selenewriting

[selenewriting]

"I don't want us to have secrets."

From the Archive:

Originally a Prompt Response to @panvilleprompts

Posted on: 11 June 2022

Pansy knew right away that something was going on behind her back.

She had a feeling things were off when Neville asked her if they could reschedule their next Potions tutoring date after walking her back to the Slytherin dungeons.

Oddly enough, she thought nothing of it. People reschedule when things come up, that's normal. But when they were partnered for Charms class, Pansy turned towards him (as she's done all year) and found that he had partnered himself with Nott instead.

The feeling of rejection came full force. In the entire time they've worked together, he had never really avoided her so obviously as he was right now. So, Pansy resolved that if he avoided in Herbology, she would confront him, ask him what had changed between them.

During Advanced Herbology - a double lessons block - Neville was so busy assisting Professor Sprout that Pansy never got to flag him down to talk to him, something she had always been able to do.

'How frustrating,' she muttered as she walked over to the lake.

She swore she wouldn't let herself cry, but the tears came hard and fast until the sun set. She thought they were something once they'd kissed. 

The walk back to the castle was bitter. The evening chill set in so quickly, but Pansy couldn't be bothered to cast a warming charm.

The courtyard was empty by the time she arrived, probably since everyone would be in the dining hall.

She was so wrapped in her thoughts that she didn't notice the Neville pop out from the shadows.

"Pansy!"

It was his voice. She wiped her tears away with her robes and turned to face him.

"I've been looking for you everywhere! Where were you?" he asked, short of breath.

Pansy promised she wouldn't cry, so she but her lip and bade words to come. Her throat continued to tighten and she finally uttered, "Here and there, just taking a walk."

Neville placed his hands on her shoulders and asked her to close her eyes, "I've prepared something for you, I've been looking for you since sundown, but this might be better. You won't believe the grief Headmaster McGonagall gave me, but you're here!"

He turned her around, the warmth of his body against her back, his hands placed over her eyes.

With a whispered lumos, a wash of light flooded the space between his fingers and her closed lids.

"Alright now, open your eyes."

It took her a moment before her eyes adjusted to the overwhelming brightness and beauty of the courtyard. Neville had decorated the entire area with floating yellow and purple lights shaped as pansies. Dozens of stephanotis floribunda flowers danced on invisible currents, their delicate scent wafting with the breeze.

And to top it off, a tiny house elf (dressed like an American cowboy) stood beside a small bistro table decorated with more flowers, glasses, and an overflowing tower of petit four.

Speechless, she was rendered speechless. "Nev," she began, not really sure what to say from here.

"Do you like it? I've spent the last two weeks planning for this. I'm sorry I had to reschedule on you, I had to ask McGonagall for permission and the night I rescheduled with you was the only night she was available to meet me. And I'm sorry I haven't been able to work with you in Charms, Nott helped me with the flowers and charms. I wanted to catch you today during Herbology, but you disappeared before you could see Seamus get bitten by the fanged geraniums. A fiasco, really. "

"What's all this for though? I thought-we were breaking up!"

"Wha- What's all this? Silly witch, it's our one year anniversary!"

Oh Merlin, that made so much sense. "I thought you were bored of me and started to avoid me because of it and I thought you were going to break up with me for someone else!"

Pansy started to cry in earnest and Neville pulled her in close to give her a kiss on the head, "No, silly witch, I wanted to surprise you, but I think I made you feel badly. I'm sorry, love. I want you to know I'd rather be obliviated than live a life without your love."

She sniffled once more, "So, no secrets?"

He kissed her again, "None, I don't want us to have secrets."

And they had none between them until he pulled out a ring three years later and she waited to let him know she was with child two years after that.

[selenewriting]

Stained glass is not talked about enough

[selenewriting]

fuck what will i do without panville prompts on twitter?? that's the only time i ever wrote anything i'm gonna miss twt so much

[selenewriting]

*taps mic*

Hey, I used to do this a lot more often, especially when this site was first started in the way back whens.

Now, I have no idea what's going on. I feel like I walked out of my reality and into one where everything is two inches to the right and half an inch forward. Like it's all familiar, and yet...

Anyway, I hope to do something about all those damned ficlets I've ever posted and put them onto AO3 and here.

I'm glad we all want to stay in each other's lives. I love the friendships I've made on Twitter

[selenewriting]

Happy Halloween to them three 🎃

Full on my Patreon

[selenewriting]

Happy Wibbit Wednesday! Ollie and me are sick today, don’t worry we’ll feel better soon 🥺