A Friend of Percy’s

Percy and Lirum made their way to the Gryffindor common room together. As they entered they heard a familiar pair joking together on one of the many sofas.

“Is that Lirum I see?” George said in a sing song voice.

“I’m not falling for that again George! You’ve pulled one over on me too many times. Percy only let them in here once aside from Christmas, and that was a special exception, because Ron was in hospital!” Fred snapped at his twin eyes, not leaving whatever he had been working on.

“What’s with the special visit, couldn’t wait to see us again?” George teased.

“Give it up already mate! I’m not falling for it anymore! How many times did you think you could get me with this?” Fred said annoyed

“Who’s that? You're not in Gryffindor! How’d you get in? Are you a spy?” Said a burly looking Gryffindor boy defending the stairs. Lirum quickly recognized to be Oliver Wood.

“I’m a friend of Percy’s, no spy at all. We same to check up on Ginny and give her a pepperup potion since she seemed under the weather actually.” Lirum said both hands raised to show them meant no harm.

“Lirum!” Fred shouted in surprise, scrambling to his feet. “What are you doing here? Everything alright?”

“Everything’s fine Fred. We’re just here to check on Ginny, and give her a pepperup potion. If you payed attention you’d remember we’re studying them in potions. I thought it might be what she needed since she’s been a bit under the weather.” Lirum said hopefully.

“You two need to stop worrying it’s just girl stuff.” Fred said, laying back out on the couch. “She’s eleven, and just left home for school for the first time. She's moody. It's normal.”

“Fred, a sudden change in behavior like this is not normal!” Percy snapped from behind Lirum.

“Girl stuff? Really Fred?” Lirum snapped “A little moody would be one thing, but I can’t believe you right now. I mean look at her, she's pale as a ghost, she looks like she could pass out at any second, and the bags under her eyes keep growing. She’s clearly not already.”

“Would you all stop talking about me like I can’t hear you!” Ginny screamed from the top of the top of the stairs, storming down. “Can you all stop acting like theirs something wrong with me! I told you, I’m fine!”

“Ginny, we're just worried about you is all. Please just take the potion and we’ll leave you alone.” Lirum said, looking at the girl who looked like she hadn’t slept in days.

“By Salazar! I don’t need some stupid potion!” Ginny yelled.

“Ginny! This behavior is not acceptable!” Percy snapped. “If you do not stop this screaming and foul language, I will be writing our parents.”

“Fine, just give me the potion.” She stormed over and snatched the bottle from Percy, drinking it all.

Immediately she turned red in the face, as smoke began to pour from her ears. Mixed with her red hair she looked like her whole head was on fire. It was mildly befitting how angry she appeared to be. Lirum could help but wonder if this is what all the Weasleys looked like when they came down with the flu as kids.

“Are you happy now? I’m going.” Ginny said before storming back up the stairs.

“Well you’ve definitely went and upset her more.” George joked still on his seat on the far couch. “but I guess now that that’s over, have you heard what happened in the second years Defense Against the Dark Arts class?”

“No? Should I have?” Lirum asked.

“Oh yeah, he brought Cornish pixies and let them loose on the students.” Fred laughed.

“Let them loose on students?” Gasped Lirum shocked.

“Yeah that longbottom kid got hung up by his robes on the chandelier, they said.” Fred joked. “Lockhart’s a real genius and all.”

“Godric give me strength.” Lirum said, flopping down on one of the arm chairs. “Is he alright? Have you seen him? Oh that poor kid can’t catch a break can he?”

“He’ll be fine, he's a Gryffindor. We’re pretty tough.” Fred said, striking a triumphant pose.

“He might be a Gryffindor, but he’s still just a boy. He’s twelve Fred and he’s already getting picked on constantly. It must feel like the whole world’s against him.” Lirum explained hoping Fred would understand.

“You don’t need to mother all the weird underclassmen.” Fred teased toeing the line.

“They're not weird, they just haven’t found their place yet, you nit.” Lirum snapped angrily.

“Oh Freddie I think you’ve struck a chord. I’d bow out now if I were you.” George said.

Lirum was angry and it could be felt by everyone in the room. George looked up from what the twins had been working on before to give his brother a warning glance. Fred still reached out for Lirum only to be swatted away. Causing Percy to step closer and the tension in the room to grow.

“I don’t know how many times I need to say this but hands to yourself Fred.” Percy snapped looking right at Fred.

“Well I’m sorry I was trying to comfort and apologize to my friend.” Fred argued back, causing Percy to step between Fred and Lirum.

“If you haven’t insulted them and their friends they wouldn’t be upset.” Percy said through gritted teeth.

“All of you bed! Ravenclaw kid to your dorm! We’ve practice for the team at dawn!” Oliver Wood ordered.

“Oh come on Lirum you’ll come to out first practice of the season right?” George asked, standing from his sofa.

“Not at dawn.” Lirum said, turning towards the door.

“Then when you wake up?” Fred asked.

“We’ll see.” Lirum teased.

Lirum returned to their dorm and fell into bed. They hadn’t realized quite how long they’d been out with Percy. They slipped out of their robes and fell right asleep. They awoke to the sound of tapping on their window. As they got up they saw Grayson swaying in front of the window. Lirum rushed to open the window and let him in. Taking the letter and opening it they read.

Guin,
Long time now owl, joking obviously. How are you and lover boy? How are the twins? Remember what ced said if Percy is too stuck up on his “roomate” or his “girlfriend” you’ve got two attractive boys following you around. Only teasing, unless you decide to take the chance. I’ve been rather dry in the romance and friendship department. Being an auror doesn’t really promote making friends.
Speaking of work, how’s school? Turn into any teachers? Lock yourself out of the dorms? Make any new friends? Hard classes? How’s ced he’s starting writing again but I’d like a second opinion just in case.
Ps. What a cute little owl what’s his name?
With love,
Dora.

Dora,
It’s only been a few weeks since your last owl. You act like I’ve starved you. The twins tease me as always. Apparently the author of my favorite book series is a total nut and just so happens to be our new Defense against the dark arts teacher, yay! Note the sarcasm. I don’t think the twins will ever let me live this down. Percy’s been too worried about their little sister to be romantic with anyone.
I’ve been trying to help him but nothing is seeming to work. I’ve ended up with a baby duckling of sorts, a first year girl named Luna. She’s like my shadow sometimes. Honestly I’m a little worried though she made an off comment about handling the fact Percy is in a relationship. I dread to think what she might have meant. On the bright side none of our teachers seem murderous, except Snape but he’s always been a little murdery. So I think the kids are safe this year.
Ps. Yes he is a cute little man and his name is Grayson.
Your little sister,
Guin.

After sending their return letter they readied themself for the day and stumbled their way down the stairs. Immediately greeted once again by Luna.

“Were you waiting for me?” Lirum asked. The little blond girl standing in the common room alone.

“Of course. We’re friends, I couldn't leave you behind.” Luna said, looking at the book shelf.

“I can meet you in the great hall, it's not a big deal Luna.” They said, a little worried. “If you’re hungry you don’t need to wait for me.”

“I want to.” She said simply.

“And if I hadn’t come down?” Lirum asked but the blond girl giggled.

“Then I’d check on you of course.” She said with a slight tilt of her head.

“Do you know which dorm is mine?” Lirum asked again but the girl seemed unfazed.

“No but I could find it. There are not that many doors. If I couldn't find you I’d go to the great hall and ask.” She said softly.

“I’m not sure whether to find that creepy or endearing.” Lirum said, looking over their shoulder towards the young girl. “Well you didn’t wait around for nothing right? come on.”

“Oh yes coming.” As they walked together Lirum noticed she was quieter than normal; only her signature soft humming could be heard.

“Are you alright today Luna?” Lirum asked, sending a look back to the odd girl.

“Of course, why do you ask?” She said, tilting her head.

“You’ve always been soft spoken, but there's a strange lack of questions this morning.” Lirum said as they weaved through the students on their way to the great hall. ”Grown bored of me already? Nothing left to ask?”

“Oh no, there's plenty left to ask. I'm just thinking of ways to get you and your special friend together.” She said, slipping through the doorway and right towards their table.

“Don’t say it like that! Other people might hear you, and how many times do I have to tell you he has a girlfriend!” Lirum hushed under their breath, as the pair settled into not their seats.

Lirum opened their bag and grabbed some extra fruit and toast for the twins. They’d surely miss breakfast if they were already at quidditch practice. It wouldn’t be much but it should be enough to get them through till lunch. They noticed though they had earned an odd look from Luna.

“Are you going to feed the Gulping Plimpies!” Luna gasped.

“Well it was actually for the twins but now I feel like I have to ask about the Gulping Plimpies?”

“Their round fish with long rubbery legs, and webbed feet!” Luna said excitedly. Happy to teach someone about her experience with another magical creature. “I carry Gurdyroot around to ward them off, but if you ever see them with their legs tied in knots it means the merpeople are near.”

“If you ever find one I think I want to see that actually.” Lirum said, taking a sip of their tea and finishing their food.

“They live in the black lake.” Luna said standing from the table. “I’ll find one and show you.”

The girl was gone the second she spoke. Lirum did feel a little bad that they might have just sent her on a wild goose chase. She just seemed so excited . As Lirum made their way to the quidditch pitch they hoped Luna wouldn’t spend her whole weekend looking for the non existent fish.