Disclaimer: Nothing's changed, Harry and Pansy are still the property of J. K. Rowling. Anthony, Sydney, and Audra are my own creations.
A/N: For those who have been skeptical of how these two moved so fast, here's your explanation. Did you catch the clues I left you?
Pansy's internal alarm clock woke her the next morning, and she sighed. She didn't want to leave, but she had to go to the dress shop. She was looking forward to making the uniforms for Harry's employees, and she had to finish a wedding dress. She kissed Harry's chest and cheek, and lifted his arm off her. She started a pot of coffee and took a shower, then got dressed. Harry hadn't budged by the time she finished her coffee, so she wrote a note and propped it up on his night table. She went down to the office before she Apparated to the shop, so the crack noise wouldn't wake him up.
Harry woke slowly as the sun shone on his face through a crack in the curtains, and he stretched out. He reached for Pansy but she wasn't there, and the flat was quiet. He opened his eyes and saw the note. He reached for it and his glasses, and read.
"Good morning, Handsome. I had to go to work early this morning, didn't want to wake you. Bring me lunch later?"
He smiled, and laid back down. He buried his face in her pillow and inhaled, the scent of her shampoo filling his nose. He sighed happily and then went to shower and get dressed. He went down to his office and took care of the Monday morning paperwork and went over Anthony's notes from Sunday night. He made a few phone calls, ordering food supplies and liquor replacements, and did the payroll. By the time he finished all that, it was almost lunch.
Walking into the pub's kitchen, he found the chef and sous chef already preparing food. "Chris, can you make me up two lunches? Something American, from where you grew up?"
He hardly ever asked the chef to cook something from his roots, so the chef grinned. "Certainly! Coming right up."
Harry walked into the dress shop carrying three boxes. "Lunchtime," he said brightly. Pansy looked up from the dress she was working on and smiled widely. "My favorite thing in the world," she said. When Harry's smile widened, she exclaimed, "Food."
He felt his cheeks redden and his smile faltered. Pansy walked over and took the boxes from him, grinning. "Just teasing you, Harry." She carried the boxes into the small room they used for breaks.
"I brought a dish for Audra, too. I didn't know if she had plans," he told Pansy as he followed her. She was pleased by his thoughtfulness, but she realized she shouldn't be surprised.
"Audra, flip the door sign and come have lunch with us," she told the other woman. "What did you bring me for lunch?" she asked Harry.
"Chris calls it 'shrimp and grits', I think. I asked him to make us something different, and he got really excited. Apparently I don't let him do enough 'Good ol' Cajun grub' enough." He opened the boxes and passed out covered bowls, silverware, and napkins. "Damn. I didn't think about drinks. Pansy, do you have anything here?"
She nodded as she took the cover off and inhaled the aromas carried up by the steam. "Oh this smells amazing. There's bottled water in that little fridge over there." She grabbed a fork and took a bite. "And it tastes even better."
They talked while they ate, and Audra gradually grew more comfortable being around Harry. She didn't stammer nearly as much as she had the first time they met, and even made a joke at his expense.
After lunch was over, Audra went back to the main area of the shop and Pansy drew Harry close for a kiss. "Thank you, dear, that was delicious. You should let your chef cook like that more often, that is for sure. I've never had anything like that."
Harry nodded. "I think I will. I've been toying with the idea of having some sort of 'food around the world' series anyway, I just need to work out the details." He kissed her nose, and held her close against him. "I'll get out of your way now, love. Will I see you tonight?" he asked hopefully.
"Absolutely. You're going to cook me dinner and give me a massage," she stated. He laughed at her tone of voice.
"Yes ma'am," he said sarcastically, and got a slap on the arm. "Ow! You've got a mean streak in you, Pansy."
She looked up at him and nodded. "Just now figuring that out? Now get, I have to get back to work."
Harry kissed her again and left, waving at Audra as he opened the door.
Pansy went back to work on the wedding dress with a smile on her face, occasionally whistling. After about an hour of watching her work, whistling, and she never whistled, Audra stopped what she was doing and then said "Miss Parkinson?"
Pinning a fold of fabric in place and draping ribbons over it to get the fabric contrast she wanted, Pansy replied. "I've told you, when there are no customers in the shop you can call me Pansy. But what did you need?"
Audra took a deep breath. "Pansy, then. I have to ask you something. And I know you're happy, I can see you're happy, but what in the world happened this weekend? When Mr. Po...when Harry came in Friday, I could tell you were attracted to him, but you acted completely differently than you are today. Now, it's like you two have been together for weeks, if not months."
Letting a ribbon slip from between her fingers, Pansy turned and looked at the other woman. "Well," she started, but then realized she didn't have an explanation. "We had the most wonderful dinner that night, and we clearly were trying to seduce each other into bed. But then, the next day, we just spent the day together. We didn't do anything super special, just got to know each other. I haven't seen him since school, you know. But even that...maybe it was yesterday, when we had such a deep conversation?" She was talking to herself as much as Audra now. "No, that couldn't have been it. It HAS been only a few days, but it feels like so very much longer."
"I'm just concerned, Pansy." The girl was more confident in what she was saying now that Pansy was questioning the situation. "You're not acting like you usually do. I hope it's just because you've found love, but…" he trailed off.
Pansy saw where she was going. "I don't think Harry would have done anything like a love potion. And he'd have had to use it on us both." She frowned, and shook her head. "No, what I feel is real. I've had love potions before...the Weasley's came up with some really potent ones at their shop. This doesn't feel like that." She sighed. "I'm going to have to go talk to him. When is Daphne coming for her fitting?"
Audra walked over and looked at the appointment book, flipping through the pages. "Thursday. I can work on the train bead-work while you go talk to him, and you can finish the bodice tomorrow, and it should be ready for her by then."
Nodding, Pansy stood. "Don't move those ribbons, though. I've almost got that where I want it. Thanks, Audra. I may not be back today, don't worry if I'm not. I'll see you in the morning." She walked into the back room and Apparated to Harry's office. Harry jumped and almost fell out of his chair at the noise.
"Pansy," he said warmly. "I didn't expect you until the end of the day." He stood and walked over to hug her, but she put a hand on his chest. Her face was troubled. "What's wrong, love?"
"That is exactly what's wrong," she said. "Love."
Harry blinked, confused. "What do you mean?"
She sighed. "Can we sit down? We need to talk."
Harry frowned. It had been a long time since he had been in a relationship, but he knew that was never good. He was more confused, because they'd had such a pleasant lunch earlier. "Sure…." he walked over to the sofa, and sat down. Pansy sat there as well, but not up against him as she usually would.
"How did we get to this point so fast, Harry? I know we've both mentioned it, that we were surprised to have these feelings, but Audra said something that really brought it to my mind. Four days ago, you didn't even know I existed. Well, you knew I existed but I wasn't someone you thought of often, I'm sure," she said, softly.
"Well, no, you didn't cross my mind much, but I had not seen you in seven years, so…" he trailed off, spreading his hands. "If I had seen you sooner, I'm sure I would have thought of you often."
"Exactly. So then one night, I show up in your bar, spill a drink on you, and the next night we have a romantic dinner, sleep together, and spend the entire weekend together. You bare your soul to me, and you make me feel warm through to my bones, blush all the time, and think about how many minutes it will be until I can see you again. After only three days, Harry. This is way too fast." She took a deep breath. "I don't want to ask you this, and I'm sorry if it hurts your feelings, but I have to ask you. Did you use a love potion on me?"
Harry's mouth dropped open and his jaw worked for a moment before he could answer. "Gods no, Pansy. I would never do something like that to anybody. I just fell hard and fast for you. I mean, you're absolutely stunning, you have a wicked sense of humor, you're affectionate, you're talented, smart, and strong. Why wouldn't I fall for you?"
Pansy smiled at the compliments, but shook her head. "I told you, I have a spectacular everything. But don't you agree that this isn't natural? It's real. I know that. I'm falling in love with you, and I like it. I have to worry that it's being influenced somehow. Don't you?"
Thinking about the past few days, Harry frowned. "You're right. It's definitely real. But I've never fell so hard so fast for anyone before. Not even Ginny. Everything took time. This should be…" he stopped talking as an idea occurred to him and his eyes went wide. "Dammit."
"What is it, Harry?" Pansy asked. She could tell he'd had an idea.
Harry stood up and walked over to the office door. "ANTHONY," he yelled. "GET IN HERE NOW."
He started pacing, chuckling under his breath but swearing.
The bar manager walked through the door and looked at Harry. "Yes sir?"
Harry swung around and pointed at Anthony, then at Pansy. "Did you whammy us?" he asked bluntly.
The tips of Anthony's ears turned scarlet as he blushed furiously, and he looked at the floor. "Yes," he said.
Harry sighed and put his hand over his face. "Anthony, I trusted you never to do that to me. It's in your contract. The only time you can whammy me is if I fall into depression again, and I haven't done that. Why did you do this?"
Anthony sighed, and looked back up from the floor. "I understand, Harry, and if you want to sack me for it I won't argue. But I had to. You've been so sad and lonely, and when I saw a chance for you to fall in love, I took it. You've done so much for me, this job, my apartment in the hotel, you've let me do what I need to do and help other people. I just wanted to help you for once." He shook his head. "You deserve to have this chance, and I couldn't bear to not help you have it. You're my friend, Harry, not just my boss. You know better than anyone that sometimes I have to do something when someone's hurting."
Pansy had a look of sheer confusion on her face. "Wait a minute. What are you two talking about?
Harry sat heavily on the couch next to her. "Anthony is an empath. He has the ability to not just sense people's emotions, but to read them like an open book and sometimes, influence what they're feeling. Generally, he uses it when bar patrons get too rowdy, to diffuse fights, and discourage poor treatment of the staff. Sometimes, when someone comes in who is troubled, or depressed, he can help them. There was a girl in here the other night…" he looked up at Anthony for her name.
Blushing all over again, Anthony said "Sydney."
Harry nodded. "Sydney then. She'd just gotten out of an emotionally abusive relationship, convinced she was worthless and was starving herself because she thought she was overweight. Anthony talked to her after closing, and drew her story out. She herself has a bit of the empathic ability, and her abusive boyfriend was influencing how she acted. Anthony is helping her learn how to block out other people's emotions and find who she is. And judging by the look on his face, he's completely taken with her." He sighed. "When, Anthony, and how?"
"Can I sit?" Anthony asked. At Harry's nod, he sat down in a chair. "I was watching you two talk Thursday night, and I took a reading of you when you were in the bar. You were sad, and lonely, as always, but when you and Miss Parkinson were talking, something started. When Miss Parkinson left, I took another reading of her, and then you when you came down to talk to me. The feelings were already there. You were interested in her and she was interested in you. You honestly, truly liked each other. I did not influence that. I just...helped it along."
Shaking his head, Harry asked again, "What did you DO, Ant?"
Anthony said "Friday night at dinner, when you dressed up and clearly put so much effort into what clearly was a date, and then when Miss Parkinson showed up looking like something straight out of a dream...I could see it. You two made such a beautiful couple, and you both were vibing in sync with each other. I mean, seriously in sync. Your auras were almost completely aligned, like you were made for each other. So I kinda...nudged you. You didn't realize I was the waiter serving you because I used our standard staff illusion, and every time I brought you a plate I nudged you both. Just a hair. A little more from like into crush. And then when dessert came, your auras were completely aligned. She was truly, perfectly right for you, and you both had strong feelings for each other. I didn't nudge you into love, I promise. I would never do that, it's against the Code. I just helped you both realize what was already there."
Pansy spoke up, then. "But … if you didn't make us love each other, why did we move so fast this weekend? Everything was just a blur..what should have taken weeks or months took only two days."
"I think," Anthony said, "that when two people are that closely aligned, that's the only way it can go. My aura teacher told me that people who are truly in love, when they stand next to each other, will seem to have just one aura, instead of two separate ones. And that's what you two have right now," he said, as he looked at them with unfocused eyes. "Your friends that were here last night, they have it too, you know. They're as perfect a match as you two are."
He blinked, and focused on Harry. "I was afraid if I didn't give you a little nudge, you'd let her go, and then eventually I'd have to follow that depression rule. I don't want to do that, Harry. I don't want to pull you out of a depression, I'd rather keep it from ever happening. What you two have is real, it is true, and it is not influenced. Not since that dinner."
Pansy let Anthony's words sink in, as she considered all that had been said. A silence filled the office as they all thought deeply.
After a few minutes, Pansy stood up and walked over to Anthony. She crossed her arms and leveled a glare at him that made him shiver. "Stand up," she demanded.
He did so, quickly. "Yes ma'am?"
She looked up at him. He was even taller than Harry. She pointed her finger at his nose, and said coldly. "Do not ever influence my emotions or his, ever again, for any reason. I should report you for violating ethics. Understand me?"
He nodded, swallowing. "Yes ma'am. I won't. I promise."
Pansy looked at him for a long moment, and then wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly. "Thank you, Anthony." She let him go and ignored the stunned expression on his face as she turned and walked over to where Harry sat. She sat in his lap and kissed him. Harry's expression might have been more shocked than Anthony, but he put his arms around her and kissed her back.
After a moment, Anthony coughed, and the pair broke apart. Anthony was looking at the floor, the ceiling, the door, everywhere except at them. Harry laughed. "Sorry, Ant. She's right, though. Thank you. You shouldn't have done it, but in a way, I'm glad you did. I'm not going to fire you, but you are on probation for a week. Give the keys to Stephanie and go home." Seeing Anthony's face fall, he winked at the tall man. "You need to instruct Sydney in empathic ethics and rules."
Anthony blinked, and then gave a small smile. "I do indeed, and I believe I have an example to use for it. Thank you, sir. If I may?" he gestured to the door.
"Go," Harry said.
After Anthony left, he looked at Pansy. "Sure you're okay with this?"
She nodded, laying her head against his shoulder. "I will be. What he said, it all made absolute sense. And even if we had managed to seduce each other into bed Friday night, I'd have been gone Saturday morning, would have written my story, and you'd have had to deal with Ron and Hermione by yourself. My feelings for you were what made me find out what had happened to you, what made me stay with you all weekend. We wouldn't have this at all."
Harry held her close, thinking carefully. "I think you're right. But maybe, now that we know what happened, maybe we should try to take things slow?"
"If you try that, I will make your life a living hell, Potter," Pansy replied without opening her eyes. "Shut up and hold me."
Harry did as he was bid and held her tight in his arms.