Thank you so much for the constant stream of reviews, followers and favourites. Really, these things motivate me to keep the story going.
Disclaimer: I still don't own anything... except the plot... and a few characters... and a couple of the settings.
Chapter 17:
April passed in a haze of gardening, letters from a Mr Newt Scamander and an increase in Grindelwald's fanatics acting out. The entire Auror office was working overtime and other nations were calling for assistance. Adriana barely spent the night at home. Percival was trying to make her life easier. He made dinner. He cleaned. It worked for them. Finally, at the beginning of May, Adriana had the day off since she was working the night shift. Percival let her lie in and made lunch. He was beginning to really enjoy cooking. Using magic let him do so much more. Adriana announced her presence with a yawn.
"Something smells good." She said. A hair brush was trailing after her, attempting to fix the mess. Percival smiled.
"Steak is always good." He said.
"Mmm, but you always cook it in red wine." Adriana hummed as she sat down. Percival loved these moments with her. They were so normal. They just felt right. There was a popping noise in the living room and Adriana frowned. They'd barely gotten halfway through the meal. Percival followed her out of the dining room and saw Maya's face in the fire.
"Afternoon Adriana, Percival." She greeted with a smile.
"Hello Maya." Percival said warmly. He liked Maya. She was a good friend of Adriana's, and she'd become one of his few correspondents. Her letters were very different from Newt's, who spent most of his detailing his creatures. She liked telling him gossip. He now had a full account of who everyone was in the Auror office, possibly even the entire ministry.
"Sorry to interrupt." Maya said. "But Pearson can't do back up tonight." Adriana raised an eyebrow.
"I can't go without back up." She said sharply. Maya looked apologetic.
"I know, but we're stretched thin and Pearson's been pulled on another case." Maya explained.
"So, am I off or do I go in without back up?" Adriana asked. Maya gave her a nervous look.
"They want you to go in alone." She said. Percival did not want that at all. By the sounds of it, the job was dangerous and he didn't want Adriana to get hurt.
"I could go with you." He interrupted. Both women stared at him.
"You can't." Maya said but Adriana looked at him shrewdly.
"Maya, tell Diggory that I'd like Percival to come with me and that he should be paid accordingly." She said, not even looking at Maya.
"But-."
"Now Maya." Adriana said sharply. Maya hugged and muttered something about not being Adriana's secretary. There was a pop as the floo line disconnected. Adriana and Percival waited in silence. Maya popped up again.
"He agreed." Maya said curtly. She didn't look happy. "He's sorting out payment details." She turned to Adriana. "Do you have a copy of Pearson's cover?" Adriana nodded. "Then that stands." She gave Percival a sharp grin. "Be safe." Another pop and she was gone.
"So, my cover?" Percival asked.
Percival walked into the hall first. That was what they'd agreed. They were supposed to act like they didn't know each other. Percival was dressed in his best three-piece-suit. He approached some other finely dressed men.
"Well good evening." One greeted. "I don't think I've seen your face around before."
"I'd be a little concerned if you had." Percival said with a smile. He was mixing in a little bit of an Irish accent with his American. "I've spent the last five years across the pond."
"Ah, I can hear that on you." Another said. He offered a hand. "Andrew Lewis." Percival shook it.
"Patrick O'Connor." He said. "I've noticed the accent, made me practically flee America. I thought I was going native." The men chuckled. Percival accepted a glass of champagne and engaged in conversation with the men. It was a simple cover. He was an ambassador to America, how Pearson was going to pull that off was up for debate, and had spent five years there. He'd been returned home for some work. He was unmarried, unattached and very busy.
"Who is that beauty?" Andrew whistled. Percival looked at the door and saw Adriana. She was wearing a long, red, satin dress. Her black hair was curled and decorated with a red rose. She looked stunning and the entire room noticed. Percival could see people sizing her up for a fling.
"I don't know." Percival said. "But is best do my gentlemanly duty and welcome the lady." He downed his champagne and marched over to her. "Hello."
"Hello." She returned. "I'm Charlotte."
"Patrick." Percival said. He felt his mouth going dry. "Tell me Charlotte, do you dance?"
"I do." She said. Percival pulled her towards the dance area, winked at Andrew and the group, and started waltzing with her. When he pulled her close, he buried his face in her hair.
"Acting aside, you look beautiful." He whispered. She pulled away slightly, blushing.
"Not so bad yourself." She murmured. The song ended and Percival brushed his lips against her hand. "Now to dance with someone else." He did. Half the night they danced with each other. Finally, Adriana spotted their targets. They were leaving a side room, trying not to look suspicious.
"How do you want to play this?" He muttered.
"Take me outside." Adriana said. "Play happy tipsy couple." Percival did as he was asked. He tugged her along, chuckling a little too much. They were right being the pair of men they were tailing. As soon as they were out of muggle sight, Percival and Adriana drew their wands.
"Hey!" Percival shouted. The two turned, wands at the ready. The side street was filled with flashes. Percival was a bit out of practice, but that didn't stop him from gaining the upper hand. Adriana was a whole other class. That hadn't been a chance for her skills to get rusty. She was like a firework, sending off spells so fast she was a blur. Percival was glad she was on his side. Finally, the two fell at the hands of a full body bind (him) and a leg locker (her). They promptly dragged them to the Ministry and dumped them with law enforcement officers.
"Well don't you look pretty." An Auror said with a wink as he passed. "Dressing up for me?" Adriana snorted.
"I dress up when I have someone to impress." She said. She glanced at Percival. "And it isn't you." The Auror snorted and went on his way. Diggory came out of his office. He handed Percival a pouch of money.
"Good work, and thank you for stepping in." He said. He shook his head. "The less Grindelwald fanatics on the street, the better." Adriana looked like she might have punched him. Percival felt cold inside, and suddenly he wished he'd hexed them harder. Diggory was already out of sight. Percival felt Adriana's hand on his arm.
"Let's go home." She said. Home. That sounded good.