I'm sorry it took so long!

Audrey Witherspoon would never admit to being a sentimental person, nor a particularly traditional one. And in her most humble of opinions, tradition often arose from sentimentality. The love of doing something regularly in the name of romance often became tradition. The bride wearing pure white, cute couples kissing in cars and of course the infamous summertime picnic, all were as romantic as they were traditional.

Unfortunately for the poor girl, Percy Weasley was rather traditional in his courting, and the idea of a summer picnic was simply the greatest thing since wand lore in his opinion.

But just because Audrey wouldn't admit to any sentimental attitudes didn't mean the idea of a picnic entirely repulsed her. She decided she would have her fun, staring her dear Percy straight in the eyes saying, "And what shall darling Prince Charming be making for this picnic?"

She'd said this while leaning over his desk and displaying her finest smug expression. His spluttering had soon been replaced by suggestions, he practically proposed a banquet in a basket.

So despite her initial scepticism, Audrey put her thoughts aside both to make him happy and watch carefully as he fumbled over cooking and packing. One of her favourite pastimes was watching her boyfriend squirm, especially when he had such a cute facial expression on as he did so.

She entered his apartment in June on a particularly sunny day. Well it was sunny in some other part of the world, but not in London, England. In London, England, it was cloudy and murky with a light fog resting between the many buildings.

"That's what apparation is for," Percy stated when Audrey pointed out the window.

"If you say so Mr Weather-man."

After several failed locations, the couple finally settled on a fresh, grassy, green hill just west of Ottery Saint Mary. Percy as usual was dressed smartly but hadn't bothered to comb his hair for once, leaving it in all it's curly, messy glory.

"What? Are we going for the ruggedly handsome look today?" teased Audrey.

"Aren't I always?" he shrugged pulling several plastic tubs from a very traditional picnic basket. Almost stinks of well-practised transfiguration, thought Audrey.

Munching happily on Percy's handmade sandwiches they spoke of several things. That muggle movie they saw, that book Percy lent to Audrey which she'd fallen asleep on, the demands Audrey's landlord made for more money and how he'd prominently shut up since she yelled him into a corner until his ears were ringing.

Audrey was quiet for a few seconds. She was thinking, Percy could tell, and he never interrupted her thinking. Not only because she would lose her train of sometimes brilliant thought, but also because he enjoyed gazing over her features. Her caring, gentle blue eyes, that never lit with anger (even when money for her home was involved). Her hair worn down today that shifted with the breezes. Her slightly upturned nose that sometimes made her look haughty, which she nearly always used to her advantage in arguments.

Then her mouth. He could have thought of it in several ways. Twiggy's wedding often came to mind and their moment on the balcony, not to say they hadn't gotten closer since but it was the most prominent of his memories. But more often than those thoughts, he considered her smile. When they first met that seemed to be all she was capable of doing, other than writing. He was pleased to say since a year ago, he'd seen many more expressions, once a bit lip when she forget how to spell precocious but was too proud to ask, once she pouted as he refused to let her take even one of his Bertie Bott's Beans (he'd eventually conceded), once when she'd read the newspaper and heard of Dumbledore's death her lip had trembled.

That one he remembered most clearly. She'd stated to have seen his vulnerable side but he'd never seen hers but in that moment. It had been a tender moment as well. He'd watched her on his sofa, reading his copy of the Daily Prophet, and began to panic as her face fell to one he'd never seen and never desired to see again. He'd read over her shoulder, the giant headline that the entire of Britain would read. DUMBLEDORE DEAD. It read. He's heard the news just four days before he went to pay his respects to the old headmaster of Hogwarts. Audrey had also attended, spending the ceremony with her head bowed and not meeting anyone's eye. He wouldn't have been surprised if no one noticed her at all.

They'd returned to his apartment and spent the night playing chess in silence. Audrey hadn't gone home that evening and the morning found the couple with pained necks sleeping on the sofa leaning against each other. Percy had felt Audrey's fear and helped her. He had never experienced such a happy day as the one Audrey's smiles returned.

Sure the world hadn't gone away with it's problems declaring it was sorry for all the trouble it had caused them. But as long as Audrey could look at the world and no matter what, she could smile, then the world was perfect enough for Percy.

Alright! I've tried! I personally have never had a relationship like this so I cannot describe with much authenticity the characters emotions (sorry when I wrote this I was in a very long-wordy mood!). There may be several chapters with Percy and Audrey just picnicking, I'm trying to make this a moment of great growth in their relationship since in a few months time (Harry Potter time) Voldemort will take over the ministry and things between them will be impacted (maybe) by the state of their work place.

This is the time when constructive criticism is really appreciated (I'm sorry I know you hate me for waiting months to update but please help!) since I have no idea when love comes into play. I'll be re-editing a few other chapters too so if there are any mistakes I've missed just let me know! ... in a review... please...