YOUNG GODS ⚡️P. PARKINSON

9| NINE

"GRANGER?"

Pansy repeated, this time a little louder. This time, the bushy haired girl (accompanied by a freckled and, for the most part, daydreaming boy) finally turned around.

" Is she talking to me? " Whisper-shouted the Gryffindor to her redheaded friend. They were obviously both perplexed.

" I dunno. Why don't you ask her? "

" Gee, thanks Ron. "

" Sorry Hermione it's just that Lav- "

" Lavendar's probably looking for you because she literally cannot do anything without you and the two of you simply cannot exist without the other's constant company? Because Lavendar this and Lavendar that and snogging? Because you're simply too preoccupied with Lavendar bloody Brown's every need and can literally think about nothing else? Because you no longer pay attention to anything unless it has something to do with your precious, lovely Lavendar? Yeah I get it, Ronald. "

Ron didn't seem to hear or comprehend the sarcasm and slight bitterness in his bookish friend's voice and answered nonchalantly and quick.

" Um, okay? See you later! "

Pansy watched curiously and amused as the girl scoffed and began to talk to herself.

" No, Hermione, don't follow him. He's probably on his way to Lavendar. And Harry, oh Harry...Harry's too infatuated with a bloody map and platinum blonde haired boys to listen to you rant. Ugh. Why are you like this? "

" Um, are you talking to yourself, Granger? " She finally interrupted.

" No. " Hermione answered instinctively. A stupid response, she thought to herself.

" Okay. "

Hermione sighed. " What do you want, Pansy? Need a perfect spell to hex someone that bumped into you in the hallways without saying sorry? "

" Actually," she replied, mischievous grin on face and plan in mind," yes. "

Hermione's eyes widened and she took a tiny step back.

" Yes?! "

" Mhm. In fact," Pansy hurriedly thought up a convincing lie to back up her oh so amazing idea," it was Lavendar Brown."

" So..."

" So what? "

" What are you planning to do? " The Gryffindor asked reluctantly, raising one eyebrow.

The Slytherin studied the curious, cross armed and ready-to-dash-at-any-moment girl before answering casually.

" Nothing. I'm not really feeling it today. I might just get super duper humiliating revenge on her tomorrow, but today? Nah."

" I feel like you're being sarcastic."

" It might be because I kinda am."

Hermione sighed. She was in no mood to argue. The Gryffindor was tired.

Pansy laughed.

"You really think I'd hex Lavendar Brown or, anyone for that matter, for bumping into me in a bloody hallway? Gosh, Granger. That's simply insulting."

Hermione scoffed, smiling."Yeah, well, you're not exactly a bundle of kindness and non-pettiness and-"

Pansy interrupted her with a fake-shocked expression, and then confusion.

"Wait what?"

"You're mean, Parkinson. Having trouble grasping that idea?"

"Honestly, a little bit, yeah."

The Gryffindor couldn't tell if the gray-eyed, dark-haired girl in front of her was genuine or just acting out of boredom. So she played along.

"Okay, let me explain. If you weren't a mean person, then why did I find it so easy to believe that you'd probably hex or something Lavendar Brown for a small act of rudeness? Hmm?"

Pansy smirked, although that was just plain out of habit.

"I think that you're just being biased, Granger. Because I'm friends with Draco. And a Slytherin. And..."

"At a lost for words?"

She sighed," Yeah, a little bit, honestly."

It was silent for a while, and both girls seemed to be waiting for the other to say something. Hermione finally did, and the words that came out were the last ones Pansy ever thought she'd ever hear from the bookish Gryffindor.

"I'm going to the library to study for an upcoming test, never mind that, and Ginny's going to be there. You do know who Ginny is right?"

"Ginny?" Pansy asked, although what she really wanted to say was "Of fricking course I know who Ginny Weasley is."

"Mhm. Ron's younger sister. Year below us."

"Oh," Pansy said, tucking a dark strand of her hair out of the way. She tried to keep her composure." I know who Ginny is. Kind of."

Hermione thought nothing of it. She slightly bit her bottom lip, an uncontrollable habit whenever she was nervous or stressed out, and continued on reluctantly.

"Er, great. Anyway, if you can be nice to Ginny, to me, and to literally everyone you cross paths with in the next," she stopped to look down at a vintage looking pocket-watch, timer device in her hands," hour or so, then I'll believe you."

Pansy thought about it. Did she really want to be associated with Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley? Everyone would think she'd gone mad.

"Now or never, Parkinson. It really doesn't take decades to say yes or no."

Screw it Pansy thought. Everything was weird lately. She might as well make it weirder. So with a small smile and a glint in her mischievous gray eyes, the green and silver tied girl replied.

"Challenge accepted, Granger. Let's go."