Waking From Intellect

Chapter two: Weasley Without Work

Percy Weasley apparated into his room at precisely 6:05 p.m., glad that today, at least, had been an easy day at work. It was usually quite stressful, dealing with the problems that arose between the differences in standards between countries, but today he had simply attended meetings, reporting his findings to Crouch's replacement Mr. Dux and different committees.

His last assignment- dealing with a rather shoddy line of dragon hide gloves that turned out to be simply made of lizard skin- was over, and somehow his superiors had not given him a new one yet. As it was a Friday, this surprised him, because he would have very little work to do over the weekend. Percy sometimes suspected that he was expected to want more free time than the others in his department because he was young. However, he felt that he had demonstrated his willingness to take on when he had taken over many of Mr. Crouch's duties.

But for now, Percy didn't mind the chance to have a restful weekend. It would even give him a chance to visit Diagon Alley with his younger siblings. That reminded him- Ron's friends were visiting. He really ought to check and see that they had arrived safely. Harry, he recalled, sometimes had trouble arriving where he was supposed to.

The house was oddly quiet, so Percy went in search of his younger sibling. He found Ron's room empty, with no new additions. However, the door to Ginny's room was slightly open, and upon looking inside, he saw a few extra bags. So Hermione, at least, had arrived.

Percy knew that having Harry and Hermione's visit could be beneficial because it would keep Ron away from him, but worried that it might inspire his littlest brother to emulate the twins. And he knew who Ron's first target would be if he had the opportunity. There was no use thinking about that though- after all, Ron's friends might actually have a good effect on his behavior.

However, his doubts returned when he entered the dining room and saw three heads snap up and swivel to look at him. They were obviously plotting already. He felt like just turning around and leaving, but so that the next few weeks would be tolerable he kept a smile on his face. "Hello Harry, Hermione. Good of you to come visit. Am I," he paused, discomforted by their stares, "interrupting something?"

Hermione answered, a shade too quickly, "N-no. Harry's just demolishing me at chess, that's all." She didn't sound that convincing, but true to her words, there was a chessboard between the two, and more of her pieces were missing than his.

"All right then. Where are the twins?"

"Out with Lee and Oliver"

" Anyone else back yet?"

Ron shook his head. "No. It's not even four yet, why would they be here? Say, what are you doing home so early anyway?"

"I hate to tell you this, but it's after six." Percy smiled at the shocked expressions on the kids' faces. "I suppose your chess game was very interesting then, to have held your attention for at least two hours?" He noticed the other three exchange quick looks. They were definitely plotting. Percy noticed that Ron seemed a bit annoyed- probably because he was still there. "Did Mum say anything to you about dinner? If not, we probably ought to see about making something. There's no telling when they'll get back."

"Yeah, yeah. She just said she'd make dinner when they got back. Hey," Ron seemed a bit worried, "shouldn't they be back already?"

"I wouldn't know." Honestly, they complained that he was a know-it-all, but then expected him to know things that he had no way of knowing. "I left before they did remember? But you know Ginny. She's probably dragged them halfway around the world by now, showing them everything that can possibly be associated with that witch- what's she called, Andromeda something? Well, I leave you three to your... chess then. I'll be in my room, Ron, but don't bother me unless it's important. Harry, Hermione, nice to have you here."

He turned with one last short smile and left, going back up the stairs. Percy'd hoped the others would be home, but this would at least give him some time to himself. A whole weekend without work! The possibilities were astonishing. He could do some of the reading he'd been planning, maybe even get ahead in work... no, he couldn't... he had no assignment. He half-suspected Mr. Dux to have planned it that way.

Percy changed out of his robes and into Muggle trousers and shirt- more comfortable in the bloody heat wave they'd been having. Laying back on his bed, totally alone, he sighed. No more fronts to put up, or impressions to make. He could just be himself for a bit. There was no need to be the model employee, no need to be a role model to his little siblings. No need to be perfect. He could just be Percy, the stressed-out bookworm who actually missed being in school. He stretched out, and slipped into sleep.

He didn't get to sleep for long though- his mind groggily interpreted the noises coming from below as being the twins, otherwise known as the two loudest people on earth. So much for a nice, quiet rest. Time to go look imposing, and keep the damage down to a minimum... it wouldn't do to have Mum get home and find her kitchen upside down (not that the twins had ever done that... well, literally anyway). Rising from his bed, Percy went down the stairs for the third time in, he checked his watch, nearly an hour.

When he went downstairs though, he found that the noise was not entirely the twins doing. Ron was helping too. George was giving a play-by-play account of the game they'd had, using different items on the table to represent the different players. Fred was arguing some points- they'd been put on different teams, and he felt his team had done better than was being said- while Ron interrupted to ask for more specific details. Harry was leaning forward, muttering things about the play, and wincing at the especially violent parts.

But Hermione was reading. Yes, she glanced up every now and then to keep track of what was going on, but the focus of her attention was on a book in front of her. Percy smiled, amused. When he acted like that, his brothers would mock him, try to steal his books- there were distinct advantages to being a guest in this house. How she could read so calmly in all this noise was a mystery to him though.

"Honestly, can't you lot even talk about Quidditch without sounding like the crowd at a match?"

"Aw, did we interrupt the all-important work of Percy the proud?" George said, grinning.

"No, actually. I have the weekend free. You did wake me up though." He ran a hand through his hair, noticing that the Weasley family clock had "traveling" marked for three of its members. "Hmm, they must be on their way back. You lot behave- Ginny's going to be hard enough to deal with as it is."

"Percy, its nice that you decided to relax for a change, it really is, but that doesn't mean you have to make up for it by being such an arse the moment you come downstairs." Fred grinned at his older brother. "Besides, we weren't planning anything we could get caught at."

Percy groaned. They always were planning something... even if it was just ways to be loud. The twins had gone back to telling Harry and Ron about the Quidditch game, but apparently were near the end as they stopped after a bit, and started in on Harry for not finding a way to practice. Percy just stayed leaning on the door. He was trying to see what she was reading... it looked something like a textbook. He couldn't see what subject it was from where he was though, so he decided to go ask.

"Hermione," he said after moving over to her. She looked up and blinked, as if surprised. "What's the book? It can't be for next year can it? You haven't been to Diagon Alley yet."

She smiled up at him. "Actually, it is a school book- I bullied McGonagall and Vector into giving me their booklists early, and bought them in Hogsmeade before the year let out. This one's for Transfiguration- A Practical Guide to Common Disguises."

"I remember that one- it shows you ways to not only turn most little things into school supplies, but also how to tell if something else has been transfigured. Very useful... especially in this house." And it had been useful, more than once, but it did take a bit of effort to do. Still, Percy always checked to make sure that his wand and clothes were really what they seemed, after that time with Ron. Hermione reminded him of himself- studying, trying to get ahead, trying to be the most perfect student Hogwarts had ever seen. And that reminded him of something entirely different.

"Hmmm... you got that one early, but since have received the list of all the other books you'll be needing this year. Any other interesting owls this summer?"

She blushed. "Well, Ron and Harry have kept in touch of course. And Ginny. She's had quite a lot to say, but..." she trailed off.

"That's not what I meant, and you know it." Percy grinned at her. Well, here was one say in which they were different- when he'd been made prefect he tried to tell the world, even the parts of it that didn't know he existed. To him, it had been a way of showing he was worth notice. Hermione, however, didn't seem to have mentioned it to anyone. He never even stopped to consider the possibility that she hadn't been made a prefect. "Did you get any other owls from school?"

She sighed and looked up at Percy, speaking in an incredibly practical tone. "Yes, I've been made prefect, ok? I'm intensely happy, and I've been bursting to tell someone besides my parents. The only thing is, neither Ron nor Harry are: the other Gryffindor 5th year prefect is Dean." She smiled, a smirk really. "I told them they'd be sorry they didn't study more often. Really, its been agony not to tell them today... but I know Harry was really expecting to be made prefect, and Ron was hoping. They don't deserve it, neither of them, but what with Harry being a celebrity, everyone really thought he'd make it."

"Well, congratulations to you! Its excellent, and I can't think of a better person for Gryffindor." Percy said sincerely.

"Keep it down- they're not paying any attention over there, and I'd like to keep it that way! A question: how do you suggest I break the news to Ron without making him think I've betrayed him or turned into-" She stopped. Percy was sure he knew what she was about to say.

"Me?" The smirk she gave was answer enough. When, he wondered, had she started doing that? And he wasn't that awful. He and Ron had stayed fairly clear of each other back in school, and over Holidays Percy hadn't noticed any signs of disgust. Still, he could see someone not wanting their best friend to turn into their older sib.

"Well, Hermione, just tell him. Knowing Ron, he'll probably get angrier if you don't and he finds out from someone else. Besides," He began to continue, only to be stopped by a high squeal coming from the kitchen fireplace.

"OH! It was amazing, fantastic, wonderful! You're all mad to have missed it!" His sister burst into the room, lavender robe snagging on things. "Hermione!" she'd made a quick scan of the room, and ran over to the only other girl present, nearly knocking Percy down. "You, at least can appreciate this! Andromeda is amazing! I want to be just like her... she's so smart, and cool, and SUCH a great singer! What do you want to hear about first? The concert, or when I actually got to MEET her? And I even got an autographed picture."

She pulled a shot of a girl in a bright, tight, blue robe out of her bag and showed it to Hermione. From where he was, Percy could see that the witch dressed to her advantage, flaunting a figure that made him miss Penelope for a sharp second before he noted that her make-up was a bit overdone and her hair positively unnatural. It looked like it was about to attack him.

Hermione though just looked confused, staring down at the picture covering her book (the witch was now dancing, and blowing kisses towards Percy) and after a few seconds looked up. "What?"

"I know, I can't believe I actually managed to meet her!" Ginny squealed, positively bouncing around the room.

"Yes Ginny, it's great... but I really have no idea who she even is."

Percy was surprised for only a moment before remembering that as a Muggle-born, Hermione wouldn't be able to listen to the Wizard Wireless. Lucky girl.