Both of Us

During the next several weeks Ron and Pansy settled into a comfortable routine. She was able to relax and rest during the day, and she was delighted to be on hand if Ron was summoned to the infirmary during the night or very early morning. Any other time and his interns were there.



One afternoon Ron asked her to stay with him in the infirmary throughout the morning. She didn’t have much to do but for some reason he needed her. Around noon, he asked her if she wouldn’t mind going to the house and getting lunch. She agreed and when she entered the house entrance was greeted with shouts of ‘Surprise!’



Ginny Weasley and Hermione Granger had invited several girls including some from Hogwarts, many of whom she hadn’t seen since graduating. She was shocked to see them all, and even more shocked to see presents and parcels, among the brightly colored balloons and treats.



She turned around and saw Ron smiling in the doorway. “This is why you needed me to help all morning.” He nodded and walked over to hug her.



“It was Ginny’s idea but I thought it was a great one.” He helped her sit down and brought her a drink.



He sat on the arm of the chair she was sitting in as she opened presents. She was given infant clothes, nappies, bathing supplies, a baby bag, several toys, and blankets, most of which were in whites, silvers, and greens since none of them knew the sex and Pansy was a Slytherin after all.



Ron came out of one of the room carrying a large package. “Ron, you didn’t have to do this. You’re already letting me stay here.” She said, as he returned to his seat on the arm of her chair.



She tore apart the paper and dropped her jaw at what she saw. It was a bassinet. A miniature crib that she could move around the house to wherever she was. It was decorated with ivory lace, and charmed to rock the baby, or play lullabies in flute music.



She looked up at Ron and then burst into tears. He leaned down and took her hands. “What’s the matter, don’t you like it?”



Pansy spoke but the tears ran her words together and he had no idea what she said. “She said, you’ve been so kind to her and generous and it means a lot and she doesn’t know how she can ever thank you.” Hermione translated while Pansy continued to sob in her chair.



“You understood that? He asked. Ginny brought her a slice of cake and she calmed down. He left the girls when he was summoned to the infirmary. When he returned a few hours later Ginny was helping her clean up.



“I can do that Gin. Thanks for giving her the shower, she needed it.” He told her as she stepped into the floo.



“It was a pleasure to give it to her.” She hugged Pansy and watched as the girl took leftovers into the kitchen. “You know Ron, there really is no reason for her to go to Draco’s castle.”



“Why wouldn’t she want to go?” He asked. Ginny just gave him a wink and set off in the floo. He joined Pansy in the kitchen and together they finished cleaning up.



When they were done, Ron sat with her by the fireplace looking at her gifts. He was amazed at how the girls were so generous. “Some of those girls I hadn’t seen since Hogwarts. I’m amazed that Hermione was able to find them.” She said admiring a set of baby towels.



“If she wants to, Hermione can find anyone.” He said, looking at several piles of sleeping gowns and clothes. “What made you break down like that?” He asked.



“Ron, you have done so much, and your friends took the time to plan this surprise, I guess when I saw the bassinette, it got to me. You and your family have done more for me then my own parents have.” She had let a few more tears fall.



Ron moved over and sat next to her on the couch. “I think I’m just sad that I am giving up my dreams. I don’t regret it, I would do anything for my baby, but it’s still a sad thought.”



“What dreams are you giving up? He asked.



“A husband, a family, a home of my own to care for. My father is right in one aspect. The kind of men that are willing to take on a woman with a baby that’s not even his are few and far between. An older child maybe, but a woman who kept a child of a rape. What man will have that?”



“You’d be surprised Pansy. A man of quality will see the strong woman you are and admire that.”



“It’s a frightening thought to raise a child alone.” She said sniffing. “I’m ready but still scared.



“You won’t be alone. You have Draco, you have me, you’ve seen my family accepting you. You don’t have to worry about being alone.” He told her. “You gave up so much Pansy, just to keep your baby, that is the first step toward being a good mother.”



She smiled at him and felt her spirits lifting. They had a light supper that night and before bed, Pansy ran her fingers along the bassinette imagining a small bundle sleeping peacefully inside it. It gave her a good nights sleep to have such peaceful thoughts.



She had kept up with Draco on a weekly basis. They sent letters through the floo network rather then exhausting owls and hawks with long distance flights.



Draco was glad that she had been given a baby shower, and he sent his own present of a Gringott‘s draft so she could buy anything she needed that she didn’t get at the shower. He was glad that she had the support of Ron’s family and thought it would more then make up for her own narrow minded parents. He always wished her well, and always told her that he was here for her. For Pansy, things were looking up.