DISCLAIMER All characters, places, and other copyrightable items within this story are the sole property of J.K. Rowling and her associated parties. No monetary benefit is being gained and no infringement is intended.

Pansy cannot remember a time when she didn't know Hermione Granger's voice. It follows her, she thinks, trails after her with that insufferable note of condescension; sits beside her in class and whispers in Pansy's ear: "Why try? No one notices your for your brain. Not while I'm around. Too slow, too Slytherin to matter. Hateful, hateful girl. Who are you trying to impress?"

Pansy sits in her combined lessons and stews, chewing a hole into her bottom lip as Granger's voice chips away at her skin from both sides. Granger Granger Hermione Granger oh you're so smart oh sit by me Hermione Granger Granger Granger until she could just scream.

And she does. Often. In her own room, into a pillow, with the doors bolted shut and somehow, still, Granger's voice finds her and is louder than ever.