Secrets, Secrets

'Well, hello, you cute thing, you,' Pansy cooed as a greeting. She pecked Astoria Greengrass on the cheek, catching Draco's eye across the library in the process.

Kill me, she mouthed. Draco smirked, amused.

'So, I'm sure you're wondering why I wanted to meet up. Well, I really just wanted to get a chance to get to know you more,' Pansy beamed. 'Daph and I are great friends, and I know you're a sweetheart, so I just wanted to spend some time with you also.'

'That's so sweet of you, Pansy,' Astoria blushed, with a starstruck smile.

'Well, how has your fifth year been going so far, dear? I've heard a lot about you and,' she changed her tone to a teasing one as she sat down, 'Marcus Flint, right?'

Astoria bit her lip. 'Oh, erm. We just broke up, actually.'

'Really?' Pansy Parkinson was taken aback. And Pansy Parkinson was never taken aback. She reached for Astoria's hand. 'What happened?'

Astoria's hazel eyes were gigantic as they met Pansy's, desperate to impress the most popular seventh-year-girl. 'Promise you won't tell anyone?'

Pansy Parkinson's insides did a jig. Secrets, secrets, are no fun, unless you twist them and spread them all around school to ruin the lives of people you hate. 'Of course I promise.'

'Well….I cheated on him,' Astoria began, seeming rather embarrassed, 'with Justin Finch-Fletchley.'

Pansy Parkinson was really taken aback. 'The….the Hufflepuff? The….the Muggle….the Muggle-born Hufflepuff?'

It should also be mentioned that Pansy Parkinson never stuttered.

'I know, I know,' Astoria sighed. 'He's all wrong for me. But we're so perfect for each other,' she clutched Pansy's hand desperately. 'We're….in love. Daphne would never approve. That's why I need you to keep this a secret,' she explained.

Pansy flashed her a trademark-grin. 'Cross my heart. How'd you two….well, how'd this happen?'

Astoria's face lit up with the excitement of telling the story of her secret romance for the first time. 'I was in the Room of Requirement,' she began, 'practicing violin. He came in because, get this—he plays violin too! Of all things. And he's bloody amazing! He showed me a tip or two, and it was sooooo amazingly sexy. And then we made out,' she finished exuberantly.

'Sooo scandalous,' Pansy commented. 'In a totally hot way,' she reassured the little Greengrass, who was terrified of losing Pansy's good will.

Itching to set out and ruin Astoria's life, Pansy found her eyes wandering. They met Draco's once more. And who had just sat down beside him but the Weaselette.

Draco was studying with the Weaselette.

Of course. Pansy rolled her eyes at Draco's wink. They were in Transfiguration together, and Draco must have asked her to study with him. A perfect move.

But, this was Draco Malfoy, she admitted. That was his specialty.

His other specialty, that is.

'So, Astoria, tell me,' Pansy leaned across the table. 'Did you ever sleep with Marcus?'

Astoria shook her head furiously, bewildered by the question.

Pansy raised her eyebrows as if surprised. 'Have you slept with Justin?'

'D-do you think that's the kind of girl I am?' Astoria worried.

'Of course not,' Pansy assured her. 'I think that's the kind of girl you can be,' she finished mischievously.

'Listen. My advice is to sleep with as many people as possible.'

Astoria's mouth fell open. 'But that would make me a slut, wouldn't it?'

'Oh, come on dear,' Pansy said, focusing her attention on her pristine nails. 'Everyone does it.' She folded her arms across her chest.

Astoria eyed her skeptically.

'It's just that no one talks about it,' she whisper-finished, placing one finger in the 'shh' position across her mouth.

'Really? So, it's like a secret society?'

'That's one way of looking at it,' Pansy purred. Fucking idiot.

'But I have no idea how-'

'I'll find someone who can show you the ropes.'

Astoria frowned. 'You mean doing it with someone other than Justin?'

'Just for practice,' Pansy promised. 'It doesn't really count. It's only so that the two of you will have a better experience. I'm sure he's practiced before, too.'

'Oh. Really?'

'Really,' Pansy grinned pure sunshine. 'Well I've got to go, dear.'

Off to ruin your life.

She stood up and embraced Astoria.

'Oh! Pansy,' Astoria exclaimed as Pansy began to walk away.

Just leave me fucking alone already. 'Yes?'

'I...erm. I have this letter. Erm, for Justin. I can't exactly see him in public, and I can't exactly spend every waking hour in the Room of Requirement, either. And, well, I know you have connections to... just about everyone. Could you give this letter to him somehow?' Astoria pleaded, eyes wide and naive. Fresh prey for the hunting.

'I'll see that it gets to him,' Pansy slid the letter into her pocket.

'You're the best!' Astoria embraced Pansy enthusiastically, and Pansy patted her awkwardly on the back.

'Yes. Well. I really do have to go now.'

'Oh! I'm so sorry to delay you. Talk to you later, Pansy! I'm so glad we're friends! You're the sweetest person I know!' Astoria exclaimed in fits of ecstasy, nearly prancing away.

Pansy cackled to herself. Right.

She peered around the library. Draco was still with the Weaselette, damn him. At this rate he actually might make that bet happen.

Unlikely, yes, but perhaps within the realm of possibility now.

Pansy groaned. Why was she always so horny?

'Blaaaaine...' she whined, beginning her search.

~KaleidoscopeKate