The Alternative to Matrimony

Pansy walked downstairs and into the parlor. She caught sight of him immediately. About as tall as Ron with a similar build, this man had dark blonde hair and what looked like amber eyes. But where as Ron stood tall to his full height, this man leaned his weight to one side and dropped his head slightly. He looked like he would walk with a strut or a swagger. There was a maliciousness to his face. When his eyes met her, he gave her a lecherous grin. She felt shivers run up her spine.

“Ah there you are, sit down.” Her father said. Then assuming his word would be obeyed, turned his back and continued his conversation with the gentleman. Pansy took him to be Nereus’s father.

“No father.” She said. Mr. Parkinson spun around ready to commit murder. “I want no part of this marriage.”

Nereus himself grinned. He was internally delighted at the thought of a woman who needed to be taken in hand, but he didn’t move from his spot.

“What did you say?” Her father asked. His face was a bright red now and Pansy would bet good money that a few grey hairs appeared on his temple.

“I don’t wish to marry, so I am leaving.” She held her ground, refusing to sit, and still standing in the doorway.

“You will honor the marriage contract.” Her mother said from her seat.

“No I will not.” Her mother longed to slap her, she knew the look. The one where her eyes bulged out, and the vein on her neck throbbed. “The last stipulation requires my virtue. I saw fit to rid myself of it rather than marry.”

Her mother gasped at the revelation and grabbed her wand aiming it at Pansy.
“Virgo intacto.” Nothing happened. “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!”

“I’ve given myself to a married man as mistress.” She said calmly with a small smile. She was actually enjoying the moment now.

“What?!” Her father nearly had an aneurism. Pansy kept her smile on her face.

“Mr. Sunderson. She admits it was only last night. Surely this isn’t that much of a matter.” Her mother was trying to save the situation, but Pansy remembered Ron’s words.

“No, mother, it is a big deal.” She smiled brightly. “Nereus here has to have a virgin so his shit performance won’t be compared to anyone isn’t that right?” Her smiled if anything got broader as she watched the meeting dissolve. There was pure murder in Nereus’s eyes and his grin vanished.

Her mother was holding a chair for support as well as her chest. Her father sat down and held his face in one hand. Mrs. Sunderson was doing her best to hold her composure, but she looked as if she was sitting among on a garbage pallet. Mr. Sunderson was looking at her father with contempt. Nereus approached her, but she held her ground, taking a step back would let him have power. He stopped a few feet from her.

“So, you’ve made yourself a whore.” His voice was gravely and filled with malice.

“When the alternative is matrimony to you, I would proudly be Ron Weasley’s whore.” His face dropped to shock.

“Weasley?” He asked. Pansy said nothing. Se took her necklace in her fist and called Ron’s name. She felt the pull to her insides and all the typical sensations that went with portkey travel. She reappeared in front of the fire at the hotel. Ron stood and took her waist in his hands, looking at her face. He reached up and took hold of his arms. She loved his arms. Ron kept watching her face, anxious for news as to what happened.

She looked up in her eyes, threw her head back and began laughing.