Written for Camp Potter: Tech Discovery
Title: Don't think
Character/s: Lucy Weasley, Percy Weasley
Warnings: None
Lucy had always been the quiet one. She had never really gotten along that well with her boisterous, loud cousins who insisted that attention be paid to them at all times, like James and Fred. She had never had the confidence to roll her eyes at them and retreat with her books, like Albus and Rose. She had never been adorable, friendly, and playful like Lily and Hugo. She was the only exception in her family. Not even the media paid much attention to her, something she was secretly jealous of, yet glad of at the same time.
It was something that she pondered while absently pushing her eggs around at the dinner table, and that thought made her very feel lonely.
Standing up, she asked to be excused from the dinner table, and headed up to her room. There, she sat blankly on her bed, wondering what to do. Normally, she would get out a book and maybe read for a couple hours, or do some writing, but her earlier thoughts kept coming back to her and she didn't want to do any activity that required her to be alone. But, she didn't have any friends out in the village, and her cousins were usually doing something or other at this time of day.
Lucy started tearing up. Would she be alone like this for the rest of her life?
She was so preoccupied by her thoughts that she didn't notice the knock at her door. She only registered the presence of another person at the slight creak and dip of her bed. Glancing up, she saw her father glancing down at her in concern.
"What's wrong?" He asked, gently smoothing her bangs back from her face, and grabbing a tissue.
His actions made Lucy tear up again, and despite it all, she found herself spilling out her thoughts to him. He listened quietly, eyes remaining on her for the entirety of the story.
"I just don't fit in, daddy!" she sighed, distraught.
He promptly flicked her in the forehead.
Lucy stared at him in shock. Her mouth moved soundlessly, unable to convey her feelings.
"You're just like me, you know," Her dad said conversationally, "You think too much. Sometimes, you've just got to think with your heart, instead of your brain. And then, I think, you'll see that you've always been a part of the family, and you always will."
"But—"
"No buts! Your daddy had to learn this the hard way, so don't do what I did. Now, are you going to come down, or be by yourself all day?"
Lucy scrunched her brow in thought. Then, hesitantly, she reached for her father's hand, and walked towards the door.
He smiled encouragingly at her. "There's a good girl. Don't forget, a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step."
She nodded, determined to try her best.