RP: Retail Therapy

[pb_percy]

Date/Time: 29 May, noon-ish
Characters: Percy Weasley, Cho Chang
Location: Diagon Alley
Status: Public
Summary:  Percy shops to take his mind off the night before.
Completion: Complete

The lunchtime crowds were perfect for it. He slipped out of the office after finishing his morning work early (type-setting for a new pamphlet with updated information

Comments

[pb_cho]

Cho did not recognise Percy at first.

With nothing better to do, wandering through the crowds at Diagon Alley was always interesting; there were so many different things to see, and a good chance of encountering someone familiar. There was perhaps not as good a chance of encountering someone pleasant, but Cho took it anyway. With auror training so intense, she often found herself more and more irritable with others; many of her friends hadn't seen her for weeks now, as she was far too on edge to converse at length with any of them. But somehow, being in this crowd was soothing - everyone here had a purpose, at least, and was searching for something. Though she wasn't one of them, their determination - though petty - was refreshing.

Scanning the crowd, Cho's eyes quickly caught on bright hair, and a very polished demeanor. The face that belonged to it wasn't one she knew, however, at first; she looked politely away, blushing, and settled her gaze on a stall full of old and powdery books.

[pb_percy]

Percy put a name to the face a second later. Cho Chang. She had been in Ron and Harry's year and he seemed to remember Ginny being none too complimentary towards her at one point. From his own brief recollections she had always seemed like a shy, proper girl. She turned back before he could say anything but Percy strode over anyway, feeling oddly forward and energized.

"Perfect day for browsing, isn't it?"

[pb_cho]

"It's lovely weather," Cho mumbled, distracted. One of the books' covers was missing a title, but bound in leather of admirable quality; for a moment it reminded her of something of her father's, bringing to mind his dreaded upcoming birthday. For now, though, she was tired of duty. She hadn't come here for him today, after all, and he would be pleased with nearly anything it occurred to her to give. Cho and her father had always been close. He knew exactly what to expect of her in trying times, and these were certainly some of them.

There were other things to think about at the moment as well: dinner, research, and this season's clothing. There was also this man - whom she was now sure was Percy Weasley - recognising her, despite the fact that they'd never really spoken much before. Cho was used to being approached by people; in general, she supposed she appeared rather friendly and personable. But it was entirely different being approached by an acquaintance rather than a stranger, particularly when this acquaintance was the

[pb_percy]

Percy registered a hint of awkwardness in the way she smiled and replied. Why did he always feel this need to interact with people after a nights like the one recently? It was as if he needed to rush out as soon as dawn broke and prove to the world that he wasn't the sobbing wreck he was on occasion

[pb_percy]

After that laugh and smile, Percy realized immediately why Ginny had felt threatened by Cho--she was quite disarming. Though absolutely unintentional he was certain, Cho's sudden drop in defenses caught him a little off guard. Percy blushed a little, realizing how long it had been since he'd remembered women could do things like render him near-speechless with a look. But Auror training? That explained a few things.

"That's wonderful. I've heard it's incredibly demanding. Are days like this rare? I'm only on lunch myself...I work for a lobby group right near the ministry...I'm afraid I've had just about all I can stomach of that place."

[pb_cho]

"Oh, yes. Quite. I'm in training a few hours every day, and besides that I've got quite a bit of research and practise to do on my own," Cho replied. Smoothing the front of her skirt, she paused. Auror's training was a blessing and a curse - in fact, it was equally both. Not black or white, but lingering somewhere in the grey. Making it through determined a place of honor for her, now and as long as she could maintain herself; unfortunately, making it through probably also determined years of working just as hard, if not harder, than she was working now. There was some sense of pride in what she was putting herself through, and of course she felt accomplished every day simply getting things done - the problem was, of course, that that was all she felt

[pb_percy]

Penny...

Percy thought wryly back to his days at the Ministry, the fervor with which he'd thrown himself at the job...forcing himself to think cauldron thickness was important and the fall-out of his loyalty to Crouch and the Ministry. Penny had been a wonderful support in those days, his only, but he'd eventually managed to drive her away with his mad devotion (nay, obsession) with the job.

"If you don't mind a little experienced advice," Percy said, "take as much time as you can get. Work is important but that can never be everything."

Percy put The Never-ending Story down and continued to scan the tiny shelf. Tucked in-between two large volumes was a skinnier hard-back tome with intricately embossed leather. It was an earlier edition of an almanac-like book that had helped him get settled once he was living on his own: Melph's Magical Guide to Life After School, 2001 Percy smiled a little. Hermione would probably find it more useful but then again, the first time Percy had to do his own laundry

[pb_cho]

Perhaps she'd hit a nerve? Penelope must be a personal topic for Percy, and she'd completely forgotten. It wasn't like Cho to be embarassed; most of the time, she was perfectly in control of herself, and when mistakes were made she accounted for them smoothly. But she didn't want another Weasley thinking badly of her - that simply wouldn't do. Particularly when she was trying to be rid of those old demons.

With Percy's reply, however, she was relieved. Though she had heard the same advice a thousand times over - from father, from her instructors - it was rather meaningful from someone she hardly knew. "Thank you, Percy. I've enjoyed speaking with you, however brief."

She couldn't help but return the smile. "Certainly."

[pb_percy]

They weren't far from the office now, just passing the cafe Percy had taken lunch at. Percy was glad Cho seemed genuinely interested in his work--not that Oliver wasn't but it was different when he talked work with him. Not worse or better, just different.

"We're trying to make sure the pure-bloods and ex-Death Eaters don't get shaken down too badly by the new administration. If Kingsley really is for equal rights then that means everyone should be treated as such. We're more for helping the families, really, providing financial and legal council if they need it."

It was good work, regardless of the drudgery. It was simple work that Percy could take pride in, and for now, that was enough. "It's nothing much so far, but I enjoy it well enough."

[pb_cho]

"I think that's rather a noble job, paper pushing or no," Cho admitted. "They're people, after all."

She had managed to stay firmly neutral in school, though people had often assumed they knew her allegiance. To be completely truthful, she had really only joined the DA because of Harry; it was at that time she'd managed to convince herself she was attracted to him. For most of her Hogwarts career, Cho's actions and beliefs really were for her own benefit, not anyone else's, and her sympathies had waned accordingly. When it came down to it, both Harry and his lot and all the Slytherin kids were her schoolmates, and it had been hard to imagine being bitter enemies with any of them. Even when things became serious, the problem persisted; while most of her friends had found it very easy indeed to pick sides, Cho was never able. She simply couldn't. Neither side was proficient or successful enough

[pb_percy]

Percy really couldn't suppress a very pleased grin as they reached the doors of SOF headquarters and paused before releasing Cho's arm. He put his other hand on top of hers and gently let his first hand fall loose.

'When did you get so brazen?!' he thought briefly, but dismissed the thought, for once in his life throwing caution to the wind.

"Perhaps you'd like to ask over tea some time? I would more than gladly satisfy your curiosity...as I have one of my own as well. Another time then?" He bowed politely away and through the doors, trying desperately to remember exactly what he had left to do waiting on his desk.

[pb_cho]

“Oh! I’d like that very much,” Cho replied, nodding. It was hard not to seem too eager; but of course, it was probably far too late in that department. Her smile was giving her away, and rather enthusiastically at that. “You can owl me, or something.”

Owl me?

She was certainly losing her touch. Blushing slightly, she handed him her quite unimpressive ‘business’ card (Cho Chang, auror trainee #24, so on and so forth) and eyed him demurely. “I’ll see you soon, then, I hope.”