Disclaimer: You know, if I was Ms. Rowling… I would never EVER have killed Freddy. Never.

(Author's Note: Hey, I decided to change the name from Another DAY to Another REASON. Made more sense…:D)

And this chapter seems long but breally isn't. Believe me, it is only because of the line spacing I gave it when I re-edited it

Another Reason to Live: The Special Moment When She Said...

23rd July, 1998

"Please?"

"No."

"Pretty please? Come on, why not?"

"Because…because…PENNY!" Percy Weasley spluttered at his girlfriend of a month in surprise as he straightened his glasses; apparently Percy had forgotten that Penny could make the best puppy face and manage to give you the best kisses at the same time.

"Why not? What is wrong with going to them now?" Penelope Clearwater asked anxiously.

"Because…" Percy licked his lips anxiously, "because…they hate me!"

"You don't know! And you won't find out until you visit them," Penelope pointed out reasonably.

"I don't know….Pens…." Percy dawdled; Penny smirked when she saw that she had him convinced but knew that he was just pretending to be unsure in hopes for another one of her kisses.

"You rogue!" she joked, hitting him lightly with the pillow.

Percy made a fake angry face and walked off huffily saying, "You know, I want another one of those Muggle chocolates, Hershey's Kisses."

'Idiot.' Percy thought fondly as she made to follow him, to give him his 'Hershey's Kisses'.

24th July, 1998

"Percy!" Molly Weasley exclaimed in surprise as she opened the door to find her third son standing there with arm in arm with an unknown girl. Unknown to Mrs Weasley anyway.

"Hello, Mother." Percy replied quietly.

There was cluttering from behind and sounds of chairs scraping and Percy and Penny were faced with the whole Weasley family, Hermione Granger and Harry Potter.

"Percy." Mr Weasley acknowledged him in the same quiet tone.

Mrs Weasley looked between her son and her husband, her eyes filled with tears.

"Why are you here, eh?" Ron asked his face blank.

"I am here, mother and father, because I wish to apologize and I wish to reconcile with you all. I am terribly lonely, mother. And I miss y-you…" his voice cracked lightly here.

"Percy, Perce, oh my baby," Mrs Weasley cried as she flung herself at Percy, kissing him everywhere on his face.

Mr Weasley gave a watery smile and sniffed as he said, "come in, son, come in. And who is this pretty lady next to you?" he asked as his twinkling eyes smiled at Penny.

"This is Penelope Clearwater…." He noticed Ron, Harry, Hermione and Ginny smirk in a similar naughty way, and he felt himself blush; obviously they remembered her from the Chamber of Secrets' year.

"And she is my girlfriend."

Mrs Weasley beamed happily as she shook Penny's hand enthusiastically.

"Welcome, dear. You must know me…? I am Percy's mother."

"Yes of course I do. Percy talks a lot about you. I can never satisfy him with my cooking! I know how much he misses your treacle tart." Penny laughed lightly.

Mrs Weasley smiled understandingly.

Percy finally felt happy for the first time in many, many years. His family, he discovered, had been dying to make up with him since forever. But they were afraid that he would turn them down. Now that Percy had come to them, they had welcomed him back with open arms. Even the kids, Ginny and Ron, were really warm. Especially Ginny who seemed to adore Penny and couldn't stop talking to her. Penny herself looked really happy, and vibrant; even more than usual. It was nice to once again talk to Hermione Granger. They had always gotten along well, and seemed to share a lot of their views.
He could also see a definite friendship between her and Penny.
Percy also noticed that Ginny and Harry hadn't let go of each others hands even once. When he raised an eyebrow questioningly at Hermione, she had giggled, "They are together."
Percy's eyes widened and he grinned happily.

"And what about you and…him?" he pointedly asked.

"Me and who?"

"You and …oh never mind…" he sighed disappointed.

Stupid Ron. He was still on the 'just friends' base, he thought grumpily.

(Five hours later)

Percy could see that Penny loved his family, and that his family loved her back.
So, he slipped in his hand in his pocket and felt for it. It was still there, phew, thank God.
He walked over to her; he gulped nervously and knelt in front of her on one knee, and dug out the diamond ring.

"Penelope Clearwater." he licked his lips. Penny was staring at him with her eyes wide, and he heard the lot of them gasp in surprise.

"Will you marry me, your two year and a month old boyfriend?" he asked, looking at her, his eyes hopefully.

Penny's face fell and she looked away. Then she got up and left him there, still on the bent knees.

"Oh dear…" Mrs Weasley sighed sadly.

"Better luck next time, mate," Ron thumped him on the back gently.

Percy ignored his brother and mother and followed his girlfriend outside; he had a feeling he knew what the reason was.

Penny looked at the green hills far away somewhere, and felt her heart break. She really, terribly wanted to marry him, she did. But she was dying. She would die in a few months. She couldn't do this to him. She should not be in a relationship with him, and now she wondered what was wrong with her that made do something so cruel and senseless.
She felt her eyes well up, and some tears leaked out. The cheerful Penny was gone, and for the first time in since she had been diagnosed with the disease , she regretted the fact that she was dying.
If she had not had cancer, she could have married him, and have had his kids. They would have a happy family, they would. Two kids, she had decided long ago. Both of them girls. She would name one, and Percy would name one. And she even had the name decided for the girl she would name: Lucy. Penny was a Muggle-born and so she had grown up watching I Love Lucy. And she really did love Lucy. So much that she decided to name her daughter after the fictional character.
But none of that would come true.
And it was all because she was dying…

Percy spotted the slim figure, and steadily walked out towards her; in his mind going through what he would say to her.

"Penny," he began, but all the rehearsed words flew out of his head as soon as he saw her tear-stained face and red eyes.

"Penny, Penny, Penny…" he whispered as he enveloped a shaking Penelope in his arms.

"Baby, why the tears? I thought you would be ecstatic…"

"I am, Perce. More that you will ever know. But…I-I can't marry you…" she sniffled.

"Why, love?" he asked, fully well knowing the reason.

"B-because… I am dying, Perce. And by marrying you, I will kill you as well!" she shrieked hysterically as she pushed him away.

"No, no you will not. You can never ever harm me, Pens. You KNOW that. You saved me. You can't kill me. By marrying me, you will give me a new lease of life. Another reason to live. I can know what I am waking up for every single morning. That is what I need, Pens. And I know that you want to marry me just as much as I wanna marry you. I know that! So what if you won't be there for long? I will be there for and with you forever. And…I want to fulfill every single dream of yours. Including the Lucy one. Yes, that one and more. As many as I can!" Percy consoled her as moved closer to her and cautiously wrapped her in a hug again.

"H-how do you remember that dream?" a shocked Penelope asked.

Percy smiled, "you told me, back in our seventh year. Remember?"

Penelope's eyes filled with tears, "you paid attention to all that mindless chatter?"

"Mindless? Oh no, they were as clever as Dumbledore's word. No, not that eccentric though," he grinned.

"So. Like I was saying, you have to marry me. If you don't marry me, I will never marry anybody else. Ever." he announced, his eyes twinkling.

"And you think that will blackmail me into marrying you…?" she grinned wryly.

"Actually, I do. So, let's give this another try: Will you, Penelope Clearwater, my life and everything, marry this poor desperate guy?" he asked, once again going down on one knee and holding out the ring to her.

"Well, if I don't then you won't ever tie the knot. And I wouldn't want that now, would I? So, hmm, I think I'll say…YES!" she gave a watery grin.

"All right…!"

Penelope looked at her fiancé as he happily announced the good news to everybody, and blushed when the whole Weasley family (including Hermione and Harry) cheered loudly.
She studied his innocent smile, with tears in her eyes, and felt that God had indeed blessed her. So what if she was dying? He blessed her with Percy. A person who cared so much for her that he actually paid attention to her, a person who was not afraid of her illness. Who loved her like she was, and she wondered how on earth he could ever think that he was a terrible person.
A person became what their parents made them; Percy Weasley's ambitious nature is all a side effect of Mrs Weasley's vigorous training. But then, the person he was… that cared so much was because of his mother as well. And the brave part of him was also his mother's boon.
Penelope's heart swelled with pride and love and she reached over and kissed him full on his lips, surprising him. She then looked away and felt herself break down against his chest; he held her as the Weasleys 'awed'. Penny sniffled emotionally, and once again thanked God; thanked Him for what He had given her. And prayed that He would bless the kindest of the kindest souls: Percy Weasley.

Percy stroked Penelope's thick blonde curls, and kept whispering soothing words to her as she sobbed. He knew why she was emotional but the rest of the family did not; they looked at Penelope concerned and turned their questioning eyes towards Percy.

"Later", he mouthed to his parents; they nodded understandingly and shooed the kids outside.

"Yes, Penny. Yeah, I know… I know…Yep, a nice long white dress. And who do you want the bridesmaid to be?" Percy asked five minutes later, in an attempt to console the still crying Penelope.

"Uhm, I think Ginny would be a b-brilliant choice. And…hmm…what about my old friend K-katherine? And I know that you are fond of Hermione Granger, so she would be a good choice too." Penny sniffed, finally regaining her composure.
Percy internally sighed in relief; he was not all that adept at making crying females stop doing what he hated the most, but he grinned proudly as he murmured a "fabulous choice, dear. Let's go and ask Gin and Mione."

(Two hours later)

"What!? A WEEK? But that is TOO LESS, PERCE!!" Mrs Weasley shrieked.

"I know, mother, but I want to get married to Penelope as soon as possible so that we could have more time together and hopefully have kids as well." Percy explained.

"Kids…Merlin" Mrs Weasley sank on the sofa, her head in her hands.

"No offence or anything but is that even possible? I mean, would that not take too much out of her, in her condition? And what about the baby's health? Can a child born out of a Cancer-patient be healthy?" Ron asked reasonably.

"Yes, she can, Ron. It is true that it will be too hard on Penelope but it is scientifically possible. Many cases have been born that way and they are living perfectly healthy lives." spoke up Hermione Granger.

"Well, there you have it. Miones cleared it up and Pens wants it. So who am I to deny her of something that she has been dreaming about since a child?" Percy spread out his hands and raised his eyebrows.

"Child, are you sure about this?" Mr Weasley asked.

"Yes, father, I am perfectly ready for it and rather, I am looking forward to it!" Percy smiled proudly.

"If you are sure, darling…" Mrs Weasley sighed.

"Yes I am and- Penny love, you're awake?" Percy greeted a sleepy Penny.

"Yeah. Hi, all. What were you all talking about?" she asked casually, seating herself next to Percy.

"Just our wedding. Mother is not sure about the wedding. She says a week is too early. I told her not for us who are both restless to rock and roll…" he winked naughtily as the younger kids (read: Ginny, Ron, Hermione and Harry) gawked at him in disbelief; was this the same Percy, their self-righteous brother and friend?

Apparently not.

"Perce!" laughed an embarrassed Penelope.

"Yes, now, moving on, Percy mentioned that you can sing rather well. Why not hum us some lines?" Mr Weasley gently changed the topic.

"Well, I am not such a great singer…"

"Oh come on, please. Come on…" Ginny and Hermione urged, while Harry and Ron encouragingly nodded.

"Well…well…"

Penelope cleared her throat hesitatingly and belted out her favorite song; Percy smiled, he had a feeling that she was going to sing this one. It was always on her mind.

"Yeah, yeah,

Yeah-eah, yeah,

Yeah-eah, yeah

"How do you always have an opinion?

And how do you always find the best way to compromise

We don't need to have a reason

We don't need anything

We're just wasting time"

As she sang these lines, Penelope was reminded of an incident that took place just two weeks ago.
It was when they were on a date at a Muggle restaurant. It was Penny's idea. And Penny discovered yet another side of the ever-mysterious Percy Weasley…

9th July, 1998.

"I just do not understand why Muggles want everything so clean. It is unnatural." remarked the clean-freak Percy.

"Percy. You are saying this? You like everything to be perfect and…wow…in all these years; this thought never came to me.
You sure have your opinions…" Penelope shook her head disbelievingly.

"I was a clean freak. Now I am not. Believe me, nobody can be, living on their own, you know. And I am not half as a clean freak as Hermione Granger. But I never reached that level of freakiness because I lived in the Weasley household. And their middle name is: compromise. If you don't then you die." he chuckled, sounding a bit wistful.

Penelope smiled lightly and stroked his hand, and whispered, "My Mr Clean Freak, oops, 'ex'clean freak and Compromise."

"That I am." he smiled lightly, and leaned over to kiss her lightly on her forehead.

(An hour later.)

"Tell me something, Pens. Why do Humans live? I mean, why are we here?" Percy asked thoughtfully as they strolled on the London Bridge.

Penelope laughed lightly. "Why are we here, huh? We all have our reasons. Some, like me, are here to waste time and just have a good life. Others, to devote their lives for a particular cause, person or God. Tell me, why are you here?"

"Hmm. I am here…for you…to be like you. And so I suppose I am wasting time like you. But I am wasting it with you. That really means that I am not wasting it at all." he grinned as he hugged her and kissed her on her neck.

'Love can really make a pompous person like him a crazy lover boy…' Penny thought herself as she gave him the World's Best Make Out Session.

(Back to Present)

"I think there's something more, life's worth living for

Who knows what could happen.

Do what you do, just keep on laughing

One thing's true, there's always a brand new day…

Who knows what could happen.

Do what you do, just keep on laughing

One thing's true, there's always a brand new day

I'm gonna live today like it's my last day"

she ended, hitting an extremely high note.

Her audience clapped their hands appreciatively and Mrs Weasley beamed as she exclaimed, "My Percy has chosen such a talented woman!"
"It's true, mum. I quite agree…" Percy nodded proudly.
Penelope gave her Angels a big smile; it was only for her to know that she was the happiest she had ever been in her life.

The Weasley Family could make Moaning Myrtle laugh, she ginned.

Author's Note: That is it, my sweet pumpkins. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it. This is going to be a chaptered fic, I can tell you all. I think that only one more chapter is left. I will warn you: it will be bittersweet. It is going to have Percy and Penny's wedding; and some important events in their lives. And then approaches the dark climax…

Drama? Oh yes, that is MY middle name.

So, how was it….?? Oh and so many thanks to those who reviewed and added me to their faves and their alerts. I am SO, SO grateful! They inspired me to write my best…

Thanks so very much.

Now, you see how much I appreciate you when you comment?

So…REVIEW! ;

Percy is OOC. I know, but that is because, like I have explained many times in the chapter: Love and times have changed him a lot. He has matured; to become a person quite different from the one he was when he was in school. That person knows the value of life. And he knows it because he was taught by Penny.

Loads and LOADS of love,

Ginny.

Oh and Who Knows is the fabulous song by Avril Lavigne.

Oh and the fab BETA is ... Know it all hermione

The best.