As Yaxley rambled on about his wife (who most definitely was having an affair now-the only question was with how many lovers), Alicia through Percy an anxious look and gestured down the hall. Percy didn't understand, but Alicia just stood up, grabbed her things, and hurried out.

Worried, Percy tried to focus on Yaxley when he really just wanted to scream, "Get a divorce already!" and check on Alicia.

"So how about it?"

"How about what?" Percy asked.

"That drink? You're always blowing me off, but today I'm not taking no for an answer," Yaxley stood up. He glanced at Alicia's desk. "Where'd she run off to?"

"Oh, I think she said something about stopping by running something by Health and Safety before heading home," Percy lied easily. What was Alicia's job anyway? Everyone dealt with Health and Safety at some point, right?

"Eh. Wanna keep an eye on that one, you will. Nothin' but trouble," Yaxley grumbled putting his coat on. "Mudblood lover that one is."

Percy felt himself clench his fist at the word "mudblood," but said nothing. "I would hardly credit her with anything more than harmless party girl," Percy replied standing up. Changing the subject as quickly as he could, "So a drink?"

"Ha! You're finally coming. I knew I'd wear you down eventually!" he through an arm around Percy's shoulders and Percy tried not to shudder.

"Come on. Aberforth's is always the best place to talk."

XXX

As Yaxley drowned his marital issues in alcohol, Percy kept glancing at the clock. He'd managed to send his Patronous to tell Audrey that he'd be late (he'd found that making a Patronous had been far easier in the past few weeks than it had ever been in his entire life), he knew that she would still worry. Another fun fact about Yaxley: the drunker he got, the less politically correct he became. But what was politically correct nowadays anyway? Soon they would start teaching children that "Mudblood" was correct and "muggle-born" was a dirty word.

"Stinkin' Mudbloods. They're the reason everythin's wrong with th' world. If we'd just git rid of 'em, life would be so much better," Yaxley slurred.

Percy stood up abruptly. At the look on Yaxley's face, he muttered, "Next round's on me."

"See! Tha's good pure-blood breadin'. Offerin' to buy a mana drink. Not sure where it came from though. What wiff yer family bein' the way they are," Yaxley nearly fell out of his chair at that.

Percy waited at the bar and actually let a two other wizards (at least, he thought one of them looked like a wizard) order ahead of him so that he could cool off.

"Another round please," he said when he finally ran out of reasons to stall.

Aberforth grunted at him. "You're too obvious. They're suspicious of everyone these days and you're no exception. Especially with your family."

Percy stared at the barkeeper unsure if this was a trap. "I'm not my family."

"No, you're not. They off hidin' like any sensible person while you're still trying to be one of them," Aberforth gestured in Yaxley's direction.

"You…you haven't heard anything, have you?" Percy asked.

"No, and if I had I wouldn't be caught talking about it in present company."

Percy swallowed. "If you…if you do find anything out…you'll let me know, right?"

Aberforth grunted. "I'll tell you whatever I hear."

XXX

Percy and Yaxley left not long after that. Despite his utter detestation for the man, Percy felt that it would reflect badly on him if he allowed him to Apparate while drunk and get splinched (especially not after so many people had seen them together). After finally figuring out where Yaxley lived (the man was so drunk that Percy could tell whether he'd said "six" or "eight" or "Merlin" or "Mur Lane") Percy Apparated back to the cottage and plopped on the couch as soon as he could.

He groaned.

"I take it your day didn't go well."

"I've had better."