The Storyteller

“Ron you are a very talented writer, this story had me riveted when I was reading it.” She said as they made changes to more of the parchments the next day.



“Thanks, the story just flowed and flowed, the quill nearly set the parchments on fire as fast as it was moving. I just kept talking and talking until I couldn’t talk anymore.”



“Well, this is just wonderful.” She set the pile down, next to the pile that still needed to be edited, and stood. They had been editing all morning and it was almost lunch time. “I need to run to the book store in the village to pick up the weekend issue of the Prophet, can I bring you anything?” She asked.



“No nothing for me, I’ll have Leeloo start lunch. Will you be long?” He asked.



“No, just a few minutes.” She said. “I’m going through your floo.”



“Alright then, it should be ready soon.”



She took off and within a few moments had picked up her paper. She always looked at the Prophet on the weekend, it had book reviews and ratings. She moved quickly along a different aisle and found “The Storyteller’. Ron had about six titles published.



She looked briefly at the backs and found one that appealed to her. The story of a man who wants to marry a woman but her family refuses so he marries the sister of the girl he loves in order to be near her.



Pansy paid for the book and her paper and used the floo to get back to Ron’s. She put her things away and when she went back to the front room lunch was ready.



“Pansy, can I ask your help with something?” Ron asked as they ate.



“Sure.” She told him. “What do you need?”



“I wanted to know if you would guide me at the grocery. Normally I have Leeloo get what I need but there are times when I want to cook and I like going myself. I can bring Zeus and they won’t refuse him, but people in the store get scared of him. It’s not often I have a companion to go with me.” He explained.



“I’d be happy to.” She said. “You can cook?”



“Yes, I may not be able to see but the oven and stove are charmed to help me with that.” He said.



“That’s not what I meant,” she said, “most men I know can’t boil water let alone put together an edible meal.”



Ron laughed. “Sorry. Well rest assured I do cook and cook very well in fact.” He said.



“What did you plan for tonight?” She asked.



“Chicken breast and brown rice,” he said, “with grilled vegetables.”



“Sounds delicious. I love chicken.” She said.



“Then you will like this, I grill it and it comes out nice and juicy but not loaded with oil.”



“I can’t wait.” She said sipping her juice. “I bought one of your books today.” She said.



“Really,” he asked, “which one?”



“Choices.” She said.



“Ah.” He said smiling.



“Ok, lets hear it.” She told him, leaning forward.



“Hear what?” She said still smiling.



“The story behind this book.” She said.



“I’ll tell you after you finish it.” He said with a wink.



“When they finished lunch they got ready to head to the grocery.” Ron told her what to call through the floo and when she arrived at a general floo in a brick wall. Ron emerged a few moments after her.



“I’ll take your elbow.” He said reaching for her. She was a little unsure of how to go about it but Ron just chuckled and took her shoulders. Facing her away from him, she stood at her side but behind her shoulder and closed his hand around her elbow. “Hook your thumb in your belt loop.” He said when he noticed she was holding her arm stiffly. It worked and her muscles relaxed under his fingers.



“Ok, where do we go from here?” She asked, when they had become situated.



“There should be a stationary store on our left and a pet supply shop in front of us.” He told her.



She looked in both directions and smiled. “Yes.”



“Then we head to the right.” He lengthened his wand and they began walking. Pansy was amazed at the looks Ron had gotten. Some were sympathetic and some held pity, but all moved out of the way for him to pass without hesitating.



“We should be passing a café right about now.” He said. “I can smell the tea.”



“Yes, it’s on the left.” She said.



“Then we should be approaching a market on the right very soon.”



She turned her eyes and as they passed a florist she saw it. “We’re here.”



“Alright, lets go.” They entered and Ron stopped a moment. Pansy watched as he just stared straight ahead, she didn’t realize Ron inhaled and smelt the activity and listened. He was able to tell from this how crowded the store was and how fresh the products were. “There should be some charmed baskets around here near the door.” She grabbed one and pulled her thumb out of her belt loop so she could use her free hand to get what he needed.



Together they moved from place to place, taking their time moving around the store with ease, then went to the checkout. Ron took care of their purchases with ease. When he received the total amount he took out his bag and tapped it with his wand and repeated the amount and the bag immediately filled with the needed exact amount.



With bags in hand they left the grocery walking down the street. “Should we apparate back?” She asked.



“We can if you want.” He said.



“I much prefer apparation to floo traveling.” In mere seconds they had apparated in front of the house again. Leeloo emerged and took the bags. While Ron retreated to his study to go through mail he had received, Pansy retired to her own room to rest before dinner. She began Ron’s book and had gotten through several chapters by the time Leeloo came and summoned her to the kitchens.



“Ron your story is just fabulous.” She said sitting at the table. She stood when she saw him moving about. “Can I help with anything” She asked.



“No, no, just stay there.” As Ron moved around his kitchen with ease they talked about his book. Pansy noticed as they spoke that the stove responded to Ron’s wand movements. He cooked as anyone else would have and with more skill.



“Ron this is delicious. You are a fabulous cook.” She told him as they had finished eating.



“Thank you, I don’t get too many chances to cook for anyone else, so it’s a joy when I do have guests.”



“Well I’m glad I am a guest. This is better then anything I could cook.” She said as Leeloo took away their plates.



“What is the schedule for tomorrow?” He asked as they sipped after dinner wine before the fire.



“I take the parchments to the publisher in the morning. While she reads it I make arrangements for the printing to begin and send out owls to stores to stock the novels. When she gives the word, I will bring back the parchments and you can write your dedication or introduction if you wish, then the next day the printing begins.”



“Well then, lets finish up the last of it.”



They spent the next two hours finished up, and when they were done Pansy tied the parchments together, getting them ready for the morning when she left.



That night in her room, as Ron slept, Pansy stayed awake until the dawn light crept into her window. She had bags under her eyes from lack of sleep but she just couldn’t put the book down. Ron’s story was gripping and she had to finish it.



She managed to wake herself with a shower and quickly dressed. Ron was awake she entered the front room, he was running his fingers along a book that had no writing in it, just bumps. “Good morning.” He called over his shoulder.



“How did you know it was me?” She laughed walking closer.



“Nobody else here wears perfume.” He said.



“What are you doing?” She asked.



“Reading.” He said. She looked down at the book.



“Those pages are just full of bumps.” She said.



“Hermione gives me these all the time. It’s how muggles who are blind read. Its called Braille.”



“Braille?” She said.



“Yes, the raised dots. depending on the position they are in, signify a letter of the alphabet. Give me your hand.” He held her hand in his and ran her fingertips over the bumps. “What you just read was the word ‘dinner’.” He told her.



“Remarkable.” She said.



“You sound tired.” He said, looking in her direction.



“I didn’t sleep last night. I just couldn’t put your book down. Ron this story had me in tears.”



“Good tears or bad tears?” He asked.



“It was a sad story but one I respect.” She eased the book into his hands. “Will you sign it for me?” She asked.



“Of course.” He took out a quill and signed his name on the first page which was blank.



“Thank you.” She said.



“Will you return and let me know that everything has progressed?” He asked.



“Yes I will. I should be able to get back to you this evening.” She said. “You can tell me about this inspiration when I see you.”



“Alright. Try and take a nap sometime today if you can.” He told her.



“I will.” She didn’t mention that she had planned to do just that.



She gathered her belongings that she had already packed and the parchments before she faced Ron. “Thank you for everything Ron. This weekend has been so much fun.”



“Thank you for the broom flight.” He told her. “I can’t remember when I’ve had that much fun. It did mean a lot to me.” His voice had dropped slightly as his meaning came through.



“Then we have to do it again.” She said with a quiet voice.



“Yes, we do.” He reached up and his fingertips felt along her cheek to her chin. Tilting her face slightly higher, he leaned down and kissed her gently. His lips barely moved over hers but it was enough to send lightning through her body.



She held still until he pulled his lips from hers and let his fingers brush her chin as he released her. “Until we fly again.” He whispered.



It took her a few moments to gather her breathe back. “Yes.” Was all she said as she walked a few paces and apparated back to her office.