It was rare for the twins to be silent.
They'd always made a ruckus no matter what they were doing. It was of their very nature. Ever the Gryffindor, they were brave and courageous and never showcased any fear; the exception being when they were all uncertain of Ginny's fate when they learned she was in the chamber.
And now, with Bill bellowing at them.
"Put it down, now!"
The snow globe, the gift that Wood had bought for him, was currently being tossed up in the air. Fred and George were laughing, enjoying themselves. Percy's stomach had dropped when he came upon them, wondering-with desperation-how they'd come across it. He'd hidden it carefully where they wouldn't, or so he'd believed, find it.
You fool
You know how Fred and George are
They could find anything if they put their mind to it
Pleading with them to put it down didn't work. It never did.
"Where'd you get this from, anyway?" George asked with a lazy throw back to his brother. Percy feared one of them wouldn't catch it and break it. Of course, it could always be repaired but that was hardly the point. "I didn't think you had any friends, Perce."
"Please give it back," Percy repeated, hoping they would get bored soon enough.
Fred and George looked at each other, feigning thoughtfulness before chorusing, "Nope!"
"I said put it down, you two!" Bill was getting angry. His voice was carrying down the hallway; Percy could see Ron, Harry and Ginny poking their heads out to see what was causing all the commotion. All the while, Percy stood off to the side uselessly.
"You don't have to-" Percy mumbled out.
Bill either didn't hear or ignored him. "Now!"
You can't even defend yourself
You need someone else to do it for you
Fred and George, for once, listened. Disappointedly, they stopped their little game, with George's hand extending to give Bill the snow globe. Their older brother had no more patience; he snatched it back, giving it to Percy before whirling back around to the twins. He wasn't done with them quite yet.
"What have you got to say for yourselves?" He demanded.
Nothing, as they felt they'd done nothing wrong.
"Come on, Bill," Fred frowned. "We were just messing around."
You're always just messing around
"Messing around?" Bill repeated, voice devoid of any amusement. "That's what you call it? That's Percy's present, so why are you two playing with it?"
"We just-"
"Does he look like he's okay with this?" Bill pointed at Percy, who diverted his eyes immediately.
"Oh, come on. We-"
"Did he tell you that you guys could take it?" Bill wasn't giving them any wiggle room out of this. He raised a brow, folding his arms.
"No, but-"
"So you took it upon yourselves to take it," Bill deduced. "What if you'd broken it?"
"There's repair charms for that," George finally got a word in edgewise and shrugged.
"That isn't the point," Bill was not yelling anymore but there was an edge to his words. "Would you be okay if Percy broke something of yours?"
"He wouldn't-"
"But what if he did?" Bill countered smoothly. "Or Ron? Or Ginny? Or me? Or Charlie? What if one of us went into your room and broke something? Would you be alright with it because there's a charm to fix it? I'd reckon not. You'd be angry and rightfully so."
A hush fell over the twins. Neither of them, but especially Fred with his extraordinary stubborn streak, liked to be proven that they were in the wrong. Even less so when it came from Bill or Charlie.
"I know Mum and Dad may have let some stuff slide but I'm not going to and neither will Charlie while we're here," Bill said firmly, with all the parental energy he could possibly possess. "I don't want to hear of you guys going into Percy's room and taking his things, understand? And don't think that once Bill and I leave you're free to do it again. We will find out and if Mum and Dad won't do anything about it, we will."
Percy was doubtful that they could do much without the backing of their parents, but nonetheless, he felt an overwhelming sense of appreciation towards his older brother. It felt rare to have someone standing up for him, to be in his corner, to come to his defense.
Bill's eyes swept over them, impatient waiting for them to acknowledge what was said. When they didn't do it, he said, "I said, do you understand?"
"Yes," Fred and George mumbled under their breath.
"Good," Bill nodded. "Now apologize to Percy."
"What?"
"Bill-"
"Now," he glared at them.
Percy wanted to tell Bill that it was alright, that there was no need for this. He didn't expect a sincere apology from them and knew they definitely wouldn't mean it if they were forced.
Resigned to their fate, Fred and George kept their eyes on the floor, unhappy with this outcome.
"Sorry," Fred muttered.
"Yeah, sorry, Percy," George said moodily.
Bill looked at him, probably to see if Percy saw their apology as adequate. That was as good as it would get, so Percy nodded and said quietly, "Thank you."
"You can go now," Bill told them. "But-" This made them halt, "now you're not to join in on the quidditch game later."
A look of alarm passed on Fred and George's face. Every time Bill or Charlie came to visit, his siblings usually played a game of quidditch. They all looked forward to it, as it was their only chance at spending time with their older brothers since they were out of the country for their respective jobs.
"But Bill-" George protested this.
"Come on," Fred said with a whinge, "we said sorry like you told us!"
Bill did not care. "Choices have consequences," he told them plainly. "You made the choice to take Percy's gift and now you have to deal with the consequences. You'll think about it next time, won't you?"
His brothers were upset. Percy knew their anger would be directed at him. Grumbling amongst themselves, the twins stomped off to their bedroom, repeatedly saying to one another about how unfair this was and asking when did Bill get so uncool.
When they were out of sight, Bill sighed. "I hate doing that."
"Doing what?" Percy couldn't help but ask.
"Acting like a parent to you guys. I'd like to be the fun older brother, but I can't always do that."
It probably wasn't easy to do now; when Percy was a lot younger, back when things used to be different, Bill was more laid back. He was always cool, but he never had to be the same way he was now. He never had to really put his foot down or get firm with anyone. Well, Charlie had his moments of trouble but Bill usually left that to Mum and Dad to deal with.
"Yeah," Percy murmured.
Bill looked at the snow globe critically. "They didn't break it, did they? I didn't look at it closely."
"No," Percy glanced at it. "No. It's fine."
"Good," Bill was relieved. Then he said, "You'll tell me if they take your things again, right? Don't let them walk all over you, Percy. Get firm with them, get harsh if you have to."
As if they would ever listen to me
It doesn't matter what I do or say
They don't care
"So I can be pranked endlessly?" He sighed. "No thanks, Bill."
"They do that because they don't respect you," Bill pointed out. "It's not right. I'm sure it's not any better at school."
It isn't
The look on Percy's face gave his answer straight away.
"Right," Bill said. "As I said."
"Do you enjoy being right?" Percy felt the slightest bit irritable.
Bill smiled. "I do. Fortunately it happens so often."
Percy fought not to smile at the remark. "That's your own perception."
Bill laughed.
"Boys, what's going on?" Mum came in the room and demanded. The easy going mood instantly vanished. That feeling in Percy's stomach returned. Here it comes. "Ginny told me you were yelling at Fred and George; and what's this about them not playing quidditch with you?"
"Mum," Bill said calmly, "Fred and George were messing with a gift that Percy got."
Mum sighed heavily. "Oh, those two. I'll have them help with the cleaning by hand. But Bill, are you sure you don't want them in the game? You don't see them that often, dear."
"I'm sure," Bill said without hesitation.
"If that's what you want," Mum said and then she was gone.
Bill was shaking his head. "I don't believe it."
"Don't believe what?"
"How lenient Mum and Dad have gotten!" Bill said incredulously. "If you, Charlie or I ever tried any of that when we were younger, we'd have gotten our backsides smacked and sent to our rooms for the rest of the day!"
He wasn't wrong. Their mum and dad softened up considerably since their younger siblings were born. Even with Mum's tendency to be hard on the twins at times, she still didn't act with them the way she had with Percy or his older brothers.
"It's likely not helped things," Bill shook his head. "I know five kids is a lot, but it's not an excuse."
But she'll use it as one
Percy didn't feel comfortable opening up to his brother just how much that bothered him. He didn't want to risk anyone overhearing, but not only that-it felt...wrong to do. Mum and Dad, in spite of their flaws, were good parents. They were loved and had a roof over their head and food, what more could they ask for? Guilt would bubble up within him if he dared to complain. Reminding him that things could be worse than not getting enough attention or things not being fair for all of them.
Be grateful you have parents
At least they aren't like the Malfoys
Merlin, can you imagine?
/
"Why do you and Dad let the twins get away with so much?"
A hush fell over the table, eyes darting from Bill to Mum with various expressions ranging from surprise to amusement to uncertainty.
What are you doing? Percy's mind was screaming for his brother to shut up.
Bill's hands were folded together, eyebrows raised, not at all hesitant about asking such a question. As for Mum, she was quite startled herself. It was practically unheard of for any of them to challenge her like that. Looking to Dad for any help as she floundered, Mum stammered out,
"What are you talking about?"
"You and Dad let Fred and George get away with a lot," Bill repeated calmly.
That's an understatement if I've ever heard one
"It's just them either," Charlie added. "It's Ron and Ginny too."
"Don't be ridiculous, boys. Your father and I don't let them get away with anything," she said dismissively and then went back to her steaming bowl of soup, a sign that the conversation was over.
If she had it her way, it would be
But it wasn't.
"Yes, you do," Bill wasn't going to let it go. He leveled her with a look.
Dad glanced between them, not knowing what was the correct next step to take. Ultimately, he said, "Let's talk about this another time, Bill and enjoy this wonderful meal your mother has made for us."
The others at the table-excluding Percy and his two older brothers-took that as a cue to continue eating.
"Why should we wait?" Bill said. "Let's talk about it now."
"William!"
"Mum, please," Bill gave a sigh.
Their mother maintained eye contact with Bill, lips thinning out until she snapped, "Upstairs, everyone!"
"I'm not finished yet," Ron frowned.
"Take your bowl upstairs," Mum said and gestured. "Go. Now."
"Aww," Fred said as he and George rose to their feet.
"We miss all the fun," George agreed.
Yes, because this about to be a 'fun' conversation
Within moments, the table was cleared of his younger siblings and Harry. Only their parents, Percy and his two older brothers remained.
The tension was thick, uncomfortable.
"What was the meaning of that?" Mom asked sharply.
"Molly," Dad murmured, placing a hand on her arm to which she jerked it off.
"No, Arthur; there was no reason to say such a thing in front of the other children."
"Why not?" Charlie said boldly. "It got your attention."
Mum was flabbergasted by their audacity, to say the least.
"I don't know what's gotten into you boys but it needs to stop this instant!"
"Dad," Bill said, "did Mum tell you what Fred and George did earlier?"
Their dad looked stumped. "I don't believe so."
"No, I haven't," Mum cut in. "It wasn't necessary to say anything. He just got home from work, Bill."
"Fair enough," Bill agreed. "But just so you know, Fred and George took a gift that belonged to Percy and were tossing it around."
"She didn't even ground them," Charlie chimed in. "Or make them do extra chores."
Mum was exasperated by the both of them. "You've all done it to each other."
"Yes, but that doesn't make it okay," Bill said.
"Don't you remember the time I took Bill's Prefect badge?" Charlie said. "Or what about the time the twins messed up my dragon book?"
"Right," Bill said, "you screamed at them for ages. You didn't even say anything to them this time, did you?"
Mum shifted in her chair. "I told them it wasn't nice to take their brother's things."
Charlie groaned. "When has that ever worked? You know how the twins are."
"When we-" Bill gestured to himself, Percy and Charlie, "used to misbehave, you punished us and made sure it didn't happen again. You and Dad have gotten much more lenient than I would have expected from you guys over the years."
"You've no idea what it takes to raise a child," Mum said, seemingly flustered by where this was going. "It isn't easy."
"We know it isn't," Charlie said, his voice less pointed, "but with the way the twins are and how Ron and Ginny can be, sometimes it takes more than a simple stop that for them to listen."
"Remember when Charlie and I took Percy out?" Bill said before Mum could respond. "She kept on whinging, wanting me or Charlie to stay here with her. It took me threatening not to do anything with her at all if she kept it up."
"We tried telling her to stop but she didn't," Charlie added.
"She was excited that you're here," Mum said, voice tinged with disapproval.
Excuses, Percy thought with a small sigh. It was always an excuse for their behavior.
"But she's old enough to understand and that's our point. It was Percy's day. Excited or not, she's not a little kid."
"William!" There it was again. Sharp, quick. A warning that he should stop now. "That's your sister."
"That doesn't mean she should get to act however she wants. She's twelve, Mum, not two."
Mum wore an expression of disbelief. Dad seemed to understand.
"He's right, Molly," he gently took her hand into his. "You must admit that we've spoiled Ginny somewhat."
"Ginny isn't spoiled!" Mum protested. 'We haven't spoiled any of our children, Arthur."
"We certainly haven't treated Ginny like we did Bill when he was her age," Dad reminded her. "The boys are right, Love."
"It's not just her," Charlie said. "Ron too."
"Haven't you noticed how his temper gets the best of him?" Bill said.
"Especially when he's not getting his own way," Charlie nodded.
Ron's temper was a gradual change that Percy had been a witness to. Charlie and Bill were not; they left the Burrow when Ron was young so they did not see how he'd gone from an easy going child to someone that could fly off at the handle on occasion.
"Not just that," Bill said, "but Ron's struggling and I'm surprised neither of you noticed."
"Struggling?" Their parents said at once.
"Struggling how?" Mum said worriedly.
"He's not getting enough attention," Bill said, voice gentle and not at all accusing. Mum deflated and he must have sensed she did not believe this was a concerning issue. "Please, just listen."
"Bill," Dad decided to chime in now, "your mum and I can't possibly give you kids attention all the time. There's only so much we can do."
"We know that, Dad," Charlie told him. "But it's causing more problems than you guys realize."
"When was the last time you focused on Ron and his accomplishments?" Bill asked.
"He hasn't-" Mum tried.
"What about his grades?" Bill continued. "You could have celebrated that."
"Our point is," Charlie took over again, "is that Ron's bothered more than you guys realize. If you'd just-"
"That's enough!" Mum snapped, tears brimming in her eyes. "I don't want to hear another word about this."
"Mum, we're sorry," Bill apologized. "We didn't mean to upset you."
But Mum did not respond. She sniffled, leaving the dinner table abruptly.
Charlie slumped in his chair, signing. "That went well."
Dad looked conflicted. Ultimately, he too rose to his feet. "I'll go check on your mother," he said quietly.
It was only the three of them now.
"You shouldn't have done that," Percy shook his head, speaking up for the first time since they'd gone down to eat.
"I'm sure Mum will forget about it soon enough," Charlie shrugged.
"We might have come on her too hard," Bill frowned.
"But she wouldn't have listened if we didn't," Charlie pointed out.
"But she might have been more willing to listen to us if we didn't gang up on her," Bill disagreed.
As his brothers bickered over what course of action could have been better, Percy mulled over what they'd said about Ron. In many ways, it sounded awfully similar to how Percy felt. He himself struggled to get attention from his parents and even now it felt sparse. Though he couldn't deny receiving some for becoming a Prefect and later, Head-Boy.
Truth be told, he hadn't stopped much to think about what his younger brother felt. It naturally seemed like he got more attention from their parents than Percy did. But now that he pondered, perhaps that was merely his own foolish perception.