Unintended

Lucissa Malfoy

Story Summary:
Several years after leaving Hogwarts, Oliver Wood returns to London between Quidditch matches. He begins an unexpected relationship with a former classmate. As the relationship deepens, both of them reveal details of their pasts and must decide if they are willing to spend the rest of their lives together. Rated R for mature material, so please don't read if you are offended by such things.

Chapter 07 - Seeker to Keeper

Posted:
11/02/2009
Hits:
201


Percy was at work now, sitting beside the Minister at a meeting with the heads of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. He was supposed to be taking notes, but he found that his mind would not stop wandering. Angelika Waddlesworth, the public relations manager, was a fierce woman with jet black hair and vivid green eyes that reminded Percy of Oliver's eyes when the light hit them in a certain way.

"Mr. Weasley, is there something you wish to ask me?" Her sharp voice sliced through his daydreams.

"I, uh, no," said Percy, flustered. "Not at all."

"I know I'm incredibly beautiful," she said, "but your staring is really quite unnerving." The Minister gave him a probing look, and Percy blushed. He hadn't even known that he was staring.

Thankfully, the meeting did not last much longer. Percy followed the Minister back to his office.

"Percival," said the Minister, sitting down in his large, leather armchair. "Are you feeling alright?"

"Yes, sir, I'm perfectly fine, sir," said Percy quickly.

"Hmm," said the Minister, pouring himself a glass of mead. "You seem a bit...far away, if I may say so. Very pensive. Is there something on your mind?"

"Oh no," said Percy. "I think I'm just a bit tired, that's all. Those meetings are quite exhausting."

"Indeed," agreed the Minister, giving him a searching look. "Well, if that is the case, then you may go home early. I have nothing left for you to do today, and I assume that you have much more important things to do on a Friday evening anyway."

"Thank you, sir," said Percy gratefully. "I'll have your agenda ready on Monday morning."

"Of course," said the Minister, and Percy left the room.

He Apparated back to his apartment and flopped down on the couch in front of the television, but didn't turn it on. How lonely it was without Oliver! Though he had his share of annoying habits, like leaving his balled up socks on the floor and talking during movies, Percy was still fond of him. Without Oliver, his life was mediocre and boring.

He wanted desperately to call him or to owl him, but he didn't know where Oliver would be right now. He hadn't asked where he would be staying. Sighing, he took out the sleek, black mobile phone that he and Oliver had purchased together. Oliver had explained to him that Muggles used these little devices, and they could be quite handy. Apparently, you could 'call' a person or even 'text' them, whatever that meant. "Like a virtual owl," Oliver had explained. Percy found the whole concept rather mindboggling, but he wasn't about to give up a chance to keep in touch with Oliver. He cautiously clicked the scroll down button, and he could see Oliver's number listed. Shakily, he pressed the green call button. The phone began to ring, and a few seconds later, he heard Oliver's voice on the line.

"Hey, Perce," said Oliver, his voice slightly obscured by the background noise.

Percy said nothing; he just trembled. Why was he so nervous?

"Percy? Can you hear me?"

"Yes," he whispered, ending the call.

That's when he decided that he was going to Egypt.

He went into his bedroom and grabbed a small suitcase, throwing a change of clothes, toiletries, and his passport inside. He went outside and hailed a cab.

Twenty minutes later, Percy stood in front of the Wizard International Airport.

"How may I help you?" said the witch when he approached the ticket counter.

"I'd like a ticket to Cairo," he said. "The earliest flight."

"Cairo, Egypt," said the witch, her fingernails clacking on the keyboard. "Hmm...ah, yes, here we go. Our earliest is the eight fifteen this evening." She looked at her watch: it was about six thirty. "You'll definitely be able to make it."

"I'll take it," said Percy. "How much...?"

"Three hundred and sixteen galleons," said the woman, handing him a receipt, which he signed. He had never spent such a large amount of money on any one item (besides maybe his rent), but he thought it was worth it.

"Thanks," said Percy, tucking the ticket into his pocket.

"Have a nice trip!"

He made his way through security, and as he had no bags to check, wandered to the gate. He still had about forty minutes until boarding, so he bought himself a sandwich and a coffee, and sat down in the waiting area with a newspaper. After what seemed like an eternity, the intercom crackled to life and announced that flight 64E would be boarding. He left the newspaper on the chair and quickly got in line.

Once on the small jet, he placed his luggage in the overhead compartment and sat down in his seat, which happened to be next to a window. The other passengers filed in, and took their seats. It seemed that this was not a particularly crowded flight, as the seat next to Percy was left empty. This he was glad for, since he wasn't particularly fond of sitting next to strangers.

Thankfully, wizard planes were much different from Muggle ones. Traveling on a wizard plane was basically the same as Apparating, except you had to go a much farther distance and a whole bunch of people did it with you at the same time. As they prepared for takeoff, Percy wondered how Muggles could possibly stand being strapped in such small, uncomfortable seats for hours at a time.

A few minutes later, Percy felt the familiar jerk of Apparition as he bulleted through space. Then, it was over. He blinked, looking out the window at the runway. He followed the other passengers off the plane and into the airport where speakers blared: "Welcome to Cairo."

-----------------------

Percy stepped out into the warmth of the outdoors, and immediately knew that he was wearing far too much. He had forgotten how hot Egypt had been when Bill had shown them the pyramids. He rummaged in his bag for the map he had brought, wondering where he should go. Cairo was an hour ahead of London time, so it was a bit past nine thirty in the evening. Percy decided that Oliver would definitely have finished Quidditch practice by now, and took out his mobile.

"Hello?" said Oliver's voice.

"Hi, Oliver," said Percy, speaking loudly over the noise of the airport traffic. "Are you, erm, done with practice?"

"Oh yeah, we finished hours ago," said Oliver. "I'm at the hotel. Just about to take a bath. How are you? What are you doing? It sounds kind of noisy in the background."

"I'm at the airport," he answered.

"Really?" said Oliver, surprised. "Business trip?"

"Actually, Oliver...I'm in Cairo right now."

"No way!" shouted Oliver. "You're not serious!"

"I'm standing right outside the airport and I, well, I don't really know where to go," said Percy.

"Stay right there," said Oliver. "Don't go anywhere. I'm sending a car right now, okay?"

"Thanks, Oliver," said Percy, relieved.

Twenty minutes later, a sleek, black car pulled up to the curb and window rolled down.

"Are you Percy Weasley?" said the driver, leaning out the window.

"Yeah, I am."

"Well, get in then," he said, grinning. Percy put his luggage in the back and climbed in next to the driver. "By the way," said the driver, turning to Percy. "I'm Evan, the team's driver."

"Nice to meet you," said Percy.

On the way to the hotel, Evan pointed out various important buildings and the beautiful scenery.

"It's even better in the daytime," he said. "How long you staying?"

"Just the one night," said Percy. "I've got to get back to London tomorrow."

"That's a pity," said Evan. "Cairo's really a beautiful city. Well, here we are."

He pulled to a stop in front of the Sheraton hotel, which was on the water's edge.

"You can go on up to Oliver's room," said Evan. "Seventh floor, room seven twenty-nine."

Percy thanked him and then rolled his luggage in the hotel, getting into the lift. He found Oliver's room quite easily, and knocked softly on the door.

"Perce!" said Oliver, engulfing him in a bear hug as soon as he opened the door. "Come in, come in."

Percy went inside and set his suitcase down.

"Wow, this is a really nice room," he said, looking around.

"Yeah, we always get luxury suites," said Oliver, sounding slightly embarrassed. "I'm just about to take a bath though."

"That explains the robe," said Percy, smiling at Oliver's fluffy white bathrobe and slippers.

Oliver turned and went into the enormous bathroom, then came back out a second later.

"Aren't you coming?" said Oliver.

"What?" said Percy. "I thought you were taking a bath."

"Yeah, exactly my point," said Oliver, waggling his eyebrows suggestively. Percy blushed. Oliver came out and grabbed Percy's wrist. "Oh, come on. How long has it been since you've had a proper bubble bath?"

Percy let himself be dragged inside the bathroom. Oliver turned on the water and let the tub fill, pouring in bubbles until the surface of the water was covered in a thick layer of foam. Switching the water off, he looked at Percy, who looked anxious.

"Perce?" he said softly, reaching over to touch his arm. Percy didn't move, and Oliver slowly undid his shirt, button by button. His fingers danced over the belt buckle, and a second later, Percy's trousers had fallen to the marbled floor in an untidy heap. Oliver used his teeth to tug down Percy's boxers, like he had before, and then he slipped out of his own bathrobe, kicking off his slippers.

They slowly settled into the large tub, the hot water pricking against their skin when they first submerged their feet. Eventually, they were sitting with the bubbles up to their necks.

Oliver leaned over and gave Percy a swift, but tender kiss.

"I can't believe you came all the way to Egypt," he said, massaging Percy's feet.

"I had to," said Percy. "I couldn't stand it without you."

"I was going crazy all through practice," said Oliver. "Nearly flew into a goalpost."

"Oliver, you really should be careful," admonished Percy. "I don't want anything to happen to you."

"Don't worry," said Oliver confidently. "I haven't had any major injuries yet."

"You'd better keep it that way," said Percy. He sighed. "Cairo seems like a beautiful place. I wish I could stay longer."

"You're not here on holiday?" said Oliver.

"It's Saturday, Oliver. I don't work anyway." He sank deeper into the bubbles. "I have to get back tomorrow so I can have the Minister's agenda ready."

"You could stay if you wanted to," said Oliver, looking thoughtful. "We could share this room. I mean, it's certainly big enough for both of us."

"I can't," said Percy. "The Minister needs me in London."

"Well, I need you here," said Oliver.

"Oliver, if I lose my job I won't be able to go on holiday at all," he said pointedly.

Oliver sighed. "You'll at least come see me play tomorrow, won't you?"

"Are you joking?" said Percy, grinning. "That's the reason I came."

"Great, I'll introduce you to the team," he said, climbing out of the tub, as the water had gotten cold.

"Oliver?" said Percy, wrapping a towel around his waist. "I need to talk to you about something."

Oliver finished drying off his hair and looked up at Percy. "What is it?"

"I...can we sort of, you know, keep this just between us?" he said hesitantly. "It's not like I'm ashamed of us or anything...I just...I'm not ready."

"I understand," said Oliver, nodding.

"I think my mum might kill me if she found out," said Percy, giving a nervous chuckle.

"You aren't planning on keeping this from her forever, are you?" asked Oliver, putting on his pyjamas.

"Well, no," said Percy. "I just have to figure out how to tell her. I know she won't like it, but I can't help it. What about your dad?"

Oliver looked away, and immediately Percy knew he'd said something wrong.

"We haven't spoken since my last year of Hogwarts," said Oliver, a few moments later. "He didn't want me to become a professional Quidditch Player. He said that I would amount to nothing, just like him." He wiped his eyes on his sleeve and looked up at Percy. "All I ever wanted was to make him proud of me."

He toppled forward into Percy's arms, his still-damp hair rested on top of Percy's head. Percy held him tightly and also with slightly difficulty, as Oliver was quite heavy when limp. He rubbed his back, making large circular motions with his hand, Oliver's silent sobs shaking their bodies.

"I'm sorry," said Oliver, straightening up a few minutes later. "I didn't mean for you to see me like that. It's just...I'm under a lot of pressure right now, and sometimes I feel like I'm on the verge of a nervous breakdown. I'm really sorry, Perce. I must've really scared you."

"It's alright, Oliver," said Percy, as they walked into the lavish bedroom. "I shouldn't have brought it up."

"Well, you didn't know," said Oliver. "So it's not your fault."

"Let's just stop talking about this," said Percy, sensing the possibility of an argument.

"Good idea," said Oliver, climbing into the bed and pulling the soft blanket over them, making sure to cover Percy's shoulders. "Thank you, Percy."

"For what?" he said.

"Just for being here," said Oliver. "You have no idea how lonely it gets in these giant hotel rooms. I mean, we always stay in these big, fancy rooms, but there's no one to share it with. It feels so...empty. And sometimes in the dark, my imagination makes me see things. Yeah, we'll have drinks and stuff in each other's rooms, but it's just not enough. I still feel empty when I go back. It's a blessing to have someone to wake up next to. So, just thanks, Perce."

"I'm glad I can be here with you," said Percy, truly touched by Oliver's speech.

They murmured "good night" to each other, and as they were both tired from the day's events, fell asleep quickly.