I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
A Taste of Magic
36th Course – Boiling Points
"I think it's more curved," Lavender said, looking down at her left palm.
"I think you want to think it's more curved," Parvati protested.
"I think you want to think you're more curved," Padma said in a not very innocent tone and a mischievous smile.
"First of all, low blow and we're twins so you just called yourself out," Parvati said, shooting Padma a look. "Second of all, come here and tell us what you think."
"Oh no, I'm not taking divination and I never put any faith in that, no matter what the aunties say," Padma said, shaking her head.
"What are they arguing about?" Millicent asked, looking over with interest.
The friends were spending time in the clubroom. They found themselves there more often these days. It became a place for them to study together and interact with each other more easily and Flitwick did not mind that they used the room outside of club times. As long as they were safe and respectful to one another, as well as getting anything Harry 'accidentally' made, he gave them his permission. He, and the other Heads, liked the idea of the students from the different Houses wanting to spend more time together in a casual setting outside of other clubs.
Harry put a tray into the oven. "Palm reading," he explained. "Apparently you have three or four lines on your palm and that helps tell your future or fortune or how you think. The shape and appearances of the lines all matter."
"You believe in it too?" Pansy asked.
"Not really, though I find it fascinating. Lavender and Parvati were talking about it in the common room earlier and I was listening in." He started mixing something else in a bowl. "Do Society people believe in palm reading and divination?"
"Some do, some don't," Pansy said. "Usually when the portends suit them or are favorable. But there are plenty of superstitions that older magicals follow. Such as don't do things on specific dates or don't mix certain things."
"Like don't open an umbrella indoors, walk under an open ladder, and don't cross black cats?" Harry asked.
"What's wrong with black cats?" Millicent asked, incensed.
"Nothing but for Muggles, they think they're bad luck because of them being related to witches. Huh, fancy that," Harry mused.
"Well that's just silly, witches like cats and kneazels of all colors," Millicent sniffed.
"Some of us don't like cats or kneazles and it has nothing to do with their fur color," Pansy said dryly.
"See, she says stuff like this but most mornings I wake up and they're sleeping together," Millicent said.
"Sunny does this thing where she drapes herself over your mouth," Pansy said to a grinning Harry. "I woke up the first time and thought Millie was trying to suffocate me."
"Do you do that?" Harry asked, half concerned.
"When we were younger I did," Millicent said openly. "I thought she talked too much and I was trying to shut her up with a pillow."
"Anyways," Pansy said loudly, scowling lightly at a snickering Harry and a giggling Millicent, "to answer your question, yes. Though ours are along the lines of do not make deals with the fae, beware of wolves under the full moon, do not over use witch-hazel unless you wish all to see you, and do not feed a tentacula after midnight. Among many others."
"Huh, that's fun," Harry said. "Every culture has their own superstitions, right?"
Sue nodded. "One of our major ones is avoiding the use of the number four in things if possible. The word in Mandarin sounds a lot like the word for dead or death. Red's an auspicious color and it's good luck to give money on New Year's and that sort of thing."
"Harry, what do you think?" Parvati and Lavender and Padma came over to the stove area. "Does Lavender look curved to you?" Parvati sighed when Harry went red and the others laughed at his expression and the implications of what she said. "The heart line on her hand, you pervs."
"You're a perv, you knew what you were saying," Padma replied smartly.
"She's a Parv," Lavender sighed. She gave Harry a slightly embarrassed look. "You don't have to answer her."
"I don't know," Harry said, slightly embarrassed but laughing with the others. "I don't have a frame of reference." He flushed even more at more laughter and giggling. "As in I don't study palm reading!"
"Oh just compare it to your own," Parvati said. "Here, give me your hand." She took Harry's left hand in hers. "See, this line up here is the heart line, this one is the headline, that's lifeline, and whoa hey look Harry has a fate line."
"Is that a bad thing?" Harry asked, nervous.
"No, it's just not a lot of people have a fate line." Parvati looked at his hand with interest. "But anyways, see how your heartline curves here a bit? Lavender thinks hers is more curved and I think yours is more curved than hers."
"What's the big deal with it being curved or not curved?" Hermione asked.
"It's about nuance and interpretation," Lavender said.
"You just don't want to be accused that you fall in love too easily," Parvati said slyly.
"And you don't like to be told that you're easily heart-broken," Lavender said back just as slyly.
"There might be some proof to that," Padma said thoughtfully.
"Quiet you," Parvati said hastily. "You don't believe in it so you don't get to comment on it." She looked back at Harry's hand. "Whoa what's this? You have a different line here!"
Lavender leaned over to look. "You do! What does that mean?!"
"Uh, I think it means I should wash my hands more," Harry said weakly. "That's dried honey I think."
"Oh you're right," Parvati said, licking her lips.
"Parvati, you did not just lick Harry's hand!" Padma shouted.
"What?! It's just honey!"
"Don't go around licking random people's hands!"
Parvati rolled her eyes. "I don't go around licking random people's hands, thank you! I licked Harry's hand because it was just honey and we're pals and it's fine! Right Harry?!"
Harry felt his face burn and he gaped at his friend. "Uh…sure?"
"See?" Parvati glared back at a very disapproving Padma while the others hooted with laughter though Lavender and Pansy looked as incensed as Padma did, maybe even more so.
"Anyways, you made these with the honey?" Parvati popped a small round baked thing into her mouth and chomped on it. "Hey, this is great! What are they?"
"Owl treats," Harry grinned.
"Wait, really?" Parvati asked, mouth stopped in mid-bite.
"Yup! Regular owl treats taste awful so I made new ones. They are made mostly from chickpeas because they have a lot of protein, something I read out of a nutrition book. I mix in some honey and other things for flavor."
"Are they safe for people to eat?" Hermione asked.
"Mmhmm. You can eat the regular owl treats but like I said, they taste terrible. I swore I'd make a good alternative so here they are. I made the mix and formed them and baked them."
"They taste pretty good," Parvati said, finishing her mouthful of owl treat. As she reached out for another she paused. "Wait. You're making owl treats. Are they for Hedwig?"
"Yep!" Harry smiled.
An angry hoot made Parvati turn and she smiled weakly at a very fluffed up and upset Hedwig. "They're really good? Ahhh! I'm sorry! Harry, help!" She ran around the room, chased by a vengeful Hedwig who hooted and barked shrilly, beating at Parvati with her wings and pecking her irritably.
"Now's probably a good time to try them without drawing attention," Padma remarked, watching her sister fleeing from the irate owl with satisfaction. She nibbled on a piece. "Mmm, these are nice!"
"I never thought I would willingly eat an owl treat," Pansy said as she chewed, "but they are very pleasant. Crunchy but not hard, slightly sweet, quite nice."
"I'm making bacon ones too of course," Harry said. "But I need to keep her from eating too much. At her last checkup, Hagrid said she needed to cut down on some. She didn't like that but it's for her own good."
When Parvati ran by next, Harry reached up and deftly caught Hedwig in mid flight. He hugged her to him, keeping her from flapping her wings, and popped a treat into her beak. "Don't worry, I'm making plenty for you. You can share, right?"
Hedwig narrowed her eyes but did not stop chomping on her treat, her hooting muffled.
"Don't talk with your beak full," Harry chided gently. He smiled when she looked up at him with reproach. "The bacon ones are almost done."
Hedwig grumbled but stayed still in his arm, chewing rebelliously.
"Can you make cat treats?" Millicent asked. "I'll pay of course."
"Oh I wouldn't mind some for Crookshanks too," Hermione said.
"Sure, I'd be happy to figure something out," Harry smiled.
"You know, my tea leaves did say I was going to have some trouble today," Parvati panted as she sat down.
"They also said it would be self-inflicted," Lavender said with a sharp smile.
"Anyone that knows Parvati would know that half of the trouble is self-inflicted," Padma snorted.
"I'll be happy to share the trouble," Parvati retorted. "Hedwig! She's eating some too!"
Harry sighed when Hedwig struggled free and chased the Patil sisters about the clubroom. "At least she's getting some exercise," he said while the others laughed.
-0-
The next day, they hurried into the castle, literally blown in by strong wind. Winter was coming and it promised to be a cold one, the wind being very frosty and driving the chill into the body. The Care of Magical Creatures class had been rather pleasant. Hagrid built several bonfires and was teaching them about salamanders, the magical variety loved fire and preferred to sit in blazing fires. They would scamper from fire to fire, and if handled correctly, liked to be petted. With the aid of the salamanders, the students remained warm for class but had to brave the cold to return to the castle.
"I'm glad you thought of these hand warmers," Harry said, his nose red. He put the round stone back into his pocket. "They're really handy."
"Me too," Hermione said, teeth chattering. "Just a warming charm isn't quite enough."
"It would be if you were competent," someone said, their voice colder than the wind. Draco lounged against the main staircase with some other Slytherins. He looked at the group with scornful eyes, his gaze turning even colder when he saw Pansy and Millicent with them. "A real wizard would not need to rely on those things to stay warm. All you need is magic." He lifted his nose. "That is, if you were worthy of it."
"Yeah, and that cloak of yours is just for show?" Harry asked mildly, raising an eyebrow.
Draco colored while Harry's friends chuckled at the remark. He resisted the urge to draw the very heavy cloak around him tighter against the chill. "Better than anything you can afford," he sneered back.
"Probably," Harry said blandly. "Excuse us." He began to walk away.
"You are not excused," Draco said.
"I wasn't actually asking, just saying," Harry said, continuing to walk away.
"That's right, run away," Draco said loudly. "What a good little Gryffindor you are, running away all the time. A credit to your House."
"I'd say you're a credit to yours by being a bully," Lavender said shortly, glaring at him. "That is if I didn't know better since I know some proper people from Slytherin." She glanced at Pansy and Millicent with a significant look.
"Shut your mouth," Draco exclaimed angrily.
"Don't talk to her like that," Harry said, turning to face Draco directly.
The pale boy smiled. "Oh? So that's all it takes to make you stand your ground? Being rude to the likes of her?"
Harry's eyes narrowed. "She's my best friend and I'll definitely stand up for her. She's done it for me and I'll do it for her. Just leave us alone, Malfoy."
"Or else what?" Draco replied. A crowd was beginning to gather, watching the growing conflict eagerly. "How about we settle this then? Properly?" He laughed scornfully at Harry's confusion. "You do not even know what I mean, do you? Pathetic! You call yourself a wizard?"
"He means a duel," Pansy said. She looked at Draco coolly, ignoring his heated look. "And it's not just a magical thing, it's specifically a Society thing. An Honor Duel."
"Dueling between students is against the rules," Hermione said softly, looking at Harry and Lavender and Pansy.
"I'm not about to break any rules for you," Harry said, looking at Draco. "You're not worth it."
Draco seethed. "If you refuse, then you are a coward and you show how little you think of your friend then." His seething became something smug when he saw Harry bristle.
"If we are doing this properly," Pansy said loudly, drawing their attention, "then we need to follow the protocols. I assume you mean an honor duel?"
"Obviously," Draco spat.
"You can refuse the terms of the duel," Pansy said to Harry. "Then suggest a counter to it. If he refuses it, then it will go to a third-party arbitrator to decide the parameters. Challenge him to what you do best."
"You stay out of this!" Draco shouted.
"No! A gentleman would act accordingly in Honor Duels," Pansy said back. "Especially if the opponent is unaware of the protocols! Are you a gentleman of good standing? Mister Malfoy?" Her smile was equally smug at his angry flush. "You can do it, Harry," she said to Harry. "Go on, challenge him back on your terms."
"What I do best? What, like cooking?" he asked, uncertain.
"Precisely. Honor Duels are not just in the circle and using spells, there can be all sorts of competitions," Pansy said.
"Stop interfering!" Draco said angrily.
"Is there someone that can act like an advisor in these things?" Harry asked all of a sudden. "Especially for people like me that don't understand everything."
"Yes, your second," Millicent said, also ignoring Draco. "They also take over if you're indisposed."
"Pansy's my second then," Harry said. Pansy threw Draco a large smile that went from ear to ear. "I'll also listen to her and challenge you to a cooking competition."
"Done!" Draco smiled at Pansy's and Millicent's looks of shock. "You think I did not expect you to make this about playing with food? I expected it and planned accordingly. Now to finally prove my superiority over you, Potter. Nott is my second in this." He threw one hateful look at Harry, Pansy, and Millicent and stomped away.
"I didn't expect that," Millicent said as the crowd of students broke up, everyone chatting and talking excitedly over what just happened. "I mean, last year they said he baked something but I thought it was just him lying."
"Harry, I'm sorry," Lavender said, upset. "I didn't mean for you to have to do this."
"It's okay," Harry said firmly. "I'm not going to let him be rude to you or any of my friends and I don't care if he suddenly learned how to cook, he's not beating me in the kitchen." He turned to Pansy and Millicent. "Thanks for helping me by the way, but I'm sorry for putting you in that position too. I don't want to let him be rude to you two either."
Pansy blinked a few times. "No, I willingly put myself there, like you're willingly standing up for Lavender. His attitude is atrocious, taking advantage of your ignorance." She looked a bit uncertain. "The Draco I knew before would not know how to cook anything but I'll admit that we haven't spoken really in a long time. I have no idea if he has learned or what he has learned. It does feel like he did plan for this."
"I don't care if he has prepared," Harry said in a confident tone. "With all the years I've been in the kitchen, there is no way he's beating me in cooking. Absolutely not."
"Wow, confident Harry is really cool," Parvati grinned.
"Yeah he is," Lavender whispered.
-0-
"I have something for you," Snape said.
"Oh?" Dumbledore asked, not looking up from the letter he was reading.
"Yes, it should be enough to temporarily quench your thirst for teenaged drama," Snape said dryly.
"Ah, please go on," Dumbledore smiled and looked up, giving Snape his full attention.
"Mister Malfoy has challenged Mister Potter to an Honor Duel."
"On what grounds?" McGonagall asked.
"Malfoy claims that Potter insulted him and he demands satisfaction. From what I have learned, while Potter did insult him, Malfoy instigated things and goaded Potter into the duel by attacking Miss Brown." Snape sighed wearily. "I have half a mind to ignore all of this but it grew into a Proper Honor Duel with assistance from Miss Parkinson."
"She helped Malfoy?" McGonagall asked, eyes narrowed.
"The contrary, she aided Potter," Snape said. "By providing insight into the procedures and protocols."
"Hmm, a bit of a surprise but then again, she and Harry are close friends," Dumbledore mused.
"Quite. Again, I have half a mind to ignore this and tell them to forget it but Malfoy has threatened to involve his father." Snape turned thoughtful. "Though I will admit, Lucius has been rather quiet lately."
"I have noticed that as well," Dumbledore said. "I have received less complaints from him."
"That said, he is as prickly about protocol as his son so I can see this becoming something even more annoying than it already is," Snape concluded. "I said I would speak with you since you have the final say as Headmaster."
"When was the last time we entertained an Honor Duel?" McGonagall asked.
"Many years, they were briefly outlawed after the end of the war," Dumbledore said. "And since then, only a handful and those were unfortunately unavoidable. Is this one avoidable?"
"Draco has become…more aggressive," Snape said quietly. "Ever since his brief petrification, he has used the incident as a flag and a goad and a shield all in one. Slights to him before could be reasoned with but this time, I do not know."
"Harry is good in class and with spells but I do not think he knows anything about dueling," McGonagall said worriedly. "Unless Filius has taught him in their club. But that club is not Dueling club."
"Actually, the parameters of the duel isn't dueling." Snape rolled his eyes ever so slightly. "It is cooking."
"Draco agreed to that?" Dumbledore asked, surprised.
"He was waiting for it, if anything," Snape said.
McGonagall snorted. "I know I am well used to telling students they cannot do something and in this case, I cannot think Malfoy can beat Harry in a cooking contest."
"'A Malfoy does not go into a contest without some plan'," Dumbledore said, "something Lucius tells me often. Hmmm. Curious."
"What do we do?" Snape asked.
"Well, we might as well see if we can arbitrate a little and if not, ensure a fair contest," Dumbledore said. "Call them up."
"They have seconds already," Snape said dryly.
Dumbledore laughed. "Call them up as well then."
-0-
Dumbledore looked at the students thoughtfully, gauging their facial reactions. Draco, predictably, looked equal parts angry and smug, as if being there was a large concession on his part. Theodore Nott, a slight and thin boy, tried to mimic an expression of cool disdain but he lacked the years of experience and the practice for it, looking slightly constipated instead.
Pansy was much better at pretending to look cool and calm, but she was shooting looks at Harry and Draco. Worry for the former, irritation for the latter. Harry wore his emotions a little closer to the surface. He was nervous, understandably so, but had a bit of irritation towards Draco as well. Lavender was there too, looking the most nervous. She had insisted on coming because she said she was the cause of everything and had explained her side.
Dumbledore had listened to everyone speak their piece and he now sat and ruminated slowly, watching his students for a few moments. "Well, I do not suppose an apology from all parties would suffice?" he asked mildly, already knowing the answer.
"No," Draco said shortly.
"If he apologized sincerely to Lavender," Harry said.
"I have nothing to apologize for," Draco said coldly.
Dumbledore sighed softly. "Very well. Since the duel will be cooking related, I will allow it. It will happen in one of the larger classrooms at ground level and it will not be public, there is no need to make a spectacle of it. I and the Heads will watch and to keep things fair, we will have a student from each House be judges for the food. Each will cast a vote and in the event of a tie, the Heads can cast a tie-breaker."
"And who will these judges be?" Draco asked.
"We will determine that here, by mutual decision. The student will be asked if they wish to participate and if so, they will be a judge. If not, we will choose another. We should keep the pool of candidates to students in your year."
"No one from the Household Charms club should be allowed," Theo said readily. "They cannot be trusted to be impartial."
"Fair enough," Dumbledore said. "Harry, as the challenged, you may pick someone first. Feel free to discuss it with your second."
Harry looked at Pansy. "Who do you think?"
"Daphne," she said without hesitation. "She will be impartial and while she doesn't love Gryffindor, she doesn't love Draco either."
"Daphne Greengrass for Slytherin," Harry said without question.
Draco was clearly caught unprepared for that and he threw Pansy a scathing look and whispered with Theo for a moment. "Finnegan for Gryffindor," he said smugly.
"He's banking on the fact that you and Finnegan aren't friends," Pansy muttered. "Has that changed?"
"Not really," Harry said sheepishly. "He's less hostile but he's not Ron either who's been a bit friendlier."
"Very well. Too bad Bones is a part of the club now and I don't think you should let Draco pick from Smith or MacMillan, both are Society boys," she muttered. "That leaves Finch-Fletchley or Abbott and Abbott doesn't like you. Do you know anything about the other?"
"I know he's Muggleborn and his family is rich there, Hermione mentioned it before."
"We are waiting," Draco said, exaggerating his tone.
"Patience is a virtue for a gentleman," Pansy said back frostily and ignored his look of anger. "I don't know who would be better."
"I say Hannah."
"Have you forgotten you are her nemesis?!" Pansy hissed.
"I don't accept that first of all," Harry said, face red. "But she's a baker and a cook too, right?"
"Allegedly!"
"Then she will allegedly pick whatever tastes better and I know Draco won't beat me there!"
Pansy thought for a moment. "Fine." She turned to Dumbledore. "Hannah Abbott for Hufflepuff."
Draco grinned. "Ha! Giving up already?"
"No, just giving you an edge," Harry retorted. "You're going to need it."
Lavender and Pansy gasped, looking at Harry with wide admiring eyes. McGonagall stifled a proud smile while Snape snorted softly. Draco and Theo looked incensed, sputtering. Dumbledore steepled his fingers in front of his face to hide his smile.
"I will make you beg for forgiveness on your knees when you lose," Draco snarled. "I do not care who from Ravenclaw. I do not even know the names for the boys since both girls are in the Household Charms club."
"I am sure Professor Flitwick will be devastated," Dumbledore said dryly. "Very well. We will ask them and the duel will take place in two tomorrow. Ingredients will be provided by the kitchens so the both of you will be working on even footing."
He stopped and a thoughtful look crossed his features. After a moment, he smiled once more, a broad and knowing smile. "In fact, I would like to add something to the contest. I think a common ingredient, one that the both of you need to use and showcase, should be included to show your talents and abilities. How does that sound?"
"I am fine with that, Sir," Harry said.
"Fine," Draco said shortly. "What is it then?"
"How about beef?" Dumbledore suggested. "Broad enough of an ingredient with many ways to use it."
"Accepted," Draco said.
"Yes Sir," Harry nodded.
"Until tomorrow then," Dumbledore said. He watched as Draco and Theo stomped out and after waiting a few moments, Harry and Lavender and Pansy followed out much more sedately. After waiting for an appropriate time, Dumbledore chuckled. "Is it bad that I am looking forward to this?"
"Normally, in the interests of remaining impartial, yes," McGonagall said. "In this case however, I too am looking forward to it."
"It will be interesting at least," Snape said blandly. "Better than watching them try to throw spells at each other." He looked at Dumbledore. "Why did you make that addition to the contest?"
"I confess I have been paying more attention to cooking competitions and things the last year or so," Dumbledore said. "I saw that as a basis for one and I believe it does level the playing field in a way." He rose from the desk. "I believe I will ask Mister Boot if he would like to participate for Ravenclaw. He has been performing well and this would be a form of congratulations."
"Not to mention he is not a part of Society like Greengrass and Abbott," Snape observed. "Another way to even the field?"
"A bit of balance, yes," Dumbledore said.
"I can only hope that this will be the final knell in things," McGonagall said.
Snape snorted deeply. "You truly do not believe that. No matter the outcome, things will only get worse. Especially that it will be public and there will be little to no room for interpretation."
"You are probably right," she sighed.
"It was coming to a head no matter what," Dumbledore said. "Might as well enjoy the show."
-0-
"Wow Harry," Lavender said as the trio walked down the hall, "Draco really got to you."
"Yeah," Harry admitted. "Well, I mean, he did and didn't before but this time he did."
"Is it my fault?" she asked quietly, feeling bad.
He put an arm around her shoulder. "No. If he went after anyone, you or Pansy or Parvarti or Padma or anyone I call a good friend, I would've done the same. That's not your fault and don't feel bad." He sighed heavily. "Ever since he made it a cooking contest, it got to me. When we met on the train, as firsties, he was so rude and scathing about people liking to cook. And you've seen how he reacts when I like to learn about food and how the Wizarding World treats cooking and food."
He shook his head. "So now him all of a sudden being able to cook and thinking he can beat me in cooking really rubs me the wrong way. I don't care if he's better at magic than me, it makes sense since he grew up with it. I don't care if he's richer than me. I don't care that he…has a real family," he said bitterly. "But I won't let him take cooking from me. Not something I've worked my whole life on and genuinely care about."
His arm came off Lavender's shoulders and he clenched his hands, taking a shuddering breath. He relaxed when Lavender touched his hand and he breathed out slowly, relaxing his hands. "Sorry," he muttered. "That's arrogant of me, isn't it?"
"No," Pansy said softly but firmly. "You are proud of your skills and rightfully so. Draco is being flippant and he is being arrogant when he has done it for far less time than you and thinks he can defeat you. You are proud. He is pride. There's a difference."
Harry smiled wanly. "Thank you. And thank you again for being my second and helping me. I know you're friends with him and this must really be affecting you."
"Yeah, we'd be really out of depth without you," Lavender said sincerely. "Thank you so much."
Pansy also took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Draco and I were…are…friends," she said after a moment's hesitation. "We used to be very close but before school started, we weren't anymore. It's been steadily getting worse."
"Are you helping us to spite him?" Lavender asked. "Sorry if that's rude."
"No, I mean, in part." She shook her head and then looked surprised when Lavender patted her hand comfortingly. "Before, when I first started being friendly to you, I will admit there was some pleasure in knowing he was irritated by it."
She looked at Harry and Lavender. "But now, you are my friend, my friends. You have stood up for me and have been kind to me, despite some of my actions and past behavior. That is something he has not done in a long time." Her smile was a little sad. "It's easy being your friends and it's getting harder and harder being his."
She took a deep breath and released it slowly, standing straight. "But he was willing to take advantage of your ignorance and while that is a legitimate tactic, I couldn't let that happen to you. So I stand by my decision." Her eyes widened when Lavender hugged her, somewhat awkwardly but sincerely. Her eyes got even wider when Harry hugged her next without reservation and she hugged them back firmly.
"I hope this doesn't make things too bad for you," Harry said when they broke apart.
Pansy put on a brave face. "I can handle it if it does."
-0-
"Welcome back," Draco said sardonically, applauding lethargically and sarcastically when Pansy returned to the Slytherin common room. "What now, traitor? Are you going to stab me in the back to ensure your little friend's victory?"
Pansy gave him a very cold look. "Harry will prove his abilities in the duel on his own merit."
"How could you do this to me?" he asked, words dripping with venom. "How could you betray me like this! Without your aid, I would have him over a cauldron!"
"Oh yes, and what a glorious victory that would be," she spat back. "A gentleman of an Ancient and Noble house crying victory over an ignorant opponent who lost because they did not understand anything. What a tough fight! How sweet the victory would be!"
Plenty of students were in the common room, watching with great interest. Tensions between Pansy and Draco rose and fell like the sea but lately the tide had been rising, and they could see the crest forming.
"A foe is defeated in any possible way," Draco sneered back. "Their ignorance is their fault."
"You should be thanking me for making it even," Pansy retorted. "Your victory would be more meaningful. That is, if you win."
"Perhaps you should be wearing crimson and gold," Draco said scathingly. "You bleed it, apparently.
"I am a proud Slytherin," she said back. "And we both bleed red, Draco."
"We do not bleed the same as your little friends in Gryffindor," Draco said, raising his nose. "The Pansy I knew would not be caught dead in the company of Halfbloods and Mudbloods."
"Do not use that word around me," she said sharply. "And I have changed, Draco. As you have changed. The Draco I knew would never be so cruel."
"Shows what little you knew then," he replied coldly. He snorted softly. "Ah, you know, I think I know why you are so desperate to remain in Potter's good graces."
"What?" Pansy was caught wrongfooted, unsure of what Draco was meaning.
"Oh is it such a surprise? I have watched you, you know. All those pathetic looks you throw at Potter and his friends. How that girl hangs off him." Draco's smile was cold and cruel. "It is much easier for him to obtain such comforts, with them being in the same House after all." He gave her a look up and down. "As if you could compare yourself to her in appearance."
"You don't know what you're talking about," Pansy said, voice shaking.
"I do," he said. He heard the tremor in her voice, scenting blood and weakness. He went in. "You wish that was you. You think that if you help him so unwaveringly, so faithfully, he will remember you and keep you around. As long as you remain useful, he will not cast you aside, like someone else has."
He shook his head pityingly. "So sad. You used to be such a strong girl, worthy of your family's name. Now you just throw yourself at the first other boy to show you any attention, desperate for anything and everything you can get. Like a wanton-"
CRACK
The watchers gasped and gaped, staring with gigantic eyes. Draco's head turned back, one pale cheek bright red, an imprint of a hand forming on it. Pansy's chest heaved from emotion and exertion, her hand smarting from the impact. Tears of embarrassment and pain and anger grew in her eyes and Draco stared at her, looking like a beast caught in the light, laid bare.
"You…you slapped me," he gasped. "You have never struck me before. Not even as children."
"You have never been this cruel to me before," she whispered, her voice small and lost and cold. "How dare you? How dare you say that to me? Insinuate that to me?!" As if finally noticing the watchers, Pansy stalked past him, flinching away at his outstretched hand. She rushed to her room and slammed the door behind her.
She sat on her bed, buried her face into her hands, and wept silently. Shoulders shook, body trembled. She bit her lip to keep her pain silent, not wanting to give it voice or volume. She flinched when the door opened and closed, trying to curl deeper into herself. She felt the bed move beside her. Felt Millicent wrap her arms around her. Felt Sunny wriggle onto her lap.
"Hey," Millicent said.
Pansy sniffled.
"That was an awesome slap," Millicent said lightly.
Pansy sniffled again.
"I'm here," Millicent said softly.
Pansy let herself fall to pieces. She could afford to now, with someone else holding her together.
-0-0-0-
odonnellzoo99 - We all had some very nonsensical hang-ups or slights at that age that made sense then but not so much later on. I was hoping that it would be funny yet realistic enough. Crookshanks knows that every deal needs to be sealed with a shake.
poka - They weren't too grossed out if I recall, but it was very funny for all afterwards. I recently finished addressing those points you brought up and I was farily satisfied with the flow of things and hope you will be too.
alix33 - The pawshake was my favorite part of the chapter. Crookshanks knows how to be proper.
DarkRavie - Thank you.
Kaya - I like doing a Hogsmeade reveal since in canon he didn't go there the first time normally. And like you said, I want to show the personalities of others and see how he itneracts with different friends. We all have a good idea of how Hermione and him get along and so I'm not focusing on that here as much. It's fun exploring the mindsets and actions of the Patils, Lavender, Pansy, Millicent, and the others.