sparkysparky | Two Lives, Chapter 4

Ok, so this is chapter 4 of Two Lives, and from here on things get kinda smoopy for a bit, before getting angsty again. Still not sure if there will be a happy ending to this thing. I am up to Chapter 14 and have chapters 15 to 17 sitting on my hard drive waiting for me to re-work them a little. And after that, it's left to the P/O muses to drive the story. They've been on hiatus for 6 months though, so good luck Jessie! *laughs bitterly* Anyway, here is chapter 4.

[Error: Irreparable invalid markup ('') in entry. Owner must fix manually. Raw contents below.]

Ok, so this is chapter 4 of Two Lives, and from here on things get kinda smoopy for a bit, before getting angsty again. Still not sure if there will be a happy ending to this thing. I am up to Chapter 14 and have chapters 15 to 17 sitting on my hard drive waiting for me to re-work them a little. And after that, it's left to the P/O muses to drive the story. They've been on hiatus for 6 months though, so good luck Jessie! *laughs bitterly* Anyway, here is chapter 4. <lj-cut text="Chapter 4"> Chapter Four:   Percy woke up the next morning with unusual cheer. Today was the day he would see Oliver again. He drifted through his morning routine, thinking about his encounter yesterday with the Quidditch star. As he was sipping his orange juice and munching on his bran muffin, Percy pondered the question of the perfect gift for his parents from a friend of their son’s. Your father always appreciates a good Muggle appliance, and your mum could do with something frivolous that she hasn’t made or bought for herself, Percy’s nice voice said. “That it is then. A new Muggle item for Dad, and a bottle of perfume for Mum.” He said out loud as he quickly washed his breakfast dishes. He grabbed his briefcase on the way out the door, and was soon ensconced in the multitude of reports on Cauldron Bottom Standardization piled on his desk. Every half hour, Percy checked his watch, wanting to make sure that time was actually moving. He tended to lose a part of himself when he was working, and he didn’t want that to happen on today of all days. At 12pm, Percy looked up as Oliver strode through the door. “I was going to wait for your assistant to announce, me, but she was too busy filing her nails to be bothered. I hope you don’t mind me just barging in like this.” Oliver said, flopping down in the chair opposite Percy’s desk. Percy floundered for a moment, not knowing how to respond, and then said, “It’s not a problem.” “So, you ready for our shopping date?” Oliver asked, smiling sunnily. Lost in Oliver’s smile, Percy nodded and shoved the report he was reading to the side. “Just let me get my coat and we can leave.” “Have you any suggestions on what I can get your parents?” Oliver asked as Percy cast the locking charm on his door. “Yes, actually. Have you got Muggle clothes on under your robes?” Percy asked. Oliver looked a bit confused but shook his head no. “Why do you ask?” “Well, you must know that my father is fascinated by Muggles. I had thought we would spend some time in Muggle London shopping for a new gadget he can amuse himself with. And for my mum, she has this favorite scent called Elegance found only in this one shop in London. It’s not very expensive, but she loves it. I was going to pick some up for her as an extra present, but if you wanted, you could give it to her.” “It sounds perfect! Let’s pop over to my apartment so I can change into something suitable, and then we can be off.” Percy followed Oliver a few streets over from the Ministry and up to his apartment. “Make yourself at home. I won’t be a moment!” Oliver called over his shoulder as he made his way to his bedroom at the back of the apartment. Percy looked around Oliver’s flat with interest. It was messy, unorganized and a perfect reflection of the man who inhabited it. Percy’s nose wrinkled slightly as he caught sight of several unwashed dishes on the coffee table in the living room. Clothes were strewn everywhere, and Quidditch paraphernalia littered every available surface. Percy laughed a bit at a picture on the wall of Oliver, Fred, George and the rest of the Hogwarts Quidditch team in Oliver’s 6th year. Fred and George were giving Harry a noogie, Angelina, Alicia and Katie were staring starry eyed at Oliver, and Oliver was holding the Quidditch Cup in his hands, tears streaming down his face. “Yeah, that’s a great picture isn’t it? Oh, to be so young again!” Oliver said, coming behind Percy and looking with tenderness at the photo. “Who would have thought then that Fred would marry Alicia, and George Angelina, and Katie Lee Jordan? It’s funny how everyone younger than me in that team has found a life mate, and I haven’t.” Percy stared at Oliver for a moment. “Are you looking for love then?” he asked, trying to keep the hopeful sound from his voice. “I’m not sure I know what love is. I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately, and have realized that I have never been In Love before. I’ve loved, and lusted, but I have never fallen in love.” Oliver looked sad, and turned to Percy. “How about you? What happened to you and Penny?” Percy looked away and replied, “We broke it off a year out of Hogwarts. Penny went on to become a MediWitch, and eventually ended up in Romania, where she met Charlie. They’re married now. Didn’t Fred and George, or even Harry mention it?” Percy asked, successfully keeping the slight feeling of bitterness from his voice. “Well, they did mention that Charlie was married, but her name never came up. Was that hard for you?” Oliver asked. “It think it would be very strange for an ex of mine to marry my brother.” “No, it was fine. They really love each other, and while I really enjoyed Penny’s company, we were never really right for each other. She and Charlie are very happy, and expecting their first child next spring.” Percy turned back to Oliver. “Now, enough maudlin talk. Let’s go shopping.” **** Once in the Muggle world, Percy led Oliver directly to Jazmine’s Scents for the Everyday Woman, where they quickly picked up a bottle of Elegance for Molly. After they left the store, Oliver turned to Percy to ask a question, and was struck with the thought that Percy looked especially frail in his Muggle slacks and sweater, both in a stark gray color. “Percy, have you eaten lunch?” Oliver asked. “Well, actually, I haven’t. But, I am fine.” Percy replied, heading for the next store. Oliver considered Percy for a moment. Doesn’t look like he eats much. And remember how he barely ate the soup yesterday? “Well, I for one am starving. How about we take a break and head for the nearest Bugger Prince. Harry’s told me all about them.” Percy laughed a bit and said, “I think you mean Burger King, not Bugger Prince. And if you’re hungry, let’s eat.” Percy said. It took only a few minutes to reach the nearest Burger King, they’re on every corner, Oliver thought. Once inside, Oliver studied the menu and finally decided on a Double Whopper with Cheese, a large chocolate shake, a large order of French fries, and an apple pie. “What will you have Percy? It’s on me.” Percy looked with quiet disgust at the rubbery looking food the patrons were eating. He was about to refuse when he saw Oliver looking quite fierce. He finally ordered a hamburger, a diet soda and a small order of fries. “Thanks Oliver.” Percy said quietly. Oliver paid for the food, and led Percy over to the nearest empty table. “Now, eat all of that. It doesn’t look like there’s much to you, and I don’t want you fainting on me in the middle of Muggle London.” Oliver said, half teasing, and half serious. Percy looked at Oliver, who was quickly inhaling his food, and was so caught up in admiring the way Oliver’s strong hands led the food to his mouth, that he didn’t realize he’d eaten all of his burger and the majority of his fries until Oliver smiled and said, “See, that wasn’t so hard, was it?” Percy blushed and nodded his head in agreement. “So, shall we go?” “Absolutely! Where to, my Muggle knowing friend?” Percy laughed and led the way to the Electronics store he had noticed on the way to the Burger King. “Now, my father enjoys ANYTHING that needs batteries or has a plug. You could get him a toaster, and he’d be happy as a clam for weeks, even months.” Oliver perused the various items until something caught his eye. “What’s this?” he asked, picking it up. Percy looked at the item in Oliver’s hands and laughed and said, “That is an electric car. My father will love it!” “Wonderful! I knew this would be a success with you around Perce!” He threw his arms around Percy and gave him a quick, friendly hug. Oliver went to pay, leaving Percy tingling all over. </lj-cut> Remember, feedback makes me spontaneously burst out into song!

S	M	T	W	T	F	S
	1	2	3	4	5	6
7	8	9	10	11	12	13
14	15	16	17	18	19	20
21	22	23	24	25	26	27
28	29	30

Jessica

Two Lives, Chapter 4

Profile

September 2025

Most Popular Tags

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags