The Alternative to Matrimony

Pansy opened the door and admitted the trio. Leeky had tea prepared and served as the four friends sat in the front room.



“You did well not to admit to too much.” Hermione said. “There will be time for that later.”



“Later?” Pansy was growing confused. Mistresses themselves remained out of view for the most part.



“Harry told me that she’s been speaking to reporters this afternoon. He sent an owl less then an hour ago. She going to go public hoping to shame me and she’s going to expose you.” Ron told her, wrapping an around her shoulder.



“What good would that do. The media already takes it for granted that you have a mistress, what would she gain?”



“Sympathy.” Draco threw in. “It will make her seem like she was cast aside by a horrible man. It will make her the victim.”



“But she’s going about it the wrong way. She spoke to several people. So the story will be everywhere. And it will be everywhere fast.”



“How is that the wrong way?” Pansy asked Hermione. The other girl smiled.



“When you only hear one side of the story, the other side will be sought out eventually. She is making the assumption that you won’t speak, since mistresses rarely speak.”



“She’s also making the assumption that Ron sees you only as a play toy and once it comes to light and makes him look bad, he will get rid of you.”



Ron spoke from her side. “When it comes out in the papers, there will most likely be reporters coming here to get a word with you.”



“What should I do?” She asked him. She would do nothing that Ron didn’t agree with.



“Let yourself be seen on occasion but not by too many. If there is a mass of reporters out there, do not leave the house. Let her rant and rave to every person who will listen. Before long the media will get tired of hearing her story. That’s when you give one in depth and uninhibited interview about your relationship. People by then would be anxious to hear your side. Hermione’s plan was brilliant. She knew exactly how to get her word out and heard.



“Who would I give the interview to?”



Hermione smiled. “Luna Lovegood. Since her father died, she had since taken over the Quibbler as editor in chief. You speak with her and no one else and everyone will read it. But you must wait until the time is right.”



She nodded and tea was served. Pansy remember fifth year when Hermione guided Harry’s interview with the Quibbler. She knew what she was doing then and Ron trusted that she knew what she was doing now. She smiled at him. She knew he would see her taken care of.





The papers were at her disposal and Sara Weasley used them. Her words and comments became headlines and soon it was known that she was the ‘the victimized wife’. The public felt sorry for her and many made comments about Ron. But he didn’t care.



Nereus Sunderson also made comments about both Ron and Pansy carrying on a iniquitous affair during their engagement. It seemed to the public that both he and Sara were victims of two careless wantons that were cast aside without a thought.



Reporters soon started showing up at Pansy’s home. As Ron and Hermione had advised she kept to herself. When she saw a photographer outside hiding among the bushes on the other end of the path, she decided to go to the village. She could see herself being trailed and photos being shot. As she entered the bookstore she found herself watched by yet another. She made her purchases and started back home.



“Miss Parkinson? Miss Parkinson?” A young man appeared at her side and walked along with her. “May I have a word please?” Pansy looked at him and smiled, but kept walking in silence. “I was wondering if perhaps you might want to comment on the accusations made by Mrs. Weasley.” Pansy kept walking. The photographer grew bold since the reporter had approached her.



“Miss Parkinson, may I have a photograph?” She looked in his direction and gave a demure smile. The photographer snapped a few shots, smiling at her gratefully.



“Miss Parkinson, Mrs. Weasley claims you are her husbands mistress. Do you have a comment.” She merely looked at the reporter and gave him a passive smile. “Miss Parkinson do you have a comment on the reports of Mr. Sunderson about the engagement rumors.” Again Pansy said nothing, merely kept walking and approached her house. She turned to the photographer.



“Do you have a calling card?” She asked him. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a card with his name and owl address on it. “Thank you for being polite.” She gave the young man a smile. Then turned to the reporter. “Thank you for walking me home.” She said with courtesy. Then walked into her house.



When she entered, she immediately wrote to Ron, telling him of what had occurred. He owled back praising her perfect acts. She had given them what they wanted and that was contact with the nefarious mistress. She had not however given them what they needed and that was a statement. She had been utter perfection and Ron was proud of her.



Draco made a brief comment to the Daily Prophet that appeared the next morning. He dammed Nereus Sunderson as a liar and Mrs. Weasley as a gold digger. Draco told the reporters that Ron didn’t come from money and knew nothing of how women use manipulation to get what they want. Ron was raised by honest parents and had no reason to think his wife was insincere.



It was a small article but it did enough. With the word of a Malfoy against her, people began to doubt Sara’s word. They listened less and less and soon the story she was telling was an old one. She had nothing new to say and people were tired of listening to her merely vent her anger. She was soon seen as selfish and calculating.



Just as Hermione had predicted, people began to ask for the other side. As Draco’s comments planted a seed of doubt about both Sunderson and Sara, the idea of a different viewpoint became an attractive one.



The photographer that had taken her photo had sold it to the Daily Prophet and it appeared on the front page, taking up half the paper. While the events of the trip were given. It carried not one word from her. The gentle smile she gave the young man was welcoming and the media ate it up.



The photographer sent an owl thanking her for allowing him such a fine picture. She owled back asking him to photograph the interview she planned to give in three days and to keep quiet about it as well.



He owled back his agreement.



Luna showed up on time and both women sat in facing armchairs to talk. The young man snapping photos during the interview. Pansy was emotionally tired and a little nervous about how Ron would take it. He had given her free reign to say anything and she did.



The article appeared the next day.