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?”
It was strange, to be back on the Express after so many years. Nostalgia almost overwhelmed her at times, passing by the prefect compartment and the trolley, memories flooding in of a time when she’d still been insulated from just how strongly the wells of blood prejudice ran. Pen wasn’t really one to steel herself with alcohol, but she was going to be on this train for hours and didn’t particularly want to be so tense the whole trip. Making her way to the bar, she sat down in the first stool she saw, only turning when she heard a familiar voice.
Penelope frowned at Callum, running a hand over her skirt (and a skirt she quite liked, too!). “You’re in fine form today,” she told him, eyebrow raised questioningly.
Callum loved being back on the train, it reminded him of his years roaming the corridors looking for people to bully, it was too fun, he’d have already taken 50 points off Gryffindor before they’d even reached the halfway point of their journey. Unfortunately, he had no points to take away now, so he had to find other means of entertainment, like the lounge car, after all, there was only so many times that you could tell Percy Weasley that his hair looks greasy today. He was waiting for someone to come along that might peak his interest, but no one had yet, until someone sat down next to him.
“I must say, their selection of drinks isn’t quite up to my satisfaction, but I’m sure it’ll do you just fine,” he smirked over at them, studying what they were wearing. “Did no one tell you to dress to impress?”
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!”
@penxclearwater
aterryboot·:
“She had fought in the Battle of Hogwarts, I’m assuming they know she isn’t on their side,” Terry offered. He felt really bad that he was the one having to tell Penelope about all of this, she was a good person she didn’t deserve to find out this way. On the flip side, Padma didn’t deserve to be taken either even though the details on her being missing were still unclear. There was no proof that she was taken just a simultaneous event and an assumption. Along with that also came no reason on why Padma specifically.
It could have just been she was in the right place at the right time but Terry had no idea. He was even more out of the loop since he hadn’t decided to join the New Order, his parents still sending him constant letters almost as if a reminder of what they’d said to him. He really didn’t know what the right choice was. “Anthony’s been pretty worried since then so he wants me to check in with him every so often. You might want to talk to him– um, he can probably update you better than I can.”
-----
Pen felt a familiar guilt creep up on her when Terry talked about the Battle of Hogwarts. She hadn’t been there, she hadn’t even been in the country. It was an unexpected extra pain in her chest that she tried to ignore. Padma was what was important here, not Penelope’s own failures. “Of course,” she said quietly, trying to reconcile all of this new information. “The Redeemers must have long memories.”
“I’ll go talk to him, check in,” Penelope promised Terry. It had been years since Hogwarts, even longer since she was their Prefect, but it still made Pen warm with pride and fondness when she saw ‘her’ Ravenclaws, especially together. “I’m glad Anthony has you. Padma, too,” she said, before pausing, the words almost stuck in her throat. “Are you going to be okay?” she asked, before rephrasing, “At least, will you be safe?”
percyweasley-arc:
It had been a long day at week following the events of the Halloween masquerade and then a myriad of stress at the Ministry. Percy almost hesitantly denied a family dinner but it seemed the comfort he needed. Percy could easily be trapped in his work and his family always offered a keen escape that he craved. Even though he had just made amends with Charlie, he still was worried and concerned about Harriet.
As soon as Percy arrived at his former house, he gave his mother and father a chaste kiss on the cheek before heading up to his old bedroom to change. The work clothes seemed to be what he lived in, but even Percy preferred to change as soon as he left. The tie around his neck fell and the tightness loosened.
Percy barely heard the door creak open until he turned around and saw Penelope. Penelope Clearwater was in his bedroom. Penelope Clearwater was here. Why was she here? Percy then realized he was stunned and speechless, only staring as he held his shirt in his hands. They had been talking for the last few months and Percy nearly had a moment to kiss her on the train but his insecurities got the best of him.
He cleared his throat and his brows knitted together in confusion. “Pen-penelope, what-what are you…did mother invite you?” he asked weakly, hating how surprised he sounded and knew he looked shocked too. Percy took a breath and turned to give himself a moment and to throw on the nearest shirt he had. Why hadn’t mummy told him about Penelope coming? It seemed like vital information considering Percy’s feelings and here he was looking like a speechless buffoon. “I’m sorry-I wasn’t-I didn’t know you were coming.”
◊
If there was a protocol for running into your ex-boyfriend shirtless while trying to rekindle your friendship, Penelope certainly didn’t know it. She stood in stunned silence while her brain flashed through different scenarios on how to react, flushing bright red and ducking her head as Percy searched for a shirt. A tiny part of her brain whispered that he looked good, but she stamped it down ruthlessly and simply tried not to die of embarrassment.
“I’m so sorry, I thought she would have told you,” Pen said, feeling awkward and out of her depth. “We ran into each other the other day and she invited me, I would have said something but we had those meeting conflicts for lunch yesterday,” she trailed off. Honestly, eating dinner with her ex’s family was a little out of Penelope’s comfort zone, but it was suddenly a lot harder to stomach knowing that Percy hadn’t known, and possibly didn’t want her there.
“I’m sorry,” she said again, “I can go. Maybe this is just bad timing, I can create an excuse for your mum.”
rowleing·:
The table was more writing desk than lunch holder, but he was quick to gather all crumpled pieces of parchment close to him, to give Penelope room to sit and eventually have food be brought to her there. Sebastian loved solitude, but he could never turn his back on spontaneity, happenstance, soft daily surprises. When someone asked to sit next to him, there was no answer other than yes. One never knows where true inspiration lies. “I would absolutely love that. I ordered a second strawberry lemonade and dreaded the thought of having to drink it by myself.” He sipped the last quarter of the previous lemonade he already had in front of him. “I’m Sebastian.”
-----
Penelope felt relief wash over her when her unusually-imposing question was met with not only grudging acceptance, but maybe even welcome. She sat quickly to avoid a passing family also looking for a table and smiled gratefully at her new dining companion. “Thank you so much,” she said honestly, already feeling more awake with the sun shining above her. She flushed a little at his offer to share his drink, already feeling like she’d put the wizard out enough. “Oh, are you sure? I’m already imposing on your table,” Pen said, waving a hand vaguely at the area around them. “It’s nice to meet you Sebastian, I’m Penelope.”
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.
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?”
location: obscurus’ books
status: closed starter for @thoughtnott
Penelope walked out of the Ministry, pulling her hair out of the tight bun it had been in and shaking it out, a sign that she was considering herself off the clock. Casting a quick glance at her watch, Pen was pretty sure she would have time to run to the bookstore before she was meant to have her weekly call with her parents.
Of course, this was somewhat of an error in judgement, since the moment Penelope opened to door to Obscurus’ all she wanted to do was spend hours browsing, tracing her fingers along the spines and breathing in the aging pages. She mentally shook herself; she was on a mission. Figuring it was safer to ask for what she wanted than to search for it herself and become distracted, she turned to the man she’d seen by the counter. “Hello, sorry to bother you,” Penelope said, always leery of imposing, “But do you have a copy of ‘Stay Out! A Compendium of Locking Spells and Wards’, by Edith Fowler?”
penelope clearwater. 25. education & development specialist at the department of magical education.
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