Ok! Thank you to those who decided to give this a chance! It's greatly appreciated! Here's chapter two! ;) It may be a little shorter than the first...but things will pick up! :)

Chapter Two-Scarecrow

Saturday evening rolled around and Percy was occupied, scouring and polishing his cauldrons to perfection in the kitchen. In the background, his family was rushing about, readying themselves for the ball. Bill, Arthur, Charlie and the twins were already dressed and waiting on the rest. Wondering where Percy is, Bill left the parlor in search of his brother.

Turning the corner, he saw Percy still in an apron and housewear, about to head upstairs. "Oi, Percy! Why aren't you dressed? The ball starts in fifteen minutes."

Percy responded "I'm not going."

"Why not?"

"You know I'm not into that sort of thing."

As they bantered, Molly, Ginny and Ron entered the room, all bedecked in their finest eveningwear.

"We're here! I can't wait to meet the prince!" Ginny grinned with cherry-painted lips.

"Yeah. Harry and Hermione will be there too! I wonder what she's wearing."

Bill snorted "Ok, guys..cool it. Percy isn't ready yet."

The curly-top huffed "That's because I'm not going."

"Aw come on...you'll get a chance to get out of the house, make some friends, even meet a cute bloke or two."

He gave a cheeky wink, nudging Percy in the ribs.

Ginny laughed aloud "Percy...meet a few guys? Don't make me laugh. The men there like actual men, not scarecrows in shabby robes."

Percy stared at her through his horn-rimmed glasses. Ron snickered but grunted when Bill punched him in the arm.

"What was that for?"

"Mum, are you going to let her say that about Percy?"

Molly sighed "Well, if he modeled himself more after us, he wouldn't have a problem getting attention. Besides, we're running late. Hurry now...we mustn't be rude to our hosts." she rushed Ron and Ginny out the door.

Bill hugged Percy. "Don't listen to them, Perce. We'll try not to be home too late. You're welcome to my books if you want to read them." With a small smile, he left his brother on the stairwell.

Within minutes, the house was silent...he was alone. Ginny's words replayed over and over in his mind 'The men there like actual men, not scarecrows in shabby robes.. he closed his eyes as his heart started to feel heavy.

Feeling exhausted from his task, he ascended the staircase and went into his room. Percy sat upon his bed remembering that brat's words. Oh, how they hurt. Not just hers, but his mother's. She didn't bother to reprimand Ginny. She never does, or Ron for that matter...no...any of his siblings. It's always Percy and he knew exactly why. As a young boy, Percy tried to model himself after his parents and his brothers-in dress, manner, everything like any small kid would for their rolemodels...but it was always in vain.

With every function he attended as a young child, it resulted in utter disaster. He'd end up royally embarrassing his mother thus he was left at home or with a neighbor every time the Weasleys were invited to one. When he'd socialize; or attempt to, he'd accidentally say the wrong thing or say something way over the children's heads and they'd either stare, laugh or hit him...so his social skills were shit.

At puberty, he grew rather tall but remained quite thin. Unlike him, his brothers actually expanded, developing lean muscle. In Ginny's case, she developed early like Molly so she began attracting males from a young age. That's also why she had so many guys wrapped around her finger. Add their sunkissed skin and warm smiles, they were absolutely gorgeous. His mother couldn't have been more proud.

She and Arthur produced beautiful children but when it came to Percy...she was disappointed. Molly favored her other offspring, most notably Ginny since she was the only girl. They had the most worth. To Molly, Percy did not live up to her expectations-he did not possess the charm, charisma, good looks or the willingness to climb up the social ladder. Eventually, she let her third-born fall.

In this kingdom...a person's outside appearance and the way they carried themselves could make or break their shot at a higher pedestal in society...it's the way it always been. In other words, it supported a 'survival of the fittest' and 'natural selection' theme. And Percy, he did not fit the bill. Soon after realizing this, Percy gave up trying to impress his mother. In doing so, he learned that material worth and stressing oneself to the max for people who could honestly betray you for something supposedly better was not worth it.

Therefore, he refused to dress extravagantly and avoided matters regarding the elite as a personal statement. Plus, Percy knew he wasn't attractive anyway. As his siblings went out to numerous parties, made connections, dated around or snogged significant others in his own house...Percy remained alone in his room reading from his vast collection of books or went on his own solitary adventures.

Despite maintaining a calm, aloof façade, Percy severely lacked self-esteem. Who wouldn't when they're treated like shit by their own family? Especially by a parent, one who's supposed to love and reassure their child. Facing the left, Percy sighed at his reflection. Rising from the mattress, he stood in front of his full-length mirror.

'Crimson-toned curls, blue eyes, pasty white skin, freckles every fucking where, thick horn-rimmed glasses...all perched on this scrawny, bony body.'

He removed his gray shirt, revealing his torso. Percy ran a hand across his smooth, flat stomach and thin waist...his ribs were slightly showing.

'Barely any muscle, weak, little to no definition. Ginny's right, I do look like a scarecrow. Honestly, what man in their right mind would want someone like me? I don't even have friends...except my owl, Hermes.'

He averted his eyes to a newspaper clipping on his desk. Picking it up, he admired the body of Prince Marcus. He just got off his broom and was walking about shirtless, a photographer happened to catch it without alerting him. No lie, this boy was built. Marcus was quite tall with a body to match. Most would think his frame would be overbearing but not Percy.

Surely, he'd never want to be that damn big...but at least it provided an idea of what was attractive in a male his age although the Prince looked like a grown man. Whether he'd admit it or not, Percy was quite lonely and he wouldn't mind having a boyfriend but given his outward appearance and demeanor, he believed there was no chance.

'It must be wonderful to be considered somebody...to be wanted. What is it with people and looks? They're not the most important thing in an individual or their clothes and possessions. Doesn't my heart and mind truly matter more? Oh, what's the point? No one listens...everyone tends to follow the crowd. Maybe I'm just meant to be alone.'

Wiping a stray tear, he sighed as he finished undressing. After showering, the melancholic redhead fell into a deep slumber.

Aww...poor Percy. But don't worry...things will get better as it goes on. Chapter three will be here soon! :)