II. The Easy Job

Pansy Parkinson was not looking forward to her 'study date' with her 'best friend,' Daphne Greengrass. She didn't really like Daphne Greengrass.

She didn't really like anyone without a penis.

Her father had encouraged (in other words, forced) her to befriend Daphne, as she was from yet another good old pureblood wizarding family. Pansy couldn't care less about making connections the conventional way. She knew she could gain social advantages by sleeping with wealthy husbands, threatening to tell their wives unless thoroughly compensated, and by these means, gain more-than-sufficient compensation. This had been her long-term life plan for several years.

But for now, Pansy was living under her father's roof (well, three months of the year) and found that she was more likely to get her way when she made sure he got his. So befriend Daphne she did.

Daphne, along with the rest of Hogwarts (excluding Draco and his clan), viewed Pansy as the sweet, innocent, nice-kind-of-popular girl that she pretended to be. There was no other way a hoity-toity, tight-assed prep like Daphne Greengrass would associate with Pansy.

'What do you want to start with, Pans?' Daphne chirped, tucking a long strand of auburn hair behind her ear. 'Transfiguration?' She held up a bright yellow binder, overflowing with heinously color-coded tabs and notes peeping out of the edges.

'Whatever you want, Daph,' Pansy responded, summoning all of her enthusiasm. She was a good actress, when she wanted to be. That's how she'd escaped being labeled the school slut. She'd even worn a baby-blue sweater set and matching headband for the occasion.

Daphne shuffled her papers uncomfortably for a moment. 'Actually, um, before we get started, I kind of had something I wanted to talk to you about.'

Oh, fuck. Pansy braced herself for the worst—Daphne was coming out as a lesbian, and she was in love with Pansy? Well, that might not be so bad, if she was willing to put out. Maybe she had fucked up somehow and wanted Pansy's divine forgiveness? No, she'd be sucking up more if that were the case. She definitely wanted a favor. She wanted Pansy to do something.

'See, Astoria—' Daphne began, as Pansy bit back a grimace at the mention of the painfully annoying fifth-year, 'well, she's not having the easiest time fitting in, you know. I figured,' she continued with a puke-worthy apologetic smile, 'you're popular, and nice, more so than I am. I was thinking, if it wouldn't be too much trouble—'

'I'll take her out for a butterbeer on Saturday,' Pansy assured her, having suddenly found a genuine enthusiasm. 'I'll—you know, take her under my wing.'

Pansy Parkinson was not planning to take Astoria Greengrass under her wing. She was planning to ruin her. She was almost heinously innocent, was friends with only a few other shy fifth-and-fourth-year girls, but she had one thing that Pansy envied, and that was none other than her boyfriend, Marcus Flint.

Pansy and Marcus had dated years ago in one of her off-periods from Draco. Pansy had loved every minute of it, but as it turned out, Marcus was the kind of bloke who wanted a girlfriend who wouldn't cheat on him, no matter how fit she was.

Bollocks.

The next week, Marcus had asked out Astoria Greengrass. She was pretty, Pansy had to admit that much, but she really didn't see how anyone could stand her for even five seconds. She was a lot like her sister in that way.

'Thanks, Pans,' Daphne smiled. 'I really appreciate it.'

'Of course.' Pansy's cheeks hurt from the fake smile plastered on her face. 'Now, Transfiguration?'

Pansy rushed across the Great Hall and slid into her usual spot at the front end of the Slytherin table, beside Draco. 'I have a mission for you,' she cooed.

Draco groaned. 'I'm already working on the Weaselette.'

Pansy cocked an eyebrow. 'What, too much for Draco Malfoy to handle?'

Draco shoved his plate away, wiping his hands with a satin green napkin. 'Of course not.' He turned to Pansy expectantly.

'Astoria Greengrass,' she giggled. 'We're going to ruin her sweet little innocent self. She'll be the premier slut of Hogwarts!'

'And this will be my doing?'

'Of course.'

Draco shrugged. 'Should be an easy job. You still after her because of Flint?'

'Of course not, darling.' Pansy tweaked his nose.

Draco raised his eyebrows.

Pansy sighed. 'A little. How's it going with the Weaselette?'

Draco grinned wickedly. 'I've got a plan.'

'A plan's worth nothing if you don't follow through,' Pansy sighed, growing bored, and scanned the table for Blaise. Locating him a few seats down, she grinned. 'We'll talk tomorrow, brother dearest.' She planted a kiss on his cheek, stood up, and pranced away.

'Oi! Not gonna eat?' Draco still got jealous when Pansy was with other blokes, which she adored. She basked in it, loved seeing the look on his face.

'Not hungry,' she called back with a knowing smirk, taking Blaise by the hand. He looked rather pleased to be led away, probably to some broom closet or another.

Draco frowned, and turned to Millicent Bulstrode on his other side. 'Wanna snog?'

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~KaleidoscopeKate