"It's okay, could I have your address so I could owl you?" Percy asked
hopefully.
"Sure, I live just down the street, here's my address," she said, handing him a small piece of paper. "Bye, I hope I hear from you soon Percy. Oh, and Merriam, it was nice meeting you," she turned on her heal and walked down the road toward a clump of apartment buildings. Percy looked down at the slip. She had pretty, delicate, handwriting. 600 Huntercombe Ln. Apartment #29.
"Uncle Percy, are we going to go to Grandmum and Granddad Weasley's house now?" Egan asked tugging on his pant leg.
"Sure, let's go," Percy said, leading them toward the subway station. They boarded a train and arrived just outside the village. Merriam had fallen asleep and Percy had to carry her to the Burrow. When they came in Mrs. and Mr. Weasley were there to greet them.
"Hello Egan, how are you my boy?" Mr. Weasley asked, patting his knee. Egan ran to him and jumped up.
"Percy met a girl in the Park. Her name's Merriam James. The exchanged addresses," he stated matter-o-factly.
"Really! That's great. Did you like her Percy?" Mrs. Weasley said excitedly. Her big round face looked at her son with anticipation.
"She was fine. She was nice, pretty, and smart. I haven't really got a chance to get to know her. Get that look of your face mother, we're not engaged or anything," Percy said with a look of disgust on his face. Sometimes mother's could be so pushy!
"Ron and Hermione called, they said they'll be a little late. You're welcome to stay for dinner Percy. Everyone's coming over, Ginny and Harry have an announcement," Mr. Weasley said with a knowing look on his face. Harry had asked permission from Mr. Weasley who had given it hesitantly but had given in to Harry's persistence.
"Okay, I've nothing better to do," Percy said.
"Yes you do, you can owl that girl we met in the Park," Merriam said, waking up from her beauty sleep.
"That's enough Merriam. I don't want to sound desperate!" Percy exclaimed.
"But you are desperate! Oh, well, never mind, I can see when I'm about to get in trouble," Merriam said, getting up hastily and leaving the room.
Percy suffered through endless interrogation by his mother while she was preparing dinner. The rest of the family had joined in upon hearing, mostly from Merriam, about his date in the Park. Percy finally got fed up and climbed the stairs to his old bedroom. He went down to dinner and suffered through more interrogation. Finally Harry stood up and tapped his glass. "I've got an announcement to make. It's about Ginny and me. We're getting married on the 7th of December and you're all invited," he ended to all seven of the Weasley brothers standing up.
"Harry, are you telling us that you're marrying our 20 year old sister? Don't you think she's a little young?" Ron asked, trying to keep his voice calm.
"Oh come on, you knew Harry and I were dating and it didn't seem to bother you," Ginny said angrily.
"Oh, well I though that giving Harry a black eye was enough to portray that it did indeed bother us," Fred said.
"YOU DID THAT!" Ginny shouted. "HE TOLD ME HE GOT HIT BY A BLUDGER!" she eyed Harry angrily.
"Well it was a bludger of sorts," George said.
"Anyway, dating and marrying are two very different things. You didn't expect us to be just overjoyed did you? Dad, why aren't you jumping up? She's your little girl," Charlie said.
"He asked my permission," Mr. Weasley said calmly.
"Boys calm down, Ginny's got a right to her own decisions!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed.
"I can't believe you gave him permission," Ron shouted at his father.
"I'm not that little anymore if anyone cares to notice!" Ginny said. "I'm 20, almost 21 and you still haven't come to grips with this. At least I'm marring someone you like, I dated Draco Malfoy for a month!" Ginny shouted.
"YOU WHAT!" Ron exclaimed. All of the wives, and in the case of Ginny, fiancé, with the exception of Percy, who had no one, tugged on their shirts to sit down. "SHUT IT," the all screamed. They were beside themselves with Ginny.
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Mrs. Weasley screamed suddenly in all her Mrs. Weasley rage. She stood up to face her children. They hadn't seen her this mad since, well she'd never been this mad. "SIT DOWN RIGHT NOW, ALL OF YOU!" she drew herself up, just threatening anyone to mess with her. "I've had enough. Ginny is going to marry Harry, they love each other, and you all are dam well going to be happy about, get it?" she hissed in a deadly whisper.
All the Weasley boys slowly nodded their heads afraid she'd take of their heads if they made any sudden movements. They ate the rest of their meal silently. Everyone got up to leave sooner then they normally would. Ron was rather cold toward Harry when they said goodbye. When Harry and Ginny left the house Harry could be heard saying: "You dated Malfoy?"
Percy kissed his mother on the cheek rather hesitantly. "Percy, make sure to call the Merriam girl," she said as he left through the door. Once outside he apparated to his flat. It had been some day and he was tired. He checked his messages. Merriam had fired him. Her beautiful face hovered in the fireplace. "Percy, I hope I have the right house. Anyway, I was wondering if you'd like to go to dinner with me tomorrow night. Just call me, it doesn't matter when you get in, just call me," she finished and disappeared.
He stated her address and he looked around the living room. "Merriam James, it's me Percy, if your asleep I'll just leave a message," he was about to just leave a message when she came rocketing down the stairs. She was wearing a pair of sweats and a Chudley Cannons T-shirt.
"Wait, I'm here," she said breathlessly.
"Hi, I just called to tell you that I can go out to dinner with you. Just tell me what time and what place and I'll make it happen," Percy said blushing.
"Oh, good. I know this little Indian place. Can we meet at Johan's; it's where I work. Are you familiar with the Artsy part of Diagon Alley?" she asked.
"Oh, kind of, I think I'll be able to find it. What time do you want me there?" Percy asked.
"Would 7:00 be okay?" Merriam asked.
"Sure, I'll see you then Merriam, good night," he hung up before she could say anything. What can you say, he was tired.
"Goodbye Percy," she whispered as his head disappeared from the fire. She climbed the stairs to her bedroom. She nestled under her comforter and went to sleep. Percy trotted down the hall to his bathroom washed his face, and brushed his teeth before going into his bedroom. He got under Egyptian Cotton sheets and went to sleep.
The next morning he went into work. He was surprised when there was knock on his door. "Who the hell is it, I'm busy," he shouted angrily.
"Percy, let me in. I need to talk to you," Ginny said desperately.
"Oh, I'm sorry Ginny. Come in," he apologized. She came in and sat down in front of him. She fidgeted a little before diving in to her dilemma.
"I know you're not happy with Harry and me being together, but you're the only one who'll see reason," Ginny started.
"You're right about me not being happy about you and Harry, however, you might be wrong about me seeing reason," Percy said.
"Percy, I need you to believe that Harry and I are meant to be. Then you need to get everyone else to do the same," she said angrily.
"Ginny, just tell me this, do you think that Harry will respect you?" Percy asked.
"Yes, of course."
"Will he love you and honor you?"
"Yes,"
"Do you want him to be the father of your children?"
"Yes, I do, with all my heart," Ginny answered.
"Fine, I'll see what I can do Gin," Percy sighed.
"Thank you Percy, you don't know how much this means to me. I'll leave you to your work. Oh, and, good luck on your hot date," she said leaving the room.
"How'd you know," Percy asked toward her retreating back. She waved her hand as a reply and he went back to his work. The day seemed to be moving at double time. Before he knew it, it was 6:30. He left the company in the hands of his assistant who was taken aback.
He then apparated to Diagon Alley, and headed toward the art galleries and music shops that were in the East corner. He stopped when he got to Johan's. Merriam was standing in front of a painting. 'Peculiar that they name and art gallery after Johan Sebastian Bach' Percy thought to himself. He went in and watched as Merriam tried to persuade a rich young wizard and his wife to buy the painting. It was of a young woman and her husband at the beach. It was quite lovely, and if they didn't buy it another buyer would defiantly be found.
They shook their heads one more time in resolution and she sighed deeply as the exited the store. She caught sight of Percy and smiled. She walked up to him in the same swaying step that she had used at the park. "Hello, I didn't notice you, I've just got to tell my boss that I'm leaving," she went back behind the counter and yelled to a man in the back room. "Goodbye Mr. Rooney, I'm leaving," she said and went took Percy's arm.
They walked down Diagon Alley a little before Percy said something. "So where is this Indian place?" he asked.
"Oh, it's right down here. Have you ever had Indian food?" Merriam asked, pointing to a tiny little restaurant.
"No, my ex-girlfriend, Penny, really only ate Italian. That and café food," Percy said, wincing at the memory of his and Penny's break up. He had been planning to ask her to marry him. He had taken her out to dinner and before he could ask she blurted out, "Percy, I really don't think this is right. I don't want to go on like this. Let's just break up and call it a pleasant fling," she had then gotten up and left Percy to two dinners and a bill.
A man led them to a booth in the back. "Do you want me to order for you?" Merriam asked when they were sitting down.
"Sure," Percy answered gratefully.
"Okay, do like spicy things?" she asked.
"Sure, I guess," Percy said, he didn't know if he liked spicy things! She ordered for them and they got down to talking.
"So, was this Penny girl serious?"
"Oh, yeah, well I thought it was. She wrote it off as just a fling. We had been going out since our 6th year. We were together for 4 years," Percy answered.
"Oh, I wouldn't know, I've never really been in a relationship. Where did you go to school?" she asked.
"Oh, Hogwarts, you?"
"The Welsh school of Magic and the Arts. It's in Ireland."
"You paint?"
"Yeah, and sing, dance, and play the violin. Do you play and instruments?"
"No, I was never big on that kind of stuff," Percy said blushing.
"Oh, we'll just have to change that won't we," Merriam joked. Percy smiled. Merriam had this bubbly quality. A warmth that went all through her body but could be most easily seen in her bright blue eyes.
A/N- So, input would be nice. I'm sorry about the big paragraph in the last chapter, I wanted to get all that stuff over with.
"Sure, I live just down the street, here's my address," she said, handing him a small piece of paper. "Bye, I hope I hear from you soon Percy. Oh, and Merriam, it was nice meeting you," she turned on her heal and walked down the road toward a clump of apartment buildings. Percy looked down at the slip. She had pretty, delicate, handwriting. 600 Huntercombe Ln. Apartment #29.
"Uncle Percy, are we going to go to Grandmum and Granddad Weasley's house now?" Egan asked tugging on his pant leg.
"Sure, let's go," Percy said, leading them toward the subway station. They boarded a train and arrived just outside the village. Merriam had fallen asleep and Percy had to carry her to the Burrow. When they came in Mrs. and Mr. Weasley were there to greet them.
"Hello Egan, how are you my boy?" Mr. Weasley asked, patting his knee. Egan ran to him and jumped up.
"Percy met a girl in the Park. Her name's Merriam James. The exchanged addresses," he stated matter-o-factly.
"Really! That's great. Did you like her Percy?" Mrs. Weasley said excitedly. Her big round face looked at her son with anticipation.
"She was fine. She was nice, pretty, and smart. I haven't really got a chance to get to know her. Get that look of your face mother, we're not engaged or anything," Percy said with a look of disgust on his face. Sometimes mother's could be so pushy!
"Ron and Hermione called, they said they'll be a little late. You're welcome to stay for dinner Percy. Everyone's coming over, Ginny and Harry have an announcement," Mr. Weasley said with a knowing look on his face. Harry had asked permission from Mr. Weasley who had given it hesitantly but had given in to Harry's persistence.
"Okay, I've nothing better to do," Percy said.
"Yes you do, you can owl that girl we met in the Park," Merriam said, waking up from her beauty sleep.
"That's enough Merriam. I don't want to sound desperate!" Percy exclaimed.
"But you are desperate! Oh, well, never mind, I can see when I'm about to get in trouble," Merriam said, getting up hastily and leaving the room.
Percy suffered through endless interrogation by his mother while she was preparing dinner. The rest of the family had joined in upon hearing, mostly from Merriam, about his date in the Park. Percy finally got fed up and climbed the stairs to his old bedroom. He went down to dinner and suffered through more interrogation. Finally Harry stood up and tapped his glass. "I've got an announcement to make. It's about Ginny and me. We're getting married on the 7th of December and you're all invited," he ended to all seven of the Weasley brothers standing up.
"Harry, are you telling us that you're marrying our 20 year old sister? Don't you think she's a little young?" Ron asked, trying to keep his voice calm.
"Oh come on, you knew Harry and I were dating and it didn't seem to bother you," Ginny said angrily.
"Oh, well I though that giving Harry a black eye was enough to portray that it did indeed bother us," Fred said.
"YOU DID THAT!" Ginny shouted. "HE TOLD ME HE GOT HIT BY A BLUDGER!" she eyed Harry angrily.
"Well it was a bludger of sorts," George said.
"Anyway, dating and marrying are two very different things. You didn't expect us to be just overjoyed did you? Dad, why aren't you jumping up? She's your little girl," Charlie said.
"He asked my permission," Mr. Weasley said calmly.
"Boys calm down, Ginny's got a right to her own decisions!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed.
"I can't believe you gave him permission," Ron shouted at his father.
"I'm not that little anymore if anyone cares to notice!" Ginny said. "I'm 20, almost 21 and you still haven't come to grips with this. At least I'm marring someone you like, I dated Draco Malfoy for a month!" Ginny shouted.
"YOU WHAT!" Ron exclaimed. All of the wives, and in the case of Ginny, fiancé, with the exception of Percy, who had no one, tugged on their shirts to sit down. "SHUT IT," the all screamed. They were beside themselves with Ginny.
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Mrs. Weasley screamed suddenly in all her Mrs. Weasley rage. She stood up to face her children. They hadn't seen her this mad since, well she'd never been this mad. "SIT DOWN RIGHT NOW, ALL OF YOU!" she drew herself up, just threatening anyone to mess with her. "I've had enough. Ginny is going to marry Harry, they love each other, and you all are dam well going to be happy about, get it?" she hissed in a deadly whisper.
All the Weasley boys slowly nodded their heads afraid she'd take of their heads if they made any sudden movements. They ate the rest of their meal silently. Everyone got up to leave sooner then they normally would. Ron was rather cold toward Harry when they said goodbye. When Harry and Ginny left the house Harry could be heard saying: "You dated Malfoy?"
Percy kissed his mother on the cheek rather hesitantly. "Percy, make sure to call the Merriam girl," she said as he left through the door. Once outside he apparated to his flat. It had been some day and he was tired. He checked his messages. Merriam had fired him. Her beautiful face hovered in the fireplace. "Percy, I hope I have the right house. Anyway, I was wondering if you'd like to go to dinner with me tomorrow night. Just call me, it doesn't matter when you get in, just call me," she finished and disappeared.
He stated her address and he looked around the living room. "Merriam James, it's me Percy, if your asleep I'll just leave a message," he was about to just leave a message when she came rocketing down the stairs. She was wearing a pair of sweats and a Chudley Cannons T-shirt.
"Wait, I'm here," she said breathlessly.
"Hi, I just called to tell you that I can go out to dinner with you. Just tell me what time and what place and I'll make it happen," Percy said blushing.
"Oh, good. I know this little Indian place. Can we meet at Johan's; it's where I work. Are you familiar with the Artsy part of Diagon Alley?" she asked.
"Oh, kind of, I think I'll be able to find it. What time do you want me there?" Percy asked.
"Would 7:00 be okay?" Merriam asked.
"Sure, I'll see you then Merriam, good night," he hung up before she could say anything. What can you say, he was tired.
"Goodbye Percy," she whispered as his head disappeared from the fire. She climbed the stairs to her bedroom. She nestled under her comforter and went to sleep. Percy trotted down the hall to his bathroom washed his face, and brushed his teeth before going into his bedroom. He got under Egyptian Cotton sheets and went to sleep.
The next morning he went into work. He was surprised when there was knock on his door. "Who the hell is it, I'm busy," he shouted angrily.
"Percy, let me in. I need to talk to you," Ginny said desperately.
"Oh, I'm sorry Ginny. Come in," he apologized. She came in and sat down in front of him. She fidgeted a little before diving in to her dilemma.
"I know you're not happy with Harry and me being together, but you're the only one who'll see reason," Ginny started.
"You're right about me not being happy about you and Harry, however, you might be wrong about me seeing reason," Percy said.
"Percy, I need you to believe that Harry and I are meant to be. Then you need to get everyone else to do the same," she said angrily.
"Ginny, just tell me this, do you think that Harry will respect you?" Percy asked.
"Yes, of course."
"Will he love you and honor you?"
"Yes,"
"Do you want him to be the father of your children?"
"Yes, I do, with all my heart," Ginny answered.
"Fine, I'll see what I can do Gin," Percy sighed.
"Thank you Percy, you don't know how much this means to me. I'll leave you to your work. Oh, and, good luck on your hot date," she said leaving the room.
"How'd you know," Percy asked toward her retreating back. She waved her hand as a reply and he went back to his work. The day seemed to be moving at double time. Before he knew it, it was 6:30. He left the company in the hands of his assistant who was taken aback.
He then apparated to Diagon Alley, and headed toward the art galleries and music shops that were in the East corner. He stopped when he got to Johan's. Merriam was standing in front of a painting. 'Peculiar that they name and art gallery after Johan Sebastian Bach' Percy thought to himself. He went in and watched as Merriam tried to persuade a rich young wizard and his wife to buy the painting. It was of a young woman and her husband at the beach. It was quite lovely, and if they didn't buy it another buyer would defiantly be found.
They shook their heads one more time in resolution and she sighed deeply as the exited the store. She caught sight of Percy and smiled. She walked up to him in the same swaying step that she had used at the park. "Hello, I didn't notice you, I've just got to tell my boss that I'm leaving," she went back behind the counter and yelled to a man in the back room. "Goodbye Mr. Rooney, I'm leaving," she said and went took Percy's arm.
They walked down Diagon Alley a little before Percy said something. "So where is this Indian place?" he asked.
"Oh, it's right down here. Have you ever had Indian food?" Merriam asked, pointing to a tiny little restaurant.
"No, my ex-girlfriend, Penny, really only ate Italian. That and café food," Percy said, wincing at the memory of his and Penny's break up. He had been planning to ask her to marry him. He had taken her out to dinner and before he could ask she blurted out, "Percy, I really don't think this is right. I don't want to go on like this. Let's just break up and call it a pleasant fling," she had then gotten up and left Percy to two dinners and a bill.
A man led them to a booth in the back. "Do you want me to order for you?" Merriam asked when they were sitting down.
"Sure," Percy answered gratefully.
"Okay, do like spicy things?" she asked.
"Sure, I guess," Percy said, he didn't know if he liked spicy things! She ordered for them and they got down to talking.
"So, was this Penny girl serious?"
"Oh, yeah, well I thought it was. She wrote it off as just a fling. We had been going out since our 6th year. We were together for 4 years," Percy answered.
"Oh, I wouldn't know, I've never really been in a relationship. Where did you go to school?" she asked.
"Oh, Hogwarts, you?"
"The Welsh school of Magic and the Arts. It's in Ireland."
"You paint?"
"Yeah, and sing, dance, and play the violin. Do you play and instruments?"
"No, I was never big on that kind of stuff," Percy said blushing.
"Oh, we'll just have to change that won't we," Merriam joked. Percy smiled. Merriam had this bubbly quality. A warmth that went all through her body but could be most easily seen in her bright blue eyes.
A/N- So, input would be nice. I'm sorry about the big paragraph in the last chapter, I wanted to get all that stuff over with.