Author's Note: Written for...
Hogwarts Auction 2021 - Prompt: Percy Weasley
Back to School - Prompt: Percy Weasley
Bachelor
319 words
Percy wiped his sweaty palms on his trousers as he faced a crowd of people watching him hopefully. He was never the public speaking type, always hated being in front of a camera, and now here he was, putting himself in front of millions all because his sister decided to get him a date.
"Well, Mr. Wood, you have a tough choice ahead of you," Gilderoy Lockhart reiterated for the benefit of the at home audience. "You have to pick which of our three bachelors you want to date. Will it be Marcus, a bad boy who likes to play rough on the field and in the sheets? Or Cedric, the hunky athlete? Or will you choose Percy, the career-minded bookworm? So unfortunate that I'm not an option or this choice would be much easier for you."
Oliver laughed politely along with the studio audience before locking eyes with each of the three bachelors sitting before him.
Percy swallowed the lump in his throat, trying desperately not to vomit on national television. There was no way Oliver was going to pick him. They had virtually nothing in common. Percy had struggled his way through the albeit ridiculous and farfetched questions, and he was as far from the athlete's type as he could get, yet he couldn't help getting his hopes up.
"I think my choice is pretty easy, Gilderoy. As much as I would love to spend time on the field with Marcus and Cedric, my choice has to be Percy."
No one was more surprised than the redhead himself, who stayed glued to his seat for a moment longer than necessary. Marcus and Cedric were quietly escorted from the stage. Percy felt the whole studio staring at him.
"R-Really?" he wondered as Oliver made his way to him.
"Percy, I would be honored if you would join me for dinner this evening."
Percy beamed. "I would love to."