Pansy slowly moved toward the large double doors that led into the Great Hall. She knew that everyone was going to stare at her, but she had weighed her options and realized that simply going back to the ball was more inconspicuous than being drug back by her hair.

Opening the door with a swift tug, Pansy came to stand in the entrance scanning the room. She was surprised to find that not everyone was staring. In fact, the only ones who were included her friends: Terry, Adrian, Miles, and Goyle, her enemies: Blaise and Draco, and those people who had nothing better to do: Potty, Weasel, and The Bush of Knowledge, who was supposed to be dancing with Viktor Krum, but judging by her puffy, red eyes, Weasel had made an arse of himself, yet again.

"You actually look…like you." A rough voice muttered from behind her. She could almost feel the older boy hovering over her. His breath coaxed her skin.

Turning around elegantly, Pansy smirked up at Marcus Flint. "Yes, well, no need to wear hideous pink robes. I don't think that Draco is going to be a problem anymore."

Marcus barked with laughter. "Draco is scarred for life. In fact, he's been muttering to himself since you left."

Pansy rolled her eyes. "They're overreacting."

"They just found out that one of their not-so-bright friends who they thought loved and adored them actually loathes their very existence and has made herself content by torturing them for years. I don't believe they are overreacting by much." Marcus replied, his green eyes sparkled as they bore into her gold. "Nice show, by the way. I couldn't have done it better myself."

"I just…I lost control." Pansy muttered in shock. "I don't know what came over me."

Marcus sighed deeply as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Years and years of pent up anguish. You snapped…it happens."

"Not to me." Pansy replied darkly.

Marcus scoffed. "It does now."

"Wow…Parkinson, you look surprisingly pretty." Weasel's voice cut through the air. He was sitting at a nearby table eating some type of cake with Potty at his side.

Pansy turned to look at Ron stunned. "What?"

Harry laughed. "He said you look surprisingly…"

"Yes, I heard that." Pansy interrupted in annoyance. "Your friend has lost his ruddy mind."

Harry laughed loudly at that. "You aren't telling me anything new."

Ron frowned as he looked to Harry. "But she does! She looks very pretty."

"WELL!" Hermione Granger suddenly huffed loudly, standing in the middle of the dance floor with a stunned and confused Viktor Krum. Pansy sent her prayer of thanks heavenward, realizing that this was about to turn into a Golden Trio blow out and take the attention off of her and her dysfunction life. "If you think she's so very pretty then why didn't you ask HER to the Yule Ball?" Great, she was going to be part of the blow out too. This night was getting better by the second.

Ron scowled. "Why does it matter to you? You're with VIIIIIKKKKTOOOOR!"

Hermione huffed again. "Please, with the way you've been talking I'm surprised you didn't ask him to the Yule Ball yourself!"

Ron glared as he jumped to his feet. "Oh! Is that right?"

Pansy sighed. "It's days like this that I feel bad for Potter."

Harry laughed lightly. "You haven't seen the worst of it."

Something must've been said that sent Ron off because he suddenly jumped to his feet and began marching in her direction. Pansy fought off the urge to run, knowing that the chuckling Marcus Flint would actually fall on the floor and begin rolling around with laughter if she did. She refused to give him that much pleasure.

"Parkinson, would you dance with me?" Ron questioned in a roar, his red hair flying about him as his blue eyes burned with fury.

Pansy frowned deeply. "Would it do me any good to decline?"

Ron shook his head. "Not a bit."

"Then I would love to dance with you, Weasel." Pansy replied as she allowed him to lead her onto the dance floor.

Padma gasped loudly and it echoed around the Great Hall. "I was his date and he didn't even bother to ask me!"

Pansy snorted. "That's because he just realized that making Hermione jealous was easier with a dance partner." Her voice was very low so that no one would hear her.

Ron frowned, obviously picking up on her statement. "I'm not trying to make Hermione jealous."

"Tell that to someone who is dense enough to believe you." Pansy muttered.

Despite his determination, Ron was a rather awful dancer and Pansy found herself leading most of the time. It was the only way to insure that her feet were not broken by the end of the song.

"So, you aren't thick." Ron began, obviously attempting to have a conversation. "That's interesting."

Pansy smirked at him. "How so?"

"Well…you've always seemed like you were." Ron replied slowly.

"Yes, well, appearances can be deceiving." Pansy said as she glanced to the side. Her eyes lingered on a dancing redheaded girl for a moment before looking back to Ron. "Surely YOU understand that."

Ron laughed loudly. "Ah…you've met Ginny, my little sister who pretends to be sweet, innocent light and is actually a vicious snake."

"Hey, give her some credit. She's only mean to those who…deserve it." Pansy replied with a smile.

Ron smirked. "Yes, and she gets to decide who deserves it."

Pansy nodded. "True."

"So…I'm assuming that you and Draco are no longer dating." Ron commented as he spun her out and then back in. Pansy was rather impressed seeing as he actually managed to do it without falling or trampling all over her.

"That's the understatement of the year. I'll be lucky if he doesn't have me sent to Azkaban." Pansy snorted as she moved in time with the music.

"You might deserve it." Ron replied thoughtfully. He didn't sound judgmental. It just sounded like an observation.

Pansy only shrugged. "I suppose."

Silence fell over them, not really awkward, just silence. Ron glanced around and then turned back to Pansy. "So…who will you date now? Flint?"

"Under absolutely no circumstances." Pansy replied quickly. She felt someone bump her from behind and couldn't keep from smiling. "Watch where you're going, Flint."

Marcus growled as he crushed his slag of a partner's body against his. "No worries. I know EXACTLY where we're going." He looked into the girl's dark blue eyes briefly. "Isn't that right, luv?" His voice sounded like pure silk.

At that, he turned and began to exit the Great Hall with the unidentified Beauxbaton girl's hand clasped tightly in his. Pansy scowled darkly as she looked back to Ron. "Can we talk about something other than my love life, assuming that you have no desire to be part of it?"

Ron frowned trying to take in everything she had said. "Oh! You mean…I don't wish to date you. Right, well, no…I mean yes, that would brass off Hermione quite a bit, but that really wouldn't benefit you in any way." He paused to glance toward the Great Hall doors. "Unless you're lying about your feelings for Flint. Then of course, I would be a perfect candidate for making him undeniably jealous."

"Flint just ran off with some slag from Beauxbaton that he will have nude and in his bed in about five minutes. Believe me, Weasel, I'm not interested." Pansy told him with a growl.

Ron's frown deepened. "For someone who isn't interested you seem quite brassed off about the whole thing."

"I just don't understand why I have surrounded myself with male whores." Pansy replied tightly as she did a rather impressive spin before moving back into Ron.

"A flaw in judgment." Ron told her with a sigh. "You really should try and befriend Gryffindors. You shouldn't let being a Slytherin hinder you."

Pansy snorted. "There is nothing wrong with being a Slytherin." She paused for a moment and then continued. "And for the record, not all Gryffindors are the Bitty-Helpers you, Potty, and Granger strive to be. It's quite annoying really."

"Bitty helpers?" Ron questioned confused.

Pansy smiled brightly. "You help old bitty's across the street."

"I prefer the term do-gooders. Although it's said in a condescending way. It doesn't sound as stupid." Ron muttered.

Pansy laughed at that. "Which would defeat the purpose."

"I was just saying that you need better friends." Ron commented, bringing them back to the point. He spun her out quickly and then back in. Apparently, his dancing was improving with time.

"I've known them my entire life Weasel. I do love them they are just…" Pansy trailed off at a lack of words.

"Immoral?" Ron interjected.

Pansy frowned thoughtfully. "Exactly."

"Well, make some more friends. You can still be friends with them, but…broaden your horizons." Ron told her with a wicked smile worthy of a Slytherin.

Pansy's mouth fell open in shock. "Did you just quote Trelooney to me?"

"I did." Ron laughed loudly. "I really did."

Pansy was silent for a moment, listening as the music changed to something soft and romantic. She moved closer to Ron and began to dance in a slower, steadier pace. She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck as he wrapped his around her waist. "I…" She looked off and then looked back. "I've spent my entire life with them. Don't get me wrong, I've had my fair share of crushes…" Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"On them?" Ron asked curiously.

Pansy sighed. "Some. They have always been the same. They run around and sleep around…they never go back. It's their rule."

"Well, do you have feelings for Flint or not?" Ron questioned. He looked around to see if anyone was paying attention. Of course they were, but no one could hear their conversation. "I won't tell anyone…I promise. You have every right to hex me if I do."

Pansy shrugged. "I've…well…it's came and it's went. It's hard to have feelings for someone who shags every girl in a ten mile radius. You know, except for me."

Ron frowned. "You're his friend. He knows that would ruin your friendship."

Pansy slowly nodded. "Right, well…yeah. So I've gotten over my feelings. Sometimes, though…" She trailed off as she tried to focus on anything but the ache that was developing in her chest.

Ron nodded, understanding burned in his blue eyes as he stared down at her. "Sometimes it still hurts."

Silence fell over them once again. This time it was awkward. Apparently they had something in common. Pansy fought the urge to groan. Just what she wanted, something in common with Ron Weasley.

Ron cleared his throat loudly. "Well, you know, you need to move on…make new friends, date people."

Pansy smirked at him. "I've tried. Unfortunately, my overprotective friends threatened to kill him and he decided that we needed to stop seeing each other."

Ron rolled his eyes. "Obviously wasn't a Gryffindor."

"Do you look down on all the houses except for yours?" Pansy asked in shock.

Ron nodded. "Yes." He smirked. "Well…was he Gryffindor?"

Pansy groaned. "Of course he wasn't a Gryffindor. He was a Ravenclaw."

"See." Ron replied with an arrogant expression.

"So you're telling me that you honestly believe that Seamus Finnigan would've stood up, by himself, against Marcus Flint, Adrian Pucey, Miles Bletchley, and Terrence Higgs?" Pansy questioned with a smirk.

Ron laughed. "No, I'm telling you that Seamus Finnigan lives in the same dormitory as Harry Potter."

Pansy snorted. "Oh, fabulous, I could've dated The Boy Who Hid Behind Potty's Robes." She shook her head. "No Gryffindor would actually lower themselves to dating a Slytherin. We're BENEATH them. We're slimy little snakes…remember?"

Ron grunted. "Look, I'm dancing with you aren't I?"

"Yes, because Granger nearly blew her top at the idea of you thinking I'm pretty." Pansy commented as she glanced around looking for the girl in question. She winced when she spotted Hermione Granger, perched on a chair next to the wall glaring holes at the dancing couple. That could not be good.

"It's possible for a Gryffindor to date a Slytherin." Ron told her. Pansy smirked and he sighed. "Of course, I never considered the possibility before tonight, but after thinking it over…it could happen."

Pansy laughed lightly. "If you say so."

As the music began to change, Ron led Pansy off the dance floor to stand beside the table he had been sitting at all night. "Well, thank you for the dance, Parkinson."

Pansy snorted. "No problem."

"Care to go again?" Harry asked as he stood to his feet. He ran his hand through his wild hair only causing it to stick up a bit more. It was actually sort of…cute and endearing, although Pansy would rather die than admit it.

Looking around at the crowded Great Hall, Pansy began to debate with herself. She had danced with Ron because he had wanted to make Granger jealous, but…well, Harry didn't have a reason. "Other than making Chow jealous." She muttered softly to herself.

Harry frowned. "What?"

"Nothing." Pansy mumbled. She looked around at her friends who were all currently dancing, then at Blaise who was glaring venom at her from across the room, then to Draco who was sitting off somewhere behind Blaise staring at her with the strangest expression, and then back to Harry. "Why not?"

Harry smiled awkwardly as he followed her back to the spot where she had been dancing with Ron not moments before. "So…do you have feelings for Ron because I feel obligated to inform you that Hermione will murder you in public with little to no remorse."

Pansy laughed lightly. "Rest assured, Potty, I do not have feelings for the Weasel. Thanks for the warning, though. For the record, I think Granger is more of a silent killer. She would kill me and make it look like an accident."

Harry looked thoughtful. "That's possible too."

"I find myself drawn more to the Weasley twins than to Weasel himself." Pansy replied with a wicked grin.

"Um…yeah…I could've gone without that." Harry informed her as they slowly began to dance to the music.

Pansy laughed loudly as she spun around once and then moved back into Harry. "Well, you were the one who started this conversation."

"Are you dancing with me in an attempt to avoid your friends?" Harry asked boldly.

Pansy nodded. "Yes. Are you dancing with me to try and make Cho notice you?"

"She notices me!" Harry exclaimed in outrage.

Pansy quirked a brow. "Well, she will if you don't lower your voice."

Harry frowned as he turned to look at the asian beauty who was dancing closely with Cedric Diggory. It was actually quite funny considering the fact that Cho was inconspicuously casting glances toward Harry every few minutes while Diggory was blatantly staring at Susan Bones and frowning at her date, Ernie Macmillan.

"Alright so I might be trying to make her notice me and maybe…" Harry trailed off.

Pansy smirked. "Make her jealous?" She wasn't sure that was possible because she was almost certain that Cho the Hoe didn't have a heart, but the girl did have pride and would most likely get brassed off if her favorite toy got meddled with. Someone needed to inform Potter about Cho's lack of…morality and…well…attachment, but she wasn't that person. She was Pansy Parkinson. She was avoiding her friends and doing everything in her power to try and escape the Yule Ball in one piece.

"Right. Well, I just didn't want you to…" Harry trailed off again with a deep frown.

Pansy rolled her eyes. "Be disillusioned about the true reason you're dancing with me? Believe it or not Potty I'm not stupid enough to think that you are genuinely interested in me."

Harry frowned even deeper. "It's possible for…well, I mean…you don't need to think so negatively about yourself."

Pansy stared at him in shock for a moment and then snorted. "Right."

Harry glanced around the room and then laughed. "I think Hermione is planning to…speak with you."

"Yeah, I think I should make a run for the dungeons when I get the chance or she'll bash my head in with Hogwarts: A History." Pansy snickered as she spun out and then back in.

"She might have mentioned it." Harry winced.

Pansy's eyes widened. "Well then."

Harry sighed. "She might have been the one who told me to warn you."

"And reason two for why you asked me to dance is revealed." Pansy snorted as she looked over at Hermione. The girl was currently scowling as she danced closely with Viktor Krum.

"You know, I think I was better off when I was spending all my time with Draco." Pansy commented.

Harry barked with laughter at that. "That is ruddy sad!"

"Yeah, it is." Pansy laughed. Taking a deep breath, she began to relax, allowing herself to sway to the music in silence, feeling the soft tones flowing through her. She actually enjoyed dancing, despite the fact that she hadn't done much of it over the years. She tried to avoid situations that would place her in close proximity to Draco.

"So…your parents…are horrid." Harry muttered.

Pansy snorted. "Wow, you're quite the conversationalist. Why didn't you ask whether my virginity was intact or perhaps if I recalled how my grandmother died?"

"Because I'm assuming from the rumors that you're virginity is not intact and…well, I didn't know your grandmother was dead." Harry replied softly with a small smile that caused his green eyes to sparkle brightly.

Pansy couldn't help, but laugh at him. "You know, Potty, they say curiosity killed the cat."

"Good thing I'm human." Harry said with a smirk.

Pansy opened and closed her mouth several times before shaking her head. "I suppose." She frowned deeply. She had rarely shared any information about her family life, nonetheless to a Gryffindor do-gooder…she almost cursed at the nickname Ron had suggested…BITTY-HELPER like Harry Potter.

Harry sighed. "Look, I just figured we might as well get it out of the way. It's like…the thing we don't talk about, which means we'll think about it. I'll wonder what happened and you'll wonder if I am wondering what happened…it's a horrible situation."

Pansy rolled her eyes. She looked around briefly and then focused her attention back on Harry. "Alright, so my father is…well…sadistic to say the very least. He likes to hurt me. My mother is normally invisible. She tries to avoid me at all cost. When she doesn't…" She sighed, shrugging her shoulders. "Well, she's just a right bitch. Mostly, I try to stay away from them."

Harry nodded in understanding. "I know the feeling. My parents are dead and I was sent to live with my muggle aunt and uncle who forced me to sleep in a broom cupboard under the stairs. They have a son named Dudley, who is the center of their universe and he spent the majority of his time using me as a human punching bag not to mention he makes Crabbe look thin." He paused to frown. "It's nothing in comparison to your family, though."

"It is." Pansy replied softly. "You had better. You had a mom and dad who loved you and they were taken away before you even got the chance to know them. I just got dealt a bad hand. You…you have to live knowing that you could've had better."

It took a moment for Pansy to realize they had stopped dancing. Harry was staring down at her with devastated green eyes that burned with emotions that made her want to look away. She could see his grief, his anger, everything shining in those eyes. What was it with her and finding things in common with Gryffindors? It was becoming an irritating habit.

"Do you both plan on standing in the middle of the dance floor all night while the other couples try to avoid you or are you going to eventually move?" Marcus' voice cut through the silence.

Pansy turned to face him. The ache from earlier returned to her chest with full force when she noticed how disheveled he looked towering over her. The slag from Beauxbaton stood at his side with a slightly twisted smile. Her dark blue eyes shown with a satisfaction Pansy had seen far too many times.

Without a word, Pansy turned and headed toward the entrance to the Great Hall. She had to escape. She had to get away before she fell apart.

Ron quickly jumped to his feet, trying to stop her. "Pansy! Pansy wait!" There was a pause and then he continued. "Luv, don't leave me!"

Pansy's body immediately froze. Her legs literally would not budge another inch forward. She slowly turned to face him with a confused and yet horrified expression. Her eyes immediately shot to Hermione Granger who had actually broken a punch glass in the palm of her hand. "What?"