Private message to Penelope Clearwater

[alt_percy]

I know I'm later than I said I would be, but I'm wrapping things up now. And I have good news! Mr Malfoy is giving me a free afternoon tomorrow, since I've been working so hard, and he says I should spend it with you. Isn't that brilliant? He really is so kind.

I can leave at half past twelve tomorrow.

Comments

[alt_penelope]

Tomorrow?

That's...great, Perce, but I wish I'd known. I'm trying to finish up that monograph for Mr Powell and he has a meeting with the client Wednesday. I was counting on tomorrow to get the draft done for him.

Does it have to be then? I could probably get all of Wednesday if you've any flexibility about it.

[alt_percy]

Oh, dear. There are several meetings which I must attend myself, and the regular last Wednesday of the month Floo calls and--

Yes. It has to be tomorrow.

Can you get the draft done tonight, do you think?

[alt_percy]

What could we do with the afternoon off?

[alt_penelope]

Well, I--

There's also the question of notice to Mr Powell. He's not much for surprises.

I mean, I've not been there nearly as long as you've been with Mr Malfoy--I can't just tell him tomorrow that I'm leaving at half noon.

But--well, maybe he'll understand.

Wait. What have you told Mr Malfoy about us? Why does he think you should spend the day with me all of a sudden?

[alt_percy]

Do give it a try with Mr Powell. You've pleased him, haven't you? Surely he can give you an afternoon off.

Oh, it was a very natural subject to come up, you understand. Invitations are starting to flood in for all of the holiday events that the Malfoys are invited to, so that led to talk about how important it is to have the right person on your arm for those sorts of things. It was quite touching, really: he waxed a bit poetic about Mrs Malfoy (they really do have an ideal marriage, you know). He said that it's important to pay attention to that person in your life. And then he looked at me and said, 'You've been working quite hard, Weasley. Why don't you take tomorrow afternoon off, devote some time to doing that sort of thing?'

[alt_percy]

I'm about to head home. Let's talk about it when I get there.