(Untitled)

[pb_molly]

Characters: Molly Weasley and Cho Chang
Date: April 3, 2000
Location: The Burrow
Summary: Molly wanted Percy to swing by
Status: Private (Note: the linked entry is NC-17)
Completion: In Progress

Comments

[pb_cho]

Needless to say, Cho was a little nervous.

She didn't mind doing errands for Percy, when it was necessary. She didn't mind at all. But it was one thing to pop down to the store for a minute, and quite another to floo into the Burrow unannounced. She'd gone to visit often enough that it wasn't so strange, and it was true that most of her nerves at the moment were quite taken up with Saturday's plans... but she'd also never come calling by herself, and never when there wasn't a party of some sort going on.

It was true that she really ought to get used to this sort of thing, if she was going to be Percy's wife; she was well aware that any niceties she could exchange with Molly now would help greatly after tomorrow. It was just ... She couldn't help herself. The woman made her a little nervous. And yes: she wanted very much to be liked and accepted by her, but it was ... difficult.

Then again, she knew difficult. She'd been dealing with difficult for a long time now, and by golly -- she'd be going for those papers.

After a quick check in the mirror, Cho was through the floo ... and a moment later stumbling out of the Weasley fireplace. "Hello? Um... Mrs. Weasley?"

[pb_molly]

The voice Molly heard coming from the floo area was not the one she'd expected, but rather one that had recently been added to her memory files. Of course, when she'd first learned that Cho was Percy's latest girlfriend, Molly had her reservations. She remembered the way Harry had fallen hard for the girl shortly after Diggory's death. Not that Harry had ever told any such things to Molly, but a mother, even a surrugate one, knew these things.

Molly wiped her hands on her apron as she exited the kitchen into the living room. "Cho dear, what a pleasant surprise." Molly really meant this as she hadn't had any time to speak with the girl since her ordeal. Not that Molly would pry, she just knew that any girl that could make Percy Weasley choose her over his work had to be something special.

[pb_cho]

Cho smiled brightly, if not nervously. "Oh! Hello, Mrs. Weasley."

Oh, hello Mrs. Weasley?

So eager! Too eager! She flushed slightly, a bit self-conscious, but quickly swallowed the feeling. That would not do. It wouldn't do at all. Smoothing her skirt, Cho cleared her throat to begin again.

"I'm here about that note you sent. Percy's awfully busy with work..." Here she shrugged good-naturedly. "So.... I'm here for the files instead, if that's all right."

[pb_molly]

Molly forced her smile to stay on her face as Cho's light greeting turned to match Percy's too buisness like behavior.

"The files are in the kitchen," Molly turned to fetch them. "Would you care for a cookie dear. I just finished frosting them." She ignored the box and immediately took up the plate and stood between Cho and the box.

[pb_cho]

No! No cookies! You're getting married! They're fatteni-

"Yes, I'd love a cookie," Cho beamed, ignoring the rattle of her diet's dying breath. "What kind are they?"

And of course, she meant to grab one and run -- but then Molly was in front of her, looking very motherly indeed, and rather obscuring the box.

I knew I shouldn't have taken a cookie.

For a moment she faltered, treat in hand, and then the smile returned with a saccharine vengeance. "I wish I could bake. I'm afraid my efforts are earnest at best."

[pb_molly]

When Cho took a cookie, Molly took one as well and placed the plate on the table beside the files.

"Pumpkin with chocolate icing. The icing is homemade. If you'd ever like to surprise Percy with a plate I'd be happy to give you a few lessons in the kitchen." This was a big suggestion for Molly, rarely did she want anyone else in her kitchen. Of course, the girl could only assist unless Percy decided to make her something more. Then, perhaps, Molly would be willing to give her some family recipes.

"Take a seat," Molly gestured to the nearest chair. "I'm sure Percy doesn't need these immediately or he'd have come himself."

[pb_cho]

Cho gaped for a moment, slightly taken aback by the suggestion -- hadn't expected that -- but immediately felt better, if not mildly suspicious. And yes, she would be taking that seat, especially considering there was no other option if she was going to be polite. (It was only for a few minutes. Right? Right.)

Wouldn't Percy be happy to hear something like that? Strange: that was the thought that made her most glad, when imagining cooking lessons at all. "Really? Thank you, I... That would be lovely." Her voice wavered slightly; apparently 'most glad' would be affecting her demeanor.

But what Molly said next made her feel ... A little bad, actually.

"You know Percy," Cho attempted, in a light tone. "Anyway, I'm happy ... I'm happy to pick these up for him. I wouldn't have gotten a cookie otherwise, mm?" Nervous laughter. "I'm also glad to say hello to you. How are you doing, Mrs. Weasley?"

[pb_molly]

Molly felt relieved when Cho took a seat. Standing was always so formal and didn't allow one to relax enough to pay attention to the person with whom they were speaking. She didn't want to hold the girl long, just long enough to make sure they were on decent terms.

When Cho reiterated Percy's tendancy to overwork himself, Molly took a small bite of her cookie and gave a light sigh. "Surely you can find time to pull him away. He does love you." Molly didn't see much of her son but she knew him well enough to know that if Cho was happy with him then he was quite likely to be just as happy, if not more so, with her.

"I am well," she continued. "Wishing George had let me throw a party for him. I do hate that things have been strained since Fred's death. Though I'm sure you've heard it all by now." She wasn't sure how much her children talked to each other about the actions the Weasly elders. What Molly did know is that there had been many days she'd have loved to reflect with Fabian and Gideon.

[pb_cho]

All right. Now Cho certainly felt better: of course Percy loved her. It was quite nice to hear Mrs. Weasley admit such a thing. "I do try," she admitted, smirking. "And he's been much better about making time for himself, as well."

She thought of their honeymoon, blushing.

"Anyway, I... That's very good to hear," Cho continued. She had thought of George on his birthday, but ... Truthfully, hadn't felt very good about sending a card, and a gift idea had come too late. Eventually she'd think of someway to repay him for what he'd done for her on multiple occasions -- but a last minute birthday present would not be it. And then ...

Well, and then there was Fred.

She'd never really known him as more than a Quidditch player or Weasley twin: a generic identity, but then, she hadn't really had incentive before his de... Well, before he'd passed away. And now she felt awfully sorry about it, in ways she hadn't anticipated. It was difficult to sort through -- and Cho would wish it were easier to understand, easier for everyone, but somehow that was never very respecting of the dead. There was a reason mourning was hard.

"It's... These things can be very difficult." What else could she say?

[pb_molly]

"I'm glad to hear that he isn't so lost in his work these days," Mrs. Weasley really wished she had poured some tea, but she hadn't been expecting proper company. "I would enjoy the two of you coming over so I can get to know a bit more about you as it seems you two may be getting serious," there was a glimmer of hope in Molly's voice, not that she was pushing the idea on the girl. Molly simply wished a happy future for her children where they were surrounded by as much love in their new homes as they'd been offered in the home where they'd grown up.

Watching the girl, it was obvious she wasn't comfortable discussing the topic of Fred. Then again, Molly had been at the Tri-Wizard tournament supporting Harry and had seen the heartache the girl was forced to endure when Harry had returned with Cedric's body in tow. The subject of death was not one Molly wanted to mar their conversation.

[pb_cho]

Getting serious.

Inside, Cho thrilled slightly. Perhaps she'd been feeling a little guilty moments before -- but in a way, this was kind of thrilling.

"I'll be sure and tell Percy. I know he enjoys time with family very much," she said, and it was true. "And ... I wouldn't mind coming over, either, once in a while."

As long as she wasn't always forced into eating cookies, that is. "Many of my relatives are overseas, so... The feeling of a large family around is lovely. I do miss it once in a while."

[pb_molly]

Molly could sense a bit of nervous urgency in the girl's mannerisms. "Look at me," she stood and brushed the crumbs from her cookie off her apron. Quickly, she bagged a few cookies for Cho take to Percy. "Here, take these," she placed the baggie in the box. "I'm sure you have better things to do today than sit around and talk to an old woman."

She lifted the box and handed it to the girl. "I'll see you soon, alright?"