Two Lives, Chapters 2 to 3

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Chapter Two 

Oliver stretched slowly, savoring the feeling of not being quite awake, and yet not asleep either. He opened his eyes to peer at his clock, and laughed slightly when he read where the hands were “Why are you up you stupid git? You’re on holiday!” He rolled over and thought about going back to sleep, but decided to get up and start on his Christmas shopping. After all, there were only 6 shopping days before Christmas Eve, and he had a lot to get done. He was into his 3rd day of vacation from Quidditch and taking time to truly savor the feeling of being able to stay out late, get up late and lounge around his apartment all day, before going out with friends. But, he realized, it was time to get down to the serious business of shopping.

Springing out of bed with sudden excitement, Oliver ran for the bathroom and indulged in a long, hot, steamy shower. A half hour later, he was shaking his sandy blonde hair dry, and putting on an old, faded pair of jeans, and a bright blue turtleneck sweater. Over his Muggle clothes, he slipped on a warm blue robe and the dragonhide boots Harry had given him for his last birthday.

“Hmm…now what for breakfast?” he asked himself a few minutes later in the kitchen. He finally settled on a heaping bowl of Chudley Charms, laughing when he saw the miniature marshmallow replica of himself and the rest of the team, and a large glass of chocolate milk. A perfectly balanced breakfast, thank you very much. He was still a little hungry after the cereal, so he conjured up some fluffy pancakes and another glass of chocolate milk (with much more chocolate this time).

“Ok, off to Diagon Alley!” he announced.

He first went to Quality Quidditch Supplies and picked up new shin guards for the team, and a new broom polishing kit for Harry. He knew Harry’s old kit was getting a little shabby, and figured it was a good present to give to his best friend.

He thought back to his Hogwarts days, and the first time he had met the small, scared boy. Harry had certainly changed in the years since then, and although he was a war hero, the savior of the wizarding world, and the best goddamn seeker England had seen in centuries, he was very down to earth and the best mate a bloke could ask for.

Next on his list was Flourish and Blotts, where he searched for the perfect book for Ginny. He finally settled on a copy of Charms for the New Ages - seeing as how Ginny was the new Charms teacher at Hogwarts, it was very appropriate. He also picked up the newest version of Chess and You: Impossibly Difficult Advanced Strategies for Advanced Players for Ron Weasley, and a copy of Archaic Potions and Brews for Ron’s wife, Hermione, the potions professor at Hogwarts. For Fred and George Weasley, his close friends and owners of Weasley Wizard’s Wheezes (only the BEST joke shop in all of the Wizarding World), he settled on Practical Jokes for the Practical Joker.

Satisfied with having his friend’s presents out of the way, he turned his attention to his family. Heading into Madame Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions, and picked out a beautiful new shimmering pink dress robe for his little sister, who was in her 6th year at Hogwarts. He looked around the shop and found his eyes drawn to a silken dressing gown reminiscent of a native Japanese kimono, the reds and oranges blending perfectly together. “That’s perfect! Madame, do you have that in a size 7? My mother would love it!”

Madame Malkin smiled and carefully wrapped the two gowns up and handed the parcels to Oliver. “That will be 250 Galleons, Mr. Wood.” With a good-natured Groan, Oliver fished out his Wizard’s Express Card and handed it to Madame Malkin.

“Now, all I have to go is get Dad a present.” Oliver knew this was going to be the hardest present of all to find. He and his father had had a very strained relationship ever since the summer after his 7th year at Hogwarts, when Oliver had announced that he wouldn’t be attending Auror college, as his father and grandfather had, but instead would be joining a professional Quidditch team. He still remembered the fiery row his father and he had had one evening.

“Why can’t you do something meaningful with your life, instead of wasting it away on a stupid sport?” his father had yelled.

“Quidditch is not stupid! And it’s my life! I will do whatever the Hell I want with it!” Oliver had screamed back.

In the seven years since Oliver had been playing Quidditch, his father had mellowed a bit, but had not forgiven Oliver for forsaking the legacy of Woods that had been established 100 years before Oliver’s birth.

Shaking his head to remove the unpleasant memories, Oliver didn’t see the slight figure before him on the sidewalk before knocking it over.

****

“Only six days before Christmas, Perce. Done all your shopping yet?” George asked his older brother.

Percy glared at Fred and George, who had stopped by just to annoy him and said, “Of course George. I finished it all months ago.”

Fred smirked and said, in a perfect imitation of Percy, “Of course, brother dear. You don’t think old Percy would leave such a thing as Christmas presents to chance, do you?”

“Was there anything you need, because if not, I have a meeting to get to sometime soon.” Percy said.

Fred and George exchanged looks, and decided to come right out with it. “Mum and Dad are worried about you Percy. You work too much, and have been isolating yourself from your family.” George said.

Percy sighed and stood up. His brothers were shocked to realize that, even through his robes, he was thinner than he had been just six months before at Ron and Hermione’s wedding. “I appreciate your concern, but I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself. Now, if you don’t mind, I have work to do, and a meeting at the Leaky Cauldron to get to.”

Fred and George knew they’d been dismissed, and left, casting one last worried glance at their brother. True, they teased him a lot, but they loved Percy, and didn’t want to see him hurting. Which he clearly was. “Percy, if you need anything, you know where to find us.”

Percy swallowed over the sudden lump in his throat and went back to the notes he had made on the upcoming meeting with Jacques Ferland, the head of the International Magical Co-operation in Paris. They were meeting today to discuss the possibility of starting an exchange internship program between the two ministries. Percy would meet with Jacques first, and if things went accordingly, his father and the French Minister of Magic would meet after the New Year to cement the deal. Percy had a few doubts about meeting at a tavern, but had let Jacques set the time and place of the meeting.

Percy looked at his watch and saw that he had fifteen minutes before the meeting, and packed up his notes, and minutes later was Apparating to Diagon Alley. With a quick purposeful stride and his head down, he didn’t see a man step out in front of him, until he was sprawled on the ground, looking up into the face that had haunted his dreams for seven years. “Oliver!”

Chapter Three:

            Percy looked up at the handsome Quidditch player in shock. He was the last person Percy had expected to see in Diagon Alley. Percy’s eyes quickly took in all of Oliver, and a faint blush spread over his features when he realized that Oliver was even more attractive at 24 than he had been at 17. Stop thinking that Percy. It’s wrong and disgusting, a little voice said in his head, sounding remarkably like his ex-girlfriend Penelope Clearwater.

            Oliver’s ruggedly handsome features broke out in a warm smile as he recognized his old dorm mate from Hogwarts. “Percy Weasley! How are you old chap?” Oliver asked, smiling down at the figure on the ground. Then he gasped and asked, “Are you all right, Percy? You’re not hurt are you? Here, let me help you up.”

Oliver reached down and pulled Percy to his feet. Percy stumbled and suddenly felt the pain in his lower back. “I think I will be all right Oliver. Thank you.”

            “You sure you’re all right? You hit the ground rather harshly.” Oliver asked, still concerned.

            Percy smiled slightly, not a little bit pleased that Oliver was concerned about him, Oh, come off it, Nancy Boy. He’s not concerned about you, he just doesn’t want a lawsuit on his hands, Penny’s voice said again. Percy forced the voice away and said,  “I am sure I will be fine, Oliver. A little sore, but nothing worse than that.”

            “Good, I wouldn’t want you to sue me or anything!” Oliver laughed.

            Percy’s mood fell suddenly as he realized his voice was right, Oliver didn’t care about him. Affecting a cooler tone and a neutral expression, Percy said, “I am sorry to have to rush off so quickly, but I have a meeting in ten minutes.”

            “Oh, that’s too bad! I was looking forward to catching up.” Oliver paused and then continued, “Say, would you like to have dinner with me tonight? I have something I need some help with, and well, I think you would be the best person to ask.”

            Percy stared at Oliver in shock, wondering what Oliver would need him for. No one needed him for anything. Blushing slightly, Percy simply nodded his head in affirmation.

            “Great, so, I will meet you at the Leaky Cauldron, at say, 4:30? Will that be long enough for your meeting?”

            “Yes, that will be fine, Oliver. I will see you then.”

            Oliver ginned in delight and waved as he and Percy parted ways. “See you then, Perce!”

            “Yeah, see you then Oliver.” Percy said. He stared after Oliver’s retreating back, and thought, Even after all these years, I am still in love with him.

****

            Three hours later, and Percy couldn’t even recall the meeting he had just attended. The French representative had been loud and abrasive, but Percy hadn’t noticed. He had kept recalling Oliver’s warm brown eyes and charming smile in his mind. Luckily, he had a quill that was charmed to take notes without Percy’s direction.

            He’ll be here in just a few minutes. What am I going to say? What does he want? Percy’s thoughts were jumbled and he didn’t notice Oliver sit down at the table until the man spoke.

            “Sorry I’m late, Perce. I was caught up in the rush hour foot traffic.”

            “Oh, it’s all right, Oliver. My meeting just finished. I didn’t even realize it was 4:30.” Liar. You’ve been counting the minutes since you left him this afternoon.

            “Good. Now, let’s eat. I’m starving!” As evidence to his claim, Oliver’s stomach rumbled loudly. Oliver laughed and said, “See, even my body is put out with me for not feeding it in the last hour!”

            Percy laughed a little and motioned for Tom to come over. “Ready to order, fellas?” Tom, the proprietor of The Leaky Cauldron asked.

            “Yeah, I’ll have a double order of fish and chips, a Butterbeer and a bowl of your Soup of The Day. What will you have Percy?”

            “What is your soup of the day, Tom?” Percy asked. He didn’t normally eat out, the foods had too many preservatives and fatty acids in them, but this was Oliver, Percy would endure almost anything for him.

            “Potato and leek.” Tom replied.

            “I’ll have a cup of that please. And a glass of water.” Percy said, ignoring Oliver’s curious look.

            “Wonderful! I will have the beverages out in just a moment.” Tom said, and headed for the establishment’s kitchen.

            “That’s all you want, Percy?” Oliver asked

            “Oh, well, I’m not very hungry. I had a rather big lunch.” Percy said, which was true for him. He’d eaten a whole bran muffin and a glass of orange juice at the office, before Fred and George stopped by.

            “Ok, if you’re sure. That’s what I consider a light snack.” Oliver smiled again. If he keeps doing that, I am going to melt into a puddle at his feet. He’s got just the most wonderful smile.

            Faggot. He doesn’t like you like that. No one would. I mean look at you; you’re a tall, skinny, freckled, pathetic freak. Who could ever like you?

            Shut up. Percy once again pushed Penelope’s voice to the back of his mind, and concentrated on Oliver. Which isn’t that much of a hardship. “So, Oliver, what did you want to talk to me about?”

            “Oh, right! Well, I don’t know if you know, but your brothers and parents have invited my family and I to spend Christmas at the Burrow, and I was wondering what to get them for a present.”

            “Why not ask Fred and George? Or Harry? He’s on your Quidditch team, is he not?” Percy asked, shocked that Oliver would think that he was the best choice for gift ideas.

            Oliver snorted and said, “You honestly think I would take Gred and Forge’s advice? They would tell me to get your mother something like an apron, or a cookbook. And Harry? As much as I love the fella, he’s kinda clueless when it comes to gift giving. DO you know what he gave Ginny for her birthday last month?”

            Percy had to admit that he did not. He’d sent Ginny’s present (a sheet of piano music he’d written himself) by owl, as he’d had to work on the day of her party. “What did he give her?”

            “A freakin’ frying pan! It took him hours of standing outside the bedroom to explain that, no he did not think she belong in the kitchen, he just wanted to get her something for their new house. So, he is not the best bet to ask advice.”

            “But why me? You hardly know me.” Percy said.

            “Percy, we spent seven years rooming together. I don’t think that qualifies me as ‘hardly knowing you’. And besides, everyone is always raving about the gifts you give.”

            “They do?” Percy asked, incredulously.

            Just then, Tom interrupted and set their dinners down in front of them. “Enjoy gentlemen.” Tom winked as he walked back toward the bar.

            For the next several minutes, Oliver wolfed down his food, and Percy watched, taking small, measured bites of the soup. He allowed himself a moment to savor the taste of the potato and leek soup, before schooling himself to eat slowly, and take sips of water between each bite.

            “Well, then, what do you say, will you help me?” Oliver asked.

            Percy sighed and nodded his head. Anything to spend more time with Oliver.

            “So, how about tomorrow? Can you get a couple hours off at lunch and we can go then?” he asked.

            Percy thought a moment. He’d never before taken a lunch hour, and certainly never a two-hour lunch break. But it’s Oliver…you know…the man you love? The man you’ve dreamt about sleeping next to you in your bed…naked and covered in chocolate.  “Sure. You want to meet me at the Ministry?” If he sounded a little breathless, well, it was surely unnoticeable.

            “It’s a date!” Oliver glanced at his watch and suddenly jumped up, “I didn’t realize what time it was. My mum is expecting me for dinner at 7. I’d better go.” Oliver pulled out his money purse and threw a couple of Galleons on the table. Percy was about to protest but Oliver cut him off, “No, I asked you. It’s my treat. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

            “Yeah, tomorrow.” Percy said, as Oliver rushed out the door. “Tomorrow.” He whispered to himself.

Ok, so there is some more Percy!Angst ahead, but then I promise there are sugar cookies! And snogging! And sleigh rides! And Snape smiles! Honest!