HARRY POTTER

Prefect Duty III

A Poliver fluff

-"A… party?"- Percy stammered and cold sweat pooled under his collar, -"At night?"

-"Yes, Percy,"- Said Penelope, hands on her hips, -"And make sure you bring someone. Otherwise, you're out. We don't want party poopers."

-"Excuse me?"- Percy uttered in a dramatic tone, -"I am not a party pooper!"

Penelope shot him a steadfast, doubtful look, -"Honestly, Percy, it's our night off and that means no Prefect duties. In fact, we won't even be Prefects."

-"But that's logically impossible, Penelope,"- Percy began with an air of pride and Penelope rolled her eyes, -"You see, Dumbledore—"

-"No party poopers, Weasley,"- Penelope repeated, turning away, -"And bring someone!"

Percy stood there moments after the meeting was adjourned. He was expecting news or orders, something big and important, not the news of party night. What was he supposed to do? He must go of course, because he is a Prefect. He didn't really want to, he thought it was utterly frivolous, but as a Prefect, it's his sworn duty to go to a Prefect's party.

And bring someone!

Penelope has asked him to bring someone too. That part made him more stressful than anything else because he couldn't bring Oliver Wood, his boyfriend. It was simply indecent. Furthermore, he wasn't exactly the most cultured of students. Maybe he could ask Isabella to come with him? Or June?

-"They'll easily accept, of course. Everyone wants to assist a Prefect's party."- Percy said airily.

-"No, they won't, because you're a complete windbag,"- Oliver spat, his arms crossed and his face wrinkled, -"And it's not a Prefect's party, Weasley. It's a common party for you lot."

-"You're not making any sense, Wood,"- Percy argued, -"Only Prefect's are allowed and that means—"

-"You're not the only ones allowed, genius."

-"Of course we are."

-"Penelope told you to bring someone. Not necessarily a Prefect."

-"Oliver, did you have breakfast today?"- Percy asked, inching closer to his boyfriend, -"You're in quite the mood."

-"Oh, now you've noticed?"- Oliver said, stepping away from Percy, -"It's just that my boyfriend comes to me with the fantastic news that there's going to be a crazy party at the Prefect's but I'm not invited because he's ashamed and thinks I'm uncivilized."

Percy was quiet. Slowly, his eyes widen in realization, -"Oliver, that is not—"

-"Admit it already, Perce,"- Oliver sighed, looking very upset, -"You're embarrassed to be seen with me in public."

-"No!"- Percy nearly shouted, but his voice faded at the end in a self-doubting tone, -"Well, I wouldn't put it like that..."

Oliver laughed bitterly, -"How would you put it then?"

-"It's merely… indecent. Just a little. The others are expecting me to bring, well…,"- There really was no other way to address it, but Percy wouldn't admit it,-"…a girl."

-"Which I'm not, obviously,"- Said Oliver, gesturing to his magnificent body, -"So if you do invite me, it would be embarrassing for you because you and your Prefect friends are—how do I put it?—sniffy."

-"We're not sniffy!"- Percy felt offended, -"We're just more educated than most."

-"And insensitive, clearly,"- Oliver added. Then he sighed again, pinching the bridge of his nose, -"Look, Perce. This isn't the first time this happened. How many times have I told you that it's not about you anymore?"

-"A ridiculous amount of times."

-"But not enough, apparently,"- Oliver stated crossly, -"I love you, Perce, I really do. But this? It's stupid. I can't keep this relationship between us by myself. I need to have you immersed in this too."

Percy was speechless, and for the first time ever, he looked down.

-"Do what you want, Prefect,"- Oliver spoke with a finalizing tone and Percy didn't know what it meant. Hopefully not what he thought it was, -"I don't want to ruin your perfect image after all."

Oliver left and the hollow that dwelled in Percy's chest was beginning to become oppressive.

And then it was unbearable. Oliver avoided him for the rest of the day, sitting with his twin brothers in dinner instead, and every attempt Percy did to talk to him, his boyfriend ignored him.

Now that he had lost him, Percy came to the heartbreaking realization that he loved Oliver.

-"What should I do?"- Percy moped desperately, hands on his face, -"I… I don't want to lose him forever."

Penelope was stroking his shoulder, -"Oh, Percy…"

There were hasty footsteps coming their way and Percy looked up to see his twin brothers storming towards him, with their Quidditch uniforms. They seemed worried and mad at the same time, -"Hey, you."- They said at the same time.

Percy groaned, dropping his head into his hands, -"Piss off, you two. I'm not in the mood for your jokes."

-"It's about Oliver, you twit."- Fred began, frowning.

-"Not a joke."- George said.

-"Whatever you're doing to him has to stop."- Demanded Fred, and for once in his life, he looked very serious.

-"He didn't shouted at us in practice. Not once."- Stated George.

-"Or gave us one of his stupid speeches."- Added Fred.

-"What have you done?"

-"I didn't—"- Percy stopped himself, biting his lip harshly. They were right; he did something. He disappointed Oliver. He failed as a lover, -"I'm so sorry…,"- He murmured into his hands, -"Oliver, I'm sorry…"

Fred and George looked at each other, -"If you really feel sorry…"

-"You should talk to him."

-"But he's been avoiding me,"- Percy said, lifting his face from his palms and feeling tears he hadn't realized he shed, -"How could I talk to him?"

-"We could set him up."- Fred offered with a wink.

-"Trust us, he's easy to fool."- Added George.

-"I don't think that's… wise."- Percy suggested.

-"Maybe not."

-"But it's the only way, Perce."- Said George.

-"Up to you, mate,"- Fred said, -"Give us the all go and we'll do it."

Percy pondered about it for a while. It would no doubt piss Oliver more, but on the other hand, Percy will have a chance to talk to him. To apologize. To tell him how much he missed him. How much he loved him.
With a deep breath, Percy spoke, -"Do it."

The twins grinned and nodded, -"Right. Wait here."

Percy gulped. Here meant public. In the Great Hall. But Percy was ready.

-"Do us a favor and cover him, Penelope."- Fred commanded, walking away.

Penelope walked to Percy's fore, hiding him from whoever entered the hall. Percy's anxiety multiplied, but he stayed still where he was. He was determined to show Oliver he wasn't embarrassed of having him for a boyfriend.

-"It'll be alright, Percy,"- Penelope comforted him, -"He'll understand."

Percy nodded, quietly praying to himself. Each small sound made him jerk and gasp, but it took a while for him to hear Oliver.

-"What're you two plotting now?"- Oliver was speaking, his voice lacking its usual cheerful tone, -"I'm not in the mood."

-"We've noticed."- Said Fred.

-"It'll be just a moment."- Added George.

Then Percy stood and Penelope moved aside. Oliver's eyes, red and puffed, widened when he saw Percy. He whirled around after a few seconds and started walking away.

-"Wait!"- Percy shouted, reaching out to him, -"Oliver, I'm sorry! Please, forgive me!"

Oliver screeched to a halt. Slowly, he looked back at Percy over his shoulder.

-"Do you mean it?"- Oliver asked, his voice low but Percy could still hear it.

-"Yes!"- Percy replied quickly, -"I mean it! More than anything!"

Oliver turned, now facing Percy but still standing a distance away.

-"I miss you, so much, and I love you more,"- Percy continued, walking towards Oliver until he was standing before him, -"I realized it after you left. I realized that I made a terrible mistake and I want to fix it. Oliver, please give me another chance."

Decided to demonstrate the sincerity and veracity of his words, Percy grabbed Oliver's head by the sides and leaned in for a chaste, sweet and emotional kiss. He felt Oliver's mouth turning to a smile against his lips.

Some people cheered and clapped loudly around them. Others booed or complained, and there were all sorts of eyes on them, but Percy didn't cared. He continued to kiss Oliver's soft lips. He parted slightly to speak, -"Oliver Wood, would you like to accompany me to the Prefect's party?"

Oliver chuckled and Percy reveled in it, -"I told you its not a Prefect's party,"- He teased, nudging Percy's arm. Then he smiled fondly, -"But yes. I'd love to."

The conciliated couple left the hall to prepare for the night and when they entered, both dressed elegantly, Percy felt happy and confident with an arm around Oliver's hips.

He kissed his cheek and squeezed his skin gently, -"I love you."

Oliver kissed him back, -"I love you too, Prefect."