Beauty and the Beast

A few days later Pansy decided to take a walk around the grounds. Ron’s land boasted several boarding stables for his creatures, each with their own grazing land, to the right, left and rear of his castle.



The land itself she would wait for Ron to show her, but the castle she would look at now. She decided to start on the ground floor and since, thanks to Ron, she was well acquainted with the study, and the dining room she decided to look in the kitchens. She found several areas, all in operation.



“Did you lose your way ma’am?” An older woman asked her. Pansy saw that she wore the same eye as Professor Moody had, but she looked at Pansy without any insecurity.



“No, I just wanted to explore my new home.” Pansy looked around at the activity. “Are we expecting guests?” She asked.



“Oh no ma’am,” she said, “we are constantly cooking here for all the hands. They eat in shifts so we have to have meals ready to warm up at all times.”



“I’m very impressed.” Pansy said. She could have sworn the woman grinned broader.



“This is Caitlyn.” She said introducing a woman she remembered from her day she arrived.



“Yes, I remember.” Pansy said.



“She cooks meals for the family and guests.”



“Did you enjoy your meals so far?” Caitlyn asked.



“Yes, we did. You are very talented.” Pansy complimented. Looking to the side she continued. “I was just wondering how this…..”



“Pardon ma’am, but you need to look at her when you speak.” The woman with the eye said.



She looked over at the girl and spoke again. “I was just wondering how the kitchens accommodated lands this size but now it’s obvious.” As she spoke she noticed the girl’s eyes were not looking at hers but aimed just slightly lower. “You’re reading my lips.” She said.



“Yes ma’am.” Caitlyn answered.



“I’m sorry I didn’t realize.” Pansy explained.



“It’s alright.” Caitlyn gave her a smile that destroyed her embarrassment, and together her and the woman with the eye, who Pansy learned was name Annie gave her a tour of the kitchens. With the staff that Annie had control of, they kept the castle, it’s lands and all it’s occupants sustained. Caitlyn had a small section to herself, as she didn’t cook for too many.



Pansy moved outside and found a separate building, which she found it was a laundry. It was the size of the Slytherin common room. Various baskets and tables held the several stages of cleaning.



“May I help miss?” A man asked her. Pansy looked at him and then his mouth opened. “You’re Mr. Weasley’s new wife ma’am, I’m sorry I only saw you when you first arrived.” He muttered.



“It’s alright. I was just taking a tour around the house.” She explained.



“Well nothing extravagant here, I’m afraid, just your average laundry.”



“Are all these for the hands who work with the creatures?” She asked.



“Yes, we need to do them separately because of all the dust, dirt, and sh…..shtuff they end up with.” Pansy smiled at his censorship.



“I understand.” She said.



“We have a separate laundry for the house staff, of course Mr. Weasley’s and now your clothing over here. A fine set of ladies takes care of all of those.” He said. Pansy looked over at the area that he pointed to. A young girl was folding a pile. When she turned she noticed the girl had a scar that traveled the length of her face. From her temple to her jaw. It was thick and deep. Pansy knew that when she received it, it would have bled like a waterfall.



When the girl found her looking, Pansy gave her a smile. The girl blushed and continued with her duties.



“Thank you Mr.…….” Pansy prompted.



“Mr. Avery. Joshua Avery ma’am.” He answered. She nodded and watched as he turned and took up a basket. It was then that Pansy noticed the brace on his foot, from ankle to kneecap.



She left the laundry and went outside further to the greenhouses. She found brilliant foliage and herbs, as well as a vegetable garden in a separate section. She saw a portly woman approach her. She reminded Pansy of professor Sprout but this woman was younger and very blonde. She put down her basket and Pansy saw her hand was wooden, attached at the wrist in a glove like fashion with a buckle across the back.



“Did you need something I can get for you ma’am?” She asked.



“No, just taking a tour of the house.” She looked around. “This is fabulous.”



“Thank you ma’am, I take pride in the greenhouses and herb gardens. The kitchen gets most of it’s vegetables from here.” She said proudly. Pansy noticed several plants encased and tied off. They were not edible and used in potions. “We also stock the potions labs.” She said, noticing where Pansy’s gaze had fallen.



“I see. Fascinating. Who supplies the herbs?” She asked.



“Neville Longbottom. He has the best.” She said, looking off for a moment. “Excuse me ma’am, go on and take a walk about if you wish.”



Pansy nodded and walked along the aisles of plants. It was well stocked indeed. She came across a young girl, that couldn’t have been more then about 18, pruning a plant. “Hello.” Pansy said. The girl gave her a small smile. “How long have you been here.” The girl seemed to open her mouth but didn’t know what to say.



“She can’t talk ma’am.” The woman had returned.



“Why can’t you talk?” Pansy asked her.



The girls stood and shyly removed her scarf. When she tilted her head back, she noticed a series of jagged scars along her neck. Pansy smiled at the girl. “I see now. Thank you for showing me.” She said softly. The girl gave her another small smile and replaced the scarf.



She stayed a few moments more then returned to the house. She went through the various rooms, finding the library, the game room, a parlor, and what looked like a common room. When she found the ballroom she took a moment to herself. The piano was in tune and she played with the keys.



She thought about what she had seen. Maybe Ron with his own scars provided a haven for those who wanted to hide from them. He gave these people a place where they would fit in, without being stared at. Where scars and injures were the norm.



She let her fingers dance across the keys. Playing was always relaxing to her. She’d have to find her sheet music and set it up in here. She looked up and found Ron in the doorway. The music stopped. “How long have you been standing there?” She asked.



“A few moments. You are quite good.” He said walking over to her. “This room doesn’t get much use.” He said looking over the hardwood floor. The other side had huge glass door leading to the floral gardens.



“I have the letters that need a response ready. Do you want to write them now?” He asked.



“Sure.” She answered standing and taking his hand. Together, and with a quick quill they had the letters answered in no time. They had received several value certificates and money gifts. Those with questions were answered and those with insults or those writing to find out information were ignored.



When they were nearly done Ron order dinner to be prepared. By the time they had finished with the last of them, they were each hungry.



As they tucked in Pansy spoke. “I toured the house today.” She said.



“Do you like it?” He asked.



“Yes, I thought I’d wait for the stables for when you have time, so I took a walk around the house and outside grounds. Many of the staff have disabilities or severe injuries.” She said.



“Yes, they do.” He said.



“Where did you find them?” She asked.



“Most of them came from the hospital I was healed at. With their injuries they have a hard time finding work, even though they can do anything, just in a different way. Some of them are subject to ridicule and would rether work around people who understand.”



“Ron?” She ventured, looking down at her plate.



“Yes.” He said quietly knowing what was coming. He thought she might not ask like she said to Draco, but she obviously had time to think about it and change her mind.



“Why do you wear the mask?” She spoke as if a child asking for something they shouldn’t.



“A hex. I was working on a piece of land when the boyfriend of one of the girls came by and started arguing. Normally I mind my own business but when he slapped her I couldn’t stand back and do nothing. I gave him a fist in the eye that sent him reeling.”



“Good.” She said.



He grinned and continued. “I went to help her to her feet, but her eyes flew open and when I looked he sent a hex my way. It felt like a series of knives slicing up my skin and I reached up to grab my face when he sent another one. Some of the other workers took him to the ground and a healer was called. I spent a few days in the Scottish hospital and then was released in enough time to speak to the ministry about what happened.”



“So you wear the mask because….?” She asked.



“It was a dark magic curse he used. When I raised my hand, I took a second curse there. People see the scars they react, and children get scared. I would just as soon not deal with all of that. If people see me wearing a mask they will assume I don’t want to talk about it and I don’t.”



She looked down. “I’m sorry.”



“Don’t be. You are my wife now, I don’t mind sharing things with you. You have a right to know, total strangers don’t.” He said, taking her hand. “Now is there anything else you were curious about?” He asked with a small grin.



“Well, actually…..,” she said, “I was looking for my clothes and saw the drawer with your gloves. Why do you wear a mask that ties? Why not a charmed one?”



“A charmed one can’t be felt. With one I can feel, I know it’s in place.” He said. “I’m always aware that it hasn’t fallen off.”



“But I didn’t feel ties when……” she stopped.



“Go on.” He told her.



“Our wedding night. I didn’t feel ties.” She said with a blush.



He smiled. “I happened to enjoy hands in my hair. I thought I might be able to entice you to do that and I didn’t want you to feel the ties and take your hands away, so I did use a charmed mask.”



“I see.” With her curiosity satisfied they continued eating, talking about what they would use the wedding certificates on.