Percy never really did feel like he was a part of the family, at one point perhaps he had, but that feeling of belonging had long gone. No one tried to include him in anything, and if they did it was only because their mother had pointed it out.
A Weasley's quidditch match? ‘it's fine Harry’s here to fill for Percy, it's not like he likes quidditch anyways’. but they were wrong, he didn't mind quidditch if anything he found it quite interesting.
Ron needs a chess partner? he’d ask anyone else before approaching Percy. But why? it was common knowledge that he enjoyed strategic games
Family dinner? No one would dare strike up a conversation with ‘perfect prefect’ Percy, no one wants him rambling about rules. But Percy couldn't even remember the last time he had even reprimanded anyone, after all even he could sense a losing battle.
But there wasn’t anything he could do about it, no one would listen to what he had to say anyway.
So Percy resigned himself to another exhausting family meal, sometimes he didn't know why he bothered to even go down to eat, no one noticed his absence anyway.
It was an especially crowded dinner at the Weasleys, not only were Harry and Hermione joining, but so were Bill and Charlie. Secretly Percy felt just a bit excited at the prospect of being able to spend time with his brothers, it had been a while since they had caught up, mainly cause his younger siblings would hound for their attention and Percy wouldn't even get the chance to speak with them.
Percy found himself sitting next to Bill on his right side and Fred on his left. While that didn't bother him too much, Percy felt on edge making sure that every bite he took of his meal hadn't been laced with something.
“So Percy, excited for your last year?” Bill asked him halfway through after getting through all of his newest curse-breaking stories. Startled, Percy looked up at him, oddly feeling a bit startled at the fact he had been talked to first.
“I suppose, although I'm sure, I won't have much time to enjoy it with all the NEWT classes I'm taking” he answered thoughtfully focusing on Bill, rather than the scoff he heard from his left.
“Typical Percy bragging about all of his newt classes” Percy could hear George whisper to Fred. slightly tensing, he wondered if he was bragging? he didn't think he had been, but maybe he didn't even notice when he does.
“Don’t stress too much Perce, you’ll do great, you’ll probably be at the top of your year again!” Bill laughed good-naturedly, slapping Percy on his back, not noticing the soft flinch he gave.
For the rest of the dinner, Percy conversed a bit with Bill but could not concentrate many of his thoughts were filled to the brim with confusion, doubt, and concern. Was just mentioning his classes bragging? surely since he had worked so hard to reach his goals he should be allowed to bring it up normally, right? Completely zoned out, He had yet to notice his mother calling for his attention.
He felt a light jab to his back, wincing he straightened up and turned to Bill, affronted, who motioned with his eyes towards where his mother sat.
“Percy, I’ve been calling you for the past few minutes.” His mother grumbled exasperated. Percy shrunk under her piercing gaze, it had been a while since he had been the one to cause such a look. Even the twins who were constantly defying her were barely placed under it.
“Sorry, I didn’t notice-” he started to say before being abruptly cut off by Fred.
“Wow, is Percy losing his grip? The only thing you’re good at is listening to people and yet you fail at it” Fred laughed out, a part of Percy knew he was joking, and yet it had been phrased so straightforward he couldn't help but take it all to heart.
“What was it you needed me for?” Percy murmured ignoring Fred's remark as best as he could.
“Nevermind, I’ll ask Charlie & Bill to tend to it,” She told him waving dismissively.
Percy looked away, feeling sick to his stomach, and quickly excused himself unable to continue with his meal as if everything was fine with him. He cast a look at the table one last time hoping someone would notice how he strived to be included, he saw as Charlie reached over to high-five Harry an expression of joy on both their faces. Charlie had never looked at him that way, to him he was merely an annoying little brother.
Walking away, he knew that he didn't belong and that he had slowly become a shadow of the man he used to be. All he knew was that he had to carry on, to find somewhere he belonged, and to move forward. Because after all, that was all he could do.