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girlyswotTake some time out to enjoy this fluffy canon story to cheer your heart this Christmas!
There was a light on in the kitchen.
Percy stumbled down the stairs wearily, wondering who else was up at this hour. He’d finally given up on tossing and turning and decided to come downstairs, hoping a cup of cocoa would help him get to sleep. He’d had a lot of late-night cups of cocoa this summer.
“You, too?” Ginny set her own cup on the table and turned to get another. Soon, they were settled across from each other in their usual spots, a plate of biscuits between them. They’d found themselves here on many occasions in the past weeks, sharing biscuits and cocoa and talking while the rest of the house slept.
“Thanks. Bad dream?”
“No, just a lot on my mind. I can’t believe it’s almost September. Sometimes it seems like everything just happened, you know?” Ginny fidgeted in her chair, dipping a biscuit into her cocoa and taking a bite.
“It does. Are you ready to go back?”
“I suppose. Are you?”
Percy had been staying at the Burrow since the night after the battle, at first because Mum hadn’t wanted to let any of them out of her sight. As the summer wore on, though, they’d all begun slipping back into more or less normal routines. Charlie had departed for Romania the month before to escort a wounded dragon to the reserve for treatment. Ron and Hermione were inseparable and were usually to be found sprawled in the grass outside, talking about everything and nothing, while Harry and Ginny each seemed to be waiting for the other to speak first. Bill and Fleur visited every few days, but were clearly enjoying the solitude at their newly empty home. Percy had accepted his old job back at the Ministry, and was scheduled to start on the first of September. He’d offered to return earlier, but Kingsley – Minister – Shacklebolt had insisted he should have more time with his family.
“I think so. I’ll probably go back to London next week. I don’t want to think about the state my flat must be in.” He took off his glasses, wiping them on the hem of his t-shirt before slipping them back on.
“I’ll help you clean,” Ginny offered. Percy snorted good-naturedly.
“Thanks, but I’ve seen your cleaning charms.”
“What’s wrong with my cleaning charms?” she asked, indignant.
“Nothing at all, if you like having holes burnt in the rug.” Percy ducked to avoid the biscuit she flung at him.
“That was an accident! I wasn’t concentrating properly because I had…”
“Things on your mind, yes, I know,” he smirked. “So, what is it that’s been occupying your thoughts all summer?”
“It’s Harry.” Ginny leaned forward, elbows on the table and her chin in her hands. “I… I thought we’d have figured things out between us by now, but I still don’t know what he’s thinking. Unless it’s about Quidditch, that is, or the Ministry. We seem to talk about everything except us.”
“Have you tried to talk to him about it?”
“I don’t know what to say. I’ve been waiting for him to say something first. Maybe he doesn’t like me that way any more.”
Percy refilled their cups, taking a sip of his fresh cocoa before replying.
“Maybe he’s not sure you still feel the same way, either.” Ginny started at that.
“But I… last year, on his birthday…” She explained the kiss. Percy wasn’t sure whether he really wanted to hear about the sorts of things his baby sister had gotten up to with her boyfriend, but she was clearly distressed.
“That was last year, Ginny. A lot has happened. And even forgetting the extraordinary circumstances we’ve all had to live with this past year, reading witches’ minds is not something they pulled us aside to learn at Hogwarts. I’m afraid you’re going to have to take the risk and tell him exactly what you want.”
“I will if you will,” Ginny challenged him, one eyebrow raised.
Percy choked on a biscuit, hastily taking a sip of cocoa to wash it down.
“I beg your pardon?” he croaked.
“That witch in Flourish and Blotts. I saw you chatting her up today while Mum was in line to pay for my books, and then you were disgustingly cheerful all afternoon. What’s her name?”
“Audrey. But I fail to see what that has to do with you and Harry.” He had been browsing the Charms section when a small, soft hand had reached for the same book he had. He’d found himself chatting amiably with the pretty, brown-haired witch for the next twenty minutes.
“Nothing at all. But I worry about you, too, big brother. And you liked her, didn’t you?”
“Doesn’t matter. She was just visiting for the day, down from Edinburgh.”
“Are you a wizard or aren’t you?” Ginny laughed. “That’s what Apparition is for. And Floo.” She stood up and took their empty cups and the biscuit plate to the sink, casting a scrubbing charm on them.
“I’m going up to bed,” she announced, stooping to brush a kiss across his cheek on her way out.
“Thanks for the advice.”
“And Percy?” Ginny paused at the door.
“Yes?”
“At least think about it, yeah?”
***
Percy had thought about it, but getting his flat back in order and returning to work had occupied most of his time, so he hadn’t taken Ginny’s advice. He decided in October that Audrey probably hadn’t liked him all that much. By December, he was convinced she’d forgotten all about him.
He appeared with a ‘pop’ just outside the Leaky Cauldron. The Ministry had closed early that afternoon, and everyone in the department had been encouraged to come to the office Christmas party. His hand was already on the door when he changed his mind. He wasn’t feeling particularly festive, so he decided instead to finish his shopping and enjoy a quiet evening at home. Absorbed in his thoughts, he didn’t notice the shop door opening just ahead.
“Oh!” The startled cry brought Percy back to the present just before the witch collided with him, her packages scattering on the ground.
“I’m terribly sorry – are you all right?”
“So sorry, please forgive me…” They both reached for the same package, their hands brushing.
“Allow me. Accio.” Parcels and bags gathered neatly into a stack in Percy’s arms. He stood there awkwardly, not sure what to say.
“Thank you.” The witch beamed up at him, her voice soft and her big brown eyes warm with appreciation. She was very pretty. And familiar.
“You’re quite welcome. Haven’t we met?”
“Yes, this summer at Flourish and Blotts. I’m Audrey, and you’re Percy.”
He liked the way she said his name, and the way she blushed afterward, as if embarrassed at admitting she’d remembered after all this time.
“Well, Audrey, it’s nice to see you again. I hope nothing has been damaged,” he said, indicating the stack of parcels in his arms.
“I’m sure they’re fine - the shop cast an Unbreakable Charm on all the packages before I left. I can take them now, thanks,” she smiled. “Unless you’d like to join me for a drink? I don’t know about you, but I could do with a nice, warm Butterbeer right about now.”
“I’d like that. Very much.”
They began strolling back down the street. Along the way, Percy discovered that Audrey was new to London, having moved from Edinburgh to take a position as a buyer for Flourish and Blotts. They laughed when they realized they both were avoiding their office parties; she because she didn’t yet know anyone that well, and Percy because he was entirely too familiar with everyone at the Ministry.
“Well, The Leaky Cauldron’s out, then,” Percy pointed out as they stood outside. “What shall we do?”
“Hmm.” Audrey thought for a minute. “Do you trust me?”
“What? Yes, I suppose,” Percy said, bemused.
Audrey took out her wand and shrank the packages in his arms, then tucked them in her bag. She took him by the hand and led him into the pub and straight through to the exit to Muggle London. The next thing he knew, they were strolling down Charing Cross Road.
“Where exactly are we going?”
“You’ll see. Oh, wait here.” Percy watched as she ducked into a café, emerging a moment later with two large, steaming cups of hot chocolate.
She slipped her hand in his again as they continued down the street. Soon, they’d come to a large square decorated for the holidays and packed with Muggles. An enormous Christmas tree stood near the center of the square, covered in white lights.
Audrey led him over to a large monument. They sat at its base, gazing at the tree and listening to a group of carolers singing.
“Isn’t this lovely?” she asked.
Percy couldn’t resist the look of delight on her face. Before he could think of a reason not to, he kissed her softly, one arm slipping around her shoulders as she leaned into him. When the kiss finally ended, he pulled back slightly, one hand stroking her cheek as she smiled up at him.
“Very lovely.”
He was going to have to get Ginny something really nice for Christmas.
Secret Santa gifts have (almost) all been sent now. See what![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
megan29 received from hers here.
There was a light on in the kitchen.
Percy stumbled down the stairs wearily, wondering who else was up at this hour. He’d finally given up on tossing and turning and decided to come downstairs, hoping a cup of cocoa would help him get to sleep. He’d had a lot of late-night cups of cocoa this summer.
“You, too?” Ginny set her own cup on the table and turned to get another. Soon, they were settled across from each other in their usual spots, a plate of biscuits between them. They’d found themselves here on many occasions in the past weeks, sharing biscuits and cocoa and talking while the rest of the house slept.
“Thanks. Bad dream?”
“No, just a lot on my mind. I can’t believe it’s almost September. Sometimes it seems like everything just happened, you know?” Ginny fidgeted in her chair, dipping a biscuit into her cocoa and taking a bite.
“It does. Are you ready to go back?”
“I suppose. Are you?”
Percy had been staying at the Burrow since the night after the battle, at first because Mum hadn’t wanted to let any of them out of her sight. As the summer wore on, though, they’d all begun slipping back into more or less normal routines. Charlie had departed for Romania the month before to escort a wounded dragon to the reserve for treatment. Ron and Hermione were inseparable and were usually to be found sprawled in the grass outside, talking about everything and nothing, while Harry and Ginny each seemed to be waiting for the other to speak first. Bill and Fleur visited every few days, but were clearly enjoying the solitude at their newly empty home. Percy had accepted his old job back at the Ministry, and was scheduled to start on the first of September. He’d offered to return earlier, but Kingsley – Minister – Shacklebolt had insisted he should have more time with his family.
“I think so. I’ll probably go back to London next week. I don’t want to think about the state my flat must be in.” He took off his glasses, wiping them on the hem of his t-shirt before slipping them back on.
“I’ll help you clean,” Ginny offered. Percy snorted good-naturedly.
“Thanks, but I’ve seen your cleaning charms.”
“What’s wrong with my cleaning charms?” she asked, indignant.
“Nothing at all, if you like having holes burnt in the rug.” Percy ducked to avoid the biscuit she flung at him.
“That was an accident! I wasn’t concentrating properly because I had…”
“Things on your mind, yes, I know,” he smirked. “So, what is it that’s been occupying your thoughts all summer?”
“It’s Harry.” Ginny leaned forward, elbows on the table and her chin in her hands. “I… I thought we’d have figured things out between us by now, but I still don’t know what he’s thinking. Unless it’s about Quidditch, that is, or the Ministry. We seem to talk about everything except us.”
“Have you tried to talk to him about it?”
“I don’t know what to say. I’ve been waiting for him to say something first. Maybe he doesn’t like me that way any more.”
Percy refilled their cups, taking a sip of his fresh cocoa before replying.
“Maybe he’s not sure you still feel the same way, either.” Ginny started at that.
“But I… last year, on his birthday…” She explained the kiss. Percy wasn’t sure whether he really wanted to hear about the sorts of things his baby sister had gotten up to with her boyfriend, but she was clearly distressed.
“That was last year, Ginny. A lot has happened. And even forgetting the extraordinary circumstances we’ve all had to live with this past year, reading witches’ minds is not something they pulled us aside to learn at Hogwarts. I’m afraid you’re going to have to take the risk and tell him exactly what you want.”
“I will if you will,” Ginny challenged him, one eyebrow raised.
Percy choked on a biscuit, hastily taking a sip of cocoa to wash it down.
“I beg your pardon?” he croaked.
“That witch in Flourish and Blotts. I saw you chatting her up today while Mum was in line to pay for my books, and then you were disgustingly cheerful all afternoon. What’s her name?”
“Audrey. But I fail to see what that has to do with you and Harry.” He had been browsing the Charms section when a small, soft hand had reached for the same book he had. He’d found himself chatting amiably with the pretty, brown-haired witch for the next twenty minutes.
“Nothing at all. But I worry about you, too, big brother. And you liked her, didn’t you?”
“Doesn’t matter. She was just visiting for the day, down from Edinburgh.”
“Are you a wizard or aren’t you?” Ginny laughed. “That’s what Apparition is for. And Floo.” She stood up and took their empty cups and the biscuit plate to the sink, casting a scrubbing charm on them.
“I’m going up to bed,” she announced, stooping to brush a kiss across his cheek on her way out.
“Thanks for the advice.”
“And Percy?” Ginny paused at the door.
“Yes?”
“At least think about it, yeah?”
***
Percy had thought about it, but getting his flat back in order and returning to work had occupied most of his time, so he hadn’t taken Ginny’s advice. He decided in October that Audrey probably hadn’t liked him all that much. By December, he was convinced she’d forgotten all about him.
He appeared with a ‘pop’ just outside the Leaky Cauldron. The Ministry had closed early that afternoon, and everyone in the department had been encouraged to come to the office Christmas party. His hand was already on the door when he changed his mind. He wasn’t feeling particularly festive, so he decided instead to finish his shopping and enjoy a quiet evening at home. Absorbed in his thoughts, he didn’t notice the shop door opening just ahead.
“Oh!” The startled cry brought Percy back to the present just before the witch collided with him, her packages scattering on the ground.
“I’m terribly sorry – are you all right?”
“So sorry, please forgive me…” They both reached for the same package, their hands brushing.
“Allow me. Accio.” Parcels and bags gathered neatly into a stack in Percy’s arms. He stood there awkwardly, not sure what to say.
“Thank you.” The witch beamed up at him, her voice soft and her big brown eyes warm with appreciation. She was very pretty. And familiar.
“You’re quite welcome. Haven’t we met?”
“Yes, this summer at Flourish and Blotts. I’m Audrey, and you’re Percy.”
He liked the way she said his name, and the way she blushed afterward, as if embarrassed at admitting she’d remembered after all this time.
“Well, Audrey, it’s nice to see you again. I hope nothing has been damaged,” he said, indicating the stack of parcels in his arms.
“I’m sure they’re fine - the shop cast an Unbreakable Charm on all the packages before I left. I can take them now, thanks,” she smiled. “Unless you’d like to join me for a drink? I don’t know about you, but I could do with a nice, warm Butterbeer right about now.”
“I’d like that. Very much.”
They began strolling back down the street. Along the way, Percy discovered that Audrey was new to London, having moved from Edinburgh to take a position as a buyer for Flourish and Blotts. They laughed when they realized they both were avoiding their office parties; she because she didn’t yet know anyone that well, and Percy because he was entirely too familiar with everyone at the Ministry.
“Well, The Leaky Cauldron’s out, then,” Percy pointed out as they stood outside. “What shall we do?”
“Hmm.” Audrey thought for a minute. “Do you trust me?”
“What? Yes, I suppose,” Percy said, bemused.
Audrey took out her wand and shrank the packages in his arms, then tucked them in her bag. She took him by the hand and led him into the pub and straight through to the exit to Muggle London. The next thing he knew, they were strolling down Charing Cross Road.
“Where exactly are we going?”
“You’ll see. Oh, wait here.” Percy watched as she ducked into a café, emerging a moment later with two large, steaming cups of hot chocolate.
She slipped her hand in his again as they continued down the street. Soon, they’d come to a large square decorated for the holidays and packed with Muggles. An enormous Christmas tree stood near the center of the square, covered in white lights.
Audrey led him over to a large monument. They sat at its base, gazing at the tree and listening to a group of carolers singing.
“Isn’t this lovely?” she asked.
Percy couldn’t resist the look of delight on her face. Before he could think of a reason not to, he kissed her softly, one arm slipping around her shoulders as she leaned into him. When the kiss finally ended, he pulled back slightly, one hand stroking her cheek as she smiled up at him.
“Very lovely.”
He was going to have to get Ginny something really nice for Christmas.
Secret Santa gifts have (almost) all been sent now. See what
megan29 received from hers here.![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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Date: 2008-12-08 02:02 pm (UTC)Thank you, Secret Fic Santa!!