That Most Lonely Thing
Chapter Two
I own nothing. I'm just playing for awhile.
Note: I should never have waited for OotP to be released before starting to write this chapter. If I hadn't then the curse of the million rewrites wouldn't have struck it, and it would have been done over half a year ago. *sighs*
Anyway, the fic was started before OotP, and while at first I tried to mush things around to fit with the new canon, it ended up not working. However, since this does take place in the summer before sixth year, there's a phantom fifth year to fill. So, bits and pieces of book five canon did happen. In short, the most important things are that Umbridge was around, Percy did work for Fudge, but things played out differently between him and his family, Angry!Harry exists, and the death didn't happen.
* * *
"What do you mean you're all sold out?" Harry asked, glaring at Tom.
"I'm sorry, but now that Voldemort's returned folks in isolated areas have been leaving their homes and need someplace to stay. I'll let you know when there's another vacancy, but that may not be for months."
The logical part of Harry's mind knew he should have expected this. He'd seen how crowded the room was when he came in, and Percy had warned him of the possibility. However, he just hadn't been able to believe that things had already gotten so bad that the whole Cauldron would be full. When he'd stayed there in the summer before his third year at Hogwarts he'd thought that the place was ridiculously oversized. No more then a fifth of the rooms had been occupied at any time, and he'd been given what he'd later learned was the best single in the place the whole time he was there. There'd never even been any problems with someone with prior reservations showing up to claim it, or anything of the like. It was hard to imagine it actually being full for a change.
He took a deep, calming breath before speaking again. He didn't want to snap at Tom, and this was a sign that what he'd been trying to accomplish all year had happened; people were recognising the renewed threat of Voldemort. "Alright," he said, once he'd regained his composure. "Then I'll have a bowl of soup and a butterbeer please. I'd like something to eat before I go out looking for another place."
Tom smiled sympathetically at him as he ladled out the soup and sliced off a large hunk of bread to go with it, and said, "I really am sorry Harry. Just between you and me, I'll put you at the top of the list so you really will be the first person I tell when I get a free room, all right?"
Harry forced himself to smile at Tom as he paid for his food. "Yeah, thanks Tom." He carefully picked up his tray and carried it to a small table in the back where Percy was sitting.
Percy took one look at him as he sat down and said, "No luck then?"
"No, it's booked solid. Tom promised to tell me the next time a room's open, but...." He trailed off with a shrug and took a large bite out of his bread, followed by a long swig of butterbeer. "Ok, time for a new plan. Are there any other inns in the Alley?"
"None that are decent, and I won't allow you to stay in one of those... those... brothels."
From the distaste in his voice and the way his face twisted into a grimace it seemed to Harry that Percy thought said brothels were the most disgusting places he could think of, which actually made him a little curious to go have a look. He realised, however, that this would not be a good thing to say to the other man, and instead asked, "Okay then, is Gringotts open at this time of night? I'm sure that I remember seeing a muggle hotel nearby the last time I entered from that side, and if I could get my money exchanged I could go stay there."
Percy looked completely horrified at this idea, and Harry almost laughed at the expression. "Absolutely not! Here at least the residual magic that's built up over the years will cloud any locating spells, and there are hundreds of other wizards and witches around who can help out if you're attacked. No one is stupid enough to try anything here, even in the middle of the last war Diagon Alley was one of the few places that remained fairly safe. Out there any halfway decent wizard with a mirror or a convenient puddle could scry your location in moments, and you can't trust yourself to get lucky a second time."
"Well it's not like I have much of a choice!" Harry said, glowering down at his soup and trying his best to keep his voice down. A number of his friends had written to him after the school year ended letting him know, now that they didn't have to deal with him face to face, exactly how trying they'd found his temper during the past year. Since then he'd been trying his best to keep himself from blowing up at anyone, but the past few hours had been extremely stressful, and he was finding it difficult to keep a cool head. He told himself that Percy was just concerned for his well-being and didn't mean to be so annoying, then when he'd gotten a grip on himself again he continued. "Tomorrow I can write to Dumbledore and see if he can check if there's a room available at the Hog's Head or Three Broomsticks, or even if I can go stay at Hogwarts, but I still need somewhere to stay tonight. I won't go to the Burrow or Hermione's, or any of my other friends' houses because it would be so easy to find me outside of large magical areas. We may be as safe as it's possible to be here, but that's not true elsewhere and I will not put my friends in danger if they go after me again."
"Calm down Harry. I don't want you to put anyone else in danger any more then I'd want you to endanger yourself. Listen, there's a couch in the suite I'm staying in, why don't you--"
Harry cut Percy off before he could finish his thought, bursting out "That's perfect! Why in the world didn't you mention that earlier?"
Percy surprised him by blushing, just the tiniest bit, around the ears. "Well, I know I'm hardly your first choice of a person to spend time with, and, um... you'd actually want to?"
Harry laughed, but not unkindly. "Look Percy, I know we're not the best of friends or anything, but it's not like I burst out in boils everytime we're forced into contact. If you don't mind me galumphing about your rooms then I'd be happy to stay, at least until I can find someplace else."
"Well then, great. I'll take you up as soon as we've finished eating."
Harry took that as permission to stop talking and tuck in, and so he did so. He'd forgotten how much he liked the food here, and Tom gave huge helpings so you were sure to walk away from your table full to bursting. After he'd taken the edge off his hunger he asked, "So, is your work going well?"
Percy's face lit up. "Oh, it's going wonderfully. Minister Fudge recently approved my request to return to the Department of International Magical Cooperation, and I've been busy ever since. While it was certainly an interesting learning experience working alongside the Minister, I feel my main interest really lies in helping to set the policies in how our section of the wizarding world interacts with others. When I saw how understaffed the Department's gotten recently, with anyone with the skills to be a real help in the war getting transferred to places where those skills can be put to use, I knew I had to try to get back there." Then he smirked just the tiniest bit and his tone became a bit affected sounding as he said, "Of course, I have no idea howMinister Fudge will ever get along without me."
Harry laughed, though he was a little shocked at Percy of all people making a joke about his job. He was always so serious about work. Then, feeling a bit guilty at the thought, he wondered if maybe he'd always been so caught up in the preconceived image of stuffy, uptight Percy that he'd just never noticed the sarcasm behind some of his boasts. No, he couldn't believe he'd really be that dense regarding someone he'd known for almost six years now. It must just be that Percy had loosened up a bit since the last time they'd seen each other. "That's nice. So, if you've changed departments why do you still have the office you had last fall?"
"Oh, that's the same one I've always had. There was no room on the Minister's floor for me so I just kept my old office rather then end up in a desk in the corner somewhere." Percy shrugged and took a drink of his tea to wet his throat. "It was a bit of a hassle going back and forth whenever I needed something I'd left in there, but I like my privacy when working, and it does make moving around easier if everything stays where it is once set up."
"Ah." Harry began shovelling down some more food to cover the fact that he was searching his brain for another topic to talk about. He was a little embarrassed to realise that he honestly had no clue what Percy might be interested in other then work. He must have some other interests, but Harry couldn't remember anytime in the past six years that he'd noticed Percy having so much as a hobby. Well, he'd come to one or two quidditch games, but that was probably the result of his brothers dragging him there rather then actual interest in the game. Finally, coming up with nothing else, he just smiled and said, "Well, I'm glad that you're where you want to be."
"Thank you. It did take me a while to figure out that this was where I wanted to be, but honestly, after this past year I can't remember why it was I wanted to work closely with Minister Fudge to begin with." There was a moment of uncomfortable silence, as they both remembered what an ass he'd been prior to figuring this out, then he coughed and changed the subject. "So, this fall you start your sixth year? Have you gotten your OWL results yet?"
Harry shrugged. "No, not yet. It's not like they matter that much, right?" The look Percy gave him in response to that made him shift uncomfortably in his seat. It was clear that, to Percy at least, he'd just said an incredibly stupid thing. "Hey, I'm not saying I didn't study for them or something! It's just that they really over-exaggerate how important they'll be in the long run, don't they?"
"Harry, if anything they don't emphasise enough how important they are, if you honestly think that way. If you decide you want to spend the rest of your life as a seeker, then you should be alright so long as you manage to pass them, even with a minimum score. However, if you want to make something of your life, you'll need to do better then that. Believe me, one of my duties as Fudge's assistant was to go through resumes and fish out the best of the lot to present to him when he was hiring new people, so I know how much importance is placed on having good OWLs and NEWTs. I suppose I can understand, though not approve of, your not paying attention to what the professors said, but didn't Hermione ever talk to you about this?"
Harry couldn't help but roll his eyes at this. "Because, of course, we all know how level-headed Hermione is when it comes to judging the importance of tests. It's not like she considers failing a single one to doom you to a life on the streets or anything, not our Hermione." He snorted before continuing. "Don't get me wrong, I love her dearly, but she does have a tendency to look at passing... well, anything involving school, as though her entire future would fall down around her ears if she failed."
Harry only noticed the way Percy's previously open, for him, expression had grown shuttered when he heard how cool his voice had become. "You say that as though it were a bad thing. I think that you and Ron would both do well to try and emulate her when it comes to your studies. Though you may think she takes her studies to seriously, her future is certain to be a bright one."
While yours isn't, Harry thought Percy must have been thinking, though he was kind enough to leave it unspoken. For a brief instant he felt the anger welling up again, familiar and almost welcome, and leaving a strange sense of pressure behind his eyes. Then he forced it to dissipate, although it was difficult to do so when he was sure he would be on the right side of the possible argument. He didn't let himself to give into it however, knowing full well how unpleasant rooming together for the next few days would be if they went into it fighting. Not to mention that if Percy got angry enough at him he was sure to take back his offer of his couch. Finally, after a long uncomfortable moment, he managed to offer Percy a smile and said, "Maybe you're right about that. Don't think that I always slack off just because I don't spend as much time on my studies as Hermione though." He hefted up his backpack for Percy to see. "Most of what's in here is my books and homework, and I could have used that space for extra clothes or something."
"Homework? But I thought you hadn't received your OWLs yet."
Harry gave Percy an odd look. "I haven't. So?"
"Well, you're supposed to--" Percy cut himself off when Harry suddenly yawned hugely. For a second Harry was sure Percy was going to assume he was yawning out of boredom and get upset, then he smiled slightly and said, "What am I thinking? You've had a difficult day, and I'm sure you're not in the mood to discuss schoolwork. What I had to say can wait until tomorrow, come on, I'll show you to the room."
Harry pushed himself away from the table, and followed Percy up the stairs. They went up five flights before Percy stepped off into a narrow hall on the top story of the building. Judging from the hall Harry thought that Percy couldn't possibly be staying in a very good room, although he didn't say anything. Because of this he was surprised when Percy open the only door on the right side to reveal a very nice suite.
It was far from the picture of extravagant luxury of course, but the living area he stepped into was furnished by sturdy, incredibly comfortable looking furniture. Perhaps the furniture was all on the old side, but everything was obviously well cared for. To the left the room opened into a kitchen that appeared well equipt, but which he was willing to bet Percy never touched judging by how spotless everything other then the table was, and the way not a thing but the chair in front of said table was out of place. The living area wasn't a mess in comparison or anything, but it was obviously lived in. There was another hall in front of him, and a couple of doors, but they were all closed so he couldn't see the rest of the suite. Still, just from this area Harry could see that Percy was doing better then he'd imagined.
Having seen all that he could, Harry flung himself down on the couch fully clothed and grinned at Percy. "Thanks Percy! This'll be great!"
"You're not sleeping there," Percy replied, frowning slightly in response to the smile.
Harry sat bolt upright again, staring at him. "Huh? I thought that you said I could stay on your couch?"
"No, you're my guest! You get to take the bed, I'll take the couch."
"Percy, don't take this the wrong way, but that's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. These're your rooms, you're paying for them with your own money, and I'm not going to drive you out of your own bed. I'll take the couch."
"Harry, no. Since I don't have a guest bed to offer, it's only right that you share mine. Besides, you had to escape death eaters tonight. All I had to escape was the twit from the Accidental Magical Reversal squad whose only interest in life appears to be getting her claws into the first pureblooded wizard she can." From the shadow that briefly crossed Percy's face Harry could easily guess that this 'twit' was often a source of annoyance for this particular pureblooded wizard, and made a mental note to try and pry the story out of him someday when they weren't in the middle of an argument.
"For god's sake Percy, it's not like I was fighting them for life and limb or something! I snuck out a window and went for a short fly! The couch will be great."
"No, it won't! What would my mother say if she came for a visit and discovered that you were sleeping on the couch while I was comfortable in bed? It would be completely rude of me!"
"The couch is more then comfortable enough for me. It's a hell of a lot better then the damned cot I slept in for most of my life, so if that's all you're worried about then cut it out! Besides, I'm already on it, and if you want to get me off you're gonna need to drag me all the way to your bed!" Just in case Percy decided to do this, Harry lay back down and dug his feet deep into the couch cracks while flinging his arms around it's own, clinging onto it as hard as he could.
Percy met him glare for glare, but just as Harry was beginning to think that perhaps he was showing for the first time that he had a stubborn streak that ran as deep as Ron's he exclaimed, "Fine! If you want to sleep on the couch that badly, do so!" and stormed off into one of the back rooms. For a minute Harry assumed he was going to stay there and sulk, then he came back in his pyjamas, with his arms full of blankets and pillows. He tossed some of them down on Harry's legs, then under Harry's bemused gaze he carefully laid out the rest of them on an empty patch of the floor. When he was done he looked back up and said, "If you take the couch, then I take the floor. I'm told you that I can't sleep in my bed if you're out here."
For a long moment then lay in silence, then Harry began to snicker. From that he soon dissolved into helpless laughter, while Percy stared at him as though he'd lost his mind. The anger slowly melted away, unable to keep it's hold on him under this suddenly onslaught of glee. "This..." he gasped out, when he'd finally gotten back enough control to speak, "...is the stupidest fight ever. What are we, five? Get off the floor Percy, I'll take the damned bed. But if I'm not gone tomorrow you better agree to trade off every other day, or else you're going to be stuck on the ground every night for the rest of my time here."
It briefly looked like Percy was going to argue but then, perhaps thinking of how hard the floor was and how stubborn Harry could be, he said, "I suppose that sounds like a fair arrangement. However, if my mother ever finds out that you stayed here, please refrain from mentioning it to her. I would rather not get on her bad side just because you're too stubborn to stick to the bed."
"Deal. So, is the bedroom the one you went in for the blankets and stuff?"
"Yes, and the bathroom's straight across from it. Make sure to take the bedding I gave you, I stripped the bed when I came back out here."
"All right." Harry picked up the pile of bedclothes and carried them to the bedrooms doorway, then stopped and looked back at where Percy was already getting his things arranged for bed. "Oh, and Percy?" He waited until Percy was looking up at him before flashing him a grin and saying, "Thanks again for this. Night."
He was already turning away when he heard Percy reply, "Goodnight Harry."
I own nothing. I'm just playing for awhile.
Note: I should never have waited for OotP to be released before starting to write this chapter. If I hadn't then the curse of the million rewrites wouldn't have struck it, and it would have been done over half a year ago. *sighs*
Anyway, the fic was started before OotP, and while at first I tried to mush things around to fit with the new canon, it ended up not working. However, since this does take place in the summer before sixth year, there's a phantom fifth year to fill. So, bits and pieces of book five canon did happen. In short, the most important things are that Umbridge was around, Percy did work for Fudge, but things played out differently between him and his family, Angry!Harry exists, and the death didn't happen.
* * *
"What do you mean you're all sold out?" Harry asked, glaring at Tom.
"I'm sorry, but now that Voldemort's returned folks in isolated areas have been leaving their homes and need someplace to stay. I'll let you know when there's another vacancy, but that may not be for months."
The logical part of Harry's mind knew he should have expected this. He'd seen how crowded the room was when he came in, and Percy had warned him of the possibility. However, he just hadn't been able to believe that things had already gotten so bad that the whole Cauldron would be full. When he'd stayed there in the summer before his third year at Hogwarts he'd thought that the place was ridiculously oversized. No more then a fifth of the rooms had been occupied at any time, and he'd been given what he'd later learned was the best single in the place the whole time he was there. There'd never even been any problems with someone with prior reservations showing up to claim it, or anything of the like. It was hard to imagine it actually being full for a change.
He took a deep, calming breath before speaking again. He didn't want to snap at Tom, and this was a sign that what he'd been trying to accomplish all year had happened; people were recognising the renewed threat of Voldemort. "Alright," he said, once he'd regained his composure. "Then I'll have a bowl of soup and a butterbeer please. I'd like something to eat before I go out looking for another place."
Tom smiled sympathetically at him as he ladled out the soup and sliced off a large hunk of bread to go with it, and said, "I really am sorry Harry. Just between you and me, I'll put you at the top of the list so you really will be the first person I tell when I get a free room, all right?"
Harry forced himself to smile at Tom as he paid for his food. "Yeah, thanks Tom." He carefully picked up his tray and carried it to a small table in the back where Percy was sitting.
Percy took one look at him as he sat down and said, "No luck then?"
"No, it's booked solid. Tom promised to tell me the next time a room's open, but...." He trailed off with a shrug and took a large bite out of his bread, followed by a long swig of butterbeer. "Ok, time for a new plan. Are there any other inns in the Alley?"
"None that are decent, and I won't allow you to stay in one of those... those... brothels."
From the distaste in his voice and the way his face twisted into a grimace it seemed to Harry that Percy thought said brothels were the most disgusting places he could think of, which actually made him a little curious to go have a look. He realised, however, that this would not be a good thing to say to the other man, and instead asked, "Okay then, is Gringotts open at this time of night? I'm sure that I remember seeing a muggle hotel nearby the last time I entered from that side, and if I could get my money exchanged I could go stay there."
Percy looked completely horrified at this idea, and Harry almost laughed at the expression. "Absolutely not! Here at least the residual magic that's built up over the years will cloud any locating spells, and there are hundreds of other wizards and witches around who can help out if you're attacked. No one is stupid enough to try anything here, even in the middle of the last war Diagon Alley was one of the few places that remained fairly safe. Out there any halfway decent wizard with a mirror or a convenient puddle could scry your location in moments, and you can't trust yourself to get lucky a second time."
"Well it's not like I have much of a choice!" Harry said, glowering down at his soup and trying his best to keep his voice down. A number of his friends had written to him after the school year ended letting him know, now that they didn't have to deal with him face to face, exactly how trying they'd found his temper during the past year. Since then he'd been trying his best to keep himself from blowing up at anyone, but the past few hours had been extremely stressful, and he was finding it difficult to keep a cool head. He told himself that Percy was just concerned for his well-being and didn't mean to be so annoying, then when he'd gotten a grip on himself again he continued. "Tomorrow I can write to Dumbledore and see if he can check if there's a room available at the Hog's Head or Three Broomsticks, or even if I can go stay at Hogwarts, but I still need somewhere to stay tonight. I won't go to the Burrow or Hermione's, or any of my other friends' houses because it would be so easy to find me outside of large magical areas. We may be as safe as it's possible to be here, but that's not true elsewhere and I will not put my friends in danger if they go after me again."
"Calm down Harry. I don't want you to put anyone else in danger any more then I'd want you to endanger yourself. Listen, there's a couch in the suite I'm staying in, why don't you--"
Harry cut Percy off before he could finish his thought, bursting out "That's perfect! Why in the world didn't you mention that earlier?"
Percy surprised him by blushing, just the tiniest bit, around the ears. "Well, I know I'm hardly your first choice of a person to spend time with, and, um... you'd actually want to?"
Harry laughed, but not unkindly. "Look Percy, I know we're not the best of friends or anything, but it's not like I burst out in boils everytime we're forced into contact. If you don't mind me galumphing about your rooms then I'd be happy to stay, at least until I can find someplace else."
"Well then, great. I'll take you up as soon as we've finished eating."
Harry took that as permission to stop talking and tuck in, and so he did so. He'd forgotten how much he liked the food here, and Tom gave huge helpings so you were sure to walk away from your table full to bursting. After he'd taken the edge off his hunger he asked, "So, is your work going well?"
Percy's face lit up. "Oh, it's going wonderfully. Minister Fudge recently approved my request to return to the Department of International Magical Cooperation, and I've been busy ever since. While it was certainly an interesting learning experience working alongside the Minister, I feel my main interest really lies in helping to set the policies in how our section of the wizarding world interacts with others. When I saw how understaffed the Department's gotten recently, with anyone with the skills to be a real help in the war getting transferred to places where those skills can be put to use, I knew I had to try to get back there." Then he smirked just the tiniest bit and his tone became a bit affected sounding as he said, "Of course, I have no idea howMinister Fudge will ever get along without me."
Harry laughed, though he was a little shocked at Percy of all people making a joke about his job. He was always so serious about work. Then, feeling a bit guilty at the thought, he wondered if maybe he'd always been so caught up in the preconceived image of stuffy, uptight Percy that he'd just never noticed the sarcasm behind some of his boasts. No, he couldn't believe he'd really be that dense regarding someone he'd known for almost six years now. It must just be that Percy had loosened up a bit since the last time they'd seen each other. "That's nice. So, if you've changed departments why do you still have the office you had last fall?"
"Oh, that's the same one I've always had. There was no room on the Minister's floor for me so I just kept my old office rather then end up in a desk in the corner somewhere." Percy shrugged and took a drink of his tea to wet his throat. "It was a bit of a hassle going back and forth whenever I needed something I'd left in there, but I like my privacy when working, and it does make moving around easier if everything stays where it is once set up."
"Ah." Harry began shovelling down some more food to cover the fact that he was searching his brain for another topic to talk about. He was a little embarrassed to realise that he honestly had no clue what Percy might be interested in other then work. He must have some other interests, but Harry couldn't remember anytime in the past six years that he'd noticed Percy having so much as a hobby. Well, he'd come to one or two quidditch games, but that was probably the result of his brothers dragging him there rather then actual interest in the game. Finally, coming up with nothing else, he just smiled and said, "Well, I'm glad that you're where you want to be."
"Thank you. It did take me a while to figure out that this was where I wanted to be, but honestly, after this past year I can't remember why it was I wanted to work closely with Minister Fudge to begin with." There was a moment of uncomfortable silence, as they both remembered what an ass he'd been prior to figuring this out, then he coughed and changed the subject. "So, this fall you start your sixth year? Have you gotten your OWL results yet?"
Harry shrugged. "No, not yet. It's not like they matter that much, right?" The look Percy gave him in response to that made him shift uncomfortably in his seat. It was clear that, to Percy at least, he'd just said an incredibly stupid thing. "Hey, I'm not saying I didn't study for them or something! It's just that they really over-exaggerate how important they'll be in the long run, don't they?"
"Harry, if anything they don't emphasise enough how important they are, if you honestly think that way. If you decide you want to spend the rest of your life as a seeker, then you should be alright so long as you manage to pass them, even with a minimum score. However, if you want to make something of your life, you'll need to do better then that. Believe me, one of my duties as Fudge's assistant was to go through resumes and fish out the best of the lot to present to him when he was hiring new people, so I know how much importance is placed on having good OWLs and NEWTs. I suppose I can understand, though not approve of, your not paying attention to what the professors said, but didn't Hermione ever talk to you about this?"
Harry couldn't help but roll his eyes at this. "Because, of course, we all know how level-headed Hermione is when it comes to judging the importance of tests. It's not like she considers failing a single one to doom you to a life on the streets or anything, not our Hermione." He snorted before continuing. "Don't get me wrong, I love her dearly, but she does have a tendency to look at passing... well, anything involving school, as though her entire future would fall down around her ears if she failed."
Harry only noticed the way Percy's previously open, for him, expression had grown shuttered when he heard how cool his voice had become. "You say that as though it were a bad thing. I think that you and Ron would both do well to try and emulate her when it comes to your studies. Though you may think she takes her studies to seriously, her future is certain to be a bright one."
While yours isn't, Harry thought Percy must have been thinking, though he was kind enough to leave it unspoken. For a brief instant he felt the anger welling up again, familiar and almost welcome, and leaving a strange sense of pressure behind his eyes. Then he forced it to dissipate, although it was difficult to do so when he was sure he would be on the right side of the possible argument. He didn't let himself to give into it however, knowing full well how unpleasant rooming together for the next few days would be if they went into it fighting. Not to mention that if Percy got angry enough at him he was sure to take back his offer of his couch. Finally, after a long uncomfortable moment, he managed to offer Percy a smile and said, "Maybe you're right about that. Don't think that I always slack off just because I don't spend as much time on my studies as Hermione though." He hefted up his backpack for Percy to see. "Most of what's in here is my books and homework, and I could have used that space for extra clothes or something."
"Homework? But I thought you hadn't received your OWLs yet."
Harry gave Percy an odd look. "I haven't. So?"
"Well, you're supposed to--" Percy cut himself off when Harry suddenly yawned hugely. For a second Harry was sure Percy was going to assume he was yawning out of boredom and get upset, then he smiled slightly and said, "What am I thinking? You've had a difficult day, and I'm sure you're not in the mood to discuss schoolwork. What I had to say can wait until tomorrow, come on, I'll show you to the room."
Harry pushed himself away from the table, and followed Percy up the stairs. They went up five flights before Percy stepped off into a narrow hall on the top story of the building. Judging from the hall Harry thought that Percy couldn't possibly be staying in a very good room, although he didn't say anything. Because of this he was surprised when Percy open the only door on the right side to reveal a very nice suite.
It was far from the picture of extravagant luxury of course, but the living area he stepped into was furnished by sturdy, incredibly comfortable looking furniture. Perhaps the furniture was all on the old side, but everything was obviously well cared for. To the left the room opened into a kitchen that appeared well equipt, but which he was willing to bet Percy never touched judging by how spotless everything other then the table was, and the way not a thing but the chair in front of said table was out of place. The living area wasn't a mess in comparison or anything, but it was obviously lived in. There was another hall in front of him, and a couple of doors, but they were all closed so he couldn't see the rest of the suite. Still, just from this area Harry could see that Percy was doing better then he'd imagined.
Having seen all that he could, Harry flung himself down on the couch fully clothed and grinned at Percy. "Thanks Percy! This'll be great!"
"You're not sleeping there," Percy replied, frowning slightly in response to the smile.
Harry sat bolt upright again, staring at him. "Huh? I thought that you said I could stay on your couch?"
"No, you're my guest! You get to take the bed, I'll take the couch."
"Percy, don't take this the wrong way, but that's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. These're your rooms, you're paying for them with your own money, and I'm not going to drive you out of your own bed. I'll take the couch."
"Harry, no. Since I don't have a guest bed to offer, it's only right that you share mine. Besides, you had to escape death eaters tonight. All I had to escape was the twit from the Accidental Magical Reversal squad whose only interest in life appears to be getting her claws into the first pureblooded wizard she can." From the shadow that briefly crossed Percy's face Harry could easily guess that this 'twit' was often a source of annoyance for this particular pureblooded wizard, and made a mental note to try and pry the story out of him someday when they weren't in the middle of an argument.
"For god's sake Percy, it's not like I was fighting them for life and limb or something! I snuck out a window and went for a short fly! The couch will be great."
"No, it won't! What would my mother say if she came for a visit and discovered that you were sleeping on the couch while I was comfortable in bed? It would be completely rude of me!"
"The couch is more then comfortable enough for me. It's a hell of a lot better then the damned cot I slept in for most of my life, so if that's all you're worried about then cut it out! Besides, I'm already on it, and if you want to get me off you're gonna need to drag me all the way to your bed!" Just in case Percy decided to do this, Harry lay back down and dug his feet deep into the couch cracks while flinging his arms around it's own, clinging onto it as hard as he could.
Percy met him glare for glare, but just as Harry was beginning to think that perhaps he was showing for the first time that he had a stubborn streak that ran as deep as Ron's he exclaimed, "Fine! If you want to sleep on the couch that badly, do so!" and stormed off into one of the back rooms. For a minute Harry assumed he was going to stay there and sulk, then he came back in his pyjamas, with his arms full of blankets and pillows. He tossed some of them down on Harry's legs, then under Harry's bemused gaze he carefully laid out the rest of them on an empty patch of the floor. When he was done he looked back up and said, "If you take the couch, then I take the floor. I'm told you that I can't sleep in my bed if you're out here."
For a long moment then lay in silence, then Harry began to snicker. From that he soon dissolved into helpless laughter, while Percy stared at him as though he'd lost his mind. The anger slowly melted away, unable to keep it's hold on him under this suddenly onslaught of glee. "This..." he gasped out, when he'd finally gotten back enough control to speak, "...is the stupidest fight ever. What are we, five? Get off the floor Percy, I'll take the damned bed. But if I'm not gone tomorrow you better agree to trade off every other day, or else you're going to be stuck on the ground every night for the rest of my time here."
It briefly looked like Percy was going to argue but then, perhaps thinking of how hard the floor was and how stubborn Harry could be, he said, "I suppose that sounds like a fair arrangement. However, if my mother ever finds out that you stayed here, please refrain from mentioning it to her. I would rather not get on her bad side just because you're too stubborn to stick to the bed."
"Deal. So, is the bedroom the one you went in for the blankets and stuff?"
"Yes, and the bathroom's straight across from it. Make sure to take the bedding I gave you, I stripped the bed when I came back out here."
"All right." Harry picked up the pile of bedclothes and carried them to the bedrooms doorway, then stopped and looked back at where Percy was already getting his things arranged for bed. "Oh, and Percy?" He waited until Percy was looking up at him before flashing him a grin and saying, "Thanks again for this. Night."
He was already turning away when he heard Percy reply, "Goodnight Harry."