RP: Three Men Can Keep a Secret
Characters: Percy Weasley
Location: Fred and Cedric's graves respectively
Date: March 26, 2000 Late Night/Early Morning
Status: Private
Summary: Percy has to gather himself before he and Cho plan any further.
Completion: Complete
The first visit, he could understand, but as for the second...the impulse was still puzzling him, but somehow it felt necessary. In his fist, Percy carried a handful of swept-up glitter that had evaded his charmed sweeping broom; it sparked deeply in the dim light cast by a few tapers still flickering in a shallow, river-scented breeze. Like sand, he let it pour between thin fingers and stick to the moist stone.
For a very long time he said nothing.
"Not that you probably expected anything different but....I'm going to marry her. I asked her last week. George was there, so maybe he's told you already but in case you didn't believe him....I keep thinking about children, Fred, can you believe that? I don't even know what they look like, if they're boys or girls but there are times I come home and I'm surprised there aren't any. It's like...I can sense them, they're like future echoes I suppose. Cho and I joke a lot. She laughs every time we try to figure out how to explain a red-headed Asian baby, tiny dark eyes and all."
He brushed the glitter off on his slacks, shuffling.
"We're eloping too, so it's not like I'm putting George or anyone else through what Bill had to put up with...however good it was while it lasted. But, that's just it, Fred. More than just the family issues, I am scared. I know he's dead and he can't hurt her anymore but just the idea that only people I trust even know I was thinking of asking...it makes me feel safer...for her sake and mine. I can't explain it but something is definitely coming. It's just a feeling, but it it's there, out there, in the air. It's coming slowly. Like last time...like the war."
Fingers brushed chilly stone, sending numbing shocked up to the knuckles. Silently, a fist closed.
"We all miss you. Merlin I don't think a day goes by still...but I'll tell you what. Boy or girl, I'll find some way to nickname our first Fred. Freida. Something fitting, yeah?" The clenched fist trembled for a moment and then returned to rest at his side. Percy had not cried thinking about Fred since he told Cho the story of the last battle, affirming that her entrance into his life was a universal salve, covering the wounds and allowing them to heal for the first time. "But, I have someone else to talk to tonight." And with that, Percy slipped away back to where his broom waited, propped against a still-bare oak tree.
Some time later, Percy set down on an unfamiliar knoll, wand out and old newpaper article illuminated by a light spell. It took some time to find the spot he was looking for, a modest stone set into the ground adorned with an evergreen wreath. Pale, chisseled letters spelled out: Cedric Diggory October 7th, 1977 - June 24, 1995 Beloved Son.
"Diggory, I want you to know it took Cho ages to put you to rest. And I know she doesn't quite think that's right...not in the typical way.... but personally I think it's more than warranted. Everyone knew you loved her honestly, with every part of your heart. And as little as it mattered, you were the envy of the lot of us, but not just for Cho...because you were...you. Head Boy material, I was certain. I know we never said much to each other or had the chance, but...I could tell." The breeze picked up and Percy found himself rubbing his eyes. "Good sport that you are I'm sure you're having a laugh about this with Fred. But I just need to let you know that Cho's my life now, and if it meant a million trips to the Arctic or even...facing the next Dark Lord...I'd do it in a heartbeat. She's...she makes me think that death's just a kip in the shade. And the way she laughs...I'm sure you know but...it pulls at all heaviness in my heart until there's nothing left. And trust me, these days, there's a fair bit. She's dancing again, and playing cello, and wants to try out of The Tornadoes when the next season starts. I can't imagine still having all of those things to try and do, but I suppose you could have warned me about that if I asked. She's doing well Cedric. Crowds still make her nervous no matter how much she tries to hide it but again...that's just her. She pushes...we both do. And I just want you to know that she's alright with me. Haunt me the day she isn't. I mean that."
There was nothing left by the stone, but Percy did brush it off a little. "Rest well, Cedric. You're in our hearts." With a single deep breath, Percy shoved his cold fingers into knit gloves and mounted the broom again, watching the ground as it was consummed in an ever-lightening dimness. Dawn was still a ways off, but Percy turned his eyes towards it anyway. The bed he shared with Cho called with the prnounced ache of one who had already been away from it too long.
Location: Fred and Cedric's graves respectively
Date: March 26, 2000 Late Night/Early Morning
Status: Private
Summary: Percy has to gather himself before he and Cho plan any further.
Completion: Complete
The first visit, he could understand, but as for the second...the impulse was still puzzling him, but somehow it felt necessary. In his fist, Percy carried a handful of swept-up glitter that had evaded his charmed sweeping broom; it sparked deeply in the dim light cast by a few tapers still flickering in a shallow, river-scented breeze. Like sand, he let it pour between thin fingers and stick to the moist stone.
For a very long time he said nothing.
"Not that you probably expected anything different but....I'm going to marry her. I asked her last week. George was there, so maybe he's told you already but in case you didn't believe him....I keep thinking about children, Fred, can you believe that? I don't even know what they look like, if they're boys or girls but there are times I come home and I'm surprised there aren't any. It's like...I can sense them, they're like future echoes I suppose. Cho and I joke a lot. She laughs every time we try to figure out how to explain a red-headed Asian baby, tiny dark eyes and all."
He brushed the glitter off on his slacks, shuffling.
"We're eloping too, so it's not like I'm putting George or anyone else through what Bill had to put up with...however good it was while it lasted. But, that's just it, Fred. More than just the family issues, I am scared. I know he's dead and he can't hurt her anymore but just the idea that only people I trust even know I was thinking of asking...it makes me feel safer...for her sake and mine. I can't explain it but something is definitely coming. It's just a feeling, but it it's there, out there, in the air. It's coming slowly. Like last time...like the war."
Fingers brushed chilly stone, sending numbing shocked up to the knuckles. Silently, a fist closed.
"We all miss you. Merlin I don't think a day goes by still...but I'll tell you what. Boy or girl, I'll find some way to nickname our first Fred. Freida. Something fitting, yeah?" The clenched fist trembled for a moment and then returned to rest at his side. Percy had not cried thinking about Fred since he told Cho the story of the last battle, affirming that her entrance into his life was a universal salve, covering the wounds and allowing them to heal for the first time. "But, I have someone else to talk to tonight." And with that, Percy slipped away back to where his broom waited, propped against a still-bare oak tree.
Some time later, Percy set down on an unfamiliar knoll, wand out and old newpaper article illuminated by a light spell. It took some time to find the spot he was looking for, a modest stone set into the ground adorned with an evergreen wreath. Pale, chisseled letters spelled out: Cedric Diggory October 7th, 1977 - June 24, 1995 Beloved Son.
"Diggory, I want you to know it took Cho ages to put you to rest. And I know she doesn't quite think that's right...not in the typical way.... but personally I think it's more than warranted. Everyone knew you loved her honestly, with every part of your heart. And as little as it mattered, you were the envy of the lot of us, but not just for Cho...because you were...you. Head Boy material, I was certain. I know we never said much to each other or had the chance, but...I could tell." The breeze picked up and Percy found himself rubbing his eyes. "Good sport that you are I'm sure you're having a laugh about this with Fred. But I just need to let you know that Cho's my life now, and if it meant a million trips to the Arctic or even...facing the next Dark Lord...I'd do it in a heartbeat. She's...she makes me think that death's just a kip in the shade. And the way she laughs...I'm sure you know but...it pulls at all heaviness in my heart until there's nothing left. And trust me, these days, there's a fair bit. She's dancing again, and playing cello, and wants to try out of The Tornadoes when the next season starts. I can't imagine still having all of those things to try and do, but I suppose you could have warned me about that if I asked. She's doing well Cedric. Crowds still make her nervous no matter how much she tries to hide it but again...that's just her. She pushes...we both do. And I just want you to know that she's alright with me. Haunt me the day she isn't. I mean that."
There was nothing left by the stone, but Percy did brush it off a little. "Rest well, Cedric. You're in our hearts." With a single deep breath, Percy shoved his cold fingers into knit gloves and mounted the broom again, watching the ground as it was consummed in an ever-lightening dimness. Dawn was still a ways off, but Percy turned his eyes towards it anyway. The bed he shared with Cho called with the prnounced ache of one who had already been away from it too long.