The Family Jewels

Chapter 50
Two for the Show

It was dark, where he was, walls enclosed it, but they were not confining. The walls were keeping all the pain away. They were protecting him. Quiet, and comfortable, he was in no hurry to leave. He wasn’t used to being alone. He had grown up with other people all around him, all the time. Finally, a little silence.
^-^-^

Draco knew that Pansy was terribly nervous, but he had initially put it down to fear about meeting Ron’s family. It became clear that this was not the case.

“Pansy, dear, I knew you would be along as soon as you could.” Molly Weasley fiercely hugged her son’s girlfriend.

“Oh, Mum Weasley, I am so frightened, and they wouldn’t let me come to see Ron…” she dissolved into tears once more.

“Pansy, not to worry. Ron just needs a bit of time. Why don’t you say hello?” Molly moved a chair very close to Ron’s bedside; Pansy sat down and looked for all the world as if she had no intention of moving from that spot until Ron was awake.

Draco moved further into the room to see Blaise. Once they were sure that he was going to be fine, Mr. and Mrs. Zabini had gone to a hotel to try to get some rest. Blaise was not alone however, his brother Paolo Zabini, slept in a chair next to him. It was interesting to see the two faces, similar yet distinctive, both placid in sleep.

When Draco moved within five feet of the bed, Paolo was instantly awake. His wand was in his hand and he was on his feet before Draco could get the welcoming smile on his face. Paolo smiled when he recognized Draco, holding out his hand to shake. Draco knew there would be no apology for his instant defensive stance. If anything happened to Blaise while either of them was supposed to be watching while Blaise slept, they would answer to Carlo Zabini, not a pleasant thought at all.

“Paolo,” Draco greeted, “how’s our boy?”

“He’s good. His broken bones have healed, but there still seems to be a problem with his left chest, the Healers were talking about fluid in his pleural space, whatever that means. They didn’t seem overly worried; actually they seemed excited that they were getting to see this condition themselves. Talked about bringing Trainee Healers in to see him so they would recognize the condition if they ever saw it again,” Paolo shook his head. Only Blaise.

^-^-^
He wondered why he wasn’t hungry, but then shrugged. He had heard his mother’s voice, but she didn’t sound angry, so he decided he could sleep for a little longer. When Charlie gave him a gruff hug and began talking about what a hero he was, Ron wanted to smile, but thought that was too much trouble. Charlie would understand; he had always been Ron’s favorite brother. Bill and Percy never really had time for him; they were more interested in books and their futures. The twins were each other’s best friends; no one else even came close. Charlie was really the reason he wanted to play Quidditch so badly. Charlie had been an exceptional Seeker, and while he was smart, he was not obsessed with grades and moving up in the world. Charlie always took the time with his youngest brother; they shared a bond that the others mostly ignored. Charlie was proud of him! He was definitely going to get up soon, when he wasn’t so tired.
^-^-^

Hermione had been released by the Healer-in-Charge, and she had now taken up residence in Ron and Blaise’s room. The medi-witches had given up trying to limit the number of people in the Weasley/Zabini room. They thought they had heard all the excuses in the world, but this new one, that one of the visitors had come straight from helping a Hungarian Horntail lay a clutch of eggs took top honours. They had promised to keep the door closed, and they weren’t loud exactly, it just seemed there were a lot of red and black haired people.

Severus Snape had also been released sometime in the night. He had disappeared into the Floo, clutching the hand of one Narcissa Malfoy. Narcissa had kissed Hermione, Blaise and Draco goodbye, whether they were awake or not. Paolo had thought she was an angel for a moment when she swept up to his brother’s bedside and kissed him. She had stopped at Ron’s bed, and had solemnly kissed him on the cheek before whispering, “Take care of Pansy. Her mother is my dearest friend, and she is terribly precious to us both.”

^-^-^
Someone was holding his hand. Lots of people had been holding his hand lately, Ron couldn’t understand it. This was familiar though; someone was playing with his fingers and talking in that low sexy voice of hers. Pansy. He let his lungs fill up with the scent of her; the warm feelings in his heart were exhilarating. “Ron, love, please wake up,” Pansy was whispering the words in his ear, letting her lips touch the lobe gently.
^-^-^

“Pansy, I’m so tired. Can’t we sleep for a little longer?” Ron mumbled to Pansy, wondering why she wasn’t snuggled against his chest. He reached out to drag her back against him, but she must have gotten up already. He opened his eyes, ready to convince her to come back to bed, when he saw his whole family looking at him, minus Percy, of course.

“Uh, Pansy, why is my family in your bedroom?” he whispered to her.

“Ron, you’re in St. Mungo’s. Remember? You destroyed the Dark Lord,” Pansy whispered back, absolutely mortified.

Ron put on a big smile. “Well, that was some dream I had,” Ron laughed, wondering why he was even trying to cover when he could see that they had all heard what he had said. They were even smiling. This had to still be part of his dream.

Harry’s face came into focus. “You had us worried there, mate. Welcome back,” Harry gave his hand a quick squeeze.

Ron gave Harry a quick smile, before centering his attention on the dark haired girl leaning her elbows onto his bed. Pansy had tears streaming down her cheeks, but she wasn’t making a sound. “Don’t cry love, there’s nothing to cry about.”

Pansy shook her head, wiping the tears away with her fingers. “I know, I know, I just can’t help it. I don’t know what to do without you.”

Thankfully, Charlie and Harry exchanged a look and they were able to shoo the other Weasleys out of the room so that Ron and Pansy could have a minute alone. “I love you, Pansy. You know that. I’m always going to be here.”

“And how would I have known that you love me, Ronald Weasley? I don’t read minds, you know.” But Pansy was smiling that smile he had only seen directed at him, so he knew she wasn’t really angry.

“I thought that I had shown you,” Ron said ducking his head. “When we make love, it’s like time stops. I’ve never been in love before. I didn’t want to scare you away.”

“I love you too, Ronnie. I’ve never been in love before, either. Maybe we should just feel our way.” Pansy had stopped crying, and kissed the inside of his wrist.

“That sounds like an excellent plan, Miss Parkinson.” Ron gave her a kiss. “Are all my brothers here?” he asked.

“Well, no, Percy couldn’t make it, I suppose.” Pansy did not meet his eyes.

“Don’t worry love; I’m with Ginny and the twins on the subject of Percy. It’s really only Mum who still has hope,” Ron said sadly. This would have been the perfect time to get the whole family together without any hard feelings. St. Mungo’s was neutral territory, and there were other people all around.

Harry and Charlie came back in, and Ron started to question them about what had happened after he had passed out. Harry smiled, then pushed back the curtain that separated the room in two. Blaise was sitting up in bed, reading a card, while Hermione slept on a cot. Draco was lounging on the window sill, and there was another dark haired guy who could only be a Zabini, speaking quietly in Italian with his younger brother.

Paolo immediately rose and offered his hand to Ron. “Paolo Zabini, good to meet you. My sisters should be coming soon, as well as my parents. We should find out when you are going to be discharged.”

“How many sisters would that be?” Charlie asked.

“Easy Weasley,” Blaise jumped into the conversation. “My sisters are off limits.”

Charlie put on his most innocent expression, joined by Bill. “We just thought since they were here, they might like to see some of the sights here in London. The Healers think that the two of you will be here for a few more days. You wouldn’t want them wandering around by themselves, would you?” Bill couldn’t resist teasing a little now that the danger seemed to be passed.

Molly Weasley also joined the conversation at that point. “I’m sure Ginny would be happy to accompany them if they want to see a bit of London now that you’re doing so much better.” Molly gave Harry a wink, and it was all he could do not to laugh.

Both Blaise and Paolo looked most relieved by this suggestion. What they didn’t know was that Draco had booked three suites at the Connaught in Mayfair, and Ginny would definitely not be available for a little sightseeing. Draco really wanted to be able to take both Blaise and Hermione to the hotel as soon as possible. All five of them were officially hiding out from the wizarding community, which was eager to reward their young heroes. Draco had taken the liberty of speaking to the Director of Communications at St. Mungo’s, and he had been assured that their condition and whereabouts would not be either confirmed or denied.

His blond eyebrows drew together. Hermione was still asleep with all the activity around them? She was usually such a light sleeper. Blaise was still having problems with the fluid in his chest cavity. Maybe they would be sticking around for a little while longer.

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A/N – Oh, the drama of RL. I haven’t been feeling it.

Bob Saget – I don’t think anyone has ever said that to me before. Every time I read it, I smile again.