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Worth the Wait	By : Dazzlious Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female Views: 8312 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from J K Rowling's fantastic books or films, I'm just borrowing and playing with them for a little while and get no monetary reward for doing so.

Chapter List
- 1-Prologue
- 2-One
- 3-Two
- 4-Three
- 5-Four
- 6-Five
- 7-Six
- 8-Seven
- 9-Eight
- 10-Nine
- 6
- 7
- 8
‘I’ve been meaning to have a word with you, Hermione,’ Penny said.
She took hold of Hermione’s arm and led her towards the sofa. Hermione had no interest in anything her love rival might have to say to her, especially after the large lunch she had just consumed. All she really wanted to do was go to sleep for a couple of hours but she was too polite to pull away. Instead, she sat down unhappily, wondering what Penny wanted to talk to her about. She just hoped it wasn’t about earlier when she had caught them returning to the house, or the even earlier mistletoe incident.
‘I notice you haven’t spent much time with Ron since we’ve been here,’ Penny said once she sat down beside Hermione, her face a studied mixture of sympathy and curiosity. ‘Is everything okay between you two?’
Hermione stared at her for a moment before responding, ‘Ron and I split up just under a month ago.’
Penny’s face crumpled with sympathy.
‘Oh, how terrible for you. That’s why you look so unhappy,’ she whispered, patting Hermione’s hand in what she obviously thought was a comforting manner. ‘And how difficult it must be, having to spend Christmas here, after—’
‘It’s not been that difficult,’ Hermione interrupted, having trouble keeping the tartness out of her tone. ‘Not with Ron, anyway.’
Penny looked confused.
Hermione elaborated, ‘Ron and I parted as friends, Penny. He’s more like a brother to me than a boyfriend so it made sense to call it a day. Neither of us was particularly cut up about it; it seems that everyone else is more upset about it than we are.’
‘That’s such a shame because I always thought you made such a lovely couple,’ Penny said.
Hermione rolled her eyes at the comment. Penny must have been the only person in the world who did.
‘Well, I am sorry that it didn’t work out between you. It seems a shame for you to be so unhappy at this time of year, especially when I’m feeling so excited,’ Penny continued, her interest in Hermione’s plight dealt with. Now she wanted to share her own good news. ‘It’s a shame you and Ron weren’t more like me and Percy — we have a truly wonderful relationship.’
Hermione felt her hands automatically clench into fists. She didn’t want to hear any more bollocks about what a wonderful relationship Penny and Percy apparently had, otherwise she would be tempted to tell the awful woman the truth, and that wouldn’t be good for anyone. As she tried to think of a way to escape before she killed Penny, the door opened and Ginny entered with a plate of mince pies.
She grinned at Hermione then moved towards the sofa with the plate outstretched.
‘Mince pie?’ she enquired.
Penny took one but Hermione shook her head. She was feeling too full and far too stressed to eat anything more.
‘Shove up,’ Ginny said, and she pushed her way between the two women, subconsciously understanding that she needed to split Hermione and Penny up, although not entirely sure why.
‘I was just telling Hermione how sorry I am that she’s split up with Ron. I was worried because she seems so unhappy,’ Penny told Ginny.
Ginny shrugged. ‘Ron’s an arse so I’m not surprised Hermione split up with him. She can do so much better than him.’
‘Although I seem to recall you’re quite keen on me having a relationship with one of your brothers,’ Hermione pointed out.
‘Yeah, but not Ron. He’s completely hopeless where women are concerned. In fact, he’s almost as bad as Charlie.’
‘What’s wrong with Charlie?’ Hermione asked curiously.
Ginny grinned. ‘Nothing really, but he’s rubbish at relationships. That’s why he works with dragons. He says they’re easier to deal with than women.’ She glanced at Penny, her grin widening more wickedly, ‘Anyway, you know which brother I think you’d be suited to.’
Hermione glared at her friend. This was already awkward enough without Ginny revealing her thoughts on Percy and his love life.
‘As long as she’s not interested in my Percy,’ Penny said with a slightly shrill laugh, apparently not noticing the slightly awkward air her comment caused.
Before anyone could say anything further she announced, ‘He’s so wonderful . . . and he’s going to ask me to marry him today.’
She beamed as Hermione and Ginny both stared at her in shock.
‘What makes you think that?’ Hermione asked, her voice sounding as hollow as she suddenly felt.
Ginny was more forthright. ‘Where on earth did you get that idea? Percy’s got no interest in getting married.’
‘. . . especially to a pig,’ she added quietly enough that only Hermione could hear.
‘You sound like you’re not very happy about the idea, Ginevra,’ Penny said, sounding upset. She stood up and stared unhappily at the two women on the sofa. ‘I was going to ask you and Hermione to be bridesmaids.’
‘I just want my brothers to be happy. To be honest, Penny, I didn’t realise Percy was that serious about you,’ Ginny replied.
Beside her, Hermione was desperately trying to get her emotions under control.
‘Not serious about me! We’ve been together for almost eight years,’ Penny pointed out.
‘Which says to me that he’s not interested in getting married otherwise he would have asked you earlier,’ Ginny retorted belligerently.
Hermione could see the look of anger in Penny’s eyes and knew that unless she did something there was going to be a fight between her and Ginny — which wouldn’t be good if Percy really was going to marry Penny. The idea made her feel sick, but then it wasn’t really any more shocking than learning that Percy hadn’t ended his relationship with his girlfriend as he had promised, despite all his protestations of love for her.
She needed to know why Penny was so convinced that Percy was going to propose to her.
‘How do you know he’s going to ask you?’ Hermione cut in.
Penny stopped glaring at Ginny for a moment to look at Hermione, a saccharine-sweet smile coming back to her face at the chance to gloat.
‘I found the ring,’ she confided excitedly. ‘I was unpacking his clothes for him when I found it. It’s really beautiful.’ Penny paused for a moment then added, ‘He’s just waiting until we’re alone before he asks me because it’s going to be such a special moment that he won’t want anyone to ruin it for us.’ She gazed haughtily at Ginny as if hinting that she might be one of the potential saboteurs. ‘Then, afterwards, he’ll tell all his family, I expect, and we’ll set a firm date for the wedding next year.’ She sighed. ‘I’ve always wanted a summer wedding, with lots of beautiful roses. I already know I want a pink colour scheme and I know the wedding dress I want, too. I’ve had it all planned for years, just waiting for the day when Percy finally asked me.’
Ginny looked shocked. Hermione thought for a moment that she had actually stopped breathing and fought hard not to gasp.
‘When do you think he’s going to ask you?’ Ginny asked.
Penny shrugged. ‘He could have asked me this morning if he’d taken me on his walk with him.’ The petulance was back in her voice. ‘I’ll get him to take me for a walk in a little while, just the two of us. He’ll be able to do it then.’ She smiled smugly, like the cat that had got the cream.
‘Well, congratulations, Penny,’ Hermione said, her voice falsely bright.
She was feeling completely stunned at the revelation of the ring. Penny had to be right, Percy was going to propose to her — there was no other reason he would have bought a ring. She could feel the tears threatening and she wanted to get away, to be on her own where she could scream and cry and rail against the injustice of what had happened to her.
Even before lunch Percy had been telling her he loved her, yet all the time he had been planning to make Penny his wife. She hated both of them right now and couldn’t bear the idea of spending another minute in either’s company.
Hermione stood up. ‘You’ll have to excuse me but I’m not feeling very well. I think I had too much to eat at lunch and I’m feeling rather queasy.’
She was aware that Ginny was watching her and she hoped her reaction gave away nothing of her true feelings. Her friend was far too astute for her own good sometimes. As Hermione made her way to the door Ginny jumped up to join her, not wanting to stay with Penny either and wanting to talk to Hermione about what they had just heard.
‘I’ll come with you, Hermione,’ she announced.
Hermione’s heart sank. She didn’t really need Ginny analysing Percy and Penny’s relationship at the moment. She needed to be alone so she could cry.
She smiled. ‘Okay, but let’s make it quick. I think I’m going to be sick.’
‘What the hell’s going on?’ Ginny asked her in a hiss as they climbed the stairs to their room. ‘How can Percy be about to ask the Pig to marry him? He doesn’t love her and I’m not sure from what I’ve seen of them today that he even likes her anymore. But if he isn’t going to ask her what’s he doing with an engagement ring?’
‘But is it an engagement ring? Maybe it’s just a friendship ring or something and Penny’s got the wrong idea. Or maybe it’s a present for your mum . . . or even you.’ Hermione didn’t believe for one minute that this was likely but anything was better than thinking about Percy marrying Penny.
‘Maybe,’ Ginny conceded but she didn’t sound convinced either.
Hermione sped up feeling tears prickling at her eyes. She desperately didn’t want Ginny to see them because then she would have to explain why she was so upset and there was no way she was admitting to anyone else what an idiot she had been. It was bad enough that Fred and George knew, although they had been taken in by Percy, too.
‘I need to go to the loo. I’ll join you shortly,’ Hermione said.
She almost ran down the corridor, pleased to find the bathroom unoccupied. She wrenched open the door and flung herself inside, pulling the door closed behind her. She really did feel sick now. She dropped down beside the toilet and opened the lid as she bent over it, retching violently as the tears began to flow.

*

Hermione was quiet on her return to the bedroom, and because she had actually been sick her skin looked pale and clammy. Ginny was worried about her but Hermione explained that she had just eaten too much and that a couple of hours to sleep it off would soon see her right. Her friend, who had wanted to talk further about the mistake she was convinced Percy was about to make with Penny, was disappointed but left Hermione alone in the bedroom while she went back downstairs to find Harry and Ron so she could tell them about it.
She lay on her bed in the rapidly fading afternoon light, once again trying to imagine how Penny could have got her wires crossed. It just wasn’t possible. It was unlikely a ring designed merely as a present for Percy’s mother or sister could have been mistaken for an engagement ring, and clearly Penny had been waiting for this to happen for years. Hermione understood how the girl felt, and although she disliked her because it meant the death of all her dreams, she couldn’t begrudge Penny her moment of happiness.
Hermione now wished she had left the Burrow as soon as Penny and Percy had arrived. She should have made some excuse and gone home, back to her parents’ house, even though they were away skiing in France. It would have been better to spend Christmas alone rather than having to go through the heartbreak she was currently suffering and the torment she was going to have to endure when Penny, even smugger than usual, announced their wedding plans. She was going to ask Hermione to be a bridesmaid, too. How was she supposed to turn that down without seeming bitter or unkind?
There was a faint tap at the door. Hermione raised her head and looked towards it but the door didn’t open, which she knew it wouldn’t because she had sealed it shut earlier along with putting a silencing charm on the room, not wanting anyone to disturb her while she wept. The door handle jiggled but nothing happened.
Hermione wondered whether it was Ginny and prayed that it wasn’t Penny. She reached for her wand and removed the silencing charm, then left the bed and moved towards the door. There was silence for a moment then the knocking came again, louder this time. Hermione pointed her wand at the door, ready to remove the charm if it turned out to be another occupant of the room attempting to gain entry.
‘Hermione, are you in there?’
Hermione started when she heard Percy’s voice through the door. What the hell was he doing here? She stalked back to the bed and sat down, frowning.
‘Hermione. Are you all right? Ginny said you weren’t feeling very well and I thought I’d check you were okay as I was passing.’ He waited for a couple of seconds then added hopefully, ‘Open the door, please?’
Hermione stared at the door, her heart racing. She wanted to see Percy, wanted to confront him about the ring, but at the same time she couldn’t speak to him. It hurt too much, and just seeing his face would probably be enough to set her off crying again.
‘Go away, Percy, I’m okay, I just had too much food. I don’t want to talk to anyone at the moment, I just want to sleep it off,’ she responded dully.
‘Are you sure you’re all right?’ Percy asked. He sounded really worried.
Hermione wanted to scream and shout and tell Percy that no, she wasn’t all right, that despite everything he had told her he was going to marry Penny, and that she hated him. But there was no way she was going to make a scene here at the Burrow, especially when all Percy’s family were here and she had no one.
‘I’m fine, just go away and leave me to sleep,’ Hermione told him, aware that she sounded grumpy but really not caring.
She relaxed slightly when Percy ceased knocking, presumably going back downstairs to join his fiancée. That made Hermione wonder whether he had actually asked her yet. Surely they must have been for their walk by now; it was beginning to get dark.
Maybe that was why Percy wanted to talk to her and had come up here. Maybe he thought the news would be better coming from him rather than her hearing it from everyone else when she went downstairs. That thought was enough to set off the tears again and she collapsed on the bed, sobbing into her pillow as her heart broke once more.

*

Percy stared at the door worriedly. He wished Hermione would open it and talk to him. She sounded angry rather than unwell, but he had no idea what had happened to upset her this time. He wasn’t even sure anything had happened as she had only been in the lounge with Penny and Ginny.
He knew Hermione didn’t like Penny, especially at the moment, but it was unlikely anything untoward would have passed between them in the short time between finishing lunch and Hermione disappearing upstairs. Perhaps she really was just feeling ill; it had been an extremely large lunch, after all.
For a moment he considered knocking again, forcing Hermione to open the door and talk to him as he wanted to be with her, even if only for a few minutes – stolen minutes were all he could hope for while they were at the Burrow with so many other people around so he had to take them wherever he found them. He dropped his hand. If she really wasn’t well then it was selfish of him to expect her to get up and talk to him just because he wanted to look at her beautiful face.
He was about to go back downstairs when he remembered Penny was waiting for him. She had been wittering on about the two of them going for a walk as if it was something he was going to want to do, when in truth he would have been happy just to sit and talk to his father or even Bill and Charlie while he digested his lunch. Penny hadn’t seemed happy at his refusal, and he got the feeling she was expecting something from him although he had absolutely no idea what he was supposed to be providing.
Maybe she expected him to have got her a present other than the one that was housed with all the others under the Christmas tree in the lounge and was expecting to open it in private without the rest of the family there to see. If so, she was definitely going to be disappointed. The only person he had an extra present for was Hermione, and that would have to be given in secret if he could ever get her to meet him alone again.
Whatever her reasons, he had no desire to spend any longer with Penny than he had to, which would be during the unwrapping of the presents once his mother finished faffing around in the kitchen.
Deciding to delay the inevitable, he climbed the stairs once more and headed for Fred and George’s room. They seemed to know more about Hermione and her moods than anyone else in the house so maybe they would know whether she really was ill or what had caused her to lock herself away.
‘Do you know what’s wrong with Hermione?’ Percy asked as he entered the room after knocking.
Fred and George were both laying on their beds. George was reading a book while Fred flicked through a magazine, using his wand to turn the pages.
‘Hermione?’ George frowned as he stared at his brother. ‘You haven’t upset her again, have you?’
‘I don’t think so,’ Percy replied, sounding unsure. ‘But she’s locked herself away in her bedroom and is refusing to come out. She reckons she’s not feeling well after lunch.’
‘Maybe she isn’t,’ Fred said. He flicked the page again then sighed. ‘You haven’t done or said anything with Penny while Hermione was around, have you?’
‘I’ve hardly talked to her, and you’ve been there pretty much the whole time when I have,’ Percy pointed out.
‘It’s not that, then. What about when you were in the barn?’ Fred looked slyly at Percy.
‘It was good between us — you saw Hermione when we came out, she was fine,’ Percy exclaimed.
Fred grinned. ‘Just checking, Perce. No need to get so wound up. Perhaps she really is just ill.’
‘Will you go and talk to her?’ Percy asked. ‘She won’t talk to me but she’s been happily confiding in you two today, so perhaps you can find out what’s wrong.’
‘Maybe there isn’t anything wrong. Maybe she’s just feeling sick,’ Fred pointed out.
‘Well, then you can confirm it. Please?’
George dropped his book and got up from the bed. ‘I’ll go and have a word with her.’
Fred sighed and dropped his wand on the bed on top of the magazine. He stood up, too.
‘I’ll come with you. I wouldn’t want to miss out on any gossip.’ He grinned at George. ‘And I don’t want you hitting on Hermione while I’m not there.’
‘I don’t want either of you hitting on her,’ Percy said, sounding annoyed.
‘Chill out, Percy, we’re only doing some harmless flirting. If Hermione really has got the hots for you she’s not going to be interested in us, is she?’ Fred’s grin had extended and looked particularly wicked.
‘Perhaps I’ll come with you,’ Percy told them.
‘That would defeat the purpose of us going to see her,’ George explained patiently. ‘You already know she won’t talk to you. She won’t be any more likely to talk to us, either, if she knows you’re there.’
Defeated, Percy said, ‘Okay, I’ll stay here. But don’t be too long . . . and no trying to take advantage of her.’
Fred and George left the room, seemingly ignoring Percy’s last comment. He sat down on Fred's bed and picked up the magazine.
‘Do you think she really is ill?’ George asked worriedly as they made their way downstairs.
Fred shrugged. ‘No idea. She seemed okay at lunch.’
‘Perhaps she’s worrying about Percy again,’ George suggested. ‘Hermione seems quite insecure at the moment and it doesn’t seem to take much to set her off.’
They knocked on the door.
‘Hermione, are you in there?’
Hermione stared at the door as someone knocked at it again. Obviously, they weren’t going to leave her alone to wallow in her misery. A few seconds later she heard Fred’s voice. Had the twins been sent to talk to her as Percy hadn’t managed to? Were they going to be the bearers of bad tidings?
‘Go away. I’m not feeling well and I’m trying to get some sleep,’ she retorted, not bothering to keep the ire from her voice.
‘What’s the matter with you?’ This was George.
‘I feel sick after that huge lunch, I ate too much. Now I just want to sleep it off but everyone keeps trying to disturb me. Please, just leave me alone.’
‘Are you sure you’re not upset?’ George asked.
‘What have I got to be upset about?’ Hermione asked, then instantly regretted it. Now George was going to tell her about Percy and Penny.
‘We don’t know. We just wanted to make sure you were okay,’ Fred said.
Hermione frowned. Did the twins not know about the engagement? Maybe they hadn’t been downstairs yet so hadn’t heard the news. Well, it wasn’t her place to tell them. It was nothing to do with her.
‘I just feel sick, that’s all. Now please, leave me alone.’
‘As long as you’re sure?’ Fred asked, uncertainly. He, too, now had a feeling that Hermione wasn’t cloistered away just because she was feeling sick.
‘I’m sure. I just want to sleep,’ Hermione answered.
‘You know it’ll be time to open the presents soon,’ Fred reminded her.
‘All the more reason for you to let me get some sleep now,’ Hermione said, wishing they would leave her alone.
She sighed as she lay back down on the bed, clutching the pillow. She had forgotten about the presents. There was no way she was going to be able to get out of joining everyone else, so she needed to sort herself out to make sure she didn’t break down when the inevitable bad news came her way.
‘Okay. We’re going. We’ll come and get you when it’s time for the presents. Hopefully you’ll feel better by then,’ George said. He tugged Fred’s arm. Quietly he said to his twin, ‘Come on, let’s go. She’s obviously not going to talk to us.’
They were just about to go back up to their room when they saw Ginny, heading up the stairs towards them.
‘Have you been to see Hermione? How is she?’ Ginny asked anxiously.
Fred shrugged. ‘Dunno, she won’t let us in. She says she’s not feeling well.’
‘She was sick earlier, I think,’ Ginny told them. ‘I was hoping she was feeling better by now. Mum says she’ll be ready for present opening in ten minutes. I was just coming to tell you all so you could come downstairs.’
‘I’d better go and tell Percy. He’s waiting in our room,’ George replied.
‘Is that where he is? The Pig’s been looking for him everywhere. I don’t think she’s very happy with him — although Merlin only knows why; she’s about to get everything she wants,’ Ginny said bitterly.
‘What does that mean?’ Fred asked.
Ginny sighed. ‘It seems that after all these years our dear brother has decided to marry the Pig; even though she’s not right for him at all.’
‘What?’ George said, stopping on the stairs. He stared at his sister in astonishment.
‘You can’t mean Percy,’ Fred said. He looked as shocked as his twin.
Ginny nodded grimly. ‘Yep. She told Hermione and me earlier, just after lunch. She was really excited about it. It was almost enough to make me feel sick.’
The twins stared towards the closed bedroom door, understanding dawning although they were both still confused.
‘The Pig told you this?’ Fred asked.
‘Yes!’ Ginny sounded annoyed at having to repeat herself. ‘I told you, Hermione and I were in the lounge with her and she was talking to Hermione about Ron. Hermione told her they’d split up and we were joking about her going out with another brother, because I’d told Hermione at breakfast that she ought to go out with Percy in order to save him from the Pig — I mean, they’d make a great couple, I think so, anyway.
‘So the Pig started twittering about how she hoped I didn’t mean Percy, then dropped this bloody great bombshell about how they’re getting married, probably next summer. She’s already got it all arranged — in her mind, anyway — and she wants me and Hermione to be bridesmaids. Like that’s ever going to happen.’
‘But that’s not possible,’ Fred said. He looked more confused than ever.
‘That’s what I thought, and I told her that after all these years she should just get used to the fact that Percy was never going to marry her, but she was adamant that it was going to happen and that he’s going to ask her today.’
‘No, she must have got it wrong,’ Fred said.
‘I wanted to think that, too,’ Ginny continued, sounding disgruntled. ‘I even thought Percy was trying to get rid of her, that’s why I suggested Hermione could be his girlfriend. But I’m afraid we’re just going to have to get used to the fact that we’re stuck with the Pig forever.’
‘He’s not in love with her,’ George asserted.
‘I didn’t think so either, but he obviously must be otherwise he wouldn’t be asking her to marry him, would he?’ Ginny pointed out.
‘Ginny, it’s just not possible that he’s getting married to the Pig,’ Fred said again adamantly, shaking his head. ‘He’s in love with Hermione. That’s why she’s in there suddenly taken ill and he’s upstairs panicking about why she won’t talk to him.’
Ginny stared at her brother in shock. ‘He’s what? What do you mean he’s in love with Hermione? How do you know?’
‘What do you think we’ve been doing all day?’ Fred asked.
‘Trying to give the two of them some time alone together without the Pig finding out,’ George added.
‘So when you two were hanging around outside before lunch—’
‘Percy and Hermione were in the barn having a good old snog under the mistletoe,’ George admitted.
‘I knew there was something going on,’ Ginny said quietly, almost to herself, ‘and I thought that he wasn’t interested in the Pig any longer.’
‘What I don’t understand is why the Pig is so sure they’re getting married. Surely Percy hasn’t been stupid enough to talk himself into it, has he?’ Fred wondered.
‘Probably not if he’s been hiding up here with you two, and that would explain why the Pig’s so annoyed. She was expecting him to ask her by now,’ Ginny said.
‘But why? What made her so sure he was going to ask her?’ George asked. ‘I can’t believe Percy would have given her any reason to expect a proposal.’
‘Because she found the engagement ring he bought for her,’ Ginny said.
Fred stared at Ginny for a few seconds as his mind ticked.
‘He didn’t buy it for the Pig, he bought it for Hermione,’ he announced excitedly. ‘I bet you anything you like it was supposed to be for her.’
‘Fred, don’t you remember? Percy told Hermione he had a special present for her,’ George reminded him. ‘We assumed he was talking about sex, but what if it was the ring?’
‘Shit. The Pig found it and thought it was for her, and then she told Hermione, who was already upset because of Percy bringing the Pig to the Burrow for Christmas,’ Fred chimed in.
Ginny looked confused. ‘I don’t really understand what’s going on here but I don’t think you’ve got time to explain it either. We need to get downstairs for present opening and we need to get Percy and Hermione.’
‘We need to talk to Percy right now,’ Fred said. ‘Ginny, don’t disturb Hermione just yet. We’ll pick her up on the way back down once we’ve talked to Percy. Don’t worry, the Pig isn’t going to be joining our family anytime soon, but I think Percy’s going to have to have a conversation he’s been putting off somewhat sooner than he wanted to.’
‘We’ll explain it to you after the presents have been opened,’ George promised with a smile as he stared at his confused sister.
‘Okay. Don’t be long, everyone is ready down there and we’re just waiting for you lot,’ Ginny warned. She turned and went back downstairs.
‘We’ll be five minutes,’ George said.
‘Seven at the most,’ Fred countered with a grin.
Without another word they barrelled up the stairs and into their bedroom where Percy was waiting for them, looking anxious.
‘Have you asked the Pig . . . I mean Penny to marry you?’ Fred asked.
Percy scowled at him. ‘No, of course not. I love Hermione. I thought we’d been through all this.’
‘Good.’ This was George.
‘Right, so we have to go and talk to Hermione,’ Fred said.
‘What’s this all about?’ Percy asked.
‘Hermione’s upset because she thinks you and Penny are getting married,’ George told him.
‘What the hell made her think that?’ Percy asked. He sounded annoyed.
‘Penny told her — her and Ginny. She asked them to be bridesmaids at your wedding,’ Fred said.
‘Why would she say that?’ Percy blurted, confused as well as annoyed now.
‘Can you think of any reason?’ Fred asked.
‘No. I’ve tried to keep away from her since we got here. I wanted to be with Hermione. You know that.’
‘Well, apparently she found an engagement ring and she’s convinced that you’re about to ask her to marry you,’ Fred explained.
‘Oh, fuck. I bought the ring for Hermione,’ Percy admitted. ‘I know we haven’t been together for long but I knew that first night we spent together that she was everything I was looking for so I didn’t think there was any point in waiting. But then everything went wrong — my fault, I know — but I brought the ring with me, just in case. I was hoping Hermione would change her mind and if that happened I was going to propose. That’s why I wanted to see her tonight, to ask her to marry me.’
‘Well, your girlfriend got hold of the ring and she thinks it’s for her because you haven’t told her the truth,’ Fred said bluntly. ‘And she’s telling everyone who’ll listen that you’re getting married in the summer.’
Percy moaned unhappily. ‘Oh gods, what am I going to do?’
‘Well, you’re a bit stuffed at the moment as we’ve all got to go downstairs to open presents so there’s no time to sort it out, but we need to get Hermione out of the bedroom and then after the presents have been opened you’re going to need to talk to Penny,’ George said.
‘. . . and you’re going to need to tell her the truth,’ Fred added seriously.
Percy went pale at the thought of having to confront Penny, especially now he knew why she was annoyed with him. He now also knew why Hermione didn’t want to talk to him. Gods, it was all such a bloody mess.
‘You go downstairs and join the others,’ Fred advised. ‘We’ll have a word with Hermione. She probably doesn’t want to speak to you at the moment, anyway, so we’ll explain to her what’s happened. You can talk to her after you’ve talked to Penny.’ He saw Percy’s miserable face and continued, ‘It’s the only way, Perce. You can’t put this off any longer, you know you can’t.’
‘It’ll be better for everyone once you’ve sorted it out,’ George pointed out.
Percy sighed deeply. ‘Okay, I’ll go and get the presents ready. Please, just make sure that Hermione knows that Penny and I aren’t getting married.’
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Worth the Wait