Here we go, sorry it took me so long *hangs head in shame* but I think I've managed to pull something out of somewhere...lord knows where this came from, I have a sneaking suspicion it was hiding in the dark and scary depths of my imagination that no one dares ever go, but I braved it and pulled it out!
Before I say anything else I would like to say a special thank you to WynterRavenheart for all her help, I'm very grateful for all the help.
Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING! It wouldn't be called fanfiction if I did.
Chapter Four
By Rosa241
"I'm serious...it was amazing!" George laughed as he regaled the events in diagon alley to the Gryffindor Capitan. Oliver had arrived that afternoon, bringing with him a fresh wave of enthusiasm for the world cup. Honestly the guy was Quidditch crazy!
"So that's why Flint ignored us this afternoon." He mused as a light bulb went off inside his head. "I thought it was strange he didn't come over, never misses a chance to try and antagonize us. So...how much has he told you about Flint?"
An odd look went around the room, Ron's ears turned red from anger, Harry dropped his eyes to the floor whilst Fred and George shared a sheepish look. Oliver merely nodded, seemingly understanding to feelings of guilt and shame the group felt. Harry knew Oliver would understand, but from what the twins and Bill had told him over this last week he was fiercely protective of Percy. He'd seen first hand that Oliver could be scary when angered, he definitely didn't want to get on the wrong side of him.
"Relax. I'm not mad, you guys didn't know what went on. I'm sure if you did things would have been different. But now that you do know you will lay off!" No one argued with that, it was an order not a request.
"Ol, what did Percy do to Flint?" Fred voiced the words Harry was sure they'd all been dying to ask since he arrived.
"Look, If Percy hasn't told you then I don't really feel comfortable-" Whatever he'd planned on saying was cut off as the object of their conversation appeared in the living room.
"You really want to know?" Percy asked with a sigh, apparently he was sick of being pestered. At the eager nod the four teens shared he sat down on the arm of the chair and crossed his arms. "Okay well we'd been in the library – me and Oliver – sorting out his potions homework. When we left Marcus decided he'd, well you can imagine...anyway um...by this point I'd gotten so sick of him and his gang so I cast a spell."
"What spell?" Ron questioned eagerly, noting the unnatural way Percy had gone suddenly very sheepish. "What spell?"
"You've heard of the Avifors spell?" Both Fred and George gaped open mouthed at their older brother.
"Avifors? What's that?" Ron was the first to ask, Harry was sure he'd never heard of that spell before.
"It umm...it turns things a-and people into err...birds." The last word was almost whispered. A moment passed before the room burst into laughter, Percy smiled despite the clear embarrassment shining on his face.
"That's brilliant! Marcus Flint a bird!" George – or maybe Fred – giggled through the laughter.
"Oh you wouldn't believe the stick he got for it, I'll tell you now, he wasn't so keen on starting any more fights after that one." Oliver immediately clapped a hand to his mouth sending Percy an apologetic look. It took Harry a moment before the words registered in his head.
"Fights? What's he mean?" The twins asked in tandem.
"Nothing." Percy said quickly, heading for the door as Mrs Weasley called them for dinner.
"What's he mean fights?" Fred questioned with more pressure this time.
"It's nothing!" He said once again, only this time much more sharply – signalling an end to the conversation. Though all were clearly eager to find out exactly what Oliver had meant they'd all learnt over the years that if Percy didn't want to talk then he wasn't going to say a thing.
Dinner that night was a strange affair. Percy seemed to have forgiven Oliver for his little slip earlier and was now being talked to death by the Gryffindor captain regarding the world cup tomorrow. Harry wondered that Percy could be around Oliver for such a long length of time without giving him a gob full. It wasn't that he didn't like Oliver no, he was just...well slightly one track. He seemed to live and breathe Quidditch and considering Percy had absolutely no interest in the subject it was strange they got along so well. Whatever the reason behind their friendship they seemed to be happy.
Ron was now fully engaged in a food fight with the twins and was loosing miserably, which of course earned them all frightful looks from Hermione – who was talking earnestly with Ginny about something girly, Harry guessed as much by the giggles. Mrs Weasley was also glaring daggers their way at the same time as chatting to Mr Weasley and Bill. Harry couldn't quite tell what they were discussing but he had a sneaking suspicion that his ears should well be burning.
It was looking round the table right then, gazing at the mess of individuals gathered Harry realised something. Each person there meant something different to him, something important.
Hermione and Ginny were like the sisters he'd always wanted. Ron was like the over protective brother he'd spent so many nights wishing for. Oliver and Percy were those figures in your life you could look up to and admire. Whilst Mr and Mrs Weasley were the parents he'd had so tragically taken away from him. Then of course there was Sirius. He may not have been there physically but he'd been with Harry all summer, just that knowledge that he had someone out there who truly was family meant such a great deal to him. He'd gone his whole life living with the thought that there was never a place for him, then he went to Hogwarts and he felt like he'd come home. But, there was always something not quite there, something missing...a family. Now he had that, and life couldn't be better.
Once again I apologise for the ridiculous amount of time it's taken me to update but I promise I won't leave it so long again. Hope you enjoy it, R&R.