Laying inside of a bubble bath while drinking a glass of red wine, Fleur Delacour was relaxing and was enjoying the smell of the scented candles she had lit and had set up all over the bathroom. She was going to be by herself tonight because Bill had told her that he was mostly likely going to stay at his parents house tonight so Fleur had the apartment all to herself. She continued to relax when suddenly the sound of the front door being roughly pushed open caused her to open her eyes and turn her head, staring at the closed bathroom door.
"Bill?" She called out in her thick French accent. "Bill are you home?"
No one answered her. She began to hear the sound of footsteps moving around the kitchen area. What Fleur didn't know was that it wasn't her soon be husband in the apartment with her. It was his brother Percy, the brother that Bill had rarely ever talked about, the brother she hadn't even met yet.
"Bill?" Fleur called out again but still no response. She slapped the water in irritation. "I hate it when you don't answer me." She muttered. Meanwhile, Percy had entered the bedroom and began moving his hands all over clothes hung up in the closet before making his way to the unmade bed, running his fingers across the pillows before smirking when he found what he needed.
A blonde head hair.
After about five more minutes in the tub, Fleur got out and dried herself off before throwing on a bathrobe. When she left the bathroom, her brows furrowed when she could smell something unpleasant coming from the kitchen. Sitting on top of the stove, a thick potion was bubbling in a pewter cauldron.
"What in the world?" She asked herself out loud before calling out; "Bill, what are you doing?"
Fleur spun on her heels and headed to the bedroom. Once she walked in Fleur froze in place with shock. She was now staring at herself. Percy then pointed Fleur's own wand at her. Fleur didn't even have the chance to scream as a green flash of light sped right towards her.
"Avada Kedevra!"
Fleur slammed against the wall and collapsed to the floor. Percy stared down at her body for a moment before crouching down and placing her wand inside of her hand. He then walked over to the full length mirror in the corner of the room. Percy looked at himself now disguised as Fleur. He touched his cheek as he winced with disgust. "Merlin." Percy said to himself. "No wonder my mother hates you."
Percy then closed his eyes and took a deep breath, preparing himself for what he was about to do next.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
It was close to five o'clock in the morning by the time 'Fleur' arrived at St. Mungo's. A healer was walking her to the room that Bill was in.
"Are the Weasleys still here?" Fleur asked, worried.
"No," the healer answered causing Fleur to breath a sigh of relief. "They left a little over a hour ago because Bill actually woke up for a little while. We've been giving him draughts for the pain, so if he wakes up again he's going to seem really out of it and might not even recognize you."
Once the door was opened for her Fleur gasped in shock once she saw Bill and ran to his side.
"Oh my goodness! What happened!"
"He was attacked by a werewolf."
"A werewolf!? Does that mean he's going to become one!?"
"No, Ms. Delacour. But I'm afraid that Bill is going to have some werewolf characteristics from now on."
"What does that even mean? We were going to be married soon, how can I marry him now! I wanted to have children! Won't this be passed down to them?"
"I'm afraid at this moment I can't say."
Fleur buried her face in her hands and forced herself to start sobbing as hard as she could. The healer put his hand on her shoulder and tried to comfort her.
"The two of you will still be able to live a normal life." He assured her before frowning, seeing how hard the young woman was taking this. "I'll give you some time alone with him."
Once the healer was gone, Percy looked at the door and back at Bill as he took out his own wand. He knew he had to be quick as the Polyjuice potion wasn't going to last forever. As he stared at his older brother, it seemed like time stopped as he remembered a moment between them...
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
It was late this particular night at the Burrow. Percy had been keeping himself isolated the entire day and Bill could tell that something was bothering him. Bill was now inside of his room and was refusing to leave until Percy told him what the problem he was having was.
"Will you leave me alone?" Percy snapped as he tried his best to ignore his oldest brother standing right next to his bed. Bill could always tell whenever something was bothering him. He should ask Bill someday how he manages to do that.
"Come on, Percy. Tell me what's the matter." Bill insisted.
Percy then slammed the book he was reading down on the floor.
"I didn't get fourteen O.W.L.S!" He seethed. If he had, Percy would have the record for having the most O.W.L.S. in Hogwarts history. "I didn't get to study as hard as I wanted because I had to keep chasing after those brats!" Referring to Fred and George.
"Alright, what's the big deal?" Bill laughed, and now somewhat confused. Having these kind of scores should be the last thing a person should be upset about. "Thirteen O.W.L.S. is great, it's the same number that I got."
"Yeah, I know." Percy muttered bitterly.
That caused Bill to raise his eyebrows. At first not understanding what Percy meant by that but he then realized it. Percy wanted to surpass him.
"Okay, you and I are tied. Why is that such a big deal?"
Percy didn't answer. He really didn't know why, it just was.
"So, what do you want to do, compare all our old NEWT scores to see who did better?" Bill asked, incredulous. "This is ridiculous, Percy."
"If it's so ridiculous, let's just forget it." Percy snapped.
"No, let's not forget it." Bill snapped back as he sat down next to Percy on the bed.
He was really surprised of how much this had upset his brother. Bill always believed that Percy was smarter than him, than the rest of them. Anytime they played Wizard Trivia when they had family night, Percy always won. It finally got to the point that no one wanted to play it anymore. Bill guessed because they had such a big family it was normal for Percy to want to stand out. Maybe that's why he bragged so much about his accomplishments. Bill really didn't have that problem, perhaps it was because he was the oldest, the first-born child. But in actuality, Bill thought that put the most pressure on him because he felt he needed to set a good example for the rest of his siblings.
"No one thinks any less of you because you didn't get more O.W.L.S then me." Bill assured Percy. Their Mum and Dad certainly didn't. "Have I treated you like you're any less?"
"No." Percy begrudgingly admitted.
"Alright then." Bill grabbed Percy and gave him a noogie. Finally, that caused Percy to loosen up and laugh.
"Bill! Cut it out!" He yelled, swiping at him. Bill let his little brother go. Percy seemed to be in a better mood now. He then asked Percy to come downstairs with him to get a late-night snack.
"You're going to start working for Gringotts." Percy said as they walked down the stairs. "Are you excited?"
"Yeah, it's going to be really fun." Bill smiled. "I'm going to be evaluating artifacts in search of curses before forwarding them to the bank."
"I wonder what I'm going to do when I'm done at Hogwarts."
Bill cocked his head as he looked at Percy in surprise.
"I thought you wanted to work for the Ministry." That was all Percy had ever talked about doing, even when he was very young. He even told Bill that he would be the Minister of Magic someday.
"I do. I just wonder if I'll get in, and how'll I'll do if do make it in."
Bill threw an arm around Percy's neck as he guided him to the kitchen.
"You'll do great. I can't think of anyone better for the job." Bill then got out some of the leftover carrot cake their mom had made. Once they both sat down and began eating Bill remembered Percy referring to the twins as brats. "You know, the only reason Fred and George bother you the way they do is to get your attention. You don't spend as much time with them as you use to."
"I know." Percy admitted. "I'm always just so busy with schoolwork."
"I know your work is important to you." Bill then stated seriously; "But so are we."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Percy then reached down and brushed back Bill's long hair. This was different then it had been with Charlie. He had the chance to say something to Charlie first. He wondered what he would say to Bill at this moment if he was awake, but honestly, Percy really didn't have any words. Percy raised his chin as he continued to stare at Bill. Percy then said;
"There is nothing more to say. You are not worth any more of my energy. You are not worth any more of my words. You are not worthy to walk in my shadow."
After saying that, Percy then placed his own wand against Bill's chest and as quietly as possible said;
"Avada Kedevra."
Then as fast as he could, Percy left the room and out of St. Mungo's hospital. His serotonin level was racing as he realized that he done it again. He was another step closer. Now, he had no more older brothers. Percy was now the oldest.
Percy then smiled.
He decided right then that he would now go after Fred and George. Since they were born together, they would go together.
