Pathos | A Pansy Parkinson Fanfiction

e i g h t e e n

(A/N: Minor TW. This chapter contains two slurs offensive to the LQBTQIA+ community. Viewer discretion advised.)

"Welcome to fifth year Potions." Snape sad tiredly, heading to the front of the class. "After four years of experience, I'd hoped I wouldn't have to repeat my rules but obviously, there are some students who still lack the capability to follow basic instructions." he looked behind Maeve at Harry and Ron - who had been sharing a table. "No foolish wandwaving, no taking notes while I'm demonstrating, no being late, and try to keep the explosions to a minimum. I'm talking about you, Mr. Finnigan." the Potions Master said, looking at the taken-aback boy. "As I'm sure you must know by now, you will be giving your Ordinary Wizarding Level Examinations at the end of year. I won't be wasting time by demonstrating the same potion twice - so pay close attention. Partners have already been decided. You have two minutes to settle down." he flipped the blackboard over, revealing a list of twenty names. 

Maeve's face paled as she saw her partner's name. 

Why did it always have to be a Slytherin?

And to top it all off, why did it have to be Pansy of all people?

Maeve would rather jump head-first into the Giant Squid's mouth than admit it, but a small part of her was happy just to be near Pansy. And however small that part was, Maeve hated it. Deep deep down, she knew the actual reason why she hadn't left Hogwarts. She couldn't bear not seeing Pansy. And it made no sense. The girl had rejected, belittled and broken Maeve for who she was. And the Hufflepuff still felt giddy every time she saw Pansy. 

Looking over, the Slytherin was already seated, reading her Potions textbook. Nervously, Maeve sat down beside her. Neither said a word as the next two minutes passed and Snape began his demonstration of Invigoration Draught and Maeve watched closely, scribbling details down as it went on.

Maeve cleared her throat once he was done. "So are you getting the Potions ingredients or..." 

Pansy looked at her with a blank face and raised a brow.

"Right. I'll get them." Maeve replied quickly, jumping off the stool and fetching all the things she would need. 

Pansy didn't say a word once they were in front of her. So, Maeve started the Potion by herself. She was halfway through the Potion when-

"You're putting half the amount of Alihotsy leaves." Pansy grunted and Maeve turned. 

"But Professor Snape put these many. I counted." Maeve frowned.

"The book says to put twelve, Prissy." Pansy grumbled, grabbing a few more leaves."

"But-" Maeve gave up as she saw the leaved dissolve into the bubbling cauldron. 

"What's next?" Pansy asked tiredly, glancing down at her book. "Peppermint." 

"That's too much!" Maeve exclaimed, reaching for the vial but Pansy emptied the entire thing. The Potion turned a bright mass of teal. 

"See?" Pansy deadpanned. "It's supposed to look like that." 

"Fine." Maeve huffed. "If you think you're such an expert, take over then." 

"Gladly." Pansy said pointedly, and began working. 

Not even a minute in, Maeve noticed the colour was deteriorating to a dirty green. It went on getting darker until it looked like a bowl of pitch black solution. 

Pansy was busy looking closely into the cauldron, trying to figure out what went wrong. '

"Look out!" Maeve's eyes widened as she pushed the girl out of the way just as the cauldron burst with a loud bang.