dangerous curiosity (apollo)

[perenelle]

Perenelle stood on a chair, dusting the top shelf of the dresser in one of the recently emptied rooms upstairs in the Leaky Cauldron. She rather enjoyed the simplicity of her job, and the customers were always incredibly kind. Normally, a woman would feel degraded with such a stereotypical job in a stereotypical place with a stereotypic wardrobe and lifestyle, but not Perri. No, she loved her job. Even the outfit was cute. She had to match the guidelines, of course, but that couldn't mean that she couldn't have a little bit of fun with it. All it took was a little ingenuity and good shopping skills.

Perri couldn't help herself. She'd spent a few hours wandering around shops to find herself the perfect work uniform. Little black dresses and cute Mary Jane heels were essential to have in ones wardrobe, but Perri needed to have just the right combination. Eventually, she'd found everything, even a cute apron that was simple, yet good-looking. It hugged everything that it needed to hug, but concealed everything that it needed to conceal, so it was perfect for the redhead. Standing on her toes, Perri dusted the back of the shelf.

The Weasley knew that she was very good at her job. She knew that she was a good, hard worker, and that she enjoyed what she did, even if it was small and insignificant by her father's standards. She wanted to get the room cleaned up before the next guest arrived, which would no doubt be any minute. The last thing Perri wanted was to disappoint a customer. She continued working at the back of the wardrobe, dusting furiously and humming to herself. Another wonderful day in the workplace for Perenelle, and another exciting day of life.

Perenelle's Outfit

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[apollo]

Apollo slung his pack over his shoulder, feeling it bump against his hip in steady rhythm with his stride. Each step radiated confidence, icy hair glinting in the midday July sun. Apollo wore a dark pair of sunglasses, as if shielding his Malfoy eyes might make him any less noticeable. If it wasn’t the trail of swooning women he left in his wake as he strode down the street, it was the Malfoy hair that made all eyes fall on him. Summer was one of the worst seasons, in the young man’s opinion, when his hair glinted just like that of his father, grandfather, and worst of all, his annoying pest of a baby brother. The glaring sun had never settled well with Apollo, and he was perfectly content to take refuge in the Leaky Cauldron, working on his latest assignment and escaping the hollow Malfoy manner.

While the home had become a main center for every Death Eater and his sister, the marble halls echoed eerily all the time. Too quiet, even with the House Elves buzzing around and his parents living their rich, padded life. No one wanted to acknowledge that half the family was gone, and the suffocating silence wasn’t his style. No, he prefered the buzzing city, with every eye on him.

Entering the shade of the Leaky Cauldron he nodded to the bartender, who had been expecting him. His money would always be good. If there was one thing about Apollo, he kept his word. Swiping the key out of his hand, he strode up the stairs, passing a pair of young women as he did so, one clutching the arm of the other as he passed, causing him to raise his sunglasses, flashing them a smooth wink. They erupted into giggles as he slid his sunglasses back on, proceeding to his room, the door ajar.

Silently he strode in, looking around for the remains of whatever person was too slow to get out of his room. He was only greeted with the wondrous sight of a young woman, stretching up to dust a shelf, offering him a free view of what normally took a few sweet words to see. His eyes traveled up the maid to see the flaming Weasley hair, making him lift his sunglasses, as if to be sure. How odd. An attractive Weasley. Next there would be flying elephants. It didn’t take long for the links to click in his brain that this was the very Perenelle Weasley he was here to...get to know...

”I’m sorry, miss,” he let his messenger bag slid smoothly off of his shoulder onto the bed, leaning against the wall and sliding his arms over his chest. ”I must be early” he said in that charming purr he had perfected as early as his years at Hogwarts.

[perenelle]

"I'm sorry, miss. I must be early."

Perenelle jumped at the voice, her head smacking into the top of the wardrobe. She yelped in pain, hurriedly pulling her head from the wardrobe, the hand holding the feather duster going to the back of her head, her free hand gripping the wardrobe to keep herself steady. Muttering soft, clean versions of obscenities, she allowed her gaze to travel over to the owner of the voice that had so taken her off-guard, and Perri nearly froze when she saw the most spectacular man leaning against the wall, peering over his sunglasses.

This had to be Apollo Malfoy. That signature hair and charming smile belonged to the man's father. Still, Perenelle had never actually conversed with Apollo. He was four years her senior and didn't typically associate with Weasley's. Still, he was handsome. There were warning bells going off in her mind, but she ignored them. Despite his father's reputation, Perri wasn't big on judging based on lineage. Apollo had never done anything to hurt her or her family, that she knew of, and so she would treat him with the respect and dignity he deserved. Besides, he was a customer, Perri wasn't into being rude to those she helped.

"My goodness, you frightened me. I'm terribly sorry. No, you aren't early, I'm running behind. It's entirely my fault, I'm sorry," Perenelle apologized. In truth, the residents before Apollo had been running a bit behind, but it wasn't like the Weasley girl to make rash judgments. She was much quicker to take the blame for others than let someone assume bad things about another. She was very much unlike her father, Percy, and it was the one thing that allowed her any pride. She smiled softly at Apollo, smoothing out her uniform. "I'm so sorry. I'll be leaving now, unless you'd like me to stay. I'm here to help you in any way I can."

That was Perenelle, always helpful, if not a little naïve. It was her job to help those staying in the pub, and she loved her job. Helping people was her life, it gave her a great pleasure. The amount of time she spent in the library and the hospital wing volunteering her time in between classes and studying was ridiculous. Sometimes, she wondered if Gryffindor really was the House she was destined for, if the Sorting Hat had only placed her based on her ancestry. Perri had always felt she was more suited for Ravenclaw, the House of Wisdom, or, even more so, Hufflepuff, the House of Humility and Kindness...

Perenelle shifted slightly on her feet, realizing that she was still standing atop the chair. Daintily, she attempted to step off the chair. She was a little clumsy, but still managed to land on her feet with grace and care.

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[apollo]

Apollo watched as she bumped her head, proud of the stunned reaction he received, coupled with the look of awe that sparkled in her young eyes. Yes, gorgeous indeed. He vaguely recognized her from Hogwarts years, having been near the age of Ascella. Unlike his siblings, Apollo had never taken to tormenting anyone who had done him no wrong. He preferred the universal attention, and that was best achieved when he didn’t act like every other Malfoy. No, he preferred to think of himself as a Rock Star. Adored by all.

The adoration was clear in her face as she wobbled upon the chair, talking of frightening her. He flashed that Rock Star grin, lifting his sunglasses and resting them on his head, his signature sign of interest. It wasn’t often Apollo was seen without his sunglasses, finding they created the perfect Rock Star look that he needed, while completing the rebel 90’s grunge look that did poor than piss his stingy father off and keep young girls like her fawning. And fawning was exactly what he needed from this new target of his.

”Oh no love, it’s my fault, I had no intention to scare you,” he offered the glittering Malfoy grin once more. She began her descent down, looking as if she might fall down and he appeared beside her, whisking out a hand to catch her, aiding her gracefully down to the ground. ”Be cautious, gorgeous,” he reached up, tucking a stray strange of her Weasley red hair behind her ear, delighting as she looked up at him, looking so deliciously young and innocent. Trusting. Such an easy target, one he would take every last delight in interrogating. It had been his idea, targeting the children. The youth. Those who would one day rule the Order. This Weasley would be among the first in his steps to the top.

And he would love every moment of it, he thought. ”I don’t require any help, but I would love to help you,” he left his hand against her cheek after tucking the strand away. ”I’d love to buy you a drink after you get off, make-up for that mini heart attack,” he purred, eyes locked intensely on hers, relishing the look in her sparkling young eyes. So innocent. So simple. So delicious.

[perenelle]

Perenelle watched as he shot her a charming grin, pushing his sunglasses up on top of his head. He really was an incredibly handsome man, and she would bet money on the amount of women that fawned over him. She was quickly in danger of being one of them. That indescribable spark in his eye, the glint of his handsome smile... Perenelle had never been one to pine after men, even in her silly schoolgirl days, but Apollo was certainly different than most. She smiled a bit wider when he took her hand to help her to the ground.

"Oh no, love, I had no intention to scare you. Be cautious, gorgeous."

Perenelle smiled shyly at him, enjoying the attention. It wasn't often that someone was so forward with her. She was pretty, she knew that, but she didn't know much about gaining affection from men, especially when the man was a Malfoy. He was suave, debonair, the type of man that she would proud to bring home to Daddy... if Daddy wasn't a Weasley, that is. As he reached out to tuck a stray strand of hair that had managed to escape her elaborately braided updo, she smiled a bit more bashfully, but brightly all the same.

"I don't require any help, but I would love to help you. I'd love to buy you a drink after you get off, make up for that mini heart attack."

Perenelle could hear the purr in his voice, and the warmth of his hand pressing lightly against her cheek made her weak. Still, Perri wasn't ever the type to get woozy easily, at least not outwardly. She was friendly and bright, at the peak of her youth, her prime years, and she wasn't going to waste them being shy. "That sounds lovely, sir. I'm not off for a few more hours, unfortunately. Do you think you could wait that long? In the meantime, I'd be more than happy to help you settle into the room, turn down the bed, hang up your clothes, get ice, whatever you need," she replied brightly. She stuck her hand out, to him. "I'm Perenelle, by the way. Perenelle Weasley, as if that wasn't obvious already," she replied, laughing a little as she gestured at her hair. "Perri for short. I know 'Perenelle' can be a bit of a mouthful."

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[apollo]

Apollo kept his eyes trained on her young, glittering ones, looking marvelously bright and waiting. The adoration echoed very clearly, not very easily hidden from someone who was so accustomed from the look. Stepping closer to her, hand resting on her cheek, he could feel heat rush to her fair cheeks, widening his grin. This one was going to be far too easy. Far too fun. How lucky was he? The very target he required waiting in his room for him, ready for the taking...in more than one sense.

There wasn’t much that Apollo didn’t know about Percy Weasley’s daughter. No, he had been told to study quite a bit about the family and her life before taking on this mission. He had his own file all about what she likes, who her friends were, her grades in school, everything he would need to worm his way into her shy little heart. Not that Apollo had ever required folders. He hadn’t taken too much time to read, knowing most everything he needed to know about Weasleys and women already. It would be a shame though. That was quite a pretty smile. With such pretty lips.

Apollo wasn’t sure he could be much closer without it looking as if he was perhaps about to throw her on the bed and take her by force. That would definitely come later, but he kept his distance at the perfectly “accidental” length, just close enough that his breath would graze her ear as he spoke, but keeping their bodies a safe distance apart.

That sounds lovely sir. I’m not off for a few more hours, unfortunately. Do you think you could wait that long In the meantime, I’d be more than happy to help you settle into the room, turn down the bed, hang up your clothes, get ice, whatever you need. I’m Perenelle, by the way. Perenelle Weasley, as if that wasn’t obvious already. Perri for short. I know “Perenelle” can be a bit of a mouthful

Apollo listened, making sure to seem as intrigued as he truly was. She was eager to help, and he was sure his brooding good looks only amplified that. What was it about Weasleys and their bouncy, happy go lucky attitudes? His grin only widened as he took her smooth hand, lifting it to his lips rather than shaking it, much like he had done time and time again at those phony balls his parents always held, where everyone pretended they were some formal, innocent and blessed people. Not that they had killed thousands to get to where they were. Apollo didn’t mind the killing to get to the top, it was the hypocrisy that drove him mad. Still, he looked up from where his lips were pressed to the milky skin, eyes locking with hers from the mock bow before straightening, grin widening into the fa friendly, goofy one, as if they shared some inside joke.

”Perri” he said contemplatively. ”I like it. It suits you beautifully....it has....personality,” he was sure to emphasize the last word, as if it had a double meaning. ”I’m Apollo,” he imitated her gesture to the hair, as if she didn’t already know who he was. Everyone knew Apollo Malfoy. ”Although I can’t say I’m as proud of my hair as you should be,” he offered that charming, inside joke grin. ”I’ve always loved redheads. So much personality,” he laughed, sitting on the bed.

”Well Perri, there isn’t much I require from you,” he reached up, hand enclosing around her wrist as he tugged her down beside him on the bed in a swift motion. ”Except that you keep me company. You seem to light up this dreary room,” his hand slid from her wrist, taking her surprisingly smooth hand in his as they sat side by side.

[perenelle]

Perenelle smiled softly, feeling the heat rising to her cheeks as Apollo bowed low, taking her hand and pressing his lips to the top. He was a gentleman, that made him much more likeable. He was quite the ladies man, that was for sure, but that didn't matter to Perri. He was simply charming and kind, and that made him incredibly appealing to her. Of course, he was a customer more so than a companion, at this point. She was going to put her job first, but if more happened, she wouldn't bother complaining. After all, she adored her job.

As he stood, Perri noted the cute grin he shot her. That was one of the most adorable things that she had ever seen on her short time on Earth. As he straightened up and moved closer to her, Perri was aware of the burning sensation on her hand where his lips had been. It made her want to swoon, but she knew better than that. She was a kind-hearted soul, and was always professional. That would come first, she couldn't allow herself to fawn over someone that she hardly knew anything about, no matter how attractive he was.

"Perri. I like it. It suits you beautifull... It has... personality. I'm Apollo. Although, I can't say I'm as proud of my hair as you should be. I've always loved redheads. So much personality."

Perri smiled at the compliment. So she had been right, this was Apollo. Just being in the presence of the Malfoy heir would make most people either cringe or swoon, but Perri would do neither. She was determined to keep her professionalism at all costs, and Apollo hadn't done anything to hurt her, ever, so she wasn't going to label him before even knowing him, no matter his family name. As he grabbed her wrist lightly, pulling her down onto the bed to sit next to him, Perri grinned even more.

"Well, Perri, there isn't much that I require from you. Except that you keep me company. You seem to light up this dreary room."

Perri felt Apollo's hand slid down from her wrist and into her hand, and she felt another blush coming on. However, she merely smiled at him, nodding brightly. "I can do that for a little while, sir. I don't think I have any more rooms to attend to for today."

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[apollo]

I can do that for a little while, sir. I don’t think I have any more rooms to attend to for today


”Sir?!” he laughed before clutching his chest in mock offense, mouth forming a comical O. ”My dear Perri, I thought we were closer than that” he beamed that grin as if they had been friends for life. ”I do hate being called sir. That’s what they all call Draco,” he had never been too fond of calling him father. Dad. Daddy. That was far too personal for his taste.


”Well then, Perri, you look like you have a smart head on your shoulders,” he stretched up, lifting his sunglasses off of the top of his head and tossing them onto the bare nightstand. He’d certainly have to…personalize this room. Especially if he wanted her coming back again. And again. And again, that time would only be for his pleasure, however. And hers.

With a verbal sigh at the stretch he fell back into a laying position on the bed, propping himself up on his elbows to watch the sparkling young maid. She’d probably keep that costume on, if he had anything to say about it. And he would. ”So where around here would I find some housewarming décor?” his eyes drifted casually shut as he kicked off his boots, making a point to speak as if they hung out every day. Someone calling him sir wasn’t going to tell him what he needed to know. The only time he accepted that was in bed.

He opened one eye as he looked to her for an answer before letting out a sigh, falling back flat on the bed. This room looks awfully lonely. How do you stand it, Perri?” He sighed, no longer needing to feign his dreary tone of dread. It was another one of the Rock Star’s symbols.

[perenelle]

"Sir? My dear Perri, I thought we were closer than that! I do hate being called sir. That's what they all call Draco."

Perri flushed with embarrassment at his mock expression. If she hadn't been paying attention, she might have believed that he was genuinely offended at her term. She smiled at him slightly. "I'm sorry, s... erm, Apollo," she replied. "I was only trying to be professional, but I'll call you whatever you'd like me to call you," she said taking her hands and folding them carefully into her lap.

"Well then, Perri, you look like you have a smart head on your shoulders. So where around here would I find some housewarming décor?"

Once more, with the compliments. Perri was completely smitten with Apollo. "Well," she began, thinking. "There used to be a lovely garden outside that you could go pick flowers, but the drought killed everything, unfortunately," she replied, slightly saddened. She absolutely hated this extreme weather. "I've always thought that flowers help to brighten up the room. Especially daisies, they're so bright and innocent-looking. There's a florist a short ways away, if that fancies you. I could go get some of their flowers. There are vases somewhere here. Other than that, I don't know of anything else you could to the room to brighten it up, really."

Perri turned to watch Apollo lay down as he kicked off his boots and closed his eyes. He looked rather comfortable. Perri smiled softly at his form, secretly taking in every small aspect of his person. He had a rather unique style, taking things back an era. On most people, Perri couldn't imagine such a style working, but on Apollo it seemed to fit him. With that soft-looking platinum hair falling in waves over his forehead, it really suited him nicely. Perri herself liked a more modern style for herself. Daddy's money helped to keep her in luxury, at least when it came to her style. She was a sucker for beautiful, simple jewelry, shoes, and clothing.

"This room looks awfully lonely. How do you stand it, Perri?"

The question took her off-guard. Perri watched as one of his eyes slid open to look at her, waiting for a reply. Biting her lip, she looked down at her hands, twiddling her thumbs. "It's not so bad, when you love your job, I think," she replied softly. "So many people come through the rooms, so it's always a different experience. I love people, I'm guilty of people-watching. People fascinate me. This job, these rooms, they give me the opportunity to meet so many wonderful characters with so many wonderful stories. I don't ever want to miss the opportunity to help someone, and this gives me so many opportunities every day. So, it's not so lonely, at least not for me."

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[apollo]

I'm sorry, s... erm, Apollo, I was only trying to be professional, but I'll call you whatever you'd like me to call you

Apollo raised his eyebrows as he caught the near slip-up on her part. He flashed her a grin of approval at the sound of his name. Whatever you’d like me to call you a series of double meanings and dirty phrases flashed through his mind, but he didn’t dare say them. Not yet. something about Perri was far too sweet and innocent. But it was nothing Apollo couldn’t handle. His steel gray eyes quickly flickered down to her hands, folded so carefully and quietly in her lap, so closed up and withdrawn. Clearly a virgin. A sweet virgin.

Apollo ran a hand through his icy hair, smooth to the touch, which he knew would fall faithfully back into its shaggy, uncombed yet sexy look. He had never been too fond of the typical Malfoy abuse of hair gel and hair products, making them look eerily like the snakes they were. No reason he couldn’t be a snake and have a girl in his bed at the same time.

Well, there used to be a lovely garden outside that you could go pick flowers, but the drought killed everything, unfortunately. I've always thought that flowers help to brighten up the room. Especially daisies, they're so bright and innocent-looking. There's a florist a short ways away, if that fancies you. I could go get some of their flowers. There are vases somewhere here. Other than that, I don't know of anything else you could to the room to brighten it up, really.

Bright. Innocent looking. That was what she wanted. Something innocent. That was the one thing Apollo wasn’t, but he could certainly masquerade as such. Already he was sure it would be a matter of weeks until she was telling him every little detail of life with daddy dearest. At least when she wasn’t moaning his name. He sat up, signaling that all of his Rock Star attention was on her as he did so. ”You’d be willing to do that for me, love?” Awe filled his voice as he spoke, shifting closer to her. ”I’d be forever in your debt...I really do need a,” he took that time to reach forward, taking her smooth, fair hand in his. ”Woman’s touch,” cue flirty grin, ”When it comes to these sorts of things,” his puppy dog eyes were innocent, but the warmth of his hand on hers conveyed his double meaning perfectly. He’d like her woman’s touch, he decided.

It's not so bad, when you love your job, I think so many people come through the rooms, so it's always a different experience. I love people, I'm guilty of people-watching. People fascinate me. This job, these rooms, they give me the opportunity to meet so many wonderful characters with so many wonderful stories. I don't ever want to miss the opportunity to help someone, and this gives me so many opportunities every day. So, it's not so lonely, at least not for me.

Apollo was more than skilled in pretending he was listening to what a female had to say, but this time, he was actually interested. Listen to her innermost thoughts, all those things females thought men cared about when the whole time they were looking elsewhere. He could use every last word she said, though. Mentally he had a notepad, noting everything she was looking for. Everything he was going to be until he found a shorter skirt or a more useful piece of information.

”Aw, come now, Perri,” he laughed as he listened to her monologue. ”So many wonderful characters....Do I have some competition to be worried about?” He teased lightly, that best friend grin appearing on his perfect face.

[perenelle]

"You’d be willing to do that for me, love? I’d be forever in your debt... I really do need a woman’s touch when it comes to these sorts of things."

The awe present in his voice. It made her heart clench, to know that he wanted her attention. As he sat up, slipping his hand into hers, Perenelle couldn't help but smile. This was wonderful. She enjoyed making new friends, but it was very rare that she could capture the attention of a man, especially a man like Apollo. He was as flawless as a man could possibly get, in her opinion, and she was extremely pleased to have even a tiny shred of attention from him.

Something about Apollo was different than the other Malfoy kin. Granted, she'd not been close to many of them. The one closest to her in age had been Ascella, but when she had died, the entire family had closed in, save for Apollo. That in itself was bizarre, especially since, shortly thereafter, Ariadne had been killed in the Battle of Hogwarts. That family had befallen such tragedy, Perri didn't know how Apollo could stand it.

"Aw, come now, Perri. So many wonderful characters....Do I have some competition to be worried about?"

Perri shook her head, face flushing out of embarrassment. "Oh, no, not at all!" she replied, then she felt the heat rise back to her cheeks. Competition? No, Perri did not believe that there was any competition for him... but for what exactly? Friendship? Or... something else? The thought made Perri smile awkwardly, and the fact that she was so enthusiastic to tell him that there was no competition made her smile all the more.

"Well, Apollo," she began, getting to her feet. "I suppose I should go get those flowers now. I'll be right back," she replied, smiling softly. She absently tucked a strand of stray hair behind her ear, hovering in the doorway for a moment. "I'll be back. Goodbye, Apollo, only for a little while," she said softly, before reluctantly turning and hurrying down the stairs to get those flowers as fast as she possibly could.

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