Chapter Text
Pansy strode into Hermione’s office at the Ministry of Magic with the kind of confidence only she could pull off—draped in couture, heels clicking against the marble floor, looking every bit like a woman who had already won whatever argument she was about to start.
Hermione, the ever-diligent Minister for Magic, was seated at her mahogany desk, flipping through yet another stack of policy drafts. She looked up briefly, eyeing Pansy with suspicion before returning to her work. "No."
Pansy gasped theatrically. "You wound me."
"You want something, and I’m saying no preemptively."
Pansy perched herself on the edge of Hermione’s desk, crossing her legs in a way that was entirely too distracting for someone who was supposed to be running a government. "Alright, darling, hear me out—"
"No."
"—we have to do a photoshoot."
Hermione sighed, setting her quill down and finally looking up at her wife. " Why? "
Pansy’s eyes gleamed mischievously. " ✨Content✨. "
Hermione blinked. " Content? "
Pansy nodded. "You see, Witch Weekly is doing a special edition—‘Power Couples of the Wizarding World’—and obviously, we are the power couple ."
"Obviously," Hermione repeated dryly.
"And we have been together for ten years, which is practically a lifetime in high-profile relationships."
" Practically. "
"So," Pansy continued, undeterred, "I told my team that we’d do a cover shoot. For the culture. "
Hermione raised a single brow.
Pansy sighed dramatically. "Fine. I want to model."
"There it is," Hermione muttered, leaning back in her chair with an exasperated expression.
"Darling," Pansy purred, trailing her fingers along the edge of Hermione’s desk, "just imagine it—me in a stunning designer ensemble, you in one of those devastatingly sexy suits, us looking effortlessly superior while the world marvels at our power and beauty."
Hermione crossed her arms. "That’s every day of our lives."
"And yet, the world doesn’t get to witness it in high-definition print with impeccable lighting."
"Pansy."
Pansy softened, leaning in slightly. "Love, it’ll be fun. We barely get to do things like this together. And think of the positive press—people love seeing you in something other than boring Ministerial robes."
Hermione pinched the bridge of her nose. "I like my Ministerial robes."
"And I love you despite them."
Hermione exhaled slowly, giving Pansy a long, measured look. Pansy responded with a slow, charming smile—the kind Hermione had been falling for since they were reckless twenty-somethings trying to figure out how to love each other despite their pasts.
"Fine," Hermione said at last.
Pansy beamed. "Oh, I knew you’d see reason."
"But," Hermione added sternly, "if this turns into some ridiculous over-the-top production—"
Pansy waved a dismissive hand. "Please, I am nothing if not tasteful."
Hermione gave her a deeply skeptical look.
Pansy grinned. "Okay, mostly tasteful."
"You’re impossible," Hermione muttered, but there was a smile tugging at her lips.
"And yet, you love me."
Hermione sighed, pressing a quick kiss to Pansy’s cheek as she stood. "Merlin help me, I do."
Hermione shook her head, already regretting every choice that had led her to this moment. But as she watched Pansy practically skip away to contact the magazine, she found herself smiling despite herself.
And just like that, the Witch Weekly cover was secured.