Author: Lyta Padfoot
Category: Missing Scene, Romance
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Harry Potter is the property of J.K. Rowling. Characters and situations are used without permission, no infringement is intended.
Summary: Penelope and Percy share a quiet moment during Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
* * *
Percy helped me with my tie - I've never been very good at putting it on speedily despite my five years of practice at Hogwarts. Besides, it was nice to sit on the edge of the desk and feel his fingers deftly working the fabric into the proper configuration. He looks so adorable when he is concentrating on something.
"There," he tells me as he takes a step back and helps me down from the desk. One of the things I love best about Percy is that he knows how to be a gentleman without being condescending.
As soon as my feet touch the floor, I grab the collar of his robe and pull him close for another kiss. When we are forced to part for want of air, I tell him "I wish I wasn't scheduled for patrol tonight."
Percy sighs and runs a hand through his hair. "So do I, Penny. So do I."
Not all of the school prefects take their responsibilities as seriously as we two, even volunteering to remain over the Christmas holidays. We try to be accessible and visible. The elder Gryffindors, half the Hufflepuffs, and even one of my fellow Ravenclaw prefects are somewhat less than diligent. To be fair though, most of them are Muggle-born and have reason to fear whatever is stalking the halls. It is a fear I know all too well - my parents teach at a Muggle school just outside London. I know Percy worries that I might be the next victim, but he has never attempted to dissuade me from going out on patrol.
The Slytherins do not fear; but the monster is the servant of their heir. Only two of their six prefects can be considered help rather than hindrance in this crisis.
"Tomorrow evening?"
Percy nods, blushing again. With a final kiss we must part for the night.
Percy is a fantastic kisser. He knows just how to kiss me so my toes curl up in delight. The so-called amazing kissers in Mum's bodice rippers could take lessons from him.
Shakespeare once said that parting was such sweet sorrow. I believe that I am finally beginning to understand that.
I pull my wand out of my pocket as soon as I step out into the corridor; it is deserted as one might expect on Christmas night. As I close the door behind me, I am unable to repress a grin at the thought of what Professor Snape might say if he knew that Percy and I had just used his classroom as a trysting place.
I emerge from the dungeons only to find myself facing two Slytherin boys. Everything about them screamed 'up to no good'.
One of them comes up to me, his face the very image of innocent confusion. I am immediately suspicious - Slytherins are many things, but innocent is seldom one of them. "Excuse me. We've forgotten the way to our common room."
"I beg your pardon? Our common room? I'm a Ravenclaw?" I cannot help but feel both insulted and suspicious. I walk on, looking back over my shoulder often. I am Muggle-born, but it is only in the presence of Slytherins that I am made to feel different.