Friends

Percy wanted one more than anything.

Prior to attending Hogwarts, he'd been so excited in hopes of finding at least one person to attach himself to. Bill and Charlie met their friends there. So why wouldn't he? Perhaps it would be during the train ride; someone would knock shyly on the compartment door, asking if they could join him and then they would spend the entire time chatting about everything and anything. Or maybe it would be during the boat ride across the lake. Or at the Gryffindor table-because every Weasley before Percy had been sorted there so there was no doubt that he, too, would be-as they ate amongst their house. Or during that first night. He and his dormmates could bond, whether that was over shared interests or similar backgrounds. Or, or anyone he met in his classes. Whatever the circumstances were, he didn't care. He just wanted a friend to come out of all of this.

Living with six siblings was far lonelier than one might think.

And unlike Bill or Charlie, Mum didn't take Percy or his younger siblings out on playdates so he didn't have a chance to get to know someone his age. By the time he came along, Mum and Dad were busy and he supposed they'd figured he would be fine by the time he was at Hogwarts. But that wasn't the case. He hadn't been fine; he wasn't fine.

He didn't want to place blame on his parents. He knew they'd tried their best with the circumstances. It wasn't easy to raise seven children in today's world, especially with the money situation and it being as tight as it was. Still, he wished that their social lives had been taken into consideration alongside everything else. Percy was naturally shyer than the rest of them, so much quieter that it allowed him to easily fade in the background; and perhaps being exposed to other people his age earlier would have helped some. It might have made the task of conversing not so daunting. It was an area he did not excel at. It confused and frustrated him. Bill and Charlie had no such problems. Ron did occasionally if he was in the presence of someone new, but it didn't last long. He would warm up to them once he relaxed.

Percy didn't relax.

He never did.

It was much more difficult for him to handle social situations, specifically because he was perpetually struggling to come up with the appropriate words to say. He didn't understand how others didn't have to think about it, didn't have that churn in their stomachs or a heart that raced. They just...talked. Upon observation, Percy noticed no one else in the family was like him. The majority were loud and slightly obnoxious while he wasn't. He just didn't share that. When everyone was being told to shut up, he was told to speak up.

But what could he do?

It was just...hard. He overthought everything, anticipating their response which then messed him up when they didn't respond the way he believed they were going to. And then there were the times his mind went blank and he couldn't say anything at all. Other times, he would completely say the wrong thing which usually wound up offending the other person.

Like Wood

Remember when you opened your big mouth?

He hated you after that

He hadn't meant to do that at all. Percy's nerves had been all over the place and while he'd gotten over the task of sitting in the stool for the Sorting Hat in front of everyone, there were still the excited-nervous butterflies that swam through his stomach. Wood had started to talk even though Professor Dumbledore had already stood up for his welcoming speech. Percy had wanted to hear it for any valuable information, plus it would have been mortifying to have been reprimanded if he'd paid more attention to Wood or participated in the talking.

And so, he'd requested that Wood sop.

Only, not in the way he should have.

Percy had noticed a change in Wood's body language after that. He seemed irritated with him and didn't talk to him unless he absolutely had to. It bothered Percy at first. He didn't like people being upset with him, especially when the whole thing had been an accident. It had come out wrong, that's all. He hadn't been angry nor did he want to intentionally drive Wood away.

But he did.

It cost him a potential friendship.

Gradually, Percy accepted it. He realized he and his dormmate obviously weren't destined to be close. They just weren't; they didn't have common interests and couldn't hold a proper conversation without awkward silence.

However, he learned that it wasn't just Wood who rejected him.

It was practically everybody.

The Slytherins were out entirely, which was fine in Percy's opinion. The Gryffindors, despite being his house and supposedly part of his 'family' like Professor McGonagall had said, mostly ignored him. He wasn't like his older brothers and didn't make it a point to attempt to stand out so he was basically a nobody in their eyes. It didn't help that he and Wood were the only Gryffindor boys of their year.

The Hufflepuffs were paired off with each other and spent more time amongst their house mates than anyone else. And even when Percy hoped he might find a comrade in a Ravenclaw-they, too, weren't open to the idea. He'd tried, really he did. But he was too awkward and they'd wanted nothing to do with it.

A week passed by. A month. The entirety of first year.

Percy's hope dwindled until it finally vanished. No longer did he believe that someone was out there for him, someone to be there for him and him for them. It was pointless to try and so from that time on, he kept to himself.

Wondering what was wrong with him.

Because there had to be, right Normal people didn't have to deal with this. They weren't friendless. They weren't shoved to the side.

So what made him different?

He didn't want to be different.

In that regard, he wanted to be like everyone else. They got to be happy.

Why couldn't he?

/

Percy was embarrassed.

It wasn't the worst circumstances-no, that honor went to that night when Fred and George pulled that outrageous stunt-but it wasn't favorable either.

He'd tried to calm down. Honest, he did. But it all happened so fast. Without warning, everything spiraled out of control. Details were fuzzy. He barely remembered speed walking back to Gryffindor Tower and up the stairs to the dormitory. It was all one big blur.

Hours later, he'd woken up in his bed. It wasn't quite morning yet or perhaps it was, just merely without sunlight. The events from yesterday had come back to Percy all at once. To add to the uncomfortable feeling, it was just like...

That night.

That day when Wood had seen him at his most pathetic state. And now yesterday, when he'd acted like a loon. What was wrong with him? It had been one of the scariest things Percy experienced. And he didn't like admitting it. But it had been. He'd almost felt like he was dying.

To think how ironic that would have been.

Dying in the Gryffindor dormitory as the air felt like it was abruptly sucked away from his lungs. With Wood, of all people, by his side.

/

"Did you hear?" Wood said one afternoon at lunch. A trail of butter made its way down from his lips to his chin and fell onto the table. Percy wrinkled his nose.

"Hear what?"

"About the game night," Wood elaborated. "Heard we're having one soon and everyone has to join in."

Oh, that.

Percy knew about that. The Prefects and Heads were reminded about coming with an activity or two to get their House engaged with one another so the first years felt comfortable being there. Originally, the thought was to only have the first years and that house's Prefects-and a Head if applicable-there with them but Ivan believed the best solution was to have everyone around. That way, the first years would see the upper years as less intimidating and this could be a good bonding experience as well, as there hadn't been anything similar in year's past. To Percy's knowledge, anyway.

"Oh," Percy needlessly stirred his soup.

"It's stupid," Wood complained, finally wiping his mouth, albeit not very well. "No offense to those first years but I've no interest in playing a game with 'em."

Neither do you

Oh, look

You two agree on something

"Yeah," Percy mumbled.

"Worse for you, I bet," Wood continued, "you've got to run the whole thing, don't you?"

For Gryffindor, yes. Technically, he would have the Prefects there to help as well but as Head-Boy, Percy was expected to take on majority of the responsibilities himself. It was quite overwhelming.

He'd have to talk in front of everybody-

"You okay?" Wood was concerned.

Percy had been clenching the table. Again. He let go. "Fine," he muttered.

Wood didn't argue. "You want any help?"

"What?"

"Help," Wood said. "You want any help with this stupid game night? I'm not doing much else, 'sides Snape's essay but that can wait."

That was probably the last thing that Wood should be putting off. Percy wanted to say no, that he had it all under control, that he wasn't helpless.

Because he wasn't.

But then-

He did need help.

A breather.

Something to take a bit of the stress off him.

"I suppose," Percy was hesitant.

Wood grinned, all wide and cheery. "Great!"

Right, great.

Exactly what he was thinking.

/

"What's first on the list?" Wood asked.

They were back in the dorm on their respective beds. Percy peered at the list he'd made of things that needed to be done, that needed to be picked up in order for this whole thing-decidedly the bane of his existence-to be done successfully.

Percy liked lists.

Crossing things off as he went.

It was something he could be in control of and-usually-know the outcome. If he did this then that would happen.

"Board games," Percy read off, feeling shy to be working...together...with Wood. Especially after his dormmate had witnessed his...fit. "We'll need to ask Professor Burbage if she has any."

Wood's eyes widened.

"...Burbage? The Muggle Studies Professor?"

"Yes," Percy said slowly. "She's the only one who have them."

"Right," Wood was saying in a strange tone. It made Percy suspicious and uneasy. "Right. Why don't I do that? You can focus on the other stuff."

"What did you do?" Percy feared the worst

"Nothing!"

He was lying! Percy knew he was! He wasn't stupid.

"You're lying!"

Wood winced. "Well, I kinda made her mad."

Percy stared. "You made her mad?"

"Yeah..."

"How?"

Wood laughed nervously. "Funny story..." Somehow, Percy didn't think it was. "Accidentally ran into her on the way to class. Made her drop all 'er stuff."

"And that upset her?" Percy clarified.

"It does when you tell 'er to watch where she's going," Wood shrugged.

Percy sighed. "In that case, I should be the one to retrieve the things."

"No!" Percy stared at him strangely. "I should. Probably need to apologize anyway."

Percy rubbed at his face. He had a strong feeling Wood was hiding something. He wasn't as good at hiding stuff as he believed he was. However, he also didn't have the energy to find out what his dormmate was hiding.

Because he didn't want to be doing this bloody thing in the first place.

But he couldn't tell people that because it was his responsibility as Head-Boy. He couldn't let anyone know the truth. It wouldn't matter what the true reason was, how it was worded; they would only see the fact that he'd said he didn't want to do something.

Lazy, they would call him.

He'd already experienced it with his parents-namely his mother.

Percy knew it wasn't out of bad intentions. His Mum hadn't been set out to purposely hurt him. But she did. That was the bottom line: she did.

A sudden onset of a migraine kept him in bed oneday. It was back when he was younger, when his younger siblings were...younger. The twins were causing havoc like usual, Ron had been bored and Ginny needed to be fed. Charlie and Bill, he couldn't remember where they'd been but they were out. So was their dad, he was at work. As a result, Percy needed to step up and help around the house. Only, he'd been stricken with terrible pain that consumed his whole head; the light was blinding him, his stomach was out of sorts and he felt ill all over.

He'd clenched his head when his Mum came barreling into his bedroom, demanding to know why he hadn't done any of the things he was told to do in advance. She was being so loud. Tears had started to sting his eyes.

His Mum hadn't outright called him lazy, no, but she hinted at it.

He told her what was going on and she'd sighed, telling him that she still has to get up and do everything even when she doesn't feel good.

"I'm sure it will go away if you get up," She'd said. "Eat a little something, that will help."

All while entirely disregarding how he felt.

"Fine," Percy didn't care anymore. He didn't care about anything. "You do it."

(He missed the look of relief on Wood's face).

"What else you got to do?"

Percy scanned the list. "Food. I'm sure we can ask the elves nicely and they'll prepare something."

"We could ask around for everyone's favorite snack?" Wood suggested.

It wasn't a bad idea, Percy had to admit. "Alright. We'll do that."

"Start with some cake."

Percy raised his eyebrows.

Wood had a grin on his face. "I hear the first years like cake. Err, chocolate cake, to be specific."

"I'm sure."

/

"We need to get the word out," Percy rubbed at his thighs. "Should we do flyers or have it be announced at dinner or-"

Wood hopped up on a chair in the middle of the Gryffindor Common Room, yelling out, "Game night on Friday! Everyone has to come!"

...Or that, he supposed.

Wood got down but then went right back up. "Oh, and there's food!"

/

It was Friday, the day of the game night.

And Percy was nervous as could be.

Once everyone was settled in the common room, he would have to get up in front of everybody to welcome them and inform them all of how the night was going to progress.

In front of siblings.

What if he messed up?

What if Fred and George had something planned?

None of his siblings were looking forward to this; he'd overheard them complaining and wouldn't put it past Fred and George to come up with a prank to liven things up.

Godric, he couldn't do it. He couldn't get up in front of them. He couldn't be the victim of another prank. That last one, though not intended for him, had been humiliating enough.

Wood tried to calm him down for the remainder of the week. The constant encouragement wasn't effective. In fact, Percy did his best to ignore it.

"You okay?" Wood asked.

It was minutes before he was due to make his announcement. Fellow students were gathering in the common room. Percy felt as though he could faint any moment now.

So, no.

He was most definitely not okay!

Percy shook his head, wringing his hands. He couldn't do this. He couldn't do this.

You're going to humiliate yourself

Everyone will laugh at you

Fred and George will laugh at you

You'll never live it down

Is that what you want?

But you can't not do it

You'll let everyone down

Like always

"It'll be okay," Wood promised him. "It'll be fine."

"No, it won't," Percy whispered harshly. "It won't be okay. I...I can't do this. I can't."

He was going to go but Wood stopped him.

"Just trust me, okay"

Right. Trust him. Just like trusting him with the quidditch game?

"I can't do this," Percy stared at his dormmate helplessly. "You don't understand."

"Maybe not," Wood conceded. "But I want to try. Don't worry too much. It'll be fine. I'll help."

"No, I really don't-" Mervyn Wench was motioning Percy over. It was time for him to make his announcement.

In front of everyone.

His knees felt like they were buckling. His stomach plunged deep to the floor. The air left his lungs.

Wood gently pushed him forward. "Go on," He whispered. "You can do this."

Easy to say when you aren't doing it!

Percy winced as his shoes made unnecessary thudding noises as he approached the center of the room. It was full of eyes that fell upon him. Some of the conversations dissipated, while others chose to giggle. They're doing it at you. Percy could easily spot his brothers and sister amongst the crowd. Sweat accumulated on his palms, mind racing as he so desperately hoped nothing would happen this time around.

Wood was in the back, giving him a thumbs up and a wide grin.

He cleared his throat.

"Good evening and welcome to Gryffindor's first official game night."

Some students returned to their previous conversations, unimpressed.

"Tonight, we have various activities planned and-" Percy's mind went blank. What was he supposed to say next? He'd practiced over and over for the past week and a half! How could he have forgotten?

What was it!?

Various activities and...?

Panic bubbled up within him. Fellow Gryffindors stared at him. It felt suffocating.

And Wood; he was moving his lips and honestly Percy didn't even want to know what this was all about-wait. He was...he was mouthing something. Percy's announcement! He was mouthing to Percy the words he needed to say next!

"We have various activities planned until ten and everyone is required to stay down here until this is finished," Percy did his best to not make it seem like he was directly staring at Wood. "The house elves have prepared various snacks which you indicated you preferred. The bowls will automatically refill themselves just like in the Great Hall. Please be courteous to one another, take turns and I hope you all enjoy yourselves."

Percy walked away, feeling as though he could breathe again. Mervyn Wench stepped up next to inform the students what games they had.

Wood quickly approached him. "You did good!"

"Not really," Percy frowned. "I forgot what I was going to say."

"Yeah, but you managed."

After you helped me

Some of the muggleborn and muggle-raised students whooped happily in the background. Percy shifted his footing.

"Wood-" he started.

His dormmate glanced his way.

"Thank you," he muttered, lowering his eyes to the floor.

"Aye, no problem," Wood said with a boyish grin. "Think I'm going to get some punch. You want some?"

Percy shook his head, watching his dormmate out of the corner of his eye brushing past him and over to the other side of the room where the table was.

Wood surprised him.

He wasn't expecting his dormmate to do that.

It was actually...nice.

He glanced over his shoulder at the table where Wood was saying something to Harry.

His lips curled into an expression of contemplativeness.

Maybe Wood did mean what he said.

Maybe...