Chapter 3: Brotherly advice

Hermione did not return to The Burrow after her meeting with Percy. Instead, she went to Grimmauld Place, where she hoped to find some peace and quiet. Ever since the end of the war, she had rarely visited, partly because things between her and Ron had been awkward and the redhead now spent as much time at Grimmauld as he did at The Burrow. Not for much longer though. He and Hannah would be getting married next week, moving into a small cottage on the outskirts of Ottery St Catchpole. Maybe it was a good thing that Hermione would soon move out of The Burrow as well, if only to move in with his older brother. Even though they had broken up amicably, her relationship to Ron remained somewhat strained and Hermione suspected he'd spend quite some time at The Burrow, as soon as he moved into the neighbourhood. No, it was better to get out of there before she had to see him and Hannah being happy together on an almost daily basis.

"Hermione! How did it go?"

Harry opened the door for her, looking at her with green eyes full of concern. "Could you and Percy talk things through?"

Hermione shook her head with a mixture of a laugh and a sob, before she stumbled into the hallway. There, the whole story broke out of her and she recounted the redhead's outrageous behaviour.

"He didn't ask me once if I even wanted to marry him or how I felt, facing such a situation. He just assumed I'd go along with it because it was a Ministry law and marry him as if it was the most natural thing on earth. He even gave me an engagement ring, saying that it was appropriate for me to wear that damned thing now. It's like he thinks I am just some doll that he can prop up and marry! Can you imagine?"

Towards the end of her little monologue, angry tears ran down her cheeks. Hermione let them fall, knowing that Harry, or Ginny, who had quietly joined them in the hallway, would not judge her for it. In fact, the redhead looked as angry as she felt, her hair crinkling with energy as she stood behind Harry, her small hands balled into firsts.

"Why are all of my brothers such monumental idiots?" she cursed, shaking her head. "I'm so sorry, Hermione. But I swear, Percy isn't normally such an idiot… He means well, but sometimes he just… doesn't really get things. He's very, point A to point B."

Hermione nodded, following the two of them to the living room. Ever since Ginny moved in after their marriage a few weeks ago, the place had been completely transformed. Gone were the dark wallpapers and the house-elf heads and from what Hermione had been told, Kreacher hadn't even thrown a tantrum.

"Can I stay with you for tonight?" Hermione asked, sinking down on the sofa. "I don't think I'm ready to go to The Burrow. I wouldn't be surprised if your mum is already setting everything up for an engagement party. I don't really feel like celebrating at all."

Ginny nodded understandingly. "I suppose we Weasleys can be a little bit too much sometimes. But don't worry. You can stay for as long as you want. Kreacher will be thrilled to set up a room for you."

Hermione nodded gratefully, thankful that Ginny and Harry understood. The two of them did everything to distract her from her worries and so the day ended with them and the twins drinking, joking and chatting, pretending that life was normal even though it was anything but.

ssssss

Percy didn't go home either. He was still completely bewildered by his fiancée's behaviour - or could he even call her his fiancée now? Suddenly he wasn't so sure. Going by the woman's word she didn't feel committed to him in any way. It didn't make sense, since they were about to be married in a matter of weeks. Luckily he wasn't one to not seek advice if it was so clearly needed. Because he honestly had no idea how his plans could have gone so wrong.

Contemplating his options, Percy decided to head for Shell Cottage. Until now, Bill had always had some good advice for him and being a married man for quite a few years now, his older brother would hopefully have some helpful insights into the female psyche. Accepting another cup of coffee from Bill's beautiful wife, the whole story spilt out of him, every little detail he'd planned so far as well as the fact that Hermione hadn't even bothered to look at the folder he'd prepared for her - or the ring - and simply left them behind at the café. It was the thing that bothered him the most, that his weeks of careful preparation had been for nothing, several hours wasted that he could have invested into his work instead, as Hermione clearly didn't appreciate the effort he'd made.

Bill and Fleur listened to his story, not interrupting him once. He saw them throwing meaningful looks at each other once or twice though and he couldn't help but wonder what that was about.

"-and I put in so much effort to make this easier for her, even going so far as to consider her own preferences and she was just… Making such a scene! I wasn't even upset but everyone was looking at us and I was lucky I got us out of it in time before someone from the Prophet could see. Don't you think that's quite unreasonable?" Percy concluded his little monologue, waiting for his hosts' reaction.

Bill shook his head with a smile. "I don't think so, no. I can imagine she was a little overwhelmed, Perce. Apparently, you've known about the match for a while, but she only returned from Australia today. Also, she might have hoped for a different partner, considering she was dating Ron only months ago…"

Percy winced. That was a detail he tried to forget. It was difficult to not see himself as second place, though he knew that the Ministry math had literally proclaimed him as best suited for her. Meanwhile, Ron and Hermione were as ill-suited as they came and luckily, they'd seemed to realise so as well after only a few weeks. And yet… was it possible Hermione was still pining for his little brother after almost a year? Ron was about to get married himself in only a matter of days! Would she do something at the wedding? Object? Throw a fit? Cry? That would be awful!

Fleur, who was sitting at the other side of the table, tsked. "Even if she isn't attached to Ronald any longer… A romantic wedding is what every woman dreams of. To not be able to pick her own partner must be 'orrible for her. Maybe she 'oped you'd at least ask for 'er 'and, Percy."

He blinked at the woman, trying to decide if she was joking. "You think Hermione hoped for romance? But we aren't even romantically involved. I don't think we've ever had as much as a personal conversation!"

"Exactly!" Fleur said, her voice indicating that this was proving her point. "I still clearly remember the moment Bill fell on his knees, pleading for my hand. It was the most romantic thing." She smiled, gently taking his brother's hand. "He brought me a bouquet of roses and charmed a violin to play romantic music for the 'ole night. We danced for hours after he put that beautiful ring onto my finger."

Bill smiled at Fleur, squeezing her hand on the table. Then he turned to Percy, looking at him with a serious expression.

"She does not know you, Perce, and you don't know her either, right? How about you take the time to talk to her."

"We don't have time!" Percy groaned.

"Make time. Take her out on a date, a proper date, not a business meeting…"

"I would never host a business meeting at a cafe!" Percy protested. "It's unprofessional."

Bill and Fleur just looked at him and he shut his mouth.

He weighed his head in his hand, contemplating their words. Bill and Fleur might have a point, even though in his opinion there was enough time to get to know each other after they were wed. For now, there were way more important things on their to-do list, like picking a venue or working out a marriage contract. But, when Percy thought about it they did have a point. He had never been an overly emotional man. When he married he had never really imagined it as an act of love. Sure, love would be involved, but his desire to get married was propelled by having that picture-perfect life, with a wife and children to come home to after work. He hadn't really ever thought about the 'who' in it. Maybe he should have. Maybe Hermione did have that idea of a 'who' and it wasn't him. After years of exposure to his brothers she probably thought him an unyielding, stick-in-the-mud. But maybe he could change her mind; show her how stable and solicitous he could be.

"But how am I supposed to make a romantic marriage proposal when I don't even know her, Fleur? I wouldn't know what she likes, would I?"

The woman tsked at him again, shaking her head in disappointment. "You are a clever man, no? You will figure something out." She smiled at him sweetly.

Percy frowned. He supposed there were books on the matter of romance like there were books for almost everything. If he read a few of them, he should get a pretty clear idea of what would be expected of him, other than picking out an engagement ring. Fleur had spoken about a charmed violin and about dancing, but that might not be universally true for all proposals, especially since Hermione was a muggle-born witch. Maybe reading one or two of those romance novels might be a good idea…

When Percy left Shell Cottage, he was on a mission. Luckily, most shops were still open and therefore he could easily gather enough literature for a thorough study of the field of romance. A study of eight different books, muggle as well as wizard ones would have to be enough. Luckily Hermione had suggested they meet the day after tomorrow, or he might not have time to read through them all.

sssss

Hermione spent a major part of the next two days at Grimmauld Place and she wasn't shy to admit that she and Ginny might have had a little too much wine as they talked about that blasted marriage law. Harry was mostly out of the house, doing Auror training, while Ginny was waiting to hear back from the Quidditch teams she had applied to. In the meanwhile, she was working with Kreacher to renovate Grimmauld or, like now, taking care of a ranting and pacing Hermione.

But finally, it was time for Hermione to go back to The Burrow and she did so with a nervously fluttering heart. Percy was already there, waiting for her in the living room as she stumbled out of the fireplace, probably looking as if she'd had way too much alcohol and not enough sleep. It was definitely how she felt, and for good reason.

"Percy. I wasn't expecting you here so early," she stuttered, probably looking like a fool. "I assumed you'd still be at work so…"

The man looked at her with an unreadable expression, pushing his glasses up his nose. "I left early. We didn't set a time and I didn't want to be late. That would be considered impolite, would it not?"

"I see." For a moment Hermione just stood there, not knowing what else to say. Percy looked different, she thought. His ginger hair was skillfully combed back and instead of his work robes he wore black jeans and a white shirt, the top button of it left open revealing a patch of smooth china-doll skin. It was rare to see skin without scars these days, at least in her circles. But Percy's was not only unmarked but also that porcelain that had been highly prized by the upper class throughout history. It fit him and he wore it well with the dark red of his hair, making the colour all the richer. But the truly startling part was his eyes, a shocking blue the colour of winter ice. She hadn't noticed before.

He looked good, Hermione thought, immediately chiding herself for it. But it was true. Now that he wasn't looking so uptight, he was almost looking handsome. Sure he wasn't particularly muscular but that worked in his favour. There was an almost delicate look to him that hinged on pretty and he knew how to select clothes that highlighted that, a skill that neither she nor his brothers had figured out yet. Not that he was her type, Merlin, no. At that moment, Percy cleared his throat and she realized that she had been staring. "I… I'll just rush upstairs and use the bathroom. Then we can go."

Percy nodded, his eyes taking her in in that disconcerting analytical way. Was he finding fault with the crumpled state of her clothes or her hair, which probably looked a fright? Perhaps he felt disapproval of her lateness to the unscheduled meeting? Merlin, this was going to be a nightmare.

Hastily, Hermione left the room and hurried up the stairs. There, she grabbed her hairbrush and yanked at her curls, hoping to at least improve her appearance a little. She knew there wasn't time for a shower but she could at least quickly change into a new dress to show that'd she'd at least made an effort. Not that there was much of a point as the evening would probably end in a disaster anyway.

"Alright, I'm ready to go." Hermione felt a little out of breath when she hurried down the stairs again. Percy was already waiting for her in the hallway and she could have sworn he, too, was a little nervous.

"Good. I suggest we floo directly to my place, as you mentioned that you're not keen to apparate. Would that be acceptable to you?"

"Of course."

Hermione felt awkward when she followed Percy back into the living room. He headed to the fireplace, taking a bit of floo powder out of a small box on the mantle. "The address is Weasley Whitehall flat."

"Alright."

Standing in the middle of the living room, Hermione watched Percy disappear in the green flames and after a moment of hesitation, she followed him after taking a last deep breath. Seconds later she stumbled into Percy's living room. Even though she'd never considered what his flat might look like, she immediately thought that it fit him perfectly. Everything in the place was neat, too neat even for her liking. One thing sprang to her attention though and she couldn't help but look at Percy with surprise.

"You live in a Muggle neighbourhood," she observed, suddenly thinking that she should have concluded this from the floo address already. Indeed, she could see a modern muggle radio on the sideboard as well as a collection of CDs next to it. And it was only the first of many muggle inventions she could spot in the flat.

"I do. Don't worry. One can still do magic, as I placed strong wards around the flat. It is no problem to receive Muggle visitors though, as there's nothing here that a Muggle would think of as magical."

Hermione blinked at that bit of information. Why would Percy care about Muggles visiting his flat? Had it always been equipped in such a way? Or had he changed it because of her? No, that didn't make sense as she wasn't even sure if she would move in here, or ask him to look for something new.

"That's very thoughtful," Hermione said, smiling shyly at the man. "Does this mean I could invite my parents someday?"

"Of course," Percy answered. "In fact, I look forward to meeting them. Are they already back in Britain or did they choose to stay in Australia?"

Hermione was momentarily surprised that Percy knew anything about her parents. She wasn't quick to broadcast information on the situation and even what she had shared with the Weasley's was promptly forgotten about by most of the family members.

"Actually, they came back the same day I did. They settled back in pretty quickly, but then again the Ministry was very kind and provided assistance," Hermione told him.

"Wonderful," Percy said. "Are they settling in well? I know that moving is a much more difficult venture for muggles. And Crookshanks? He weathered the trip well?"

"Yes, everyone is just fine," Hermione said, pleasantly surprised at the acknowledgement. " Thank you for asking."

"Of course," Percy said with a smile that felt like he was genuinely happy to hear it.

She wasn't quite comfortable with the warmth developing in her heart. It wasn't his job to know these things about her, let alone care. Rather than address it, she allowed her eyes to drift over to Percy's bookshelves. There were multiple of them against the wall to her left, each of them filled to the brim with books. There weren't only magical books but lots of muggle books as well, most of them science books featuring medicine, Astronomy and mathematics amongst other topics. Hermione couldn't help but walk closer to the shelf, completely fascinated by what she found. Percy thankfully did not hold her back, or even comment on her strange behaviour.

Instead, he stood there, in the middle of the living room, watching her as she read the titles from the backs of the books.

"We can easily make room if you have books you want to add to the collection," Percy told her matter of factly. "There are extension charms on the shelves already but I can easily adjust them to accommodate you. If you want that is…"

She didn't answer his question though. Instead, she said, "I didn't know you were interested in muggle science."

Percy shrugged. "I find myself fascinated by their perspective on things. They seem to delve in so much deeper than the average wizard does: chemistry, physics, medicine… they always find explanations for how things work even without using magic. There is so much we could learn from them if we weren't too proud to do so."

Hermione nodded. She hadn't expected this kind of opinion from Percy but suddenly it didn't seem surprising at all. The man had always seemed well-read and why would he stop at studying books that were written by wizards and witches. His thirst for knowledge easily seemed to match her own, even if that was all they had in common.

"We could indeed. Unfortunately, the Statue of Secrecy prevents Muggles and magical people from working together…"

Percy looked at her, nodding. "I know. It is a pity, really." With that, the conversation topic seemed closed for him. "How about I show you the rest of the flat?"

For a moment Hermione was taken aback, part of her not ready to move forward to a topic she was still very uncomfortable with. Talking about books and science had made her feel somewhat safe; this was an area she knew. She was happy to keep pretending she was just visiting a friend's flat, rather than scoping out her future as a wife.

"Alright," she said mutely. Percy frowned but nodded anyway.

He led her through his flat and again Hermione marvelled at how normal and muggle it looked. The kitchenette that was connected to the living room had everything a modern muggle kitchen would have: an electrical stove, a dishwasher, a microwave, a toaster, a coffee machine and even a sandwich maker. Everything was pristine and in order and a part of her urged to ask Percy if he had ever used the kitchen, or if he was too busy and tended to eat out. But Hermione didn't want to insult him and somehow she had no doubt that he knew how to use all of the electric devices.

Next came the study, a cozy room holding even more shelves and an enormous desk that had several folders arranged into a neat, colour-sorted pile.

"We could move in another desk for you of course," Percy only said before continuing his tour. They passed two guest rooms and Hermione was grateful that Percy didn't talk about potential children and transforming the rooms into nurseries. She wasn't quite ready to face that possibility quite yet, or anytime soon really. Hermione had always wanted a career, now more than ever, but how would that be possible when she didn't even have any sort of job training? She was sure there would be no way to get an apprenticeship once she was expecting. What she and Percy would have to do to get her pregnant was a thing she didn't even want to think about. It was difficult not to think about it though as she stared at the luxurious king-sized bed that was taking up about a third of the master bedroom.

Hermione swallowed heavily. That's where she was supposed to sleep after they were married.

"Through this door, there's a walk-in closet," Percy explained, pointing to a door at the left side of the room. "Currently my suits take up a large portion of its space, but we can either extend it with magic, or I can make some room for you. That is if you can imagine living here, instead of moving somewhere else. Which I am still open to if it makes you more comfortable. After all, you're a part of this too."

She took a deep breath, looking around with a nervously fluttering heart. If she was honest with herself, she could imagine it. Not the part where they shared a bed, obviously, but everything else. She liked the flat and very well could see herself browsing the hundreds of books, reading them on the comfortable leather sofa in the living room. She almost itched to do so. But Hermione could also see herself cooking in the kitchen, making coffee for them or cooking a three-course meal that she would then proudly serve to her parents.

"I suppose we can stay here for now," she told him, avoiding looking in the direction of the bed. "What about Crookshanks, though? I hope you're not allergic to cats…"

"I'm not. You can of course bring him and we can build him a cat tree or something. I'd prefer if he stayed out of the bedroom, however."

We'll see about that, Hermione thought but decided to keep silent for now. Certain battles weren't worth fighting over. Not when Crookshanks would lead the charge himself.