FROM NOW ON
This fanfiction contains a mix of original content and book content. Everything that belongs to J.K. Rowling belongs to J.K. Rowling. Everything else was inspired by her work but created by me.
Author's Note:
I am writing this concurrently with my story The Other Weasley, which follows Percy and Audrey's daughter Lucy. As I wrote that one, I began to wonder how Percy would be after the Battle of Hogwarts, how he'd fallen in love with Audrey and how he was as a father. This story is the exploration of those questions.
CHAPTER ONE:
Percy gritted his teeth against the bitterly cold wind as he hunched even lower within his woolen coat. Normally, he'd have cast a warming charm to protect himself, but he hadn't realized quite how cold it was outside until he'd arrived at the village of Ottery St. Catchpole, and he hadn't thought to bring his wand along on a trip to the Muggle village. As such, he had no choice but to hurry along like the rest of the last-minute Muggle shoppers caught out in the storm.
Blast Mum and her inviting extra guests on Christmas Eve.
Molly Weasley had, in addition to all of her children, their partners, and their partners' families where relevant, decided that very afternoon that a few extra guests at the table tomorrow wouldn't put them out in the slightest, and had immediately owled out to those friends she deemed needing and worthy of a warm family meal. Not that Percy disagreed with this on principle - after the Battle of Hogwarts half a year ago, warmth and family was needed more than ever in some households.
He just didn't appreciate stepping out of his warmth to fetch another turkey. Which was selfish, he knew. But walking through a near-blizzard, having been careless enough to forget his magic, he was more grumpy than normal and didn't really care.
The street was quickly clearing of Muggles, and as Percy passed by a coffee shop and glanced up at the bright, cheery windows, he hesitated. I'll just stop in and get a cuppa, he thought. No one would notice if he took a little longer to get home, and hot tea sounded better than butterbeer just then.
When, upon entering the shop, he was heralded with the smells of cinnamon and coffee and freshly-baked bread, he couldn't help but let out a noisy breath of relief.
"And a happy Christmas Eve to you too!"
Percy turned to find a young, pretty woman lounging at one of the tables, smiling up at him. "Oh - Happy Christmas. I'm sorry - " he added, glancing around at the empty café and feeling himself redden in embarrassment. "I didn't realize you were closed."
"Don't worry about it. I kept the door open for any unfortunate souls who might need an escape from the North Pole out there." The woman covered a yawn, then ran a hand through her bronze-blond curls. "Though you'll have to forgive me for my sleepiness. It's been a long, busy day."
"I don't want to disturb you," Percy said quickly, relieved to have an excuse to flee. Conversations with women were not something he was good at, and the last thing he wanted to do was embarrass himself tonight. "I'll be on my way."
"No, no, let me grab you something warm. My treat." She stood and stretched. "What's your poison?"
"What?"
"Your poison?" She raised her eyebrows. "Coffee? Tea?"
"Oh, er - " Seeing no way he could get out of this without seeming rude, he nodded. "Alright. Thanks. A cup of tea would be, er, lovely."
Percy watched the woman disappear into the kitchen and fidgeted with his scarf to give his hands something to do. She left the door open, and he could hear her humming off-tune to the radio playing softly in the corner. "Milk?" she asked, popping back into view with a teapot in her hand. Her smile was dazzling.
"Sure," said Percy unthinkingly, belatedly realizing that he didn't usually take milk in his tea. He reddened again and turned away to sling his coat and scarf over the back of a chair.
"Here." The woman brought two holly-painted teacups to the table, handing one to Percy before settling down across from him. She took a sip, sighing in delight before looking at him mischievously over the rim. "I make a good cup of tea."
Feeling entirely flustered and not at all capable of replying sensibly, Percy silently copied her. The burning tea scalded his lips, and he flinched away. How is she able to sip that? It's hotter than a dragon's breath!
"So what brings you into town on such a howling evening?" asked the woman as he set the cup down once more. She cocked her head at him, and he was distinctly aware of how pretty she was.
"Oh, erm - a turkey." Percy shrugged and shifted in his seat uncomfortably. "My mum invited a few extra guests to Christmas dinner last minute, and I got tasked with getting the necessary culinary expansions." Culinary expansions, Percy? Really? Are you trying to send her running? He rubbed his hands on his trousers to wipe off the sweat.
But the woman didn't seem at all put off by his awkwardness. She even laughed. "She sounds like a wonderful woman. Sharing is what Christmastime is all about. Oh!" She slapped her forehead, and Percy, startled, nearly knocked his tea over when his knee hit the table. "I'm sorry, I'm such a bumbling idiot sometimes! I didn't even introduce myself - my name is Audrey. I own this place."
"Own it?" Percy realized belatedly that it might be rude to be surprised. "Sorry. You just... look so young." Yep. That definitely made it better. Swell job, lad.
"When my aunt passed last year, she left it to me." Audrey shrugged, taking another sip of tea. From the way her shoulders drew in, though, he could tell that her nonchalance was practiced. "I'd been working here since I was fourteen, so it was no big stretch to take over when she got sick."
Percy nodded, cast around wildly for something to say, and landed on, "Percy."
"Percy?"
"My name. Sorry, I mean, my name is Percy." Excellent. Very impressive.
"Well, Percy, I'm glad you were driven in here tonight. It's nice to have company."
"Me too." Percy flushed again and tried the tea. It was cooler now, so he took a long drink. She does make a mean cuppa. "This is quite good."
"I told you," Audrey teased. "I only compliment myself honestly."
Percy tried a smile. "Well, I honestly compliment you too," he said, and felt his heart jump a little when she laughed again. He decided he liked the way she laughed, the way she didn't hold any of it back.
She looked about to reply when she suddenly leaped to her feet and turned up the volume of the radio. "I love this song." Then, she was standing in front of him, hands outstretched and eyes imploring. "Dance with me?"
"Me?"
"No, the tea. Of course I mean you."
Every nerve in his body was screaming at him to say no, but she was smiling so sweetly, and her outstretched hands were so inviting, and her chaos was so intoxicating that Percy let her sweep him to his feet, stumbling a little as he did so. As Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas filled the warm café, he twirled her under his hand before settling into a slow sway - the extent of his dancing abilities - and tensely tried to avoid letting her get too close.
The tree in the corner sparkled prettily.
Audrey was warm in his arms.
Romantic, he couldn't stop himself from thinking. Beautiful.
He tried to make himself relax. Audrey seemed to take this as an invitation to step closer, and pressed her forehead to his shoulder.
Percy couldn't remember how to breathe. He wasn't even sure his feet were moving anymore. His mind went entirely blank as every part of his body became acutely aware of her touch.
The tune finally drifted off, and she pulled away. Percy was startled to see her eyes sparkling with tears. "Is everything - ?"
"Everything's fine," interrupted Audrey, blinking. She smiled weakly at him. "Sorry. It's just... it's my first Christmas without my aunt. I'm just being sentimental. It was her favorite song, and..." She hugged herself, looking embarrassed. "I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable."
"I wasn't."
She gave him a doubtful look. "Regardless. It wasn't appropriate. For a moment I just couldn't stand being..." She closed her eyes, and watching her, Percy felt a tug of familiarity as grief passed over her face. "I wasn't prepared for how hard the holidays would be without her."
"I understand," he said, and meant it. For a dizzying moment, a grin floated on the edges of his vision. My fault.
No. Not now. He pulled his mind harshly back into focus, watching as she wiped her eyes. Then, without thinking, he did a most un-Percy-like thing and blurted out, "Tomorrow, come to dinner?"
Dinner? Have you gone mad? She's a Muggle! There will be dozens of wizards there!
But Audrey was already shaking her head. Which somehow made his heart drop through his stomach, because even though he'd have had to uninvite her, a part of him wanted her to take him up on the ridiculous offer. But what kind of person would accept such an invitation from a complete stranger anyways? Maybe one who dances with complete strangers in a café. "I have church services tomorrow, and dinner with a cousin later on. Thank you for the invitation though."
"Oh. Of course." Percy downed the rest of his tea and picked up his coat to hide his embarrassment, though he knew he must be bright red from the heat in his cheeks.
"But maybe you could come over tomorrow night for tea?"
Already halfway to the door, Percy froze. "Really?"
Audrey rolled her eyes. "Yes, really."
"O-okay," he stuttered. "Eight o'clock, here?"
"Perfect." She threw herself in her chair again dramatically, feigning sleep. "I won't have moved."
"From past experience in sleeping in chairs, I don't recommend it."
"Then we'll pick up with the anecdote of that experience tomorrow on our date."
Tomorrow. A date. "Yeah. Um. Thanks again for the tea. See you at eight." And hoping he wasn't actually combusting, Percy practically ran out into the blizzard.
Just outside, though, he paused, turning back to look through the shop window.
Audrey was picking up their teacups from the table, smiling to herself.
In spite of the driving snow, he suddenly felt uncomfortably warm.
I have way too many stories and fanfics in my head, and I've been telling myself not to start another, and yet: here we are. Opa.
I hope you will enjoy it! I'd love to hear any feedback you might have each chapter - especially because these two characters aren't super popular. It's helpful to know if I'm doing things right or not.
Also, shameless plug (hehe): go check out The Other Weasley on my profile if you liked this.
Also also, I am American, so please let me know if I'm using words incorrectly by British English standards. I'm getting better, but I'm certainly not perfect by any stretch.
