Hermione sipped her wine and stared thoughtfully at the middle Weasley child. Percy was playing with B.J. and both were laughing. The Percy in front of her was a very different Percy than she remembered. The of old laughed very rarely and he certainly wasn't the type to kneel down in the dirt to play with a four year old. Hermione was suddenly flooded with memories of the first time she met Percy Weasley.
Her first glance of Percy Weasley had not been at Hogwarts but at Diagon Alley. McGonagall went with her and her parents to get school supplies. She spent the day telling Hermione about being a witch and about Hogwarts. Hermione listened intently hanging on the deputy headmistresses every word.
Their final stop of the day was Flourish and Blotts to pick up her books. When they were done with the required book list Hermione drifted around the store looking at other books. She wanted to pick up a few things for light reading. The door opening didn't catch her attention but loud voices did. Hermione turned and saw a family of red heads walk in.
There was fierce mother holding the hand of a tiny red-haired girl. The little girl was looking over her shoulder giggling at her brothers. The source of her giggling was a set of gangly twins. They were tormenting their older brother who finally snapped at them, causing his mother to pay attention to the antics of her children.
"Fred, George" Molly said. "Come up here and stand by me. I have told you three times to stop pestering Percy. I have had with you two"
The twins grumbled but stood by their mother. The oldest boy, Percy she heard his mother call him, gloated and stuck his chest out. The little boy bringing up the rear, who looked about her age, rolled his eyes at Percy and went to stand by his twin brothers.
"Hello Molly" Minerva greeted the strict-looking Matriarch. She turned to the Granger's. "This is Molly Weasley. Two of her children have graduated from Hogwarts and she will have four children attending Hogwarts this year. Molly approached the Grangers "How are you?"
Molly smiled at the deputy headmistress, "I am wonderful and you?" she said.
"I am fine" Minerva told her. 'I would like to introduce you to Todd and Emily Granger." Molly nodded at Hermione's parents. "And this is Hermione, she will be attending Hogwarts this year."
"Hello darling" Molly said beaming. "My son Ron start Hogwarts this year too"
"I am not old enough" The little interjected looking extremely put out.
Molly squeezed her hand, "Next year Ginny" Molly promised her. "Percy" Molly said beckoning the oldest over. Hermione's breath caught in her chest as he walked over to them. He smiled at Minerva and the Granger's.
"Hello Professor" he said with the nod of his head.
"Percy, this is Hermione Granger" Molly told him. "She will be starting Hogwarts this year. Since you are a prefect I was thinking you could watch out for her."
Percy looked at Hermione then smiled down at her. Hermione felt her face go warm. He is very handsome, Hermione thought. The thought made her uneasy because Hermione hadn't noticed boys before and the first boy she notices was much older than her. Who am I kidding? Hermione asked herself sullenly, He is a teenager, I bet at least fifteen or sixteen. I am just a little kid.
"I guess I could keep an eye out for her" Percy told his mother winking at Hermione. He heart fluttered at this.
"Percy is a fifth year student at Hogwarts" McGonagall told the Granger's. "He was picked by Professor Dumbledore to be a prefect. The choice of a prefect is based on several factors, Grades, behavior record and teacher recommendation. Percy is a Gryffindor."
Hermione nodded knowingly as she had already been told about the four houses. She wanted to be in Gryffindor before and now even more.
"Ow!" someone whined from a few isles over, "Mum!"
Molly looked around and saw her youngest son now being tormented by the unruly twins. She smiled apologetically at Minerva and the Granger's. "It was so nice to meet you all. If you will excuse me"
"Of course"Mr.Granger said shaking Molly's hand. Minerva chuckled as she watched Molly approach the twins. Percy grimaced and looked apologetically at Hermione.
"I am sorry about that," Percy whispered and Hermione shrugged.
"It's ok" Hermione replied also whispering.
"It was nice to meet you Hermione. See you at Hogwarts." Percy grinned and ran off to join his mother.
Hermione watched him leave and couldn't stop smiling. "He seemed like a nice boy," Mrs. Granger said giving Hermione knowing smile.
"Yes" Hermione sniffed not wanting anyone to know how felt about the Gryffindor prefect. "Nice, in an arrogant kind of way"
Ms.Granger smiled and took her daughters hand, "You can't fool me sweetheart" she whispered and Hermione blushed.
"Professor McGonagall could you tell me more about professor Dumbledore" hermione said pulling away from her mother, 'He seems terribly interesting"
Hermione barely listened to her teacher talking she was watching Percy until his family left. She couldn't wait to see him again.
Hermione chuckled into her drink at the memories. Percy did in fact watch her at Hogwarts. He became her first friend there, even before Harry and Ron. Hermione's little crush continued but she knew that Percy would never want to be with her. She was four years younger than him, well technically she was only three years and a month older than she was but at the time that three years was a world of difference.
"Hermione" Ginny said trying to get her best friends attention.
"What?" Hermione asked coming back to reality.
Ginny grinned at her friend, "You were staring at Percy"
"I-I –I most certainly was not," Hermione cried.
"Ok" Ginny said with an air of disbelief. Ginny let her glance wander to Percy too. "He has changed hasn't he?" Ginny asked.
Hermione nodded, Percy had changed and it was painfully obvious. He was dressed in muggle clothes, a pair of dark blue jeans and a blue button up shirt. His hair was a little longer than he used to wear it but spike a little. The most obvious change was his glasses, or more accurately the lack there of, Percy seemed to be wearing contacts. He is hot! Hermione thought then mentally slapped herself. Grow up Granger; He couldn't possibly be interested in you.
"I have some work to do" Hermione told Ginny. "So, I am going to get out of here"
"You sure?" Ginny asked. Hermione nodded and hugged her friend. She made her rounds saying goodbye, to everyone except Ron and then left quickly for her flat. She thought about Percy and groaned inwardly. "Old crushes come back to bite you in the ass" Hermione whined as she threw herself onto the bed.