The Broom Shed Incident
by Poppy P
First published at
Sugarquill.com
A/N: I do not own the characters, place names or
anything you may recognize. It all
belongs to JK Rowling. I am not looking
to make a profit off the story. It is
purely for entertainment purposes.
Kudos to Dr Cornelius for coming up with the great Ravenclaw password
(or should we thank Poe?). This is a
sort of prequel to my other story at SugarQuill, I'm Like a Bird – a Percy
Story. Thanks to Zsenya for
beta-reading and especially for all her hard work at SQ.
Ludo Bagman's eyes darted
about the Great Hall in desperation. It
seemed like he had spent half the Yule Ball being thwarted by redheaded
boys. Just how many children did Arthur
Weasley have anyway? First, those
obnoxious twins had accosted him. Then,
he spotted Harry Potter and wanted to chat with him about the second task of
the Triwizard Tournament, but couldn't because he walked off with a redheaded
boy wearing maroon dress robes and a scowl.
Now he was stuck with Crouch's young assistant who was droning on and on
about something or other. Bagman looked
enviously at Dumbledore who was dancing spryly with Poppy Pomfrey. They were giggling like a couple of
schoolchildren.
Well, he was not going to
spend the rest of his evening listening to Pompous Percy. He cleared his throat as the Weird Sisters
ended another song.
"Excuse me Percy, but I
promised Poppy Pomfrey a dance and I see that Dumbledore has finally tired
out. You understand, don't you?"
"Of course," But Percy
hadn't even gotten the words out before Bagman was gone.
Hmph! Thought Percy, Bagman had not shown much concern over cauldron
bottom thickness standards.
Percy noted that the table
was empty now and he was alone. He had
hardly noticed when Ron got up and left with Harry. He looked about for his other siblings. Fred was making a spectacle of himself on the dance floor with
Angelina Johnson. George, Lee Jordan
and some of their delinquent friend were egging them on with loud cheers and
whistles. Percy rolled his eyes in
disgust. Absolutely no dignity those
two. He made a mental note to tell
their mum about Fred and George's conversation with Bagman. Apparently they hadn't given up on the joke
shop idea.
Percy looked around for his
sister Ginny. Perhaps she had some
other useful information on his brothers that he could share with Mum. But she was also out on the dance
floor. Ginny was dancing with the
Longbottom boy at arm's length. Every
once in a while Neville seemed to pull Ginny closer, but she would pull firmly
back. It looked as though they were
playing some odd sort of tug-of-war rather than dancing.
Percy's shoulders slumped
dejectedly. Now who could he talk
to? Of course he knew almost every
student there except for the foreign ones.
He had just graduated last year.
But for some reason they all seemed so young and silly. Then it hit him: Penny. He almost felt bad that it took him so long
to think of her. She was his girlfriend
after all. He had been seeing Penelope
Clearwater for the past three years.
She was currently in her last year at Hogwarts. He hadn't even had a chance to owl her about
his promotion and tell her that he was coming to the Yule Ball in Mr. Crouch's
place. Poor thing, he mused, she was
probably sitting in the Ravenclaw common room right now, studying for her
N.E.W.T.'s and missing him. He had been
neglecting her lately. Of course she
understood, Percy assured himself.
After all, he was a Ministry official now.
They had seen each other off
and on during the summer. That had been
a real challenge. Her parents, being
Muggle, were a bit more liberal about dating, but still, they would definitely
not take kindly to their seventeen year old daughter spending the night with
him. At Hogwarts it had been easy
enough to sneak into an empty classroom as long as they watched out for Mrs.
Norris. The summer, however, was a
different story. Wizard transportation
certainly had its drawbacks. It was
very difficult to have a private, romantic and safe interlude on a
broomstick. If Mr. Weasley still had
his car, that problem could've been solved.
Thanks to Ron, however, that was out.
Added to the problem was the fact that Mr. Clearwater was leery of
having Penny flying off on a broomstick with Percy. He had never quite gotten used to the idea that his daughter was
a witch. They had finally worked out a
system where they used the underground to meet in obscure parks around London
where they took up residence in various gazebos and kiosks. Casting a first rate Concealment charm
became somewhat of an initiation to their lovemaking. All Percy had to do was mention the charm and Penny got
goosebumps. Still, Percy couldn't wait
until next year when she was out of school and they could see each other more
often. Work permitting of course.
Percy made his mind up to
surprise Penny that instant. This would
be the perfect opportunity to sneak into an empty classroom as everybody was at
the Yule Ball. He wondered what Penny
would say about his new robes.
He was making his way
through the crowded hall, intent on getting to the Ravenclaw common room, when
he spotted her.
Penny was sitting at a table
littered with napkins and empty butterbeer bottles; talking animatedly to a
blond-haired boy he didn't know.
Percy stopped and stared at
her in disbelief. Penelope looked
beautiful. Her long, curly hair was
pulled away from her face and hung down the back of her robes in dark
waves. She was wearing burgundy robes
that perfectly matched the flush on her cheeks. Her gray eyes were bright and sparkling as she carried on her
conversation with the blond boy. Percy
willed her to look at him, and a moment later she turned towards him. Her eyes widened in disbelief then pleasure
and she hurriedly excused herself and rushed over towards him.
"Percy!" she exclaimed breathlessly, "What are you doing
here?" She squeezed his hand and pecked
him on the cheek.
Percy answered back
automatically, though his voice sounded odd and nasally to him. "I was promoted today and they asked me to
step in for Mr. Crouch as he's not feeling well. What are you doing
here?"
Penelope looked slightly
taken aback by his question. "Well, I
had no intention of coming, but Pierre asked me to accompany him as a friend
because he didn't want to sit here all by himself. Luckily I packed these dress robes for graduation. I almost changed my mind though, which is
why we came in late. I hadn't noticed
you here until just now."
Percy had only heard one
word during this whole exchange.
"P-Pierre?" he asked.
"Yes," she smiled, "he's
from Beauxbatons. We met in Arithmancy
class and he's so nice!
You've just got to meet him. I told him all about my wonderful boyfriend
with the big, important Ministry job."
Her eyes sparkled with amusement.
Was she mocking him?
Percy allowed himself to be steered over to the table where the blond
boy stood up and shook his hand, murmuring greetings in a heavy French
accent. They sat down in an awkward
silence for a few minutes. Penny
glanced from Pierre to Percy a couple of times, then stood up quickly, pulling
Percy with her. "Pierre, I hate to
leave you alone, but would you mind terribly if Percy and I went for a little
walk? We've not been able to get
together for ages." She smiled brightly
at Pierre who looked chagrinned but nodded.
Penny and Percy made their
way out the entrance hall and down the castle steps into the cold night
air. They walked towards the rose
garden but were put off by the numerous couples in various make-out stages. Penny sensed they were in need of a private
place to talk so she suggested, "Let's take a walk down by the lake. It's a bit chilly out, but I daresay you can
cast some of the best Robe-warming charms I've ever seen." She raised her eyebrows with the innuendo,
but he ignored her and quickly muttered the charm over them. They headed out towards the lake. They walked around it in silence, under the
cold, crisp night sky speckled with stars.
They were making their way towards the Quidditch pitch when Penny
couldn't stand the silence any longer.
"Percy, is something is wrong?"
He stopped walking and
stared down at her. She was a tall
girl, but he was taller. "You're a
clever little Ravenclaw, what do you think?" he asked through gritted
teeth. "I find my so-called girlfriend
at a dance with some bloke I don't know, having the time of her life. Don't you think something's wrong?"
Her eyes widened with
surprise. "You're upset about Pierre?"
"Pierre and Penny, how very
cute," he sneered. "Of course I'm upset
about Pierre!" He began walking around
the Quidditch pitch, his feet making crunching founds over the frozen ground.
Penny panted, trying to keep
up with him.
"I told you we came as
friends."
"Yes, it looked pretty
friendly to me alright."
"Percy," she grabbed his arm
and swung him around to face her. "Do
you seriously think I'd betray you in front of your brothers and Ginny?" she
asked earnestly. "I told you Pierre is
a friend."
Percy crossed his arms over
his chest and turned away, making a derisive noise.
"Percy, I would think you of
all people would be pleased by my friendship with Pierre," continued Penny as
Percy gave her an incredulous look.
"Weren't you the one that stressed the importance of establishing ties
with foreign wizards and witches?"
Percy's eyes flashed
coldly. "Establish ties with them, not
shag them!"
Penny gasped in shock then
pulled her hand back and slapped Percy across the face with all her might. He clutched the side of his face and
staggered. Penny's chest rose and fell
with every ragged breath. "How dare
you?" she asked in a deadly quiet voice.
"How dare you even insinuate that?
When have I ever given you reason to doubt me?"
Percy stared at her mutely,
hand still clutched to his cheek that burned red in the moonlight.
Penny continued, "I've never
even had another boyfriend. You were
the first in all aspects and you," her voice softened so that it was barely
audible and she looked down at the ground, "you know that." She looked back up at him, eyes overflowing
with tears.
Percy slowly lowered his
hand from his face. "You…you struck
me. No one's ever…I mean, not even
Mum…" he trailed off.
She immediately felt
contrite. She put her hand on his hot
cheek. "Oh Percy, I'm so sorry. It's just that you made such a ridiculous accusation
about Pierre and I."
"Well," he said, "it's just
that you look so beautiful and when I saw you with another man I…"
"Percy! I told you we came as friends. Besides," she added as an afterthought,
"Pierre is gay."
"Yes, but I…" Percy stopped
abruptly, "Come again?"
Penelope smiled at his
bewildered expression. "When I told you
we came as friends, I meant it. Pierre
is gay. He's quite taken with Draco
Malfoy you know."
"Oh." Percy felt a hot flush creep up his neck and
over his ears. "So you came as
friends?" he asked sheepishly.
"Absolutely. I'm sorry I didn't have a chance to owl you
about attending the ball with my friend."
Percy sighed deeply. He hated admitting he was wrong. "I guess, I'm sorry too. I should've owled you about my promotion and
stepping in for Mr. Crouch. It's just
that I got so caught up telling Mum about it and shopping for dress robes, that
I forgot."
Penny ran her hands across
his chest, over the dark blue material.
"They're very nice. You look so
distinguished and handsome…" her voice trailed off as Percy's chest puffed out
with pride under her hands. They looked
into each other's eyes and were just drawing together for what promised to be a
passionate kiss when they were startled by a peculiar sound.
"What was that?" Asked Percy alarmed.
"Dunno, but it sounds like
it's getting closer."
Percy looked around
frantically. "I can't get caught in a
compromising position with a student.
I'm a Ministry official!"
Penny felt slightly annoyed
at his comment, but refrained from saying anything. She squinted into the darkness and saw that the noise was coming
from a large figure looming towards them.
"Percy, that looks like Hagrid, and it sounds like…it sounds like he's
crying."
Indeed, the loud snuffling
noise was getting louder by the second as Hagrid drew closer. Unable to summon much sympathy for Hargrid
due to his predicament, Percy blurted out, "The broom shed! I think we can make it there without Hagrid
spotting us. Quick!" He grabbed Penny's hand and rushed inside
the shed at the end of the Quidditch pitch.
Percy leaned against the door, trying to catch his breath as Penny
peered out of the tiny broom shaped cut out on the door.
"Poor Hagrid, he sounded
miserable. I doubt he would have
noticed us in his condition. Percy,
what are you doing?"
Intrigued at finding
himself alone in a darkened room with his girlfriend, Percy had suddenly lost
his trepidation of being caught doing something unbecoming of a Ministry
official. In fact, he had just about
one thought left on his mind now.
"Penny," Percy's hot voice
against her neck and the way he pressed himself up behind her, clutching at her
waist, made Penny forget about Hagrid as well.
"Penny," he repeated, "I've really missed you." He turned her around gently so that they
were facing each other.
"Have you?" she asked
breathlessly.
His response was muffled by
the scalding kisses he trailed down her face and neck. "Very much.
You know I'm busy with work, but I do love you Penny." He pushed her against the door of the broom
shed, continuing his path of kisses.
"Oh my." She clutched at the back of his neck,
running her fingers through his thick hair.
At last, she pushed him back gently and looked around the darkened room. "Percy," she was quite breathless now, "do
you think we could…um…you know, here?"
Percy lit his wand and
looked around the room. Apart from the
broomstick stands and the brooms themselves, there wasn't any furniture in
there. There was a cloak hanging on a
hook on a wall. Percy supposed he could
spread that over the floor. No,
he thought, it was too cold for that.
Suddenly Percy was struck with an inspiration. He grabbed the closest broom within reach, which turned out to be
a Cleansweep Five.
He motioned for Penny to
stay where she was. Percy placed the
broom in the middle of the floor, pointed his wand at it and uttered a few
words. In an instant, the broom was
transfigured into a bed that took up most of the broom shed. Penny smiled in admiration and said,
"Wow! I'll have to thank Professor
McGonagall on Monday."
"Professor McGonagall?"
Percy frowned, "Why?"
"For that impressive bit of
Transfiguration."
Percy smiled, and then said
in a low voice, "Really? Well, I've got
some other skills I'd like to share with you Miss Clearwater."
Penny felt her face flush in
the darkness and started to sit down o n the bed, when Percy stopped her. "Wait," he pulled the old cloak off the
wall, shook out the dust and draped it over the bed. "Don't want to catch cold now, do we?" He twirled his wand in the air and pointed it at the cloak. A red rose blossomed in the center of the
garment, then a pink one, then another red and so on as it stretched out
towards the four corners of the bed.
When it finally stopped, a quilt of pink and red roses covered the
bed.
"Oh Percy!" she gasped as he
led her by the hand. They stretched out
on the bed and Penny waited for Percy to use his wand to cast a Disrobing charm
on her. He really prided himself on his
Disrobing charm. She was surprised when
he put his wand aside and began undoing the clasp on her robes with his own
hands.
"I want to do this myself
tonight, Penny."
Penny had a feeling the
night's surprises were far from over.
*****
Several
hours later, Penny faced the frowning portrait of Rowena Ravenclaw that guarded
the entrance to the Ravenclaw common room.
"Two
o'clock in the morning! Is this really
a sensible time to come in young lady?"
"Please
keep your voice down!" Penny whispered
frantically looking over her shoulder for a sign of Filch or Mrs. Norris.
"Very
well, but next time, see that you get in at a decent hour. Password?"
"Yes
fine. Nevermore." Penny jumped as
she thought she heard a noise. "Nevermore." she repeated.
The
portrait slid to the side, revealing the entrance to the Ravenclaw common
room. Penny slipped in and proceeded to
make her way past the blue sofas and armchairs when a soft voice said, "Lumos."
Penny froze in terror, and then relaxed as she saw Cho Chang, Mandy
Brocklehurst and Padma Patil sitting up from various sofas pulled closed
together and rubbing their eyes.
"What
are you lot doing down here?" asked Penny, plopping herself down at the end of
Cho's sofa.
"We
fell asleep chatting about the ball," said Cho with a yawn.
"Did
you have a good time?" asked Penny.
"I
didn't," answered Padma petulantly. "I
had a horrible date. Then I tried
flirting with that Beauxbatons boy you cast off Penny, but he was interested
either! I think he fancies Pansy
Parkinson. He kept glancing at her
table all night." Penny smiled
"Anyway,"
said Mandy, "Cho had a good time, and she got the best Christmas present."
"Did
you now? And what was that?"
Cho
smiled shyly and glanced at Penny, "A new boyfriend."
Penny
paused, then it registered. "You and
Cedric?"
Cho
nodded, breaking out in a wide grin.
Penny shrieked and hugged Cho tightly.
All four of them sat giggling madly until Penny shushed them, reminding
them of the time.
"Yes
Miss Prefect, and where were you until just now?" asked Padma cheekily.
"I…er…was…"
Penny stammered.
"No
need to explain, we can see it on your face, you scarlet woman, you." teased
Mandy as a deep blush crept over Penny's face.
"We
saw you leave with Percy," explained Cho.
"Sarah
Fawcett told us she saw you walking past the rose garden," said Mandy.
"Looking
for a more private place, hmm?" asked Padma sweetly.
"Are
those rose petals in your hair Penny?" asked Cho in astonishment. Penny ran a hand through her bedraggled
curls and brought forward a handful of pink and red petals. She felt that if she turned any redder her
whole head would pop off. Penny tried
to look severe but ended up joining the trio in a helpless fit of giggles.
Mandy
tried to stifle her giggles with a cushion.
"And here we were making fun of Lisa Turpin and Terry Boot because they
snagged her robes on some thorns trying to get away from Snape."
Cho
wiped away tears of mirth. "Tell her
about Roger and the Beauxbatons girl."
"Oh
yes," began Padma breathlessly. "Lisa
said at least they weren't as bad as Roger and Fleur Delacour. In fact, they're probably still picking
thorns out of their bums as we speak!"
Penny
fell back against the sofa shaking with suppressed laughter. "You're horrible!"
"So
really Penny," pressed Mandy, "how did you get rose petals in your hair?"
"Yes,
what did you two do?" insisted Padma, "Stand on your heads?"
After
another giggle fit, Penny proceeded to tell the girls about the broom shed and
the rose petal quilt. The younger girls
pressed her for more information, but she refused to give any details. It wasn't ladylike and she was a Prefect
after all.
Padma
pouted, "No fair! How come you got the
Weasley stud and I got the Weasley dud?"
Penny
patted her hand, "Now Padma, give the boy a chance. Ron's still young after all."
"Hmm,"
said Mandy thoughtfully, "I wonder if Ron Weasley is good at Transfiguration?"
"Well,
maybe when I get over being mad at him, I'll find out," declared Padma.
In
the ensuing fit of laughter, none of them noticed Roger Davies come down the
boys' staircase. "What's with you
girls? Don't you know there are people
trying to sleep here?" he asked, outraged.
Roger whirled around and walked stiffly up the stairs.
"See,"
whispered Mandy, "thorns in his bum!"
The End
