Author's Note: I hope I still have fans out there, as I'm being extremely annoying with my lack of updates. Once again, I blame school and the bitch that is homework gnawing on my mind. Pre-Calculus, Physics and Essay Fundamentals are hurting my brain, enabling me from thinking logically about plot ideas. Thanks for being patient with me, though.
:*: 9 – Letters Printed With Permission :*:
December 29
Percy –
I was thinking about all the… things that have gone in my life lately. Mainly my disownment from the family due to my fiancés pregnancy. Thinking about such, I began thinking about all the things you said (rather, yelled) at me and I have come to a conclusion. It was a very hard conclusion to come to, but one that I realize I must do. I want my child to have a family and as much as it pains me to say, I need your help.
Stop smirking. I know you're smirking. You've probably got that 'higher-than-thou' look going. I hate that look.
So will you help me?
- Fred
December 29
Fred,
First off, I was not smirking. At least, not in the 'higher-than-thou' look. I was simply smiling because you have finally woken up to what's going on around you.
As such, I congratulate you on completing your first task in becoming an adult. Or at least, an adult in Mum and Dad's eyes. We Weasley's are a stubborn bunch. Yes, I am including myself on that, I'll admit. For you to be the one to take the initiative in breaching the gap is a very mature thing indeed.
Would you care for a one-on-one or a post lesson?
Percy
January 1
Fred –
Thanks for hosting that smashing New Years party. I really hit it off with the girl from Hermione's work. We had a… very nice breakfast if you catch my drift.
Okay, you twisted my arm. We had sex!
Thanks again.
- Ron
January 1
Ron,
I do not need to know your sexual escapades. I have to deal with Hermione being sick. I myself don't need to be in a constant state of nausea due to your disgusting triumph. I will, however, pass this information onto Hermione. I'm sure she will be delighted.
- Fred
January 3
Percy,
Sorry I couldn't respond sooner. Lots of baby stuff to do, you know. We can try to get together some time to do a face to face lesson thing, but for the most part I would like this to a post correspondence. I don't think I could stand being with you in person while you try and teach me how to be "proper."
Speaking of proper, this has been bothering me. What did Caitlin whisper to you during the party? If the color of your ears were any indication, it was most certainly not proper.
- Fred
January 3
Fred,
Should you really want to take this "proper" adult thing seriously, you must address missed contacts as soon as time permits. Reply to calls, posts, whatever within a two day time frame unless you are on vacation or something. Just any indication that you received the message will suffice.
I will be more than happy to write up my lessons for you. As long as you don't publish any of them in your bleeding newspaper column… without my permission.
- Percy
January 4
Percy –
Was this quick enough for you?
- Fred
January 4
Fred,
If you are not going to take this seriously, do not waste my time.
- Percy
January 6
Fred,
Mum is really hurting. She's sent me letter after letter and they are starting to get on my nerves. The first one will be full of anger and spite towards you, her fourth born. Then she'll send another to me saying how amazing you are and how sorry she is for what she said. What did she say? I feel extremely out of the loop here in Romania.
Also, what's going on with the Wedding? I haven't received a post from you since you let me know the date and told me to be up a week beforehand to do rehearsals. Is everything going to plan?
Hope to hear from you soon,
- Charlie
January 7
Percy,
I am taking this seriously. Maybe you need to remove the large, splintery stick from your ass and learn to take a joke?
- Fred
P.S.: You still haven't told me what Caitlin said.
January 6
Fred,
What Caitlin said is really none of your business.
- Percy
January 6
Percy,
Why? Was it naughty?
- Fred
January 7
Charlie,
You mean, after all the letters Mum has sent to you, she never once said what was going on? That's a bit… odd, actually. I'm surprised I haven't received any Howlers from her. But hey, if you want to be in the loop, I'll loop you. Prepare, for you haven't a clue what's in store.
Hermione is pregnant.
Needless to say, that is the main issue that is hurting Mum at the moment. She just overreacted. I'll admit that what I said was not the right way and voice to say it in, but the message was and is not regretted. Basically, I told her that I was sick of her treating me like a child, that Hermione and I were keeping the child and that I didn't give a damn as to what she thought of it. Then Percy got mad at me because I spilled the beans about how he almost got Penelope pregnant in his seventh year. Percy's talking to me again, though.
Wedding is still on. See you then.
- Fred
January 8
Percy,
That Howler was most definitely not appreciated. But okay, point was made. Let the lessons begin.
- Fred
January 9
Fred,
This isn't a quick fix sort of situation. This won't be fully achieved by the end of our correspondence. To become more adult in speak and personality is a trait that took me years to do. Being in only my twenties, I still have yet to become as mature as I can. It's a lifelong process and you have to be completely dedicated to it. Assuming you're thinking, 'I am dedicated,' then I shall proceed.
Lesson the first: Speak
For examples sake, I'll use you talking to Mum as the prime example. When you speak to her, you're going to have to not laugh and ignore what she says. For your information, she is quite aware of the eye-rolling that you think is so sly.
To give you advice on what you'll say to Mum when you and she have your first conversation as an mature, reasonable adult, I suggest starting with,
"Before we say anything, I want you to know that I do not hold against you what you said to me. You are my mother and, while your thoughts did not agree with mine, I respect them."
Of course, that may be a bit too formal for you. You might want to change it to where you feel more comfortable speaking it. Just make sure you say early on in the conversation that you don't hate her.
- Percy
P.S.: The Howler was necessary. You're being a prat.
January 10
Percy,
I was born a prat. But thank you for your concern. As for the lesson, does mum really think I hate her? Did I say that I hated her? Because I was pissed off, make no mistake, but I could never hate her.
- Fred
January 12
Fred,
Maybe you should tell Mum that.
- Percy
January 14
Fred,
Hermione's pregnant? You had a monstrous row with Mum because of this and I'm just finding out about this now? Am I not part of the family anymore? I owled Bill about it. Apparently he knew, though he was always Mum's favorite. So what's going to happen? You should really talk to Mum and Dad about it. When I told them I wanted to move and study dragons, we got into it with each other.
Also, what's this about Percy and Penelope's pregnancy scare? Come on, Fred, you have to keep me in the loop because apparently, no one else is.
- Charlie
January 14
Caitlin
Happy Birthday! Hope Percy doesn't buy you something stupid for your birthday, like a Fil-o-fax or day planner. Have a good one.
- Fred
January 16
Fred
Thanks for the birthday wishes! I had a great one. Percy actually tried to cook me a non-magical dinner. After the flames subsided, we order Chinese take-out which was delicious. He also got me a pair of garnet earrings which are very pretty. He promised to take me out dancing one night, but as he hates dancing I am not holding my breath on the situation.
I'm glad you sent me a post. It's been ages since we last had a chance to talk. Also, I have something to ask you. Have you noticed anything off about Percy's behavior recently? He seems a little nervous and, er… twitchy around me lately. I'm starting to get break-up feelings and I'm a little scared. I really do like your brother and, not to sound pleading and desperate, but could you maybe find out if he's mad at me or something. I want things to work out so… yeah. I just know that your having weekly luncheons with him.
Thanks again!
- Caitlin
January 15
Fred,
I forgot to tell you something earlier today when we had lunch. When you are listening to what people are saying, make sure to ask questions. If you ask information specific questions, that will make you seem like you are actually listening to what the person has to say.
- Percy
January 16
Charlie,
Sorry, mate. Thought you knew about all of this madness. Oh well. I pretty much told you everything that happened, just omitted the screaming argument word for word. I'm currently taking "Maturity Courses" from the most, ahem, mature member of the Weasley brood. That's right, Percy. Hope your well and do try not to get burned by your dragons. Maybe you should try writing letters when you're not around dragons? I've noticed the papers you write on are getting more and more singed each day.
- Fred
January 16
Percy,
Thanks for that. Hey, I forgot to ask you. How are things going with Caitlin? You don't really seem to talk about her much anymore.
- Fred
January 17
Fred,
I'm missing you terribly. Why I let my parents talk me to Paris for a week is beyond me. All I keep thinking about is all the things I have to plan when I get back. You are aware that our wedding is less than three months away, correct? I still need to search for dresses and all of that. Oh, maybe I should just come home…
My morning sickness has subsided, which has made France a lot more fun than it was. I went to the Eiffel Tower earlier today and I kept seeing all of these couples completely in love (or should I say, en amour) with one another and I started crying. Mum had to take me back to the hotel. I miss you so much… I think it's quite obvious that my hormones are still fluctuating.
Have you talked to Percy lately? I still think it's a wonderful idea for you to talk to him about your problems. I know he can be a bit frustrating at times, but he means well. And after the fact that you revealed a secret of his to your parents, the fact that he's still talking to you is amazing.
I'll see you in five days!
Love,
Hermione
January 18
George,
How are you? It's slightly depressing with you being in Italy so much with Miranda. I hardly ever get to see you and all the times I have seen you recently we've been trying on wedding suits (not fun) and having problematic dinners (slightly more fun).
Have I told you about my maturity lessons with Percy? Yeah, I know. I'm actually sitting down to lunch with him once a week and he's telling me on how to act when I'm around Mum. It's a little insane.
Hey, I know! Why don't you get Miranda pregnant? I mean, if you do something to screw up your life entirely, maybe Mum will forget about my misfortunes and focus on yours. Think about it.
- Fred
January 22
Caitlin,
Talked to Percy today. Trust me, he is most definetly not breaking up with you. He is completely in love with you.
- Fred
January 22
Percy,
Could you maybe tell Mum you're news? Maybe it would cut some slack off of the anger or sadness she's holding on me?
- Fred
January 23
Fred,
I am not even going to dignify that suggestion with an answer. Have you learned nothing from our lunches?
- Percy
January 23
Hermione,
You come home tomorrow and I am counting the hours. Until then.
- Fred
January 25
Fred,
I am not impregnating my girlfriend just to lessen Mum's anger towards you. I am not dumb enough to invoke her wrath. At least, not about this I'm not.
Things are fine here in Italy. It's a little cold, but what do you expect in winter? I actually met Miranda's parents a little while ago. It's a little amazing I hadn't met them yet, but they seemed like nice people. I tried speaking Italian to them but when I accidentally said, "Your daughters breast are most delectable" I stopped. I was trying to compliment the cooking, honest! Anyways, Miranda translated the entire night with her parents speaking in fractured English. It was an enjoyable night.
I also found out that Miranda has six older brothers. Sound like a family we know? Am now hoping they are not as protective of Miranda as we were to Ginny. I'm going to owl Ginny to apologize after I'm done writing this to you.
Did you know you have less than three months until you are not a single man anymore? I am seeing sparkly g-strings with dollar bills in them, if you catch my drift.
- George
January 27
To all of our friends and family,
We are sending this message out in bulk because we are trying to not waste as much time. When you get this, we will already have been married. This was not Percy's suggestion. After he proposed, Caitlin wanted to hitch immediately. Percy reluctantly agreed, but is entirely happy at the prospect of being a married man. As such, we are inviting everyone to a party on February 6 (after our Greek honeymoon) in the Enchanted Gardens Ballroom where we will have a formal celebration of our vows. Please, do not be angry with us. This just seemed to be the easiest way, considering the tidings in some families. Hope to see you all there.
- Mr. and Mrs. Percy and Caitlin Weasley
January 28
Mum,
I would very much like to get together sometime before Percy's party to clear the air between us. I have a few things to say and it would mean a lot to me if I could say them directly to you. Please, let me know.
Your son,
Fred
January 28
Fred,
How about dinner tomorrow night? Be here at around seven.
- Mum
January 29
Bill, Charlie, Percy, George, Ron, and Ginny,
I'm going in for my talk with Mum in two days. Wish me luck.
- Fred
January 31
Fred,
Good luck!
- Bill
January 31
Fred,
Good luck!
- Charlie
January 31
Fred,
Good luck!
- Percy and Caitlin Weasley
January 31
Fred,
Good luck!
- George and Miranda
January 31
Fred,
Good luck!
- Ron
January 31
Fred,
Good luck!
- Ginny and Harry
Author's Note: I know exactly where I'm going with chapter ten. It will be the Weasley Confrontation and Percy and Caitlin's party. It should be very fun with all the Weasley's meeting Caitlin's family for the first time. There will be a strong focus between Hermione and Fred's rush into life. Let's just say Hermione and Fred haven't been as happy as they seemed to be. I'm hoping to crack it out in less than two weeks. I'll really try. Thanks again for being so exceedingly patient with me. I know you all have or are attending school, so you can understand the burden.