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This chapter didn't go exactly how I'd planned, but I like how it went. I think it turns Pansy into more of a dynamic character, which I kind of think was needed. Anyway, thanks for reading and for sending me feedback!

Enjoy!

Draco POV

Later that night, after Hermione had come back to say goodnight and after Ginny returned to Blaise's room, I approached Pansy. She was sitting alone in the common room staring into the flames of the fire. She seemed to be lost deep in thought. I'd known her long enough to know that something was on her mind.

I sat down next to her on the couch, but didn't say anything. I knew that when she was ready to come out of her thoughts she would and then we'd talk. I was still trying to figure out how to bring up the idea of her and Ron together. I needed to figure out how to tell her that there was no chance between the two of us, but something about her resigned expression told me she might already know that.

Pansy wasn't stupid, far from it actually, but she tended to act impulsively. She didn't always think before she did something and that made people question her. I knew that was what had happened last night when she threw herself at me, she was acting without thinking.

She had this pretty little picture painted in her head of the two of together and she was trying to get it to become a reality. The thing was, I think she didn't really want it to be a reality just like me. I had a feeling she was only chasing after me because that's how she thought things were supposed to be. She thought we were supposed to be together and I couldn't blame her. That is what had been pounded into our heads since we were little. Pansy's family and mine had always been close and they'd pushed us together, it was fine at first but then we'd grown up. Very few people knew Pansy like I did, which made me the perfect one to talk to her about all of this.

I needed to get her to open up and talk to me, tell me what she really wanted. If I was what she really wanted I would have to find a way to deal with it, but I had a feeling I wasn't what she wanted.

Pansy lets out a big sigh next to me before finally speaking, "I'm sorry Draco."

"About what?" I ask, not expecting an apology.

"Last night, every time I've thrown myself at you. I'm just sorry," she murmurs, her eyes still trained on the flames.

"Don't worry about it Pans," I put a reassuring hand over hers. "I know you don't want me, you just feel like you should," I say, hoping I'm right. It would make things a lot easier if I was.

"You're right, I don't want you Draco," Pansy says, looking at me with darks eyes. "I don't want you like that. I want you as a friend but nothing more," her words sincere. The look in her eyes tells me she's battling with something deep inside. "I'm glad you found Granger. She seems to make you happy," her eyes are still on me, searching my eyes to make sure her words are true. They are. Hermione makes me happy, I'm bloody in love with her.

"But?" I ask, feeling a but coming on. I'm not sure what's bothering Pansy, but I know something is.

"But…" she starts, turning back to the fire. "I want to have what you have," she murmurs, her voice small and vulnerable. "I want to find someone for me like Hermione is for you and Ginny is for Blaise." And there it is, that's what's bothering Pansy. She's lonely and feels left out. She's always been good at putting up a confident and independent act, but on the inside I know she wants what everyone else has. She pretends she's above it all and immune to the hurt and loneliness, but she's not.

"You'll find him someday Pans," I squeeze her hand in comfort.

"Am I really that much of a bitch that no one is interested in me?" she suddenly asks, her voice cracking as her shining eyes land on mine. "Have I driven every possible guy away?" she continues, tears in her eyes. She's vulnerable and she's letting me see it, she never does that. She angrily wipes at the tears in her eyes with the back of her hands as she waits for my response.

"Do ever think that Pansy, you got it?" I say, my eyes locked on hers. "You are an amazing, strong girl and any guy would be lucky to be with you. The one's who aren't interested aren't good enough for you any way," I answer, wiping the remaining tears away. I haven't seen Pansy cry in years and I've never seen her cry over a guy. I pull her into a quick comforting hug as she collects herself.

When she pulls away, she is completely composed, as if the last few minutes never happened. She's gotten control over herself and she's over it, but I know it's still bothering her. What she doesn't know if that there is a guy out there who is interested in her. He may not be the first one she'd think of, but I am honestly starting to think Pansy and Weasley would be perfect for each other. I think Pansy needs someone like him, someone who she isn't used to. Someone who isn't a Slytherin. Someone she'd never think to look at twice.

"We need to throw a party this weekend," Pansy says, with a small smile. "I need to let loose," she laughs a little.

"I'm on it," I smile and nudge her with my shoulder. She pushes back and I know she's okay again, she's over her little vulnerable patch which is good. We sit there in silence for a moment before I speak up, "Actually Pans, I think I might know a guy who would be good for you." I brace myself as I wait for her response, she's either going to jump on it or tell me to bug off and leave her love life to her.

"Who?" she turns to me with interest in her eyes.

"Ron," I say, unsure of how she's going to react to me saying she'd be good with Ron.

"Weasley?" she asks in confusion, her face turning slightly pink.

"Yes," I nod, waiting for her reaction.

"I thought you hated Weasley," Pansy says, her face skeptical. She's searching my face, trying to figure out if I'm being honest or not.

"I'm starting to come around," I answer honestly. As of this morning I did hate Weasley, but so much had happened today and I'd been forced to see that he was just like Pansy was. They both had set their sites on something that they didn't really want, something they thought they should. They'd both been willing to do what ever they could to reach it, but they didn't really want to. They both wanted something entirely different. They were both harmless and good people, they were just jaded by what they thought they should have or be.

"You're honestly telling me you think Ron would go for me?" Pansy asks, I think I hear a hint of hope in her voice. Maybe I had been right, maybe Pansy liked Ron back. I'd just had a feeling, nothing more than that.

"Yes, I do. He'd be stupid if he didn't," I answer. I wasn't going to flat out tell her that I knew Ron liked her, I couldn't do that. I just needed to guide her in the right direction and hope she took the bait.

Pansy nods, "Okay, we'll find out on Friday night if you're right." She smiles at me and stands. "Thanks Draco, I really appreciate everything you're doing for me."

"That's what friends are for," I say looking up at her from my position on the couch.

"I'm going to bed," she smiles and heads to the steps. She paused before mounting the stairs and turns to face me saying, "I really hope everything works out between you and Granger. I can tell you love her," she smiles before turning away and heading to her room.

I put my head in my hands and take a deep breath. She's right, I'm in love with Hermione and I'd do anything for her. Now that I've settled things with both Ron and Pansy, have to figure out how I am going to tell Hermione exactly how I feel. I just hope she feels the same way because I'm not sure what I'd do if I bared my heart to her and she turned her back on me.

Thanks for reading and I'd love to know what you think!