red_day_dawning (red_day_dawning) wrote in red_day_fiction, @ 2008-05-02 16:57:00 |
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Entry tags: | author: red_day_dawning, fic: r, pansy/kingsley |
Fic: R "The Beginning of All Negotiation" - Pansy/Kingsley
Title: The beginning of all negotiation
Author: red_day_dawning
Pairing: Pansy/Minister of Magic
Rating: R
Warning/s: Prostitution
Word count: ~1,200
Disclaimer: JKR owns all – I make no money & mean no harm.
Summary: Life post-war is quite difficult for many children of the Death-Eaters, whether they took the mark or not. Many of them have limited income sources, as their family properties have been seized by the MoM, and finding employment is near impossible. Faced with prejudice, Pansy Parkinson is one of the former Slytherins attempting to find a way to survive in Wizarding Britain after Voldemort’s defeat. Set 2-3 years after the Battle of Hogwarts.
The Beginning of all Negotiation
1. Fading Marks.
“Another appointment tomorrow night, my dear?”
"You see us as less than human. No, I don’t mean just former-Death-Eaters, or to be accurate, the children of former-Death-Eaters. I never took the mark. Don’t pretend to look surprised – you heard the reports, you can see my arm, you know I did not receive the mark.
Yes, I know the marks have faded now, but they haven’t faded entirely. Look at Draco’s arm, sometime. Yes, Draco Malfoy. You can still see the mark on his forearm, just there. And the Professor's mark might have faded, but it can easily be seen.
Of course, I still call him Professor. He was the head of my house. He was the only adult who cared, among all the former-Death-Eaters – he was the only one who gave a damn! He and Lupin, the first thing they do as soon as the Professor’s name has been cleared, is round us up, and try to keep us safe. Keep us out of Azkaban. Keep us from being killed by squeaky clean citizens, the I-opposed-Him-but-I-don’t-mind-using-Dea
You think I've forgotten those the Professor and Lupin couldn't save? You think I’ve forgotten Daphne Greengrass and her baby brother? He was only eight years old. Her family never even supported Him. Or what about Theo? Theodore Nott? Hell, he hated Him, and he hated his father for supporting Him. That didn’t stop the crowd of "concerned citizens" expressing their qualms about having Death-Eater spawn living among them by brutally killing him.
I will never forget.
Yes, I am bitter. Yes, I am angry.
I think you better go now. Time’s up and I’m expecting someone. Yes, tomorrow same time.
A double-session? If you think so. And have the energy."
~*~
2. The sacrifice of a desk and a filing cabinet.
“You could sit for the NEWTS, you know. Bulstrode did.”
"Yeah, right.
Yes, yes, I know Mill got her NEWTS. Eventually. But they failed her first. The best student in our year, except for Granger and a couple of Ravenclaws, and they failed her.
I know they eventually agreed to pass her. It only required a demonstration of her academic prowess; the combined efforts of McGonagall, Lupin and the Professor relentlessly protesting; and admonitions from "Our Beloved Minister" for them to pass her.
I would have loved to see it, though. Mill won’t tell me the half of it; she promised the Professor she wouldn't talk about it, but the little bit I heard sounded brilliant.
What do you mean? I did not giggle. I may have laughed, perhaps. Even chuckled. But I do not giggle. And stop that, I am not ticklish.
Okay, I may be a little ticklish. And I might have giggled. I can’t help it – it just sounded so brilliant when they took the Ministry on. The righteous wrath of a roused McGonagall. Lupin threatening to permanently move into the office so that he can protest more efficiently - and then informing the Ministry hacks that he hoped they didn’t object to extreme and deviant sexual practices, as he had no intention of giving up on sex or seeing less of Snape for the duration. And then kindly sitting the old clerk down because he was then concerned the old fellow would faint.
And I would have loved to see the Professor in action – Mill won’t tell me exactly what he said or did; she refuses to confirm if emergency medical treatment was required, or how bad the injuries were, or what hexes were used, or even how many Aurors were called in. All she will tell me is that a desk and a filing cabinet were sacrificed to the cause. And that the only reason the Professor wasn’t arrested was because of "Our Beloved Minister’s" direct intervention. And that the Professor in assault-and-attack mode is even more impressive than she imagined. And that Lupin’s no slouch. According to Mill, even "Our Beloved Minister" is quite a warrior. And quite a decent man. Apparently. According to Mill.
I didn’t scoff. Not more than usual, anyway. I have my own reasons for being grateful to the Minister. Lie down, I think you should benefit from my gratitude."
~*~
3. There aren’t enough hours in the day…
“Would you consider an overnight appointment?”
"If you like. I’ll let you make all arrangements. What kind of sex-toys would you like me to bring?
I’m not sure – what is it you want me to do with you this weekend? What? No toys at all? As you wish."
~*~
4. What did I say?
“I made arrangements for the weekend as well. Is that acceptable?”
"Well, yes, but are you sure that’s a good idea? It may make it difficult for you to keep things quiet. You have been taking terrible risks the last few months.
I am aware that you have thought things through and planned accordingly, but it’s too easy for secrets to become public knowledge when you are a public figure.
Please. You are the Minister. You cannot be seen in the company of a common prostitute. They may forgive you for visiting a whore for a quick fuck, or even a leisurely one, but they will never forgive you for…
Where are you going?"
~*~
5. “You’re back.”
“I have conditions. First, that you leave this place forever. And never do this work again.”
“Secondly, that you come and live with me. In my bedroom, or in a room of your own – that's up to you. I’d like marriage, but that’s up to you too.”
“Thirdly, that you go to the United States to take your NEWT exams, including a three month study intensive to prepare you – I have made arrangements and will cover all expenses. After you have successfully passed your NEWTS, you will attend University or apprentice to a Master. Once again, I will cover all expenses.”
“Fourthly, that you never talk about yourself as a "common" prostitute again. Pansy, you have been a prostitute, but you have never been common. Never less than human. Perfectly human and perfectly wonderful!”
“Fifthly, that you never refer to me as "Our Beloved Minister" again. Unless it is a Slytherin necessity. I would prefer it if you called me Kingsley. Shacklebolt if you must. Are these conditions acceptable?”
"Kingsley, you know that outlining conditions is merely the beginning of all negotiation. So let’s negotiate."
~fin~