Percy did not know what to expect when he approached Penelope the following evening with the letters.  If it was none of his business, then it was certainly none of hers.  She had once held that same ideology, something that was no longer true.  So much had changed in a few short years.

But he knew her interest in the matter was deep.  She had asked about the letters before.  If he kept them a secret, it would be a secret that didn't last long.  Sooner or later, she would find out and probably accuse him of further Death-Eater activity.  He had received too much of that from her already.

Besides, he himself was already involved.

Valentine came in several times during the workday.  Dormand once nonchalantly asked her if she had spoken to Winston Morsley and she replied just as imperturbably that she hadn't.  Even Percy was surprised as her coolness. It was as if their discovery hadn't happened.  He still wished it so.

Another time, Dormand wasn't around.  Valentine still didn't say much.

How like her to forget the whole situation when he couldn't, Percy thought miserably.  "Did you even speak to Morsley?"

She flipped a blonde curl from her eyes and stared hard at him.  "No.  Should I have?"

Percy frowned. "Well, it would probably be safe to at least know who is dangerous in this town.  Like you said, Morsley is very close to Dormand."

A broad grin spread over her face.  "John Ignatius!  I'm surprised.  You actually seem intrigued by this whole thing!"

"I doubt 'intrigued' is the right word."

"Well, you at least have some interest."

Interest he really didn't want.  "What about you?  You were so upset about this last night."

She shrugged, the smile not slackening in the least.  "I suppose things always look better in daylight."

"As well as the prospect of confronting Morsley?"  He smiled to see Valentine's grin finally fade.

"I just think. . . I just think that's a task worst done alone," she said after a pause.  "If. . . if he is dangerous.  Not that I think Winston could be anything but harmless, but. . . you know what I mean.  If there are two people, there is a better chance of overpowering him if he does try something."

Percy felt a stab at something inside of him.  Probably his mother.  What would she think if she knew he suggested a lady enter a dangerous situation on her own?  He honestly didn't know the answer; he hadn't seen his mother since he had slammed the door on her face back in London.  He sighed, rubbing at the scar on his.  "You're right," he said more waspishly than he intended. "I'm sorry I said that."

"You don't sound sorry," she replied, her voice a mix of anger and remaining humor from before.  "But at least you agree.  Do you still have the letters?"

He nodded, patting the pocket of his robe. "Actually, I'm going to show them to someone else."

Valentine raised an eyebrow. "Besides Winston?"

"It's own of the Healers," he explained.  "She. . . she was with me when I overheard Dormand talking to Gunnion."

Valentine choked on air, her eyes wide with fury and amazement. "One of those silly little students from St. Mungo's is involved? Why didn't you say anything last night?"

"She's not silly!" Percy shouted.

Surprised, she went silent.  Then she began to laugh. "I think you fancy someone.  I think you fancy this young Healer."

"It's not a crush," he mumbled, his face growing hot.  "She used to. . ."  He was going to say too much.

"Used to what?"  Valentine leaned back against the small, smiling knowingly.  "So our mysterious stranger does have a past.  Fascinating.  Never mind.  We just agreed that both of us would speak to Winston, so it's only fair that both of us confront your girlfriend together."  She shook her head, frizz flying. "Tonight.  I'll be here when you get off, and we'll go to that tavern."

"You too are going to a tavern?"  Winston appeared, a roll of parchment under his arm, eyes wide and focused on Valentine.  "Why?"

Valentine and Percy exchanged fearful looks.

"He's taking me there on a date, Winston," she said dryly.

"You're dating the secretary?" Winston exclaimed, dropping the parchment.

"I'm not dating her!" Percy announced sharply.

Winston glared at him, then his expression turned doubtful. "I hope not.  Besides, why would she date you?  Why would she date anyone?"

Valentine rolled up the parchment and handed it back to him, eyes fixed on his.  "Because there is absolutely no one interesting around." 

"Now?" Percy mouthed when she turned around again.  She glanced back at a very confused Winston, then shrugged.

She was utterly impossible. "Morsley," Percy said. "Miss Munk has something to tell you."

"I do?" Valentine squeaked.

He nodded.

She took a deep breath.  "Winston, when you returned my notes the other day, there were some extra pieces of parchment inside.  Some letters."

"Letters?"  Winston's voice peaked at a curious tone, and his eyes dropped to the floor.

Valentine looked back to Percy.

The letters seemed to burn at his pocket.  He did not want to take them out.  "They're addressed to Mr. Dormand."

"You're reading his mail?"

That was something he thought he would never be accused of.  "They're from a man named Jason Gunnion.  They—"

"Stop," Winston said suddenly.

Percy looked up. "Excuse me?"

"I really don't want to hear any of this."

"Yes, you do!" Valentine snapped. "You know what we're talking about."

The blood drained from his face.  "I do?  How do you know?  I didn't actually read all of them."

"Did you show them to Dormand?"

"He's probably read them.  They were his.  Look, I really don't want to hear this.  Oh, I take back what I said.  They're not his.  It's too easy to fake documents anyway.  Goodbye."  He slammed the door behind him.

Valentine and Percy looked at each other.

"I told you he wasn't dangerous," she said.

Percy stared at the door.  "I'm not so sure."

That night, Valentine and Percy knocked on the door of the tavern.  It was answered by Penelope's friend Pearl.  She actually burst into giggles.

"I'm sorry," she managed to say. "We're in the middle of a class right now.  Very important.  Penelope can't see you."

"Tell her it's important," Valentine said.

Pearl seemed to notice the other woman for the first time, and the giggling stopped.  She looked back at Percy, as if asking for an explanation.  "I'll get her."

"You have a weird habit of always coming here," Penelope said indignantly when she arrived at the door.  "This was an incredibly important lesson, Healer Cortez will kill me. . ."  Her voice broke off when she saw Valentine. "Oh!  Sorry for the rudeness.  I just thought it was him.  You're Valentine Munk."

"Pleased to meet you," Valentine replied, winking at Percy. "I'm sorry I'm not acquainted with you."

"Penelope Clearwater.  I'm. . . an old friend of Per-, John's."  She cleared her throat.  "What have you come to tell me?  I'm sure Healer Cortez would be better suited to hearing it.  Let me get her."

"We wanted to speak with you," Percy said.  He watched her face carefully, looking for any hints of jealousy.

"Me?  With her?  I thought it was a message from Mr. Dormand or something."

"Sort of."  He pulled the letters from his pocket.  "I think you should read these."

"Are these letters you mentioned before?"  She grabbed them from his hand and quickly read them.  She finished with a gasp and looked up.  "And Valentine? You've read them?"

She nodded.  "Exciting, huh?"

"I suppose that's the word.  And you just gave them back to John last night?"

"With my notes.  Mr. Dormand was stalking the room, so. . .  Did he ever even leave?"

"Not till you left," Percy replied. "It was like he was waiting for you."

Penelope bit her lip, her eyes again scanning the letters. "That's strange behavior.  It's almost as if he expected it.  Remember when we heard them talking?  It sounded like he knew you read them.  Or someone had read them."

"Then why hasn't he done anything yet?"

"It would probably cause too much of a stir.  I believe he sincerely trusts you.  He believes you're not involved with the Order."

"And I'm not," Percy said defensively.

"Don't remind me.  He. . ." She glanced behind her. "You two, I don't think we should be talking here.  I'll pretend I'm going to gather plants. Or something."

She went back inside to grab a basket and give an excuse.  She returned, shaking her head. "Asa actually wants me restock some of the herbs.  So we have to."

"I don't know if I can take that time out," Valentine said wistfully.  "I have a, er, meeting with Dormand in about ten minutes. I don't want him anymore suspicious than he already is.  Tell me what your thoughts later.  Penelope, it's nice to know we can trust you."  With another wink at Percy, she disapparated.

"Interesting girl," Penelope said, starting off in the direction of the woods.  "Your new girlfriend?"

"Don't insult me."

She managed a smile.  "I won't.  She didn't seem attracted to you anyway."

Percy darted to catch up with her.  "How could you tell?"

"I. . . I know what to look for."  Percy couldn't be sure in the darkness, but she might have been blushing.

"I didn't realize you were looking."

"Look."  She spun around, nearly hitting him with the basket. "I don't really want to talk about our exterminated relationship right now, Percy.  I want to talk about Dormand."

"I brought you those letters, didn't I?" he replied loudly.  "That's my contribution.  It amazes me you can't appreciate that."

She sighed and resumed marching towards the woods. "I do appreciate it.  It actually amazes me you bothered to do that.  How did it feel, breaking the rules?  And no one even got hurt this time.  Which is more than I can say when you actually follow the rules."

"I wasn't exactly following the rules when I tried to protect my father!"

"If you. . ." She sighed again, and her voice softened. "I'm really sorry I said that.  But really, I'm glad you showed me those letters.  It shows I can trust you on this."

He felt his temper lower.  "You can trust me on more things than you might think.  But why do you even care about this?  You're not in the Order.  You're from a Muggle family.  What does it matter to you?"

"Because it's the right thing, Percy."  They had entered the woods, and her eyes dropped to the ground to search for plants.  "Do you think you could pull your wand out?  It's hard to see. . ."

Grudgingly, Percy took out his wand. "Luminos," he muttered.

"Thanks.  Could you—"  She turned around and screamed. "Percy!"

Immediately something sharp and cold pressed itself against the back of his neck.