PEN PALS ⚡️DRARRY

6/21/98

"PANSY ARE YOU FREE TODAY?"

Harry wasn't really sure what Pansy Parkinson was up to these days. All he was really sure about was that she had time, lots of time, and that time was usually spent hanging out in her new upscale apartment, one of the newer ones in a new scenic neighborhood for witches and wizards with lots of old money. She was the one to go to, frankly, because she was always reliably in one place.

Harry knocked on the door once more, repeating those same five words. He stared at the alluring emerald colored door for a good second or so until he was met face to face with a cool, disinterested looking brunette. Her hair was bobbed and she rested on the door frame, arms crossed in front of her, a sort of nonchalant air about her. The same way she looked at Malfoy Manor, except Harry had noticed a lot more now than then. Pansy looked straight out of The Great Gatsby, if she had ever read it (which she probably had), but with a more badass flair.

"I've always got time for the famed, acclaimed, Harry Potter," she said, grinning," What's up?"

"I just uh, I guess I really just need some advice?"

Pansy stared at him in pleasant surprise, raised an eyebrow in disbelief (or maybe, dramatic faux disbelief?), one hand on her heart.

"And you're getting that from me? I'm flattered."

"Seriously Pans-"

"Okay fine. You talk, I'll listen. What's got your knickers in a twist today, Potter?"

"Ginny."

"Ah."

"Well, not really Ginny but also Ginny, do you know what I mean? Like, it's a load of factors involving Ginny, and myself, and emotions, time, someone else..."

"Wai-hold up, slow down. Someone else?"

"Never mind."

"Tell me."

"Rather not."

"Okay."

"It's just-"

Pansy snickered at the disheveled boy's subtle eagerness to overshare. He didn't seem to catch on however, and continued.

"...I don't know what me and Ginny are anymore. She's so perfect and beautiful and bright. She's a wonderful, amazing person and yet I feel...that's the thing- I don't know how I feel about her and it makes me feel like a prick. I don't deserve her, Pansy, I really don't."

"Oh, don't say that."

"It's the truth!"

"You know," Pansy was hesitant to reveal such a big secret (her teenage self would kill her) but decided to continue on. After all, not 5 minutes in and Harry Potter had already shared his relationship problems. Slightly grimacing at memories of her past adolescent self, she continued,"

I had a crush on you a long time ago. Well, not really that long ago. Maybe in like third, fourth year. Anyway, that's not the point. I just felt like telling you that to finally get it off my chest since, I presume, we're swapping secrets? Yeah."

"I- um...er, okay."

"Thought you'd say that."

A brief silence ensued.

"What now?"

Pansy sighed. She made a tsk tsk sound with her tongue before asking the question most girls have, at one point, thought to themselves.

"Why are boys so confusing?"

Harry was confused.

Pansy went on," I mean, I'm not gonna be one of those pricks who tell you to follow your heart because, frankly, following your heart leads to failure and humiliation. What I will tell you though, is to do what you honestly and wholeheartedly think is right. If you're gonna leave Ginny, give her an explanation and don't just ghost her if you truly love her. She's strong, she can take it."