Ok, firstly, I just want to give a big thanks to palomino for the reminder! I almost let that completely important detail slip by me (my gosh, has it really been that long since I read the second book?)! Anyway, I'll probably just make her a half-blood because it'll be simpler than rewriting the first chapter. But thank you, because I wouldn't have realized I had to make Penelope's mother a muggle otherwise. Also thanks for your nice review! Very appreciated.

Anyway, here's the second chapter. I hope it's not dragging or anything. Please RandR! And any reminders about certain details are always appreciated! Minded, I will have the Yule Ball (as I said earlier) probably during all their years, even though I know it's really only in GoF. I just need some atmosphere, so I'm entitling myself to some dramatic license! LOL! Anyway, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own the Harry Potter series or anything (how awesome would it be if I did, though? And I was J.K. Rowling...I'd be rich! More importantly, I'd actually know what was going to happen in books 6 and 7! How cool would that be? LOL!)

The next Monday, Penelope sat in her Potions class, as Professor Snape collected the potions they made for grading and finished up his lesson, making sure to slip in his typical insults toward the class now and then. Penelope felt her leg begin to shake as she tapped her quill on the side of her desk in anticipation. Was he going to hand there assignments back today? Did she want her essay back today?

She glanced over at Percy. For a moment, she was sure he had been looking at her, but he was looking down at his desk, seemingly writing something, although the tips of his ears were faintly pink. He didn't in the slightest bit look nervous about receiving his grade. Probably because he knows he did fantastic, Penelope thought, he doesn't have to worry about getting Es or anything. She began biting her lower lip as the class began winding to an end. Maybe Professor Snape wouldn't hand back their assignments after all. After wanting to get it back so bad, Penelope felt herself hoping that such would not be the case.

Yet, suddenly, Professor Snape said, "…Now, as for your most recent homework assignments on the Pinnle-Poppin feathers, I suppose it is fortunate that you all took much longer than necessary to work with your potions today, because I was able to finish grading them all instead of wasting any of my precious time on it outside of the classroom. As for your essays, your work, on a whole, was adequate - barely adequate. I expect to see much better in the future. You seem to forget that I'm the one who is forced to read through all of this drivel, unless of course, you take pleasure in torturing me with your inaccurate information, missing details, and incoherent thought process. In any event…" Professor Snape sighed, but his mouth curled into a small, sinister smirk as he began to hand back the student's their parchment, a glistening delight in his beady eyes as they all looked very disappointed by their marks.

However, when he reached Percy, the smirk faded and his mouth grew very tight and thin. He was clenching on to the parchment, causing it to crumple quite a bit. It looked as if it was taking all of Professor Snape's strength to will himself to hand back Percy's essay, placing it on the desk in front of him. Upon seeing the grade, Percy sat tall in his seat and a large, cocky grin spread across his face. From out of the corner of his mouth, Professor Snape managed to say, "Well, Mr. Weasley, be smug if you like. We'll see how long you can keep this up. I just might devise a special assignment for you…" Percy appeared rather unaffected by the threat as Professor Snape turned to leave him, making sure to add rather loudly, "Oh, and Mr. Weasley? Perhaps you can give your siblings some advice. You seemed to have discovered some new, special way of cheating that I've been unable to determine just yet. Then again, I always knew you were, of course, the cleverest of all the Weasley's here at Hogwarts."

The smile on Percy's face disappeared as the small smirk returned to Professor Snape's face. Growing very rigid, Percy quickly began to state incredulously, "Professor Snape, I do not chea-"

Professor Snape, however, rudely ignored him, interrupting him as he continued to hand back parchments. "Mr. Wood, a P is hardly an acceptable grade. Perhaps we'll have to arrange for a little less Quidditch practice and a little more Potion studying…"

Penelope sat at her desk, staring at the highly offended Percy as Professor Snape continued to return the homework. Of course, everybody knew Percy Weasley, strict abbider and protector of the rules, would never cheat, but Percy's pride was not one use to such attacks on his character. So, still looking rather stiff, he stared straight ahead with gritted teeth and fierce eyes. As she looked at him with sympathetic eyes, she could feel herself growing angry for him. How could Professor Snape accuse Percy of cheating when all he did was do more work to earn his grade? Yet, Penelope's anger quickly melted away to apprehension as she saw Professor Snape hovering over her with her essay in his hands. She quickly face front to face him.

"Miss Clearwater…" Professor Snape placed her parchment on her desk, having some difficulty handing hers back as well. On it was an "O," written in bright red ink. Her heart skipped a beat as she read it, as relief and excitement began to swell within her. She began to beam. However, Professor Snape was quick to sever her moment of accomplishment. "Interesting how you and Mr. Weasley are the only two students in this class who knew that mixing Pinnple-Poppin Feathers and Mandrakes was an old method for creating healing potions." His eyes glared at her very suspiciously. Then, abruptly, he averted them and turned to the class, "In any case…do not forget to do your essay on Polyjuice Potions. Class dismissed."

Penelope, as did the rest of the class, rose from her seat, gathered her belongings and left the classroom, emerging up the stairs to the brighter halls of Hogwarts. On any other occasion, she would have been rather upset by Professor Snape's implications, but she was too consumed with her joy at finally get an O in Potions. After all her work, she had did it. She looked down at the essay, smiling to herself as she stared at the jaggedly written O. Wouldn't her parents be pleased? She'd have to write to them, giving them another reason as to why they should invest in buying her A History of Potions and Their Uses Today, which they were still undecided on. This is really fantastic, she thought, an O! And I never would've gotten it if it wasn't for…

"Percy!" She suddenly called out, spotting him several feet in front of her. He was walking very stately, his chin held slightly up while his eyes still seemed to be fuming from the disrespect Professor Snape had just give him. His books were tucked under his arm and his robes were a bit bigger than they should have been for his thin, tall stature. Upon hearing his name, he turned around, intelligent eyes eventually landing on her. Penelope almost laughed in spite of herself, for she could not determine which was brighter; the shine on his prefect badge or his flaming orange hair.

She ran over to him, feeling strangely excited to see him and, for some reason, she couldn't seem to stop smiling. "Hey, Percy."

"Oh, Penelope!" His ostentatious composure seemed to give way an awkward one as he looked down at her. "Why, uh, hello."

"I just wanted to thank you. For helping me that is. I got an O!" She held up the parchment to show it to him. Percy smiled, somewhat relieved but mostly happily.

"Well, I told you you would, didn't I?" he told her.

"Yes, but I wouldn't have without you. So, thank you. I'm just so happy now. I've been working so hard in Potions. I mean, I thought I'd never get an O! I can't wait to write to my parents and tell them the news. They'll be so happy. Maybe it'll convince them to get me a copy of that potions book or yours, too! Wouldn't that be nice? Then you wouldn't need to help me anymore. Not that I mind you helping me! I like your help. I just meant - Oh, I'm sorry!" Penelope suddenly interrupted herself, blushing a bit at the realization that she had been going on nervously talking for quite awhile. "I'm rambling. I didn't mean to. You probably have something else you need to be doing now, anyway..." She trailed off, feeling both boring and silly all at once.

"Oh, it's all right. Really, it is. I don't have anything to do ever." Percy, however, assured her quickly, and his ears immediately grew pink. "I mean, I don't have anything to do now."

Penelope giggled. "Oh, ok…uh…" She was lost, completely forgetting what she had just been talking about. Her heart began to beat more rapidly and she felt her face grow hot in embarrassment. She stuttered a little while longer, "Well, I…uh…what was I saying, again? I forget!" She now laughed nervously, anxiously wringing her hands and feeling stupid. "Well, I guess I just wanted to thank you. That's all, really. Oh, also, I really think it was terrible of Professor Snape to say what he did."

Percy's eyes grew serious as he cleared his throat. "Yes, well, he is absolutely preposterous. To even suggest that I would cheat - well!" Percy had grown fairly huffy as he went on. "I'm appalled! And, mind you, I usually stand by the good old-fashioned saying that teachers are always right, but this time! Well, he was just wrong! I research all my assignments very thoroughly which I'm supposed to do. Just because I take the effort to use various sources from the library as well as my own collection and not just our textbook does not mean I cheated. It takes a lot of nerve - well!" Percy inhaled deeply, as if to calm himself down a bit. He lowered his gaze to her, and his entire face, not just ears, immediately turned beat red as Penelope looked up at him.

"I agree," she stated firmly. "Absolutley agree. I really think its quite commendable that you put such effort into your schoolwork." At this, she grew red as well at her lame compliment.

"You do?" Percy questioned, a little shock in his voice but ultimately pleased. He then straightened himself up, "Why, thank you, Penelope. That's nice of you to say."

They were quiet for awhile, neither knowing what to say. Finally, Penelope spoke up. "Well, that's all, I suppose. Thanks, again. I really appreciate it. Oh yeah, if you need help with anything - which is stupid, because you're so smart and everything - but if you do, ask me, okay? I'd really love to help you out if I can."

"All right."

"Well, goodbye, Percy."

"Oh! Uh, bye, Penelope..." He gave a clumsy little wave and she smiled wider before walking away, still unwilling to stop grinning. She had really liked talking with Percy, even if she had made a complete fool of herself. Stammering and rambling and saying completely boring and stupid things; how could she make herself look so stupid? She began to frown. And then to ask if he'd want her to help him out in school? What was she thinking? He'd never need her help in anything.

"Charms!" Percy's voice suddenly rang out through the hall, calling after her.

Penelope felt her heart skip a beat. She turned to him, confused. "Charms?" she questioned. She knew Percy was good at Charms - Professor Flitwick was always using his work as an example in her class - but she had no idea why he was calling it out to her in the hall.

"I mean - " Percy hesitated, shifting nervously where he stood. "Care of Magical Creatures. I need help - in Care of Magical Creatures." He said, voice wavering a bit.

Penelope stared at him, still perplexed. Then, she blinked in realization and grinned. "Oh! Yeah, sure. I can help you in Care of Magical Creatures. That's my favorite subject!:

" I know-" Percy began, but cleared his throat most rapidly and corrected himself " I mean, I'm not that good at it, that is…you're better, so I thought it'd work out nicely, won't it?"

"I doubt that I'm better…but I'd still love to help if you think you need it."

"I do!" Percy asserted.

"Okay. How about we start tomorrow? At lunch in the library?" Percy nodded enthusiastically in agreement. Penelope grin widened as she let out a laugh. "Well, okay. I'll see you then."

"Yes, okay." Percy replied, giving her the same clumsy wave as before. She giggled and turned around again, continuing down the hall with a light step and humming to herself merrily, smiling all the while.



Percy's Journal

October 31 - 5th year

Well! We sure did have quite a bit of trouble today. Of course, I was there to handle everything and instill order and stability. Today, it being Halloween, we had our annual Halloween Feast in the Great Hall. It was proceeding as normal until Professor Quirrell came barging into the hall yelling "Troll! Troll in the dungeon!" Of course, the students reacted with much fear and panic, and, although I respect Professor Quirell as my teacher and such, I just can't help but comment on his lack of control this evening. I would have hoped he would have been a little more calm instead of causing such a frenzy among the student body. Fortunately, the prefects remained level-headed during the whole incident, and I and the other Gryffindor prefects successfully escorted the rest of the Gryffindor students back to the common room without seeing anyone get hurt.

Well, almost successfully. I suppose I must say that we did allow a few to stray, namely my little brother, Ron and his friends Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, I believe. What could they have been thinking? Risking their lives like that and, what's worse, jeopardizing my position as Gryffindor prefect and future as Head Boy of Hogwarts! The whole ordeal was quite upsetting for me. Don't worry though; I was quite certain to write to mom at once, informing her of Ron's irresponsibility. Of course, Professor McGonagall, or even Professor Dumbledore, for that matter, probably wrote. Still, just to enforce the consequences Ron's behavior could have on my future, well, I thought it best that I write my own letter. Naturally, Ron denies its his fault - something about how Hermione went off to face the troll is the story - but that doesn't change the fact that he and Harry (and mind you, I don't care if he's the "boy-who-lived" or not, thank you very much) blatantly broke the rules, whether they were helping out Hermione or not. If they wanted to handle the situation properly, they would have contacted a prefect, who would have had a much better chance at solving the problem (Granted, they did defeat the troll, but that's beside the point). Unfortunately, my brother rarely uses his head for anything. What's more, he rarely ever thinks about how his dim-witted behavior will affect me and my aspirations.

Anyway, in other news, I guess I should mention that Penelope has been tutoring me in Care of Magical Creatures for more than a week now. Even though my pride does feel rather wounded by this (I mean, it's not that I actually need help in the class or anything of that sort), I do find our study sessions to be quite rewarding and very enjoyable. It's actually nice to be studying with someone else for a change, I suppose, because I usually find myself as the only one who wants to in my entire year. And Penelope really is just so energetic about it! Her whole face lights up when she's talking about porlocks - or when she was teaching me about unicorns last Friday. I swear, she went on for at least an hour, but I didn't get bored once. Now, although I do find anything educational to be entertaining, I must admit, Magical Creatures has never been my favorite subject in the slightest (bizarre creatures have never really been my cup of tea). Yet, I have so much fun when I'm studying it with her. I've even taken out some extra reading on the subject from the library. She just inspires me to want to even learn more (if that's even possible). It's really quite extraordinary. We've been meeting a lot lately, too. Everyday, in fact. Sometimes even more than once a day! Either we'll study in the library or in the Great Hall (which is rather awkward, because we're really supposed to stay at our own tables, you know) or outside on the grass (although it is beginning to get a bit nippy out).

However, I was thinking that, while I am finding our time studying together quite pleasurable, perhaps, well, Penelope would like go see the Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherian next Saturday (November 9, I believe). Of course, it wouldn't be anything serious; just something relaxing we could do together. Maybe we could even bring our books and work on some homework! That'd be great fun, don't you think? And it's not like I'm asking her on a date or anything, right? No, that would be silly! I'm just seeing if she would like to accompany me, as civilized people do, to a social gathering. Nothing wrong with that.

Perhaps I am being foolish. Childish in fact. Like Ron. In the name of Merlin, what's happening to me? I'm actually thinking about these things? Asking a girl to -Quidditch matches? I don't even know if she likes Quidditch! And how strange will it look; a Gryffindor sitting with a Ravenclaw during a Quidditch match! That's practically unheard of! Moreover, I'm wasting valuable time and straying off my educational course. What happened to the days when these pages used to be filled with important talk about my school work and studies and goals and such? Now I'm writing about girls? Girls! How absolutely juvenile! Is that my main objective in life? Of course not! Becoming a prestigious wizard in the wizarding community is!

Still, I really would like Penelope to go with me to see the Quidditch match. And, I do have a plan of attack, if you can call it that. You see, I've been thinking about this for quite a few days now (not dwelling on it, mind you. Just casually thinking about it), and I've actually devised myself a subtle method of asking her. If all goes well, it should work out. Well, it definitely won't be as disastrous as my first attempt to talk with her (although, in all actuality, that didn't turn out too badly considering). So, it can't hurt to try, now can it? After all, I have been rather successful with everything else thus far in my life. Why should this be any different? And it's not like I've forgotten about schoolwork or my responsibilities as prefect. Heaven forbid! In fact, all I do with Penelope is study or do homework or carry out my prefect duties! I'm just getting myself all riled up for nothing.

Well, I suppose that's it really. Until next time.