The Story

5th Year - 1992:

The common room lay unusually quiet, devoid of its usual bustling energy. The tranquility beckoned Percy away from his usual study spot in his dormitory, enticing him with the promise of a change of scenery. Despite the allure of stepping outside for some fresh air under the bright sun, Percy remained steadfast in his dedication to his study schedule; He allocated specific time slots for his studies each day and was meticulous about adhering to them. As tempting as it was to break from routine, he knew the importance of discipline and focused determination.

As the end of the year approached, Percy couldn't shake the weight of impending exams looming over him. Fifth year meant one thing: O.W.L.S. and they were only a month away. Unlike his previous academic challenges, these exams carried greater significance; The implications his results on his future were enough to surge the anxiety within him. 

He settled into a seat by the window, where a steady stream of light poured in. The sun's gentle warmth enveloped him, casting a soothing glow. Surrounded by textbooks, parchments, and his quill and ink, Percy was prepared to study for History of Magic – His least favorite subject.

Though Percy found the subject quite intriguing, Professor Binns possessed the unique ability to lull even the most headstrong students to sleep; Percy himself had nodded off a few times. As he reviewed his notes (filling in the blanks where he might have dozed off), a presence settled into the chair across from him, causing Percy to look up.

Oliver greeted him with a smile that sent Percy's heart aflutter. "It's quite a beautiful day outside," he commented.

Percy nodded, meeting Oliver's iridescent hazel eyes. He could have lost himself in them all day, feeling the same warmth as the sun. Glancing away, he replied, "I know. But right now, I must study."

"Mind if I join you then?"

Percy nodded, and Oliver rose to fetch his own materials from their room. Returning, he settled into the chair he had initially occupied, placing his books on the table.

"I could use some help with Charms," Oliver admitted. "Professor Flitwick's been going over some tricky spells, and I'm struggling to keep up."

"I'd be happy to help, Oliver," Percy replied. "Let's see what you're having trouble with."

This wasn’t the first time that Percy has helped Oliver with Charms and the two were already well accustomed to studying together. A while back they had silently agreed that Percy would help Oliver with Charm’s and Transfiguration while Oliver would assist Percy with Potions.

For the next few hours, Percy patiently guided Oliver through the intricacies of Charm work, explaining the theory behind each spell and offering tips for successful casting. Oliver nodded along, gradually grasping the concepts enough to study on his own.

Returning to his own studies in History of Magic, Percy found it difficult to focus amidst the endless names and dates. Meanwhile, Oliver seemed completely at ease beside him. Watching Oliver's diligent work stirred something within Percy; he often found himself stealing glances from afar, but being in Oliver's presence brought a flutter to his stomach. Despite sharing a dorm, their schedules rarely aligned, leaving these moments of togetherness feeling all too rare.

"You're staring," Oliver remarked, his eyes still fixed on his reading.

Percy's heart raced as he quickly averted his gaze to his own paper; Heat raised to his face, and he could only hope his embarrassment wasn’t obvious. "You answered a question wrong on your assignment," he blurted out.

"I did?" Oliver abandoned his book to inspect his parchment. “No, I didn’t.”

“You’re right… you didn’t,”Percy muttered as he stole another glance. Their eyes met, and Percy felt as though he could drown in the intensity of Oliver's gaze.

Oliver's face scrunched up, his eyes narrowing as he peered at Percy, who suddenly felt small. "You know what we need?" Oliver declared abruptly. "Fresh air to clear our minds!"

It was a suggestion Percy readily agreed to; Going outside would help his burning cheeks and give him some clarity to think straight.  And anyways, the prospect of spending more time with Oliver made it all worthwhile.

The sun had begun to dip low in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow over the Hogwarts grounds. They found a quiet spot near the lake. Spring had brought its usual rising temperatures, and while Percy thought it might be too cold to hang outside, Oliver seemed so adamant about it.

Oliver fell back into the grass. “Such a welcome break after all that reading.”

"Y’know if you took the time to study throughout the year and not just waiting for the season to finish, you’d be in a better place," Percy said, settling himself beside Oliver, curling his knees up to his chest.

"Yeah, well, I have priorities in higher places," Oliver joked, and Percy could hear his smile through his words.

Percy rolled his eyes, "Well, not everyone has stardom on the rise."

A delay settled over their conversation, prompting Percy to take a moment to examine his surroundings. The Hogwarts grounds were alive with activity; students scattered about, some engaged in lively conversation, while others soared through the air on broomsticks, their laughter echoing across the open space. Near the greenhouse, Percy spotted a pair of redheads, unmistakenly his brothers, who were assumably teasing another student with mischievous grins.

The vibrant scene before him filled Percy with a sense of nostalgia. Despite the looming pressure of exams and the uncertainty of the future, there was a comfort in the familiarity of Hogwarts.

He glanced at Oliver and was startled to find him already staring back at him; There was a softness in Oliver's gaze, that sent a flutter through Percy's chest. Everything else seemed to slow and at that moment, and among the bustling energy of the school grounds, it felt like they were the only two people in the world.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Present Time - 9 August 1997:

"So, uh, do you have any hobbies?"

Percy's attention snapped back to reality, his mind momentarily dissociating to block out the disaster he found himself trapped in. Another excruciating blind date arranged by a well-meaning old lady from his usual café. He offered a polite smile, searching for something to say. “Well, I do enjoy reading in my spare time,” he replied, inwardly cringing at the cliché response.

They sat in a refined restaurant, unfamiliar to Percy given his limited ventures into Muggle London. The interior emanated an air of understated elegance, bathed in soft, warm lighting that enveloped the cozy space in a gentle glow. Delicate instrumental melodies wafted through the air, mingling with the lively chatter of diners. It was an atmosphere of relaxation and warmth, offering a temporary respite from the discomfort of his blind date.

The man across from him nodded, "That's cool I guess, not really into it myself.”

Percy felt a pang of disappointment at the lack of enthusiasm in his date's response, but he pushed it aside, determined to salvage the evening somehow. As their conversation continued, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease gnawing at him.

Percy cleared his throat, trying to steer the conversation in a more lighthearted direction. "So, what about you? Any hobbies or interests?"

His date hesitated for a moment before replying, "Well, I'm more of sports guy myself. Did rugby in secondary."

Percy was not familiar with rugby nor the muggle educational system. "That sounds... exciting?" he responded but it came out sounding more like a question rather than genuine interest.

Their waitress approached and took their orders. Percy felt out of his depth as the guy seemed to have spared no expense, opting for a full-course meal. He even ordered wine for them, and when the waitress returned with an elaborate display for them to taste, Percy couldn't help but grimace. He wasn't accustomed to such lavish displays of luxury, acutely aware of the stark contrast to his own limited means.

The air between them grew heavy with awkwardness as the conversation stalled, leaving only the soft hum of the restaurant's ambiance to fill the silence. Percy found himself fidgeting nervously, his hands twisting and turning the linen napkin in his lap. His gaze drifted to the elegant chandeliers that adorned the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the room. The clinking of silverware and murmur of distant conversations only served to underscore the uncomfortable quietness at their table.

Percy shifted uncomfortably in his seat as the man across from him finally broke the awkward silence. "So, what do you do for a living?" he asked, his voice cutting through the tension that had settled between them.

Percy hesitated for a moment before replying, "Civil service?"

"Oh, that’s cool. What kind of stuff do you do?" the guy inquired further.

"Paperwork here and there, meetings with people, etcetera, etcetera," Percy answered with a hint of resignation. "Really all boring work."

"I can see that," the guy nodded in understanding.

Percy couldn't help but roll his eyes internally at the lack of enthusiasm in the guy's response. Gee thanks, he thought sarcastically.

Deciding to shift the focus away from his own mundane job, Percy asked, "Well, what do you do?"

"I’m a bank teller," came the reply.

Percy nodded, speaking before he had a chance to filter his words. "I suppose we do have something in common. Both of our jobs can be rather mundane," he admitted with a wry smile, trying to salvage the conversation despite his bluntness.

The guy's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Wait, what?"

This time, Percy took a moment to consider his response more carefully. "I suppose we're both stuck in the routine of office jobs," he remarked, his tone measured as he attempted to steer the conversation back to safer ground.

The man chuckled, but it was clear he had been offended; "I mean yeah, but you're a simple civil servant and I get to help people with their money."

Recognizing the futility of salvaging the subject, Percy offered a noncommittal, "Sure,” as he resigned himself to the awkwardness of the moment.

He leaned back in his chair as he responded, "Alright, fine. “ Crossing his arms, his expression contorted, though Percy would typically attribute it to thought, he doubted this man had a coherent idea in his mind. Surprisingly, the man raised an eyebrow and inquired, "What about family?"

Percy shifted in his seat, mentally preparing himself for another round of small talk. "Middle child with lots of siblings, nothing special, really," he replied, looking away. It wasn’t a topic he was fond of, especially given the strained circumstances of his relationship with his family at the moment.

"I can tell," the man remarked, his tone dripping with clear condescension.

Merlin, this man is an arse, Percy thought to himself, suppressing a sigh as he attempted to keep the conversation afloat. "Well, what about you?" he asked, hoping to redirect the discussion onto safer ground.

The man straightened in his chair, a self-satisfied smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "I’m the only child," he declared.

Percy couldn't help but roll his eyes at the arrogance. "Explains the attitude," he muttered under his breath, though his words did not go unheard.

"Excuse me?" the man snapped as his shoulders stiffened; "Do you know who my father is?"

Not this again, Percy groaned inwardly, steeling himself for the inevitable display of entitlement. "No, nor do I plan to meet him," he replied evenly, refusing to be cowed by the man's attempts at intimidation.

"You know what, you're a right arse," the man retorted, his frustration boiling over. "You've been nothing but rude this entire time."

It took everything he had to hold back his laughter: Could say the same about you, Instead, Percy adopted an air of innocence and met the man's accusation with a raised eyebrow. "Rude? Me? I've done nothing but share my feelings and try to get to know you."

The man scoffed, "You know I didn’t even want to go on this date!"

"Then why did you?" Percy shot back, his patience wearing thin as he struggled to maintain his composure. As Percy's fight-or-flight response kicked in, it became increasingly clear that this encounter was heading in a negative direction – and at the moment, flight seemed like a rather appealing option.

"Because my stupid Gramma keeps setting me up with random dudes," he blurts out, his frustration boiling over. "I'm not even into blokes!" His raised voice draws the attention of other diners, who turn to look at the unfolding scene. Percy can feel their stares boring into him, adding to the suffocating tension that threatens to engulf everyone in the vicinity.

"Well, you clearly are if you keep going on these dates," Percy retorts, trying to keep his voice as flat as possible despite the rising anger within him.

"What did you say to me?" the man shouts, his face flushing. In a sudden outburst of rage, he grabs his glass of wine and pours it over Percy before storming away, muttering, "Not even into redheads anyways."

As their waitress hurries over to help clean up the mess, Percy's cheeks burn with embarrassment and anger. He can't bear to stay a moment longer in the restaurant, knowing that everyone now knows his sexuality. He hastily asks for the bill, eager to escape the prying eyes and judgmental whispers.

 This will be the last time he let a stranger dictate his dating life.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Oliver’s POV:

Oliver had arranged to meet his Dad for dinner that evening. As he stepped into the warm glow of the restaurant, he spotted his Dad already seated at a table near the back, a smile spreading across his face.

"Hey Dad, thanks for meeting me here," Oliver greeted warmly as he approached their table.

Dad looked up, returning the smile. "Not a problem, son. It's good to see you," he replied, motioning for Oliver to take a seat opposite him.

The ambiance was serene, with soft lighting casting a gentle glow over the tastefully decorated surroundings. As they perused the menu, Oliver couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment in his father's presence. Despite the demands of his professional quidditch career, moments like these, spent in the company of family, were cherished.

"Have you tried this place before?" Oliver asked, breaking the silence as he glanced over the enticing menu.

Dad shook his head. "No, this is my first time. Your mum recommended it."

Oliver nodded approvingly. "Shame she couldn’t make it tonight.”

“She sends her most sincere apologies for that by the way,” Dad consoled.

Their conversation flowed effortlessly, father and son catching up on the latest happenings in their lives. They discussed Oliver's latest quidditch matches, the new training regimen he was implementing with the team, and his mother's gardening endeavors.

At some point, Oliver's attention drifted, his gaze wandering through the bustling restaurant. Amidst the chatter and clinking of cutlery, his eyes settled on a familiar figure across the room. It was unmistakably Percy, his bright, curly red hair standing out among the crowd. Percy was seated at a table with another man, and the two appeared deeply engrossed in conversation. Oliver couldn't help but notice the intimacy of their interaction; at one point, the man leaned forward in a manner that seemed anything but platonic.

A pang of jealousy tugged at Oliver’s heart as he watched the interaction unfold. The way the man leaned forward, and the animated gestures Percy made suggested a connection that left Oliver feeling envious. It was a stark reminder of the distance that had grown between them since their days at school.

Oliver had always regretted the way things had ended between them. Percy's aloofness in their final days at Hogwarts had left a lingering sense of rejection, making every interaction with him painfully awkward. And now, as he sat there, a mere spectator of Percy's life, Oliver couldn't help but feel a surge of frustration.

It must have shown Oliver’s face, for his dad's concerned inquiry interrupted his thoughts. “Everything alright, son?” he asked.

Oliver hesitated for a moment, struggling to find the words to express his conflicting emotions. “Yeah, just… thought I saw someone I knew,”, his gaze lingered on Percy for a moment longer before turning back to his Dad.

Their conversation drifted on, but Oliver found it increasingly difficult to focus. His mind kept drifting back to Percy and the unfamiliar person with him, stirring up feelings that tugged at his heart.

Feeling this way wasn’t fair. After all, he hadn’t seen Percy in two years, yet within the last week, this was the third time they had crossed paths. The missed opportunities weighed heavily on Oliver's mind. He remembered seeing Percy alone at the Leaky Cauldron, but he hadn’t been in the right mindset to strike up a conversation. And the chance encounter at the café had only added to the awkwardness between them, leaving Oliver wondering if there would ever be a chance to mend things between them.

As Oliver fought to push aside the whirlwind of emotions triggered by thoughts of Percy, he refocused his attention on his dad, determined to be fully present in their shared moment. They resumed their conversation, diving into a discussion about Puddlemere United's recent victory.

"Did you see the way Montague dodged that Bludger? Brilliant move!" Oliver exclaimed, his eyes alight with enthusiasm.

Dad nodded in agreement, a smile spreading across his face. "But you have to admit that the Magpies have had excellent teamwork this season so far."

Oliver smiled as he playfully rolled his eyes. Growing up, his family had been huge supporters of the Montrose Magpies, so it wasn't surprising that his parents were both excited and saddened that Oliver's team had beaten them.

A commotion had suddenly drawn Oliver's attention; He glanced over with curiosity, only to see an unsettling scene unfolding between Percy and his date. It was clear from their heated exchange that things had taken a turn for the worse.

Dad followed his gaze, and they both watched in silence as the situation escalated. The man's voice grew louder with each passing moment, drawing the attention of other diners in the restaurant.

"It looks like someone's day isn’t going well," Dad remarked quietly, his brow furrowing with worry.

Oliver nodded in agreement, feeling a mixture of concern and confusion. He couldn't help but wonder what had sparked the confrontation in the first place, especially since it had seemed like things were going well.

"Because my stupid Gramma keeps setting me up with random dudes," The man's outburst echoed across the room, causing several more diners to glance over and some begun to whisper amongst themselves.

"What did you say to me?" the man shouted, his anger boiling over as he poured his glass of wine on Percy then finally stalking off. Oliver felt a surge of rage coursing through his veins as he clenched his fists.

He contemplated going over to see if Percy was alright, but then he overheard snippets of conversation from the table next to him that stopped him cold.

“Disgusting,” one person whispered. “Honestly, I can't believe such people would dine in this establishment,” another added. “That man could have had some decency to not act like that in public.”

Oliver's hand gripped the arm of his chair tightly as he looked away from both the other onlookers and Percy. He felt a wave of disgust wash over him, both at the situation unfolding before him and in himself. The revelation of Percy's sexuality, which he had previously only guessed at, now laid bare, left Oliver feeling uneasy.

When he finally looked back in that direction, Percy was gone, and Oliver couldn’t help but feel relieved. It was evident that the recent events had unsettled him; it was brave of Percy to embark on such a public date given he was one of those people. Oliver winced at his own internal conflict—on one hand, he felt a strong urge to check on Percy and ensure he was alright, but on the other hand, he dreaded the possibility of being seen by others who had witnessed the earlier scene and potentially being associated with it.

Feeling torn between his concern for Percy and his fear of judgment from onlookers, Oliver sat in uneasy silence, grappling with his conflicting emotions. As he watched the diners around him return to their meals, he couldn't shake the feeling of discomfort that lingered in the air. With a heavy heart, Oliver knew he had to move on, at least for the moment, and he resumed the night with his dad, who had started going on a tangent about his job as a teacher.

In the midst of the chatter, Oliver resolved to reconnect with Percy later, once the commotion had subsided. The significance of their recent chance encounters wasn't lost on him, and he was determined not to let this opportunity slip away without mending the rift in their friendship. After all it was clear, even to him, that fate had granted him this chance to do so.