Pansy "sipped" her fourth champagne of the night slowly looking around the room. She was definitely one of the best-looking witches around. Her purple silk dress contrasting with her brown skin and her diamond tennis bracelet caught the light. Her thick shiny black hair gave her an even more ‘drop-dead gorgeous look. She was perfectly appropriately dressed to celebrate her father’s death.
The pig had been a stain on her life since the beginning. First by being a waste of a human being, and second by trying to marry her off to any old rich wizard. And by “any” she meant any, at the tender age of 13 she had to sit through dinner with her “suitors”. They would eat their broth in silence, sometimes her beaus would clear their throats loudly before spitting ungodly things into an embroidered tissue. She hated them all.
And she hated her father.
She wished her mother had been there to raise her. She wouldn’t have let this happen.
Tears started welling up in Pansy’s eyes as she thought about all the things that could have been had her father been there for her. But he hadn’t been. And now he never would be.
He would never make this right.
He would never be sorry.
He was dead.
That was it.
She was alone now.
Good , she thought, discreetly wiping a tear away. I don’t need support and love. Support and love are for Hufflepuffs. I’m free now.
She was brought back from her thoughts by a soft breathy voice.
“Pretend we’re dating.” Lune looked at her with those enormous blue eyes of hers and she knew that look. Some pathetic wizard was getting pushy so the witch needed to pretend to be in a relationship. Classic.
Of course, Luna would be the only person to think to do this with the hottest witch around and not some vaguely threatening-looking man who looked like he could hex someone to St-Mungos.
She smiled coyly. “Of course darling.” She said and she gently pushed Luna’s blond curl back behind her ear. A loving gesture, she knew whoever was bothering her would catch on.
Her hair was a lot softer than she thought it would be. Like touching strands of silk.
Her ears are so tiny, she looks like a little fairy , Pansy thought to herself. Strange girl.
The wizard in question turned out to be Blaise. Pansy closed her eyes briefly and took a deep breath. Of course, this had to be difficult. She couldn’t just celebrate her father's death and go home with whomever. She had to be sucked into a snake’s convoluted plot pretending to date Luna Lovegood.
“Pansy? You’re dating Luna?!” Blaise asked incredulously.
“What of it? You dated your right hand for 7 years and none of us ever asked any questions.” She turned to him and changed her tone to a condescending one. “Is the relationship rocky? Is that why you’re in this bar flirting with unwilling witches.”
Much to Pansy's disappointment, Blaise did not so much as blush. He was used to this kind of hostile response from her. Get your head in the game, Parkinson.
“I heard your dad died. You must be pleased.”
“The word rejoices,” Pansy replied dryly.
“My dad is in the hospital.”
The two of them turned to Luna. Pansy tried to pretend not to look surprised at that. As her “girlfriend” she should know these things.
“Ah, yes, I heard of that,” said Blaise. “He’s into a magical coma, isn’t he? What happened?” Pansy had a suspicion Blaise knew all about it. He was probably trying to marry the witch and inherit all of Lovegood’s assets. Like mother like son.
“He was researching cloud nymphs when he fell from the sky.”
“Cloud nymphs?” Blaise said looking interested. You fucking asshole he doesn’t even care about the cloud nymphs! Not that Pansy care, about any of this. She just kept playing with Luna’s hair while she talked and even held her hand like it was the most natural thing in the world. It did feel natural. It felt warm, her fingers were slender and soft. Not at all like holding hands with a wizard. It felt good. It sent pulsating waves of warmth through her arm and she felt the hair on the back of her neck stand on hand. She interlaced her fingers with Luna’s and the feeling amplified. She looked at Luna and a slow, dreamy smile was creeping up her face. She felt the same smile creep up her face too.
“-after receiving the anonymous tip, of course, he went to investigate but the wind must’ve swept him off his broom because he fell and-well-now he’s in a coma.”
“I’m so sorry. Is there anything I can do?” Blaise said, looking concerned. Stop looking at her, you pig!
“No, it’s okay. I’m going to find the nymphs and ask them to restore my dad’s soul.”
““Pardon me? Your father has no soul?” Blaise said
“You’re going to do what!?” Pansy said at the same time. Was the witch insane!
“I’m sure they’ll agree. I just have to get on their good side.”
“How do you plan to do that?”
“I’m going to bring them a gift and ask nicely.” Pansy tried to say something but no sound came out. Blaise was looking at her with mirth in his eyes. She was going to murder him.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Luna,” Pansy said gently. Why am I being gentle? Luna slipped her hand away from her and Pansy felt the loss.
“You’re entitled to your opinion and I’m entitled to mine.” Was this what Luna was like when she was angry? She wanted to hold her hand again but Luna had put both her hands on her lap. Now Pansy was thinking about her lap. “I can’t prove to you my father has a soul any more than you can prove he hasn’t. Both our theories are valid.”
Three beautiful witches walked into the bar and suddenly Blaise was gone.
They were alone now. Luna stared at her with those big blue eyes and smiled.
The sight unsettled Pansy slightly.
“Will you come with me to see the healers? They don’t seem to take me very seriously.” She said softly.
“I think you’re pushing it. Blaise is gone.” Pansy said as she took a sip of her champagne.
“You’re mean and cruel to everyone.”
“Thank you.” Pansy smiled with her most devious smile. It had taken her years to master it.
“But you’re not mean to me.” Luna hopped off her stool and walked out of the bar, not glancing back once.
Pansy fidgeted with her diamonds and considered the implication of what Luna had just revealed.
_____________________________
“How is your day dear?” Pansy said, her voice dripping with contempt. In the end and with very little effort on Luna's part, Pansy had caved: they were going to meet with the Healer. She tried to regain some of the power in the “relationship” but Luna was oblivious. “Great,” she said, “I saw a blue jay this morning.”
How was she supposed to make someone like Luna feel small and insignificant? It was like trying to drown a fish.
“Thank you, Pansy.”
The thought of Luna’s gratefulness was scorching her soul.
Pansy had to look away. She spotted a healer who gave them a knowing smile. Probably trying to be encouraging. She scowled at him until his instincts kicked in. He pretended to remember something and quickly walked away.
Finally, they spotted the healer taking care of her father and Luna explained her case. Pansy tried to look as supportive as possible.
“I know your team is just doing their job but I would like to stop all treatment on my father. I just need him to stay in stasis until I can get his soul back from the nymphs who stole it from him.”
“Pardon me? Your father has no soul?”
Luna sighed as if she was about to start a particularly strenuous activity and started explaining that her father had been researching cloud nymphs ( something that doesn’t exist Pansy thought). He needed to see them in order to research them so he went on his broom and climbed as high as it could go ( unsafe ) and fell down lifeless ( as you would ). Luna was convinced the nymphs stole his soul and she needed to get it back to him ( illogical conclusion ).
None of Pansy’s inner dialogue shone through though. She looked the healer right in the eyes when Luna mentioned the nymphs, unbothered. She nodded along when Luna explained that her father had simply “lost” his soul. She even gave him a meaningful stare when he looked like he was about to argue. It would have been easy to distance herself from her but she did not want to.
“I just need to figure out which cloud the nymphs are hiding in.”
“Mmm,” Pansy said trying very hard not to judge what was a very creative bad idea.
“I just need some time.”
In the end, the healer agreed to put her father in stasis and stop all treatment for 24 hours.
With the matter settled, Pansy went back home.
______________________
No one ever warned her that death could be so tedious.
Pansy was halfway through her grigio and not nearly as close to finishing putting her father’s affairs in order. So much paperwork!
She was getting drunk fast and before she knew it she had stopped working on the paperwork and was sending an owl to Luna.
Drunk owling again Pansy? She thought darkly as she tied the parchment to her screeching owl. It affectionately nipped at her fingers before flying out in the night. Pansy loved her owl: it looked like a ghost in the night and screeched like a banshee.
The owl quickly returned with a parchment and a small parcel.
The parchment read in big loopy letters:
My house, tomorrow at 7AM, bring a good broom.
The parcel contained pink flying goggles with little wings on the side. Pansy took another swig of wine. She looked down at the goggles as if they were a personal fashion challenge. She was going to coordinate them with cream-colored robes-no BLACK! Black and pink together would make her look like a trashy tween. Grey would suit her better. Feeling inspired Pansy sauntered through her gigantic closet, levitating outfits and making them do a catwalk for her.
Pansy found it very hard to say no to Lovegood.
To be fair, she didn’t try very hard.
_______________________
She made it there before the sun did.
In sexy dark grey flying robes no less.
Luna was waiting for her in front of her house. She was dressed in navy flying robes and Pansy had to stop at the sight. This was the most conventional Luna had ever looked even though she was wearing those weird flying goggles. She was gorgeous. For a moment Pansy forgot she was even there, in her body, in front of Luna.
“Admiring the view?” Luna laughed gently.
Busted
“I was just thinking how blue doesn’t really suit your skin tone. It makes you look too soft.” Pansy grounded out.
“Why wouldn't I want to look soft?” Luna retorted sweetly while she adjusted her gloves.
“What are we doing here?” Pansy said a little louder. “Are we going to check out those nymphs or not?”
“Yes, and to make sure we don’t freeze over when we get to a high altitude, I made some potions for us.”
Pansy drank hers like a shot while Luna savoured her disgusting brew and looked out at the cornfields.
“I love a good cornfield,” she said.
Pansy didn’t know what to say to that so she just turned around to look at the cornfield with her and then she saw it: the sunrise. It was a soft purplish colour and it made the whole field look violet.
“Shall we?” Said Luna and before Pansy could answer, she thumped the ground and shot off like a rocket. Pansy followed. She didn’t like following. It made her feel like a lost puppy.
She was not a puppy. She overtook Luna and went ahead of her.
I am in control , she thought.
“Do you know where we are going?” Luna asked. Pansy begged Circe Luna wasn’t expecting her to answer that.
“No, where are we going?”
“I don’t know either.” Luna shouted over the wind, “Up, I guess”
They broke through the clouds, and the view was glorious. They could see for miles in every direction. The sky that looked purple before now looked golden. At their feet were soft buttery clouds. Up above were clear blue skies.
From there Luna tapped her goggles with her wand and did the same to Pansy. She immediately saw them.
Son of a crone, they’re real!
They carefully flew closer. The nymphs laughed and kept swimming in the clouds. Throwing fistfuls of clouds at each other, hiding behind little columns of clouds. Their hairs and faces were misty from the condensation. Their breasts were bouncing as they giggled and ran and played.
Good Lord.
Pansy found herself wanting to cover Luna’s eyes. But Luna did not seem interested in the nudity. She was fascinated by what she was seeing. Pansy could tell by the way the witch’s head kept turning, trying to look at everything all at once.
“Why are you here witches?” Said one of them, the others giggled. She walked towards them slowly. She looked more poised than the others.
“My father came here and you guys took his soul.”
“Ah yes, the Loveman.” The other nymphs giggled.
“Lovegood,” corrected Pansy.
“He hurt himself quite a bit on the fall down. I was wondering if you knew what happened to him and if you could help restore his soul.” Luna asked. Pansy had to give it to her, not one ounce of desperation shone through.
“Mmm, we could. He was quite lovely although he was a bit odd. He kept drawing us which angered the powers that be.”
Ah! So the nymphs found him odd as well. I guess every specie is the same: we all think he's weird, thought Pansy.
“There is a price for everything. We could possibly give him back his soul. Are you willing to pay?” More nymphs gathered to look at the visitors. Some of them were touching Luna’s hair. Pansy felt someone poke her cheek.
“I brought you some honey,” said Luna. She took out a jar of honey from the depths of her robes and handed it to the nymph who smiled kindly while the rest laughed so hard some of them fell down.
“This is not enough.”
“Take whatever you want,” Luna said. She and the nymph looked into each other's eyes. Pansy sensed something was amiss. The hairs on the back of her neck were standing up. She grabbed Luna by the forearm: “We’re leaving. Something doesn’t feel right.”
The nymphs laughed at that. They all started dancing around them in a circle until the clouds turned grey and the wind picked up. Suddenly, the clouds parted and Pansy heard a big rumbling noise,
“What's happening!?”
The cloud kept parting and eventually, two witches tumbled down. Pansy could see the ground coming up fast. The wind was deafening. Suddenly a bolt of lightning shot right past Pansy. She could feel her hair standing on end.
The bolt struck Luna and her body went limp.
No!
This was not how they were going to die.
She accioed her broom quickly and grabbed onto Luna as she righted the handle. She could feel Luna’s fingers digging into her arm feebly, holding on for dear life.
She’s alive!
They landed on the ground softly, Luna’s broom landing somewhere in the distance with a crash.
“What’s going on?” Luna croaked. The wind had damaged her voice.
“We’re safe.” Pansy sobbed.
“I can’t see.”
“What?!”
Pansy stopped sobbing and looked at Luna’s face. Her eyes were unfocused, she was looking off to the side and not directly at Pansy’s face. Pansy held both her hands in hers. “What do you see?”
“Nothing,” said Luna. An uneasy feeling crept up Pansy’s body.
They both started crying. “I don't see anything!” she said louder. “I paid the price! THAT MEANS MY FATHER’S SOUL IS RESTORED!.” A wave of emotions washed over Pansy and threatened to drown her.
How can this be worth it?
She’s happy.
Her sight for her father's life?
She really is happy though.
Pansy looked at Luna as she celebrated, jumping up and down, her blond curls bouncing on her shoulders, tears streaming down her face. She didn’t seem to have an ounce of regret.
“Maybe we can reverse this.” sniffed Pansy still in shock. She trembled violently from head to toe. They heard another clap of thunder and it started to rain.
“No,” said Luna in a firm yet comforting voice. “The die has been cast. This is what needed to happen. We can’t change it now. Besides, I think my other senses are already getting sharper. I can hear wings flapping.” And as if on cue an owl dropped a parchment on her head. Pansy opened it for her. It was from St Mungos; Xenophelious was alive and well. This brought on more joy from Luna who held out her hand to Pansy’s now soaking-wet face. Instinctively, Pansy let her touch her face. Her hands felt soft and tender. Slowly, Luna approached her.
“Thank you,” she said. And with that, she tilted her head up towards Pansy’s face and kissed her. The feeling of their lips touching sent electricity through Pansy’s body and the shock completely liquified her brain. She was lost in the moment, forgetting all about their circumstances, the nymphs, and her father: all she wanted was more. More of the soft woman before her.
More Luna.
She smelled like freshly cut grass and tasted like summer honey.
Luna pulled away and smiled at her. She pecked her lips lightly for good measure. Pansy’s heart was hammering in her chest and she was really hoping Luna wouldn’t be able to hear it.
Luna giggled and Pansy knew at that moment that the die had been cast for her too.
There was no going back.