The Deception
On the other side of the castle, a couple days later, Pansy Parkinson was getting ready for a very important day for her. She was going to ask Hermione Granger to the Christmas party. She was far too nervous to even consider it at first, but after a bet with Blaise in which they had agreed that she'd do it only if he asked out Ginny, she had been left with only one option when it was revealed that Ginny had accepted Blaise's invitation.
She started the day by making her bed, an organized living space is key for an organized mind, right? After that, she decided that she needed to look her very best if she wanted to maximize her opportunities with the Granger girl, so Pansy decided to do a good old fashioned skin care routine, step by step, something that not even magic could best.
As she waited for her face mask to take effect, she decided that it was time to catch up with some homework. Hermione wouldn't want her to stay behind on schoolwork, now would she? Perhaps if she finished the Potions essay and the Astronomy charts she'd have something to brag about to her crush as they made their grand entrance into the Great Hall the day of the party, holding hands and dressed like royalty.
Following a long and effective shower, Pansy Parkinson decided to wear her favorite outfit, which would surely bring her some good fortune in these nerve-wracking times: a black turtleneck crop-top with a green plaid miniskirt and black boots, paired with some black eyeliner and matching lipstick. She might be crushing on a Gryffindor, but her Slytherin heart would always shine through.
After stalling some more, Pansy decided that it was time. She could not bear another minute of agony and incertitude, she had to know, Hermione Granger would you like to go to the Christmas Party with me?
-Oh, hey Pansy! I didn't see you come in; did you say something? - Said Hermione Granger as she tore her eyes from her book and turned around to look at the Slytherin girl, who had just arrived at the library and was currently standing next to her, looking rather nervous.
-I, I just asked if you would like to come with me to the Christmas Party- Replied Pansy, slowly but clear, with an excited smile at the end, that communicated the excitement she felt.
-Oh Pansy, I am so sorry, but I'm actually going with Draco already- Answered one clueless Hermione.
-With Draco? Really? - Pansy was trying really hard to keep the smile on her face, she was rather shocked, even though she was now realizing that it was a logical development, especially after what Hermione had revealed to her that eventful night in the common room.
-Yeah, he asked me just the other day, here in the library actually- Hermione's voice was cheerful and even let out some giggles at the end of her sentence, not knowing how sharp they felt on the other girl's heart.
Pansy tried to brush it off, she told Hermione not to worry about it, that she was happy for her, still sporting her smile to keep her cool appearance, then excused herself and turned around to leave, with tears starting to roll down her pale cheeks.
As she entered a more desolated part of the castle, her feelings were overflowing. She was angry and she was sad, her heart had been broken in a way she had never even thought to be possible. When had she fallen so deep in love that just a couple words from a girl could cut so deep into her soul? Pansy was strong and independent, she knew that she would recover and that everything was going to be okay, but at this moment, she let herself feel. Her tears were allowed to flow now so her heart could be healed later. It was all part of the process.
Eventually, Pansy found a dark spot next to a statue and plopped herself on the floor, with her back to the wall and her face refreshing to the cool breeze coming from a nearby window. Deep breaths. Listen to the whisper of the trees and the buzzing of the insects of the night, to the small waves of the lake and the footsteps approaching from the hall.
-Rough day? - Asked Theodore Nott as he extended a hand to help Pansy up.
-Heh, you could say so- Replied Pansy as she took Theo's hand and got to her feet, fixing her skirt and wiping some dried tears from her cheeks.
-Could I possibly inquire on the nature of your misfortunes? - Said Theo playfully as they started walking towards the common room.
-I just... I thought I would be going with someone to the Christmas Party, but it turns out they already had a date, so now I have no one- Responded Pansy, trying to provide as little details as she possibly could, without shutting out her friend.
-Well, we could always go together if you'd like, you know, as friends-
-Theo, that would be great! Would you really do that for me? -
-You know I'd do anything for you girl- Replied Theo as he placed his hands in her shoulders and looked into her eyes, right before pulling her into a warm embrace, which she gladly returned.
The truth is that Theodore Nott had always had a thing for the Slytherin girl. He wasn't sure how to label his feelings, having grown up asexual in an allosexual society, but he knew that he cared deeply for her, and really wanted to make her happy.
And just like that, Pansy Parkinson was going with Theodore Nott to the Christmas Party.