Chapter 4
Weeks passed, and the tension only seemed to escalate. Harry and Pansy faced the backlash from their peers, their friends' cold shoulders only amplifying the whispers in the hallways. Still, they found solace in each other, often retreating to the Room of Requirement, a sanctuary where they could be themselves.One evening, as they settled onto the plush cushions in the room, Pansy sighed heavily. “Do you ever think about what it would be like if we didn’t have to hide? If we could just be?” “Every day,” Harry replied, squeezing her hand. “I wish people could see you like I do. You’re not the Slytherin everyone assumes you are.” Pansy looked down, a pained expression crossing her face. “But I still have my family. They won’t let me go that easily.” “What do you mean?” Harry asked, concern flooding his voice.“My mother has her own plans for me,” she explained, her voice thick with emotion. “Draco is just part of it. She wants me to marry him, and if I refuse…” She trailed off, the unspoken threat hanging heavy between them. Harry felt a surge of protectiveness. “You don’t have to accept that life, Pansy. I’ll help you.” She looked at him, her eyes searching his for sincerity. “How? You can’t just wave a wand and make it all go away.” “Maybe not,” he said thoughtfully. “But I can stand by you while you fight back. You deserve to live for yourself, not for them. Also maybe one day I will be able to wave my wand and make them go away. But for now you must focus on living for yourself.” Pansy’s expression softened, and she nodded slowly. “I just don’t know how to start.” “Then let’s figure it out together,” he replied, determination filling his voice. “We’ll find a way. You’re not alone in this.”
As they planned their next steps, Harry’s resolve grew stronger. He had always been a fighter, and now he would fight for Pansy’s freedom. He researched ways to protect her from her family’s influence and found allies among the School.
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As the months continued, Pansy slowly began to embrace her independence. With Harry by her side, she started to confront her family’s expectations. It was a gradual process, filled with hurdles, but each small victory empowered her more.One evening, after a particularly tough confrontation with her mother, Pansy returned to the Room of Requirement, her eyes red from tears. Harry rushed to her side, concern flooding his features. “What happened?” he asked softly, pulling her into an embrace.“My mother thinks I’m being foolish,” Pansy said, her voice shaky. “She threatened to cut me off completely.” Harry’s heart ached for her. “You’re stronger than you know, Pansy. You’ve made it this far. Don’t let her scare you into submission.”Pansy looked up, determination flashing in her eyes. “You’re right. I won’t let her control me anymore. I want to choose my own path, even if it means standing up to her.” Harry smiled, pride swelling within him. “I’ll be right beside you.” As they stood together, Pansy felt a renewed sense of strength. She was not just fighting for herself but also for the love she had found in Harry. Together, they were challenging the expectations that had bound them for too long.
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The day finally came when Pansy confronted her mother. Hearing reports about her daughter’s behaviour Mrs. Parkinson demanded immediate access to speak with her. With Harry waiting anxiously outside the Slytherin common room, Pansy took a deep breath and pushed open the door of Snape’s office. “Mother, we need to talk,” she said, her voice steady despite the tremor in her hands.“What is it, Pansy?” her mother replied, her tone cold and demanding.“I won’t marry Draco,” Pansy stated firmly, her heart racing. “I won’t live a life you’ve planned for me. I want to choose my own future.” Her mother’s eyes narrowed, and Pansy could feel the tension in the air. “You think you can just throw away our family’s legacy? You’re a Parkinson, and you will act like one!” “No,” Pansy shot back, finding her voice. “I’m choosing my own path, and I won’t let you dictate my life any longer. I have someone who cares about me—someone who sees me for who I am.” The shock on her mother’s face was palpable, but Pansy pressed on. “You need to accept that I’m not going to follow in your footsteps. I deserve to find my own happiness.”After what felt like an eternity, her mother finally spoke, her voice dripping with disdain. “You’ll regret this, Pansy. You’re making a mistake.” Pansy took a deep breath, summoning all her courage. “Maybe. But at least it will be my mistake to make.”
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Pansy took a deep breath as she stepped out of the office, her heart racing with a mix of fear and exhilaration. She could feel the weight of her mother’s words still echoing in her mind, but the thrill of standing up for herself pushed her forward. As she approached Harry, who stood anxiously just outside the door, relief flooded her senses. “How did it go?” he asked, concern etched across his face.“I stood my ground,” Pansy said, her voice shaky but resolute. “I told her I wouldn’t marry Draco. I told her I wouldn’t let her control my life anymore.” Harry’s eyes brightened with pride. “That’s amazing, Pansy! I’m so proud of you!” But then, she hesitated, and the weight of reality settled heavily on her shoulders. “But… she cut me off. She said if I won’t follow her plans, I’ll have to fend for myself.” “What?” Harry exclaimed, shock washing over him. “She can’t just do that!”“Apparently, she can,” Pansy replied, the tremor in her voice returning. “She said she won’t support me anymore—financially or otherwise.”Harry took a step closer, instinctively wrapping his arms around her. “I’m so sorry, Pansy. I can’t believe she would do that.” “It doesn’t matter,” she said, her voice muffled against his shoulder. “I’m finally free from her control. But… it’s terrifying.” “It is,” Harry said softly. “But you’re not alone in this. You have me, and I’ll always support you. I promise.” Pansy pulled back, looking up into his earnest green eyes. “You mean it? Even if it means being cut off from my family? I know I’m a Slytherin; I’ve done things that… aren’t great.” “I don’t care about that,” Harry said firmly. “You’ve shown me who you really are, and I admire your strength. Family doesn’t just mean blood; it’s the people who stand by you, no matter what. ”Pansy felt tears welling in her eyes again, but this time they were tears of gratitude and hope. “Thank you, Harry. You’ve changed my life more than you know.” They stood in silence for a moment, their connection deepening as they realized they were each other’s chosen family now.