Nearly a month later, Iris was slowly sipping a cup of coffee at her and Percy's usual spot, waiting on him to join her. Since the shop reopened, Iris had barely gotten a chance to do anything else. The new Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes was turning out to be quite popular, thanks in large part to the potions that Iris concocted. They could barely keep them on the shelves and George had to hire two more people to help out in the shop so that Iris could focus on making potions.
But that first day had been a rush. George had made a giant display in the form of Alice from "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" for her hair-changing potion that waved and giggled at customers as her blonde locks constantly changed color. Iris lost track of how many people came by very early on. She didn't think she even got a chance to step away from the register until after midday when Molly showed up to relieve her so that she and George could scarf down a bit of lunch in the back office. Iris found that she loved every part of working in the shop, from creating new tricks to talking with customers. Even though at the moment it was leaving her bone-tired. Contrary to what Shacklebolt may think, Iris felt she had found her true calling.
She had chosen to use her first day off to go meet Percy for lunch at their usual spot. George had brought in two witches to help at the store and felt they were finally trained enough that she could have a day off. Once the Christmas rush passed, Iris wagered she'd only need to work in the store maybe two or three days a week and spend the rest at home working on potions.
"Been here long?" Percy asked as he sat down, pulling his coat off. Iris shook her head no as he stared at her, taking in the dark circles. "You look like the walking dead."
"I feel like it a bit. I've been so busy with the shop and potions, I haven't been sleeping much," she said, taking another long drink of her coffee. The waitress walked up.
"The usual?" she asked. Both Percy and Iris nodded.
"It's been going well, I take it?" he asked.
"Quite. I can barely keep the potions stocked. Once Christmas is passed, I'm planning to stay home most of the week to focus on that while the two new girls help George out at the shop," she said.
"That's good to hear."
"So, how is life?" Iris asked, sitting up. The coffee was helping revive her.
"About the same," Percy said. "Paperwork and more paperwork."
"How are things with Audrey?" Iris asked, smiling slightly. Percy's face started turning nearly as red as his hair.
"Fine," he said, abruptly taking a sip of his tea. Iris' smile turned into a full on grin.
"I hear from Angelina that you two have been meeting up a lot," she said.
"She's interesting company," he said. "I enjoy talking to her." Iris nodded.
"Perhaps we should have you two over for dinner someday soon. Now that things are official," she suggested.
"That would be lovely. I'm sure Audrey would like that. Just one thing," he said. Iris raised an eyebrow. "Do not tell Mum. Not yet, anyway. I'll never hear the end of it." Iris burst out laughing.
"You're going to have to offer me something, Perce. The way I see it, if I get your Mum to focus on you and Audrey, that's less pressure for me and Oliver to get hitched," she said, smiling deviously.
"You wouldn't?" Percy said, shocked.
"Would I?" she asked. The two stared at each other before they starting laughing. "I promise not a word, Percy. But you know your Mum, she's going to find out soon if she hasn't already. She knows everything."
"I know. I'm just trying to enjoy the relative privacy I have with Audrey for just a bit longer," he said. The waitress walked up with their food and placed it in front of them.
"I take it things with Oliver are still going well?" he asked. Iris nodded and smiled.
"Though we don't get much time together thanks to the shop and Quidditch. But things are well. Just hoping to get through the holiday rush and enjoy a few days off in a row instead of here and there," she said, taking a bite of her salad.
"Mum says we're all doing Christmas dinner at your place," Percy said. Iris nodded.
"As if I needed something else to worry about," Iris said, rolling her eyes. "Honestly, Oliver wasn't thinking when he volunteered us for that. I have our whole family, plus Oliver's parents. And then George has asked to bring Angelina. Plus Hermione will be there as well. Fleur is planning to announce that she and Bill are trying for a baby-"
"Wait, what?" Percy asked, nearly dropping his sandwich. Iris' eyes went wide.
"Oh bother, I wasn't supposed to say anything. I must be too tired for my own good. You can't say a word," she said. Percy started laughing.
"I won't. I just can't wait to see George's face," he responded.
"Don't tell me you're in on the pool as well?" Iris asked. Percy nodded.
"Bill and Fleur were the obvious choice. I've no idea why George thought it would be you and Oliver," he said. "Though he's put about 50 Galleons down on you and Oliver having somewhere between five and seven children."
"I am seriously not planning to push out that many children," Iris said, rolling her eyes.
"Be glad you aren't really related to us… it runs in the family," he said. Iris laughed softly.
"Well, anyway, so I have to prepare dinner for all them," she said. Percy had gone quiet. "What is it?" He looked up at her, going over what he wanted to say.
"Well, if it's not too much trouble… I was hoping that, perhaps, Christmas would be a good time to introduce Audrey to the family," he said. Iris smiled.
"Of course it's fine. What's one more?" she said, genuinely happy.
"Well then it's settled," he said, with a short nod of his head. The two continued on with their lunch and conversation. At the end, Percy insisted on paying. They walked to the corner where they usually parted ways.
"Go take a nap, Iris," Percy ordered. Iris laughed and nodded, pulling her coat tighter around her.
"Have a good rest of the day," she said. Percy waved and turned as Iris continued on her way home and to her comfy, welcoming bed.