Chapter 1: Stolen Freedom
Only one month remained before Pansy Parkinson turned 18.
One month before she could leave this world so far removed from her goals and desires.
She watched the couples on the dance floor with not a hint of envy. The prom. A concept stolen from the Americans, interesting only to the popular people, she thought as the Granger-Weasley couple tried a few clumsy dance steps.
The slight jealousy she felt in front of such an obvious pair wouldn't matter for long. In a month, she would be free. And in two months, she would start her internship as an event assistant for a production company partnered with the school.
An opportunity she had worked hard for. Only three students had earned it—Ginny Weasley, Draco, and herself.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the extravagant Luna Lovegood in a turquoise blue sequined dress that made Pansy want to rip it off her. How could anyone wear such an inappropriate dress?
Luna certainly stood out among the sea of black that Pansy herself adhered to. Her custom-tailored women's suit suited her well, though it couldn't perform miracles: Pansy's adolescence was quite visible. Severe acne, unbalanced chest, redness…
She was far from conventional beauty standards, and the other students didn't hesitate to remind her.
Luna suddenly stopped and, as if sensing Pansy's burning gaze, turned around. Pansy met the ocean-blue eyes of the girl, who smiled at her. Pansy raised an eyebrow and watched as the blonde left the great hall. She stood up.
"Where are you going, Pansy?" Draco asked.
The brunette glanced at the blonde without even thinking of lying.
"I've got a dress to tear," she said flatly.
"You've never liked dresses," agreed a mixed-race boy who also stood up. Blaise.
With a smirk, she headed toward the exit, claws out.
Ginny smiled. Ginny had been smiling a lot lately.
She had finally managed to win over her brother's best friend, after resigning herself to just being a friend.
She caught her breath after the fourth dance with her friends. Hermione, Dean, Justin, her brothers, and Luna.
Luna, her best friend.
She felt a bit guilty for not being there for her much this year. But between her diploma and her boyfriend, time had been short.
As Luna slipped away in her strange blue dress, Ginny noticed another girl's burning gaze on her friend.
Before she could find an explanation for the hatred that seemed to flash in the brunette's eyes, she watched her head toward the same exit Luna had taken.
Frowning, Ginny was about to run after her when someone grabbed her arm.
"Everything alright, sis?" Charlie asked gently.
He had come to help the evening run smoothly, along with several parents, including Mrs. Nott, Mr. Granger, Mrs. Parkinson, Mr. Thomas, and Mr. Abbott.
"Yes, I just want to make sure Luna's okay."
Charlie smiled.
"You think she's in danger of getting bitten by a snake?"
"I keep an eye on the English vipers. They can be deadly," she laughed as she made her way toward the large doors.
Ginny had been wandering the corridors of Hogwarts for a few minutes.
Hogwarts, the elite school led by an eccentric headmaster who had decided on its strange name:
H: Highly
O: Open
G: Generally
W: Well-rounded
A: Academically
R: Rigorous
T: Training for
S: Success.
She was pondering the peculiar name when she heard muffled sounds coming from one of the many alcoves. She approached.
Luna's pulled dress seemed on the verge of tearing, as the blonde's hands desperately tried to free herself.
With half-closed eyes, she appeared unable to defend herself against the brunette holding her firmly against the marble wall.
"Leave her alone!" shouted Ginny, furious. "Don't touch her!"
Pansy and Luna abruptly separated, their cheeks flushed and breathing ragged.
Ginny grabbed her friend and placed herself between the two girls.
"If you think you're getting away with attacking Luna, think again!" she continued.
The slightly embarrassed look on the brunette's face instantly transformed. Surprise flickered across her features before she burst into laughter.
"That's an interesting way to describe the situation."
"That's enough! When the headmaster finds out you physically attacked… You'll be expelled, count on it!"
"Ginny…" Luna started hesitantly.
"Lower your voice, Weasels. You'll end up bringing the parents here," Pansy snapped.
"Pansy, don't talk to her like that," the blonde sighed.
To Ginny's surprise, the girl took a deep breath.
"Sorry, my Luna, it's her hair. It triggers something in me…"
"What the…" Ginny began. Oh! Her gaze flicked between the two girls as Pansy looked exasperated.
"You mean you're…?" before being interrupted by a group of parents.
"What's going on here?" exclaimed Deputy Headmistress Professor McGonagall.
Her gaze swept over Pansy and Luna's disheveled outfits, their flushed cheeks, and Luna's alarmed expression.
"Nothing at all, Professor," she replied.
"Ladies, I expect an answer, or I will withdraw my internship offer with Produc'tout."
Ginny and Pansy's bodies tensed immediately. Missing this opportunity was not an option. But Ginny was lost. Pansy, on the other hand, crossed her arms, avoiding her mother's suspicious gaze.
"We were just fooling around. It won't happen again," she assured firmly.
"Last chance to tell me the truth," the deputy headmaster warned.
The three girls stared at their shoes, searching for a way out. Ginny waited for one of the two girls to speak. Luna's voice finally broke the silence:
"It's my fault, Professor. I provoked Parkinson and pulled on her clothes."
Ginny's mouth dropped open, even more confused.
"Enough, Lovegood," Pansy blurted out hurriedly, "we all know you couldn't hurt a toad."
The true statement raised a new question in the group observing the three girls. While Luna was known for her peaceful nature, Pansy was not known for defending someone outside her group.
Several adults straightened up at the clues.
"Pansy…" Mrs. Parkinson began sternly. "I expect an explanation."
Ginny was boiling. She wouldn't lose her internship, no way.
"You're all ridiculous. If no one says anything, I will!"
Luna's eyes widened in alarm.
"They were kiss…"
Suddenly, Mrs. Parkinson was on her, gripping her shoulders, towering over her so completely that her shadow covered Ginny.
"That's enough."
She turned calmly to the headmistress.
"I'm taking my daughter home."
"Mrs. Parkinson, I'd like to dis—"
"No need. Good evening."
And, pulling her daughter along without a backward glance, she left the school.
Professor McGonagall seemed speechless.
"Well…" Mr. Abbott began. "Let's get back to dancing, please."
With her face in her hands, Luna disappeared.
Ginny frowned. What had just happened?