Percy checked his watch. Two minutes until six o'clock. The shops in Diagon Alley were starting to shut down for the night. The Owl Emporium had drawn its huge curtain across the window and the lights in Flourish and Blotts flickered and went out. He quickened his step across the cobblestones and slipped through the door of Biggins and Tinpenny Jewelers.
He always felt slightly nervous as he walked over the thick oriental carpets toward the counter. He barely glanced inside the other cases with their show of mermaid pearls and ruby-encrusted dragon eggs. Mrs. Tinpenny was behind the counter and she smiled as he approached. She was a kind-faced woman, a few years younger than his mother. Percy had noticed that she only wore two rings herself, one was a lovely blue sapphire, the other a wide gold band. Quite unlike Mrs. Biggins, who usually glittered with rings and gold bracelets.
"Good evening Mrs. Tinpenny. I'm here to make my monthly payment." Percy said. He reached inside his robe pocket and brought out a bag of gold. "Thirty-five Galleons on the first of the month."
"Good evenin', Mr. Weasley," she said and she reached behind the counter and brought up a small purple box and pushed it toward him. He had asked Mr. Tinpenny to design it and he was quite pleased with the final product. Bands of gold and silver overlapped and intertwined. The gold bands were etched with flames and the silver bands were etched with waves. They formed a knot at the center around a single white diamond. Mrs. Tinpenny rested her chin in her hand and looked down at the ring. "Mr. Tinpenny did an exquisite job on this one, if do say so myself. It's a lucky lass who'll wear it."
Percy sighed nervously, "Perhaps I should have gone with a little larger stone. I could keep paying you a little longer."
Mrs. Tinpenny cut her eyes into the back room where Mrs. Biggins seemed to be pouring over receipts, then leaned forward and whispered. "Laddie, I could try to sell you a larger stone, but the truth is that it wouldn't fit your setting. This is a fine stone. The perfect frozen teardrop."
"A frozen teardrop?"
Mrs. Tinpenny smiled. "That's what we in the business call diamonds. I like to think it is a tear of happiness for your wedding day."
Percy fingered the box and then closed it, "Yes. Well if you will add this payment to my account Mrs. Tinpenny, I'd be grateful."
"Mr. Weasley, could you do me a mite of a favor?"
"A favor?"
"Yes, you see it appears to me that you only have one payment left on this ring. And I have other stock coming in. Would you consider taking it a month early? Of course, you would come by next month for your final payment."
Percy stiffened. "Of course, but I wouldn't want to take anything I hadn't finished paying for."
"Well, I know," Mrs. Tinpenny nodded, "But it would help me and with so much of the ring paid for…I certainly trust you'll return…"
"I don't know, Mrs. Tinpenny…my work…if something should happen …there's no one else. I would feel uncomfortable…""Go ahead and take the ring, lad."
Percy swallowed. Mrs. Tinpenny was smiling and she pushed the box across the counter. He reached forward numbly and put the ring box in his pocket. "Thank you, Mrs. Tinpenny," he fumbled backwards toward the door. "I swear if I'm alive on this earth, I'll see you next month on the first."
She laughed. "I don't doubt it for a minute! And bring your lassie with you!"
Percy Apparated into Penelope's tiny kitchen and loosened his tie. Ahh…pizza…and from Tony's. He lifted the lid on the square cardboard box but resisted stealing a bite. There was elderberry wine on the kitchen counter with two glasses and…yes…strawberry ice cream in the cold cabinet. He patted his pocket and could feel the ring waiting safely. He would have to plan the perfect moment. Something romantic and suave. He mentally calculated the remainder of his monthly salary. Perhaps they could risk a fine restaurant if it had a little distance from London.
He made his way toward the bedroom and heard her humming. She was in the bath and he knocked gently on the door and peeked inside.
The room was dim and a warm and steamy perfume filled the air. Penelope was bathing under a mound of magical light-filled bubbles that floated up to the ceiling then popped, showering down tiny sparkles over the bath. Her hair was piled up like a Greek goddess and a long slender leg was propped up on her knee and coated with a foamy cream. He leaned against the doorframe and tried not to move.
"Mr. Weasley, are you aware that this is a girl's bathroom?" She glanced at him with a mild smile then turned back to the serious business of the leg, which seemed to be shedding the white foam and becoming more glorious by the second.
"Oh yes…well…my sincere apologies on that one. You see, there isn't a sign."
"Mmm…right…an understandable mistake." The leg disappeared back under the bubbles and she looked at him contentedly. "Did you see the pizza and the wine?"
"Yes, I saw that. It looks delicious." Though not as delicious as you. Things were starting to go rather blurry. Oh right, his glasses were fogging.
"What would you like to do tonight?" she said. "Chess maybe? Or, I know, we could get out that old jigsaw puzzle. Does that sound like fun?"
"Um…yeah…that sounds...great."
"All right then, why don't you run along and see if you can find it. I think it's in the hall cupboard on the top shelf. I'll throw on some clothes and be right there."
He nodded but didn't move. She giggled and sank down deeper, flicking a few of the magical bubbles in his direction.
"Go on, Percy."
"Right. Right. I'm going to go right now and...find the puzzle," he droned.
"Good idea."
"It's in the cupboard on the top shelf."
"That's right."
"So I'll see you in...in just a minute."
"Go!" she laughed.
He backed out of the bath, grinning and rested his forehead against the closed door. He was one lucky fellow. He felt completely happy and, at the moment, very sure of himself. He, Percy Weasley, was capable of great things. He was brave and clever, obviously, quite good looking, and he had an engagement ring in his pocket.
The jigsaw puzzle lay unopened on the dresser and on the bed, four feet were propped against the headboard. Penelope's head was on his shoulder, her legs crossed in-between his. "Percy, I think you may have the ugliest feet I've ever seen." She said running her perfectly pedicured toes over his.
"That would be a Weasley foot, thank you very much."
"Red hair and all, hmm?"
"Certainly," he sniffed. "And I'll thank you to not make fun of my feet. I have become quite fond of them as they have proved useful over the years…walking…running…kicking smart-aleck girls in their derrière."
Penelope laughed and kissed his cheek. "I'm fond of them too," she said. "All ten unusually shaped toes." She rolled over and clutched the pillow under her chin. "Tell me what we'll do when the war is over."
"We're going to take a trip," he said, folding his own pillow in half and tucking it behind his head. "The Ionian Islands…Ithaca maybe. Amazing history and there's a resort there run by real Nymphs. There are green olive trees and bright blue water and sand that's almost pink. There are places where huge cliffs shield the beach so that no one can see you when you sunbathe."
"It sounds perfect," she sighed. "I want a picture of you in a toga. And when we get back from this dream vacation?"
"I've been thinking about that," Percy said. The ring was in the pocket of his coat which was hung on the doorknob. This wasn't exactly what he had planned, but he thought perhaps no moment could be more perfect. She was so beautiful. Perhaps he should ask her now, when they were like this.
"I've been thinking too," she said "and there's something I want to ask you."
He smiled wondering if she might beat him to the punch. It was so like her to read his mind. "You can ask me anything," he said running his hand gently down her back.
"Okay," she said and turned to face him. "Percy, when this is all over. Do you think you might consider coming to work for me?"
His smile faded. "What did you just say?"
"You know, at Clearwater. I want you to learn the company from Norman Brown so you can run things. I've been thinking about it a lot and it's perfect for you, everything you know about government and countries and granted, you don't know the Muggle world, but you were great at New Year's and with just a little more practice…what are you doing?"
"I'm getting up," he said from the edge of the bed.
"Why? What's wrong?"
"I'm uh…I'm hot and I need a little air."
"Oh God…oh no…I've upset you. Percy, I didn't mean…." she put her hand to his shoulder blade and his muscles clenched and pulled away. "Percy, I'm sorry that came out wrong."
He put his hand up. "I'm flattered Penelope. Working for your company would be a tremendous opportunity. I could sleep with my boss and then work my way up the corporate ladder."
"Oh come on, Percy. Don't be ridiculous. Clearwater is our company. It's ours together."
Percy laughed wryly and shook his head. "Actually, no…it's not, Penelope. Whether you like it or not, it's your company. I have nothing to do with it." He pulled on his pants and reached for his shirt.
Penelope's face had gone pale. She pulled at his arm but he stood straight fixated on his buttons. "Percy wait…we need to talk about this. I didn't mean anything. Please forget I said that. That was stupid."
When he turned, his eyes were bright. "No. It's the truth and we have to face it. You have an enormous responsibility Penny." He sat with his back to her and began to put on his socks. "I just don't know if I'm the best one to help you with it."
Penelope closed her eyes and tears drifted down her cheeks. "Percy, you know I can't help who I am. I'm a Clearwater."
"Yes. And I'm a Weasley." He paused and swallowed. "I can't help who I am, either."
"You are really frightening me." Her eyes were swelling and red splotches had broken out on her cheeks. "I want you to stop this and come back to bed."
"I can't Pen. I need a little time to think. Think about what we're doing and if it's really what's best for both of us."
"What are you saying? You're what's best for me. I need you Percy."
"No you don't. You are beautiful and smart and capable. You don't need me." Percy shrugged, "You may very well need someone to run your company, but you don't need me."
Penelope's breath was coming in short gasps. "Percy, you - know - me. And I know you. I'm sorry I hurt you! I'm so sorry…"
Percy turned to her and pulled her into a tight hug and began to rock her gently as she cried. "It's okay. It's okay" he whispered. "I just need to think. I need to think."
He held her for a moment and then stood. "When will you come back?" Penelope asked, her voice breaking.
"I'm not sure," he said, slipping on his coat.
She turned away and balled up under the duvet. "I love you," she whispered.
He gripped the ring inside his pocket and sent silent words. "I love you too."
Percy walked through Regents Park. It was the kind of night they had always shared here, warm and silky with the smell of grass and summer roses. It wasn't like the Burrow where wilderness encroached. It was planned and structured. A testament to man's artistry and his control over nature.
He had told her he needed to think. He wondered if that was a lie, because the truth was he couldn't think. He felt so numb, so nauseous, that just walking seemed to take his total concentration. He found their bench by the lake and sat. The swans were gone. Perhaps if he waited until dawn he could see them waddle to the lake and glide across, graceful and at home in their proper place.
What was her proper place? What was his? All his life he'd been a little less. No matter how hard he had worked or how good he had behaved, he was always second. The second Head Boy, the second perfect O.W.L's, the other brother, the other son, the other friend. The love of his mother had only set him up for ridicule…a mother's boy, tied to her apron strings. And now, what was he doing? Going down the exact same path? Was he his own person or not? Was he a man? In his mind he could hear the taunts from his brother. Well, if it isn't Lord Percy Clearwater. He could hear the gossip at the Ministry. You know the poor Weasley boy had more ambition than talent. I'm sure he married her for the money.
And yet, the thought of life without Penelope filled him with more fear than he could even comprehend. Facing death was one thing. Facing a life of loneliness seemed quite another.
From the weeping willow he heard a musical call. Hermes' happy hoot. Sometimes Percy thought it unfair to call him a screech owl, when he could make such a beautiful sound.
"Why so glum, wizard?" Hermes circled and landed firmly on the back of the bench. "Did you fight with your female?"
"No," Percy huffed and shook his head, "we didn't fight, Hermes. I'm just not sure whether…well…it's complicated."
Hermes circled his head to look at Percy without blinking. "Does this mean no more female? Because if it's all the same, I find her more appealing than you. She gives seconds on owl treats."
"Not surprising," Percy chuckled.
"Ah well, that's a shame," Hermes made a tutting sound and began to poke his beak against his wing feathers. "She seemed an excellent mate to me. However, I understand that human mating is not species specific."
"What are you going on about?" Percy looked irritated.
"Well, different species of birds have different mating habits, you see. Some species mate multiple times, others, like the swans, mate for life."
"It's not that simple, bird." Percy sighed. "Human circumstances are more complex. There are societal expectations. Unwritten rules."
"Really? Like what?"
"Like the man is the head of his family."
"Oh so that's a problem, is it?"
Percy was silent.
"Well, I never understood your human rules. They seem to bend and switch all the time. It's okay to break this rule but not this other. Makes no sense to me. Everyone seems to be writing their own book. And then there's that thing you humans talk about with your mates…what is it?"
"Love," Percy answered.
"That's it," Hermes said. "Shows what I know. I would have sworn that you and your mate had that."
"We did," Percy said. "I mean, we do. I know we do. I guess that's the only thing I do know. It's the only thing I have to go on."
"Well, knowing something is better than knowing nothing isn't it?"
"I guess so."
"I think you need to go make up with that female of yours, wizard because, quite frankly, you are much more pleasant with her than without her."
"That's probably true." Percy said.
"Wizard, can you tell me what love is like?"
Percy sat quietly. The sky was heavy with stars, millions, like his perfect frozen teardrop. "It's like flying Hermes," he whispered. "If you couldn't stretch your wings and move against the air you would feel incomplete. Sometimes it is hard to do…rough spots in the air, wind and rain. You get tossed a bit…and it hurts. But you don't hate the sky because of the wind and rain, do you? Because without it you couldn't fly. You live with the wind and the rain because the flying is worth it. Love is like flying, Hermes. And Penelope is like my sky."
Hermes pointed his beak at his feathers and started violently poking at an itch. "That's fascinating, wizard. If it's the case, I don't know what in the world you are doing out here."
"Me neither," Percy grinned. "Thanks, Hermes. You're a good pet, friend, whatever…"
"Right, right, right, right…" the owl sighed, then twisted his neck eyeing the rushes by the edge of the lake beadily. "Well, cheerio then wizard. You've put me in the mood for a bit of hunting. I'll let you know if I get lucky."
He took off. His wings silhouetted briefly against the night sky before Percy lost him into the blackness.
Percy stood. It was time to find Penelope.
He Apparated back into the flat. He would get on both his knees. He would tell her he didn't care about anything else but how they were together. That it wasn't about him or her but about the two of them. What was best for the two was best for each one.
"Penny?"
The air around him ached. Was it their fight still lingering? It was almost midnight and the lamps were blazing. The pizza was still on the counter, cold and untouched. Something felt wrong. The cows in the painting of the meadow had moved almost to the frame and were chewing their cud and looking at him suspiciously. He looked down and saw a single wine glass broken on the floor. Percy drew his wand and walked cautiously into the bedroom. "Penny? It's me. I wanted to talk."
The bed was unmade and her cupboard open. The bedroom window was ajar, a night breeze making the light curtains dance. He was suddenly very frightened.
"Penny? Answer me."
There was a sound. Something moving in the bath. His heart pounding he pushed open the door. Against the far wall a woman was bound unconscious, a sliver of blood trailing from her temple and down her chin.
It was Zelda Clinkert.
Percy rushed in and with his wand loosened the ropes, pulling the gag from the her mouth. He turned to the sink and with his hands splashed water against her face.
"Zelda, wake up. Where's Penny? Who did this?"
Zelda groaned and when she opened her eyes she let out a strangled sob. "It's my fault. I'm so sorry. The man. He took her."
Percy frantically pulled at the ropes. "Who took her, Zelda? What happened?"
Zelda looked at him fearfully. "There was a man in… the cellar…At first he seemed nice…I thought…he said he knew you and wanted me to go with him to Penny's and when I said 'no' he…he…"
"Did you bring him here, Zelda?"
She nodded and ran her hand against her temple. "My head…oh…"
Percy pulled her to her feet. "No it can't be. There are all kinds of protection charms on this flat…he could have never…"
Zelda shrunk away from him. "Percy, he knew everything about me. He knew about Zoe. He said she would be hurt if I didn't…"
"If you didn't what!" Percy shouted.
"He made me send an owl. And I lied. I told Penny that I needed to talk and that I had to see her. When the owl came back she said to come." Zelda's face twisted in anguish. "She said she had an unopened bottle of wine and some cold pizza."
Percy gritted his teeth and hit the wall with his fist. "Oh damn, damn…Penny no. She lowered the protection charms didn't she?"
Zelda nodded. "We walked right up and when she opened the door…" She lifted a shaking hand and covered her mouth, her body convulsing with sobs.
Percy grabbed Zelda's shoulders and pulled her forward. "Who was the man, Zelda? Who was it?"
"I don't know!" she screamed. "I don't know!"
"Was he tall with silver blond hair? Sort of rich looking?"
"No…no…He was ugly. He was short and bald…and he looked like…"
"What! Zelda stop crying. He looked like what?"
"He…he…looked like a rat."
A/N: Thanks to the usual suspects - the ever-patient Zsenya, the always supportive St. Margarets, and the huggable gals at Shoulders Free. And thank you a thousand times to my readers and reviewers. sniff I hope I have conveyed to each of you how much I appreciate your time and your thoughts.