Disclaimer and notes on prologue. This is the edited for copy. This chapter however did not include any sex scenes so no edits were ncessary.

Chapter Five

He was cursed there was simply no other explanation for it. He had joked with Oliver Earlier in the week that his agreeing to go out with Oliver's team mate after the game would some how involve running into Amanda. He now realized that either he had some undiscovered gift of seeing the future or he was cursed.

He had run into Amanda in the stands of the Stadium where Puddlemire's game was being played. Even worse she turned out to be good friends with the younger Susan Bones the person Oliver's team mate was actually dating so of course it had come out that Percy was dating one of her boyfriend's team mates. So he was most definitely cursed.

"Isn't this great we can sit here watch the game and talk," Amanda said cheerfully from where she was sitting one spot over. "I mean who would have guessed when Susan told me we were going out to meet one of her boyfriends mates with his boyfriend that it would turn out to be you."

If he hadn't promised Oliver that he'd be at this game he'd have made an excuse and apparated away at the first opportunity. "Yes, It was quiet a surprise," he said carefully trying to keep his voice pleasant. After years of being told not to be rude he was finding it incredibly tempting to just tell her to shove off. Of course he wouldn't do that while annoying she was trying to be his friend and she was friends with the girlfriend of one of Oliver's team mates.

"So which one is your boyfriend, I'm terrible with names?" Amanda asked after a moment clearly surveying the team. "I know the seeker Thomas Hardy is dating Susy," She said glancing at Susan Bones who was on her way back with a few snacks. "Which one is yours again?"

"Oliver Wood, The Keeper," He said wishing Susan would get back to take her place between them again. He would inform Oliver in no uncertain terms that any other games he came to he was not to be seated anywhere near Susan and her friends.

"Sorry it took so long," Susan said as she arrived back and handed over a few items to Amanda. "Did the two of you have a good talk?" she gave Percy a knowing look which meant that she had picked up on his annoyance at Amanda at least.

"The best I can't believe that the keeper is gay," Amanda said cheerfully. "I mean I knew someone as good looking as Percy would land a winner but damn that man is impressive." He felt an odd mixture of being complimented and insulted at the same time. It was nice that Amanda thought he was attractive but her comments implied he wasn't good enough to land Oliver. "Hey can I ask which of you takes it up..."

"That's enough Amanda," Susan said sternly. "This isn't the place to ask private questions like that." He wanted to add that there was no such place but he supposed at least not in the stadium was the best he could hope for.

He did his best to focus on the game and cheer for Oliver but the fact Amanda was sitting so close was distracting. At least it looked like Puddlemire would win easily enough in no small part thanks to Oliver's excellent goal tending. He would never be able to deal with a post defeat Oliver and Amanda in the same day. He'd end up telling Amanda to shove off and probably hurting her feelings which was something he'd rather avoid.

"Looks like they'll be in a good mood tonight," Susan said after a moment. "All Tom has to do is catch the snitch and it'll be a complete shut out." He knew that so far even if the other team caught the snitch Puddlemire would win but he could tell Susan was hoping for a shut out. "If Tom misses it then I'll never hear the end of it."

"Neither will Tom," Percy said knowing with complete certainly that Oliver would not shut up about it all night tonight. He saw her giving him a knowing look and remembered that Susan had been in Ron's year and thus had been exposed to stories about Oliver Wood's legendary obsession with Quidditch that made him seem Odd even by the normal standards of Quidditch obsessed fans.

"So you and Oliver," Susan said after a moment. "You know there were rumors about you two in school a lot of folks tried to tell Penelope Clearwater that she was making a mistake dating you." He hadn't known that and his surprise must have shown. "So Penelope never asked you about them?"

"No, as far as I knew no one ever suspected a thing about either one of us and we weren't together when I first started dating Penny," He was careful to phrase it that way as his past with Oliver was none of her business.

"Well folks used to say it was weird that you too were such close friends since Oliver was Quidditch obsessed and you were rule obsessed." Susan said. "I only ever over heard bits and pieces of some of the older students talking."

"There were never any rumors amongst Gryffindore," He said thinking back. "Most folks didn't actually believe Oliver and I were that friendly since he was often busy with Quidditch and I was doing my duties as a prefect." He looked way. "I think Penelope must have suspected something because she figured out who I was dating quickly enough when I saw her again recently."

"You two really aren't being that shy about being involved are you?" Susan said after a moment. "I mean I heard about you because of Amanda but I wasn't sure you were really okay with it being out there so much."

"We decided that since last time we allowed our career goals and fears to prevent us from having one this time we would be open about things," He said to her. "I might arrange my coming out at work differently if I could change history and not tell Amanda in such a fashion that she then goes and leaks it to the entire building."

"Yeah, I couldn't believe she did that but she did swear that she apologized to you for doing it," Susan said obviously curious if her friend has done so or not. "She did apologize," she asked glancing over at her friend who was currently flirting with a guy in the next row down.

"Yes she apologized," He said quickly not wanting the hassle of a fight starting between them because of him. "She did so the very same day it happened." He wondered if Susan had anything to do with that if the story of it being over heard might not have been an exaggeration to avoid culpability. Still there was no reason to drag up old baggage the matter was settled.

"Looks like we won," Susan said as the crowed erupted in cheers as her boyfriend finally caught the snitch. He was glad because he hadn't been looking forward to a long game of just waiting for the snitch to get caught while the score divide just got bigger and bigger. He enjoyed a good game but this wasn't a good their opponents for today had been playing terribly.

They made their way out of the stands and headed toward the area where they could wait for the players to come out of the locker rooms. "That guy I was talking to earlier is going to meet us at the club later," Amanda said brightly. "He seems like a really great guy." She then zeroed in on him again. "Are you and Oliver going to dance at the club?"

"I don't dance," he said instantly which was the truth. He had been taught a few formal dances by his mother but in general he had never had much use for it. He could easily picture how bad he would look even attempting to dance in a club.

"Oh but are the two of you going to be open in public or should we pretend the two of you are just good friends," Amanda asked giving him a questioning look. "I mean you get what I'm asking right?"

"You are asking how open we are going to be," He said carefully. "If someone ask we will be honest but neither of us are the public display of affection type." Which wasn't completely true he had a feeling if Oliver ever played for a national team and won the world cup he might get snogged in public out of excitement but most of the time neither of them were that exuberant in public.

"Oh I guess I understand that," Amanda said and then promptly forgot about him to turn and start talking to another of her friends that she saw walking past. He wondered exactly how many people she knew. He'd met plenty of people like her who had massive amounts of friends but he'd never understood them. His own trouble making friends had led to him being rather insular.

He did know one good thing that would come out of this evening. Oliver would now know exactly what he meant when he mentioned Amanda getting on his nerves. He knew her exuberance would quickly wear on Oliver's patience unless she happened to be talking about Quidditch he would get annoyed quickly. "She really gets on your nerves doens't she?" Susan asked him quietly. "Yes, I can tell she has that effect on some people."

"I'm trying not to dislike her but some of her actions make it difficult," He admitted. "How is it that you don't seem bothered by her?" He asked hoping that Amanda wouldn't suddenly over hear them and trouble erupt.

"I just remind myself she doesn't mean any harm and she's loyal once you're her friend," Susan said from where she was sitting. "Besides she's great fun at parties if you're the party type." Of course no one had ever said he was the party type. "Here they come," She said pointing to where Percy and her boyfriend Thomas were emerging and heading toward them.

"Ready to go," Thomas asked as he gave Susan a quick kiss. He and Oliver just exchanged a nod. He was personally waiting to see what happened when Amanda noticed Oliver, and he was sure it was going to be quiet a show. "I see Amanda is with you," Thomas said with a smile. "You'll love this chick Ol, she's hilarious."

He watched as Amanda saw Oliver and grabbed him into a tight hug. He suppressed a flash of jealousy that quickly changed to amusement when she said something to Oliver in his ear that caused Oliver to step back from her in shock. As they were making their way out Oliver walked over and asked quietly. "Did one of you hex her or is she taking the mickey?" Oliver looked disturbed. "She just asked which one of us took it up the bum when we were in bed."

"Now you know I wasn't exaggerating," He said as they walked toward the exit of the stadium. "Just remember this next time you wonder why I complained about running into her at work." He said and saw Oliver give him a weak smile.

"It's a bit too early to head to the club," Thomas said as they were leaving. "So let's go back to my place for a few drinks and then we'll find a restaurant and head to the club after we all eat." He privately would have rather had some time alone with Oliver before they had to go to the club but Oliver was already agreeing.

He privately wondered where Thomas would live he'd seen Oliver's place but he doubted most Quidditch players lived like Oliver who's flat before they got back together had basically been a place to sleep until it was time to play Quidditch again. "So where does Thomas live?" he asked Oliver once they were outside the stadium.

"He lives in Hogsmeade, he inherited one of his families homes when he came of age," Oliver said. "Just let me guide you there when we go to apparate." He felt Oliver's hand grab his arm and he prepared himself for the shock of apparating with someone else. He was a bit surprised when they arrived at a much larger house than he expected. He had never heard of Thomas' family so he'd assumed they were not that rich. "His dad was a rich Muggleborn who still owns plenty of businesses in the muggle world." Oliver said as an explanation. "They don't seem that rich by wizard standards but they have plenty of capital in the muggle world that they convert whenever they want something in our world."

"Which means the ministry doesn't even count them as that wealthy," He said shaking his head. "The perfect tax dodge since the ministry only taxes what they earn from wizard endeavors," Percy said impressed. "I think I might have to look into investing in the muggle world then." He wondered if that was why the goblins of Gringotts took in so much muggle money threw conversion. The ministry had never cared why the goblins did it only that they did so they didn't have to bother with helping muggleborn's buy the necessary supplies.

"Wow this place is incredible," Amanda said cheerfully. "Do you have a brother?" She asked excitedly as she looked around. "I mean really do you have a brother?" He saw Oliver shaking his head in disbelief.

"He's out of the country now on a trip to the America's for our muggle business interest but when he gets back I'll introduce you," He glanced over at Oliver who looked equally confused. "I have to warn you though he's more of a fan of muggle girls than he is witches."

"I can change that," Amanda said proudly. "He won't know what hit him." Thomas laughed loudly as he looked at Oliver and saw him shaking his head. "So do you have a hot tub in this place?" She was smiling. "I could do with a good soak."

"Sure but it'll have to wait till later we are just here for a drink before we go get something to eat," Thomas said cheerfully. "Now who wants Fire whiskey," He said going to a cabinet and opening pulling out a bottle as soon as they were all inside.

"I'll pass," He said quickly as there was no way he was drinking Fire whiskey around these people he needed to keep his head. He glanced over to Oliver and nodded his head to tell him to go on if he wanted.

"I'll join Percy in staying clear headed," Oliver said refusing the drink. "I'll wait and have a drink at the club don't want to over do it since we've got training on Monday." He saw Thomas frown and wondered what he was thinking.

"You know Oliver you really take Quidditch too seriously," Thomas said before laughing. "It won't kill you to get drunk once in your life." He saw Oliver scowl before slapping on the smile he wore for team mates after a victory.

"I believe in being the best player possible," Oliver said calmly. "After all even if you hadn't caught the snitch me and the chasers had assured a victory." He ignored the by play and glanced around the home. It was impressive and he was again reminded that perhaps there were business opportunities in the muggle world that he had never considered exploring.

"You'll never change Oliver," the other man said shaking his head. "Sometimes I don't know why I bother trying to get you to loosen up." The other man suddenly looked at Percy. "Does Oliver ever stop thinking and talking about Quidditch at all?"

"Sometimes," He said as casually as he could. He had never been good at joining in with banter and didn't know how serious to take this arguement. He couldn't tell if it was two team mates taking the piss or real annoyance on the part of Oliver and Thomas.

"Hey you guys should see his bathroom," Amanda said apparently reappearing. He was surprised that he hadn't noticed her leaving. "I mean all of us could fit in that shower it's amazing." She then blushed crimson. "Not that I'm saying we should all get in the shower."

"I don't think Susan would like it very much if you were," Thomas said laughing loudly. "What did I tell you Ol this girl is hilarious." Thomas was laughing and he found himself feeling slightly sorry for Amanda who looked clearly embarrassed by his comment.

He walked off a ways and waited until Oliver wandered over close enough to ask him quietly so no one else would here. "Is he always like this?" He asked hoping that it was only the post victory high or some other reason because Thomas really getting on his nerves.

"Not usually," Oliver said with a frown. "He can be a jack ass sometimes but normally he's not this bad." He looked around with a frown. "Hopefully he'll back pedal some cause if not we are out of here."

"Thomas that's enough," Susan said her clearly annoyed her voice carrying. "What is wrong with you tonight," She asked clearly annoyed. He glanced over at her and saw she was clearly angry. She went up in his estimation because he'd been assuming she was a terrible judge of character.

"Sorry, I'm just excited my mate, Oliver, is back going out with us not blowing us off again," Thomas said shooting an annoyed glance over at him. He saw Oliver tense but he grabbed his arm quickly to stop him. "Sorry that was kind of out of line." Thomas said. "Sorry, I shouldn't be acting like this."

"You're forgiven," Oliver said though his arm was still tense. "So why don't we all go out to dinner, I don't think you need to drink any more fire whiskey." He was glad Oliver said that because the sooner they ate the sooner they would go to the club. Which they could then leave it earlier even though he expected they would be stuck there at the club for a while.

"Yeah lets go I got us a reservation at that great place we went to last week Susan," Thomas said obviously trying to get back on her good side. "We might be a bit early but it shouldn't be a long wait."

"That sounds nice," Susan said thawing slightly. "They have this really great pasta dish that is covered in three kinds of cheese." He noticed that Amanda recovered after that and began to talk earnestly about all her favorite past dishes. "We can walk there it's not too far from here," Susan said when Amanda stopped to take a breath.

They left Thomas' large house and began to make their way down the streets. He wasn't surprised that they were making their way toward the sections of Hogsmeade that students from the school usually didn't go to. The sections aimed more at the adult witch and wizards who lived here threw out the year and didn't depend on the pocket change filled students for a share of their profits.

"I haven't been here often," Amanda said looking around. "I only really remember Hogsmeade from school during those weekends." She was looking around excitedly. "I had no idea this street of restaurants and clubs even existed."

"Yeah it mainly caters to the out of school crowd," Susan said cheerfully. "A lot of the clubs don't open until long after the students are back in the school on the Hogsmeade weekends." She pointed out a tattoo parlor. "There are other options that aren't allowed to cater to underage wizards."

"Hey Perce, do you remember that time Fred and George tried to give each other tattoos of the Gryffindore lion in third year," Oliver said smiling. "They turned themselves orange and couldn't move their arms for a week."

"Yes, Mother sent them each a howler over that," Percy said smiling at the memory. "She also told them if she ever caught them with a real tattoo she'd dye them permanently pink." He was still smiling as he pictured their outraged reactions to that statement. "I wonder if she'd still try it if George finally got a tattoo."

"Maybe you should put him up to and see," Thomas said after a moment. "He and Fred hexed me once to have these giant musical boils on my backside that sang when I sat down." After that the walk became a series of recollections by all of them to the antics of his twin brothers.

"I remember the time they got our prefect the one before Penelope who worse those horrible glasses," Amanda said laughing. "They made him belch out curse words for three days." They arrived at the restaurant then.

"I remember that one Amanda," He said smiling for the first time genuinely at her. "They told me that it was practice for when I got the prefects badge." They arrived at the restaurant then and managed to get a table immediately.

Thomas ended up ordering a bottle of good wine to start things off and suggested a toast to Fred and George they all naturally agreed to. A few more toast and some excellent food and then they paid and made their way to the club. "I think I may have drunk a bit too much at dinner," He told Oliver as they settled into a booth at the club while Thomas and Amanda headed to get more drinks.

"Me too," Oliver said his words having a slight slur. "Maybe we should order something non alcoholic next," He looked around with a lazy smile. "I mean after the drinks Tom already paid for of course." He agreed but some how it became after the next drink and then after the next drink.

He opened his eyes in a strange bed the next morning twisted up with Oliver with a severe hangover and aching in several places. "Oliver," He said shaking the other man. "Oliver, where are we?" He asked shaking him even harder.

"In hell," Oliver said opening his eye obviously in a similar state as him. "I think we are in one of Thomas guest bedrooms." He shook his head. "I can't really remember too much after the third or fourth drink at the club what about you?"

He tried to think but his back was killing him and biceps were bothering him as well. "I don't know he closed his eyes and stretched. He heard Oliver gasp and opened his eyes to see Oliver staring at him. "What is it?"

"Hey Perce check out your arms," He looked down at his arms and saw celtic knotwork tattoos on both of them. The one on his right shoulder was done in vivid scarlet and the one on his left in bright blue. The circular patterns set above a celtic bands that were done in the same colors. "Also there's a dragon on your back a really nice one but it looks expensive."

It was then that he noticed Oliver was sporting a matching set of tattoos with the color's reversed he guessed so when they held each other they matched up. "Let me see your back you've got the arms matching."

Oliver looked down at himself and then turned over. "So what do I have on my back the way it's itching it has to be something." It was a large ink black dragon that looked very expensive. Magical tattoos were quicker to put on than Muggle tattoos but he still had no idea how they got them.

"It's a large black dragon," He said and began feeling for his wand on the tables. "We need to take these things off now." It shouldn't be too hard to remove. He found his wand and was about to start work on his arm when Oliver grabbed his hand.

"You better check to make sure they aren't permanent you wouldn't want to loose an arm," Oliver said warning clear in his tone. He knew it wasn't likely but some wizards and witches were stupid enough to ask for a permanent charm placed on the tattoos. "I mean I don't think we were that drunk but you should check just to be sure."

He muttered a quick spell to reveal the presence of charms and frowned when it was revealed. He pu this wand on Oliver's copy of the tattoos and muttered the same spell. "I can't believe it we were both drunk and stupid enough to have them made permanent."

There was a knock at the door then. "Are you guys descent?" Thomas asked form the other side of the door and when they called they were he entered sporting a large trophy surrounded by ribbons done in Puddlemire colors on his bare chest. "So uh it looks like we all got drunk and hit a tattoo artist are yours permanent too?"

"Yeah unfortunately," Oliver said since he was still fuming. "Can you remember how it hapened?" Oliver asked after a moment. "I mean I've never cared one way or the other about tattoos but Percy here definitely isn't the type to get a tattoo let alone five in one go." He certainly hoped it was only five he hadn't checked anywhere else yet.

"Uh I don't remember a thing but Susan says she remembered it all being a big joke at first and no one actually meaning to go through with it but we all kept egging each other on." He said shaking his head. "I'm really sorry I had no idea a night would lead to this."

"I'm sure we can hide them with a concealing charm," He said speaking up. He was still furious about waking up with them but he had no one to blame but himself. He had never been a heavy drinker and allowing himself to get that drunk had been a mistake. "At the very least I don't usually wear anything that will show them."

"That's certainly true," Oliver said with a weak smile. "You on the other hand Thomas are going to get teased mercilessly in the locker room over that design choice." He watched as Thomas turned an interesting shade of red before inviting them down to breakfast and leaving the room. Once he was out of the room Oliver looked at him. "Are you pissed at me for convincing you to come along?"

"I'm not pissed at anyone but myself for getting that drunk," He said honestly. "And despite it's lousy start last night was actually fun until we got too drunk to think straight." He felt his voice getting horse. "I need to get some water to drink," He said getting up and pulling on his clothes from last night.

Oliver did the same and they slowly made their way threw the massive house to Thomas' kitchen where he was sitting with Susan and Amanda both of whom looked bad but not as bad he felt. "So how bad are the ones you guys are stuck with?" Amanda asked sounding way too chipper this morning. "I lucked out and just a got a butterfly on the small of my back but poor Susan has these giant wings across her whole back."

"I'm just glad we didn't go to a muggle tattoo parlor like you suggested Amanda," Susan said darkly. "It would have taken them hours to do that much work and I'd probably have ended up with something half finished."

"But a muggle done tattoo would be easily removed," He said interrupting. "Instead we went a wizard artist and in our drunken stupor asked them to make them permanent." He frowned. "Do either of you remember where we had them done we should probably file a complaint since we were obviously too drunk to make that decision."

"I seem to remember Thomas dumping a bunch of gold out to pay for everything under the table so I doubt they'd even admit to it if you filed a complaint," Susan said shaking her head. "Plus, none of us who work the ministry really need to advertise we got so stupidly drunk that we all got tattoos." She looked over at Amanda. "So feel free to show that tattoo off but be sure you don't tell folks you were drunk and leave Percy and me out of the story."

"Don't worry I wasn't planning on showing this off," Amanda said. "Maybe I'll show a boyfriend when I get one but I'm not showing any of those harpies we work with." That was the first time he'd ever heard her say something disparaging about anyone at the ministry.

"I think Oliver and I should be leaving," He said speaking up after drinking a few glasses of water and quickly downing the supplied breakfast. He glanced over at Oliver who nodded and he turned back. "Thank you for the evening and we will see you all another time."

It didn't take long after they were gone to apparate back to his flat. "I'm going to check on Hermes and then take a shower are you going to join me?" He hoped Oliver would say yes but the other man was extremely quiet this morning.

"Sure," Oliver said after a moment. "Are you going to tell your mum about the tattoos or are you going to just avoid ever being shirtless without a concealing charm on them?" Oliver was giving him a strange look. "Because your mum was talking about a family trip to the sea once things calmed down."

He had completely forgotten about his mother mentioning that a few weeks ago at Sunday dinner before he'd told her they were planning to move in together. "I don't know neither option is that appealing." He shook his head. "If I don't tell her and she finds out it'll be worse but telling her is sure to be unpleasant." He shook his head. "I will have to tell her, there is no way that I can guarantee she won't find out sooner or later." He was picturing how much glee George would take in revealing it if he found out.

"Okay good cause I wasn't going to conceal mine at all," Oliver said smiling a bit. "I just didn't know what you were going to say when your mum saw mine." He went and let Hermes who was a bit annoyed out of his cage and then out a window to stretch his wings. He made it to the bathroom to see Oliver admiring his new back tattoo in the mirror. "It's the same as yours we really did go for a matching set," Oliver said with an odd tone.

He walked up behind Oliver and ran his hand down the design. "It really is neat looking," he admitted. "I just never saw myself as the tattoo type." He said and saw Oliver grinning widely. "You realize that as soon as I tell my mother she's going to convince herself that you're a bad influence and your going to get a frosty reception for a while."

"Yeah I kind of feel like a bad influence though so it's okay," Oliver said walking toward him. "Get your clothes off and lets make sure we haven't got any other surprise tattoos." He stripped while Oliver watched. "You've got a bunny on your ass?" Oliver then laughed loudly when he tried to see it in the mirror. "Just kidding."

"That was not funny," He said glaring at Oliver as he went and turned on the shower. "Joke about it again and you might wake up with one on your ass." He had to hide a smile as he heard Oliver laughing behind him so he quickly stepped into the spray of the shower.

"The shower is nice and all," Oliver said sliding in behind him. "But we need to make sure there's a large tub in wherever we end up." He glanced at Oliver. "I think it'd be nice to just lay back in a nice huge bath covered in warm water with you."

He found himself blushing at he thought about it. "It certainly has a certain appeal he managed after a moment." He was enjoying the water relaxing him but he still a bit too hung over for any vague thoughts to turn into actual sex. "We really should take the time to pull some listings in areas far away from the ones my mother delivered."

"Not really in the mood for romance are you?" Oliver said shaking his head. "I can't blame you I still feel like I got hit by a bludger myself." They finished up the shower and then ended up collapsing back in bed to sleep off the rest of their hang over. He was shaken awake by Oliver some time later. "Your owl is vindictive, did you know that Percy?"

"Hermes?" He asked in confusion and Oliver handed him a letter clearly from his mother that Hermes had apparently brought. He read it and then turned to look at his owl which was sitting on his cage looking smugly satisfied. "So he turned up and Mum used him to deliver an invitation to a dinner tonight that George wants everyone to attend."

"Why does George want everyone to attend?" Oliver asked sounding wary. "I mean it doesn't fill me with confidence that George is specifically asking for everyone to show up." He could understand that a quick glance back down at the note confirmed that Oliver was right to be worired.

"He wants to demonstrate some of his new products and get feedback form the family on them," He said shaking his head. "So prepare to be pranked at least once unless George is still too nervous around you to do anything."

"Oh no I won't be that lucky," Oliver said shaking his head. "He'll have gotten over it enough to prank me unless maybe I flirt with him a bit you wouldn't mind would you it's for a good cause?" Oliver asked with a pleading expression.

"As much fun as seeing George's reaction would be I don't want to know what he'd do for revenge when he calmed down." He said just picturing what George might do to Oliver. "I think it best that we simply put up with any pranks he does and count on my mother to keep him from going to far."

"All right I guess," Olive said shaking his head. "So are you going to head over early and let your mum freak out about the tattoos, or wait and tell her another time." He closed his eyes and tried to think about.

"I'll go early," He said opening his eyes. "I just know that somehow George will expose them if I don't get it over with all ready." He looked over at Oliver. "Do you want to come along or will you be arriving later?"

"No offense Perce, But your mum terrifies me I'll come later and do the laundry while your gone," Oliver said not the least bit ashamed of hiding from his mother. "Just make sure she doesn't poison my food or something in revenge for letting you get drunk."

"I'll make sure she doesn't," He said getting up and beginning to get dressed. "I suppose I should go get this over with." He immediately went to the closet and pulled on hand knitted jumper his mother had given him it never hurt to appeal to her motherly instincts. "If she doesn't kill me I should be back to get you for the dinner in an hour or two." Oliver nodded as he gave Hermes an affectionate stroke and then left the flat to go face the music.

He arrived at the burrow and was surprised to Bill there helping his mother with the meal. Bill never cooked which immediately made him curious. "Why are you helping cook?" He asked as soon as his mother left the room to get something.

"Mum sent a letter to ask Fleur to help since George sprang this on her with such short notice but Fleur is going to be out all day so I came," Bill said shaking his head. "I don't think I'm being much help though."

"No, you're not," He said seeing what Bill was attempting to do. "Move over and I'll do it." Bill nodded and stepped aside. Their mother returned soon enough and gave Bill another task before piling a list on for him to do. "Mother, there is something I have to talk to you about."

"What is it dear?" His mother said as she was working at the stove. "I'm afraid we will have to talk while we cook." She was shaking her head. "George, couldn't have given me some warning that he wanted the entire family together tonight."

"Well," He froze trying to decide how best to bring up what was surely going to make her hit the rough. He saw both her and Bill staring at him so he finally just blurted something out. "I got drunk last night and ended up getting a couple of tattoos."

Of course all activity in the kitchen immediately screeched to a halt as his mother and Bill both screamed demanded an explanation. "I cannot understand you both one at a time please," He said and wasn't surprised when Bill immediately stepped aside and let his mother go first.

"Percy Weasley, what were you thinking?" His mother said looking him up and down with disappointment. "I thought you knew better than to be that irresponsible was it Oliver has he started you drinking regularly?"

"No mother," He said quickly. "Oliver and I went out with a few friends and both of us drank too much." He knew this next part would make it worse. "I'm afraid everyone in the group did and we all woke up with various tattoos." He then intentionally looked down not wanting to see his mothers face. "It also turns out they are permanent."

The next few minutes in the kitchen were filled with an extremely uncomfortable silence as he worked on the tasks his mother had given him. He looked up every so often to see her working quickly obviously fuming about the entire matter. Bill kept shooting him looks and finally spoke up. "So how many did you get and how embarrassing are they?" He noticed the corner of Bill's lip twitching and realized that Bill found this funny.

"They are not embarrassing," He said thankful that he hadn't ended up with one like Thomas. "There are just a few on my biceps and a large one on my back but fortunately they are easily concealed by clothing."

"I want to see them," His mother said turning back from the food. "Take your shirt off now," She said in a commanding tone and he didn't even hesitate pulling his jumper and the shirt beneath it off.

"Wow you weren't kidding about the one on your back," Bill said before whistling appreciatively. "I like it but it's definitely not something I'd ever picture you getting." At Bill's words his mother who had been glaring at the ones on his arms went and looked at the one on his back.

"It's a great big horrid thing," She said sitting down in a chair. "I cannot believe you were so irresponsible." She teared up a bit. "What are you going to do if they find out at work?" It took every bit of his self control not to laugh since after the outing thing he thought a few tattoos were unlikely to affect his job.

"Hey what's all the noise about," Ginny asked entering the room and then froze staring at him. She then turned and left the room her distinctive laughter trailing after her. He blushed and pulled his shirt and jumper back on.

"I can't believe one of my children would be so irresponsible as to get a tattoo," His mother said shaking her head. He just did catch Bill's slight guilty look at that statement. He narrowed his eyes at his older brother and the guilty look got more pronounced.

"I'm not the only one with a tattoo," He said and when his mother turned toward him. "No mother it is not my place to tell you who else has one." He felt a bit bad about doing that to his siblings but it would take some of the heat off him.

"So you said the whole group of you got Tattoos what did Oliver get," Bill said clearly attempting to keep their mother from asking him if he knew who else had a tattoo. He began to go back to chopping vegetables for his mother's pot roast.

"He got a matching set to mine," He finally said and did his best to ignore Bill's laugh. "No mother I do not know which of us was first I really can't remember." He glanced over to see her staring at him with disapproval.

"Your father should be back from the shop shortly why don't the two of you go see if he needs any help with the groceries," His mother finally aid after a moment. "I can handle things from here on out." He knew they were being dismissed so she could be upset alone.

"So what's the real reason you got so drunk Percy, that's not like you," Bill said once they were out of the room. "Come on spill what's the reason that you aren't telling Mum cause you don't want to upset her even more than you getting drunk would."

"We were reminiscing about Fred and George with some other people who remembered them," He said honestly. "It all started with a toast to Fred's memory and went from there." He said and saw Bill nodding in understanding. "So what about this tattoo that you have that mum doesn't know about?"

"Similar story," He said shaking his head. "I got drunk with some friends one summer and got my girlfriend's name tattooed somewhere." He shook his head. "Fleur made me get another one to cover it up once we got involved." He smiled a bit. "She picked out this really neat star design to do it." He then turned a glare on him. "Now thanks to you we are going to be lucky if Mum doesn't try to strip search all of us looking for who else has one."

"You never had a problem with her complaints about the earing," He said watching as Bill's eyes narrowed. He ignored the glare and walked on. "I'd think telling her about a little tattoo wouldn't be so bad."

"You know as well as I do it's the story behind it that's the problem," Bill said shaking his head. "I'd have to tell her not only was I not the perfect head boy at Hogwarts that I lied about it all this time." He looked away. "I could blame it on Fleur but if Mum had a go at her about it the whole story would come out and I'd have both of them pissed at me."

"Well maybe you'll luck out and one of our other siblings will confess to having one before Mum finds out about yours?" He wouldn't be surprised by either George or Charlie having a tattoo. He could easily see Ron or Ginny getting one in the future but he doubted they had one now.

"Long as it's not Ginny, Mum would be on the warpath forever if it was Ginny," Bill said shaking his head. "She'd probably be okay with Charlie having one though he's always hung out with a rough crowd."

He could imagine their mother's reaction to Ginny having or getting a tattoo. "Oh shit," He said quietly startling Bill with his profanity. "If Ginny ever gets a tattoo mum is going to blame me somehow." He said knowing with utter certainty that it was the truth. Bill gave him a sympathetic look. "Fair warning, If she does, I'm blaming you claiming you inspired me by then she'll believe me."

Bill's look of sympathy was replaced by anger and then he began to laugh. He couldn't help but join in which led to their dad walking into the strange sight of them laughing like loons in the living room of the burrow.

"Percy got a Tattoo," Ginny said from the stair cause loudly to their father. "I think Mum wants to kill him." She then smiled gleefully. "Can I be the one to tell George?" He and Bill ended up laughing again.

"What is all the racket in here," His mother said entering the room looking around annoyed. "There you are Arthur did you get everything?" His father quickly carried the groceries into the kitchen where he was sure their mother would tell him everything.

"Do me a favor Ginny," He said turning toward his sister. "If you ever get a tattoo don't blame me." He saw her smile, while Bill was frowning at him. "None of us can stop her Bill if she wants one she'll eventually get one but she can at least not blame it on me."

"I know but you shouldn't encourage her," Bill said shaking his head. "It just isn't natural for you to be the one taking that can't stop her angle." He said and then began to smile. "That's my job, George's job is to encourage her and Your job is to lecture her."

"I'm sorry your right," He said feeling a smile on his own face. He did his best to get rid of it. "Ginny under no circumstances are you to be as stupid and irresponsible as I was do you understand?"

"Of course I understand completely," Ginny said with a mock bow. "So what did Oliver think of them and why did you get them?" He then spilled an edited version of the story for Ginny that revealed a bit more than would like but it would answer her questions and keep her from asking Oliver who would probably tell her everything. "Wow, so Oliver has a matching set that's kind of sweet though the fact the two of you were drunk kills it a bit."

"Speaking of Oliver I should head back to my flat so we can get ready for tonight," He looked at his sister. "Do you have any idea what products George is going to show off tonight?" He asked wondering if his younger sister had any idea.

"No idea," She said shaking her head. "Harry says Ron has been tight lipped about it since George says he'll fire him if he opens his big mouth." Ginny smiled a bit. "So it's probably going to be something really shocking."

"That means I should prepare for the worst then," He said shaking his head. "I'll see you both later, Ginny, Bill." He waved goodbye to them and then headed into the kitchen. "Mother, Father I am heading back to my flat to get ready for tonight." He them both a hug. "Oliver and I will be here in a couple of hours."

"See you then dear," his mother said clearly not mentioning Oliver on purpose.. He had known she was going to blame him for the tattoo thing so it wasn't surprising. "George, says he wants everyone here by six so don't be late."

"We won't be mother," He said and headed out the door. He apparated back to his flat and let himself in easily. He was a bit surprised to find a note form Oliver that he'd taken off to do the laundry at his old flat because he wanted to get something he'd left.

He took the opportunity to do a bit of cleaning and change the linens on the bed. He and Oliver used spells to eliminate any wet spots or stains but it was still a good idea to change the sheets every so often. "Hey Percy, I'm back," Oliver called just as he was smoothing down his other comforter.

"I'm in the bedroom changing the bed linens," He called and Oliver walked in with his usual duffle bag and a second smaller one. "What is in that second bag?" He asked curious what Oliver could have decided to bring with him.

"Well your mum is already ticked at me so I thought we'd have a bit of fun with George," Oliver said with a smirk. "We might have to shrink some of them a bit to fit you but I've got some clothes that might make him think twice about using either of us as test dummies for his new products."

"What kind of clothes," he asked warily. He was not about to show up in something extremely garish just to annoy his brother. "Oliver, I won't wear anything that will horrify my mother." He knew she was touchy enough after the tattoo debacle.

"I'm not going to make you look bad," Oliver said smiling. "Just the opposite." He said pulling out a blue shirt and black denim jeans. "Go on in there and take a shower I'll just be out here adjusting these to fit you." Oliver gave him a smile "Trust me Perce," He said still smiling.

"All right," he said and headed inside the bathroom after grabbing a fresh pair of pants and a towel and wash cloth form the linen closet. He showered as quickly as he could and was just stepping out when he Oliver barged in carrying some kind of hair potion. "What is that for?"

"Just trust me Percy," Oliver said and despite his reservations he relented and after drying off his skin and pulling on a clean pair of boxer briefs he settled down and let Oliver play with his hair. "I told you that Jacket wouldn't work with your current hairstyle so were making some changes."

"Jacket?" He asked trying to think what Oliver meant. Oliver ignored him and began to actually use his wand to cut his hair. He started to object but stopped himself he trusted Oliver and besides he could regrow it to it's normal style if he hated this afterwards. Oliver finally told him he was done and he looked at himself in the mirror. His hair was cut much shorter and had several uneven elements. "Are you sure you're done?" He asked confused.

"Well we have to use some potions on it but that can wait until after you're dressed so we won't get any on your shirt." Oliver motioned for him to follow out into the bedroom and threw him the black jeans. "Pull these and this blue shirt on," Oliver said still smiling.

He pulled them on and found himself frowning. "Aren't they a little tight?" He asked looking down. It was true they weren't uncomfortable but they were much tighter than anything he'd normally wear. "You can see a bit more of me that I like."

"That's the point Perce," Oliver said looking him, up and down appreciatively. "I mean you're thin but you're not a stick you've got a nice bit of muscle there that no one ever gets to see me but me." Oliver then dragged him back into the bathroom and began rubbing a potion into his hair. "This stuff will do wonders." He began to see what Oliver meant as the red of his hair seemed lighter, softer and not quiet as garish as it normally was. "Now I noticed you had a good sturdy pair of boots in that closet of yours do they still fit?"

"I bought them during our trip to Egypt I may have to resize them magically," He said but Oliver just motioned for him to go get them. He was just finished adjusting the size of them when Oliver showed up with a gold chain with a snitch shaped medallion on it.

"Recognize it," Oliver said carefully tying it around his neck. He nodded remembering that Oliver had tried to give it to him during their last year in school and he had refused. It had been one of his regrets. "I know I told you I threw it out but I lied I kept it all this time."

"Thank you," He said feeling a mix of emotions from guilt to happiness. "I just wish I had something for you." He saw Oliver shake his head and then grab the duffle back and head toward the shower. "Where are you doing?"

"I have to get ready myself dig out that jacket you inherited from Bill and your look for the night is complete," Oliver said as he closed the bathroom door. He suddenly realized what Jacket Oliver had been referring to earlier.

He pulled out the jacket and after putting it on looked at himself in the mirror. He really didn't recognize himself. His hair in addition to the color changes was shorter and spikier and he had to admit he looked really good. He just wasn't sure he looked like himself. The clothing looked more like something Bill would have worn and with the old jacket added to it he looked a lot like his brother used to. His eyes came to rest on the pendant and he knew he had to do something for Oliver so he dug in his closet and found an old pocket watch that he'd been planning to have fixed. "This will work," He said to himself as he unhooked the chain and laid it on his desk.

He grabbed his wand and set to work using a spell to make the silver material melt and flow. It was delicate work and he'd never been as artistically minded as some but when he was done he'd fashioned two chain bracelets and a pair of silver rings. He was rather proud of his work and quickly pulled on the pair he'd made for himself.

"I'm done what do you think?" Oliver said coming back into the room. He was impressed Oliver was similarly dressed except his shirt was read and he was wearing a far newer jacket. He'd also somehow done the opposite to his own shorter hair. Instead of lightening and softening the color he'd made his hair darker and richer.

"I like it," He said and walked up to Oliver. "Here give me your wrist." Oliver complied and he slipped the chain bracelet on. "I also made this if you want," He said handing over the ring. He saw Oliver smile and pull it on. "I don't really look like myself here but I don't see why this will keep George from pranking us?"

"Trust me Percy," Oliver said still smiling. "Everyone is going to so shocked by how you look George isn't even going to dream of pranking you directly." Oliver seemed extremely confident so he nodded. "Let's go we don't want to be late."

"Yes I guess we should go," He was slightly nervous bout being seen like this by his family. However, at the same time a small part of him liked the idea that they probably wouldn't look at him the same after this. "So let's get this over with."

They left the flat and apparated to the burrow. His anxiety increased when Ginny came out to greet them then stopped stared at him in shock and then took off back inside. "I wasn't expecting that kind of reaction," He said doing his best to keep his nervousness in check.

"I was," Oliver said smiling. "No one ever gets to see exactly how good looking you actually are."

He felt himself blushing as a warm feeling following Oliver's compliment washed over him. "Now let's go have some fun."

To be concluded...