Warmth (Parvati/Pansy Oneshot)
Parvati/Pansy (I like to call them Parvansy), 3.2k, Teen. Technically part of the Making Malfoy Blush Series, but can be read stand-alone
Read on AO3 or FFnet (standalone) or FFnet (in the MMB series fic)
Summary:
Pansy pulls a stunt for Slytherin Eighth-Year Game night that aggravates Parvati.
Excerpt:
“She’s not in there.”
Whirling around, startled, heart pounding, Pansy had almost cursed Neville before she realised what was going on. Scowling, and straightening out of her defensive posture, she stowed her wand.
“It’s rude to sneak up on people, Longbottom,” she sneered. “Fancy getting hexed, do you? Out of all the Gryffindors, you’re the last person I’d expect to like that sort of thing.”
As always, Neville saw right through her attempt to embarrass him. He never could be distracted away from certain things now. Which was part of why everyone loved him, and he’d made friends with all the eighth-years, whether they’d initially wanted it or not. He was just too damn nice.
“Sorry, Pansy,” he said, rubbing the back of his head. “But you’ve been standing there staring at the portrait for a while.”
Pansy felt her face heat up. “And you’ve been standing there staring at me for the same length of time? I won’t say sorry to disappoint, because we’re all supposed to be turning new leaves and, you know, not lying all the time, but I don’t go for blokes.”
It was like a shivery feeling passed through her entire body, and she felt pinpricks of heat around her face and neck. It was only the third time she’d said that out loud. It wasn’t as hard as the first two. Once to her parents, and implied, rather than repeated, thereafter, and once to her friends. And now to Neville. She felt a bit sick. But she also felt free. Because she was free. Free to choose who to be with. As long as the family name carried on. Her great triumph. After months of fighting.
She straightened her back a bit, unable to mask her pride and defiance, now that she’d moved past that inevitable rush of fear.
“Yeah, me neither,” Neville said with a shrug.
Pansy deflated and squinted at him.
“Weren’t we stating the obvious?” he asked. “Sorry, I can’t always keep up with you Slytherins.”
Snorting, Pansy shook her head at him. “Bloody hell, Longbottom,” she said. “Well executed.”
Neville laughed, and gestured over his shoulder. “She’s in the library.”
