Written for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, for Hopscotch, for the prompts Percy/Hermione and extravagant.
Words: 341
The Preposition
"Hermione," Percy began, nervously wringing his hands as he looked at her with wide eyes and a tense neck. Hermione resisted the urge to laugh as she noted it looked as though he was having a difficult time on the toilet. "I have known you for a few years now, and I must say, you are a wonderful witch. You are skilled, beautiful, intelligent. Indeed, almost everything I pride in a woman." His tone was formal and distant, and completely at odds with his words. Hermione began to feel a little embarrassed for him, knowing exactly how this was going to end, but hoping his words were leading in another direction. "Or, not just a woman. In a person. Although, it does help that you are a woman," he rambled, and Hermione bit her lip as she watched him. He breathed in a deep sigh. "What I am trying to say is this. Hermione, would you do me the honour of accompanying me on a date tomorrow evening?"
His eyes were wide and hopeful as he looked at her, and Hermione swallowed. She wasn't sure how to tell him.
"Er, Percy," she began. "Thank you for your lovely and extravagant words, but I'm afraid I can't."
"Why not? Was I too formal? Am I not attractive?" he began, needing to analyse the situation so that it made sense.
"No, none of that," she lied. "The right woman would fall at your feet for a speech like that. The thing is, I'm already on a date tomorrow night. With Ron. We're dating now. I'm… I'm sorry," she bit her lip again. The whole situation was so ridiculous she didn't know how to take it.
"Oh, okay," he said. His eyes hit the floor as he looked crestfallen. Hermione stepped forward to give him an awkward, tense hug, out of kindness and a hope that it would cheer him up. She decided not to linger and left him, heading for Molly and the kitchen.
"She hugged me," Percy said, smiling at the wall.