Big thanks to Caeruleussum as always.

Enjoy!

Chapter 20

Pansy Parkinson wasn't a vengeful person… most of the time, but she was going to strangle Gran… Sna… Hermione after this.

Ok, maybe she was overreacting a bit. The Slytherin cleared her throat one more time.

"So… Neville… What were you doing in the library this fine morning?" Pansy tried to make a conversation for the fifth time in the 10 minutes they had spent silently walking in to the village Hogsmeade. The silence was getting on her nerves.

"I was searching for some information on Haunting Lilies. I am doing a project in Herbology." The boy's voice was warm and soft. He was smiling an open smile. Not a cunning or evil smile just … warm.

Pansy smiled back timidly. Being in Slytherin, she wasn't used to such things. Well Hermione was nice to her, but still…

"So…"

"You don't have to do it, you know."

Pansy was startled.

"What?"

Neville smiled to her again.

"Talk. It is ok. I like taking long walks." They were walking through a small forest. "You are not obligated to make a polite conversation with me."

"No, I was just…" 'Longbottom isn't supposed to be smart!' "Err…"

The Gryffindor beside her chuckled.

"Not funny Longb… Neville…"

"I am not making fun of you. But this whole situation. It's funny. Admit it. A year ago, none of us would be caught dead in it. Me, you, talking, and walking to Hogsmeade together. Willingly." He chuckled again.

Pansy smiled lightly. It was funny.

"I would have sent the person that even suggested it to St. Mungo's for a mental checkup."

"I hope you won't have problems because of it."

The raven haired girl frowned.

"What are you talking about?"

"Well, Slytherins don't look kindly upon those that are friendly with Gryffindors."

Pansy blinked at him couple of times. 'Is he worried about me?' That was weird.

"That was before Snape married Hermione."

"Oh yeah, the marriage of the century. I still can't believe it."

"Tell me about it. Did you see how he almost hexed Potter after that little outburst?"

"Little? I almost went deaf after his shouting."

"What was his problem anyway?"

Neville shrugged.

"I think he expected her to marry Ron's brother."

Pansy snorted adjusting her expensive outer robe and toying with its clasp.

The weather was great. Warm and a little windy with the Sun high in the sky.

"She could have just broken her wand and left wizarding world."

"They gave her three days to decide."

"I am just glad it wasn't me in her place."

They both felt silence. Life wasn't fair sometimes.

"She did the right choice by marrying Snape."

"You know, Longbottom, you are the last person I ever expected to hear that from."

"I also never dreamed about you being friends with Hermione."

"Yeah…"

It was strange. Pansy frowned to herself. Talking with Longbottom felt… nice. They spoke about many things. Like weather and flowers. Silly. But nice. Pansy glanced at Neville from the corner of her eye. He was explaining the differences between Haunting Lilies and Flaming White Lilies. It actually sounded interesting. The girl was startled when he asked what she thought about it.

"I like the Flaming White Lilies more. They look pretty." She felt stupid giving such an answer, but it was the only one she was able to come up with. 'Great. Now he is going to make fun of me.' He felt heat rising to her cheeks and cursed herself.

"I like them also but they are extremely rare, so I couldn't pick them for my project."

Pansy released the breath that she was holding. Draco would have humiliated her by now.

"Careful!"

"Wha..aaa!" Pansy was so lost in her thoughts that she wasn't looking where she was going. The ground was wet and slippery from yesterday's rain. Large puddles of muddy water were in their way. With her head in the clouds the Slytherin was walking right into one of them.

Her foot slipped and she was about to land face down in a big dark puddle. Frightened she closed her eyes and was expecting to humiliate herself, but the impact never came. Her face was still dry and clean as the rest of her. She carefully cracked one eye open. The ground was not far away from her face. She cocked her head to the side and sighed.

"You ok, Pansy?"

The girl's eyes shot open this time. She squirmed.

"Careful or I will drop you."

"You wouldn't dare!"

"Try me."

She went still. 'This is so embarrassing'. Neville Longbottom, of all wizards, was holding her by the waist. 'Damn he is strong.'

He carefully lifted her up trying not to loose his balance and not to get her robes dirty.

Soon she was standing on her own wobbly legs and tried to adjust her robe that rode up a little as he grabbed her.

She glanced at her savior and bit her lip. He literally jumped into the water to save her and now was dirty and wet to his knees but, on her, there wasn't a single drop.

Pansy cleared her throat. She didn't have the foggiest idea what to say. Nobody saved her before.

"Err … Thanks?"

Neville laughed.

"Anytime. I am always ready to assist a damsel in distress." He bowed deeply.

Pansy giggled.

"My kind Sir Longbottom, I am indebted to you. How will I ever repay you? I will ask my father to give half of his kingdom to you, my savior!"

"My beautiful Lady! Seeing you safe is the best payment for me! Though, half of your kingdom is a close second."

Pansy hit his arm playfully. They both burst out laughing.

"Thanks, Neville."

"You are welcome. No offense or anything, but do you eat sometimes? You weigh nothing. I am surprised that you are still standing." He was looking worriedly at her.

"Nothing? I weigh as much as a pig!" Her weight was always a sore topic for her.

"That pig should be really small and fit into my pocket. It is horrible when girls are only skin and bones. I mean, what is the pleasure in snogging someone when all you feel are flat surfaces." He shook his head sadly.

"Then you are the only one, Longbottom."

"You really should get out more. Men that go for bones are only a few and the rest of us like something on those bones besides skin. Trust me."

"Draco…"

"Like I said, Pansy. The rest of us, normal guys, are like dragons, we go for meat."

"I don't know…" Pansy bit her lip considering Neville's words. She watched as her hero unsuccessfully tried to clean himself and smiled. "Let me help. Scourgify!" A light blue light shot from Pansy's wand and like a snake wrapped around Neville's dirty legs. A second later they were clean.

"Thanks."

"You are welcome."

"Does this mean that you won't give me half of your kingdom?"

Pansy chucked.

"I will think about it. Now my dear Knight in Shining Boots, lead me to the wonderful village of Hogsmeade!"

Neville offered her his hand which she gratefully accepted.

"Your wish is my command, oh fair one."

Still laughing they made the rest way to Hogsmeade.

The little village was bustling with people enjoying the last days of warm autumn.

"Here we are." After Neville's words, there was an awkward silence.

She didn't want him to go and leave her alone. Pansy really enjoyed the walk with the Gryffindor. The girls were probably with boys and she was going to be on her own...

To put it simply she was looking for an excuse to justify what she said next.

"How about a butterbeer?"

"What?" He was looking questioningly at her.

Pansy cursed under her breath. 'He could say: Sure lets go, but nooo…'

"It is not like we have anything else to do, you know… " Her cheeks were becoming a nice Gryffindor red.

"I need to buy something first, but then sure." Neville smiled warmly at her and Pansy felt her insides melt. "How about we go together? First stop is Flourish and Blotts then Honeydukes and last will be Three Broomsticks."

"Sounds good to me." 'I lost my mind somewhere on the way here.'

Neville offered his hand again and Pansy accepted it with a smile.

'A girl can get used to being treated like… well … like a girl.'

In the Flourish and Blotts Pansy had a run in with Millicent Bulstrode. Her friend Millie just cocked a brow after seeing her companion whom at that moment offered to carry the things Pansy had just bought.

Pansy also cocked a brow as if challenging the taller girl to say something and glancing pointedly at the escort Millicent had. A nice seventh year Hufflepuff that was head over heels for the tall Slytherin.

The news that their Head of House married a Gryffindor allowed a few couples to come out of the cupboard. Who cared that you were dating a guy or girl from another house if your Head of House married Granger of all people.

It seemed that a few students from the other houses made excellent lemonade from Granger's lemon.

"Fancy seeing you here, Millicent."

"Same here, Pansy."

With these words they parted.

After a visit to Honeydukes, they were sitting at one of the corner tables in the Three Broomsticks.

Pansy took a sip of her drink.

"So what are you going to do after school?"

"If Professor Sprout will consider taking me, I would like to be an apprentice in Herbology."

"Sounds good."

"What about you, Pansy?"

"Me? To tell you the truth, I don't know."

"There is no need to hurry, you still have time." They both ate their food in silence smiling occasionally. When the dessert came, Pansy made a face after the first bite.

"I can't believe it. The apple pie is still as bad as it was four years ago. "

Neville took a bite of his slice and had a similar reaction.

"Yes. But I don't understand, the rest of the food here is delicious. Apple pie is the only one that always tastes …"

"Moldy?"

"Like they used spoiled apples and mold."

They laughed at that.

Suddenly their laugher was interrupted by a loud thunder from outside. Pansy shuddered.

"It looks like it is going to rain."

"We better not miss the carriages or we will have to go to school during this rain."

'Stupid rain.'Pansy fully expected to get an escort back. She downed the rest of her drink and sighed.

"You miss the Summer, too?" Neville was smiling sympathetically at her.

"Huh? Oh yes." 'He probably caught my sigh.' She pretended to be examining the sleeve of her robe hoping that he didn't notice the blush that was rising in her cheeks.

"We better get going if we want to make it to the carriages on time."

He put some galleons on the table while Pansy was looking for money in her robe pockets.

"One second. I will just pay…"

"I already did."

Pansy felt her blush deepen.

"There is no need, I can pay for myself. Really."

"Pansy, let's go. I already paid. It's not polite to let the pretty lady pay for dinner."

He took her by the arm and gently led her to the exit. Pansy felt like a third year on her first date.

The Slytherin girl was shocked from her blissful daze by a very familiar voice.

"Pansy, what are you doing here?" she was looking straight into cold grey eyes and immediately sneered.

"Last time I checked it was a public place, Draco."

In response the blond looked at her companion with disgust.

"Longbottom, Pansy?"

The girl held tighter into Neville's hand.

"What can I say, Draco. My standards went up after I dumped you."

"Why you…" Malfoy was about to slap Pansy when suddenly his hand was held up.

"Don't even think about it, Malfoy. Didn't your mother ever tell you that it is dishonorable to hit a lady?"

Neville looked angry and was holding Malfoy's hand in an iron grip after shoving the blond a step back he let go of it stepping protectively in front of Pansy.

"Found yourself a hero, Pans? How pathetic."

"Get lost, Malfoy." Neville wasn't impressed by the blonde's snarls in his direction.

Suddenly Malfoy took a swing with his left fist at the Gryffindor, catching him of guard and bruising his cheek. But Neville didn't get lost and gave him change in a form of a strong right hook and a swift kick in the ribs.

"Boys! What are you doing?" Madam Rosmerta was coming to them with an angry scowl on her face.

Neville was holding his right cheek.

Pansy was looking and gaping at the blond boy that was now trying to rise from the ground.

When the shock passed, Pansy turned to the bar's owner and smiled sweetly.

"It was all Malfoy's fault." The few students that witnessed the fight nodded in agreement.

"It doesn't matter. I will talk with your Heads of House. Now leave."

Not waiting any longer they left.

"You are my hero, Neville."

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Pansy was lying on her bed and staring at the ceiling. The day didn't go as she planned. It was a million times better.

Pansy rolled over so that she was now looking at her bedside table. She took the bar of chocolate that was on it. The sweet treat melted on her tongue.

It was a present from Neville. Sweet and simple. He said that he noticed that she hadn't bought any in the Honeydukes so he had bought some for her. "To sweeten up your life." Then they parted.

Pansy Parkinson moaned into her pillow.

"Somebody Avada me, I am falling for Neville Longbottom."