Percy's point of view:
I straitened my tie, making sure it wasn't crooked. I ran my hand through my hair, double checking that it looked alright. Straitening, I stood, and after giving myself one more look, I left my bathroom. Nervously, I grabbed my wand and left for the conference. My palms started to sweat at the thought of seeing Narcissa. After our first dinner together as friends, I realized that I had feelings for her, and the feelings grew the more and more we went out as friends. We'd been meeting as such over the last two months.
I'd never felt so attracted to someone before; she was beautiful, driven, and had become a good friend. She was easy to talk to as well, and all of these qualities grew stronger the longer I got to know her.
When I stepped in the large conference room, my eyes scanned the room for her, a natural habit that came about as my feelings developed for her. When I spotted her, my breath rushed out of me. She wore a modest white dress with red accessories. From here, I could see her bright, clear eyes from here. I swallowed, as I headed toward Dad, who stood near the set up stage as he talked to Bill.
"Bill, what are you doing here?" I asked.
"I'm here to support you and dad," he replied as he gave me his usual hug. "And I'm volunteering to show parents around Hogsmeade and to 9 ¾ in September."
I returned the hug, becoming more comfortable with family affection. "How are you doing, Percy?" Dad asked as he smiled.
"Good," I replied, accepting a hug from him as well.
"We have a good turn out," Dad commented.
"We do," I said. "Narcissa said she received a lot of letters."
"Excuse me, if you'll find your seats," Narcissa said from the stage, using a Muggle microphone. "We'll get started."
People quickly found their seats as conversation quieted down. It stood to the side of the stage by my brother as Dad joined Narcissa, standing just behind her. My eyes watched the side of her face as she welcomed the parents. Her full lips were a bright red, making me stare at them.
"You know, Percy, I think you should ask her out for coffee after this," Bill said casually.
I blanched. "Wh-what?" I asked.
Bill smiled at me. "I've noticed the way you've looked at her." He nodded the head toward Narcissa. "It sort of reminds me when I started to take really notice in Fleur."
"I just, I just don't know," I replied.
"Well, do you have feelings for her?" Bill asked.
"Yes," I whispered. "But, she's older, and she was a …"
Bill waved his hand, cutting me off. "Anything you're worried about her past doesn't matter anymore. Look at the work she's doing now. She's doing a great work for Muggle borns and their families."
I nodded, looking up at Narcissa, who had finished up her speech and stepped aside to let Dad talk.
"Go after her," Bill encouraged me, and I nodded, not taking my eyes off of Narcissa.
Within a few hours, I found myself helping clean up the tables and banishing the leftover food. Things had gone well, and I hoped I'd be able to help next year.
"Can you believe how well things went?" Narcissa asked, as she stepped up to me, the first time I'd seen her face-to-face all day. She was stunning.
"It went very well," I replied, giving her a smile. "You were excellent."
"Thanks." She blushed but didn't advert her eyes from mine.
"I was wondering," I said, gathering my Gryffindor courage. "Would you like to get a cup of coffee after we clean up?"
Narcissa gave me a huge smile. "I'd really like that."
Within the next twenty, long minutes, we finished cleaning up before I found myself walking Narcissa to a nearby Muggle coffee shop.
"I talked to so many parents," she said. "Some even had a few older students who've been to the school before, but they told me they better understood what their children were going to learn."
"Dad had a few people tell them that as well," I commented. "He was delighted to talk with so many families."
I held the door open for Narcissa as we entered the coffee shop, the smell of coffee hung heavy in the air. We ordered two frozen coffees before finding a table.
"So what are you working on now?" Narcissa asked.
"A few laws the Minister is interested in getting through," I said.
"Wow that sounds like exciting work, Percy." She leaned forward, smiling at me.
"You're doing great work too," I said, feeling bold as I took her hand.
Narcissa turned red and bit her lip. "It feels important, and I'm glad you were there to help."
"I am too," I replied, "but you did such a great job, and I admire you for that."
"Thank you, Percy." Her eyes danced. "So, why ask me out for coffee. Not that I'm complaining."
She squeezed my hand as he watched me while taking a drink. "I'm interested in being more than your friend."
She nodded looking at my seriously. "I don't mean to bring this up on a first date, but I feel I can be honest with you since we've become close friends. I don't want a one night stand or a quick affair or fling."
"Neither do I," I replied. "I'm not the type to do that either. I want to date you." My voice shook as I admitted my feelings. "You're beautiful and kind and special to me. Will you give us a chance?"
Narcissa nodded. "As long as you'll be my date to Ministry ball in a few weeks."
I laughed. "Of course," I said, giving her hand another squeeze. "Anything for you."
"Dating a Gryffindor has its benefits," Narcissa said, shaking her head.
"What does that mean?" I guffawed.
"I get plenty of that Gryffindor charm." She gave me a wide smile, showing off her white teeth.
"Guilty as charged," I admitted.
Narcissa smiled. "It's part of the reason I came. I had a hunch you'd treat me well."
"I really will, Narcissa," I replied. "You deserve to be treated in a special way."
After hours of talking and eating at the coffee shop. I walked Narcissa home as we walked hand-in-hand. It felt strange to hold her hand, but so familiar at the same time. I missed this part of dating, being able to spend my time with someone who I could talk to. I watched Narcissa out of the corner of my eye. She smiled as we walked, but looked at me when she caught me staring.
"It's rude to stare," she teased.
"Couldn't help it," I replied. "Have to watch the beautiful woman that agreed to date me."
Narcissa laughed. When we reached her front door, we stopped walking. "Thank you for taking me out." She gave me a genuine smile that lit up her eyes.
"You're welcome," I replied, taking both of her hands. "May I get you for lunch tomorrow, if you don't have too much work?"
"No, that would be fine. I have lunch at noon," she said.
"I'll see you then," I said as I searched her eyes.
Without thinking that this was our first date or that I could mess up things, I leaned forward, giving her a gentle kiss. Her lips pressed against mine too. I gave her several gentle kisses, but I pulled away, not wanting to scare her. Narcissa let out a huge breath that she had been holding as her eyes fluttered up to mine.
"Goodnight, Percy." She gave me a beautiful smile before going into her cottage.
"Goodnight, Narcissa," I replied before she shut the door.
I went home, whistling as I walked.
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