Connected by Magic

Chapter 44

Amelia sat behind her desk, the end of the quill softly tapping the wood. Her desk was covered in parchment, books, and notes. It was still the first week, but every class brought forth an avalanche of work. She was keeping up so far, but it was hard to do everything. Luckily, today, Thursday, was a free day to catch up and take a breath.

Daphne was meeting George and it wasn't hard to imagine what they're up to. Just like her, Daphne was a hands-on person. She has seen a little of them together, but so far she can say they were quite happy with each other.

A breath left her as she slumped in her chair. She had been working since she woke up. Only the Transfiguration and Potions essays were left, which she did deliberately as she was always motivated to work on Transfiguration and Potions. But she needs to rethink her approach as these late nights will be the dead of her.

She swirled her chair toward the door when she heard a knock on the wood.

"Enter," she called out and to her surprise: Pansy entered.

Pansy Parkinson, the girl who was part of Draco's group. Well, at least she hanged out with him the previous year. But somehow she grew rather close to her and Daphne, trying to be helpful.

It looked like the summer had been good to her in one way. Pansy has become significantly prettier. She used to have a plain face, but it seemed to have sprouted some mature beauty. It is odd how quick some people change. And it shows that everyone has a hidden beauty to them.

"Amelia," Pansy greeted, her eyes going over the room. "Daphne is with the Weasley?"

"George, yes," Amelia corrected yet it didn't feel like an insult. Pansy just didn't know the name. To be fair, it's hard to distinguish between George and Fred.

"Right, him, I didn't know which of the twins," Pansy said as she sat on an empty seat. "I wanted to thank you for helping me in potions. That's kind of you."

"It's no problem at all-"

"You don't know, but it's pretty rare in Slytherin. We're competing against each other too in a way," Pansy said, leaning on the desk that's never used. The desk for the supposed third occupant of this room. "United when it comes to competitions against the other houses yet we have gangs and groups. It's not always the best way to get help. But you... You are crossing lines that Slytherins have not crossed in years."

"I am just being me," Amelia said, her gaze on Pansy as she furrow her brows a little. It is odd to have Pansy here and having a rather... normal talk. "It's not like we have to be enemies. The Sorting Hat said there was harmony between the Houses; so why not again?"

Pansy let a small smile cross her face. "Yeah, I heard your speech to the first years. Very inspiring. It made you plenty of enemies with the Pure-blood Slytherins like Draco. Just be glad that Snape terrifies them which keeps them from doing anything."

"How so? It's not like he has eyes and ears everywhere," said Amelia.

"Ha! No, but you're his favourite, Amelia," said Pansy with a short laugh. "And you don't mess with Snape's favourite. Your grades, the praise from the other teachers, and your attitude during Potions... I saw how prideful he was with you during Potions. It's rare to have Snape favour someone so much. Draco is the same. It's why you two were probably recommended by Snape to Dumbledore."

"I see..."

"But I did not come here to talk about Snape and Draco," Pansy said, shifting on her seat. Her expression changed to a complicated one as if many thoughts rapidly crossed her mind. "I have thought deeply about you."

"Me?"

"Don't worry, I prefer men," Pansy added quickly. "But yes, you and about your obnoxious righteousness. I didn't think much about you at first. 'Another loser who can't face the fact about how things work.' Y'know, Pure-blood superiority, extreme pride in me and mine and whatnot. I never knew better and believed in it. Parents preach it day in, day out; Slytherins think it's the way of life; even the House in general is based on Pure-blood superiority."