Letters to Lovers

Over the next two months the reactions Pansy and Ron had initially received began to temper down. The talk with Draco had done a lot to curb the tension. Anything he did hurt Pansy, and he didn’t want that. He understood now that she was the one who had to deal with the backlash he had encouraged.



The rest of Slytherin house took on an ‘I-don’t-care-attitude’, the novelty having worn off. Ian himself acted like a sore looser and didn’t hesitate to give his opinion of Ron to anyone who would listen.



The only problem was that nobody cared anymore. The ‘Ron-Pansy Situation’ as people referred to them now, had been going on far too long and if they split now, it would be for their own reasons and not because of the talk.



Ian however wasn’t satisfied with this and found himself making enemies in his own house. Slytherins may have been primarily known for cunning ambition, but they were also known for dignity in the face of rejection. Ian’s tantrums at not getting Pansy to see his way was fast getting on everyones nerves.



He had hopes that there would be those who sided with his opinion, but after five months of openly dating, it was obvious that Ron and Pansy could take all the talk for what is was, just talk. The men in Slytherin thought he was acting like a little girl, and ladies couldn’t stand his temper. At this point if he tried dating anyone else, he would be hard pressed to find a girl who would overlooked his malicious attitude towards the couple.



He began being ostracized in his own house as well, with the exception of about three or four. His hopes and goals of making connections that would be to his advantage were failing. He blamed it all on Ron Weasley.



It was mid April when he made the decision to confront Ron. He wanted Ron to see how close he and Pansy were during the summer, but Draco said it was a bad idea, and it would make Pansy even more angry with him then she already was.



“Ian, he has a woman like Pansy on his arm,” Draco had said, “even he isn’t thick enough to chuck her.”



It took a massive amount of will power to brush off Draco’s insult, but it proved that he would be of no help and his two friends were no help either. Crabbe trusted Draco’s word like it was divine scripture, and Goyle actually like Ron. Ian recalled a moment when Ron had set up Goyle with some crazy blonde.



No. They would be no help at all. Ian had to do this on his own. He did, however, have one weapon left over. Now might be the right time to use it.





Ron left herbology and headed down the hall. Pansy had arithmancy, and Hermione and Harry had history of magic, so he planned to use the extra time before he met Pansy to get some homework done.



He was walking down the corridor to the library when he heard an unmistakable voice. “Mizter Veazley, mite I have a vord?” Ron turned and faced him, fully intent on being the bigger man.



“What can I do for you Mr….uh …Mr…. I’m sorry, I don’t want to chop up your name.” He said.



“Iz alrite, I vish to zpeek of Panzy.” He said gesturing to a nearby bench.



“Oh?” Ron held his ground, wanting to keep the advantage of his extra three inches in height over Ian. “What about her?”



“I vizh to zpeek wiz her, but zhe avoidz my compony.” He said.



“What can I do about that?” He asked.



“I vish you to tell her that it iz alrite to zpeek vizh me.”



“She already knows that.” Ian gave him an odd look. “Did you think I told her not to talk to you?” Ian looked away and then back. Ron let out a chuckle. “No, I don’t tell Pansy who she can and can’t talk to, that’s her decision.” Ian’s face became hard.



“Zurly you realize zat zhe iz above you in ztatuz.” His insult made Ron laugh.



“I case you hadn’t been made aware, every girl at this school is above me in status.”



“Vat kin you offer her? I know vhat zhe vants.” He reached into his cloak and pulled out a letter, handing it to Ron without words. He recognized Pansy’s script right away.



Ian

I can’t wait to see the castle your family has in the country. I have often dreamed of living in a castle, dressing in the best robes and hosting the most attended parties. Going to wonderful places all over the world. Having a loving, compassionate man devoted to me. Oh Ian, the fabulous life we can have when we are done with school, I cannot wait.



Ron handed the letter back. “Do you think you can give her this?”



“Yiz I kin.” He said with confidence pocketing the letter. “Ziz iz zee life zhe vants and I am abel to give it to her.”



“You already failed at the compassionate loving and devoted bit.” Ian glared at Ron. “You said yourself in a letter that she shouldn’t put too much into a summer fling. That alone shows you didn’t love her if it was just a sexual thing to you. Tossing her aside for another woman doesn’t define devotion does it? And let’s face it, you can hardly be compassionate if you told her that her family lineage was good enough now can you?”



Ian’s face was twisted in rage. Under his cloak, his fists were clenched. His final tool had failed to have the desired affect..



“I may not be able to buy her castles and jewels, but I can be compassionate, I can be devoted and I do love her.” Ian’s face was bright red at Ron’s words. As a nearby class let out, Ron again addressed Ian. “Pansy can leave me anytime she wants to but she hasn’t. She stayed and I’m going to do anything I can to make her want to stay. Now if you’ll excuse me.” He turned and continued toward the library.



Ian took advantage of a back being presented to him and flew at the retreating redhead. Ron felt the air leave his body as he was brought to the floor. He grunted out as a fist connected with his lower back sending pain shooting up his body.



Yells and screams filled the hallway as Ron rose and tossed Ian off his back. He just managed to get to his feet when Ian ran a shoulder into his stomach. This time Ron was ready.



Instead of losing his balance Ron braced his feet apart and hardened his stomach. Pushing forward Ron and the foreigner grappled, but while Ian was trying to dislodge Ron, Ron only wanted to deflect the assault. He was not only three inches taller, but he also had an extra fifteen to pounds on him.



Ron felt hands on each arm and saw another body over Ian. It took a few moments but eventually the young men were pulled apart. Ron noticed that Professor Snape had Ian in a firm hold. Looked to his sides, he saw Malfoy and Goyle had each of his arms. He stopped struggling and they released him.



Ron tried to stand up straight but the initial blow to his lower back made him hunch and groan. “Mr. Weasley,” Ron looked up at Professor Snape, “go to the hospital wing now. Mr. Gogyle, make sure he gets there, then meet me in the headmasters office. You’re coming to the headmasters office with me now,” he said keeping his hold on Ian’s robes, “Mr. Malfoy you come with me also.” He took Ian off with him, Malfoy following behind.



Goyle took Ron’s bag along with his and walked him to the hospital wing. “He got you hard that first time didn’t he?”



“Yes, I wasn’t ready for him and he got me to the ground fast. He picked a soft spot to attack.” Ron held his lower back, feeling the spot already tender to the touch.



“Sounds like him. Professor Snape saw the whole thing. He was at the end of the hall with us when Ian charged. I have a feeling he’s going to be sent back to Durmstum.”



“Good.” They had arrived at the hospital wing and Madam Pomfrey ushered him into a bed. She used magic to removed his clothes from the waist up and got him into a hospital issue pajama top.



It was a simple bruise that was easy to heal. He was given a potion and as he relaxed in his cot, Pansy dashed in. “Ron, …oh my Ron….what happened?” She sat beside his bed taking his hand.



“Ian got a little out of hand that’s all, it’s just a bruise on my back, it’s fine now.”



“Then why are you still here?” She asked, stroking his hair.



“Madam Pomfrey wants to check it. I should be out of here at dinner. I could leave now but she said to relax.”



Pansy stayed with him for the next hour listening to the whole story of what happened, until madam puffery dismissed him. Pansy was fuming at Ian’s actions as they walked to Gryffindor tower. “Would you like to come in?” He asked. Pansy lifted her eyebrows.



“She has to wait at the bottom of the stairs first.” The fat lady threw out.



“Don’t be rude.” Ron told her, then turned to Pansy. “I’m sorry. Just at the stairs while I give the password.” She descended the stairs until the portrait swung open, then hurried inside with Ron.



“Pansy! Ron! What happened, there’s talk about a fight.” Hermione jumped up right away.



“Yeah there was. I’m going to change. I’ll be right back. Pansy can fill you in.” He kissed her cheek and ran up to his dorm to change.



“Well, this is Gryffindor.” Hermione said waving her arms around the common room.



“Wow, it’s really….red.” Hermione laughed.



“How is Slytherin decorated?” She asked.



“Mostly black.” She answered, sitting where Hermione gestured. She filled in the other girl on what Ron had told her in the hospital wing.



“He’s sure to be expelled now.” Hermione said. “To attack a student, let alone behind his back. And Professor Snape has already spoken to him about behavior hasn’t he?”



“Yes, not about fighting, but about harassing me.” She said.



“Well, that will not make things easier for him. Did he really think Ron would tell you who to talk to?” She asked.



“He must have. Ron said he was shocked when he said that he never asked me to stop talking to him. He had to believe that Ron had objected to it.”



“Now we all know what kind of boyfriend he would be. He wasn’t like that during the summer was he?”



“It was only us during the summer so it never came up.” Hermione dismissed the thought and when Ron arrived the three left for the great hall.