The Ties That Bind

Authors Note: Percy/Oliver drabble – just to prove to a friend that it can be done! I also wanted to go a little farther afield than angsty canon and my GG/AD (however much I love it) and write something not only different but maybe even happy!

J.K. Rowling owns them.

Enjoy

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It was a bit of a paradox really. Percy Weasley, possibly the brightest person he knew, and definitely the best in the year, and yet here he was, asking him for help.

It wasn't that Oliver didn't try hard, and being a keeper didn't exactly help on his war against time, he just didn't have the natural academic ability that came so easily to his friend. He couldn't understand that, with such great intelligence, Percy could be so bad at trusting himself to pass an exam without torturing himself through days, and often nights, of revision. He'd often find him half asleep on a book at breakfast or staring into space with an almost sad expression. However, family and work pressures aside, Oliver had no idea how Percy could get so worried about something so small.

He's come in from Quidditch practice late and was in a rush to find a complete pair of socks for dinner. It was only when he'd finally tied his laces with icy wind-burnt fingers that he notice the other boy standing across the dormitory, looking as if he was about to have a silent break-down.

"Perce?"

"I just can't do it."

"Eh?"

Percy ran a shaky hand through his sangria-red hair and swallowed.

"I was never very good at it but there was always someone or an enchantment but -"

"Percy, what's wrong?"

He looked at the wall.

"I can't do up my tie."

"What?"

"I used to use an enchantment but I think I'm too tired or something – it just won't work."

"Wait, you've been here four years and you still can't do up your tie?"

He looked at the floor and fiddled with the end of his jumper.

Oliver strode over and pulled up his friend's collar, frowning slightly as he drew the tie around Percy's neck. He adjusted it to the right length and then went through the motions he'd learnt as a young boy. Over, under, over on top, behind and up, through and down. He straightened it up at the throat and pulled down the hand-me-down softened collar.

His hands rested there for a moment and for a few seconds they looked into each other's eyes. Then he let his hands drop.

"Thanks."

"Anytime."

He leant against a bed post until Percy had pulled on his jumper and robe. Then they walked down the stairs and out through the common room together.