“I Used Books The Way Some People Use Alcohol, To Obliterate The Noise Of The Outside World.”

percyweasley-arc·:

It had been too long since they had a conversation, saying more than small talk and passing comments in the corridors at work. The war had shifted their relationship and friendship but enough had happened to both of them to shift their perspectives. Being close and talking to her was only stirring the familiar memories of them together. The proximity of them being close was already kicking in Percy’s mind, conscious of it but also keen on listening to every word she had to say. “Of course. I would love to hear all about it. You have my attention and time if you ever need it.” The thought of a promise of seeing her again made him hopeful that this would be a rekindling of sorts. Percy was left stunned when she left, thinking that the short conversation and promise of meeting somewhere else was enough to make him question everything. He smiled at himself with wonder at what it was before following suit.

time jump

One drink had turned into two and Percy couldn’t stop smiling at the conversation they were having. It had been a long time since he had this much fun on a weekday after work and with drinks none the less. It almost felt as if he had stepped back into time when they would do this after graduating or on their Hogsmeade trips. It had been a while since he had felt so relaxed with someone and he kept glancing at Penelope when she wasn’t looking. “Yes, you’re quite right. A lot has changed since school…so much has happened in the last few years to change any person. I’m glad I was able to see you again. Like this. Can’t tell you the last time I let myself do something like this. I should thank you.”

-----

There was a red flush covering Penelope’s cheeks as their one drink turned into several. Even knowing, vaguely, that she should take care to keep her wits about her, Pen couldn’t force herself to revert into the same horrid awkwardness she felt around Percy. Getting to spend this time with him, both of their guards down, was something she hadn’t thought would happen anytime soon, if ever. It was kind of wonderful. Besides, she never really left much time in her schedule for spur of the moment plans, and rarely let herself let loose, so this was probably past due. Or at least, that’s what she was going to tell herself. The lighting in the pub caught the edges of Percy’s face strikingly, and it was increasingly difficult to look away. She nodded along as Percy spoke, heart-sore as she thought about all of the hardships they’d faced out of Hogwarts. Penelope reached out across the table to where Percy’s hand rested, linking their fingers together. It was a familiar gesture, almost to the point where it was subconscious, if not for the warmth it sent through her. “Don’t thank me! This was your brilliant idea, this time anyway. But I’m glad to see you too,” she said with a small if giddy smile, before taking a sip of her drink for some sort of courage. “I really missed you, you know.” 

Mujde Akay 💙

percyweasley-arc·:

The action had been innate and Percy felt his hand lightly on Penelope. It was only a moment and yet he was immediately captured in it. They had both been working at the same place for years now and Percy had done little to reach out to her since after the battle. Acknowledging his feelings was not something he did often and had walked by her department, glancing in to catch a glimpse of her whenever possible. 

“Anytime, yeah,” Percy replied, feeling flustered and putting his hands back to his sides. It had been years since they might have had a proper conversation and many had gone just like this. Percy didn’t have the confidence to do much more than have a brief exchange, not trusting his words to refuse him. “Oh, really the Founder’s? That’s exceptional, what did you find?” Percy asked, his tone fascinated and distracted to the point a stranger would think he was a different person from the one before. It felt like it used to for a moment. His head dropped down and gave a tight smile. Everyone had been giving him condolences as if Arthur was already gone. Every time Percy just gave a brief response to a complex question. “I-yeah, I remember. I am the same. I’m fine, fine. It’s been…an adjustment, yeah.” The lift continued to descend for a moment. “-I’m not fine actually. I’m…scared-do you want to grab a drink…with me? Now?”

-----

She hadn’t seen Percy this close in years. They both worked in the Ministry, so Pen would see him from across rooms, but nothing like this, where she could meet his eyes and talk to him, even awkwardly stunted as it was. She thought he might’ve gotten taller somehow, or maybe it was that he was more confident. Either way, even though he was clearly stressed and tired, Penelope felt a little flustered at the sight of him. He even smelled good, for Merlin’s sake. 

Pen felt the familiar energy of a new interest take hold of her when Percy asked about the journal. It was half of why she’d stayed so late, completely caught up in it. “It’s a journal of a student who attended just after the Founders left the school,” she explained excitedly, lost in the familiar feeling of sharing her findings with Percy. “The translation is hard to read, but I’m hoping I’ll find something to support the new curriculum I’m proposing.” It was a little exasperating to Pen, how she could fight bitterly for her proposals, only to find them quickly accepted if she spun it around the Founders. 

Watching Percy visibly shrink, Penelope was surprised by the force of her unhappiness at the sight. Whatever might have happened between them, he had still been her best friend and she couldn’t stand to see him like this. “You’re not fine,” she told him, warring with herself over if it would be weird to hug him. When Percy admitted that he wasn’t fine, Pen threw out her book on propriety and hugged him quickly, a brief but tight thing where she tried not to get distracted by being so close to him. “I’d love to grab drinks,” she said, pulling back. “We could both probably use a real break.” There was a reason they were still at work in the middle of the night, after all, and it wasn’t because they had too much free time. Pen was determined that this could be a new start for them, to at least find their way back to the friendship they once had. She pushed the button on the elevator for the main floor, finally setting it to move again. “What’s still open, do you think?” 

location: estelle apothecary

status: closed starter for @littlexlunalovegoods

Penelope wanted to cry. Technically she already was, but uncontrollable eye watering did not count. She had been so excited to finally adopt a kneazle kitten, after toying around with the idea for years. And Marie was the best, most adorable kitten she could have ever hoped for, and everything should have been perfect, except it turns out that Penelope is allergic. 

Giving up on looking presentable, Pen apparated across the street from the apothecary where Luna worked, the company almost as desirable as the potions. She stumbled into the shop, distracted by a series of violent sneezes. Penelope spied what she thought was Luna (at the very least, saw a blurry shape that was probably blonde) and beelined for her. “Oh Luna, please tell me you have allergy potions in stock,” Penelope nearly begged.

hope — my writing

location: café on diagon

status: closed starter for @pennyhaywoodx​

Penelope felt almost lighter than air as she made her way to the café where she was meant to meet Penny. Intellectually she knew she was very much in the beginning stages of the honeymoon phase, having just confirmed her feelings for Percy were reciprocated the night before, but it didn’t stop her from feeling amazing! The only thing that could make it better was time with friends, especially friends who gave her the courage to confess in the first place. 

Snagging a table by a window, Pen put in her order and waited for Penny. She pulled out a notebook to get some work done, but only barely managed to stop herself from doodling Percy’s name in the margins. God, she felt 12 all over again. Thankfully, she spotted her friend’s blonde hair and waved, beckoning Penny over. “Penny!” 

Though it was definitely closer to morning than noon, Penelope felt justified in taking an early lunch break to run over to Lisa’s store and check in on her. She works through most lunches anyway, so really, she was probably due a long lunch. It was Lisa’s first day back at the shop and Pen wanted to be there for her, make sure she knew she had a support system even when the baby wasn’t around. It was the work of moments to hop over to Bewitched, pausing only to make a stop at a little café for drinks and snacks to go. 

“Absolutely nothing,” Pen smiled. She walked through the store to the counter, tugging her cousin into a side hug and shifting a mug into her hands. “How’s your first day back?” 

where: Bewitched

status: open for all 

Since Liam had been born, Lisa had been very hesistant in leaving her daughter, spending most of her time with the baby. She had read about seperation anxiety and it was real. Even now, a few months after her birth, Lisa didn’t feel comfortable leaving her with someone else for more than two hours, even if those were her parents or Michael’s. It was her first full day back at work and she was already on pins and needles, waiting for time to pass. They didn’t think she’d make it a full day before popping by and checking in, but she knew she’d have to learn to be apart from her daughter. Sure, Lisa loved her job, but there was nothing she loved more than Liam. Hearing the bell on top of the door ring, she looked up from behind the counter.

 “Hello, what can I help you with today?” 

littlexlunalovegoods·:

Luna had enjoyed working at the apothecary over the last few months. It was somewhere that was paced evenly enough for her to breathe, but she knew her ingredients and potions fairly well. Even though there were still some parts she was learning, she loved brewing new things when she had the chance. The customers who came in were mostly a delight as a simple conversation could easily sooth her. 

When the door chimed, her mouth fell into an easy smile and when she saw Penelope she beamed. The woman seemed distressed by her words as well as her physical appearance. “Oh my goodness, Penelope. Are you alright?” Luna asked with concerned, already moving from behind the counter to look at her features. “What was it? Plant? Animal? Food?”

-----

Penelope sniffed miserably, trying to smile at Luna despite barely being able to see through her watery eyes. She would normally never show up in public looking like such a mess, but she needed both medical help and a friend, and Luna would be much better company than a healer. “Hi Luna,” Pen greeted belatedly. She rubbed a hand across her eyes, hoping that would help with the itching. It only made it worse. She sighed, feeling entirely defeated. “Animal. My new kitten.”

location: cho and marietta’s apartment 

status: closed starter for @choeilidh

Penelope knocked twice on Cho’s front door, before letting herself in. Setting down a to-go box of pastries on the table, she wandered over to the coffee maker, pressing the start button and watching the machine with a little more interest than was probably healthy. It was only after Penelope had a mug of coffee clutched in one hand that she pulled a stack of newpapers out of her magically expanded bag, tossing them on the table. 

Turning to eye her friend skeptically, Penelope asked (not for the first time), “Are you sure reading through all the quidditch sections is going to make you feel better?” 

Drops of Jupiter - Train