Help me Ron

Pansy was nervous as she dressed for the ball. She was torn between wanting to appear dignified and wanting Ron to find her attractive. She had thought about what she heard, how women who are attacked sometimes fall for their rescuers. She didn’t want to think that she only found Ron endearing because he saved her.



She found Ron a good catch because he was. He wasn’t a bully or a name caller. He didn’t use women, or run through girlfriends. He was humble, not bragging about anything. He was an honorable man, always keeping his word. He also didn’t play games, he didn’t claim something that wasn’t there.



She looked in the mirror as she stood in her bra and knickers. She hadn’t examined her body since the attack. The last time she had seen it, she was covered in bruises. She could only think of how horrible she looked, and how ripped apart she felt inside.



Now as she looked at herself, she saw that she had healed, and put back on the seven or eight pounds she had lost. She filled out her bras again and for a brief moment wondered what Ron would think if he saw her like this. Would she be that broken and battered girl he saved or would be a woman? A normal woman worthy of his amorous attention. In a way, she was afraid to ask that. Would he see her a pathetic victim who only wanted someone to find her cute? Would he see her as a woman who developed a fixation on the man that saved her? Would he see her as a whore who got what she deserved?



She doubted very much that he would think of that last one, but she was seeing it anyway. If she asked him for anything, would he accuse her of asking Johannes for the same thing? Would he accuse her of teasing him and instigating her own rape?



No. This was Ron. He had saved her not once, but twice. He kept her from leaping to death, and she was actually going to do it. She shivered now as she remembered the view that day. No, she wouldn’t think that way anymore.



She turned from the mirror and began putting on her dress. Ron wouldn’t think that of her. He had seen her in the worst situation she had ever been in, but he would not think the worst of her, she knew he wouldn’t.







Ron waited outside the Slytherin entrance. His dress robes neatly pressed to perfection and his heart racing in his chest. He wanted to look his best for Pansy. He doubted she would notice but she deserved the effort.



The entrance opened and several couples walked out. When the entrance was cleared, he saw her slowly walk out. She was in a black gown, with a silver threaded scarf hanging about her shoulders. The flowing cloth came down to her wrists and flowed like a cloak as she walked. The dress stopped at her knees and twirled as she walked, flowed about. He was drawn to her shapely legs and dainty black heels. She wore light makeup but she didn’t need it. She was elegant and graceful in every way.



She was smiling sweetly at him. “You look stunning Ron.” She said, looking at his robes.



“Thanks.” He looked her over once more. “Pansy, you look beautiful.” He said, meaning every word.



She blushed. “I do?” Her shy little smile was just adorable to him.



“Yes, you do. Just gorgeous.” He said, offering his arm. She took his arm, keeping both hands on him and led him lead her to the great hall. From behind they looked like a mass of flowing black robes. The only color being his ginger hair and her creamy legs. They matched each other and Ron was as proud to have her on his arm as Pansy was to be there.



They entered the hall and the whispers started right away, but Pansy and Ron ignored them. They walked to a large table where two seats were being saved for them.



Harry had Ginny beside him, while Neville was seated beside Luna. Hermione and Draco were seated next to each other and both looked like they were ready to commit murder. He looked over at Harry who gave him his typical ‘I’ll tell you later’ look. He held out a chair for her just as Millicent appeared with Crabbe.



“You look lovely.” Pansy said leaning over and whispering to Millicent. The dark green gown look fabulous with her tanned skin and light brown hair. It also made the most of her curves and from Crabbe’s look those curves were appreciated.



“You look fabulous too.” She said. “I could never pull off that much grace.” She admitted.



“Do you want a drink?” Ron asked her. She nodded and talked with Millicent while Ron and Harry moved to the refreshment table.



“Alright Harry, spill it. Why is Hermione here with Malfoy?” He asked filling two glasses.



“Do you remember the Wasps versus the Harpies quidditch match this past week?” Ron nodded. “Well they made a bet. Hermione bet on the Wasps and Malfoy bet on the Harpies.”



“Neither team won though. A flying owl grabbed the snitch before the first goal was scored. They are having a rematch next week.” Ron said as they slowly walked back to their table.



“Well, the parchment they signed said that the person whose team didn’t win would go with someone the other person chose.” Ron still didn’t understand. “Not, ‘the loser’ the team that doesn’t win.” Harry said.



“So neither of them won.” Harry smiled and nodded at him. “And to piss each they off they chose each other.”



“They both figured that if one was going to have an awful time the other would be dragged down with them.” He said, laughing.



“Well, it worked. They are both miserable.” He said, then moved forward and gave Pansy her drink.



The dance went well and to Ron’s shock as well as Pansy’s, Hermione and Malfoy began to relax, and more than a few smiles had passed between them. Ron honestly hoped something would happened between them, that way Hermione would have someone else to annoy. He still considered her one of his best friends, but she really needed new meat to annoy.



The first slow melody filled the hall and Ron looked over at Pansy. “Do you want to dance?” He asked.



“I would but…..” She looked to her glass.



“If you feel anything, we’ll come back and sit down.” He told her. “No questions asked.”



“Alright.” She said and walked with him to the dance floor. The lights had been dimmed, and everyone was paying attention to their dates so they paid little attention to Pansy.



Ron eased a hand around her, keeping his hand high on her back rather then near her waist. He didn’t pull her close, giving her some space. He kept his fingers loose , just letting her fingers rest on his. She held his arm instead of his shoulder, and he fought the urge to flex for her.



You git, he chided himself, she doesn’t want to feel your arm. He mental slapped himself, and thought about letting Pansy slap him, but she spoke and broke his thought.



“Thank you for coming with me.” She told him.



“It was my pleasure.” He said smiling at her.



“I know everyone is talking about us.” She said. “I feel bad about making you the subject of gossip.”



“Don’t feel bad about what other people think.” He said. “I don’t care about being talked about. Especially when they think I’m dating you.” He said with a wag of his eyebrows.



She giggled. “I haven’t had any dreams.” She said still smiling.



“I figured. I haven’t been called by McGonagall.” He said. “I knew you could do it. Didn’t I tell you? Your strong Pansy.” The look he gave her, swelled her courage.



“Ron, can I ask you something.” He nodded. She began shaking and she felt his fingers rubbing hers to give her strength. “Do you….do I……” Her courage failed her.



“It’s alright. When you’re ready you can ask me anything.” He said.



She nodded and looked at her hand on his arm. She slid her hand up to his shoulder and let her body move closer. “You can hold me tighter.” She whispered, wondering if he had heard her but she felt his arm slid further around her, circling her ribs and pulling her body against his.



She waited for the fear but it didn’t come. She felt a warmth instead. A warmth that spread through her body. Being against Ron’s firm body wasn’t scary at all. It was exciting.



“Are you alright?” He asked.



“Yes.” She said, and gave his fingers a squeeze. Ron closed his digits around her gently. She seemed so delicate in his arms and thought about how easy it was for Johannes to harm her with no effort. Pansy however was in his arms tonight and she had nothing to worry about.



The song ended and he could tell she was relieved to have made it through. He led her back to the table, where everyone else was coming to sit down too. Good natured talk filled the table until Pansy caught sight of a student walking toward their table.



The color drained from her face. Her heart threatened to jump out of her ribcage and she felt memories of pain ricochet inside her. She squeezed Ron’s hand and he turned his attention from Harry to her.



“Pansy, what’s the matter?” He asked.



“Pans? What’s wrong?” Millicent asked. Everyone else looked over at her, then to Ron, who stood with murder in his eyes.



All the eyes followed Ron’s look. They saw the panic in Pansy’s eyes and the girls raced from their chairs to hers, offering comfort from all directions. Ron walked around the table and stood face to face with a student from the guest school.



Harry saw Ron’s face and rose up standing beside him, the other’s did the same, coming between this stranger and their dates. Each knew that if Ron was willing to challenge this young man, they would back him up. Ron did not challenge anyone, and the telling fear in Pansy’s face clued them all in.



“What are you doing here Johannes?” Ron asked. “Hogwarts doesn’t welcome rapists.” Several tables close by heard the words Ron spoke and gasped. There was a rapist in their midst.