Audrey's auburn hair fell over her shoulder as she continued to stare at her journal. Her eyes continually drifted over the blank pages as if she expected them to change. Crouched in her chair, she poked her nose of out of the journal and peered at her boyfriend sitting on the couch. He was busy re-reading an old issue of the Daily Prophet intently as if it was the first time he read that issue. His journal laid open on the small wooden table beside the couch. He sighed as he brought a cup of coffee to his lips. He gracefully placed it on a coaster. A small grin formed on his face as he stole a glance from Audrey.

"Are you expecting something?" he asked his voice breaking the heavy silence. She looked up, her hazel eyes meeting his brown, and wrapped an arm around her knee.

"I suppose so," she replied and watched him neatly fold the newspaper, "I just don't know what." She tied her hair in a ponytail while Percy placed the copy of the Daily Prophet on the coffee table. He, then, watched her. He was completely entranced by her tying back her hair and muttering a swear word under her breath because a strand kept falling to the side of her face. He was fascinated how her red v-neck sweater clung to her body and contrasted her pale skin. Even the way she shifted her posistion in the chair continued to fascinate him, and he came to the conclusion that he couldn't handle losing her.

He said reassuringly, "It's been a relatively dull day. It makes sense that you are expecting to happen."

"That's true."

Even though Percy wasn't as anxious as Audrey, he also expected something to happen. The wizarding world was far too calm especially for their dark times. He knew, however, if he didn't remain calm, he would be shaking with anxiety, and he needed to be strong for Audrey. He also knew that Audrey being on edge wasn't a good sign either.

"Nothing bad is going to happen to you, I promise," Percy said kissing Audrey on the forehead. Inconvienently, words began appearing on the pages of Percy's journal. She merely pointed at it, and he rushed over to it. He picked up the journal and his eyes grew wide when he saw what was written:

The Battle has begun at Hogwarts. They have already arrived.

"It's time," he muttered throwing the book back down. He ran to their bedroom and pulled on a black jacket over his white button-down shirt and grey vest. Wand clutched in hand, he rushed down the hall. He halted when he saw Audrey holding her wand and standing by the apartment door.

Percy sighed as he realized the woman, constantly by his side, shouldn't go into battle with him. He needed to prove himself worthy as a Weasley and reconcile with his family without her. Audrey would be in immediate danger if she went, and there was no definate possibility that he would be able to protect her.

"Audrey, darling," he said, "You can't come with me." Her face fell and she bit her bottom lip. She crossed her arms across her chest and impatiently tapped her foot on the floor.

"Why not?" she asked almost feircely.

"Because I would be lost if anything ever happened to you," he answered blatantly.

She scowled as she neared him slowly. She jabbed her finger into his chest and stated, "I am more than capable of taking care of myself." She glared at her boyfriend and wondered why he didn't want her to go. She was the one who got him to help muggle-borns, and that was dangerous.

"Darling, I know that," he responded soothingly and ran his hand though his curly red hair. He was still perplexed by her reactions to his decisions, and he contemplated making a list of his actions and her reactions to his actions for a better gauge on her behavior. "I love you. With you by my side, I became a better person. I need to go do this alone so I can show my family that I really have changed, and you're not forcing me into this fight. Do you understand?"

"Alright."

"Alright?" he asked furrowing his brow.

"Go play hero," she resigned with a small smile, "but you'll regret the day you were born if you don't come back alive." She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he snaked his arms around her waist and crushed her to his thin frame.

He harshly kissed her soft lips and backed away. "If you want, we can get married after I return," he said with a wink. A hearty chuckle almost at his lips.

"WHAT?"

He smiled and pushed his horn-rimmed glasses up the bridge of his nose. He took a few steps and apparated to the Hog's Head inn. He planned to fight dark wizards alongside his brothers and return to the love of his life, but he was sure that she was going to kill him after he made that joke. Perhaps, he would marry her, but he had a battle to fight in first.

The End