Ever since he had received that first note, everything felt a little slanted and as if he was trailing behind and being dragged fast, and he was feeling every bump and crack in the road.

He still had the parchment, and it was in his pocket, waiting. He kept it close to him as if to prove it existed, even though her smile reminded him it was real as well. He could hardly believe it, that she had chosen him and it seemed impossible that classes and duties continued how they always were that homework was just as plentiful...how could everything be the same when everything was so different?

He received another Owl that evening. "Are you still coming?"

His reply was immediate, his usually immaculate handwriting now slightly splotchy in his haste to reply. "Yes! Definitely! You'll be there, right?"

He received no reply, as if she was teasing him and he almost felt like he knew it must be some elaborate joke, probably played by the twins, just to make him look like a desperate and eager...

He'd go anyway, like he always knew he would. He'd wait until midnight, he told himself sternly. And then that was it, bed time, for he had classes to think about and homework to catch up on which he had been too nervous to do after dinner.

At 10:30 he set off, only a little early since they were due to meet at 11. He'd never broken a school rule before, not on purpose anyway, and as he crept down the school hallways, listening out intently for Filch or a Professor or anyone really, he wondered whether this would be the best moment of his life so far or the worst. What if he got caught and they owled his parents? Would that ruin his goal to work for the Ministry forever? What if she-

"Hello Percy."

"Hi...Penelope." Percy blushed, looking at her a little amazed that she had actually turned up.

"I never believed you'd actually sneak out...for me." She admitted, blushing as well as he hurriedly closed the door behind himself and moved closer to her.

"Of...course I would. I never thought you'd actually be here...or..."

"Or what?"

"Or actually be interested...in me?"

"Of course I am."

They shared a shy, soft smile, Percy managing to finally gather the courage to sit beside her on the desk.

Silence. Awkward silence. Waiting for the other to do, or say, anything really.

"C'mon Percy ol' boy. You stood up to that Malfoy boy and to the twins for stealing your ties, you can do this also. Seize the night! Carpe Noctum!"

Percy leaned closer slower and Penelope met him halfway, their lips touching hesitantly at first, and then more as they relaxed against each other.

"This must be what heaven is like..." Percy thought to himself dreamily. "How could I have even imagined that anything could have gone wrong?"

A door opening, and then a gasp.

"Ginny! Get out of here!"