The Headmaster ended up ordering lunch for them all since the professors had so many questions. The Golden Trio had skipped out after getting a detention for missing History of Magic from their head of house. Professor Mcgonagall had even tried giving her the same before Flitwick informed her that she had three optional classes since she had completed her O.W.L.s. The look the Deputy Headmistress leveled her made Pansy very uncomfortable, in fact all of the teachers other than Flitwick were studying her.
Not that Potter and his friends learned anything, what with Dumbledore clapping like a lunatic over her project and raving about keen minds and never abandoning a mystery or some rubbish. It may have sounded like he was praising her but it only validated Potter's new hobby of snooping around where he wasn't wanted. Granger had appealed her ban from The Hall and of course the deputy headmistress had approved even though she never chaperoned! So, the Gryffindor swat was now a regular and always trying to talk to her or Susan about rules and regulations that would help with their organization. Pansy just thanked whatever Gods were other there that Weasley avoided school work like the plaque and Potter either didn't have an interest or was just being a creep by using his cloak so she didn't have to see them in her sanctuary.
She officially hated Potter when news of her project spread throughout the school. Some of her classmates had heard versions where she was designing a dark ritual to steal magic or some such nonsense. Luckily, she had friends in every house and she was almost always in the Hall where students saw her working on The Apprentice. So, whatever rubbish Weasley was trying to pull was quickly squashed. If that wasn't enough she had to send out her notes to her family barrister and her account manager at Gringotts since she had families sending owls about investment opportunities. The next time the ginger opened his mouth, she was going to set her lawyers on his family. If gossip was to be believed, just about every pureblood family was garnishing Arthur Weasley's wages, she could get in on that.
"You're still mad about that?" Millie interrupted Pansy's glaring contest with Potter during breakfast the morning the visiting schools were scheduled to arrive.
Pansy had hoped the hyper for The Apprentice would die down, it wasn't a finished product. She had even designed and enchanted a ring for Lady Malfoy to get them off her back. Lucius was a shrewd businessman and there was no way in hell she would be signing anything they sent her. She had not realized how much the wizarding public would be in demand for Millie's birthday present. Apparently, a lot of people were awful at potions and her work was being hailed as a pocket potion master. Eventually, she had hoped it would be something similar but not anytime soon.
In fact, her prototype could recognize ingredients and even their reactions but she was having a hard time finding a way to program a finished potion. She had an idea of maybe using samples of potions and getting them set into marbles like the ingredients but keeping the potions fresh was a problem. Luckily, there were a few down on their luck foreign potion masters who had a hard time finding their feet in Britain she could contact.
"It's all his fault." She snarled, making the speckled git turn away from her.
"They'll say you're a dark witch if you keep glaring at him." Luna observed, looking completely unconcerned since there was pudding on the table.
"It doesn't help that they still follow her around." Sally turned around to glare harshly at the trio, her lips curling upward in a vicious snarl. "Granger actually tried to warn me away from you, saying that you were a blood supremacist! Apparently, she thought I was a muggleborn or something!"
"How did she not know you're a Smith?" Millie guffawed but Pansy was currently gripping the table in an iron grip.
"A blood supremacist?" She hissed, starting to rise from the bench when Luna grasped her arm tightly.
"Witnesses, Pans!" Pama just shook her head turning to look at the large group of fourth year Gryffindors who were trying to eavesdrop. "Honestly, even Lav and Parv have said something about it being rubbish. Everyone knows that you don't care. Otherwise there wouldn't be a blanket ban on bullying in the Hall."
"It's creepy and unsettling." Pansy's voice rose to carry across the entire great hall, making certain that everyone knew exactly who she was talking about. "I don't understand what their obsession is! You know that Potter almost followed me into the loo yesterday! Then when Susan said something he sent Granger!"
The effect was immediate, the other fourth year boys immediately moved away from the trio while Lavender and Parvarti smiled viciously, those harpies were always desperate for gossip. It was the other tables that had a more interesting reaction, with Susan immediately defending her Ravenclaw friend and the Slytherins watching on greedily. Everyone still remembered the parseltongue incident and that Black targeted the school because of Potter, it was easy to forget he was a national icon when he was so annoying.
However, it was a few hours later when witches started whispering and calling the boy a pervert that she knew her ploy worked.
"I'm not a pervert." Potter hissed at her with a clenched jaw after he literally appeared out of nowhere with his sidekicks rushing down the hall towards them. Pansy was alone and wanted nothing more than to hex all three of them. "I know you're up to something and I'll prove it!"
"Honestly, Potter, did Malfoy get bored of your lame banter already?" She glanced down at her watch, knowing that Millie and Sally would be joining her soon so they could watch the other schools arrive. Luna was already in the forbidden forest, as she usually did when she was stressed about something. "I'm not looking to be a rebound so go make up with your boyfriend."
"I'm no!" Potter sputtered, staring at her as if she had just asked him to become the Slytherin mascot. "You can't distract me!"
"You're distracted by Malfoy so easily?" Pansy smiled widely, enjoying the way the boy steadily turned red. The bookworm and ginger were not much better, although Weasley looked slightly ill. "Is it the hair or the fitted robes? He had filled out nicely, hasn't he? You must be heartbroken."
"Parkinson." Draco Malfoy's voice startled and she turned in time to see the blond sauntering towards them with a very disgruntled Millie and Sally following with his friends. "Do mine ears deceive me or were you just talking about my handsome self?"
"Potter was just complaining about how much he missed the sound of your voice." She said sweetly, completely ignoring his innuendo and the way he stood just a little too close. "He couldn't help but spill the tea about all his pining."
"I'm not pining!" Potter was suddenly furious, both of his friends had to reach out to hold him back from lunging.
"What in the name of Merlin are you talking about, Parkinson?" Poor little sheltered Malfoy looked on in confusion.
"Well, it me-"
"C'mon, mate." Weasley grabbed Potter by the arm to pull the sputtering boy away.
"What did they want?" Millie huffed, turning to glare menacingly at the retreating trio but Pansy rolled her eyes in annoyance.
"Just the usual stalking." She waved them away dismissively, checking her watch. "You ready to head down?"
"Mind if I join you lovely ladies?" Malfoy drawled, bringing attention back to himself after she had already taken a step towards the stairs. He waved an imperious hand to dismiss the other Slytherins and she knew she would know no peace this year. "Wouldn't want you to be harassed by the rabble."
"You're such a snob, Malfoy." She rolled her eyes, turning quickly before he could offer his arm.
"How do you think they'll be coming?" Sally questioned, wrapping herself around her arm in excitement with Millie flanking her other side.
"I bet Durmstrang does something edgy and dark, like hitch a ride on a lethifold." Millie laughed aloud, fondly thinking of the famous author who claimed he had bonded with one to escape vampires.
"Yes, I'm sure that Karkaroff got all the students' families to sign that release." Pansy snickered, having met the oily man because he was acquainted with her father. Another pureblood wizard who hated his wife and was free with his compliments for underage witches. Not that her father minded, his friends could look all they wanted but they never crossed the line at touching. Her chastity amulet would never allow that, it would hurt like a bitch when it activated but the wizard in question would never touch another unwilling witch.
"What would they do with their luggage?" Sally questioned seriously, tapping her chin in thought.
"Elves of course." Malfoy spoke up from her side, looking very interested in their conversation. "However, Father said that they didn't spare any expenses so they could arrive in style."
"Oh, so you do know how they are getting here?" Pansy asked curiously, there was an anticipation and dread building in her stomach. She had been having nightmares for the last week, all of them centered around the Hufflepuff who had been so kind to her sister.
"Well, he did mention something about helping his old friend in hiring a team of very skilled artisans for a restoration project." The boy bragged, running his fingers through his pale hair while he puffed out his chest in an impersonation of his father. Sally suddenly broke into giggles, clapping a hand over her mouth when they turned to her.
"I bet it's big!" The Gryffindor sniggered, shaking Pansy's arm to emphasize. "Afterall, they have to compensate since their school is not nearly as old or acclaimed as Hogwarts!"
"Now you sound like a snob." She pushed her overexcited friend away, consequently bringing her closer to the Slytherin wizard who placed a hand on her lower back.
"Ooh, I wonder if Beauxbatons will ride abraxans!" Millie squealed suddenly, her voice reaching a pitch Pansy had never heard before. "They have the largest population in the world since Perenelle Flamel started breeding them there in the fifteen hundreds! Oh, I bet they're so pretty!"
"They are, my Grandfather bought a herd as a gift for my Grandmother to celebrate their anniversary." Malfoy was once again bragging, making her roll her eyes and move away from his hand, much to his confusion. However, the boy just stuck close to her side to compensate. "I was given a foal on my sixth birthday, I named him Snitch."
"You named a winged horse Snitch?" Pansy looked up at him incredulously.
"You have an abraxan herd?" Millie had roughly shoved her aside to take her place at Malfoy's side with barely a glance. She probably would have landed on her ass if her wonderful friend Sally had not cushioned her fall.
"Millie!" Both girls exclaimed from their place on the floor, but their friend was now in her fellow Slytherin's personal space. The boy looked properly frightened when she had him back up against the wall.
"Why have I never seen them?" Millie towered over Malfoy, looking close to shaking him upside down as if he had an abraxan in his pocket. "I've been to your manor for the stupid balls, your family is always showing off your peacocks but-"
"What is going on here?" Pansy looked up, finding her sight blocked by layers of billowing robes.
She couldn't help but let out a little dreamy sigh at the sight of the potions master scowling down at them. Her previous life's memories really didn't do Severus Snape justice, he was a very good looking wizard with a smooth, silky voice. His hair may have been a bit greasy and all that black did nothing for his pale skin, but he was by no means ugly. Her dreams and memories also show him much older than the professor before them, he barely looked thirty.
"Did you know the Maloys had abraxans?" Millie turned her eyes up to their professor, as if he had been personally hiding their existence from her.
"I am very aware of the menagary the Malfoys like to show off." His voice was low and full of impatience. Luckily, he was focused on the students from his own house so Pansy and Sally could stand and clean themselves without him taking points. "That does not explain why I have found two of my snakes fighting over students in a different house."
"No, you don't underst-"
"That will be ten points from Gryffindor and Ravenclaw for instigating an altercation." The potions master had already decided the narrative and was beginning to sweep away from them with his robes billowing. "I expect you to make haste to the courtyard. Also, another five points for being unkempt."
"What the hell, Millie?" Sally demanded as soon as their professor was out of earshot.
"Yeah, what the hell?"
"Malfoy has a herd of abraxan!"
Before Pansy could explain that she could not shake down other students for their pets, no matter how annoying they were there was a thud. The fourth years turned around to find a first year Gryffindor on the ground with a growing red lump on his head, staring at Pansy with wide eyes. Sally was the first to kneel down beside him to help the firstie to his feet with Pansy rushing over to assist. The Slytherins were no help, they would never risk being friendly to a Gryffindor on principle, especially an underclassman.
"Are you okay?" Pansy asked once the boy was on his feet, the blonde little wizard continued to stare at her.
"...pretty." He whispered in awe before turning as red as his tie.
"Oh, aren't you the cutest firstie I've ever met." She cupped his face in her hands and squished his chubby cheeks together with a laugh. Sally rolled her eyes before tossing her hair and taking a step back. Malfoy and Millie sauntered over, looking menacing over the Ravenclaw's shoulder. "Did you hit your head?"
"...pretty." However, when the little Gryffindor looked up to see the Slytherins over her shoulder, his face quickly paled and his eyes rolled into the back of his head before he fainted into her arms.
"Well, shite." She almost buckled but an arm wrapped around her waist to hold her up. Pansy glanced back, surprised it was Malfoy rather than her best amazon girl who could lift her with one hand.
"We're going to be late!" Millie groaned, the passed out first year forgotten while she looked longingly towards the courtyard.
"You guys go ahead." Pansy sighed, using her wand to levitate the boy beside her. It wasn't like she didn't already know how the other schools arrived. Unless, there was a very strange butterfly she was unaware of. "I'll take him up to the infirmary."
"No, point." Malfoy sneered down at the child with an eye roll, making her take a large step away from him. "All the staff will be out to greet the other schools. Just leave him here, I'm sure Filch will find him eventually."
"You are such a git." Pansy waved him a way with an exasperated expression before she started walking towards the main entrance. She was sure she could find a professor to help the poor child.
"Yes!" Millie grabbed Sally's wrist, pulling her ahead so they wouldn't miss the grand entrance. "Let's go!"
"Why are you bothering?" Malfoy followed Pansy's steps closely, quickly moving ahead of her and walking backwards so he could face her. "It's just a Gryffindor, he's not even in your house! Or our year!"
"And you were just a bully Slytherin when I healed your nose last year." She waved her freehand towards him dismissively. "What's your point?"
"Yes but I'm Draco Malfoy." He said it so matter of factly, as if that was all the reason she needed to assist him. It stopped her in her tracks, staring at the blond wizard as if he had grown tentacles suddenly. "Of course, you would stop to help me, we're the same."
"How in Merlin's name are we the same?" She choked on the words, not understanding what the boy was talking about.
"We're purebloods, from storied and ancient families." His voice was getting very pompous, standing tall and proud. "Part of the Sacred Twenty Eight, we have to watch out for each other. Especially now, what with you..know…your father. Your house has no wizard to-"
"Okay." Pansy held up her hand to his face, blinking her hazel eyes rapidly as if it would dislodge his asinine words from her brain. "I think we have some spells crossed. How in the name of Salazar Slytherin did you manage to get the hat to sort you into the house of the cunning? Nevermind, you know what? Keep your secrets. I'm leaving."
"What?" He asked stupidly, watching her stalk away from him and ignoring him when he rushed to catch up.
"Just don't speak." She snapped before they reached the main entrance where Filch and Professor Mcgonagal were standing sentry.
"What is the meaning of this?" The transfiguration master demanded once she caught sight of them levitating one of her cubs behind them. "What have you done to Mr. Wolpert?"
"Us?" Malfoy asked incredulously, looking positively offended. It wouldn't be the first time he had hexed a Gryffindor.
"We're not sure what happened to him but I think he tripped?" Pansy ignored the git at her side and turned her attention to the firstie who was still unconscious. "Sally and I helped him up but then he just fainted? See, he had a bump on the head and since all the staff are waiting for the guests, I figured I would bring him here."
"Very well." Professor Mcgonagal nodded, not looking like she believed either fourth year. However the Ravenclaw had a pristine reputation that had only been tainted by a wild Potter who was spouting nonsense like usual. It was hard to believe a parselmouth was accusing her of being a dark witch when she had never even publicly argued with another student.
"...pretty." The first year had gained consciousness and was again staring at Pansy as if she were the sun and moon and stars lighting up the sky.
"I think he has a concussion." Pansy did look down at the boy, feeling just a smidge of concern. He was just so little and adorable with his big teeth and cheeks. "That's all he's said since he fell."
"Mr. Wolpert?" The professor laid a hand on his shoulder once the Ravenclaw lowered him to his own feet. He looked a little shaky but startled at being addressed by a teacher. "Can you tell me what happened to you?"
"...I walked into a wall."
Pansy missed the arrival of the other schools since the deputy headmistress didn't trust Filch to watch over an injured child while she left to find the school matron. Shocker. The squib was an odious man who looked for even the smallest infraction to reprimand young witches and wizards. Whatever his reasons did not matter to her when Flich commonly suggested corporal punishments. As in medieval stocks and chains for something as insignificant as an untucked shirt. Honestly, why the school kept him when most of his duties were completed by house elves was beyond her. Was it his status as a squib? She would never allow the magical world to twist her sister in such a way.
"I'll never get to see the abraxans!" Millie had not stopped ranting about the injustice of Hagrid, the grounds keeper, taking care of Beauxbatons' herd of abraxans since they sat for dinner.
Usually the house tables were arranged so the Slytherins and Gryffindors were on opposite sides of the hall but since it was a formal feast, they were arranged traditionally. So, there was only a small walkway separating them. Sally, the monster, had stolen one of her uniforms and posed as a Ravenclaw so they wouldn't be separated. If their head of houses noticed, neither of them said anything. Although, Flitwick had winked at them when he sat down while Macgonagal looked as if she had swallowed a bug.
"I'm sure Hagrid won't mind you coming to the stables to visit." Padma offered tentatively, always the peacekeeper. The poor witch was so used to being ignored and in the background, Pansy was constantly surprised when she spoke up.
"A Slytherin?" Sally laughed, tossing her long blonde curls with a superior eye roll. "As if."
"It's true." Millie looked downtrodden, her wide shoulders slumping in defeat. "I'm in his Care class and he completely ignores us or laughs when one of the creatures hurts us."
"The man didn't even pass his O.W.L.s." Pansy snapped, her left eye twitching in annoyance. Rubeus Hagrid did have a habit of ignoring everyone but his creatures and Harry Potter. Even without his exams, the half giant was probably the most knowledgeable person on magical creatures in Britain. It was unfortunate that he ignored all the dangers they posed to normal, squishable witches and wizards like his students. "Just don't take no for an answer, you're good at that."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Millie looked up, humor dancing in her eyes while she feigned offense. "Are you calling me a bully, Parkinson?"
"Let us all give a warm welcome to the students of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic and their headmistress, Madame Maxime!" Albus Dumbledore raised his arms once the doors to the great all opened.
It was…embarrassing. All the witches were in front and took their time being extra bouncy. Then they would pause in their steps and kind of…sigh and sway coyishly. She felt bad for the wizards who had come with them since they just slinked along after their headmistress like they didn't want to be noticed and immediately moved behind the witches. Once they got to their places in front of the staff table, they spread their arms and butterflies of magic were released to float over the students' heads. There was a great wave of applause, especially from the male students of Hogwarts before they took their seats at the Ravenclaw table.
"Thank zou, 'Ogwarts!" The tall woman stood beside their headmaster, looming taller than even Hagrid. "For zour 'arm 'elcome!"
"And the Wizards of Durmstrang Institute accompanied by their headmaster Igor Karkaroff!" The Headmaster continued once the Beauxbaton students took their seats. Their headmistress looked smug over their performance, looking at the Durmstrang contingent fiercely.
There were no witches. Just three rows of wizards dressed in a drab brown uniform who stomped in some kind of formation. It was all very militant and Pansy could admit the way they twirled their magical staff was interesting. They were a blur and then two of them broke off to breakdance and she could not suppress her giggles. It reminded her of her first life, she had an uncle who tried to relive his youth at every wedding by impersonating some ice guy. They finished their performance by three of the wizards blowing a fucking fire dragon towards the Hogwarts students!
"Thank you, Albus." Karkaroff stated loudly, looking even smugger than the Baeuxbaton's headmistress if that was possible. He led his students towards the Slytherin table but kept a firm hand on the only wizard wearing a fur lined cloak. It only took her a moment to realize it was Viktor Krum when he was guided to the empty place next to a triumphant Draco Malfoy.
"He doesn't look happy." Luna tilted her head to the side, completely ignoring the Beauxbaton students who were trying to look completely unaffected by the great hall. Too bad for them, the ceiling was super impressive. They all turned to where Krum was scowling at his goblet in distaste.
"Well, I wouldn't be too happy about sitting next to that specky git either." Millie said loudly, drawing the blond peacock's attention.
"Oi, Parkinson!" Malfoy called out, interrupting the headmaster who had just cleared his throat at the podium. "Get you an autograph!"
"And now, Hogwarts students before we share our first meal with our guests!" Albus Dumbledore looked tickled pink with the other heads flanking him. "We shall dazzle our future friends with the school song!"
Fuck her life.
After the embarrassing show before the feast, Pansy was ready to crawl into her bed to hide. Dumbledore might as well have called in the frog choir. At least the other schools had magic butterflies and fire dragons! The Beauxbaton students talked shite in french, not caring at all who heard them. Luckily, most of the pretty french witches and some of their wizards were distracted by Cedric Diggory. Otherwise her undercover Gryffindor friend would have caused a scene.
Classes were canceled for the day after their headmaster unveiled the legendary cup. There was nothing about it in any of the books the students had read since they found out about the tournament. Then again, none of them would have even really known about the tournament unless they decided to bring it back. So much for going down in history.
"People watch?" Luna asked when Pansy met her in the common room with a large picnic basket in hand. It was cute with little bits of flannel fabric popping out along the sides. However, it was Luna so she worried it was filled with raw meat for her friends.
"Depends on the snacks." Pansy took a peak and was relieved to find pastries the castle elves made.
They were met in the halls by Millie and Sally who were eager to see who would put their names in the cup. Ravenclaw had discussed the merits but no one said they were going to enter. Most of the students who were of age knew it was N.E.W.T. year. Even if they said they would be exempt from exams,the ones who needed jobs assumed their final scores would help. The other purebloods who knew how the wizarding world worked, understood well enough that one thousand galleons just wasn't worth the risk to their lives.
"Cassius Warrington put his name in last night." Millie announced immediately, snatching the basket from Luna's hands rudely. "Apparently, he ran into a couple of Gryffindors who didn't want a show."
"It's probably because the Weasley gits were up all night telling everyone that Angelina Johnson was going to be chosen." Sally rolled her eyes, tossing her blonde curls over her shoulder. "Pretty sure they're both trying to woo her and threatened to experiment on anyone who tried to take her rightful place."
"That doesn't surprise me." Pansy huffed with a little laugh, the small scrap of parchment in her hand crinkled when she balled up her fist.
She was still undecided if she should try her luck. If the challenges were the same, there was a good chance she could win but then what? Voldemort was like some distant figure in her future. The way her father spoke of him, her family was safe from him because of her dead brothers but she knew the future. Was she obligated to change things or keep some ordained timeline accurate? If only TVA Loki could give her some answers. The only thing her entering the tournament would do would be to save some boy she had a handful of conversations with.
And hopefully end her annoying night terrors.
The great hall was rearranged so that the Triwizard Cup was in the center of the room with bleachers setup along the walls. Students were already seated, eating their breakfast and holding their own plates. Her lip curled when she caught sight of a blockade of gingers who were dribbling on themselves like toddlers. Everyone had magic but none had basic common sense! Pansy turned sharply to an empty corner rather than find a place on the bleachers.
"Nice." Millie whistled in appreciation once Pansy conjured a cafe table and chairs for them. As soon as all three legs were on the ground, the elves ladened the granite surface with plates of food.
"Thank you." Sally smiled, looking pleased when she sat down daintily. They all ignored the looks they were receiving. "So, any Ravenclaw contenders?"
"We as a house decided on a wait and see approach. Not like anyone would announce it in the common room, anyway. Everything's a competition." Luna nodded to music only she could hear while she smothered toast with some kind of jam spread. "Although, Pansy is thinking of entering her name."
"How?" Millie asked loudly, not even bothering to swallow and spitting out morsels of egg on the table. Sally was quick to throw a napkin at their friend once she vanished the mess. "You're underage!"
"Please, like that will stop anyone!" Pansy laughed a little shrilly, damning Luna in her head for bringing attention to her inner crisis. There was a reason she had not mentioned anything.
"Well, don't keep us in suspense!" Sally smiled brightly, looking completely at ease with one of her friends entering into the deadly tournament of death. "Bless your loyal subjects with your grand plans to become the Triwizard winner!"
"Who said anything about winning?" Millie asked, tossing the used napkin back at their Gryffindor friend. "I think it would be very impressive just to get her name in!"
"How were you ever sorted into Slytherin?" Sally asked, aghast. "Where is your cunning and ambition? Of course, Pansy has a plan to win! What's the point of entering if you don't plan to win it?"
There was a hush as the entirety of Hufflepuff house entered the hall, cheering loudly with their of age students in front. A few witches and wizards rushed to toss their names in before hiding back in the badger crowd but Cedric Diggory waited until last. The prefect looked around the hall, searching the Ravenclaws for a moment before tossing the slip of paper towards the flames. It wasn't even a conscious thought and Pansy's eyes widened when her wand was suddenly in hand.
"Postius"
Her friends turned around in shock when Pansy started coughing to cover up the spell she cast. It was only a brief second that the slip of paper in her hand disappeared and was replaced with something warm. Why had she done that? All morning, she had been listing the cons of entering her name. It was a very long list. A very long list! She waited until they turned back to the cup to glance down, her heart in her throat.
Cedric Diggory
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
What had she done?
With no classes and her friends ripping any books she tried to read out of her hands, Pansy had been anxious the entire day. It didn't help that Luna kept meeting her eyes and smirking at her. Damn Luna Lovegood. She wasn't sure if the blonde was a seer or just extremely intuitive but no one could ever hide their sugar quills from her. Then the rest of her friends kept trying to goad her into entering her name because she refused to tell them she switched her name for Cedric's.
Pansy knew it wasn't exactly fair for Cedric. From what little she knew, he was a good wizard; smart and always willing to help other students. He and his family had been very proud to represent Hogwarts. It was because of his giving nature that he was murdered by Peter Pettigrew at the end of the third task. While he wasn't the first winner crowned posthumously, it wasn't necessary. She couldn't think of anything really that would be affected if a student didn't die at the end of the year, right? The Ravenclaw, nodded, trying to give herself an inner peptalk. Pansy would just leave Potter to pick up the cup.
No reason for the both of them to be traumatized.
He would be fine, he had Potter luck or something or plot armor.
Not like she needed one thousand galleons.
No, she would be fine.
The plot would continue.
The great hall was restored by the time dinner rolled around. Many of the students came to their table asking who had transfigured it for them. A nosey Granger had even come over to inspect it and cry about it being against the rules. All the teachers had seen them and even allowed other students to create their own tables without complaining or taking points. Pansy had been noticeably silent, barely able to keep up with the idle chatter or people taking bets on who would be chosen.
Durmstrang and Beauxbatons had claimed the ends of Slytherin and Ravenclaw's tables, not even bothering to mingle with Hogwarts students. Pansy noticed they all had the same nervous energy that was running through her. If Luna sent her another one of those knowing looks, she was going to punt the girl over to Gryffindor table. Her friends sat with her at Ravenclaw table, except Susan and Hannah stayed at their own in house solidarity. The puffs gave a whole new meaning to the word codependent.
"Now, the moment you've all been waiting for!" Dumbledore's voice made her jump in her seat and the whispers grew louder. "Settle down! The champion's selection!"
Pansy felt as if she had cotton in her ear while she watched the headmaster step up to the flaming cup dramatically. For the first time she noticed that he really was a showman but his voice was drowned out in her head. Everything sounded like it was underwater.
"...Fleur Delacour!" There was a polite smattering of applause as a beautiful witch stepped forward confidently. Shockingly, there was more crying than cheers, the other Beauxbatons students were sobbing and muttering about the veela cheating somehow. It wasn't a surprise that most of the ones clapping for her were the wizards, all of them competing to get her to look at them.
"...Viktor Krum!" It felt as if a flash bang had gone off right next to her ear. The entire hall exploded in applause, even the other two schools were giving the professional quidditch player a standing ovation. Luckily, Fleur was already in the antechamber, it would be very hurtful to see how they celebrated the wizard.
"And finally the Hogwarts champion!" Dumbledore stared down at the scrap of parchment, making sure the pause was nice and long to keep things dramatic. A hush fell through the hall before the doors flew open and Filch was running towards the headmaster. Pansy let out a slightly hysterical giggle because…who why, Filch? Then he whispered into Dumbledore's ear and he turned towards the Ravenclaw table, nodding. "Pansy Parkinson!"