Chapter Text
PERCY
I was flushing with pride. I had gotten my letter about becoming a prefect over the summer and immediately sent an owl to Oliver to inform him of the news. He quickly wrote back about his excitement for me and how he knew I'd get it. The whole train ride and first day of school I couldn't keep the smile off my face. I'd been working hard to walk in my brothers’ footsteps and to make my parents proud, and it had finally begun to payoff.
Nothing could go wrong.
“Oliver, what do you think you're doing?” I questioned after waking up to the obvious sounds of Oliver trying to sneak out of our dorm room in the middle of the night for his ‘secret’ nighttime practice.
“Gotta get more practice in Perce. We've finally got ourselves a decent seeker with Harry, I believe this could be our year for the cup!” He announced as he put on his boots completely oblivious to my obvious irritation. “But I gotta practice as much as possible for that to happen.”
I sat up straighter in my bed. “Well, I'm sorry but I can't let you do that.” I told him sternly.
Oliver continued his actions and just laughed.
“Right, good one Percy.”
I blushed furiously at that. He thinks I'm joking?
“I'm serious Oliver. I'm a prefect now. I can't let you sneak out anymore, I'll have to report you.” I said more firmly this time.
Oliver froze. There was a tension in the air we'd never had between us before.
Oliver turned to face me. “Report me?” He asked incredulously.
“Yes, if you step outside I will report you.” I said standing my ground.
“I'm not hurting anyone by doing my night practices. You know how much winning the cup means to me.”
“I know, but as prefect it's my duty to enforce the rules and sneaking out after curfew is obviously a violation of those rules.”
“Well, just do what you usually do and pretend you don't know anything.” Oliver said in an irritated voice. “As the new Captain of the team, I owe it to my players to come up with the very best strategies.”
“You can just practice in the morning.” I told him with finality.
“Are you actually being serious right now?” Oliver’s face was a twisted one of anger and shock. He's never looked at me like that before and I felt a chill run up my spine.
I sucked in a deep breath before replying, “Yes.”
Oliver clenched his fists. “You know why I can't do that. I need to practice on the pitch and when I'm not reserving it the other teams are!”
As Oliver's voice began to raise in volume I got out of bed and faced him beginning to raise my own in retaliation.
“I know, and I'm sorry about that, but I don't make the rules, I just enforce them!”
“But I'm supposed to be your best friend! That should come first!” Oliver shouted. I felt like I'd been stabbed in the chest. But then I was overcome with my own anger.
“You're right, we are supposed to be best friends. So why are you trying to take advantage of me?! I could lose my badge!” I yelled back.
“You think I'm trying to take advantage of you? This isn't about taking advantage! It's just about doing what we've always done, covering for each other so we can accomplish our goals! What about all those times I covered for you with your late night library trips?! Or the books you secretly took out of the restricted section?!” Oliver boomed, arms waving around aggressively and accent growing thicker.
“That's different because we weren't in positions of authority!” I argued.
“Oh, so this is about your image is it?”
“No, this is about you being a selfish git who doesn't care about your actions or the consequences of those actions where either you could get hurt flying in the dark alone or get caught and lose me my badge!!!” I thundered back, pointing my finger at him.
“Selfish? You think I'M selfish?” Oliver asked with a humorless laugh and an incredulous look on his face. “What about you?!”
“What about me?” I questioned.
“If I'm selfish for wanting to accomplish my dream, then you sure as heck are too!”
“That's absolute rubbish! Our situations are nothing alike!” I yelled back appalled at what he was insinuating. “You're mad for even suggesting that!”
“Oh ya think so do ye?”
“That's right. I'm in charge of the school while you're just in charge of 6 kids. Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall both depend on me and the other prefects to help watch over all these kids’ safety and help keep the school running. We have much more weighing on our shoulders than you do! That's much different and more important compared to you and the others playing your little game of Quidditch!” I knew as soon as those words left my mouth that I had made a huge mistake. But my pride wasn't about to let me admit my wrongdoing.
Oliver walked over to stand right in front of me, a look of barely controlled rage behind his eyes. I stood my ground against him, arms folding across my chest while his hands were clenched in fists.
“You know Percy,” Oliver said, speaking low and slow “I'm going to do us both a favor and pretend I didn't hear that.”
We stood staring each other down for a minute before Oliver turned around stomping over to his bed and stripped out of his Quidditch uniform and put his pajamas back on. I felt a sense of relief for a moment before he grabbed his duffel bag, stuffed some clothes in it and then grabbed his book bag and went and shoved past me to the lavatory door where he went in and grabbed his amenities, then went to our dorm door.
“Where are you going?”
“Don't worry about it, I'm not leaving the bloody tower.”
At the doorway he turned and shouted “Is tusa an cealgair breugach as motha a bha riamh!” And with that he slammed the door shut behind him, leaving me utterly alone.
***************************************************
Oliver did not come back to our dorm that night. When I woke up and got ready for the day, I expected him to come back and do the same, but there was no sign of him. I took a deep calming breath before pinning my badge on and headed to breakfast. I wasn't really sure what to expect, but I suppose a part of me had hoped that despite our argument, things might return to normal. How foolish of me. Oliver was with his teammates and Lee while I took to our usual spot by myself. I did my best to act like nothing was out of the ordinary even when I felt eyes on me. It made me a bit anxious but I would not let myself be riled up while Oliver Wood could so casually act like nothing had happened. I quickly finished breakfast and immediately left for morning tutoring in the library.
Classes were just as awkward. Oliver continued to avoid me and sat with other people. I suppose I had not necessarily forgotten, but just stopped paying attention to how popular Oliver was. Even though he spent the majority of his time split between me and his teammates, he was still one of the most popular guys in school. He could easily converse with anyone and be liked. Quite unlike myself. Though I'm not afraid of speaking with others, it doesn't mean others enjoy what I have to say. Only the professors tend to enjoy my thoughts. For the first time that I could really remember, I spaced out during class. The rest of the day went similarly until dinner. I walked into the great hall and took my usual seat, but once again Oliver was with his friends looking greatly unaffected. Well if that's how it's going to be… I will not let him get to me.
OLIVER
“Ungrateful git… the nerve of that guy.” I muttered all the way down the stairs to the common room.
Selfish? Me, SELFISH?! After everything I've done for him…. I was furious. I hadn't felt this angry for… a long time. Not even when Flint… well did anything. And how could he say that about my captaincy? I was actually shaking, I was so mad. I dumped my stuff on the ground next to the couch before flopping myself onto it. I ask him to do one thing for me. One thing we've been doing for the last four years already anyway, and I'M selfish?? My head was spinning. I wanted to scream, but thought better of it. I didn't want anyone waking up and seeing me like this.
“I need to sleep. I can't handle all this right now.” I muttered to myself. I suddenly wished I'd grabbed a blanket, but I wasn't about to go back upstairs. So I pulled out my Quidditch robe and laid it over me, very grateful I just washed it this morning.
***************************************************
“Woah, do you think he's dead?”
“Better not be. I don't reckon I'd much like sitting on a couch that someone's died on.”
“Least we won't have to be up so bloody early for drills anymore, ey George?”
“Right you are Fred.”
“I dare you to sit on him!”
“Don't even think about it you two.” I grumbled slightly annoyed at this awakening. I groaned as I sat up.
“What time is it?” I asked, looking at the twins.
“7:25. What're you doing down here?” George asked.
“Yeah, it looks like you slept here.” Fred commented.
I got up and walked to the back of the room to quickly change out of sight.
“Ah! Our eyes!” They shouted in unison.
“Go do that in your dorm! You're either going to scar all the guys or make all the girls swoon, leaving none for us!” Fred yelled at me.
“I can't go back to my dorm.” I told them flatly having finished changing and walking back over to them.
They looked questioningly at each other before turning to me and speaking in unison again asked “Why's that?”
“I don't really want to talk about it.” I said gathering my stuff together and getting ready to head out to the downstairs lavatory.
“Hmmm…” the twins gave me a stare.
“Yeah… I'll see you guys at breakfast.” I told them as I climbed out the portrait.
***************************************************
After I washed up I headed to breakfast. I spent a lot of time thinking about what I wanted to do today, and all I could come up with was to just stay away from Percy. I was still fuming. So even though we always have breakfast together, I instead went and sat with the team.
“Wood, what brings you here?” Alicia asked me surprised as I dropped myself down next to the twins and across from the girls.
“Just going to have some breakfast.” I said rather dryly.
“Oh. Why aren't you sitting with Percy like usual? Is he sick?” Angelina questioned as she took a bite from a muffin.
“No reason. Not sure. Am I not welcome to sit here?” I asked with more attitude than I meant.
“Of course you are, it's just you two always have breakfast together so I'm a bit thrown off.” She said, trying to placate me.
I glanced at my friends and teammates who all had questioning looks with slight concern and fear of being chewed out. I sighed deeply, guilt beginning to fill me up.
“M’sorry guys. It's not you. I just uh…” I ran my hand through my hair in thought, “I didn't sleep well last night. Like, at all. And I've got a bit of a headache.”
As they all began to tell me it was fine and understood, (and luckily the twins didn't mention me sleeping on the couch and seemed to be willing to keep it a secret) I noticed Percy finally came in and sat at our spot. I didn't look him in the eye, just kept him in my peripheral vision. I saw him look our way as we began talking in depth about our new plays now that we had Harry and had beaten Slytherin good. I couldn't really read his face but he turned back to his food and continued on like everything was fine. That just seemed to fuel my inner fury. I was so distracted by that that I didn't notice the looks the twins were giving me.
***************************************************
I spent the rest of the day purposely avoiding Percy. Which was exactly the opposite of how I normally live my life so it was pretty difficult going against my natural instincts. In all our classes I sat with other people who were all confused, but several seemed overjoyed by being asked if I could sit next to them. I wonder if there's any truth to what Percy's always saying about me being popular or something? I thought. Then quickly shook my head remembering my anger at him.
When dinner finally rolled around I was back with my teammates who didn't question me again, although we often have dinner together so I got a bit of a pass with that. But as dinner was finally wrapping up I realized I still didn't want to go back to my dorm and wondered how many nights I could actually get away with sleeping on the couch. Although I might try to sneak a blanket out sometime.
And I carried those thoughts with me all the way back to the common room where I showed up last minute to curfew to be sure everyone else was in bed, and I dropped my stuff off next to the couch again. I sat on the couch with a sigh and stared into the fire. I just did not want to face Percy yet. Not until he apologized. If he'll even apologize, I realized.
“Ugh.” I got up and quickly changed in an attempt to shove out that thought. Then I went back and laid on the couch realizing I forgot a blanket again and cursing under my breath because I also practiced today, so I could not use my Quidditch robe.
PERCY
I didn't know what to think. I knew I had said something truly unforgivable and regretted it… but also the stubborn part of me was doing it's best to not think about it. Oliver was officially avoiding me. For days now. I was still wondering where he was staying because he was in fact coming back to the dorms, or at least the common room, just not back to our room. I would never admit it out loud, but… I had begun to realize I was quite lonely without him. I suppose I just chose not to think about it most of the time, but without him… I really had no friends. I had begun skipping breakfast and lunch, only going down for dinner so as to avoid all the stares I had begun to attract at being alone since usually we spent breakfast and lunch together, dinner he'd usually spend with his teammates and I would with the kids I tutor or the other prefects. So to keep these thoughts out of my head, I have just been filling as much of my time as possible with work, whether it be homework, prefect duties, or tutoring. But the twins had also become a new nuisance the last few days. For some reason, they had been reeking more havoc than usual. The other prefects had asked if I could reign them in some, not realizing that I was the last person they'd ever listen to. I let out a sigh without thinking.
“Um… Percy?” The small nervous voice brought me back out of my thoughts.
“Huh? Oh, so sorry Neville. My mind wandered for a moment there.” I apologized.
“Oh, no, no. It's alright. I was just going to ask if you were alright.” He said nervously.
I was surprised by that. Had I let my emotions show through? How unprofessional. I smiled at him. “Of course. Did I do something to make you think otherwise?” I asked to see what I had done wrong.
“Um… well…”
“It's alright. I'm not upset.” I reassured him.
“Oh… well you just seem… more tired than usual… and a little pale…”
I had been staying up late each night not being able to sleep with the constant thoughts in my head, replaying the fight over and over trying to figure out what I should have done differently. Or how to talk to the twins about their recent behavior.
“Oh, well I am a bit tired today, but don't worry. I won't let it interfere with the rest of our lesson okay?” I told him gently, truly meaning it.
“Well if you're sure.”
“I am.”
We continued the rest of the lesson with no further problems.
***************************************************
I dragged myself back to the common room after finishing my patrol, and was surprised to see a figure sleeping on the couch. I walked over to see if it was someone who needed help with something and stopped short right before I could shake their shoulder when I realized it was Oliver.
I stood looking over him, no blanket or pillow. He was using his arms as a replacement for pillows and was clearly sleeping very uncomfortablely.
Am I that bad to be around now that this is more preferable than my presence? I was hurt. I was angry. But also another part of me was… sad. And lonely. I shook my head refusing to let myself feel those emotions. I turned around and went back to my room pretending I didn't see him there. Upon entry to my room though I paused for a moment. I ran my hand down my face before pulling out my trunk and pulling out a small package. I opened it up and went carefully back downstairs. Then I gently laid the blanket across Oliver's body before going back upstairs to bed.
OLIVER
It must've been the fifth day or so of our fight when I woke up feeling warmer than I had been the last five mornings. The twins had taken to waking me every morning, a new routine for us all that I was partly grateful for so as not to be seen by other students. This morning they came down a bit earlier than usual and began the day with a question.
“Oi, Oliver. What's that?” Fred asked.
“What?” I asked groggily sitting halfway up.
George walked over and picked up something off me. “This blanket. Did you go back to your dorm for this instead of just sleeping there?” He asked.
I grabbed the blanket back from him, looking at it carefully. I hadn't seen it before, but it was red and orange and very soft. Someone must have seen me last night and taken pity on me. I told the twins just that.
“Why does it seem oddly familiar?” George contemplated.
“Guess it's time to find a new place to sleep.” I accidentally said out loud. Curse my non existing thought filter.
“Wood, it's been what, 5 days?” Fred asked.
“Are you finally ready to tell us what's going on?” George then asked, blanket seemingly forgotten.
I sighed deeply, running my hands down my face. I guess now's better than never. They're going to surely find out eventually through Percy himself.
“Your brother and I have had a bit of a row and are currently not speaking. I'm too angry to share the dorm with him right now, need some space, so have taken up residence here hoping to not be noticed. You know, besides by you two. But now I clearly need to find a new place to go since someone else has discovered me.” I told them while putting the blanket into my duffel bag and pulling out my clothes.
The twins shared a couple different looks with each other doing their telepathy thing.
I groaned as I got up. This couch and lack of pillows was definitely destroying my body. I went to the back of the room and changed for the day.
When I came back the twins were looking at me.
“.... What?” I questioned while putting my pajamas back in my duffel.
“Wood-” Fred started.
“We happen to have -” George continued.
“A spare bed in our dorm!” Fred finished.
I just looked at them.
“Why don't you stay with us?” They said in unison.
I stood surprised by that offer. “Oh. Wow. That's real nice of you guys. Would Lee mind?”
“Course not. You're out friend-” George started.
“And it quite saddens us to see you -” Fred continued.
“In such a sorry state.” They finished in unison giving me dual pitying looks.
“Alright then. I think I'll take you up on that. Could I go put my stuff in there now? I'm pretty tired of lugging it around or hiding it all day.
“Sure mate. Let's go.” Fred said leading the way to the dorm.
***************************************************
It felt so good to be sleeping in a bed again. Bunking with the twins and Lee wasn't that bad. Except for the fact that they stayed up extremely late plotting. They got up at a reasonable hour, but that lost some of it's luster with going to sleep at 3am. No wonder they complained so much about early morning Quidditch.
And of course, there was also the great distraction for when I tried to do my homework. Since Percy spent so much time in the library, I had to work in the room to avoid him.
“Hey Oliver, watcha doin’ over there?” Lee asked me.
“Trying to get my potions essay done.” I told him from the corner.
“Aw, come on Captain. Let's have some fun! Try this candy we've been working on!” George called over from his bed.
“Sorry mate, I'm behind. I really need to work on this.” It was true. Now that I didn't have Perce around to make sure I was actually getting my work done and not just doing my quidditch diagrams, or just making sure I understood things in class and explain to me what I didn't, I was falling behind. I needed to catch up.
“I really can't right now guys. Maybe later.”
“Alright, but you're missing out!” Fred called out before I heard a loud POP. It took all I had in me to not turn around and keep my quill moving.
PERCY
Two weeks. It's now been two weeks since me and Oliver have last spoken. And I don't know what to do. I had just finished with my evening tutoring and was dreading going back to the dorm. It was killing me going back to an empty dorm room that once was filled with laughter and companionship. But alas, it was something I had to do. I slowly made my way back feeling slightly lightheaded. When I came through the portrait hole I was reminded that Oliver had moved somewhere else since the night I put the blanket on him. I figured he must be bunking with some of the other boys.
I let out a sigh.
I climbed the stairs to the dorm ever so slowly, weary from the day and possibly lack of food and sleep I had recently. Once I finally made it in, I collapsed onto my bed without changing. What should I do? I thought as I laid there staring at the ceiling unblinking. What would Bill do? I suddenly sat up straight. Now there's an idea! Why don't I ask? I ran over to the desk where I was now keeping my quills and parchment since I didn't need to share anymore, and I began to write.
Dear, Bill
How have you been? I hope all is going well for you with your job and you're staying safe. Thank you for your last letter of congratulations and advice. With that said I am actually in need of more advice. You see, two weeks ago me and Oliver had a bit of a row about me being a prefect. I caught Oliver trying to sneak out of our dorm for late night Quidditch which he's been doing for years. When I told him I couldn't let him do that anymore he became incredibly angry and told me that I was putting my badge before our friendship. I told him he was being selfish and taking advantage of me. Many more things were said between us and in the end I unfortunately said something rather unforgivable that I did not mean, and he stormed out and has not been back in our dorm room since. I actually suspect he might be bunking with the twins. Anyways, I don't know what to do. I… miss my friend and would like to be friends again, but don't know how to do that. So after much thought I wondered what you would do, especially since you were prefect once. I hope to receive a response at your soonest convenience.
With love,
Your Brother Percy
OLIVER
“Wood.”
“Wood.”
“Hey, hey, Wood!”
“Ooooollllliiiiiieee!”
“Only the girls get to call me that!” I shouted, turning around to see the twins laughing at me.
“What do you guys want? I'm busy!” I irritatedly asked from the desk where I was trying to study for the Potions test I had tomorrow.
“Nothing much.” Fred said suspiciously.
“Yeah, we just want you to test something out for us.” George said, trying to sound more innocent than his brother.
“Can't you just have Lee do it? I need to study for my Potions test. It's tomorrow.”
“He's got a prior engagement.” George said not expanding on that.
“Plllleeeeeeeeeaaaaaassssssse Captain?” They both asked me together with pleading looks on their faces.
“Ugh, alright, alright. But just one, and it better not affect me tomorrow or it'll be extra drills for you lot.” I told them finally caving.
“Thanks Captain! You're the best!” They cheered.
I smiled begrudgingly.
PERCY
“Percy, is there anything you can do to reign in the twins?”
I wanted so much to go hide in a cave. It was our weekly prefect meeting and the question I always hated being outside, (because I often got this at home too) had been asked. No one ever seemed to understand that when it came to the twins, the only ones who ever got control over them was our parents of course, or Charlie and Bill. I have no control whatsoever, even as their older brother. In fact, I probably had the least control because I had the least respect. We were just too opposite and that has caused us a lot of problems. But it's not like I can tell them that, especially now that I was a prefect. I would not lose face.
So the answer I settled on was, “Of course, I will see what I can do.”
I got a round of ‘oh thank goodness’ and many thanks.
After the meeting we all headed to the great hall for dinner. I took my regular seat but today I was alone since the others had plans. As I filled my plate I noticed a small pink ball bounce into my soup bowl. I got a sudden sense of dread and as I was about to grab the ball and throw it far away from me, it exploded and showered me in pink glitter. The room erupted into laughter. I was momentarily glad for the glitter knowing it covered my reddening face. I calmly stood up and turned to go to the dorm, not once looking towards the twins.
This chaos continued on for several days. One day I got turned orange, one day my robes got turned into zebra stripes, and the worst was one day my hair was actually turned into spaghetti noodles. After that one I managed to confront them, but as I thought it didn't do much. I was beginning to lose my mind. This was all getting to be too much. Why were they getting so out of hand? I was so lost in thought that I didn't notice when I knocked someone over.
“Oh my goodness, I am so sorry!” I said as I helped the younger student up.
“It's alright, I'm fine.” he said, turning to look at me.
“Oh Harry, where are you heading too?”
“I'm on my way to quidditch practice.” He answered.
“Aw, well that's on the way to where I'm going. Allow me to walk with you.” I told him and we started walking.
“How are you liking Hogwarts so far?” I asked making small talk.
“Oh, it's amazing. I never thought I could be this happy.” He told me enthusiastically.
“Yes, it is quite something isn't it? And I see you've been making friends, that's good too. How's Ron been treating you?”
“He's great. We're best mates. The twins have been really good to me too.” He said smiling.
I forced a smile in return. “Yes, well they're really something.”
Harry turned to look at me with an apologetic look. “I'm sorry, I shouldn't have mentioned them. They've been a pain towards you lately.”
I shook my head quickly, “Oh no, it's fine Harry. What our relationship is shouldn't have a bearing on your relationship with them. Though they have been pranking me much more than usual lately.” I said with an exhausted sigh.
“I bet it's because Wood hasn't been after them lately.” Harry said more as a statement than a question.
I stopped walking and looked at him. “What do you mean?”
“Just that normally I would hear Wood telling them off when they were talking about certain pranks that were either directed at you or would make your job harder. And obviously the occasional pranks that could interfere with Quidditch. But the last few weeks the team has noticed that Wood has been distracted or just hasn't cared to tell the twins off.”
I stood there stunned at what I had learned. I hadn't realized that Oliver had been doing that for me. I'M selfish? Oh Merlin. What have I done?!
“Percy, you alright?” Harry asked, looking at me with worry.
“Oh yes, of course. Thank you for telling me that Harry. But please if you would, don't tell Oliver or any of my brothers about this conversation. I would really appreciate it.” I asked him.
“Okay.” He thankfully agreed.
After I walked him out, I returned to my dorm with a full mind.
OLIVER
I was at a loss of what to do. I was torn in all sorts of ways, though I was mad, Percy was still my best friend, but the twins are my friends too, but also I'm their Captain. But then again they were letting me stay in their room. But also, they were taking things too far. What should I do? I need some help. Then it hit me. I went up to my desk and began to write.
Dear Charlie,
It's been a bit since I've written. Sorry about that. But I need some help. I got in my first real fight with Percy since that first summer we spent together, and I'm not sure what to do. You see, as I'm sure you know he's a Prefect now. A few weeks ago he caught me in our dorm about to sneak out for a night flight, which I've done several times over the years. But this night we got into a big fight over it. He said I was trying to take advantage of him and was being selfish. SELFISH! I told him he was putting his badge over our friendship. A lot of other things were said, but after he told me my Quidditch captaincy was nothing compared to his being prefect, I had enough. I packed up my things and left. I've been staying with the twins in their dorm room and that's actually a cause of another issue I'm having. The twins have been a bit out of control with their pranks. They literally turned Percy's hair into spaghetti noodles. Yes, you read that correctly. Spaghetti noodles. As I'm writing this I actually wonder if it's because I've been too distracted to tell them off like I usually do. I normally help limit what pranks they can get away with. Maybe I've been turning my back a bit too because they're letting me stay with them instead of the common room couch where they found me before….. anyway I'm rambling too much. Hope you're staying safe and don't regret not going professional. Please write soon Captain.
Your favorite Keeper,
Oliver
With the letter finished I quickly put it in an envelope and ran it up to the owlery. After having got that done it was time for practice.
***************************************************
Fweet! “Alright, good job team! That's all for today!” I called out after blowing my whistle. We all flew down to the pitch.
“Ugh, finally!” Angelina groaned.
“Yeah. I'm starving.” Alicia complained.
“I'll never fly again.” Fred said.
I stood back a ways watching them with their usual after practice complaints. Am I really selfish?
“Wood.”
Do my teammates feel the same as Percy?
“Hey, Wood?”
I can't possibly be that bad right?
“Oliver?!”
I blinked my eyes and looked up to see my entire team staring at me.
“Sorry, what was that?”
“Oliver, are you alright?” Katie asked.
“Yeah, you've been spacing out a lot recently.” Angelina affirmed arms crossed.
“What? Do you all think I've been slacking on my performance?!” I shouted alarmed.
“No, no, calm down. Your performance has been fine.” Alicia quickly tried to reassure me by putting her hand on my shoulder. I eyed everyone suspiciously.
“Yeah mate. It's after practice you seem off.” George supplied.
“At meals too.” Fred added.
“We're just worried about you.” Angelina told me coming closer to my other side. “Do you want to talk about it?” She asked gently.
Everyone was gathered around me with concerned looks on their faces. Though Harry shared the look he was struggling to take off his gear. I walked over to him and began to unstrap him, feeling all their eyes on me as I did.
“Well… there has been something on my mind…” When I finally got his gear off I handed it to him and turned to the group again.
“Yeah?” They all encouraged me.
“Yeah.” I confirmed.
They gave me an expectant look.
“What?”
“Well what is it?!” Angelina shouted exasperated.
Oh. “Am I selfish?” I finally blurted.
They stared at me unusually long, saying nothing. I felt the blood drain from my face and an uneasy feeling inside.
“Alright then. I guess that answers my question.” I said before turning around to head to the locker room to attempt to drown myself.
“Oliver, wait!” Alicia called out.
I ignored her and kept going.
“Ollie, stop!” Katie ran up grabbing my right arm attempting to hold me back while the rest of the group caught up. But she was so tiny it was kind of a humorous attempt as I just dragged her along.
“Yeah, yeah, hold up mate.” The twins called catching up.
“Oliver, you just caught us by surprise!” Angelina told me firmly standing in front of me effectively blocking my escape.
“You know, I know I have my faults. I'm blunt and have no filter, and I am very aware of my obsession believe it or not, but I never thought myself specifically selfish.” I told them all discouragedly, arms waving around as I spoke.
“You're not selfish.”
We all turned and looked at Harry. I was very surprised having only known him a few months.
He seemed a bit nervous but continued, “You gave me private Quidditch lessons, sure you said it was because you wanted me as a secret weapon, but I know it was also because you didn't want me to be embarrassed or pressured about not knowing anything about quidditch. And I mean even just now, you helped me take my gear off too without me having to ask.”
“When I was worried last year about just being a reserve that I was nothing important, you gave me that pep talk about how every member of the team had an important role to play and no one's was more or less important than another's.” Alicia reminded me.
Katie tugged my sleeve so that I would turn and look at her. “You threatened those Slytherin boys who were bothering me last year. You did that for a total stranger.” She smiled up at me.
“You're a lot of things Wood, but selfish isn't one of them.” The twins told me leaning against each other arms crossed with their Cheshire grins.
I turned away as I felt tears welling up. I would not let my team see me cry. Unless it's tears of joy for winning the cup.
“Um. Thanks guys… I really don't know what to say.” I finally managed to say.
“Oliver, who told you that you were selfish?” Angelina asked me gently.
I froze in place. I couldn't tell them it was Percy. Granted, it was obvious that we weren't on speaking terms, but I couldn't tell them about something so private that could make us both look bad. I especially didn't want to give the twins more ammo. But I also didn't want to lie.
So I decided on the ever popular, “I don't want to talk about it.”
“Are you sure?” Angelina prodded.
I nodded. “I'm okay now. Thanks you guys.” I smiled genuinely at them. I was ready to go hit the showers when the girls and Harry were suddenly being crushed into me.
“Agh! Fred!”
“Ugh, George!”
The twins had managed to smoosh us all together.
“Group huuuug!” They sang together.
We all groaned, then laughed. My concerns temporarily melted away.
PERCY
Finally! Bill has finally written back! I was so overjoyed when Hermes dropped me a letter at dinner that I immediately snatched it up and went straight to the dorm. As soon as I was on my bed I grabbed my letter opener out of the nightstand and opened it as quickly as possible.
Dear Percy
It's great to hear from you! I sure miss you little brother. Don't worry, I haven't been cursed yet. I'm sorry to hear about you and Oliver’s problems, but I'm glad you reached out to me about it, because it just so happens I had the exact same thing happen to me.
I paused at this new information about my brother, surprised but filled with a new hope.
Only difference was, it was worse than just a friend. It was a brother. Charlie.
I gasped out loud. “Charlie?!”
I was a prefect and he was aiming to be Quidditch Captain.
Needless to say, these roles and wants caused us to clash. Just like Oliver, Charlie wanted to sneak out for extra practice. But what was worse, he'd also sneak out to mess with magical creatures.
Oh Charlie… you fool.
I was extra hard on Charlie because I felt I should be with him being my brother. I was so worried about him getting hurt but also felt a bit miffed that he was doing these things even with me as a prefect and that his actions would come back on me because we're brothers. I confronted him about these things and it nearly came to blows. We didn't speak for two whole weeks. But, that time apart gave me time to really think things over. You know Percy, rules are there for a reason, but they're also not everything. There's much more to life than that, like friendship and family and fun. So after a time I went back to Charlie and spoke with him. I explained to him that even though I'm his brother that didn't mean he should expect me to always cover for him. That yes there would be times I might do that, but it was the expecting me to do it that was taking advantage of me. He apologized and explained that he hadn't meant to do that to me and had felt that I was being extra rough on him because we were brothers. I knew I had and explained to him, and apologized. In the end we talked things out and are obviously okay now. I know you won't like this, but I did turn my eye to some things Charlie did. Not everything mind you, especially stupid dangerous things with magical creatures, (actually a lot with those) but yes. Even night flying. But I learned to pick my battles. I'm sure Oliver doesn't really realize what he's doing just like Charlie. You two have been very close good friends and I think you can talk things out. Just be patient and understanding. Also, I know apologizing is hard for you. But if you truly know you should, then it's important you do it. I hope this helps. Let me know how everything goes and stay in touch.
Love,
Bill
I put the letter back in the envelope and laid down on my bed and thought long and hard. I did need to apologize. But Bill was right. It's pretty bloody hard for me to admit being wrong. But for Oliver, I had to try.