Percy nervously pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and waited. He was supposed to meet her here and nervously held his package for her in his hands. He wasn't even sure if she'd like it, he just hoped. Looking down at the package, he frowned; the wrapping job wasn't the neatest.
He had picked out the gift at the last Hogsmeade weekend, stealing away from her for a few moments, when they hadn't been hidden in Madame Puddifoot's, where they could be alone and not harassed by her friends or his brothers.
Finally, he saw her; she was running down the hall, her face flushed.
"Sorry," she said, following him into an empty classroom. "I just got away," she said, sounding a bit out of breath. "I ran into Professor Flitwick!"
"It's okay," Percy said, still nervous. This was his i first /i girlfriend and his first gift to a girl that wasn't his mother or Ginny. He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose again. "I, um, just wanted to give you your gift."
Penelope threw her arms around his neck. "You're so sweet!" she said, kissing his cheek.
Percy blushed and kissed her quickly on the lips. "I'm glad you stayed for hols."
"Me too," Penelope said, tightening her hug. "It's been nice spending time with you, without anyone else around."
"Well, except my brothers," Percy said, nervously.
"We've managed to avoid them so far," Penelope assured him. He had confided to her that he was nervous about telling his family that he had a girlfriend, he was afraid of the teasing he might endure. Penelope didn't seem to mind, in fact, she went along with it.
Percy thought maybe she too didn't enjoy the spotlight very much.
"I've still got your gift," Percy said, nervously shifting his weight, after Penelope finally pulled away.
"I have one for you, too, actually," Penelope said, smiling and pulling it out of her bag.
"You first," Percy said, giving his badly wrapped package to Penelope. Again, he pushed his glasses up his nose.
She unwrapped the package and immediately smiled. "It's perfect! You remembered!" she gave him another kiss and opened the copy of i A Handy Guide to Everyday Runes Translation /i .
Percy blushed. "Really?"
"Of course! I've been wanting this for ages and you know my mum and dad are Muggles, so they just can't stop in a shop and, oh, Percy, it's i brilliant /i !"
"Great!" Percy replied, excited. "I'm glad, I mean, I know it's kind of a different present, but I wanted to get you something to help you in your lessons as well as something you'd enjoy."
Penelope nodded. She looked at the book for a few silent moments. "Oh! Your present!" she finally realized. She handed him the gift and gave him a small smile. "I hope you like it."
"I will," Percy said, before opening it. It was i fantastic /i , he said, gaping open mouthed. "Where did you get this?"
"In the second hand shop in Hogsmeade," Penelope said. "I figured since you already owned it, but this is a first edition."
"It…must…wow," Percy said. He looked over the gift he had just gotten again. It was in almost mind condition and it was i perfect /i . He looked down at the cover. In shiny gold letters, the words i Prefects Who Gained Power /i gleamed on the cover.