France
When the girls are two, and old enough to be put into daycare, Audrey and Percy decide to take a couple’s vacation together.
They work it all out with his parents- they’ll take the twins for a week. They’ll spend five luxurious, lazy days at the Château les Merles. Percy drops off the sullen twins at his parent’s place, kisses his mother on the cheek, and goes to pick up Audrey from work. She hadn’t enough time off and had to work the morning they would head out.
He leans on their car, idly flipping through a book he had brought to keep himself entertained while traveling outside of Audrey’s building, their bags in the boot. He looks up when he hears the front door open and sees her smiling face. She hugs him tightly and he lets himself relaxing for a bit. With Audrey working overtime on a tricky case for the past few months and Percy applying for daycares for the girls, it’s been ages since they’ve spent any time alone. When she pulls away, Percy brushes a strand of hair from her face. Her smile dims a little as she looks him up and down.
“Percy,” Audrey asks, an odd look on her face. “You really think that’s the best look for you?”
Percy looks down at his outfit. He’s wearing muggle clothes, black jeans and a casual t-shirt from some muggle rock band and a long cardigan. They’re comfortable traveling clothes. They were planning on taking the train and then a cruise boat rather than an international Portkey. It would give them a chance to enjoy the views.
“Uh,” Percy says stupidly. “Yes? Why, what’s wrong with it?”
His wife purses her lips tightly. “Nothing, it’s fine.”
Something twists in his gut.
“What is it?”
“Nothing!”
“Audrey-,”
“If you like it, it’s fine.” She finishes, putting out a placating hand. “I love you no matter what you wear.” She cracks a grin.
“I would be so honored.” Percy smiles back and opens the passenger door for his wife, trying very hard not think about going through his bags and changing into something else.
It’s a beautiful location, nestled in the picturesque Dordogne region of southwestern France. Fleur had told him about it; she and Bill had spent a weekend after their daughter was born.
She had been right about its grandeur. The estate was elegant, surrounded by rolling vineyards and lush greenery which created a serene landscape.
The car drops them off in the front of the main house. They were greeted by manicured gardens and a grand entrance. The grounds are dotted with ancient trees, colorful flower beds, and pathways that all but begging people to take leisurely strolls. Percy finds himself being rather excited.
Their bags are taken away, and Percy and Audrey spend the rest of the day and the next full day in their room, ordering wine made from the vineyards outside, having meals brought and generally ignoring the very idea of personal space.
On the second full day, they finally leave their room. The rent bikes and go to nearby town of Lalinde. Its quays along the Dordogne, and they spend hours in the colorful markets where they play tourist. Percy feels a bit foolish, but his wife is so happy to gawk at the local produce he doesn’t mind. They order room service again when they get back and once again ask to not be disturbed.
Their third full day, and their last one, the rent bikes again and spend the morning in the picturesque gardens of Marqueyssac. Percy’s got his muggle camera and spends hours taking photos. In the late afternoon they return, slightly sun-burnt and warm and take a nap. As the sun sets, they dress in their formal outfits, a smart suit for Percy and a sequined black dress for Audrey.
They are seated, tucked away in the corner of the dimly lit restaurant. They order the same wine they had been drinking before. When the waiter comes around and hands them the menu, her brows furrow.
“What?” Percy asks, scanning the menu.
“It’s entirely in French.”
“We’re in France.”
She rolls her eyes. “Duh. I mean, this whole time there’s been translations. This is all in French.”
Percy looks back down at the menu. He hadn’t noticed- he had taken French in primary school and had worked on it extensively with Fleur and Bill in the years since Hogwarts.
“Oh. Well, you can order 3 plates or 4. The only difference is one includes a Fromage. Here, you don’t eat meat. They have a vegetarian course.” He looks the rest of menu up and down. “You like tomatoes, right? They only have options. We get one set of each so we can try everything.”
She’s staring at him with that odd look on her face again. The waiter stops by.
“Avez-vous des questions ou souhaitez-vous commander directement?”
Percy blinks, a bit thrown off.
“Ah, oui. Tartare de tomate, courgette farcie, tempura de legumes.”
“Dessert?”
“Pavlova aux fruits rouges, ganache montée à la verveine. Oh,” he cuts a glance at his wife who is watching him quietly. “Parfait glacé à la cacahuète, s’il vous plait.”
“Très bien monsieur.”
The waiter walks off, leaving the two of them alone.
“Sorry, he snuck up on me. I order tomato tartar and stuffed courgettes with vegetable tempura. They only had two desert options, so I just got both if that’s okay. I can get them to change anything if you don’t-,”
I don’t appreciate you making me feel stupid, Percy.” She says coldly. She sits back in her chair and crosses her arms sullenly.
“I wasn’t trying to-,”
“I know you’re the smart one who got all his N.E.W.T.’s-,”
“They don’t even teach French at Hogwarts.”
“I know that!” she exclaims sharply. Her jolting movement sends her silverware clattering against her glass, creating an unpleasant cracking sound that reverberates loudly along the walls of the intimate restaurant. They get some curious looks from nearby patron and Audrey’s face goes bright pink.
“You’re causing a scene, Percy.” She hisses under her breath.
“Me?”
She stands up suddenly knocks over her water glass in the process. It spills all over the tap and into Percy’s lap. She throws her napkin, which was on her lap, onto the empty breadplate in front of her.
“If you’re going to be like this, we should just go home.”
Percy stares at her. He’s never been more confused in his life.
“What are you talking about-,” he starts to say, but she’s already stalking angrily out of the restaurant, leaving Percy alone with damp trousers and a confused waiter.
Percy apologizes profusely, but they need to cancel. The waiter takes it in stride and assures him it’s alright. He gives him some napkins to clean up the table and Percy leaves to look for his wife. She’s not at the room when he returns, but she’s probably trying to calm down. He gets ready for bed but decides to stay up to wait for her, a book in hand.
He hadn’t meant to make her feel stupid. It wasn’t a big deal, was it? They were in France for Merlin’s sake, sometimes things would only be in French. She hadn’t minded when he translated the plaques for her when they toured the castle earlier.
Was it because he ordered for her? Did she not like him doing that? He’s done it before, and she never seemed to mind. Or had she really minded but didn’t say anything to spare his feelings? Or had he just been so dumb, he hadn’t noticed the unhappy look on her face?
Percy tries to stay up but the weariness from today takes over and he falls asleep in the armchair waiting for his wife to return.
He’s awoken by the door opening. He’s not sure what time it is, but it appears to be dark outside, and Audrey is very, very drunk. Her eyeliner is smeared and she’s carrying her shoes in her hands.
“Audrey! Where have you been?”
His wife waves a casual hand, thundering into the room. She’s not just very drunk; she’s plastered.
“Around, y’know.” She slurs. Percy gets up from his chair and hugs her. She smells like wine.
“I’m so sorry, baby. I shouldn’t have gotten upset.” She mumbles into his shoulder.
“I’m sorry too,” Percy tells her and means it “I shouldn’t have ordered for you without asking. I need to be more considerate.”
She hums a pleased noise into his ear and the knot he didn’t know he had in his stomach releases. She’s forgiven him.
“We’re gonna be okay.” She slurs drunkenly. Percy allows himself a small chuckle.
“I know babe,” he says, gently leading her to the bathroom to get her cleaned up. “I think so too.”