Author's Note

Hey Everyone! I'm so sorry about the delay in posts. I've been semi-grounded (basically, all use of the computer has been revoked) and I'm having a hard time trying to sneak on the computer when my parents aren't home…and when I can get on, there are a lot of things that have to be looked after for my magazine and web sites and all that stuff, so my poor fanfic gets pushed to the back burner. I did write a small chapter-ette a couple days ago, Chapter 12 and a Half, which is told from Percy's point of view. For now, I'm going to put it here, but once Chapter 13 is written, I'll probably move 12 and a Half to the bottom of Chapter 12's page (I like to keep the page numbers the same as the chapter if possible ~ I'm a geek, I know lol)

So anyway, the moral of this whole note is that I'm still working on Transfixed and I have absolutely no plans of giving it up. I'm just having a bit of trouble finding the time to write, so I'm going to have to ask you all to be patient with me.

Thanks a lot!

~Lina~

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Chapter 12 and A Half: Poor, Poor Percy

Percy Weasley waited in the empty classroom for what seemed like an eternity. His sister Ginny was supposed to be bringing him some food from the Great Hall, but it should not have taken her this long to get a couple muffins and come back. He knew he should have asked someone else for help.

Penelope Clearwater had walked past his hiding spot a couple minutes before Ginny, and Percy would have loved the excuse to talk to the pretty Ravenclaw. The only thing that stopped him was the smell. The dreadfully pungent smell that wouldn't go away, no matter what he tried. He'd attempted cleansing spells and perfume charms, and every other possible spell he could think of, and nothing made the smell go away. Then he tried everything else that popped into his mind. He'd changed his robes, opened the window for some fresh air…he'd even dumped a pitcher of water over his head. But nothing made the smell go away. Now he was really mad.

And hungry.

Where was Ginny, anyway? No matter how slow she walked and how many people she stopped to talk to, she should have gotten back by now.

Percy resumed his watch for his sister, kneeling down and peering through the keyhole in the door. He was able to see the doors to the Great Hall and a bit of the hallway that lead to the classrooms. Some of the students were already leaving for class, reminding Percy of the time. He absolutely could not miss his first class of the year. He was a prefect, after all! What sort of impression would that make on the other students? He was a role model for them and because of the smell that was making him gag he would become the joke of the school. No one would take him seriously after this. And he was a Prefect!

Percy watched as Ron, Harry and Hermione walked out of the Great Hall and turned down a hallway. They made no indication that they knew he was hidden there, which meant that Ginny at least didn't tell them about him. And if she didn't tell them, she probably didn't tell anyone. Ginny was a good girl. She wouldn't do anything to embarrass him. She respected him, and probably looked up to him. At least Fred and George hadn't corrupted her against him like they had done with Ron. Ginny wouldn't cause trouble at Hogwarts like they had. She wouldn't let the twins get her in trouble.

Then Ginny herself came out of the Great Hall, followed closely by Fred and George. They were all laughing and kept glancing towards the room he was hiding in. Ginny must have told someone after all! But before he could do or say anything, the door was pulled open and Professor McGonagall stood staring down at him.

"Mr Weasley!" she exclaimed. "What are you doing in here? Explain yourself!"

Fred, George and Ginny just laughed harder and walked away, leaving a horrible smelling Percy trying to explain why he had such a terrible odour surrounding him.