Told you I'd bring forth the next chapter! Oh...this is where things begin to pick up and the claws start to come out. XD *rubs hands in plotting, maniacal manner* Enjoy, my pretties! :P
Chapter Eight-Coral Pink Temptress
Sunday blew in as did another hang-out. The bakery did feature a new type of pumpkin pasty...a spiced, sweet potato/pumpkin version. It was quite sweet, buttery and filling in their opinion. Percy ate one while Marcus devoured three. Both decided to venture out to the pond and watch the swans float about, 'conversing' with one another. More friendly banter was exchanged as these two teens grew closer, neither one realizing or actually...willing to admit what was truly developing. At sunset, Marcus and Percy said their temporary farewells and went their separate ways until they met again.
Percy didn't have to wait too long, about a week for the fourth time. As the next couple of weeks flew by, they continued seeing each other...alternating between hanging out at one another's homes and trips to town. This next visit however, Marcus was going to spend the weekend. Of course, Percy had to ask first. The day before, Molly was sitting in the parlor, reading the Daily Prophet when her third-born approached her.
"Mother, is it alright if Marcus spends the weekend over here?"
Normally, she didn't care who her children had over since they were the usuals, but her eyes brightened when it came to this one. "Of course Marcus can stay. Just be sure to finish up all your chores tonight."
"Yes, Mum." he scurried off to do just that.
'It's about time. Now I can put my plans into action.'
Percy was putting the last finishing touches in the parlor when he heard knocking. Cleaning his glasses of dust, he let Marcus in. Unfortunately, Percy was not the only one to meet him at the door.
"Hello, your highness." Molly nudged past Percy, extending a manicured hand to the prince's, gently patting it.
"Lunch will be ready soon, dear. How about you go ahead and take a seat while Percy takes your things?"
Remembering to be cordial even though she wasn't, he calmly responded with a false smile "I can handle it, Mrs. Weasley. They've been specifically charmed so that only I can touch them. Sorry, it was my parents' idea."
"Oh, silly me. I should have known."
"It's alright. May I set them down first then attend lunch?"
"Of course, you may. You're such a polite young man. It's a shame not many follow your example."
"Quite." he graciously nodded to the matriarch and trekked upstairs. As soon as he turned, Molly's warm smile faded into a smug expression.
Percy caught that out of his peripheral vision. 'What the hell have you been planning? I know you're up to something.' Averting his eyes, he followed Marcus.
In his room, he saw Flint returning his trunk to regular size, setting it in the corner.
"Here, let me." with a flick of the wand, Percy transfigured a pile of books into a comfortable bed large enough to fit Marcus.
"Great work, Percy...and thanks."
"No problem. How about we go down to the parlor? Bill and Charlie will be here in about an hour or so...they went to town, it was their day off."
"Before I go.." Marcus placed extra charms surrounding his trunk and the bed, knowing people can bewitch those as well.
On the other side of the house, Molly was speaking to Ginny. "You remember exactly what I've told you?"
"Mum, I have no problems getting guys, this one should be a piece of cake."
Downstairs, Percy and Marcus were discussing the latest happenings at the Ministry, sitting next to each other on the couch. "So, apparently that's what they have in mind for the next conference regarding foreign potion policy."
"I see..."
"Ahem." a voice beckoned their attention. There stood Ginny, her face was made up-coral pink eyeshadow with a touch of darker pink for balance, eyeliner, mascara and tinted lip gloss.
She was dressed in a coral pink miniskirt and low-cut blouse, revealing the top of her breasts. Ginny was rather curvaceous like Molly who was still quite voluptuous herself, of course she was a little bigger due to her age and having bore seven children. Seriously, what woman's body will return to absolutely normal after that?
In a casual, yet sultry tone, Ginny asked while swaying her hips as she sashayed over "Mind if I join you two?"
Percy narrowed his sapphires. Oh, he knew exactly what this bitch was trying to do. "I think we're fine, Ginny. Aren't your friends supposed to be visiting soon?"
With a flirty smile, she responded "Yes, they'll be here shortly. They'll also be joining us for lunch and spending the weekend here like Marcus."
'Oh god! A fucking audience?! Really?!' Percy mentally screamed. Flint's eye twitched at the thought.
"Oh Percy, Mum needs your help in the kitchen. Now."
Glowering at his sister, Percy stepped off hurriedly to meet his mother's demands, leaving her alone with Marcus.
Taking a seat next to the prince, she leaned against the cushion in a seductive manner. "You and I never had the chance to get formally acquainted. I'm sure as Percy had mentioned before..I am Ginevra Weasley, the youngest and only daughter of the Weasley clan." She held her hand out, gesturing him to take it.
"Charmed..." Marcus slowly wrapped his larger hand around hers in a quick shake and let go, inwardly cringing.
"You have such strong hands, you must work out often."
"Yeah, it's a hobby...one of several."
"What else do you do?"
"I work out, play Quidditch, read, eat, sit in at meetings...exist. 'Bout it.''
Ginny giggled ''Exist? That's a good one..you're quite funny, too."
'Yeah, I'm a bucket of laughs. Please, Percy..hurry up and get back here!'
"You seem to have gotten to know Percy rather well. You've been coming over more so it's only fair you get to know the rest of the family. I'd like to know you more too..'' the sly vixen ever so slowly, traced a manicured finger up and down Marcus's right bulging bicep.
"Um, Ginny? I think we can get to know one another just fine by talking." he moved his arm away.
"We can do that. Maybe hopefully more in private." she whispered, allowing her lips to brush his ear.
"Lunch is ready and your friends are at the door." Percy snapped, having seen the entire exchange. Ginny rolled her eyes and sneered at him. Her attempt of baiting the prince was sent crashing down.
''Why don't you get the door?" she quipped.
Percy smirked "As you can plainly see, I too have a guest that garners my attention. They're your friends."
"Ugh, fine." she sent him a glare which he matched as she stomped past them.
Marcus appeared uneasy.
"Before you say anything, I know she was the instigator. None of it was your fault."
These words comforted the prince, who let out a breath of relief. "Thank you, now..what's for lunch?"
"Salad and fresh tilapia in dill sauce...quite tasty."
"Oohh..yum. Can't wait."
They heard the sounds of Ginny telling her friends to act natural and go ahead to the dining room, she had to do something first.
'So do I...funny, huh?' "Could you wait outside the door for me? I need to take care of something."
"If it's her, by all means." Marcus stood and waited outside the parlor door, ignoring the excited squeals and hair-twirling.
Percy made himself look busy by fluffing the pillows when Ginny returned. He turned around "What is it you think you were trying to accomplish, dear sister?"
She smirked "Oh, you know exactly what I was doing, dear Scarecrow."
"You see he's clearly not interested, why else would he remove his arm from your grubby, polished paw?"
"Marcus is only a little shy. It takes a while for guys like him to warm up to girls like me. Once I break the ice and the boys get a little taste, they always come back for more. Always. The prince is no different."
Percy scoffed "You think no man can resist your charms. Well, I assure you...you've met your match. He's one who actually has the brains and willpower to see right through you, darling."
Ginny mirrored his catty, falsely-gentle smile "Sweet, dear, naive big brother...you truly underestimate me. I know how to play the game and every trick in the book. You obviously lack in that department, so if I were you...I'd step back before I get hurt."
"And if I were you, I'd back off Marcus. He is my friend, not yours."
The mini-temptress locked aqua-blue eyes with furious sapphire.
"I don't think so. You know I have never failed at ensnaring any man into my web and I surely will not fail with this one. Yes, I have dated around but this time, I may just keep him. So, treasure what friendship you have with Marcus now, 'cause when he's eventually mine...you can kiss that.." she made a mock kissing motion "...goodbye."
With that, Ginny headed to the dining room, leaving a snarling Percy whiteknuckled in the parlor. Marcus poked his head in to see his friend glaring into space.
"Percy...what did she say to you?"
He immediately calmed. "Nothing I can't handle. Now, lunch?"
Taking a seat next to the redhead, Marcus pondered over what Ginny may have said to leave him with that deadly glare in his eyes. There had to be more to the story...he wished that Percy would tell him. In between bites, Percy glanced at Ginny who was suggestively eating her cherry tomatoes while winking at Marcus. The curly-top was definitely fuming but he remained collected, they had a full house since Bill and Charlie came home right after Ginny's friends.
Speaking of, Bill was eyeing the subtle actions between those three-Percy, Marcus and Ginny.
'I know something is off ...was there a row before lunch? I have a feeling Ginny's the cause of the disharmony. She may be my sister, but that brat has a way of wearing on someone's nerves. Just look at the way Percy is glaring at her...and how she's winking at Flint. I want answers, and I'm going to get them today. I'll bring Charlie for extra measure.'
He caught the same look from Charlie. He's noticed something was afoot.
Meow! Hiss! Told you the claws would emerge! XD :3 Stay tuned for the next chapter, kind readers! It's only going to escalate from here! ;)