Percy placed the broze knut into the coin purse tied to the owl's leg. He untied his copy of the Daily Prophet before the owl, with a hoot, flew out the window of his flat. He gingerly unfolded the newspaper only to read the Minister's of Magic statement: He-must-not-be-named has returned. That meant Dumbledore and Harry Potter were telling the truth even about the dementors. With the black hooded figures under the dark wizard's command, who knows what would happen to the wizarding world. He straightened in his chair as he thoroughly read and re-read the article as he was bogged down with guilt and regret. He tucked the newspaper under his arm after he finished his cup of coffee.

He used floo powder to get to work. He stepped on to the Ministry floor as he bit his bottom lip. He looked up at the peacock blue ceiling as he wondered how death eaters even got into the ministry. He shuddered as he considered all the possibilities, more cruel ones that not. His beacon of righteousness and purity seemed tainted, and that bothered him immensely.

He attempted to keep his thought solely on how the return of he-who-must-not-be-named affected his work; however, his family kept popping into his mind. They had been right, which didn't bother him as much as it should. He loved being right, and he regretted not listening to his family sooner. He knew his family was bound to fight against you-know-who and his followers. They were so involved with Harry Potter, they could be targeted. He gulped as he headed to his office. He would not think about them. He had work that needed to be done.

He opened the door to see Audrey, her head buried in her hands, bent over her desk. She looked up at him before handing him a cup of coffee. "I suppose you've read the Daily Prophet," Percy said throwing his copy onto his desk. He sat down at his desk as she meekly nodded in response.

Percy spent hardly any time in his office. He had to accompany Cornelius Fudge to a meeting with the Prime Minster. He took extensive notes at every meeting he attended. With his being gone, Audrey was bombarded with his notes that needed to be copied and delivered to other people. She had to manage his ever-changing schedule especially now he was in his office, at most, twenty minutes at a time.

While delivering a copy of some notes, she met Arthur Weasley in the lift. She smiled politely as she contemplated what to say. The golden grilles, that served as doors, closed. "Hello, Mr. Weasley," Audrey greeted. She closed her eyes as she wondered what would happen to her family. From what she knew, the dark wizard loathed muggle existence. Would he attack muggle hospitals? She released a heavy sigh.

"Hello, Audrey," Arthur responded solemnly. "How are you today?"

"I'm alright," she replied although she wasn't sure whether or not she was telling the truth. She noticed the man shuffling his feet. "And you?" she asked. The two words seemed so proper. She cringed as she prayed Percy's prattish behavior wasn't wearing off on her.

"Does he know know?" he asked clearly referring to his son. The lift came to a halt and the golden grilles seperated. The witch stepped off the lift and looked back at the anxiety ridden Weasley.

"He does."

Percy and Audrey did not get a chance to leave the ministry till around eight that night. Audrey, knowing Percy was troubled by more than work, asked if he would have dinner with her. She doubted her boss had time to eat lunch, and she was starving. She also guessed, from knowledge of his lack of relationship with his family, he would need someone to talk to. She had her own concerns, but he would be there for her as long as she stayed by his side. Percy merely nodded his head in agreement.

They apparated into her living room. "Sit down while I make us dinner," Audrey instructed as Percy followed her into her small kitchen. The bright white tile floor contrasted the earthy nuetral tones of the living room. There was a small black table and two black chairs with pine green colored cushions in the corner of the kitchen. He sat down in one of the chairs as she began cooking their meal. He watched her with great intensity as a large wooden spoon began twirling around in a large bright yellow bowl. He hadn't seen a woman cook with such intensity since the last time he saw his mother cook.

She summoned two plates and put her creation on them. She placed the plates on the table. "Oops, I forgot the forks," Audrey noted with some embarrassment. She scurried over to the kitchen counter and pulled out two forks out of the white drawers. She walked back to the table and handed one of the forks to Percy.

"Thanks," Percy said as he stabbed some green beans with his fork. He hadn't thought about why she had invited him for dinner, but he was grateful.

"Not a problem," she replied quietly. She had decided not to interrogate Percy until after he was fed. Normally, timing was never a primary concern when it came to getting people to open up, but she didn't want Percy to get angry with her. Also, he had a long day at work, and he needed some time to relax.

"You know, I always wondered what kind of cook you would be," Percy mused as his cheeks became tinged with a faint blush. His mother was a fantastic cook. Just thinking about her cooking made him miss The Burrow. Penelope couldn't even make toast without setting something on fire. Now that he remembered her lack of skill, it was no wonder they didn't work out.

"Err..." Audrey said glancing nervously at the sink. Percy's ears turned bright red as he noticed the woman, who had cooked him dinner, uncomfortable. "Why?" she finally asked.

"Well, we have been around one another for quite some time, and you've never cooked before," Percy replied hoping his explanation was logical enough to ease the tension. "Naturally, I was curious."

Audrey mindlessly took a bite out of her homemade biscuit. She raised the eyebrow as she chewed and swallowed the food. "I suppose that makes sense," she replied warily.

After they had finished their food, they moved over her olive green corduroy sofa. Percy's arm was wrapped around the arm rest. He noticed Audrey curled up on the opposite end of the couch. She stared blankly at the wall. There was no picture directly in her line of vision, so he wondered why she was staring at the wall. "Percy," she finally said as she turned her head, "What do you think is going to happen?"

"What do you mean?"

"Like do you think we will face corruption, the death of innocent people?" She asked catching a breath. The most evil wizard had returned. Of course, neither of them had any idea what to expect.

Percy wrapped a comforting arm around her. He had no idea what to tell her. He knew Audrey well enough to know she cared less about her survival and more about her mother's welfare. "I'm sure everyone, you care about, will be fine," he responded reassuringly although he had no idea if he was accurate; however, he didn't have the heart to say otherwise.

"Are you worried?" she asked resting her head on his shoulder. Her hazel eyes met his, and he knew he had to tell the truth.

"Yes," he answered, "My parents and siblings will keep Harry Potter safe. They will protect him and fight by his side, and I am terrified one of them will end up dead. There's nothing I can do either." He could feel his face and ears turn bright red.

They had not realized they cared equally about their respective families. Percy kissed her lightly on the forehead. There hadn't been any romantic involvement with one another since that evening at the park. Audrey smiled as she wondered if a proper time would come to make something work between them.