Dudley looked around the fairly large house of Nix Maelstrom, a very popular guitarist in the muggle world and surprisingly the wizarding as well. His decor was in no way the marble type of decor that would expect. More like industrial with a chandelier made out of copper pipes and obsidium crystals.
"So Dudley, what do you play?" Jenna asked as she leads him through the house.
"Uh well take your pick honestly, since the war ended I've acted like a madman learning all kinds of instruments. The drums, bass, guitar, and violin are my choices, though" he said.
"Oh my god, fuck yeah" Jenna grinned, suddenly not the professional she was a minute ago "I mean… no never mind, Nix has been looking for a singer to start a band with forever. He's got a great drummer and bassist but we were coming up empty for a singer," she said.
"So you recorded my song and he liked it?" Dudley said.
"Exactly, now let's hope it wasn't a fluke" a voice carried from the hall and a man with dark black hair and blue eyes appeared. "If your interested, I was hoping you show us everything you've got. Singing is one thing, charisma is another" Nix said.
"I have sung live before you know," Dudley said and Nix smirked.
"Then let's do this," he said, he was lead downstairs where there was a large stage and auditorium in the basement. There were a few witches and wizards in the audience. Dudley mentally shook off any nervousness.
"So do you know the song Ballad of Mona Lisa?" Nix asked, "if you don't then we're prepared to give you time to-"
"I know it" Dudley interrupted.
"Great" Nix said "then let's this started?" he asked.
Dudley nodded "do you need to me to play or just sing?" he asked.
"Just sing," Nix said, he kept his urge to beam inside, Dudley wasn't what he was expecting at all. Singers aren't always good looking but Dudley was extremely, he'd look great as a front man. Dudley breathed as he stepped in front of the mic.
"She paints her fingers with a close precision, he starts to notice empty bottles of gin…" Nix got goosebumps as Dudley singing went straight to his core. Sensual and Merlin that was so hot. Dudley walked away with the mic, waiting for the build to the song.
"Ohhhh… Mona Lisa, you're guaranteed to run this town" his range went skyward and Nix knew then he needed him so badly. He glanced at his producer and raised an eyebrow at him, he nodded at him. Dudley wasn't a singer, he was a rock star.
As soon as he was done, everyone was quiet for a minute "where the bloody hell did you come from?!" David, their drummer shouted, "that was fuckin ridiculous" he grinned, his eyes practically sparkling.
"Yes, yes, hell yes!" Kev said, "Nix I swear to Merlin, God, and Christ if you don't have him as our singer I'm disowning you."
Dudley laughed, his cheeks reddening a little "thanks" he said.
"You're in, without a doubt, are you sure you don't have a bit of veela in you?" Nix said.
"Not unless Harry does," Dudley said.
"Oh yeah, your cousins Harry Potter" Nix mentioned, wondering how he could have forgotten, but from the energy that seemed to just pour off Dudley he wasn't surprised.
"Wait, what?" Kev asked looking at Dudley.
"You look nothing alike, seriously, how tall are you? I've heard that he's pretty short" he said.
"Oh, I'm 6 foot. Harry is fairly short" Dudley commented.
"Now that you're in, let's get you signed and we'll have a rehearsal schedule. Also, we should think of a stage name for you, no offense but Dudley isn't exactly a rock name" Nix said.
"None taken," Dudley replied, running a hand through his hair, he couldn't wait to tell Charlie about it.
Xxx
Oliver touched down onto the field, barely even wanting to hold onto his broom for the sheer reason that he was so exhausted and sore he just wanted to collapse into the grass and sleep there forever.
"Great practice, Wood," Jenna Smith mentioned.
"Thanks," he said "you too," he said.
"Thanks, hey I heard you got engaged. Congrats, Percy Weasley right?" she asked.
"Yeah, it was kinda sudden but we've known each other a long time" Oliver replied.
"That's sweet, hey he should come to one of our matches sometimes. The others would be dying to know what he's like to rope in the Oliver Wood" she added.
"Sure, I'll bet our next match would be good," he said, Smith smacked him on the back and ran for the shower he assumed. He debated going for the showers before deciding he'd rather a hot bath at home or maybe an ice bath, he was hot despite the weather quickly heading towards fall weather. He stripped off his gear and scourgified them before placing them in his locker.
He apparated in his sweaty jersey to his apartment, or rather their apartment. Ever since that night, Percy seemed to hate going to his own apartment, claiming Oliver's was homier. Percy's was not only bigger but posh so Oliver's in comparison had horribly mismatched couches and furniture. It just went to show you that Percy preferred comfort over looks.
He opened the door and slumped in, flopping on the couch to take off his shoes. "Don't even think of taking off your smelly socks on that couch" Percy commented, startling him.
"Merlin's effing beard, don't sneak up on me, I'd like to have a full head of hair before I turn 26" Oliver shouted, his heart thumping on his chest. Percy was at a desk in the corner by the window, one that had transformed from junk table to design desk.
He looked up and smiled "it's cute when I get you all worked up," he said standing, as usual at home he wore loose fittings shorts and t-shirt. Today it was one of Olly's bigger jersey's, he'd tied it a little so a sliver of flesh peeked between his shirt and the shorts.
Oliver focused in on it "you better get a shower, Oliver, mum wanted us over for dinner" Percy said. It was becoming a common thing now, since the whole meltdown and Percy's proposal (or Oliver's) she had them over once a week or more for wedding plans and checking up.
"And this is your choice of clothing to get me out?" Oliver asked, his voice lower as he placed his hands on Percy's surprisingly curvy hip. He suspected that Percy's weight always depended on his state of mind, a distraught Percy had always been a skinny one. Now though, he seemed happier and ate more. The result was these amazing fleshy parts like hips, thighs, and bum; it was a wonder he hadn't gone mad.
Percy breathed out a laugh in his right ear sending a tingle through him. "Not my best plan" he admitted "we could always mention that you had an exhausting practice to mum, she'll understand," he said.
"Sure" Oliver agreed "you know I really don't mind your choice of clothing but the lack thereof may be a little nicer. Don't you think?" he muttered kissing Percy's neck. His weak spot because his breath hitched a little and Oliver hooked his thumbs under the jersey his fiance was wearing and dragged slowly then pulled away to take it off.
"Let's take this to a shower or a bath," Percy said.
"Whatever you want, Oliver agreed, dragging his hands all over Percy's back. Percy pressed a kiss to his mouth, the kind that seemed to heat him from inside out even without his tongue getting involved. Oliver was tempted to lift Percy off his feet and carry him to the bath.
Even with the extra padding, Percy had thankfully acquired, he was too easy to pick up. Solid yet light like a rather well-fed cat. Oliver smirked at the thought of thinking of Percy akin to a large tabby cat.
The haughty likeness was already perfect "what's that look about? You are up to no good" Percy pointed out.
"I solemnly swear" he grinned then after a pause he lifted Percy with conviction, Percy squawked with protest.
"Olly!" Percy shrieked, gripping his biceps, Oliver laughed bringing into their small bathroom, he nipped at Percy collarbone on the way. "You are hopeless, Oliver Wood" Percy drawled after he collected himself. That was the thing he loved so desperately about Percy, the thing he was always constantly berated himself for, his pride.
"Well thank Merlin for that, can you imagine how boring we'd be if I had a hope?" Oliver asked. Percy clicked his tongue and carded his hand through Oliver's hair.
"Well, start the water then," Percy said gesturing to the shower.
"Of course," Oliver said setting Percy down gently and ran hot water. Needless to say, they spent a lot more time getting a... er bath then was strictly necessary. In their bedroom, Oliver had already dressed in his jeans and grey shirt but Percy was still deciding.
He'd started branching out lately thanks to Hermione bringing him a muggle fashion magazine once. Percy had started shopping with her and Ginny sometimes, Percy looked less like an uptight old man recently.
Dressing more often in jeans, t-shirts, and with layers. He took a long time to get dressed, not that Oliver minded since he got to look at Percy's perfect body a little longer even if he wore boxers or underwear.
The style was catching too, Hermione's choice of clothing was affecting Ginny's interest in muggle fashion which had affected Harry's. Basically, everyone in their family wore muggle clothing now when not at work. As a result, because of publicity and such, the wizarding world had exploded with the new wave of fashion.
Converse, being Harry's new choice of shoes, and Reebok being Ron's because of Hermione, every wizard and witch needed to be part of the new trend. It was a little bizarre though because Oliver had suddenly been thrust into this celebrity circle that he'd never thought about before.
Every time he went out with Oliver holding hands, there was a paper or magazine the next day dissecting how his t-shirt and cardigan was somehow 'comfortable chic' and Percy's combat boots (at least he thinks that's what Hermione calls them) jeans and Oliver's own jersey was 'sporty.'
Anyway, their individual style of clothing was currently becoming trendy somehow. "Did you hear that Dudley got accepted into Nix's band?" Percy asked, slipping on a white t-shirt than a black hoodie with a white logo. He then put on white jeans.
"No, Nix Maelstrom?" Oliver asked, he was amazingly guitarist "I didn't know he was making a band," he said.
"Neither did anyone else, Dudley got invited randomly by his agent. He sent a letter earlier and mum invited him for dinner, probably because Charlie's practically infatuated with him" Percy grinned.
He sat on the bed and slipped on his red Vans, Oliver tilted his head a bit at the that. A bit plain for Percy… he pulled something from his drawer and put it around his neck. A black velvet choker, oh never mind then, Oliver smiled.
"That makes sense, Dudley will be fine though, he's so charming she'll love him on the spot," Oliver said.
"Yeah but he'll probably have a few panic attacks just working up his courage to even go," Percy said a little fretfully.
"Well, why don't we go after him then?" Oliver said.
"Well… yeah, maybe we should do that" Percy agreed.