Pansy/Patricia

She should have known better then to bet when she knew nothing of quidditch. Draco had bet her on a game and she had agreed in the heat of the excitement. She had lost the bet when her team had lost.

She found The Velvet Lounge. It was owned by Ron Weasley and in accordance with the bet she had to work for him in the nightclub for a month. Draco had made arrangements with Ron regarding the bet.

“Can I help you miss?” A young man asked as he waved his wand at a sweeping broom nearby.

“I’m looking for Ron Weasley.” She said.

“He’s in his office.” He said pointing to a room toward the back. She walked back, knocked and the door immediately opened. When Ron saw her he stood and walked from behind the desk.

“Here to pay your dues huh?” He asked giving her a hug.

“Yes I am.” She laughed and took a seat.

“You should have asked, I could have told you that bet was a lost cause.” He sat next to her and summoned a house elf that worked for the club, tea and sandwiches were on the way in no time.

“So has Draco told you what your going to be doing?” He asked as they snaked.

“No, he just said I was to work for you here.” She said.

“Well I know you haven’t been a waitress before, so I won’t ask you to do that, it takes so time to learn, but maybe you could try during a slow period.” She gave him a nod.


“Alright then, what about the other times?”

“I know you can mix drinks so you can be behind the bar during those times, after hours, you can help with the clean up. Since you are an extra hand here, I’ll just put you where we can use more help.” She nodded. “You’ll get the same pay as the average worker here. The dancers get more obviously, and the waitresses get tips but bartenders do too, so you may have extra in your pocket at times to take home.”

“Alright, what do I wear here?” She asked.

“Always black jeans and black boots, I provide the shirt. It has the club logo on it. We have live shows Friday and Saturday, so take extra care with hair and makeup and the smile. Happy customers tip generously. After hours clean up involves everyone so be prepared to get your hands dirty.”

“I thought that might be part of it so I’m ready.”

“And all your meals are on the house. If the kitchens have leftovers I let the staff take anything they want home.”

“That’s nice of you.” She said smiling.

“We aren’t wasteful of things though. We try to perfect any order, but sometimes things aren’t quite what the patron expects. A couple of the boys don’t mind dishes that have been sent back after they’ve been tried once.

“They don’t care that some dishes been touched?” She asked.

“The two that I’m referring two came from shelters where food was shared all the time, they don’t mind.” She nodded. “Chances are the patrons here are marginally cleaner then what they are accustomed to.”

“I don’t want to imagine it.” She said.

“Alright then, tonight the club is closed, we are just doing some maintenance like we always do on Sundays. Making minor repairs and doing a thorough cleaning as well as a weekly meeting. We are also having a dinner tonight for everyone so I’ll introduce you then.”

Pansy returned back at 6 o’ clock that night. The main floor of the club had an enlarged table. Several people were already sitting and pouring drinks. Pansy come in and Ron called holding out a chair. She joined the group as three girls came out of the kitchens and another came down a flight of stairs. The table was full now, with everyone sitting nearly shoulder to shoulder.

Two house elves filled the table as Ron began to speak. “Everyone this is Pansy Parkinson. She’s an old friend of mine from Hogwarts. She lost a bet and now as a result has to work for me for a month.”

Laughter filled the room at her expense but it was so jovial that Pansy couldn’t help but light along with them. “She’ll be put where we need her the most, depending on the night. When it gets slow, Anne, Marie, I want you to show her how to waitress, teach her good and she’ll earn tips like you do.”

They agreed without questions. “Douglas, when she’s behind the bar, show her the ropes there and use her where you need her.”

“No problem, the bar is easy to learn if you can mix a basic drink.” He said since he was sitting on her other side. The dinner progressed as a usual business meeting would. Ron went over the profits they had made saying the last month was excellent and that they would all be receiving a bonus soon.

Pansy was amazed that he shared that much of the profits with his staff but she saw the business decision behind it. If they continued to benefit like he did, not only did he have a staff that didn’t want to leave him employment but he had a staff that worked hard to make sure the club did well since they would benefit from it as well. The more the club made, the more bonuses they earned.

The waitresses saw extra as well. Good service meant repeat customers and good tips on a regular basis. Ron really did have a good sense when it came to his club.

The live show changed all the time. Ron book everyone from singers, dancers, circus style acts, performers from the middle east and the far east. This week was the final week of the Arabian female dancers he had performing for the past two weeks.

“What about next week Ron?” A woman asked from across the table.

“I don’t know yet, there is a woman I am seeing Tuesday who sings, we may have her. But I told her I don’t sign for performers until I see the act. She was a bit upset so we may have to just book a band for the time being. I’d rather have music then deal with a problem of a performer.”

The whole table seemed to agree and Pansy wondered if they had that issue before. She found Ron’s staff more like a group of friends then a staff of employees.

When the meting ended Pansy made arrangements to return the next day. While Ron retreated to his office a few others gathered up parcels from the kitchens and left. She hoped she would be able to survive.


Pansy’s first night was an easy one, Monday nights were always slow according to the staff. She easily picked up the routine behind the bar. She manned the bar during her father’s dinner parties and galas so she knew how to make more then a basic drink.

Ron was impressed how she handled things and decided to give her Wednesday and off, and Thursdays could be used to get ready for the heavy traffic of the weekend.

Tuesday was easier to deal with and she managed to shadow the girls as they waited in tables. She thought she might be able to handle a table of two if things got too busy for them.

As she was assisting in the kitchen washing dishes, she sang to herself. She had a habit of filling quiet periods of time with singing. She didn’t like silence.

“You are amazing.” She spun around and a splash of water hit the floor. She dropped down with a towel to mop it up. Ron grabbed a towel from a nearby counter and dropped down to help her. “You have a wonderful voice.”

“I don’t sing Ron, it’s just a habit I fall into.” She stood and finished off the glasses she was rinsing.

“I’m going to put you on stage.” He said folding his arms across his chest.

“No way.” She said facing him. “You can wipe that smile off your face Ron becomes I’m not getting on stage.”

Ron merely kept smiling. “I’m going to talk to Hermione. A lot of our customers like muggle music and shows. She’ll pick out a good song for you.”

He walked out of the kitchen leaving her standing with shocked look on her face.