Chapter 1: Chapter 1
I'm aware some of you have already read this but as I am making an attempt on some further chapters (no promises) I'm re-editing this one, you might want to re-read it.
The companion piece and prequel 'Have Your Cake and Eat It' is floating around on the site somewhere also if you are interested in that.
Also if you want to read What Would Hugo Weasley Do by Collaborawesome I've been told it's rather good, and complete huzzah!
Percy reluctantly dragged himself from the warm arms that wrapped around him. He had tried to ignore the doorbell, but after the eighth time of hearing 'ding-dong' he knew that it was either his Mother or the apocalypse and for the sake of his mental health he sincerely hoped it was the latter.
"Trousers, Perce," said Audrey, whose embrace he had previously been in.
"I don't mind, it's quite a nice view," said a deeper male voice from the bed.
"Shut up," said Percy only half joking
Percy hastily pulled on Oliver's pyjama trousers and headed towards the door as it rang for the ninth and tenth time, "I'm coming," he called at the door.
From the bed he heard Oliver laugh.
Regretting the fact he was only half dressed he opened the door as his Mother reached for the bell again.
"Hello, Mother," he greeted her
Molly Weasley seemed quite taken aback at his state of dress.
"Hello dear," she said, "I hope I didn't wake you,"
"Actually you did," said Percy, he was never usually this rude to his Mother but right now the only thing he desired was to be back between his two lovers. "I was trying to catch up on some sleep," he added
Molly Weasley seemed more content with this answer; she knew how hard he worked at the Ministry, being Minister of Magic didn't come with a lot of time off.
"I just came to give you this," she handed over a basket, Percy received graciously "Do you think you'll be able to make it to Sunday lunch tomorrow?"
Of course this was the real reason she brought a basket, to try and pry some information out of him- as well as to set him up with whomever she thought appropriate. Percy had yet to tell his family about either of his lovers. Personally, he considered it a matter of pride that he and Oliver had hidden their relationship so long, after all it wouldn't do either of them any good anyone knowing, and Audrey didn't mind either, well not really. Percy was just on the point of getting his Mother to leave with vague promises that he would try and make it next week, or the week after, when the conversation was interrupted.
There was a girlish scream from inside the bedroom and then a lot of giggling.
Mrs Weasley's eyes widened in shock.
Percy sighed.
This wasn't how he'd planned on his Mother finding out; technically he had hoped she didn't find out at all- maybe just an invite to the weddings- scrap that make it his funeral.
Audrey came skidding into the room, laughing, she was wearing a shirt and boxer shorts, Percy was now seriously contemplating applying for a time turner. Just when he thought my morning couldn't be any more embarrassing or incriminating, Oliver had decided to chase her, he threw her over his shoulder in a fireman's lift before catching sight of whom his boyfriend was talking to. Oliver put Audrey down quickly and tried to look appropriately ashamed.
Molly Weasley's eyebrows nearly disappeared into her hair.
"Are you going to introduce me, Percy?" his Mother said her eyes gleaming.
"Mother, this is Oliver Wood and Audrey Williams," said Percy semi-reluctantly, "Ol, Auds, this is my Mother, Molly Weasley."
Oliver and Audrey nodded their heads in greeting.
"Well," she said with a twinkle in her eye, "I can see you're busy, I'll talk to you tomorrow Percy."
As he closed the door behind her, Percy was positive that no excuse would get him out of tomorrow's lunch.
Percy leant his head against the closed door, closing eyes.
"C'mon Perce," said Oliver softly, "maybe this is a good thing."
"How can this possibly be a good thing Oliver?" Percy snapped
Oliver didn't say anything, he looked down at Audrey as he felt her pull away from him.
Audrey slipped her hand into Percy's and squeezed it.
After a while Percy opened his eyes and looked down to see Audrey looking up at him with her big brown bambi eyes, trying to make them as wide as possible, she knew Percy couldn't resist.
"Tomorrow?" he asked
"We'll be there too," she answered
"That's what I was worried about," he grinned.
"How about I make you my special pancakes," said Oliver cheerily
"What's special about them?" Audrey asked pulling Percy along as she followed Oliver into kitchen.
"That they're misshapen and sometimes charred," Percy replied
Oliver flashed Percy a hurt look.
"They're made with love," Oliver said
They sat down at the breakfast bar and watched Oliver make breakfast.
"What will they think of me?" Percy asked his head in his hands.
"Don't worry," said Audrey, "My mother already thinks I'm a slut,"
"You are not a slut!" Percy said angrily
Oliver had long ago got used to Percy's worries about other people's impressions of their relationship, but it still annoyed him slightly that Percy was so tactless in his remarks.
"I don't know what you're worried about," said Oliver as Audrey patted Percy's arm, "you know your family will love you no matter what- they'll probably keep it quiet for you too,"
Oliver tried hard to keep the hurt out of his voice, but Percy heard it anyway and looked up.
"I'm sorry," he apologised
Oliver rolled his eyes, "Don't be, I like having sex in your office too much to let you get kicked out."
"I'm glad you've got your priorities right," said Percy
Oliver piled pancakes on to three plates, although Percy thought he needn't have bothered seeing as they all took turns stealing from each other.
"Well, I better get dressed;" Percy said eventually
"Why?" said Oliver "It's your day off. You never have days off."
"I think what Oliver is trying to say is that he would prefer you naked and I wholeheartedly concur." Audrey added
"If I'm taking the day off tomorrow then I have to get some work done today." Percy explained.
Oliver and Audrey both protested loudly, but eventually Percy got away, he needed some time to think.
Percy knew his mother wouldn't hesitate in telling his whole family, and that they would all be in a state of glee at the thought of embarrassing him. What Percy couldn't deal with- was the pressure, never before had he been in a position like this, he knew every member of his family would be owling him or even turning up at his doorstep.
Percy honestly wished he could make a press release to his whole family and just leave a junior assistant to fend off questions, oh the joys of being Minister of Magic. Percy leant back in his office chair musing- he had an idea of how it would go, 'I, Percival Ignatius Weasley would like to formally declare his relationship with Oliver Wood and Audrey Williams..'
Actually thought Percy that idea seemed better and better by the moment. Percy picked up a quill and started jotting down his usual vitriol that he started every press release with, when he realised, that he wasn't being very clever at all, if anything got into the wrong hands, it would end him. Percy shook his head, what a stupid idea. Percy crumpled up his parchment and for good measure the rest of the parchment he had been working on, and threw it over his shoulder, he heard the pipe behind him suck it up with a satisfying whoosh.
Fortunately for Percy- who had many reports to read- no one turned up at his office at all, although his secretary was very confused by Percy's sudden desire to attend to all his mail personally and Percy was very thankful she didn't comment on the howler he got from George which he threw straight in the bin. Percy supposed he would have to be more vigilant than expected tomorrow, if his siblings were waiting for a face-to-face confrontation.
The only other owl he read was from Charlie and that was just his usual weekly announcement of how he was still alive apparently the news hadn't reached him yet, though he hoped he could rely on Charlie to be supportive. The sun was sagging low in the sky when Percy finally decided there was no more work for him to do today, he would go back to his lovely little apartment and spent one more night in the peace that ignorance supplied.