Team: Holyhead Harpies

Position: Beater 1 [Percy Weasley/Bill Weasley]

Reserve: No, Extension: Yes

Prompts: [Emotion] Guilt, [character] Oliver Wood

A/N: I always did have a soft spot for Percy in my heart, him being the kid who seemed perfect but was really struggling. All you need to know is that in this universe the war went on for another couple of years and many more people died. Warning those emotionally attached to Oliver Wood to be prepared for pain.

C/W: Mentions of death, grieving and on-screen character death

Summary: Percy revists a safe place, but how can it be safe without Oliver to diffuse the tensions?


January 18th, 2008

The blue-green door of Shell Cottage stared back at Percy as he admired it.

The door exhibited wonderful craftsmanship. Percy made a note about getting one for his own flat - maybe the color would have to be changed but he could easily charm it another color if the craftsman only created the doors in turquoise.

He mentally kicked himself. The door wasn't the reason he was here. Percy took a deep breath and reached for the iron door knocker. He lifted it up, hesitated for a second, before dropping it. The loud echo made by the knocker seemed to go on forever, breaking the silence as if it were a shattering window pane.

Percy shifted a little, uncomfortably waiting for an answer.

"Ze door is open, come 'een."

Percy pushed the door open, and stepped over the threshold into the house. He looked away from the area near the hearth, willing himself not to think about the bloodstained timber he knew was concealed beneath the cheery carpet.

Too much blood… losing him… dull eyes… cold body…

Someone tapped him on the shoulder. Percy turned around, his hand on his wand's handle. He was relieved to see a familiar face.

"Hey Bill."

"Perce, where have you been?"

Bills voice was filled with accusation and a pain that could never be soothed marring his usually kind voice. Percy swallowed, trying to force out the words to defend himself.

The only words he could muster up were the most important words anyone could say, and yet they seemed so insignificant. So inadequate in comparison to his actions.

"I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry."

Bill nodded, his eyes downcast. "I know. You want a cuppa?"

Percy shrugged, following Bill into the kitchen where Fleur was sitting at one of the kitchen table benches, working away at something.

She looked up and smiled at him. "'Ello Percy, I thought eet was you. Bill, have you offered 'im tea yet?"

Bill pulled down a cup and poured tea in. Percy accepted it with a quiet thanks. They sat, drinking in silence until Fleur broke it.

"Victorie, she misses you, deed you know that?"

Percy's eyes fell. "I know. I just…"

Fleur nodded comfortingly. "Memories?"

Percy hung his head. "Yeah. I miss him."

"Uncle Percy?"

Percy turned to the doorway where a child stood. She was around eight years old with soft hair that seemed to look more pink than red or blonde. Her huge blue eyes filled up her entire face, a classic Weasley feature, and she curiously looked at him. Percy found his voice somehow and managed to force out an answer.

"Yeah… yeah it's me."

Victorie's uncertain expression faded a little. Fleur went over to her and gently nudged her towards Percy. Victorie stared up at him, her eyes scanning his face.

"You look sad. What's wrong?"

Percy took a deep breath, trying to hold onto his composure. How could this child see his inner turmoil?

He was saved from responding with some half-hearted lie by her launching forwards to hug him.

"I want Uncle Oli back too."

It was whispered so quietly that Percy wasn't sure if he had heard it at first. But he knew he had heard correctly with Bill's next words to his daughter.

"Victorie, why don't you show Uncle Percy what you made for Uncle Oli?"

Victorie released Percy from the hug and grabbed his hand. "C'mon Uncle Percy."

Percy looked for reassurance that it was okay for him to go with her, and on receiving Fleur's gentle nod, he followed the child.

She pulled him through the house and outside into the yard, where the sea met the edge of Shell Cottage. The waves roared as if the tormented souls the ocean had claimed over the years were calling for Percy to join them. He shuddered. Victorie pulled his hand harder.

"Uncle Percy, hurry."

He sped up his pace, following the girl to the edge of the garden.

A humongous tree oversaw the garden, its branches creaking ominously in the wind.

"Uncle Percy, look!"

He looked at the base of the tree and nearly lost his composure. A cluster of moving photos were pinned to the tree. The pictures held the faces Percy knew well.

The faces of the many dead, some because of him, but each weighing on his shoulders equally as heavily.

Above their pictures were their names carved in, obviously by a child's unsteady hand.

Luna, Parvati, Cho, Colin, Fred, George, Neville, Gabrielle, Hermione.

Gone too soon.

Snape, Dumbledore, Dobby, Remus, Sirius, Molly, Andromeda.

More to give.

Percy's eyes came to rest on one name which stood out to him.

Oliver Wood.

Another kick in the gut. Guilt washed over him like a wave, dragging him under. Smashing him against the jagged rocks so similar to the ones that rested on the beaches of Shell Cottage.

Victorie grabbed his hand tighter.

"You loved him very much didn't you Uncle Percy?"

Percy was once again floored by this tiny child's accurate deduction of his emotional state. He only nodded a little. Victorie stared at the tree intently, humming a little in response to his nod.

Silence reigned. Memories seemed to take that as an invitation to maraud through Percy's mind, trampling any resistance.

July 4th, 1998

Percy kicked the sofa couch leg hard. "Shit!" he swore, the pain of his toe and loss mingling.

"Are you all good mate?"

Oliver Wood stood in the doorway, a concerned look on his face. Percy gritted his teeth. "Yes. Thank you for your concerns."

Oliver shrugged. "Decent humanity isn't it?"

Percy glared out the window. "Not for some stupid people."

January 23rd, 1999

"It wasn't your fault. You couldn't have stopped George from going on that suicide mission if you tried."

"That's the goddamn problem! I'm the one to blame here…"

A loud slap echoed around the living room. "You boys ere being ridiculous. Percy what exactly could you 'ave done?"

Percy opened his mouth then stopped. "Not a whole lot of anything."

He whispered, chagrined. "Exactly my point. George is with Fred now."

Percy shook his head. "Why couldn't he stay a little longer?"

August 6th 2003

"STOP SHOUTING!"

A young voice squeaked. The adults in the room all turned to the source of the voice, to see Victorie, her eyes red from crying.

"You're hurting my ears and I don't like it wen you huwt me or each over. Stop it."

September 8th 2004

"How is it that this household always manages to use a crap ton of toilet paper despite there only being five of us, one of us who is four?"

Bill rolled his eyes and chucked a pillow at Percy. "Wow dear brother, weirdly foul language. What's up?"

Percy glared. "Nothing. Just pissed off that there's no toilet paper once again to wipe my backside with."

Bill closed his eyes in defeat. "You're a wizard. Use your flipping wand."

Percy stomped off muttering something about insufferable older brothers.

December 25th 2004

He had apparated right in front of the chimney. Victorie screamed in terror, jumping out of the way, her new dolls she had been playing with forgotten.

"Daddy Daddy come come come!"

Bill sped into the room after hearing his daughter scream and swiftly drew his wand.

"Victorie, go to Dora and Teddy's room. Don't come out until I come and get you."

Victorie did as she was told, running from the room as fast as she could.

Bill assessed the situation, then sent a patronus for Percy. Percy received it and his heart seemed to stop.

And then he was gone, down the stairs and to the fireplace where Oliver was lying, his life's blood bleeding out onto the floor.

Percy dropped to the ground and started to mumble to Oliver.

"Stay with me, stay with me, stay with me. Don't leave me now."

Oliver reached up and gently caressed Percy's chin. "Do I look like I can walk?"

His weak joke made Percy chuckle a little. Oliver grabbed his hand suddenly, holding it tight. Bill was still trying to heal his wound but it kept reopening. He sideways glanced at Perc who nodded. Bill bandaged the cut and placed a charm on it to slow the bleeding.

"I'll leave you two to say your goodbyes."

Oliver's breaths were laboured now, his breathing increasing in pace.

"Percy… since I'm… dy...dying I need… need you to… know this. Come closer to me… me…"

Percy did as asked. He shuffled closer to Oliver who shaking hand reached up to touch his face again.

"Come closer… closer again."

Percy did, beginning to feel a little uncomfortable. Oliver smiled, his face lighting up a little.

"Per… perfect."

Using a burst of strength, Oliver moved his head up so their lips were touching. Percy's brain short circuited a little. Oliver's head then dropped back onto the makeshift pillow Bill had stuffed under his head.

His final breath exited his lungs. Percy lost it.

"No come back you little, no, you can't be gone. NOT ANOTHER PERSON!"

December 29th 2004

The funeral was quiet. Percy, Bill, Fleaur, Victorie, Teddy and Tonks.

What a sad turn out for someone so friendly.

His body looked smaller than ever in the coffin.

What a sad ending for someone so large in life.

Percy stood at the gravesite the longest, mourning his friend. Mourning what could have been. Mourning his failure to save his friend.

January 18th 2008

Victories voice broke into his thoughts.

"Mum and Dad are calling. It's time for lunch now, but we can come out later if you want to?"

Percy smiled a little. "That would be wonderful."