A/N: Happy November! Thank you all for your reviews and comments. They make this fun and give me great incentive. I am always happy to hear of others who don't think Percy is a complete jerk. I want to say a special thank you to Shmi who continues to offer support and great feedback. I haven't said this in a few chapters, but you guys know this is all the genius of JKR…Next month - Christmas in time for Christmas!
Chapter 7 - Nests
Penelope bundled in sweats for her evening jog through the park and along the river. She took an unnoticed path into the woods and stopped at their designated meeting place, leaning against a tree to catch her breath. Where was he? It was not like Percy to be late. Above her she heard a flapping of wings and she looked up to see a mass of dark birds take to the air. With a thump, Percy fell out of the sky behind her.
"Where do I keep my Head Boy badge?"
"Merlin, you scared me. I have your Head Boy badge. What kind of shampoo is in my shower right now?"
"Mmm..some kind of tropical island stuff."
"Fair enough. Percy Weasley, were you in the tree?"
"Well…yes," he said with a small grin as he adjusted his crooked glasses. "Look up."
She looked again and this time saw a small platform sitting across a branch.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Call it what you want, a tree house, a perch, a lookout…a nest," he whispered as he wrapped his arms around her waist.
Penelope held him back with a skeptical look, "A nest? You're not suggesting I'm going to go up in that tree with you?"
Percy nodded.
"Will I ever figure you out?"
"That's a very good question."
"How do you get up there?"
"Well, you could climb, or you could fly, or you could apparate."
She gave him a mock push but her concern was real.
"I've never apparated up a tree. What if I fall?"
Percy turned serious, "I would never, ever let you fall. If you don't like it we'll come right back down. But I think you will like it if you'll give it a chance. Do you want to apparate together?"
Penelope nodded and looked up.
"Look at me, Pen. Here we go."
They were so high. Around her bare branches and twigs formed a lacy curtain. A few last leaves fluttered past as a cold November wind stung her cheeks and hands. Percy sank with his back against the trunk, pulling her down in front of him and wrapping his arms securely around her. She leaned back into his warmth and starred out into the darkening sky.
"How long do we have?"
"Not long. I have work to do tonight."
"What kind of work?"
He pulled his wool cloak around her. "Are you cold?"
"You didn't answer my question."
"I know."
She sighed and rested her head against his cheek. The tree rocked slightly in the wind and the soft scratching of the branches was a constant music.
"Percy?"
"Mm hm."
She hesitated then whispered, "Are you ever afraid?"
He turned to place his lips against her temple. "Every day," he said softly.
"Do you ever wish we could just fly away?"
"Sometimes. But then I remember that if I did that, I would not be worthy of you. Pen, this is our world. It's not perfect, but we have to try to make it better."
"You are my world. I don't care where we are, as long as we're together."
The night seeped in around them turning the branches black against dark blue. Night was sweeter than the day and they sat in silence as the sounds crescendoed around them while the moon rose full and ripe. Here, nestled in a tree and shielded by the dark, she felt very safe.
Hermes and a grey owl soared in and landed with a single flap on a nearby branch. Percy squeezed her tight. "You have to go now."
"Already?"
"Yes."
Penelope groaned and he smiled back at her, "You need to go home. You have a big day tomorrow."
A fire lit behind her eyes. "You haven't forgotten? You're coming to help? You know they'll be here after lunch."
Percy chuckled, "Such a fuss over one little wizard baby."
"You promise you'll be there tomorrow at 1:00?" she asked, leaning into him one last time.
"I promise."
"And Percy," she paused and turned his eyes toward hers, "whatever you're doing tonight, do you promise to be careful?"
He answered her with a kiss. He tried to tell her. He hoped she knew. Her faith in him was everything.
****
Once he was sure she was safely gone, he turned to Hermes and the other owl. The grey owl extended its leg and Percy unhooked its Ministry of Magic letter pouch, removing the letter within.
"Fudge to Malfoy. Perfect."
He retied the pouch more loosely and then with a whir and a flap, it was done. Sirius and Remus had been quite right. It had come quickly and naturally since that night. He ducked his head to try and place the letter bag around his neck and felt Hermes' beak straighten it for him.
"Thanks mate."
"Your welcome, wizard."
Of all the strange things about transforming into a bird (having the world become suddenly huge, feeling more comfortable in the air than on the ground, not to mention looking down at your feet and seeing claws) the strangest was having a real conversation with your pet. He wasn't exactly sure how they spoke. They just did. He had a feeling that they were thinking at each other, though he couldn't be sure.
"And thanks to your friend there. He won't get into trouble will he?"
"No," Hermes answered. "He's going to fly around for the night. He has a cousin in Oxford he's wanting to visit. We'll meet him back here at sunrise."
"Awful sporting of you," Percy said to the Ministry Owl.
"Glad to do it," the grey owl answered. "Everyone's furious, you know. Afraid of getting their wings broken. Dangerous times." He nodded, spread his wings and rose out of the branches and away.
"Alright," Hermes said. "Two hour flight to Malfoy Manor. Are you ready?"
"Absolutely."
Hermes dove from the tree and Percy followed. It was a comfortable feeling, like swimming only much easier. Still, there was something lonely about heading into the unknown sky. The lights of London gave way to clusters of lights in the suburban neighborhoods and then to the hills and valleys of the south. If he had not been nervous about what lay ahead, he would have just enjoyed the wild beauty beneath him. The full moon shown with a giant ring and he thought he could smell a salty breeze against his feathers.
"It's going to rain, wizard," Hermes called.
"How soon?"
"About 3 or 4 hours. It's rolling in from the sea. We'll have a wet flight home."
It was another hour before they reached the temple at Stonehenge. Percy had heard once that even muggles could see parts of it. The Malfoy Mansion stood nearby, isolated on the flat plain, with windows that glittered seductively. Hermes circled a turret then landed strategically at the top. Percy landed nearby and saw through the window in the opposite tower exactly what he had come for.
Malfoy sat facing him in a large ornately carved chair. Across from him a smaller slightly balding man paced. He continualy rubbed his left hand up and down his right, which shown silver in the candlelight.
"I'd say you've hit the jackpot, Wizard."
"I'd say you're right," Percy breathed.
Hermes spun his head around observing the sights and sounds of the night. "Stay here. Don't move," he instructed. He took off and flew to Malfoy's tower, circling the turret twice and then disappearing. Percy watched and restrained himself from flying right up to the window. He knew it was wise to trust Hermes but they could be talking about the Quill as he watched and he was missing it. Suddenly Hermes' voice (or was it a call?) came to him on the wind. He lifted into the air and soared quickly to the top of the opposite tower. The top of the turret was covered with loose and crumbling boards with a suspicious hole in one corner.
"Down the hole," Hermes nodded. "It's an old nest lodged between the ceiling and the roof. You can hear everything from in there."
Percy contracted his head and body and squeezed into the space, inching forward toward the sound of their voices. He moved as quietly as he could but his claws scratched at the ceiling below.
"What was that?" he heard Pettigrew ask nervously.
"It's just birds in the ceiling," Malfoy answered.
It felt like a monstrous earthquake. He was thrown upward, banged his head, then landed with a jolt on the board below. The jolting continued all around him as Malfoy yelled 'shoo', but seemed to be traveling farther away. Malfoy was hitting the ceiling with his cane.
"Let's face it, Pettigrew, recruitment is key. Our forces have dwindled. We'll release those in Azkaban but it isn't enough. Too many have died or are cowards or have put all their faith in that idiot, Dumbledore. Even if we manage to take the Ministry we need massive incentives to strengthen our ranks and there's one thing that lures like no other, Pettigrew." Percy heard something clatter across the desk. "Wealth."
"And how, Malfoy, do you propose to spread this wealth?" Pettigrew sneered. "I suppose you're prepared to give up yours?"
"You always were annoying and not very smart. We're going to take it from the muggles, of course. What do they need it for? We'll be the generous ones, modern day Robin Hoods, steal from rich muggles and give to poor wizards." Malfoy's voice took on a sickly sweet tone, "Follow the Dark Lord and wealth untold will be yours. Think about yourself, think about your children and their future." He laughed and Percy felt his blood run cold. "It's really very simple, Peter."
"Except that you don't have any muggle money and you can't just go around magically draining muggle banks."
"No. This needn't be messy and a clever little spy, like you, Peter can find the resource. I'll bet you've already got ideas in that filthy little mind of yours."
Percy could here agitated pacing across the room. "I hate you, you know."
"Oh Peter, I am wounded. I thought we were the best of friends. You should be grateful, Peter. You need a purpose. As it stands, you're not much use."
"The master knows that I am his most loyal servant, Malfoy. Without my very flesh, he could not exist."
"Purpose served, Pettigrew."
"We'll see about that, Malfoy."
There was silence and then a chuckle from Malfoy. He was sure Peter Pettigrew was gone. Percy inched back quietly toward the loose board and the night sky above. Thunder rolled overhead and a flash lit the sky. Hermes was waiting for him on top of the roof.
"Did you hear them, wizard?"
"Perfectly."
"OK, let's deliver the letter and get out of here."
"No," Percy said stubbornly. "I need more…I still don't know about the Quill."
"Maybe Malfoy doesn't know about the Quill."
"Right, and I'll be playing for England in the World Cup. No. He knows alright."
"Listen, one thing at a time. You promised your female…"
"I know, I know."
Percy took off and flew around to the window, landing on the sill. Malfoy sat at his desk writing on parchment with something Percy could swear was a human finger. He tapped the window with his beak and Malfoy approached, swinging out the pane so that he could hop inside.
Malfoy took the letter from the pouch around his neck and crossed back to his desk. He read it through once and began to laugh. "Could you find anyone more easily manipulated than Cornelius Fudge? Let's see, what shall I give him to stew over?" He tapped the desk with the severed finger, "Let's make it big. How about giants? Sources say Dumbledore seeking support from giants in effort to storm Ministry. That should send him spinning for a bit."
Malfoy folded the note. "Come here owl. Take this back to his Excellency," he said as he stuffed the pouch then ran his hand down Percy's head.
Percy struck as hard and fast as he could, praying for blood as he dove for the window. He heard Malfoy curse behind him and he felt a breeze at his tail feathers. He beat the air once and he was over the sill, soaring up and away as the window slammed behind him. He met Hermes back on the opposite tower.
"What just happened?" Hermes asked suspicously.
"I bit him," Percy said cooly as he tucked his wings back.
"You did not."
"I certainly did."
Hermes groaned, "That was stupid, Wizard, very, very stupid. If it gets back to the Ministry that they have a biting owl in their ranks, you could get us all in trouble. And more dangerous than that , what if he had trapped you? You'd be in a fine mess then and you could have blown the whole operation."
Percy felt indignant and embarrassed. "He pet me."
"Get used to it, you're an owl."
The rain was starting and the drops felt huge. The lightening flashed again, lighting up the grounds below. Malfoy's garden was filled with huge topiaries and oddly shaped bushes that seemed to writhe in the wind and rain.
"Let's take one more spin around this place before we leave," Percy suggested.
Hermes gave him a disgruntled look as the water ran off his feathers. "You should be saving your energy," he huffed.
"Well I'm going without you then." He dove, fighting to stay level as the water and wind pushed on him. The place was odd. A brightly lit museum with no visitors. Every window he approached held a beautifully appointed empty room. He landed under a stone gargoyle that jutted out over a ledge, gave a huge shake then fell into stillness watching the world below. Lightening flashed again and Hermes emerged from the charcoal sky to light beside him.
"See anything?"
"No. It's like nobody lives here."
"Well, there is one thing we could try," Hermes said hesitantly.
"What's that?" Percy questioned.
"Follow me."
Hermes lifted back into the storm and this time flew low to the ground. He stopped at a flight of stone steps that led down into a black hole. With a nod he flew skillfully down the steps. Percy followed but landed with a bit of a thud. They were in front of a wooden door the size of a small child. Hermes pecked on the door with his beak and within a moment it was opened by a very small elf.
"Could you spare a bit?" Hermes asked. It's a wicked night, too rough for hunting and we've got quite a little jaunt back into London."
The elf looked behind her then whispered, "Stay here," and promptly shut the door.
"Did you just talk to that elf?" Percy asked.
"Oh yes. Didn't you know? Elves can talk to animals. It's part of their magic."
"No. I never knew that. Why…" Percy began.
"Because, you wizards find it easy to overlook the talents of others," Hermes sniffed. "She's not going to be able to understand you, though, because you, sir, are not an animal. Let me do the talking."
The tiny elf returned with a small loaf of bread. Percy realized quickly it was a child elf, no more than 10 he would have guessed.
She pulled the door closed behind her with a nervous glance and sank to the stoop, pulling her legs up under her tea towel.
"Much appreciated," Hermes said as he nibbled at the loaf. He looked over at Percy and ordered him to eat.
"What's your name?" Hermes asked.
"Nod."
"How old are you, Nod?"
"Nod is 11, owl."
"Are you here with your family?"
The little elf shook her head slowly. "Nod has been purchased by the new master. Nod is grateful to be brought to such a fine home to serve."
"I see," said Hermes dryly. "So, you like it here do you, Nod?"
The small elf's lip trembled, "Nod is a very fortunate elf. Nod will be a good elf and will make her family proud. Nod does her job and does not complain, no matter how much Nod's hand hurts."
Percy was just thinking that even elf children were bizarre when he looked at Nod's tiny hand. He knew immediately what he saw. Ink stains covered her bony fingers and now, as he noticed, it was ink that dotted her tea towel. Percy gave Hermes a jab with his wing.
"What does your master have you write, Nod?" Hermes didn't miss a beat.
"Oh no. It is a powerful secret." Nod shook her small head fiercely.
"We're owls, Nod," Hermes said gently.
The tiny elf shook her head again and rose to scramble back inside the door.
"Wait!" Hermes called just as she was shutting them out.
"I have a little deal for you. Tell us what you're writing and I'll take a message to your family."
The tiny elf hesitated. A huge eye peered at them through a crack in the door.
"You'd do that? You'd deliver an elf message?"
"Well," said Hermes proudly, "It's a part of a bargain."
Nod paused and stepped back outside the door. She picked up a leaf from the floor of the stone stairwell and held it to her forehead. It glowed for a moment before she held it out to Hermes.
"Nod is writing names. That is all. Name after name after name."
"Whose names?"
"Nod does not know. We are now bound by a bargain owl." And with a pop, she disappeared.
***
"Penny, I'm here," Percy called to announce his arrival as he apparated into the bedroom.
She was standing in the kitchen, checking off items on a list. Her hair was swept up into a loose knot making her neck look particularly enticing.
"Don't come any closer," she instructed. "What's my favorite ice cream?"
"Chocolate with almonds. And mine?"
"Strawberry, made with only the freshest strawberries, mind you."
"Good girl. Can I come closer now?"
"Please do."
He thought how wonderful it was to have arms again.
She pulled back and surveyed him with a frown, "You, my dear, are exhausted. I can sense it all over you. How much sleep did you get last night?"
"A few hours. But I'm OK. I'm actually, really good."
"Hmph. Well we'll see about that. You don't have time to rest now. They'll be here any minute. I'll have to go down and fetch them."
"Go on then. I'll be here when you get back."
She was gone about ten minutes before she returned. Even though he had met Iris and Phillip once before at King's Cross, he felt slightly embarrassed. He wondered how much about their relationship Penelope had divulged. These muggles were coming into their world, their home. Well, sort of, their home. This was what he held sacred and it felt uncomfortable to share it with strangers. He knew, however, that they wouldn't be strangers for long. These people were going to be his family. Phillip shook his hand and then looked around in awe at the simple rooms. Iris came forward and actually kissed his cheek as she greeted him. And Penelope held a rosy cheeked toddler, who was surveying his surroundings calmly.
"Percy, this is Daniel," Penelope pushed the small boy into his arms and he awkwardly accepted the child. Daniel studied him quite seriously for a moment before reaching up to remove his glasses.
"No, Daniel!" Iris looked fearful but Percy laughed.
"Don't worry, there's nothing he can do to them that can't be easily mended."
Penelope beamed at him then linked arms with Iris. "Let me show you two, all around the flat."
They spent quite a while explaining about gas lanterns and magical cooking. Phillip just stood, transfixed, in front of the painting of the cows for a long time. At last, Iris indicated that they should probably go if they were to have any time in London.
"Don't worry," Penelope smiled at her, "we are going to be perfectly fine. But before you go, we have a present for you."
"A present?" Iris questioned.
Penelope took a small purple box off the mantle and handed it to Iris. "You'll see."
Iris slowly opened the box. "It's a watch,"
"But not an ordinary watch," Penelope bubbled. "It was Percy's idea. Explain it, Percy."
"It's similar to a clock my family has. You see the hand will move around so you can see what Daniel is doing. He's sleeping or crying or playing or eating or if the hand is over here, he's in danger. It's a way you can keep tabs on him. If you feel he's crying too much, you'll know to come back early."
"It's wonderful," Iris said as she fastened it to her wrist.
"Simply amazing," Phillip gaped over her shoulder.
After a quick discussion about what time they'd return, Percy escorted Iris and Phillip out to the street. Penelope worked hard to distract Daniel with toys and he seemed happy to wander around the room and explore. He quickly found the potions cabinet, which she immediately locked and she lured him back to the center of the room with a tower of blocks.
Percy apparated back with a 'pop'. Daniel turned to observe him and then returned to his blocks in deep concentration.
"All is well here?" he asked.
"Perfect," Penelope sighed.
"Except," Percy raised his eyebrows and pursed his lips as he studied Daniel, "you might want to check that nappy."
"What? Already?" Penelope pulled the baby close. "OK, don't panic. We can handle this."
"Who's panicking?" Percy laughed.
"Well certainly not me," Penelope said as she lifted Daniel and made her way to the bedroom. "Come along Daniel. We have all your nappies and clothes on Penelope's bed. We'll get you all cleaned up here. That's right. Now just be still. Don't move Daniel. Daniel stop! Oh dear God. Percy, help!"
Percy stopped at the door and winced. "Hang on there. I'll show you a trick." He pulled out his wand. "Purganus."
Within a twinkling, not only was Daniel clean but the offending diaper had disappeared with a blue powdered poof. Penelope quickly placed a clean nappy around Daniel pulled him up into her arms and began to gently pat his back.
"How in the world did you know how to do that?" she laughed.
"You want to know a secret?" Percy chuckled. "It was the first spell I ever learned. There was a short time there that my mother had four in nappies. Fred and George were only three when Ginny was born and they were still prone to accidents. So I heard that spell a lot. I sort of tried it out one day on Fred. I don't think he's ever forgiven me."
"You didn't!" Penelope gasped.
"I'm afraid I did. For years after that, if ever I needed to control the twins all I had to do was whisper 'Purganus' and I sent them running."
They giggled together at the thought and Percy felt a gentle understanding pass between them. He put his fingers to his lips and pointed to a sleeping Daniel.
Penelope sighed and kissed the soft curls. "Oh Percy, I don't want to put him down."
"You shouldn't," he said softly. He conjured a cushioned rocking chair next to the bed and nodded as she slowly sank into it. Watching them together, he had the strangest feeling, a longing he couldn't explain.
"If you need me, I'll be right here," he whispered. He made sure to leave the door a tiny bit ajar.