Writing Percy is cathartic for me in a lot of ways as he settles into himself, his confidence, and his relationships. We Percy fans are few and far between, but I like to think that it's the oft forgotten older/middle kids from big families who relate to him the most.
We've left off with Percy inheriting his Aunt Muriel's estate in Donegal.
3 Weeks, One Day After The Final Battle
800 Weatherby Way was a beautiful home. It sat on a steep hill overlooking the ocean. Muriel was meticulous about her gardening, and an overflowing patch of early summer flowers, lettuces, and herbs greeted them. Percy could hear the waves distantly. The air was fresh and salty and cool.
On the inside, Muriel seemed to favor floral patterns, tchotchkes, and most of the items in her home were emblazoned with Irish and Ireland-themed colors and imagery. It wasn't awful, but Percy imagined he'd be doing quite a bit of redecorating.
A spacious kitchen with large windows faced out over the ocean, and Percy saw a small walking path outside leading down to a private beach.
"This was always such a beautiful home. Fleur and Bill are set up at Shell Cottage, and Charlie has his little place in Romania. This house is just perfect for you, Percy. It is meant to be a family home. 6 bedrooms and a library, I think. Here," Mum led him through a doorway and down a short hallway, pointing out bedrooms and bathrooms and a spacious study. At the very end of the hallway, there was the small library, with windows on three sides. Cozy chairs with handmade afghans were scattered, each sitting in a little pool of sunshine. Percy smiled.
"It's nice, Mum,"
"Oh, it is. Muriel left her possessions to me, but any of the furniture or kitchen things, whatever you need, please feel free to keep,"
"You can pick first, Mum, I'm sure Aunt Muriel would have wanted you to have her cookware," He'd seen it in the kitchen. Gorgeous, perfectly seasoned cast iron, shiny copper pans, and glossy ceramic. Matching salt and pepper shakers and spice and flour containers. It looked like a picture from a magazine.
Mum wasn't listening. She'd stooped to look at a framed photo, seated by the comfiest and more worn-looking chair that overlooked the largest window. Percy joined her, crouching to see the picture.
The picture appeared to have been taken in the parlor of the house. Aunt Muriel was seated in the center, surrounded by her family. Percy saw himself as a young child with all of his siblings, save Ginny, but mum's pregnant belly was large. He recognized his uncles, Fabian and Gideon. The photo was faded from sun and age, but the figures still moved. Bill and Charlie sat criss cross applesauce on the carpet. Fred and George made funny faces for the camera. Percy held onto toddler Ron's hand. Uncle Fabian and Uncle Gideon each had an arm around Dad in the back row, and Mum held Muriel's hand, her other hand resting on her belly. Percy also recognized his mother's cousin, Alice Prewitt Longbottom and her husband Frank. Alice held a squirming baby Neville in her arms.
"That was the last family get-together, before," Mum trailed off. Percy could easily guess. This was taken the last summer before Ginny was born, when the war was really beginning to get serious. Fabian and Gideon had been killed that winter, and Alice and Frank had been found in their home only days after Harry Potter had been declared as You-Know-Who's vanquisher.
Mum was teary-eyed. Percy picked up the photo frame and placed it into his mother's hands.
"This was Auntie Muriel's favorite photo, mum. She must have sat here everyday to read, right next to it," Mum choked out a sob, and Percy wrapped his arms around her.
4 weeks after the battle
Over the next week, Percy spent every spare moment that he wasn't at the ministry or with Hermione working feverishly to move out of his apartment on Acacia Avenue and into 800 Weatherby Way. Mum helped during the day, washing linens and sorting through Muriel's old clothing and knick-knacks. Fleur joined Percy after work a few times, and Mum bade Fleur help her divide the kitchen equipment between the two of them and Percy. Fleur graciously accepted Muriel's vast collection of cookbooks from all over the world, as well as the delicate, floral printed tea set and several other fine pieces.
Percy knew there was a bit of history of contempt between his mother and his sister-in-law, but they seemed to be at peace with each other as they bonded over vintage cookware. Percy himself was very pleased to have developed a friendship with Fleur. They'd both had experiences being outsiders in the family and even now sometimes floated on the outside of the family group when everyone was together. Fleur's knack for international politics and enjoyment of french cooking and fine music gave the pair plenty to talk about.
One evening towards the end of the week, while Mum was occupied with Dad in sorting out gardening equipment in the shed, Percy and Fleur began to make up the beds in each of the guest rooms with clean, well-worn sheets and quilts. Percy couldn't help but notice that Fleur looked...a little less than her usual self. She was quiet, save for Percy's small talk. Together, they fluffed pillows and folded blankets, and they were nearly done when Percy accidentally knocked over an antique bottle of perfume that was displayed on the nightstand.
It shattered on the hardwood floor. The smell of musty geraniums and bergamot filled the room. It was strong, maybe even a little overpowering, but Percy didn't mind it. He took out his wand to clean up the broken glass and clear the smell when Fleur gagged, leaned over, vomited into the bedside wastebasket.
"Fleur? Are you alright?"
"I am fine," She rasped, eyes closed, "Just give me a moment. And please, get rid of the smell," Percy waved his wand, and both the smell, the mess in the Fleur's trash can, and the broken perfume bottle were gone within moments. Percy conjured a glass of water and handed it to Fleur, along with a handkerchief to wipe her mouth.
"Thank you," she said, after a moment. She took a seat on the bed. Percy sat beside her.
"Are you ill? I could take you home,"
"No, I am not ill. Quite the opposite, actually," Fleur smiled shyly, "I found out a few days ago that I am pregnant,"
"Pregnant?!" Percy yelped. Fleur shot him an annoyed look and waved her wand, sending a basic silencing shield around the room even though Mum was outside.
"Bill and I are not telling many people yet. We want to wait until I am further along,"
"Of course, I won't tell anyone else,"
"It was a surprise to us," Fleur continued, "When I took the test and it came back positive. But I've discovered that the name of "morning sickness" is a mistake. I am sick all of the time," she rolled her eyes ruefully.
"I'm sorry to hear that. But I'm so happy for you and Bill, congratulations,"
"Thank you," Fleur smiled again, "I am feeling a little better now, should we get back to work?"
Percy was, along with being overjoyed for Bill and Fleur and excited to become an uncle, was inwardly incredibly pleased to have been taken into Fleur's confidence. He was, after all, excellent at keeping secrets.
4 weeks, 1 day after the battle
After a long day of work, Percy went to St. Mungo's in the early evening to collect Hermione. They'd first be going to the apartment on Acacia Avenue to collect the last of their belongings and hand over Percy's keys, then he'd be taking her to his new home.
It was simple enough for Hermione to sign the discharge papers, and it was the work of a few minutes to pack up the last of her belongings and the animals from Acacia Avenue and check beneath and behind the remaining furniture for any miscellaneous forgotten items. Percy locked the doors and slid his keys into an envelope. The landlord had been willing to allow Percy to break his lease on such short notice, in order to sign it over to Dean Thomas, who would be officially moving in the following week with his mother and two sisters, who had just returned from their refuge in Bulgaria.
Finally, Hermione scooped up Crookshanks and Percy held Juno in one arm. They apparated to the front walk outside of 800 Weatherby Way. Hermione swayed slightly, but once she got her bearings, she gasped.
"Percy, it's beautiful!"
"Wait until you see the inside,"
Fleur had offered to make supper for them, and so Percy was expecting to see her and Bill in the kitchen. But he was not expecting to see the entire Weasley clan, including Fred, assembled under a banner, balloons, and confetti.
"Surprise! Welcome home Percy and Hermione!"
Well, so much for keeping Hermione's new home a secret from his parents. Percy allowed Mum to fuss over Hermione and show her to the room she'd made up for her on the south side of the house.
Percy thought it was definitely intentional that his Mum had selected Hermione's room to be closest to the library...and furthest from Percy's room.
There were finger sandwiches and hors d'oeuvres and laughter and the radio played music. Fred was allowed out of the hospital on a day pass until 9pm, and George sat with his twin at the table, keeping him company and discreetly cleaning up spilled food from Fred's lap. Fleur was sipping plain mint tea instead of the Mint Julep that she'd prepared for everyone else, smiling slyly at Percy when he noticed.
Percy also noticed that Harry was drinking the Mint Julep much more quickly than anyone else. Ginny seemed to notice as well. Percy caught her adding soda water to Harry's glass when she thought no one was looking.
When everyone was seated with food and drink, Percy tapped his fork on his glass to get their attention.
"Hello everyone, thank you all for coming and helping me celebrate my new home, and celebrating Hermione's release from the hospital. I hope you all know that you are welcome here any time. Cheers," He'd practiced that little speech in the bathroom for five minutes, and it was well-received as everyone clinked their glasses and drank.
As fun as it was to have a surprise housewarming party, Hermione and Fred were both low on energy. Percy gently began to shoo people out of the door as the sun finished setting, until only Fleur and Bill remained to help clean up. Hermione sat perched on a kitchen stool, head resting on her good arm.
"If you would like to shower and dress for bed, Hermione, I can show you where to find towels," Fleur offered. The women disappeared down the hall.
"So, how does it feel, moving in with your girlfriend?" Bill asked, directing dishes to suds themselves in the sink. Percy considered for a moment.
"It feels...well, it feels right. We lived together last summer, too," Bill eyebrows rose.
"Did you? You haven't been together that long, though?"
"No, she moved in with me after she sent her parents to Australia last June. We've been together since...New Year's maybe?" Percy realized he didn't exactly know. "Or maybe it was after the battle?"
"Don't know your anniversary?" Bill teased lightly, tossing him a damp cloth to wipe the counter with.
"Does it matter?" Percy shrugged, "We are together. I'm confident about that. It's just the details are...hazy,"
"It'll work itself out," Bill assured him, "Best not let mum know that you were living together back then. You know how she is,"
"Yes, her traditional values and all," Mum's traditional values seemed vaguely hypocritical, given Bill's birthdate in relation to his parents' wedding date. None of the Weasley kids ever dared bring this up, of course.
"If you ever want to talk about anything...related to your disregard of traditional values..." Bill segued, glancing at Percy briefly but not keeping eye contact, "You can talk to me."
"Oh," Oh God. Was Bill offering Percy advice on intimate matters? Percy stopped wiping the counter, trying to think of a response.
Bill must have read Percy's expression.
"Yes, I am offering to give you sex advice, should you need it. That's what big brothers are for. And big sisters, for that matter, I imagine that's what Hermione and Fleur are talking about right now,"
Percy blushed at the thought of Fleur giving Hermione intimate advice.
"No pressure, or anything. What you two choose to do or not do is your own business. Just...wanted to be sure you knew you could ask me about stuff, if you need to,"
"Thanks. I...er, appreciate it. I don't have anything questions right now though," Percy returned to wiping down the counter.
"Anyways," Bill segued again, "Fleur told you about our big news, right?"
"Right, she did! Congratulations!" Percy smiled, glad for the change of subject. Bill grinned, the scars on his face twisting.
"We're going to wait a bit before we tell Mum and the others, so keep it quiet for now. It was...definitely a surprise,"
"Given the number of times all of us accidentally caught you two in the middle of 'something', I'm not sure it'll be a surprise to everyone else," Percy joked. It was somehow easier to talk about sex when it wasn't himself actually having the sex.
Bill only chuckled.
After Fleur and Bill left for the evening, Hermione appeared again. She wore clean muggle sleep clothes and had placed her hair in two braids.
"There you are," Percy said, coming to embrace her. He'd turned out most of the lights in the kitchen, and was in the process of closing up the house for the night, locking doors and setting the security wards. Bill's offer for advice was still in the back of his mind and he knew he was still blushing, so the dim light was also serving to hide his face.
"This was a lovely evening. I'm glad your family came to surprise us,"
"So am I, but I'm exhausted. Ready for bed?" Percy hoped Hermione didn't notice his voice waver at the question.
"Yes, I'm so tired," Hermione paused for a long moment. "I don't want to be presumptuous, Percy. But the bedroom your mother set me up in...it's awfully far away from yours," She smiled slyly.
"You know," Percy said, feeling off-balance and a little warm from his own alcoholic beverage, "I think you're right. I was rather hoping you'd be willing to join me in my room," The words hung between them for a few moments.
"I was rather hoping you would ask me that," She smiled, shyly this time.
They convened in Percy's room, the master bedroom on the second floor with the large, grand windows facing the water. Percy opened one of the windows a little bit to hear the ocean waves.
Hermione crawled into bed beside him. Percy was struck with the realization that they'd never actually slept in the same bed before. Same room, yes. Naps on the couch together, yes. But never in the same bed. Percy had never slept in the same bed with any girl before, for that matter.
Moving into a big, beautiful house with his girlfriend was definitely not what Percy had imagined he'd be doing at age twenty-one. All of this was so new. He was nervous. And excited.
And exhausted. Hermione yawned, which made him yawn, which made them both laugh.
"Ready to turn the light out?"
"Yeah," He did so. They settled under the covers. Percy was a side sleeper. Hermione was evidently also a side sleeper, and they wound up both facing out towards the window. After a moment, Percy reached out and slid a hand around Hermione's waist, closing the gap between them. She was warm, and the cotton of her sleeping shirt was soft. He couldn't remember ever being so cozy before.
"Good night, Percy,"
"Good night, Hermione,"