Pathos | A Pansy Parkinson Fanfiction

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"And here, our tour ends. This is the Great Hall, or the Dining Hall, whatever suits your fancy." she shrugged. "It's where we have our meals, the O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s are held here when the year is about to end and the occasional balls are also held here."

Francis nodded. "Merci, Maeve. I think I saw you in the choir yesterday, yes? With a frog?"

Maeve grinned. "That's me."

"How long have you been singing?" the French boy questioned.

"Ever since I could remember, really." Maeve chuckled. "My mom introduced me to it. We used to sing together all the time. She loved it, singing." she took a deep breath before shaking her head. "So what's your favourite place at Hogwarts so far?"

"I loved the view from the Astronomy Tower." Francis answered. "You can see the whole castle."

Maeve nodded. "It's a popular place for students who... um – nevermind." she blushed, shaking her head.

"You don't like the Astronomy Tower?" he asked, his brows furrowed.

"Well, I don't have anything against it." she explained, "But I prefer more quiet places. Not that the Astronomy Tower isn't quiet, but there's a lot of sixth and seventh years who go there to... in a word, hook up. I like the Black Lake, or the Greenhouse maybe, when Professor Sprout isn't harvesting Mandrakes, that is."

Francis smiled, taking in her answer and Maeve's eyes trailed to the Clocktower that was visible through the hall windows.

"Blimey! I'm late for Potions." she shrieked. "Um – I'll see you later Francis, bye!" she waved hurriedly before dashing out of the room and to the kitchens, where she took her books from her dorm. It would make her later, but the Potions classroom was in the Dungeons, as was the Hufflepuff common room. She figured arriving late for Snape's class was worse than arriving late with her books at least.

Maeve soon came to regret her decision when all eyes were on her as she opened the door to the Potions classroom.

"Kingston." Snape scowled. "And what may I ask, are you doing here fifteen minutes late?"

"I am so sorry, professor." she frowned. "I... slept in."

"Twenty points from Hufflepuff for tardiness. Stay back after class. Professor Sprout will be hearing about this." he sighed with a blank face. "Well, what're you standing there for? Take a seat next to Mr Malfoy."

Maeve's eyes widened as she looked around the class, and to her displeasure, Hannah Abbott, Susan Bones, Megan Jones and Justin Finch-Fletchley were already seated around a table. Thinking it to be wise not to crib in front of Snape for fear that he might take more house points away, she walked to the third bench by the left, where Draco, Pansy and Theodore watched her approach.

For the next hour, she tried to focus on Snape's lecture, which was impossible with Draco snickering to Crabbe and Goyle who were seated diagonally behind them. It was clear Snape had separated him from his goons for that very purpose. Of course, the professor, partial as he was, proceeded to turn a blind eye to the boy's antics.

Finally, when Maeve thought she couldn't bear it anymore –

"Draco?" Pansy asked, eyeing Maeve from her seat across the table.

"Yes, Pansy?" Draco rolled his eyes, turning away from Crabbe and Goyle.

"Cut it out. Some of us are trying to study here." she muttered.

Draco scoffed and shot her a look, but said nothing for the remaining three minutes of the lecture regardless.

"Turn to page twenty-four of your textbooks, where you will see how to create Doxycide. You have the remainder of the lesson to achieve the potion." he said in his ever so monotonous voice.