Special thanks to forevermagic (the lovely Bec:)) and Omniskriba for reviewing. It really means alot. Sorry about the wait for chapter two and I hope you enjoy it.

Penny gazed out the open window not knowing what time she could expect her husband back. The cold breeze gently caressed her skin , as she tried not to cry. Percy's departure two hours ago had not been a pleasant one and due to Percy's erratic behaviour over the past couple of weeks , Penny's anxiety about Percy's only deepened. He had changed over the past month , ever since his promotion to Junior Secretary to The Minister of Magic , Percy's temper had gotten shorter and he had adopted a rather aggressive manner of stating his opinions (or as Penelope was inclined to think Fudge's opinions echoing through her husband) on the current political climate of the wizarding world in Britain. Harry Potter was now a common conversation in the Weasley household and was the cause of the debacle , some two hours earlier.

Earlier that night….

"Penny , we have all the evidence that Potter is an attention seeker . One taste of glory was not enough , he had to make up some cock and bull story to seem like even more of a hero. Quite deranged really if you ask me, I mean he'd just won the Triwizard Tournament and he was using poor Diggory's death in some grand fantasy about battling You Know Who…."

"Perce , that's completely out of order and you know it. You were believing him a month ago , why not now? The poor kid watched his classmate die" Penny's last words were muffled due to her suppressing a sob within her throat. She had been at school with Cedric until she was pregnant with Margarite. Though not the closest of friends , they were partners in NEWT Potions and often worked with each other in Herbology.

"I…" she stopped to gather her thoughts and allow time for her emotions to calm .

She raised her head and looked Percy directly in the eye , the once warm and bright eyes had become red rimmed and cold. Penny knew what she was about to say was treading in dangerous territory but she adamant that Percy listen to what she had to say.

"A month ago Harry was a hero for confronting You-Know-Who in that graveyard and it was incredibly brave and noble that he brought Cedric's body back .I-I think that Fudge is scared that he w-won't….he c-can't …..that he does not have the resources to challenge You Know Who at full strength. Perce , Harry's a scapegoat and he is your brother's best friend. Your parents treat him like one of their own…."

"And he has leeched off my mother's simple mind and kind heart and my father's naivety for too long. Ron is so impressionable too , of course they all marvel at the great Harry Potter. Dumbledore's pet , I mean what's to say all this time , Dumbledore has been entirely correct about his assumptions with Potter and You Know Who"

"Percy , you keep making these fascinating allusions but then reminding me its strictly "Ministry Buisness" , so I can neither confirm , contradict or even give an opinion" snapped Penny , whose own temper was beginning to rise due to Percy's pig headedness.

"How dare you Penelope Anne" spat Percy incredulously as if he was scolding an insolent child. "The Minister has been so kind to us. My job is able to give us a reasonable home to live in and allows me to provide for a family. He is doing his best to avoid complete hysteria over rumours and yet you side with the instigator of such rumours. Is this to spite me? Because I am the one out working? Listen I know you wanted to be healer and when Maggie is older you can still aspire for it."

"Percy have you been listening to yourself?" Penny asked exasperatedly. "Spending time with Maggie is one of the best parts of me day. Of course I don't care about that! Have you not fathomed that you have just shown outright disrespect to your parents. After all they've done for us , not to mention you talk about Cedric Diggory as if he …..as if he is some sort of possession you are fighting with Harry Potter over. He was seventeen when he died! Where's your compassion?"

"ENOUGH!" Percy yelled , his face glowering a dangerous red which was beginning to creep up to his ears. He slammed his fist and the table and Penny gasped at an enraged Percy. "Do you question the father of your child? Do you go against me , because of an apathetic complacency in your trust in an old crack pot wizard?" Percy uttered every syllable with a bitter edge , his eyes flashing angrily at Penny. Penny was gasping deeply , heavily shaken by Percy's outburst. "P-Perce…." Penelope was interrupted by the sound of a crying baby. Percy looked in her eyes daring her to challenge him , the malicious dare caused Penny's eyes to mist. "I-I've got to go and check on Margarite" she said softly , hr arms falling limply by her side. Penny ran into the Margarite's nursery and picked up the crying baby and held her close to her chest ,letting her own long , dark hair conceal them. "Shhh Maggie , it's okay. Oh sweetheart , its okay Daddy's not angry with you. It's alright , Mummy's here" she soothed the her six month old daughter. Maggie's cries became softer until they ceased , allowing Penny to sit down and stop the gentle bouncing of daughter. As she sat in the rocking chair , she looked at her daughters blue eyes. You have your Dad's eyes she thought and smiled.

There was a gentle knock at the door. Percy 's expression was indeed the opposite of the horrid smirk he had worn in the kitchen. He peered sheepishly at the mother and daughter.

"Is she okay?" he whispered. Penny smiled "She's fine"

"Percy let out a relieved sigh and smiled "Good.".

"Listen Penny ….I-I" he reached out a long arm and firmly grasped her shoulder. Penny clutched his hand with her free one. He looked sadly into her eyes and then at his feet.

"I have to go and do some things and I don't know when I'll be back"

"What? No-no Perce , you don't need to do this. I'm sorry for what I said…"

"No" Percy interrupted her firmly. "I don't know how long I'll be…..but I can promise I'll be back.

For a moment he gazed solemnly into her eyes. She yearned to reach out and hold his face. She wanted to slap him for his ludicrous trust in Fudge and his arrogance. She desired to kiss Percy with all her might. But the moment was all too quick and with a quick swish of his cloak Percy stalked out of the room leaving Penelope with her thoughts.

Present moment.

Penny had fallen asleep in Maggie's room. She was tired from nursing her baby who was indeed troubled by her parent's argument , and had cried for thirty five minutes of each hour since Percy had stormed off. Unknown to his slumbering fiancée , Percy apparated into Maggie's room. He walked over to Penny and gently kissed her forehead. Feeling the fatigue encroach upon him , Percy walked out of the room to his own bed.

Well I hope you all enjoyed it. Please review and I'll try and get chapter 3 up soon:).

Cheers

M