Disclaimer: Don't own the story of Harry Potter. You would know if I did.
Four more chapters to go!
Again, eyechange. Thank you so much for beta-ing this for me!
Chapter 25: Visiting Diagon Again Part Two
Roxie was getting impatient. It seemed like every bloody store they passed had something or the other that people wanted to see. Enough was enough! She needed to get away from the group for a few minutes to begin phase two of her plan. However, the getting away part was difficult. McGonagall was watching them like a hawk, and Molly Weasley had almost gone berserk at almost losing Scorpius, and was probably just a step away from putting them on a leash.
"I'm hung'y," said Fred in an impossibly cute voice that made Roxie want to strangle him. Trust her little idiot of a brother to interfere in her plans by wanting to make another pit stop.
"Me too!" cried James, his big brown eyes looking pleadingly at Molly Weasley.
"Oh alright, we can stop for a bite to eat," said Molly Weasley, looking elated at their adorableness.
"But The Leaky Cauldron's on the other side," said Scorpius, surprised.
"Mr. Leroy, there are far more eateries in Diagon than just the Leaky Cauldron, and though it is one of the most famous landmarks in wizarding Britain, I assure you that there are plenty of other places that can satisfy your appetite," said Professor McGonagall with a hint of amusement.
"Oh that place over there looks nice," said Dominique airily, pointing to a quaint café down the road called Fawcett and Matilda's.
"It's a lovely place, targeted for couples and families," said Molly Weasley in agreement, "Arthur and I had a lunch date there when I told him I was pregnant with Charlie."
"It's pretty old," said Scorpius unthinkingly.
"It's owned by the Fawcett family, Matilda is Mr. Fawcett's wife," said Professor McGonagall, "Both were lovely students, both were Hufflepuffs, and their daughter now is in Ravenclaw, lovely girl."
"I don't believe we've ever seen it before," said Roxie with a sudden frown as they got closer.
"Why is that?" asked Scorpius quietly to Dominique as Professor McGonagall went ahead to get a table.
"I think it was replaced by an antique store. The building looks relatively older and I don't really recognize the framework, so my guess is that it was demolished during the war, or the Fawcett's sold it off," said Dominique with a shrug.
"Oh," said Scorpius quietly, not sure if he wanted to know what happened to the Fawcett's, in fear that his family might crop up somewhere in the story.
The three stood quietly in silence, taking in the atmosphere of the tiny restaurant. A few couples lingered towards the edges of the café. A plump, brunette witch was talking to Professor McGonagall at a podium. The café was split into two with magical hedges with daisies growing to create an aisle leading to the bar and a podium where the plump hostess stored the menus. A kitchen door looking a bit like a saloon door was stationed by the bar. Only about ten tables were in the tiny café, and one witch who looked to be about sixteen with long black hair was busily taking orders from a small family. The café was rustic and old looking, and large windows overlooked Diagon Alley. Four large planters were in each corner of the café holding large Flitterblooms.
"Got us a table, come along now," said Professor McGonagall, steering the group to a table for six by the windows towards the left of the café.
"Food! Food! Food!" clapped the toddlers cheerfully, unaware of the rustic, long-forgotten and almost ghostly atmosphere radiating around them.
Percy Weasley stared at his girlfriend, or now, ex-girlfriend, Penelope Clearwater. The two were seated by an obnoxious Flitterbloom at the back of the café, Fawcett's and Matilda's.
"Percy, are you alright?" asked Penelope, her eyes wide and watery as she looked at him.
Her blonde hair fell in those perfect, round curls around her face, and was neatly pulled back with silver bobby pins. Her nails were perfectly manicured. Her red robes were neatly pressed. Her eyelashes held just the right amount of mascara to look sensible, and her cheeks just the right hint of blush to give her a rosy look. He knew without a doubt that her toe nails were pedicured and high heels would match her robes with perfectly. The woman in front of him screamed perfection. Any other man would probably feel a great loss at losing her.
"I- it's not really sinking in," he replied, almost apologetically.
"I'm really sorry Percy, I am, you know I loved you," she said, wiping her wet eyes neatly with a handkerchief. He had to admire her for that. It was so elegant and lady-like, and yet, he hated her for it. She was too composed. She didn't feel a loss at losing him. Much like he felt no loss in losing her.
"When did we lose each other?" he asked aloud, a little surprised at his sudden bravado.
"I don't know," she said, looking a bit taken aback.
"We could try to make it work, I can try and fix what we lost," said Percy hopefully. He felt guilty to let her go like this. She was the first woman he'd slept with, that counted for something, right? She had been the first he'd ever loved, and it felt wrong of him not to try to salvage the remnants of that love.
"Do you really believe that?" asked Penelope, "We haven't had sex in three months, and I know you've been busy, with the Crouch fiasco, and then moving out-
Percy left his face blank, but he felt a strange guilt. When had he stopped telling Penelope everything? He'd lied to her about his argument with his family, and instead told her he'd moved away from the Burrow to gain independence.
"-And you're promotion and work and my new job in the Administrative Registration Department, who are we kidding? This isn't a relationship anymore, it's a farce," said Penelope sadly.
"Just because we've been busy doesn't mean we won't go back to the way we were," said Percy smoothly.
"Percy, please, don't make this harder on- us," said Penelope, just stumbling over the 'us'. He knew she meant me.
"Are we still friends then?" he asked, unsure why he was feeling relief of all things.
"Of course," said Penelope with a smile.
"Well then, I'll get the check." Said Percy cordially, and Penelope nodded.
"I should go, I'll be late for work, good-bye Percy," said Penelope, and she got up with ease. She gave him a kiss on the cheek, and he saw her eyes were wet.
"Goodbye Penelope," said Percy formally, a sad smile on his face.
He watched her go and was more than surprised when he saw her meet up with another man. The man took her hand comfortingly, and the two left the scene. He felt an odd discord and sense of loneliness. He'd lost his family already to Harry Potter, and now he had lost his girlfriend to another man. He really had nothing left in his life but his work. It was an embittering feeling.
"Right this way now," called a voice, breaking his thoughts, and he was surprised to see Professor McGonagall leading his mother to a table with three blonde children.
"Alright, settle down dears, can we have two seats for toddlers please?" asked his mother warmly to the waitress.
"Of course ma'am!" said the waitress, who ran to get them, since she couldn't do underage magic.
Then he felt his eyes widen and his jaw pop open. His mother pulled out two red-headed toddlers from a stroller. One looked exactly like Fred and George, but with tanner skin, and the other, he couldn't place, but he had a little bit of Weasley in him for sure. How was that possible? All of Percy's cousins were older than ten by now. Ginny was the youngest Weasley to be born! Even the cousins old enough to have kids that age weren't married yet. Let alone those that might hadn't sent any sort of birth notification, and Percy prided himself on being the one sibling who knew the entire family, asides from Ron and Ginny, but those two only knew because being the youngest and well-behaved, they were dragged to all the parties.
"Ugh, it's so good to sit down, don't you think Mrs. Weasley?" Asked the most beautiful blonde girl he'd seen. He was startled to recognize her as Fleur Delacour. She looked similar, but with a thinner nose, a more Weasley nose almost, and blue eyes that he'd only recognized on his brothers. Her blonde hair seemed a bit dull, and almost artificial, unlike the Delacour girl. And her clothing seemed to be right out of a gothic wardrobe influenced with the 1920's muggle styles, something that only hit wizarding fashion in the early 80's, according to Delacour would never wear those.
"Oh it's no problem, order whatever you like, we have a lot to do, Roxie dear, what would you like to eat?" asked his mother kindly and warmly.
"Anything is fine," said the girl indifferently. Again Percy was startled to see his brother's eyes pasted on her face.
"Yeah gran, anything is fine," said the toddlers with an adorable smile.
He had to leave, if his mother saw him now, it wouldn't be good. But his mind was exploding with confusion. Should he confront them? Could it be that maybe Bill had kids? If Bill had kids, why hadn't he told him? Maybe those little red-haired kids were Bill's. That's why his mom cared for them. He felt sick. It was another family secret, another sibling secret. Something Potter probably knew before he did. He got up with a flash and headed towards the counter, in a daze, when BAM!
He knocked himself into a small girl and tripped taking her down with him. The two landed in a crumpled heap in the aisle, just below the hedges leading to the door. He felt his elbow knock into the girl's shoulder with a sick thud.
"Ouch," said a girl. He rubbed the back of his head, and was startled to see a petit brunette girl on the ground in front of him, and the entire store staring at the two. Or at least, two giggly waitresses and a few customers trying to catch sight of the noise.
"I'm sorry," he said awkwardly, offering her his hand.
"Ah, no, my fault, I'm awfully clumsy," said the girl with a bright smile. She had short, curly brown hair that framed a small round face, a button nose, and big brown eyes that danced with laughter.
"Are you alright?" he asked, remembering the sick thud of his elbow meeting her collarbone.
"Fine," she winced, and rubbed her neck as the two stood up.
"I'm sorry, really, my name is Percy Weasley, and I work for the Minister, if you want some compensation for your injury-
"What? That's ridiculous! It's just a bruise, there's no need to be so worried," said the girl with a slight laugh, as she looked at him with amusement.
"Ah, well then, I'll be on my way," he said, determined not to flush. This was ridiculous; the girl was treating him like a fool!
"Alright, and my name's Audrey, Audrey Meadows, I work for the Internation Magical Trading Standards under Holden Starfalks," said the girl teasingly, "If you need compensation for your injuries, you know where to find me."
"Right, well then, I'll be on my way," he said stiffly.
"Mr. Weasley, the check!" called out a voice, and now he really did turn red. He'd forgotten to pay! How humiliating, he looked like a cheap man, who couldn't even pay for a meal!
"Right Dorothy," he said, "Coming."
The girl-Audrey, raised her eyebrow at him, but just smiled and turned to get a table. He was startled beyond belief. This was not his day. Oh it was so not his day.
"Percy?" asked a voice, as he reached into his wallet to grab a few dozen sickles to throw on the counter.
"Hello mum," he said in a strangled voice, not turning to face her, unsurprised by the speed at which his mother reached him.
"You look horribly thin," said his mother, her lips pursed, and tears welling in her eyes.
"Good seeing you too mum, I've got to go," he said, trying to escape.
"Come sit with us," said his mother, a fire in her eyes so like the twins when they got a brilliant idea.
"I have work to attend to," he said carefully.
"Nonsense, you had the day off, remember? I had your father give me your schedule so I could come visit you again," said his mother airily.
He frowned, it almost sounded like his mother planned on giving up. Was that it? She'd abandoned him because now Bill had kids and she had Potter to replace him?
"Yes, well, I have things to do at home," said Percy stiffly. Not his day indeed.
"Please Percy, I think you'll enjoy having lunch with me," said his mother firmly, her eyes watery as she stared at him, clutching his shoulders firmly.
"I have business to attend to," he said through gritted teeth.
"Percy, do you want to meet you're nieces and nephews?" asked Molly Weasley in such a quiet voice, it was barely a whisper.
"I never knew they existed," he said coldly in response.
"Neither did I, until two days ago, one is George's son, the other Ginny's," said his mother in a relaxed manner.
She stamped on his foot to his surprise, to keep him from crying out in shock. What on earth was his mother saying? George had a kid? Ginny had a kid!? That was impossible! Ginny would only be thirteen! He'd never even seen her as pregnant, and she was just a baby! And George knocked up some bird! Rubbish!
"Come to the Burrow tonight at six, if you want more answers," said his mother, and then she turned and hugged him, and walked away.
Percy bolted from the café as fast as he could. It was ridiculous, his sister and brother should not have kids! Nieces, his mother had said. What nieces? He'd only seen the Delacour girl who looked somewhat Weasley-ish, but she was far too old. Was his mother losing her mind? It was impossible! The Burrow at six, a voice whispered. As he reached the end of the street, he looked towards the café. Six o'clock, and everything would become clear again.
"Molly! What happened?" asked Minerva to her colleague and friend.
"I had to talk to him Minerva, I think I'm making headway," said Molly with a sigh and a soft smirk, as she glanced towards the street where Percy was practically running, "He's my son, and if I can bring him home, than I did the right thing."
"I hope this works. Whatever did you say to the boy?" asked Minerva quietly.
"Hang on," said Molly, as she waved over a waitress.
"What can I get you?" asked the waitress pleasantly.
She watched the kids order warily, still glancing at her in surprise. They were trying their best to ignore her conversation, she knew, but she was smarter than that. They wanted to know what had made her do such a ridiculous thing and what she had said to Percy. Obviously she couldn't tell Minerva the full story, but she'd tell her just enough.
"I'll have one chicken pot pie for the two of them, and for myself, I'll take the creamy fettuccini pasta," said Molly absently.
"Coming right up," said the waitress, and she turned to leave.
"Minerva, it was a bit of a private thing, but I'm sure it will work," said Molly firmly, closing the topic.
"Professor, can I just pop into the store across the street?" asked Roxie timidly.
"Alright," said Minerva, turning away from Mrs. Weasley, "But be right back!"
"Of course Professor, I just want to see if they have something I need," said Roxie, and off she went before Mrs. Weasley could stop her.
Roxie was glad to be out of that mess. Having plenty of experiences with dumping guys for new ones, she knew that her Uncle Percy had just experienced that, they'd all seen him when they sat down. Gran had pointed to a pretty blonde girl that was apparently her uncle's girlfriend. Then she'd gone all throw caution to the wind and tried to get Uncle Percy to come over.
Well, tonight should be interesting, to say the least.
However, enough thinking of that stupid stuff. She had to move one. Her parents could show up any day now, and if this plan was to work, well then, she'd need to get all the necessary supplies. Walking with quick steps, she entered the store Lucy had told her about. It was the same place Lucy had bought that camera.
She sidled around the store, looking for what she needed. It had to be here somewhere. Then she bumped her shoulder into someone.
"Sorry," she said and was surprised at who she saw.
"It's fine," said a cheerful voice.
"Ah, alright," she said, her mouth dry.
Standing in front of her was a younger Mr. Creevey. Mr. Creevey had worked for her father when she was younger and then he'd gone to become an Auror. Dennis Creevey. She remembered him quite well. He often came around for dinners on holidays. Being unmarried and an older man, she'd always harboured a small crush on him. He was bright like her dad was, with that same spark of sadness that seemed harder on him, because he was so lonely with no wife or kids like her dad.
"Colin Creevey, pleased to meet you?" said the man, and she was startled.
"Colin?" she asked, and then her eyes widened, but he didn't notice as she shook his hand.
"Yeah, I like to take photos, I know this store like the back of my hand, are you looking for something?" he asked kindly.
"No, I'm fine, thanks," she said.
"Alright," said Colin, and he turned to go.
She watched him approach a younger boy. He was only a second year, and the way he looked at Colin was with admiration. He was so innocent and untouched by war. She felt like a stranger, watching a scene from the past play out. The little boy tugged on his brother's sleeve, trying to go somewhere else. The older boy shoved his brother slightly, and babbled away, obviously pleased with his younger brother's adoration.
That was Colin Creevey, the older brother of Dennis Creevey. He was the hero Dennis Creevey used to tell her about sometimes. He was the one who made those dark, sad shadows hover around Dennis Creevey. She could understand why. Colin was so bright and cheerful, someone people couldn't help but like.
She tore her eyes away to complete her purchase, blinking back tears. It was silly, she hardly knew Colin. Yet, it was so unfair that he'd die. He'd leave another brother to mourn him forever. Just like her dad.
Enough, she ordered herself. Concentrate on the mission, that's how you save lives.