Who Said We Were Going to be Snogging?

As the clock tower struck eleven, Pansy Parkinson sighed in disgust. Her supposed boyfriend, Draco Malfoy, was off gallavanting somewhere in the middle of the night; most likely, he was with another girl. At first, Pansy didn't believe this until Millicent Bulstrode saw Draco stagger in with lipstick marks and his shirt half unbuttoned one night last week.

Pansy didn't want to believe what Millicent had to say. "Are you sure?" Pansy tried not to make herself seem too vulnerable to Millie's obvious delight at seeing Pansy concerned.

"Of course I'm sure," Millie replied. "What are ya gonna do, Parkinson?"

Pansy sighed. "I think I'll confront him first." The truth was, she didn't have any better ideas, but she couldn't let Millie know that. People would mistake her for being weak. "I have a great plan for getting revenge," Pansy lied, hoping Bulstrode wouldn't be stupid enough to push the conversation further. Luckily, she didn't.

This was how Pansy had ended up in the Slytherin common room the next night, hoping to catch Draco Malfoy as he walked in. Pansy had seen him leave around eight thirty with an excuse of needing something from the library. Sure, Pansy thought angrily, when have you, Draco Malfoy, ever needed to go to the library? Stupid prat...

Draco gave Pansy a kiss on the cheek goodbye and once he left, Pansy walked over to one of the Slytherin couches. She pushed a first year off the green cushions and took the leisure of sprawling across. Pansy knew she was going to like being a seventh year; pushing little children around gave her a keen satisfaction, which could not help but bring a smile to her face.

Hearing the cement wall open at the Slytherin common room entrance, Pansy perked up immediately. In walked Draco Malfoy, his shirt half undone and the buckle on his belt was still open. He had a huge smirk on his face, which fell when he noticed Pansy lying on the couch.

"Have a good night, Draco?" Pansy asked icily. The ferret really was cheating on her, which, Pansy knew, she couldn't allow.

"Pansy..." Draco answered lamely, the anger clearly rising in his face, because Pansy had waited up for him.

Pansy cut him short. "Don't you 'Pansy' me," she snapped. "Tell me who it is before I hex you." Pansy hoped she seemed somewhat intimidating, because Draco knew how powerful some of her hexes were. She normally wouldn't hex Draco for this, but what he said next made her rethink that decision.

Draco sighed. "It's more than just one person, Pans."

Pansy tried not to let the shock register in her face. "Oh," she answered unintentionally. All Pansy's thoughts finally clicked and the anger began to boil in her veins. "So, what do these other girls have that I don't have?" Pansy could hardly wait to hear Draco's answer.

Draco shrugged and looked at Pansy without any remorse for what she was going through at the moment. "Feeling..." Draco said before getting ready to walk towards his dormitory.

Pansy, however, was not letting Malfoy leave so easily. Remembering a nonverbal spell she read about, Pansy thought Levicorpus, and Malfoy was hanging above the ground by his ankles.

Draco looked at Pansy's angry expression with sheer hatred. His wand had fallen to the ground, and he was defenseless against Pansy's wrath. The blood was beginning to rush to Malfoy's head, which is exactly what Pansy had hoped for.

"You say I have no feeling? Feel this." Pansy muttered the countercurse, Liberacorpus, and Draco fell to the ground in a sickening heap. "Goodbye, Malfoy," Pansy said before heading into her dormitory, the silent tears finally beginning to fall down her cheeks.

***

The next morning at breakfast, Pansy had gotten over what had happened with Draco, and she was beginning to formulate a plan of revenge; however, what Malfoy had said still ate away at her thoughts.

How can he say I have no feeling? Pansy stabbed at her breakfast with her fork. Maybe it's because I wouldn't dish out everything and beg for his love in return like those other girls were certainly doing. Pansy put her fork down in disgust.

Sure, Pansy and Draco had shared many moments of snogging, but going further than that made Malfoy's feelings for her seem much more one-sided. Pansy was not about to be used just for sex, which is why she never let Malfoy touch her chest or anywhere else inappropriate. As a matter of fact, no boy had gotten to second base with her and she was proud of that status. Pansy wanted to know for sure of a boys' feelings for her before she let any male into her territory.

Pansy picked up her bag and walked towards her N.E.W.T. level Transfiguration class, her thoughts still running with the revenge. Draco Malfoy was going to be a decent opponent, because he did not become jealous easily.

Jealous... The word hung in Pansy's mind as a plan began to unfold. She would make Draco jealous by going around with another boy. It had surely worked, when Malfoy pulled the same stunt on her. It's genius, Pansy thought, but she realized a problem immediately. Who was to be the other boy? Pansy had many boys from Hogwarts trailing after her, but she didn't give them the time of day. The Transfiguration classroom was approaching and Pansy decided to put the thought behind her for now.

A group of Hufflepuffs stood by the door talking about nothing important from what Pansy could tell. Hufflepuffs were known to be duffers, which made Pansy stay as far away from them that was humanly possible. Unfortunately, one of those boys that was constantly after her stood among the group, eyeing Pansy as she came closer.

Ernie Macmillan was one of those boys whose pompous attitude and stubborness made others beware of long conversations in his presence; Ernie had an opinion on everything. With his brown hair and brown eyes, he couldn't be any more similar to Pansy, whose chocolate colored eyes were the reason men swooned.

Pansy believed that her attitude was to be a challenge of some sort. If boys couldn't stand her, they would need to get over their ridiculous obsession with her. Not that she minded boys obsessing with her, but Ernie surprised her the most. Ernie always seemed to overlook her attitude.

"Hey, Pansy," Ernie said casually, stopping all conversation among the Hufflepuffs. Each turned to hear how Pansy would react, knowing Ernie was fighting a losing battle.

Pansy tried to glare at Ernie, but for some reason, glaring didn't seem like the right thing to do. Ernie was looking at her differently as though she was just a normal person, rather than his object of obsession. Perhaps he's finally given up. Perhaps his feelings aren't there anymore, Pansy thought. Then again, that would mean Ernie didn't find Pansy attractive anymore, which made her react in the strangest way Pansy ever thought possible.

Pansy lowered her head to hide her tinged cheeks as she muttered, "Shove off, Macmillan," before rushing into the Transfiguration room. Pansy took her normal seat and began to sift through her bag. As she thought of Ernie not liking her, the color tinged in her cheeks again.

What am I thinking? Pansy lowered her head as Ernie walked by and took the empty table in front of her. Throughout the lesson, Ernie turned around slightly to get a good look at Pansy's face, which she conveniently kept hidden behind her Transfiguration book. I can't possibly be upset that Macmillan doesn't find me attractive, can I?

Pansy turned to look at the rest of the students in the classroom as McGonagall droned on about diligence and concentration. Draco was sitting in the back of the room looking lazily out the window. Pansy's thoughts fell back to make Draco jealous. She started to wonder about her options of a male capable enough to grab Malfoy's attention.

Surely, a Gryffindor wouldn't help her out of this situation. Although Pansy did find some of them quite good looking, those boys would not touch any Slytherin, let alone her. She decided to make a mental note to keep the Gryffindors in mind, because tormenting Malfoy was a keen hobby of theirs.

Another Slytherin wouldn't do anything, because Malfoy wouldn't care what Pansy did with them. Besides, those Slytherin boys had only one thing on their mind anyway.

A Ravenclaw would be too smart for her. Even though Pansy did well in school, a Ravenclaw would be too much to handle.

The only sure choice would be a Hufflepuff. A boy from that house would make Draco Malfoy worse than jealous; he would be pissed that Pansy would stoop so low. Although Pansy detested the idea, she knew it was surefire.

There were three options from Hufflepuff, who might take Pansy up on her offer: Morag MacDougal, Justin Finch-Fletchley, and Ernie Macmilllan.

As soon as Pansy thought of Ernie's name, she ruled out her other options entirely. The plan would be perfect. Not only did Malfoy detest Hufflepuffs, he also detested Head Boys, which is exactly what Ernie Macmillan was. Quickly, Pansy pulled out a piece of parchment and wrote a note to Macmillan explaining the situation. By choosing Macmillan, Pansy would be able to kill two birds with one stone; find a way to make Draco Malfoy jealous and find out if Ernie Macmillan still found her attractive. Pansy shook her head to knock out that second thought for the time being.

Pansy tapped his shoulder lightly when Professor McGonagall's back was to the class. Macmillan turned and looked at her in surprise as Pansy handed him the note. Macmillan took five minutes to read the note, think of a reply, and write it out. When he was sure McGonagall wasn't looking, he turned to Pansy and gave her the reply. Pansy could see that he was trying to keep his expression blank.

Pansy had to wait until McGonagall's back was turned once again before she could read Ernie's reply, which she could barely make out from the boy's sloppy handwriting.

Pansy, I've decided to take your deal; get revenge on Malfoy, while spending time with you. Sounds great. We'll talk about this more after class. Ernie.

Pansy smirked despite having to spend all her time with Ernie Macmillan. Her plan was beginning to take its toll and eventually, Malfoy would come crawling back to her.

The bell rang and the students began to move to their next class. Pansy, whose next class was a free period, gathered her belongings slowly. All the Hufflepuffs except for Ernie made their way out. He shuffled over to Pansy, barely meeting her eyes.

"What class do you have next?" Ernie asked, not looking at her.

Pansy said, "I have a free period."

"Good," Ernie replied. "Me, too. I'll walk you down to the Great Hall and we can talk about your plan of revenge." He looked at Pansy's annoyed expression, but being the polite gentleman that he was, Ernie picked up her schoolbag and swung it over his shoulder.

As the two walked out of the Transfiguration classroom, Ernie slipped his arm around Pansy's waist, clearly enjoying himself. Pansy, who wasn't expecting this, flinched slightly. "I see you aren't wasting any time," Pansy observed before trying to wiggle out of his grip. "Don't you care what other people think?" Pansy gave him a hard stare.

"Nope, can't say that I do." Ernie slipped his arm around her waist again, but Pansy kept pulling away. Ernie shook his head and laughed. Suddenly serious, he turned to Pansy. "Do you want to make this believable or not?"

Pansy glared at Ernie, but moved closer for him to slip his arm around her waist. "I cannot wait until this is over," Pansy muttered; Macmillan was already taking advantage of his privileges.

Ernie laughed again to which Pansy couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Oh, come on, Pans, it won't be that bad," Ernie said seriously. "If you knew I was going to give you a hard time, why did you choose me to make Malfoy jealous? Who knows, you may fall in love with me by the end of this."

Pansy tried hard to stifle her high pitched laugh. She knew that answering his question would give Ernie the benefit of the doubt, so Pansy chose not to. "First, let's get something straight. The chances of me falling in love with you are slim and none. Second, nobody and I mean nobody calls me Pans." She chose to be strict, because Pansy didn't want Ernie to realize that maybe she did like him in a weird sort of way. At least Ernie had a sense of humor.

Inside the Great Hall sat only a few other students who chose to spend their free period here, rather than in their common room or the library. Pansy and Ernie sat down at the empty Hufflepuff table across from one another. The other students in the room paid them no mind.

"So, how are we going to make this believable, since you won't stay in my arms for very long?" Ernie's blunt questions kept hitting Pansy like a ton of bricks, which left her speechless. "I know I'm repulsive in your eyes, but I'm actually quite eligible among the Hufflepuff ladies."

Pansy snorted. "Oh sure, I've constantly heard them pledging their undying love to you in the girls bathroom," Pansy replied sarcastically. "Please, spare me the insanity." Ernie kept making this plan seem less fool proof with each passing minute.

Ernie shook his head. "Where are we going to meet?"

"Meet?" Pansy repeated. "What are you talking about?"

"Why, meet at night, when we're expected to be snogging," Ernie replied bluntly, a huge grin playing on his face.

The look on Pansy's face was priceless. Before she could stop herself, she gaped at Ernie, who knew at once his answer would get to her. Pansy answered, "Who said there was going to be snogging involved?"

"I don't think we should be in one of those utility closets. Filch would have our heads if he found us." Pansy sat there in shock, while Ernie continued on. "I believe the Astronomy Tower is our best bet. Meet me there at eight o'clock tonight."

With that final statement, he leaned across the table and gave Pansy a kiss on the cheek. Ernie ducked back as Pansy tried to reach out and smack him. "Eight o'clock," he reminded her before walking out of the Great Hall, leaving Pansy to consider her options of going to the Astronomy Tower or just calling off the whole thing, because Pansy certainly was not going to be snogging that pompous git.

***

Pansy headed out towards the Astronomy Tower at eight o'clock, making it known to Millicent where she was going. Pansy knew that by the time she came back, the whole of Slytherin house would know she had been out snogging; however, she had failed to mention Ernie's name.

Pansy reached the Astronomy Tower to find Ernie already sitting there. "You're late," he observed, looking at the clock tower in the distance.

"It's only two minutes past eight!" Pansy's eyes threw daggers at Macmillan. "Besides, the thought of snogging you slowed me down quite a bit."

Ernie chuckled. "Who said we were going to be snogging?"

Pansy stared. Clearly this boy was delusional. "Umm, you did in the Great Hall."

Ernie laughed. "No, I said when we're expected to be snogging," he informed Pansy, whose expression was blank. He pulled The Daily Prophet out from behind his back. "Crossword?"

Pansy sat down next to him and said, "If it passes time quickly." Ernie laughed and Pansy shook her head to clear her mind. All this sudden information was giving her a headache.

Truth be told, Pansy was thoroughly surprised Ernie didn't want to snog her senseless. Almost every boy in seventh year would have given anything to be where Ernie was right now. He spent two hours on the crossword with Pansy until it was finished.

"If you don't mind my asking, why did Malfoy cheat on you?" Ernie asked delicately.

Pansy had failed to mention this in her explanation. She stood up and walked to the end of the Astronomy Tower before replying. "Not that it's any of your business, but he says I have no feeling," Pansy answered weakly.

Ernie stood up and walked over towards her. "If it makes you feel any better, I can tell you have feeling." He rested his hand on Pansy's shoulder, but dropped it immediately in case Pansy became angry.

To Ernie's surprise, Pansy smiled. Pansy didn't know what to say. Ernie was funny, supportive, and everything Pansy could ask for in a boy. The only thing stopping her was the color of his robes.

I am being stupid, Pansy thought. "You know what surprised me?" Pansy asked, hoping to get a reaction out of Ernie. "The fact that you didn't want to snog me tonight."

Ernie shook his head. "I never said I didn't."

Pansy's eyes went wide. "Oh..." Crap, he is like every other boy.

"There is no doubt I want to snog you," Ernie said, not looking at her. "However, I am waiting for you to give me permission before I do."

Pansy couldn't help but stare at Ernie. Ernie clearly wasn't like the other boys after her. "Why haven't you asked for permission?" Pansy expected the answer to pertain something with her attitude.

"For fear of you not wanting to snog me," Ernie admitted. "I can only admire you from afar, unless you let me in closer."

Pansy stared into his brown eyes. Ernie seemed to be telling the truth. Pansy began to wonder if maybe she could break the code of Slytherins just this once. The code of Slytherins, being dating no one outside of Slytherin House. Honestly, it shouldn't really matter, Pansy thought. After all, Ernie is a pureblood. "Well," Pansy replied slowly. "What if I give you my permission?"

Ernie moved slightly closer. Pansy could feel the heat of his body as it stood so close to hers. Ernie lifted her chin slightly and brought Pansy's lips to his own. Pansy couldn't believe how amazing the kiss felt. Ernie's hands were on her neck, making her melt and want more. She slipped her tongue into Ernie's mouth, where each explored the depths of their feelings. Pansy's hands were in Ernie's hair, creating small circles at the nape of his neck. Ernie's hands moved from Pansy's neck down to her shoulders. Here, he paused and broke the kiss.

"If you don't want me to go any further, I won't," Ernie advised.

Pansy stood there in shock, still swooning from the affects of Ernie's kiss. She began to ponder her options quickly. Accepting Malfoy back didn't seem that important anymore. Ernie obviously cared about her enough to ask for permission to snog Pansy and go further. "You do realize that once we do this, there is no going back," Pansy answered quietly.

Ernie put his arms around Pansy's waist. "Pansy, I've loved you for a long time, and I am willing to take that risk. We can get through it together." Ernie leaned in and kissed her forehead.

The clock tower struck eleven in the distance. If Pansy didn't leave soon, she knew the overwhelming decision would eat at her while Ernie stood there. "I have to go," Pansy said and lowered her eyes at Ernie's sad expression. "Can I meet you here tomorrow night with my decision? You are asking a great deal and I need time to think about it." Pansy couldn't help feeling sorry for Ernie about leaving him for the night, waiting for her big decision. Pansy knew he would stress over it, which is the last thing she needed to know.

Pansy made her way quickly to the Slytherin common room. In order to get out of a detention, once or twice she had to hide in the shadows from a passing teacher. Once she gave the password, Pansy knew she was safe.

Heading towards her dormitory, someone grabbed Pansy's shoulder and yanked her around. Pansy squealed in pain as she came face to face with Draco Malfoy, who waited up for her. Pansy smirked, because she knew her plan had worked.

"Where have you been?" Draco asked angrily, tightening his grip on Pansy's shoulder to make sure she wouldn't leave.

Pansy wrenched his hand off her shoulder. "Why do you care? I'm not your girl anymore."

"Millicent said you were out snogging," Draco said passively. "I want you back, Pans. My life isn't the same without you."

Pansy flinched as Draco called her Pans. She was faced with making another decision, but Pansy already knew how to handle this one. Pansy answered icily, "Yes, I was out snogging and that boy knows how to treat me better than you ever could. I'm sorry, Malfoy, but the answer is no." Pansy started to walk towards the dormitory, but Malfoy called out his last statement.

"Who is this boy?"

Pansy thought for a second. Ernie was safely in his dorm where Malfoy couldn't reach him. She felt it was safe to tell the truth. Pansy knew Ernie cared for her deeply, which was more than Malfoy could ever give. Hopefully, Ernie would accept her tomorrow night.

"Ernie Macmillan," Pansy said proudly before heading into her dormitory. "Goodnight, Malfoy."