Orbit

“Hermione? What are you doing here?” Pansy almost dropped her wand to the floor.

“You’re Circe?”

“You can’t be here!”

“How could you!”

“Follow me and I’ll tell you everything you want.” Pansy grabbed her hand and pulled her deeper into the maze, taking lefts and rights as often as she could to disorient her. All she could do was hope that Hermione, a history buff particularly knowledgeable on magical artefacts from ancient Europe hadn’t recognised the vanishing cabinet that towered behind her.

“Answer me Pansy! Are you really Circe?” Hermione yanked her hand away.

“Yes.”

There was no use in lying, Pansy knew a lost cause when she saw one. Hermione shoved her harder than she expected. Her weakened body flung backwards for an instant before Hermione grabbed her by the collar, bringing their faces close together. Pansy didn’t dare to look away as Hermione’s eyes flashed with betrayal and confusion.

“You erased my memory!”

“I did.”

“Why? Why would you do that? You did it without even asking me and you just took them away from me!”

“You knew why. You understood why I had to.”

“Well I had to have been out of my mind. I don’t believe that anymore. I want to know. I want to remember and I never want to forget again.”

“Hermione why can’t you ever leave well enough alone?”

“Because you stole from me. Because I spent weeks feeling hollow, and I thought I’d never br happy again. You have no idea what it was like, Pansy, no idea! So forgive me for refusing to leave well enough alone, and wanting back what was taken away from me!”

“How did you find me? How did you find out I was Circe?” Pansy did her best to move past the hurt in Hermione’s voice. She had combed through every memory of them together, and used a spell stronger than Obliviate. How could Hermione have found trace of her again?

“My journal. I had written about you.” Hermione looked down, embarrassed, before finally letting go of Pansy’s shirt. She paced around, holding her head in her hands. There was no other solution. With a swift movement she turned around and pointed her wand at Pansy, unable to mask the shake in her wrist. “Tell me everything or I’ll get it out of you.”

Pansy didn’t reply, and instead started walking towards her.

“Stay where you are!” Hermione pleaded. Pansy, who now stood inches away from her fell onto her knees. She had nothing left to lose, nothing else to give but what she was being begged to return. Her hand reached to meet Hermione’s. In an ultimate act of surrender, she brought the girl’s wand to her temple before looking up.

“My mind is yours. Search in it what you want.”

“I’ve never used that spell before.” Hermione trembled.

“I won’t put up a fight. You can do as you please, and find the answers to everything you wish.” Pansy whispered. She was tired.

Hermione hesitated for a few seconds, staring down into Pansy’s green eyes. She had never seen her so vulnerable, and weak.

“Hermione, please.”

“This is an incredibly invasive spell.” Hermione shifted, uncomfortable at the sight of her wand resting on Pansy’s head.

“By searching my mind you will simply find that you were already there. Everywhere. I am yours.” Pansy closed her eyes, waiting for the all too familiar feeling. Few seconds passed before Hermione conceded.

“Legillimens!”