HIDDEN REFLECTIONS

THREE

CHAPTER THREE

Throughout all our shared classes, Pansy has consistently taken the seat beside me. As the final class approaches, I can feel my patience wearing thin. I've always perceived Pansy Parkinson as calculated and aloof, rarely displaying a smile unless it was accompanied by an offensive gesture, the satisfaction of getting her way, or using strong language to get her point across. However, the Pansy I am beginning to get to know is different. It's as if she is desperately seeking a friendship, despite having numerous ones already.

It's not that I don't want to be her friend— it just feels somewhat odd. It's challenging when she persists in her attempts to befriend me without recognizing my hesitation and slight discomfort.

Our professor suddenly snaps at Pansy for using her phone during class. When I look over at her, I see that she has been sending pictures back and forth with the rest of her friend group through Snapchat. I frown at that, again unable to understand her way of thinking.

The Professor starts to ask Pansy questions related to the topic at hand. He faces the blackboard, leaving his back turned to the rest of the class. I can't help but feel compelled to lean over toward Pansy's crumbled paper of notes, providing her with the answers to each question, despite the tense atmosphere and the Professor's attempts to assert his authority.

I make an attempt to convince myself that my need to help Pansy is solely motivated by a desire to ease the palpable tension in the classroom. However, deep down, I know that my actions are driven by the sight of frustrated tears welling up in her eyes and the refusal to allow a teacher to bully her.

No one deserves to be subjected to mistreatment that is intended to embarrass or humiliate them.

❝He is such a bitch,❞ she tells me after class. ❝Thank you, by the way,❞ Pansy continues with a shrug, acting as if it hadn't been a big deal. Her eyes betray a different story, revealing the true depth of her gratitude.

❝Don't mention it, I was tired of him,❞ I reassure her with a small smile.

We walk together down the hallway toward the dining hall for dinner. My mind is consumed by the thought of my bed. The anticipation of lying down on the soft mattress and drifting off to sleep under my cozy blanket is overwhelming. Skipping dinner is tempting, but I already skipped lunch when I was seeking refuge in the bathrooms to escape Pansy's presence. Moreover, the idea of avoiding her again during dinner feels impolite and rude, considering I had already done so at lunch.

Pansy immediately launches into stories about her summer break, and I make an effort to keep up with her rapid pace and her tendency to jump between different anecdotes. It becomes challenging to follow along, but I do my best, nodding along to her words while mechanically stabbing my fork into the salad on my plate.

Pansy and I manage to finish our meals just as Mattheo and Theodore show up, with Draco and Lorenzo following closely behind. It feels like a small victory, knowing that I won't have to spend as much time around them.

❝Fuck, I'm actually excited about the party,❞ Mattheo exhales as he leans back in his seat.

I furrow my brows in surprise. 'There's a party on the second day of school?' I ask myself with a mix of curiosity and disbelief.

Pansy's eyes light up with excitement as she sits up and adjusts her posture, clearly intrigued by the mention of a party. ❝There is a party?❞ She asks, savoring each word as if relishing the idea

Draco, still visibly annoyed with her, rolls his eyes in response. ❝That's what he said, didn't he?❞ He retorts, his tone laced with sarcasm.