Ever since Rufus Scridgemore took office, Percy was busier with ministry work than ever before. Besides giving the wizarding world protection, the Prime Minister of muggle England informed and tried to give them protection as well. Despite the aurors search for death eaters, Percy noticed that Rufus Scridgemore spent a lot of time clearing the Ministry's name. The wizarding world believed Harry Potter was "The Chosen One" to defeat the evil wizard; therefore, the ministry had to show its support for Harry Potter.

Percy Weasley, working so close to the Minister of Magic, was constantly busy. He was either working in the office or with Scridgemore. The thin man with curly red hair liked to believe he was helping keeping the world a safer place, but he had the sinking family, no matter what the ministry did, there would still be massacres of muggles. They wouldn't be able to stop he-who-must-not-be-married.

With all the added work, Percy had forgotten his approaching birthday. His filled day to day schedules occupied his every thought. August twenty second meant nothing but more meetings, more notes, and more work; however, that date did not mean the same thing to Audrey Davis. She happened to remember August 22nd was Percy Weasley's birthday, and she wasn't going to allow him to forget it.

She came to work frighteningly early to decorate the office before her boss arrived. She pulled out a neatly folded banner that read "Happy Birthday Percy" out of her bag. She hung the banner without magic. She pulled out two wrapped boxes with red bows on top and placed them neatly on the desk. She placed a cup of coffee on his desk before she took a few steps back. She placed her hands on her hips as she created the celebatory area she had created. She heard the door handle turn as she turned around as he walked in the office.

"What is this?" he ,obviously surprised by the decorations and presents, asked. His eyes widened in shock. He looked at Audrey had her signature mischevious grin plastered on her face.

"It's your birthday," she replied as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. She remembered that Percy was constantly busy and was the type to forget his own birthday.

Percy cocked an eyebrow as he walked over to his desk. He had gotten to work early as usual so he wondered when she arrived at the office. He picked up one of the long rectangular packages and observed it from every angle. He placed it down at the desk before looking up at the beaming secretary.

"You can open them, you know," Audrey teased moving the hair out of her eyes. "They are yours."

Percy gingerly unwrapped the long rectuangular box . He opened the white box to reveal a quill with a white eagle feather. He unwrapped a larger box. When he opened the box, he noticed there were objects he'd never use: boxes of puking pastilles, fever fudge, and other Weasley Wizard Wheezes merchandise. Percy scowled without noticing the smirk on his secretary's face.

"I thought you might miss 'the bane of your existence' so I brought you some of your merchandise," she explained with a small giggle, "Although, I doubt you will put them to use."

"Err...thank you. I suppose," he responded taking a sip of coffee. He would probably work like a dog throughout the day, but he was grateful for the tiny celebration in his office.

Much to his surprise, Percy was able to leave work at a relatively normal time. Instead of working till one in the morning, he was able to get home around nine. He suspected it had something to do with Scridgemore's frustated wife, who recently sent her husband a howler. Whatever the case, he was glad he finally had some time to relax. He suspected he would simply go home as long as Audrey didn't have something else planned.

"So birthday boy," Audrey said as they left the office, "what are your plans for the evening?"

As the two walked down the hall, he noticed they were completely alone. Normally, he wanted to stay as professional and impersonal as possible; however, he wanted to grab me by the waist, pull her close, and snog her senseless. His fantasy was interrupted by the young woman snapping her fingers in front of his face. "Oh umm...I'm probably just going to go home," he responded.

As Audrey nodded, her auburn hair in ponytail bobbed up and down. "What about yourself?" he asked as the golden grilles of the elevator shaft opened.

"I'm probably going to visit my parents," she answered stepping in the lift. Neither of them needed to discuss why she wasn't going to spend some more time with Percy. Because of the radiation from the chemotherapy, Audrey's mother's hair started falling out. She had started spending less time with Percy and more time with her parents. From what he knew, her condition was getting steadily worse.

"You know," Audrey said with a grin, "I never did ask you what you wanted for your birthday. I kind of guessed." She met Percy's eyes momentarily before crossing her arms across her chest. She took a deep breath before continuing, "but if I had, what would you answer?"

Percy realized he had the perfect chance to reveal his feelings toward Audrey. If he blew this opportunity, he was doomed to live a life of solitude. He had to be brave and harness his inner Bill or Charlie. They were both fantastic at charming women. If he didn't do something, another guy would ask her out, and he'd lose his best friend. "I think you would be a good birthday gift," he replied so quietly and so rushed that Audrey didn't understand a word he said.

"Excuse me," she replied with a smirk. She placed her hands on her hips and shifted her weight on her back foot.

"You," he replied catching his breath. "I know you can't ask a person to be a gift, but..." He was cut off Audrey's lips pressed against his. She pulled away as the elevator came to a halt and the golden grilles opened.

"Not a problem," she replied stepping out of the elevator. She looked over her shoulder, and her eyes sparkled like a diamond in the sun. Percy ran to catch up with her and nervously took her delicate hand.

"Hate to tell you this: if you're going to be my boyfriend, you're going to have to keep your hand from shaking when you hold mine," Audrey said stifling her laughter. She flashed a mischevious grin at him as they arrived at the ministry lobby. Percy grinned as he squeezed her hand. Leave it to her to give him the best birthday ever.