Chapter Text
“Ginny no,” Ron said, horrified by his sister’s suggestion.
“Ginny yes!” Ginny argued. “Hermoine stayed over last break! If your girlfriend can stay at The Burrow why can’t mine?”
“Because!” Ron hissed. “She’s Pansy Parkinson! Her parents were-,”
“Who cares what her parents were! She’s her own person Ron,” Ginny said.
“Well even so, don’t you remember what assholes she and Draco were?” Ron pointed out.
“Yes, I do. I also know that people change and that Pansy is a good person now whom I love,” Ginny rolled her eyes.
Ron scrunched up his nose. “You don’t know what love is. You’re like 12!”
“I’m 16 Ron,” Ginny said, exasperated.
“Look Ginny, I’m just saying that someone who is once a blood supremacist, never learns to respect others. I don’t even want you talking to her, so there is no way she is spending the break in my house,” Ron said. “What if she burns our house down? Or hurts mum and dad?” It was evident what he was truly worried about was what is his sister got hurt?
“Ron,” Ginny said. “Pansy is a good person. If you don’t let her stay over, I’m going to spend the summer with her at a hotel somewhere.”
“Ginny-,” Ron tried, but his stubborn shit of a sister had put her foot down.
“Fine,” Ron spat. “She can stay at the Burrow, but if anything happens-,”
“I’ll leave,” a voice said from the side, causing Ron to jump.
“Parkinson,” he sneered.
“Ron,” Pansy nodded. “I understand your concerns and I promise that if I hurt your family in any way, I will leave your house.
Ron scoffed. “If you do hurt my family you are never talking to Ginny again."
“Ron!” Ginny said.
“It’s the only way I’ll allow this,” Ron shrugged.
Pansy hesitated. “Well, I suppose it’s not worth the risk...what do you count as 'hurting?' would the fact that I'm dating their daughter-,”
“Challenge accepted,” Ginny interrupted. “Mum and dad are going to love Pansy.”
“Ginny,” Pansy tried nervously, but Ron was already walking away, and Ginny smiled at her. “You’ll be fine Pansy.”
Pansy was not fine.
By the time the train reached the station she was almost sweating with anxiety. She was in the carriage with Ron and Ginny, the former refusing to leave the couple alone.
“We’re here,” Ginny said excitedly. “My mom should be here to pick us up and take us home.” She stood up to take her luggage, but Pansy stopped her. “Let me carry your things,” she offered, almost falling under the weight of Ginny and her own bags.
“Pansy, I’m stronger than you, you know,” Ginny said, amused.
“It’s fine,” Pansy insisted. “I can do a favour or two for my lovely girlfriend once in a while.”
Ron rolled his eyes as the three walked onto the platform, the family of gingers being easy to spot.
It seemed like the other Weasleys had already gotten of the train and were ready to leave.
“Ron, Ginny,” Mrs. Weasley smiled. “And um-,” she looked at Pansy, who’s hands where aching from the luggage weight.
“Mum, this is Pansy,” Ginny said. “My girlfriend that I told you about.”
“Oh!” Mrs Weasley said. “Yes, I heard about her in Ron’s letters too.”
Pansy’s expression turned nervous, as Ginny gave Ron a glare.
“Hello Mrs. Weasley,” Pansy said. “I’m looking forward to getting to know the woman who raised such an incredible daughter.”
“Well I’m looking forward to see what your parents raised you to be,” Mrs. Weasley said.
“M-my parents?” Pansy stuttered. “You um, know about my parents?”
“Ron did mention them, yes,” Mrs. Weasley said. “I am acquainted with your parents. I do hope you do not take after them.”
Pansy laughed nervously. About to put down the bags for a minute.
“What are you doing?” Ron said. “Don’t put Ginny’s bags on the floor! It’s dirty.”
“Ron!” Ginny said. “Don’t mind him Pansy, just give me my bags-,”
“Is she not willing to even hold your bags for a minute?” Ron said. “Isn’t she the one who said she could do you a favour once in a while?”
“I-,” Ginny started, but Pansy shook her head. “He’s right. I can hold your bags, don’t worry.”
Pansy stumbled after the Weasleys, Ron dragging Ginny ahead with him, till they flooed to The Burrow.
Pansy coughed, nearly falling over, but Ginny caught her in time. “Put the bags here,” Ginny said, rubbing Pansy’s arms as she set the weight down. “Come on, let’s get you some water.”
“You alright?” Ginny asked, as Pansy sipped on her water.
“I’m fine,” Pansy said with half a smile.
“Look, don’t let Ron get to you, okay?” Ginny said. “He’s just looking out for me. But he doesn’t know you like I do.”
Pansy nodded. “I don’t think your mum likes me either.”
“Give her some time,” Ginny insisted. “She’ll warm up to you, I promise.”
“Okay,” Pansy said as Ginny gave her a kiss.
“Come on,” Ginny smiled. “I’ll show you my room and we can unpack.
Ginny led Pansy upstairs excitedly.
Entering Ginny’s room, Pansy couldn’t help but realise how incredibly ‘Ginny’ it was. There were quidditch, band and horror movie posters almost everywhere on her walls. Her room was bright with the sunlight that shined through white curtains, and she had a small bookshelf in the corner.
“I like your room,” Pansy said. Her own room was extremely boring, designed by her parents, with white walls and black furniture. The change was pleasant.
“Thanks,” Ginny said, sitting down on her bed, reclining until she was lying down. “We’ll have dinner in a while, so you might want to take a nap till then.” She yawned, making space for Pansy, who lay down next to her, hugging her as she closed her eyes.
“I love you,” Ginny muttered.
Pansy kissed the back of her neck in response, snuggling closer, when the door flung open and Pansy rolled off the bed with shock.
“Are you both clothed,” Fred asked, making a show of covering his eyes as he walked in.
Ginny threw a pillow at him, frowning. “We were trying to sleep idiot.”
“Well, mum said she needs help de-gnoming the garden,” Fred shrugged.
“You do it,” Ginny said lying back down.
“No, it’s fine,” Pansy said standing up. “I’ll help. Ginny, you can take a nap.”
“Pansy, have you ever done this before?” Ginny asked nervously.
“Well, no, but I will take this opportunity to learn,” Pansy said, walking out towards the garden.
“This is something I’m going to want to see,” Fred grinned, following Pansy.
Ginny sighed getting out of bed. No way was she leaving Pansy alone with her family and garden gnomes!”
The show it seemed, had already started as Pansy had managed to get covered in dirt quite well.
“Pansy,” Ginny called. “Let me help,” Pansy walked forward to meet Ginny halfway, but then a series of things happened.
The mud at her feet was wet causing her to slip backwards, a glass pot she was holding flying out of her grip and right towards Mrs. Weasley, hitting her shoulder and shattering.
“Fuck,” Pansy groaned, rubbing her head as she fell.
“Fuck,” Ginny repeated, looking at the broken pot.
“Oh my god,” Ron jogged over. “Mum!"
“I didn’t mean too,” Pansy said, standing up, eyes wide. “I’m so sorry!”
“You didn’t mean to?” Ron said, walking over. “You just accidently bloodied up my mum, did you?”
“I- I’m sorry, it was an accident, you saw it was an accident!” Pansy said, feeling on the verge of tears.
“Did I?” Ron responded.
“Oh shut up Ron, Pansy are you alright,” Ginny said walking forward, but was blocked by Ron. “Do you not remember our deal?”
“You can’t be serious,” Ginny said, trying to push past her brother.
Pansy was crying openly now, muttering how sorry she was. “I should leave,” she whispered, shakily walking away.
“What, no!” Ginny tried.
“Yes, I should,” Pansy said. “I’m not welcome here just as much as I’m unwelcome at my parents’ place. At least I don’t care if I hurt them.”
“But they hurt you, Pansy, you can’t go back!” Ginny said.
“I’m sorry,” Pansy said, before jogging away to floo herself home.