“Ms. Granger, Ms. Parkinson, can I see you two after class?”
Both Hermione and Pansy nodded their heads after a moment of shock.
“Sure.”
“Yeah, of course.”
The next ten minutes were especially hard to pass, for the both of them. Both of the girls were wondering if they had done something wrong, not that it was really possible anyway.
Hermione was a golden student. She was practically a ‘teacher’s pet’. She didn’t like breaking rules –other than the times where she had to in order to save the school with her two best friends– and loved studying. There weren’t many times she had earned herself a detention from one of the professors – if you didn’t count the pinky, toady thing she had as a DADA professor during her fifth year.
And Pansy… Well, she was the kind of student you would be surprised to see in detention too. Because she usually only caused trouble when there weren’t any professors around or when a professor that favoured her was around. At least she used to be.
Ever since she came back to Hogwarts, to finish her last year, Pansy had been staying away from everyone and only minding her own business. So, technically speaking, it wasn’t likely for her to get a detention either. The girl was barely out of her dorm room during the day, unless she had a class.
When the lesson was finally over, the girls packed their things and stayed behind as their classmates left the DADA classroom.
“So,” Professor Smith began. “Both of you are excellent witches. Your grades are high and you behave well in my class.” He paused for a second. “But Ms. Parkinson, you need help in one particular subject. A subject, Ms. Granger here excels at. I wanted to talk to you two to see if you, Ms. Granger, would be kind enough to tutor Ms. Parkinson on Patronus Charms, on the practical part of it.”
Both of the girls were shocked about Professor Smith’s request. Everybody in Hogwarts –other than the first years– knew that Hermione and Pansy had an eventful past. But apparently Professor Smith too didn’t know that. (Or he simply didn’t care.)
“Th-There is no reason for that Professor Smith. I can study by myself just fine.” Pansy said gingerly.
“Oh, but I don’t think you can Ms. Parkinson. It has been months since I thought that charm and you haven’t been improving at all. I think you need some extra help. Ms. Granger?”
“Umm…”
“Of course, you’ll be getting extra credit from me.”
Hermione didn’t need the extra credit. (Technically speaking, she didn’t even need to come back to Hogwarts and graduate. Kingsley had already offered her a position at the Ministry.) But she did want to know more about Pansy Parkinson.
Ever since she had caught Pansy crying in the Moaning Myrtle’s bathroom and seen a couple drops of blood on her fingernails, Hermione had wondered if she was doing alright.
Actually the answer to that question was pretty easy and obvious, if you knew how to look. And Hermione did know how to look. She knew that Pansy was not ‘fine’ by the way she would just sink in her chair and try to keep her head down during classes.
Hermione knew that she wasn’t ‘doing okay’ because Pansy would eat as quickly as humanly possible and then practically run out of the Great Hall –like she was not allowed to be there– three times a day, every day.
Hermione knew that Pansy needed help, because she had seen her during classes. How she was not careful at all with a knife during potions. Or how she wasn’t afraid to stay at the very edge of the Astronomy Tower. Or how she skipped going to the Hospital Wing more often than not after getting hurt in the Defence Against the Dark Arts.
She knew all of it, because she payed attention, and she wanted to help. And tutoring Pansy about the practical part of the Patronus Charms was a good opportunity as she would find, probably.
Hermione Granger wasn’t one to dig into people’s lives, normally. But normally. And Pansy being careless with herself and her life or worse, possibly self-harming did not fit the term ‘normally’. Not in Hermione’s dictionary.
And Hermione, being Hermione, wanted to help. Because in her opinion, even though she used to be a bully, Pansy didn’t deserve to be dealing with those things.
So, Hermione decided to do something about it.
“Alright, sure.”
Pansy’s head shot up. She wasn’t expecting that. Hermione Granger, the girl who she had bullied for years, accepted tutoring her? That… That sounded like a fucking dream. But it was real. Pansy discreetly pinched herself a couple of times to see if she was dreaming but instead of waking up in her bed, she was still standing in the mostly empty DADA classroom with Professor Smith and Hermione Granger who were looking at her expectantly and waiting for an answer. Oh Merlin, they were waiting for an answer!
“Okay, sure, yeah. That’s fine by me.”
“It’s settled then.” Professor Smith said. “You may leave girls.”
Pansy and Hermione both left the classroom ad started walking towards the eight years’ dorms at a slow pace. Neither of them was sure about what to say, so they just kept walking. Until Hermione spoke up, not being in the mood for the whole awkward-silence thing.
“So… What do you think about having four study sessions a week and forty-five minutes a session?”
“Umm… Sure?” Pansy’s answer came out as a question.
“Alright then. Can you give me your schedule? So that I can determine what times you are free and how much of those times cross my free times.”
“Right.”
Pansy quickly dug into her bag and found her schedule as Hermione waited patiently.
“Wow. You have a lot of free time.” Hermione said when she saw that Pansy was taking only five classes.
“Yeah, I didn’t want to take a lot of class this year.”
Hermione knew and understood the reason all too well. Actually Pansy’s reason was also her reason for taking six classes only: DADA, Transfiguration, Care for Magical Creatures, Potions, Charms and Astronomy.
“Me too, I only took six classes.”
Then she eyed their schedules for about a minute before speaking up again.
“Well, it looks like both of our Monday evenings, Wednesday mornings, Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings are free. What do you say to; between 5.15-6.00 pm on Mondays, between 10.00-10.45 am at Wednesdays, between 1.15-2.00 pm on Fridays and between 9.45-10.30 am on Saturdays?”
“It sounds alright.”
“Alright then.”
“How long are you going to tutor me for?”
“Until you manage to produce a full patronus.”
Pansy gaped at Hermione. She was sure she would never be able to get more than white sparks out of her wand, let alone a full patronus.
“And if I never can?” She found herself asking.
“Well,” Hermione started. “I guess I’d have to tutor you until the end of the school year.”
“Damn, you must really want that extra credit.”
Hermione smirked but didn’t make a comment. Then she took out a pen and added ‘tutoring session with Pansy Parkinson’s to her schedule.
“You want me to write on your schedule too?”
“Uh, sure.”
Hermione took Pansy’s schedule and added ‘tutoring session with Hermione Granger’s to it before giving it back to Pansy.
“What is that thing?”
“You mean my pen?” Hermione asked, amused at Pansy’s question and trying to not coo at the cute confused expression on her face that appeared after hearing the word pen.
“Yeah.”
“It’s a muggle device. Think of it like a quill, but it has its ink in itself.”
“Oh.” Pansy said, intrigued.
“Yeah. You can have one if you want to by the way. I have an awful lot of these with me.”
“Uhm… Yeah, I’d like that.” Pansy smiled a shy smile which Hermione eagerly returned. Then she dug into her bag and pulled out a pen with dark green ink.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
***
“Wait, what? Did this actually happen?” Draco asked, bewildered.
“Yes. And she accepted to tutor me.”
“She did?”
“Yeah.”
“Wow.” Blaise muttered under his breath. “Never expected Hermione Granger to tutor you.”
“I know right, me neither? But then, something even weirder happened.”
“Weirder than this?” Draco asked through the apple he was currently biting into. It came out muffled but Pansy understood him.
“Yes, weirder than this. So, we both agreed about the tutoring sessions and left the classroom. We figured out the time and the duration of the sessions. Then she took out a pen –basically, what muggles use instead of quills– and wrote on her schedule. Then she asked to write on mine and I said yes. Then I got curious about those muggle quills and asked her about it. She explained and when she saw that I was intrigued, she gifted me one.”
Pansy got the pen out of her bag and showed it to her friends. Blaise’s eyebrows shot up and Draco choked on his apple.
“She did what?!”
“I know, that was my internal reaction exactly. Externally I simply thanked her.”
“Well, good luck to you Pans.” Draco said as Blaise nodded along.
Both of them knew that Pansy had a crush on Hermione since the fourth year. She, at first, was disgusted with her feelings. Because a) Hermione had been Pansy’s lesbian awakening and she didn’t know what to feel about it, and b) Hermione was a muggle-born.
But with time, she came to terms with her feelings and sexuality and told her two best friends about it at the end of fifth year. Which they replied with, “We know, we’ve been waiting for you to figure it out and then become comfortable with the idea of other people knowing, even if it’s just us.”
Because pure-bloods weren’t supposed to or allowed to be queer. And they especially weren’t supposed to or allowed to be in a relationship with anyone who wasn’t a pure-blood-mania supporter pure-blood. And by falling for Hermione, Pansy had broken both of those rules and it had been overwhelming.
She had grown up with those rules and until a little while before, she had thought that they were normal and there was nothing wrong with them. Realizing that, what was thought to her by her parents since the day she was born was wrong and unjust, had been hard. Accepting it and replacing them had been even harder. But she had done it.
Not that it made any difference because she could not act on her new principles while still under her parents’ care and control. They would pull her out of school and marry her off before she could say quidditch.
Draco and Blaise had gone through the same realization and that had been the thing that pushed them to be even closer. They had gotten each other. They had shared their messed up home lives and their awakening moment. Draco and Blaise had understood what was it like for Pansy, they had understood her. They were probably some of the only people to ever do.
“Thanks guys.”
***
“You accepted it?”
“Yes, Ron, I did. And please do not talk while there is food in your mouth.”
“Sorry.” Ron’s ears’ tips turned a funny shade of red.
“Why did you accepted it? I’m not judging you or trying to tell you what to do, by the way. I’m just curious. You don’t really need the extra credit. Or any credit. Kingsley had already offered you a position at the Ministry.” Harry said.
“Well, I’ve been realizing that she’s not doing well and…”
“And you wanted to help, so you took the first opportunity to be closer to her so you can try and figure it out. And the fact that the subject you have to tutor Parkinson on being the Patronus Charms –a charm that could be pretty personal for some people–, just made it better.” Ron said as a matter-of-factly, thankfully after swallowing his food this time.
“Yes, basically. Although, it does sound a little dishonourable when you say it like that.” Hermione paused. “But who cares?”
“So, when is the first session?” Harry asked.
“Nest Monday, from 5.15 to 6.00, pm.”
“And where are you going to meet up at?”
A sigh left Hermione’s lips. She knew she had forgotten something.
“We forgot to talk about that.”
“Maybe you should send her a patronus to let her know once you figure it out. It might be good for her to see a fully produced patronus, maybe she had never seen one before.” Ron suggested.
“That’s a good idea. But I still don’t know where we can have these sessions at. It can’t be the library; Madam Pince would have our heads. It can’t be the eight years’ common room; she needs to focus, and privacy. And one of our dorm rooms sounds a little too private. Maybe an empty classroom?”
“I think we can find something better than that.”
“What about the R.O.R.?” Harry suggested.
“Room of Requirements?”
“Yeah. You’ll have everything you need. You’ll be able to be alone so that she can focus. And there won’t be a possibility of Peeves –or anyone– walking in and disturbing you.”
“Yeah. That’s a good idea Harry.”
“Don’t sound so surprised.” Harry scoffed playfully. Hermione and Ron snickered and they got back to their meals.
***
When Pansy arrived at Draco’s room, she was panting. Thankfully Blaise was there too, because she really didn’t have the energy nor the time to go look for him too. The boys in question lifted their heads from their essays and looked at her with worried gazes. They shared one look and then immediately went over to her.
“Pansy? Are you okay? What happened?” Blaise asked with only a hint of worry visible in his voice.
“Bullies? Which house? Gryffindor? Ravenclaw? Hufflepuff? Are you hurt? Is it bad? Do you need to go to the Hospital wing?” Draco was a lot less calm than Blaise, unfortunately.
“No, no, no. No bullies. I’m just freaking out because it’s 5.00 pm and I can’t remember where I’m supposed to meet up with Granger. And I only have 15 minutes to figure out and rush to there. Oh, God. I am so doomed. The first session hasn’t even started yet and I’m already making a fool of myself.” Pansy rambled and groaned into her palms.
“Alright, first of all,” Blaise started. “Calm down. Take a deep breath. Hold it in for a second. And slowly let it out. Do it again.” Blaise and Pansy breathed like that for the next minute. “Are you calm yet?”
“Calm yet? Not a chance. Calmer than before? Definitely.”
“Alright, try to remember your conversation. Are you absolutely sure that she told you a place to meet up at? Maybe you guys forgot to talk about it.”
“That’s the thing. I do think we forgot. I already went over our conversation maybe five times by now. I can’t remember her mentioning a place. But she would have definitely realized by now that we haven’t agreed on a place yet and would let me know where to meet. Wouldn’t she?”
Blaise and Draco nodded.
“So why hasn’t she then? Did she send an owl but I missed it? Did she write me a note in the class but I didn’t see it? Did we really not talk about it or is it my dumb-ass brain and good for nothing memory messing with me?” Pansy rambled. “Oh my God. I’m losing my sanity.”
“Alright, Pansy, you need to calm down. It doesn’t matter what happened, okay? Because in the end of the day, we still don’t know where you are supposed to meet up at. We need to focus on how to figure that out, not why you don’t know.”
Right after Draco finished what he was saying, a transparent, silver otter flew into the room and stopped right in front of Pansy’s face. Pansy squeaked and jumped back a little before realizing that it was a patronus. Pansy and the otter looked at each other for a second before the otter opened its mouth and Hermione Granger’s unnaturally calm voice was heard.
“Hello Pansy. Firstly, I’d like to apologize for forgetting to talk to you about the meeting place. Secondly, I’d like to inform you about it. Come to the seventh floor, to the Astronomy Wing. I’ll be waiting there for you.”
After that, the otter disappeared and the three Slytherins were left speechless.
“Has either of you known that, a patronus could… do that?” Pansy asked eventually.
“I’ve read about it once.” Blaise said. “But I’ve never seen or even met anyone who could do it before.”
“Well,” Draco started. “This is Hermione Granger we’re talking about after all, have you expected anything less?”
Blaise nodded slightly, still dazed a little, before remembering the reason that there had been a Messenger Patronus in his dorm room in the first place.
“She’s waiting for you, you know.” Blaise turned to Pansy and nudged her violently.
Pansy snapped out of her daze too and ran towards the door. She almost missed Draco’s “Don’t forget your wand, Pans.” And Blaise’s “Good luck!”. She already had her wand, she always did. So, she directly ran to the seventh floor. When she reached there, she was a panting mess, and a glance to her watch proved that she had about three minutes still. She jogged to the Astronomy Wing and started walking around, hoping to catch a glimpse of Hermione.
“Hello Pansy.” Hermione startled Pansy. Pansy jumped –actually jumped– and quickly turned around.
“Salazar! You scared me, Granger.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,” Hermione chuckled before adding emphasizing. “Pansy.”
Pansy swiftly ignored the way Hermione said her name, cleared her throat and asked.
“So, where are we going to practice?”
“Ever heard of the Room of Requirements?”
“Uhm… Yes, actually. It was that place you guys practiced defence in fifth year, right?”
“Yes. That’s where we’re going to practice at.”
***
A huff left Pansy’s mouth as a couple of white sparks left her wand, as always. She had hoped that she would be improving. But, as usual, the only outcome of her great efforts was nothing. It had been two weeks and eight lessons with Hermione, but she was as good at casting a patronus charm as always. Meaning, awful.
“Maybe you should try to find another memory. A stronger one. A happier one.”
“This is the fifth memory that I have tried, Granger. I don’t think it’s about the memory anymore.” Pansy said sadly and looked down. She knew from the start that it wouldn’t work, no matter how much or hard she tried.
Her nails dug into her palms, just as anytime someone reminded her what an awful person she was. Or how much she deserved to rot in Azkaban. Or how much they wished she had died at the Hogwarts War. “I think there’s something wrong.”
“Bullshit.”
“What?”
“I said bullshit. There is nothing wrong with you, Pansy. Stop saying that this instant. You are not broken.”
“I didn’t say I was-”
“But you meant it. Even if you didn’t say it. It was in the subtext. You didn’t say it but you were thinking it, believing it. And I will not tolerate you belittling yourself like that, for no real reason, Pansy Penelope Parkinson! You are a smart, powerful, witty, cunning, badass witch. Now stop pitying yourself for whatever reason that you are pitying yourself, and find another memory.”
Pansy looked at Hermione in complete shock. She really hadn’t expected that outburst. They silently stared at each other for a good five seconds. Then, “How the hell do you know my middle name?”
Hermione huffed out chuckle. “I have my resources. Now, try again. Find another memory, concentrate, believe that you can do it and try again.”
Pansy bit her lip, a nervous tick she had had since forever. “What do you think of when you’re casting this spell?”
“I think of Harry and Ron. They are more than friends to me, they are family.” Hermione said with a smile resting on her lips.
“Hmm. Your friends you say.”
“Yes, my best memories are with them, so…”
“I get it.”
Pansy closed her eyes and searched for a memory. One that had Draco and Blaise in it. It was stupid of her to not think this before. But it didn’t matter.
She thought of almost every minute they shared together until she found the one she knew would work. It had been her fifteenth birthday. The three Slytherins had decided to celebrate it by having a giant sleepover at the Zabini’s. Pansy’s parents had been busy planning her a big, formal, stupid, ball-like party. And the Malfoy Manor had been currently hosting Voldemort. So the Zabini’s had been the obvious choice.
Pansy could still remember the taste of the burned chocolate cupcakes she had tried to bake. And how much her first shot of fire whiskey burned her throat. And how she, Draco and Blaise put an excessive amount of face masks on their faces and painted their nails stupid colours. And how they curled up together and fell asleep after dancing for three hours straight.
It had been her happiest birthday. Even though she had had better birthdays. Maybe it was because it was the first birthday she had ever actually had fun and been happy. She thought so.
Pansy opened her eyes and looked at the charm bracelets Draco and Blaise gave to her for her birthday sleepover. They were handmade. Actually handmade. Made by Draco and Blaise. She had been so proud of them for not fucking it up.
Pansy closed her eyes again, focused on her magic, thought of how big she had been smiling right before blowing out the candles on her birthday cake and with a steady and then, with a determined voice, “Expecto Patronum.”.
Instead of the usual, weak, white sparks; a light shot out of Pansy’s wand and stood in front of her, almost in a protective manner, like a shield. Then, a couple of seconds later, the light was gone and Pansy was on her knees, her wide, shocked eyes staring unblinkingly at the bracelets on her wrist.
“Are you okay?” Hermione was kneeling next to her.
“I did it.” Pansy’s voice was quiet, as if she was whispering. “Did you see it? I did it. It wasn’t a full patronus but I still did it. I made progress.”
“Yes, yes you did. I’m so proud of you Pansy, you have no idea. I’m sure you’re going to produce a full patronus in no time.”
In her mind-numbing happiness, Pansy threw her arms around Hermione and hugged her tightly. “Thank you, Hermione. Thank you.” Hermione returned the hug eagerly as soon as she recovered from her shock.
Hermione.
Hermione.
Pansy called her Hermione!
“You are welcome, Pansy.”
The two girls hugged for about a minute before Pansy realized what she was doing and jumped away from Hermione like she was burned. Well, tried to jump away. Because Hermione wouldn’t let go of her.
“Oh, my Merlin! I’m so sorry Granger! I didn’t realize what I was doing.”
“It’s okay, I didn’t mind it at all. I actually enjoyed hugging you. And please call me Hermione. I have been calling you Pansy for the past two weeks; I want you to call me by my given name as well.”
“Oh. Uhm… Okay then, I guess. Hermione.”
Hermione tightened her hold on Pansy’s waist for a second and her smile widened. Pansy’s cheeks gained a reddish colour under her intense gaze.
“The time’s up. We should head back. I have a potions essay to write.”
“Sure, may I walk with you?”
Pansy smiled a shy smile. And accepted Hermione’s offer. They got up off the ground and left the Room of Requirements. The girls walked to the eight years’ common room together.
***
Pansy was panting. The blood that was leaking out of her forehead was clouding her vision. Her left forearm was burning. Her hands were trembling and her right ankle hurt like a bitch. But that didn’t stop her from pacing in stress and fear. She kept doing it until she couldn’t anymore. Black dots filled her vision as well as the red liquid and she fell to her knees.
Pansy abruptly realized that she couldn’t breathe. She was inhaling but the air was not entering her lungs. Another sense of panic shot through her as her tries to breathe properly failed. She didn’t even hear the Room of Requirement’s door opening.
“Pansy!”
Hermione ran towards Pansy and kneeled in front of her. “Pansy, are you okay?” But Pansy could only wheeze in reply.
“I… can’t…”
“Pansy, you are having a panic attack. You need to calm down.”
Pansy attempted to calm her breathing, she tried to slow it down, but it didn’t work. Another wave of panic shot through her. Hermione couldn’t stand the fear in her eyes anymore and pulled her into her lap, she hugged her.
“Okay. Okay. Pansy, what are five things you can see? Tell me five things you can see.”
Pansy knew what the 5-4-3-2-1 method was. And she was thankful to Hermione because she hadn’t even realized that she was having a panic attack until Hermione told her she was. Let alone remembering the methods of dealing with panic attacks.
“I-I can see blood, on my hands. It’s warm a-and sticky. I can see my robes, my t-tie. It’s green. I wish it wasn’t. I-I can see the scar on your arm. It says- It’s stupid. I-I can see my bracelets. They were a birthday gift. I can see your eyes. They are b-brown. Like bitter chocolate, and l-library shelfs and a cup of coffee. They are warm.”
“Good girl, now tell me four things you can hear.”
“I can hear my breathing. It’s still not q-quite slow enough. I c-can hear something dripping to the floor. Probably the b-blood. I can hear your heartbeat. It’s fast too. And I can hear your voice, it’s soothing.”
“What are three things you can touch?”
“T-The floor. It’s cold and hard. And, my clothes?”
“Yeah, they count. That’s two Pansy, tell me one more.”
“You. You are holding me in your arms. You’re warm. And soft. And soothing.”
“Now, tell me two things you can smell.”
“I can smell blood. And I can smell the minty gum you always carry on you.”
“Yeah, I have some on me now too. What is one thing you can taste?”
“I-I can… I can taste… the gum?”
Hermione let out a small laugh. “Yes, you can. Are you okay now?”
“Yeah. I’m better.”
“That’s good. Let’s go to the Hospital Wing then.”
Before Pansy could reply, Hermione had her arms wrapped around her and picked her up bridal style. She ignored Pansy completely when she said she could walk fine. Hermione carried her all the way to the Hospital Wing and sent a patronus to Draco and Blaise when her hands weren’t occupied anymore.
It took Draco and Blaise ten minutes to arrive at the Hospital Wing, Harry and Ron at their tail. And another fifteen minutes passed until Madam Pomfrey finished tending Pansy and allowed the two Slytherins to visit her.
“Where did you find her?” Harry asked quietly after the door of the Hospital Wing was closed.
“In the ROR. She was having a panic attack.” A small pause, then, “What were you guys doing with Draco and Blaise?”.
“Uh, after you ran away, yelling that you were going to look for her too, we offered to also help. They agreed quickly. Harry teamed up with Draco and I teamed up with Blaise.”
“Okay.”
After another fifteen minutes, Draco and Blaise finally got out of the Hospital Wing. All the while the Golden Trio waited at the door.
Draco and Blaise were a bit shocked to see them still waiting, but they shrugged it off quickly. Then Draco turned to Hermione. “I think Pansy might appreciate your company right now.” Then they left. Harry and Ron left with them after saying ‘bye’ to Hermione and wishing her luck.
Hermione smiled at her boys who she knew would eventually end up being with the other two and peered inside the Hospital Wing. Pansy caught sight of her and gestured for her to come over to her bed quietly.
“Madam Pomfrey is occupied with a burn paste, or something like that, in the back room. Be quiet, she kicked Draco and Blaise out because she thought they were keeping me from resting. She might not let you stay either.” Pansy said in a low voice.
“So that’s why you’re whispering.” Hermione imitated her.
“Yes.”
“Alright. Are you better?”
“Yeah. Thank you again for helping me-”
“No problem, really. You don’t need to thank me.”
“Okay.” Pansy paused for a moment before she bit the right side of her lip. A curious tick, Hermione had learned after almost three weeks of study sessions with her. “If you don’t mind me asking, what were you doing in the Room of Requirements?”
“I was actually looking for you.” Hermione said as she sat at the chair that was next to Pansy’s bed. “Draco and Blaise came over to Harry, Ron and me while we were studying in the library and asked if we’d seen you. They looked panicked so I asked what was going on. They told me that they had overheard a couple of seventh year Gryffindors talking and laughing about how they ‘kicked that Slytherin Slut’s ass’, and that they had been looking for you since but; hadn’t found you. I told them that I would look for you as well and left before they could answer. The ROR came up in my mind after I finished checking half of the seventh floor. The door hadn’t disappeared, thankfully. I got in and you were on the floor, bloodied and bruised. You scared me.”
“You were scared? For me?”
“Yes.”
The two girls looked into each other’s eyes intensely before Hermione cleared her throat and asked Pansy about her injuries.
“There is a cut on my left arm and my right ankle is sprained. But I’m fine now, thanks to Madam Pomfrey.”
“Yeah, Poppy’s the best. But, what about your head?
“Oh, right. I fell on my way to the ROR and hit my head hard. But, as I said, I’m fine now.”
A silence fell over the girls, not an uncomfortable one. Hermione slid her chair closer to Pansy’s bed and took her hand slowly, giving Pansy enough time to pull away if she wanted to.
“McGonagall’s furious. I think she might actually expel those assholes.”
“Wait, really?”
“Yeah. She doesn’t want or allow any kind of bullying in her school. No matter who bullies who, she’ll be there to stop it.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah.”
Hermione leaned a bit closer to Pansy, whose breath hitched.
“I’m really glad you’re okay.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
Hermione leaned in a bit more, her minty breath tickling Pansy’s nose. Her gaze fell onto Pansy’s lips and she bit her own and it did things to Pansy. Both of them moved at the same time and their lips met at a sweet, chaste kiss. Red coloured Pansy’s cheeks as Hermione put her forehead against Pansy’s and breathed out an airy chuckle.
“See you tomorrow, at our next study session. Get well.” Hermione pecked Pansy’s lips one more time, then she left.
***
When Pansy arrived at the ROR the next day, she didn’t know what to expect. But Hermione eased up her curiosity and anxiety as soon as she arrived by telling her that she had been crushing on her for some time now and that she would like to have something serious, not just a fuck buddy.
Hermione then asked Pansy out on a date at Madam Puddifoot’s that weekend where they could start seeing each other in that light and decide on a pace. It took Pansy about five seconds to get out of her shock and say yes.
That weekend was one of the best weekends of Pansy’s life. And it wasn’t only because it was the best date she had ever had.
Hermione and she clicked, so to speak. At the end of the date, Pansy couldn’t help herself and asked Hermione to be her girlfriend, which she accepted easily. She then promised Pansy that there would be a lot more dates to come.
***
After a month-long break, Pansy asked Hermione to help her with the patronus charm again. The girls had stopped the sessions after the incident because Pansy hadn’t felt good and didn’t want to keep trying. But after a long time-off, Pansy decided that even if she couldn’t ever produce a full patronus, she would still try.
So, the two girls were back in the ROR with yells of “Expecto Patronum”. Thinking of Draco and Blaise was definitely helping, but it wasn’t enough, not for Pansy to produce a full patronus.
She had been thinking to find a better and happier memory of them together when Hermione came into her mind out of the blue. Before she knew it, all Pansy was thinking about was her gorgeously smart girlfriend.
Every date they had gone, every time they had kissed, every time they had hugged, every time they had held hands, every time they had studied together, every time they had cuddled. Every time she had smiled while with Hermione. Every time Hermione had told her that she was beautiful, smart, witty, strong, powerful, good. Every time Hermione had told her, that she loved her.
“Expecto Patronum!”
Pansy kept her eyes closed, afraid of what she might see. She didn’t know why she casted the Patronus Charm while thinking of Hermione instead of Draco and Blaise. It happened out of nowhere, although it did make sense. A bit.
Pansy heard Hermione gasp in surprise and wonder.
“Pansy, open your eyes. She’s waiting for you.”
Pansy slowly opened her eyes and her breath hitched at the sight in front of her. A silver dove was staring at her. Pansy took in a shaky breath and extended her free arm towards the dove. Her hand was trembling. The tips of her fingers grazed the dove’s feathers and the dove disappeared into thin air.
Pansy stared into the void for a couple of seconds before her eyes filled with tears. Then they started pouring out. Her knees gave out but Hermione caught her before she could fall.
Hermione wrapped her arms around her girlfriend and held her as she cried. She whispered sweet nothings to Pansy and rubbed her back. With time, violent sobs turned into soft sniffles.
“I thought of you.”
Hermione went still.
“Thank you, Hermione. For every happy memory you gave me.”
Then she leaned forward and pressed her lips against Pansy’s in a long, sweet, delicate kiss.