So Much Better

Pansy glanced about her flat again. She had already sent her bags through the floo to Ron’s, and he sent a note that they were waiting patiently for her safe and sound. In actuality, he thought about unpacking for her but decided to wait in case she had something personal packed away.

She had asked her neighbor to accept any owls that showed up, and the wards she set would direct the animals if they showed up. She made sure everything was closed up and all the taps sealed for the weekend. If there were an problems, the very kind and elderly lady next door would be keeping an eye on her place. Her eyes had lit up when she heard Pansy’s plans for the weekend, and she could just now envision tea and being plied with naughty questions. She had a feeling the woman was a handful in her younger years.

She hurried to work and went about her day in the best of moods. She was excited about this weekend with Ron but as it got closer and closer, she grew more and more elated. She intended to enjoy this weekend, and nothing was going to spoil it for her.

“Pansy, there’s a Mark Darish here to see you?” She heard from the door.

Well, almost nothing. She let out a sigh. “Ok, send him in.” The department clerk left and as she continued closing up her desk Mark walked in. “What do you want Mark, I’m on my way out.”

“It’s barely 2:30.” He countered.

“I have personal time that I am taking advantage of.” She said, which was true. She never requested off time, so she decided to use some today.

“Great, then we can grab some tea and talk.” He said with a smile.

“I can’t, I have plans, now what do you want?” She asked, slipping several folders into a neat pile. She had to give them to Jayme to handle while she was gone.

“What plans?” Did he always sound so childish?

“What do you want Mark?” She called again, scribbling a note on a parchment.

“We need to talk.” He hated that she was working while talking to him. She could at least look up.

“No we don’t.” She set things aside and grabbed her cloak, slipping it on. Taking the stack of folders in hand, she waved her want and extinguished the lights, then practically pushed him out of the office so she could lock the door. “Can you make sure Jayme gets these?” She asked the clerk. Mark was still following her, but she didn’t care.

“Sure. Have a good time.” She said with a smile.

“I will. Bye.” She made her way to the lift. “Mark, we are done talking.”

“I don’t think we are.” He entered the lift with her. “Listen, you sent all my owls back, and you won’t give me the chance to apologize.”

“I heard it before Mark, and what makes you think I want an apology.” She faced him with a hard glare. “You brought a woman to my home. MY HOME. There is nothing you can say that will excuse that.” She walked out of the lift, but stopped in front of the floo. She didn’t want him to hear Ron’s floo network call. “It’s over Mark.”

“What did she mean, have a good time?” She rolled her eyes. He just wouldn’t let it go.

“I’m spending the weekend away with Ron.” She explained and watched as the vein in his neck began throbbing.

“Haven’t you paid me back enough?” He was whispering, but it was a harsh whisper.

“The first time I slept with Ron was to pay you back. I’m seeing him now because as I said before the sex is so much better.” She smiled and stood waiting. “Mark, what we had was over the moment I saw you with another woman. I don’t care about the whys and such, I just want to be left alone. Now go away.”

He gave her a hard look and without saying anything else, turned and walked away. His gate was stiff and hard, she knew was pissed off, but she really didn’t care. Stepping into the floo, she called out, “R. Weasly.”

She emerged to see Ron in dirty jeans and tshirt, on the floor in front of his floo, with his broom laid out. A rag was beside him, containing several torn up bristles. Maintained he called it. A broom always flew smoother when you took care of the bristles.

“Hey, I wasn’t expecting you until later.” He stood, dusted off his jeans and wiped his hands.

“I took some personal time and left early.” She raised her lips for a kiss, then took off her cloak.

“Good, because I got a letter earlier.” He waved his wand and the broom and supplies began cleaning themselves up.

“Should I be worried?” She asked, half joking.

“No,” he joined her on the couch, “my parents invited us to dinner. Bill and Fleur are in town and when they can get as many of us together, they do so.”

“I can always wait here for you.” She offered.

“They invited us both.”

“They did?” She sat up.

“Yes, the letter came this morning, so I flooed over and talked to mom. I told her I was having company this weekend and she said to bring you along. She loves the house full again, even if its just for a few hours.”

She knew Ron was proud of his family and to stay here while he went seemed like an insult. “Alright then.”

“You don’t want to go?” He had picked up on her unease in a moment, He wasn’t an auror for nothing.

“It’s not that, I just….” she met his eyes again, “I’m not a ‘meet the parent’ type girl. I get too filled with anxiety.”

“There is nothing to be nervous about. My sister and Hermione will be there. Charlie is going to bring his girlfriend and Fred and George are still in Russia, so you don’t need to worry about pranks.”

She laughed along with him. “I said I will go, but I am a little nervous. I don’t want to do anything stupid.”

“Don’t worry, this is my family.” He said, taking her hand and her bag. They walked to the bedroom to get her settled. “They have all the stupid they need with me.” Pansy let out her laughter as she entered Ron’s room. He had done that on purpose to ease the tension, and it worked.

“When do we leave?” She asked.

“Since you’re here early we can floo there about 5 like everyone else.” He flicked his wand, and her clothes unpacked and de-wrinkled themselves, then he waved them into his closet. “I was about to leave and deliver some last minute parchments, will you be ok here?”

“Yeah, I’m going to take a bath. I need a soak.” His face became serious.

“Why, what happened?”

“Relax, Ron it was nothing.” His expression still hadn’t changed. “Mark came by my office as I was leaving.”

“What?” Ron’s shock was evident, and she loved how he was so open with her. “What did he want?”

“He wanted to talk, but I would let him. He was upset that I returned his owls, and he wanted to apologize, then he wanted to know where I was going for the weekend.”

“And he got even more upset.” She nodded.

“It’s nothing, don’t worry about it. Go do what you have to. I am going to have a nice long soak, I’ve been running all over the department and I deserve it.”

“Yes, you do.” He kissed her cheek. “Alright, I’ll be back. Do you need me to bring you anything?”

“No.” As he left, she drew herself a bath and submerged herself in the bubbles. She loved a bath at the end of the day.

Ron and Pansy emerged together out of the floo and into the Burrow. They were greeted right away by Harry and Hermione, then by Ginny and Charlie. She was introduced to Charlie’s girlfriend Elissa. Bill and Fleur were due to arrive any moment and while Mrs. Weasley refused the girls help in the kitchen, she did solicit the men to help, and Harry followed Ron and Charlie, to set the table, and help with the last preparations.

Pansy took a seat with the other girls among the various seats. “Does she always make them help?” Pansy asked.

“Oh yeah, mom has a thing about ladies always offering to help, so she drags the men in there.” Ginny explained.

“It haz been good. Bill iz helpful in our own home too.” Fleur’s accent was still there but getting better.

“Mom made sure all her sons knew how to cook.” Ginny told them. “Pansy, how long have you and Ron been seeing each other?”

“It’s nothing exclusive right now. We’re just spending time together right now.” She didn’t quite know what else to say. How did she classify her and Ron?

“Do you two have plans for the weekend?” Hermione asked. “Or are you just going to see what happens?”

“Ron told you about this weekend?”

“He came earlier when his mom sent out the letters, I was here too.” Hermione leaned forward.

“As far as I know, nothing is planned.” She admitted.

“But you like him enough to come to his family’s dinner, does that mean you like him a little more than something casual?” Elissa asked.

“Yes, I do. He’s a wonderful man, and I enjoy being with him. But to be honest, I just got out a relationship so I don’t want to rush into one. At least not right away.”

“Does Ron expect anything?” Ginny asked. “He’s not usually one to have meaningless affairs.”

“Really?” Pansy thought carefully about this. Ron did seem eager to spend time with her, but he never pushed her. “I guess with knowing first hand what happened, he hasn’t wanted to overstep anything by suggesting it.”

“I think you’re right. He may be giving you all the control to make you feel secure.” Hermione added. “Maybe he doesn’t want to panic you by mentioning commitment.”

“That sounds like him.” Ginny said with a nod. “Either way, I wouldn’t assume this is something simple.”

She nodded and kept that thought in her mind. She liked Ron, she liked him a lot and while she was sure of what she wanted, she was also sure that she wasn’t going to pursue something until she was positive she wanted it. The girls talked about nonsense until Arthur came in to tell them dinner was ready.

Ron held out a chair for Pansy, then took the one beside her. Ginny was on her other side and soon the kitchen was filled with several conversations occurring at once, much like Hogwarts mealtimes. She had such a wonderful time and it was hard not to enjoy herself in his family.

As they left, her and Ron flooed back to his home. Ron poured them both an after dinner wine and relaxed on his couch. “Did you have a good time?”

“I had a great time. Your family is wonderful.” She leaned into his body.

“They like you too. Especially my father. He likes people who are genuine.” He smiled down at her. “Pansy, how do you feel about me?”

She stayed nestled against him, thinking. She knew this talk was coming but she was unsure how to answer. “I’m not clear about what you want to hear.”

“Just the truth. Nothing more.” He was at ease, leaning back on the couch, resting an arm around her shoulders.

“I like spending time with you. I like talking with you.” She ginned up at him. “I like fucking you.”

“I like that as well.” He said, returning her smile.

“I like you Ron, I can say that, but as to anything else, I wouldn’t want to say anything without meaning it.” She said, wondering if he would take her words as she meant them.

“I can understand that. I like you too, and I would like to have some exclusiveness with you.”

“You mean a commitment?” She said, still smiling.

“In a way, nothing serious. I just want you to know that I don’t want to see anyone else but you. I would be nice if you felt the same, but I can’t demand anything.”

“Ron, if you want to be a couple I can do that.” She loved how his smile grew. “I can’t promise feeling what you may feel.”

“I know that. I just like the thought of not having to share you.” He set their glasses aside and reached out, easing her into his lap.

“Really?” She teased. “Are you going to tie me down now?”

“No. I would never do that.” He leaned closer, burying his face between her breasts, nuzzling her through her sweater.

“Why is that?” She let her eyes drift closed and arched a little.

“I would want to make sure you stay with me because you want to, not because I tied you down.” He was warmed by her chuckle. “I’m a little insecure.”

Pansy laughed out loud. “Really? I hadn’t figured that out.” She cupped his face, leaning down and giving him little kisses.

“Why didn’t you see it?” He closed his eyes and enjoyed her assault.

“You are so good in bed, I would think you had more confidence.” She teased his earlobe.

“It’s my only talent.” he said, letting his head fall back.

Pansy burst out laughing, her head falling on his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her, listening to her laughter.


a/n: sorry about the upload