February 12th
1999
A pretty woman, several years younger than Percy, came up to his desk outside the Minister's office. Percy looked up, annoyed.
"Er—hi," she said, sticking out her hand. "I'm Audrey. I don't think we've met."
"Percy Weasley," Percy said, shaking her hand. "Can I help you with something?"
"Oh—er, no, not really," said Audrey. "I just—well, it's my birthday," she said. "Everyone's in the lunch room, we're having cake and ice cream, and you're welcome to join us—"
"No, thank you," Percy said brusquely. "Happy birthday, but I'm afraid I've got too much work to do."
February 12th
2001
This wasn't how Percy would've liked to imagine this evening going, with him sweating through his best robes in front of his girlfriend at her birthday dinner, even if it was just the two of them in his flat.
Halfway through dessert, Audrey laid down her fork.
"Audrey?" Percy asked. "What's wrong?"
"What? Oh—nothing," she said, with a faint smile. "I just—well, nothing—I'm being silly."
"What?" Percy asked again.
Audrey sighed. "I just thought…all this…you were going to propose. That's all."
Percy blinked. He reached into his pocket and produced a small violet box. "Marry me, Audrey?"
February 12th
2005
"Bye, Ginny," Audrey said, smiling. "Bye, James," she cooed, tickling the baby's chubby cheek and beaming when he giggled. She waved again at Ginny and shut the door of hers and Percy's flat. She smiled at her husband, who was sitting at the table amidst stacks of papers.
"He's adorable," Audrey said, sitting down beside Percy and taking his hand. Percy nodded and smiled, not looking up. Audrey sighed. "I want one, Percy," she said painfully. "I want a baby, so badly."
Percy met her eyes and squeezed her hand. "I know, Audrey."
"It's been four years," she said desperately.
February 12th
2008
Percy opened the door of the flat, surprised to find Audrey already home, lying on the sofa.
Percy rushed to her. "I thought you were working late—you had that meeting—"
Two tears slipped down Audrey's pale cheeks. "I feel awful," she whispered. "I think it's the potions." Just yesterday, she'd begun taking prescribed potions from the Healers to help her get pregnant.
Percy touched her clammy forehead, worried. "I'm throwing them out, Audrey, and then we're going to St. Mungo's. This isn't right."
Less than three hours later, they were told that their baby would arrive in October.
February 12th
2010
"Baby," Molly cooed, sitting on Audrey's lap and gently rubbing her mother's not-yet-showing stomach. "Bayyyy-beee."
Audrey chuckled. "That's right, sweetheart, baby," she said. Percy beamed at his daughter and tickled her chin. Molly giggled and looked around the hospital waiting room they occupied, waiting for Audrey's appointment.
"Yoo-see!" she said, pointing excitedly to the wall. "Yoo-see!"
On the wall hung a portrait of Percy and Audrey's friend, Lucy, who was an important administrator within St. Mungo's, head of the maternity ward.
Audrey smiled and kissed Molly. "That's Lucy, you're right," she said. Molly beamed and touched Audrey's stomach again.
"Yoo-see…"
February 12th
2019
"Happy birthday," Percy murmured in Audrey's ear, hugging her. Audrey smiled and snuggled deeper into the covers, closing her eyes tightly.
"Good morning," she answered with a smile. "And thank you."
For a moment, everything was quiet, and Audrey sighed happily. Then, predictably, the bedroom door banged open, startling Percy. Audrey just smiled.
"Happy birthday, Mummy!" Molly and Lucy shrieked. In a flash of brilliant red hair and little pink nighties, the girls launched themselves onto the bed beside their parents.
Audrey sat up, laughing, and pulled them both in for a tight hug before allowing them under the covers.
February 12th
2030
Percy and Audrey sat in the waiting area outside Lucy's hospital room with Molly. None of them moved except for Molly, who was practically bouncing with excitement. She'd just gotten off her all-night duty shift, only to run into her parents, who told her that Lucy had gone into labor.
Mutely, Percy leaned over and kissed Audrey's temple. She was chewing her lip anxiously, trying not to think of everything that could have gone wrong to hurt Lucy or the baby, when Lysander came out of the room, looking happily dazed.
"It's a girl," he said, with a hysterical laugh.
February 12th
2034
Audrey climbed into bed beside Percy and kissed his cheek. "This wedding is going to be wonderful," she said for the umpteenth time. Percy nodded, adjusting his glasses.
"Lucy's been such a big help, and—Percy, your mother is an absolute miracle, I don't know—"
"Audrey," Percy said gently, and she closed her mouth, smiling.
"Sorry," she said. "I'm just excited. Valentine's Day, isn't it romant—"
"Audrey," Percy interrupted, laughing. He rolled over, reaching to his bedside table for a small box. "Happy birthday."
Audrey gasped. "Percy," she said, opening the box to reveal a beautiful amethyst pendant.
February 12th
2049
"Audrey," Percy said, opening the door of her office.
Audrey jumped a mile and nearly dropped her purse, which she was setting in her desk drawer. "Percy, you frightened me," she said, pushing her glasses up her nose.
"I'm sorry," he said, frowning. "Where've you been?" he asked, nodding to her purse, from which she was removing her wand. "I thought we were leaving early for dinner. Last day before your retirement," he grinned, and Audrey smiled faintly. "Audrey?" Percy asked.
"I was at the hospital," she whispered. Percy blanched.
"Why?" he asked hollowly.
"Tests," said Audrey. "I'm sick, Perce."
February 12th
2052
"Audrey," Percy said happily as she entered the kitchen.
Still shockingly thin and unsteady on her feet from three years of her illness, Audrey had finally received a clean bill of health. She was even getting back to using magic regularly.
"Good morning," she said, glancing at the clock. "Afternoon, I should say." Leaning on the table with both hands, she lowered herself into a chair, smiling. "Oh—Perce, I can't eat all of that—" she gasped.
Percy set a plate of chocolate-chip pancakes on the table. He'd charmed the chocolate chips in them to read, 'Happy Birthday Audrey."
