Beauty and the Beast

The party had come together just splendidly. Guests arrived in elegant dress robes and gowns. The ballroom was amazing, and the staff had dressed itself to perfection. The room sparkled and a conductor charmed the instruments to create a marvelous symphony for them.



Ron was dressed with just as much dignity as he had at their wedding. He wore dress robes with a confidence that life had given him. Dancing couples filled the room and Ron and Pansy circulated, making sure guests were greeted and wanted for nothing.



Pansy had danced with several friends and was given many congratulations as the night went on. Ron had loosened up around his family who had all managed to attend. Ron’s father amazed Pansy and she loved how they were such a comfort with each other.



She was immediately accepted by his mother who, despite knowing that the marriage was arranged and having been filled in on all the details, still acted as if she and Ron had a romantic love for each other. Ron had told her when she asked what his mother knew, that she was just an optimist when it came to the situation. She accepted it as Ron had.



Throughout the evening, Pansy had made it a point to speak and mingle with everyone. At the moment however she was making her way to the bar and drew out Blaise Zabini. “Don’t you think you’ve had enough Blaise?” She asked. She had known her former housemate was prone to overindulging and he often spoke his mind when he did.



Draco must have been of the same thought because he was at her side out of nowhere. “I agree Blaise, you’ve had enough.”



“You know Draco, you always have a habit of voicing the same opinion as Pansy, now why is that?” Draco rolled his eyes. Blaise always thought there was something between him and Pansy, and when he had a crush on Pansy in third year, it drove him mental.



“Pansy is my best friend and we have the same views, now come on Blaise, enough with the wine. You know what your limit is.” He moved to take the glass but Blaise pulled it aside.



“I know my limit, but it seems Pansy has formed a set of new limits, isn’t that right Pans?” He said throwing an arm around her shoulder.



Pansy gasped and pushed his arm off, looking to Draco for support. “Alright Blaise that’s enough, you’ve more then had enough tonight.” He wrenched the now empty glass from his hand and took his arm. “Lets get you home.”



He yanked his arm from Draco’s grasp. “Take yourself home Malfoy. I was invited just like you were.”



“It’s not very dignified to get pissed at a party that’s meant as a celebration of my wedding.”



Blaise laughed. “You celebrate a wedding to that thing?”



“Blaise!” Draco let out, noticing that several guests around them had stopped dancing or talking and were watching.



“Don’t ‘Blaise’ me Draco, I’m just saying what everyone is thinking.” Draco noticed by now that more guests had become aware and Ron was walking toward them. “How can she celebrate being married to him?”



“Would you clarify what you mean by that?” Ron asked, coming beside Pansy and holding her waist. Pansy turned toward him and mouthed her apologies. Ron brushed it off with a comforting smile.



“Clarify what I mean, well first off you had to buy the woman because you can’t get one with that mask now,” Pansy gasped and shocked noises came from the crowd of guests, “then you expect us to believe that after only a month you are enjoying wedded bliss, when we all know that she hasn’t seen under that mask has she? I doubt she would stay if she had. Right Pansy?” He said the effect of the alcohol becoming obvious.



“No, your wrong, I’m staying with Ron because I am happy here and no other reason.” She clung to Ron’s frame, afraid she would strangle Blaise with her bare hands.



Ron for his part had remained calm. He had heard worse, and the slurs of a drunken moron made no difference to him. “Mr. Zabini I think I would be better if you returned home for the night.” He said calmly.



“Don’t give me that Weasley. We all know the circumstances. You had to buy her, plain and simple. Has she seen under that mask of yours? Have you shown her the real you? Or is she just like the rest of us, even though apparently you are happy together.” He said with an exaggerated lavishness.



Ron had enough. He moved forward and took Zabini’s arm leading him toward the door. Zabini however would have none of it. He yanked his arm free and drew his fist back, ready to force it forward, but Ron was faster and less inebriated.



He ducked and grabbed Zabini about the waist bring him to his knees. The two grappled on the floor, among the startled gasps of the guests. Draco and Ron’s brother Charlie came forward to break apart the two men.



It was only after Ron removed himself from his brother’s arms that he became aware of the silence in the room. He looked over at Draco who was holding Blaise to his feet. Blaise was staring at him with wide eyes. His face had lost all color and in his shaking hand, Ron’s mask was entwined in his fingers.



He suddenly became aware of a cool air on his face. The room was looking at him, some as if it was nothing unusual, and some in shock at the extent of his injuries. Ron however was only looking at Pansy.



She was looking at his face and the whole room could have vanished for all he cared. He kept his eyes on hers, looking for the slightest change but there wasn’t one. She just looked and then began to walk toward him.



Pansy kept her demeanor as she moved to her husband. The clicking of her heels echoing in the now silent room. The scars were very pronounced even white in some areas, and his skin showed the distress of so many scars in a small area. Her eyes were drawn to his lip, which during the slight wrestling about had been split in one spot and was now bleeding.



“Are you alright?” She asked, gesturing to his lips.



“Yes I’m fine.” He said.



She smiled then took his jaw in her hands and kissed his scared cheek. She was aware of a few gasps, but she was also aware of a few ‘ah’s’ from the crowd. Ron leaned down and took her kiss gladly.



She took his arm and looked to Charlie. “Please inform the guests that I am taking my husband upstairs to see to his injury. Would you also let Blaise know that I am insulted at his getting drunk and starting a fight in my home, and when I come back down I would like him to be gone.” Charlie nodded and assured her he would take care of it.



They walked to their bedroom, where a maid had already brought a tray to treat his lip. “Thank you, I’ll take care of my husband.” The girl left them alone, closing the door.



Ron sat patiently while Pansy tended to his cut. In mere moments the potions she applied worked and his injury perfectly healed. “You haven’t said anything.” He told her, as she waved her wand at the tray, sending it back to the laundry.



“What should I be saying? I’m mad at Blaise that’s obvious, but you had to deal with him……..”



“I’m not talking about the fight Pansy.” He said.



“I know.” She turned and faced him. “Did you think I would be disgusted?” He said nothing. “I’m not Ron. I would have much rather liked the mask to come off by your own decision, but as it happens it didn’t.”



“That’s all you have to say?” He asked.



“Ron, there is more to you then a few scars. I’ve spent the last month and a half getting to know you and not your appearance. Would you act differently without them? Does it matter to you that I’ve seen? I suppose this might be an easier conversation if I had more time to prove my confidence in you.”



“Why is it such a big deal to you?” He asked. “It came off didn’t it?”



“Not by your own hand Ron. And no, it’s not a big deal to me, but it is to you, that’s why you wear it.” Ron rose and began pacing the room, but Pansy kept speaking. “Ron the mask is to keep your secret, and for no other reason. I am your wife and I ……” She froze unsure of how to go on.



He stopped and looked at her. “You what?” He asked, wondering if she would say the words.



She walked over and took his face in her hands. “I think Ron….that I am falling in love.” He gazed down at her, knowing it was hard to say. “And I don’t want you to think that it makes so much of a difference what your face looks like. I am not leaving you when I have come to care deeply. If I leave because of something like your appearance then I could be denying myself something wonderful.”



He looked down at her. “Like what?”



“A man who respects me.” She answered.



“You have that.” He told her.



“A husband who’s faithful to me?”



“You have that.” He pulled her closer.



“A lover who needs me?” She said.



“You have that.” He said hugging her tightly.



“And maybe even a partner who’s in love with me.”



He looked into her eyes, losing himself in their depth. “I think I’m falling in love too Pansy. I don’t want you to leave.” He whispered.



“I’m not.” She said and rose up to kiss him. He titled his head and gave over to her osculation. Her fingers came up and held his jaw. The tips on one side coming in contact with rough once hidden skin.



After a moment they parted and rested their foreheads together. “I suppose we should go back down.” He said.



“If you don’t want to we don’t have to.” She said. “We can always send the guests on their way, I’m sure they’ll understand.”



“No, we’ll go back down.” He moved to the dresser and took out a new mask, securing it in place. Together they returned to the party. Charlie true to his word, and with assistance from Draco, managed to get Blaise back home.



The rest of the guests welcomed them back with joy and the celebration continued. Nobody asked why he put another mask on, and Pansy was grateful to have understanding friends. The evening passed as if the interruption never happened.