A Work of Art

Ron glared at the canvas, mocking him for leaving it stark, when it should carry a story upon it. For three weeks Ron had this canvas sitting on an easel in his studio. 4 feet by 3 feet, it stood in the place of honor, before a platform, yet Ron was struggling.

Ron’s art over the years had ranged from fierce warrior types to fantasy creatures and fables. He enjoyed painting nature as well and has several images of battle scenes from history. His favorite series by far was his Arthurian legends, each knight in his own scene. It was this series that made his name known in the art world.

Ron had been commissioned for several pieces after that. He had painted the Malfoy’s alone and as a family. It brought a good amount of exposure to his talent as the portraits graced the parlor of Malfoy manor and every one who was well known in the wizarding world had seen them.

Contrary to the world he was a part of, Ron worked in muggle supplies, so his portraits didn’t move. He liked the idea of capturing single moment in time, leaving the viewer to interpret what came before or after though image they saw. Frozen in time, he felt his art gave more then the magical portraits that moved.

Looking for inspiration for something new, he traveled with Hermione among the muggle world and heard about a belief called the Seven Deadly Sins. Seven emotions that would damn the soul. Ron didn’t view it that way, however he was intrigued. The seven emotions listed, to him were parts of the human experience and just like temptations in life, had to be mastered and not rejected. Indulgence in some things made life worth living they made us human. So he set out to create seven portraits of the sins in his own midset.

He had focused on fierce men during the Arthurian knight series, so he decided when it came the sins collection, he would use women, sexy, strong women. Ron had only used one women before. Guinevere was painted form a models girlfriend, and draped in costumed robes. But Ron loved women with strength inside and out. Most had a feeling that his Gryffindor house traits reigned his selection and as a result chose subjects of bravery and courage rather then timidity.

It was a close assumption. Ron admired a woman who had her own mind, who didn’t bow to anyone and who wasn’t walked on. His own mother was strong, Hermione was strong, Ginny was strong, everyone who stood with Harry had been strong. Even his head of house didn’t back down. So when it came to this series, the women he chose wouldn’t be half starved models who always offered to pose for him.

Women, Ron felt, should have curves and shape. No sticks would ever be shown in his spotlights.

He set his first piece on wrath. For this he approached Hermione Granger herself. While she wasn’t an angry person by nature he had seen her flaring nostrils during his youth whenever he or Harry got out of hand. And that was a lot. He clothed her in black leather trousers and pointed toe boots. A black dress shirt opened halfway down her chest revealed a satin bra in bright red. A black cloak flowed behind her along with hair styled in a riot of long curls. He covered the platform and it’s mock background with black silks and gave her dark makeup. The dark smoky eyes when she glared was intense and gave just the look he wanted.

Her fierce stance on the platform as she glared at him was the view he’d had in his mind the whole time. Hermione in a way that no one had ever seen her was something that Ron was praised for. The portrait was a success and those in and out of the art world couldn’t wait to see the next piece.

For sloth, Ron used Luna Lovegood. She was far from slothful, but he used her for her passive face. While she always seemed to be on the edge of a smile, she had only to drop her expression and her stoic face could be interpreted any way. It was hard to know what Luna was thinking most of the time and he liked that.

He covered the platform this time in simple clothes of varying shades of cream and off white. Using a plain beige gown, she reclined on a fainting chair and let her legs fall in a lazy manner. He let her hair fall without any product and kept her face devoid of make up. To him she looked more lazy then slothful, so he added some gel to make it look as if her hair hadn’t been washed, and some powder to pale down her face some more. He also removed the polish from her nails and toes. He added an abandoned pair of sandals on the floor and a torn cloak draped over the back of the chair.

Her face was still lovely and she looked as careless as he wanted her. While not being seen in the best light, Luna wanted only to give the image that Ron wanted. When she saw the finished product she was impressed. Once again Ron had done wonders and the public loved it.

The news that Ron was painting another series was well known by now and the story of the seven deadly sins was told by anyone who knew it. The wizarding world was fascinated. His first two paintings were given top billing in art journals and displayed in Ron’s art gallery in a prominent place of honor. Five blank sections drew attention and wonder at how they would be filled.

Ron was able to turn to his next piece. Gluttony. For this one Ron turned to Millicent Bulstrode. She wasn’t heavy but she did have a large frame. She was tall and built like her brothers with broad shoulders but a curvy figure. Over the years she had taken on a feminine look and wasn’t the butch type she used to be. To Ron this was perfect.

He covered the platform in pink jacquard and rose tapestries. A table set low to the floor was covered in pastel French sweets. He added several tiered dishes covered in confections of all kinds. He put Millicent in a tight pink dress with spaghetti straps that stopped at the knee. He gave her ankle boots in the same shade of pink and had her hair swept into a elegant French twist. He gave her full makeup, in a glamour style that was new to her. As she reclined on the platform he posed her with her lips wrapped around a treat, her eyes closed in delight at the sweetness.

Ron could not believe the reaction the portrait got. Millicent had never been more pleased. She had always been seen as the tough girl, but Ron had transformed her overnight into a sexpot and she was grateful. While she worked in the department that regulated international Quidditch at the ministry, she was given an image that she had always wanted. Men began to see her as the woman she was. Her life was looking up.

Pride was one that Ron had imagined from the moment he heard of the sins. He went to his sister. Ginny had the most pride he had ever seen in anyone. He had grown up with the same mocking about their humble life, but she took it with her head held high. Cho Chang flaunted Harry’s attraction to her daily but Ginny let it roll off her. People criticized her for her choice of becoming an auror, but she loved her job. With her marriage to Harry she had never felt more delighted in her life.

He covered the platform and its backing in red carpet style fabric mixed with gold. Placing trophies, awards and a broomstick around her, Ginny stood with her feet braced in her aurors robes, with her wand in her hand and the other on her hip. She looked forward and stood tall. He allowed her to do her own hair and make up and as normal she wore very little.

Ron set a light fan in motion in front of her, hidden by the easel so it looked as if she would even face nature head on. He liked seeing her like this. She was his sister and while she was proud herself, he was proud of her. That was his reason for using her for this particular emotion.

The art world picked up on it and commented on his praise of his own family and the strong way in which he portrayed her. Ginny posed for him because he asked and for no other reason. Life went on for her as usual as Ron tuned his attention to his next piece.

For envy, Ron asked Lavender Brown, a professional model to pose for him. She worked like a professional too. He told her the project and she let him dress and arrange her in any manor he wanted. He covered the platform this time with varying shades of green and clothed her in an emerald evening gown. It was strapless and flowed out in layers of fabric to the floor. He suspended a long drape from above and had Lavender stand beside it, easing it to the side gently, as if spying on someone. She held her sneer perfectly.

Ron had to hand it to her. He wanted envy and he got it. Lavender was the consummate professional and she new her art. She did everything he asked her and didn’t complain once. She showcased his talent well.

For greed, Ron went to Parvati Patil. When he saw her and her sister at the Yule Ball fourth year, his fairly new artist’s eye was drawn to the gold in their clothes. She had no problems posing for him.

The platform this time was decorated in gold silks and transparent scarves, sewn with bangles and jewels. Parvati wore one of her native Indian saris in gold and over accessorized in bracelets and chains. Through her nose was a large diamond stud. She lay on her stomach with her bare feet, decorated in gold anklets up in the air. Ron surrounded her with piles of fake galleons and added a few gold goblets, and statues. She was rested her weight on her elbows and crossed her arms looking at Ron with a smirk on her face.

This was by far the most detailed of the portraits so far and the art community raved about it. The finest detail was not ignored and Ron worked hard on it. With so many stacks of galleons to paint it took the longest and the long wait made everyone appreciate it all the more.

Ron glared at the canvas and wanted to put his foot through it. He had one more sin. Lust. He was having a hard time finding a model. None of the girls he looked at and posed seemed right. For this last portrait Ron wanted a model who instigated lust in him. None of them did.

Frustrated, he left the canvas and the studio, grabbing his cloak. He went to Diagon Alley, and walked among the crowds. Being outside calmed him. He settled himself at an outside table of a small café, tea in hand, taking leisurely sips.

His gaze fell on the bench outside Flourish and Blotts. There sitting and looking off into nothingness, was Pansy Parkinson. She was holding her body in relaxation, her legs crossed and her head slightly tilted. Ron couldn’t take his eyes off her. Her face was so serene, but as her thoughts turned, she smirked slightly. Ron felt his cock harden. LUST! This was it.

He jumped out of his seat was walked over to her. “Pansy.” She came out of her daydream and looked at him.

“Ron, how are you?” She asked with a smile.

“Do you have a moment to talk?”


A/N: If anyone knows an artist who wants to draw the portraits, I would love to see an interpretation of them.