What You Never Knew

Pansy Parkinson: The Girl Who Loved

1. She was a mistake.

And she knew it, too. Her parents never ceased to remind her. "Faulty birth control spell," they'd always say. "Must've been created by those filthy Mudbloods." That was why Pansy hated Muggleborns so much: no matter whatever her parents said to her, she loved them, and believed anything they said. And so she grew up believing that if it wasn't for the stupid Mudbloods who created a bad spell, she wouldn't be there, and her parents would be happier. She would've been perfectly fine with not being alive if her parents were happy for once.

2. Her role model was her older sister, Alexandria.

Alexandria had been the one person to always be nice to her- even though Pansy was ten years younger than her. She had always been willing to brush her younger sister's long, black hair, have midnight chats, give makeovers, offer advice; whenever Pansy needed anything, Alexandria would always be the first one she would call, and would always be there to answer. Then, when Pansy was ten, Alexandria ran away to be with a Muggle- out of the blue. She didn't even say goodbye to Pansy. From that moment on, Pansy always hated her older sister- or at least, that was what she told herself.

3. The Patil girls used to be her best friends.

Their mothers had been good friends in school, and had kept in touch afterwards, so Pansy, Parvati and Padma had known each other since they were babies. They had always been a trio- "The P Girls", they'd call themselves, since all of their first names began with 'P'. Then, they had gone to Hogwarts, where they had been Sorted into three separate Houses. Pansy had wanted to fit in with her fellow Slytherins so badly that she had mistakenly teased Parvati after she had stuck up for Neville Longbottom- and when you tease one Patil, you tease both. Their friendship had been irreparable after that.

4. Ravenclaw was Pansy's House of choice.

Unbeknownst to many, Pansy's mother had been a Ravenclaw- as had her mother, and her mother, and so forth. Pansy had always wanted to carry on that tradition and be Sorted into Ravenclaw herself- it was the one thing that her mother encouraged and supported her about. Unfortunately, the Sorting Hat had, quite obviously, had other ideas.

…What is this blasted hat doing on my head? Pansy thought as the ratty hat covered her eyes. Having one of the shortest attention spans known to mankind, she had somehow not noticed that this hat would place her in a Hogwarts House.

I'd prefer not to be called 'this blasted hat', Pansy Parkinson, the Sorting Hat had calmly replied. Pansy had jumped in her seat. I'm the Sorting Hat, after all- my job is to place you into your Hogwarts House. Slytherin, Ravencl-

There. Put me there.

If the Sorting Hat had eyebrows to raise, it would've. Ravenclaw, eh? Are you sure you want to be put with all the bookish folk? Personally, I think you'd be a much better fit in Slytherin, you have so much against Muggles.

Of course I do! They're the reason my life is so bloody miserable!

Language, Miss. Hmm, now that I look at it, you do have a lot to blame Muggles for- in your eyes, at least. You know, I'm sure all the other Slytherins would agree on your opinions about Muggles…

…They would?

Ah, you want to fit in, do you? Well, if that's the case, I hate to crush your childhood dream, but Slytherin is the best place for you. Muggle-haters like yourself; pureblood galore; you have enough cunning for it, mind you.

If I have so much cunning, why can't I go into Ravenclaw?

Cunning is very different from the wisdom and book smarts of Ravenclaw.

Are you saying I'm not smart?!

On the contrary, Miss Parkinson- I think you are very intelligent. In fact, I know you are very intelligent. But the fact of the matter is, there are different kinds of intelligence.

…You really think Slytherin would be the best place for me?

I know it would be the best place for you.

Well, alright then. At least Father may be happy with me for once.

That's the way to stay optimistic! "SLYTHERIN!"

5. Her favorite teacher was Professor Aurora Sinistra.

Not many people got to know the strict Astronomy teacher- Pansy hadn't even meant to, in fact. She had been wandering the corridors after hours, just thinking, and had found herself at the Astronomy Tower, where Professor Sinistra was gazing at the sky.

The Professor had turned around and admonished, "You know, you really should be in bed right now, Miss Parkinson."

"I- I'm not in bed? Oh, deary me, I must've been sleepwalking!" Pansy had giggled nervously, not particularly eager to receive detention. "I'll just be going back then-"

"You really are a terrible liar, Pansy," Sinistra had laughed. Then, surprisingly, she had gestured to Pansy to then walk over to her. Pansy, being the relatively obedient First Year she was at the time, had done so. "Look at the stars."

"What?" Pansy had asked, confused, staring at the professor.

"You heard me. Look at the stars. It helps clear your mind," the Astronomy teacher advised.

Pansy looked at the stars, and found, to her slight shock, that after a while, she felt much more at peace. "The stars are beautiful," she had sighed.

"Yes, they are," Sinistra had agreed. "Now, go back to your dormitory, before I have to give you detention."

The two had shared a slight smile, and then Pansy had departed. She came back to visit quite often, though- Professor Sinistra was always there, as if expecting her.

6. She knew Draco didn't really fancy her.

More likely, he just wanted a girlfriend for the sake of saying he had one- and Pansy had been there, more than willing to oblige. So they had gone out for years- though really, it was more snogging every once in a while, going to dances when they happened- and, in Seventh Year, Pansy was proud to say that she dumped him. People may not believe her- since she had always seemed to adore Draco with every fiber of her being- but it was true. She had seen the way he looked at Astoria Greengrass, and she would not allow herself to be humiliated by having a cheating boyfriend. Besides, she loved him- she just wanted him to be happy.

7. Theodore Nott always intrigued her.

He was a pureblood Slytherin, yes; his father was a Death Eater, yes; and yet, he never seemed to be all that against Mudbloods. Really, he showed no emotion towards them at all- no emotion towards anyone, actually. He had always been a loner, often called a "Lone Wolf" by his fellow Slytherins. Pansy had always wondered why this was. Then she had found out about his mother's untimely death from an incurable Muggle disease, and his being forced to see her die in bed, and suddenly, she knew why he had never been particularly eager to talk to people. Grief lasted longer for some than others, she decided. So she became friends with Theodore, during her Seventh Year. The moment he smiled at her- the first emotion she saw him display- she fell for him.

8. She hadn't really wanted to give up Harry Potter to Lord Voldemort.

Sure, she had never liked him- not one bit, in fact. But she had some sense, and knew that despite her fierce hatred towards him, he didn't deserve being handed over to his certain death. The only reason she even suggested it was for Theodore- if it wasn't for Potter, bloody Potter and his friends, poor Theodore wouldn't be living by himself because his father, his last living family member, was in Azkaban. The way she saw it, Theodore- her boyfriend by then- was too quiet to say it himself, so she had to say it for him. She couldn't have cared less that the rest of her Hogwarts classmates hated her from that point on.

9. There was one Weasley she didn't hate.

Though she had never been able to stand him or his blood-traitor siblings in Hogwarts, Pansy found that she couldn't hate George Weasley. She never spoke to him- she just saw him once in Diagon Alley through his shop window. It was all too obvious that he hadn't smiled in months- wrinkles surrounded his frowning mouth, his eyes were red from tears, his skin was even paler than usual. Not to mention he was missing an ear.

Of course, Pansy knew this was the result of his twin, Fred, his other half, dying. She could sympathize with George- both of them had siblings, best friends, who had left them. So when she had seen Angelina Johnson tentatively eyeing George through the doorway, she had wasted no time in pushing her in, knowing the two had been friends in Hogwarts. When she had seen their marriage announcement in the Daily Prophet, she had just smirked to herself.

10. She saw Alexandria once- just once- after she had left.

It had been a regular day when Pansy had taken her daughter, Sarah- after Theodore's mother- to the nearest park, despite it being a Muggle park. Sarah, being the curious four-year-old she was, had caught sight of a butterfly after about twenty minutes there, and had chased it- out of her mother's sight and earshot. When Pansy had realized this, she had begun searching frantically for her precious child, not caring that her screams probably made her sound like a madwoman. Then, she had seen the most extraordinary thing: her darling Sarah, licking an ice cream cone, being led over to her by a tall black-haired woman.

"Sarah!" Pansy had cried, kneeling down to her daughter's height and flinging her arms around her. "Don't you ever scare Mummy like that again!"

"I won't, Mummy," Sarah promised absentmindedly- it was good enough for her mother, who was just relieved to have her back.

Remembering her manners, Pansy had decided that she ought to thank this wonderful woman for returning her daughter to her- and, apparently, buying her ice cream. Standing up and brushing off her skirt, she had begun, "Thank you so mu-" when she had looked into the far- too- familiar face.

The woman was an older, more lined version of Alexandria.

"You're welcome," the woman had smiled kindly. "She's a sweet little girl."

Pansy regained her Slytherin poise and nodded. "She is, thank you. May I ask what your name is?"

"Alex Trent," the woman told her. Sticking out her hand politely, she said, "And you are…?"

"Pansy Nott," the former Slytherin had grasped the woman's hand. The barest flicker of recognition and shock passed through her eyes before disappeared quickly; it was enough to confirm Pansy's suspicions, though.

"Well," Alex said, dropping her hand, "It was a pleasure to meet you, Pansy, but I must be going."

"It was nice to see you again- Alexandria."

Alexandria Trent gave her sister a small wink and a wave before walking away.

Pansy Parkinson loved many people. She loved her parents. She loved her older sister. She loved Draco- then, once that feeling was gone, Theodore. She loved Sarah, and all the children that came afterwards. In fact, Pansy loved most people- even if they didn't return her feelings, and she knew that most of them didn't. But she couldn't help it. Because she was nothing more or less than The Girl Who Loved.

Thanks to Pixiebookworm- again- for the suggestion to do Pansy Parkinson!

And I have to ask, why did I only get ONE review- thank you, L.A.H.H.- last chapter?! This time, though I hate to say it, I'm not updating unless I get at least 3 reviews! So PLEASE review!

Anyways, hope you liked this chapter! Suggestions for future characters appreciated!

-Joelle8