Percy would be all right
It didn’t take the twins too long to figure out their love for pranking, or their surprising agility for it. But out of all the people they prank, Percy almost always had the best reactions.
When the twins were only 2 years old, they hid Percy’s socks. They both wore one of them. When 4-year old Percy found out, he had laughed and ruffled their hair. But he didn’t ask for those socks back. They didn’t offer - the socks were warm and soft. They still have the socks tucked somewhere.
Since then, Percy joins in with their pranks. Sometimes pranking them back.
On their fourth birthday Percy hid in the closet to wish them ‘Happy birthday’ before they had even wished each other. He had prepared streamers and glitters and they laughed about it so much that Fred's stomach hurt and George fell on the floor. Percy looked a little guilty when the others were scared from the sound, but to Fred and George it was one of their best memories.
One afternoon, Percy got an odd glint in his eyes. “Next time, let's prank Bill and Charlie!”
Fred and George nodded eagerly. “But you will haf tu helf us!” Fred declared, puffing his chest.
“Of course silly!” Percy ruffled his hair. “What will you two do without me?” he said, smirking in that annoying-older-brother look that Bill was so fond of.
“No need.” Before Fred could answer, George interrupts. “Mum says we ar yur res-pon-si-bli-ty.” he says, carefully pronouncing the big word, looking up at Percy for praise.
Percy’s blue eyes were bright as he ruffled George’s hair. “Yes, yes you are.”
“Ginny is off limits!” Percy voiced strictly. “And Ron is too young to understand what’s going on.”
So they planned to prank their older siblings, and Percy never got caught! He was a genius!
A lot of their earlier fights were on who would spend more time with Percy! He was smart and he helped them prank their older brothers! And they never caught Percy! They always caught Fred and George, but Percy’s plans never got caught! Percy was a genius!
Once they had switched all the ketchup with mustard at the dinner table. Percy had planned it and gave them a timetable on when to do it.
“Mum takes a nap from 3 to 4,” he said pointing at the clock, “so you should do it then.”
Bill had to eat his fries with mustard. Everyone found that pretty amusing, and Bill wasn’t too angry, if only disgusted at the weird combination, but Charlie swapped his fries for the “cooler version.” All in all it was a grand success.
“You are a genius Perce!” Fred announced after everyone had finished laughing. A few chuckles still rang out when George thrust out his glass to them. Percy shook his head, carefully clinking his glass and then Fred’s muttering a ‘silly’ under his breath, but they could see that Percy was happy with his own silly grin.
But the next week mayonnaise was found in the bowl of Ron’s vanilla ice-cream. Ron started crying, throwing the bowl, which scared little Ginny in turn and only Percy got scolded when he wasn’t even involved this time. Fred and George had planned this as a salute to Percy and the genius prank they pulled last week.
Percy didn’t say anything, easily handing over his ice cream as a reprimand.
That was the first time they can remember Mum actually scolding Percy. At first they found it funny, but Percy had looked so sad.
Even the twins noticed that.
But Mum was busy soothing-rocking a crying Ginny and dad took Percy’s ice cream to give to Ron who was trying his best not to sniffle.
Percy apologized and didn't even rat them out. He didn’t say that it was the twins this time. He didn’t say that it wasn’t him. He just took the blame. He had apologized instead before going to his room.
They didn’t know what to do. Percy had never gotten scolded, mum had never scolded Percy before, so they don't know how to make him feel better. But Percy did. And Percy was always there when they got scolded or punished and Percy would always sneak them snacks and treats. But he would also take the blame. Mum and dad never scolded him but he would still take the blame and suddenly they were allowed to play again. Percy was the best. So they took their ice creams and went after Percy.
*
As Percy stalked to his room, Fred and George too got up and followed behind him. Mum and dad were too busy with the younger ones to notice them leave.
Though Charlie did notice. He was worried that the twins would tease him for getting scolded, and as he was about to follow them Bill’s hand on his thigh stopped him. Bill didn’t say anything, but tilted his head towards both Fred and George who had sneaked off with their own ice creams. A small smile graced his lips.
Percy would be all right.
***