Title: A Rose In Bloom
By: Bridget McKennitt
Rating: G
Summary: When Percy encounters his ex, Penelope, on the streets of London, their love is given another chance to bloom. Yet just like a rose, love is frail.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and company are owned by J.K. Rowling and other companies.
They are used here without permission, and for entertainment purposes only. No
challenge or infringement upon the copyright is intended, nor should any be inferred.
Author's Notes: The pairing in this is Percy/Penelope. This fic was written for the first wave of Weasley Siblings Fuh-Q-Fest (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Weasley_Sibling_Fuh_Q_Fest). There are OotP spoilers in here.
Challenge: 25. Put these things into your piece, exploding snap, a lily, and
a worn rug.
It was lunch break at the Ministry, and Percy Weasley decided to take a walk outside in Muggle London. "I'll be right back," he called out to no one in particular. Frankly, he did not have anyone with him. He had separated himself from his family in order for the Minister to look at him like a sane man. He had broken up with his girlfriend of two years, Penelope Clearwater, because she was a Muggleborn and a pureblood simply did not date a Muggleborn, at least not if he wanted to climb the ranks.
Percy left the Ministry building and took a stroll on the sidewalk. The city was decorated in Christmas decorations and it made him realize that this was the first Christmas he would be spending alone. He had sent his Weasley sweater back to his mother and did not bother to visit his father in the hospital. He did not need them anyway. The Weasley name was a disgrace in the Wizarding World, and Percy did not want to be associated with the likes of them.
He glanced up to look at a building's sign when he bumped into someone. "Oh!" The other person's packages fell to the ground and Percy automatically started helping to pick them up. "*Percy Weasley*? I can't believe it's you."
Looking up from his position, he gasped when he saw that it was Penelope that he had bumped into. "Penny, long time no see."
"It certainly is." She took the packages from his hands. "Come, come, how have you been doing lately? Working up the Ministry ladder, I bet. Why, in a few years, *you'll* be the Minister."
"I doubt it, but thank you for the compliment. I still have a long ways to go and Fudge is going nowhere at the present." He straightened up and forced himself not to fidget. "So how have you been?"
"Never better. I'm seeing someone new," she blurted out.
That was news to him, not that he cared. "Who's the lucky man?"
"Someone by the name of Benjamin Clogsworth, a Muggle." She glanced at her watch. "Oh my, I'm sorry for interrupting your lunch break. I should be going now."
Before she could leave, Percy reached for her arm. "You're not interrupting anything. It's nice...catching up with you. Where were you headed anyway?"
"Home. I'm renting a flat not far from here. Would you like to come and have lunch with me there?"
"Of course. Let me help you carry some of that."
They soon reached Penelope's flat and she opened the door for them. "It's not much, but it's all I can afford on my salary." At Percy's confused expression, she explained. "I work at a nearby shop. It's just enough to pay my bills, buy me food, and get me through university." She placed her packages on the couch, motioned for Percy to sit, and went into the small kitchen area, her feet making little noise on the worn rug.
"University? Hogwarts is the only Wizarding school in Britain and there's certainly no university after that."
Penelope chuckled as she returned with cups of tea for the both of them and sat down across from him. "I don't mean a Wizarding type university. I'm enrolled in Oxford, a highly prestige Muggle university. That's where I met Benjamin, in fact. You know, I was so afraid I wouldn't be able to go because Hogwarts isn't exactly known to Muggles, but Professor Dumbledore pulled some strings and got me in."
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were ashamed of being a witch, Penny," joked Percy.
"I adore being a witch and using magic, but we both know the stigma against Muggleborns in the Wizarding World. Isn't that why you dumped me soon after taking that Ministry job?" she asked, sipping her tea calmly. "I completely understand why, of course. Besides, I've been raised as a Muggle far longer than as a witch and I'm comfortable living as one. Maybe after I graduate from Oxford, I'll apply for some job at the Ministry of Magic. I'm sure my vast Muggle skills will be appreciated, not to mention useful."
Percy placed his tea cup on the coffee table and leaned back on the couch. Perhaps he should not have accepted Penelope's invitation. The Ravenclaw had turned his world around and he was not sure how to navigate forward. "Tell me more about your boyfriend."
"It's nothing exciting, really. We met in one of our mutual classes together and he asked me on a study date at a cafe. He's a sweetie and I hate the fact that I'm keeping a secret of being a witch from him."
"Rules are rules though. That is, unless you're going to marry him?"
She shook her head. "Maybe, but not any time soon. We're just dating and I really want to have my degree before planning anything of that sort. But enough about me. What about you, Percy? I thought you'd be spending time with your family."
Percy shrugged his shoulders. "Father and I had a row so I moved out of the Burrow and got a flat of my own. If my family doesn't respect me, then I cannot be bothered to acknowledge them."
"That's horrible. Listen, I insist that you spend Christmas with me. I'm going to head to my parents' house in the next few days and they wouldn't mind if you tagged along. That's why I went out to buy their presents today," she said as she motioned to the packages.
"I don't think I--"
Penelope gave him a cool stare. "I said I insist, Percy."
He was taken back by Penelope's forcefulness, as she was never like that before, and decided to accept the invitation.
Percy took time off from work and found himself waiting in front of a brownish house with Penelope. "Your parents know that I'm coming, right?"
"Yup, and they're thrilled. They never met a wizard before, well, besides me, anyway." The door opened and Percy knew that this was Penelope's mother. They both had heart shaped faces and the same warm smile. "Mum!"
Mrs. Clearwater opened her arms and embraced her daughter. "Lovely to see you safe and sound, Penelope." She saw Percy and embraced him too, to the surprise of the redhead. "Welcome to our home, Percy. Penelope's told us so much about you. Come in, come in." She led them inside the living room where Mr. Clearwater was sitting, reading the newspaper. "Honey, Penelope and her friend are here."
He looked up and nodded gruffly. "Welcome."
Penelope laid her hand on his shoulder. "I'll take you to the guest room." They entered the hall and she wrinkled her nose. "Don't mind dad. He's always like that. Here we are." She opened the door. "My room's right next to yours, so if you need anything, just let me know. Dinner starts at seven."
"Thanks, Penny." He dropped his baggage on the bed and sat down. What was he doing here? Penelope wasn't his girlfriend anymore. She was dating a Muggle, for Merlin's sake. However, he was at her parents' house with her and that was that. At least he was properly uncomfortable about it.
At exactly seven, Percy walked down the stairs into the dining room. Penelope was already there setting the table. He paused for a moment as he took in the sight of her. She had her curly black hair pulled back in a ponytail and wore a flower dress that flowed around her knees. Simply beautiful. "Need any help, Penny?"
She looked up from her spot. "I'm almost done anyway. You can sit down though. Mum would have a fit if she thought I was making the guest work."
Penelope went into the kitchen and came back with her mother carrying the food dishes. "Let me just call Penelope's father," said Mrs. Clearwater and left the dining room.
Penelope sat down next to Percy and leaned her head on his shoulder. "I'm surprised mum hasn't asked you to do magic yet. She's awfully curious about magic and I never told her much about it."
"Your parents are very nice," Percy said quietly. "I like them."
"Thank you. Your parents are wonderful though. Raising seven children, making sure they never want for anything. I mean, look at you. Your a fine young man, and it's because of them." She would have gone on if her parents did not enter the room. It was just as well as Percy was not sure what to make of Penelope's words. His family was the laughingstock of purebloods everywhere. Not only were they poor, but unusual. No, though Penelope was a smart girl, she was wrong in this case.
* * *
He had spent a week at the Clearwater home and Percy never felt more at ease around them. Mrs. Clearwater would bake him his favorite cookies, oatmeal raisin, every afternoon while Mr. Clearwater would discuss with him about the Muggle business world. It was Penelope though that made his day. She took him around the town she grew up in and taught him about the best aspects of Muggle life. There were times when Percy wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her, despite the fact he never did things like that. It was obviously Penelope's influence.
Carrying a single white lily in his hand, her favorite flower, he walked the path towards the river, knowing Penelope would be there. He wanted to surprise her and maybe have her stay at his flat once the Christmas break was over. His flat was nicer than hers and it would nice to have someone he knew living with him.
Nearing the place, he slowed his steps and peeked around the corner. Percy's eyes widened at what he saw. Penelope wasn't alone. A man was holding her as he tilted her chin up and kissed her. By the look of things, Penelope was enjoying the kiss very much. Who was that man? Then he knew, it was her Muggle boyfriend Benjamin Clogsworth. Percy clenched his fist, the lily breaking in his hand, and turned around.
Penelope found him later in his room, angrily throwing his clothes into his package. "Percy?" she said nervously. "What's the matter?"
"Nothing, nothing at all. I need to get back to the Ministry. Lots to do."
She tried to compose herself, not letting the hurt show on her face. "Oh. Okay." She turned to walk away when she instead marched right up to him and thrust her finger at his chest. "See here, Mr. Weasley! I don't know what your problem is, but you better tell me right now."
"Did you have a nice time with your boyfriend?" said Percy, changing the subject.
Penelope stared at him in confusion until it dawned on her. "You saw Benjamin and I kissing by the river, didn't you?" She laughed. "Percy, he was saying goodbye to me. He came here to break up with me and I thought it was for the best. I can't very well be a good girlfriend to him if I'm in love with someone else."
"Someone else!"
"Percy," she said with a long drawl. Penelope leaned forward and lightly touched her lips to his before pulling back.
He jerked back as if someone had set an exploding snap before him and blushed as red as his hair. He reached up to fix his glasses and stared into her eyes. "Me?"
"Of course you! Who else would it be?" She reached for his hands and smiled. "I love you, Percy Weasley."
Percy broke into the biggest and silliest grin he ever had and babbled. "I love you, too, Penny. Can I kiss you?" She nodded and Percy kissed her, really kissed her. The last time they had done this was in Hogwarts. It was great.
Suddenly Penelope pulled away. "Penny?"
"I--I'm still Muggleborn, Percy."
It was Percy's turn to look confused. "I know. What about it?"
"We broke up once before because my blood isn't as pure as yours and I know to the Wizarding World at large, that's important. If it's important to the world, it's important to you, and don't deny it, Percy, because I *know* you. I also know that while I love you, I refuse to date you again if you refuse to accept the fact that I *am* a Muggleborn witch." She smiled sadly and stroked his face. "Before anything else happens, I want you to think on it. Really think on it, Percy. I won't play the fool for anyone."
Percy nodded and kissed Penelope one last time. "I should go. I'll see you soon?"
"I'm hoping so." Percy finished his packing and slung his baggage over his shoulder. "Goodbye, Penny," he said softly.
"Goodbye, Percy." Penelope watched the young man Apparate out of her parents' home and she tried hard not to break down and cry, even though no one was there to watch her. She promised herself she would remain strong until the very end, whatever that end might be.
