Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
The Third Wheel Tactic
The following weeks were relatively quiet. Fred, George, Lee, and I signed up as a group for McGonagall's term-long assignment. For our topic, I picked how to tell when an animal is actually an Animagus. Harry received a Nimbus 2000 from McGonagall. Which caused quite a stir with the first years. Also correlated to quidditch; Wood decided that since they now had a full team, quidditch practice needed to happen no less than three times a week. Unfortunately for me, this meant I got roped into spending a lot of time alone with Lee during these practices. And always under the pretense that we would be working on our transfiguration project. Clearly, I'm not as smart as I think I am, considering that I keep falling for it.
"Okay," I said from the opposite end of the table from Lee. "This book says that animagi can be told apart from regular animals by characteristics that they carry in their lives as people. I wonder if we can find any examples". looking up from my book, I was startled. At some point when I was reading, Lee left his side of the table in favor of taking the seat on my left. "Merlin" I complained a little too loudly than is probably wise when in the library. "We agreed," I said, turning my voice into a whisper. I ran my hands over the pages of the book I was reading. "That we'd stick to our own sides of the table".
Lee smiles at me. His eyes glint in a way that tells me he is in a humorous mood. "I can't help it. You attract me". Oh, bother.
I clicked my tongue. The problem with Lee wasn't his flirtatious nature. In fact, Lee doesn't even like me. Not in that way, at the least. If he did like me, then Fred and George wouldn't be so cool with me sleeping in their dorm with Lee only a bed away. Or with Lee's game. And it is just a game to him. I know this based on how many girls he's flirted with. Lee's problem is that he doesn't understand boundaries. "Funny," I said as evenly as I could. "Because you repel me".
Lee leans forward, causing me to lean backward. "That's why opposites attract".
Merlin, spare me. I thought as I cringed. Thanks to Jessie's rudimentary knowledge of science, I'm positive that Lee's comment is an inaccurate one. But that's not why I'm cringing. No, that's all due to how incorrigible Lee is. I can't wait for the day when he grows out of this behavior. Assuming that he will.
Carrying a stack of books almost taller than herself, I see what could potentially save me from my Lee problem. "Granger!" I called out as the bushy-haired first-year walked by; getting out of my chair and approaching the girl who seemed to be very surprised that someone had called out her name. I grabbed the top stack of her books so she'd actually be able to see me. Big brown eyes blinked up at me. "Granger, yeah?" I asked. "That's your name?" It wouldn't do for her to know that I know who she is without having a reason for knowing her.
"Yes," Hermione said slowly, blushing at the sudden attention. "My name's Hermione".
"Hi," I said, terribly aware that Lee was watching everything I was doing. "I'm Holly Weasley".
"I know," Hermione said quickly without any shame. "You're Ron's older sister. The one who had a fit in class".
"Yeah, right," I said, talking fast to avoid Hermione asking any questions about that ordeal. I can't wait for the day when the school will forget about it. Of course, wearing the stupid pink hat everywhere isn't helping. "Hey. So, I'm in Gryffindor. Lee over there", I said, pointing Lee out to Hermione. "Is in Gryffindor and so are you. So, how about you come over and study with us?" I offered, already carrying some of her books to Lee's and my table.
"Umm," Hermione said. Unsure if she actually wanted to sit with two random third-years she had never spoken to before.
But I refuse to take no for an answer. "You can take my seat," I said, placing the books I had taken from her in my area. "And we can move my stuff right here". I said, sliding my book and bag so that it was across from where Lee was sitting.
Highly confused at this point, Hermione sets the books she's carrying down and slowly takes the offered seat. With that accomplished, I slide into my new seat. Only then do I look at Lee. His lips are pressed together. But his eyes show how much he is trying to not laugh. "So, transfiguration, yeah?" He asked. I nod, turning back to my book. Lee may not understand boundaries, but he does have standards. One of them being, don't flirt with an unwilling girl when an eleven-year-old is present.
After that, whenever Lee and I were alone in the library while Fred and George were at quidditch practice I'd invoke a similar strategy. So, when Lee dropped a pick-up line out of the blue when we were discussing that witches and wizards don't get to choose their animagus forms I had a plan. I, very calmly I might add, stood up from our table. But I didn't walk very calmly. With hurried steps, I combed through the library looking for a familiar face; feeling lucky when I saw Percy. Percy, who seemed to be on a very comfortable study date with Ms. Clearwater. Well…. not for much longer. "Percy!" I said, leaning over the table and sticking my head between the love birds.
Percy jumped. "Holly?" He asked, confused as he adjusted his glasses. "What are you doing? We're in a library!" He said, sounding far too offended about my lack of library etiquette for someone who isn't a librarian. As if just remembering who he was with, Percy glances around me to see his date. "And that was very rude!" He scolded me, gesturing with his quill in Clearwater's direction.
I look over my shoulder at the blonde Ravenclaw prefect. "Hello. Clearwater, was it? I'm Holly. Percy's sister. Can't say how pleased I am to meet you. You're a saint. Really, being able to put up with Percy. He's very high maintenance. I'll tell you". I don't give Clearwater the chance to respond by looking back at my older brother. Who looks entirely unimpressed by my little monologue. If his disapproving frown is anything to go on. I should probably just come out and say why I am disturbing him. "I need your help".
Percy gives me a look of disbelief. His eyes shift back and forth between me and Clearwater in a rapid fashion. As if asking, 'Now?!' Giggling erupts behind me. Percy and I both move to be able to look at the Ravenclaw. She seemed to be unable to control the sprouts of giggles popping out of her mouth. Clearwater would appear to collect herself, but one look at us redheads would set her off again. She started to gather her stuff as if it occurred to her that she wouldn't be able to stop any time soon. "Seems like this is a family issue," she said, standing up with one arm full of books while the other slung her school bag over her shoulder. "Excuse me".
"Wait, Penelope", Percy said, putting up a hand to try to stop her from leaving. But the Ravenclaw is already making for the exit. We watch her go. The next time we look at each other Percy is glaring. "Holly," He growled very lowly.
"I'm sorry," I said, quickly. Sidestepping what would have probably been a very long lecture. I feel for him. I really do. I imagine I would be equally annoyed if my younger sibling abruptly ended my date. But it's not like he'll marry Clearwater anyway. "But I really do need help".
Percy furrows his brow and clutches the quill in his hand just a little too tightly. "With what?" He asked.
"Lee's flirting with me and I need it to stop", I said, honestly. For my sanity, I need it to stop.
Percy drops his quill and removes his glasses in favor of running his hands over his face. "It's Lee, Holly!" Percy said. "Fred and George's friend. He's not going to do anything. If you don't like it just leave!"
I stick my lower lip out and force it to quiver. I make sure Percy gets a good look before I turn my back to him. "I just wanted to take your advice," I said softly, but I made sure that I said it loud enough for him to hear. I knew throwing his words back at him would soften his mood. "Keeping my focus on school and not on boys".
"Holly?" Percy asked, his voice sounding unsure.
I made my shoulders tremor as if I was sobbing. "But we're working on a school project together. So, I can't ... I can't just leave". I said, throwing out a couple of pants in between my words to imitate wetness and shortness of breath.
"Holly, are you… are you crying?" Percy said as I heard the sounds of his chair scraping. A sign that he has stood up. His hand lands on my shoulder and he works to turn me around.
I have to work quickly. Spinning around before he can see that my eyes are actually dry, I throw myself at his chest. Hiding my face in his robes in the process. Hesitantly, with jerky movements, Percy wraps his arms across my spine. "Help me, please", I said. "You don't have to do much. Just sit between us. You can even do your own studying". Should I feel bad about manipulating my brother like this and pulling him away from his date? I feel like the ethical answer should be yes... But…. No, I don't feel anything. What does that say about me? A character flaw, maybe.
Percy puts on his big brother cap and follows me back to the table I was sharing with Lee. For the rest of our time in the library, Percy sat between Lee and me. And it was filled with more than just animagi research. Percy would look up from his muggle studies homework and say at random intervals, "Hands where I can see them" or "That doesn't sound like Transfiguration, Jordan". During all this, Lee looked very uncomfortable, while all I could do was try not to laugh. Who knew beating Lee at his own game would be so much fun.
The last time I used this third wheel tactic I got the greatest consequence. Before Lee was even able to get me to sit down at a table with him, I ran away. I told him I was going to look for more books on animagi and would join him in a moment. But once Lee could no longer see me, I didn't go to the shelves of the transfiguration section for animagi books, where they would have been found. I searched the aisles of books for anyone. Any familiar face, or unsuspecting first-year that I could force into being a barrier between me and Lee. At this moment I was actually a little sad that Luna Lovegood wasn't a student yet. She would have made a lovely distraction to keep Lee from his less than genuine flirting. With all her talk about nargles, radishes and what not. My search for an ally leads me far from the transfiguration section and into the arithmancy section. There he stood, today's hero, with his head bent as he poured over what looked to be a rather thick almanac. The angle of his bent neck and his clean haircut promoted his aristocratic cheekbones. For a minute I stood still at the start of the aisle, having momentarily forgotten what I was doing. But the memory came back quickly enough. "Pucey" I whispered as I walked towards him down the aisle.
Pucey looked up from the almanac at the sound of his name. And when he saw me, he snapped it closed. "Weasley", He greeted me once I was standing in front of him, only inches away.
"I… need a favor," I said slowly, not quite sure how I should be presenting my case. I've never asked for anything from him before except to pass the frog guts in potions class. In fact, how do you ask anyone to be your third wheel? With Hermione I just kind of forced her to sit down and didn't tell her why I wanted her to be there. I'm not sure if the eleven-year-old even figured out why she ended up sitting between two third-years. With Percy, I faked emotional distress to evoke his obligation as my big brother. And I loathe the day when he finds out that I was faking. He'd probably use his prefect powers to give me a week's worth of detention just for interrupting him and Clearwater. But I can't force or trick Pucey into being my shield for this study session. I don't know him well enough. So, the only thing I can do is just ask him. It's just, 'Can you please sit between me and my transfiguration partner so my brothers' best friend doesn't pretend to flirt with me for his own amusement' is such a weird question. What if Pucey says no? What will he think of me after I ask such a thing?
Pucey tucks the almanac he was looking at under his arm. He pivots on his heel ever so slightly. Turning just enough so that our shoulders match up, even if his shoulders were an inch or two higher up than mine. "And what would that be?" Pucey asked with a raised eyebrow. His face was poised with just a hint of amusement. If the upturn of the left corner of his mouth was a strong enough tell.
"Are you going to be in the library for a long time?" I asked, trying to gauge if he was more likely to say yes or no to me.
"I could be persuaded to stay longer," Pucey answered as he stared down at me. Merlin, why did it get all hot in here all of a sudden? It is nearing the end of September; you'd think things would be getting a bit chiller.
Great, that's great. I thought as I tried to think about how to phrase my next question. Maybe if I explain the situation. "So, Fred and George are at quidditch practice. Which means that Jordan and I have been alone together to work on our transfiguration project. But since Fred and George haven't been here, he's been taking… liberties". Is liberties the right word? It felt descriptive when I thought of it. So, I said it. And suddenly Pucey is an inch closer to me than before. Should I back up? I should back up. I wouldn't want someone to walk by and think that I liked Pucey or something. But despite thinking that, I don't move. Not even an inch. "But I found a way to get Jordan to stop", I continued to explain; ignoring the semi-shadowed look that Pucey was now sending in my direction and the tingles shooting up my spine. Merlin, it should be illegal for a teenager to be so good at giving that look. "If I get a third person to sit with Lee and me, he behaves", I said.
"Jordan is flirting with you without your consent?" Pucey asked.
Well, when he says it like that, he makes it sound like Lee is doing something awful. "Yes," I answered carefully. "But he's not serious about anything he says. It's harmless. Mostly. Jordan just likes to flirt with girls. He flirts with many girls and gets a couple of laughs out of it. As far as I know, we all know that he's joking. But this game of his does make it difficult to work on our transfiguration project". I said, rambling a little. But ultimately, I tried to turn the focus from my requested favor to academics. Academics are safe. Academics are impartial.
However, Pucey latches on to a different thought than the one I wanted him to. "So, he's toying with you?" His voice had taken on a coarse undertone. Very different from his usual smooth-sounding syntax. Maybe I should have asked someone else.
My mouth starts to form to answer yes. But then I think better. Instead, I clap my hands together and hold them in front of my nose with my elbows sticking out. "Please study with Jordan and me". I closed my eyes, awaiting Pucey's decision.
Though Pucey doesn't answer right away. Cracking one eye open I nearly jump out of my skin when I find that he is even closer than before. "And what do I get for this favor?" Pucey asked.
I chuckled nervously. "The joy of helping a friend".
Pucey smiles at me as if I was missing something. He starts to laugh lightly along with me. "You know better than that, Weasley," he said. "I'm not a Hufflepuff. My price for favors is a little steeper".
I stop chuckling in favor of raising one eyebrow. "Meaning you have a price".
Pucey's light laughter dissolves into a smirk. "Good, you have been paying attention".
Pay attention to what? Deciding not to dig deeper into that comment, I pushed forward. I do have an agenda after all. "What do you want?" I asked.
"The first Hogsmeade weekend is coming up in October," Pucey said very casually.
I rock a little on my heels. "Yes, it is".
"Stimpson has asked me to go with her".
I smacked my lips together as my face twisted into a scowl. Despite my desire to stay neutral. But it is Stimpson. No one will blame me for my disapproval. "Has she?" I responded dryly.
Pucey nods, his smirk stretching further across his face. Does he just want to brag about Stimpson? "I told her I couldn't go with her because I already have plans". Oh? "Except I don't currently have plans for Hogsmeade". Well now, that's something.
I can feel my face heating up, and I hope to wizard God that my flushed skin isn't blending in with my hair. "So, you'll study with Jordan and me if…" I trail off, not wanting to say the wrong thing in case I assumed the wrong thing.
"If you'll go with me to Hogsmeade". Pucey finished for me.
"My brothers won't like it".
"I'm aware," Pucey retorted.
"People will see us". I reasoned. "A Gryffindor and a Slytherin together outside of class. They might accuse us of trying to unify the houses".
"Let them," Pucey muttered.
"I'll be wearing this ridiculous hat". I said, pointing towards the pink monstrosity currently residing on top of my head.
Pucey gives the hat a long-suffering look. Truly debating if he wants to be seen with me in public when I am wearing it. But he makes up his mind after a brief deliberation. "I'll endure". He promised solemnly.
If I leaned forward right now on my tip-toes, I could totally kiss him. That thought forced me to snap back to reality. That would be too mature for a thirteen-year-old to do. So, I cough ever so slightly and take a step back. "It's a deal, Mr. Pucey". I said, holding out my hand to him.
Lips held together in an entertained manner, Pucey straightens his back and engulfs my hand in his. As always, I feel the calluses on his hands from quidditch. It feels just as firm as I recall. "Pleasure doing business with you, Ms. Weasley ''. He said, shaking my hand once.
When I led Pucey to the table where Lee and I had been studying, neither boy looked too thrilled to be in the other's presence. But aside from a few scathing remarks and less than friendly looks, both boys behaved well enough. Pucey continued to read his almanac while Lee and I continued to discuss exactly what we should include in our transfiguration project. By the end of our study session, Lee and I decided that since we did most of the research, Fred and George could write most of the essay and all four of us would focus on the presentation. I was feeling pretty good about myself after we said goodbye to Pucey and Lee and I headed back to Gryffindor Tower. That is until Lee tattled to Fred and George about what I had done. They were far from pleased. And that is without mentioning Hogsmeade.