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

74. Prepare

Pansy didn't know how long she sat there while the stinging realization that Zacharias could pay for what he did to her with his life dulled. However, the ringing in her ears started to swell as the room felt like it was closing in. The thudding in her chest replaced the ringing while her breathing started to quicken.

She couldn't do this.

Bolting from the chair, she tore out of the Headmistress' office. Pansy could hear all forms of her name being called as she hurried down the stairs and out of the doorway.

Ron didn't have a chance to get up completely from where he was sitting on the floor before she launched herself at him, knocking him back to the ground. Wrapping her arms around his neck she clung to him as tears started to flow.

"What happened?" he whispered as he rubbed her back.

"He's going to die."

"Who's going to die?"

"Smith."

Ron said nothing more as he pulled her tighter, but she continued, "All because I wanted a better life than what I had, he's going to die."

"It's not your fault," Ron whispered. "You can't blame yourself."

"But I wanted a better life and I got that because he attacked me," she replied, her voice cracking due to her tears. "It's my fault."

Ron pulled her up and away from his body. His hands going to her face to force her to look at him, and very firmly said, "No, it is not your fault --"

She tried to interrupt him but he continued over her weak protests, "Yes, you wanted a better life. Pansy everyone wants that at some point. So this is not your fault."

"But..."

"Pansy, listen to me. This is not your fault."

"Yes..."

She could tell that he was getting frustrated with her but the guilt was so overwhelming. Her eyes watched as he sent his Patronus before turning his attention back to her.

"Is there anything I can say to convince you that this isn't your fault?"

"But it is my fault. I wanted a better life. I got that better life because he attacked me."

"He almost killed you."

"But..."

"No Pansy," he said, his hands going back to her face. "He almost killed you. Hear me say that. Hear me tell you that when I left you in the infirmary that night, I left believing that you wouldn't survive the night. Madame Pomfrey and Headmistress McGonagall too. None us thought you would make it through the night."

The anguish that she saw in his eyes started to tear at her heart. It was the first time, he had actually said anything to her about that night. She had always appreciated that he never forced her to talk about that night but now she wish she had.

"Ron," she whispered, her own anguish evident in the cracking of her voice. Her own hands went to his face, before she leaned forward and rested her forehead against his.

"Mrs. Weasley, we aren't finished," a cool voice interrupted them.

Her eyes didn't leave his as they remained quiet.

"Mrs. Weasley, the Aurors would like to finish questioning you."

She took a deep breath as she whispered his name.

"Mrs. Weasley," the voice said harshly.

Pansy felt a hand go to her shoulder and grip it. Lashing out with a primeval scream, she tore away from Ron spinning. Catching a glimpse of the Auror as he went flying back.

Breathing heavy, she got to her feet as did Ron, who pulled her back into him as she grabbed onto him; pressing her face into his side.

"Mr. Weasley. Mrs. Weasley. Explain yourself." The Headmistress ordered having come down the stairs.

"Actually Headmistress, I think we are owed an explanation," Ron replied coolly. "What the bloody hell is going on?"

"Now Mr. Weasley, we do not have to explain ourselves to you in a criminal matter," Kingsley's booming voice sounded before the man made his entrance.

"No offense Minister, but I think we are. I refuse to standby while you upset her after what she has been through the last few months."

"And you should have informed us of her status of being a Guardian. Seeing as you didn't prepare us, I feel we should not prepare you," Kingsley coolly replied. "As I see it you start talking, and we start talking."

"Fine." Ron snapped. "You, me, her. That's it. Take it or leave it."

"Don't you want to see him punished for what he did to her?"

"Yes I do. But I won't let you destroy her in the process."

"Ron, what is it?" Harry's winded voice sounded.

Pansy watched as Ron kept his eyes leveled with the Minister's as he spoke, "Depends. What is it Minister?"