AN: There's a lot I don't like about this chapter, for one it's Shipping Heaven and I'm half-making Nox out to be a real babe, making guys drop left and right. But alas, something about the chapter seems right; if nothing else, tormenting Percy is fun.
Loosening yet another knot in the green yarn, Nox gave a small yawn and looked at the clock hanging on the kitchen wall. It was less than helpful, even though 'not too long 'til bedtime' had a good ring to it to her, she was planning on seeing this night through together with the twins and their brothers.
–
Nox spent the time going over the notes with Fred, but neither of them were fully committed to the task, the shadow of Dartmoor and Rosewood Estate hung over their minds like threatening thunder clouds.
Dinner came as a relief, even if no one talked of much, Percy just poked a bit at the food before excusing himself to go upstairs. Molly looked concerned after him before asking about her husband's day, something that went completely over Nox's head, her brain was busy with other things.
After the quick meal she ended up in one of the slightly crooked hallways on the upper floors. The whole house was build like that, not a single wall was completely straight or a floor entirely level. She wondered absently if it was done on purpose to emphasise the unconditional love hanging like a haze over the entire property.
The sound of ragged and fast breathing ripped her out of a daydream and she went down the hall, pushing open the door without any concern for privacy on others behalf, mostly because she suspected it to be another of Fred's little jokes. Instead she found Percy sitting on his bed, his head in his hands.
"He-hello," he stuttered when seeing her, his eyes obviously ashamed for being found during this small hysteric attack, but that wasn't all.
"How are you?" she asked softly and took a seat beside him on the bed.
"We-we-well," he got out, "it's not m-me who is – I'm j-just..." His voice ebbed out as he looked at her and his breath went even faster.
"You're just?" she asked.
"I'm j-j-just tr-trying to ma-make things right," he got out. "E-even if it re-really wasn't my fau-fault – Merlin, I ha-haven't st-st-stuttered like this since I was eight!"
"Put your head between your knees and take a deep breath," she advised, placing her hand on his shoulder.
"Yeah, put my head between your knees and take a deep breath," he muttered while lowering his head, his breaths seeming to come a bit easier. She wondered for a moment if it was his idea of a joke, but it seemed more like a slip of the tongue from an over-worked mind.
"Deep breath," she commanded and he obeyed. As she sat there with her hand to his back, hearing him getting control of himself again, she couldn't other than muse over how different Percy was from his brothers. Just looking at them one knew he was nothing alike Fred and George, he was so much calmer of spirit, more book-smart and straight out more mature. She could freely admit she rather work with Percy than the twins, but that wasn't the situation.
Frankly, Percy seemed like the family's black sheep; sure, Mr. Weasley was calm and steady as a rock, but butter in his wife's hands. Bill, he scared her ever so slightly, at least made a shudder run through her. Even Charlie, with his easy-going attitude didn't meet Nox views on life. Maybe, just maybe, she had found a like-minded in Percy, someone to keep her from losing her marbles if she didn't get off the roller-coaster the twins' lives were.
"Thanks," he said hoarsely after a minute and she snapped out of her thoughts to meet his pale smile.
"Anytime," she answered automatically.
"I'm just trying to make up for my mistakes," he told her calmer and met her eyes straight on, asking for acceptance. "I made so many! I know it won't make things right, but I'm just trying to help George!"
"And you're doing great," she answered, a tad flatly, to his pleading tone. "If you'll excuse me, I'll have something to do." She didn't, not really, looking over her notes for the hundred time wouldn't likely help much, but she left him and went to her assigned room. She had been wrong about Percy, something that didn't surprise her, first and second impressions rarely lasts. He was a lost puppy, seeking guidance and acceptance everywhere.
–
Feeling a bit bad about her harsh statement of Percy, Nox was still not inclined to make up her mind about him again. He was a good man, but not someone she would tolerate over a longer period. Luckily he was retiring to his own flat before sunset and she didn't have to worry about making small-talk with him.