Thanks so much for the awesome reviews… I haven't gotten one flame yet (I guess everyone was scared off by my really harsh author's note at the beginning of this fic… I still can't believe I was that mean to you guys!) I want to extend my love, gratitude and thanks to the following:
Strix (Thank you thank you thank you… first review for this fic and it's a such a nice one too!)
Daria101 (They ARE all sexual objects, AREN'T they? ^.^)
Demeter (This review gave me the boost I needed… I'll try and get the Percy POV out SOON!)
TorturedSoul (Thank you muchly. Here's the next chapter, as you requested…)
bwaybaby79 (Heh heh… yes I know I'm evil… I did that on purpose. I had fun writing that Percy rant… glad somebody liked it!)
Aokusai (Thanks SO much! I was really worried about my characterization, and you really made my day!)
azrael (I almost flipped when I saw your name there! I was just reading you fic, 'The unexpected Wedding Guest', and I love it! I haven't finished reading all the chapters, but it's really good! Thought I should let you know, since I haven't reviewed. I will soon, but I have to finish reading first =) anyways, thanks… I'm pretty much bouncing off the walls now…)
And of course to Meg Albatou, slacker that she is. REVIEW, BIOTCH! (Yes, I'm aware…)
Thanks so much to all of you! Best reviewers in the world. Honestly, it's true. Love you guys!
BTW, the song quote is mine, just so that you don't think I'm not giving credit where it's due ;) and for that, thanks to Mereschino, cuz this song reminds me of you.
Enjoy! Feedback, positive or negative, is always welcome.
"Watching you, watching meAll the things I do,
All the things you never see
And I hide what's true
'Cause I don't know who to be…"
Chapter 3: Through Harry's Eyes
"Well Ron, maybe if you weren't so impudent all the time he wouldn't HAVE to give you so many detentions!"
"Well we can't all be YOU, now can we?"
I listen intently as we walk to Ron and Hermione nattering on about totally pointless things, bickering like an old married couple. Sometimes I wonder if they're the only ones who can't see what's going on between them.
"You're just upset because that stupid rat of yours…"
"Scabbers is not stupid," says Ron defensively. "He's just… old."
"AH, yes… how silly of me!" Hermione replies before giving him 'the look'. Ron turns to me helplessly.
"Remind me again why I have to deal with this?"
I shake my head hastily. "You're on your own… I'm not a part of this argument!"
Ron groans in frustration. "Fine, see if I ever help YOU again!" I just laugh. Hermione rolls her eyes.
"You boys are so childish!" She declares, stopping in her tracks. "I have to go do some research now for my arithmancy class… You two had better do your Potions essays." She turns on her heal and starts off in the opposite direction of Ron and I.
"We were just going to do that!" Ron yells at her back. Hermione waves her hand dismissively and doesn't turn around. Ron turns to me. "We WERE just going to do that, right?"
I furrow my brow. "Huh? Oh, right. Yeah."
Ron nods. "Okay. Good."
We walk into the common room in silence, ignoring the fat Lady's comments about us. Is it just me, or does that woman complain a lot?
We've just stepped through the portrait hole and are about to enter the main area of the common room when Ron sticks out his arm and stops me in my tracks. "What?" I whisper.
"Shh! Listen," Ron replies in the same hushed tone.
"… So I spoke with your brothers after you left…"
I turn to Ron. That's Oliver, I mouth, and he nods in agreement. We peer around the corner to see who Oliver's talking to, but all I can see is him sitting across from a large armchair. I look at Ron in confusion.
"I hope they didn't bother you too much," replies a voice we both know, "Those two can be so troublesome!"
Ron and I turn to each other. "Percy," we whisper in unison. I furrow my brow as we turn back to the scene before us. This can't be right… Why would Oliver and Percy be talking to each other? I mean, they're complete polar opposites. Percy's all about school and grades and rules, and Oliver's… well, he's fun. And as much as I respect Percy, fun just isn't the word that comes to mind.
"…and anyway, I'm sorry I got upset at you, Oliver. I was just a little upset about Penny…"
Ron shoots me a confused look, and I shrug. Oliver is looking intently at Percy (who I still can't see).
"It's not a problem, Perce. I'd be upset too, if it was me. Are you feeling better?"
There's a long sigh. "Not really, not yet. But I will be soon, I'm sure. After all, I wasn't in love with her, as she was all too willing to point out."
Ron and I look at each other in amazement. Could it be true? Has Percy the Perfect been… DUMPED?
"Maybe it's for the best, Perce. I mean, I'm sure she had her reasons."
"I suppose." There's a long pause, and then Oliver gets up and moves over to where Percy is seated, his back to us.
"Just remember that I'll be around if you need to talk," Oliver says, reaching over and putting a hand on something, probably Percy's shoulder.
"Thanks, Oliver," Percy says, a note of surprise in his voice. "I really should be going now… McGonagall said she wanted to speak with me before supper…"
Ron and I glance at each other in panic.
We'd better get out of here! I mouth. We whisper the password and dash through the portrait hole, rounding the corner before Percy can catch us. When we're safely out of sight, Ron turns to me, wide-eyed.
"What was THAT all about?"
*****
Our game against Ravenclaw went REALLY well! I can't believe this new Firebolt… Oliver says I'm unstoppable on it. I can tell there's going to be a big celebration afterwards, and everyone's really excited now. Oliver's practically glowing. I can't help grinning myself as I pull on my school robe and towel off my hair.
"Incredible victory today, boys," Oliver yells above the general chatter in our locker room. "Fred, George, you were excellent. And Harry," He starts towards me, shaking his head in wonder. "Perfect. You fly like that when we face Slytherin and the cup will be ours!"
"Angelina was making me nervous out there," George says to Fred, who nods in agreement.
"Did you see Katie? How are we supposed to stop them from getting KILLED if they keep flying in front of the bludgers?!"
Oliver laughs and shakes his head. "Honestly boys! You can stop pretending, we all know you like them." Well, actually, I didn't, but I suppose I do now…
"We don't like them," Fred protests.
"Yeah, THEY like US!" Oliver laughs out loud, and I chuckle quietly to myself. It actually makes sense, now that I think about it…
"Besides," Fred shoots back at Oliver, "You'd be nervous too if Percy was out there flying."
WHAT!?!
"Now Fred, that's not entirely fair," says George, sounding eerily like his mother. "After all, everyone's nervous when Percy gets on a broom!"
Neither Fred nor George seems to realize what they've just said about Oliver. Maybe they know and just don't care. I don't know why Oliver's just standing there, though… I would have though, with what the twins had just implied, that he'd be-
"Leave him alone," Oliver says quietly, turning to the mirror to straighten his hair. My jaw falls open. Does this mean… Is he… Is Oliver… I shake my head. No, that's impossible. I mean, it's Oliver, Right? There's no way he's…
"You all right, Harry?" Oliver asks, slightly amused. I snap out of it rather quickly.
"Oh yeah, I'm fine… I just remembered that I, Um, have an essay due for Potions tomorrow," I say rather awkwardly. Oliver raises an eyebrow.
"Okay. Don't study too hard now. It reduces your flying skills." Then he winks at me.
Weird. That never bothered me before…
*****
I stop Fred and George outside the locker room. "Hey, can I talk to you guys for a minute?" The twins look at each other and nod, then turn back to me.
"Sure," Says George.
"What's up?" Fred adds. I frown slightly.
"It's about what you guys were talking about in the locker room…" I begin.
"What, Goerge's smelly feet?" George swats at his brother, and I laugh. I can't help it, it's a Weasley twin reflex. I shake my head.
"No, not that." I'm not sure where to go from here. "So, when you guys were talking about Katie and Angelina and…"
"Sorry Potter, But Alicia's too old for you. Plus, she's got it bad for Lee." Fred pats me on the shoulder.
"No, stupid!" says George, "Harry doesn't like Alicia! Didn't you see him eyeing Cho Chang out there?"
I feel a blush crawling into my cheeks and a wave of embarrassment almost convinces me to run away as Fred says, "Oh, you want GIRL advice!"
I shake my head hastily. "No no… nothing like that… I was just wondering about something you said back there." At the same time, I'm thinking of all the disasters that could come of asking the Twins' advice on women. "You two were talking about the girls you like, and then you said something about Percy to Oliver…"
The twins shoot each other a surprise look. "Observant little bugger, ain'tcha?" Fred crosses his arms. George is snickering slightly.
"Well I s'pose now that you've got a hint, there's no point in keeping you in the dark."
Fred nods. "But you can't tell anyone. Not Ron, not Hermione, not ANYONE. It's a matter of life and death. Heads will roll if Oliver finds out…"
"Yeah, namely OUR heads," George adds, gesturing to Fred and himself. We move to the steps outside the great hall and sit down. We're late for lunch, but I don't think anyone really minds.
"Is Oliver gay?" I blurt out, surprised that I can even think the words, never mind say them. As soon as they're out, I feel I must be making a mistake, but George raises an eyebrow and nods.
"Very good. You're going places, my boy."
"Quite sharp," Fred agrees airily. Again, despite the situation, I'm laughing.
"He only just told us yesterday… or, rather, we figured it out and he confirmed it."
"Yeah," Fred says pensively. "Wonder why we never noticed it before now?"
I shake my head in wonder. Things are just starting to click. "Ron and I saw Oliver and Percy in the common room talking yesterday before dinner. They looked like they were having a pretty serious conversation. But…" another thought pops into mind. "You're not trying to tell me that… Percy and Oliver…"
"Not yet," replies George, catching my drift.
"But soon," Fred says, a sly grin creeping onto his face. Oh no… not 'the grin'…
"B-but…" I stammer, "Percy's… Percy's not gay… he's got a…" Then I remember Percy and Oliver's conversation last night. "Wait, he and Penelope broke up, didn't they?"
Fred and George both nod at the same time. "Yep!"
I groan. "You two aren't planning to do anything… you know, that could… go wrong, are you?" The twins look shocked and appalled.
"Harry!"
Exclaims George, "What do you take us for?"
"Yeah,"
Fred says indignantly. "Our plans never go wrong!"
Again, the laughter comes unbidden.
"Besides," says George, "By the time they find out who's responsible…"
"They'll be too occupied with other things to care!"