Pansy Parkinson was not at all excited to start her last year of school. After being told that the year before would not be counted for credit because little besides dark magic had been taught, she had made the decision to finish her education so that her dream of becoming an alchemist could be realized. Unfortunately, that meant dealing with everyone who saw her as a traitor and a death eater because she had the gall to be a Slytherin. It would be far worse now, she knew. Especially after her terrified outburst about giving Potter over to the Dark Lord near the end of term. It seemed impossible that a group of a few hundred students could defeat one of the greatest wizards of all time, not to mention his army, and handing over one man, in her mind, would have been worth the sacrifice if it meant the rest of the students could live. If it meant she could live. Pansy was honestly surprised that no one else had spoken up out of self preservation. Was martyrdom a common trait these days? She sighed and sunk back into the cushioned train seats. The door to her compartment opened, and Draco Malfoy took a seat across from her.

"Parkinson," he said neutrally. He looked so much older than he had a year ago. His gray eyes were tired, and his once gleaming blonde hair looked limp, even though it was combed back into its usual neat style.

"Draco," she returned. "I didn't know you'd be coming back this year."

"Well, you know. Even a Death Eater needs to have a complete education in this day and age. One must be prepared for more than just the destruction of muggles." His tone was bitter. She wondered if he was upset at the death of the Dark Lord. He had served faithfully at You Know Who's side for two years after all.

"Is Goyle coming back this year?"

"No. Goyle is too thick to want to do anything as dull as another year of school," Draco said, the ghost of his former smirk bright on his face.

Through the glass door of the compartment, Pansy saw Granger and the Weasley girl approaching. Granger's eyes were bright as she discussed who knows what with her companion. Pansy met her eyes for a moment, and could have sworn Granger gave her a small smile and a nod.

She stared hungrily at the brunette's retreating back. How could a mudblood be so beautiful? Granger had a small sway to her hips as she walked, and her long bushy hair bounced and wove through the air as if by its own accord.

"Still harboring a crush on Granger?" Draco teased, that almost-smirk on his face again. He was one of the only ones who knew her secret. They had dated for a while during fifth year. Pansy was drawn to him because of his status and his looks. They were a good match, as two attractive purebloods. Her parents would be so proud. It seemed like she could make things work with him for a while, if she pushed the intrusive thoughts of women out of her brain. She didn't love snogging him but she learned to tolerate it. They had even slept together, for months and she didn't mind it. Sometimes she had enjoyed it, even, but there was something in the back of her mind that was deeply unsatisfied. She noticed every girl around her: the way they moved, the way their breasts shook when they breathed, their smell. Pansy had convinced Draco to bring another woman into the bedroom for a night, thinking that if a man was there as well, it would be alright for her to indulge in her secret shame. Of course after that night, it was very obvious to both her and Draco that she couldn't go on dating him. She had been surprised at how accepting Draco was at her decision. He wasn't the most tolerant of men in general. She suspected that he had his own secrets, and it was easier for him to deal with hers.

"Granger isn't that bad anymore," Draco continued, "Straight as hell, of course. But the war is over. Who knows? Maybe Slytherins and Gryffindors don't have to hate each other as much as they used to. They didn't always, you know. My father said that before Voldemort came to power, many purebloods were in Gryffindor." Pansy flinched a little at the mention of "Voldemort." It wasn't like Draco to call him that.

"She's a mudblood, and it's disgusting that I even find her attractive," Pansy snapped back at him.

"Whatever happened to Ari?" Draco asked. He seemed determined to steer the conversation towards her love life and away from topics like going back to school, and those who would not be returning.

"Ari and I were just fucking," Pansy returned. "When she transferred to Beauxbaton, we stopped fucking and thus stopped talking." That wasn't entirely true, of course. Pansy had loved the younger Slytherin with a passion that she had never felt before. Touching her had sent shocks of electricity up her arms. Falling asleep on her chest had made her feel more safe than she had ever felt before. But Ari transferred at the beginning of the war. And she met someone else at school, someone who cared less about blood status, less about concealing things which were shameful. She shattered Pansy's heart in 136 words.

"I see." Draco turned away, and pulled out a book. They spent the rest of the train ride in a comfortable silence. When they arrived, Pansy pulled her large trunks to her side, and headed towards the carriages. The thestrals pulling the carriages looked smaller than usual, as if they too had felt the effects of the war and shriveled up. Draco had gone off to join other friends, and Pansy was alone.

"Hello! Mind if I join you?" Pansy startled, and looked over towards the voice. Luna Lovegood stared up at her, a friendly smile on her face. "This is my favorite thestral. I cured him of a bad case of intremites a few years back."

"Alright," Pansy said, hesitantly."What's an intremite?" Luna clambered up and sat right next to her.

"You know! A creature that flutters around your eyes and makes them water so they can feast off your tears," Luna explained. The Ravenclaw was so strange. Her long blonde hair hung in a tangled mess down to her waist. Her radish earrings shimmered in the lanternlight.

"I do hope there aren't many at Hogwarts this year. I don't like giving anyone the satisfaction of my tears. You're Pansy Parkinson. Your family was involved in some very bad things during the war," she stated, matter of factly.

"Yes I am. Many of my family chose the wrong side of the war and paid the price. Most of them are in Azkaban or dead." Pansy herself had never made any agreements with the Dark Lord. But neither had she helped the resistance. She had chosen the true Slytherin path of waiting to see who would be the most powerful, then act as if she supported them the whole time. And she hated herself for it.

"I lost friends in the war too. I'm sorry about your family," Luna said, reaching out to squeeze Pansy's hand. She drew her hand back in surprise, gazing at the extraordinary girl beside her.

"Thank you, Looney-err, Luna." She was surprisingly touched by the Ravenclaw's words.

"We are going to be friends," Luna said decisively, not giving Pansy a choice in the matter. Although she found she didn't mind.