HP ficlet: Best Laid Plans [Harry/Percy, general]
Title: Best Laid Plans Author: celandineb Fandom: HP Pairing: Harry/Percy Rating: general Length: 426 words Warning: schmoop! Summary: Percy is delayed on his way to meet Harry for dinner. Note: For quill_it, 100.3, prompt 46, "full". For secretsolitaire who requested this pairing.
"Minister, do you have a minute?"
He didn't, really, but he hadn't risen to this position by ignoring the reasonable requests of the wizards and witches whose work made the Ministry of Magic function. He pulled his expression into the semblance of patient calm and listened.
It seemed that the world-wide conference between the highest levels of wizarding authority might fall through... all because someone hadn't bothered to check the translations, and now the delegations from no fewer than forty-one countries were indignant over a supposed slight.
Percy sighed inwardly. "Send an urgent owl to Hermione Granger in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement," he instructed. "Ask her -- at my personal request -- if she would please look for precedents in how to handle this sort of situation, and if she has any good Muggle contacts to fix the translations."
"Yes, Minister, of course." The Head of International Magical Cooperation bowed thankfully and left Percy's office.
Percy checked the time and swore under his breath. He was late... and he had had special plans for tonight, too. It was the fifth anniversary of his and Harry's first date. He felt in his pocket to make sure he had the little box he had so carefully wrapped the night before.
When he arrived at the restaurant, Harry was already at the table.
"I hoped you hadn't forgotten." Harry smiled, but Percy knew it was only a semi-joke.
"Sorry." Percy made a face. "This upcoming conference I'm trying to get arranged; there was an unfortunate error in the invitation that offended quite a few recipients, totally unintentionally."
Harry nodded. He understood pressure, and the difficulties of being in the public eye; that was one reason why they got on so well as a couple. It didn't mean either of them always liked it, though.
"I ordered a bottle of that Chianti you like so well. Here." He poured Percy a glass, and as Percy was raising it to his lips, placed something on the table.
"Percy... it's been five fantastic years with you. I wondered... if you'd like to make it for always." Harry opened the box to show a ring.
"You..." Percy's jaw dropped, then he began to chuckle, and pulled the box he'd brought from his pocket and handed it to Harry, who tore off the paper and laughed just as hard at what was inside.
"I guess great minds really do think alike, and I guess that answers my question."
"Mine, too," said Percy, his heart full as he leaned across the table to kiss Harry.