Expectations of Approval
Chapter Seventeen: Good Tidings
"Congratulations Perce!" Yells Oliver when he notices Percy walking towards him. Percy smiles at Oliver, his cheeks turning pink. Oliver whoops and hugs Percy. "you're a Healer now" says Oliver quietly.
It's early breakfast in the Great Hall. There aren't many people around to see Oliver embarrass Percy. As they sit down Percy asks "How do you know?"
"This" says Oliver as he waves a slip of paper in front of Percy's face "But really, how could I not tell from the face you had on when you walked in?"
Percy shakes his head in playful disapproval. "I can't wrap my mind around it, it doesn't seem real"
"Well, it is. I knew you could do it." Oliver tells Percy as he musses his hair "So what are you going to do? You don't have any classes to go to. I could always cut classes . . ."
"Pomfrey's going to have me help her finish setting up her things then she's going to tell me her plans for me. It seems she has been planing this for a while" says Percy, while Oliver continues to smile at him this big ridiculous smile. "But, I'm betting you knew this"
"Yeah, I helped. I just asked that she try to give you normal hours so no one would notice too much. After all people would start to talk if they didn't see us together anymore.
"But I'm sure Anne would be thrilled." Percy adds.
Oliver' shakes his head, his smile fading. "You know, Anne broke up with me last night"
Percy tries to speak but the shock, happiness and guilt for being happy kept on tripping up his thoughts and words, until finally "why" makes it out of his mouth, also knocking him back into reality. "I mean I'm sorry-"
Oliver waves him off. "It's cool, She says she has given up on me. I don't blame her I wasn't much of a boyfriend. I'm kind of relived actually" Oliver leans closer to Percy. "It was surreal, the talk we had. It just made me care for her more. She explained everything to me and I just can't be mad. I just wish I could turn back time"
Percy leaned back a little. "So you still really Love her . . . "
Oliver tilted his head. "I love her now more than ever before, but not as a girlfriend. I haven't really though of Anne like that . . ." his voice trails off. Oliver brings his hand up to Percy's face, "Because I, couldn't make myself forget. You see there's-"
The doors to the Great Hall open loudly interrupting Oliver, and making Oliver's hand drop. It's Ron.
"Percy" Ron calls as he marches up to them. Both Percy and Oliver stare up at him in confusion. Percy snaps out of it first, noticing that Ron looked unusually serious.
"What's wrong?"
"I want to talk to you" says Ron looking at Percy then nodding towards Oliver. Percy does not react right away but slowly turns to Oliver, and questioning look in his eyes. Oliver sighs, and shakes his head. "Do worry, it cant wait. It's waited awhile already it can wait a little longer. . . "
Percy nods apprehensively. "Alright" He looks up at Ron "Ok, Come on Ron we can talk out side" He gets up and leaves. Oliver looks after him. 'I'll tell him tonight'
Dear Arthur and Molly,
I am writing to you today not as the Headmaster of Hogwarts but as your long time friend. I assure you it is for a joyous reason. Percy has been accepted into a very prestigious profession, under the wing of a most able master and an honorable benefactor. I will bring Percy to see you tonight bring you the rest of the good tidings.
Yours Truly,
Albus