The Makeover

Part II

 Gossip always seemed to move fast at Hogwarts, and with everyone still reeling from the events of the year before, people were desperate for a distraction. That distraction came in the form of Hermione Granger.

War had changed her, people whispered. She wasn't the know-it-all girl she'd been. She was a woman now, they said, ignoring the fact that she was barely eighteen. Speculations and rumors swirled around the Golden Trio as they returned to Hogwarts to finish studying and take their N.E.W.T.s.

Hermione ignored them. She ignored everybody except the three-person family that she'd crafted. They'd grown closer in the past year. There were even rumors that Ron had become her boyfriend. They weren't far from the truth.

Pansy heard it all. She made it her priority to know every bit of gossip that circulated the halls of Hogwarts about Hermione, even though it had been years since she'd spoken to her. Even if two years and a war had passed since that kiss.

She'd meant to talk to her after the kiss, she really had. She'd wanted to give her some space to sort everything out, a week at most if she didn't seek Pansy out before then. But less than two days after the dance, it had all gone to hell. And then seventh year happened, and the war.

And now, two years after and with everything that had happened, she couldn't believe that Hermione wouldn't at least try to be friends.

They were two weeks into school now and Hermione was still cocooned in her little group. She was never alone and Pansy had yet to find an opportunity to get her alone. Just to talk. That's all Pansy wanted. All that she was letting herself want.

Then suddenly, halfway through the third week of school, Pansy found her chance.

She walked into Potions and headed to her usual seat to wait for Draco. He never came to classes early. He was the last one to class and the first one to leave. He wasn't giving their peers any opportunities to harass him. Usually, Hermione would be sitting with her boyfriend or Potter. Today she was alone.

Pansy quickly changed directions and slid into the seat next to her. Hermione looked over at her, eyes wide and apprehensive.

"I'm not that scary, am I?" Pansy asked, heart pounding in her throat as she tried for a joking tone.

"You shouldn't sit there," Hermione hissed.

"I don't see anyone else. It's a free seat."

"Ron doesn't want me talking to you."

Anger roared in Pansy's ears. She raised an eyebrow and met Hermione's eyes. "And you let Weasley tell you what to do? That's not exactly a healthy relationship, now is it?"

Hermione turned red. "He's just trying to protect me!"

"From the scary bitch-snake?" Pansy hissed. She snarled as Hermione turned even redder. "Don't think I never heard what he called me behind my back."

"The last few years were hard for all of us. Don't blame him for trying to find any sort of security."

Pansy snorted. "I'm not your enemy, Hermione."

"I know. Just- please move," Hermione looked up at her with pleading eyes.

Pansy's anger faded slightly. "Don't let him tell you what to do. You're better than that."

"Was sixth year not enough to prove to you that I'm not?"

Pansy opened her mouth to respond when somebody cleared their throat behind her. She whirled around to see Weasley standing far closer than she was comfortable. She raised her eyes and met his steely blue gaze. Anger sparked in his eyes as he sneered at her.