Chapter Two

*~*

First thing in the morning, I had to be down in a hearing for a man who set a flesh-eating couch on his ex-girlfriend because she wouldn't let him have the couch. He's on probation now. I did get a howler from Mum... She was going on about how I never visit anymore. I did wish I could see how everyone was doing, but I didn't want to leave Oliver at home for as long as Mum would keep me at the Burrow. I was the one who cooked, cleaned, and did laundry. I would come home to find Oliver dead of starvation and the flat would be a pig-pen.

When I left for my lunch hour, something I usually didn't do unless I was very stressed out, I didn't know where to go. I thought for a moment and then apparated to the flat. When I got there, Oliver was there.

"You actually leave for lunch?" He asked, standing from the couch.

"Today I did. It's entirely stressful. I had to go to a hearing this morning and as soon as I got back from that, they have me re-doing half of my report of the Cauldron case..." He was behind me now, rubbing my shoulders lightly.

"They overwork you. You really should go visit your parents. I'm sure if you asked for a personal holiday, they'd give you one. You've got so much overtime, they might as well give you a year off." He said, and I sighed.

"I can't leave you here. Not only am I worried about coming back to a pig-pen, but I...." I trailed off. I think, now, that the real reason that I didn't want to leave is because I don't know who he might have over while I'm gone.

"Percy Weasley, you need time off. If you won't go see your parents because you think that I'm going to find someone else--" he read my mind, "--Then I'll go with you. I'm sure your mother wouldn't mind. With everyone else off at school, I'm sure the house is rather quiet." He said.

"I don't think we'd last that long. The walls seem to be able to listen in that house... We'd have to 'just-be-friends' for probably a week or so." I said. I didn't want him to go... My mother was too observant of her surroundings. She'd see right through us.

"We can make it work." He said. I couldn't believe he was serious.

"Maybe when I'm not so busy.." I replied.

"Percy, when are you not busy?" He asked.

"My point exactly." And that was the clue that the conversation was over. I walked into the kitchen and made myself a quick lunch. "Want something?" I asked. "No, thanks though." He said. I walked back into the living area and sat on the couch next to him. "Are you that disappointed that we aren't spending a week at my parents?" I asked.

"No... it's just... Well..." He said, and I knew what was coming. We'd had this discussion a score of times. "I wish we could be open about our relationship, even though I know what it could do to out careers."

"So do I, Oliver." I said, placing my dish on the small table. "I just don't think anyone would take it well. You're an incredible Quidditch player. Your family expects you to marry some beautiful girl and give them grandchildren. They don't expect you to be with me, quite unable to have children. My parents... Well... They expected me to marry Penny. They don't exactly need me to give them grandchildren, since there are six others who most definately can." I explained.

He nodded. I looked at my watch. "I'm going to be late getting back." I leaned over and kissed him lightly. "I'll see you tonight, then." I stood and walked over to the door, where I apparated back to the office.

*~*


I was sitting in my desk when the door opened and in walked Lucius Malfoy. He walked over to my desk. "You don't belong on this level, Mr. Malfoy." I said, watching him closely.

"There, there Weasley, no need to be rude. I just wanted to visit for a few moments. How is everything?" There was something in the tone of his voice that made me uneasy.

"I'm busy, Mr. Malfoy. Unless there's something you really need, could you please leave?" I asked.

"Tut tut tut, Weasley. Wouldn't want me going out and telling everyone what I know, would you?" He asked, a sinister smile on his face.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, putting down my quill and watching him even closer.

"Why, about you and Mr. Wood, of course. What else would I have to tell?"

I froze in my seat. He couldn't know... He was just guessing. He had to be.

"Ah, Weasley... I see I've struck gold." He leaned closer to my desk, "You tell your father that it's no use fighting the fire. If he doesn't stop, you and Loverboy may be in some trouble."

I swallowed hard, "How do you know?" I asked, shakily.

"I was asked by the Minister to drop some papers by your home while you were away for lunch. I went by, and what else should I see, but you and the great Oliver Wood kissing on your sofa. Good day, Weasley." He walked out after slapping an envelope of papers down on my desk.

*~*

When I left work, I asked for a vacation. The Minister nodded, and said he'd been thinking I should take one. "How long will you be gone?" He asked, not looking up from his desk.

"I don't know. Roughly a week, maybe a week and a half." I said. He nodded, and I left.

As soon as I walked in, Oliver looked panicked. "Percy, Lucius Malfoy was here... He's threatening to--" I cut him off. "I know." I said. "What are we going to do? Skip town? Change our names and hair colour?" He asked, somewhat calmer since I already knew.

I slumped down onto the sofa. "I don't know what to do. I took that vacation... We can go stay with my parents. I've just got to send Mum an owl." I said, he sat down next to me and I leaned my head against his shoulder. "As long as we're happy together," he said, "I don't think it would matter to my family what Malfoy says to anyone. And I know your family, I don't think they'd freak out."

I knew almost for a fact that my mother would be ashamed of me. I, Percy Weasley, was one of her favorite sons, if not the favorite. I graduated as Head Boy of Hogwarts with the record grades. She would be ashamed of me.