Clara woke up late, with a pounding headache and sore eyes. The curtains were drawn around the bed and she realized that Pansy's arms were around her. Suddenly she remembered the previous night's detention and sighed.

"Good morning," Pansy yawned. She squeezed Clara before releasing her.

"Thanks for last night," Clara said as she turned to face her friend.

"You scared me. I'd never seen you so… miserable."

Clara realized that Pansy's eyes were also puffy and red.

"We're only a week in. I'm sure it'll get worse," Clara stretched.

"Maybe not. Maybe now she'll just ignore you, or stick to being just your Professor," Pansy reasoned. Clara just shook her head and buried her face in the pillow.

"I take it you're not leaving this bed today?" Pansy asked.

"Nope," Clara replied, her voice muffled.

"Good. Are you hungry? I can go get us some lunch."

"I'm starving," Clara didn't move.

"I'll be back," Pansy kissed the back of Clara's head and left.

The two girls sat in bed with a tray of food between them. Pansy had picked out a selection of Clara's favorites, and they ate mostly in silence. They kept the curtains around them to avoid questions.

"Pansy? Are you in here?" they heard Daphne call from the door.

"Yes," Pansy answered, "and so's Clara. Don't open the curtain, we're naked."

Clara nearly choked on her mouthful of crisps. Daphne didn't say anything, but the curtain opened just slightly at the edge.

"Oh my God, Daphne," Clara laughed as she saw the girl's blue eyes.

Pansy turned and grinned, "Daphne! Sorry to disappoint, my dear."

"Shush. I was curious!" Daphne blushed furiously.

"I'm sure," Pansy laughed. Daphne disappeared before pulling the side curtain open and stealing a sandwich from their tray.

"Most of the school thinks you're together. I just had to see," Daphne explained. Clara raised her eyebrows in surprise.

"I'm honored that they think I could get a catch like Clara, then," Pansy was smiling, "Wait, if they think we're together, do they not know about me and Draco?"

"Oh, well…" Daphne paused, "They do. But they think he's only dating you to cover up his romance with Harry Potter."

Clara and Pansy cackled.

"I can't believe she actually said that to you," Pansy was looking at Clara in complete shock.

"Yeah. She's quite a lovely woman," Clara smirked. She had just told Pansy about the previous night in detail.

"But I am so proud of you for sticking up for yourself."

They were still in Pansy's bed, curtains drawn.

"I hoped you would be," Clara smiled, "Now tell me how your evening went."

Pansy blushed.

"Oh my God, now you have to tell me. The great Pansy Parkinson never blushes."

"Shush," Pansy swatted her friend's arm, "I just hung out with Draco."

"That's all?" Clara raised an eyebrow.

"We… we may have snuck off one of the empty classrooms…" Pansy grinned, "Look, it had been a while, alright? We were pretty… active, in Italy."

"I did not need to know that," Clara groaned.

"I'm just saying! It was a good time."

"How do you know he wasn't thinking about Harry the whole time?" Clara stuck her tongue out.

"Oh God, no. Don't even go there," Pansy sighed, "I did think it was odd how much he talked about Potter."

"What, you think it's true?" Clara asked, sitting up on her elbows.

"I don't know. But I see why people would say that," Pansy replied diplomatically, "Although, evidence has shown that he does quite enjoy the female body."

"Who doesn't, to be honest?"

Pansy looked at her friend's frank expression and they laughed together.

On Sunday morning, Clara and Pansy headed to the library. They had several assignments to finish. After picking out the needed books, they picked out an empty table next to some first years. The small Ravenclaws glanced up at the stack of books Pansy had just dropped onto the table.

"Savor this feeling, my friends. Soon you'll be wishing you only had four essays to write," Clara told them darkly before smiling.

After what felt like hours, they had finished all of their work. Pansy sighed and leaned back in her chair.

"I can't wait to be done with school," she groaned. Clara understood what her friend meant, and she was also quite excited to be done with the schoolwork portion, but Hogwarts was her home. Whereas Pansy would go home and hang out with her magical family and friends, Clara couldn't see herself ever being far from her father. Her being away at school was hard enough on him, she knew. Actually permanently moving away just felt unrealistic.

"Me, either," Clara agreed quietly. She stood and gathered their books while Pansy repacked their bags. After returning the books to their respective shelves, they exited the library together. Lunch was over and most homework was completed, and the halls were full of students. Pansy had agreed to meet Draco in the common room, so the girls made their way through the crowds to the dungeon.

With quite a bit of effort, Clara had pushed her mother out of her mind. She had Defense Against the Dark Arts the next morning, and it was threatening to overtake her thoughts, so Clara spent the afternoon laying on her bed reading Pride and Prejudice. Her copy was worn, despite her best efforts to keep it safe. It had been a present from one of her Muggle teachers for her tenth birthday. Now it was her safety blanket, reminding her of all the things that she had been through since reading it for the first time while curled up on the sofa at home. She could focus on the words on the page and immerse herself in the story, instead of dwelling on whatever was happening in her real life. It was comforting.

"Clara, are you going to dinner?" Pansy poked her head in the door.

"Of course," Clara smiled and placed the book on her nightstand. She walked out the door and was immediately greeted cheerfully by Draco.

"Hello, Clara! So nice to see you," he smiled, widely and somewhat scarily.

"Hi, Draco," Clara replied, eyeing Pansy, who just looked between them both proudly.

Pansy and Draco led the way to the Great Hall, while Clara awkwardly followed. They took their places at the table with Draco's groupies.

"I locked that second year in the 4th floor broom closet today, I think he's still there," Goyle proudly told his leader as soon as they had sat.

"That is terrible," Draco said uncomfortably, "Go let him out right now."

Goyle's face dropped, his eyes suddenly sad. Clara would have found it humorous if Draco hadn't been scaring her.

"Now! He needs to eat," Draco ordered. Goyle looked around at his fellow Dracoists, all of them appearing to be just as confused by their master's change of heart. He stood clumsily and walked off.

"What the hell?" Clara asked Pansy in a whisper. She just smile.

"Terrible, just terrible," Draco shook his head before filling his plate.

"But… but, you asked him to do it," Crabbe seemed to be overheating from the thinking process.

"I would do no such thing!" Draco's eyes widened in shock.

"But you-" Crabbe started, before being cut off by Draco, "Vincent, I can assure you that I do not wish harm upon any of the lovely students at this school."

Clara stifled a laugh.

"I think it's admirable, dear," Pansy reached her hand across the table and laid it over Draco's.

"I think it's bloody ridiculous," Crabbe shook his head, but went back to his dinner.

After resolving to ask her about it once they were alone, Clara started eating.

"Did you Imperio him?" Clara asked Pansy that night in the dormitory.

"No, I did not," Pansy gasped. Her eyes sparkled.

"Then what the hell did you do? He's acting mental," Clara removed her cloak and draped it on the back of her chair.

"I may have made a deal with him," Pansy grinned as she unbuttoned her white shirt.

"Are you going to Imperio him?" Clara asked. She removed her sweater and shirt in one motion and pulled a t shirt out of her open trunk.

"No, Clara, I can assure you that this does not include any magic whatsoever," Pansy pulled on her pajama pants and sat on the edge of Clara's bed. She leaned towards her friend, making a show of looking to make sure no one else was around.

"I told him I won't put out unless he's nice to people."

Clara laughed, "Oh. I should have guessed that."

They finished changing before the rest of the Slytherin girls entered.

The morning came too soon, and Clara immediately felt the heavy sense of dread in her stomach. This would be her first time seeing Professor Lisney since detention, and she had no idea what to expect.

"Clara?" she heard Pansy's groggy voice say.

"Yes?" Clara answered, her eyes still closed.

"Are you up?" Pansy asked.

"Clearly," Clara opened her eyes and looked at the girl. She grinned and stood up.

"Scoot," Pansy ordered before climbing into the bed.

"Morning," Clara sighed.

"Good morning, sunshine," Pansy kissed her friend's forehead, "So what are we doing today?"

"I really don't want to go to Defense today."

"Then don't," Pansy replied simply. Clara looked at her friend as though she was crazy.

"Are you joking?"

"No," Pansy shrugged, "Missing one class won't wreck your grade, Clara."

Clara considered this, before replying, "If I were to miss this class… I take it you would bring me notes and tell her that I wasn't feeling well if she asks?"

"Of course."

"Well then. I guess it would be alright," Clara smiled up at her friend.

"Sleep, darling, I'll come wake you before our next class."

Clara stayed in bed for a while before accepting the fact that she would have to eventually function as a human. She took her time getting ready for the day. On Wednesday, she would face Professor Lisney, no matter what. It had to be done, unless Clara wanted to fail Defense Against the Dark Arts, which was out of the question. Pansy would have her back, as always, and everything would be fine. At least, it would be as fine as a class could possibly be when you're being taught by your selfish, horrible estranged mother whom you never thought you would see again. Clara sighed. She knew Pansy would be back soon to walk her to Arithmancy. It had used to be Clara's least favorite subject, but it didn't inspire the same sort of dread anymore. She exited the dormitory and went to wait for Pansy on the couches. As she looked around the empty common room, she noticed Goyle sitting quietly in the corner. He looked distraught. After a quick internal debate, she stood and made her way over to him.

"Are you alright?" she asked the boy. He looked up at her, seemingly surprised that she had noticed him.

"Yeah, I'm fine," he said in his deep, thick voice.

"Is it Draco?" Clara wondered why she was speaking to this troll.

"I…" tears welled up in his eyes, "I don't know. We used to have good times, you know, scarin' the kids. Then today… he told me this mornin', he said, 'That Whitby kid, from Hufflepuff, I'd have a good laugh if you showed him who's boss'. Then I do it and he is a different bloody person!"

Clara had regrets. She had just wanted to make sure he was okay, and now he was looking at her with tears in his eyes, waiting for her to make it better.

"Look, don't tell anyone I told you this, alright?" Clara whispered, even though they were alone. Goyle nodded eagerly, wiping his tears, "O' course not."

"It's a game," Clara explained, "It's a game between Pansy and Draco. I'm sure Draco was very proud of you."

Goyle's eyes suddenly filled with hope and he smiled at her. The smile was awkward on his face, as though he didn't know how to do it properly.

"Thanks, Clara. You know, you're not bad."

"No problem. Neither are you," Clara smiled and patted the back of his hand. They sat there, Clara looking around the room and Goyle happily staring at the first girl to talk to him in years. Suddenly, the door creaked open and Pansy stepped in, Draco right behind her.

"You're up!" she cried, "I was certain I'd have to set your curtains on fire to get you up."

"I'm not that bad," Clara's eyes widened.

"Yes, my dear, you certainly are."

Pansy, Draco, and Clara walked together to Arithmancy, now tailed by Goyle. The boy walked happily beside Clara, looking over at her every few steps and catching her eye. Clara would smile back politely. She looked over the notes that Pansy had brought her as they walked. There hadn't been much to take notes on, as they had just practiced casting Patronus'.

"Here we are. See you later, Goyle," Draco turned and waved to his friend, who smiled and walked off. They took their seats and Clara immediately asked Pansy, "Why did Goyle come with us if he doesn't go to this class?"

Pansy took a deep breath and looked at her friend, the familiar condescending look that Clara had seen aimed at nearly every person in school.

"What?" Clara asked, confused.

"Oh, my sweet, little Clara. My innocent child," she smiled sweetly and put her hand on her friend's shoulder, "The boy likes you."

"Well, I'm nice to him."

"For God's sake, Clara. The boy like likes you," Pansy smirked.

"You don't have to talk to me li-" Clara suddenly wasn't offended by Pansy's choice of words, "Wait, what? What? No, how- why- did he tell you?"

"Clara, breathe. No, he didn't tell me. But he did just walk an extremely long way to a class that he doesn't even attend."

"Oh… oh shit," Clara buried her face in her hands.

"Yep," Pansy said happily as Professor Vector started talking to the class.

The group met up at lunch. Goyle now took the spot beside Clara, while Crabbe looked at them, confused. Pansy was amused by her friend's current situation and couldn't wipe the smug grin off of her face.

"Oh!" Clara looked at Pansy suddenly, "That… that essay…"

Pansy narrowed her eyes, "What?"

"You remember…" Clara tried to yell at her friend mentally.

"Oh, that essay. Gosh, I completely forgot. We should go work on it, right now," Pansy turned to Draco, "I'm sorry, Draco, we need to go. I'll see you later?"

With that, the two girls jumped up and hurried out of the Great Hall.

"God, Clara, for a Slytherin, you are a terrible liar," Pansy groaned as soon as they were in the corridor.

"Like you're any better!"

"I wasn't expecting it. My lies are flawless, I just need to plan them for a bit."

"I have to get away from Goyle," Clara sighed.

"What happened while I was at class?" Pansy asked her friend.

"He was sitting there, all alone. He looked miserable. I just wanted to make sure he wasn't about to fling himself from the Astronomy tower or something," Clara explained.

"Well, now you know he won't," Pansy laughed.

"Why do I have to be such a good person?" Clara lamented jokingly.

"Because you're Clara. Maybe you need a good shag, it'll take your mind off of things," Pansy raised an eyebrow.

"Pansy," Clara was disgusted, "not with Goyle."

"Maybe under the excess fat, there's a heart of gold," Pansy said dreamily.

"Oh my God," Clara's face was bright red, "no. No, no, no, no. No."

"If you're sure."

AN: Hope you enjoyed a little bit of fun after the last chapter. :) I had quite a bit of difficulty writing the past couple of days, but the next chapter should be better. Thanks for the favs, follows, and reviews, I appreciate them so much!