Thank you all who decided to keep reading! :) In this bit, Marcus spills the beans to his buddies and he'll have his first visit at Percy's house! What else will happen?...read to find out!
Chapter Five-Details and First Visit
Marcus apparated into his secret hiding place in the rose garden. He deactivated the disguise charms and tiptoed inside the castle walls. Around the corner, he met a pink-haired woman of about twenty-two tapping her foot.
"Hey... Tonks."
"Wotcher, Marcus. Where have you been? You missed lunch and afternoon tea. I had to cover for you, jack-arse."
Although he towered over the metamorphagus auror, he shrunk under her glare. "Oh, alright..I snuck out. The guys and Luna knew. I was sick of the routine. I wanted time to myself. Is that a crime?"
"No, it's not but I don't want you getting into trouble. You know what your parents say and given your history of running off..." she shrugged.
"I know, I'm sorry. I hope I didn't get you into trouble."
She smiled "Thankfully, no. Your folks were too busy today. So...that's for the win! Anything interesting you do in town? Before you tell me, you used the charms?"
"Of course, I'm not daft."
"Good. Now let's get up to your room, your mates are waiting."
Several staircases later and they were in his dormitory. His buddies were lazing about in the furniture, laughing and joking until their gargantuan of a prince sauntered in with Tonks in tow.
''About damn time, mate. Thought you'd been home earlier.''
''Hello to you too, Pucey." he sarcastically drawled.
Luna smiled "You've met someone. Who's the new friend?"
Everyone silenced.
Tonks slapped the back of his head. "Time to yourself, huh?"
He sputtered "W-Well...it was unexpected, ok? I was in the library..."
"Library? You, Flint?"
"Fuck you, Warrington. As I was saying, I was in the library reading until we bumped into each other. We both were reading and walking at the same time. My, uh, disguise was off 'cause you know Ollivander, and he recognized me."
Terence rolled his jade-green eyes. "Really? Is that it?"
"Before you bash him, he didn't go schoolgirl on me. He actually looked away once he saw who I was. It's like he didn't want to draw attention. We both got to talking and went to lunch. After that, we went to the museum and a few more places then we said goodnight and I left."
Graham queried "What's his name?"
"Percy. Percy Weasley."
"Oh Merlin...as in he's related to Ginny Weasley."
"Yes, you creepy bat. She's his youngest sibling and honestly, I don't think he was too happy about it himself. Something in me just screamed it although I didn't press the matter."
"Oh, Weasley? Yeah...I've met his oldest brothers, Bill and Charlie..they work with their dad. They're decent people." Tonks added.
Miles smiled "Sounds like you two had a great time."
"Yeah, we're happy for you, mate." Adrian grinned, laying his head on Terence's shoulder.
Lucian commented "He doesn't seem like too bad of a bloke from his behavior. What's he look like?"
"Uh, well...he's tall, an inch or two over six feet. Crimson, curly hair that hangs in his eyes, he wears glasses, has blue eyes that heavily remind me of my mum's favorite ring, pale and freckled skin. He's also kinda skinny but I guess he's one of those people who have really high metabolisms, maybe. He's still nice-looking in my opinion."
Bole nodded, forming a picture in his mind. Percy did differ in appearance from the Weasleys he met at the Malfoy gala.
"Are you going to see Percy again soon?" Luna asked serenely, twirling a lock of her hair.
Marcus grinned "Yeah. I dunno when, though. I told him I'd owl. He gave me his address.." he removed a folded piece of parchment from his pocket, opening it.
"Hm...I snuck into your planner and I saw that you have this weekend off. Why not try then?" The auror grinned, her nearly shoulder-length hair turning canary yellow.
"That's perfect but I need to owl him first. It's still an early night, so he should be up." Marcus rummaged around in his desk and got to work, his pals whispered amongst themselves as he scribbled.
Luna mused as she stroked Ares, his giant eagle owl. 'I think this could be the start of something quite lovely but there will be trouble in their midst due to several vicious imps.'
Around ten o'clock that night, Percy was lying in his bed, his eyelids closing as he tried for sleep. A firm 'tap-tap' sounded on his window. His eyes snapped open, he stared at the glass. An eagle owl was waiting impatiently on the redhead. Opening the window, the owl flew in, depositing the letter from its beak into Percy's hand.
'Already?' he gave the owl a treat as it perched on the windowsill. He torn open the wax seal and read the contents.
"-Hey Percy. Sorry if this came a little late...I hope I didn't wake you. Anyway, I checked my schedule and I'm free this weekend..Friday through Sunday. If you'd like to hang during those three days, let me know. Maybe we could have tea? Your place or mine is ok...that's if you're available. Send your reply with Ares, he's kind of an arse to everyone except me...so be careful giving him the letter or a treat. He's a nipper. I'll be waiting on your reply. ~Marcus-"
'This weekend. Sounds great. I haven't exactly gotten orders for those days so I figure I can get everything done before Friday..then Marcus could visit. Well, I need to reply.' he sat down on his desk as Ares eyed him with flame-orange orbs. Dipping his quill, he began writing.
"-Evening, Marcus. It's ok your letter arrived at this hour. It was earlier than expected..but that's fine. Your visitation this weekend sounds wonderful...how does Friday sound? Around lunchtime at my place? I hope that's convenient for you. By the way, thanks for the warning about Ares...he's staring at me like I'm prey. Does he always do that? Other than that...I guess I'll see you then. I'm heading to bed. Goodnight again, Marcus. ~Percy-"
He folded the parchment, placed it inside an envelope, sealed it and presented the letter to Ares; who grabbed it haughtily before he took flight, gliding on the summer winds surging towards Dragonheart Castle. '
Now to wait.' he yawned before finally succumbing to a well-deserved rest.
Tuesday morphed into Wednesday, then Thursday and finally Friday. Percy managed to complete every single task his slavedriver...ahem..'mother' bestowed unto him and let the few insults and complaints roll over his shoulders. Right now, he was putting the last finishing touches on some treats to accompany tea.
''Tempus'', the time read 11:55 am. 'Marcus should be here momentarily.'
One would assume Percy was all cool and collected over the prospect of having Marcus visit but that wasn't the case. He was slightly a nervous wreck. For one- he's never had company of his own, two-he didn't bother to tell his family about the visit...and three-he was apprehensive after the fact because of three certain people in the house.
Thankfully, those three were in the backyard, exchanging ideas over their next elite adventure-where to go, what to wear, who to go with, etc. There was a knock on the front door. Percy speedwalked over, opening it. Standing there without a glamor, was the one and only, Prince Marcus.
"Afternoon, Percy. Thanks for letting me drop by."
"No problem. The parlor is this way. The tea will be served shortly." Percy led him to the sitting room as he tended to the boiling water.
Marcus gazed about the tastefully decorated room. Cream colored furniture in every corner, polished hardwood floors, a built-in bookshelf to the right. There were also family photos upon the walls. Oddly, Percy was hardly in any of them. He vaguely wondered why until he heard footsteps. Upon returning, Percy sat down the tray in front of them, pouring the hot liquid.
"Would you like one of these spice cakes? I made them myself."
Marcus grinned "Sure." he grabbed one and tasted it. "This is great, you surely know what you're doing. I don't think my house elves could make spice cakes this good. Don't tell them I said that. Last thing I need is one trying to throw themselves off the balcony."
Percy's cheeks pinked at the praise. "Thank you, and I'll remember that."
Even as a middle-class family, they had no need for house elves. They had children..well...mostly Percy for that.
"So, Percy..why aren't you in many photographs? I thought your parents would have loved to capture your growth."
The redhead stiffened. 'Of course he had to pay attention to that.'
"Well, I don't exactly care to be photographed. It annoys me. Don't get me wrong, there is more of me..but they're in albums somewhere around here."
"I see, how about your family..what are they like?"
Percy responded "My father works at the Ministry and he's quite kind and mellow. He normally sticks to himself after work since it's kinda hectic dealing with cursed artifacts and paperwork. My eldest brothers are Bill and Charlie. Bill works alongside my father in his department but is more active outside the office with cursebreakers, and Charlie, he's in the magical creature division. The twins, Fred and George, they're pranking masterminds who normally joke more than anything else...I've been their unwilling victim many times..but that has let up."
Marcus nodded silently, inwardly warning himself to keep a close eye on the twins.
"As for my mother, youngest brother and sister-Ron and Ginny..." he sighed "...I dunno how I can explain their personalities in the nicest way possible."
Marcus cocked his head "Nicest way possible? They can't be ALL that bad. Some family members can be a little hard to get along with. It's like that with everyone."
"I understand that but.." before he could finish, he heard those three dreaded voices outside the parlor. 'Don't come in here...don't come in here...don't come in here...for all that is holy, do not come in here.'
''Oi, Percy!''
'Fuck...' he face-palmed himself, groaning as he slid down into his armchair, Marcus jumping slightly at the sudden bellow.
A boy of fifteen meandered in "Scarecrow! Mum wants you to...whoa!" he gaped before he ran back out. "Mum, you won't believe who's here!"
"Oh Ron, dear...who could be that unexpected?"
She and Ginny poked their heads in only to gape and gasp.
"Mum, Prince Marcus, is in our parlor..oh Merlin!"
'Oh, great, here we go.' Marcus scowled as the ecstatic redheads filed in.
Holding her head up high, Molly asked "Hello, your highness. May I ask what you're doing here in our humble home?''
He turned his eyes to Percy, who still attempted not moving.
The matriarch's eyes widened in shock, but quickly returned calm. "I see. Percy, dear, why didn't you tell us you were having company? I could have prepared a meal for you.''
'Spare me that bullshit, Mother.' ''I'm sorry, Mum. I figured that you all were so busy and you weren't home, I didn't get a chance to ask. He's over for tea and lunch. I have both prepared, the lunch is in the oven. Speaking of..excuse me, Marcus." Percy left to bring back their sustenance.
Marcus watched Percy leave and tried to avoid making contact with the other occupants, who were practically squirming...it was so annoying. With a sidelook from Molly, Ginny took a seat next to Marcus, her glossed lips pulled back into a smile. Inside, she couldn't wrap her head around the fact the prince was here to see Percy, of all people. It was time to play it cool.
In a casual tone, she voiced "So, Prince Marcus, how are you doing today?"
"Uh, fine for a Friday, I guess."
"What're you doing here visiting Percy? How do you know him, anyway?" Ron blurted out incredulously.
'Way to be subtle, you dumbarse.' Ginny rolled her mascaraed eyes.
Percy came back in "Lunch is on the table, Marcus."
'Thank Merlin...just in the nick of time.' "Ok, Percy." the towering teen stood and left behind the curly-top.
Taking a seat next to each other, they began eating and chatting. Glancing out the corner of his eye, Percy thought 'Of course, Mum and her puppets had to follow...' seeing as the wicked triumvirate sauntered into the dining room.
"Marcus, however did you meet our beloved Percy?" Molly queried as she sat across from the black-haired male. His mouth was full so he pointed to Percy.
Taking a hint, he responded "Mum, we met in town...more like bumped into one another."
Ginny snorted, muttering "Typical you."
Ignoring that, he continued "We talked and hung out, now he's here." he finished matter-of-factly.
"So you two are like...friends now?" Ron asked skeptically.
"You could say that, yes."
Marcus merely nodded before he swallowed his pumpkin juice.
"May we finish eating?"
"Of course, dear...excuse us." She gave each a warm smile before ushering Ron and Ginny out the room.
Marcus shook his head. "Vultures."
"Tell me about it."
The prince gazed at Percy with his eerie orbs. "Think maybe you'd like to hang somewhere after this?"
"Hm...how about my room? I know some rather advanced locking and silencing spells."
"Ok."