Chapter Text
After our first year at Hogwarts had ended, me and Oliver made good on our promise to write to each other and also to see about visiting. I was really nervous having never invited a friend over before, but I had told him I would have him over. So I gathered up my courage and went downstairs to ask.
“Um… Mum?” I nervously asked my mother as she was washing the dishes.
“Yes Percy dear?” She replied without looking away from her work.
“Do you remember my friend I wrote to you about? Oliver Wood?” I was twiddling my fingers now. What if she says no?
“Oh yes, of course. What about him dear?”
“Well… I was wondering if… if it's alright with you of course, if he could… well that is, if I could invite him to stay a few days of the summer?” I finally got out.
Mum suddenly stopped what she was doing and turned to look at me, a look of surprise on her face. Oh no. What was I thinking? We have enough mouths to feed already! And so much work to do. I prepared myself to backpedal.
Suddenly a huge smile came over her face and she opened her arms wide to embrace me.
“Oh Percy! Of course your new friend can come over! You must owl him right away so we can know when to get the house ready! I'm so proud of you.” She told me as she squeezed me.
“Mum… can't… breathe…” She immediately released me.
“So sorry dear. Now go on, send Errol out immediately. The sooner we get a response the better!” She said, pushing me towards the stairs.
I ran up the stairs to my room and went straight to my desk to write Oliver.
Dear Oliver,
Mum says it's okay for you to come for the weekend. When will you have time? Would this next weekend work for you? I hope to hear from you soon.
Percy
As soon as I finished I went downstairs and sent it off with Errol. I was very nervous, but also very excited as I watched him fly out, hoping that I would get a reply soon.
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It was very surprising that I got a response that night at dinner. We were all gathered around the table in the middle of discussing Dad's latest work endeavors when WHAM.
“Oh dear! Bill, will you help poor Errol out over there? Seems he's flown into the window again.”
The twins laughed at this while Ginny gave him a very pitying and concerned look.
“Here you go Errol.” Bill said as he opened the window and helped Errol up, giving him a gentle pat on the head. He then grabbed a letter from around Errol’s ankle and brought it in.
“Hey, it's for you Percy.” Bill said with a smile handing me the letter. I ignored the twins’ gasps of surprise.
Accepting the letter from Bill I quickly looked and saw it was from Oliver and felt a rush of excitement.
“It's from Oliver.” I said excitedly looking at my mum who was beaming.
I saw Charlie and Bill exchange happy looks with each other.
“Why don't you open it up now and see what he says.” She encouraged me.
“Oh, I can wait until after dinner mum.” I told her not really wanting to open it in front of everyone.
“Aw, come on. We want to know what he says!” Bill said with a grin.
“Yeah, we need to know when to prepare ourselves to hide.” Charlie laughed good naturedly.
I gave them both glares.
“Go ahead now.” Mum told me.
So I quickly opened the letter. And as I read my nervous smile slowly turned into a frown as I felt my stomach drop.
Dear Percy,
I was so happy to get your letter and invite to your house today! I ran down the stairs waving it around like a mad man and shoved it in my parents ' faces thinking I would be packing tonight. But unfortunately, my da gave me the horrible news that my ma has a muggle business trip that they need to go on in 3 days. For 3 weeks. They're rushing to find me a last minute sitter even though I told them that I could either stay at your place for 3 weeks or be by myself for that long. They responded by saying how dare I invite myself to stay at someone else's house for that long without asking, and then laughed at me for thinking I could stay home by myself. Can you believe that? As though I'd set the place on fire or something. Anyway, so here I am asking, do you think you can handle having me over for that long? Otherwise we probably won't be able to see each other this summer… which I hate to think about because I miss you. Anyway, let me know what you think as soon as you can!
Your best pal
Oliver
“Everything alright son?” Dad asked me after my long silence.
“Is your friend okay?” Ginny's small voice piped up.
I looked up from the letter and saw everyone staring at me with varying levels of concern and confusion. I didn't like the attention.
“Um. Apparently his parents just had a business trip spring up on them in 3 days,” I started,
“Oh, well he can just come over after it's over” my father cut in.
“It's for three weeks…” I finished glumly.
“Oh.” The whole table said in unison.
“Yes. He says they're trying to find him a sitter, and that unless we can tolerate him for that long, he probably won't be able to make it this summer.” I told them trying to keep the disappointment from my voice as I folded the letter back up.
“Oh, they haven't a sitter for him yet?” My mother asked.
“No.”
“Well that's great dear! Write him back that he's more than welcome to stay here while his parents are away.” Mum said with a smile.
I was shocked.
“But mum, did you hear the part where it's for three weeks?” I checked to make sure we were understanding each other correctly.
“I did.” She confirmed with a nod.
“And… you're okay with that?”
“Of course! It's no problem. Now hurry before your friend makes other arrangements!” she said, shooing me off.
“Um, okay, if you're sure.” I said scrambling to leave the table to go write a response.
Dear Oliver,
My parents said that you're more than welcome to come stay with us while your parents are away. In fact, my mother insists on it. I'll leave this letter short so as to send it quicker. Write back soon.
Percy
I sealed it and sent it away with poor Errol, smiling ear to ear.
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It wasn't until the next morning Errol brought back a response.
“Percy! You got a response!” Charlie called from the kitchen as I came down the stairs.
I quickly grabbed it and tore it open as Charlie laughed at my hastiness.
Percy!!
They said okay!!! They would like to meet with your parents tomorrow when they drop me off if that's alright? This is going to be the most exciting three weeks ever! Gotta run and finish packing! I'll bring over some of my favorite muggle games to show you. Oh, and I hear there's a brilliant ice cream shop near you so I'll pack some muggle money as well. Ugh, can’t wait for tomorrow! See you soon.
Your summer roommate,
Oliver
P.S. This also means we'll be together for your birthday!!! How cool is that? We're going to party hard!!
“So?” Charlie asked when I finished reading.
“Tskay.” I mumbled.
“What's that?” Charlie asked.
“They said okay!” I cried out happily.
“That's great Perce!” Charlie said crushing me in a hug. “Your first friend stay over!”
“Yes.” I nodded in confirmation embracing the warmth of his hug.
This was going to be a summer I’d never forget.