Nothing but me

Look at the sunlight!

Oh—um—no, right, yes, of course.

Another time. Absolutely. Wouldn’t want to be in the way. Yeah. Thanks. Have fun. ‘Bye.

No, come on, Vane. I didn't mean to be rude.

I'll tell you what. If you don't have anyone to keep you company, I'll go with you. When I'm free, of course.

#c:emma #Emma Vane

Matchmaker, Matchmaker || Pansy, Theo, & Blaise

Pansy’s first instinct was to defend Theodore, and she had to clamp her mouth shut to let the boy speak for himself. He was capable of that, as Blaise had just so aptly pointed out. “Someone had to get you two to stop fighting,” she replied smoothly to his comment directed at her. “Merlin knows you’re both too stubborn.”

She now stood close to Nott’s side, and gave the boy a sidelong glance as she waited for his response. He was probably furious with her now - she’d dragged him into confronting Blaise, using the idea that his feelings were secretly reciprocated. They were, Pansy was still convinced of it, but either Zabini was just too angry or even he hadn’t figured it out yet. Either way, she knew what it was like to fancy someone who despised her. It was maddening and she wouldn’t blame Theo one bit if he ended up blaming her for this mess.

”..I tried talking to you on my own, and it didn’t work,” Theo said. He had no reason to tell it was Pansy’s idea in the first place, it wouldn’t change anything for him and it might make things worse between the other two. He opened his mouth to speak, but he realized he didn’t know what to say that he hadn’t already. Repetition wouldn’t help him, and he’d probably just anger Zabini even more. “..I’m sorry,” he ended up saying. Maybe the fact he was apologizing in front of other people would help, or maybe Zabini would realize that he was actually sorry. Most likely neither would happen, and Theo just had to deal with it.

#para #matchmaker #p:Pansy #p:theo #Pansy Parkinson #Theodore Nott

"... Alright," Blaise finally said, giving up, after a moment of hesitation looking at the two of them. There was no point to keep going fighting about it, and quite frankly, he was feeling tired of... everything. "Alright, fine. Apologies accepted," he said, looking at Nott. "I'll forget it ever happened, if it makes you two happy."

He turned around, and walked to the door, opening it. He hesitated, biting his lip, thinking if he should add something. He should say something more, something that would make it obvious he was right about everything, about being angry at Nott for everything that he had done -- and he knew he was right about everything. After a moment of deliberation, though, he decided he had had enough of the subject, and prolonging it would just be torture for him now. So, without another word, he left the room, making his way back tot he common room.

Look at the sunlight!

Oh! Well! Um, if you—I mean, if you want to come with me, you…you can. I mean I wouldn’t mind! If you want!

Oh, I'm sure you have plenty of other people your age to be with, and I don't want to be in the way. Maybe some other time?

#c:emma #Emma Vane

Look at the sunlight!

It’s been a while since we had weather this nice. Maybe I’ll do my homework later, after a walk outside or something…

That does sound like a good plan. Maybe I'll do the same.

#c:emma #Emma Vane

Don't fret!

So you have gotten it already?

What is it?

Well, I'm not going to tell you that, now am I?

You'll have to wait and see.

Don't fret!

As if I’d ever let your birthday pass without getting you something. But if you think you really need leverage…

#c:pansy #Pansy Parkinson

Fine, fine. I will consider giving you your birthday gift... soon.

Don't fret!

Daphne. Who else?

After all, she isn’t making me wait for my gift.

#c:pansy #Pansy Parkinson

Well, I can't give you your gift now, can I? I'd lose my leverage.

Don't fret!

Oh, well of course you’re not the best friend. That spot is reserved for someone better than the likes of you.

I suppose I’ll just have to take your word for it, as I have no way of proving otherwise.

Someone better than me? And who would that be?

Don't fret!

You’ve always been one of my best friends. You didn’t just assume that?

Smart. Annoying, but smart.

…Or did you just forget and are buying yourself some time?

Bein one of your best friend isn't the same as being the best friend. You scared me for a moment, Parkinson.

Oh, I remembered. I know how fussy you get when people forget your birthday. I just decided to play it safe.

Don't fret!

Yes, one generally expects a gift from their best friend on their birthday.

Oh, fine, I’ll wait. Since I know arguing won’t do any good. Even though you know I’ll have something for you.

Since when am I your best friend?

I do believe you'll get me something, true. But this way, I am sure you'll get me a birthday gift. See the difference?

Don't fret!

Well that’s boring. And not the sort of reality I want to live in, I think.

Thank you. So what’d you get me?

#c:pansy #pansy parkinson #blaise's birthday is on april 9th and not even jkr will be able to convince me otherwise

Oh, right. You're expecting a birthday gift from me.

Well, I'll give you your birthday gift... so long as you give me one on my birthday. So, I guess you'll have to wait a month for it.

Don't fret!

Do you just live to burst my bubble, Zabini?

And on my birthday, no less.

#c:pansy #Pansy Parkinson

Well, someone has to bring you back to reality.

Anyways, happy birthday, Parkinson.

Don't fret!

The birthday girl is here. I know you all want to wish me a happy birthday, but please do try not to crowd.

#c:pansy #Pansy Parkinson #look i still have gifs!!

Really Parkinson, do you live in your own little world? People won't line up just to wish you a happy birthday.

Matchmaker, Matchmaker || Pansy, Theo, & Blaise

Pansy gave Theodore a small smile in response to his thanks, that was quickly wiped away when Blaise responded. She opened her mouth to retort, but he simply kept going, and by the time he finished she was glancing between the two boys uneasily. He was so determined not to forgive and maybe he had a point, but…. They needed to be speaking again. If only so she wouldn’t end up stuck between the two of them.

"Blaise," she said softly, taking a step in his direction. "You have every right to be upset." Pansy resisted the urge to glance back at Theodore, just to see how he was reacting to this. "But Theo’s your friend. I know you well enough to know you would have stopped talking to him a long time ago if he wasn’t.”

She paused, quickly trying to decide in which direction she wanted to take this. And then Pansy was turning to face Nott. “You can agree not to criticize him so much in the future, can’t you? And Blaise,” she turned again, “if he promises, can’t you at least give him a chance?”

Theo looked wide eyed at Zabini as the other spoke, not knowing how to react. His heart was pounding, and he was speechless. He had been wrong about a lot of things, and he wasn’t used to it. He had clearly misunderstood their banters, and hadn’t seen what he had been doing to Zabini.

He let Pansy talk, and nodded along when he was addressed, trying to control his features properly, and show nothing. Zabini still had no idea of Theo’s…feelings, and it was better that way, especially now. It was bad enough that Pansy knew, and was probably pitying him with these revelations.

"…I didn’t know," he ended up saying, not looking at any of them, unable to. At least he had been able to keep a neutral tone, and he stood a little straighter, his training and education kicking in. He glanced at Zabini, waiting, waringly, for him to reply to Pansy.

#matchmaker #para #p:pansy #p:theo #Theodore Nott #Pansy Parkinson

Blaise sighed, tired of that conversation, and eager to get out of there. "Fine, I'll give him a chance," he said, huffing. "As many chances as I have to, if it means you'll both leave me alone."

He started making his way to the door, and then stopped, turning around to face Nott. "You know, this is the first time I've seen you need someone else to speak for you," Blaise said, without even a hint of his usual smirk. "Nothing ever stopped you of telling me when you had a problem with me in the past. And you should really learn to stay out of other people's business," he added, this time looking at Parkinson.

Matchmaker, Matchmaker || Pansy, Theo, & Blaise

Pansy sat back, listening, not planning to interfere — oh. She was going to have to interfere.

"Actually, Blaise,” the girl found herself hissing, forgetting any ideas of letting the two talk it out themselves. “Did you ever think I might be involved because you two are my friends, and I don’t want to see you fighting?” Her tone was icy, as was the glare she shot him. True, Pansy loved details when it came to situations like this, and if she got them all the better. But that wasn’t what this was about.

The rest of it she should have left to Theodore, but Pansy found herself continuing. “People thought you were a slag before he went and said it, but we know you’re not. Since when have you cared what the masses think?”

Theo tensed up as Zabini spoke, wondering why had he thought they could do the whole thing peacefully. He should have known better — there was a reason they were always arguing. He let Pansy defend herself, not seeing why not, and was surprised when she stood up for him too, looking at her for a moment.

”..Thank you,” he said, still surprised, and looked at Zabini again, doing his best not to frown. “You say it as if I yelled it to the whole room. No one was listening to what we were saying. And it didn’t change anything for everyone else.”

#matchmaker #para #p:pansy #p:theo #Pansy Parkinson #Theodore Nott

Blaise looked between them, his anger momentarily turning into surprise. He was used to fight against Nott, but not when the other had someone by his side, while he had no one. And feeling alone in something he knew he was right about made him feel uneasy.

"So, is that why you dragged me here? To gang up on me and force me to go against what I know is true?" Blaise gave a small step back, wanting to put some distance between himself and the other two. "But you're right, I don't care about what other people think. And I don't care about what you two think, so go ahead and try to bully me into forgiving anything. I won't do it."

"This wasn't a one time thing," he continued, before Parkinson or Nott could reply to him. He had nothing to lose for saying it, and maybe this way he would be able to leave. "It was just the last drop. Insulting me in front of everyone that is anyone in this world was just the last and worst thing you ever did," he said, looking at Nott. "It might have not changed anything for you, or anyone for that matter, but it did to me. It made me realize that I'm sick and tired of you, and I won't stand any longer listening to you criticizing and insulting me at a daily basis."

Matchmaker, Matchmaker || Pansy, Theo, & Blaise

Pansy merely shook her head in response to Blaise, walking along behind the two boys in silence. She’d explain when they found a spot. They’d have to ignore the chill of the dungeon - in the dorms, it was far too likely someone would walk in, she figured. And Blaise had already rejected the idea of speaking on the common room.

"Here," Pansy announced, pulling open the door to one of the empty dungeon classrooms and shepherding the boys inside. With a flick of her wand the door closed behind them, and another lit up the tip for some much-needed light. "Now," she started, moving to stand between them. "You both got into an argument on Boxing Day at the Malfoys. I don’t really care to know the details but I know that you,” she gave a sharp look to Zabini, “are refusing to speak to Theodore. After he has apologized, even. So you’re going to hear him out, and then you’re going to forgive him. Got it?”

Without waiting for a reply from Blaise, Pansy stepped back, giving Nott a reassuring nod.

Theo did his best to look collected as they got in the classroom, and it took all he had to stay that way as Pansy spoke, mortification filling him. She had just basically told Zabini that he had been complaining about not talking to Zabini, something he’d say as if he was missing the other. True or not, it didn’t have to reach Zabini’s ears, Theo didn’t want that embarrassment, and the other to have any power over him.

He looked at Zabini after she was done, thinking of what to say that he hadn’t already said to him already. He shifted his weight a little, nervous, and kept his eyes on Zabini, speaking firmly, “I’m sorry about what I said at the party. I don’t think like that of you, and didn’t mean it to come out the way you took it.”

#para #matchmaker #p:Pansy #p:theo #Theodore Nott #Pansy Parkinson

Blaise followed Parkinson into the classroom, not taking his eyes from her. His eyes widened as Parkinson started explaining what this odd meeting was really about, and he was ready to reply, already opening his mouth, when she silently gave Nott the word. Frowning, he looked at the other, clenching his jaw to make himself keep quiet as the boy spoke.

He waited a moment after Nott finished speaking, to make sure that was all he was going to say, and then turned to Parkinson again. "First of all, whatever happened during that day, or any day after that, is nothing of your concern," he started, speaking as calmly as he could. "Second, I know you too well to believe you don't care about details. In fact, you wanting details on it is really the only explanation why you're involved in this in the first place. And third," he turned to Nott, his tone sharp now. "I don't fucking care how sorry you are or that you don't think that way. The point is that you said it out loud in the middle of that crowd, and now everyone thinks it. So don't expect me to ever forgive you."

Matchmaker, Matchmaker || Pansy, Theo, & Blaise

Pansy had crossed her arms, shooting Blaise a glare when he was less than responsive to the prospect of speaking to Theo. “This is about you being a git,” she snapped at him in a low voice. There were few people in the common room, but with Slytherins it was impossible to tell whether or not they were in danger of eavesdropping.

"But, fine. We can go somewhere else. I’m sure there’s an empty classroom around here somewhere.” Pansy stood back, allowing Blaise and Nott to pass by first - she wasn’t about to give Zabini a chance to skip out by having her back turned.

Theo nodded, and turned around, walking towards the passage to the dungeons. He didn’t check if the others would follow him, because either way, he could live with it. Either he did end up talking to Zabini, or he’d get a moment for himself, something he hadn’t managed to get ever since his fight with Zabini in the first place.

Theo glanced at the others over his shoulder as he reached the entrance to the common room, and opened it, stepping outside. It was colder outside, and now Theo wondered why hadn’t anyone suggested their dorms as a meeting place, instead of a cold classroom.