This takes place in the summer before CoS, before they rescue Harry.

Percy had long become used to seeing many strange things within the walls of the Burrow, mainly because of Fred and George and their antics. In fact, it was considered strange if he went a day without seeing those things. Now he was no longer fazed to most things, that is. But this was a first. And he wasn't sure how to feel about it. He'd been walking past Ron's bedroom, intending on returning to his own. The door was cracked open just a smidgen but it was enough to see right in. That meant he was privy to witnessing Ron in the midst of kissing his pillow of all things.

For a split second, he stood there, watching dumbstruck. His brother wasn't aware of his presence immediately. "What on Merlin's green earth are you doing?" Percy said and he couldn't conceal the disbelief in his voice.

Ron's head snapped up in his direction, staring back at his older brother in horror. His face went very red and he hastily discarded the pillow behind him. "Nothing!" he shouted in his panic, his voice going up an octave.

"Right," Percy said, slowly. "Well, that's not what it looked like."

Ron groaned. "Shut up, will you? I said it's nothing."

Percy hummed. "I just hope that pillow was clean."

"Percy!" Ron threw the nearest object-a Chudley Cannons quill at him and missed.

"Alright, sorry," Despite himself, Percy chuckled.

"It's not funny," Ron whined.

If it had been the twins, Charlie or even Bill, they would've teased him over it ruthlessly. Ginny, too, would have been thrilled to have an opportunity to get back at Ron for teasing her about her crush on Harry, which he had done many, many times after last year at the station when she pleaded with their mum to allow her to see him.

Percy tuned back into the conversation when Ron was begging him not to mention this to anyone. "Come on, please don't! Especially Fred and George. I'll never live it down. Please?"

"Calm down, Ron," Percy told him, "I won't say anything. I promise." Ron looked extraordinarily relieved. He was going to leave after that, leave his brother alone once again, but something inside of him felt he needed to stay. Instead, he shut the door and faced his brother again, inwardly deliberating on how to proceed. "Say, Ron, did dad ever give you advice about girls?"

"No," Ron shook his head and then his eyes widened, ears going pick. "Why? You're not going to do it...are you?"

"Who else will?" Percy retorted mildly. He sat on his brother's bed, tucking his feet underneath him. "Looks like you need some."

"How?" Ron said, skeptically. "You don't even have a girlfriend."

"Actually," Percy lowered his volume so no prying ears would hear him, "I do."

"What?" Ron's mind was blown. "Who? How? When? Do mum and dad know?"

"No. No one knows besides you," Percy said. He poked Ron on the shoulder. "I'd like to keep it that way, so don't go telling anyone. Not even Harry or Hermione. I don't want word coming back to anyone."

"Alright, fine," Ron decided. "But I want to know about her." That Percy didn't expect. It wasn't often that his siblings took an interest in his life.

"Well, alright. What do you want to know?"

"For starters, who is she?"

"Penny Clearwater," Percy couldn't help it, he grinned while just thinking about her.

"Isn't she the Ravenclaw Prefect?" Ron asked. Percy nodded to confirm. "Blimey, Perce."

"She's gorgeous, isn't she?" Percy said, dreamily. "I must admit I was surprised when she accepted my invitation to join me at Hogs Head."

"How'd you get her to say yes?" Ron asked, curiously.

"I just asked," Percy remembered that day well. He'd been a nervous wreck and it was only for Oliver encouraging him to go for it-or he would, he'd joked and held his hands up in surrender when Percy glared hotly at him-that he did it. "Is there someone special that's on your mind? Is that why you, you know," he gestured vaguely.

Ron's eyes dropped. "Yeah," he muttered.

"May I ask who?"

"Her name's Katie," Ron mumbled.

"Katie as Katie Bell?" Ron nodded with hesitation. "Oh, yes. She plays on the quidditch team. That's interesting."

"Interesting how?" Ron wondered.

"I thought you would end up fancying Hermione," Percy said, thoughtfully.

"What?" Ron scrunched up his face in disgust. "Why her?"

Percy shrugged. "She's pretty and you must admit you talk about her an awful lot."

"Because she's annoying! She never shuts up."

"I seem to recall someone else who wouldn't shut up about how excited he was to finally be of age for Hogwarts," Percy pointed out with a small smirk. He nudged Ron's shoulder playfully.

"I wasn't that bad."

"I think everyone else begs to differ," Percy snorted. "But fine, it isn't Hermione. Now how long have you fancied Katie for?"

Ron shifted, looking uncomfortable. "Dunno if I would say I fancy her..."

Percy was unimpressed. "Ron, you kissed a pillow. I think it's safe to say you fancy the girl. Now, answer my question. How long?" He ignored his brother's glare for having the audacity to bring up the incident.

Ron shrugged. "Dunno. I guess since last year."

"And have you ever talked to her?"

The incredulous look he received told him the answer. "That might be a good start."

"But I don't know what to say!" Ron exclaimed, falling back on the bed with a plop.

"You could ask Harry to introduce you," Percy suggested.

Ron craned his neck to look back at him. "I didn't think of that," he admitted.

Percy patted his knee.

"But what if she doesn't want to talk to me! Or she laughs at me?" Ron said in anguish.

"Well," Percy started, "you can't do much if she doesn't want to talk to you." Ron looked disappointed. "But if she's as nice of a girl as I think she is, then she won't laugh at you."

"How do you know?" Ron demanded. "Have you spoken to her before?"

"No," Percy shook his head. "But I know Oliver wouldn't just let her on the team if she wasn't. He's very strict about wanting the team to bond."

"He's also nutters about wanting to win," Ron snorted.

"That too," Percy conceded with a good-natured eye roll. "Just approach her and say hello. Perhaps talk to her about quidditch. Compliment her on her flying skills or otherwise."

"Like what otherwise?" Ron was lost.

Percy thought for a second. "Here, stand up. I'll pretend to be you and you'll be Katie. I'll show you how to do it."

"Okay, I suppose," Ron did as he was told so now they stood face-to-face.

Percy cleared his throat, plastering on a smile. "Hello, Katie." When his brother didn't speak, he motioned with his hands.

Ron understood that. "Oh, erm. Hi."

Might need to work on that. "That was an impressive turn you did."

"Thank you?" But it came out as a question.

Momentarily breaking character, Percy told him, "Perhaps ask her about school. Mention Snape. Everyone hates him. That you can agree on."

Ron gaped at him. "You're telling me to bad mouth a professor? Who are you and what have you done with Percy?"

Percy's eyes sparkled with amusement. "I said everyone, didn't I?"

His brother still looked baffled. "I thought you liked all the professors?"

"Is that what Fred and George told you?" Percy rolled his eyes. "Listen, Ron; Snape's a brilliant potioneer. I'll give him that much. But he's a right git most of the time and if it weren't for it being a requirement to get into the part of the ministry I want, I wouldn't be in his class at all." Understanding crossed Ron's face. "Now that's settled. Where were we? Ahh yes, find mutual ground. See if Harry knows what she likes. If you'd like, I could also ask Oliver?'

"What he tells Fred and George?" Ron made a face.

"He won't," Percy smiled reassuringly. "Trust me, I complain to him about Fred and George many, many times. He knows how to keep a secret. Oh, and one more thing, alright?"

"What's that?" Ron's ears perked up.

"Be yourself." Percy put his hand on his brother's shoulder. At that, Ron rolled his eyes. "I'm serious. I know it's cheesy but it's true. Katie will like you a lot more if you don't try to be someone else."

"I suppose so," Ron half smiled. "Thanks, Perce."

"Of course," Percy ruffled his brother's hair, despite his protest. "Anytime."