Archive of Our Own

To be clear, it wasn’t their intention to hide their blossoming friendship and subsequent feelings for each other. They weren't ashamed by any means, they simply didn’t know specifically when or how to mention it. 

Harry was usually getting whisked away by Ron or Ginny for one reason or another. The three of them stayed close, especially while Hermione was away in Australia to retrieve her parents. He and Ron had initially insisted on accompanying her so she didn’t have to do it alone, but she told them she needed to do this herself. They all apparated to the airport shortly before she was to board her plane--as she figured her parents might not be keen on magical transportation after this. 

Technically, Harry knew he could have gone ahead and talked to Percy without having to sneak around. There might have been some questions but that was exactly what he didn’t want to deal with. He’d had enough of feeling like his choices weren’t respected--although he knew their question would come more from a line of curiosity--and he was well aware of how they seemed to blurt out their thoughts without thinking that what they ere saying might be considered hurtful. 

And so, he’d made a habit of sliding out of the bed he occupied in Ron’s bedroom, creeping through the house until he reached Percy’s room; there he would knock gently on the door with his knuckles until the older man would open the door. From there on, they would be awake for hours, talking about many things. 

Harry was surprised to find out just how much he genuinely enjoyed Percy’s company. Of course, the whole thing started by accident. He’d woken up in the middle of the night, his throat incredibly dry. He spared a glance in Ron’s direction to make sure he was asleep before tip-toeing down the stairs to fetch himself some water. He didn’t expect to see Percy in the kitchen as well. 

Harry jumped back. The sight of Percy’s lanky body startled him. He didn’t think anyone would be up at this hour. “Oh-” The red-head’s head shot up and they made awkward eye contact that lasted far too long. “Erm. Hi,” He said lamely. 

“Hello,” Percy said stiffly. 

Harry was no longer angry at Percy for his letter to Ron or anything else he’d said or done. It was in the past and it was time to move forward. He assumed that by Percy coming back to the family, his issue with Harry was likely over. Than again, he didn’t really know. So far, they hadn’t said much of anything to each other. 

Purposefully. 

“You...erm, you couldn’t sleep either?” Harry said. 

“No. Not really.” 

Harry nodded. 

Silence descended over them and lasted approximately two minutes. 

“Do you-” Harry looked up at him. “Do you have nightmares often?” He swore Percy’s cheeks colored. 

It wasn’t something he regularly discussed with anyone. Not even Ron and Hermione. Percy looked exceptionally vulnerable right now in his slightly too big pajamas and anxious yet embarrassed expression. Harry ran a hand through his hair, struggling to come up with words. “Er, well, yeah.” 

Percy inhaled sharply, nodding. 

“Is this about Fred?” Harry asked quietly. His question was confirmed when Percy flinched at hearing his late younger brother’s name. 

After the war had ended, Percy temporarily moved out of the flat he’d acquired near Diagon Alley and back into the Burrow and into his old bedroom. They were all hurt and in need of healing. Fred’s death had taken a toll on everyone; Percy felt deeply guilty and sorry for everything he’d done and vowed to make it up to them. 

Harry was there as well. Mrs. Weasley had insisted upon it. Now that Voldemort wasn’t a threat anymore and majority of the Death Eaters were rounded up and awaiting trials, it meant that he could freely stay there without his presence being a danger. It wasn’t like he had anywhere else to go. The Dursleys certainly wouldn’t welcome him back with open arms, not if Uncle Vernon had anything today about it. Last he heard, they were still in hiding for the time being, just until things settled down a bit more. Hestia had told them they would be returning to Privet Drive by the end of the summer. 

(It gave Harry a smidgen of satisfaction to know his uncle would be surrounded by wizards for a bit longer). 

Being that he was living in the Burrow, he came across Percy whenever the older man wasn’t at work. Surprisingly, he seemed to be committed to making a change by decreasing his work hours. It meant he was around more, as he didn’t really go anywhere else. Harry was curious if he had any friends, but refrained from asking. 

Percy’s face pinched, as if he were holding back his emotions. He sniffled, inhaling and exhaling. “You must think horribly of me.” 

Harry blinked, unsure of what to say. “I-” 

“It’s okay. I don’t like myself either at the moment.” 

Harry was never any good at providing comfort, but he tried. “I don’t dislike you,” He said. 

Percy stared at him like his words were incomprehensible. “You should. I said-the letter. That letter I wrote to Ron-” 

“Is in the past,” Harry finished. 

Percy blinked, his mouth closing and reopening a few times. “Oh,” he said lamely. “Okay. Thank you.” 

“There’s no need to thank me,” Harry shrugged. 

That night, without so much as glancing at the large family clock, the two of them fell into an easy conversation. It began rather awkwardly, starting with the Ministry’s efforts to fix what had happened during the war, moving onto other things like Ron still not admitting his feelings for Hermione. When Harry brought that up, a curious thing happened: Percy snorted . It was so undignified but....endearing? Harry had cracked a grin. The red-head seemed not to be embarrassed by the action at all. 

And the more they got together at night, the more Harry’s feelings toward Percy began to change. For the longest time, he thought nothing more of the older man than the fact that he was the slightly stuck-up, no fun older brother that scolded them and Ron sometimes. Harry had never had an older brother and back during first year, he wondered if all older siblings were supposed to be like this. He was proven wrong; the twins weren’t, neither were Bill or Charlie. They were a lot more easy going. That made him conclude that Percy was simply the sibling to avoid. And he made good on that promise. After all, being five years apart gave them the space to do so. 

But then the end of the war came. 

He remembered in the Great Hall being hugged by many people, most crying with relief. There were a lot, but he specifically remembered Percy’s. It was brief. A quick squeeze and when he pulled back, Harry had seen the regret clouding in the red-head’s eyes. From that day on, for some odd reason, he had been unable to get the older man out of his head. He couldn’t understand why he was being like this. He’d never thought about Percy in this way before. What changed? 

As it turned out, a few things. 

Feelings for the red-head began to arise, not that he had understood that’s what it was until later on. The feelings further complicated matters. Every time he was within Percy’s presence, he would feel a swirl of anxiety in the bottom of his stomach, as though it were being dropped all the way to the floor. 

He tried to tell himself he needed to stop thinking about Percy like that. There was no way he would see Harry as anything other than Ron’s best mate. Why would he? He didn’t want to feel too disappointed over it and scolded himself for feeling exactly that. It was wishful thinking on his part. Nothing more. 

But then... things started to happen. 

Harry didn’t see Percy as being much of a flirt. It seemed relatively impossible for how he carried himself. But he would come to find out that there was more to Percy Weasley than met the eye. 

A subtle brush against his arm as they passed each other. A bit of a shy smile that was exchanged more than once. He swore he saw Percy glancing at him out of the corner of his eye but it happened so fast he didn’t know if he imagined it or not. There had been one time where Harry laughed a little too loudly at a joke Percy had said while talking to Charlie. Those nearby--Ron and Ginny--stared at him in bewilderment. Charlie raised his eyebrows and Percy looked downright amused before he winked at him. 

Harry promptly turned red. 

////

Harry was laying on Percy’s bed--fully clothed mind you--, directly on his side with his propped up by his elbow. He was listening attentively to Percy describing all of what he was accomplishing by assisting Kingsley in rebuilding everything after the Death Eaters had taken over. Percy was always so passionate when he was talking about something that interested him. And Harry saw that shining through when the older man’s eyes lit up and his voice became excited. 

It was probably really cheesy, but Harry could have listened to him talk for hours. 

Percy abruptly calmed down, adjusting his glasses and giving Harry a sheepish look. “I’m sorry. I suppose I’m boring you, aren’t I?” 

Harry shook his head. “No. Definitely not.” 

“You’re sure?” Percy said, frowning. “I know it isn’t the most riveting work out there.” 

“I’m sure,” Harry reassured him. “I don’t mind hearing it, honestly.” 

“Oh,” Percy was surprised. “Alright, then.” 

“Yeah,” Harry rubbed the back of his neck with his other hand. “You don’t really talk about it anymore.” 

“You noticed.” 

“Yeah,” Harry said, wondering where he was going with this. “It’s on purpose, then?” 

Percy was sitting in a chair opposite from him where a desk was facing the wall. He sighed heavily, like something was on his mind. “Yes,” He admitted. “I’m trying to make things better. Being obsessed with my work was what got me where I was. I don’t want them to remember that time anymore.” 

“They forgave you,” Harry eventually said. “Everyone did.” He made a bold decision to say his next words. “Fred was the first one.” 

Percy’s eyes lifted to meet his. 

“Even so. No one wants to hear it, I’m sure. You know what they think of me. Boring . I’m not deaf, you know. I heard then whenever they pretended to yawn and ask mum or dad when it would be over. I just acted like I didn’t hear it.” 

A sense of shame filled Harry. He’d done that before, prior to Percy leaving the family, growing immensely bored at listening to the older red-head talk about cauldron bottoms. He’d nudged Ron to see if he was as bored as Harry felt. Never had he stopped to think of how he was making Percy feel. Nor the possibility that he’d heard what was said. “I’m sorry.” 

He needn’t explain it. Percy stood up from his spot and sat on the bed. Harry subtly stiffened. It wasn’t typical for them to be this close. “It’s alright,” he reassured the younger man. 

“But it isn’t,” Harry protested as he sat up straighter. He didn’t know where this sudden fire had come from. But it was ignited. “You didn’t deserve to be made fun of like that. No one makes fun of Charlie when he talks about dragons for hours and they don’t pretend to sleep when Bill tells us the same stories about his job.” He looked at the other man earnestly. “It wasn’t fair to you.” 

“Harry-” Percy was caught off guard. “I...I didn’t know you cared that much. Thank you. I, erm, really appreciated it.” He leaned over to hug Harry, which surprised them both. Partly because Harry didn’t think he would enjoy it. He wasn’t affectionate like most people. 

“Er, you’re welcome,” Harry muttered, getting momentarily distracted by the smell of cologne that was coming from Percy. Did he wear that often or was it a special occasion? Either way, it suited him well. 

It was also making Harry’s brain short circuit. 

Percy was looking at him funny. Did he know what effect he was having on him? It was making Harry’s stomach churn, doing that flip flop thing it had done when he had fancied Cho. He swallowed. 

“What?” 

“Nothing,” Percy shook his head, his curls swaying around. He made a sound that was like a breathy laugh. “I...your eyes are just very green, is all.” 

“Err, okay,” Harry said bemusedly. 

“I know it’s stupid. It’s-” 

“It’s not,” Harry interrupted him. “Guess I’ve just heard it a lot. I thought you knew already.” 

“I did ,” Percy said, maintaining eye contact. “But I’ve never seen them this up close before. It’s different.” 

“Oh,” Harry whispered. “Alright.” 

“I like them,” Percy said quietly. “Your eyes. They’re your best feature, really.” 

A brilliant flushed washed over Harry’s face. He wasn’t used to being complimented for his appearance, much less by another bloke. The bloke he’d taken a fancy to, at that. “Thanks,” He ducked his head. “I mean, they’re alright, I suppose.” 

“I mean it,” Percy licked his lips. Harry’s eyes zeroed in on his tongue as it lightly brushed over the pink flesh. 

Godric help him. 

“You’re staring.” 

Harry felt humiliated at being caught. Percy was going to reject him now. Their blossoming friendship was now going to come to an end. He made to move, to go back to Ron’s bedroom where he could bury his face in his pillow and forget all about this until morning. Percy grabbed his wrist just as he was about to. 

“Don’t,” the older man said softly. 

Harry stayed put but he didn’t make any more eye contact. 

“It’s okay.” 

He scoffed. 

“I’m serious.” 

“Yeah, right,” Harry muttered. “Not like you feel the same way.” 

“Who says I don’t?” 

Harry’s head snapped up. 

“ What ?” 

Percy’s smile turned bashful. “I quite like you, Harry.” 

Harry’s heart gave a leap. And he didn’t care how girlish it was this time. “You do?” 

“Indeed.” 

Harry shifted. “ How do you like me?” 

“I think you know,” Percy said smoothly. 

Brief silence came over them. Harry’s brain was trying to process what was just confessed to him when Percy started speaking again. 

“I’ve fancied you for a while,” Percy said. 

“You have ?” 

“For a while now.” 

This was news to Harry. He didn’t think the older man noticed him much until perhaps they began to talk at night. “Oh.” 

“I want to kiss you,” Percy’s smile was doing things.... dangerous things to Harry on the inside. 

“Yeah?” Harry’s heart sped up. 

“I just don’t think it’s the right time. We hardly know much about each other, not like we should. I’d like to change that if you’re okay with it.” 

Harry nodded wordlessly. 

They would take it slow. They needn’t rush anything. Because they both wanted it to work. 

And he honestly hoped it would. 

“We’ll get there, I promise you,” Percy cut in through his thoughts. 

Harry could hardly believe this was happening.He didn’t think he’d get to this point and he didn’t want to ruin the moment so he motioned towards the door. “Do you, er, want me to go, then?” 

“You don’t have to if you don’t want to,” Percy told him. “I quite like having you here.” 

“Really?” Harry gawked at him. “You don’t think this is too soon?” 

Percy seemed startled and propped himself up like Harry was. “Do you?” 

“I don’t know,” this was new territory for him. “I’ve never done this before.” 

“I understand,” Percy said sincerely. “You certainly don’t have to stay if you don’t want to.” Harry watched as he laid on his back, head resting against the stacked pillows. 

“I want to,” he decided and sat on the edge of the bed. 

Amusement glittered in Percy’s eyes. “When I said that, I meant for you to be a little closer, Harry.” 

“ Oh ...” 

“If you want,” Percy said quickly. “I won’t force you.” 

Harry ignored the warning voice of Hermione in his head, saying otherwise and crawled next to Percy. The red-head wrapped an arm around him, pulling him closer. Harry’s heartbeat was rapid; the cologne was infiltrating his nostrils once again. This was the closest he’d been in Percy’s proximity yet; the freckles on the man’s face were so close he could count them easily. 

“Do I make you nervous?” Percy murmured. His head had turned and his breath hit Harry’s temple. 

“A bit.” 

Percy was having much more of an affect on him, more than could be stemmed from nerves. He was hardly doing much and he might not have even known it but the simple touch to Harry’s skin, so featherlight, made it feel like it was on fire . He’d never experienced such a feeling with anyone before and he didn’t want it to end. 

“A bit, how ?” He could hear the smile in Percy’s voice. His words were coquettish, thoroughly unPercylike. 

“I think you know.” 

Percy’s soft laugh reverberated off the walls. 

They laid there for the longest time. Harry eventually allowed himself to relax, the tension from being so close to Percy simply fading away. For a while, until sleep began to override the red-head and his hand went limp, his fingers had been threading through Harry’s unruly hair. 

It might have been Harry’s imagination, a hallucination from his exhaustion, but out of his peripheral vision, he could have sworn that Percy was going to kiss his forehead before he retracted. 

///

Harry noticed two things when he woke up the next morning. 

One, his head had rolled sideways and he was laying right on Percy’s chest. The older man was still asleep, blissfully unaware but his arm was still around Harry’s middle, keeping a decent grip for not being awake. 

And two, Ginny was standing in the room, wide-eyed with her mouth agape. Her body was rigid upon seeing Harry where he shouldn’t have been. 

“Ginny-” He started only to trail off. What was he supposed to say that would somehow explain this? Being on her brother’s chest whilst in his room when he should have been with Ron. 

She held her hands up, coughing lightly. “Mum, er, was wondering where you went. Said to tell you, Ron and Percy, that breakfast is ready.” 

“Right,” Harry muttered. “Thanks.” 

Ginny nodded. A smirk came onto her face, now that her own awkwardness had subsided. “Tell that to Percy when he wakes up, won’t you?” She said with an air of innocence he didn’t buy. 

Harry was trying to move Percy’s arm from his body, which was keeping him trapped. “Right,” he said. “I’ll do that. Close the door behind you, yeah?” 

Ginny did just that. The sound of her snickering did not escape his ears. He groaned. Once they were safe, privacy restored, Harry shook the red-head gently. “Percey,” He whispered urgently. “Wake up !” 

Percy’s face scrunched up. He looked at Harry through bleary eyes. “Hmm?” 

“Wake up,” Harry repeated, flushing under the soft look he was receiving. 

Percy released him when he went to rub his eyes. “What time is it?” However, before Harry could get a word out, he sat straight up, looking suddenly awake. “Oh, Merlin. We fell asleep.” 

Harry exhaled. “Yeah...” 

“You have to leave,” Percy said quickly, his face and voice apologetic. “Mum’s going to be wondering where you’re at.” 

“Too late,” Harry mumbled. “Ginny was here.” 

Percy groaned, falling backwards. “Merlin’s beard. This isn’t good.” 

“Sorry,” Harry muttered, looking over at the wall instead of at Percy. “I should’ve left last night.” 

Unbeknownst to him, Percy frowned and then sighed. “It’s not your fault now stop that. I was the one that suggested you stay. I should’ve known better. We were both tired by that time.” 

Harry shrugged and wondered, “What will we tell them? They’re going to ask questions.” 

“The truth,” Percy shrugged. 

“Really?” Harry blurted out. He would have thought Percy would want to deny it happening or refuse to divulge anything at all. 

Percy looked at him strangely. “Yes, if that’s alright with you.” 

“Oh, yeah,” Harry found himself nodding. “That’s fine. I...I just didn’t think you'd want to tell them.” 

“Why?” Percy was surprised. “Why would you think that?” 

“I don’t know,” Harry felt stupid. “Figured you’d want to keep quiet.” 

“But why ?” 

“I’m-” Harry mulled over what he was going to say, “not exactly the best person to be with right now.” 

“Harry, if this is about the war, I completely understand,” Percy boldly reached over to give his hand a comforting squeeze. 

"It's not that....people are going to talk, Percy."

"Let them," Percy said, immediately.

"But your job-"

"My job isn't going to dictate my personal life," Percy said, matter-of-factly. "If I want to see you and you're alright with that, then that's what I'll do."

A warm sensation filled Harry from his toes to his face. A goofy grin came onto his lips. "Oh," he murmured.

"Indeed," Percy agreed. There was a two second pause. "Shall I take it from your smile that you wouldn't mind seeing me?"

“Yeah,” Harry’s grin was wide. “Definitely wouldn’t mind.” 

////

Most of the family was there at the table, eating breakfast and drinking their tea without much talking going on. Bill and Fleur were back at their cottage, they'd decided against staying at the Burrow. And right after the battle, Charlie was summoned back to Romania to tend to one of the dragons that was injured from some falling debris.

Ron wasn't down there, yet, either. Harry was thankful. Perhaps he hadn't realized he was gone. Of course, that wouldn't stop Ginny or Mrs. Weasley from asking him about last night. He imagined they were bursting to know why he was in Percy's room, of all people.

"Morning," Harry kept his head low. Percy let him go ahead of him, while he waited a few extra minutes. 

Mrs. Weasley glanced over at him and smiled as she poured some tea into Ginny’s cup. “Good morning, Harry, dear. How did you sleep?” 

Ginny snorted. 

Harry cleared his throat. Mrs. Weasley was likely not trying to tease him but he still couldn’t help but feel cornered. “Err, fine. Thanks.” 

“Bet you did,” Ginny muttered. 

Harry silently took a seat, refraining from giving into the urge to groan in the palms of his hands.  

“I noticed you weren’t in Ron’s room,” Mrs. Weasley conversationally. 

“Err, yeah.” 

“Ginny said she found you in Percy’s room. Is that right?” 

Harry inwardly cringed. “Yeah,” He said quietly. 

George practically spat out his tea, causing his mother to hit him with her towel. 

“ George Weasley !” 

“Percy’s room?” He said slowly in his disbelief. “You were in Percy’s room? What on Godric’s green earth were you doing in there?” 

Now Harry definitely felt cornered. “Nothing,” He said hurriedly to avoid any unnecessary belief that they had done anything more than what they did. “We just talked, that's all.” 

“Talked to who?” Ron came down, yawning behind his hand. 

“Percy,” George said before Harry could say no one . “He was in Percy’s bedroom last night.” The older Weasley wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. 

“Why?” Ron blinked, looking at Harry blankly. 

"Hush up, all of you," Mrs. Weasley had mercy on Harry. He’d never felt so grateful to her before. "If Harry wants to tell you, that's his business. And be nice, Percy is your brother. He's working hard to mend things so we should be making an effort as well." She gave her children a stern gaze, silently daring them to contradict her.

"Oh, come on, Mum," George protested, "you aren't the slight bit curious why Harry was with Percy, of all people?"

" No ," she retorted.

Harry saw Percy coming around the corner, entering the room and wished he wouldn’t. He had no idea what he was walking into. He watched as the older man smiled at them. “Good morning,” He took the plate that was held out to him by his mother, leaning down slightly to kiss her on the cheek. “This looks delicious, Mum.” He took a seat that was across from Harry, acting as though they hadn't been caught not even twenty minutes ago. 

“Why was Harry in your room?” Ron blurted out. 

“Isn’t it obvious?” Ginny grumbled underneath her breath. 

But Ron hadn’t heard that. 

“Not that it’s any of your business,” Percy said pointedly, “but we were talking.” 

“About what?” George was confused. 

“What could you two have to talk about?” Ron didn’t understand. 

“Plenty,” Percy raised his eyebrows at them. 

Harry itched to intervene before Ron or George said something hurtful, as they prone to do.

Ron blinked. "But why?" He pressed. "Harry never talks to you."

"Actually, Ron-"

"We do," Harry said and everyone's attention turned to him. "Talk, I mean. We've been doing it every night since Percy came back."

Ginny looked thoughtful. George and Ron were astounded. Mrs. Weasley had a smile on her face.

"You have ?" Ron couldn't believe it.

"Yes," Harry said, slowly. "And that's not all." He glanced at Percy for permission. The red head nodded subtly. "We're, err, well-"

Percy, thank Godric, was able to articulate it for him. "What Harry means to say is, we've come to have certain....feelings for each other."

Mrs. Weasley squealed and gave them both a bone crushing hug. Harry had a nagging suspicion that wedding magazines would soon be popping up all over the place.

"Oh, that's wonderful!" She gushed, clapping her hands together.

Oh, yes, Harry could see the wedding bells in her eyes.

"We aren't together yet, Mum," Percy said, gently. "Not yet. We want to get to know each other first."

"Oh, nonsense. You've known each other for years!"

"But not on a personal level," Percy explained, patiently. "I know Harry as Ron's friend. But I want to know him further. I want to know him intimately."

Harry felt awfully like a teenage girl, but he could not stop the happiness that was roaming around within him. He couldn't remember someone ever saying something like that to him before.

“You like Harry like that ?” George clarified. 

“And you like Percy.... like that ?” Ron said slowly. 

“Yes,” Harry affirmed quietly. 

"Like a-a lover?" Ron was having difficulty getting the question out.

Ginny narrowed her eyes. "Ronald Weasley, if you even think about-"

"I don't care that he's gay!" Ron said, defensively. "He already told me, anyway. S'just weird, is all, liking my brother."

"You didn't react well when he was with Ginny, either," George snickered.

Said Weasley rolled her eyes.

"But I do agree with Ron on this," George continued, sobering. "Why Percy?" He looked to Harry.

Percy was trying to appear as though he didn't care that much about Harry's response, trying to nonchalantly stir the sugar into his tea; but Harry saw through that. He was obvious (to Harry anyway), there came the little glances out of the corner of his eye as he waited for Harry to speak. “He’s just...” Harry said, pausing, “different. I don’t feel like Harry Potter the Boy Who Lived when I’m with him. I’m just Harry. He makes me feel normal . And I know he’s made mistakes but he’s trying to fix them. There’s just so much more to him that I never realized.” 

"Like what?" Ron asked.

"He's really passionate about things and he's got a wicked sense of humor."

"Percy?" George snorted. "Our Percy? Him? Percy Weasley?"

Percy looked mildly annoyed.

"Yes, him," Harry said. "You'd know if you paid more attention to him."

That got them thinking.

"Alright, then, why Harry?" Ron directed to Percy.

"He's different," Percy chuckled when his siblings rolled their eyes. "He makes me feel appreciated and I don't have to worry about boring him. It's just a different feeling, one that I never even shared with Penelope." He then added, "He's quite good looking, too."

Ginny laughed.

Mrs. Weasley beamed.

Harry shot him a dirty look, his cheeks reddening.

"Oh," was all Ron could say.

"You're not angry, are you?" Harry was concerned.

Ron immediately shook his head. "Course not. It'll take some time to get used to but you don't have to worry about anything, Harry. You're my best mate. I'll support you no matter what."

Inwardly, Harry gave a sigh of relief.

Ginny kicked George from underneath the table. "Ow! Sheesh, Gin. What was that for? If Harrykins likes Percy, then that's fine by me. He's just going to regret not picking up on such a handsome bloke like myself," he said with an air of fake arrogance.

"You're not even gay," Ginny pointed out.

"The point still stands," George sniffed.

The Weasley siblings shared a laugh. Harry watched as Ginny affectionately ruffled Percy's hair and George promised to give Harry a "talking to" and later on, when Mr. Weasley came back from whatever he was working on in the shed, he was informed of the events he missed.

Now that it was out in the open, he and Percy didn't have to be so secretive. So, at dinner, they sat next to each other and Harry was free to glance over at his potential lover, observing how he easily brushed off his siblings' teasing about his (possible) relationship.

It was a good time, indeed.