Pathos | A Pansy Parkinson Fanfiction

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"Honestly Cedric, was that really necessary?" Maeve groaned as the two made their way back to the Hufflepuff common room after dinner.

"I don't get it. Don't you like Francis? I thought you'd be over the moon." he continued to tease the brunette.

"I do like Francis." Maeve protested as they entered the kitchens. "But not in the way you think. I don't like anyone, okay Cedric?"

"Well maybe you don't like him now, but you hardly know him. Just give him a shot, please?" Cedric pouted.

"I'm surprised you have so much free time on your hands what with Quidditch practice, prefect duties and oh, I don't know – preparing how to fight a literal dragon." Maeve glared. "I want you to be ready. I can't lose you too Ced." her shoulders slumped.

"And you won't." Cedric said firmly, holding her by the shoulders. "Trust me. I'll be completely fine."

"If you say so..." Maeve mumbled.

"Also, what's this Zach told me about you going out on a date with Goyle this weekend?"

"Oh don't remind me." Maeve whined, hiding her face in her hands while Cedric tapped the bricked wall that led to the Hufflepuff House. "I needed a favour from him and in return I agreed to go on a date with him."

"A favour from Goyle? What did you need?" Cedric asked with a slight frown.

"Don't ask." Maeve shook her head. "Have you finally gathered up the guts to ask Cho out yet?" she asked, as Cedric collapsed onto one of the bright yellow couches.

Cedric looked away, his cheeks going red.

"You haven't, have you?" Maeve scoffed. "Well I hope you do soon. Susan told me Harry's got a thing for her too." she teased.

"Harry as in Harry Potter?" Cedric asked, shocked.

"Is there another Harry in our school?" Maeve asked sarcastically. "All I'm saying it that instead of trying to get me a love life, you should start by working on your own." she smiled sweetly before heading off to her dorm.

_____

"See? You're doing much better when you're not surrounded by people." Maeve grinned as she and Pansy sat on the bank to the Black Lake.

"I guess..." Pansy trailed off. "Are you nervous?"

"For what?" Maeve asked, carelessly sleeping back on the soft grass as she stretched her hands up in the air.

"Well, your date with Goyle tomorrow. And Cedric's going in for the First task on Monday..." Pansy noted, lying down beside the Hufflepuff.

"Oh don't remind me about the date." Maeve groaned. "As for Cedric, well, I'm positive that he's ready for whatever the First Task is." she smiled, turning to face Pansy. "But yes, I am nervous about the date. I'm scared that he'll have too good of a time and keep pestering me even after the dreadful second date is over."

"I could help with that." Pansy said quietly, turning to face Maeve as well.

"Help with what?" the girl asked, confused.

"Well the whole reason you're in this mess is because of me." Pansy bit her lip before looking away with a small frown.

"Pansy, I'm in this mess because of choices that I made. You're not the one who made them. So the only person to be held accountable here is me." Maeve said calmly. "What are you going on about?"

"Well, it's nothing to boast about obviously, but I've been by Draco's side ever since first year. And so have Crabbe and Goyle. I know what makes Goyle tick – the things he can't stand. If you could sabotage your date then maybe he wouldn't want to go on another one with you." Pansy offered.