He wasn't going to go.

Percy made up his mind without much stopping him.

He couldn't. He wouldn't. It'd be too much, roaming around the castle to get to his classes, being amongst the general student population when he would much rather hide out in the dorm room, in the safety of his bed. As pathetic as that was. He'd lie, telling his professors he was sick and when that wouldn't work, he'd take the failing grade for not doing his homework because what did it matter anymore? He'd willingly go to his inevitable detentions without a care in the world; nodding emotionlessly as he would be told they would be contacting his parents over the matter. He'd hand over his Head-Boy badge to Professor McGonagall while she figuratively pounced on him, lecturing him on how none of what he was exhibiting was how a Head-Boy should be conducting himself. It'd been years since a Prefect or Head was required to give up their badge for poor behavior-actually, now that he thought about it, Percy couldn't recall ever hearing about such a thing.

You'd be a first

First on record

Good for you

You'd finally get that recognition you've been whinging about so much

What had been left of the weekend came and flew by much too fast for most of the students, who preferred lounging around to waking up early and being handed assignment after assignment. For Percy, it was different. His stomach was in his knots the closer Monday morning approached, the reminder hanging above him like a dark rain cloud. In the hours leading up to the sun rising, he wanted to vomit.

He wasn't going. He wasn't. He'd refuse.

Right now, he was still in his bed. He heard Wood shuffling about as he hurriedly put himself together in an effort to get dressed and ready for the day. His dorm mate wasn't the best at being punctual or maintaining time management; which meant that he'd slept in more than he should have and had now entered the part of the phase where he was in a rush to get down to the hall to grab a bite to eat before he needed to be in the classroom.

There came a thud. And a hiss. Wood must have collided his foot with the bottom part of the bed.

Percy assumed Wood would be too preoccupied to notice him, giving him the advantage of not having to have his presence acknowledged and talked to until his return later that day. Alas, that was not the case. As his notorious bad luck would have it, his dorm mate was in the midst of shoving his books and other needed belongings into his bag when he spared a glance over in Percy's direction of the room, eyeing how the redhead was still clothed in his-what was it now?-four day old uniform.

"You're not coming?" Wood asked him. He didn't wait for an answer before he continued on. "You're sure? I mean, you can't just stay here all day by yourself."

Watch me

"M'sure it's not healthy," Wood frowned. "'Specially after...well, you know."

Percy said nothing.

"I can stay here with you," Wood offered like he was doing Percy some grand favor. His bag, in which he'd picked up, was suddenly dropped. Percy flinched at the noise. "That way you don't have to be alone."

"No," Percy said, his voice raspy.

"No?" Wood repeated, as if he didn't comprehend.

"No," Percy said, firmly. Not as firm as he'd like it to be. "No. Don't. Just...go."

"And leave you here?" Wood retorted mildly.

Yes, preferably

Leave

Just leave

We both know you don't want to be here

You just want to look good

Everyone will see you've taken on Hogwarts' charity case

"Yes," Percy said, quietly. He bravely looked up at his dorm mate. "I'm sure you have other things to do. Don't stay here on my account. It isn't necessary, I assure you."

"Not necessary?" Wood-for the second time-repeated his words. "Are you mad?" Percy's eyes darted downward. There it was, the tone of disbelief, suggesting what he was saying not only to be insane but foolish as well.

Just leave

Please just leave

I beg of you

"I'm not leaving you here."

Percy didn't appreciate how he was essentially being treated like a child of all things. He was perfectly capable of being by himself. In fact, he yearned for it. Longed for the dorm room to be empty so he could think without feeling his dorm mate's eyes on him or the thick tension because Wood was still unsure of how to react around him.

He thinks you're going to try again

He thinks you're going to kill yourself and he won't be there to stop you

He thinks you need to be supervised at all times

"I...I don't need you. I can handle being here by myself. I'm not helpless."

"Of course not," Wood agreed. Too easily as far as Percy was concerned. "Don't think you are."

Then why can't you just leave me alone!

Silence. It was unusual; he was used to hearing something from the other side of the room.

"Then you can certainly attend your classes," Percy said, briskly. "Speaking of which, you ought to go now or else you'll be late."

"And you'll be coming with me."

"What?" Percy was caught off guard.

"You can't stay here," Wood shook his head. "I know you don't want to but...you should. That way you won't be alone."

I'd rather much be alone

I don't understand why he cares so much

He shouldn't

Perhaps he merely trying to convince you that he cares

Because he doesn't

Why would anyone care?

"No," Percy said, immediately. "Absolutely not. I'm not going down there."

"But-"

"Have you forgotten that everyone laughed at me?" Percy swallowed back the lump in his throat. His chest felt tight, like he was holding his emotions back. "I'm not going down there. They'll laugh at me again. They won't forget." He kept shaking his head.

"I can't face them."

"That's why I'll be with you," Wood was insistent, his face brightening up. His enthusiasm was shining through. Percy despised it. "You won't have to be alone or do it yourself. Come with me, I'll tell them off if they do."

He's lying

He's trying to fool you

He's trying to lure you down there

Don't fall for it

"...I don't want to."

"Why?" Wood was irritatingly persistent. "What's stopping you? How can you just-"

Then it dawned on him. Visibly so. Wood abruptly cut himself off, straightening up and nodding for no reason.

"Right. That. Erm..sorry. I should've known, obviously. Suppose I forgot."

Lucky you

We don't all have that same pleasure

Wood slumped down on his own bed, running a hand through his hair. He looked lost, momentarily helpless on what to do next. He let out a heavy sigh. "I'm sorry," he said at last. "That was stupid. You're probably not ready to go out there. Suppose I wouldn't either after...well, you know."

He ripped off his tie and threw it over his shoulder, taking off the outer robe portion of his uniform and rolling it up into a ball and resting it on top of his trunk. Percy watched it happen warily. Even more so when Wood gave him a bright smile and asked what he wanted for breakfast.

"What?" Percy whispered, eyebrows furrowed. "I don't-"

"I know you want to be alone," Wood said, "but I'm not leaving you. You don't want to go to class today so I won't either. If McGonagall asks, I'll tell her we're both sick. Have you ever faked a fever? S'real easy, I'll show you. Course, it'd be easier with a hair dryer. Ever used one of those? Too bad we can't use muggle stuff here. Can you imagine that?"

Percy's stressed out brain struggled to process all of that. "What?" He repeated, dumbly.

"I'm staying," Wood told him with finality in his voice. "We'll hang out here together."

"You can't," Percy was shaking his head. "What about...what about quidditch?"

That should do it. Right? Wood wouldn't dare mess up his chances at winning against Flint and the rest of the Slytherin team. Plus, being that this was their last year, he was most likely wishing to train so he could impress the quidditch talent scouts that were going to be coming later on in the season to observe potential players. That was only everything Wood had ever wanted; Percy had overheard him speaking to practically everyone about it. He really wanted to get scouted by Puddlemere as he was certain it was the best team in the league. His adoration rivalled that of Ron's for the Chudley Cannons.

"They can do without me for today," Wood said simply, shrugging.

What?

"What?" Percy's voice was barely at his normal volume.

"Look. I, er...I was wrong for trying to make you go down there. You don't have to, obviously. We'll stay up here and do whatever you like. We can even skip the rest of the week," Wood put it out there.

Percy didn't know how to feel or what to think. He still wished his dorm mate wouldn't stay there, but he also couldn't figure out why it was so important to him to be there. That was a minor irritation; he didn't like not knowing something. He wasn't supposed to not know something.

"I suppose," Percy murmured, now that there was no way he'd get what he wanted. It was either go to class or allow Wood to stay there.

Curses.

"Brilliant," Wood grinned.

Percy did not reciprocate.

"Now, first things first."

Oh, what now?

"What?" Percy said, uneasily.

If this is in regards to my eating habits again...

"You need a shower," Wood said, gently.

That wasn't what Percy expected.

"Don't worry, it's all nice and hot. Haven't gotten one yet. I was going to wait for you."

"Well you can go ahead and get one," Percy felt distinctly uncomfortable with the way this conversation was heading. "I won't be."

"You should," Wood pointed out and then added, teasingly, "no offense, but you smell worse than my quidditch uniform."

Percy blushed.

As if you don't already know that

As if you weren't already aware you haven't showered or brushed your teeth or combed your hair or done anything remotely hygienic lately

As if you really needed that reminder

"I was only joking," Wood said, a bit hastily once he saw how Percy hadn't chuckled along with him. "S'not that bad." Like that was much better. "But you could probably use a bit of a wash up."

"I'd rather not," Percy said. "I'd rather sleep."

He'd rather do the one thing he'd been unable to get enough of.

"You can sleep after," Wood suggested. It didn't feel like a suggestion. More like an order. It was reminiscent of when his mum would suggest something when in reality, she was telling them. "'Sides, you'll feel better, too."

Percy really didn't want to. However, Wood wasn't likely to back off until he coaxed him into doing what he wanted and he'd much rather be left alone then ruthlessly hounded on. "Fine," he gave up.

Another victory for Wood, Percy thought bitterly when his dorm mate seemed happier that he complied instead of further arguing.

"Great," Wood jumped to his feet, "I can get your things, if you'd like?"

Oh, there was no way Wood was touching his stuff.

"I can get it myself," Percy said in a cool tone.

"Alright," this didn't put a damper in his dorm mate's mood. "There's plenty of towels in there for you. The elves just restocked everything."

Percy grabbed his hygiene essentials, an actual pair of pajamas, and headed for the bathroom. Wood let him through and the redhead just knew he was being watched, closer than his dorm mate would watch what was going on in quidditch. He closed the door, sliding down until he reached the floor with a sigh.

Percy was loath to admit it, but it did feel kind of nice to wash all of the dirt and grime off his skin. He wouldn't say that to Wood, though.

The shower in and of itself was nothing elaborate. His hair remained unwashed and he hadn't lathered himself up with soapy bubbles either. He merely stood there, letting the warm water run down his body. That was tiring enough, as if he'd just been through the multitude and seemingly never ending drills Wood put the quidditch team through. When he was done, he sat down on top of the loo with a towel firmly placed around his waist, slumped down.

He ached. It was bothersome and it showed the repetitive cycle he found himself in; during the holidays where he wasn't forced to leave his room or whenever he managed to find the time to be alone, Percy spent an extraordinary amount of time in one position which brought on pain which should have made him get up and move around to lessen it. However, it all came down to the same reason-excuse- and it was that he lacked the energy to do so.

Life was funny like that. It was as if he'd aged up fifty years. From being able to do whatever he pleased with no barriers, now he struggled to do the simplest of tacks. Basic tasks that someone younger than him could do, let alone a person of his age. He wasn't being lazy. He wasn't deliberately trying to let himself deteriorate. It was out of his control.

That's an excuse

Your parents won't take that as an answer

They'll just think you're being lazy

Because you are

You're of age now and you can't even take a shower

Percy brushed his teeth methodically. It wasn't for as long as it should have been, but it was something. He'd done that much, which was more than what he'd done in the past few days.

So it was good enough for the moment.

As soon as he exited the bathroom, he went back to his bed, leaving his bundle of slightly smelly and horribly wrinkled clothes on the other side of his bed where he couldn't see them. Out of sight, out of mind, as the muggles said. On the opposite side of the room, Wood was laying on his own bed, flipping idly through a quidditch-naturally. Percy didn't think he'd ever read anything that didn't pertain to quidditch if it wasn't for school.

Then again, he didn't make it a habit of paying attention to what his dorm mate did.

"Feel better?" Wood asked, sounding nonchalant but he was peeking out from his magazine.

Percy rubbed his forearm. "I suppose so."

"That's good. Dunno about you but I'm starving. I think I'm gonna go sneak into the kitchens. Want anything?"

"No," Percy muttered as he climbed back into bed.

"Alright. Suit yourself. I'll be right back, okay?"

Percy didn't respond back. He figured now wasn't going to be the chance he'd get to fall asleep but he'd try; he just closed his eyes when he was startled by Wood sprinting back up, leaping into his bed like a madman. "McGonagall's coming," he hissed at Percy.

What?

"Make her think you're sick!" Wood mouthed, looking somewhat frantic now that this wasn't going the way he'd anticipated. It wasn't particularly often a professor came to the dormitories unless a situation called for it. They certainly didn't come looking for students like this.

Percy felt more nervous than usual when the door came open, revealing Professor McGonagall. She was alone. Had she seen Wood? She hadn't, by the looks of it. She didn't seem angry and finding out one of her students were dilly dallying rather than going to class would surely not be something she took lightly. She looked from Percy to Wood, giving them a once over and taking in how they were both tucked into bed, with Wood doing his best to appear sickly. "Mr. Wood, Mr. Weasley," she said. "Are you both aware what time it is? Your classes are to begin at any moment."

Percy became tongue tied. He didn't know the correct route to take here. It wasn't advisable to lie to any professor, let alone Professor McGonagall. She would just know that he was lying; she had a penchant for easily spotting that sort of behavior. Luckily, or perhaps unluckily, Wood didn't let him do the talking. Not at first. His dorm mate emitted a strange sounding cough that was between a real cough and an attempt at clearing his throat. "Sorry, Professor," Wood gave an authentic impression of a hoarse voice. "We should've told you yesterday but me and Percy aren't feeling good."

Professor McGonagall's radar was going off. Percy felt it. She raised her eyebrows. "Is that so? How long have you both been feeling ill?"

"Since yesterday," Wood said, morphing his face into a grimace. "Dunno why..."

"I see," Professor McGonagall's tone was no less concerning than her facial expression. "And just how severe are your symptoms?"

"Bad enough," Wood said, grimly. "Bit dizzy. I threw up, too. Pretty sure I've got a fever. It's freezing in here." He shivered to emphasize his claim.

"I see," Professor McGonagall repeated, clearly torn between believing him or not. Her eyes were critical. Still, Wood never faltered. "And this has nothing to do with the fact that Gryffdoor's first match is next month?"

She peered at him over her spectacles.

"Of course not," Wood promised, easily.

She pursed her lips. Percy was now sure she didn't believe him. "If I find out otherwise, I assure you, Mr. Wood, the consequences will be severe. Is that understood?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Now that I have made myself clear," Professor McGonagall turned her attention onto Percy. "Are you feeling similarly, Mr. Weasley?"

Percy nodded slowly.

"Would you both prefer to stay in the hospital wing? I believe Poppy has two empty beds."

As delicately as he could manage, Percy shook his head. "No thank you. I...I'd rather stay here and sleep. If that's okay."

He didn't think she'd allow it. He thought he was resigned to his fate now, prepared for the punishment that was to come once Madam Pomfrey 'discovered' they were perfectly fine. He didn't expect her to nod her head. "Very well. I would have one of the house elves bring you both a pepper up potion but Poppy is all out at the moment. However, Professor Snape will have to brew up some more. When he does, I shall ensure you both get some."

"Oh, no," Percy momentarily froze but recovered and thought up a quick lie. " Actually, I'm afraid I've become rather...immune from its effects."

What? Wood mouthed from the other side of the room, subtly so Professor McGonagall didn't see. He was looking perplexed.

"Have you?" Professor McGonagall seemed to buy it.

"Erm, yes. I became quite ill over the summer holidays and needed it frequently."

"You can be immune to it?" Wood wondered out loud, scrunching up his face in confusion.

Percy wished he would shut up.

"In rare cases," Professor McGonagall said. "It seems Mr. Weasley is one of those cases."

Thank Merlin she bought it

Of course she does

You have a perfect record, you're Head-Boy-she thinks you're telling the truth

She doesn't think you'd ever lie

People like you don't lie

People like you are supposed to be role models

But you aren't

Are you?

"For that reason, I shall see if Professor Snape can brew you another potion. If not, I'm afraid you will simply have to wait this out. I or Poppy will come check on you this evening and if you still aren't well, I will let your other professors know that you will be out for the remainder of the week." She turned back to Wood, her hands clasped together. "As for you, Mr. Wood, you're still able to ingest a pepper up, correct?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Then a house elf will bring you a vial once Professor Snape is finished. He should have it ready by lunch; if that's the case, I'll also have the elves bring you both up some soup and pumpkin juice," Professor McGonagall pulled her robe closer and glanced back at Percy, her eyes softening. "And Mr. Weasley, I want you to know that your brothers will be serving detention for two weeks for their outrageous stunt they've pulled."

Percy didn't hear Wood mutter good under his breath in approval.

"Oh, alright," Percy shifted.

Professor McGonagall bid them well and said that she hoped they would feel better soon. On her way out, she gave Wood another stern look, reiterating that she was quite serious and would make good on her promise-a not so thinly veiled threat. She also added she would be watching the field, should he sneak out there, believing it was safe to do so. When she finally left, Wood threw his blanket off, shaking his head.

"Can you believe that? She doesn't even trust me."

With good reason

"What do you say we do now?" Wood asked him.

Nothing

Leave me alone

"Dunno about you, but I'm going to re-think my quidditch strategy. I'm sure Flint tried to get a peek at them last time we met on the pitch. Well, I won't stand for it! I'm changing everything so that dirty, rotten cheater can't tell the rest of those slimy snakes our plays," Wood said, confidently and he messily dug out some parchment and a quill to write with. Much to Percy's displeasure, he could very well hear his dorm mate talking to himself as he was writing. That'll teach 'em, he was muttering furiously and this isn't over.

Percy pressed one of his pillows onto his face, wishing he'd just suffocate.