Chapter 1
The Great Hall was buzzing with excitement as the students of Hogwarts prepared for the upcoming Yule Ball. Banners of silver and blue hung from the enchanted ceiling, reflecting the glow of countless floating candles. Harry Potter sat at the Gryffindor table, his heart heavy with an unshakeable sense of frustration. Hermione had been distant lately, spending more time with Krum, who had a way of getting under Harry’s skin despite his best intentions. The thought of watching them together made Harry feel a twinge of jealousy. He needed a way to get Hermione’s attention back, and he had a plan: he would ask someone else to the ball. But who? His gaze landed on Pansy Parkinson, who sat at the Slytherin table, her demeanour as haughty as ever. “If I ask her, it’ll definitely get a rise out of Hermione,” he muttered to himself. Gathering his courage, Harry stood up and made his way to the Slytherin table. Pansy noticed him approaching and raised an eyebrow, intrigued.“Potter,” she drawled, a smirk playing on her lips. “What brings you to our side of the hall? Lost your way?” “Actually, I was hoping to ask you something,” he replied, trying to keep his tone casual despite the butterflies in his stomach. “Would you go to the Yule Ball with me?” Pansy leaned back, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. “You want me to be your date? Why would I agree to that?” “Because it would annoy Hermione,” Harry said, a hint of mischief in his voice. Pansy’s eyes sparkled with interest. “Hmm, that does sound appealing,” she mused. “But I want it to be public. I want everyone to know.” “Fine,” Harry said, feeling a strange mix of relief and apprehension. “Let’s make it a big deal.”
The next day, in the middle of breakfast, Harry stood up at the Gryffindor table, heart racing. “Attention, everyone!” he shouted, drawing the gaze of every student in the hall. “I have a very important announcement!” his voice clear as he waved his wand. A soft, shimmering light danced from the tip, creating a cascade of sparkling silver and green butterflies that flitted through the air, weaving around the hall. The butterflies glowed brightly, illuminating the faces of his classmates in awe. The chatter fell silent, and all eyes turned toward Harry as the butterflies swirled, casting a glittering spell over the room. They darted toward Pansy, circling her head before settling gently on her shoulders like a magical shawl.“Pansy Parkinson will you do me the honour of accompanying me to the Yule Ball!” he declared, pointing at her across the room. Gasps mixed with murmurs of disbelief echoed through the hall, especially from the Gryffindor table. Pansy stood up, flipping her hair with a flourish, clearly enjoying the attention. “Why not” she said, a smirk dancing on her lips. There were some scattered applause and as Harry took his seat and the murmurs and whispers erupted, He caught a glimpse of Hermione’s expression, a mix of shock and hurt. That was exactly what he wanted.
But as the days passed, Harry found himself getting to know Pansy better. She was sharper than he had anticipated, her banter witty and her insight surprising. One evening, as they sat together in the common room, Pansy opened up. “You know, this isn’t just about making Hermione jealous for me,” she admitted, her voice dropping to a softer tone. “It’s also about Draco.” “Draco?” Harry asked, surprised.“Yeah, my mother wants me to be with him,” Pansy confessed, a shadow crossing her features. “She has this vision of a perfect pureblood family, and it’s suffocating. I don’t really believe in all that stuff; it’s just what she wants.” Harry felt a pang of empathy. “So, you’re stuck between wanting to be with someone you like and fulfilling your family’s expectations?” “Pretty much,” she replied, her expression shifting from haughty to vulnerable. “I figured if I dated you, it might make him realize what he’s missing.” Harry nodded, understanding dawning. “You don’t have to do this just to impress him, you know. You deserve to be with someone who actually cares about you.”
Their relationship, born from a plan to make others jealous, began to take on a new depth. As they spent more time together, Harry felt a connection growing. Pansy wasn’t just a Slytherin with a sharp tongue; she was someone struggling against her family's dark legacy.
As the Yule Ball approached, whispers swirled around Hogwarts. Students were eager to voice their opinions about Harry and Pansy’s unlikely pairing. Many of his friends were less than pleased, Ron especially, who was outraged. “What are you thinking, Harry? She’s a Slytherin! You know she’s trouble!” “She’s not just that,” Harry replied firmly. “She’s dealing with a lot more than you realize.” But the more Harry defended Pansy, the more the divide between him and his friends grew. The night of the Yule Ball arrived, and Harry stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his robes. He felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. Would they accept her?
When Pansy arrived, he was stunned. She looked beautiful, her dress a deep emerald green that accentuated her eyes. As she walked in, the hall fell silent, and whispers filled the air. “Wow, Pansy,” Harry said, a genuine smile breaking across his face. “You look amazing.” “Thanks,” she replied, a shy smile creeping onto her face. As they entered the hall together, they were met with mixed reactions. Some students looked on in shock, while others sneered. But Harry felt a sense of determination. He would stand by her side, no matter what.“Let’s show them how wrong they are,” he said, taking her hand.Together, they danced under the twinkling lights, the music swirling around them. For a moment, it felt as if they were the only two people in the world. As the night went on, Pansy opened up more about her struggles with her family, and Harry felt a fierce protectiveness for her grow. He realized he couldn’t let her go back to a life dictated by her mother’s expectations.“Pansy,” he said softly, pulling her aside from the crowd, “I want to help you. You shouldn’t have to go through this alone.” Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “You don’t know what you’re asking, Harry. My family is... complicated.” “I don’t care,” he said firmly. “You deserve to be free to choose your own path.” In that moment, something shifted between them. What had started as a scheme to provoke jealousy had transformed into a genuine connection.