The Alternative to Matrimony

The Quibbler had earned record sales with the interview on the front page. The photo, taken by a hand selected young photographer, snapped while she thought about Luna’s last question headed the article. It gave Pansy a faraway look as she thought.



Sara Weasley found her sympathy and popularity slipping away. Nereus Sunderson would have trouble finding anyone to marry him now that Luna had published the marriage contract Pansy had given her.



They were both trailed by photographers who wanted responses to the article. Sara had tried to save her reputation by claiming that a mistress would be a natural liar but it was too late.



Pansy had given one interview and had herself behaved with dignity. She admitted to something that was taboo, but she didn’t ask for anyone’s approval and she didn’t give excuses. Nor did she ask anyone to think badly of Sara herself. Where Sara had openly called Pansy every foul name she could think of, Pansy had kept a calm head.



The letters come pouring in. Leeky had them magically delivered to a charmed bag that immediately eliminated howlers and any letters that had curses or jinxes.



Many letters were from women claming she should do the right thing and step aside until Ron was free to marry. Some called her a whore and said Sara was right to shame her in the media. But there were quite a few from women who understood and said they would most likely have done the same thing. The marriage contract that was published had certainly scared a lot of young women.



Pansy laughed outright at the number of letters from men offering their support if Ron decided to get rid of her. She sorted the letters as she read them. She was still reading when Ron arrived.



“Fan mail?” He asked, sitting next to her.



“Some of it.” She faced him and noticed his serious face.



“Is it true?”



“What?”



“Luna’s last question.” His face wasn’t accusatory. He merely wanted to confirm what he read. That she meant it the way it sounded. She looked him in the eyes and smiled.



“Yes I did.” She told him softly. His peaceful expression didn’t change, but one side of his mouth lifted. She turned to pick up another letter but felt his fingertips under her chin drawing her back.



“Can I hear it?” He whispered moving closer.



Her heart began to pound. She had never thought she would say it, always assuming it would be a secret. He was watching her intently, his body close to hers. If she could be brave that first night then she would be brave now. “I love you Ron.” It was a faint whisper but he heard it. He brushed his fingertips along her face.



“I love you too, you know.” He said. She smiled and thought of everything he’d done. Letting her speak her mind in a public interview. Buying her a home to live in. Arranging a house elf to take care of her so he could communicate with her any time. Giving her gifts that meant something to her. Saving her from a madman. Sharing his body, his dreams, his fears, with her.



“Yes, I know.” She said. He leaned in a kissed her. It was soft gentle and in it Pansy felt Ron pour himself out to her. She eagerly responded and soon Ron covered her body with his on the couch. They were both heated and wanting. Ron dove under her skirt and ripped her knickers off. Pansy tugged and pulled at Ron’s trousers until she had them open.



He threw himself between her open thighs as she braced one foot on the back of the couch and wrapped the other around Ron’s waist. Immediately they found a rhythm. Each knew what the other loved. Each knew how to move just right. Pansy arched her hips into Ron and he drove into her.



“Let me hear it again.” He grunted out.



“I love you Ron.” She told him as their bodies moved faster. She clutched his shoulders and urged him on. He braced his weight on his forearms beside her shoulders, holding her still.



“Again.” He said looking down at her. She reached down and grabbed his ass in her hands pulling him into her.



“I love you.” She said, pulling her knees higher, and taking him deeper. He groaned loudly and rolled his eyes.



“Again.” He rested his forehead on her stealing a kiss as he spoke.



“I love you.” she said into his eyes. “I love you I love you I love you I love you…….” He chanting mixed in with his breathing. He shoved a hand between their bodies and found her clit. He love words came out in gasps now but Ron heard every words



“I love you too!” They came together loudly in a flood of fluids, and twitching limbs. Ron let his weight drop on hers. She loved holding his weight on hers. It was comforting and she felt safe when he settled on her.



“I love you Ron.” She whispered, holding her lover.



“I love you too Pansy.” He whispered into her neck, brushing her hair from her face.



Leeky yelled from the kitchens that lunch was ready. Ron and Pansy gave a laugh at the elf’s politeness in not wanting to walk in on his master and his mistress. Ron used a cleansing spell on both of them as they rose straightened their clothing.



“Nothing like an afternoon fuck is there?” He said with a smile as they walked to the table hand in hand.



They sat down talking as Leeky served lunch. She listened as Ron spoke of an investment he and Draco had undertaken a few months ago. It was paying off very well.



“Master?” Ron looked down. “This arrived for you master.”



Ron took the parchment and read it, then started laughing. Pansy stared at him. “It’s from Harry,” he explained, “he heard from a fellow Auror that Sara is having the marriage contract examined with a fine tooth comb. Apparently she’s trying to find a loophole of any kind that will allow her a settlement.”



“You’re joking.” Pansy was surprised.



“Why so shocked?” He asked,



“Because she loves money, and she not attracted to you from what you overheard. If she just let you carry on with me, she wouldn’t have to change her life and she wouldn’t have to bother with you. Money means more to her then her feelings so it makes no sense.” Ron took a drink with a smirk lingering on his lips. “Ron, what have you done?”



“I cut off her access to my accounts so now whenever she wants money she has to ask for it.” Pansy couldn’t help it, she let out her laughter.



“Oh Ron, she must be livid.” She said between her laughter.



“Yes, and now she’s trying to find a way out of the contract that will still give her money and she won’t.” He said with satisfaction.



“You’re not worried that she might actually find a loophole?” She asked.



“Not in the least. Hermione drew up the parchments.” He said with a smile.



“What does it say if you don’t mind my asking.” She had never asked Ron about his marriage before.



“You can ask me anything. In a nutshell, if she wants to leave she can but then she’ll forfeit any right to a settlement. If I however want her gone I have to give her a settlement, in essence buying her absence. She has a fidelity clause I don’t. I can cheat as much as I want she can’t, if she does, and there’s a charm to alert me, then I can divorce without giving her anything. If I physically abuse her then she can leave and receive a settlement.”



Pansy was impressed. Hermione made sure he was taken care of. “What if she claims that your neglect of her is abuse.”



“The contract states physical abuse not emotional abuse. Every section has a point list of exceptions and guidelines. Hermione left nothing to chance.” Pansy fell silent. “What is it love?”



“Ron, does she have anywhere to go if she leaves?” Ron was a bit stunned.



“Concerned?”



“A little.” She looked away. “I’m sorry if……”



“Don’t be sorry Pansy, you are concerned for another woman, there’s nothing to be sorry for. Besides she wouldn’t have cared about you, that makes you the better women. That’s why I love you.” She gave him a genuine smile. He loved how she looked when she smiled. Then a thought struck him as he looked at her. “You want me to offer her something don’t you?” He said gently. He hadn’t moved away or released her hand. Pansy averted her eyes.



“It’s not my place to suggest dealings with your wife.”



“Hey now, I thought we were past that. Come on now, I’m curious.”



“Well it’s not easy to live with the fact that your husband openly has a mistress. If you let her initiate the divorce and still offered her a little something she would be able to save face in the public. It would help her pride to be able to say she’s had enough. And a settlement would make sure she’d be alright.”



“Your amazing to be so concerned.” She smiled, she was afraid she had gone to far but Ron always listened to her. He always appreciated her opinion. She never pushed once she had her say. He listened and heard, she knew that. There was no need to press her point.



As he left to meet with Harry and Draco, he passed the table of letters. “Which of these are from men?”



“This pile.” He picked up the pile and pocketed it while she laughed, thinking about his reaction to some of the suggestions.