WOOHOO! It's been over two weeks, but now I bring you CHAPTER 9! Fun and fancy ahead!
Thanks to ZombieMops, passionate4pens94, Memories Left Abandoned, HarryxPotterx4ever, Rome J Wolf, Remus-Chocolade, cinnamon-shake, LoveIsAJokeWithNoPunchline and taoueriT for their reviews, to passionate4pens94, Remus-Chocolade,cinnamon-shake, aiiiyo, LoveIsAJokeWithNoPunchline, angelchild94 and taoueriT for alerting, and finally to passionate4pens94, Charley Reede, dearmanicaand cinnamon-shakefor faveing. Also big thanks to my friend Von for being my second pair of eyes and helping me proof-read. I hope you all enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: Oooh, look at me writing a sequel to Harry Potter in which Harry dies, Percy marries Oliver and Narcissa has an affair with Aragog! Um, no. I don't own anything.


9. Moments Of Madness

As the day wore on, Percy grew more and more anxious. He was sure that if he kept away from Penelope for much longer, she would no longer be interested in him, and that would be that. No more Happy Percy. No more "I don't care about the monster of Slytherin, I've got a girlfriend!" Percy. And so he had a good, long think about what to do in such a situation. What Oliver would do in such a situation.

Lying on his bed, Percy turned his head to face where Oliver would have been. "Well, Oliver? What do you think I should do?"

"Well, isn't it obvious?" Percy replied to himself.

"Is it?"

"'Course it is, silly! Apologise to her!"

"D'you think so?"

"Absolutely! Go find her, and tell her..."

Percy was at a loss. What would Oliver tell him to tell her?

"... tell her I love her?"

"We-ell, youcould... then again, maybe it's too early for..."

At this, Percy cut off Imaginary Oliver. It appeared that he had forgotten that he was talking to a figment of his imagination. "Too early? Too early for what? Who can honestly put a time-frame on romance? You? You wish! I do love Penelope! Absolutely, and who are YOU to tell me that I don't? Or that it's too early? I LOVE her! Just like YOU love Angelina!"

He paused to catch his breath. He was on his feet now, staring at Oliver's bed furiously. There was no reply to his tirade.

"You know what, Oliver? I will! And I am! And I'm going! Now!"

With that, he pulled on his robe and stormed out of the dorm, slamming the door harshly behind him. He stomped noisily down the stairs and brushed past any poor soul who happened to be in his way, attracting various strange looks as he went on his way.

Predictably, Penelope was in the library. She had her head buried in a Transfiguration text book, and didn't look up when Percy approached her.

"Penny," Percy said, somewhat more forcefully than he was intending, "we need to have a little talk."

"What about?" she replied, not looking up. But she didn't sound angry. In fact, she was blushing.

"I think you know very well," Percy answered, sounding gentler this time. He pulled out the chair in front of her and sat down.

"I was so stupid to think that... I don't know! That that was what you wanted," she muttered. "I just really wanted you to love me..."

As she trailed off, Percy took her hands in his. "I do love you. You don't need to try. You're perfect as you are." He smiled genuinely at her.

Penelope looked up, looking embarrassed and delighted in equal measures. "You really mean it?"

"'Course I do!" Percy said, sounding not unlike Oliver in Best-Friend-Mode.

"And... you still want to be with me?"

"Naturally!"

Without another word, Penelope leant across the desk and kissed Percy quietly on the lips. She pulled away, still red, and looking much more innocent than she had the previous night. Several people in the library had seen, but Percy was sure that most of them (rather unfortunately) didn't know who he was.

What I wouldn't give for my brothers to walk in and see, and tell the whole school... then Penny could break up with Peter and we could be-

Percy stopped himself there. That was disrespectful to Penelope's wishes.

Suddenly, Penelope shut her book with a loud slamming noise. "Come on! Let's go find an empty room and do some hardcore snogging!"

Percy looked up and smiled gormlessly - not an expression that you would usually find on his face - for he could do nothing but take Penelope's hand and let himself be led out of the library and into the Arithmancy room.

xxx

When Oliver got Percy's letter, he read it with a mixture of concern and that feeling of "Aww, he's growing up!" that is unique to those in love with their best friend. In the end, however, he settled on concern. After all, he could only imagine how terrible Percy would be feeling after something like that. Percy was to inexperience as Oliver was to Quidditch. They just naturally went together.

So Oliver decided to write a letter of his own, using Percy's letter as reference, and then proceeding to cut out the words "Dear Oliver" and "Love, Percy" and slip them in his wallet.

Dear Percy, I'm so sorry to hear that things aren't that well on your end! It's terrible that Penelope came onto you like that, and not very considerate at all. Oh, and you're right, of COURSE I knew about you two! It was hard NOT to see the change in your whole countenance after your relationship started.

And if you want to know my HONEST opinion, a girl who's not willing to break up with her boyfriend for you is NOT worth your time. Maybe you should give her a taste of her own medicine, and break up with her! Or you could even start seeing someone else! That would show her! Get a "proper" girlfriend (or boyfriend!) like she has Peter, and let her see what the shoe feels like on the other foot. I know I'm full of clichés, but it's for the best, honestly.

This is not something that you're not meant to comprehend! She's your girlfriend, for Merlin's sake! It's your job to know everything about her.

However, you're definitely on the right track about the hug thing. There is nothing I would like more than to be at Hogwarts now and to be with you in our dorm and to be hugging the breath out of you. In a completely non-violent way.

AND on that last point: HOW could you POSSIBLY think that I wouldn't reply to your letter? Percy, you're my best friend and it's my job to look after you and make sure that you stay sane and make sure that you BREAK IT OFF WITH PENELOPE BECAUSE SHE'S NOT RIGHT FOR YOU. NOT AT ALL. You need someone who doesn't have to try to get your attention, and someone who's actually single! Sure, this little affair has made you happier, but you've got to think; where's it gonna lead in the long term? Someone like you needs someone more committed, and less Penelope.

Heck, I'LL go out with you if it'll get you away from her. I probably would anyway.

So, IN CONCLUSION, find someone BETTER. Or at least LEAVE PENELOPE.

Love, Oliver.

With that final flourish, Oliver put down his quill forcefully. Re-reading over the letter, Oliver couldn't help but think that maybe be he'd been a bit too suggestive. Perhaps the fact that he had included "boyfriend" as an option, and that the phrase "I'LL go out with you" was in there made his attentions somewhat obvious. On the other hand, maybe it was the kick in the pants that Percy needed. Maybe he needed something shocking to jolt him out of his lust-induced stupor.

"Yeah, that's the one," Oliver mumbled to himself, slipping the letter neatly into an envelope, and sealing it tightly, writing Percy's name on the front. After sending his owl off, he stood silent for a minute, wondering what he had just gotten himself into. If that letter got into the wrong hands, say those of Fred and/or George, for example, he would be dead. His life would be over, because everyone knew that he was madly in love with Percy Weasley, and that Percy would never love him back because he was so...straight.

Angrily, he kicked his wall rather roughly, before collapsing in a heap on the floor, wondering if it was too late to call his owl back.

"FUCKING HELL!" he called out loudly to no-one in particular, and slammed his fist down on the wooden floorboards beneath him.

"KEEP IT DOWN IN THERE!" his older sister yelled from the next room. "Some of us are trying to STUDY!"

His face went blank for a few moments, before he remembered why the hell a twenty-one year old, long gone from Hogwarts, would be studying. His enthusiastic, Muggle-loving parents had given birth to his sister, who had taken it all a step further and had given up a promising career in Quidditch to be a student at a Muggle University.

"Yeah, well," he called back, "some of us are trying to forget that they just committed social suicide!"

xxx

When Oliver arrived back at Hogwarts after the summer break, he kept his head down and tried to avoid any of the usual suspects. However, as he was making his way through the Great Hall, he was accosted by Daffyd.

"Oliver, my man!"

"Uh, hi..."

"Wonderful to hear about these latest developments in your love life!" Daffyd said, clapping him on the back.

Oliver paled. He just knew this would happen. "What have you heard?"

"Well, you know, naturally at first I thought they were joking, but the more I think about it, the more obvious it seems!"

Oliver kept walking and didn't reply. He assumed that "they" referred to Fred and George. Just as he has suspected. What an idiot...

"I just had to check if it was true! 'Course, she denied it, but you know how girls are, eh?" He nudged Oliver and winked.

"She?"

"Yeah, your girlfriend!"

Oliver stopped walking. "... what?"

Daffyd rolled his eyes. "Idiot! Don't even try and play dumb with me! It's all over the school! Everyone knows that you and Angelina are the latest hot couple!"

"... Angelina?"

"Well, yeah. You are dating her, aren't you?"

"Uh, no..." Oliver replied honestly. "To tell you the truth, I don't know where that came from. I'm, uh... no! Not at all!"

By this stage he was less confused and more disgusted at the idea. Not that he didn't like Angelina; she was a great friend. She just wasn't Percy, though.

"Daffyd, I can heartily assure you that Angelina and I are not, never have been, and most probably never will be dating!"

Daffyd raised his eyebrows. "Whatever, man. You can deny it, but hey, don't shoot the messenger. I'm only tellin' you what everyone else thinks is the truth."

Oliver shrugged as Daffyd walked off. He couldn't exactly expect Daffyd to come to his rescue and tell everyone the truth, could he now?

Then again, he should have been greatly relieved. No-one knew about his letter to Percy. Presumably Percy had kept it to himself, and now all Oliver had to do was straighten things out with him. With Percy, his best friend, the love of his life, who would probably never talk to him because he thought he was a complete creep... oh great.

xxx

Percy was lying on his bed reading when Oliver walked in looking like he'd just seen a ghost. He looked up from his book. "Hello, Oliver!"

Oliver smiled. "Hey, Perce! D'you miss me?"

"I think you know very well that I did," Percy said stiffly, getting off his bed and throwing his arms around Oliver. Very out of character, he thought.

Oliver pulled Percy closer. "I missed you too. And, I, uh... I got your letter. Did you get mine?"

Percy pulled away. "Oh, yes, I did, but I haven't read it yet. It's still on my desk there."

Oliver sighed. "Oh, thank Merlin."

"Uh, why?"

Blushing, Oliver replied "Oh, well, there was just some, uh... stuff in there... that's all. So come on! Tell me how it went with Penelope!"

At this, Percy's face lit up, and he forgot all about the letter. "Well, I thought to myself, 'What would Oliver do?' And in the past, you've told me to apologise, so I thought that I would go and make up with Penny!"

Oliver tried rather unsuccessfully to keep the incredulity out of his face. Would he really say to do that? "So did you?"

"I did! And I told her that I love her! And we're together! And it's all better! I should've written..."

"Nah, don't worry. 'S'all good."

Oliver flopped down on his bed. "This is BULLSHIT!" he shouted randomly.

Percy sat down beside him. "What's bullshit, Oliver?"

"Apparently, everybody bloody thinks that I'm with Angelina!"

Percy's face expressed some confusion. "You mean... you're not?"

"Well, DUH!" Oliver said loudly. "You, Percy, of all people, believe that rubbish? You're my best friend! I think I'd've told you if I had a girlfriend!"

At this, Percy blushed. What Oliver probably intended as a jibe at Percy's secrecy about his relationship with Penelope, Percy took with embarrassment. He didn't just believe the rumours, he had inadvertently started them! Of course, he hadn't expected Penelope to tell anyone his suspicions, but...

"I'm sorry," was all he could say.

"Don't be. It wouldn't be so hard if..."

"If what?"

"If the person that I'm head over heels with KNEW that I was head over heels with them, and felt the same way!"

Now this was new, Percy thought. Oliver had never mentioned liking anyone before. But Percy knew better than to ask. After all, he'd kept his fair deal of secrets from Oliver. Instead, he put a hand on Oliver's shoulder in what he assumed was a comforting manner.

A few minutes of silence later, Oliver jumped up and grabbed his broom. "I need a good fly. Wanna come watch?"

"Sure," Percy replied, getting up and putting on his robe, "a bit of fresh air will do us both good."

As they walked to the door, Oliver stopped past Percy's desk and casually brushed his letter into the wasteparchment bin. Percy pretended not to notice. If Oliver really didn't want him to read that letter, he would definitely have a good reason.

The air was indeed nice and fresh outside, in that way that it was as winter prepared to thaw into spring. Oliver strode purposefully towards the Quidditch pitch, occasionally looking over his shoulder and smiling at Percy, who was following a few paces behind. Percy would smile back, and then Oliver would turn back ahead, and Percy would stand smiling for a few seconds more before it clicked that there was nothing for him to be smiling at, and he would switch his facial expression to neutral.

When they got to the pitch, Percy took a set in the stands as Oliver prepared to kick off into flight. He hadn't brought a book or anything with him, but that was okay, because he would just do what he always did when Oliver was flying. Watch.

For a brief moment, Percy was reminded of how he had felt watching the Quidditch when he was drunk. He had been taken by how spectacular it all looked. But now, he was completely sober, and it still looked just as beautiful.

Or maybe that's just Oliver, he thought.

Percy started. He rubbed the back of his head, unsure as to whether he had just thought what he thought he'd thought, or whether someone was using Legilimency to get into his brain. It certainly didn't feel like magic. Percy knew enough Muggle science to tell that it was definitely a genuine thought.

He looked up at Oliver again. Yes, he is definitely very beautiful. While flying. Of course, while flying! I mean, it'sOliver. He's not beautiful, more... handsome? Striking? Dashing?

Percy mentally slapped himself. What was he doing thinking up synonyms for beautiful? Why couldn't he just watch Oliver fly and not have to think to hard about how he looked whilst doing it? Was that too much?

When Oliver landed back on the pitch, his hair was windswept, his robe was blown rather badly out of place, and yet he managed to look just as good.

Percy, snap out of it! Oliver? Good-looking? What's gotten into you today?

Before he knew it, Oliver was standing in front of him, and Percy stood up, rather absent-mindedly. He was looking Oliver directly in the eye, and they weren't standing particularly far apart.

No, he'sdefinitelyvery good-looking.

Percy was struck speechless by his own thought process.

Oliver raised an eyebrow at him, before laughing. "Cat got your tongue, Perce?"

"It's Per- oh, never mind..."

Oliver laughed again. "C'mon then, let's head back," he said, slipping an arm around Percy's shoulder. Percy felt his skin tingling where Oliver was touching him, and let out a slight involuntary gasp. Thankfully, Oliver didn't seem to hear.

As they walked off, Oliver's arm gradually fell away as he began to gesticulate along with his rant - Percy really couldn't bring himself to listen - but it still felt as though it was there.

What the hell is happening to me? Percy asked himself. Just as he did, Oliver (mid-rant) turned and flashed him a smile, and Percy found himself having to look away.

"S'you going to spend the evening with Penelope?"

"What? Oh, um... maybe not tonight. I'd really rather just spend it with you- that is, in our dorm, uh, catching up with you, chatting, and..."

He trailed off, and felt the familiar tinge in his cheeks that indicated blushing.

Oh Merlin, oh Merlin, oh Merlin... Kathleen was right! Penny was right!

Stopping suddenly, Percy reached down his robes and sniffed his shirt. It still smelt a little bit like the Amortentia. Like Oliver. He laughed to himself, somewhat maniacally.

"What's up, Perce?"

"Apparently," he said, still giggling a little, "I'm in love!"


Author's Ramble: And that's the end of THAT chapter! Apologies for the slight delay, I got caught up in watching Green Wing and reading Black Books fan fiction. *blushes*
AAAAANYWAY, what did you think? Leave a review and let me know; every review gets a reply, and in case you haven't noticed, every reviewer gets an acknowledgement at the beginning of the chapter. Some lucky people who review, alert AND fave get mentioned THRICE! Don'tyouwant to get mentioned thrice?

When I started this chapter, I had little idea of where it would end up. It only really took form in my mind when Oliver sent the letter, and then the whole confusion thing with Daffyd popped into my head, and, as they say, the rest was history. For all you yaoi-hungry fangirls/boys out there, I finally got some action in here! I was trying to prolong it, but then I thought, "Ah, screw this, I want Percy to love Oliver and I want him to love him NOW!"
And hence what you (hopefully) just read. I also flitted between Percy's and Oliver's points of view, which made this chapter more interesting for me, I think, and one of my personal favourites so far. It reads a little like a sitcom. Or should that be a wizcom?

NEXT WEEK, ON "RULED BY SECRECY": Percy comes to terms with these strange new feelings he's having...

-Legs