word count: 671
It's easy to let her head guide her. Isn't that what she's always done? How often has Pansy only ever acted because it's what is expected of her, because she knows her parents would want her to?
And now she feels that nagging tug. Her parents would kill her if they knew she was in love with a Weasley. Worse still (in their eyes at least), Pansy is in love with a Weasley woman. But how can she not be? Ginny is so beautiful, and just the sight of her is enough to make her heart melt.
Her girlfriend is on the couch, wrapped up in her raspberry-red blanket. Ginny looks up, lips pursing ever so slightly. "Just gonna stand there all day looking at me?" she teases. "Come on. It's freezing."
Sometimes Pansy wonders if she should let Ginny go. They've built something beautiful together, but can it really last? In the end, they are still from two different worlds.
But does it really matter? She and Ginny have come a long way. They have overcome so many obstacles, unlearned their biases and prejudices. Doesn't that mean there's more to it? That it isn't just some silly little dream that will fall apart. This is real. There is no doubt in her heart.
"Pansy? Earth to Pansy," Ginny calls.
Pansy shakes her head, forcing herself back to the present. She offers Ginny a small smile. "Right. Sorry about that," she says with a soft laugh. "I just…"
She doesn't know what to say now, though, truth be told, she's spent hours and hours pondering and practicing, trying to find all the right words. It's almost funny, but she can't bring herself to laugh.
Pansy climbs onto the couch, though she keeps a slight distance from Ginny. She swallows dryly, heart racing. It's ridiculous. Pansy has never been intimidated by anyone or anything. Why should this be an exception? Why should her stomach decide that now is the time to twist itself into anxious knots?
"Gin, I love you."
Ginny grins, lips curling back to expose her pearly teeth. "Well, I would hope so. We've been dating for two years now," she says, reaching out. "What's gotten into you?"
Pansy opens her mouth, but the words don't come out, so she closes it again.
"Are you okay?" Ginny asks, taking her by the hand. "You're worrying me."
Pansy manages a smile. She shakes her head, lifting Ginny's hand to her mouth and pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "I'm fine."
Scared to death. Losing her mind. Still clinging to the ideas of what her parents would want. But she can't say that. Not to Ginny. Besides, it doesn't really matter.
"I love you," she says again. "I know we aren't supposed to work out because… Well, you know what everyone thinks. But I don't care. I spent so long worrying about appearances and reputation, but I'm done with that. You are the one I choose, and I will always love you."
She takes a deep breath. Inside, she is shaking and trembling, and she wouldn't be surprised if her fear showed on the surface. She drops Ginny's hand and reaches into her pocket, plucking the engagement ring from within. Her heart flutters as she realizes there's no turning back now; she's doing this.
"Will you marry me?" she asks, sliding the ring onto Ginny's finger.
Ginny throws her arms around Pansy, pulling her close. "You're sure you want me?" she laughs. "No refunds."
"Of course I'm sure. I've never been more sure of anything else in my life."
And, really, she hasn't. Maybe she's had her doubts and concerns, but it's always been Ginny, and it always will be her.
Ginny presses her lips to Pansy's. "Nothing would make me happier than to marry you."
Pansy doesn't know how she will explain it to her parents, but she realizes she doesn't care. She is in love with Ginny Weasley, and, really, in the end, nothing else and no one else matters.
