Percy and with some OCs to connect it all. A different view into how they met. Hope you like and please do review, thanks :-) - 21/06/14

The sky was a blanket of grey, threatening to open its gates any second and let the tears wash away the world. In a café in Ottery St. Catchpole, sat two people. They shared a table and a few sentences but not much for today was 8th of May 2001. Three years ago there was a battle. A battle very few muggles knew of. A battle which killed Fred Weasley along with many others. Of the two people who sat in the café, only one knew of the battle and only one was still alone in a sense.

Percy Weasley still struggled to live with himself since that day - the day he caused Fred's death. The day he decided to apologise. The day he made a joke - the joke that distracted Fred, the joke that killed Fred. Bill and Fleur had Victoire who was born exactly a year ago. Charlie had a girlfriend, dragons and lived thousands of miles away in Romania. George finally reopened the joke shop and with the help of Lee and Angelina, he began to handle life without his twin, best friend and brother. Ron was upset but he had Harry, Hermione and a chance at becoming an Auror. Ginny missed Fred and the pranks but she was strong, independent and able to keep moving forward. Molly and Arthur had each other, six children, one daughter-in-law and one grandchild. Percy was the only one left, the only one who couldn't move on with his life while there was a hole in his heart. That was why he was alone on the 3rd anniversary, well apart the girl opposite him.

Audrey Greene was in the café in Ottery St. Catchpole since she was staying with her sister and her husband. As much as she loved her sister and brother-in-law, she needed a break from the constant 'Are you doing okay, Aud?' and 'It'll get better soon, Aud'. A few weeks ago, her fiancé died in a car crash. The worst part had been that she had been driving when it happened but since then she had kept to herself. Her sister, Abigail, seemed like a stranger to her. She tiptoed around and always seemed worried that she would say the wrong thing. When Audrey arrived at the café, the only table free was for four people. Audrey wheeled her chair over - it was only temporary while she was getting physiotherapy - and sat at the table until a family of four arrived a few minutes later. Audrey looked around until she spotted a table with only one occupant. Wheeling over, she paused at his table.

"Sir, could I sit with you?" She asked him but he didn't answer, he continued to stare off into the distance. She asked again, "Do you mind if I sit here, sir?"

The man jumped slightly at her voice. He didn't seem to have noticed her presence. He looked at her for a few minutes before nodding, as if realising he hadn't answered just yet. "Yes, you can sit." He finally answered before taking a sip of his tea. By the look on his face, Audrey could guess that it was cold but he forced himself to swallow anyway. "I'm Percy. Percy Weasley." He told her.

"Audrey Greene." She gave him a small smile. "Do you live around here, Mr. Weasley?" She asked. She was sure that she would have noticed someone with hair that red before.

He took off his glasses and cleaned them on his sleeve. "Near the south of the village. Yourself? I don't believe I have seen you around here." He answered after a moments silence, placing his glasses back onto his face.

"I'm staying with my sister and her husband. Steven and Abigail Fawcett. They live more to the east of the village. Maybe you've heard of them?" She asked. Her attention was distracted though as a waitress was walking past and so she nabbed them so as to order.

Percy watched her carefully. Did she know about magic? He wondered. There were only four wizarding families in and around Ottery St. Catchpole: the Weasleys, the Diggorys, the Lovegoods and the Fawcetts. He wondered about it for a few minutes while Audrey ordered. He had attended the wedding of Steven Fawcett to a muggle but surely this Abigail must know of magic and why wouldn't she tell her sister? It only made sense.

"Do you know them?" Audrey asked again, wondering what he was thinking of, to cause him to daydream so often.

"Yes, I went to the wedding but only the church ceremony. My family has known the Fawcetts for quite a few generations." He told her. "Did you order me tea as well?" He asked as a pot and two cups were set down.

"Yeah, yours looked a bit cold." She smiled slightly, thinking of the face that he had made.

Conversation died off as they drank their tea in silence - thankfully it wasn't awkward though. The business died off in the café and by the time they had finished their tea, they were at the only occupied table.

Percy paid for both of their teas before Audrey could protest. "Are you okay with getting home?" Percy asked, standing up and glancing at the wheelchair.

"I should be, thanks, but I can't go back till 4PM. Abigail and Steven are at some anniversary thing at Steven's old school. Apparently only ex-students and spouses can go." Audrey answered, starting to wheel herself to the door. "It was nice to meet you, Mr. Weasley."

"Wait." Percy said without thinking. "It's Percy, and you can stay with me until then if you like?" He offered, "My family are at the anniversary as well so it'll be just us, if that is okay."

"If you are sure you don't mind." She smiled at him once through the door.

"It's not too far, I'll push you." Percy told her, taking hold of the handles and beginning to push. "Have you always been in a chair?" He asked as they made their way down the road.

Audrey's face paled. "No… I was in a car crash three weeks ago. I need to use the chair for the next few months until my legs work properly again."

Percy nodded, sensing that she didn't want to continue. "I'm sorry." That was the end of conversation until they neared the Burrow.

Please do review and I hope you like :-)