Pansy's Parchment

A/N: I wrote this a few years ago from a challenge I saw on another website. I dont remember the rules or anything, but I wrote it and am transferring it from an old spiral notebook to my computer. Bare with me if I cant get to daily updates. I dont always have internet access, but hopefully this willbe posted faster. I also wrote it before I finished reading Half Blood Prince and didnt know Snapes heritage. I hope you enjoy it. ****



Pansy glanced down at the parchment in her hands. It was her marriage notification. The war was over and life went on for everyone. Both sides had taken losses in staggering amounts. The Ministry felt they had to act, and so The Marriage Act was put into effect.

Taking it’s cue from nature that mixtures of pureblood parents with either mixed bloods or muggle borns produced powerful witches and wizards, they began pairing up couples for matrimony. With it’s diminishing numbers, if purebloods kept singling each other out the whole country would be one big inbred mess.

The Ministry used a charm to match witches and wizards based on compatibility. Pureblood parentage had to be proven four generations back. Pansy’s grandmother was half blood, making her susceptible to the new law.

The parchment claimed that she was 96 % compatible with Ronald Bilius Weasley. So with that, she was now engaged.

The penalty for refusing the marriage law was harsh. They would snap her wand and she would serve time in Azkaban until she complied. She could always leave the wizarding world but she knew nothing of muggle life. How would she survive?

The law itself was archaic. Her husband would have complete control. She wouldn’t be able to work, take extra schooling, or even have a bank account without his permission. He would have final say in all matters. He even had the power to say when, if and how many children they had.

Children. She hadn’t thought of children before now. He was one of seven. What if he wanted a houseful of children? She put her face in her hands and groaned.

“I’m sorry.” She jumped to her feet at the voice. Ron Weasley stood in her door frame. His parents were having tea with her mother. Pansy had yet to make an appearance so most likely Ron was sent up to fetch her.

“Sorry for what?” She asked.

“That I’m obviously not your first choice.” He said, leaning on his shoulder in the door frame. His arms were folded across his chest and his legs crossed at the ankle.

“Oh ..well, I um…” She gestured to the armchair in front of her bookshelf. “Can we talk?” She might as well get this part over with. She didn’t like walking into situations blind.

“Yes, that might be a good idea.” He walked in and took a seat. The war had changed him. He moved with a newfound maturity and confidence. He had grown strong and tall, a whole head taller then Pansy. She could tell from watching him walk that his body was hard and worked.

He sat down, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees and his fingers woven. She was at a loss for words now. She knew what she needed to say but unsure of how to go about saying it. She looked around thinking.

“Pansy,” she looked back at him, “just say what you want to say, ask what you want to ask. It’s alright.”

“Ok, have you read the law completely.” She asked.

“Yes, and you can do whatever you want. If you want to further your schooling, work, have accounts, all that, I’m fine with it.” He told her.

“You are?” She was glad. If he was all right with that then chances are he’d be understanding with the other aspects she needed to address.

“Yes, marriage is a partnership not a purchase.” He told her.

She took a breathe. “What about article fourteen?”

“I will leave that entirely up to you.” He assured her.

“You will?” She leaned forward in her chair.

“Yes. You have to carry children not me. You have to give birth not me. Your body is the one that does all the work, so that will be your decision and yours alone.” He told her calmly.

“What if I don’t want any?” She asked testing the waters.

“Fine with me. I grew up with six siblings, now that I have my space I like it.”

“I don’t have an siblings and I like my space. If I have any I think I will only have one.” He nodded in agreement. He was being very understanding with her. “Ron, you’ve agreed to several things with me, so I suppose it’s only fair if I agree to some things with you right?” She was avoiding his eye.

“Pansy, I know this is going to make me sound like the worlds biggest git, but I would like my wedding night and conjugal rights.” She looked a bit confused.

“I assumed you’d be taking that anyway.” She said.

“If you take it without permission, that’s rape, marriage or no marriage.” She was shocked at his declaration, but he was right. “I’m asking your permission Pansy. I do want it, but I’m not a monster.” He waited quietly for an answer.

“I can do that.” She said after a moment. He stood up and held out a hand to her. She took it and stood while he held her hand.

“I know that choices have been taken away from us, but if you trust me, I’ll make it good for you. I promise I’ll treat you right.” He told her looking in her eye.

“Well, there is one thing you should know.” He stayed quiet waiting for her to continue. “I’ve never….” She made a face rather then saying the words, hoping he’d get the picture.

“Never?” He asked raising his eyebrows. She shook her head. “Then I’ll take extra care with that honor.” She blushed and looked aside nervously. He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it. “I’ll try and be a good husband to you.”

She was touched by his words. “I’ll try and be a good wife to you.” She said back. He nodded and released her hand, then went to join his parents and her mother at tea.

When he left she realized she meant her last words. Ron could easily take so much away from her and he wasn’t. He was just as powerless as she was but he wasn’t taking it out on her.

She thought about Ron’s father. Mr. Weasley’s reputation was known. He never struck his wife, he never raised his voice to her. He rarely argued with her and in most areas of life, let her have her way. He treated her as an equal and not a live in housekeeper. If Ron treated her with the same respect he’d grown up with then she’d return it.

Ron was a good man and she saw that. She would try to be a good wife and give him the same regard he was giving her. She knew she could have ended up with someone horrible but she hadn’t. The charm the Ministry used was highly respected. Pureblood families had used it in ancient times.

She would be married on Sunday according to the parchment. Pansy’s mother would host the wedding and reception in the ball room at their home. Ron had told her mother that he made arrangements for a honeymoon

After the war Ron became a pro quidditch payer. He was very successful and popular. The past year she’d seen him on many covers and posters in the quidditch supply store. He did very well for himself.

Tea passed on pleasantly enough. Ron’s parents were very welcoming and she found it hard not to return his fathers smile. Her own father was dead but he never smiled the way this man smiled. Mrs. Weasley’s hug was also unexpected. Her mother never hugged that way either. Pansy took an instant liking to her soon to be in laws.

She loved the way Ron handled the situation of her mother trying to plan every detail. She tried to get the location of their honeymoon, but Pansy knew it was only because she had most likely planned a honeymoon or them herself.

Ron knew how to evade nosy questions and said only that it was a surprise. They would be married in three days time, and she was comforted with his easy going manner. It would make living a new life so much more easier to deal with.