Sunlight filtered through a Hogwarts window and onto Oliver who lay wrapped in the warm embrace of Percy as the two slept in their bed. They had a fitful day and night after Olivia and Cho had left Hogwarts. Ron had recieved a letter from St. Mungos telling him that he would attend classes with Olivia three days a week and would be forced to refrain from practicing defensive spells until after he could control his magic without a wand. The letter also stated that Ron's Medi-Guard would arrive by the end of the week to protect him. Ron had taken the news badlyy--shouting and raging as all Weasley's are prown to do. Unfortunately for Oliver, Ron focused much of his anger at the Quidditch player. He blamed Oliver for bring Olivia to Hogwarts and allowing her to report him to St. Mungos. Harry and Hermione had tried to appease the redhead with promises of normality with school, homework, and DA meetings, but it was not enough. Ron was upset. For once in his life he stood out, only it forced him to give up the things that he loved--Defence classes with Harry and time with Hermione. The dissappointment and anger he felt filtered through to Oliver and how Ron treated him for the rest of the day.
Percy's day went no better. He had spent his time with his father at the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, trying to keep Micheal McGonagall out of prison. Kingsley and Moody tried to help the Weasley men, but the charges against McGonagall and Chang were worse than anticipated. Percy spoke to various Hit Wizards and contacts on behalf of his lover's father, but was unsure how judgement would fall.
After fighting and begging all day, Oliver and Percy skipped dinner and went directly to bed where they could find comfort in each other's embrace. The duo found that with obsticles, their friendship and love only grew closer. They had been roomates and best friends for seven years in school. There had been no obvious signs of affection or love, but Oliver held his friend in the highest esteem and trusted him beyond measure. This closeness continued through their school years as Oliver became more involved in Quidditch and Percy became Head Boy.
The only time their friendship suffered was just before they left Hogwarts. Percy was dating Penelope Clearwater and had asked Oliver about marriage to the young witch. Oliver had been outraged. He was normally mild mannored and easy, but his temper flared at the idea of Percy marrying Penelope. Marrying anyone other than himself. It was then, that Oliver knew that he loved Percy, but he had no idea of his friend's desires or feelings. The revelation was devastating to their friendship.
After their fight over Penelope, the two did not speak for months after their graduation. The silence would have continued, had Oliver not heard of Percy's behavior toward his family. When registering with the Department of Magical Games and Sports after being placed as the reserve Keeper for Puddlemore United, Oliver overheard a rumor about Percy being estranged from the rest of the Weasley's. Shocked and upset, Oliver went to Percy's office and confronted him. He did not like what he saw. His once well-meaning friend, was a pompus Ministry leech. The two faught and argued saying hateful ugly things. Oliver punched Percy and fled.
Two days went by, before Oliver heard from Percy. The younger man wrote him an apology and sent the letter via Ministry owl. Oliver refused to open the letter and sent it back to Percy sealed. That night, Percy arrived at Oliver's doorstep. The two shouted and again Oliver punched Percy. This time however, Percy hit Oliver back. So caught off guard, was Oliver that he collapsed on Percy, dragging him to the floor. Percy's light frame was pinned by Oliver's burly one. Both glared at one another for what seemed like hours. Finally, Oliver could hold his feelings in no more. He kissed his best friend with all of the love and hate he felt for him. He forced Percy to open up, to return to the person he once was, to be the man that he trusted.
That night the couple did more than just kiss, though Percy left Oliver's flat before morning. The next day, Oliver left for Puddlemore. He wrote to Percy and asked him to write, but the stuborn Weasley refused to keep in contact with him. Those were dark times for Oliver. He knew that Percy felt more than friendship for him, but he was too proud to open up and show him how he felt. In the months that followed, Oliver saw Percy when the redhead showed up at his doorstep. What they did didn't constitute as a date, they rarely spoke more than directions to one another. It was a meeting of bodies for comfort and companionship, but nothing more.
They kept their rendezvous secret and static for two years. Oliver would have given anything for Percy to acknowledge him and love him, but he was determined not to loose what he did have with the man. Had Percy not arrived on Oliver's doorstep Christmas day splattered in mashed parsnip and crying, their relationship may have continued as it was. Thankfully he did.
Oliver missed Christmas with his family that year as he spent the day listening to Percy lament over what he had done to the Weasley's and how they hated him for it. He cried and grieved over how his ambition had lost him his family. Oliver dutifully listened until Percy had cried himself to sleep. Hours later, when the redhead awoke, Oliver laid into him. He told his lover that he had to take responsiblity for his actions and had to make ammends to his family and his friends. Starting with him. Oliver gave him an altimatum. Percy had to quit his job and move in with Oliver or leave him. Oliver would not continue their physical relationship if he couldn't have a relationship with Percy.
Needless to say, Percy quit working for the Ministry and moved in with Oliver. The two kept the true nature of their relatioship out of the public eye and Oliver helped Percy to make ammends with his family. Together, the two were stronger than when they were apart.
Oliver was greatful to have Percy by his side when he woke to an owl from the Ministry of Magic explaining his father's punishment for dueling with Lee Chang. Percy read the decree and explained that it was much better than he had anticipated. Mr. McGonagall and Mr. Chang were released from Azkaban with fines and community service hours to complete. There would be no prison sentence. Mr. McGonagall would have to refrain from attending all public sporting events for the rest of the year and had to keep at leas 30 meters away from Mr. Chang at all times. Oliver's relief was great. Nightmares of visiting his father in prison haunted him the previous night leaving him tired, but thankful that morning.
After reading the news and kissing Percy, Oliver wrote to Olivia and Cho via owl. Percy began dressing and gathering their things from the previous day for laundering.
"The only dark cloud in the silver lining of the sentence is that Da won't be able to see me play in the World Cup," Oliver sighed as he tied his letter to Hermes' leg.
Percy opened the window for the owl to fly through. "Take that to Oliva Wood, Hermes," he instructed as he handed the animal an owl treat and closed the window behind him. He then turned to face Oliver. "I'm so sorry, Oli. I know you wanted to make him proud."
Oliver sighed. "Naw, he's already proud. I just would've liked 'im to be there's all..."
"I know," Percy said as he pulled Oliver up from the chair and into his arms.
"Well, I guess I'll have to settle with only you, Livie, and Cho as my cheering section," Oliver smiled.
"I think we'll make you proud," Percy winked as he let go of Oliver and opened the trunk at the end of their bed to begin packing.
Oliver rolled his eyes. "You already do..."