Eros & Psyche Chapter 5A: Ron & Pansy, a harry potter fanfic

CONTEST WINNER THIS CHAPTER: "Ms. Louis Cordice Zabini" recommended the song, "Fallin' For You" by Colbie Caillat this go around (she'd originally chosen the song for Harry & Tracey, but I think it perfectly reflects Pansy's thoughts here better). So, this chapter is dedicated to Ms. Louis Cordice Zabini - congratulations! Lyrics for that song appear at the bottom of this chapter. Hope you'll find this song somehow and give it a listen.

Remember, I'll accept song suggestions for each couple, as well as digitally manipulated images of live people and your original hand-drawn or digitally drawn fanart for this story up until the end of this fic is published. SEND ME YOUR LISTS OR ARTWORK! I'll pick my favorites, and reward you, as promised!

P.S. Unseenlibrarian is an awesome beta - she rocks the house (using an Americanism... gosh, I love your sayings over there in the States!)! Remember to tell her you think so, too!

PLEASE REVIEW! What did you think of this chapter?

CHAPTER FIVE ( #1): Ron & Pansy

Ron was clearly distracted by a thought that appeared to disturb him, Pansy noted as they entered their private suite. He'd been wearing the same sour, pensive expression since he'd exited the loo earlier behind Potter and Malfoy.

Since they'd given each other permission to touch without limitation last round, she took advantage of that offer now, winding herself around him sinuously.

"What's got you so preoccupied, lover boy?" she whispered against his ear.

His arms came around her as naturally as if they belonged there and had been doing so for years. He held her close and nuzzled against her temple. "I think you were right about Malfoy," he mumbled, pressing a kiss to her temple. "He's…well, I think he's in love with 'Mione."

Pansy's eyebrows hit the roof. "In lust, yes, obviously. In love, though?" She swung her head around to look him in the eye and smiled playfully. "Did he say something to you when you took a field trip into the boy's earlier? I thought gossiping in the loo was something only women did?"

Azure eyes studied her with sincere, weighty deliberation for a moment, and then she was lifted into her partner's brawny arms, carried over to the bed and dropped onto it. Ron leaned over her immediately, covering her body with his own and proceeded to kiss her breath away, cradling her into his embrace at the same time. Pansy's brain shut down and her hormones ramped up as his tongue lapped at her lips with deliberate, luscious strokes.

"You bring me to my knees with wanting you, Pansy," he murmured between kisses, thrusting his hands into her hair and holding tight. "What have you done to me?"

Her fingernails scraped through his hair and held on. Her thighs wrapped around his waist. Both actions were instinctual, as if this were the natural state of rest for her limbs; as if they belonged upon Ron's body in such a fashion. "You've done the same to me," she admitted, dipping back in to nibble on his bottom lip. "I have never wanted a man as I do you."

His hot mouth trailed a path over her cheek to her throat, where he proceeded to leave a love bruise upon her pulse point, suckling deep and hard, biting with just enough pressure to leave his mark upon her. "We're gonna do something about it now," he told her matter-of-factly, reaching for the buttons on her dress and removing the chains. "Don't try to talk either of us out of it this time."

Pansy bit her lip, her tummy rioting with both fear and anticipation. Was she ready for this? Would it be a mistake? Even though there hadn't been much of an opportunity to develop stronger feelings yet, she still wanted Ron to respect her, and not to treat sex between them as a one-off.

"Would it be…strange…if I said I was a little nervous?" she asked, reaching for the buttons on his jacket and undoing the top few.

Wet, unhurried swipes up and down her throat ended with his lips poised over her ear. "Me, too," he surprisingly admitted with all sincerity. "But it's not gonna stop me from making you mine."

Heart singing with the thrill of his words, Pansy continued down the line of buttons until his embroidered coat was opened, and she shoved it from his broad, burly shoulders. "I cast the C&DC just before coming in here," she told him, just to assure there was full disclosure between them.

"I know," he murmured as he peppered light nips along the bottom of her jaw. "I heard. Flip onto your stomach for me," he growled dominantly, recapturing her lips for a series of brief, but charged kisses. "I'm taking this pretty dress and that collar off of you."

This was it. If she did as he asked, there was no way they wouldn't be shagging in a few minutes. Her blood pulsing through her veins like erupting lava, her body tightening and moistening with need, still Pansy found herself stalling.

"My card says I get to dance with you however I want," she rasped, tremblingly touching his lips with her fingertips. "I really wanted us to dance."

Ron smoothed her short fringe over her forehead. "We will be. I won't be fucking you. I'll be making love to you," he tenderly whispered, kissing her nose. "The ultimate dance, right? Now turn over, baby, please."

His poignant request, the tenderness in his gaze, the softness of his tone made her chest squeeze tightly.

Closing her eyes, Pansy took a deep breath, let it out, and then did as he'd asked.

Ron shifted so he was straddling her on his knees as he unbuttoned her collar and slipped it out from under her, and then unzipped her dress. He scooted down the bed and removed her shoes one at a time next. She heard some shifting, and guessed he was removing his own clothes, and then he touched her ankles.

"Sit up so I can undress you slowly."

She got on her knees and began to turn, but Ron was behind her in a moment, his hands on her shoulders, holding her still.

"Stay like that for now," he bid, and then his calloused, scarred fingers slowly, very gently slid the dress off her shoulders.

As he slipped the fabric over her bra, he moved into her, his face appearing over her right shoulder, watching as he stripped her of all defenses. He pressed sweet kisses to her temple, her cheek, and her neck as he slipped the dress off her waist and hips, down her thighs, where it pooled on the bed at her knees.

"I love your lingerie," he murmured in her ear, "but it's coming off."

Pansy's breath hitched and her heart took off like a fluttering butterfly as he smoothed his hands along a reverse path back up her body, following the curve of her bra to the clasp at her back. She felt the hooks loosen, and then he was removing her strapless, French mini-corset, dropping it off the white, satin-sheeted bed onto the white, shag carpeted floor.

"You have the most beautiful nipples," he whispered, letting his hands roam over her breasts, pinching and rolling her buds into prominence. "So fucking pretty." He trailed kisses up this side of her throat now, while his hands cupped her large breasts and rolled them. "Would you like my mouth on them while I'm sinking my cock into you?" he asked, and it was then that she felt his naked length pressed into her back. "Tell me."

Pansy whimpered and nodded, reaching back and grabbing hold of his naked, lightly furred thighs. "God, yes. Just...go slow. I want to remember this."

His hands stroked her flared hips and abdomen. "However you want me, baby, I'm yours. You set the pace."

Her chest ached at his touching offer. No man had ever said that to her before, all of them taking what they'd wanted, how they'd wanted, some even when and where they'd wanted with little regard to her feelings. "Slow then," she reasserted. "I want to feel every inch of you come into me."

With surprisingly nimble movements, her garters were unlatched from their stockings. "What position?" he asked, pressing kisses all up and down her shoulder. "Do you want to be on top?"

"What do you like?" she asked, wiggling her bottom seductively against him, feeling the solid length of him pressing back.

He shook his head. "You tell me how you want me to take you, baby."

She felt like crying. Never had she been treated with so much sweetness and consideration in bed. It made her want to give selflessly back.

"I want you above me. I want to see your face when you come inside me for the first time."

He groaned directly against her skin, causing lightning to arc from that spot and pool with electric heat straight in her womb.

With deliberate, slow action, he slid her knickers down her legs. He kept her still with a hand on her hip as he manoeuvered her legs in such a way as to get the panties past each knee, one at a time, then down her calves and past her ankles. When they cleared her feet, he let them drop with the rest of her clothing to the carpet.

Aside from her lacy stockings, she was now completely nude for him.

Keeping her as she'd been, on her knees at the edge of the mattress and facing away from him, he wedged a thick, muscled thigh between her legs to widen her stance and leaned her body back into his embrace. She with shudder, she let go and allowed herself to go limp in his arms.

"That's it, baby. Give yourself to me."

Pansy moaned as his fingers curved around her hip and dipped low, deftly stroking between the lips of her sex.

"Fuck, you're so wet," he rumbled, his voice gone low and husky. "I love how ready you are for me."

Piercing her with two fingers and moving them slowly in and out of her body, he made her tremble and gasp aloud then, all restraint gone. She felt like some inexperienced virgin, incapable of controlling her reactions. Moans and pleas escaped her lips as he thrust his fingers faster into her. Her body fired with sensation wherever he touched. All she could do was hold onto the arm that was now banded across her middle, holding her in place, as his other hand had its wicked way with her.

"I love going down on you," he admitted in a whisper in her ear, continuing to stroke harder, faster into her, to fan her desire. "You taste like Sugared Butterfly Wings, the white ones – so sweet, with a little salt. No other girl has ever tasted so good to me." He placed a small kiss on her earlobe, then nibbled it. A shiver ran up Pansy's spine and her hips bucked, forcing him deeper into her. "I'm sorry, I don't have the patience to do that right now, though. I need to be inside you." Leaning into her, he rubbed his cheek against hers and sighed in longing. "Tell me you want that, too."

Sweat beading her brow and upper lip, Pansy's whole body quivered on the edge of orgasm. "I want that so much," she admitted, letting all her barriers down for the first time, both terrified and elated by the feeling of letting go. It was like flying, she thought.

Like being free.

His fingers gave a final thrust and a small swipe over her clit as he released her from the torment, only to turn her and lay her back onto the mattress to prepare her for an entirely different kind of ache. As he mounted her, he braced his weight easily on those impressive arms, every muscle going taut, showing off its strength.

Merlin, he was beautifully built, she thought, running her palms over all that power. And for now, it was all hers!

His cock slid between her folds as she widened her legs to accommodate his body. He paused then, and their gazes locked as he paused at her entrance. His blue eyes burned with his intense need, and yet his body remained poised and awaiting her signal.

She gave it with a silent nod.

"Watch me sink inside you, baby," he bid. "Watch me love you."

He pushed forward, flexing his hips and joining their bodies in a slow, easy glide that took him deep into her. Pansy's toes curled from the pleasure. She sunk her fingernails into Ron's shoulders, seeking to anchor herself to him. "I feel you – every inch," she whispered, her eyes rolling back in her head, the exquisite sensation of their bodies becoming one nearly stealing her breath.

Being with him like this was too much, it made her too vulnerable...

"Don't look away," he murmured against her lips, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her into his warm embrace. "Be with me, Pansy, right here and now. Be with me."

In truth, Pansy was terrified of what she was feeling right then, afraid it would show in her eyes. Ron did things to her, not just to her body, but to her heart, and she was having a hard time shoring back up her walls, keeping herself disconnected.

Remembering that this was only for tonight, that it couldn't be more, thanks to her meddling parents.

"Be with me," he whispered again, kissing her nipples and her mouth. "Let me see you."

"I'm scared," she whispered back.

He kissed her again. "Me, too," he admitted.

That shocked her into opening her eyes. "Really?" she asked, surprised to know she wasn't alone in feeling such strong things for her partner.

He teased her mouth with soft, small kisses. "Really. But I'm not gonna hide from you. Not after everything we've been through." He gave her a naughty grin. "'Sides, I've blown up your cauldron once already. Reckon I can do it again."

She couldn't help but giggle at that, as it was such an outrageous thing to say.

...And just like that, Pansy felt relaxed, more comfortable with who they were together and what they were doing. It suddenly seemed very normal to be lying under him, to feel him sheathed deep inside her, as if they'd done this before, and would do it again many, many more times.

"Only if you move," she pointed out, noting he'd stopped the hip action.

Curling her pelvis, she made it abundantly clear what she wanted.

Ron groaned and dropped his forehead to her breast. "Woman, you're killing me."

A wicked, throaty laugh erupted from Pansy's mouth unexpectedly. "I'm hoping not. At least, not until you make me come again."

He raised his head, blue eyes twinkling with mischief, and he lunged for her mouth, capturing it as he began that same, slow rhythm with his hips.

It was a revelation, feeling him move over and in her. Pansy had been fucked by many men since she'd lost her virginity, but none of them had brought tears to her eyes during the act...at least, not in a good way. Now, her gaze was wavy and her heart filled with such joy that it seemed impossible to rectify that this was really happening to her.

Ron was making love to her as tenderly as she'd asked, carefully and controlled. His pace was easy and their fit was perfect. There was no pain, only pleasure, as waves of ecstasy rolled over her with each thrust.

Her knees bent of their own volition then to allow him deeper penetration, and as he slid home with her ankles locked around his waist, he paused. One breath, two, three. Panting into her throat, he was shaking, clearly attempting to stave off his own orgasm so she could experience hers first.

"See me," she requested, cupping his cheeks and forcing him to meet her gaze. "See the real me, Ron."

With a deep breath, Ron did as she asked. Their eyes met, locked, and in their depths, she glimpsed a flash of emotion that both frightened and called to her. Pansy felt her heart pound in response, and the return of her earlier anxiety. She ran her thumb over his bottom lip, scared by her instinctual reaction to answer his unspoken feelings.

Should couldn't have this, not after this weekend. It wasn't...in the cards.

As if reading her trepidation, he leaned into her caress, his lashes fluttering as he shuttered his eyes and glanced at her through them.

"I'll have all of you," he vowed. "I have to."

Adjusting his knees and gripping her hips, he withdrew his cock and then thrust so deep she could feel him in her heart.

"You're giving into this, Pansy. Like I have." Leaning down, his mouth nipped as hers as he thrust again. "Give into it."

She cried out as she shattered in his arms, in the gentlest, most loving bringing she'd ever experienced. "Oh, god," she whimpered, her tears slipping free. "Ron!"

He was there, in the midst of the storm, holding her, calming her, grounding her after her fall. "Was that what you wanted?" he asked somewhat shyly, nuzzling into her throat once her breathing returned to normal and she'd quieted. "Was it good?"

Feeling ridiculous for her emotional outburst, Pansy quickly wiped at her eyes. "It was perfect," she reassured him, attempting to steady her shaking nerves and her pounding heart. Slytherin women didn't cry in public, but this was the third time she'd shown her hidden face to this man. How weak he must think her! She plastered a smile onto her face. "It was beautiful."

Relief bloomed across his crimson cheeks, his light dusting of freckles across the bridge of his nose prominent with his flush of happiness. "So, you liked our dance, then?" he tenderly teased, rubbing his nose against hers.

Merlin, he had pretty lashes for a guy. And a genuine smile that was infectious.

In fact, his good mood had a way of dissolving her darker thoughts, drawing her into the light, and making her want to reciprocate. Which was absolutely not the Slytherin thing to do...

Wiggling her hips, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. He was still hard inside her, she noted, which meant there was an opportunity here to exploit. "I did. Very much. I'd love a second one, if you're...up...for it."

His grin was positively beaming. "That won't be a problem."

Adjusting his weight on his knees and sliding his hands to her hips again, he used that incredible strength in his arms, hips and thighs to pull her up and off the mattress. Vertical now, she clung to him as he held her in the air and began thrusting, fucking into her hard and fast from below.

Now, this was more like it! She'd loved the feel of his cock gently taking her, but this…

"Come on, Pansy, ride me. Pump those sexy hips and moan for me."

She moved as he wanted, meeting his thrusts with her own force, clit throbbing, cunt clenching. Soon, their skin was slicked with their combined sweat, and the air became too hot to breathe. Pansy panted like an animal in heat, digging in and riding hard, giving as good as she got. That second high, the one she'd never before been able to reach was right there, and she was tipping...surrendering to its power...

"That's it, baby love, come for me again," Ron demanded, fucking her so hard little detonations of light snapped and exploded behind her closed lids. "Give. In."

His words released her from the last of her emotional bondage. With a scream of his name, Pansy arched her back and flew once more, surrendering both her body and her heart at that same moment. No pleasure had ever been greater, as for the first time, she held nothing of herself back from a man during sex. Nothing will ever be the same, she thought as she clung to Ron, feeling her sex tremble and clench around him, drawing his release from him at that same moment. This, tonight...he had changed her, forever.

Utterly spent, Pansy fell into her lover's arms, collapsing against the shelter of his strength, her body floating on an ocean of pure, physical contentment.

All the while, her heart and mind were at bitter war with each other:

You can't keep him. You have to let him go,the Slytherin within admonished.

I...can't, her woman's heart protested.

Because she had fallen in love, for real this time, and it hurt too much to think of what that would mean outside of this room, especially once the truth of her circumstances finally came out in the Prophet's Pink Column.

With a groan, Ron crashed onto the mattress, turning at the last moment so he ended up beneath her. His lungs sawed in and out as he struggled for breath, and his shoulders and arms were bleeding a bit from where her nails had dug in, but the smile on his face spoke of a bone-deep satisfaction. "Fucking… brilliant," he wheezed, and turned his head to place a big kiss on her mouth. "Oh, Merlin, you were…amazing, baby. I think… I can die happy now, love."

Fighting back another round of tears at the use of his sweet endearment, Pansy cuddled with her lover instead, trying to enjoy the afterglow.

"Thank you," she whispered. "I'll never forget this moment. Not ever." She peeked up at him through the strands of her disheveled hair that had fallen into her face. "I never thought of this act as beautiful before, only fun. This is both."

Scarred knuckles stroked her cheek and calloused fingers ran through her hair as Ron's breathing calmed, and the powerful beat of his heart, which she could feel vibrating through her chest as she lay atop him, slowly receded. He covered a yawn in her shoulder by turning his head. "Did you like it enough to want to do again?" he asked with a snicker, his tired, flaccid member finally sliding out of her as he adjusted them so they could lie on their sides, facing each other. "I mean, once we've recovered from the best sex of our lives."

Dreamy, smiling blue orbs of mischief and a sexy, lazy smile challenged her.

Pansy pretended to think about it, shunting aside her painful, melancholy thoughts for now. She would give them this time, as she'd vowed earlier, and wouldn't dwell on anything beyond these hours with him. She had fallen in love, and her heart would be destroyed by it, but she would never regret this decision.

"I could be persuaded," she teased, letting her fingers stroke the ridge of his collarbone. "But didn't I wear you out?"

He snorted. "Hardly. I think I could go again in...maybe half an hour." His fingers lightly caressed her hip, then reached up to fondle a breast. He palmed it, massaging it in a manner that aroused, despite her exhaustion. When his thumb stroked over the tender nipple, it went tight immediately. "Actually, I'm getting a little hard again now."

Sure enough, her wizard's staff was half-erect already.

Feeling naughty, Pansy trailed her nails lightly down his hairless chest, heading for trouble and looking forward to the repercussions. "So, what was your card anyway?" she asked, pretending she wasn't about to grip his cock and give it a good, long stroking.

Ron huffed in amusement. "Are you kidding? You still want to play the game?"

She nodded and he sighed in surrender, rolling his eyes.

"I'm supposed to tell you ten good things about you."

With a wicked laugh, Pansy gripped his growing erection and began lightly rubbing her thumb nail under the wet head, in the spot she knew most men were sensitive. "Well, why don't you just get started on that list, then, while I busy myself with other wicked pursuits."

His cock twitched, growing harder by the second, especially when she nudged his leg up and over hers, and gently cupped his balls, caressing them.

"Oh, fuck," he sighed, closing his eyes and letting out a shaking breath. "Um, you're the best sex I've ever had. You just made me come so hard my head is pounding. Both of them."

"Truly?"

Nodding in agreement, Ron continued his fondling of her breast.

Reaching, she stroked that ultra-sensitive path of skin directly under his balls. "Tell me more," she coaxed.

He shuddered and his cock jerked, getting harder, rising to full mast. "Jesus, the things you do to me," he moaned as she gripped his cock in one hand and rubbed over his perineum. Uh, I already said you suck cock like a dream, which you do. Fuck, do you! And you're gorgeous, Parkinson. Every inch of you is perfect." He gasped as she pressed a finger against his back entrance, but it wasn't the sound of rejection so she rubbed there, too, feeling him go impossibly hard again in her other hand. "And I love that fucking cute mole on her hip," he sighed. "Fuck, that feels good."

Wanting to reward his flattery, she shimmied down the bed and took the head of him between her lips, lightly sucking. "Go on," she enticed, lapping at the pre-come that was once more weeping from his slit.

"Y-y-you're so much f-f-fun to be with," he stammered, watching as she suckled upon him like a lolly. He was careful not to thrust, however, letting her do as she willed. "And I love the playfulness, and that for a Slytherin, you're amazingly sincere."

Mmmm, she'd liked his list so far.

Stretching her mouth wide, Pansy dropped down on his iron-hard erection, taking him all the way into her throat.

To her surprise, Ron hissed in pleasure, sounding just like a snake. "Oh, yeah, baby, just like that." Now he gently thrust his hips up. "Suck hard. Let me fuck that pretty mouth again."

Bloody hell, she loved the way he talked to her. It was crude, but done in such a loving, reverent tone, as if he was praying to a goddess for her blessing.

And to be truthful, his words got her all hot and bothered again. Reaching between her legs, she flicked her clit once, felt it a tad sore, but that electrifying spark of need burst into life once more at her touch, so she started rubbing it as she liked, working them both back up together. "Keep going," she coerced as she lifted off him and lapped at the swollen, red head held still in her fist. "You're doing so well."

Ron lay back and stared up at the ceiling, letting her have her way with him as he finished his list. Clearly, he'd copped to her plan of being in control this time around and didn't have a problem with that, which was something she found incredibly sexy. A man who didn't mind being submissive when asked, and who didn't feel his masculinity was threatened by that was rare...and hot.

"You're so smart, baby," he went on, fingers clenching the bed covers and kneading as she kept him in a constant state of arousal. "How come I never noticed how bloody brilliant you are? It's not like it wasn't staring me in the face all these years. I mean...I really dig that you read books."

She lightly nibbled on the flared head of him, making him gasp and start swearing again.

"Hell, Pans, I like everything about you, I think. You're not afraid to sit out on the grass in the spring to get a suntan like other girls, you wear pretty clothes, and you smell so fucking good, all the time. Godric's bane, I even love the way you mouth off to me when we're fighting!"

His breathing picked up as she took him back into her throat and allowed it to close around him as she pulled back. Against her calves, she felt his toes curl.

"Merlin's rod, Pansy, stop torturing me! I want to be back inside you now. You win."

Soaking wet from her own ministrations, there was absolutely no discomfort as Pansy stalked up his body, gripped him tight in hand and lowered herself onto his cock once more. They both sucked a lungful of air in at the sensation, and then let it out simultaneously in relief when she sat fully down upon him.

Ron's hands gripped her wrists and he licked his lips, swallowing heavily as he began to move her over him. "You are amazing, baby. You sure you're not hurting too much? I wasn't exactly gentle the last time."

He hadn't been, but then, that's what she'd wanted then. Now, she wanted something else.

"We'll take it easy this time," she told him, sliding over him to an uncomplicated, smooth rhythm.

Ron's hands glided up her body to cup both breasts, and he played with them as they leisurely fucked. "I love that you didn't quit this game when you could've. That's not just about being stubborn, but being brave, too, you know," he murmured, continuing his list as she moved him in and out of her slick sex. "I love that I get you this wet. I love the way your pussy tastes and that you like me fucking you like this." He pushed her upright and looked down between them as he sunk into her over and over again. "I love this view. I love knowing you're giving yourself to me right now, without fear, despite everything that's gone between us." He glanced up into her eyes. "I'm gonna come."

"Come," she said, knowing she didn't have enough in her to climax for a third time, but more than happy to feel him do so inside her again.

Given permission to let go, Ron gripped her hips and began pumping into her, not hard, but with a Gryffindor's determination to meet his end, soon. She grabbed onto his wrists and rolled into every one of his thrusts, giving him her body to find his ultimate pleasure within.

"Your turn," she whispered. "Give in and let go."

His gaze never left hers as he began to come deep within her.

"I love you, Pansy." He pulled her down so that his mouth met hers. "You, you, you, you, you," he chanted as he jerked and released again and again, grinding her down onto him, keeping them sealed together as tightly as possible until he was done.

Reeling from his confession, Pansy was taken completely aback. He loved her? How? Why?

Suddenly, Ron rolled them over and began kissing her as if he was starved for her taste. "I love you," he panted against her lips in between pulls of his mouth. "Gods, I fucking love you, you maddening witch!" He laughed, and it was a joyous sound that bordered on insane, she thought. "All these years, you've driven me absolutely barmy," he cheerfully said. "I get it. Finally, I get it! And I'm giving in to it."

"You love me?" she asked, blinking up at him in confusion.

He kissed her again. "Yes."

"But..."

A floodgate of emotion poured out of Pansy then and she burst into tears for a fourth time in front of this man. Too much… It was too much in too short a time to take in. She couldn't breathe, couldn't think. This was all happening too fast, pulling her under, drowning her in doubts and renewed fear. She'd lost all of her honed calculating rationality, all common sense.

You can't keep him!

Ron pulled back and looked down at her, his face betraying how completely vulnerable he felt in the face of her tears, and from bearing his heart to her as he had. With three words, you could ruin him, the Slytherin within Pansy reminded her as she stared up into his handsome face. She knew she could break this wizard's heart right now, smash it to bits. All she'd have to do was reply, "I don't feel the same," and she could send him spiraling into fits of depression, destroying that lovely smile and turning his shimmering eyes into cold lumps of blue coal.

Hell, it would probably be the right thing to do, knowing what the future held. It would make her noble or some shit if she let him go now. He'd hate her, but in the end, it would be for his own good.

But it would also be the evilest lie to ever pass her lips…and a part of her would die in the telling.

I can't do it. I can't let you go. I'm too selfish, I'm sorry!

"I love you," she admitted, gently brushing his lips with her fingertips. "I get it, too."

"Seriously?" He seemed doubtful.

She wiped the tears from her eyes. "Yes, and..." She sighed. "I'm giving into it, too." She pointed a finger his face in warning, however. "Just don't hurt me, Ronald Weasley, or so help me, I'll kill you dead. With poison. And many sharp knives."

Whooping in joy, Ron wrapped his arms about her and they rolled around on the gigantic white bed, giggling like two young people in love, letting the wonder and delight of their discovery overtake them.

When the chimes rang out, they debated continuing the game, agreeing to do so at the last minute. It was Pansy who convinced him to stay so they could try out some of the more risqué cards together.

Quickly they cleaned up and dressed, then headed out to the common area.

On the way to the couches, Pansy leaped onto Ron's back and shouted, "giddy up!" and he whisked her around the room in circles making her dizzy, refusing to let her go as the others took their seats and watched them playfully misbehave. Draco, in particular, gave her a disapproving frown.

Oh, pah! Who cared what those nobs thought anyway? For the first time in her life, Pansy didn't feel the need to behave within the tightly held constraints that had guided her all her life. The rules that her parents had shackled her to when she'd been but a small child did not exist within the confines of this room, not tonight while they were playing 'Eros & Psyche'. So, for the moment, she could behave more lion, less snake, and that was okay.

She'd let herself this one night of happiness...and accept the consequences later.

I will love you for as long as I can, Ron,she silently promised him, hugging him tightly to her.

And she would. She absolutely would.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Sugared Butterfly Wings - A wizarding sweet manufactured by Madam Borboleta Candies Ltd. They are presumably real butterfly wings coated in sugar (they are all different colors, types and flavored differently). Honeydukes Sweetshop in Hogsmeade sold Sugared Butterfly Wings. These candies are featured in the Honeydukes Virtual Tour, at Harry Potter . com.

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

Musical Selection for this chapter: "Fallin' For You" by Colbie Calliat. Lyrics are as follows…

I don't know but,
I think that I may be
Fallin' for you.
Dropping so quickly…

Maybe I should
Keep this to myself.
Wait until I
Know you better…

I am trying not to tell you,
But I want to!
But I'm scared of what you'll say.
So I'm hiding
What I'm feeling.
But I'm tired of
Holding this inside my head…

I've been spending all my
Time just thinking 'bout you.
I don't know what to do!
I think I'm fallin' for you.
I've been waiting all my
Life and now I find you.
I don't know what to do!
I think I'm fallin' for you.
I'm fallin' for you.

As I'm standing here
And you hold my hand,
Pull me towards you,
And we start to dance.

All around us,
I see nobody.
Here in silence,
It's just you and me.

I'm trying not to tell you
But I want to!
But I'm scared of what you'll say.
So I'm hiding
What I'm feeling.
But I'm tired of
Holding this inside my head…

Oh, I just can't take it!
My heart is racing.
Emotions keep spinning out.

I can't stop thinking 'bout it!
I want you all around me!
And now I'm scared that I…
I think I'm fallin' for you.

I'm fallin' for you!