Word Count: 363
They meet in Flourish and Blotts. It isn't anything planned, but Percy doesn't mind. Not really.
Truth be told, he's missed Penelope more than he could ever say. He wants to tell her as much when he sees her there, holding a book and scanning the shelves for another. The words don't come out.
She must sense him there because she turns. When she realizes who he is, she smiles. "Perce," Penelope says, and he's surprised to hear the affection in her voice. "It's been a while."
Four years. It's been four years. He's thought of her ever since, but he can't admit it. Instead, he just smiles, nodding. Penelope laughs like he's done something funny.
The tension seems to shatter. At least she isn't angry. At least this might go well. He can only hope.
"It's crazy, isn't it?" she asks, gesturing toward the shop window and the scene beyond it. "It's almost like an apocalypse or something."
Percy swallows down the guilt. He knows exactly how bad things are and how dangerous it has been ever since the Ministry changed hands. He wants to pretend it's all okay, but he knows that's a lie.
"Reading anything good?" he asks because it hurts too much to think about the grim world outside.
Penelope's brows raise. She looks like she wants to say something else. Maybe she plans to push him and press for his comments on the way things are being run. Maybe she just wants to check on him because she knows where he works. Instead, she just shrugs. "Just something on domestic magic," she answers, laughing. "Apparently I am terrible at it."
"I could show you," he says. "My mum always…"
He trails off. More guilt.
If Penelope notices the change in his demeanor, she doesn't say anything about it. She just offers him a smile and rests a gentle hand on his shoulder. "I'm going to lunch after I buy my book," she says. "I wouldn't mind the company, if you'd like to join me."
"I'd…" Percy nods. "I'd like that."
She smiles and links her arm with his. "And maybe dinner, if you're free?"
"I'd like that too."