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Tweak says, "I want a Scooby snack!"

Penelope Clearwater (clearpenny) wrote in pandorarpg,
@ 2011-12-23 23:14:00

Entry tags:

!status: complete, ^date: november 08 2003, character: penelope clearwater, character: percy weasley

Who: Penelope Clearwater and Percy Weasley
What: A visit upon receiving an owl.
Where: Percy's flat in Kinnerton Court, Exeter, Devon
When: November 8, 8:35PM
Rating: Likely worksafe

Penelope didn't really think before she left her parent's place in London upon receiving the owl from Percy. She didn't know what she wanted to say, or whether she had anything to say for that matter. She found out where his new flat was and made it there quickly enough, even though the intention of the owl wasn't really to prompt an immediate visit. She just felt the need to get out of her parent's place, as there were far too many memories associated with it. But at the same time she just needed somewhere to go, and someone to be with. Her mind was flooded with information. Information about her brother's death. Information about the funeral that they will be having in a couple of days. She thought about the conversation she had with her brother's friends a few times that morning. It didn't make sense. Her brother was healthy...it didn't make sense that he'd just die so suddenly. Nothing made sense anymore.

She hadn't cried for most of the day as she had yesterday, as she still was in shock, in denial of what has most obviously happened. So while her eyes weren't red, she seemed almost distant with her sadness.

She stood in front of his door for a moment, having finally realized where she was and who she was visiting, and hesitated. But she moved forward, knocking on the door before she could even hesitate any further.

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youngestmformev
2011-12-24 05:37 am UTC (link)

Percy had been relaxing in his favourite armchair with a book about his favourite fictional character, Samuel Lanctot, a wizard who spied for goblins during the rebellion of 1612. His reading was interruped by a knocking at the door, which perplexed him. Usually he was interrupted by someone arriving by floo or apparating. The few knockers had been Muggle neighbours requesting a cup of sugar or change for the bus.

He marked his place and grabbed a satin, navy blue robe to cover his favourite pyjamas, tying the sash as he approached the door.

He reached for the doorknob, not even thinking to check who it was beforehand as his wards had not been set off, as they were supposed to in the proximity of those intending ill-will. He stood there, slack-jawed, as he realized just who stood there on the other side of the door.

"Penelope?"

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clearpenny
2011-12-24 06:08 am UTC (link)

"I got your owl, Percy," Penelope said, still quite composed but visibly off. "And, well--it really isn't your fault. It's absurd for you to think that--since that's not possible," she said, her voice louder to stress the final sentence.

"But thanks for the owl," she added more quietly, upon catching her tone of voice being so loud. She sighed for a moment looking at her feet. "I'm sorry, I'm just--it's just," It was then that the thoughts about her current reality began to surface. It started. They started. The tears. She covered her face, but she couldn't stop them. "Lloyd--he--they found him dead yesterday," was all she could say through the sobs.

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youngestmformev
2011-12-24 06:15 am UTC (link)

Percy remained in shock as he listened to her words, but when she broke into tears, he nearly started panicking. Oh, he was absolutely awful when it came to crying females, made even more difficult by the fact that, though Penelope had come here, he doubted she would accept anything approaching a hug, even if it was meant to comfort.

Not that he felt confident doing such a thing, anyhow.

His hands moved helplessly a moment before finally reaching out to touch her shoulder, drawing her inside. "Merlin, I'm so very sorry," he choked out. "I- would you like some tea?"

Sure, Percy, offer her tea. Is that your answer to every problem?

"Come, have a seat. You- you should sit." He led her over to his sofa, closing the door behind them and hoping he wasn't as helpless as he felt.

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clearpenny
2011-12-24 06:24 am UTC (link)

Penelope sat on the sofa as she continued to sob. She didn't quite hear Percy's offer of tea, but was easily led to the sofa.

She was quite frustrated with herself for not even being able to keep herself together then. He wasn't an appropriate person to cry in front of. He was her ex-boyfriend after all.

She shouldn't have even come here in the first place.

But here she was sitting on his sofa, and crying her eyes out over her dead brother.

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youngestmformev
2011-12-24 06:37 am UTC (link)

One look at Penny and Percy couldn't think to leave her side, even if it was for a cup of tea. His heart ached as he saw her cry, though a small part of him was glad that at least it wasn't his fault this time.

He sat down next to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. He knew plattitudes would do no good. From experience, he knew that there was absolutely nothing he could say to make this any easier.

He reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a handkerchief (yes, Percy kept them in his pyjamas as any prepared wizard would) to hand over to her.

"Here. Did you... want to talk about it? Unless you're not ready, of course. I... I know how hard it is to come to terms with something so terrible."

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clearpenny
2011-12-26 10:42 pm UTC (link)

Penelope was eventually able to pull herself at least somewhat together, still feeling the sobs her core, and feeling them as she breathed. Like hiccups, but much more embarassing. "I'm sorry Percy. I think I'll be alright--I shouldn't bother you more than I have," she said as she wiped her eyes with the offered handkerchief, without wondering why he would have such a thing on him...since it was Percy.

Her comment held for about a minute until she started thinking aloud about what she knew about Lloyd's death. "I can't believe he's gone. He's so young--he was so close to finishing school--and he didn't have any health problems--there was nothing wrong with him that we knew of before he had passed away." She looked at the ground as she spoke, afraid that if she looked anyone in the eye she'd start crying again.

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youngestmformev
2011-12-26 11:10 pm UTC (link)

"You are not being a bother," he insisted. "You are understandably upset, and luckily, and unfortunately, I am someone who has been through this very thing." A pause as he resisted the urge to pet back her curles as he once had done. "And we were friends once. I would never turn you away."

Percy's chest tightened as she spoke, thinking how so much of it could have applied to Fred. He unconsciously tightened his hand on her far shoulder. "I don't know what happened, but in a way it doesn't matter, because nothing I could say would ease the pain. I remember, you loved him very much."

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clearpenny
2011-12-30 01:45 am UTC (link)

She sighed, stopping with that train of thought. "Thanks. I loved him very much. I just can't understand why this would happen to him since he was a good person--he never deserved this."

"A friend of his found him dead yesterday," she said, still looking at the ground. She actually felt comfortable there with Percy's arm around her shoulder when she didn't think too hard about it--or even really consider it. She probably wouldn't quite feel that way if she were actually thinking, or functioning well enough.

"And the police are puzzled, they don't know what happened to cause him to die like that. He died from being suffocated--for no apparent reason." It was those thoughts that tormented her for the majority of the day. "I wonder if it had anything to do with what his friends have told me, but I'm sure the police would've found her by now to find out whether she was involved."

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youngestmformev
2011-12-30 01:53 am UTC (link)

Percy's forehead wrinkled in thought as she explained further. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say it was from an airless curse." He shrugged. "But then, what do I know of how Muggles kill each other? That wasn't exactly a focus in Muggle Studies."

He loosened his grip on her as she spoke more, seeing at least some of the Penelope he'd once known returning to the fore. "She? He was with a woman, I presume?"

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	clearpenny 2011-12-30 02:05 am UTC (link)
	"Yes, he was," Penelope said as she considered what he said. There didn't appear to be any signs of struggle, and Lloyd wasn't one who . Somehow that was when it all fell into place. And the bottom fell out of her stomach. She gasped at her own realization. "What if she were a witch?" She spoke quietly, almost as if afraid that someone would overhear. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

youngestmformev
2011-12-30 02:10 am UTC (link)

"What if your brother shagged a witch?" he asked with confusion, thinking that was what she was concluding. "Well, he isn't exactly unfamiliar with our side of the wall, so to speak, as he is your brother. It may be entirely possible that he might meet a witch at a Muggle establishment. Many Half-bloods and Muggleborns have no aversion or fear of exploring the Muggle world, and may in fact find it necessary due to familial obligations."

He cocked his head. "You don't believe this witch might actually have something to do with his death, though. Do you? I can't imagine why, unless she were either highly disturbed, or a former Death Eater, but as far as I know, they have all been captured and sent to Azkaban for their crimes."

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clearpenny
2011-12-30 03:12 am UTC (link)

"She was the last person who was with him, that saw him--that evening," Penelope felt her heart start to race at the thoughts that were going through her mind. She didn't know whether the witch did off her brother, but it was a possibility.

"Who knows, she may be," Penelope said with a shrug, her voice shaking slightly with the anxiety associated with her new thoughts. "There was nothing else wrong with him, no other injuries. And they didn't find anything off about his room. Healthy people--or muggles--don't die of suffocation without a cause like that. It'd explain why the muggle police can't find any trace of her at all."

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	youngestmformev 2011-12-30 05:01 am UTC (link)
	Percy wanted to argue, but he couldn't dispute her logic, nor had he ever been able to do so. "You're right," he offered. "But if you are correct, perhaps you should speak with an Auror. Just in case. I could find someone to speak with you, if you like." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

clearpenny
2011-12-30 05:31 am UTC (link)

"Thanks--I would appreciate that," Penelope said looking up at him, still feeling shaken to the core but at least somewhat sane now. Somehow she felt a bit more herself, even moreso than what she felt in the more recent past. The wonder of being with those who knew you when you were young.

"I probably should get back. And perhaps take some notes as to what his friends had said." She felt herself with some sort of purpose, some direction, and felt herself pulled together by it.

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youngestmformev
2011-12-30 05:35 am UTC (link)

He nodded, happy to see her spark had returned.

"You don't have to leave quite yet if you don't wish to." He pulled his arm from behind her and briefly squeezed her hand. "I could get you some parchment and a quill, and I'll put on the kettle for some tea. Have you eaten yet?"

For the briefest moment, it felt almost like it had back when they were together. It was long ago, and much had changed since then, but perhaps they might still work well together. Perhaps there might be room now for friendship, if she would allow it.

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clearpenny
2011-12-30 05:54 am UTC (link)

"I--er," Penelope tried to respond to his invitation, but the first emotion that came to her was the self-consciousness she would feel when having to write with others around. Or even the thought or idea of request for use of a dictaquill to get it done properly. It won't do to have him see her like that.

"It's probably better that I get back and get it done there," she said, rather quickly, feeling flushed around her cheeks. She didn't notice or realize that he was holding her for the whole time. It was as if it were all natural, as if they were together.

"Thank you very much though, Percy," she added, hastily getting up from where she sat. "I'm sorry I can't stay. I--" She stopped herself there, since she still had trouble admitting it to herself, but she did miss him--oddly enough. "I'm sorry that we didn't get to discuss the contents of you letter, but maybe we can sometime soon."

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youngestmformev
2011-12-30 05:58 am UTC (link)

Percy stood up, quite disappointed but managing to hide it quite well. He was, after all, quite practiced at it.

"I understand," he offered, raising a hand to adjust his glasses. "I would most certainly like to see you again. At your leisure, of course."

Despite his words, he couldn't help wondering if this would be the last time he saw her. Honestly, he couldn't blame her for never wishing to see him again. He would find an Auror, and have them contact her. She wouldn't have to speak with him if she didn't want to.

"Please, give my condolences to your family."

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	clearpenny 2011-12-30 06:26 am UTC (link)
	"Likewise. And I will do that, thanks," Penelope said, as she wrapped her arms around Percy in a hug. She just paused for a moment, hesitating, feeling that something else had to be said but not knowing what that was. She didn't puzzle on it too long before letting him go with a kiss on his cheek. "Take care." She said before she headed towards the door. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

youngestmformev
2011-12-30 06:34 am UTC (link)

Percy was so shocked at the hug that he didn't respond at first, and by the time he had overcome it enough to hug her back, she had let him go and kissed his cheek.

He flushed bright red.

"You too," he said softly as he watched her go to the door. Perhaps, just perhaps, he would in fact see her again. If anything, this visit had reassured him that, while he was indeed no longer in love with her, he did love her more than almost anyone save his family.

"Good night, Penelope."

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