Pathos | A Pansy Parkinson Fanfiction

t w e n t y

*Three Weeks Later*

"Okay that's it." Maeve pouted, jumping off the bed. "I am officially writing a letter to Julia and telling her these cards are rigged."

Pansy laughed at how frustrated the Hufflepuff was. "It's just a game, Prissy." 

"'It's just a game Prissy.'" Maeve made a face, mocking the girl who barked out harder with laughter. 

"Well would you prefer I threw the match instead?" Pansy asked, raising a brow as she leaned back on her elbows, watching the brunette with an amused look. 

"I would rather eat Hippogriff Dung." Maeve snapped, glancing at her watch. "Ugh, I have Umbridge first thing in the morning."

"I like her classes." Pansy shrugged. 

"Yeah, because you just goof off and have natural D.A.D.A. knowledge. I on the other hand, have none. Merlin, even Quirell was a better professor than her." 

"Quirell hosted You-Know-Who." Pansy looked at her; even more amused. 

"Well then You-Know-Who was a better teacher than Umbridge! At least he never told us to read from the book." Maeve said crossly. "I'm totally going to fail the O.W.L.s at this point." 

"How about Blaise and I help you with Defence Against the Dark Arts?" Pansy offered. 

"That would be excellent." Maeve's eyes lit up. 

"Great. We can ask Theo and Daph to help as well." 

"And then, we can make Umbridge, eat Hippogriff Dung." Maeve clapped her hands happily. 

Pansy blinked at her before bursting out laughing again. "She'd probably go - 'Oh no, Mister Hippogriff. You must learn some proper etiquette. Here, hold my pink tea cup and collection of creepy kitten plates while I fetch you a book of all the rules I made up.'" 

Maeve fell back onto the bed, shaking with laughter.

"I lied." Pansy said abruptly and Maeve stopped laughing. 

"Huh?" she asked, sitting up so that she was facing Pansy. 

"I lied." Pansy looked away gruffly. "I'm a big, fat liar, Maeve." 

"Pansy, what are you talking about?" the brunette asked, a confused smile on her face. 

"I wasn't upset that Draco abandoned me that night. I was upset because you were dancing with someone who wasn't me. I like you, Maeve. And I'm not speaking platonically." Pansy sighed. "I don't know how, or when, or why even." she let out a watery chuckle, "I was jealous. And I'm so sorry. The things that I said that day... I didn't mean them. Not a single word." 

Maeve blinked. It was a solid minute until she said anything. "But you said them, Pansy. They came out of your mouth. I - I'm sorry. I can't."

"No. Please, May." Pansy pleased, her eyes widening in panic. "You have no idea how hellish it's been all those days that we were apart. I can't go through it again. Please, don't hurt me like this."

"You're the one who hurt me first, Pans. I love the idea of us being friends again, but you broke my heart, and belittled me for who I am. You want to know why I stayed at Hogwarts? Because of you! I couldn't stand the thought of leaving you. That's how much you affect me. And I'm afraid that if I fall into this again, I'll be in too deep to try and dig myself out. I can't do this to myself again Pansy... I won't." Maeve shook her head stubbornly, wiping away a few tears before they had a chance to spill down her cheeks. 

"Trust me, Maeve. You getting hurt is the absolute last thing I want. I promise. I'll never, ever, hurt you again. I won't mess this up." Pansy pleaded.