Expectations of Approval

Chapter Ten: A Giant Jump

Percy sat down in his usual seat, at the end of the table isolated from the others. He served himself a small portion before he took out a study guide Promfery had given him, it was for the exam, at first he hadn't wanted to give it much thought, but with Oliver's persistence he wondered why he couldn't give it a chance. He would go and tell Poppy his decision after dinner. Just as he had thought this Neil, Jared and Matilda walked into the Great Hall. They are Gryffindor year mates, but it has only been in the past weeks that Percy has started to become friendly with them, all because of Oliver.

Percy looked as he felt them take the seats around him. Matilda smiled at him. "Are we bothering you Percy?"

Percy smiled in return, he liked Matilda she was an easygoing person who also took her studies seriously. "Not really, it's not that important" Percy puts down the study guide. "I guess I can eat in peace this one time"

"Right, if it's not your studies it's Oliver" said Jared as he took the seat next to Percy.

Matilda laughed, and Neil shucked his head in disapproval but he could not repress a small smile. Percy knew them to be Oliver's friends and so had started to talk to him when Oliver did. He was surprised they would talk to him by choice. Percy looked around for any sight of Oliver. Percy felt a small pang at the sight of Oliver sitting next to Anne at the Ravenclaw table.

'you knew he would be there'

'I know, I just didn't think I- it would hu-'

'yeah . . .'

"Hey look at that, Oliver's with Anne" Announced Jared, nodding in their general direction. He had noticed Percy's wandering eyes. Matilda and Neil looked over at Anne and Oliver. They were talking spiritedly, as old friends tend to do some times, Percy smiled softly not sure how to react.

"Anne really likes him" Matilda told them. "It really is kinda obvious" Neil ignored Matilda and began to serve himself, he didn't care for gossip.

Jared nodded his agreement "She has been after him for a while, but Oliver's never noticed, or seem to. I would feel sorry for her but I just don't like her"

Percy looked on at his year mates, confused. Matilda noticed Percy's confusion. "Do you know her?"

"Yes, Oliver just introduced us"

Matilda looked Percy over "Did you like her?"

"ehh ... well"

"When I met her for the first times she was really nice to me but as soon as Oliver was gone she started telling me how Oliver was hers and that I should stay away" Matilda told Percy.

Jared laughed. "She kept on giving me this look, she still does it every now and then. I think she found be just as big of a treat" Jared caught the look of disbelief on Percy's face " I guess she did the same to you"

"Something like that, she just didn't like me. It's pretty obvious"

"It looks like you made her really jealous" Neil put in, but offering nothing more to the conversation as he continued to eat.

"I can understand why" Jared said mockingly.

"huh?"

"You're like Oliver's new best-friend. She might of thought you were taking over her position" Matilda "maybe she thought you'd become more"

Percy blushes "no it's n-"

Matilda chuckled at this but apologized. Soon Jared change the topic, forgetting all about Anne. But still Percy wondered why Oliver had made him his friend and just why he was so far away now. Percy could see Oliver and Anne from his seat, Oliver was smiling and being his normal self. Oliver was just a friendly person. Percy looked away.

-later-

Anne was speaking but Oliver could not concentrate on anything she was saying. He still couldn't believe he had agreed to this, it was insane. How would this be taken, how would Percy react? Would it matter? He looked over to were he was sure Percy would be sitting, but to Oliver's surprise Percy wasn't alone, he was surrounded by people who were laughing talking and having fun. Oliver could see the study guide next to Percy were it laid forgotten for the moment. Percy looked like he was having fun, Matilda, Neil and Jared were there but some 6th years Rebecca, Magnum, and Dreaim were also there. Though Oliver knew Percy felt out of place he could see that with a little time Percy would feel perfectly fine with these people. Percy was enjoying himself . . .

Oliver looked away.

-a little earlier-

Fred and George looked on as their older brother spoke with Neil, Jared and Matilda. They were surprised by the way Percy was acting so different from what they were used to. Fred looked away, faking indifference but he was angry, George could tell.

George understood Fred's feelings, He felt slightly angry as well. They teased Percy a lot because they wanted to see him be more 'human'. They just wanted their brother to show emotion but it was something Percy would limit to a show of annoyance and his usual superior manner. But now there he was being 'human' with those people. George hated to admit it but that feeling of anger came from jealousy, he was sure. He was also sure Fred would take it the wrong way.

George continued to look at Percy for a little while longer as more people joined his group, his anger was subsiding. Mostly he was just amazed to see Percy act so real. But still, why was Percy acting like this?

George looked away, towards his twin brother.

More then 1 and 1/2 years later, at the end of 6th year

Ron wasn't sure just how it had happened, slowly his brother had become very popular. He still hadn't changed in front of his brothers, or very much in front of every one else, he still studied like crazy, if he passed you in the halls he wouldn't pay you any attention unless you asked for is (friendly or other wise), and he still stressed the impotence of rules. The only differences were that he wouldn't study as mush during meals, and sometimes he would take a break in the common room. At first it had surprised Ron, just why was Percy so popular, there was nothing great about him. The only thing that might have helped anything was the fact that Oliver was now his best-friend. At home, as he had learned during the first vacation after Percy's friendship with Oliver, Percy did nothing but lock himself in his room and study. Well he came out every now and then to help around the house and read the Prophet, but that was it.

'How? Why?' were Ron's thoughts as he made his way towards the Hogwarts Express. Out of the corner of his eyes he caught the sight of his brother surrounded by his usual crowed, Oliver and Anne by his side. Though Percy and Oliver were best-friends everyone knew Oliver's girlfriend for the past year and a half, Anne Hunter didn't like Percy all that well. She didn't like Percy and Oliver's friendship, it was obvious that something didn't click, though she treated Percy well enough in public.

Ron had also noticed how the whole family seemed to shift. His parents didn't noticed but George and Fred hadn't been getting along as well as had been usual, it was unnerving. The whole situation was unreal, even Ginny had started to pull away, her shyness evaporated this year, and just like that her respect for him, Fred or George was gone. She was doing and saying whatever she pleased, but for some reason Percy's words were law.

Though Ron had noticed all of this he hadn't noticed Percy's worry growing with each passing day.

AN: Thank you to those who reviewed, you guys are the reason I keep writing this fanfiction. I hope you like the chapter, I've planed out the up coming chapters from now on it's just story line. I'll be sure to update next weekend and depending on how I feel it will be a long chapter or a really short one. Good night.