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“I just don’t understand why everyone is making such a big deal about Valentine’s Day this year,” Pansy said, shaking her head as she plopped into an armchair. “It’s all anyone is talking about, and I just don’t get it.”
Astoria looked at her. “Um, come on, Pans, it’s the first Valentine’s day without the threat of Voldemort! Interhouse unity is actually a thing!”
Pansy scowled. “Okay, but it’s just another day.”
“But the opportunities are endless,” Astoria said. “I could send a valentine's message to anyone! Maybe that cute Hufflepuff in my Herbology class.” She hummed in thought.
Laughing, Pansy shook her head. “If you think Draco is going to let you get away with sending a valentine to anyone besides him, you’re crazy.”
Astoria blushed. “Okay, you’re probably right about that.” She paused. “What about you? Do you think you’ll send a valentine to someone?”
Pansy scoffed. “Absolutely not.” She shook her head. “I’m not participating in that.”
“Well, then, maybe someone will send you one.”
Rolling her eyes, Pansy popped some gum into her mouth.
“Come on, Pansy, you know you secretly want someone to send you something.” Astoria gave Pansy a knowing look.
Snapping her gum loudly, Pansy shook her head. “No, trust me, I don’t need a cheesy valentine.”
But deep down, Pansy knew she only said that because she didn’t want to feel the disappointment of not getting one.
“Hey, Neville, what’s up?” Astoria asked, sliding into a chair across from him in the small corner of the library.
“I… Um, I was wondering if you could help me with something,” Neville said softly.
“Of course!” Astoria smiled. The two of them had grown close over the past year under the Carrow’s reign. Astoria, Daphne, and a few other Slytherins had done what they could to look out for the younger students where they could.
“So, I was trying to brainstorm with Luna about if I should send a Valentine to my crush, and then I figured I would, but I don’t know what her favourite candy or sweet is, and I know you’re close, so Luna suggested I ask you… Sooo, here we are,” Neville said, finishing his rambling.
Astoria looked at him. “Um… Neville? Who is your crush? I can’t exactly help you if you don’t tell me who it is.”
“Oh,” Neville said, his cheeks warming in embarrassment. “It’s Pansy.”
Astoria’s eyes widened in excitement. “Are you serious?” She practically squealed, leaning forward.
“Yeah,” Neville admitted. “I mean, I know we don’t interact often, but there’s just something about her… I really like her, Tori.”
“Cinnamon gum,” Astoria said after a moment. “She’s always chewing on that gum.”
“Perfect,” Neville said, grinning. “I can work with that. Thanks, Tori. You’re a lifesaver.”
“Just trying to help all my friends find love one Valentine at a time,” She cheekily murmured.
It was finally Valentine’s day. Pansy did her best to avoid people for most of the day as she didn’t want to witness people kissing, exchanging gifts, or being sweet for no apparent reason.
It wasn’t that she hated Valentine’s Day, but she just knew that no one was crushing on her. Her personality kept people away - which was a gift and a curse at the same time.
Making her way to her usual bench on the fourth floor, Pansy took a deep breath. It was where she liked to go when she wanted to be alone. At this time of day, no one would likely pass by. As she sat down, however, she realised something was on the bench next to her.
Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw the package of cinnamon gum - it was her favourite brand, even. There was a note next to it.
“I ‘chews’ you as my Valentine,” she read aloud before she burst out laughing. It was so cheesy but also so utterly perfect. Looking around, she wondered if whoever had left it was still around. She wanted to figure out who her secret admirer was.
“You should just tell her,” Astoria said, peering at Neville. “She was very excited to find your gift and note.”
Neville blushed. “I don’t know.”
Draco sat down, wrapping his arm around Astoria. “You should tell her,” he encouraged Neville. “If you want things to go somewhere, tell her… Don’t just watch her from afar like a creeper.”
Astoria elbowed Draco in the rib before looking at her friend. “Neville, you are not a creeper.”
“Fine,” Neville said, steeling himself and gathering his Gryffindor courage. “I’m going to tell Pansy that I’m in love with her.”
Eyes wide, Pansy could barely believe what she had just heard. Returning to the Slytherin Common Room, she hadn’t expected to see Neville sitting with Astoria and Draco. She also hadn’t expected to hear Neville’s declaration.
“You’re in love with me?” she asked softly.
Neville’s head turned with alarming speed, his eyes wide. “Pansy!” he exclaimed, scrambling to his feet.
“Is it true?” she asked, her heart racing in her chest.
After a moment, Neville nodded.
“Why me?” she asked, feeling like her voice was going to break. Neville? How could sweet, innocent Neville like someone like her?
“Stop that self-loathing!” Astoria shouted from her place on the couch. “I see you!”
“Can you go someone else?” Neville said, looking over his shoulder at his friend. “I… I want to be alone with Pansy.”
Astoria huffed but allowed Draco to pull her away from the room - allowing Pansy and Neville some privacy.
“Why you?” Neville asked, looking at Pansy. “You’re beautiful, smart, brave… What’s not to like?”
She could feel her cheeks warm. “Thank you for the chewing gum.”
Neville grinned. “I hope you liked it.”
“It was cheesy but cute,” she assured him.
“Kinda like me blurting out my feelings without realising you were behind me?” Neville asked, a teasing tone to his voice.
“Kinda like that,” Pansy said, crossing the room and closing the distance between them. She pressed her lips against Neville’s, sighing as he wrapped his arms around her.
After a few moments of steady snogging, Neville had thoroughly convinced Pansy that Valentine’s Day wasn’t that bad after all.