Have you ever been between relationships – or even in one – and had a major epiphany on how much you suck at them? I have. I am surprised, however, that it has taken me nearly twenty five years to figure this out. Usually, I can catch the whiff of an idea from fifty yards. But maybe it's different with emotions. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm being rather obtuse, aren't I?
I was offered a job at the Ministry right out of Hogwarts. Just as an under-secretary, but it was somewhere to go up from. I was dating Penny at the time - Penelope Clearwater. A sweet girl, but I knew I didn't love her. I also knew she wanted me to. Love her, that is. We were living together and yet - to her dissapointment - we still hadn't had sex. One night, I gave in. And I've never been the same since.
That was the night I realized I was gay.
She moved out within the week and I threw myself into my work. After a few months of denial, I asked a fellow secretary out to dinner. Mark agreed and we both had a rotten time.
For the next four years, I was in and out of relationships, none of them lasting very long.
For the past two years, however, I have been a celibate workaholic. Yes, I, Percival Richard Weasley, admit I am a recluse.
Something's changed, now, however. I'm not sure exactly what. It all started last June, when an old friend of mine from school had to quit proffesional Quidditch. The world mourned the day that Oliver Wood fell from his broom and permanently crippled his left leg. I went to see him in St. Mungo's. He was depressed, and I couldn't bear to see my usually over-enthusiastic friend out of sorts. When he got out, he moved into my flat, and I spent every spare moment trying to cheer him up, trying to make him see that Quidditch wasn't everything. He refused to listen. He would simply sit on my couch with his leg on the ottoman and mourn his greatest love. But I suppose simply summing up what happened would be rather boring. Let me show you. Come on, step closer. It won't bite. It's only a pensive...