1994
Every Slytherin student had secured a date for the Yule Ball, with one glaring exception: Pansy Parkinson. Instead of attending with a charming partner, she faced the prospect of going solo, burdened by the mockery of some Ravenclaws who labeled her as the "pig-nosed girl." Even Draco Malfoy, the esteemed Slytherin prince, had chosen to take the younger Greengrass sister, leaving Pansy feeling like a lonely outcast.
As she lingered in the dimly lit stone hallway, her gaze fell upon none other than Harry Potter at the opposite end. It was, quite frankly, a moment of desperation. After all, the prospect of pleading with the infamous "The Boy Who Lived" felt both thrilling and ludicrous. Suddenly, to her astonishment, he called out, "Miss Parkinson! Good, I was looking for you."
Wait—he was looking for her? Was this truly happening? It couldn't be true. Surely he wasn’t going to invite her to the ball; that was simply unimaginable. "Would you be willing to go to the ball with me, Miss Parkinson?" Harry asked earnestly, catching Pansy completely off guard. This had to be some sort of prank. Was there a hidden camera nearby to capture her utter disbelief?
Before she could muster a response, he thrust a folded piece of parchment into her hand. “Here, take this and write your reply. No matter what you choose, I will be waiting. Trust me, you will gain more than you can imagine from this.” With that, he turned and walked away, leaving behind the echo of his footsteps against the enchanted stone floors.
As she stood there, the reality of what had just occurred began to sink in. A redirection spell had been taken down as he exited, meaning no one was lurking to eavesdrop on their conversation. He genuinely meant to ask her to the ball. With only five days remaining until the event, Pansy found herself at a crossroads. Would she continue pursuing Harry Potter, or would she throw in the towel and resign herself to the sidelines?
That night, lying in bed, she wrestled with her thoughts. In a moment of bravery, she picked up her quill and wrote a single word: "Yes." She folded the parchment and drifted off to sleep, unbeknownst to the other girls in the dormitory, who were oblivious to the subtle glow radiating from the letter she had just written.
The following morning, Pansy awoke to a surprise. The previously folded parchment now lay open beside her bed, revealing a new message that seemed to glimmer with promise.
'I am pleased you accepted.
A dress made by the finest will be sent to your room tonight.
Be present for its arrival; it will be a sight to behold.
Good luck, and I will see you at the ball.
Lord Potter-Evenshade,
Lord Black-Grim.*
Pansy's heart raced as she read the note. It seemed she had received a special enchanted message that communicated between them magically. Excitement surged within her, and she couldn't help but smile. Her mother had already sent a dress, but this was something different—a rare opportunity indeed.
At nine o'clock that evening, Pansy sat eagerly in her dorm room, surrounded by her friends, Daphne and Tracy, who were chattering away in the corner. Suddenly, a bright blue flash filled the room, followed by the arrival of a magnificent cobalt phoenix. The magical creature set down a neatly folded dress and a letter before vanishing in an instant.
The gown was breathtaking—an exquisite shade of blue adorned with midnight-blue pansies—not only sophisticated but also a reflection of her personality. Pansy swiftly snatched the letter and read the address on the front: *Chanel*. Her heart raced again as she realized the prestigious brand had taken notice of her.
Daphne took the letter and began to read aloud, her voice shaky with disbelief:
"Dear Miss Parkinson, it has come to our attention that you require a dress for the Yule Ball.
We received your measurements from a spell sent by Madam Granger.
The dress has been crafted to your specifications and is truly one of a kind.
Should you wish to resell it, the market value is approximately 40,000 Galleons. Regards, the Chanel team and the Duke and Duchess Granger.
This letter is under a secrecy vow; anyone outside the room who reveals the names of high families to unknown members will speak in gibberish.
Victory and truth will set us free."
The words hung in the air as the reality of what they had just read sank in. Not only had Potter orchestrated something remarkable, but Granger's connection to the dress was astounding. The girls buzzed with excitement and curiosity, but there was no time for further questions. The Yule Ball awaited them.
On the night of the event, the atmosphere within Hogwarts Castle was electric. Enchanted chandeliers cast shimmering lights over the grand hall, revealing the timeless beauty of the castle's architecture—stone walls adorned with intricate tapestries, a floating staircase, and enchanted portraits that watched over the celebrating students.
Pansy reveled in the moment, dancing with Potter and discovering that he was an unexpectedly talented dancer. The looks of jealous disbelief from Draco Malfoy and his entourage were utterly delightful, especially when they caught sight of Snape enjoying himself while dancing with a girl from the Beauxbatons delegation, his demeanor surprisingly cheerful.
Amidst the joyous chaos, the evening took a jaw-dropping turn when Granger boldly punched Malfoy in the nose, an act that left many aghast and others cheering. Pansy grinned—tonight was a memory she would cherish forever.
After a round of spirited dancing and laughter, Potter led her to the castle gardens to enjoy a moment of privacy. As they stood beneath the stars, he smiled gently and said,
“Miss Parkinson, you need to be free when the time comes. Let me know, and I will come to your aid.”
Before she could fully process his words, he leaned in and pressed his lips against hers, soft and tender.
When she opened her eyes, Pansy found herself back in her dorm room, Potter gone as if he had never been there at all.
The next day, a wave of shock swept through Hogwarts. Harry Potter, along with several prominent members of the wizarding community, had mysteriously vanished—Rookwood, Snape, and most of the Azkaban prisoners had disappeared, leaving chaos in their wake. Even the notorious Bellatrix Lestrange was discovered dead in her prison cell.
Whispers of conspiracies floated through the corridors as it was revealed that a deceased Peter Pettigrew had been found in Little Hangleton, while Mad-Eye Moody had tragically perished in his trunk, never to be recovered. In the midst of this turmoil, Potters’ absence felt like a weighty enigma, and Hermione Granger also departed, never to return.
The night of the Yule Ball, while filled with enchanting memories, had transformed into something far more complex—a night that changed the lives of Pansy and those around her forever.