JK Rowling owns Harry Potter; I don't nor do I claim to.

What if Percy never became estranged from his family? What would his life after Hogwarts have been like?

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Good Enough

It was dinnertime at the Burrow and all nine Weasley's plus some of the children's friends, were crowded around the large wooden table eating vegetable stew. Everyone agreed that the stew was delicious and most of the children went back for second and third helpings.

However, Percy Weasley had hardly touched his stew. He did like it, but he had far more important things on his mind. Nervously, he stirred his stew around in the bowl with his spoon and took a few bites of a bread roll. Luckily, no one seemed to notice that he wasn't eating.

He could feel sweat drenching his best shirt as he slowly drew a small box out of his trousers pocket. Inside of it, was a ring for his Hogwarts sweetheart, Penelope Clearwater, who was sitting across the table from him, eating another bread roll. He wanted to declare his deepest apologies for how he'd been acting towards his family ever since the beginning of the summer holiday and to say that it was no longer his ambition to become Minister for Magic. But most of all, he wanted to propose to Penelope, because he'd realized that what he wanted more than anything in the world was a happy family like the one he'd grown up in.

He wanted to interrupt the conversation and get it over with, because it was ever so nerve-racking, but he couldn't cut off his father, who was speaking about his long day at work. Looking nervously up at Penelope, who seemed to notice that something was a bit weird with him, he managed a small smile and brushed his foot against her leg under the table. She smiled back.

Suddenly, his mother said, "So, what are you children going to do over the holiday?" And he knew that the time had come for him to interrupt.

"Excuse me, Mum, I'd like to say something," he cut in, his voice shaking a bit.

"Of course, Percy dear, we'd all love to hear what you have to say!" His mother beamed proudly.

Noticing that a few of his brothers had rolled their eyes, he said, "I'd like to start with an apology. I know I've been a bit of a prat these past few years and even more so after graduation, wanting to become Minister for Magic and all, and not wanting anyone to get in my way. This is mostly directed at you, Dad, and you too, Ron, Fred and George. But I'd like to inform you all that that is no longer my ambition. I've decided that all I want is a happy family, much like this one right here, and with that, I'd like to address the love of my life, Penny."

Penelope's face went a deep shade of red. "Perce, what are you - - - ?" she stammered, looking around the table.

"I was wondering if you, Penelope Clearwater, would do do me the honor of marrying me?" Percy slowly opened the small box and inside of it was a beautiful silver ring with a sapphire gemstone.

"Oh, Percy!" Penelope's eyes filled with happy tears and she sprang up out of her chair and threw her arms around him. "Yes, yes, of course!" she screamed, kissing him.

"The sapphire isn't real," Percy murmured nervously. "I - I couldn't afford - " but he was cut off by Penelope's lips on his. Clearly, she didn't care if the gem was real or not; she was so happy that he had proposed to her.

And as Percy looked over at the rest of the table, he could see a wide smile on everyone's face; his mother was sobbing with glee. And for the first time in his life, he didn't feel the need to impress anybody, he was right where he wanted to be, and that was good enough.