12) Scary creatures
The weekend following their discussion, Percy and Audrey made arrangements for Audrey's introduction to the magic world and his introduction to her grandfather. He was ready for the former, and very nervous about the latter. After some thought, Percy arranged for Ron to meet him and Audrey at the Leaky Cauldron for a pint and then a tour of Diagon Alley. Percy always felt quite close to Ron, from watching over him protectively as he grew from baby to toddler to teen, more especially after the war. Ron had been quick to forgive his abandonment of the family, and Percy later learned Ron had left Harry and Hermione at some point during that long, lost year. Ron knew firsthand the guilt Percy felt. He also thought his little brother had learned to adapt to the Muggle world fairly well simply to impress Hermione's parents. Speaking of Ms. Granger, she had returned to Hogwarts for the last year, leaving Ron to fend for himself. Percy figured he would need someone else to talk to besides Harry. If all else failed, they could exchange favorite takeaway spots, because Ron rivaled himself and Audrey in lack of cooking skills.
Percy led Audrey into the Leaky Cauldron, which was looking considerably cleaner and shinier each time he had stepped foot inside. A pretty blond barmaid led them to a table, and took their order.
"Seems like a nice pub to me," Audrey commented. "Granted, some people look like they're on their way to a medieval fair, but to each her own."
Percy agreed. "They set the statute for international secrecy back in 1689. Apparently, non-magical people have a statute that kept fashion secret from wizards since then, too."
Audrey giggled. "Oh, what's this?" she asked as the barmaid set down their drinks. She picked up her mug and took a sip. "Delicious!"
"Butterbeer, and glad you like it," the barmaid replied. "First time here?" Audrey nodded. "Enjoy! Please come back for more any time." The barmaid smiled at them and left.
"Thanks," Audrey said. She looked over at the door, then nudged Percy. "There's your brother." Sure enough, Audrey had quickly picked up on Weasley identification markers. Red hair? Check. Lanky? Check. Disheveled? Percy dearly hoped that was not on her list, checking his outfit, because Ron played that up well.
Percy stood up and called 'Ron' to his brother. He made his way over to their table, glanced at their glasses and called out, "Hannah, can I have one, too?" The barmaid serving them nodded, and he sat down.
"Audrey, right?" Ron reached over and shook her hand. "I know we met briefly at the museum a while back. Do you know how many paintings I looked at showing saints with their heads askew wearing solid gold halos?"
Audrey laughed. "We felt so sorry for you that day. Don't worry, art has changed since then and I guarantee you will find a genre you like. Maybe you will graduate to the Tate one day."
"Hermione is trying to teach me properly, start at the beginning, see the influences. It makes her happy," Ron said matter-of-factly. "Besides, I won't see her or the art gallery again until Christmas holidays. At this point, I'm looking forward to both."
"How's auror training?" Percy asked. Audrey looked quizzical and he sought to answer her confusion. "An auror combines the jobs of police officer and domestic agent, but closer to MI5 than The Met."
"Are you a spy?" Audrey asked eagerly. "Could you even tell me?"
"Then I would have to kill you," Ron joked. "No, not a spy. Harry and I watched that James Bond bloke movie one time. We're nothing like that," Ron looked at her fallen face. "Didn't mean to dash your hopes. We do chase, capture and process bad guys for arrest. And there are some real bad apples out there. Harry's trying to get us to start being proactive, but it's hard. We are technically in training, but half the time one or the other of us trainees has figured out a way to do things better. Could be the reason we just fought a war, rules like that and all," Ron finished with a tinge of sarcasm.
Audrey laughed. "I'm glad you are helping make things better." Hannah the barmaid served Ron's butterbeer, and he promptly downed it. Audrey smiled at him, and thanked him for helping show her around.
"No problem," Ron assured her. "I remember all the times Hermione's parents came here."
"Did Dad assault Mr. Granger on all things non-magical?" Percy asked.
"I dunno," Ron replied. "But every time I see the Grangers, Mr. Granger gives me a broken piece of Muggle technology for Dad. So I'm going to say yes to that."
Audrey had finished her drink, so Percy helped her to her feet, and all three walked to the wall separating the pub and the alley. Amazed, Audrey stared and smiled at the entrance, the stores, and the goblins at the bank, where Ron pointed out his surprise at her reaction to scary creatures, considering her dating his brother and all. Audrey burst in to laughter as Percy gave a roar and chased after him, successfully messing Ron's hair in the process. They called a truce after Ron hid behind Audrey, begging for her to save him, and headed to the joke shop.
Audrey's eyes almost popped out of her head at the adverts on the front of the building. "Is this real?" she breathed. The marks made by the Death Eaters were long cleaned up, the shop bustled with shoppers and burst with noises and loud pops. George was still attempting to find his brother in a bottle, but his dedicated staff kept the shop running. That was one secret he hadn't shared that with Audrey yet.
Percy put an arm around her shoulders. "Yup, you can see it and touch it if needed, but I'd be careful. George's items tend to touch back." Sure enough, Percy glimpsed an advertisement staring at Audrey; thankfully, she was to preoccupied with everything else to notice the extra set of eyes. They entered the store, idly wandering the aisles, Percy and Ron pointing out their favorite products as well as their least favorite. "And by least favorite, I mean the products they subjected the rest of the family to during the testing phase," Percy explained.
"Yeah, you should have seen the black eye Hermione got from that telescope," Ron continued. Audrey squeaked in horror at the said object she was about to pick up, and backed away slowly.
"Is your brother in?" Audrey asked. "I'd love to meet him."
Percy and Ron shared an uneasy glance. Audrey caught it, and quickly added, "I don't want to disturb genius without a heads up. I think I'd be looking at more than a black eye," she said with a grin. Percy gave her hand a squeeze, and Ron looked relieved.
They walked out of the store, Percy and Audrey holding hands. Ron made his excuses, and Audrey gave him a big hug thank you. Percy clapped his brother on the back, and with a 'See you Sunday,' Ron apparated away. Percy and Audrey made their way back to the Leaky Cauldron and Muggle London, Percy grinning and so thankful that Audrey was part of his whole world.
Percy and Audrey took the tube out to Highgate and then walked quickly to her family's townhouse, hand in hand, Audrey squeezing tight. They walked up the steps and rang the doorbell.
Audrey's granddad greeted them at the door. He was a proud, upright man with a firm handshake and inquisitive eyes. There was a strong resemblance between the two of them, Percy noted, and probably with that was the root of some of Audrey's insecurities about her place in her family. Being the younger brother of Head Boy/Curse Breaker Bill and Superstar Seeker/Dragon Tamer Charlie, Percy knew from many experiences the sting of comparison to someone similar and outstanding who had come first. It was a lot to live up to, insurmountable on some days.
Pictures of Audrey dotted the walls of the house, as well as a dark-haired young man who Percy assumed was her brother, pictures of people who Percy guessed would be her late parents, and her grandmother. The dark wood paneling and floor shone in contrast to the white walls, and Percy could feel the pride in the upkeep of the house, and, as her grandfather beamed and gave her a big hug, pride in Audrey. He knew why Audrey couldn't see it, she was too close to the situation and full of self-doubt, but it was there.
"Hello, sir, I'm Percy Weasley," Percy said as he shook his hand.
"Warren Littlefield. Nice to meet you, young man." Mr. Littlefield threw his arm around Audrey and gave her a squeeze. "Audrey here has talked up a storm about you."
"All good things, I hope," Percy said.
"Oh, nothing for me to worry about, yet, Percy." Mr. Littlefield said with a laugh. "Please come in, I have a nice spread set up."
"Granddad means the spread Mrs. Michaels set up," Audrey said with a grin.
"True, true," Mr. Littlefield agreed. "I specialize in one type of food."
"What would that be?" Percy inquired.
"Oh, the yellow food group." At Percy's look of surprise, he continued. "Cereals, scrambled eggs, oven pizza..."
"Oven chips, yogurt, bananas and microwave rice," Audrey continued.
"You forgot takeaway," her granddad nudged her. "It took a while, but my neighborhood grocer makes my favorite egg salad sandwiches fresh when I ask nicely."
"I have yet to achieve that rapport," Percy said sadly.
Mr. Littlefield laughed. "So what do you do, Percy?"
"I work for the government, helping coördinate international meetings and occasionally roping in runaway ambassadors," Percy responded. "It's paperwork heavy, but I do get to travel to conferences occasionally. That's how we met. And you?"
"I'm a doctor with the NHS, near retirement. Audrey refuses to let me retire, at least until I've found a hobby." Mr. Littlefield looked to Audrey.
"Offering to cook for me is not a hobby, Granddad," Audrey said with a smile. "I can handle takeaway on my own, thank you very much."
"Please, have a seat," Mr. Littlefield gestured to the table. Percy helped Audrey with her chair and then sat down.
The tea and sandwiches were excellent, and Percy ate well. Audrey had prepped him earlier that her granddad was book smart but not street smart, and Mr. Littlefield played that side of himself up. Several times he claimed Audrey, her brother and Mrs. Michaels were the only things keeping him from being found by himself, furniture torched because he needed it for fuel. Audrey laughingly repeated the first and last time her grandfather used a cashpoint, racking up amazing fees for trying to get £200 in £5 increments. Percy recognized the same behavior in his dad, who picked up mobile phones and email surprisingly fast for someone who mispronounced 'technology.'
Mr. Littlefield and Audrey seemed very similar in temperament and smarts and cracks about cooking ability. The afternoon passed easily, the three of them talking and laughing.
As Mr. Littlefield escorted Percy and Audrey to the door, he clasped Percy's hand one last time and gave his granddaughter a big squeeze. "Thank you for coming around, Percy," he nodded toward Audrey. "I was so happy to hear Audrey had someone steady in her life, and someone who can keep up with her."
"Thank you, sir," Percy replied. "But I can't keep up with her, unless I'm on a bike." Audrey grinned and gave him a kiss in the cheek.
"The same for me, I'm afraid," Mr. Littlefield said with a laugh. "Please feel free to stop by over the holidays."
"Thanks, Granddad," Audrey smiled at him. "I will call you tonight." The two of them left as they arrived, hands united.
Mr. Littlefield stood on the doorstep watching them walk away, and every so often, Audrey would turn around and wave goodbye.
"Your grandfather loves you so much, Audrey," Percy murmured into her ear. "Thank you for letting me meet him."
"He's not so scary in person, right?" Audrey asked as they entered the tube station. "I know he loves me, and he's proud of me. I wonder how much of my guilt over my family is real and how much is in my head."
"I ask myself that every day, Aud," Percy kissed her lightly on the forehead. "I have yet to receive an answer."