pinky parkinson

“House colors, of course!” Flo said, delighted that Pinky was just as excited as she was about the dance team. “Dumbledore said it would be a great way to - ” Flo paused as she tried to recall the headmaster’s exact words. “Promote inter-house unity and uplift spirits across the school.” She nodded her head, sighing contently. “That’s what I was thinking - but I also have to share a secret with you.”

Pinky nodded. House colors were to be expected, but she’d hoped for something with a better color scheme. Ah well, one could not have everything they wanted, and expecting that was the root of most bad feelings. “Inter-house unity would be a good thing.” She said decisively. If only everyone was more like her. The world would be a much better place.

She raised an eyebrow, curious. Then, she turned around and made sure no one was standing behind her, before facing Flo in interest. “A secret? Well, alright. What’s going on?”

“Then again, I don’t think anything, or anyone could ever have anything on you,” He knew he shouldn’t think that way, but maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad thing to not graduate. It meant he could spend another year with Pinky. But in his heart, he knew that the thought of being at Hogwarts without his brother to share the memories with, it didn’t feel right. “Mum sent a nice quilt with the Christmas presents. I’ll bring all the goods, you don’t have to worry about anything at all. Though I guess, if we’re nicking some pastries from the kitchens, it would be fun to play — what’s the name again? That one Muggle couple, Billie and Charles? No, wait… Bonnie and Clyde!”

She laughed, leaning towards him with the quill outstretched for him to have. “Flattery will get you everywhere, sweet boy.” Pleased with the turn that her afternoon was taking, she leaned back in her seat and crossed her legs, still smiling at Gideon. It sounded nice, pastries and quilts and his hands touching her. It was always simple with Gideon. There was no guessing, or hard work needed to make him like her. He just did. 

“I’ve never met any muggles before.” She said simply. “And I definitely have never met a Bonnie or a Clyde.”

It all began once she finished her first drink.

She drank it rather quickly, gulping down top to bottom until only an empty glass was in her hand. It was a party, after all, and she loved the person she turned into after a few drinks. It wouldn’t hurt to speed the process up. She was pouring her second when a peculiar feeling came over her. She saw a spot of red hair in the distance, just over the head of a pair of boys snogging in between other couples dancing. Hmm, she mused, that reminds me of Fabian. She smiled, moving in that direction, thinking it would be very nice to see Fabian, to dance with him. It would be like dancing with Gideon, only someone more intelligent, more thoughtful. 

When she thought about it that way, Fabian was actually quite the catch. What did she ever seen in his brother? Something like excitement tittered in her chest as she followed her target. When she stepped from the crowd and saw that it was not Fabian, her heart sunk in her chest. No, no, that wouldn’t do. She pushed back through the dancers, taking a sip of her drink, and then spilling a little on the girl next to her. With hardly a look or an apology, she continued on, until finally, there he was. She stepped from the crowd, a growing smile blossoming across her face. She stopped, waiting for him to notice her, flipping her hair as she did. @the-fabianprewett

“Pinky!” Flo exclaimed, bringing the girl into a hug as she approached her. She had wanted to speak to Pinky beforehand, but had a hard time finding the girl, as she got distracted by butterflies every time she went looking for her. “Of course we’ll be given outfits, I’ve commissioned the Knitting Club to create some fits for us.” She stepped closer to Pinky. “I was actually going to ask you to help me lead auditions. You know you’ve already got a spot on the team.”

Pinky threw her arms around Flo, bringing her in for a tight hug. Flo was one of the easiest folks in Hogwarts to get along with. When the hug was finished, Pinky clapped her hands together delightedly. “Ahh, I should have known you would have thought of something already! Are we dressing house colors, or something different?” She was quickly distracted from that train of thought. “You want me to help lead auditions?” She smiled. This was just the best news. “Oh, I’m so excited, we’ll have to get to planning right away.”

“This quill has nothing on you,” He replied, trying to look apologetic over his actions. “I’ve just — I’m just trying to make sure I graduate. My odds are pretty slim right now, but I know it would break my parents’ heart.” Gideon’s face fell at the thought but quickly turned back to normal. Pinky had that effect on him. “Tell you what, I was due for a break anyway. How about we steal some pastries from the kitchen and have lunch in the Astronomy Tower?”

“I know it doesn’t.” She answered, giggling a moment after. In truth, she found it difficult to worry over Gideon’s graduation prospects. Should he fail, it would mean another year to be spent with her. Although, such a thing would make him frown, and then she would not see his smile. Gideon was one of her favorites and she liked his grin. Alas. She twirled the quill around between fingers, acting like she was contemplating his suggestion. “I suppose that sounds like a good idea.” And then her smile dissolved into a smirk that was somehow both suggestive and innocent all in one. “Perhaps we ought to bring a blanket, too?” 

“But that’s the story, Pinky, love!” Rita shrugged - she liked the blonde well enough, but no one could be perfect. “Why did you choose to do it? What in Merlin’s name possessed you to think that it was a good idea? It’s the stuff stories are made of.”

Pinky’s mouth fell open. She thought they were friends! “I thought you knew me better than, Rita.” She clicked her tongue, thinking of all of the gossip she knew and would now not tell. “You know, I thought you were better than this.”

“Pinky Parkinson — that is a very serious tool I need for writing down my notes,” Gideon conveniently didn’t mention his parchment was currently empty. “What will it take for you to give it back to me?”

She shook her head, blonde hair swinging lightly over her shoulders as she looked at Gideon. A teasing smile pulled at her lips. She brought the quill to her face, tapping it lightly against her cheeks. “You can’t have it back.” She said, raising her eyebrows in his direction. “You’ve ignored me for weeks in this library. I’m actually quite jealous over this quill. It’s getting all of your attention.”

He’d thought it had been a Potions vial. Merlin’s beard, had he really had that much to drink? “It will definitely bring out the pop of blue in my eyes,” Anyone else, Antonin would’ve hexed instantly, but he’d been trying to be nicer with Pinky. Trying. 

This was unusual. A red flag was lifting itself high in her mind and waving for every thought to see. It wasn’t very often that Antonin Dolohov spoke to her with anything other than barely contained malice. She hadn’t been so hopeful as to think the ordeal with Zhenya had changed anything, but maybe she’d been wrong? Best to be careful. She nodded firmly, “Absolutely. --- Although you should really consider painting them black. I think it would suit you.”

“Thank you, Pinky.” Fabian said sincerely, with years of practice behind him. She wasn’t wrong, he did hear the same offer of help more often than not. He knew that it only stemmed from a polite concern, that it was the acceptable thing to say, but in his younger years the sentiment had frustrated Fabian. Mostly because there was nothing that anyone could do for him, and it was only a bitter reminder he was stuck with his illness and had no way out. Eventually, Fabian had outgrown his resentment and had instead come to focus on the compassion others had meant to share with him, even if there still wasn’t anything they could do for him. “I better run to class now, but it was nice running into you.” Fabian gave her a smile as he gestured down the hallway with the tilt of his head.

Pinky nodded. “Yeah, I probably better get going also.” Charms class was next on her agenda, and while she knew it would not be as boring as History of Magic, she really didn’t feel like going. Alas, good grades waited for no witch and if she wanted to maintain her O then she would have to go. She adjusted her bag, sliding it higher up her shoulder, and then smiled one more in Fabian’s direction. “It was nice running into you too, Fabian. Tell Gideon that I said hello if you see him.” She waved her hand and then spun on her heels, heading off to Charms.

“Of course, it’s no trouble.” Ted said with a smile, though he was disappointed he hadn’t found Addie. He knew that she was developing feelings for Pinky and figured she might welcome the opportunity to spend more time with her. Merlin knew he was grateful for any opportunity he had to spend with Andromeda.

“I’ll let her know you’re looking for her?” It came out as a question, as Ted wasn’t sure if Pinky would want him to, but he hoped she did. It was a decent sign that she had come looking for Addie, but further confirmation that she, too, wanted to spend more time with Addie would be good to hear.

Pinky considered her response. On one hand, if Addie knew that Pinky had come searching for her, maybe that would mean they would get to spend time together more quickly. However, on the other hand, maybe Addie would find it strange that Pinky came all the way down here just to find her. It was a debate she had been having with herself since she had started this journey earlier, and she certainly had not come to an answer.

“It’s fine.” She said, waving her hand. “I’ll find her myself tomorrow.” She made a mental note to start her search a bit earlier in the day. Her eyes flickered towards the exit, and her legs began to move her that way. Before she left all of the way, she turned back to Ted. “Thank you, again.” She waved one more time, before slipping back out into the basement.

Savannah’s hands came to rest lightly at her cheeks for a moment as she felt the heat of her blush spread across her face. “Oh my goodness, you are just too sweet.” She laughed at Pinky’s compliment but shook her head. “I’m afraid, though, I’m no match for you.” She gave the other girl a warm smile, glad that these rumors hadn’t led to catty remarks or jealousy as they often could. Savannah admittedly liked Pinky well enough, and pushed away the strange feeling settling like a pit in her stomach as nothing other than lingering nerves that they should find themselves at odds.

“Please don’t worry about makin’ me uncomfortable, you didn’t, and I’m glad you chose to talk to me.” Savannah assured Pinky, only lying about her discomfort, though she could hardly be blamed for that considering she was lying to herself as well. “I hope I was able to clear some things up for you, and I wish you- I wish you nothin’ but luck.” Her words were kind, but laced with a practiced civility that had been drilled into her since she had learned to speak. Savannah might have left it at that, but hesitated for a moment as she studied Pinky.

Before she could think more of it, Savannah felt herself leaning in, the smile dropping from her face. “Would it be rude of me to offer a bit of advice?” She asked, thinking on the way Pinky mentioned Alexei’s fame. While Savannah held no real status at her transfer school, she did back home. She knew first-hand how it felt to have people stare at you, intimidated by status, wealth, or fame. “It doesn’t matter how famous he is.” She said, shaking her head. “Alexei’s a person, same as everyone else. I’m sure he’d just like to be treated like one.”

Pinky’s smile softened. Savannah Wilkinson really was a very nice girl. She hoped that when all of this matchmaking business was said and done, she and Savannah could maybe become friends. After this exchange, it was more than obvious to Pinky that Savannah felt something in regards to Alexei. Even with that being the case, there she was, trying to offer helpful assurance so that Pinky and Alexei could thrive as a couple. Lucky for Savannah, there was little chance of that ever happening, not when this was so much more interesting. 

“It wouldn’t be rude.” Pinky murmured, tilting her head forward to indicate that it was alright for Savannah to say whatever it was that she had in mind. She clasped her hands together, lacing her fingers through one another. She wasn’t sure what advice Savannah was to offer, but as she listened, the smile resting on her face widened. Alexei was just a person, and a very nice one at that. It was good that Savannah recognized that. 

“I appreciate that, Savannah.” She responded kindly. She leaned forward to place a gentle hand against her arm. “I’ll keep that in mind next time I talk to him, I promise.” After this enlightening conversation, Pinky was sure that she had done what she had came to do. Best to not keep this up for too long, lest Savannah sniff out anything unusual. “I think I’m going to go now, but thank you for this.” She smiled brightly. “I feel a lot better after this.” She pushed herself up from her seat, and set her eyes on someone else to talk to. With one last smile in Savannah’s direction, she headed off.

There weren’t many people Zhenya could tolerate these days — she could count them easily upon a mere hand. And whilst she still carried an amount of anger to the attack; the staring faces and the whispers behind her back, she also had a rather soft spot when it came to Pinky. And as her attention was taken by the other, the anger began to dissipate upon her features as she replied, “Fine, you’re right let’s go.” But not before, “If I catch you doing this again; you can bet I’ll hex you.” 

And as if she hadn’t threatened the cowering figure she turned back towards Pinky as she asked, “Why don’t you lead the way?”

Pinky shot the boy an angry look. What was he playing at, staring like that? He ought to tell Pinky thank you, considering she had saved him from Merlin-knows-what. She turned back to Zhenya, and waited patiently for her to finish with her threatening. When that was all said and done, she kept on walking in the direction of the Charms classroom. 

“Well...” She said, as a slow grin spread across her face. “I don’t think he’ll stare at you anymore.”