I couldn’t help the scoff that slipped out.

“I am not friends with Parkinson,” I said matter-of-factly, shooting Ron a glare as we walked down the steps from Potions. “I just… have the decency not to hold a grudge.”

It’s true—I’ve never been friendly with Pansy. I’m almost certain of that. Just because she isn’t as snarky or insufferable as she used to be, and because our… banter has become a little more light-hearted, doesn’t mean anything. Right?

But the more I think about it, the more I realise how much she’s changed. Where did all the ‘mudblood’ comments go? The snide little digs she used to throw like clockwork? Now when Draco and his followers come over to hassle us, she just half-watches from the edge, saying nothing. She doesn’t even try to get a jab in.

And today—well, she made me laugh. A real laugh, however small. Snape was begrudgingly ordered to pair each Slytherin with a Gryffindor, and Pansy called me over. I was surprised. Weirdly… pleasantly surprised. We didn’t talk much while we worked, but one of her remarks caught me off guard, and I laughed before I could stop myself. People noticed. I noticed.

I can’t deny how often I look for her now—instinctively scanning her group just to find her face. I’m fairly sure she’s caught me once or twice. Or maybe… maybe she’s been looking for me too.

But she’s still Pansy Parkinson. And I’m not ready to say how I feel about her. Honestly? I don’t have the faintest idea. She’s still that pure-blooded bully… even if that part of her seems to be softening.

—

The library is unusually quiet for a Saturday. Papers drift above the shelves, brooms sweep lazily on their own, and only a handful of students are scattered about. Ron always groans, “Why would you study on a day off?” But to me, afternoons like this are perfect.

“Granger?”

The sound of my name jolts me out of my focus. My quill nearly digs through the parchment. There’s only one person who says it like that, and I turn in my seat to confirm my suspicion.

“Oh.”

I blink at her—confused, sceptical—and glance around, feeling even more off-balance when I realise she’s alone.

“What are you doing here?”