A/N: OH MY GOSH I feel so terrible for leaving you all hanging so long! Believe me, nothing frustrates me more than an author who doesn't update in forever! Unfortunately, life is very busy, and this story goes to the bottom of my priority list…(blah blah, excuses, blah blah) It doesn't help that I'm a second-semester senior either!
Anyways, I wanted to update with most of the next chapter just so that you know I'm still alive and have definitely NOT abandoned this story! There was one more scene that I wanted to add, but I haven't written it yet, and I figure a little something is better than not having anything for a few more months (as I have no more breaks until graduation!) so here it is! I don't think the scene will be long enough to merit its own chapter, so I'm probably going to add it onto this one when I get around to writing it and remind you all to go back and read it when I update the next chapter!
Thanks for being so patient! You guys are amazing! Enjoy!
Chapter 11
"Oh, don't be ridiculous, Percy!"
It was mid-December, and Percy was dining at the Burrow now that most everyone was home. The girls had returned from Hogwarts for the holidays, and even Harry had requested some time off to spend with his family. There were still notable absences of course – his mother and George at the moment – but it was still comforting having everyone else there, which was why Percy hesitated to refute his sister for calling him ridiculous. He felt guilty for bringing it up at all. But now they were all staring at him, and he had to answer.
"I'm not being ridiculous, Ginny, I just think it's hardly appropriate for what's been going on—"
"What are you talking about?" Ron interrupted curiously, his mouth full of mashed potatoes. Hermione shot him a look.
"Manners, Ron! Honestly. And you're discussing the Ministry's holiday party, right?"
"Oh," Ron murmured, swallowing loudly. "That one we all got invited to?"
"Oi, I didn't get invited!" Ginny cut in.
"Yes, but you'll be going anyways…right? I mean…" he trailed off awkwardly and indicated Harry, who was trying hard not to laugh at Ron's queasy expression.
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Well of course Harry invited me, but I'm still offended I didn't get an invitation!"
"You shouldn't be," Harry said. "I mean, it's just mingling with the Ministry. It's not exactly the most fun—" he stopped short and appeared horrified as he turned to Arthur and Percy. "Erm, no offense!" he added hurriedly.
"None taken," Arthur replied, smiling. "We can be a bit stiff, but when the egg nog flows and there's warm food, people do get around to having some fun I should think."
"I hope so," Ginny said. "It'll be fun going out together."
Ron huffed. "You just want to show off!"
Ginny grinned wickedly and winked at Harry, who rolled his eyes. "Maybe just a little bit."
Before Ron could retort, Hermione interjected. "So what's the matter, Percy?
Now it was Ginny's turn to roll her eyes. "He was just saying that he didn't think it was appropriate for him to go. Which is complete bollocks if you ask me."
"Ginny, language," Arthur warned before eyeing Percy. "Appropriate? What do you mean by that?"
Percy squirmed uncomfortably. "I mean to say that…the party is a party…it's…"
"Fun?" Ron offered. "You don't want to go because it might be fun?"
"Sounds like Percy," Ginny laughed.
Percy frowned at his younger siblings. "No, it's not that! It's just…it is supposed to be a…relaxing social event and…what with Mum and George as they are…it just…doesn't seem right…" he trailed off as the mood grew somber.
"Percy," Arthur spoke up at last. "We don't want you to not have fun. This is a rough time for all of us, yes, and especially for your mother and George, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try to enjoy ourselves sometimes. After all, even she's going to go."
"Really?" Ginny asked in surprise. "Mum agreed to go to the party?"
"Well…not yet," Arthur admitted. "But I don't plan on giving her a choice. She needs to get out of the house…and not just to the cemetery." The others followed his gaze as he glanced at the clock in the living room, where the hands for George and Molly were still on 'Lost.' They all remembered a time when there had been another hand on the clock, and the day when their mum had discovered the broken one on the floor and had sobbed for hours.
"Hope they're back soon. It's supposed to snow tonight," Ginny mused absently after a short silence. She eyed the dark kitchen windows and then smiled at Harry, who Percy guessed had squeezed her hand under the table. It was amusing for him to watch the couples so clearly in love. Even Ron tried so hard to pretend that he wasn't, but he obviously had eyes only for Hermione. It made him feel so lonely sometimes.
"So are you going to go, Percy?" Hermione interrupted his inner thoughts.
Percy started and then glanced down in embarrassment.
"I…I suppose I'll go…but…who will look after George?"
"I've asked Bill and Fleur to come for the night. You should go," Arthur encouraged softly.
Percy gazed at all of their faces and finally nodded in defeat. "Alright, I'll go."
"Excellent! It'll be lovely seeing all our co-workers again," Hermione said. "I'll have to introduce you, Ron."
"Great," Ron said without enthusiasm. Hermione pursed her lips and let out a frustrated sigh.
"But you will have to work on your manners first!"
Percy lingered at the Burrow a little longer than usual that evening, waiting for his mum to come home with George. When she finally did, with a zombie-like George trailing her obediently, the good mood of the night seemed to fade, and he regretted his decision to attend the party after all. How could he go out and enjoy himself when his brother had given up, and his mother was close to breaking from the strain?
"Hey Mum," he greeted softly as she came around the corner. Her face was red from the cold, and there was a light dusting of snow on her coat and hair.
"Oh, Percy dear," she started, attempting and failing to smile. "How are you, darling?"
"I'm…good. Are you alright?"
"Yes, yes, I'm fine. Now Georgie, you must be off to bed. Pip pip!" She waved her hands, shooing George to the stairs, but he didn't seem to hear her. Percy's heart broke at the crestfallen expression that came over her face.
"I've got him. It's alright, Mum," he murmured, surging forward to steer George to his room.
His mother blinked and nodded absently, straining to smile. "Yes, thank you, love. I'll just be…off to bed myself. Good night! Love you both."
"I love you too, Mum. And George does, too." Percy watched her hobble away, and turned to George with a deep sigh. His brother's gaze was unfocused, and he stood unmoving. "You're causing us so much grief, you know. I understand why, but I wish you'd just come back to us. Things were hard before, but not like this." He searched George's face for any hint of reaction, more out of instinct than anything, for he knew what he would find. Sighing again, he gripped George's shoulder and slowly led him upstairs. At the second landing, they paused before entering George's old room. According to his parents, the room seemed to comfort him now, rather than before when he couldn't stand the sight of it. They had also quickly learned to leave Fred's bed alone. His father, at first, feared it would be too much for him and had moved it into Percy's room, but apparently that night, George had woken the house screaming bloody murder and it wasn't until the bed was back in place that he stopped. Now, the room was just as it was before, minus the boxes of their products which they had initially stored there. As Percy helped George settle onto his bed, he smiled grimly at the faint but detectable odor of gunpowder from the results of all their experiments. No wonder he was at peace here.
All of a sudden, Percy was struck with an idea that just might bring George back from the dead. It was crazy, and completely against everything Percy believed, but it just might work. Or would it? Considering it again, he realized he would need to confer with someone else. When he thought about who, he caught himself grinning. He quickly helped George get ready for bed, and then, closing the door, he made his way down the landing, practically running in excitement. Without knocking, he barged right into Ginny's room. He soon recognized his mistake.
There came the sound of yelling, and then he was getting pummeled out of the door by a furiously blushing Ginny who had been right in the middle of snogging her boyfriend. Harry, for his part, was looking rather mortified, though the creeping blush on his face quickly vanished behind a slamming door. In the hallway, Percy stood, trying to process what had just happened, when Ginny reappeared breathing heavily, her eyes flashing lividly.
"Out of everyone I thought you would have the bloody decency to knock! But no, I suppose all of my brothers need to walk in on me at some point! Ugh!" she raged. "This is my room you know! And there's a reason the door is closed!"
Percy blinked and opened his mouth furiously. "Is there?"
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Ugh, no! I mean, so what if— I'm an adult and…I am not having this conversation with you right now! What was so bloody important that you had to interrupt?"
"It's George," Percy said quickly. The blood drained from Ginny's face.
"Oh Merlin, is he alright? I'm so sorry! You should have just told me—"
"No," Percy interrupted, halting her speech by waving his hands dismissively. "It's not bad. Actually, it could be good. But I need your help."
Ginny appeared conflicted between her previous anger and her present worry.
"What are you…what are you going on about?"
Percy smiled. "I have an idea that just might make George return to us for good."
For once in his life, Percy felt awkward at a Ministry function. Perhaps it was his dress robes, which seemed both tighter and looser than usual, or maybe it was his distinct lack of a guest beside him, but he felt more self-conscious and out of place than ever. Even bumping into his co-workers didn't help, as they and their shining guests just further emphasized how alone he was, despite his parents' thoughtful efforts to stay near him. It was actually rather embarrassing, though Percy couldn't help but smile as he watched his mother, who was more cheerful than she had been in months; he strongly suspected his father and some spiked eggnog had much to do with that. Still, it was an improvement to see her smile and laugh like she used to, and so far that in itself made the whole party worth it.
Hovering near the back of the banquet hall, Percy stealthily slipped away from his parents and headed for the refreshment table, where drinks were being magically replenished and poured into cups every time someone approached the table. Percy grabbed a floating goblet of pumpkin juice and, taking a careful sip, ventured down the wall toward an excellent vantage point where he could watch people without being noticed.
The hall was decorated beautifully, with the wide sweeping ceilings covered in red and green garland and glowing golden orbs, and an enormous Christmas tree at the opposite corner with ornaments the size of Percy's head that twinkled intermittently. Soft choral music was just barely heard underneath the clamor of the semi-drunk crowds gathered in clusters, laughing and swaying and unknowingly spilling the contents of their drinks on the floor, which, luckily, had an anti-spill charm on it to keep it dry and safe. In the center of the hubbub was a large circle of people anxiously clambering to have their voices heard over the din by Harry Potter or the Minister, who were chatting amicably in the center and utterly ignoring the rest as they conversed with occasional input from Ron, Ginny or Hermione. Percy was impressed at how nonchalant they all appeared in the face of such a daunting crowd, though he supposed they were used to their fame by now and knew how to handle it.
"Mr. Weasley? Uh…Percy?"
Percy blinked stupidly at the woman who had appeared in front of him, resplendent in velvet red robes bordered with lace.
"Oh, my, Miss Littleton – I mean, Audrey!" he sputtered, wondering if the pumpkin juice was also spiked.
Audrey laughed, clearly also embarrassed, and Percy joined her for a moment before they stopped.
"Audrey, it's…been a while, hasn't it? I didn't expect to run into you here," Percy said quickly.
"Well, I do still work at the Ministry," Audrey replied, grinning.
"Right." Why was his brain so slow tonight? "Oh yes, I heard at the department meeting the other day that you got a promotion. Congratulations."
"Thank you. It's been…rather difficult, actually, so that was a big relief. How are things back your way?"
"Good. I think we've finally adjusted to having Hermione…erm, Miss Granger, away at Hogwarts, and we're getting on steadily now. I suppose the only news is that Boot has a new girlfriend."
"Another?" Audrey grinned. "I remember when I was there he already had what, two?"
"Yes, well, he appears to be quite a…ladies man."
Audrey laughed and there was silence for a few moments. Percy anxiously took a sip of his pumpkin juice as he felt her eyes studying him.
"If you don't mind me saying…you look well," Audrey said.
"Thank you," Percy said quickly, not sure if that was the right thing to say. "It's really…it's thanks to you of course." Swallowing heavily, he forced himself to meet her eyes. "Really, thank you."
She blushed and looked away. "Please. I was far too nosy for my own good."
"You saved my life," Percy insisted.
"That's not… Sounds too…dramatic," she stammered, slowly raising her head to give him a small smile.
As they stared at one another, Percy found himself asking, "Do you want a drink?"
Audrey raised her hand, which was holding a goblet of liquid. "I have one," she laughed.
"Right." Percy glanced at his shoes and then back up. "Oh, well, I don't want to keep you from your date."
"I didn't bring one," she said, rolling her eyes. "I did ask my dad, but he's such a humbug around Christmas time. Hates the cold, hates socializing. He'd rather stay at home and grumble."
"I know the feeling," Percy admitted. "Erm, so how is your father? I hope he is doing well?"
"Well enough. The holidays are always difficult."
"I…know that feeling, too."
"So how is your family doing?" Audrey asked.
"They're…alright." Percy glanced into the crowd and saw his parents dancing slowly with several other couples. His mum's head was resting on his dad's shoulder, her face turned away, as they swayed to the soft music. "Several of them are here, actually. My parents, my brother Ron, and my sister Ginny." He pointed them out and Audrey smiled.
"I can't believe I'm in the same room as so many famous people! Even…Harry Potter! Though I suppose your family is rather close with him so it's not really strange for you… Is he…?"
"With my sister? Yes."
"Wow," Audrey breathed. "That must be…interesting. Can't really find a better one, can she?"
"No, I suppose not…" Percy let out a small chuckle. "Poor bloke, though. He has lots of pressure on him. One mistake and he's got all six of us brothers to deal with… I mean…all five of us." His good humor faded as Audrey bit her lip.
"So…what are your plans for Christmas?"
"Not sure," Percy said softly after a moment. "My mum usually organizes it, but she's not been…very well lately. And my brother George is..." He trailed off.
"I'm sorry," Audrey said.
"Yeah. We all are. I wish there was an easy way to get through to him. Actually I've come up with something, but it could either work or…completely backfire."
"What is it?" Audrey sipped lightly at her drink and Percy realized that she had finished it.
"Oh, shall we go refill our goblets?"
Audrey blinked and then laughed. "I hadn't noticed! Sure."
Together they headed toward the refreshment table, chatting on the way and continuing long after. Percy wasn't sure how many times he replenished his drink, but time seemed to pass quickly for him. In fact, he was so involved in their conversation that he jumped when someone abruptly called his name.
"Percy? Percy? Oh, there you are," Ginny said, dragging Harry behind her. Ron and Hermione closely followed.
"Hermione!" Audrey greeted.
"Audrey! It's great to see you! How is everything?" Hermione said.
"Just great, and you?" Audrey asked.
"Pretty good. Hogwarts seems like nothing now—"
"Though she's still studying more than she needs to," Ron cut in.
"Ron!" Hermione shot him a glare. "Oh, Audrey, this is Ron. Ron, Audrey."
"Hey," Ron said, shaking hands.
"I'm meeting so many famous people!" Audrey laughed.
"Famous? Why you should meet Mr. Harry Potter," Ron grinned, jerking his head at Harry. "So, Mr. Boy Who Lived, how do you predict the wizarding world will overcome its latest traumatic event?"
Harry groaned. "Sod off!" He flipped Ron the bird, who responded by laughing.
"They're so mature, as you can see," Hermione commented, exchanging a look with Ginny.
"Lovely first impressions, gentlemen," Ginny snorted, deftly whacking her brother on the arm.
Harry straightened and smiled wearily at Audrey. "Erm, sorry about that. Hi, I'm Harry." He stuck out a hand and Audrey shook it.
"It's nice to meet you. Wow, I don't even know what to say that you haven't heard before…"
"Don't worry about it," Harry said, grinning. "Hey Percy, how's it going?"
Percy was startled at being addressed suddenly, having been so intent at listening to the conversation. "Oh. Good. It's good."
"Looks like you two have been enjoying yourselves," Ginny remarked. "Oh, I'm Ginny by the way."
"Hi," Audrey said, blushing slightly.
"We were just discussing the new laws that have passed," Percy said quickly.
"Sounds interesting," Ron said, rolling his eyes.
"Yes, well…someone needs to talk about them," Percy insisted, indignant.
"Oh, well we don't have to worry about them anymore," Audrey said. "I'm sure you're completely talked-out anyways."
"You can say that again," Harry muttered.
"I wish I had believed you before," Ginny added, making a face.
"Told you."
"Yeah, Gin," Ron cut in. "You're hanging out with famous people now. You gotta get used to it."
"Honestly, can your head swell anymore?" Hermione scoffed before turning back to Percy. "Anyways we came over because we're thinking of heading home soon. It's already close to midnight."
Percy blinked. "What? It's that late already?"
"Time flies when you're having fun," Ginny said suggestively, winking pointedly in Percy's direction, who sent her back a harsh look.
"Yes, that sounds good. My dad's probably still up waiting for me," Audrey said. "It was nice meeting you all." She gazed at Percy. "And it was nice talking to you."
"And you. Have a good night."
"You, too. And the rest of you, good night." With that, Audrey excused herself and exited toward the Portkey room.
"Let's go find Mum and Dad," Ron said, steering the group into the slowly dispersing throng of people. Ginny hung back to exchange a word with Percy.
"So…"
"I know what you want to say, but it's not like that," Percy said stiffly.
"Oh come on. At least promise me you'll talk to her again," Ginny said.
"It's unlikely. We work in different departments in separate wings of the Ministry."
Ginny huffed. "I mean, if you ask her out on a date."
"Ginny, I don't appreciate your intervention into my personal affairs."
"Getting a bit defensive are we?" she teased. "Just promise me you'll think about it. Or else."
"Or else?"
"You don't want to know what that means," Ginny said, grinning wickedly.
Percy sighed. "Fine, I'll think about it."
"Good. Oh, I see Mum and Dad over there!"
She skipped ahead to find the Weasley parents sitting on some chairs against the walls, practically falling asleep.
Arthur stood up as they approached and beckoned toward Molly, whose eyelids kept closing.
"I'm glad we came. We needed tonight," Arthur said.
"Yeah, it was fun," Ginny said, and the others agreed. As they half-carried their mum to the Portkeys, Percy couldn't help but reflect on the night. It had been fun. He was glad the family had talked him into it. He went to bed that night very satisfied, with a hint of a smile on his face.
A/N: I almost feel like this is a filler chapter with Percy as the star, but I love his bits with Audrey. I just couldn't help myself! ;D
Until the next! Thanks for sticking with me!
