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Your gut instincts were always right - of course, this time you had the advantage of having lived through the signs of the same scenario before. Pansy becoming secretive, dismissive, distant, etc... all signs of her disloyalty that you had ignored last time out of the benefit of the doubt. She didn't deserve the benefit of the doubt again.
The undeniable sign the first time this happened was turning the corner in Hogsmeade to see Pansy wrapped in the arms of Draco Malfoy with her lips fused to his. Naturally, you had ran off afterwards, and refused to talk to her for a week: something about her eventual apology had seemed so genuine through the tears and sobs that you decided to give her a second chance. Now, as you watched Pansy walk away from turning down a study date with you, you couldn't help but feel as if that may have been a mistake.
It was the third time this week she had refused a study date with you in favour of studying alone: Pansy didn't like to study alone. That suggested to you that she wasn't studying - studying a subject the school offered, anyway. Maybe she was studying someone's genitals.
"Y/N," a familiar voice spoke, causing you to turn around to be met with Blaise Zabini's gaze, "You do know where she's going, don't you?"
You let out a sigh, "I have a feeling."
***
"In honour of the muggle subject of English literature, your assignment is to write a poem," your muggle studies teacher, Professor Burbage, spoke, "The subject can be anything that isn't exclusive to the wizarding world. If muggles don't know about it, don't write about it."
Longbottom raised his hand, "Will we have to read them to the class?"
"I would like for a couple volunteers to, but ultimately no. I do want each and every poem handed in, however."
You clutched your quill in thought, eyes flicking over to Pansy, who you had yet to address your suspicions with. She caught your eye and offered you a soft smile, which you returned, but the negative thoughts remained settled in your mind.
Blaise, who sat next to you, watched the interaction and gave you an incredulous look when you turned back to him. You rolled your eyes, but couldn't stop the smile from tugging at your lips. He was your most trusted friend, and the only person you would tell your plan to humiliate Pansy about, you had decided.
The plan had come to you during a study session in which Pansy failed to show up for, despite agreeing to. She never apologised for it, and you never brought it up, so she must have been very pre-occupied for the thought to never enter her mind again.
It was when her tardiness reached the twenty-minute mark that your hurt started dissipating into anger, a familiar feeling since she first cheated. Being surrounded by the knowledge of the library, it was only natural your brain was in a thinking state, and thus you found yourself fantasising about many scenarios of humiliation for Pansy. There was no way you would cheat on her in return - that felt cheap and underwhelming, aside from the fact you were sure that you would feel dirty afterwards. Regardless of the circumstances, it would still brand you as a cheater, and you didn't want that.
As it turned out, you wouldn't have to do much plotting, as the opportunity would fall right into your lap, courtesy of Professor Burbage.
***
Another Hogsmeade trip.
Honestly, the place somewhat left a bitter taste in your mouth ever since you found Pansy and Draco together there. Still, you needed a sweets restock to satisfy your everlasting sweet tooth, and the butterbeer of the Three Broomsticks tasted divine.
Perhaps less divine when you had to share a table with both Pansy and Draco.
Your friendship group had been more than awkward ever since the incident, and it had become clear there was on-going tension. After you had taken Pansy back, it had mainly been with Draco, but it was beginning to return with Pansy as well. Blaise had made his siding with you perfectly clear to the rest of the group, which you appreciated, while Crabbe and Goyle, like usual, remained opinionless - obedient servants to Draco. Theo had voiced his distaste towards Pansy and Draco's actions, but had not changed the way he treated them.
To be honest, you didn't really care. For you, one completely loyal and trustworthy friend was more than enough, and Blaise provided that.
Pansy was sat by your side, with your hands interlocked, but her attention was all upon Draco. It was strange, frankly, how numb to the situation you felt. By that point, Blaise knew of your plans to humiliate Pansy, and he also knew that your love for her was disappearing - although it wasn't all gone just yet, that would take time. So, all he could do was bite his tongue as he watched the brunette Slytherin girl believe she was getting away with cheating.
It was when Pansy shifted far enough back in her seat, for the briefest of moments, that you caught sight of the undeniable physical evidence you had yet to see. Draco, who sat on her other side, had his hand placed casually on her thigh.
You didn't feel a rush of anger, surprisingly. Instead, you felt a smirk grow on your face, now knowing for sure that you wouldn't regret your actions for even a second.
***
"Now, as terrifying as the prospect might be, do we have any volunteers to read their poems to the class?" Burbage asked, looking around the class with clearly very little hope.
You raised your hand instantly, taking your teacher by surprise.
"How courageous of you," was the remark you received, "Please, come to the front."
The anticipation screamed and twisted inside of you, fuelling your powerful stride to the front with your notebook in hand. In your mind's eye, you could picture Blaise smiling knowingly about what was about to happen, while Pansy sat obliviously in her seat, ogling at Draco from across the class.
"My poem is called This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things," you introduced, taking a deep breath to steady yourself.
"It was so nice throwing big parties Jumping into the pool from the balcony Everyone swimming in a champagne sea And there are no rules when you show up here Bass beat rattling the chandelier Feeling so Gatsby for that whole year."
You had to suppress a chuckle - Pansy didn't even know who Gatsby was. That was a neat little reference for the magic folk in your class to feel special about if they understood it.
"So why'd you have to rain on my parade? I'm shaking my head, I'm closing the gates."
Then, you allowed yourself to look up to make eye contact with Pansy, knowing that you had the next part memorised word for word.
"It was so nice being together again There I was giving you a second chance But you stabbed me in the back while shaking my hand."
Her eyes widened, and people began to look in the direction that you were gazing, as your tone gave away that this poem was personal.
"And therein lies the issue, lovers don't try to trick you Get you all alone and mind-twist you And so I took an axe to a mended fence."
By this point, everybody was glancing between you and Pansy, whispering amongst each other as you continued.
"But I'm not the only friend you've lost lately," you tilted your head and pouted mockingly at her, "If only you weren't so shady.
"This is why we can't have nice things, darling Because you break them, I had to take them away Did you think I wouldn't hear all the things you do without me?"
"Y/N-" she tried to speak, but you cut her off.
"Here's a toast to my real friends They don't care about the he said, she said And here's to my dignity I'm glad I found it again recently And here's to you 'Cause forgiveness is a nice thing to do."
You beamed proudly at her after that line, as you had said it in such a perfect imitation of a genuine tone, allowing the tiniest of smiles to etch on her face.
"I'm kidding, obviously This is why we can't have nice things."
Blaise didn't hesitate to start applauding, and out of obligation the rest of the class rippled into applause as well. All except Pansy, of course, who sat in a state of shock at her spot along the front row. You gave her a sweet smile, deciding to indulge yourself in the luxury of a bow to your audience.
Professor Burbage then regained composure, having initially been taken aback by the atmosphere in the room, and returned to the front, "Right, well, that was a very creative poem... thank you."
"You're welcome," you couldn't help but grin, "It was a joy writing it."
You then went back to your seat, keeping your chin held high as you walked past the rows of desks.
"Would anyone else like to read their poems?"
After your startling opener, no one else could find the bravery within them to volunteer, even if they had originally been planning on it.
***
Pansy found you after class, of course, and began spluttering her way through countless apologies, none of wish you cared for.
"Please, Y/N, please forgive me."
"No," you said, "I don't think I will."
"I know I fucked up but I-"
"Will only do it again," you finished for her, "So why don't you just save yourself the trouble of being tied to someone else? If you're single, you can fuck who you want, when you want, without hurting anyone."
"But I-"
"Or is it the kick of knowing you're doing something that you shouldn't that gets you?" you pondered aloud, before shrugging, "Either way, you're no longer my problem, so kindly bother someone else with your complaints. Perhaps Draco? You two are as close as ever, after all."
You turned away from her, relishing delightfully in the feeling that burned with you: revenge, justice, karma.
You felt like a bitch, and you loved it.