You fell in love with me the second I fell out of that envelope. I know this because I remember the look on your face the second I leaped into your unsuspecting hands, the expression of awe as you admired my shiny lettering: "Head Boy". I think I fell in love with you a few seconds after that, when you whispered, "Did it hurt when you fell from Heaven?" so quietly only I could hear. I didn't really fall from Heaven, of course; I fell from the beak of an owl angry at having to carry your many siblings' letters. It didn't matter to me, though; you were different from the other boys. I thought it was sweet – it's the thought that counts, and that counted for a lot in my book. (They were your books really, but I read them so often from my proud position on your chest that I considered them my own.)
The one time I really was not fond of you was the day your imbecile brothers got hold of me. They changed my letters – my beautiful letters! – to "BigHead Boy". The process was painful, the twins poking me with their wands and fiddling with my pin; not to mention that I was utterly mortified by the end. I couldn't take my place on your robes in that state, it would have been disgraceful! So I hid away, settling myself in the bottom of your trunk, wedged next to an abandoned quill and one of those God-awful "Weasley Jumpers". I was not pleased, let me tell you, but I put up with their tales of better days by your side. I hoped I would not receive the same treatment, cast aside by your own hand when I am no longer of any use to you. I heard you searching for me in your room – you were frantic, Percy. I felt guilty for causing you such distress but at the same time I blamed you for my predicament. So I stayed where I was and let you find me, mainly because of a saying you told me once: "love is patient; love is blind."
You were ashamed of your love for me. You covered it up by dating your counterpart, Penelope. I won't lie, that hurt me, Percy. I thought you had abandoned me. You always came back to me when she wasn't looking, though – a quick glance or a stroke of the thumb. I suppose this is quite ironic, then, seeing as I am the one abandoning you.
You leave Hogwarts tomorrow, Percy. Next summer I will fall from another beak, be placed on different robes, read different books. You will do well at the Ministry, the job suits you. I hope you survive the War you've been speaking of. I wish you the best of luck in the world beyond Hogwarts, but if you remember anything about me at all, remember this. Although we are now going our separate ways, you were - and always will be - the only Head Boy I ever truly loved.
Written for the If You Dare Challenge #834 - Goodbyes, and Camp Potter: Obstacle Course, with the prompts Mandatory: Pick one of the following pairings to write about: 1. Percy/Head Boy Badge 2. Blaise/Minerva 3. Myrtle/Rose Weasley. Optional Prompts: 1. Dialogue, "Did it hurt when you fell from Heaven?" 2. Remember 3. Quaint 4. "Love is patient. Love is kind." 5. Shine
Also for Emma (AStitchedUpHeart), who loves all things crack!ship.. ;)