Friday Night at the Office

Update 10/05/05: As per the new rules, I\'m adding a disclaimer here.
Disclaimer: Pursuant to copyright law, I acknowledge that I own none of the characters, concepts, or other related material in Harry Potter. I make no money from the writing of fan fiction based on the property of others.

It was late on a Friday, which usually meant the offices would be empty. Not so this night; upstairs in the Minister’s office, there was the clattering of a magical typewriter, taking the soft dictations of the young wizard seated before it. He had to finish this report before morning. Percy Weasley was an incorrigible overachiever, and a dreadful brown-nose at that. This had been noticed by the other wizards and witches in the office, and he often found himself up to his neck in other people’s work.

He heard footsteps in the elevator lobby and ignored them. Probably someone had left their briefcase or umbrella. The sounds vanished as the person crossed the border of the carpeting, and Percy paid them no further heed. That is, until he felt hands on his shoulders. Percy jumped, and the man behind him chuckled softly.

“I had hoped to leave your present for you to find in the morning,” Lucius murmured, bending to kiss Percy’s neck.

“How did you know I was working tomorrow?” Percy asked, squirming slightly as the other wizard tickled the short hairs above his collar.

“When was the last time you didn’t work on a Saturday?” Lucius asked, lips quirking into a half-smile.

Percy turned, and received a kiss for his troubles. Malfoy’s mouth was deceptively soft and welcoming, and long, slender fingers worked gently into Percy’s fire-red hair. After a moment Lucius withdrew, leaning back against the wall behind the desk.

“You left your cane this afternoon, you know.”

Lucius smiled. “I know.”

Percy stood and put his hands on his lover’s waist, pressing their faces e. “e. “I suppose Narcissa wouldn’t be too suspicious if you returned to retrieve it.”

“Precisely.” Lucius kissed him once more and then pushed him away firmly. “But I must be going. Here’s your gift.” He produced a small black box from his robes and set it on the desk before picking up his cane, which had been propped against the guest chair. Percy touched the crisp black paper and watched Lucius walk away. When his lover was out of sight he carefully unwrapped it. The paper smelled of Lucius’ cologne; it had been inside his waistcoat, then. Percy inhaled the scent hungrily before lifting the cream-colored envelope from the top of the box. The note simply read, “Happy Valentine’s Day,” in Lucius’ perfect handwriting. Percy removed the lid and gasped.

He lifted the pocket-watch gingerly, watching it shine in the lamplight. It was gold, to be sure, and when he opened it he saw that it was inlaid with small gems. Percy gazed at it openmouthed for some minutes before carefully setting it back in the box and closing the lid. He glanced in the direction Lucius had left, toward the elevs. Ts. The tips of his ears were pink.

Quietly, to himself, he murmured, “Happy Valentine’s, Lucius.”