Chapter 1- Penelope's loneliness

I used to think he'd get over it. Percy never did hold grudges for too long; but then, he had never been forced to admit he was in the wrong. Not that he's done that yet. It's the reason I haven't seen the other Weasleys for almost three years now. Oh, I wish he'd stop being so insensitive. He snuck to see Ginny once, but didn't tell me until after. He didn't want me to invite the rest of the family, he said, but what I would have given to see my sister-in-law!

I'm sure they know by now. Percy does work at the ministry, after all, and I'm certain someone would have found out about our marriage there. It was too bad Mum and Dad couldn't be there… they wouldn't have been able to come either way. You-know-who got to them only weeks before we decided to elope. I guess it was really because of their deaths that Percy decided it was time. After all, I wouldn't live with him until then and he didn't want me alone. Still, it would have been nice to have family there.

I've always envied Percy and his large family. I've often imagined what it must be like to five other brothers… and a sister. I always wanted a sister. I remember when I was eight, begging my parents for one. Trying to convince them that they could adopt another girl and I would help watch her and take care of her. Mum finally told me they couldn't do that. I don't even remember the excuse she gave me.

Percy doesn't know it yet, but I'm pregnant. I haven't told him. I'm afraid he might distance himself from me; from the baby. I'll find a good moment… hopefully soon. Oh, how I wish Ginny could come and help me get ready for it, but Percy doesn't want them to know where we live now. He's paranoid about them. I don't get it. I want my baby to know what family is, and there isn't a better example in the world than the Weasleys. I wish Percy could see that, but that would be a sting to his pride.

Pride… it's gotten in his way too many times. I remember when we first moved into my parents' old house. Percy wanted to change everything; didn't want it to be theirs anymore. He wouldn't even use the little bit of money they left behind for me. He said he could do it on his own salary and donated the money elsewhere. That was fine, really it was, but I want him to understand that there are more important things than what money you use where, and that accepting gifts is okay. If he had kept the money, Percy wouldn't be working so much overtime lately. He would be able to come home and have dinner with me at night. Maybe I'd have a chance to tell him about the baby.

I wonder if he wants a boy or a girl. Knowing the Weasleys it will be a boy. I can just see Percy now, pushing his baby boy in a swing. I can picture them when our baby gets older, flying around a bit. No one knew that Percy enjoyed flying on occasion. Of course he found a way to study and fly at the same time. He still will go out back and fly around a bit when he's stressed; always rereading reports at the same time. Whenever I tell him to just relax, he mentions that he can't. Percy's always worried about getting things done, showing that he can do it. He's so wrapped up in becoming a future Minister of Magic, it's eating away at his health.

Sometimes I wonder how he does it, day after day. A lot of times he doesn't come home for two days straight. That always worries me. I wonder if Percy gets enough to eat and if he even sleeps, and mostly I wonder if he misses me.

I know Percy loves me… he always has, but then I was sure he loved his family too. I'm so alone at home, I'll sometimes write to one of them. I'm usually very careful about who I write to. Ginny's always safe when it comes down to it. Percy would never sacrifice knowing what she's doing. He didn't like the fact that she was dating Harry, the last time we got an owl, but then I don't think he would be happy with anyone Ginny dates.

Ron is the last one I heard from out of all of them. I shared his owl with Percy. He became very distant, but listened. I was glad for this. Maybe one day he'll warm up to Ron's correspondence and then I can test the waters with his parents. Right now, it all seems rather hopeless, but you never know. Maybe when the baby comes he'll want to share his life with his family again.

I know Molly wants to have him back. Molly always wanted her children there, and I was almost adopted into that. Right before my seventh year I was invited to the Burrow, but my parents had already planned a trip to Germany. I was upset about this, and the opportunity to spend time with them didn't come up again until after Percy had left their house. I couldn't see them then; it would have been like betraying Percy.

Still I've worked hard at making steps towards the Burrow. Small ones, but I think I'm getting there. I just hope Percy is following me.

A/N: I've tried to start this one several times before… I hope this one's a success. I kind of wondered how Penelope might feel towards Percy, and that sparked the idea, and built from there. This is about two years after trio's seventh year, by the way, so they're a bit older. It's just a spin-off on an idea, instead of filling in a gap, but hey… it was fun. Hope you enjoy!

Oh and REVIEW!

Thanks:

Shading in Grey: Thanks thanks thanks thanks thanks… Molly had to be my favorite… or Rosemerta… but Molly made me cry the most writing it.

Katkit: Oh good… I thought I was beyond weird lol

JamieBell: With Charlie it was almost like a double-edged sword. I enjoyed going off on that one, because he's so obscure. Hope you like this chappie!

Hermione30: Took you long enough lol. I love Charlie, and I'm sure he's a pretty big optimist, but I can see where he comes from. I love being on my own and whatnot, but I find myself sad when I realize how out of touch I am with my family, extended or immediate.