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Harry sighed, tonight wasn't turning out at all like he thought it would. The Yule Ball had been intimidating, since it was announced he'd had visions of embarrassing himself and his date, of not being able dance or not finding a date, or freezing like a deer in headlights at the attention he and the other champions would be subject to. What Harry had never thought of, though in hindsight perhaps he should have, was that Ron would act like an immature berk and insult his date, who happened to be the twin sister of Harry's date.
Harry could still see the look of loathing that Parvati shot Ron as she ran after her crying twin. Padma had only wanted to dance and have a decent evening, when Ron wouldn't stop sulking and pay attention to her she had accepted the invitation of a Durmstrang boy to dance. Harry and Parvati were taking a break at the table with a couple of drinks when Padma returned. Ron's ears were red, Harry's first warning that something was going to happen.
Ron started in on her before she could even set down, he called her a traitor, suggested in very graphic terms that she was morally lose, and capped it off by stating very loudly that he should have known better than to trust foreign trash that didn't belong there. By the end of Ron's tirade Padma was sobbing and bolted, Harry gave Parvati an apologetic look and a look that said go take care of your sister, I'll take care of the berk. Parvati followed Padma, but not before giving Harry a grateful look and a look of loathing at Ron.
Harry decided to take Ron outside for a few minutes, when they returned Ron left in a hurry with a black eye forming. Ginny, who was dancing with Neville, looked at Harry with concern as Ron left. Harry just mouthed 'later' to her, Ginny nodded and continued her dance.
Harry sighed again, yeah, definitely not the night he thought it would be.
**************
Pansy Parkinson sighed, this night wasn't going how she had hoped it would. She was excited when Draco asked her to be his date, he was king of Slytheran, she was queen, it made sense they would be good together.
Unfortunate, like so many things reality didn't live up to the fantasy. Draco had met her in the common room, and the first thing he did was criticize her dress, then her hair, and finally her makeup. If he wasn't currently doing his best to look down Daphne's dress she would have sworn he was gay.
That was the other thing, he had danced exactly one dance with her, and spent the rest of his time dancing and flirting with Daphne.
Pansy soon found herself standing by the punch bowl, bored out of her mind, and more than a little hurt at Draco's behavior. Pansy knew she wasn't considered particularly pretty, and that Daphne was probably the most desirable girl at Hogwarts, but to have it rubbed in her face. A single tear fell down Pansy's cheek, she wiped it before she noticed Potter was heading her way and he looked more than a little cross. Great she thought, now this.
*************
Harry decided he needed a drink to cool off, as he made his way to the drink table he noticed that Parkinson was there looking distracted, and a bit sad. Harry was shocked to feel a stirring of compassion for the girl. He'd seen Malfoy trying his best to see what was in Greengrass' dress.
Harry walked up and grabbed a cup before filling it with punch and downing it in one go, he did it again. He noticed she was holding an empty cup, so without a word he lifted a ladle full and gave her a significant look. She looked momentarily surprised, before nodding and accepting the refill. He refilled his own afterwards.
"So, hell of a night." Harry said, earning a snort from the raven haired girl.
"So where's your date? Pansy asked, if for no other reason than it seemed something to say.
"Comforting her sister after Ron decided that his inner prat needed some fresh air." Harry said, Pansy snorted again, so that was why Potter looked so angry.
"You not dancing?" He asked, she seemed to stiffen for a moment, before regaining her composure.
"Draco is otherwise occupied at the moment. " She said.
"Hmm" Harry said, he pretended not to notice the sad look on her face, or the tears threatening to fall. After a few minutes he saw Ron come back in and sulk at their table. A strange idea occurred to Harry. "Ah screw it." He thought before turning to Pansy.
"Miss Parkinson, may I have the honor of this dance." He said with a mock bow and offered her a conjured rose.
Pansy looked shocked for a moment, but decided she didn't have anything better to do, and if it gave Draco and Weasley an aneurysm, all the better.
"I would be delighted good sir." She said with an exaggerated curtsy, accepting the rose, earning a grin from Harry, it was enough to make her smile, her first genuine smile of the evening.
They stepped onto the dance floor to the opening chords of Christmas Canon. Pansy was surprised that Potter was actually a good dancer, better than Draco. Harry was surprised that she was actually rather pretty when she smiled, she seemed so different without her usual sneer.
The dance finished, but instead of leaving the floor they stayed for the next several dances, after awhile Pansy laid her head on Harry's chest.
"Thank you, Potter for making this evening better." She said with genuine warmth.
"You're welcome Parkin... Pansy. " He said testing her name. She smiled again, her name sounded nice in his voice. She decided to be bold after the song ended.
"H Harry, do you want to take a walk outside?" She said with some hesitation.
"I would like that." He said, leading her to the garden.
They walked for awhile before finding a seat.
Pansy found out quickly that under his shy modesty Harry was actually very charming, and well mannered. For his part Harry found that Pansy was actually very pleasant company when she wasn't around Malfoy, she also seemed a lot less tense and more genuine. He found her funny with sharp wit, and a surprisingly warm personality. They talked for what seemed like hours.
**********
Professor Snape was patrolling the garden looking for misbehaving students, so far he'd sent several couples back in with red faces. He heard voices coming from a nearby bench, to his surprise he recognized the voices as Potter and Parkinson. Deciding he'd better intervene before hexes started flying. He was subject to a further surprise when Parkinson laughed, a genuine laugh, not mocking or derisive, but full of delight. He saw Potter and Parkinson on a bench talking, he noticed that they were holding hands, not that he thought they were aware of it. After a moment he came to a decision, he walked back inside and let them be. He was aware of Draco's shameful behavior, and if Parkinson could have a decent night, she deserved it after everything she'd been through, even if it was with Potter.
"Maybe she'll teach him some scrap of cunning. " He muttered as he entered the great hall.
*********
Harry and Pansy made their way back in, and finished the night dancing. Draco and Daphne had disappeared somewhere together while they were outside.
"Walk you to your common room?" Harry asked when the evening wound down at midnight. She just smiled and took his arm as he lead her to the dungeons. Outside the entrance they stopped. Pansy had a thoughtful look for a moment, before a slightly wicked grin broke out on her face. She grabbed the back of Harry's head and pulled him down. Their lips met in a sweet warm kiss that was full of promise, and took both of their breaths away.
"I'm free next Hogsmead weekend." She whispered
"I'll pick you up here after breakfast. " He said.
"It's a date." Pansy said, and she was certain it was.
"Yes it is." Harry agreed, all shyness gone.
..................
Later that evening Harry walked into the common room and found Ron and Hermione in the middle of a row. He rolled his eyes before finding Parvati asked after Padma and apologizing for Ron's behavior. Parvati just thanked him for asking, saying Padma was ok now and returned to her conversation with Dean.
Harry smiled, not the night he expected, no indeed, but he did eventually have a good time, and he was pretty sure he got a very unexpected girlfriend out of it. Not the night he expected or wanted, but a good one anyway.
.........
Pansy snuggled into her bed, after smelling her rose one more time. Daphne was bragging to anyone who would listen just how far she and Draco got in the broom closet before they got caught.
"Well, he's all mine now anyway. "Daphne was saying.
And you can keep him Pansy thought, she had something much better, someone who appreciated her, made her feel important. Daphne could have Draco if she can keep him.
For the first time since first year Pansy went to sleep content and happy, looking forward to the future.
End