Beauty and the Beast

Pansy nearly fainted. Ron Weasley had been her fathers choice? Well, he hadn’t been her fathers choice per se, he had thought he was selecting Ben Marshall. It was the only consultation she had at the moment.



“Ronald Weasley? That was his profile you showed me?” Mr. Marshall nodded.



“Yes it was, Sir. Mr. Weasley was most insistent. I was to counter the highest offer, no matter the amount.” He stated with a smile at Pansy. “He considered it a very important and worthwhile investment.”



“Investment?” Pansy shot out. “He seeks to invest in a quidditch team of Weasleys then?”



“No miss,” he corrected, “while from a large family himself, and now with the means to support one in luxury if he wanted, Mr. Weasley makes it known that children are not a top priority.”



“They aren’t?” She asked. “Why does he want to get married then?”



With a smile, he answered. “Mr. Weasley has never actively sought marriage prior to hearing of your eligibility. He sent me here for the express purpose of not just securing a bride, mss, but securing you are his bride.”



“There you go my dear, a man infatuated with you and one knows your worth. He will make a fine husband, isn’t that right Mr. Marshall?”



“Mr. Weasley is very much the gentleman. He made it very clear that you are to have anything you wish. We are to put your wishes into effect with regards to the wedding and his staff is prepared to serve their new mistress in any way.”



Pansy still couldn’t believe what was happening. Weasley? Weasley wanted her? It was too much to take in all at once. She was shocked at the events but was somewhat relieved that one of the rejected men had not succeeded in his revenge. She was still very, very confused. Weasley had the wealth to command a staff as well as outbid every offer that came? Wealthy enough to satisfy her father?



“And just where does Mr. Weasley and this staff of his live?” She asked.



“In the hills of Scotland.” He said. “He purchased a forgotten castle a few years ago and has brought it back to life again. It only awaits your touch to become a true home.”



She was speechless. With some final words to her father, Mr. Marshall left. “Well dear, shall we have champagne to celebrate?”



She looked at her father with a hard glare. “How much was the offer?” She planted her hands on her hips.



“Now Pansy, don’t worry about details, it’s all….”



“What was the offer father? If I am to accept being sold I should at least know the buying price!” She screamed with a bright red face.



“You were not sold, don’t speak like that.” He told her.



“How much?” She asked again.



He stayed silent for a moment then spoke. “Three hundred thousand.”



“So you sold your daughter for three hundred thousand galleons to a man you thought you knew, only to find out he was just the servant. What do you think of that?” Her temper was fast reaching it peak.



“Pansy, come on now….”



She was already moving toward the stairs and on the second step. His voice did nothing to calm her, if anything it made her more angry that he was seeing this so lightly. “What if it had not been Weasley? You could have just agreed to give me to a maniac, and the fact that it’s Weasley is the only thing keeping me from hanging myself!” The anger she felt had overflowed from her being. The lid she had tried to keep on her emotions long since thrown off. She let her tears finally fall and she ran to her room.



“Pansy my dear you’re over reacting.” He started to follow her but she ran to her room slamming the door shut in a loud echo. He heard the tears and knew he would get nowhere with here tonight. He went to his study and closed himself in.



Hurling herself onto her bed, she let the tears flow. No matter how her father looked at it, he had sold her, and it hurt down to her soul. She couldn’t help but cry and cry and cry. When Mr. Marshall said he was making the arrangement for someone else, he greatest fears snuck up on her. When he said Weasley’s name she felt a floodtide of relief. She had never seen Weasley in that light before but she knew she would be safe, and she would have to fear for her life or her sanity. She cried now as much for relief as humiliation, but it still didn’t change the circumstances.





With the help of Mr. Marshall and the planner he had hired, the wedding came together and was set for the next week. Pansy had refused to organize a massive ceremony, deciding instead to just marry in the vast gardens of her father’s estate. There was practically no guest list, only a few friends of her father. The rest of the Weasley family lived either too far away or in other countries. Announcements and introductions to his family would come later.



For her part Pansy was passive about everything. She didn’t care about the details and took no part in arranging anything. When asked her opinion she just went along with suggestions given to her. When asked about a reception she told her father to organize what he wanted, she wouldn’t be attending.



“It’s your wedding and you won’t be at the reception? How will that make you look Pansy?”



“I don’t care father. This is not a love match to celebrate, it was a sale.”



“Actually Mr. Parkinson,” Ben said, “Mr. Weasley will most likely want to leave for his home right after the ceremony. He is not one for parties.”



“But surely at his own wedding….no, you must be mistaken.” Mr. Parkinson found it hard to believe that a man who would be willing to offer so much for his daughter wouldn’t celebrate the wedding.



“If he stays for a reception, I will be very surprised.” He reiterated with a firm conviction.



Plans for the wedding proceeded, and on the day of the event, Pansy dressed somberly in a simple sheath gown of beaded ivory white. Her feet were in dainty rhinestone studded heels. She was a beautiful vision but Pansy felt anything but happy.



She would have much liked to choose her own husband. Her fear had abated knowing that Weasley was a man not given to beatings, but it did little to settle her stomach. The day was planned very much as she felt. Simple and without extravagance. By tonight she would be in a new home.



She hadn’t spoken to her father directly since the day of Mr. Marshalls visit and her engagement. He had tried to get her excited about her nuptials and when he arrived at her door to escort her to the gardens he continued in his effort. “Come one now, my dear, you are joining a very wealthy man and he will make you a fine husband.”



“This agreement had little to do with your searching, it was accidental and I am only glad that it was Mr. Weasley he worked for and not a rapist or murderer. I am through talking father.” She said as she walked stoically on his arm.



“Pansy enough of this.” He stopped and took her shoulders. “I have chosen a fine husband for you and today you will be married. Put aside the harsh feelings and try and be happy!”



“You didn’t select him for me father.” She said calmly. “You thought you were selecting Ben Marshall, remember?” She may as well have been reminding him that he had ordered chicken for dinner rather then steak.



“I chose the man from the profile I was given!” He said firmly, as his face went though varying shades of red.



“Well, then by all means father,” she said just as calmly, taking his arm again, “let’s go meet my new profile.”



The guests were all assembled and were waiting. Pansy was given comments on her loveliness and a fine match. Pansy took them in stride and with a graceful smile.



“Miss Parkinson, may I say you are a vision of loveliness today.” Pansy smiled at Ben Marshalls compliment.



“Well Mr. Marshall, where is Mr. Weasley, or did he send you to marry my daughter as well?” Mr. Parkinson was fast losing patience. During the preparations the past week for the wedding, Ron had not come to the house to see Pansy or speak to him. He found it very insulting.



“What man doesn’t see his bride or her family before they are to get married?” he asked.



“For generations that was the norm, Mr. Parkinson, but in this case rest assured that Mr. Weasley is present.” He looked off in the distance. Mr. Parkinson turned and looked for what took the man‘s attention.



Pansy’s gaze came upon a carriage that had just landed off in the distance. It was drawn by two beautiful pegasus of brilliant white. The carriage came to a full stop as Mr. Marshall approached the carriage and opened the door. He spoke briefly with whoever was inside then took a place beside the coach.



Pansy watched intently as a hand emerged. It was in a black sleeve with a black leather glove holding the door for leverage. Soon an entire figure came out of the carriage. Pansy recognized the Weasley ginger hair. It flamed even brighter against black dress robes.



He made his way across the clearing. When he was close enough to make out clearly, Pansy saw that he wore a mask. It covered half his forehead, his temple backing into his hairline, a cheekbone, and half his jaw on one side. It left his chin and lips were visible while one eye peered at her through a hole in the mask.



“Pansy.” He greeted, holding out a hand.



“Ronald.” She returned taking his hand. He kissed her knuckles then released her fingers.



“A word with you for a moment, please.” She slipped her hand from her fathers arm and took a few steps with him off to the side. Both were well aware of the guests and her father watching them. Mr. Marshall for his part had taken to informing the ministry official that the wedding would proceed soon.



“Pansy,” he said, “I know it has been some time since we’ve seen each other, and even then we haven’t been the closest of friends.” She nodded in agreement. “I know the past week has been hectic and I am sorry for not coming to see you earlier. I want you to know that I won’t force you to go through with this so if you don’t want to marry I will leave now.”



She looked aside then back at him. “You offered my father so much just to marry me.”



“Yes, having you for a wife would be an honor, one that I would value.” He told her. “And to be honest I couldn’t bear the thought of some of the men who have spoken to your father. I am sure you knew a few of them.”



She nodded. “Yes, I did. I’m ready to honor the agreement Ronald, but may I ask something Ron?” He nodded. “Do not be cruel to me.”



“I promise I won’t be.” He said in a heartbeat. “Then shall we.” He said when she gave him a one sided smile. He offered her his arm, and together they approached the ministry official.



“Mr. Weasley, so nice of you to join us this afternoon,” her father said, displaying his impatience, “we can stable your pegasus with my steward.



“That won’t be necessary, my new wife and I will be leaving after the ceremony.” His eye from beneath the mask glared.



“Right after the ceremony? But we have planned a lovely reception for you both to celebrate.”



“I’m sure my man would have told you that I don’t do parties, as I am sure you can figure out why.” He said. Mr. Parkinson said nothing, just glared at him through the mask. “Now then, I believe we have a wedding to get to.”



He took no more then two steps when Mr. Parkinson stopped him again. “I believe it is customary for a father to walk his daughter down the aisle.”



Ron stopped and Pansy nearly felt the blood boiling under his arm. He spoke harshly but low enough that nobody heard him. “I believe sir it is also customary to allow a daughter to chose when to marry, and allow her to chose her own husband rather then giving her to the man who offers you the most money.”



Mr. Parkinson stood fuming as Ron took his daughter and walked to the official. Pansy felt her respect level grow for Ron. She had known he was an honorable boy when he went to Hogwarts, and his loyalty was to be commended even at that age. To see that he was just as outraged at her fathers actions, even though he had benefited from them, made this all just a little less painful.



As the ceremony commenced, Pansy felt her feelings conflict. She had never been friends with Weasley, so why did he make such an effort to gain her hand? She had only been on decent terms with his sister, and hardly said more then a few words to him.



She was angry at being sold into marriage but she was smart enough to know when she was lucky. The nightmares about marriage to a monster were over, she knew that. But how would marriage to Ron be?



What kind of man had he become? Would he insist on sex? Granted it would be easier to have sex with him then the other men her father had considered, wouldn’t it?



She held out her hand as Ron slid the gold wedding band on her finger. He held his hand steady as she eased his own band on. The wedding moved swiftly from that point on. Ron had insisted on saying ‘I do’. Mr. Marshall said without them, it seemed like force and Ron would have none of that.



“You may now kiss the bride.” Pansy looked up at the words. It was over. She was now Mrs. Ron Weasley and the guests were waiting for the kiss. She looked over at Ron who was watching her.



“Would you mind?” He whispered to her. “We don’t have to if it bothers you.”



She felt like smiling. He had asked permission, knowing that he would be subjected to stares from the guests. “I don’t mind at all.” She whispered back.



Turning to face her, he leaned down and placed a light kiss on her lips. Soft and warm, his lips were a feather touch, not demanding or frightening. He was a man who would treat her well, she just had to come to terms with it, and fast.



He pulled away and turned to the crowd. Taking her arm, he spoke. “Thank you ladies and gentleman for attending our wedding. I am sorry that we must leave you now, but it is unavoidable. My new father in law has a reception planned in our honor, so please celebrate our wedding even though we cannot be here.”



As they walked toward the carriage, they were offered congratulations by the guests. Ron took it all in stride and shook hands with nearly everyone. Pansy accepted them as well remaining on her new husbands arm.



“You’ll be good to my daughter then won’t you sir?” Mr. Parkinson said as they approached him.



“Isn’t it a little too late to say something like that, dad?” He emphasized the last word, knowing it rattled the man. “But yes, she will be well treated and she will want for nothing.”



Mr. Parkinson leaned down and kissed his daughters cheek. Pansy held herself still, taking his kiss stiffly. She didn’t look at him. He may be her father and she may have been lucky at the outcome, but she could not forgive him. He had sold her. When it came down to the facts he had sold her. She would never be able to get over it.



She moved without expression to the carriage on Ron’s arm and fastened her cloak. While they had been receiving well wishes from the guests, Ben Marshall had made sure her trunks had been shrunk and were now in the back of the carriage. She settled inside as Ron took care of last minute instructions with Marshall and the driver.



A few moments later he joined her, easing into the seat across from her. The carriage moved along the ground then slowly lifted into the air. The smooth easy ride was a comfort, not to mention a nice seclusion after escaping the reception her father had tried to give them.



She looked over at Ron who was watching her. He had grown hard in his years. It was plain to see he had been through hell, even without knowing why he wore the mask. His gaze was anything but funny and his presence now demanded attention.



“When things have calmed down, your father may want to visit.” He said.



“I don’t care what he thinks. I don’t want to see him again.” Her voice betrayed her hurt.



Ron said nothing. He understood her feelings completely. If she didn’t want her father to visit, that was her call.



The silence was getting to her after a while. “Mr. Marshall had told us that you do not want children.” She said.



“It’s not that I don’t want them, it’s just not my decision. Granted I don’t want a replica of my family, one or two would be wonderful, but I’m not the one who has to carry them and give birth, so that will be your choice as to when and how many.”



“Then you would not be adverse to my continuing to take contraceptive potion.” She said.



“Not at all, if you wish.” He said. She nodded and managed a small smile. “Pansy, we will share a room, you know.” His tone commended no refusal, but Pansy knew she could refuse. It just didn’t feel right to refuse him.



“Of course.” She said. “Um Ron…..”



“The mask will remain on Pansy, don’t worry about that.” He said.



She just nodded. It wasn’t what she was thinking but she nodded anyway. She had planned to ask what happened that caused the need for the mask, but let it drop. The way he spoke about the mask had enough of an edge to it to convey it as a topic to avoid.



They rode the rest of the trip in silence, Pansy didn’t venture to kill the silence this time. An hour and a half later they arrived at their destination. Ron exited and held out a hand to her, she took it and stepped from the carriage to view her new home.