#paneo

He catches her when she stumbles upon landing and Theo’s grasp burns her skin. Magic sings through her - his, hers, the Dark Lord’s - before Pansy throws herself backwards breaking the connection. She pants, bracing her arm against the wall of the building, eyes screwed shut to catch her breath. When she looks up at Theo, normally fully composed, unreadably stoic Theo, he’s bent over with his hands on his knees, the skin around his knuckles taut and pale.

“He drugged us.” Theo’s voice is rough and his breathing is ragged. “Fuck.”

Pansy nods; it makes sense. “To ensure we consummate the marriage.” Bastard. “As if His threat hanging over our heads isn’t enough.”

“Where do you think we are?”

She hasn’t even looked around and she straightens up. Nothing. The only thing within eyesight is the building towering over them. It looks unkempt but it’s not fancy by any means.

“I don’t know. I think our only choice is to go inside.”

Theo groans but drags himself up right, hands clenched in tight fists.

“Ok. Are we considering what might happen if we don’t do what He wants?”

Pansy grins shakily at him. “I hadn’t yet. Have you considered maybe we should sooner rather than later so as to have some choice in what happens?”

“Fuck.”

“Very proper, Theo. Come on, let’s go in.”

The doors creak open and Theo raises a brow at her. Pansy shrugs as they enter the foyer. There’s barely an entrance way but there’s a small sitting room and a long hallway and those seem to be all of their options. Pansy decides on the hallway. If they must do as bid, she will not be having sex anywhere other than a bed.

“Into the unknown, then, husband.”