Penelope wrote down several times a day; get information from St. Mungos; look for pendant (if you can afford it). Then she closed the book and set it aside.
Her mouth fell open when Percy continued to share surprising news. At least this bit of information wasn't devastatingly sad. "Bouncing bubbles, Percy! Charlie has a son? You're an uncle? So much has happened. When did he get married?" Why wouldn't Percy have told her about a wedding? It seemed like worthy enough news, but he'd probably been busy.
She hesitated but then reached out and patted his hand. "Nonsense. You didn't ruin our evening," she said. "The news is sad, yes, and very upsetting, but I'd rather hear it from you than from some wizard standing on the corner in the morning. And you're right. It isn't the kind of news one wants to share by owl." She reached for her plate of fish and chips again. "The food is great, the company is about the best it can be, and the wine is lovely. See. Not ruined."