The Storyteller

Pansy handed over the parchments to the publisher. She would speed read it that afternoon, and by about 4 o’ clock Pansy would be giving the word to the printing team to start production.



As the publisher read, she sent out parchments to key booksellers, and just as she had thought, ‘The Storyteller’s’ new book was highly anticipated and the orders were for large amounts.



She slept for a few hours in the office couch and woke when a co worker brought her mail just before lunch.



The publisher gave her the approved parchments at just after 3 co clock and Pansy moved with a quickness to the printing team with the amounts to begin with.



The letters from the bookstores gave her a rough estimate to start with and the team would be kept busy for several weeks printing all the necessary copies. A release date was finalized for two months later, booksellers were told they could expect copies then and were given permission to advertise the upcoming release.



Pansy finished her day in record time. She normally didn’t leave her office until six, but today she was gone and at her house by five. She unpacked her bag, having gone from Ron’s home to her office. She gathered her cloak and apparated to the cottage.



Leeloo opened the door and she walked in. “You are now in print sir.” She said with enthusiasm.



Ron let out a laugh and held out a hand. “Thank you.” She took his hand and accepted his hug.



“The stores ordered huge amounts of copies and everything is set for a release in two months.”



“That’s great.” He said and reached for Leeloo who had champagne flutes. They toasted to the success of a new book.



“How about a celebratory flight?” Pansy suggested. Ron’s face lit up.



“Yeah.” Leeloo had his broom in hand and soon they were flying through the sky, the cooler air of later afternoon and early evening gave their cheeks a flush but they were warm from the flight.



“Ron I’m going to go over the lake again, hold on.” His arms tightened on her waist as she picked up speed over the water, bringing up a long wake. Spinning around she flew back over her path. Ron clutched tight with one hand and leaned slightly, letting his hand skim the water as the lifted wake misted his face.



Pansy flew higher and suspended them within the branches of a huge tree. All around him Ron felt the leaves and smelt the blooms on the branches. He tightened his knees on her hips and lifted both hands high, feeling around him, bringing the branches to his face so he could feel the leaves and flowers on his skin and breathe in the scent.



Pansy held herself still as one arm slipped around her waist again and he leaned over to feel the trunk of the tree. Thick and sturdy and full of natures power, she watched as his fingers explored the marks and ridges, taking in the details of life that marked the tree.



The way his hands and fingertips moved and took in what his eyes couldn’t, enthralled Pansy. “Can you really see the beauty with your fingers Ron?” She asked gently.



He stilled and turned his face, bringing his hands back. Pansy felt him touch her cheek lightly. “Yes, I can.” He whispered. Pansy felt her heart jump to a rapid pulse at his touch. The arm around her waist cradled her and his face brushed against hers as he spoke. “My fingers see the beauty people normally overlook.”



Pansy let her eyes drift shut and Ron lightly felt along her jaw line and up to her earlobe. “I can see softness when most don’t.” His voice was a mere whisper as she felt his lips moving under her ear. “I can see traits hidden from view.” He brushed his cheek against hers.



His arm tightened around her waist, bringing her tighter against his body. His firm chest against her back felt wonderful and she let his caresses continue, giving herself over to his exploration.



“I remember you being so beautiful, and you still are.” He said to her. “I’d like to see more of you.” He said bring both his arms around her waist. “But I don’t want to risk you falling off the broom.”



She came to her senses and took hold of the broom firmly. “Maybe we should head into dinner now.”



“Alright.” He rested his head next to hers and continued to hold her tightly as she flew down. They walked back in the house hand in hand, and Pansy felt a delight in his attention.



While they sat down to dinner, Pansy asked about the book she had read. “The inspiration was a girl I used to work with, when I was partnered with Harry in the Auror department. She told me that when he wanted to get married, her family refused to allow it.”



“In the story he marries her sister just to be close to her. Did that actually happen?” She asked as they ate.



“Yes and no. He married her sister thinking that he would be able to stay in the house and have an affair with her, but she had too much honor then to carry on with her sisters husband.”



“Good for her.” Pansy said.



“In the book she refuses to be alone with him, afraid that she will give in, and this goes on for years. In actuality she went to her sister and told her what he new husband suggested and her sister moved them away. When she died he returned expecting to find the sister waiting for him, but she had fallen in love with another man and had gotten married.”



“Where are they now?” Pansy asked. “In the book, she accepted an arranged marriage, and was able to get over him.”



“The real story is that she lost all respect for him when he asked her for an affair, her feelings never recovered. She did fall in love, deeply in love, and she wasn’t pining away for him.”



“In the book they died in each others arms.” She said.



“They are both alive. She had a lovely family, he is alone.” Ron told her. “I think he’s expecting her to give in but she won’t.”



“Well I wouldn’t wish loneliness on anyone, but to think she would be willing to sleep with her sisters husband, and then that she would be waiting is just pure arrogance.”



“The story I wrote is actually a slap in the face to him. I never liked him much and I never understood what she saw him. The book is listed as fiction to tell him that his dreams of how she would act are nothing but fiction.”



Pansy giggled. “How did he take it?”



“He tried to take legal action against me, but he didn’t get far since he named her as well and she refused to say anything.” He explained.



“He named them both and she said the story was not about them, and she had no idea what he was talking about?” Pansy guessed.



“That’s right. She on the other hand, loved the book.” He told her. “Pansy, I did enjoy this afternoon.” He walked her to the floo.



“I did too. I love flying with you.” She said.



‘I didn’t mean just the flying.” He reached out for her hands and she gave them to him without question. He pulled her closer. ‘I’d like you to come back again. I like spending time with you.”



“I like it too Ron, and I’ll be back soon.” She said slipping her arms around his waist. He raised one hand and cupped her cheek, running his thumb along her lips. He slowly dropped his lips and kissed her.



Pansy let her eyes drift shut. Ron’s kiss was slow and gentle. When their lips parted their tongues met in a tender embrace. Ron was overbearing or rough in any way. He kissed her as if she was a fragile treasure to be savored and Pansy loved the feeling.



He slowly broke the kiss, keeping his lips on hers for several moments before pulling away. “Come back to update me, will you?” Pansy knew he was asking for more then an update.



“Yes, I will.” She whispered and then left through the floo.