What Would You Wish For?

The hogsmead Valentine’s Day trip was tomorrow. If he wanted to ask Pansy he had to move. Demona had done some spying and found out that she had not been asked by someone else. Everything was working out for him, all he had to do was ask her.



He still wanted to talk to her alone. He wanted to focus on her alone, without the feelings her friends made her feel. He wanted to know how he made her feel. If she seemed excited and anxious about going with him. He may have a newfound intuition about girls now, but he still wanted to move with caution.



He was in the library, searching out a book when he heard a group of girls talking in the next aisle. He moved closer and listened, unable to make out the voices. Or identify them.



“He asked me too.”



“Does he honestly think people will just ignore what’s being said?”



“Well, I didn’t know what to make of what was being said until Susan confirmed everything. I mean it made her look a little bad giving in like that, but she didn’t deserve it. She did think it meant something. I would feel just as bad.”



“I don’t think it made her look bad. She did think they had something. I mean I would have had a shag with someone I felt something for. He didn’t have to act the way he did.”



“He asked me to the Hogsmeade trip too, like I was going to go with him.”



“I wonder though, if he really is as small as they say.” Laughter filled the aisle and then hushed as the group moved away.



Smiling to himself, he went back to looking for his book. Seamus was no doubt feeling the pinch of his actions. He found his book and flipped through the pages.



“Excuse me.” He raised his eyes and found Pansy looking at him, clutching a book to her chest. “I need the book up there.” She gestured to the shelf behind him.



“Of course.” He smiled at the familiar warmth coming from her. Moving aside, her rotated and kept his eyes on her while she reached up for her book. She was nervous, she was insecure, but she was excited as well.



She closed the book and looked for another. She focused on a title but couldn’t reach it. Ron felt her embarrassment and walked over. “Let me help you.” He reached up and took the book down, offering it to her. He was closer this time then in the storage closet. He could smell her perfume, a light spicy floral scent.



She was staying where she was, she hadn’t looked up at him yet, but she was aware of his presence and she was affected by it. “Thank you.” She said softly.



“Your welcome.” He told her. He didn’t more away, just looked down at her. He smiled again and felt elation at the attention. “Did you need anything else.” He wanted to laugh at the anticipation and expectation, but he didn’t know what she was expecting.



“No, I don’t need another book, just this one.” She said, gesturing to the book he got for her. She didn’t move away and every moment that passed Ron grew more and more confident.



The insecurity grew, but he had a feeling it was because he was looking at her. “You know, Pansy, I like your hair this way.”



She lifted a hand to the black locks. “You do?”



“Yes,” he smiled again at the flattery he felt, “the bags were cute, but since you grew them out, it looks very ladylike.”



“Thank you.” She blushed and Ron felt a new attraction.



“Pansy, I wanted to ask you something, if that’s alright.” He said.



She turned and faced him. “Of course.”



Ron felt a wave of longing pass over him. She was looking up at him with soulful eyes. “I was wondering if you would like to go with to Hogmeade for the Valentine’s trip tomorrow. If you don’t have plans already.”



Elation filled him and he fought to keep his grin from widening. “No, I don’t have plans. I’d love to go.” She said smiling. Ron could only describe what he was getting from her as excitement, euphoria, anxiety and lust. How they all combined together he didn’t know but he knew it was because of him.



“There is a string trio that’s going to playing at the Astrological Café. We can go there for lunch. If you’d like to that is.”



“It sounds great. I love string music.” She told him, her excitement growing.



“Great, I’ll meet you by the fountain then.” She nodded and he grabbed his book, turning to leave.



“Ron,” he stopped and faced her, “can I ask you something?”



She felt ashamed, so he moved closer. “Of course.”



“Do you know if what’s being said about Susan is true? Did Finnigan do that to her?” She asked.



He looked from one end of the aisle to the other making sure it was empty. “Yes, he said looking back at her, “I talked to Susan myself.”



“How could he?” She asked, sadness filling her.



“Listen, don’t worry about that. Susan is going to be fine and as you can see Seamus is getting what he deserves.” Ron told her.



She smiled and nodded. He left the library with a new respect for Pansy. She didn’t put immediate stock into the rumors, she went after the truth. He liked that about her.