e i g h t

"You were right, Maeve." Professor Flitwick said appreciatively, looking between her and Pansy. "Pansy, I must say you have an angelic voice. If you wanted, I would even let you join the choir next year."

Pansy smiled somewhat forcefully. "Thank you, professor. I'll think about it."

"Well, you both better be off to your houses now, it's almost lights out." he reminded, hurrying them out before leaving the classroom himself.

"That was weird." Maeve laughed. Pansy replied by not saying a word and the only sound that came through the hallways as they made their way to the Dungeon was the sound of Croyle's inconsistent croaks. "Pansy?" Maeve tried, only to be ignored once again. "Is this about earlier today? I thought about it and – well, I'd like it very much if you helped me figure out the Second Task." she said sincerely, before stopping in front of the Slytherin and grabbed her hand.

Pansy raised a brow. "What?"

"Well, we both have such a contrast of things we're knowledgeable about and I think together we could finally figure it out." Maeve smiled. "So will you help me?"

Pansy looked at Maeve before sighing. "Of course I will Prissy."

Maeve squealed and hugged her. "That's great! Well, the weekend starts tomorrow so I want you in the library by six in the morning. You're going to have to work with me here, Pans. Goodnight!" she waved before diverting to the path that led to the kitchens.

Pansy smiled softly as she looked at her frog. "You hear that Croyle? She called me Pans."

_____

"Okay." Maeve said decidedly, sitting down on the grass next to Pansy. "I've gathered up all kinds of books about the previous Triwizard Tournaments. There's got to be something about a Golden Egg in these, right?" she said, panicking slightly, probably because she was under a lot of pressure, what with Cedric's life in her hands and all.

Pansy chuckled to herself, watching Maeve. She was dressed in a grey sweater and had her yellow scarf wrapped snugly around her neck, her now short hair resting just above it as the girl in the beanie tried to warm her hands up and her nose glowed pink due to the cold temperature. Pansy thought she looked perfectly cute.

That's when Maeve looked up at Pansy and blushed even deeper. "How are you not freezing right now? I just want to go back under the covers and sleep at this point." she looked in awe at the girl who just sat across her in a black jumper that was tucked into her black skirt. She had noticed over the months that Pansy loved wearing black; and that it suited her quite well.

"Ah, Prissy. Honestly, I can't imagine why you're feeling cold right now. It's not even snowing." Pansy snorted.

"I can't control my body, okay?" Maeve muttered, reading through the covers of the books as she handed them to Pansy.

"Aww, how cute." Pans teased.

"Yeah, yeah." Maeve shot back. "As if you offering to help me wasn't cute. Thanks by the way." she added.

"Sure." Pansy grinned, her heart warming at Maeve's words. And then both of them fell into a comfortable silence for the next few hours.

One by one, they patiently went through the books. Maeve was almost halfway through her third book when they heard squealing. Both the Slytherin and Hufflepuff looked up in annoyance.

"Of course," Pansy huffed. "Of course Viktor fucking Krum has to choose to come here for his jog."

"Language." Maeve glared. "You can't blame him. He needs to train as well."

"Yes, but does he need to be so public about it?" Pansy groaned clasping her hands over her ears. "Look at them running after him as if he was the last Chocolate Frog on the planet. And the squeals – oh Merlin, even mermaids couldn't match that pitch." she scowled, watching as the boy ran past them his fangirls following not far behind.

Maeve cracked a smile at the girl's words but then stopped abruptly before pulling at her hair and widening her eyes at Pansy. The latter, a little terrified about the current look on Maeve's face, uncovered her ears. "Prissy? You okay?"

"Pansy." Maeve's eyes lit up and her lips spread into a horrifyingly wide grin. "You're a genius!" she got up and hugged the confused and slightly scared Slytherin. "Oh my, I've got to tell Cedric right away! Thank you so much!" she hurriedly kissed Pansy on the cheek before standing up. It was clear to almost anyone that Maeve had adrenaline pumping through her veins. "I'll tell you everything at lunch, I promise. I just – I've got to go!" she yelled, running for the castle like a crazy woman.

Pansy, spellbound, watched as the Hufflepuff overtook a very surprised Viktor Krum, yelling "I've got it! I've got it!" Her fingers lightly lingered above the spot on her cheek where Maeve had kissed her – an involuntary smile making its way across her lips. And that was the moment Pansy Parkinson knew, that she was awfully close to falling head over heels for Maeve Kingston.

_____

"Cedric, Cedric!" Maeve called, just as she saw him leave the Great Hall. "I've got it! Well, Pansy did but yea we figured it out!"

Cedric stopped her as she neared him; confused and slightly distracted. "May? Calm down. What are you talking about?"

Maeve looked around before pulling him into an abandoned corridor. "The Golden Egg. I found out how you can figure out how to find the clue."

That took the boy by surprise as he raised a brow. "Which is...?"

"Well, Pansy and I spent most of the morning reading through books on the previous Triwizard Tournament, and then Viktor Krum came for his daily jog by the lake with his fans and then Pansy remarked that they were shrieking like mermaids. You remember that book on water creatures your mum bought me for my birthday when I was eleven? Well, it said somewhere that when mermaids try to sing above water, they sound horrible, but underwater, their voices are melodious. And that got me thinking; when we opened the Golden Egg, it sounded like horrid shrieking. So what if you're supposed to put it underwater? I'm sure that's how you'll figure it out." her eyes glowed as she spoke. "Preferably warm water, mermaids prefer to live there rather than cold trenches."

Cedric gave her a small smile. "Thanks, Maeve. You're quite the sleuth."

Maeve beamed before she observed his actions and her shoulders slumped. "Wait a second, you don't sound as excited as you ought to be. Ced, what's going on?"

"Nothing!" the boy blushed. "It's just that – well, I was in the Great Hall right now and Professor Moody told me how the egg worked." he gulped. "Still, thank you so much." he said genuinely.

Maeve was in a word; confused. "Wh- Why would a professor tell you how to solve the clue? Isn't that against the rules or something?" she frowned.

"I don't know why..." Cedric trailed off, quite clueless.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Maeve punched his shoulder. "Go and figure out the clue you idiot." she glared.

Cedric, surprised by her behaviour just nodded and walked away.

_____

"Honestly, Micheal, I'm flattered." Maeve smiled nervously at the boy, her Hufflepuff friends surrounding her on the Hufflepuff table, "But I don't fancy you... and I don't think I ever will." she gave him a sad smile.

She cringed as she saw the hurt in the Ravenclaw's eyes. "Of course." he gulped. "What was I thinking?"

"I'm really sorry." she tried, watching him turn around. "I'm sure you'll find someone else!"

Micheal Corner didn't give her a response as he walked out of the Great Hall – his head hung low.

"Blimey, May." Zach noted. "That's the fourth boy you've rejected so far." The first had been a Gryffindor from the year above, and Maeve hardly knew him, so it was easier to refuse. The second was one of Cedric's classmates, and although they talked frequently, Maeve wasn't sure spending an entire evening together was the best idea. As for the third one, it had been Dean Thomas from her own year. And although he was quite the looker, and had a great personality she felt no form of attraction for boys whatsoever. Out of the whole lot, Micheal had been the hardest to reject. Ever since last year, he had been dropping subtle hints, which Megan and Zach were quick to pick up on, but Maeve chose to ignore them until that moment.

"You say that as if she enjoys it." Susan scoffed before folding her hands and looking directly ahead at Maeve. "But I am curious, May. Is there someone special you're waiting to ask you? Girls have been literally scrambling over each other to find a date."

"Well..." Maeve breathed. "Let's put it this way. I don't particularly like any boys in our school." It wasn't a lie. Instead of telling them she didn't like boys at all, she told them the half-truth. Which was just fine with her.

"You can't possibly want to go alone to a dance." Elizabeth laughed. "Honestly, you've got to decide soon."

"You can join us." Zach tried, gesturing between him and Susan. "We're going as friends, but you're welcome to join."

Maeve stopped her spoon from entering her mouth midway. She had spent countless sleepless nights, listening to Susan go on and on about Zach. She would eat a Cockroach Cluster rather than spoil her friend's 'date'.

So, Maeve just gave him a polite smile. "I couldn't possibly. Besides, I'm sure I'll find someone in the next three weeks. Thanks though." then she turned to Elizabeth, desperate to change the topic before Zach could protest. "Who's your date, Lizzie?"

The Hufflepuff blushed bright red. "I, um – haven't asked the person I want yet."

"Oh? And who's that?" Cedric smirked slipping into the seat next to her. He seemed as if he was on top of the world as he filled his plate with all kinds of food, a silly smile on his face.

"Oh, shut up." the prefect rolled her eyes, punching his shoulder. "You're one to talk. You haven't even asked Cho yet."

"Actually..." he turned and took a bite of his bread. "I did. And she said yes."

Maeve's jaw dropped. Cedric had hardly asked her out on a date before. They frequently met up in the library but that was it. She was somewhat impressed by the news. "That's great, Ced! Finally, honestly, I was scared Harry would've asked her first."

Cedric just smiled, looking past Zach's shoulder where Cho and her clique all stared at him – a few giggling. "Say, May, who're you going with?"

"Oh not this again," Maeve groaned, putting her head down on the table.

"Wait... I just realized who you actually want to go with..." Susan trailed off and Maeve's head shot up, alarmed.

"What? Who?" she gulped, snatching a glance at Elizabeth who was looking at Susan inquisitively.

"It's Francis, isn't it?" her friend chuckled and Maeve heaved a silent sigh of relief.

"No." Maeve denied, wanting desperately to get out of there. "Well, we better get going if we don't want to be late for choir practice. Let's go Susan."

Susan nodded standing up as well. Wishing the rest of their group goodbye, they set off for the Charms Classroom. "Thanks, May."

Maeve flashed her a confused glance. "What for?"

"I um- I know you refused to come with Zachary and me because I fancy him. So, thanks."

"Oh, that?" Maeve laughed. "That was nothing. I know how much you like him." she smiled as the pair entered the Charms Classroom. They separated and Maeve took her place next to Pansy.

"Hello."

"Hey." Pansy gave her a small smile. Croyle croaked her a greeting as well. "Heard you rejected Corner during dinner. Rumours tell me that's the fourth boy you've cast aside." she smirked.

"Since when do you listen to rumours?" Maeve scoffed. "They're not always true. But in this particular case... they are. Besides, you know why I don't want to go with any boy."

"Right..." Pansy nodded, her face dropping a little as she grew silent.

Before Maeve could ask her why, Professor Flitwick waltzed into the room and started with warm-up vocal exercises.

After a particularly gruelling hour and half later – since the Fat Friar's birthday was growing rather near – the students were finally allowed to leave. Susan, saying that she had to return her toad to Millicent Bulstrode quickly walked out, leaving Maeve with Pansy.

"So, have you found a date yet?" Maeve asked as the strolled through the corridors that led to the Dungeons.

"Draco." was all Pansy said.

"Of course." Maeve bit her lip. "I think I just might end up going alone too."

"No you won't. Your friends would never let you." Pansy scoffed.

"Well, Zach did offer, but I didn't want to third-wheel him and Susan." Maeve shrugged.

Pansy nodded as they walked on in silence. Maeve was afraid that she would say nothing until they were about to go their separate paths.

"Can you make me one of your sandwiches?" Pansy asked suddenly, making Maeve jolt. "I don't know why, but I'm hungry. And our sandwiches are brilliant."

"Of course." Maeve grinned, opening the door to the Kitchens, "Come on."

Ten minutes later, they were both sitting on one of the tables, eating their meal.

"You don't actually want to go with Draco, do you?" Maeve asked nervously, nibbling on a corner of her sandwich.

Pansy waited a moment before shaking her head no. "But of course, mother and father would have my head if I didn't go with him."

Maeve nodded silently. "I um- I'm sorry. Let's talk about something else. Do you have any siblings?"

"One." Pansy quipped. "His name is Ranuculus. I also had an older sister, his twin. Her name was Violet. She died when she was four."

Maeve froze, not expecting the topic to be such a dreary one as she cursed herself. "Do you miss her?"

"I never knew her." Pansy shrugged.

"What house was your brother in?"

"He went to Durmstrang."

"Why not Hogwarts?"

"My parents thought he would do well in Durmstrang. And he did." she said solemnly, clearly not wanting to touch upon the subject.

Maeve scrambled her head for another topic. "Do you like pansies?"

"What?" the question caught Pansy by surprise because it was such a sudden change of topic.

"The flower you were named after. Are they your favourite."

"Oh no." Pansy laughed, shaking her head. "My childhood bedroom was adorned with the flower; even the brass knobs on my night table were moulded into their shape. The plain green curtains and simple woodwork in my dorm suits my fancy very much."

Maeve cracked a smile, feeling good that she had made Pans laugh when the door to the kitchens opened and Maeve froze she saw who had entered.

"Theodore?" she hissed, quite surprised. If it had been one of the professors, all hopes of Maeve keeping her spot in the frog choir would have flown out of the glass-stained window. "What are you doing here?"

"How many times must we go over this, May? It's Theo." he rolled his eyes. "As for your second question, Pansy told me you make awesome after-dinner sandwiches. And I'm starving." he grinned rubbing his belly before joining her and Pansy.

Maeve scoffed at his response but set to work on another sandwich. "I don't call you Theo because Theodore is a beautiful name. It should be appreciated."

"Either I've swallowed another one of those pills Blaise gave me, or I'm dead. No one would say something that soppy. Honestly, Maeve." he took the completed snack for her hands. 

"Hey!" Maeve frowned, but before she could say anything further, the boy continued.

"So, what were you talking about before I arrived? Come on, give me the juicy details." he gave the girl next to him a teasing glance before Pansy slapped the side of his head. 

"Nothing, you git."

"I can't believe I tell people you're nice. You're really not." he pouted, rubbing the spot. "Which is why I'm going to talk to Maeve. She's nice." he said childishly.

"Fuck if I care." Pansy snorted.

"So, Maeve." Theodore said, giving Pansy a glare, "Who're you taking to the Yule Ball?"

The Hufflepuff groaned, making her head fall back as Pansy burst out laughing.

"What?" he asked, confused.

"No one." Maeve decided. "I am going to go to the dance alone." she stated firmly. 

"Are you sure about that? I've heard rumours that there's a ton of people wanting to ask you in the coming week." Theodore responded. 

"Yes, Theodore, I'm sure." Maeve snapped. 

"Hey, here's an idea." he said, his head perking up. "Why don't you go with me?"

"Come again?" Maeve asked, thinking she'd heard him wrong. 

"I mean, Pansy's going with Dracie-poo, and Blaise and Daphne are going together. That leaves us - the only two people in our circle that don't have a date. We'll go as friends, of course." he clarified.

"Since when did I become a part of your 'circle'?" Maeve asked with a sly smile. 

"Maeve Kingston." Theodore gasped, feigning hurt. "Are you saying you don't consider us to be friends?"

"Of course I'll go with you Theodore." Maeve chuckled, shoving him slightly. "Besides, it'll probably scare other suitors off, knowing that I'm going with an intimidating Slytherin. Plus, it will be fun."

"I'll make sure it'll be the best night ever." he nodded; determined - before a distraught yawn escaped Maeve's mouth.

"You should go to bed. You look sleepy." Pansy grinned.

"No I don't!" Maeve said defensively. "I'm as awake as an owl at night." she said firmly, just as another yawn was about to escape her lips.

Pansy shook her head before ruffling the girl's brown head and standing up. "Yes you are. You better go to bed now. I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight, Maeve."

"I have to agree with her on this." Theodore sighed. "Bye, May."

"Goodnight, Pans. Goodnight, Theodore" Maeve said grudgingly, still not wanting to part ways with Pansy. 

"Oh so she gets a nickname and I don't? Wow, Kingston." Theodore shouted, completely offended before Pansy shoved him out of the kitchens. Then she turned around and sent Maeve a small wave, which the girl reciprocated.

She watched as Pansy slipped through the kitchen doors and disappeared from sight.

Maeve sighed softly, tapping the barrel with her wand as the entrance to Hufflepuff House opened. Regardless, Pansy was right, she felt as if she could drop out cold any moment.

That was, until she saw Elizabeth sitting by the fireplace.

"Lizzie? What're you still doing up?" Maeve yawned, sitting down next to her.

"Waiting for you." the prefect replied casually. The only sound in the empty common room was that of crickets and frogs outside the windows. "Plus, I had some Transfiguration work to complete." she held up a piece of parchment.

"Well why were you waiting for me?" Maeve asked curiously.

"Uh... well I was wondering, if you don't want to go with any of the boys at Hogwarts, you could go with me? As friends, of course." Elizabeth added hurriedly.

If Maeve had thought she could fall asleep before, it was not at all the case in that moment. A hundred thoughts ran through her head. And even though Elizabeth had said 'as friends', the thought of spending the evening with her filled the girl with joy. But then she remembered the last ten minutes of her life. "That sounds wonderful, Lizzie. But Theodore and I already agreed to go as friends. I can't ditch him."

"You are?" an amused Elizabeth asked. "But just during dinner, you said you weren't going with anyone."

"I know. We sort of decided after choir practice." she gave the girl a pout of guilt.

"Oh..." Elizabeth's expression faltered before she looked at Maeve - again, with a smile. "Then I guess you'll just have to save quite a few dances for me."

"Sure, I would love that." Maeve grinned widely. "I have to get to bed now, but we'll talk more at breakfast tomorrow." she said cheerfully, standing up and wishing the girl a good night. 

That night, Maeve slept peacefully, blissfully ignoring the slight guilty feeling in her heart for one sole reason – she had no idea why it was there. All she knew, was that in a week, she was going to spend half of the night dancing with Elizabeth Gillies.

Word Count: 3385