[identity profile] red-b-rackham.livejournal.com posting in [community profile] rarepair_shorts
Author: red_b_rackham
Recipient: the_woods_
Title: The Last Time
Pairing: Harry/Pansy (and some implied unrequited Harry/Ginny and Pansy/Draco)
Request: being held hostage; finding common ground
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 343
Summary:  He always says that this is the last time.
Author's Notes:  Sorry this is a bit late! Due to computer issues I was unable to get here sooner to post this, but I had it written several days ago. Anyways, first attempt at this pairing but the plot bunny struck, so here goes. AU, post-Hogwarts. :)

The Last Time

When Pansy opens the door, his usual greeting is “this is the last time”.

She smiles. “Of course it is.”

It's always the last time for them.

~

She's the opposite of Ginny in terms of looks – with short black hair and blue eyes, a smile that is one part arrogant and one part almost sad. Harry doesn't think of her as a replacement (even though she is) and chooses to believe he could walk away from this at any moment and never look back (and they both know that's not true but they pretend anyways, because it's easier that way).

~

They never talk about Ginny or Draco. Somehow it's become an unspoken agreement. Once in a while she'll say something like, “I saw him yesterday” or he'll say, “I had supper with her and her family two nights ago” and that will be it. Somehow, they find comfort in this – in being in love with someone else, but together. Harry has never understood how their dynamic works, it just does.

~

In the morning, Pansy pours him a cup of coffee and Harry stares deep into the steaming brown liquid.

“You can leave, you know,” she says. “There's no rule that says you have to stay. It's not like I'm holding you hostage.”

He figures there's got to be some form of irony in there somewhere. Eight months ago, he was on the team of Aurors who saved her and six other witches and wizards from a bank robbery and hostage situation. They'd gone out for coffee three weeks later, and one month later she'd asked him to come over. He declined. But four days after that he found himself on her doorstep – the same day Ginny got engaged to one of her Quidditch teammates.

~

The night of Ginny's wedding, he comes home early from the reception and makes himself a stiff drink. He finds himself knocking on her door only a short time later. And when she opens it, he predictably mumbles,

“This is the last time.”

“I know.” She replies.

Oh yes, it's always the last time with them.

-end-

Date: 2011-09-02 05:42 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] elle-blessing.livejournal.com
This was lovely. The emotions were raw and real, and the situation unfortuate and sad for both of them, but not unrealistic. I liked your prose a lot too; you got a lot crammed into so few words.

Thanks for sharing!

Date: 2011-09-02 11:03 pm (UTC)
brightflower: (Default)
From: [personal profile] brightflower
I love it. The dynamic between them is so sad and real. Your style is so good, so full of life. I really enjoyed reading this.

Date: 2011-09-03 10:18 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] phocok.livejournal.com
Great! I'm amazed ^^

Date: 2011-09-05 02:10 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] http://users.livejournal.com/the_woods_/
Hooray, I loved how you incorporated the prompt so creatively :) And with a great ending, too. Thanks for the story <3

-n

Date: 2011-09-07 02:31 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] callarose.livejournal.com
Oh this is such a wonderful piece. So evocative and emotional. The extent to which they hold onto one another is very palpable. They have such an interesting dynamic and you do it so beautifully. ♥

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