Disclaimer, Notes and Warnings are on the Prologue.

Repercussions

Chapter 12

Penelope was worried about how things were going with their party. Things were only just getting underway and they were already running low on refreshments. She had been sure that she had enough to meet the demand but apparently she had underestimated the appetites of some of their friends. Of course a small part of her was relieved that so far potentially running out of snacks was the only problem. She had worried slightly about inviting some of her friends form work not knowing how they'd react to the presence of Percy and Oliver. So far everyone was being civil and even supportive when she saw them interacting with the two of them. She knew that wasn't really any indication of anything as she was well aware of the false image people could present.

"Calm down." Her husband said after she told him they were running low on refreshments. "There isn't anything to worry about I've already sent out for more." She smiled at him and gave him a quick pick on the cheek. "I know you want this party to be perfect."

She smiled at him and laughed. "Not perfect but good enough that I don't over hear snide remarks at work for the next few weeks." He laughed with her and she kissed him again before they had to separate to see to their guests' entertainment.

She spent the next several minutes talking with various guests before finally getting a moment alone with Percy. "So how are you enjoying the party?" He smiled at her which was a good sign though he scowled slightly after a moment. She turned to see Oliver talking with Roger Davies. "Something the matter?"

"Not at all." Percy said simply. "It's been a lovely party so far you and David really out did yourself." Penelope took the compliment as it was intended but she noticed him still staring past her she glanced over again and saw Oliver on his way over looking slightly annoyed. "Oliver hasn't Penelope and David thrown a wonderful party?" Percy asked him once he joined them.

"Oh great party so far." Oliver said with a slightly forced smile. "Just been catching up with Old friends." She wondered what was behind the look Percy and Oliver shared but decided against asking. She soon found herself swept away from them as some of her friends from work showed up and shared their opinions on her and David's new home.

XXXX

Battina closed the door and sighed. Her brother's great grand daughter Mary had been over showing off her youngest child. She had enjoyed the visit though as usual she wondered cynically if her relatives only came to visit so that when she finally died they'd be remembered in her will. After cleaning up the plates from dinner she headed to her desk to finish some last minute work.

Most of the ministry believed her job was ridiculously easy since there were only eight registered animagi currently in existence. However, she also had to deal with everyone who was considering attempting it, those in the process of trying and follow up on reports from the department of magical law enforcement on folks who were caught attempting it illegally.

She finished reading the report on the latest failed attempt with a shudder. It was always disturbing to hear that someone had gotten themselves stuck somewhere between human and animal and would spend the rest of the life in Saint Mungo's. She decided to check the list of new applicants to attempt the animagus transformation and then head to bed.

She was surprised to see a few of the latest batch of Auror candidates applying for to attempt the transformation. It was very unusual for auror to take on the extra work load during their training. She supposed that she and Percy must have made an impression on them to the usefulness of the animagus transformation in Marks little games.

She didn't have to do a grade check as all Auror candidates had the necessary marks to try it or they wouldn't have qualified to be potential aurors. She made a note to call them in for a discussion about it the next day and then she put away her work and headed to bed. Pausing briefly to glance at the photos of family and friends that covered her walls.

XXXX

Percy laughed at a joke told by one of Penelope's friends. He didn't find it particularly funny but it was better to laugh along with the others in the group than to be the odd one out. As long as he didn't draw too much attention to himself, he could let his mind wander and think about what was bothering him.

Oliver hadn't told him what the conversation with Davies had entailed but he was a good enough judge of Oliver's moods to know that whatever was said it hadn't gone well. He also knew enough not to ask now in this party but Oliver's obvious discomfort was beginning to worry him. "Let's go get a drink Oliver." He finally said to the other man. Once they were away from most of the others he asked simply. "Do you want to leave?" He knew that Penelope would be disappointed but she'd understand.

"No, I don't want to leave." Oliver said after a moment. "But thanks for asking." Percy noticed that Oliver still seemed distracted but decided not to push it. Once they reached the bar and ordered their drinks they stood for a while in silence.

"Would you care to dance after were done?" He asked the other man trying to think of something to lift his spirits a bit. He was surprised when Oliver laughed a bit and then smiled at him.

"I think we might get some weird looks Perce." Oliver said after a minute. "No one else is dancing at this party." A quick glance around confirmed that and he felt slightly embarrassed to have not noticed. "But what the heck lets do it." Percy resisted the impulse to object as Oliver pulled him over to near the music to begin dancing. At least Oliver seemed to be in a good mood again.

XXXX

He watched excitedly as the well-paid testers turned into large frogs who belched out crude songs about inappropriate topics. "Well Lee, I'd say that this candy is ready to be included in our revenge sweets line." His best friend Lee Jordan just smiled as they turned back to watch the songs finish and the frogs turn back into the testers. "That's all for today folks you can pick up your pay on the way out." He was always amazed at how many people were willing to act as lab rats for his latest products.

Lee smiled slightly. "It's a shame you couldn't make them look exactly like the chocolate frogs." George was still sore about that he'd tried to get permission from the makers of the chocolate frog candies to ensure that his revenge sweet would be able to be passed off as one but they had refused. So instead he'd made them a small chocolate ball that you could stuff into another chocolate treat.

"Yeah, that would have been great." George said with half a smile. "I'm going to head home now see you tomorrow Lee." His friend nodded and waved good bye. "Don't forget to lock up when you leave." Lee nodded again and George left the empty building he'd rented as a test area and apparated home.

He arrived outside the shop in Daigon Alley and frowned as he realized how late it was. He'd promised to help Susan pack as they had managed to get the house earlier than expected because of the fact that they were the only buyer offering full price. He let himself in and headed up to the apartment he was expecting Susan to be mad at him. "Susan, I'm sorry I wasn't here to help packing." He noticed a few boxes stacked neatly but hardly enough to hold everything they were taking.

"That's all right." Susan said sweetly. "I've finished packing all my stuff you'll have to do yours tomorrow." George took another look around and saw that anything that clearly belonged to him had been left out of the packing. "And we can pack up the rest of our things tomorrow night."

George laughed slightly. "Good one Susan." He saw her smile. He had no doubt she really was going to make him pack up all of his own junk and then help him pack away the last of their stuff tomorrow but he did kind of deserved it. "By the way the frog chocolates work perfectly."

XXXX

Oliver was definitely enjoying himself more after dancing with Percy. He could even tell when Percy had relaxed after other couples had joined in after giving them a few odd looks. He hadn't enjoyed running into Roger even though he'd known going into this that Roger was likely to be here.

Resolving to avoid thinking about it he went back to enjoying the discussion about some of their old highschool quidditch games with a few of Penelope's other friends who had been on the Ravenclaw quidditch team. He glanced aside and saw Percy talking with Penelope and David. He also noticed the party seemed to be winding down which he was privately a bit glad about. He'd enjoyed himself but when you got down to it Penelope and her husband were more Percy's friends than his.

He was a bit jealous that Percy could still be friends with his ex girlfriend. He hadn't spoken to any of his exes in years. He also knew that it occasionally bothered David as when they first met Penelope's husband had confided in Oliver that he had been a bit jealous when they started talking again.

After they got home from the party, he set down on the edge of the bed. "Aren't you curious what Roger and I talked about?" He asked Percy as the other man was carefully folding his robes.

"I assumed you'd tell me if you wanted to." Percy said distractedly. "I noticed that a few of Penelope's co-workers avoided us for most of the night." He frowned. "I hope Penelope won't have any problems at work."

"Penelope can handle herself." Oliver said dryly and it was certainly the truth. "Anyway as I'm sure you're curious all that happened is Roger caught me alone and wanted to make sure that I wouldn't tell anyone." He snorted. "Apparently his wife caught him flirting with another girl and he's worried that one more surprise and she'll leave him."

Percy shrugged in response and Oliver was a bit annoyed Percy normally had an opinion on everything. Apparently sensing his annoyance Percy looked at him pointedly. "I admit I was curious and a little jealous." Oliver felt slightly smug. "But I also knew I had nothing to worry about."

"That's certainly true." Oliver said standing up and walking over to Percy. "I'll admit I get a bit jealous of you and Penelope sometimes." Percy raised an eyebrow in a self-satisfied way. "Of course I always realize that I have nothing to be jealous of." And then he smiled at Percy. "I'm much better at quidditch than she'll ever be."

Percy swatted at him and he grabbed the other man and wrestling the two fell back onto the bed.

To be continued...