The Family Jewels

Chapter 53
Pop Goes the Weasel

Ron was taking a nap, just as they had said he was going to. The fact that he was naked, sleeping on Egyptian cotton sheets next to an equally naked Pansy, was really a detail that could be easily overlooked. He opened his eyes, thinking that he had heard Pansy saying something, then realized that she was crying in her sleep. Although she had told him how scared she had been when he was hurt, it had not really hit him until this moment how close they had come to losing each other.

Ron gently wrapped his arms around her, whispering softly in her ear that he was there for her, that everything was going to be fine and most importantly, that he loved her. He knew when she was awake when she drew in a hiccupping breath and snuggled closer to his chest. Ron was over 6’3”, and had the shoulders that went with it. He had never been as glad for his genes as he was in that moment, when he was comforting Pansy.

“Bad dream, love?” he asked her softly, stroking her shining hair.

“Bad reality is more like it,” Pansy quipped back. That was his girl.

“Pansy, you know I’ll always love you, right?” he asked her.

She raised her tearstained face to his, nodding dumbly. Ron was searching for the words for what he wanted to say next, and he must have been taking too long, because Pansy started to cry again.

“You’re going to break up with me aren’t you?” she accused, getting out of bed and beginning to search around for her clothes. “I trusted you; I fell in love with you…” she began to rant about their relationship.

It took a minute for Ron to get her attention. “Stop, Pansy. Stop. I do not want to break up with you. I was trying to figure out how to convince the most beautiful girl in the world that she should marry me.” Pansy stopped struggling and just looked at him.

“You what?” she asked, scarcely believing her ears.

“Pansy Parkinson, will you marry me?” Ron asked, kneeling at her feet.

“Do you think we’ll have to tell the children that you proposed to me while we were both naked?” she asked him.

“Only if you want them to run screaming in horror from the room,” Ron smiled back at her. “Does that mean yes?” he asked.

“Yes, love. Yes, I’ll marry you,” Pansy threw her arms around his neck and held on for dear life.

Ron didn’t say anything, just tipped her chin up and kissed her mouth. She deepened the kiss, her fingers played with the hair at the back of his head. Ron thought they might stay like that for the rest of the day, when Pansy suddenly pulled back and screeched in his ear, “I have to tell my Mum, she’s going to be so excited, and your Mum, it’s going to be so great!”

“Pansy, calm down. I thought maybe we could enjoy this between the two of us for a while before we tell other people,” Ron said.

Pansy frowned a little. “But, Ronnie, I’ve been dreaming about this moment for years now, even before I knew that you were the one I was going to have it with. I need to tell my Mum.”

“Pansy, I don’t even have a ring for you. It will take me some time to come up with the kind of ring you deserve,” Ron said honestly.

“Ron, if you don’t mind, maybe we could use my grandmother’s ring. She left it to me, but I’ve never worn it. We loved each other dearly, and she and my grandfather had such a happy marriage. It would be so special if we could use her ring for our bonding, please Ron, please?” Pansy begged.

There weren’t any family heirlooms on Ron’s side to speak of, so there really wasn’t a reason why they wouldn’t be able to use Pansy’s grandmother’s ring. Still, though. “Pansy, I want to buy you a ring. From me.”

“There will be plenty of time for you to buy me things later. This is special, I want to bring together both of our families. You want me to take your last name, don’t you? Why shouldn’t we have something from my family?” Pansy was trying to be logical, but Ron could see that she had her heart set on this.

“Well, if that’s what you really want, the future Pansy Parkinson-Weasley...” Ron trailed off.

“No, Ron, that’s not what I want. I want to be Pansy Weasley. We will be a family. Forsaking all others, right?” Pansy gave a kiss on the lips.

“Forsaking all others. Pansy, I love you,” Ron hugged her tightly.

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Severus sat next to Narcissa at the table, trying to find the words to let her know that everything was going to be fine. He didn’t actually know that everything was going to be all right, but he had come this far, and he wasn’t going to give up now. She had eaten very little in the last few days, and her beautiful porcelain complexion was starting to take on an unworldly hue. He ran one finger down her back, and was surprised to feel the bones of her spine. This was worse than he had thought.

Narcissa straightened up, thinking that he was chastising her for slouching. Severus almost smiled at the way her mind worked. As if anyone had to remind Narcissa Malfoy to hold herself proudly! She had received a difficult life, a childhood bound by tradition and the subjugation of daughters as being merely chattel to be sold at a Pureblood auction. Her married life had been no better, bound to Lucius Malfoy as his trophy. It pained Severus that she had loved Lucius once, but he knew that Narcissa was glad that Draco had been born in love. Hers, anyway.

They sat in a small room inside the Ministry of Magic, Octavian Flom at their sides. He was still willing to act on behalf of Narcissa and Draco Malfoy, but he had made it clear that he did not practice criminal law, and was more than ready to recommend a worthy solicitor for Lucius Malfoy. Mister Flom had drawn up the papers in front of them himself, appreciating the need for discretion. He had completed the transfer of the Malfoy estate to Draco, and now was retained by the new Lord Malfoy in the matter of his parents’ divorce. Divorce was not an option in the wizarding world, but Mister Flom was able to unearth documentation that proved that Lucius had never intended to have a true bond with Narcissa. The fact that he had refused to join with her using the Malfoy emeralds was merely the candle on the cake.

He had been able to prove that their handfasting was invalid because Narcissa was not the only young witch that had received a betrothal ring from Lucius. That an actual handfasting had not followed was of no consequence. The other ring had been given before Narcissa’s, despite the agreement of their parents that they would marry. The divorce papers had already been signed by Narcissa. They were waiting now for his signature, and if he cooperated, Draco was willing to give his father the legal representation he would require in an attempt to escape a lengthy stay in Azkaban.

Lucius walked in, apparently surprised by the three people waiting for him. “I was told that you were here, my dear,” he sneered to Narcissa. “I see you brought reinforcements. Totally unnecessary, unfortunately,” he said, indicating the manacles on his hands.

Severus gave Narcissa an encouraging smile, but he needn’t have bothered. Mister Flom was there to represent their interests, and he intended to do all the talking. “Lucius Malfoy, these are the papers that will dissolve your marriage. In exchange for signing them, Lord Draco Malfoy offers you full legal representation.”

“You always did spoil the little brat. I should have known he would take your side,” he said viciously.

“All I did was love him. Perhaps you should have tried that,” Narcissa said stiffly.

“Lady Malfoy, if you will,” Flom said repressingly. “Please sign the papers now, and we will be able to avoid any unpleasantness.”

Lucius looked into the implacable blue eyes of the solicitor in front of him. He remembered him from his father’s day, and it looked like he hadn’t aged a day. “Fine, I never wanted to be saddled with you anyway. I will require one of the Malfoy estates when I manage to regain my freedom, as well as a generous stipend.”

“Lord Malfoy has empowered me to negotiate on his behalf,” Flom said, drawing more papers out of his case. He moved his wand over them briefly, taking note of the exact terms of their agreement. “Your son will choose which house you will receive, and you will be barred from Apparating to any of the others. You will also refrain from contacting your son and speaking to the press. Are we in agreement?”

Lucius knew he wouldn’t have offered such an advantageous deal to his son if their positions had been reversed. “He always was weak. Give me the papers.” Lucius signed them with his customary flourish. “Have her if you wish, Severus. Living with her is no paradise.”

Severus took her hand in his and kissed the back of it gently. “I love her, Lucius. That is the difference. We are both set in our ways, but I think we will both willingly make any adjustments to be happy.” Lucius rolled his eyes when they smiled at each other.

“Guard,” he yelled. “I’m ready to go back to my cell.”

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Ginny was sitting up in bed, a place she and Harry had barely left for almost two days. They had attempted to christen all the furniture in the room, as well as the shower and the bathtub, now they were focusing on the bed. Ginny had laughed over the telephone thing that was next to the toilet in the WC, and was most fascinated with the television. She had never really had a chance to look at it for any length of time. She was pushing the buttons on the small black wand thing that made the picture change when she came across two people having sex on the screen.

“Harry come quick,” she called excitedly.

“What is it, love?” Harry asked, walking in from the sitting room. He had been deciding what he wanted to order from room service. When he saw what she was watching, his mouth dropped open.

“Have you ever seen one that big?” she asked in an awed voice.

“Perhaps now would be a good time to remind you that sometimes I have trouble sliding, how shall I say it, home?” he asked her with a smug smile. “I don’t think you would enjoy that as much as you think you would.”

She gave him a right shove, “Harry, I’m just looking.”

Ron and Pansy burst into their room, looking like cats that licked up all the cream. Ginny was glad that she and Harry were dressed in cotton shirts and pants. “Don’t you knock?” she asked her elder brother.

Ron looked at her like he couldn’t understand what she had just said. “Go ahead, love, you tell them.”

“Ron and I are engaged,” Pansy said, quite calmly and proudly.

Harry shook Ron’s hand, “You’re getting one of the good ones, mate. Congratulations.” He kissed Pansy on the cheek a little self-consciously, “Thanks for taking this one off our hands. You have met his brothers, right?”

“Oh yes, I’ve met them, and they might be surprised when they get to know me. They might find we have more in common than they think we do,” she stated with an odd little twist of her lips.

Harry and Ron just looked at each other. If Pansy really did start conspiring with the twins, they could all be in serious trouble. “You’re just joking, right love?” Ron asked a trifle nervously.

“Don’t worry about a thing, love,” Pansy evaded.

Ginny had been trying unsuccessfully to turn off the porn on the telly so that she could congratulate her brother and Pansy. Finally, Ron noticed what was actually on the screen when he heard moaning. “Bloody hell, what is that?” he asked.

Harry turned bright red, but he was quick to put the blame on the person wielding the remote. “Don’t look at me, I was picking something to eat when you sister turned that on,” he said defensively.

“Never mind, can someone please turn it off?” Ginny asked, exasperated.

Since Harry was the only one who actually understood how it worked, he took the remote and turned it off. He did smile when he heard Pansy say, “Did you see the size of that?” in an undertone to Ron.

They all moved out into the sitting room, wondering who else was at the hotel. Ron told them that Signora Zabini expected them all for dinner, and wondered if they should check on Draco, Hermione and Blaise. “I know Blaise won’t be late for dinner. You’ve all met his parents,” Ron said.

The four of them trooped over to the door that connected to the next suite and knocked quite loudly. Blaise opened the door wearing nothing but a pair of low slung track pants. Ginny and Pansy, secure in their relationships, ogled him quite openly, making him smile.

“I assume there’s some reason you are all here,” Blaise said, stepping back to let them in. “Not that I don’t know that seeing my chest is reason enough.”

“Zip it, Blaise,” Pansy warned.

Ron and Harry sat down on one of the couches by the fire. “I guess we’re finally seeing how the other half live,” Harry said, looking around.

“What are you talking about? I can’t even see where you live, mate, let alone Zabini and Malfoy,” Ron replied.

The suite they were in was unbelievable. The furniture was clearly antique, and there were cut crystal decanters of spirits on a drinks tray as well as a dining table set in an alcove. Stairs led up to at least two bedrooms, they couldn’t be sure. There was no sign of Draco or Hermione. Blaise came back down the stairs, pulling a sweater that was clearly cashmere over his head. He had changed into a pair of linen pants and he slid his feet into a pair of matching leather shoes.

“Casual for the rich Italian crowd,” Ron whispered to Harry.

“My mother will be most offended if we are not all there for dinner tonight. Appetizers at seven. Dinner at eight,” Blaise recited as if he had said this many times.

“And just what does one wear to have dinner with your family Blaise?” Ginny asked.

“Well, we are generally fairly casual for family dinner. A dress and heels will be fine for you, Ginny. Formal robes are not required,” he said.

“Did you hear that, Harry? Formal robes are not required for family dinner. What do you think I might wear, Blaise?” Ron asked.

“I was just going to wear this,” Blaise said. “My mother is not going to care, Ron. Just don’t wear jeans, t-shirts or trainers, all right?” he said.

“You do realize that you just described what I’m wearing?” Ron asked.

“Pansy, help your boyfriend,” Blaise said dismissively.

“My fiancé, Blaise,” Pansy said with a grin.

Blaise did have style. He kissed Pansy’s cheek, congratulated Ron, and called down to Room Service for champagne without turning a hair. “Is this a secret? Or are you planning on springing this on your brothers at dinner? My mother will have a fit if we don’t let her know now. Surprises are fine for other people. She has to know everything. I’ll just nip over there, shall I? I’m sure you’ll want your parents to be there, too. We will take care of everything.” Blaise then Apparated away without waiting for a response.

“I did say that Blaise gave the best parties,” Pansy laughed.

“You just had to tell him, didn’t you?” Ron was shaking his head, but the others knew that secretly he was glad that the others were so happy for them.

Ron and Ginny looked at each other. “Mum!” they screeched. Ron was already kissing Pansy good bye. He knew that if Isabella Zabini got to his mother before he did, he would never hear the end of it. He Apparated to the Burrow without another word.

Pansy was left alone with Harry and Ginny. “Well this is rather awkward,” Pansy said. “Where do you suppose Draco and Hermione are?” she asked. “Might be rather embarrassing if one of them wandered out looking for Blaise, and found us,” she said.

Ginny was already going up the stairs. She was probably the best bet to go brave the possibly unclothed people upstairs. Hermione wouldn’t be embarrassed, and you could bet that Draco wouldn’t be. He might never let Ginny live it down, but he wouldn’t be embarrassed. She tried one of the doors, only to find Draco sitting up in bed, Hermione asleep against his shoulder. They both appeared to be actually wearing clothing, but Draco frowned and put his finger to his lips before Ginny could say anything. He scooted out from under Hermione, easing her down carefully so that she didn’t wake.

Ginny waited for him downstairs, and the other three grinned to see the perfect Draco Malfoy with uncombed hair, wearing his Slytherin Quidditch shirt and a pair of sleep pants. To their surprise, he grinned. “How is everyone?” he asked.

“We’re all fine, Draco,” Pansy answered. “Blaise took off to see his parents; he seems to be throwing together a small celebration for this evening.”

“Oh?” Draco asked. “Pansy, you’re blushing. Spill.”

“Ron and I are engaged.” Pansy’s smile was getting brighter each time she said it.

“That’s wonderful Pans, I’m sure you’ll be very happy. Will your parents be there tonight?” Draco asked.

“I think I’ll just Apparate over there. Ginny, can you go to the Burrow and send Ron to my parents’ house so that he can ask for my hand before it’s written up in the Prophet?” Pansy asked, trying to think what else she had missed.

“Draco, tell your mother. She can keep my mother calm.” Pansy then gave them that confident smile that was so new to her and Apparated.

Harry was looking out the window during this last bit of planning. It felt like everyone’s mother was going to be there except his own. Ginny knew what he was thinking and walked over to the window as well. She slid her arms around his back and held him tight. There was really nothing that she could say that would make his pain go away. He had revenged his parents’ murder, but it hadn’t brought them back.

Harry reached up to hold her hands to his waist. Maybe the pain of some things isn’t meant to fade.

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A/N – I have considered how I wanted to end this fic for a while, and I just don’t know if I’m thinking too over the top. But even if people are offended, the fic will already be finished. So who wants a nice sweet ending, and who would like something a bit more off color?

Dreamweaver – Doing without ex-sex is just wrong. After you slept with someone hundreds of times, what’s a few more? No strings, of course.