The Alternative to Matrimony

Ron woke the next morning and dressed quickly. He wanted to see Pansy settled into her house. He didn’t bother with breakfast. As he went downstairs he passed by the parlor. His wife was in there with a friend.



“Honestly Sara, have you spoken to Ron about it?” The voice came from Leslie. A longtime friends of Sara’s.



Ron froze when he heard his name. The door was slightly ajar. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a pair of extendable ears and sliding it out to hear. As usual his wife didn’t notice much.



“No, I haven’t, but he should be happy enough not to say anything.” His wife said.



“Why is that.” The clatter of tea cup echoed.



“I let him have sex last night, so he should be satisfied for a while. Every time he gets in a foul mood, I know he wants it.” Ron scowled through the door.



“I don’t know why you even offer that if you don’t like doing it.” Her friend stated.



“How am I supposed to keep him happy, if I don’t let him in? Besides he might tighten up with the money if I don’t give him what he wants. Everyone knows that a husband is easier to bear when you get something out of it.” The laughter of the two women drove Ron mad. He pulled the ears back and left his home.





He stormed along the street. When he was mad, he found physical activity usually abated his mood. He had forgotten to bring his broom and he would never think of going to Pansy when he was mad at his wife. Pansy deserved to be treated with respect. He would never use her body when he was angry with his wife.



The walking helped. While he was still angry, the homicidal feelings had gone. So, his wife saw sex as something she had to deal with did she? Well, if that’s how she felt, he wouldn’t bother with her. He had someone to supply him with what she hated doing.



He put the matter out of his head for the time being as he disapparated and apparated on the edge of Malfoy Manor. The door opened as he approached.



“Greetings Mr. Weasley.” A house elf greeted him and took his cloak. “Mr. Malfoy is in the study.” Ron gave his thanks and entered the parlor.



“Draco.” The blonde looked up at his name.



“Ron.” They greeted each other with a one handshake and one armed slap on the back. “Did you look over those parchments I sent?” Draco asked pouring drinks for both of them.



“Yes, I did. There are a few things I think we need to clarify with the landowners. There are some holes that need to be closed before I invest. That meeting needs to happen first.”



Draco nodded from his chair. “I’ll arrange it. Now, tell me what happened with Pansy. You mentioned you keeping her in a house, but why did she agree?”



“Do you recall that Sunderson had asked about me?” Draco nodded. “Pansy’s parents arranged her marriage to Sunderson.”



“What? Are you serious? Why on earth would they give her to him, he’s shit.” Draco was getting angry.



“Apparently Mr. Parkinson was in need of business assistance.” Ron said without preamble.



“So he gives his daughter to an asshole to save the business.” Draco looked off shaking his head.



“Her house is bought, I’m bringing her there soon. Sunderson knows it’s me. Pansy told her parents at the meeting of the families.”



“She told them all together?” Ron nodded. Draco chuckled.



“According to Harry, he’s been nosing around with some of the Aurors as well.” Draco shrugged.



“Well, he won’t get far. There are not too many that like him.” Ron nodded, then down the drink.



“Well, I’m off. I want to move Pansy to her house and get her settled. Owl me when you arrange the meeting.”



Ron took his leave heading to the hotel at Diagon Alley. His initial anger at his wife’s comments had since dissipated to paltry annoyance, he was of a mind to refuse anything she asked for. That would show her.



She thought she was keeping him happy. Well happy to him was being in Pansy’s arms. She was the only person he wanted to fuck now.



Her entered the hotel room to find her sitting at the table with The Daily Prophet and sipping tea. She put it down the moment she saw him. This was the kind of greeting he liked.



“How are you my darling?” He asked, wrapping her in a hug.



“Wonderful now.” She said smiling up at him. Ron couldn’t help but think she was wonderful for the soul.



Pansy was moved into her new home by that afternoon. Leeky arrived as well at Ron’s request, although he would be able to summon her at any moment, because he was her master.



Ron also gave her several parchments. The deeds to the house and owners information Ron decided would be better kept at the house. She was also given parchments concerning her Gringotts accounts. True to his words Ron had deposited a rather large sum in case she wanted to replace any of the furniture that came with the house.



When she saw the house, she decided to keep the basic furnishings there and add a few pieces. The only thing she wanted to replace was the bed. She wanted a new bed, one that her and Ron would have plenty of space in, rather then the standard size that occupied it now.



Ron saw her looking at it and knew it would be gone soon. He needed to meet Harry, but he told her he would be back at six that evening. He planned on spending the night, but he didn’t tell her that yet.



Wiltshire was a very nice town. The Malfoy mansion was located in a large plot of land complete with its own fields. Pansy’s cozy house was located closer to the village part. She took Leeky with her and they set out. While Leeky did the shopping at the market, Pansy entered a furniture store.



It had model sized pieces that enlarged with a simple incantation when purchased. A large cleared out space in the store allowed customers to see pieces full size.



The gentleman and his wife helped her look at several styles before she found the perfect one. A sleigh style headboard and end board in dark cherry wood called to her. The mattress was soft and inviting. When she had selected a bed, she choose bedding and sheets in deep burgundy to go with it.



With all her purchases miniaturized and wrapped, she quickly found Leeky and went back to the house.



Leeky was busy filling the kitchen with supplies. It was now fully stocked. She spent the rest of the afternoon, unpacking and putting things away. Pansy gathered new gels and bath essentials and began her soak in the bathtub.



Ron sat in his office at home going through some letters. His mood was quite light now that Pansy was out of the hotel. He had what he considered a second home. No doubt he would be far more welcome there then here.



He would have liked to keep Pansy in his own home, but with his wife still here, it wasn’t going to happen. Besides she was happy with her house, and he was more than happy to visit her in her sanctuary.



“Ron?” He looked up and saw his wife standing in the door of his office. Her earlier comments came back to him. Perhaps now was the time to begin distancing himself.



“What is it?” He asked.



“We are having guests for dinner. I thought you might want to dress.” He was still in jeans, having changed a few hours ago. He knew that when she said guests, she meant her friends. Ron never brought his friends to his home. They all had enough of false shows of affection like hers. Especially Harry.



“Well, have fun, I’ll be out.” He sent off his owl with several letters.



“Where are you going?” She asked.



“Out.” Was all he said.



“What time will you be home?” She asked.



“I won’t be home tonight. I’ll be back tomorrow afternoon.” He didn’t look at her.



“Where are you going that you’ll be out all night?” She asked.



“Out.”



“I don’t think that’s a good idea. I should know where you go.” This time he did look up at her. Her face was serene and controlled.



“So you will be able to have an answer, should someone ask?” He lifted a single eyebrow as he spoke.



“It doesn’t look good if I cant keep track of my own husband.” She said firmly. “What do I tell our guests?”



“Tell YOUR guests whatever you want.” He began gathering parchments in stacks. His wife entered the office and stood beside him.



“Ron, think of how it will look. If I have to tell our friends…..”



“They’re your friends.”



“If I have to tell our friends that you are out and won’t be back and I can’t even tell them where you are, how do you think that will make our marriage look?” Ron’s head shot up.



“Our marriage? I’m not so sure we have one. When was the last time you cared about anything I’ve done?” Her face remained passive. “When was the last time you spoke to any of my family? When have you ever even asked me how my day was? I have always made sure you had what you want in life.” She remained looking at him in her stoic expression. “Before we married you did everything to make me feel like a man, and now I know why. Everyone told me that you were only after money, but I didn’t believe them.”



“Ron, I’m your wife.” Was all she said.



“Yes I know. I also know that you think giving me snatch once in a while is keeping me happy.” Her eyes shifted slightly. “Well you can keep it from now on, if its given that way I don’t want it.” He walked to the wall and grabbed his cloak.



“What happens when you get randy Ron? You’ll have to come to me for that?” She stood with her hands on her hips and a smirk on her face. Ron walked over and took her arm, walked her out of the office, then locked it.



“Back to you? You really think so?” Panic set into her face. With those last words spoken Ron left his home.