Queen of Gorgeousness

An Idea Kept, Festers

"Yes?"

"Draco doesn't need someone like me," she finished half-heartedly.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not beautiful."

"Hermione! How can you say that?"

"I'm not special. People don't notice me. I'm not up with the social etiquette. Pansy its simple, I was born to be my quirky intelligent self and not born to win the heart of a mighty wizard."

Pansy was shocked by Hermione's outburst, she knew Hermione wasn't like other girls and was somewhat quieter but she wasn't prepared for the vulnerability and sadness that shone from Hermione's eyes letting Pansy know that she honestly believed this to be the case. She honestly believed she was without the beauty that was sought after. It was ridiculous and preposterous and yet as Pansy sat there next to her friend she understood how Hermione had come to this conclusion. Being friends with Potter and Weasley all these years had taken its toll on Hermione. All their comments had beaten her down into submission until she no longer fought their comments but merely accepted them as truth. Pansy was shame faced to admit that the comments she and her fellow Slytherin's had made in the past probably hadn't helped in Hermione's opinion of herself. It was something Pansy felt she had to rectify right now.

"Hermione listen to me," she said as she brushed a fallen tear away from her friend's cheek, "you are beautiful, honestly."

Hermione looked at her with disbelief etched into her eyes.

"I wouldn't have pegged you as a girl who needed confirmation of her beauty."

"Not confirmation but it would just be nice to hear it said."

"Well I'm saying it now. You. Are. Beautiful. Any guy would be lucky to have you and no I'm not just saying that. You have a lot to offer someone. Looks are just an added bonus so don't let it ruin your life as you have so much to give."

Hermione sighed so Pansy tried another tactic.

"Hermione, imagine if you were beautiful beyond belief, would it make you happy?"

Hermione neither nodded nor shook her head in the negative so Pansy continued.

"If you had nothing but a beautiful face would you really get anywhere in the world?"

"No," mumbled Hermione.

"Would anyone take you beyond face value?"

"No."

"What would happen if you were just beautiful? Beauty fades and what would you do when it was gone?"

Hermione didn't answer but she understood what Pansy was saying.

"You can't rely on beauty Hermione. You have a mind and you have a world outside of beauty to offer. Never forget that you are more than just a pretty face."

"When did you get so wise?"

"I've always been wise I've just never shown it before."

The girls sat quietly outside until the sun began to set.

[Hogwarts was safe, yes? Correct...mostly. The wards had been changed, updated and strengthened since the war but well if there wasn't a chance of mistake I'd have to end the story right here.]

Hermione was the first to hear it, a little creak on the wind, the crunch of gravel under a food and the smell of grass being crushed underfoot. She tensed, something telling her to be ready for something. Pansy noticed the sudden change in her friend's calm exterior almost immediately.