Disclaimer:  own it not

Cloaks

            Pansy walked around the lake one more time.  What would she do?  Knowing what she knew, one could hardly expect her to remain silent.  She could tell.  Oh wouldn't that be great?  Just think of all the glory and praise she would receive. 

            Of course, there were always more interesting things to do, blackmail, game playing.  She could have lots of fun; get back at Draco for never liking her.  Make the plan fall through, and make him suffer.

            Or maybe…yes that was it!  That was the one to do!  She would wait, say nothing, do nothing.  But she would be ready; oh how she would be ready!  And when the boys were about to strike…she would be ready.  The first to respond, she would play hero.  Every one would love her.  And that was good.

Pansy looked around the astronomy tower.  She didn't really want to do what she had to do that night, but well, she had to.  This was what she believed would be the most painful night of her life.    But it had to be done.  Tomorrow she would become a Death Eater, just as her parents had always wanted.  All she had ever wanted was to be loved.  Her childhood had not been a happy one.  She was left alone most of the time while her parents went off to parties and such without her.  Alone was how she had grown up. 

Her parents never really loved her and they never really accepted her.  She was their only and youngest daughter and they resented her for not being a boy.  In her younger years, she had tried to be tough and more boyish, but as she grew, this felt terribly wrong. 

As she was now, she had lost all her rough edges and had turned out as a nice young lady, but her parents failed to notice.  All they wanted from her was for her to be a death eater.  That was all.  Then they would be proud of her.   That was why she had to do what she was going to do tonight. 

Soon she heard footsteps approaching, was it?  Yes!  She ran to Ron and threw her arms around him.  "Whoa," he laughed, "Good to see you too Pans."  But he began to feel that there was something wrong with her as she didn't pull away for a while.

When she finally released him from the hug, she immediately found his lips and kissed them softly, clinging to every touch knowing that this might very well be the last she felt of them.  Oh god, how did this ever get to be like this? 

In the beginning she had meant it to be a good time, nothing more.  He had been the first person she encountered when in a particularly lonely mood one night.  She had meant for him just to lift her spirits a little.  But he had done so much more.  He treated her, like a person, listening to her problems and thoughts.  Ron had made her smile in spite of herself.  Yes he had started as an accident, but now…don't think about that. 

She had to do it she just had to. 

Ron pulled slightly back and looked deeply into her eyes with his own light blue eyes.  In her eyes he could see hurt and confusion.  There was so much going on inside of her, he just wished he knew what.  He bent low and pressed his lips to the girl's forehead.   When he took them away and looked at her, she had her eyes closed and her featured looked distressing. 

"What's wrong Pans?"

She looked up at him again, but this time, tears were threatening to spill from her eyes. 

"I…I…" she turned away unable to finish. 

Ron knew that something was troubling her, and that she needed him now more than ever.  He walked up behind her and slid his arms around her waist pressing his head to her own and swaying slightly. 

"Shh, it's okay.  I'm here for you, everything will be alright."

Pansy closed her eyes again; didn't he know how hard he was making everything?   How could she go on like this?  But she had no other choice.  It was this, or death.  But she found herself wondering if the latter would not be more favorable.  No, don't think, just do.  Just act.  Besides, she was seventeen and seventeen wasn't forever, right?

In an abrupt movement Pansy whirled around to face Ron.  She faltered when she looked into his eyes.  Pulling her own eyes to look at the floor, she said it, "Ron, we can't see each other any more."

Ron was speechless, he had not expected this.  This was, it was, ludicrous!  "W-what?"

"I can't my parents, they won't…they can't…" her eyes looked up at him pleading for him to understand. 

And he did, "We'll fight this Pansy, we can still be together."

"No, they'll kill you."  She looked at him through tears, if they stayed together they would both die. 

"But, but…but I love you." 

"Ron I…" but a finger had reached up to rest on her pale lips. 

"Shh, you don't have to say anything; I can see it all in your eyes."

"Oh, Ron…" and this time it was Ron's lips that silenced her.  After a moment, Ron pulled away and Pansy was crying. 

Ron touched a tear that ran down her cheek.  "Are you sure?"

She placed her hand on top of his and nodded slightly. 

Ron made one nod as he was trying not to cry himself.  He took his hand away from her face but kept her hand in his own.  "Good bye," he said before raising the hand to his lips and kissing it.  Their eyes locked one final time before Ron turned and left.

Pansy watched him go and then whispered, "Good bye…"

Ron was walking to the Gryffindor common room, but it was more out of habit than want.  His feet and brain were working on two separate levels at the moment.  There was no place he wanted to be, and no one he wanted to see. 

When he arrived at the portrait hole, he just stood there.

"Password?"

And still Ron did nothing.

"Come not you must say the password before I let you in," the Fat Lady was getting flustered.  "Dearie?"

Then a small girl with blond pigtails walked up and said the password. 

            The Fat Lady gave Ron a last apprehensive look before swinging open.  Ron walked into the common room after the little girl.  He saw Harry sitting on a couch.  Pausing he looked at Harry not registering who it was exactly and in a moment pressed on to his dorm.  When he got there he laid on the bed too upset to cry. 

            He was laying for about a minuet before he felt the side of his bed sink and a reassuring hand clasp his shoulder; but his visitor said nothing. 

            "She dumped me," Ron blurted out.  "She didn't want to, but she did."

            Harry felt sorry for Ron even if it was Pansy that he was upset about.  So Harry began to say to him all the things that a best friend would say in this situation while rubbing his back comfortingly.  Some time in the process, Ron fell asleep.

            Draco was waiting for Harry in the forest the following evening, holding two cloaks in his hand.  When the raven haired boy finally appeared, Draco tossed him one cloak and both began to get dressed. 

            After having put the cloaks on, both looked up and momentarily locked eyes; then Draco nodded and Harry responded with a nod of their own. 

            It was time. 

Pansy sat in her room still.  She couldn't help but feel empty inside; like something was missing.  But it was better this way, if some one was missing, there was no chance of their getting hurt, right?  It had to be this way, it had to. 

            She pulled her hood up to hide her face.  Tonight would be interesting at least.  And she could play the dark hero. 

            "Mione, these cloaks really smell!"

            "I know Gin, but it's all we got." 

            The girls were getting ready in an old classroom.  The cloaks looked somewhat comical on both girls as they had both been more or less petite.  But they still hid any and all features that the girls had. 

            Suddenly the door burst open.  "What is going on?  I thought we were going to Remus's, but Harry snuck off, and now here you are being sneaky too.  What is going on?!"  Ron's face was turning red and his hand was threatening to crumble the piece of parchment in his hand. 

            Both girls looked at each other unsure of what to do.  But Ginny spoke first revealing everything to her brother.    

            Ron stood with his head down as his sister spoke, then when she was done, he looked up.  "I'm coming too."

            Both girls nodded and threw him a cloak. 

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And how was that one?  Mmm?  I liked it; guess what, Pansy has a soul after all!  But I'm getting the feeling that she is very conflicted don't you?  Hmm…maybe.  Guess well have to wait till next chappie to find out hoe she truly acts. 

It's almost four am so ill do this quick!   THANK YOU to everyone who has reviewed!  I love you all so much.  But I only see two, maybe three if I decide to leave an incredibly evil cliff hanger, hmm?  Possibilities.  But any ways,  I LOVE YOU ALL, and I am so glad that you enjoy this fic! 

Until next time!

Review.

~Atiannala