LISTEN UP!!! I do NOT, sadly, own any of the Harry Potter characters, nor do I own any Quidditch teams or any broomsticks or cauldrons or magic robes or owls or flying motorcycles. I am not getting paid for this; I write these stories to occupy my time and give others something to distract them from work, because that is the helpful kind of person I am. J. K. Rowling would probably cry if she ever read any of this, so please, shhhhh, don't tell her. I promise to put them back just the way I found them!
Title: Something
Author: Moonbyrd
Rating: None, yet. PG-13, just to be safe.
Spoilers: If you haven't read the books, WHY ARE YOU READING THIS?!
"So, Harry, how's your summer been?" Oliver clasped his hands behind his head and stared at the stars.
"Fairly terrible," Harry responded cheerfully, chewing on a piece of grass. "I was ready to climb the walls when Ron called; all I've done is chores."
Ron made a face. "Those Muggles are worse than Filch," he spat, eliciting a snort from Harry and a raised eyebrow from Percy.
The four boys were sprawled across the lawn, watching the sky. According to Percy, there was supposed to be a meteor shower more spectacular than any in the past seventy-six years. Due to a lack of desire to play yet another round of Exploding Snap, Harry and Ron had accepted Percy's tentative invitation to stargaze, a decision that resulted in four content boys each lazily trying to count more meteors than the others.
"Unless those Muggles have chains in their offices, they're nowhere near as terrible as Filch," Percy interjected. "Seventeen."
"Nineteen," Oliver called, "and twenty."
Harry stretched. "Actually, Uncle Vernon does have chains in his office. He sells hardware."
Percy shook his head in amazement. "The things people do for a living. Twenty-six, and twenty-seven."
"Thirty-one," Ron offered. "And that seems a bit funny, coming from a person who measures cauldron bottoms for a living, has a brother who routinely plays with dragons, and another brother who purposely gets himself attacked by mummies every Tuesday."
"Forty-two," Harry said.
"Forty-five."
"Fifty-six."
"You did not see fifty-six."
"Yes I did, Ron."
"No, you didn't."
"Ronald, I believe I can count."
"You're obviously mistaken, Percy, because you skipped from forty-nine to fifty-six in a period in which only three shooting stars moved."
"So, Harry," Oliver cleared his throat. "Want to see Percy's face match his hair?"
Harry dared a glance at the quarreling brothers. "I think it already does."
Oliver chuckled. "Nah, that's only a light flush. If you want him to really turn red, you've got to do /I." He darted forward and grabbed Percy, then proceeded to drag the elder Weasley to the ground and tickle him mercilessly until tears fell from his clenched eyes.
"Oliver!" Percy choked out, trying not to laugh, "Stop that at ONCE!" Wood obeyed, grinning like a madman at Percy's scarlet complexion.
"That," Ron admitted, "was a spectacular example of a tickle attack." Percy made a face at his brother and ordered him inside to find drinks. With a cheerful shrug and a salute, Ron marched back to the Burrow to unearth something to munch on.
Harry settled back on the ground, propping himself up on his elbows. He snorted as Percy delivered a beautiful lecture on the responsibilities of friendship and the reasons one should not tickle one's best friend, and laughed outright as Oliver responded with another lecture just as beautiful on the responsibilities of friendship and the reasons one should never pass up an opportunity to make one's best friend turn red.
"Regardless of the duties of best friendship, one should, at the very least....mmpf."
Harry glanced over to see what had silenced Percy. And stared. And blinked. And stared some more.
"That," Oliver breathed, breaking the kiss, "is the privelege." Percy, blinking, replied, "No, that's boyfriendship." Oliver grinned as Percy kissed him again, softly, and ran his hands contentedly through the red hair.
"I got some muffins, and Ma made us some lemon...hey, hey! Guys! Get a room!" Ron pegged the back of Percy's head with a blueberry muffin. "There's an uninitiated person about to have a heart attack sitting right next to you. Harry, breathe. In, out. Harry? Hello?"
Oliver blushed and hid behind his hands. "Crimeny, Harry, I completely forgot you were there. Um."
Harry titled his head to one side. "That was...unexpected. Toss me a muffin, Ron."
Three heads swiveled to stare at the boy. "You're taking this rather well," Percy observed. "Ah, I'm sorry you had to find out that way. I assumed Ron had told you."
"Nope," Harry said around a mouthful of raspberry muffin. "But that's okay. When did this happen?"
Oliver plucked the abused blueberry pastry from the grass. "About four months ago. Penny and Percy called it off, she went to France, and Percy came to me."
"You're forgetting the six month interval in which you sent me numerous, often unsubtle, hints," Percy admonished wryly. Oliver smiled at him sheepishly and Percy ruffled his hair.
Laughing, Harry turned to Ron. "That sounds like it might have been interesting."
The younger Weasley rolled his eyes. "It was disturbing. I have never read more sickeningly sweet bad poetry in my life."
"I do NOT write bad poetry!" Oliver exclaimed. He sniffed, "I'm just not overly talented in the area of rhyme."
Ron made a face at him before continuing, "After the first two weeks or so, Percy began to realize that Oliver was trying to get at something. Guess who he came running to for help? Me. Lucky, lucky me. He started making me act as his fashion consultant; every time he went out, he had to look perfect, just in case he ran into Oliver somewhere."
"You enjoyed it," Oliver sulked.
"Actually, yes." Ron grinned at Oliver's surprised expression. "It's not every day that Percy comes running to someone for help."
"Hm," Harry considered, returning his attention to the sky. The quartet fell silent as another wave of meteors washed overhead. "Do your parents know?"
Percy and Oliver looked at each other. "No," Percy said finally. I...haven't been able to...find the right time to tell them. Fred and George know. And...Ginny."
"Alicia Spinnet," Oliver offered, "and Katie Bell. They walked into the twins' shop to see us snogging one day."
"Business was slow," Percy muttered defensively.
Ron rolled his eyes. "In any case, there's only a handful of people who know about them and they're trying to keep it that way. Every once in a while, though, they forget. Then I get to do cleanup. Threats, black eyes, that sort of thing. Hey!" Percy had reached over and pushed his brother to the ground. "That was completely uncalled for, Perce."
Percy made a face at him and stole some of Oliver's muffin. "Called for or not, it was gratifying. Well, Ol, shall we turn in for the night?"
"Already? It's only-" Oliver stole a glance at his watch "-one twenty. Oh. I have practice at nine, don't I?" His boyfriend snorted and helped him stand. "Well, Harry, it's great to see you. The next game is Tuesday, if you'd like to come. I can get you seats easily. Just let me know. It'd be fantastic to have you in the crowd."
Harry grinned. "That would be awesome, Oliver. Thanks!"
"Stop soliciting," Percy wrapped an arm around Oliver's shoulder. "Good night, Harry. Ron." The couple turned and wandered back to the house, Oliver leaning his head on Percy's shoulder. Ron waved at them and turned back to Harry.
"These are fantastic muffins," Harry murmured. Ron agreed, munching thoughtfully on a blueberry.
"You truly don't mind," Ron asked, as if afraid to hear the answer, "honestly, that Percy's gay?"
Harry blinked. "It...surprised me. He was the one of you I least expected it from. But no, I don't mind. In fact, they're rather adorable as a couple. I'm a bit curious as to why nothing happened while they were at Hogwarts."
A laugh came from Ron. "They were hopeless, and you know it. Oliver didn't have lust for anything but Quidditch, and Percy was the same way about books. The Penelope situation didn't help matters much, either. I guess Percy just never really thought about it until his relationship with Penny started breaking up."
"How did that happen?"
"Oh, Penelope went to France for a bit and fell in love with a couple of things about it. First was the landscape. She wrote letter after letter to Percy gushing about the scenery. The big one, though, she waited to drop until she returned. She and Percy went for a long walk one afternoon. He came back a few hours later looking as if he wasn't quite sure which direction was up. By some odd twist of fate, I was the only one home when he came back, and he asked if we could talk things over for a bit." He chuckled. "I don't think I've ever been so shocked in my life. It seems Penny met up with an 'old acquaintance' in France, and they fell madly in love. Penny wanted to tell Percy in person, for various reasons. You'll never guess the person."
Harry shrugged.
"Exactly. Penny and Percy kept their relationship going for a while, to keep others happy, until Penny got herself transferred to France. She's shacking up with Fleur."
Harry choked. "WHO?"
"Indeed."
"Well," Harry gaped. "Speaking of unexpected."
Ron nodded and stood. "The sky's getting cloudy. Might rain in a bit. Let's head inside, Harry. If Mum figures out that we were out so late, she'll flip a switch. She's been trying to convince me to 'keep a reasonable bedtime,' which for her means eight or so. Personally, I think three in the morning is a perfectly reasonable time." Still grumbling, he led the way back to the Burrow. Harry, bemused, followed in the redhead's wake. He had a lot of things to think over.
*****
With an echoing BANG-CLANK, the ghoul in the attack celebrated the arrival of seven o'clock in the morning. Harry yelped and leapt from his cot while Ron groaned and buried his head under the pillow. "Just five more years, please. I only want to sleep for five years. Is that such a bad thing?"
Through a yawn, Harry told him, "It's our own fault for staying up. Besides, we might have missed breakfast if we slept too late." Ron grumbled incoherently and dug himself further into his blankets. Harry laughed at his reluctant friend and wandered out into the hallway.
A squeal alterted him to Ginny's presence a moment before she tackled him. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!"
"Yikes," Harry blinked up at the ceiling. "Um, thanks, Ginny. I wondered where you were yesterday."
"Colin's," she replied promptly. "He's been teaching me about photography."
Harry smiled. "Is he still treating you right?" Ginny snorted. "He'd be a dead man if he didn't. If I didn't hurt him, Ron would personally make sure he was a heap of very sore bones before turning him over to Fred and George. And they'd rip him apart before letting Ma at him."
"Remind me never to anger any member of your family," Harry said. "I don't think Madam Pomfrey would be able to put me back together." Ginny just grinned, gave him another hug, and raced down the stairs.
"That doesn't look overly comfortable," Oliver observed, bringing his head into Harry's field of view. "Need some help?"
Reaching up to grab the proffered hand, Harry agreed. "I'm beginning to think that any involvement with the members of this household could be hazardous to a person's health."
Ron, who was emerging from his bedroom, rolled his eyes. "You're just figuring that out now? If anyone ever hurts any member of my family, we'll hurt them worse." He turned a feral grin at Oliver, who smiled and shrugged.
"I know, I know, Ron. If I ever say, do, or think something that could upset Percy, you will personally make sure that I am never able to fly again, heal slowly, and have recurring accidents involving sharp and blunt objects and knuckles. And then you'll turn me over to the twins. Who will use me as a test subject for their less safe creations. And then roast me over a slow fire and make me walk the plank. And then they'll shove me off on Charlie, who'll get every dragon he's ever worked with to bite me, and then he'll call Bill. Bill will curse me with every single one of those vicious little Egyptian curses, drag me out into the desert, leave me to die, change his mind, lock me up with a bunch of undead people, and leave my pitiful remains on the side of some road where the buzzards and vultures can grab bits of me and feed me to their children. Even though Bill and Charlie haven't found out about me yet."
"You learn well," Ron said proudly. "That was almost word-for-word."
"BOYS! Breakfast!"
Harry cheered, "Food!" and took off down the stairs. Ron and Oliver, laughing, followed. They found Molly Weasley slicing a loaf of bread and Ginny pouring glasses of juice. Percy appeared, holding a bowl of fruit, followed closely by his father. Arthur Weasley greeted Harry with a smile, handed him an apple, and went to help his wife. His children seated themselves at the table and applied themselves to the food with a vengence. Harry laughed, joked, and enjoyed himself thoroughly, feeling almost like part of the family. It wasn't really a new experience for him; he felt this way everytime he visited the Burrow, but Harry never tired of the comfortable, kind atmosphere.
"C'mon, Mrs. Weasley," Oliver was wheedling at one end of the table. "You never come to my games. Just one game, that's all I'm asking. Please?"
"I have a lot of housework to do," Molly defended herself, "and you don't want an old thing like me cheering you on. You'd be embarrassed to see me up in the stands."
"And miss your lovely face?! Never!" Oliver widened his eyes and pleaded, "You'd love it, you really would. I'd take you to the team parties. All the guys would be jealous of me, all the girls would be horrid compared to you, and I'd be the luckiest man alive-"
"Oh, you." Molly blushed, laughed, and waved him away. "Flatterer. That's a lie, and you know it."
Oliver pretended to be stricken. "A lie? My heart! You hurt me, my love." He ducked the grape she flicked at him and grinned. "Just one game, just one. Please? On Tuesday? Bring the whole family. Bring Harry! Harry wants to come!"
Harry laughed into his scrambled eggs and turned his attention to Percy and Ginny. "-first Muggle photo I've ever developed," she was saying. "It was so strange. They didn't even wave. Colin kept laughing at me; he took a large amount of amusement from the fact that I kept waving the picture around, hoping to wake them up."
Ron, next to Harry, was flicking bread crumbs at his father with his fork. Arthur, at the other end of the table, was sending back blueberries and the occasional bit of egg. "Whoops, sorry, Harry. My aim is a bit off today."
With a chuckle, Harry picked the egg from his hair. "That's okay, Mr. Weasley. No harm done."
A gigantic "HURRAH!" rose from Oliver, who had succeeded in his negotiations. "That's tickets for Tuesday afternoon. Fantastic! I'll have you right up in the top box, you'll love it!" He whirled to mock-glare at the others. "You had better all come. Gin, you want Colin to come, too?"
"He can't, sorry," Ginny sighed. "His family's going on a trip until right before school."
"Poor baby," Ron ruffled her hair. "Whatever are you going to do without him?" His sister sniffed and contrived to look pained. "I'll live," she said.
Percy rose from the table, saying, "You'd better head off, Ol. Didn't you have be at this practice early?"
"Drat," Oliver muttered, looking at the clock. "Thanks a bundle, Mrs. Weasley. Without you, I'd be skin and bones."
"Off with you," she admonished. "You'll be late. And we'll see you soon. Have a good practice, dear."
Percy placed his dishes in the sink and kissed his mother goodbye. "Errands to run. I'll be back by three."
"Want to go practice some Quidditch, Harry?"
"Sure, Ron. Thanks for breakfast, Mrs. Weasley."
*****
"Ready to go, Harry?" Ron thumped cheerfully down the stairs. "Mum and Dad already Flooed to the stadium." Ginny skipped past them, singing something about "going to a Quidditch match for free because my brother's snogging the Keeper" and dashed into the fireplace.
"All set," Harry told him, and off they went.
The game was spectacular. While not as vicious as the World Cup had been, the plays were still run at lightning speed and Oliver had a lot of work to do. He had missed four goal shots and stopped seven when Puddlemere's Seeker pulled out of a steep dive, the Snitch held firmly in her hand. The navy blue spectators went wild as the team flew a victory lap and landed in a huddle, looking as if they were talking about something.
"What's up down there," Ron wondered aloud, peering over the edge of the box, as the players shot into the air again. The Puddlemere United team, to the consternation of the quieting crowd, approached the other team. It seemed as if they were asking something, to which the opposing team nodded their heads and developed smiles. The fans were silent as both teams approached the Top Box with gigantic grins.
Oliver winked at Harry and the Weasleys and hovered next to the announcer. He murmured something which made the announcer's eyes widen. The balding man handed the magical microphone to Oliver, who smiled his thanks and flew out over the pitch.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WITCHES AND WIZARDS!" Wood's voice rang out. "We have a very special group in the crowd today. Some of my favorite people happen to be in the stands, and I'd like to thank them for coming to cheer us on." Cheers rose from the crowd for a brief moment before Wood held up his hand for silence. "One of these people just had a very special day; a birthday." Harry's ears turned red. "And I, ladies and gents, completely forgot. So! In order to repent, I have bribed the teams to redeem me." Oliver, with a wicked grin, spun to face Harry, who was now completely red. "To you, Seeker of my old team at Hogwarts, who lost only one game and that only because you lost consciousness-" Harry covered his face with his hands "-I'd like to say...HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HARRY POTTER!"
The two teams surrounding the Top Box burst into song as the crowd gasped as one. With much hoarseness and off-key bellowing, Harry was treated to "Happy Birthday to You." Scarlet, he thanked the teams and hugged Wood, who had dismounted. "I'll get you for this," he muttered to Oliver, who winked at him again.
"No you won't," Oliver assured him. "I've got Percy; he's my first line of defense." Harry laughed and pushed him away. Ron, who had overheard, snorted. The Keeper stuck his tongue out at them and remounted, then flew with his teammates back to the ground and into the locker rooms.
_________________
Ron, Percy, Ginny and Harry were waiting for him in the hallway when he emerged from the locker room, freshly showered. "That was a wonderful game, Ol," Ron congratulated him, receiving one of the athlete's smiles. "Mum says to give you a hug."
"Do it and die, Ronald," Percy warned. Ron shrugged.
"Where are your parents?" Oliver asked, glancing around. He hefted the bag filled with Quidditch pads that was slung over his shoulder and winced.
"Is your shoulder bothering you?" Percy asked sharply, eyes narrowed. His boyfriend shook his head and muttered something about getting a new bruise from running into one of the goal posts.
"Mum and Dad decided to go visit the shop," Ginny announced. "We told them we'd show up eventually."
One of Oliver's teammates sauntered by. "Hey, Wood! Don't forget your promise!"
"Forget? Me? Never! Eh-heh."
"What promise," Harry asked curiously.
Oliver sighed and looked at Percy warily. "Remember when I said I bribed them?" A graceful red eyebrow rose. "Well...they...kinda...they've figured I was...involved with someone for a while now...and...they've been wanting...to...that is...I thought maybe...." He trailed off, looking vaguely worried. "Don't hurt me, Perce, but...IpromisedthatiftheysangforHarryI'dbringyoutodinnerwithustonightandshowyouoff."
All four of them blinked. "...Oh," said Percy, blankly.
Ron bounced. "I'll tell Mum you remembered a report that was due at the Ministry tomorrow." His elder brother shot him a sour look and opened his mouth to complain, but Oliver stepped in.
"Look, Percy, I know this is a big step, but we've been together for long enough that I think I'm ready to start sharing you. These guys are like my family, Perce. Please? Just one dinner? If you hate them, I promise I'll tell them we broke up and you'll never have to face them again. I swear. But I really think you'll get along well."
Percy sighed. "Olly..."
"Please?" The dark haired boy laid a hand on Percy's elbow. "Just for tonight? A trial?"
Biting his lip, Percy mumbled, "Okay. I'll give it a try." Oliver flashed him a quick, happy smile, and turned back to face the forgotten trio. Ron was swooning over Ginny's arm and Harry was batting his eyelashes furiously. Ginny, her face red with suppressed laughter, was trying to pay homage to both Ron and Harry.
It was an interesting spectacle, but short lived. "Ahem," Percy clucked his tongue. "Very funny."
"Pushover," Ron commented, making the lovers blush.
"I am not-" Percy began, but was cut short by another of Oliver's teammates.
"WOOD! I need you! Now! You promised to help me figure out what to get Henry, and I need to get it NOW and you're coming with me!!" The Puddlemere Seeker began her tirade at one end of the hallway and ended it latched firmly onto Oliver's arm. "Our anniversary is tomorrow, and I haven't had a chance to shop yet!! Now bring your good taste and fashion sense and HELP ME!!!" She pushed short brown hair out of her eyes and glared up at him. "I swear by Merlin that if you bail out on me-"
"Kara, geez! Slow down," carefully, Oliver detached himself. "In a minute, okay?"
She pouted, then glanced about at the group. "Oh, sorry. I didn't even realize you were actually talking with them. I thought you were just being mobbed again."
A laugh rumbled up from Percy's chest, earning him a mock-glare from Oliver. "I must admit, your protectiveness is charming," the redhead said dryly. Oliver punched him lightly, making a face. "She loves me," he pouted. "Unlike some people."
"Hi," Harry said, sensing a storm brewing. "The game was fantastic."
Kara peered at him, then grinned. "Thanks. And happy birthday." She shook his hand. "It's a pleasure, Harry. You play Seeker, right?" At his nod, she grinned wolfishly. "Maybe someday we'll get to play each other." Her attention strayed to the three redheads. "Aside from this one here...care to introduce me?"
The Keeper nodded. "They're all Weasleys. That's Ginny-"
"Hey, great catch," Ginny and Kara shook hands.
"-this is Ron-" Ron, looking ready to faint, shook hands quickly and silently.
"And," Oliver faltered, looking at Percy with uncertainty. The other man took pity on him, offering a gentle smile.
"I'm Percy. Ah. I'm...with him."
"YOU'RE THE ONE?!" Kara stared, eyes round with amazement. "For crying out loud, Wood! You didn't tell me he was gorgeous!" She tackled Percy, wrapping him in a bear hug. "I'm jealous!"
Oliver errupted into laughter and Percy emitted a squeak. Ron, Harry, and Ginny, bemused, watched as Percy extracted himself gingerly from her grip and took shelter behind Oliver. "You'll see him later," Oliver reminded his pouting teammate. "I promised, remember?"
At this, Kara brightened. "Right. Well, remember, you DO still need to take me shopping. I only have two weeks till the anniversary, so start thinking of things. It was great to meet you all. I'll see more of you two later," she winked at Oliver and Percy and waved to them all. "Ciao for now, babe." She meandered off, whistling.
Behind Oliver, Percy was banging his head into the wall. His boyfriend, torn between laughing and trying to comfort the distressed Weasley, looked to Ron for support.
"We'll go let Mum and Dad know that you've gone to start that report you forgot, Perce," Ron led Ginny and Harry away. "Take care of him tonight, Ol. And make sure he doesn't touch any sharp objects. And don't give him caffeine." Oliver and Percy waved their goodbyes as the trio rounded a corner.
"I can't wait to hear the stories," Ginny bubbled as she stepped into the fireplace. "The Burrow!"
Ron and Harry looked at each other. "After you," Ron bowed. Harry, with an eyebrow raised, made his escape, trying not to blush.
Title: Something
Author: Moonbyrd
Rating: None, yet. PG-13, just to be safe.
Spoilers: If you haven't read the books, WHY ARE YOU READING THIS?!
"So, Harry, how's your summer been?" Oliver clasped his hands behind his head and stared at the stars.
"Fairly terrible," Harry responded cheerfully, chewing on a piece of grass. "I was ready to climb the walls when Ron called; all I've done is chores."
Ron made a face. "Those Muggles are worse than Filch," he spat, eliciting a snort from Harry and a raised eyebrow from Percy.
The four boys were sprawled across the lawn, watching the sky. According to Percy, there was supposed to be a meteor shower more spectacular than any in the past seventy-six years. Due to a lack of desire to play yet another round of Exploding Snap, Harry and Ron had accepted Percy's tentative invitation to stargaze, a decision that resulted in four content boys each lazily trying to count more meteors than the others.
"Unless those Muggles have chains in their offices, they're nowhere near as terrible as Filch," Percy interjected. "Seventeen."
"Nineteen," Oliver called, "and twenty."
Harry stretched. "Actually, Uncle Vernon does have chains in his office. He sells hardware."
Percy shook his head in amazement. "The things people do for a living. Twenty-six, and twenty-seven."
"Thirty-one," Ron offered. "And that seems a bit funny, coming from a person who measures cauldron bottoms for a living, has a brother who routinely plays with dragons, and another brother who purposely gets himself attacked by mummies every Tuesday."
"Forty-two," Harry said.
"Forty-five."
"Fifty-six."
"You did not see fifty-six."
"Yes I did, Ron."
"No, you didn't."
"Ronald, I believe I can count."
"You're obviously mistaken, Percy, because you skipped from forty-nine to fifty-six in a period in which only three shooting stars moved."
"So, Harry," Oliver cleared his throat. "Want to see Percy's face match his hair?"
Harry dared a glance at the quarreling brothers. "I think it already does."
Oliver chuckled. "Nah, that's only a light flush. If you want him to really turn red, you've got to do /I." He darted forward and grabbed Percy, then proceeded to drag the elder Weasley to the ground and tickle him mercilessly until tears fell from his clenched eyes.
"Oliver!" Percy choked out, trying not to laugh, "Stop that at ONCE!" Wood obeyed, grinning like a madman at Percy's scarlet complexion.
"That," Ron admitted, "was a spectacular example of a tickle attack." Percy made a face at his brother and ordered him inside to find drinks. With a cheerful shrug and a salute, Ron marched back to the Burrow to unearth something to munch on.
Harry settled back on the ground, propping himself up on his elbows. He snorted as Percy delivered a beautiful lecture on the responsibilities of friendship and the reasons one should not tickle one's best friend, and laughed outright as Oliver responded with another lecture just as beautiful on the responsibilities of friendship and the reasons one should never pass up an opportunity to make one's best friend turn red.
"Regardless of the duties of best friendship, one should, at the very least....mmpf."
Harry glanced over to see what had silenced Percy. And stared. And blinked. And stared some more.
"That," Oliver breathed, breaking the kiss, "is the privelege." Percy, blinking, replied, "No, that's boyfriendship." Oliver grinned as Percy kissed him again, softly, and ran his hands contentedly through the red hair.
"I got some muffins, and Ma made us some lemon...hey, hey! Guys! Get a room!" Ron pegged the back of Percy's head with a blueberry muffin. "There's an uninitiated person about to have a heart attack sitting right next to you. Harry, breathe. In, out. Harry? Hello?"
Oliver blushed and hid behind his hands. "Crimeny, Harry, I completely forgot you were there. Um."
Harry titled his head to one side. "That was...unexpected. Toss me a muffin, Ron."
Three heads swiveled to stare at the boy. "You're taking this rather well," Percy observed. "Ah, I'm sorry you had to find out that way. I assumed Ron had told you."
"Nope," Harry said around a mouthful of raspberry muffin. "But that's okay. When did this happen?"
Oliver plucked the abused blueberry pastry from the grass. "About four months ago. Penny and Percy called it off, she went to France, and Percy came to me."
"You're forgetting the six month interval in which you sent me numerous, often unsubtle, hints," Percy admonished wryly. Oliver smiled at him sheepishly and Percy ruffled his hair.
Laughing, Harry turned to Ron. "That sounds like it might have been interesting."
The younger Weasley rolled his eyes. "It was disturbing. I have never read more sickeningly sweet bad poetry in my life."
"I do NOT write bad poetry!" Oliver exclaimed. He sniffed, "I'm just not overly talented in the area of rhyme."
Ron made a face at him before continuing, "After the first two weeks or so, Percy began to realize that Oliver was trying to get at something. Guess who he came running to for help? Me. Lucky, lucky me. He started making me act as his fashion consultant; every time he went out, he had to look perfect, just in case he ran into Oliver somewhere."
"You enjoyed it," Oliver sulked.
"Actually, yes." Ron grinned at Oliver's surprised expression. "It's not every day that Percy comes running to someone for help."
"Hm," Harry considered, returning his attention to the sky. The quartet fell silent as another wave of meteors washed overhead. "Do your parents know?"
Percy and Oliver looked at each other. "No," Percy said finally. I...haven't been able to...find the right time to tell them. Fred and George know. And...Ginny."
"Alicia Spinnet," Oliver offered, "and Katie Bell. They walked into the twins' shop to see us snogging one day."
"Business was slow," Percy muttered defensively.
Ron rolled his eyes. "In any case, there's only a handful of people who know about them and they're trying to keep it that way. Every once in a while, though, they forget. Then I get to do cleanup. Threats, black eyes, that sort of thing. Hey!" Percy had reached over and pushed his brother to the ground. "That was completely uncalled for, Perce."
Percy made a face at him and stole some of Oliver's muffin. "Called for or not, it was gratifying. Well, Ol, shall we turn in for the night?"
"Already? It's only-" Oliver stole a glance at his watch "-one twenty. Oh. I have practice at nine, don't I?" His boyfriend snorted and helped him stand. "Well, Harry, it's great to see you. The next game is Tuesday, if you'd like to come. I can get you seats easily. Just let me know. It'd be fantastic to have you in the crowd."
Harry grinned. "That would be awesome, Oliver. Thanks!"
"Stop soliciting," Percy wrapped an arm around Oliver's shoulder. "Good night, Harry. Ron." The couple turned and wandered back to the house, Oliver leaning his head on Percy's shoulder. Ron waved at them and turned back to Harry.
"These are fantastic muffins," Harry murmured. Ron agreed, munching thoughtfully on a blueberry.
"You truly don't mind," Ron asked, as if afraid to hear the answer, "honestly, that Percy's gay?"
Harry blinked. "It...surprised me. He was the one of you I least expected it from. But no, I don't mind. In fact, they're rather adorable as a couple. I'm a bit curious as to why nothing happened while they were at Hogwarts."
A laugh came from Ron. "They were hopeless, and you know it. Oliver didn't have lust for anything but Quidditch, and Percy was the same way about books. The Penelope situation didn't help matters much, either. I guess Percy just never really thought about it until his relationship with Penny started breaking up."
"How did that happen?"
"Oh, Penelope went to France for a bit and fell in love with a couple of things about it. First was the landscape. She wrote letter after letter to Percy gushing about the scenery. The big one, though, she waited to drop until she returned. She and Percy went for a long walk one afternoon. He came back a few hours later looking as if he wasn't quite sure which direction was up. By some odd twist of fate, I was the only one home when he came back, and he asked if we could talk things over for a bit." He chuckled. "I don't think I've ever been so shocked in my life. It seems Penny met up with an 'old acquaintance' in France, and they fell madly in love. Penny wanted to tell Percy in person, for various reasons. You'll never guess the person."
Harry shrugged.
"Exactly. Penny and Percy kept their relationship going for a while, to keep others happy, until Penny got herself transferred to France. She's shacking up with Fleur."
Harry choked. "WHO?"
"Indeed."
"Well," Harry gaped. "Speaking of unexpected."
Ron nodded and stood. "The sky's getting cloudy. Might rain in a bit. Let's head inside, Harry. If Mum figures out that we were out so late, she'll flip a switch. She's been trying to convince me to 'keep a reasonable bedtime,' which for her means eight or so. Personally, I think three in the morning is a perfectly reasonable time." Still grumbling, he led the way back to the Burrow. Harry, bemused, followed in the redhead's wake. He had a lot of things to think over.
*****
With an echoing BANG-CLANK, the ghoul in the attack celebrated the arrival of seven o'clock in the morning. Harry yelped and leapt from his cot while Ron groaned and buried his head under the pillow. "Just five more years, please. I only want to sleep for five years. Is that such a bad thing?"
Through a yawn, Harry told him, "It's our own fault for staying up. Besides, we might have missed breakfast if we slept too late." Ron grumbled incoherently and dug himself further into his blankets. Harry laughed at his reluctant friend and wandered out into the hallway.
A squeal alterted him to Ginny's presence a moment before she tackled him. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!"
"Yikes," Harry blinked up at the ceiling. "Um, thanks, Ginny. I wondered where you were yesterday."
"Colin's," she replied promptly. "He's been teaching me about photography."
Harry smiled. "Is he still treating you right?" Ginny snorted. "He'd be a dead man if he didn't. If I didn't hurt him, Ron would personally make sure he was a heap of very sore bones before turning him over to Fred and George. And they'd rip him apart before letting Ma at him."
"Remind me never to anger any member of your family," Harry said. "I don't think Madam Pomfrey would be able to put me back together." Ginny just grinned, gave him another hug, and raced down the stairs.
"That doesn't look overly comfortable," Oliver observed, bringing his head into Harry's field of view. "Need some help?"
Reaching up to grab the proffered hand, Harry agreed. "I'm beginning to think that any involvement with the members of this household could be hazardous to a person's health."
Ron, who was emerging from his bedroom, rolled his eyes. "You're just figuring that out now? If anyone ever hurts any member of my family, we'll hurt them worse." He turned a feral grin at Oliver, who smiled and shrugged.
"I know, I know, Ron. If I ever say, do, or think something that could upset Percy, you will personally make sure that I am never able to fly again, heal slowly, and have recurring accidents involving sharp and blunt objects and knuckles. And then you'll turn me over to the twins. Who will use me as a test subject for their less safe creations. And then roast me over a slow fire and make me walk the plank. And then they'll shove me off on Charlie, who'll get every dragon he's ever worked with to bite me, and then he'll call Bill. Bill will curse me with every single one of those vicious little Egyptian curses, drag me out into the desert, leave me to die, change his mind, lock me up with a bunch of undead people, and leave my pitiful remains on the side of some road where the buzzards and vultures can grab bits of me and feed me to their children. Even though Bill and Charlie haven't found out about me yet."
"You learn well," Ron said proudly. "That was almost word-for-word."
"BOYS! Breakfast!"
Harry cheered, "Food!" and took off down the stairs. Ron and Oliver, laughing, followed. They found Molly Weasley slicing a loaf of bread and Ginny pouring glasses of juice. Percy appeared, holding a bowl of fruit, followed closely by his father. Arthur Weasley greeted Harry with a smile, handed him an apple, and went to help his wife. His children seated themselves at the table and applied themselves to the food with a vengence. Harry laughed, joked, and enjoyed himself thoroughly, feeling almost like part of the family. It wasn't really a new experience for him; he felt this way everytime he visited the Burrow, but Harry never tired of the comfortable, kind atmosphere.
"C'mon, Mrs. Weasley," Oliver was wheedling at one end of the table. "You never come to my games. Just one game, that's all I'm asking. Please?"
"I have a lot of housework to do," Molly defended herself, "and you don't want an old thing like me cheering you on. You'd be embarrassed to see me up in the stands."
"And miss your lovely face?! Never!" Oliver widened his eyes and pleaded, "You'd love it, you really would. I'd take you to the team parties. All the guys would be jealous of me, all the girls would be horrid compared to you, and I'd be the luckiest man alive-"
"Oh, you." Molly blushed, laughed, and waved him away. "Flatterer. That's a lie, and you know it."
Oliver pretended to be stricken. "A lie? My heart! You hurt me, my love." He ducked the grape she flicked at him and grinned. "Just one game, just one. Please? On Tuesday? Bring the whole family. Bring Harry! Harry wants to come!"
Harry laughed into his scrambled eggs and turned his attention to Percy and Ginny. "-first Muggle photo I've ever developed," she was saying. "It was so strange. They didn't even wave. Colin kept laughing at me; he took a large amount of amusement from the fact that I kept waving the picture around, hoping to wake them up."
Ron, next to Harry, was flicking bread crumbs at his father with his fork. Arthur, at the other end of the table, was sending back blueberries and the occasional bit of egg. "Whoops, sorry, Harry. My aim is a bit off today."
With a chuckle, Harry picked the egg from his hair. "That's okay, Mr. Weasley. No harm done."
A gigantic "HURRAH!" rose from Oliver, who had succeeded in his negotiations. "That's tickets for Tuesday afternoon. Fantastic! I'll have you right up in the top box, you'll love it!" He whirled to mock-glare at the others. "You had better all come. Gin, you want Colin to come, too?"
"He can't, sorry," Ginny sighed. "His family's going on a trip until right before school."
"Poor baby," Ron ruffled her hair. "Whatever are you going to do without him?" His sister sniffed and contrived to look pained. "I'll live," she said.
Percy rose from the table, saying, "You'd better head off, Ol. Didn't you have be at this practice early?"
"Drat," Oliver muttered, looking at the clock. "Thanks a bundle, Mrs. Weasley. Without you, I'd be skin and bones."
"Off with you," she admonished. "You'll be late. And we'll see you soon. Have a good practice, dear."
Percy placed his dishes in the sink and kissed his mother goodbye. "Errands to run. I'll be back by three."
"Want to go practice some Quidditch, Harry?"
"Sure, Ron. Thanks for breakfast, Mrs. Weasley."
*****
"Ready to go, Harry?" Ron thumped cheerfully down the stairs. "Mum and Dad already Flooed to the stadium." Ginny skipped past them, singing something about "going to a Quidditch match for free because my brother's snogging the Keeper" and dashed into the fireplace.
"All set," Harry told him, and off they went.
The game was spectacular. While not as vicious as the World Cup had been, the plays were still run at lightning speed and Oliver had a lot of work to do. He had missed four goal shots and stopped seven when Puddlemere's Seeker pulled out of a steep dive, the Snitch held firmly in her hand. The navy blue spectators went wild as the team flew a victory lap and landed in a huddle, looking as if they were talking about something.
"What's up down there," Ron wondered aloud, peering over the edge of the box, as the players shot into the air again. The Puddlemere United team, to the consternation of the quieting crowd, approached the other team. It seemed as if they were asking something, to which the opposing team nodded their heads and developed smiles. The fans were silent as both teams approached the Top Box with gigantic grins.
Oliver winked at Harry and the Weasleys and hovered next to the announcer. He murmured something which made the announcer's eyes widen. The balding man handed the magical microphone to Oliver, who smiled his thanks and flew out over the pitch.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WITCHES AND WIZARDS!" Wood's voice rang out. "We have a very special group in the crowd today. Some of my favorite people happen to be in the stands, and I'd like to thank them for coming to cheer us on." Cheers rose from the crowd for a brief moment before Wood held up his hand for silence. "One of these people just had a very special day; a birthday." Harry's ears turned red. "And I, ladies and gents, completely forgot. So! In order to repent, I have bribed the teams to redeem me." Oliver, with a wicked grin, spun to face Harry, who was now completely red. "To you, Seeker of my old team at Hogwarts, who lost only one game and that only because you lost consciousness-" Harry covered his face with his hands "-I'd like to say...HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HARRY POTTER!"
The two teams surrounding the Top Box burst into song as the crowd gasped as one. With much hoarseness and off-key bellowing, Harry was treated to "Happy Birthday to You." Scarlet, he thanked the teams and hugged Wood, who had dismounted. "I'll get you for this," he muttered to Oliver, who winked at him again.
"No you won't," Oliver assured him. "I've got Percy; he's my first line of defense." Harry laughed and pushed him away. Ron, who had overheard, snorted. The Keeper stuck his tongue out at them and remounted, then flew with his teammates back to the ground and into the locker rooms.
_________________
Ron, Percy, Ginny and Harry were waiting for him in the hallway when he emerged from the locker room, freshly showered. "That was a wonderful game, Ol," Ron congratulated him, receiving one of the athlete's smiles. "Mum says to give you a hug."
"Do it and die, Ronald," Percy warned. Ron shrugged.
"Where are your parents?" Oliver asked, glancing around. He hefted the bag filled with Quidditch pads that was slung over his shoulder and winced.
"Is your shoulder bothering you?" Percy asked sharply, eyes narrowed. His boyfriend shook his head and muttered something about getting a new bruise from running into one of the goal posts.
"Mum and Dad decided to go visit the shop," Ginny announced. "We told them we'd show up eventually."
One of Oliver's teammates sauntered by. "Hey, Wood! Don't forget your promise!"
"Forget? Me? Never! Eh-heh."
"What promise," Harry asked curiously.
Oliver sighed and looked at Percy warily. "Remember when I said I bribed them?" A graceful red eyebrow rose. "Well...they...kinda...they've figured I was...involved with someone for a while now...and...they've been wanting...to...that is...I thought maybe...." He trailed off, looking vaguely worried. "Don't hurt me, Perce, but...IpromisedthatiftheysangforHarryI'dbringyoutodinnerwithustonightandshowyouoff."
All four of them blinked. "...Oh," said Percy, blankly.
Ron bounced. "I'll tell Mum you remembered a report that was due at the Ministry tomorrow." His elder brother shot him a sour look and opened his mouth to complain, but Oliver stepped in.
"Look, Percy, I know this is a big step, but we've been together for long enough that I think I'm ready to start sharing you. These guys are like my family, Perce. Please? Just one dinner? If you hate them, I promise I'll tell them we broke up and you'll never have to face them again. I swear. But I really think you'll get along well."
Percy sighed. "Olly..."
"Please?" The dark haired boy laid a hand on Percy's elbow. "Just for tonight? A trial?"
Biting his lip, Percy mumbled, "Okay. I'll give it a try." Oliver flashed him a quick, happy smile, and turned back to face the forgotten trio. Ron was swooning over Ginny's arm and Harry was batting his eyelashes furiously. Ginny, her face red with suppressed laughter, was trying to pay homage to both Ron and Harry.
It was an interesting spectacle, but short lived. "Ahem," Percy clucked his tongue. "Very funny."
"Pushover," Ron commented, making the lovers blush.
"I am not-" Percy began, but was cut short by another of Oliver's teammates.
"WOOD! I need you! Now! You promised to help me figure out what to get Henry, and I need to get it NOW and you're coming with me!!" The Puddlemere Seeker began her tirade at one end of the hallway and ended it latched firmly onto Oliver's arm. "Our anniversary is tomorrow, and I haven't had a chance to shop yet!! Now bring your good taste and fashion sense and HELP ME!!!" She pushed short brown hair out of her eyes and glared up at him. "I swear by Merlin that if you bail out on me-"
"Kara, geez! Slow down," carefully, Oliver detached himself. "In a minute, okay?"
She pouted, then glanced about at the group. "Oh, sorry. I didn't even realize you were actually talking with them. I thought you were just being mobbed again."
A laugh rumbled up from Percy's chest, earning him a mock-glare from Oliver. "I must admit, your protectiveness is charming," the redhead said dryly. Oliver punched him lightly, making a face. "She loves me," he pouted. "Unlike some people."
"Hi," Harry said, sensing a storm brewing. "The game was fantastic."
Kara peered at him, then grinned. "Thanks. And happy birthday." She shook his hand. "It's a pleasure, Harry. You play Seeker, right?" At his nod, she grinned wolfishly. "Maybe someday we'll get to play each other." Her attention strayed to the three redheads. "Aside from this one here...care to introduce me?"
The Keeper nodded. "They're all Weasleys. That's Ginny-"
"Hey, great catch," Ginny and Kara shook hands.
"-this is Ron-" Ron, looking ready to faint, shook hands quickly and silently.
"And," Oliver faltered, looking at Percy with uncertainty. The other man took pity on him, offering a gentle smile.
"I'm Percy. Ah. I'm...with him."
"YOU'RE THE ONE?!" Kara stared, eyes round with amazement. "For crying out loud, Wood! You didn't tell me he was gorgeous!" She tackled Percy, wrapping him in a bear hug. "I'm jealous!"
Oliver errupted into laughter and Percy emitted a squeak. Ron, Harry, and Ginny, bemused, watched as Percy extracted himself gingerly from her grip and took shelter behind Oliver. "You'll see him later," Oliver reminded his pouting teammate. "I promised, remember?"
At this, Kara brightened. "Right. Well, remember, you DO still need to take me shopping. I only have two weeks till the anniversary, so start thinking of things. It was great to meet you all. I'll see more of you two later," she winked at Oliver and Percy and waved to them all. "Ciao for now, babe." She meandered off, whistling.
Behind Oliver, Percy was banging his head into the wall. His boyfriend, torn between laughing and trying to comfort the distressed Weasley, looked to Ron for support.
"We'll go let Mum and Dad know that you've gone to start that report you forgot, Perce," Ron led Ginny and Harry away. "Take care of him tonight, Ol. And make sure he doesn't touch any sharp objects. And don't give him caffeine." Oliver and Percy waved their goodbyes as the trio rounded a corner.
"I can't wait to hear the stories," Ginny bubbled as she stepped into the fireplace. "The Burrow!"
Ron and Harry looked at each other. "After you," Ron bowed. Harry, with an eyebrow raised, made his escape, trying not to blush.