Beauty and the Beast

Pansy’s father tried to send her a few letters but she returned them, all unopened. She returned one with a note telling him not to write to her again. She didn’t get another letter in the three months that followed his visit.



Ron had taken to leaving the mask off while at home, but keeping it in his pocket in case he needed to leave the house or unexpected guests showed up. Seeing how her own father had openly glared at him, she said nothing and allowed Ron his privacy.



She had been in the ballroom on the piano with her sheet music before her, the strains of Bolero echoing against the four walls. She nearly swallowed her own heart when a hand came on her shoulder “I’m sorry sweetheart.” Ron said leaning down and kissing her neck as he stood behind her.



“It’s ok, I guess I was just focusing too much on my music.” She said. “What’s this?” She asked looking at the scroll in his hand.



“An invite to a benefit.” He said handing it to her.



“A benefit? For what?” She looked intrigued.



“For the hospital I went to after this.” He said motioning to his face. “I realized how in need of funds they were when I was there. When I made enough money I began sending donations. It got bigger and bigger every year, and I kept getting invites. I’ve managed to attend a few when I am in the area.”



“Like this year?” Pansy asked.



“Yes, like this year. It will be covered by a lot of press this time because they received enough in donations to add another wing. They’ve done very well.” He said.



“I can see how, with your donations and I’m sure several others, they must have stopped struggling a long time ago.” She said.



“You have plenty of time to find a dress.” He said handing her the scroll.



“Formal attire and everything. Wow!” She said looking at the elegant script.



“I’m going without the mask.” He told her. She froze and looked at her.



“Ron, you don’t have to,” she told him, “you never go out without it.”



“Yes, I know, but over the past few months I’ve been thinking. Hiding behind the mask makes it seem like I’m ashamed of what happened and I’m not. It wasn’t my fault. And as far as the stares, well, I’ll just have to get used to them. Although I will say that knowing you will be on my arm the whole time will make the whole evening easier.”



She hugged him, then wove her fingers with his. “Well, I guess the hunt for the perfect dress begins now.” Laughing they left the ballroom.





Pansy indeed found the perfect dress. A full flowing skirt, and a tight sparking halter top bodice in the deepest black was perfect on Pansy’s frame. Dainty silver heels and a gorgeous necklace from Ron adorned her as she left the bedroom.



Ron was waiting for her downstairs. He had left before she donned the dress, knowing a girl always loves to make an entrance. When she came down the stairs his jaw dropped. “Pansy you look just beautiful.” He said as she came closer.



“Thank you, so do you.” She stood on her toes and kissed him.



Together they left the house and apparated to the point designated on the letter. Once Ron and Pansy had checked in they were told to exit the tent and follow the carpet to the ballroom.



Once they exited the tent the flashes started going off. Ron in particular was a target and everyone wanted a photo of a huge success story like him. Not only was he one of the top five donators to the hospital, the fact that he arrived at the event without his mask was a hallmark indeed. They also wanted evidence of the Weasley marriage and how Pansy appeared in public with her husband.



She smiled up at him as she eagerly listened to Ron speak with reporters. He was upfront and didn’t retreat from cameras. When asked by the photographers to pose, he and Pansy stood arm in arm and flashed a smile.



When they got inside the ballroom, Ron was greeted several times over by people he knew and long time friends. Pansy was introduced to aurors, creature specialists like Ron, healers, healing students, and philanthropists. When they found their table Pansy met one of the men Ron had shared a room with when he healed. He had no scars or injuries that she could see but she wasn’t about to ask.



She was near tears as he told of how Ron talked with the him constantly when he felt like dying. Ron’s support and words helped him get over the depression. Her husband was truly a man to be proud of.



She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “What was that for?” He asked with a smile.



“For being you?” She said leaning closer and draping her arm over his leg.



“Well thank you,” he said giving her a kiss, “and thank you,” he kissed her jaw, “and thank you,” he nuzzled her neck and smiled at her giggle.



Throughout the night, Ron was approached for brief interviews. He spoke candidly about his donations to several shelters as well as providing employment to young men and women from those very shelters.



Pansy was asked repeatedly if she was happy in her marriage, to which she answered she was happy and very proud to be Ron’s wife. Pansy never left his side, always maintaining some form of contact with him all the times. Ron was aware of it and basked in the attention.



He caught her glancing at him at one point and told her to quit ogling him. Her only response was to smile and wink at him. In the course of the night, flashes kept going off and Ron soon grew oblivious to them. He knew the photographers got him and Pansy dancing, talking with friends and enjoying the speeches. He wondered how many he would see in the papers.



“I’m going to go to the ladies, Ron I’ll be right back.” She took off to the lounge and moved quickly. As she was washing her hands she heard a voice behind her. “May I have a word Mrs. Weasley?”



She turned and found Rita Skeeter looking at her, quill and parchment in hand. “Ms. Skeeter, what can I do for you?” She said, not really wanting to answer anything.



“Just a few questions, married life seems to agree with you. Mr. Wealsey has provided amply,” she said looking down at the ball gown, “a Pasolini original if I’m not mistaken.”



Pansy said nothing, just stared at the woman. “Well then are you aware of your husband’s many contributions to the hospital, as well as why he feels the need to contribute to generously?”



“Yes I am, Ron has been very generous to the facility that healed him, seeing as how they were in dire need of many things.” Pansy said knowing Rita hated generic answers.



“And your marriage? Is it everything you had hoped for?” She probed.



“Yes, Ron is a wonderful husband.” She said.



“A marriage well worth the galleons?” She said with a raised eyebrow. Rather then being insulted Pansy gave her a big grin.



“Well worth twenty times the amount Ms. Skeeter.” She said, then walked from the lounge to Ron.



“I saw Skeeter come out with you, did she say anything?” Ron asked helping her on with her cloak.



“Yes she did, something about marriage being worth the galleons.” Ron’s face fell.



“Really?” He asked.



“I handled it,” she said turning to face him while he fastened her cloak, “I told her it was worth twenty times the amount.”



“That’s my girl.” He said kissing her.



“Ron, did you bring your broom?” She asked.



“I always have my broom. It’s shrunk in my robes.” He said.



“I’d love a broom ride. It’s such a beautiful night.” She said.



“Alright then, a midnight ride it is.” They left the event and went though the tent. Ron apparated them a small way from their house and pulled out his broom. He mounted and let Pansy situate herself on front of him, slipping her arms around his neck.



Ron lifted off the ground slowly, easing into the night. Pansy looked down at the scene as they approached their home. “Ron this is wonderful, we need to do this again.”



“Anytime you want some midnight flying just ask.” He told her kissing under her ear. “This was a great idea.” Pansy blushed. “What was that for?”



“What do you mean?” She asked still not looking at him.



“That blush. You thought of something didn’t you.” He said giving her a squeeze.



“Well, I was thinking maybe…..” She couldn’t speak.



“Maybe we could what?” He said. Pulling her closer.



She grew a set of bullocks and faced him. “Maybe we can find a way to shag while we fly.” She said, bright red.



Ron broke out in a huge grin. “I will figure out a way.” They let their laughter carry them home, where Ron flicked his wand and their bedroom window opened. Ron eased the broom inside carefully guarding his wife as he slowly moved through the frame.



His mind was full of ways to manage his wife on a broom. He fell asleep with about four or five different possible positions.