Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter nor do make money.

69. Corruption

A gentle knock on the door stirred Ron from where he sat on the window seat holding a sleeping Pansy. The letter from her parents scrunched in her hands.

As quietly as possible, he said, "Come in." His eyes never left Pansy, hoping that he hadn't woke her. When he saw that he hadn't, he turned to see who had entered and was surprised to see Draco, Blaise, and Tracey come in the room.

"Can we talk?" Draco said softly. "Tracey will stay with her if you would like."

Confused, he shook his head gently and said, "Sure. Let me just get her to bed."

Carefully, he moved to stand before gripping her tighter to stand up. He quickly moved to the bed, trying to keep her body as still as possible as Tracey had already moved to pull down the sheets.

Ron whispered, "Thank you," to her as he set Pansy on the bed. Kissing her on the forehead, as he pulled up the covers and tucked her in.

Standing up, he followed Draco and Blaise out of the room.

Once they had exited the room and Ron had closed the door, he asked, "What's up?"

"I've been summoned to the Manor. It's been cleared with McGonagall, I thought you might like to come," Draco said, his voice low as he continued to move across the room forcing Ron to walk to keep up.

"I don't understand."

"A particular father has sought an audience with Mr. Malfoy," Blaise responded, holding open the door to take the three of them out of the eighth year common room.

"Mr. Parkinson?" Ron asked.

"Actually no."

"Which I know is surprising."

"Especially after that letter arrived today," Draco added. Ron looked between Draco and Blaise and tried to figure out how the hell they started to channel his brothers.

Unfortunately, that thought about Fred made him stop as he became choked up.

"You coming Weasley?"

"My father can't keep the bastard there all night."

"Yeah," he struggled to say and took off at a light jog to catch up with the other too. "So if it isn't Mr. Parkinson then who is it?"

He wasn't sure if he liked the smirk that crossed both Draco and Blaise's faces when Draco asked, "So does the name Smith ring any bells?"

Ron officially saw red.

"Good that's the reaction we wanted," Blaise drawled. "Unfortunately, you can't kill him. Not yet at least."

"Then why are you letting me come along?" Ron growled.

"Because strongI/strong think he needs to be reminded that there is no one he can turn to," Draco drawled as he opened the front doors to the castle.

"Seems the Smiths haven't realized just who Pansy's married too." Blaise smirked. "Now let's go have some fun."

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Ron followed Draco and Blaise through the entryway of the Manor. He couldn't believe he was in the Manor and about to confront Smith's father. Everything seemed surreal at the moment. But what he really wanted to know at the moment was when could get a nice quiet life without the adventure and drama.

He definitely was taking George up on the offer to help out at the shop. There was no way he could handle being an Auror.

"Why hello Draco, Blaise," he heard Mr. Malfoy drawl before he added, "Mr. Weasley. I wasn't expecting you. So may I ask how Pansy is doing?"

"As well as could be expected."

"And Miss Granger?"

"Theo Nott," Ron said, looking at Smith's father, "tells me she is doing better."

Watching Smith's father go white was more than enough for Ron at the moment as Mr. Malfoy continued, "Ephraim, I know you know my son Draco and his friend Blaise but I don't know if you have had the pleasure of meeting Pansy's husband, Mr. Ronald Weasley. Mr. Weasley, Mr. Smith."

"I would say pleasure but it's not the sentiment I'm feeling at the moment," Ron responded coolly, remaining at the door.

"Now Ephraim, as to what were speaking about before these gentlemen joined us," Lucius responded innocently, moving to the bar to pour a drink. "Oh that's right, something about the spot of trouble your son has become mired in. Draco, Blaise, Ron, can I offer you something to drink before we get down to business?"