The Enemy of my Enemy

The Helping Hand

"Dracaena Trifasciata," said Daphne.

The portrait of Salazar Slytherin melted away, revealing the square passage that linked the dungeon corridor to the Slytherin common room.

"Pansy, you're back!" Millicent cried, stumbling in ahead of Teddie and company. They had just finished their fourth lesson of the day and were dropping their things off at the Common room before heading up to Lunch.

Pansy Parkinson sat amongst a cluster of Slytherin students near the fireplace. She looked healthy, or at least healthier than she had done a few months previous.

Millicent dashed across the common room and engulfed her best friend. The two held onto one another, and Teddie could not help but smile.

"When did you get out of the hospital?" Tracey asked.

"Monday," Pansy answered, relinquishing Millicent. "I had a couple of days at home with Mum and Dad, and then came back here this morning." She met Teddie's gaze, and hesitated.

Teddie smiled. "It's good to see you back," she said. "You gave us all quite a scare"

"Mum and Dad told me what you did," said Pansy. "Thank you."

"No problem."

An awkward silence fell between them. It was common knowledge that Pansy and Teddie were not friends, and had not liked one another since the start of school five years ago; they constantly bickered and Pansy even expressed a liking to Teddie being a victim of the Basilisk four years ago; which was why people had been confused when Teddie has selflessly abandoned safety to try and help Pansy during the attack a few months ago.

"I know you have a lot of catching up to do," said Teddie, "but any chance we can talk? Alone."

Pansy glanced at Millicent, squeezed her hand, and then nodded. "Yeah. There are somethings we need to talk about," she said.

"We'll meet you in the Great Hall, Ted," said Blaise.

Daphne turned to Millicent. "Join us?" she asked.

Stunned, Millicent nodded numbly and followed the trio out of the Common Room. It had emptied now of most students, only those that remained were seventh years, but they kept to themselves at their own tables.

Teddie and Pansy sat opposite one another on the leather couches near the fire. An awkward silence fell between them, and neither knew how to start.

Finally, Pansy broke the silence. "Why did you do it?" she asked. "Why did you help me? I mean, we are not friends."

"No, we're not, but I couldn't let what was happening happen and not do something," said Teddie. "I could tell something was not right. When you brushed past me in the Three Broomsticks, I could feel something off about you, and I know what it is like to be under an Unforgiveable. Then there was the terror in Millicent's voice when we found you on the High Street..."

"Mum and Dad are shocked that you helped me and didn't want anything in return," said Pansy. "Dad kept asking me to ask you if -"

"I don't want anything from you in return for your safety," said Teddie. "Look, Pansy, you and I aren't friends, I get that, but what you went through..." she shook her head. "I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy, and that's saying something."

Pansy stared bleakly at Teddie. "Is it true that the Dark Lady tortured you?" she asked.

"Yes," Teddie answered. What did she have to hide? She was surprised more people had not asked her about her time with Avery two summers ago: especially those with Death Eater parents. "And last year, at the Ministry, she used her abilities to try and suffocate me."