Chapter 11
The next morning dawned bright and clear, quite a change from the almost constant rain of the past few weeks. Percy opened his sky-blue eyes and felt the bed beside him was empty. He extended his awareness, still not moving, and heard Oliver trying to be quiet in the bathroom. He stood and moved to stand in the doorway of the bathroom, watching his blurry lover quietly rush through his morning routine. Percy smiled.
"G'morning, love." Oliver started, almost cutting his face with the razor. "Sorry."
"Percy! I'm sorry. Did I wake you?"
"Only by your absence." Oliver smiled at him and went back to his shaving. He was almost done. Percy stood there, watching the slick razor slide over the sensitive flesh of his lover. With a quick swoosh in the water, the blade was clean.
There once was a time where the blade would sing to him, but standing there, watching the cold steel in Oliver's warm hands, he felt no pull. Not even the slightest tug. Percy smiled. He truly was happy.
Oliver noticed he smile. AS he wiped the excess cream off his face he watched his lovely. He was still pale, always would be, and his freckles were light and scattered thinly. His fire-y red hair, the Weasley trade mark, was cut short, but getting longer. It reached over the tips of his ears, almost to his eyebrows, and curled at the nape of his neck. Without the gel to hold it back, the fringe fell haphazardly over his forehead. Oliver liked this look the best, the 'just-rolled-out-of-bed-after-a-night- full-of-lovemaking' look. Good luck ever getting Percy to agree to look like that in public.
Without his glasses his eyes appeared to stand out, a vibrant sky blue with flecks of silver-gray, like a summer sky with clouds. "Just like the sky today," Oliver thought suddenly, "His eyes reflect the weather." Percy had noticed Oliver's stare and walked forward, pulling him into a kiss.
"It's impolite to stare," he murmered, "But I rather like it. However, if we are both to make it on time, I suggest we move. I'm going to take a shower. I'll see you at the game." He kissed Olly again. "Win for me?"he asked into Oliver's mouth.
"I will."
"Good." Percy pulled away. "Now get dressed before the twins arrive. He slapped Oliver's bum to get him moving as he stepped into the shower.
Quidditch bleachers before the game
Percy climbed uneasily into the bleachers, not used to being there with so many others. He found an empty seat in the front corner where he could watch everything. The bleachers continued to fill, as he was far from the last to arrive. As it turned out, he ended up next to Hermione and Ron, who wanted front row seats. Madame Hootch blew the whistle. The match had begun.
After the Game
"And Harry's caught the snitch! Gryffindor wins!" The stnds erupted into raucous cheers. Hermione hugged Ron, then Neville, almost knocking the poor lad over. Percy had stood at the natal rush, completely forgetting his normal reserved public behavior. In excitement for his lover, he was jumping and shouting, arms flailing above his head.
High above in the sky Oliver saw his lover celebrating in the stands. He grinned down and Percy grinned back. Alicia grabbed his attention and he took the cup. Gryffindor had won the cup.
By the time Percy finally made his way out of the bleachers most of the students had gone back to the castle to celebrate or sulk or study. He was joined by Penny and Betty, and the three made their way to the Locker rooms. Oliver was, of course, last to leave. Being alone (save for the girls) Oliver grabbed him in a big hug, kissing him excitedly.
"We really did it, Percy! We won the cup!" Percy grinned back (it was infectious).
"I know! I'm so happy for you Olly!" Oliver let go, but kept his arm around Percy's shoulders as they walked away from the lockers. As they neared the school, Penny grabbed Percy as well as Betty's hand. When they arrived at the main doors they were met by Dumbledore. They let go immediately and Dumbledore smiled.
"Congratulations on the victory, Mr. Wood." Oliver grinned.
"Thank you, sir." Dumbledore twinkled.
"I do believe they are waiting for you in the tower, Mr Wood." Oliver just grinned wider. "I am afraid, however, that I must steal Mr Weasley away for a moment. I'll return him as soon as possible." Percy nodded.
"Mikhail and Pyoter?" Percy asked. Dumbledore nodded. "Right then. Olly," he turned to his boyfriend. "I have to go talk to these people. I'll join you as soon as possible." He grinned at the girls and gave Oliver's hand a squeeze before following Dumbledore back into the building.
"Should I be jealous?" Asked Oliver to the air.
"I think that should be my question. He is my boyfriend after all." Both Oliver and Betty made a face and Penny laughed. Oliver shook his head.
"I better go. I don't want to disappoint any loyal fans" the girls laughed at him.
"Bye Oliver."
"By Olly."
"Bye Penny. Bye Betty," and Oliver disappeared into the castle as well. Penny and Betty looked at each other.
"Walk?"
"In the garden?"
"The Labyrinth?"
"Lead on, Macduff." Blank stare. "it's a popular misquote of a famous muggle play Nevermind. Let's go."
The Labyrinth in the gardens of Hogwarts is a wonderful place, full of nooks and crannies for lovers, as well as a few seldom used oubliettes and at the center (which nobody ever really reached) was a small crystal which was a portal to the Kingdom of the Goblin King. Penny and Betty had many adventures in the company of Jareth, the Goblin King, but that's another story.
***
Dumbledore led Percy to his office. The password was spoken and the gargoyle slid aside. They traveled through the hall of past headmasters, most of whom were dozing or visiting. Dumbledore opened the door and Percy got his first look at the worlds last weather mage and his anchor.
The two men sat in his office. One, he could tell, was thin and tall were he to stand, and his long brown hair was pulled back, much like Bill wore his. His eyes were the same color as Percy's, that mutable blue-grey that changed with the weather. They shone out from underneath bushy eyebrows and from above a neatly trimmed yet full beard. He was wearing a light colored cable knot sweater and darker slacks.
The other man stood as they entered the room. He had the same hair as his brother, only cut short. His eyes were a dark brown and he wore a longer beard. He, like his brother, was tall, but he had the added bulk of a manual laborer. His face was weather beaten and stern. Percy smiled at him timidly.
"Percy, I'd like you to meet Mikhail and Pyoter. They will be staying here for your training."
"Stradvoitzia." Percy said formally. The brothers smiled at him.
"Stradvoi, Percy." The sitting one, Mikhail, said. "Menya Zovoot Mikhail. Eto Meye brat, Pyoter. Ocheb Pregnya."
"Ocheb Pregnya."
"Vere did you learn Russian, Tovarich?" Percy shrugged.
"When I was visiting Charlie in Romania a few years back. Most of the others on the reserve are from Russia. They taught me."
"Vonderful!" Mikhail clapped his hands. "That vill make teaching you so much easier. But, as anxious as I am to get started, I am very veary. It vas a long trip." Percy looked confused. The closest you could apparate to Hogwarts was Hogsmead, and that wasn't that far away. Mikhail saw the look and decided to explain. "I cannot apparate. My chair vill remain behind and that vill do me no good." Percy looked down at the chair Mik was sitting in. It was a weelchair. Percy nodded, though, covering his surprise.
"Why don't you head back to the Tower, Percy? Celebrate Gryffindor's victory," Dumbledore suggested. Percy nodded with a wave he turned. Remembering his manners in the last moment he turned.
"Do Svedanya."
"Bka!" The brothers returned in unison. Dumbledore nodded at him and Percy left, headed for the Gryffindor tower.
***
The Portrait hole swung open and Percy entered, unnoticed amidst the clamor. It seemed like every Gryffindor was in the common room. A table with snacks had been set up in a corner and loud music pulsed over the crowd. Percy saw Oliver in the corner, surrounded by fans. He took a step foreward, drawn to his lover, forgetting about all else in the room.
A pair of first years scurried past, almost bowling him over. He fell back into his body with a thunk. People were everywhere! He panicked. Moving as quickly as he could he made his way to the dorms. Too many people, too soon.
***
The twin's lifted butterbeer flowed freely and the snacks were constantly disappearing. Oliver, the man of honor that night, was looking for Percy. He had thought Percy would be back by now and had thought he saw a tall flash of red earlier, but Percy was nowhere to be found.
'If I was a neurotic book worm with a fear o large crowds, where would I be.the dorms!' he started heading towards the dorms, slipping with ease past his rambunctious housemates. He walked up the darkened hallway, and about halfway, a shadowed figure pounced. Wiry arms wrapped around him and sweet firm lips captured his own. He pulled away slightly.
"Percy?"
"You were wonderful Olly!" Lips met again, "I've never seen you fly better!" Tongues twined. "I'm o proud of you!" One last kiss that lasted a few minutes.
"I'm glad you approve," Oliver murmured after. Percy grinned, a rare dimple forming in his cheek, his glasses twinkling in the near-dark.
"Come on up and I'll show you just how much I approve," Percy whispered with a much rarer leer. Oliver grinned back.
"Lead the way, love."
TBC.
Translations
"Hello"
"Hello. My name is Mikhail. This is my brother, Pyoter. Pleased to meet you."
"Pleased to meet you."
".comrade?"
"Until we meet again."
"See you."
All Russian words were learned in my year one Russian class. They are not spelled correctly, but I don't have the correct font for the Cyrillic alphabet.
Well.wha'd ya think? Tell me. R n R
Xixie - I hope you like HP and the OI as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Lady Cinnibar - you have three days to make that self-inflicted deadline for ghosts, my most honored reviewer. I won't take that long to get back to Methos and Severus. I'll start posting that early next year, like January/February. I should be finished with this by then. If this is done sooner, expect that to be started sooner. The more reviews the faster I will write. I hope slash won't be stripped. Some of the best slash stories are only found on this page. And then you'd have to rely on my homepage for updates and I hate updating that thing. It's so hard. Grr. Until next time, I remain you ever faithful pooka, who is dreaming up new chapters and stories as I type.
Until next time (when ever that may be)
I was, am, and will always be, Immortaljedi
The next morning dawned bright and clear, quite a change from the almost constant rain of the past few weeks. Percy opened his sky-blue eyes and felt the bed beside him was empty. He extended his awareness, still not moving, and heard Oliver trying to be quiet in the bathroom. He stood and moved to stand in the doorway of the bathroom, watching his blurry lover quietly rush through his morning routine. Percy smiled.
"G'morning, love." Oliver started, almost cutting his face with the razor. "Sorry."
"Percy! I'm sorry. Did I wake you?"
"Only by your absence." Oliver smiled at him and went back to his shaving. He was almost done. Percy stood there, watching the slick razor slide over the sensitive flesh of his lover. With a quick swoosh in the water, the blade was clean.
There once was a time where the blade would sing to him, but standing there, watching the cold steel in Oliver's warm hands, he felt no pull. Not even the slightest tug. Percy smiled. He truly was happy.
Oliver noticed he smile. AS he wiped the excess cream off his face he watched his lovely. He was still pale, always would be, and his freckles were light and scattered thinly. His fire-y red hair, the Weasley trade mark, was cut short, but getting longer. It reached over the tips of his ears, almost to his eyebrows, and curled at the nape of his neck. Without the gel to hold it back, the fringe fell haphazardly over his forehead. Oliver liked this look the best, the 'just-rolled-out-of-bed-after-a-night- full-of-lovemaking' look. Good luck ever getting Percy to agree to look like that in public.
Without his glasses his eyes appeared to stand out, a vibrant sky blue with flecks of silver-gray, like a summer sky with clouds. "Just like the sky today," Oliver thought suddenly, "His eyes reflect the weather." Percy had noticed Oliver's stare and walked forward, pulling him into a kiss.
"It's impolite to stare," he murmered, "But I rather like it. However, if we are both to make it on time, I suggest we move. I'm going to take a shower. I'll see you at the game." He kissed Olly again. "Win for me?"he asked into Oliver's mouth.
"I will."
"Good." Percy pulled away. "Now get dressed before the twins arrive. He slapped Oliver's bum to get him moving as he stepped into the shower.
Quidditch bleachers before the game
Percy climbed uneasily into the bleachers, not used to being there with so many others. He found an empty seat in the front corner where he could watch everything. The bleachers continued to fill, as he was far from the last to arrive. As it turned out, he ended up next to Hermione and Ron, who wanted front row seats. Madame Hootch blew the whistle. The match had begun.
After the Game
"And Harry's caught the snitch! Gryffindor wins!" The stnds erupted into raucous cheers. Hermione hugged Ron, then Neville, almost knocking the poor lad over. Percy had stood at the natal rush, completely forgetting his normal reserved public behavior. In excitement for his lover, he was jumping and shouting, arms flailing above his head.
High above in the sky Oliver saw his lover celebrating in the stands. He grinned down and Percy grinned back. Alicia grabbed his attention and he took the cup. Gryffindor had won the cup.
By the time Percy finally made his way out of the bleachers most of the students had gone back to the castle to celebrate or sulk or study. He was joined by Penny and Betty, and the three made their way to the Locker rooms. Oliver was, of course, last to leave. Being alone (save for the girls) Oliver grabbed him in a big hug, kissing him excitedly.
"We really did it, Percy! We won the cup!" Percy grinned back (it was infectious).
"I know! I'm so happy for you Olly!" Oliver let go, but kept his arm around Percy's shoulders as they walked away from the lockers. As they neared the school, Penny grabbed Percy as well as Betty's hand. When they arrived at the main doors they were met by Dumbledore. They let go immediately and Dumbledore smiled.
"Congratulations on the victory, Mr. Wood." Oliver grinned.
"Thank you, sir." Dumbledore twinkled.
"I do believe they are waiting for you in the tower, Mr Wood." Oliver just grinned wider. "I am afraid, however, that I must steal Mr Weasley away for a moment. I'll return him as soon as possible." Percy nodded.
"Mikhail and Pyoter?" Percy asked. Dumbledore nodded. "Right then. Olly," he turned to his boyfriend. "I have to go talk to these people. I'll join you as soon as possible." He grinned at the girls and gave Oliver's hand a squeeze before following Dumbledore back into the building.
"Should I be jealous?" Asked Oliver to the air.
"I think that should be my question. He is my boyfriend after all." Both Oliver and Betty made a face and Penny laughed. Oliver shook his head.
"I better go. I don't want to disappoint any loyal fans" the girls laughed at him.
"Bye Oliver."
"By Olly."
"Bye Penny. Bye Betty," and Oliver disappeared into the castle as well. Penny and Betty looked at each other.
"Walk?"
"In the garden?"
"The Labyrinth?"
"Lead on, Macduff." Blank stare. "it's a popular misquote of a famous muggle play Nevermind. Let's go."
The Labyrinth in the gardens of Hogwarts is a wonderful place, full of nooks and crannies for lovers, as well as a few seldom used oubliettes and at the center (which nobody ever really reached) was a small crystal which was a portal to the Kingdom of the Goblin King. Penny and Betty had many adventures in the company of Jareth, the Goblin King, but that's another story.
***
Dumbledore led Percy to his office. The password was spoken and the gargoyle slid aside. They traveled through the hall of past headmasters, most of whom were dozing or visiting. Dumbledore opened the door and Percy got his first look at the worlds last weather mage and his anchor.
The two men sat in his office. One, he could tell, was thin and tall were he to stand, and his long brown hair was pulled back, much like Bill wore his. His eyes were the same color as Percy's, that mutable blue-grey that changed with the weather. They shone out from underneath bushy eyebrows and from above a neatly trimmed yet full beard. He was wearing a light colored cable knot sweater and darker slacks.
The other man stood as they entered the room. He had the same hair as his brother, only cut short. His eyes were a dark brown and he wore a longer beard. He, like his brother, was tall, but he had the added bulk of a manual laborer. His face was weather beaten and stern. Percy smiled at him timidly.
"Percy, I'd like you to meet Mikhail and Pyoter. They will be staying here for your training."
"Stradvoitzia." Percy said formally. The brothers smiled at him.
"Stradvoi, Percy." The sitting one, Mikhail, said. "Menya Zovoot Mikhail. Eto Meye brat, Pyoter. Ocheb Pregnya."
"Ocheb Pregnya."
"Vere did you learn Russian, Tovarich?" Percy shrugged.
"When I was visiting Charlie in Romania a few years back. Most of the others on the reserve are from Russia. They taught me."
"Vonderful!" Mikhail clapped his hands. "That vill make teaching you so much easier. But, as anxious as I am to get started, I am very veary. It vas a long trip." Percy looked confused. The closest you could apparate to Hogwarts was Hogsmead, and that wasn't that far away. Mikhail saw the look and decided to explain. "I cannot apparate. My chair vill remain behind and that vill do me no good." Percy looked down at the chair Mik was sitting in. It was a weelchair. Percy nodded, though, covering his surprise.
"Why don't you head back to the Tower, Percy? Celebrate Gryffindor's victory," Dumbledore suggested. Percy nodded with a wave he turned. Remembering his manners in the last moment he turned.
"Do Svedanya."
"Bka!" The brothers returned in unison. Dumbledore nodded at him and Percy left, headed for the Gryffindor tower.
***
The Portrait hole swung open and Percy entered, unnoticed amidst the clamor. It seemed like every Gryffindor was in the common room. A table with snacks had been set up in a corner and loud music pulsed over the crowd. Percy saw Oliver in the corner, surrounded by fans. He took a step foreward, drawn to his lover, forgetting about all else in the room.
A pair of first years scurried past, almost bowling him over. He fell back into his body with a thunk. People were everywhere! He panicked. Moving as quickly as he could he made his way to the dorms. Too many people, too soon.
***
The twin's lifted butterbeer flowed freely and the snacks were constantly disappearing. Oliver, the man of honor that night, was looking for Percy. He had thought Percy would be back by now and had thought he saw a tall flash of red earlier, but Percy was nowhere to be found.
'If I was a neurotic book worm with a fear o large crowds, where would I be.the dorms!' he started heading towards the dorms, slipping with ease past his rambunctious housemates. He walked up the darkened hallway, and about halfway, a shadowed figure pounced. Wiry arms wrapped around him and sweet firm lips captured his own. He pulled away slightly.
"Percy?"
"You were wonderful Olly!" Lips met again, "I've never seen you fly better!" Tongues twined. "I'm o proud of you!" One last kiss that lasted a few minutes.
"I'm glad you approve," Oliver murmured after. Percy grinned, a rare dimple forming in his cheek, his glasses twinkling in the near-dark.
"Come on up and I'll show you just how much I approve," Percy whispered with a much rarer leer. Oliver grinned back.
"Lead the way, love."
TBC.
Translations
"Hello"
"Hello. My name is Mikhail. This is my brother, Pyoter. Pleased to meet you."
"Pleased to meet you."
".comrade?"
"Until we meet again."
"See you."
All Russian words were learned in my year one Russian class. They are not spelled correctly, but I don't have the correct font for the Cyrillic alphabet.
Well.wha'd ya think? Tell me. R n R
Xixie - I hope you like HP and the OI as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Lady Cinnibar - you have three days to make that self-inflicted deadline for ghosts, my most honored reviewer. I won't take that long to get back to Methos and Severus. I'll start posting that early next year, like January/February. I should be finished with this by then. If this is done sooner, expect that to be started sooner. The more reviews the faster I will write. I hope slash won't be stripped. Some of the best slash stories are only found on this page. And then you'd have to rely on my homepage for updates and I hate updating that thing. It's so hard. Grr. Until next time, I remain you ever faithful pooka, who is dreaming up new chapters and stories as I type.
Until next time (when ever that may be)
I was, am, and will always be, Immortaljedi