What were you thinking?
How could you have said that to him?
Now he knows
He knows your insecurities
Don't think for one moment he won't use them against you
Because he will
He will and he'll enjoy it
He'd been a fool. A complete utter moron. What was he thinking? Percy allowed himself to get overwhelmed with his emotions, to the point that he'd made a spectacle of himself in front of Wood. His dormmate now knew how Fred and George made him feel. It was likely not entirely surprising, given the previous happenings, but still . Now it was concrete. Now his dormmate knew the specifics, the intimate details he'd never shared with anyone before.
Because you've never had anyone to share them with
Because no one's wanted to willingly be around you more than necessary
And yet Wood wants to
For some reason
How could he have been so stupid? He should have known better! After all this time, he went ahead and did that. He felt like sliding down to the floor in defeat.
"Why would he want to sit with you?"
"He just feels sorry for you."
"How does he even put up with you?"
"Did he lose a bet?"
"Are you a prat to him too or just us?"
How could he have said that? He was usually so careful about not saying too much while in the presence of others. Now he'd done this and there was no taking it back. Not unless he obliviated Wood. And it was sorely tempting. He knew the incantation and everything; he just didn't know if he could go along with it. If anyone found out, if Wood suspected something had happened or he botched up the spell, creating a much worse mess, the teachers would know. Professor Dumbledore would know. He would expel Percy without a second thought. His wand would be snapped and the only choices for him would be to go to Azkaban for his crime or return to the Burrow with a cloud of shame looming overhead of him.
His parents would despise him. They wouldn't want to keep a former wizard who was all but a squib and a disgrace to the Weasley family name.
But you already are.
You already disappoint them.
You are a disgrace to the family.
You just hadn't known it yet .
Percy was conflicted. Immeasurably so. It wasn't the kind of conflict of whether he should sit there or go somewhere else kind of thing. A simple thing. A task that could easily have a remedy. No this wasn't it. This was much more difficult for him to figure out.
And he didn't like it. Didn't like not knowing what to do. It happened often nowadays.
But he digressed.
The situation at hand was much more difficult. One that for the life of him, he couldn't figure out. Had Wood been sincere when he said all of that last night? For the better part of the night, Percy's mind had mulled over his dormmate's words repeatedly . He kept trying to find something that would prove he was lying or if he'd been initially right and this was his way of getting the grade he desired so he could ensure his spot on the team was secure. It had to be that, right? What other reason did he have to willingly be around him?
It didn't make sense. Not in a straightforward way. Unless he had something to gain from it. But than again, his eyes. Wood's eyes had shown sincerity in them. And that was why Percy was conflicted. Anyone else might have believed it without a shadow of a doubt. Perhaps somewhere deep down, he wanted to believe it as well. A part of him, a part that felt like a small child, yearned for the chance to feel acceptance; to know that he wasn't thought of as a complete and utter pest .
Perfect Prefect Percy
Perfectly annoying perfect Percy
Always has to open his mouth to say nothing important at all
This is why no one likes you
He wished he could accept it.
And not have a nagging feeling like Wood was only doing it because of what he'd seen.
But it wasn't that way.
Percy was skeptical. Rightly so, in his opinion. To what reason, after dealing with the same treatment from his own family for years did he have to possibly think Wood would be any different? None, in fact. There was nothing that could paint the picture differently. Nothing to suggest his dormmate was a safe zone. But he couldn't. He couldn't because the cynical part of him, the part of him which held a realistic- pessimistic you mean - view of just about anything, made it all so questionable. It gave him a strong feeling he was being blatantly lied to, stringing him along until the moment came and Wood could dump him to the side once something much more interesting came along.
Because there was no reason to keep him around.
That's why Penny got rid of you
You're disposable
That's all there is to it
/
With Wood in charms, it gave Percy a breather. He could walk back to the dormitory without incessant chatter or feeling his dormmate stand far too close to him. Honestly, did he have no concept of personal space? The obvious answer to that was a definite no .
He crossed through the courtyard. It was mostly clear considering many students were either in class at this very moment or elsewhere. It was a blessing he was thankful for. The downside of that was it gave him time to think. Percy didn't like thinking. Not now when his thoughts spiraled downward quicker than humanly possible.
He just wanted to get back, out of the sun and cold.
Naturally, this was not an easy process like it should have been.
He'd heard the footsteps behind him. The crunching of the leaves. His heart sped up and he tried to calm himself. It was likely just another student or two going about their way. There was no need to get worked up over it.
"Hey Weasley !"
Percy felt the blood drain out of his face. Flint. He was there. Behind him. Probably seconds away from shooting a curse his way that would leave him face planting on the ground. He didn't turn around in hope that the Slytherin would grow bored at the lack of attention and leave.
"Weasley, I'm talking to you!"
And that's exactly why I won't be stopping
He quickened his pace.
And so did Flint.
And whoever else was with him.
Because of course it wasn't just Flint. That would have been much too merciful on Percy.
He made the incredibly stupid decision to stop, turning around on his heel. There, in all their Slytherin glory, Flint and Terence Higgs eventually caught up to him. He'd pretend he felt braver than he truly felt.
"Look how well Wood has you trained," Higgs mocked. "Do you follow other orders, too?"
Percy said nothing. He was promptly shoved by Flint, tumbling back slightly.
"Kneazle got your tongue?" Flint smirked which was then replaced by a scowl. "What, you're too good to talk to us now?"
"Course he is," Higgs said. "Always was so full of himself. Probably thinks he's better than everyone. Isn't that right, Weasley?"
"No," Percy whispered even though every rational part of him was screaming to just shut up . "I..I don't think that."
"I bet you think you're better than Wood, too," Flint continued to try and antagonize things further. "Only Merlin knows he bothers sticking around you."
"Bet he feels sorry for him," Higgs said nastily. "Especially after that show at dinner."
"But enough about Wood," Flint's smile was nothing pleasant; he gave Percy a clear view of those rotted, awful looking teeth he was known for. "We wanted to talk to you ."
"Me?" Percy said weakly.
"Yeah," Higgs said, stepping into Percy's space. "We just want to talk, that's all."
"I don't want to talk," Percy said quickly. "I have to go, actually-"
"But wait," Flint gripped his forearm. It was painful. His fingers would leave a bruise. "You can't leave now. That'd be rude of you."
"Surely your parents taught you some pureblood propriate?" Higgs said slyly.
Percy flushed at the not so subtle insult. It was commonly known that his family didn't observe the same customs that a typical pure blood family would. His parents were seemingly proud of it, being different from the rest wasn't all that upsetting to them. It wasn't much for him either, but it did give people more of a reason to throw it back in his face.
"Let me go," He said with forced calmness to Flint. He tried jerking his arm out but it didn't budge. "Please."
"So you do have manners," Flint smirked.
"Just let me go," Percy tried again. "I don't want any trouble. I just-"
"Gentlemen, is anything the matter?"
Percy's saving grace-Professor Lupin-gave them all a friendly smile as he approached. He felt Flint release his arm and sighed in relief.
"No, Professor," Flint said with an obviously fake smile.
"We were just having a little chat," Higgs said smoothly.
"I see," Professor Lupin said. "You'll have to continue this conversation later as I was actually on my way to speak to Mr. Weasley here. If you boys wouldn't mind giving us some privacy, it would be very appreciated."
This was not what neither Flint or Higgs wanted to hear. But they couldn't go up against Professor Lupin, although Percy didn't see why not because if they did, Professor Snape would surely get them out of trouble.
Just like he did before
And all those other times
And with Mcgregor
Flint and Higgs started to walk away, sulky expressions taking over their faces. They were a foot or so away when Professor Lupin spoke again.
"Oh, and Mr. Flint, Mr. Higgs?"
They turned.
"That will be forty points from Slytherin for attempting to bully a classmate."
"We weren't-" Higgs started to say.
"Do not lie to me. I witnessed the whole thing. And I will be reporting it to the Headmaster so you don't get off easy."
Percy watched them stalk off the courtyard, eyes immediately lowering to the ground once they disappeared from view. "Thank you," He murmured.
"Of course," Professor Lupin said kindly. "I hope Mr. Flint didn't hurt your arm too much."
Percy shrugged. "It's fine."
"Ah, very good. Would you care to walk with me, Mr. Weasley? I must admit I'm in need of stretching my legs."
"Don't you have class right now?" Percy furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.
Obviously not if he's out here
Think, Head-Boy, think
"Not this hour," Professor Lupin said in a casual tone. "Your brothers and Mr. Jordan evidently made quite a stir in potions. The entire class is in the hospital wing until further notice."
What-
What have they done now?
Don't they realize how dangerous it is to mess around in potions?
Professor Lupin took his silence as worry and he spoke back up to put him at ease. "Not to fret, Mr. Weasley. Your brothers are just fine. They seemed to think of the situation as rather amusing."
"They would," Percy muttered.
Professor Lupin gave him another smile and gestured. "Come along."
Percy stood still for a moment. He didn't want to accompany him. He wanted to go back to Gryffindor Tower. But alas, it didn't seem like he would be getting that option. Resigned to his fate, the red-head fell into step with the professor.
"I've been meaning to ask how you are, Mr. Weasley," professor Lupin said.
What?
'How you are'
What is that supposed to mean?
"I don't understand," Percy admitted, adjusting his shoulder strap.
"I'm referring to what your brothers did at dinner that evening," Professor Lupin clarified.
Percy ducked his head.
Must they talk about this?
Why can't everyone just forget about it?
Why can't they just leave me alone?
"It was very cruel of them to do so," Professor Lupin added with a shake of his head. "They've got a brilliant mind, no doubt, but they would benefit from having a bit more self-control than they do."
He's right, you know
"I just wanted to check up on you after all of that. It probably would have been more useful to do that night, I know. I've no excuse for that but as the muggles say, better late than never."
He smiled once more.
Percy did not.
"I'm fine, Sir," He said with the same tone he used to fool people. "Honestly, I am. I'm over it."
Professor Lupin's eyes swiftly roved over him. "Are you?" He probed with interest.
"Yes," Percy nodded. Liar, liar. "That was weeks ago." It hasn't been that long and you know it. " It's fine now."
"I see," Professor Lupin said. "I'm glad to hear it. I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised. After all, with a friend like Mr. Wood, he must have helped you get through it."
"Right," Percy said slowly. He couldn't understand why Professor Lupin was mentioning Wood all of the sudden, but then he remembered the day in the Defense classroom, where his dormmate had pleaded with the professor not to give percy a failing grade for not doing the blasted essay. It was plain as day now; he thought they were best mates when in actuality, they weren't. He wouldn't know that, of course, not after that performance Wood put on for him.
"Speaking of Mr. Wood-" Oh, why did Percy have a bad feeling about this? "He came down to my classroom just the other day."
"...He did?"
"Indeed," Professor Lupin said. And that was all he said. Percy felt this pause was deliberate.
"What did he say?" Percy dreaded to imagine. He must have told Professor Lupin. He must have. That was why he was there with Percy now. He had no reason to without a prompt. Had Wood told him to do this? Was this his dormmate's way of getting someone to check up on Percy?
"Not that much," Professor Lupin said, his hands going into the pockets of his robes. "He was quite bothered, from what I could tell. Although he did admit how angry he is at your brothers."
Percy almost stopped walking. That was how surprised he was. "He...was?"
Perhaps he shouldn't have let it come out as a question considering Professor Lupin believed them to be friends.
Oh well.
What's done is done.
"Oh, yes, yes," Professor Lupin nodded. "Evidently, he's making their training a tad bit more difficult. Although, given what I've heard about Mr. Wood, I don't think his punishment is much different than how he usually runs things."
He's doing that?
But why?
For you, obviously
But it doesn't make sense. Why for me?
I don't know why you're surprised. You've already acknowledged that he's upset with them.
I know but...this is different
Percy was so caught up in his musings that he didn't realize Professor Lupin was looking so intently at him. "Is something the matter, Mr. Weasley?"
"No, Professor," came the immediate response.
"Alright," The professor said easily. Too easily for Percy to feel comfortable about it. "But should you ever need a listening ear and Mr. Wood can bear to part with you temporarily-" The feeble joke got no chuckle or smile from Percy, "my door is always open."
"Thank you," Percy said with no intention of following up on the invitation.
/
"And Wood makes the shot! He's quick, he's the best there is! The crowd is going wild! Ahhh!"
Percy had to blink twice to make sure he was seeing what he was seeing. He stared at his dormmate, who clearly hadn't heard him come in.
"What are you doing ?"
Wood whirled around. His face contorted into an expression that was a mixture of panic and embarrassment. His hands fumbled around until one was rubbing the back of his neck. He let out a nervous laugh. "Percy," he got out eventually. "I...I didn't know you were there."
"Yes, I've gathered that," Percy couldn't refrain from allowing the smirk to come onto his face. For a split second, the cloud that followed him endlessly lifted. He slid past Wood, dropping his bag on his bed.
"How long were you there...exactly?" Wood's attempt at being nonchalant about the whole thing was pitiful.
"Long enough to hear the crowd go wild," Percy said casually.
What's gotten into me?
A blush came onto Wood's cheeks. He ducked his head. "Oi," he grumbled. "I'm excited, okay? The scouts are comin' from Puddlemere."
Percy knew that. He'd known that because Wood wouldn't shut up about it.
"So where were you?" He asked, switching the subject abruptly.
"Why do you care?' Percy still didn't like being questioned like he was a child returning after being late to curfew.
"Just wondering," Wood said. "You usually come straight back here."
Well, he wasn't wrong .
"Not that it's any of your business but I was with Professor Lupin," He said quietly.
Wood was surprised. "Oh."
"I didn't want to be. I didn't seek him out. He came out of nowhere when-" He trailed off when he realized it was probably better not to mention Flint and Higgs.
"When what?" Wood caught on to his hesitancy.
"It's really not a big deal-"
"What happened?"
"Just Flint and Higgs," Percy muttered.
Wood straightened up upon hearing their names slip off Percy's tongue. " What?" He demanded. There was a fire in his eyes, the kind that came whenever the Slytherin captain came up. "What did they do? Did they hurt you? Are you alright-"
"I'm fine ," Percy would have preferred Wood not to have stepped closer like he did. There were creases on his forehead, mouth spiraled downward in concern. "Professor Lupin stopped them before they could do anything."
"Good," Wood nodded firmly. Then naturally, he couldn't help but ask, quite eagerly, "Did he take off points?"
"Forty."
Percy jumped when Wood let out a loud whoop.
"Ha! I knew he was my favorite professor for a reason!"