She tapped her fingers impatiently on the little wrought iron table outside the cafe. "This is ridiculous," she hissed, glaring at Ron. "We cannot sit here waiting all day"

"Ah, still as patient as I remember," a voice behind her drawled sarcastically.

Pansy spun around in her seat, her eyes as wide as saucers at the sound of the familiar voice.

"Greg!" she cried, arms outstretched as he leaned down to kiss her on both cheeks.

He gave Ron a curt nod, "Weasley."

Taking Pansy's hand, he pulled her up off her chair "Well let's take a look at you then." His eyes narrowed as he scrutinised her carefully. Ron felt a small stab of jealousy as Goyle's gaze travelled over her body.

Goyle hummed his approval causing Pansy to blush, smacking him playfully on the arm as he returned her to her seat. He grabbed a chair from a nearby table, dragging it along the cobbled pavement before spinning it around & sitting astride it, his arms crossing the back.

"So, how can I be of service? Blaise was a little vague about the details" he grinned.

Sensing her apprehension, Ron took Pansy's hand and gave it a little squeeze.

"I'm in trouble, Greg" she whispered.

.

Ron pressed a kiss to her temple. "My break is over now. Are you going to be ok?"

Pansy nodded, loosening her grip from his shirt as he stood up. She stole a glance at Goyle who had an eyebrow raised and the beginnings of a smirk on his lips. Watching as Ron headed back into the cafe, she heard him start to hum the tune to "Weasley is Our King"

"Shut it," she hissed, before grinning. He squeezed her hand when she started laughing. Even after all this time, her laughter was like music to his ears.

.

Finishing her coffee, she waved goodbye to Maurice before taking the elbow Goyle offered her, casually strolling in the direction of the flat she shared with Ron. It was strange to think of it as their flat; but then it was strange, she supposed, to be in this situation at all.

"Galleon for your thoughts?" Goyle asked her, watching her out of the corner of his eye.

"I was just trying to figure out how I got into this mess," she sighed.

Goyle frowned. "I guess the war changed all of us in many ways, some of us for the better, some of us….well I guess we all have demons to exorcise"

Pansy stopped in her tracks, looking up at Goyle, suddenly seeing him as a man and not the boy who trailed along behind Draco Malfoy as his goon. He seemed wiser, his eyes full of a maturity that humbled her.

He smiled at the look on her face. "What? Shocked that something so deep could come from moi?" he asked, feigning hurt.

She screwed up her features, "No."

Goyle chuckled. "It's ok, I've come a long way since Hogwarts Pans." He lowered his voice, checking for anyone listening nearby, before leaning into her, "I even read now."

.

Closing the fridge door, she chucked the bottle of water at him, laughing as it caught him unawares, right on his chest. "Feet off the sofa," she admonished. "You're not in the Slytherin Common Room now!" She winked, watching as he swung his legs round, groaning.

"Ron hates it when people put their feet on the sofa," she explained, settling down next to him.

Goyle took a sip of his water, thoughtfully. "So what is going on with you two, then? he asked. "Seems like you have a rather cosy set up here."

Pansy felt the colour drain from her face. "Is that what you think? That I'm just using him for a place to stay?" Her voice cracked, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes.

Goyle looked at her with shock "Merlin, no Pans, that's not at all what I meant. Fuck," he said, pulling her into him as she quietly sobbed.

"You know me, I am shit with words. Feelings, too," he explained as he stroked her shoulder.

"He helped me...he's taken care of me. I bet he thinks I am just using him too," she cried, her tears soaking Goyle's shirt.

"Shush," he whispered, "I am sure he doesn't think that. He seems to care about you a lot Pans," he continued.

.

Tossing his keys on the side table, he frowned at Goyle. "Feet off the sofa! Where's Pansy?"

Goyle huffed, swung his legs round, then ran his hand through his hair, "Um...I kinda accidentally upset her a little while ago. I tried to make it right but, err….she's gone for a lie down" he explained, sheepishly, pointing towards the bedroom.

"Well done," Ron sarcastically drawled, glaring at Goyle, before striding towards the bedroom. He pushed the door open gently, stepping inside, before closing it with a soft click.

Pansy felt the mattress adjust to Ron's weight as he lay down beside her, stroking her arm. She didn't turn around to face him; her silent tears continued to dampen the pillow under her cheek.

"Hey," he whispered, "What's up?"

Silence.

"Goyle put his foot in his mouth, did he?" he pressed.

Pansy made a noise that Ron took to mean 'yes'.

"Wanna tell me about it?" he asked, kissing her shoulder through her olive green jersey top. The fabric felt rough against his soft lips.

"Do you think I am using you?" she rasped, her voice raw from crying for so long.

Ron frowned, lifting his head up a little. "No! Merlin, Pans, why would you think that?" he gasped, his expression deepening into a scowl. "Is that what that fucker Goyle said? You wait till…" He made to get off the bed, but she grasped at his shirt, pulling him back down.

"He didn't mean to imply it, I was just feeling a little sensitive," she explained, screwing her eyes shut as she let out a deep breath. When she opened them, Ron was staring down at her, his blue eyes shining. Funny, she thought, how he had the same eye colour as Draco, but the depth and warmth of the emotion displayed in them was greater than the steely grey gaze she remembered of Draco's eyes.

"I am here for you because I care about you," he whispered, staring down into her dark eyes. He always thought her eyes were hard when they were younger, but now they reminded him of onyx, warmed with hints of umber and red; vastly different from the hazel eyes with flecks of gold that haunted his dreams occasionally. Pansy felt his breath on her face, causing her to tremble a little in anticipation. She couldn't help the little flutter that started in her chest, humming down to her abdomen. His lips were tantitisalingly close to hers, causing her to hold her breath. Ron closed his eyes and the gap, the pressure light, experimentally flicking his tongue over her bottom lip, causing her to elicit a little moan. Closing her eyes, she responded, her grip on his shirt lessening. She opened her mouth slightly and he responded cautiously, not wanting to startle her. Her fingers found their way into his hair, slowly teasing the locks, encouraging him to deepen the kiss. He responded, gently, almost reverently, causing her to marvel at the kindness of the kiss. It was tender, sweet, sensual. Like nothing she had experienced before. Pure bliss.

Gently he pulled away, and she found herself mourning the loss. Pressing a kiss to her forehead, he gave her an impish smile before brushing his nose against hers, causing her to giggle. "Come on you," he grinned, pulling her up out of the bed. "No more talk like that, we are friends. Friends help each other." he told her sincerely, before heading out to the lounge.

She felt her chest constrict as she repeated the word in her head

"Friends"

.