The Storyteller

True to her word Pansy stayed at Ron’s side throughout the whole book signing. The table was elongated from side to side and Zeus remained calm and quite at Ron’s feet. Mrs. Novak’s worrying had been for nothing and as Ron continued to sign she worried less and less.



Ron always signed on the first leaf in the book. It was a blank page and buyers of the book were told that since he had no sight he would always sign that page. Ron didn’t have to worry about being asked to sign photos or objects. Anyone who wanted to get in line was told ahead of time that this wasn’t possible. So far so good, she thought as Ron continued for well over an hour to sign copies of his book.



Suddenly the flash of a camera went off in his ears. “Who was that?” He asked leaning over to whisper in Pansy’s ear.



“Rita Skeeter and her photographer are covering the signing.” She told him. “They have been refused an interview by Mrs. Novak, who said you would arrange an interview if you wanted to. Judging from her face she’s a bit upset.”



Ron smiled. “Well, she can glare all she wants.” He handed a book back with thanks to the reader. He leaned over again. “If she gets aggressive you handle her.” He said.



“No problem.” She said as he held out his hands for another book. She looked over at Rita and smiled. Her response was another heated look.



Some time later Ron leaned over and spoke to her. “She’s trying to get a suggestive image for The Daily Prophet in the morning isn’t she?” He asked.



“Most likely. She managed to get those photos as we were talking, so she got one of us leaning on close.”



“You’ll have to read me the article.” He said. “Are you staying tonight?”



“If you want me to.” she said with a smile. The flash went off again. “I can just see that photo on the front page.” She said.



Ron continued to accept compliments with ease and the signing went for a few hours total. Rita Skeeter remained the entire time, moving closer as the signing came to a close and Ron took Pansy’s elbow. He motioned to Zeus to stay where he was for the moment.



Ron stood beside Pansy holding her elbow in one hand and his lengthened wand in the other. “Is she still here?”



“Yes.” She said without checking. That bright red suit was hard to miss.



He leaned down and chuckled in her ear. “Do you want to give her a real photo opportunity?” He asked.



“What do you mean?” She smiled widely knowing Skeeter was watching.



“Give me a hug.” He said, to which she eagerly complied and with in a moment a flash went off.



“Mr. Weasley? A moment please.” She moved fast on those heels of hers, Pansy thought.



“I’m sorry Miss Skeeter, but I’m on my way out of here.” He said taking Pansy’s elbow.



“Can you clarify your relationship with Miss Parkinson?” She asked ignoring his statement.



“Miss Skeeter, as I have said we are on our way out.” He said firmly.



“Well, you are here with a lady friend and given the photo we were just treated to, don’t you think readers will be curious?” She said.



Ron was getting angry now, Pansy could feel the tension, but he showed nothing. “Miss Skeeter given my sightlessness, which I’m sure you noticed since you have no time to do anything else, I’m sure you would not begrudge me a little assistance in navigating unfamiliar surroundings. Pansy, the back room please. Zeus.” He called.



The lion obediently ran to Ron’s side, causing Skeeter to jump back nearly a foot. Leaving the blonde standing where she was, Pansy guided Ron to the back room. “I can’t wait to see what she writes about you now.”



“I’m sure it will be creative.” He said. “Who knows, maybe it will be interesting enough to warrant an exclusive with Luna.” Laughing she led him out of the building.







The photo of the hug had appeared on the cover of a very popular publishing paper. Rita speculated as to the nature of their relationship and the only statements she printed were the ones that agreed with her theory of a romantic relationship. Some of the buyers who had asked if Pansy was his girlfriend were given generic answers and told that his private life was his own.



Witch Reader Weekly however also sent a photographer to the signing. Their photo however was more generic and was merely Ron signing a book with Pansy at his side as he requested. The statements printed in this article said nothing that speculated on a relationship. It referred to Pansy merely as a friend giving assistance.



The signing had gone so well that Ron was asked to do another signing in Wiltshire. It was a high class neighborhood, but Ron didn’t care much. He gave Pansy the same list of requirements and let her arrange the matter. Being his editor she would have been the logical choice regardless of his vision.



She had to deal with the refusal to allow Zeus into the store for him, knowing his request in the matter. “I’m sorry Miss Parkinson, but a lion is out of the question. How can we be sure he can be controlled.” The old woman was frantic.



“Mrs. Frax, Zeus is Mr. Weasley’s familiar so as you know he holds a magical bond with his master. He is there for the safety of his master and for no other reason. Mr. Weasley will not consent to a book signing without all of his requirements met. Without his sight he needs to control his environment. That’s is the reason I will not leave his side and the reason he will not agree without his familiar.”



“We can agree to all other requests but a lion……”



“Mrs. Frax, I understand it is a little unusual, but he will not negotiate with this. We had a signing at Flourish and Blotts with very successful results. To feel safe and secure in an environment he can’t see Ron wants to have things as he requests to feel comfortable. If you cannot grant him that then he will not agree.”



“We can make sure he is safe, we will have extra employees on hand…..”



“Mrs. Frax, if you were to go to a place you have never been to before and could not see a thing, would you trust your safety and person to strangers.”



“No, but he won’t trusting strangers, you will be there as well and you can….”



“He will not change his views and I will not try to convince him to.” She stood and gathered her notes. “If you decide to agree, you can owl me and we can go over arrangements then.”



Two days later, Pansy received an owl agreeing to all his stipulations and requesting a questions and answer period before the signing.



“A question and answer period? Why?” He asked.



“I think to give readers a chance to ask about their favorite stories and get to know the author. Authors have fan bases too.” She said.



“I know that, I get the fan mail from Mrs. Novak.” He sighed. “What do you think?”



“I think it’s an excellent idea, it shows how successful you are that your readers want to know more about you and how you see your inspiration.”



“Write her back and let her know that I will do it, but you will not leave my side the whole time.” He told her.



Pansy made the necessary arrangements and asked Mrs. Novak to be on hand for this signing. Mrs. Novak would halt the entire event if things got out of hand or if they had problems. She also had the authority to pull Ron’s books from their shelves as well.



Ron thought she might have been overly cautious but it didn’t hurt to be prepared for all circumstances.



As it turned out she was very correct to anticipate problems. Mrs. Novak’s presence became essential. The moment they arrived things did not go as planned.



The owner of the store had placed a rounded table with only one chair. “You were told that a long table was needed to accommodate Ron’s familiar.” She told the owner. Ron had her elbow in a grip and she could tell he was angry but he let her and Mrs. Novak deal with the situation.



“Mr. Weasley’s familiar will be accommodated, we have a very nice set up for him in the employee lounge.” She said with enthusiasm.



“You agreed to all of Mr. Weasley’s requests,” Mrs. Novak said without humor, “he was very specific about what he wanted. You knew that the table had to be a certain size and shape so his familiar could rest at his feet. And you knew the table had to be this size to allow his editor at his side. That hasn’t been arranged either.



“A table where he is the focus is more practical.” The owner countered.



“You knew well ahead of time that Mr. Weasley wanted things this way for a reason. Without his sight, Mr. Weasley needs to control his environment and the requests he has made are not unreasonable, given that he has agreed to your question and answer period when it was not something he wanted to do.”



“Surely you can see that things are much better marketed with ……”



“Enough. Pansy take me home.” Ron said quietly.



“Mr. Weasley,” the owner began, “you agreed to ……”



“Yes, I agreed to a signing, and you agreed also to everything I asked for and you’re not honoring that now. Why should I honor the signing?” Ron’s spoke clearly and looked straight ahead even when he knew the owner was slightly off to his left.



“Mr. Weasley surely you can understand, the readers are here and lined up and ready…..”



“But I am not ready madam, and I am not comfortable without my familiar at my feet and my editor at my side. I ask for these things to feel secure, I am sorry you do not understand this. Pansy guide me out of here please.”



“Wait, Mr. Weasley, we can accommodate everything, we will just need a few moments of course.” She said.



“Mrs. Novak will help you so the readers do not have to wait any longer then they have.”



The two ladies took off in a hurry leaving Pansy with Ron. “Are you alright Ron?” She asked.



“I’m fine.” He said. “You were right about them.” He said.



“I didn’t want to be, I just had a feeling that since she gave me a hard time about Zeus, that she would try to have the power in the situation. She reluctantly agreed to Zeus, but I just had a strange inkling about it.”



“Well Mrs. Novak will make sure things are set right. If not then I won’t argue. If I pull my wand into my sleeve, don’t bother arguing, just apparate us to my home.”



“Alright.” She said. She knew he was upset and understandable so.



Mrs. Novak returned and said that everything has been set and that the table was in place. Before letting the readers in for the Q&A, the owner asked if Zeus could be led in first to keep from scaring anyone. Ron agreed and Mrs. Novak settled Zeus under the table, where he stayed waiting for Ron.



During the session Ron kept his hand on Pansy’s elbow as she led him to the table. He answered questions easily and kept his wits about him even when he was asked all too personal questions. She could feel his nervousness and tried her best to give everything he wanted.



Settled beside him at the table, she watched as he maintained his composure. He was remarkable. He was handsome, and he had dealt with what life had given him, taking his life in hand without feeling sorry for himself, or demanding anyone’s pity.



He had matured since his days as a brave if insecure Gryffindor. He was such a man now. Oh Merlin, pansy thought as Ron continued to sign away, have I fallen in love with Ron.





A/N: Someone suggested that I petion for a Ron/Pansy section but I don’t know how. Does anyone know how I can get one started, if can anyone go ahead and start it? Does an author need a story to open a new heading. I have already placed the stories in the m/f section, would I be able to move them? Too many questions.