"So many years,

Can leave behind

Regretfully, until it's time

To realize that moment,

When you turn around…

I'm coming home

To breathe again,

To start again"

-Calls Me Home

Chapter 15: Things Have Changed

Past disclaimer applies…

"Look, now's not really the best time-" Hermione tried explaining, desperate to make her way towards the Headmaster's office. Despite being utterly confused as to why the Slytherin would want to talk with her, let alone what about, her concern over Harry overrode any other thoughts at the moment.

"Potter's fine," Pansy told her, "I caught him talking with Draco as I made my way up here," at the uneasy look upon the other girl's face, she went on, "They had a meeting tonight, did they not?"

Hermione nodded, "Yes, but that should have been over with by now," she then curiously inquired, "I take it Malfoy informed you?"

It was Pansy's turn to nod, "Yeah, but that's not important," she stated bluntly, "I need to talk with you."

The Gryffindor crossed her arms, "Well, perhaps tomorrow. Curfew is in less than five minutes and I still need to speak with-"

"Forget curfew," Pansy cut her off, "and your boyfriend's fine for Merlin's sake," she told the opposite brunette, causing her to become slightly flustered, "He's probably still caught up with Draco and Professor Snape."

"Wait," Hermione put two and two together, instantly forgetting the comment Parkinson made about her and Harry, "Professor Snape is Draco's godfather?" she asked.

The Slytherin sighed in frustration, "Yes," she snapped, "Now, I just want to ask you a few questions, alright?"

She hesitated for a few seconds before reluctantly nodding, "Alright," Hermione told her, "But I can't guarantee any answers," she added out of her distrust towards Pansy.

"There's a first," Parkinson muttered, unable to help herself.

Hermione, who still heard the snide remark, gave the pug-faced girl a stern look, "Insulting me will hardly get you anywhere," she crossed her arms, "So, if that is all you intend to do, I'll just head back-"

"Oh, don't get your knickers in a twist, Granger," Pansy rolled her eyes. Sometimes the Gryffindor was too emotional for her own good…

"Then get to the point," Hermione ordered, losing her patience.

"Fine," she said through gritted teeth, trying her absolute best to keep her tone a calm one. As it was, the pureblood was far from fond of the girl before her. 'The things I do for my friends,' Pansy thought to herself before continuing, "Are Weaselette and Thomas like officially an item now?" she asked, quickly.

Hermione couldn't have been more taken by surprise. "Why do you care?" she asked, firmly, once she had gained back her composure.

"Don't answer my question with another question, Granger," Pansy spat. Growing up, that had always been one of her biggest pet peeves. I mean, why bother asking about anything at all if you're just going to get is another inquiry in return? Nothing would ever be resolved that way.

"Well, I never said I would answer any of your questions in the first place, did I?" Hermione pointed out.

Pansy glared at her, "If you won't answer mine then I won't answer yours," she replied in a very Slytherin fashion. In her house, favors were never handed out without some sort of deal or catch being made. Also, she knew that the bookworm always let curiosity get the best of her.

The bushy-haired girl glared back, "They are," she answered shortly, "Now, why did you care so much?"

'Yeah, knowledge is definitely Granger's weakness,' Pansy thought. "I don't," she then told the girl, for it was the truth. She, personally, had no interest in the Weasley girl's dating life.

Thoroughly annoyed at this point, Hermione replied, "Then why are you wasting my time? I have better things to be doing at the moment, you know," she then snapped before Parkinson could get a word in, "I don't understand. You never talk to me, and I have yet to do a thing to you, so what exactly is this all about? It's typically Malfoy and his two 'friends' who are giving us a hard time," she informed her, although Hermione was fairly certain the other girl already knew that. "And we never did anything to him either, come to think of it," she added, "Is it a Slytherin thing?" The Gryffindor asked, "To just be complete-"

"Shut up!" Pansy cut her off, officially losing her temper. "Not caring and not wanting to know are two entirely different things," she began, "I wouldn't have marched all the way up to this bloody tower if I didn't genuinely want that information."

"Then why-?" Hermione began, but Parkinson raised her hand, thus silencing her once more.

"Let me finish," she instructed, without proceeding until she was certain Hermione would allow her to explain herself. "Whatever Draco did to you guys in the past is irrelevant to our conversation," Pansy stated, "And its people like you who continue to give Slytherin house a bad reputation. All of you think that just because we don't go around being super friendly to everyone we are all automatically gits," she then crossed her arms as the other girl had done previously, "We all have our reasons for acting the way we do," she said, lowering her voice now, "It'd be appreciated if you didn't judge us for that," Pansy looked away, "Besides, some of us are made to…" she drifted off, not at all wanting to finish the sentence. It wasn't something she wished to share with anybody, let alone Granger. It was simply too dangerous for her to do.

"Made to what?" Hermione asked, softly. The pain evident in the other girl's voice was enough to put an end to her anger. Well, that, along with curiosity distracting her once more.

"Forget it," the Slytherin looked back up once her mask was in place yet again, "I got what I came here for," she then turned to leave.

"Pansy, wait!" she tried calling after her. Unfortunately, the shouting was to no avail for the shorter girl had quickened her pace and was well on her way back to the dungeons…and although Hermione could have easily followed, it was clear the other girl wasn't in the mood. So, too tired to fight, the Gryffindor went back to her common room and waited for her best friend to return.

All uneasy feelings had washed away upon learning Harry was with Professor Snape, for Hermione, unlike him, trusted the man. Still, what was once worry had been replaced with utter confusion and slight concern…Why Pansy wanted to know about Ginny and Dean was beyond her, but she would soon solve that riddle. What truly had Hermione's mind reeling were the words the other Prefect had muttered before turning away. Was she being made to do something? Or was it Malfoy? She shook her head.

Of one thing Hermione was only certain of: Something had changed amongst Slytherin house…and she was determined to figure out just what.

A/N: Please, give me your thoughts on this chapter.

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