Chapter Text
Pansy reclined back in her chair, the photos still scattered on the desk before her.
Three pairs of eyes all watched her. Each holding a different combination of emotions that she could read easily. One nervous, dejected and resigned, another affronted, intimidated and hostile, the final one determined, desperate and furious, but not Pansy though, at anyone in this room.
They were all waiting on her, on her reaction. Hoping that she would be able to come up with a solution none of them had been able to reach.
Pansy folded her hands together neatly in her lap. ‘This is quite the situation you have brought before me gentlemen.’ Her eyes swept over the men again, even as she kept her voice soft and sweet.
Two of the men relaxed a little at her tone, but Dennis Creevey knew her well enough to not fall for it.
‘And I can see where the problem has arisen but I do believe that I may have an idea that would be of mutual benefit to both parties.’ She looked at the two Irish wizards. ‘We can use this story as a trial run of my idea and if it works, maybe look towards a more long term partnership.’
The older wizard perked up a little at this and the hostility dwindled in his eyes. ‘Partnership?’
‘Of course.’ Pansy exclaimed. ‘Were you worried that I was going to sweep in and take over your magazine Mr Gallagher?’
Mr Gallagher at least had the grace to look ashamed. ‘It was a valid worry, Ms Parkinson.’ He protested.
Pansy waved an imperious hand. ‘Of course of course but I’d never want to do that. I rather enjoy your work.’ She smirked a little. ‘I have a subscription and I have done since I was in Hogwarts.’ She leant forward. ‘Witch Weekly can’t do what you do. It’s a weekly publication and despite speculation, I have no interest in changing that and therein lies where we can collaborate.’
Mr Gallagher leant forward too. ‘I’ll listen… I’m not agreeing right out mind you.’
‘Of course.’ Pansy soothed. ‘And I wouldn’t expect you to. It’s also why I thought a story like this could be a good trial run.’
‘What’s the idea, boss?’ Dennis said, clearly getting impatient.
Oh those bleeding heart Gryffindors. Pansy gave Dennis a smile. ‘I’m so glad you asked.’ she looked back at the other two men. ‘Mr Ryan, your photos are spectacular. The only other photographer I know who’s this good, is Mr Creevey’s brother who works for me at the Prophet.’ She carefully picked one up, seemingly at random, then inspected it. ‘They clearly have no idea you're taking their photo. Are shots like this your specialty?’ Her eyes trailed over the captured couple.
‘Yes Miss.’ The young man muttered. He had dropped his gaze to his knees and was twisting a bit of paper between his fingers.
‘You must be an asset.’ She placed the photo back down. ‘Now my current problem is that there is so much that I can’t put in Witch Weekly since it’s only published once a week so my idea is this.’ She locked eyes with Mr Gallagher. ‘Witch Weekly and Daily Blether would work together. Witch Weekly would give out more like taster articles that would be covered in more depth by you.’ She spread her hands out, palms up, over the photos. ‘And this story is the perfect tester. Your people took the pictures and could do a whole magazine with just these and Dennis’ article could get the ball rolling in this week's issue with of course the ending that more information will be in your magazine… if of course you have the time to put together something like that? Maybe your Sunday issue?’ Pansy watched all three. ‘Of course, I’d request the use of one of these incredible photos for our front page…’
Dennis’ shoulders relaxed, some of the fight draining out of him. That had been what he’d wanted after all. For the story to be held back a few days.
Mr Ryan looked over at Mr Gallagher, who was stroking his goatee and had a gleam of greed in his eye.
‘It would be a good way to see if your idea worked, Ms Parkinson. If we got a clear uptick in sales and subscriptions…’ He let the sentence trail off.
‘Then you and I could discuss it again.’ Pansy let her face form that reassuring smile she’d perfected in Hogwart. ‘And if it doesn’t… well we tried and we can go back to how things have always been.’
Mr Gallagher relaxed. ‘Your right, Ms Parkinson. No harm in trying.’ He gave a jovial smile.
‘Exactly.’ Pansy’s voice was sickly sweet. ‘No harm in trying at all.’
Pansy walked back to her office after seeing Mr Gallagher and Mr Ryan off. She walked back in, flicked her wand and her kettle started boiling. ‘Tea, Dennis?’
He fidgeted. ‘Thank you.’ His voice was small, not like the loud angry sound she’d heard earlier before she’d stepped in. ‘And I’m really sorry… I… Well… If you…’
Pansy let him stutter around his excuses as she fixed them both a mug of tea. When she was done she handed him a mug then settled back in her seat. She flicked her wand once again and a plate of ginger newts arranged themselves and landed between the pair.
‘I honestly didn’t expect… Then you… I don’t… If you hadn’t…’
‘Dennis.’ Pansy cut over him. ‘I understand completely and I don’t blame you at all. In fact you’ve actually saved me a lot of work.’ She relaxed back in her chair.
Dennis blinked, looking like she’d hit him between the eyes with a rubber mallet.
Oh Salazar save me from honest, gullible Gryffindor’s. ‘We had to do something about the Daily Blether and this way works much better for me.’ She took a sip of her Darjeeling. ‘Mr Gallagher will want this to work as it will get him more money and we don’t have to worry about a drop in sales due to a lack of stories or not enough information.’ She shrugged. ‘Plus this way they won’t steal your work.’ She looked at him over the rim of her cup. ‘If that had happened I’d have had to destroy them and that's a lot of work.’
Dennis gave her a smile. ‘Thanks Pansy…’
‘And I also understand why you want to hold it back a few days. I admire your loyalty.’ She looked at the only photo left, the one that was going to go on the front page of this week's Witch Weekly. ‘Add that last line about the full story being in the Daily Blether, send me your final draft then you can take the rest of the afternoon off.’
Dennis nodded. ‘That last line is all I’ve got to do then.’
‘Wonderful. I’ll start on the layout as soon as I get it. Tomorrow you can help me go over the options.’
While they finished their brews, the pair discussed different options and Pansy made notes for her mockups. Then Dennis left, shutting her door behind him.
The click echoed around her office as Pansy set her cup down on the desk. She picked up the picture and looked at it, a very Slytherin smirk forming on her lips. She’d picked it seemingly at random from the pile, in front of Mr Gallagher and Mr Ryan, but even Dennis had seen it wasn’t at random.
Ronald Weasley was in the alley behind a wizarding bar in Ireland, still in his Chudley Canon’s robes, a witch pressed between him and the wall. A witch with straight shoulder length light hair and whose revealing dress showed she had the figure that resembled a muggle supermodel. ( No accounting for taste… ) One of his hands held her leg over his hip and the other was cradling her head. There was no mistaking that type of embrace.
Checkmate, Weasley. Pansy set the photo down, took out a roll of parchment then started writing a letter.