Narcissa's point of view:
I walked through the lobby, resisting the desire to run my fingers through my hair in an attempt to make it look better. Why do I worry about what I look like? I thought. It didn't make any sense. This was Percy Weasley, we're talking about. Shaking off my thoughts, I quickened my stride as I headed toward the Floo fireplaces. I spotted Mr. Weasley's red hair from across the lobby. His eyes met mine and he gave me a polite smile, which I returned.
"How was your work day?" Mr. Weasley asked.
"Busy, but I got a lot of work finished," I replied.
"Where are we going to?" I asked when we got to Muggle London.
"They Muggle library to look up a recipe," he said. "We'll be able to look up a recipe on the computer."
"On the internet?" I asked. "Your father taught us about that in our last class, and I'm curious to see what's out there."
"Yes, it'll be through the internet," he replied. "My brother's girlfriend, who is a Muggle-born, was able to show me how to use it. I admit, I've found some recipes that I've enjoyed making for myself."
"Like what?" I asked, feeling curious.
Mr. Weasley cleared his throat. "Mostly pasta or casseroles, but I stick to my Mum's recipes a lot." The tips of his ears were red.
"I think that's really nice," I commented. "I'd like to start cooking for myself and family more. Did you cook with your family a lot?"
"When I was younger, we spent a lot of time around my parent's kitchen table. I liked helping Mum, but I never admitted that to my brothers or sister," he said. "We didn't have much, but at least we had that."
I didn't say anything as we approached a large building; I wish I had that: a large family to spend time with around a kitchen table. I did have my son, sister, and nephew to spend time with and enjoy meals with. I could make those memories with my family now.
"I should find some recipes for my family," I commented. "I have Draco, my sister, and her grandson over a lot."
"Teddy?" Mr. Weasley asked.
"Yes, my nephew," I replied.
"We've had Andromeda over for a family dinner. She's mentioned that she's spent time with you and Draco," Mr. Weasley replied. "She seems to enjoy it."
"I've enjoyed it too," I replied. "We've gotten close lately."
"Were you close growing up?" he asked.
"Yes." I smiled sadly. "We had a falling out, as you can imagine." I sighed. "I'm glad to have another chance with her though."
"Me too, with my family," Mr. Weasley said.
"What do you mean?" I asked curiously.
He cleared his throat. "I, I was rather ambitious in the Ministry when you-know-who came back, so I didn't believe my family when they claimed he was back, causing me to cut myself off from them. I regret doing that to them."
"It's hard looking back and seeing your mistakes," I admitted. "I didn't get to know my niece because of it." Bitterness ran through my voice. "I made a lot of bad choices."
"I have to tell you that I've seen a huge change in you," Mr. Weasley said kindly. "Not everyone I've worked with has made as much progress as you have. You've been the most eager to learn and have exceed our expectations."
"Thank you," I whispered.
"You're welcome," he replied. His blue eyes watched me so intensely that I had to look away. "Are we almost to the library?"
"It's just up ahead." Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him glance toward a building up to the left.
We entered the library in silence as I looked around. There were rows and rows of book shelves with areas with couches and arm chairs. An area of the library held computers, which Mr. Weasley led me over to. I sat next to him as he logged on.
"Have you ever been here?" I asked.
"Several times," he said. "For work and with others I've worked with." His eyes scanned the screen before he pulled back. "Are you ready?"
"You want me to do it?" I asked.
He gave me a slight smile which sent butterflies through my stomach. "It'll be a part of your last training."
"Okay, just tell me what to do," I said.
"Here's what I'll need you to do," he started.
About a half an hour later we left a library with several pages of recipes folded and in my purse.
"That didn't take very long," I commented.
"No. I've found that they have a lot of information on computers," Mr. Weasley said. "I've found several restaurants and grocery stores I've been to that are quite good."
"I've been meaning to go back to that Chinese restaurant," I said, "but I've never had the chance."
"I know of another Chinese place that's good, if you aren't doing anything for dinner," Mr. Weasley said. "We could go as co-workers instead of training."
"How about as friends?" I asked boldly.
"That would be nice." He gave me another kind smile, which gave me more butterflies.
"It's this way," he said, gesturing with his hand. "It's about five minutes away."
We walked in silence through the streets.
"How is your job going?" Mr. Weasley asked.
"It's going well." I smiled. "I'm really enjoying it. Oh, and I had an idea to run a class for Muggle borns and their parents when they get their first letter in August. The parents can ask questions and the parents and children can see a demonstration of magic. Would you be interested in helping, Mr. Weasley?"
"I'd be interested, for sure," he said. "My father would want to help as well. Did you have a date in mind?"
"Other than sometime in June and July, no," I admitted. "I discussed this idea with my boss just today and he gave me the go ahead."
"We can discuss some ideas tonight if you'd like," Mr. Weasley said as he stopped in front of a restaurant and held the door open for me.
"Thank you."
We were seated within a few moments at a table in the corner. I picked up a menu, scanning over many types of food I didn't know.
"Oh, they mu shu pork, just like the other restaurant," I commented. "I'll have that again."
"Hmm, not sure what I'll have," Mr. Weasley commented. "Maybe I'll have the same as you, Ms. Black."
"Call me Narcissa," I said, putting my menu down. "Please. We're here as friends."
"Alright," he said as he looked at me over his menu. "You'll call me Percy then."
"Percy." I grinned at him, and was surprised when he turned red and buried his nose in his menu.
"I'll … I'll have the, um mu shu pork and soup too."
I nearly laughed as he fumbled over his words. It was adorable. Sitting back, I looked down at the menu, pretending to read more items in front of me. Nothing in my life had ever felt like this. This … strange feeling toward a man years younger than me.
"What can I get for you?" a young Asian woman asked as she stepped up to the table.
"We'll both have the mu shu pork," Percy said, "and I'll have the soup."
"Can I get the soup too?" I asked. "And some tea?"
"Anything to drink for you?" she asked Percy.
"Just water." Percy handed the menu as I held out mine.
She took both of the menus as she turned on her heals. Glancing around on the table, I noticed a fork, spoon, and two sticks.
"What are these?" I asked.
"Not sure," Percy muttered as he picked them up.
"Hmm," I said. "Maybe they're something we eat with?"
"Could be," Percy said slowly. "That makes the most sense. Could be a Chinese Muggle tradition."
I looked around the restaurant and noticed people across from using them to pick up their food. Without trying to be obvious, I observed them out of the corner of my eye.
"I guess we'll have to use them like they are?" Percy asked when he caught my eye.
"I'm willing to try anything," I said honestly.
"Here is your soup," the waitress said, setting the bowl down in front of Percy and me.
"Thank you," he replied.
The waitress set a tea kettle in front of me. Adding lemon to my cup, I poured myself tea, watching the steam rise from it.
"The soup smells good," Percy commented.
"Hmmm." I took a sip of tea, my hands wrapped around the cup, soaking up the warmth from the cup. "Percy, what do you think about inviting the people who take the parents around to Diagon Alley and Platform 9 ¾ to our training?"
"That's not a bad idea, Narcissa," he said, enjoying the sound of my name rolling off of his tongue. "I can see this being important for the Muggle borns and their parents every year."
"I hope so." I nodded as I took a bite of soup. "This is good."
"It's a good thing we came here then." Percy gave me a smile, making my stomach roll with butterflies again.
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