I was reading and I found this fascinating study on magical children and the presence of magic in early development. Magical babies naturally want to be around more magic, and their families elemental leanings often influence their childs. Muggleborn children often feel out of place their entire lives until they come to school and are often much more fussy babies because they feel that absence of magic." Draco said excitedly.

Ah, his know it all side has kicked in. Interesting.

Harry seemed properly interested, and they passed questions back and forth even after Pansy and Draco were finished with their robes. Pansy thought she could imagine little sparks of light setting off inside of Harry, letting off a warm glow.

"There are four houses, named after the four founders. Hufflepuff, Slytherin, Gryffindor, and Ravenclaw." Draco explained. Harry nodded along, obviously not quite knowing what was going on but bravely playing along. Pansy took pity.

"Each house is modeled after a certain trait the founders found especially important. Lady Hufflepuff found that being hardworking was the most important. Lord Gryffindor valued bravery."

Draco nodded in agreement. "Lord Slytherin loved those who had ambition and Lady Ravenclaw favored those who wanted to pursue knowledge."

Harry seemed to be mulling this over in his head. Pansy couldn't help looking at him and feeling as if she wanted to just run a good comb through his hair. Madame Malkin chose that moment to pipe up.

"I was a Slytherin myself. Good house that." she commented. At Harry's look, she elaborated. "Slytherins, the ones not already from wealthy houses anyway, tend to go on to become business owners and politicians. There's a reason why it's the house of ambition."

Harry nodded, and for awhile they all talked and joked about Hogwarts and the houses. Draco seemed to be genuinely enjoying himself, she noticed. She hoped this would be the start of a beautiful friendship. It seemed like Harry was the type to need some coddling, which Pansy was happy to provide.

"Oh, Hagrid's come back to get me." Harry said with a note of disappointment in his voice. Pansy felt herself become a little bereft too. The half-giant was holding two giant stacks of ice cream, and Pansy could see Draco sneering at his choice of clothing.

"Well we have to go anyway, don't we Draco?" Pansy said, tugging on his sleeve. He nodded solemnly and turned back to Harry.

"Do you have an owl?" When Harry shook his head no, Draco said it didn't matter, his owl would find him anyway, and he and Pansy would write him for the rest of the summer.

"We could teach you a little something about the wizard world." Draco said with his old superior smirk, but thankfully Harry seemed to find it amusing instead of twatish and wished them both a good day.

Next chapter is just about ready, so it should be posted on time. Leave your reviews with any criticism, suggestions, and comments you may have :D