Percy likes Penelope Clearwater for a long time before he speaks to her.
She's not quite loud, not quite popular, but she's smart; she's a brilliant Muggleborn Ravenclaw who spends a lot of time in the library. And... she isn't pretty, not in the classical manner. Her hair is the brown of sapling trees and curls around her face just a touch too much, her eyes are the colorless hue of a Northumberland storm, her skin is the common pink of a commoner.
No proper pureblood would ever like her, so Percy is perversely attracted.
Later, he regrets choosing such a smart girl, because she can see the pain in his eyes when he walks away from his father- when he turns his back on his family.
She asks him, white dove hands alighting gently, on his collarbone, "Why?"
There's nothing of accusation, nor cloying understanding, and that's probably why he answers: "They don't understand. Dumbledore- he isn't as good as people make him out to be," his voice falters for a bare moment, before gaining strength. "If I could take them all away to... to Tahiti- and hide them, I would."
"They're not your puppets, either," she says mildly.
"I know that," Percy replies, almost insulted. "But that doesn't mean I'm not going to feel like it."
Penelope laughs, quietly, and presses a light kiss against his cheek. "A Gryffindor to the end, I see."
Percy doesn't answer, but his bristling indignation only makes her laugh harder.
Honestly, because I feel like there isn't enough love for him in both canon and the fandom. Very short. I know. I just ship PercyxPenelope. Maybe I'm crazy... except I honestly don't care:)