Pansy/Patricia

Ron showed up at Hermione’s house with Pansy and they had a seat while she activated her telly thing. This little box was entertaining but he would never trade it in for a live show. There was something about the ambiance of seeing someone perform live. Particularly a beautiful woman in the finery of glitz and glamour. Pansy had never seen anything like it and was amazed.



He told Hermione that he wanted a song meant for the stage. He had seen those music viddy things she showed him on occasion and as cute as they were, they lacked the power that a stage number had.



“I think I have two choices that might work for you.” She told Pansy. “That cute short dark hair is the perfect look for the old jazz era so I thought one of these might work.” She handed them two of the disc cases as she called them and Ron looked at the titles. Cabaret, and Victor Victoria.



“This is the song from Cabaret.” She played it and Ron was marginally impressed, but thought Hermione’s was right. Pansy would fit right perfectly in the costume style. Pansy listened to the song and watched the dancing. Ron said he could always hire dancers for backup, he had done it before. The song however to her was a bit boring.



The second one was more the style of Ron’s club. The song Hermione chose was just what Ron was looking for. Dramatic and energetic and from what he heard, Pansy would do it justice. He decided to let her choose, and was more then glued to the images. Ron smiled at Hermione over the Pansy’s head.



“That’s amazing.” She whispered. “Ron, there is no way I can do this.” She looked up at Ron with huge eyes.



“Oh yes, you can. I’ve heard you Pansy, you just need a little help. The right customers, dancers, and choreographers you can bring this song to the stage.” He and Hermione were each smiling brilliantly.



Hermione charmed the song to the wireless radio to let Pansy listen to it and memorize the melody and words. She was in her flat that night listening when Ron showed up.



She let him in and he faced her right away. “Let me hear it.” He said.



She rolled her eyes and waved her wand. The radio began playing the music only. “Bout twenty years ago way down in New Orleans, a group of fellas found a new kind of music, and they decided to call it jazz.”



“You see, I told you.” He smiled. “You are going to be amazing.”



“Ron, I’m supposed to be working for you, not singing.” She said flicking her wand at the radio to shut it off.



“You’ll be paid for performing. There was no request that I have you do this or that. I was asked to just put you where I need you. I need you on stage.” He said.



“You can get performers all the time, Ron. You have a list of acts, waiting for your owl. You don’t need me.” She faced him.



“I need an excellent act on stage, and you are it.” He took her shoulders. “This is where I need you.”



She looked up and met his eyes. She never knew how blue they were, so deep and inviting. She took a moment to look closer at them and found she was staring. She pulled away and crossed her arms.



“I got my sister to design the costumes. She’s at Hermione’s watching the show and making sketches. She will fit you tomorrow.” He left her to her thoughts.



She sat down and rubbed her brow. She hoped she wasn’t getting in over her head. The last thing she wanted to do was crash and burn on stage in front of a club full of his patrons.





Ron was more sure of her then ever when he watched her during rehearsal. The choreographer said she was born dancer, and she moved with a natural grace. Pansy was made for the stage and he grinned thinking about her opening night.



He saw the costumes Ginny had designed. They were identical to the show and Pansy would look marvelous. The actress was a redhead but Pansy’s black hair would look fabulous. The black and silver would shine on her fair complexion and curvy frame.



As he was in his office Hermione showed up with an idea. “Do you remember how the woman in the movie was masquerading as a man and she took a wig off at the end of the show?” She asked.



“Yes, but there is no way Pansy could pass for a man, and everyone already knows who she is.” Ron countered.



“Yes, but they don’t know she is performing. Who else aside from me, Ginny, and your staff know she is going to be onstage?” She asked.



Ron thought for a moment. ‘I don’t know but as nervous as she is, I don’t think she told anyone. Although Draco knows she is working here.”



“She doesn’t have to pretend to be a man, but she can shock everyone in attendance. Send out invitations to everyone, her family, friends and then onstage she can wear a mask.” Hermione’s excited voice had egged him on.



“Then she can shock everyone by removing the mask. Hermione you are a genius.” He said rising and running to get Pansy.



“Yes, I know.” She relaxed and crossed her legs, waiting until they came in.



“There is no way I’m going to perform in front of my friends, let alone my parents.” She said, jumping out of her chair when she heard their suggestion.



“Pansy think about it.” Ron stood and faced her, taking her shoulders again. “Everyone will be stunned and they should be. You have a hidden talent and you shouldn’t run from it. You have an amazing voice Pansy, let everyone hear it.” She pulled away, and began pacing the room. Her nerves were on edge.



Ron looked to Hermione and saw her concerned look. “Alright Pansy,” he reached for her again, “this is what we’ll do, you can wear the mask. After the performance if you still don’t want anyone to know then keep the mask on and it will be a spectacular mystery. If you are confident enough at the end of your act, then remove the mask. It’s your call Pansy, I’ll leave it to you.”



Pansy looked back and forth from the two of them. Ron was offering her a perfect solution, but she didn’t know if she could sing knowing her parents were in the audience right along with her friends. Knowing that she had the option to keep the mask on was a comfort, and if he was going to invite her parents and family friends then she would keep it on.



“Alright Ron. I’ll keep it on.” She said.



“No need to decide now, you may want…….” He tried to comfort her, but she would have none of it.



“I will keep it on, or I won’t go on.” She stood and returned to rehearsal leaving Ron and Hermione alone.



He wondered through the rest of the day if he had pushed her too hard, but when he saw her in her dressing room in the completed costume he knew he had made the right decision.



She was gorgeous. The silvery fringes hanging off the body suit style garment was the sexiest thing he had seen her in. Ginny was just placing the mask over the top of Pansy’s face when she spotted him in the mirror. She turned around and looked at him.



With the mask on she was unrecognizable. The costume fit her like a glove and she wore it with a feigned confidence, but her eyes shadowed as they were hid her uncertainty.



“Pansy, you are going to be phenomenal.” He said, smiling at her. She fidgeted on her feet for a moment and avoided his eyes. Ron may be confident in her talent, but she was more scared then ever.