Disclaimer: Character belong to the very talented J. K. Rowling, and sadly not to me.
Lee sighed in relief when the portrait hole to the Gryffindor common room closed behind him. He'd made it without being detected.
"Was she worth it?"
The sudden words startled Lee and he quickly twisted his head to find the owner of the voice.
"Percy! You nearly scared the life out of me!" he said to the boy sitting in an armchair in front of the fireplace, while he was trying to get his heart to stop beating so fast.
"Sorry," Percy said, not looking too apologetic.
"What are you doing up?" Lee asked, walking over to sit in the chair next to Percy's.
"Waiting for you," Percy replied simply.
"For me?" Lee smiled a bit nervously. "Am I in trouble?"
Percy pursed his lips and looked intently at Lee. Then he smiled slightly and shook his head, and Lee raised his eyebrows.
"I'm not? Then why are you waiting for me?"
"I never go to bed before I know all Gryffindors are in their dormitories."
"Really? How come I've never seen you before?" Lee said and almost bit his tongue when he realised that if Percy hadn't been there it was probably not the smartest idea to reveal that there had been other late nights. But Percy didn't seem surprised. He just shrugged.
"I don't usually say anything. And people don't tend to linger in here too long, they hurry up to their rooms."
"But why do you do it?" Lee was intrigued. He pulled his knees up against his chest and looked intently at the older boy. "It's not mandatory for headboys, is it?"
"No," Percy shook his head and looked down at his shoes. "It's just that, well, I can't sleep if I don't know that everyone is safe in their beds."
"Really?" Lee said again. "That's kind of..."
"Obsessive, I know," Percy said embarassed, still looking down.
"Sweet, was more what I was thinking, actually." Lee trailed off and smiled when he saw that Percy was blushing.
"Oh," Percy said. He cleared his throat akwardly. "Well, it feels like it's my duty as headboy." He laughed shortly. "Or as a big brother, since it's mostly my family who's running around at night anyway."
"Fred and George," Lee said knowingly.
"Yeah. Although Ron together with Harry and Hermione isn't far behind. Even Ginny..." He shook his head. "Even Ginny," he repeated quietly. "Anyway," he said, wanting to change the subject. "You didn't answer my question before. Was she worth it?"
"What? Who?" Lee was confused.
"I suppose this late night escapade had something to do with a girl," Percy explained. "So, was she worth it?"
"Oh, well, eh..." Lee sighed. "Actually, she didn't even show up."
Percy winced in sympathy.
"Ouch."
"Yeah, tell me about it." Lee rose for the chair and smiled and Percy. "Well, I'm back know, so you can go to bed with clean concience." He hesitated briefly. "Unless there is someone else still out?"
"No, you were the last one," Percy said, also rising. He started gathering together the books and pieces of papers that Lee up until now hadn't noticed was lying on the worn table next to the chair.
"Were you studying?" he asked surprised.
"Yeah, sure, that's what I do down here," Percy said. He noticed the expression on Lee's face and laughed. "What? You thought I just sat here staring at the door all through the night?"
"No! Of course not," Lee said even if that was the image he had gotten, and now almost felt a bit disappointed.
"It works out great, really," Percy said. "It's nice and quiet, no distractions. I get a lot of work done."
"Maybe I should try that," Lee said as they both started climbing the stairs. "It certainly couldn't hurt."
"Are you having problems?" Percy looked concerned.
Lee shrugged. "Not really, I guess. I just think I'll never be able to grasp transfiguration completely."
"You know," Percy said, almost shyly, "I'd be more than happy to help."
Lee shook his head quickly.
"No, that's ok, I didn't mean..."
"No, I would like to help," Percy insisted. "It's just that, "he smiled a little, "no one ever asks me."
"Oh, ok," Lee said, truly grateful. "I'll keep that in mind."
"Do that," Percy said. "Now you know where to find me."
They had stopped in front of the doors to their respective rooms.
"I do," Lee said. "Good night, then."
"Good night," Percy said, turning around and putting his hand on the door handle.
"Percy!" Lee said quickly.
Percy turned around again. "Yes?"
Lee closed the distance between them and gave Percy a quick tight hug. "Thanks for looking after us," he said quietly, smiled and went into his room, closing the door behind him, leaving a blushing Percy in the hallway.
To be continued...