I'll Wait For You

By: Sheltie

I don't own Harry Potter at all

A/N: here's another HP V-day story. Enjoy!

"We're just not compatible Penelope" Percy began in what felt like some kind of rehearsed speech.

"Stop right there Percy. You can stop. Just tell me it's over and that's all. I don't need the speech" Penny said raising her hand in a 'stop' motion.

Percy frowned slightly since he had written this speech and thought he had done a good job on it and wanted to recite it. He thought this was good practice for when his political career took off. He'd be making speeches to the masses and he needed practice at it. He opened his mouth to begin again.

"Percy, I really don't want to hear it" Penny said a bit firmer.

"Fine" Percy said unhappily.

"Good" Penny said.

And that ended Penny's longest relationship. And that it coincided on Valentine's Day was a blow for Penny though she doubted Percy caught the significance of it. He didn't seem to pay a lot of attention to these days really unless it held some significance at his job. Heck, for her birthday he gave her a generic card and that was all and it was given to her almost a month after her birthday.

/Scene Break/

Months Later

Penny had quit her job since she felt she needed a new start in her life. She didn't need to look very long for a new job as she got one with her role model, Lily Potter. Lily had her own company that started up with the help of her husband. It was part of a bigger company, Potter Incorporated. There were a range of businesses under the Potter umbrella and since no one in the wizarding world knew what the word monopoly meant that meant it was all legal.

She worked close with Lily's son, Harry Potter. The two got along right off the bat despite their age difference. Penny liked Harry since he wasn't arrogant at all. He didn't ask for any special treatment of any kind, which he could since he was the boss' son. He wanted to be treated the same as others. He actually started working from the bottom and worked his way up.

On Valentine's Day Harry invited her over for dinner which happened every so often. Harry liked to show off his cooking skills and Penny was always up for some good food. It was much better than the stuff she got since it was usually store bought. Penny looked forward to whenever Harry asked her over.

Of course that created rumors that spread through the office like wildfire. Harry ignored them, not caring what others said and Penny followed suit.

"This is good Harry" Penny said.

"Thanks Penny" Harry said with a smile.

The two ate and chatted in-between bites. When that was finished Harry busted the dishes and served them dessert. That was when things shifted.

"Penny, I've got a question to ask you" Harry said.

"What is it?" Penny asked.

"Will you be my Valentine?" Harry asked.

Penny was about to laugh thinking it was a joke, but she saw how serious Harry looked and knew it wasn't a joke at all.

"What?" she asked startled.

"Will you be my Valentine?" Harry asked sincerely.

"Sorry Harry, I can't" Penny said.

"That's okay Penny" Harry said with a smile.

"You're not mad?" Penny asked.

"No, I might've jumped the gun a bit" Harry said shaking his head, "mom told me you got out of a relationship and needed space."

"I did" Penny said.

"Then I'll just wait til for you til you're ready" Harry said.

"What, you don't have to do that" Penny said a bit stunned.

"It's fine" Harry said with a shrug.

Penny was surprised by how calm Harry was. Their meal continued and there was no awkwardness about it. She thought there would be given what just happened, but Harry easily switched to lighter topics and Penny followed suit. Their meal ended and Penny was getting ready to leave.

"Oh yeah, almost forgot. Here, Happy Valentine's" Harry said as he handed Penny a gift.

"You didn't have to do this Harry" Penny said.

"Wanted to" Harry said.

"But I turned you down" Penny said.

"I planned on giving it to you no matter what happened" Harry said casually.

"Thank you, um, I don't have anything for you though" Penny said.

"That's alright, having dinner with you is enough. Always nice to have a meal with someone than alone" Harry said with a smile.

Penny smiled back and wished Harry goodnight then left.

When she got home she opened the present was shocked to find Harry had given her a book. The book was one she had talked to Harry about, how she wanted to read it, but never was able to get a chance since no store seemed to carry it. She couldn't believe Harry got it for her. Heck, she couldn't believe Harry remembered since the conversation wasn't anything special. Just normal talk.

/Scene Break/

Every Valentine's Day since then Harry would ask Penny to be his Valentine. She politely refused since she never felt ready for a relationship, but Harry was always ready for it.

"It's alright, I'll wait for you" he'd say after each time he was shot down.

Penny couldn't believe how persistent Harry was though he wasn't aggressive about it. At work he was professional and he never gave off any kind of vibe of his feelings for her. It amazed her how Harry was able to separate himself from what happened.

/Scene Break/

A Couple Years Later

"Oh my god Penny, please, you have to come it's an emergency" Lily cried over the phone.

"What happened?" Penny asked worriedly.

"Harry, oh, Harry was in an accident" Lily said.

Penny felt her heart clenching hearing this.

"I'll be down there as soon as I can" she said.

/Scene Break/

"Hey Penny, where's my mom?" Harry asked.

He was in a hospital bed and he looked unhappy to be in it.

"Talking to the doctors. I think she wants to get you out of her as soon as she can" Penny said.

"Oh great, she's just going to spend that time trying to baby me" Harry groaned.

Penny giggled.

"Now Harry, you know she loves you" she said after containing her giggles.

"I know, I know" Harry muttered.

"So what happened, why were you hurt?" Penny asked.

"Well, I was on my way to get flowers for you for Valentine's Day" Harry said.

"You didn't need to do that Harry" Penny said shyly.

"But I wanted to" Harry said.

"Harry, you didn't need to buy me roses" Penny said.

"Roses, who said anything about roses" Harry said, "I had them make a special bouquet of flowers just for you. No roses. All the flowers that you like."

Penny was shocked hearing this. She did recall a conversation about flowers and what ones they favored over others, but that was an inane talk. Nothing that really warranted such seriousness.

"So Penny, will you be my Valentine?" Harry asked just as serious as he asked in times before.

Penny swallowed. For the first time she didn't want to decline.

"Yes, I will" she murmured softly.

Harry brightened hearing this.

"You will?" he asked trying not to get too excited.

"I will, Harry" Penny said.

The two leaned in and shared a chaste kiss.

"Now Penny dear, I know you want to have a go at my son. But please wait til he's fully better" Lily giggled.

"MOM!" Harry shouted, utterly embarrassed.

End