Drops Of Jupiter - Train

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?” 

Mujde Akay 💙

mollywobblxs·:

molly looked over to the voice that had just spoken to her and smiled. it was always nice to see a familiar face other than her family. yes, she loved them to death. and yes, she appreciated everything they did. but they were pretty good at getting on her nerves.

“a personal favorite of mine is mixing salt and sugar,” she said as she laughed. truth be told, when she stress ate, she didn’t care what she was eating. she would eat just about anything. she just happened to be passing honeydukes. “hi, honey,” she said with a soft smile still present on her face. “i’ve been better.” she couldn’t help but to think about when arthur had been attacked by nagini and how he had recovered, allowing some hope that her husband was safe. 

-----

Penelope could imagine what Mrs. Weasley was going through, to an extent. Her fear of having the same or worse happen to her own family had lead to Penelope taking her family and leaving the country entirely. A coward’s move maybe, but her family had been safe. Those who’d been taken were a harsh reminder of what could have been, and what might be again. 

“There is something irresistible about the combo,” Pen agreed, taking a box of the truffles she’d been considering off the shelf. Now that Mrs. Weasley had mentioned it, salted caramel and dark chocolate was exactly what she needed. If only she knew what Mrs. Weasley needed, though. Pen hadn’t seen the other witch in years, really, not after she and Percy... And the woman’s husband had been taken, there were no words or gestures in the world that would make that okay. In the end she settled on clasping the other witch’s hand in hers for a moment, wishing silently that things would get better soon. “If Arthur is anything like his son,” Penelope said quietly, “He’s smart and resourceful and he will find his way back to you.” 

Penelope was bent over a book, taking notes in a well-loved journal as she read, all but blind to her surroundings. It was lucky that she had long perfected the art of automatic note-taking, or her notes would resemble gibberish at best. It was so nice to spend an afternoon outside of the office (god knows she spends too much time there as it is). She was totally absorbed in her reading, and nearly jumped out of her skin when someone tapped on her shoulder. Penelope spun, letting out a relieved sigh when she saw Hermione Granger. “I haven’t, I’m sorry,” Pen answered the other witch’s question. She could empathize, she had favorite writing utensils too. Pen held up the muggle pen she was using as additional proof. “Do you want help looking?” 

Hermione liked doing paperwork at a cafe, she found the ambient noise of it to be similar to her time in the Hogwarts Library, where she really trained herself to study and work. Working in silence was great but sometimes a little eerie. The only thing she had to make sure of was that the paperwork wasn’t anything confidential, not that she thought anyone would be particularly enthralled by the confidential documents pertaining to SPEW anyway. Reaching for her quill she was confused when her hand only felt the table. “What-” where was her quill? No it was her favourite quill! Her parent’s had bought it for her 18th birthday. “I’m so sorry-” she said, tapping the person beside her on their shoulder “you didn’t accidentally pick up a quill just here did you? I’ve managed to misplace it within twenty seconds of putting it down” she asked. 

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.

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.” 

location: a bistro on diagon alley

status: closed starter for @rowleing​

Penelope picked up her order from the counter, thanking the wix behind the counter and sliding her change into the tip jar. She rarely took the time to actually have lunch, let alone outside of the Ministry. But the sun was shining and Pen couldn’t resist a sandwich from one of her favorite little restaurants along the Alley. 

Luck didn’t seem to be on her side when it came to seating. There was no open table to be found, and Penelope didn’t feel quite like another lunch in her office now that she’d left. She spotted a relatively empty table with only one occupant and steeled her nerves, pushing away her anxiety as far as she could before she approached. Penelope got to the table and forced herself to ask, “Would you mind if I shared your table? It’s so nice out and there aren’t any other tables open.” 

percyweasley-arc·:

It had been a long day to capitalize a long week. He was steeped in stress about his father missing, his family under the need to find him, and the work that deterred him from focusing on what was happening. It wasn’t unusual for him to find other things to distract him from what was going on. There was a time that his father had gone missing a couple of years ago and his heart dropped to his stomach, his mind already tailing the last time. 

Usually Percy left when Kingsley left and when the Minister had told Percy to go home, it was what it took for him to finally leave his desk. Everyone had mostly thinned out by then, it being well past time to be home and yet Percy took his work seriously. He didn’t want to show Kingsley how tired he was, how much the news was weighing on him. His face changed, becoming more candid with emotion when he knew no one was watching. The idea of going back to his own apartment seemed attainable but he knew his presence might be needed at the Burrow. 

As he was debating where to go while he waited in the lift, he brought his attention to the company added to the lift. Percy’s arm innately reached out to catch her, releasing the hold on the strap for his briefcase. “Late night,” he commented, giving a small smile as to both of them staying late. “By your own admission or your department? Kingsley asked me to leave hours ago.”

-----

Penelope relaxed into the hold that had caught her almost automatically, before her brain caught up with her body and harshly reminded her that her days of laying in Percy Weasley’s arms had long since passed. She coughed, flustered, and tried to remove herself without seeming spastic. Pen wasn’t sure she had been altogether successful, but when faced with your ex-boyfriend, ex-best friend? She’d like to see anyone be completely put together. 

“Thank you for the save, Percy,” Penelope said, cobbling together a smile she thought was both genuine and calm. She took a moment to rearrange herself, shuffling her bag back onto her shoulder and pulling her jacket back into place. “No, it’s my fault, I found the most fascinating journal, from the Founder’s era! It’s incredible, I—” she cut herself off. They weren’t like this anymore. Percy didn’t need to hear her ramblings about her latest fixations. Pen tucked a loose hair behind her ear, lips quirked in a halfhearted little smile. “Sorry, I’m talkative when I’m tired. Um, how are you? I heard about your dad, I’m so sorry.” 

location: a restaurant in hogsmeade 

status: closed starter for @moonylvpin 

Penelope had arrived at the restaurant over an hour before she’d asked Professor Lupin to meet with her, making sure she was organized and ready. It was probably overkill, but Pen felt much better when she was prepared, and she didn’t want to waste Professor Lupin’s time either. It would be good to see him though, she hadn’t seen him for longer than a passing conversation since he first taught at Hogwarts, her last year. She had been thrilled to have a competent teacher in DADA, and spent a decent number of afternoons in his office to get his perspective on issues she was having as Head Girl. 

She’d invited him to lunch to hopefully get his perspective on how he thought Hogwarts could be improved, and maybe see if he had any input on some of the proposals she was going to be submitting. At the very least, it would be good to talk to him. Penelope’s watch chimed that she had five minutes left to their appointment, and she quickly put away her papers save for a single sheet of parchment to take notes on. Just in time too, as she spotted the wizard heading towards her table. “Professor Lupin!” she said, standing to greet him. “Thank you for coming.” 

So many of us choose our path out of fear disguised as practicality.

Jim Carrey (via quotemadness)