Second best

Perfect Pansy

-4 years later-

"Y/n!!!" Pansy's stride has a bit more purpose to it than usual, which is saying a lot.
"Hey-".
"Draco asked me!". The girl cuts me off coming to a stop in front of me.
"I don't care what you're doing we have to go to Hogsmeade immediately Mummy sent 80 galleons for my dress.".

Of course Draco Malfoy, the boy I had been in love with since the first day of the first year, asked Pansy.
Pansy is perfect, her hair always falls straight, not a single unruly strand. Her poise her sense of purpose made it easy to pick her out of a crowd. Her timed winks and little finger waves. She had so effortlessly captured everyone's attention. Girls wanted to be her and boys wanted to be with her.
Skirts and shirts always perfectly pressed, the newest coats, cloaks and shoes. Perfect Pansy. It was extremely irritating how the whole of Slytherin had placed her on a pedestal. While I simply had to stand and admire her like everyone else.

"That's brilliant, just as you thought of course. He couldn't go with anyone else.". She looked at me, in her very subtly angry way. After four years of being her right hand woman I knew I hadn't given her the perfect answer.
"Not that he would want to take anyone else anyway, he only has eyes for you of course.". Perfect little Pansy graced me with a real smile this time as we set off for Hogsmeade.

Draco, could have asked me! He could have gone with me! The thought tugs at me while we trudge through the snow, my trousers getting wet around the ankles. I can see the blonde haired boy now. Looking through his suits and telling Crabbe and Goyle all about how he scored the best Slytherin girl. His hands would dance around like they did when he was excited, his grey eyes holding that spark I saw the first day of school 4 years ago. The day when I realized, he had already made his choice. I glance at the girl walking, pristine as ever beside me. Head held high as if everyone in town, including me was beneath her. We were I suppose, because we weren't going to the dance with Draco Malfoy.

He just, picked Pansy. He picked her over and over. Potions partners, studying for tests, copying notes. He went to Pansy. To say it wasn't fair would be saying the sky is blue. For one I have neater printing than Pansy, she usually passed my notes off as her own when she gave them to Draco for copying. She would be failing half her classes if it weren't for me. Four years of being overlooked, by the only boy I had eyes for had made me quite bitter. Whatever happiness Pansy brought him I am convinced I could bring him more. I even liked the same quidditch team that he did. After weeks of getting their newsletter very non discreetly thrown on the table by my barn owl Rufus he finally noticed. We talked quidditch until first class and Pansy couldn't get a word in edgewise. That had been two years ago however, and now the Magpies were the only thing He and I talked about regularly.
If Draco only knew how devoted to him, how fiercely supportive I could be. Maybe he would change his mind. He never did though, and around the end of last school year I began to take the hint. When I see him in the hallways now I don't tug at my uniform and smooth my hair like I used to. I don't fall at his feet like all the other Slytherins do, which I know must drive him crazy. But still after all these years when he says my name, my knees go weak, and I'm reminded of all the things I can't have. The boy I can't be with.
I was stuck being second best. Watching Pansy put Her hand on His arm. Rubbing His back, holding His hand, and most sickening of all; running her fingers through His hair. That perfect platinum blonde hair.

*Wack*

I fall back into the snow. Realizing I had just walked into the door of the dress shop that Pansy had been waiting for me to open.
"Merlin that hurt." I stand quickly rubbing my nose, which had taken the brunt of the collision.
I hear a loud scoff from my dorm mate.
"Y/n maybe you could watch where you're going more. It's rather embarrassing.". Perfect Pansy looked up and down the Hogsmeade Main Street making sure no one of importance had seen my little fight with the door.
"I'll try to remember that for next time." I do nothing to hide the bitterness in my voice, but as predicted she couldn't be bothered to notice.
I wrench open the door and the chime of a greeting bell sounds. Warm air from the fire lures me into a plush red upholstered chair in a corner of the shop. Pansy doesn't want a second opinion. Pansy wants me to compliment whatever dress she chooses.  So I let her roam the shop, as I open a new book on fantastic beasts I had picked up from the library. 

"This one!". The raven haired girl steps out of the dressing room, and crosses over to the small well lit inlet of mirrors. I take this as my que, and snap my book shut.
Seeing us beside one another always gave me insight into Draco's choice. Pansy stood at medium height and with a perfect figure. The black satin dress accentuating every curve. It had a tasteful mermaid skirt with a small train draped on the floor. I on the other hand still had my usual school uniform. A thick grey wool sweater with the signature Slytherin band of green on both wrists. A white button up underneath amd of course my black trousers. My slytherin tie had been shoved into my bag as soon as potions was dismissed. I hated the thing almost as much as being second best to Pansy.
Her head comes up to about my chin. Something that gives me extreme satisfaction, knowing that she can't look down on me, quite literally.

I shove my hands in my pockets.
"Miss Parkinson, look at you." I say preparing to bustle her ego.
"I know right, Draco won't be able to stop looking.". She says doing small pivots and checking herself at every angle.
"Absolutely stunning, jaw dropping.". I respond holding back the urge to throw a curse at her while her back is turned. Petrificustotalas, find a dark back room to hide her, just for a month maybe? Then I can be the one twirling in my dress thinking about Draco's eyes twinkling, like how they do with her.
"How's everything going dears?". The shop clerk asks gently.

Pansy won't respond. The shop clerk is a muggleborn, and her son was in Hufflepuff just a few years younger than we are.
"Very well thank you, are you able to parcel this one?". As overrated as I find 'The Chosen One' I felt the same discontent with the idea of 'blood traitors' and such. I know all too well how little control we have over who we love, and it really shouldn't be anyone's business. If a witch or wizard want to marry a muggle, who cares. Pure bloods, half bloods, it didn't matter, from what I've seen anyone can be quite skilled or quite useless in the art of magic.
"Yes of course dears!". She smiled wider and Pansy pushed past her to change back into her Hogwarts robes.
"Pansy hand me your coin purse.". I say bluntly. She opens the door a jar and hands me the purse along with the black dress. One little incantation I could turn it hot pink, so easily ruining what's supposed to be her perfect day. But I've seen what happens to girls that make an enemy out of Pansy. No more summer vacation invites. No more being seen with her around school, making myself a target for all her little hench-women. No more connection to the ministry through her mum. I would have to be about the worst Slytherin in history to not take advantage of my 'friendship' with Pansy.
I paid the woman as she wrapped the dress in green tissue paper and then a sturdy brown paper package.
Then threw on my oversized tweed cloak and matching beanie.
"Thank you ma'am." I say smiling while I take the package from her. Then I turn and say to the closed dressing room.
"Pansy I'm going to honey dukes see you at dinner." I exit the shop, the happy little bell bidding me farewell. Having to see Pansy and Draco at the ball all night gazing into each others eyes just about made me want to hurl, no puking pasties needed. It's not like I could skip it however and im sure I could easily take one of the Drumstag boys. I frown, disdainfully at the idea. Before I  begin to think about it too much however, I need chocolate, and lots of it.