A/N: Bill's such a good POV character. *sigh* Think of Audrey's job as homeschooling done by someone other than a mother rather than teaching at a proper school.
Spring 2000
Bill pushed open the door of Percy's office in the Department of Magical Transportation. "Hey, Perce, get your nose out of that report, and let's go to lunch."
But Percy's nose wasn't buried in a report; it was pointed at the attractive woman sitting on the corner of his desk. Five foot eight—maybe nine, judging by the length of shapely calf extending below the hem of her robes, which had bunched underneath her as she sat—and slim, with dark hair and delicate hands.
"Oh, pardon me. I didn't realize you had company."
The two had not noticed him enter and spun around at the sound of his voice. Bill suppressed the urge to smirk.
"My apologies," the woman said, standing up and smoothing her robes. "I didn't realize Percy already had plans for lunch."
"He didn't. I volunteered to pick up the payroll forms and thought I'd stop in and see if he was free." Bill sent his brother an inquisitive look. Introduce her, or I'll say something embarrassing.
Percy gave a small sigh that was more visible than audible. "Audrey, this is my brother Bill, who works for Gringotts. This is Audrey Cooper. She and her pupils toured the department last week, and she came by to drop off their thank-you notes." He indicated a collection of scrawled letters and crayon drawings spread out over his desk.
"Nice to meet you," Audrey said, extending her hand.
Bill shook it. "Likewise. Listen, I didn't mean to interrupt—"
"I should probably get back anyway. My assistant will not appreciate being left alone for recess." She smiled, then turned back to Percy and said, "Thanks again, Percy. The kids loved it."
"You're very welcome. Anytime." He stood and opened the door for her, then closed it and returned to his desk, gathering the kids' papers into a pile.
"That's it?"
"What do you mean?" Percy tapped the edges of the papers to straighten them, avoiding Bill's eyes.
"An attractive unmarried witch leaves her job in the middle of the day and travels from—"
"How do you know she's not married?"
Merlin, no wonder Percy had been single so long. "She wasn't wearing a ring, Perce. And she traveled from—"
"Leeds," he muttered.
"All the way from Leeds to deliver a package she could have sent by owl post, and you're not going to invite her to lunch?" Bill took the papers out of Percy's hands and dragged him towards the door.
"Wait, I need to tell Madame Edgecombe—"
"It's 11:53. It's obvious where you've gone. Why didn't you ask her out? And don't tell me you're not interested."
"She said she had to get back," Percy said defensively. "She's a teacher. It's a school day."
"Rubbish. If she didn't want to have lunch with you, she would have come after school let out. She fancies you."
"Don't be ridiculous." He jabbed the button for the lift.
"It's been almost two years, Percy," Bill said quietly. "No one would begrudge you some happiness."
The lift doors opened, and Percy's cold look was cut short as a plump witch carrying several broomsticks wedged her way out of the lift, and he and Bill stepped in.
They joined the queue in front of one of the fireplaces in the Atrium. Percy appeared to be casually scanning the crowd, but then his attention focused.
Audrey was in line two fireplaces down, head bent and fiddling with the cuffs on her sleeves.
"Why did the kids love their visit?"
"Hmm?"
"Unlike you, most children do not find the Ministry of Magic fascinating. What did you do?"
"Oh. I arranged for them to Portkey to the cafeteria for their lunch."
"Cool," Bill said, impressed. Percy really wasn't half-bad when he tried. They shuffled forward.
"What makes you think she fancies me?"
"Other than leaving her pupils in the middle of a school day?"
He nodded, still watching her.
"She was sitting on your desk."
"So?"
"So, Fleur used to do that all the time."
Percy finally looked at him, then back to the other fireplace. Audrey was next in line.
"Audrey! Audrey, wait up!"