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Chapter Twenty-Nine
Pansy arrived at Hermione's front door shortly after Hermione was done feeding her familiar and had freshen up as much as she could before the jet-black haired witch arrived. Hermione had tied up her curls into a loose bun, ignoring the stray ones that framed her face. She took off her cardigan and replaced it with a gray, "Hogwarts alumni" jumper. She had also switched her office heels for her trainers. She transfigured her trousers into joggers and the jumper into a less thick material. The second knock on the door indicated Parkinson was waiting. With a deep inhale, Hermione plastered a smile on her face before she opened her door.
"Hello Parkinson."
Hermione said. Pansy was dressed in the same ensemble Hermione had seen her earlier except now she sported a sapphire cloak over her lithe frame. Hermione wondered if it was charmed to stay cool or the material was less suffocating than it appeared.
"Ready to go?"
Pansy asked but before Hermione could reply, Pansy grasped onto her arm and with her free hand, closed the door behind Hermione while she simultaneously pulled Hermione closer to her. Hermione was instantly surrounded by Pansy's bitter perfume and her cool hands – within a blink, both witches were in a different flat. Pansy had side-apparated the pair right into her abode.
"Parkinson!"
Hermione complained, trying to steady herself from the sudden magical pull. Pansy smirked at her before letting her go which Hermione begrudgingly appreciated. This entire evening would have been ruined if Pansy had let her fall flat on her arse.
"Relax Granger, you can go back if you're missing anything important, but I highly doubt you need to return."
Pansy said and turned on her heels to begin walking into a hallway.
"Wait here."
She instructed and Hermione scowled at her but did what she was told. The dark-headed witch was right of course; her wards were charmed to set privacy and security measures into place as soon as Hermione left the premises, and her pocket wallet and wand were with her. However, that didn't mean she was going to give Pansy the satisfaction of being right. Hermione took the moment of solitude to study her surroundings. Pansy Parkinson, former Slytherin Princess, almost Death Eater, and now current Prophet reporter's flat was definitely not what Hermione imagined it would be. While the flat itself was larger than her own and had more stylish pieces, it was so vibrant. Most certainly not what I envisioned,Hermione thought to herself. The living area was covered in teal tiles and green furniture and when Hermione turned to her left to peep her kitchen through the pass-through, Hermione spied multicolored tiles. The area felt warm and beautiful. Hermione was intrigued and wondered if the modern furniture was from a muggle home décor magazine, chic but with a personal touch. Pansy's flat was the opposite of the demeanor she put out. It was welcoming, it was lovely, it was so unlike the witch in the other room or at least how she presented herself.
"I pulled three pieces that will look great on you, but ultimately it's your decision."
Pansy's voice came from the hallway to interrupt Hermione's train of thought. Pansy stopped in hallway entry to motion to follow her and Hermione did, noticing the witch had disposed of her cloak and hat only. Still wearing the skintight dress and black booties, Hermione followed the Slytherin witch; her wave of perfume washed over her and Hermione couldn't help but to notice her new surroundings. Hermione noted that the coral hallway was a pretty shade and she saw a portrait of three boys watching her with curious light-colored eyes. Does Parkinson have siblings?Hermione asked herself but no answer came to her; she already knew little about the Slytherins in her life, gradually obtaining pieces from being around them. She knew less about the only Slytherin witch she acquainted herself around. Hermione didn't get a chance to continue to stare back at the younger wizards as Pansy was walking towards her right. Hermione turned, noticing the lake painting when Pansy led her to an unused bedroom. It took her by surprise to see the very muggle painting in the Pureblood witch's home, but lately, everything regarding the Slytherins had taken her by surprise. Hermione guessed it was her guest bedroom and that was a relief. She thought it would be insanely personal for her to be in Pansy Parkinson's bedroom.
"There is a gorgeous jumpsuit, but I don't know if you're bold enough to wear it out – yet."
Pansy remarked as she laid out the outfit pieces on the pristine white bedsheet. The guest bedroom was the size of Hermione's own bedroom, the walls were the same teal color she saw the tiles outside, and there was only one other door that matched the teal walls making it camouflage well except for the gold doorknob; Hermione assumed the door led to a bathroom. Besides that, the room looked like it rarely saw visitors. Hermione saw the jumpsuit Pansy was referring to and her eyebrows shot up. Pansy couldn't help but smirk at her reaction.
"You would look amazing it in, Granger. But either way, there are two less bold choices."
Pansy said, motioning with her hand the other two outfits she had chosen for her. The maroon jumpsuit piece was stunning, but it revealed too much skin for Hermione's modest taste. The second piece was a halter-styled, black dress with a neckline that dipped lower than Hermione was used to but definitely higher than the jumpsuit. The skirt of the dressed flared out slightly but not so much that it engulfed Hermione curvy figure – Hermione assumed it would hug her hips snug. The last outfit appealed to Hermione the most; it was a sleek, body-hugging dress with a shorter skirt than the first. It was a dark navy in color; the skirt ended at the middle of her shins and would be a simple spaghetti strap dress if wasn't for the top of the dress; the top was tank-top styled but over it was a sheer creamy, see-through material decorated with sparkling stars. The same material made the middle part of the dress which would show Hermione's waist, but not exposed too much. The bishop sleeves added volume to polished dress and Hermione wanted to try it on first.
"You can try out the safe choice first, but you're going to try all of them."
Pansy remarked. Hermione frowned at her.
"How do you know which one I think is the safe choice?"
She asked. Pansy raised one perfectly arched dark eyebrow and walked over to grab hold of the navy dress; Pansy turned slightly to her left to hand her the last dress. Hermione took it with no hesitation, admiring the smooth material beneath her fingertips.
"Granger, I'm a reporter. I notice people and their habits, it's what I do."
She drawled and then jerked her chin towards the only other door besides the entry. Hermione forced herself to not roll her eyes at the witch. She's helping, she reminded herself even if she was cocky about it. Nodding once, Hermione went to try on her first choice. Allowing the cool metal to ground her growing anxiety, Hermione gripped the doorknob tightly, opening the bathroom door to reveal a soft yellow tiled room. The color reminded of the early morning when the world was still new to the eyes and everything was bright and beautiful; Hermione quietly thought to herself if Pansy had decorated her own home or if she had an interior designer. Closing the door behind her, the curly-headed witch stopped and looked around. The entire room was covered in pastel yellow tiles except the white ceiling overhead. There was a standing shower encased in the middle of the room with circular glass, all matching the yellow tiles. Behind it, Hermione could see the toilet and besides the circle shower was a hand sink, a large brown basin sitting on top the darker yellow cabinet sink. Most of the wall behind the sink was a mirror and when Hermione turned back around, the entire front of the bathroom door was a mirror as well but in the shape of a honeycomb. Inhaling deeply and finished observing the guest bathroom, Hermione murmured a levitating charm on the dress so it wouldn't get any wrinkles and began to change. After a few minutes and more nervous adjusting, Hermione finally stepped out the faux sunlit room. Pansy's eyes were on her instantly.
"It's too short."
Hermione complained, tugging on the skirt. At first glance Hermione assumed the dress would end at the middle of her shins but cursing her hips and bum, the skirt had hiked up to skim the top of her knees. However, it did fit well over her and Hermione did like the sneak peak of her waistline covered in the see-through fabric of stars. Pansy's smirked returned, crossing her arms over chest.
"It's perfect, Granger."
She said. Hermione blanched at the compliment, but Pansy quickly ignored her silence. Waving the second outfit, the black halter dress, to her. Not showing any emotion with her smirk gone, Hermione couldn't gage the witch's sincerity.
"Now try this one on."
Pansy instructed. Hermione held her tongue, not liking being bossed around, but maybe this dress was less revealing than it looked. Hermione reminded herself to be patient and took the second dress to go change yet again. Closing the door behind her yet again, Hermione peeled off her first choice and charmed it to hover right next to the second dress. Grabbing the black dress, Hermione slipped it over her, her eyes widening at the way the neckline dipped dangerously low to her waistline. Opening the door quickly, Hermione's eyes wide as she complained again,
"Parkinson there is no way – "
Hermione stopped midsentence as there was a short, round witch sitting on the bed talking to Pansy. Pansy turned back to face Hermione while the visiting witch's eyes widened at Hermione's appearance. Then a large grin broke out and she jumped up, almost falling in the process. Hermione awkwardly stood halfway in the doorway of the bathroom as the energetic witch made her way towards her.
"Salazar's you really do have Hermione Granger in your guest bath!"
She exclaimed. Hermione couldn't help to flush, trying to hide more of her revealing outfit and self behind the doorway.
"Oh erm, hello."
She awkwardly said. The plump witch was dressed in baggy jeans, a black camisole tucked in, with a ripped green and navy plaid shirt over her top. Hermione tried to avert her eyes, but even the plaid shirt couldn't cover the witch's more noticeable top assets. She had pixie cut hairstyle, round glasses that reminded of Hermione of Harry's but thicker and black, and sparkling earrings. All-in-all, Hermione was reminded of a muggle punk rocker without the dark eyeliner.
"Tracey Davis, Hermione Granger."
Parkinson introduced the pair. Tracey smiled brightly up Hermione, being shorter than her and Hermione hesitantly smiled back. Hermione couldn't help but to shoot Pansy a glare before returning to smile down at the friendly witch in front of her – it didn't faze the violet eyed witch. She didn't know Parkinson would have visitors, much less one so warm.
"Of course, you don't know who I am, but I was in your year, Slytherin."
Tracey Davis introduced herself.
"Oh, nice to meet you."
Hermione said. Before Tracey could say another word, Pansy quickly intervened,
"Sorry for her intrusion, Granger, you know snakes. We'll be outside and while I really think you should try the jumpsuit, you can change back."
Tracey didn't stop smiling at her, but Hermione nodded in Pansy's direction, closing the door once more. Relief washed over; relieved she wasn't in front of stranger anymore but also relieved she didn't have to try on another exposing clothing article. Hermione didn't know if the Davis witch was truly intruding or if Parkinson had invited her without Hermione's knowledge. It would seem like a petty thing Parkinson would do in Hogwarts, Hermione chided herself. Besides the snobby attitude at times, Parkinson had been nothing but polite. She didn't have to help Hermione with anything, much less an important event such as this. Blaise and Theo had trusted Parkinson enough in leaving Hermione alone with the witch, surely, she wasn't acting nefariously. Shaking off her negative thoughts, Hermione changed back to her own clothes. After slipping on her trainers, she grabbed hold onto the two dresses, and Hermione stepped out, still relieved that the two witches weren't still in the room. Hermione laid both dresses back down on the bed before following the soft hum of voices that led her back to Pansy Parkinson's living room. Both witches were standing next to the green seats, Tracey more animated than Pansy as she moved around and her hands often while Pansy was the exact opposite. Noticing Hermione, Tracey grinned at her again while Pansy's eyebrows rose.
"The last piece then."
Pansy stated and while Hermione wanted to argue, she couldn't argue that she had a prettier outfit than the dress she had first tried on. Maybe I can make it longer, Hermione thought to herself as she nodded at Pansy's non-question.
"The last one."
She affirmed.
"Well, I'll be off then, see you later, Pansy."
Tracey chipperly spoke up, leaning up towards Pansy to give her a kiss on the cheek. Pansy reciprocated the gesture, nodding. Tracey's brown eyes found Hermione and she smiled once more at her.
"It was a pleasure meeting you, Hermione Granger."
She said. Hermione nodded once at her, smiling politely back.
"It was nice meeting you too, Tracey."
Hermione answered. Tracey's grin widened again and then disapparated with a 'pop!' and Pansy snorted as soon as the other Slytherin witch was gone. Hermione looked at her, eyebrows furrowing together.
"She's enamored with you."
She supplied as she made her way back to the guest room. Hermione couldn't help to blush at the words and follow her host.
"Enamored is a strong word."
Hermione said but Pansy snorted again.
"Although she did react better than Astoria Greengrass."
Hermione finished, mainly speaking out loud to herself. The pair walked into the room, Pansy reaching for the jumpsuit as she turned her head so her side profile could eye Hermione.
"You've met Astoria Greengrass?"
She asked, one long, perfectly arched eyebrow raised. Hermione tiled her head ever so slightly, stopping herself from squinting suspiciously at her. She surely knows, Blaise and Theo seem thick of thieves with her, Hermione wondered to herself.
"Yes. I met her and her sister one day while out with lunch with Harry, Blaise, and Theo."
Hermione took her time answering, if she was being tested, she was going to ace it. Pansy turned her face away, carefully putting the two outfits Hermione hadn't chosen on their hangers as they hovered.
"How did Tori act?"
Pansy asked. Hermione cleared her throat before answering, pondering how close the Greengrasses were to Parkinson to warrant such a nickname.
"Well unlike Davis, she seemed more interested in my fame than myself."
Hermione answered. Pansy laughed softly, a dark underline tone to it. Hermione's dress was the last to be placed on a suede black hanger, grasping it, Pansy turn to hand it to her. Although her face was completely neutral, there was something in the witch's purple eyes that made Hermione wonder.
"Here you go, Granger. Wear silver heels with this."
Pansy instructed, handing her the navy dress and changing the subject. Hermione nodded once again, trying not to look surprised at the change of topic even one when she felt that Pansy was invested in. Also feeling out of the loop and contemplating the underling idea of why why Pansy Parkinson was helping her, Hermione took hold of the dress before blurting out her thoughts.
"Why are you helping me?"
The question uttered itself out faster than she could stop it. Hermione instantly felt guilt after Pansy was being so helpful when she froze up. The air in the room shifted and Hermione forced herself to not immediately apologize for her sudden question. Pansy charmed the dresses back to wherever they came from, out the guest room door, when she finally replied.
"It's my way of saying sorry."
She softly said Hermione almost missed it.
"Apologize for what?"
Hermione asked. Pansy turned to her so quickly that Hermione stumbled back, eyeing the movement with suspicion as Pansy sighed out loud.
"Apologizing for being a shit person, Granger!"
She yelled, flailing her arms around. At the moment, Pansy's hair also moved with her unruly movements causing the usual perfect bob to begin un-evening itself. It's satisfying to watch, Hermione couldn't help to think.
"Apologizing for believing the blood purity shit they shoveled down our throats as children which in turn caused me to treat you like you were a lesser witch. When we all knew you were the better one out of all of us. Us, Purebloods, Half-Bloods, all of us alike. The Muggleborn witch outshined everyone and I still had the nerve to treat you like you were below me!"
Pansy exclaimed. Hermione's eyes widen, opening her lips to speak but Pansy vehemently shook her head, shook her hands in front of her, her hair becoming more frazzled.
"Don't say I don't need to! Don't say we were just children! Let me bloody apologize to you, Granger!"
Pansy snapped at her. Hermione closed her mouth and let her continued.
"I'm sorry for being a bitch to you when all I was!..."
Pansy started but then closed her mouth, avoiding now eye contact she managed to keep with her this entire time.
"All I was was jealous that a Muggleborn managed to outrank us all."
Pansy said to the ground. Hermione held onto the soft fabric of the dress in one hand and gripped onto the hanger with the other, trying not to fidget at the statement.
"Jealous that you had perfect grades, real friends, and a loving family while I had nothing but my name and blood which didn't seem to matter anyways. I'm sorry…"
Pansy confessed to her. Hermione stared at the smaller witch, realization enveloping her that she didn't know she needed. Pansy was jealous of me this whole time, she thought to herself. After more than a couple of silencing moments, Hermione finally spoke,
"Pansy, I – "
Pansy looked up to glare at her.
"You better not apologize back or say I didn't need to."
She snapped at her. Hermione couldn't help but to smile softly at her resentment. She was seeing Pansy Parkinson through new lenses; before her was an insecure witch who came from a seemingly good home but came from the exact opposite. Being poised and cold was a defense mechanism to the insecurities that lay beneath her. She wasn't so difference from Hermione.
"I wasn't going to."
Hermione replied and that caused Pansy's glare to transform to a look of curiosity and suspicion. Violet clashed with honey.
"I was going to say, I accept your apology."
Hermione finished. Pansy straightened at her word, still looking at her with suspicion and curiosity, before slowly nodding once. Before Pansy could walk out, Hermione outreached her hand to her. She let go of the dress and offered her left hand to Pansy Parkinson – Slytherin Ice Princess, almost Death Eater, Ministry reporter, and future friend. Hermione had already had two Slytherin friends she could trust, one who caused havoc wherever he went, what was another to the batch?
"Friends?"
She asked, reminiscent of the same offering she offered Draco Malfoy. Pansy's eyes widened at her statement, quickly looking at Hermione's hand and back to her face. After a few silent seconds, Pansy's usual mask of indifference turned to her sharp features. She scoffed, tossing her head back, and walking away. Hermione couldn't help but to watch her, intrigued at her reaction and possible rejection.
"Don't be absurd, Granger."
Pansy sniffed at the words, at the entry of the room before turning her body halfway to look back at Hermione. Hermione lowered her hand, once again gripping onto the dress.
"Theo tells me I can't do anything in halves, and I won't start now. Sisters or acquaintances."
Pansy said, intensity written all over her eyes but nonchalant dripping over her body. Hermione couldn't help the tension roll off of her as she giggled at the ferocity of such a statement. They're all so dramatic, Hermione couldn't help but to think. For once, it was Pansy's turn to look confused as Hermione continued to laugh.
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"Draco, mate, you've got to relax."
Blaise said exasperated. For the fifteenth time, Blaise tried to reassure one of his closest friends that tonight would turn out better than he anticipated. Blaise was nursing an Elfin wine, crisper and less bitter than the one Theo had offered Granger many moons before, and he didn't anticipate how nervous Draco would be. He needed something stronger to deal with the platinum blond mussing with his hair and outfit for the eight time. They were both in Draco's bedroom suite, Blaise sitting on a conjured chaise while Draco walked back and forth from the bathroom to the mirror and to his wardrobe.
"She always sees me in black."
Draco mumbled to himself; eyes glued on the outfit before him while Blaise watched him from behind.
"The gray is lighter."
Blaise commented, again comforting his friend. Draco fidget in his charcoal gray suit, and while it wasn't as light as Blaise would wear for a summer party, it was light for Draco's usual brooding suits. The blond nodded at Blaise's words after staring at himself for longer than ten seconds. Blaise downed the refreshing drink, hoping he wasn't thinking again of changing suits. The Malfoy Heir, soon-to-be Malfoy Lord, had originally chosen his routine black suit then changed halfway into midnight blue pants with a dark gray oxford shirt but then changed his mind to another black shade before settling into the current outfit. Blaise originally thought he had put on his first outfit after the blue one, but there was the proof that Draco had more than one black suit and different shades if one paid close attention.
"She complimented Theo in his casual suit."
Blaise said as Draco slipped on a lighter gray jacket over his torso. As soon as the words left Blaise lips, Draco slipped out of the jacket. Nodding in agreeance, Blaise kept his mouth shut about the choice of color he choice for his dress shirt – a dark blue that complimented both his fair tones and his dark pants – just in case it deterred Draco from wearing it. Blaise hoped he didn't change his mind again. They weren't running behind, but if Draco kept up his frazzled mindset, they would not make the party on time. And Blaise knew Hermione Granger was a stickler for promptness. Thankfully, Blaise was already ready for the Potter Party, changing out of his wheat-colored suit and into a mahogany, faux snaked skin one. The suit jacket was light and trimmed with the faux skin with matching pants that ended right above his ankles. Underneath the jacket, Blaise left his top three buttons opened on his white suit shirt, displaying a gold chain necklace underneath and his hands were adorned with his family rings and other gold rings in random shapes and sizes. On his feet, Blaise decided to sport more comfortable and casual shoes, the dark brown Moroccan styled shoes fitting his feet perfectly.
"Dally,"
Blaise called out loud. The prim and proper house elf dressed in a tuxedo and matching shiny black shoes popped besides him.
"Can you get me the bottle of the wine I was drinking, please?"
He asked. Dally bowed, snapping his finger as the large, clear bottle appeared in his tiny hands.
"Thank you, Dally. That's all."
Blaise said as he took hold of the neck of the bottle. Draco's personal head house elf nodded before disappearing. Pouring himself another drink, Blaise suppressed a sigh. Draco was once more staring and messing with his hair in front of his large mirror. Blaise kept a hold of both bottle and glass in hand as he took another sip. Wearing the black, Malfoy scion ring Draco sported on a regular basis at Hogwarts and less now, Draco Malfoy stood wearing dark charcoal dress pants, tucked in was the dark blue, long-sleeved dress shirt with two buttons left open. Draco slipped on navy, faux leather dress shoes, and his own silver, thin chained necklace over his head. In all, Blaise thought he looked fine, but he wasn't the one that Draco wanted reassurance from.
"Your mother's necklace and father's ring?"
Blaise couldn't help to ask him, eyeing the jewelry with interest. Sipping another healthy gulp, he waited for his friend's reply. Draco took his time, adjusting his sleeves to rest in the middle of his forearms but not revealing the Dark Mark. In Hogwarts, Draco would never been seen without the Malfoy scion ring and once they were close enough, Draco had showed Blaise his mother's rune necklace with the rune Uruz engraved in the circular tungsten. An heirloom passed from generations, charmed so that the necklace to only appear if the wearer wanted it.
"They piece the outfit together."
Draco replied shortly, staring at his reflection. Blaise wanted to snort from the lie he told, but he bit his inner cheek to stop himself and from rolling his eyes. They both knew Draco was nervous; his parents jewelry provided some encouragement to him despite not speaking it out loud. If only his parents could see his nervous state because of Hermione Granger, Blaise couldn't help but to think to himself.
"It'll be okay, mate."
Blaise let his last assurance from his lips, raising the glass to his friend, earning him a small smirk.
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"Cho, I'm sure Hermione forgot to reply she was already busy for lunch."
Harry tried convincing his girlfriend for the fourth time. Cho didn't say anything as Harry played with her scalp, trying to relax her before she left to get ready for the celebration. Her silky hair was slipping in and out of his fingers as Harry admired the texture. They were sitting in Harry's sitting room, Cho laid out on the couch with her head on his lap. Both had gotten off of work at the same time and instead of being a cheerful mood, Cho had come to Harry with a worried look on her face and her eyes blazing with what Harry assumed was
"I just want her to like me."
Cho whispered. Her eyes were closed and while Harry had tried her best to ease her discomfort at the fact that his best friend, his sister, had turned her down for lunch, it was not working as well has Harry intended. Harry inhaled deeply before kissing her forehead.
"She will, Cho."
He said.
"She's best friends with Ginny."
Cho shot back, eyelids opening and her dark eyes burning with such jealousy Harry tried not to flinch. He gulped down his reaction, pondering if she had that insecurity for a while now or if it was a new development.
"So? That doesn't mean she'll automatically dislike you, Cho."
Harry replied back. The Ravenclaw witch didn't say anything else as Harry continued playing with her hair. Both witch and wizard chose silence for a long moment before Harry tried again with reassurance to his girlfriend.
"It'll be fine."
He whispered to her but mostly to himself. Between his current girlfriend, his ex-girlfriend, his ex-girlfriend's family, and both his best mates bringing someone else to his party, Harry didn't know which scenario would explode in his face first.