When Captains and Redheads Mix

When Captains and Redheads Mix

Chapter 1: The Events by the Lake

An unfamiliar owl flew into the Gryffindor common room and perched on the table that Percy Weasley had his homework spread out on.

"Hullo, is this for me?" he asked the owl, getting a few funny looks from his brothers across the room.

"Taken to talking to birds, eh, Percy?" George asked, snickering.

"Yes," Fred said, looking up from the book the two had been reading. "Perhaps we should get him one and then we wouldn't have to worry about him being lonely."

"Oh, bugger off," Percy said angrily. He was not in the mood to hear the twins making fun of him.

"Oy, Perce, just having a bit of fun," Fred said, smiling and getting back to work.

"Yeah, Perce, who's it from?" George asked, trying to make amends.

"I'm not sure," Percy replied. He took the letter from the owl and it flew away.

Percy,

Please meet me by the lake at seven this evening.

That was it, the letter wasn't signed or anything. He wondered who it was from. Perhaps it was from some younger girl who fancied him, but was afraid that he wouldn't show up if he knew her name, or an older one who wanted to surprise him. Or perhaps it was HIM. No, of course it wasn't him, he was thinking crazily now. However, he was very excited. He realized that it was now six-thirty. He gathered his things and bounded up the staircase. He didn't have any nicer robes, but he did have one set of fairly nice Muggle clothing. His brother Charlie had sent them to him. It was a short sleeve black t-shirt and a pair of straight black pants. He said a quick spell to make his hair stay still until he got to the lake. He gave himself one quick look in the mirror and then started off down the stairs. He almost ran right into his brothers.

"Where ya off to, Perce?" George asked, with a raised eyebrow looking at his brother's clothes.

"I'm going for a walk," he answered annoyed.

"In Muggle clothes?" Fred called, as he watched Percy sprint down the stairs.

By the time Percy reached the lake, he was quite winded. He saw a figure across the lake and walked over to it. He saw that it was Oliver Wood in his Quidditch practice robes and his heart skipped a beat. 'This is silly,' he thought. 'He's probably just taking a walk after practice.'

"Oh sorry, Ol. I was supposed to meet someone here, didn't mean to bother you," he said, starting to walk away sadly.

"No, Perce. I sent you the letter. I didn't know if you would come if I signed it," he said, looking Percy up and down. "You look nice, Perce."

"Thanks," he replied, nervous at the way Oliver was looking at him. He looked at Oliver's figure. In the loose Quidditch robes he couldn't see much, but he knew how lean Oliver's body was. He had spent years seeing him undressed in his room. Oliver insisted on sleeping in only pajama bottoms. "Why did you want to see me out here, mate?" Percy asked, almost stuttering over the last word, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

"I have something to tell you and I don't trust myself in the confinement of our room. Too many people could come in," he said, starting to walk around the lake.

"Okay. So what is it?" Percy encouraged.

"Well, Perce. We've known each other a long time," Oliver started.

"Yes, five years."

"And we know each other pretty well, living together for so long and all," he continued.

"Helps that we're the only fifth years, Ol," Percy interrupted again.

"Goodness, Percy! That's one of the only things I hate about you! You never let anyone get out what they're trying to say!"

"Well," he said carefully after a moment, "what ARE you trying to say?"

"Percy, I'm trying to tell you, ugh! I'm trying to tell you that since our third year, I've been in love!" Oliver exclaimed.

"I'm happy for you, mate," Percy said confused, not knowing why Oliver would bring him here to tell him he was in love. "I'm sure whoever it is will not turn you down," he said, as Oliver moved closer to him.

"Oh shut up, Percy!" They stood only inches apart and Oliver leaned over and kissed him.

"What the bloody hell are you doing?" Percy yelled, though he didn't know why he was resisting.

"Percy, it's you that I love," Oliver said, smiling. "I was starting to think that you fancied me as well."

"Of course, I," Percy started, looking into Oliver's eyes.

"Of course, you what?" Oliver encouraged, smiling at him.

"Of course, I don't," Percy said, as he drew closer to the handsome Quidditch captain and pulled him into a gentle kiss. He carefully ran his fingers through Oliver's hair.

"You never could lie, Percy," Oliver said as he pulled away.

"Oh shut up, Oliver," Percy said, grinning and kissing him again.