Head boy
The morning after the quidditch match Lirum awoke in their bed, just the same as any other day. They rolled out of bed and prepared for their studies with Percy. Picking out clothes that would be comfortable for a day in the library. When they made their way down the steps they were greeted by Percy. He’d waited for them, ready to start their day together by accompanying them to breakfast.
“Good morning Lirum. Is Luna Not with you?” He asked, missing the tell tail taps of a second pair of steps on the stairs.
“No, unfortunately she has a whole four feet due on mice to snuff boxes for McGonagall.” Lirum laughed taking their last step off the stairs.
“Wouldn’t spending the day in the library be more beneficial to her then?” Percy asked. Lirum had no answer for that as truth be told, it would be. Luna however, was making excuses to give Percy and Lirum more time together.
“She wanted to do it on her own. You know stubborn first years. So independent now that they're at school on their own.” Lirum joked, hoping he would buy it and stop questioning them.
“Unfortunately, that I do. Well, no point in arguing with her then. Let’s get breakfast and an early start on your assignments.” Percy said as he began to lead them down the hallway for a moment before spotting professor McGonagall and Flitwick having a conversation.
“Oh there she is, I’m sorry I’ve been trying to catch Professor McGonagall since last night I hope you don’t mind if we stop for a moment.” Percy said, facing back to Lirum who gave a gentle nod.
“A student has been petrified? How could this happen? Who was it?” Flitwick asked as the pair drew close. Forcing the pair to freeze in their tracks.
“Colin Creevey.” McGonagall replied. Percy grabbed hold of Lirum’s wrist dragging them back in the other direction.
“I thought you needed to talk to her?” Lirum asked, struggling to match Percy’s pace dashing toward the great hall.
“She answered my question.” Percy said quickly, not missing a step.
“Perce, slow down, I can't keep up.” Lirum said, almost running behind him.
“We need to get to the great hall. I don’t want to stay out in the open.” Percy muttered under his breath as he burst through the door holding it for them to follow through behind him out of breath.
“Percy, calm down. We’re fine, we’ve been fine.” Lirum insisted, watching the boy take off his glasses to clean them.
“Colin was fine yesterday too. He was at the quidditch match and never came back.” Percy said slowly walking to the table.
“The boy McGonagall mentioned?” Lirum asked, confused.
“He’s a First year Muggle born, he’s in gryffindor. He was taking photos at the match yesterday and never made it back to the common room. Now he’s just been petrified in the halls, just like Mrs. Noris. This is why we didn’t want you out.” Percy insisted. Frantically cleaning his glasses as sat down at his table.
“What are you on about now Percy?” Fred asked, crossing his arms.
“A student was petrified last night. We need a better plan.” Percy said, looking at his brothers across the table.
“Percy, if you keep rubbing your glasses like that you’ll wear straight through your lenses.” George said watching Percy set his glasses on the table.
“Don’t tease him, you’ll only make it worse!” Lirum cut in from their table.
“So the chamber of secrets really is open?” Fred said, turning to look at Lirum.
“I mean, I think what we’re doing at the moment, is really as much as we can do.” George said, looking at Percy before turning to face Lirum. “As long as you don’t go wandering around at night, that is.”
“I’ve snuck out three times in four years, give me a break!” Lirum said tired of arguing with the twins.
“Enough, everyone please.” Percy said head in his hands. “George is right, we're doing all we can. There is no better plan, we need to just work together and make sure we don’t leave Lirum walking anywhere alone.”
“You know there are actual muggle born students around you should probably be focusing on, instead of me.” Lirum faced the gryffindor table leaning back against their own. “I am a half blood you know. There are people in more danger than I.”
“Yeah, and you’re our friend!” George argued turning round in his set to face Lirum.
“What about Lee Jordan? He's a half blood too, isn’t he?” Lirum argued, arms crossed, looking at Fred and George. “I appreciate your concern, really I do, but I’m not the only person in this castle who’s in danger.”
“We’re with Lee in between every class we’re not with you. We don’t have to worry as much because he’s in Gryffindor. Before you try to argue, that means we have a reason to walk with him between classes and to the common room after dinner. That’s not a slight against you or Ravenclaws in general.” Fred claimed, joining George facing the wrong way round on the table to look at Lirum.
“That was surprisingly well put Fred.” Surprised, he looked at his twin.
“I’ve been taking lessons. I can’t mess this one up.” Fred joked elbowing his younger brother.
“What sort of lessons?” Percy asked, disgusted.
“How to talk to Lirum. I’ve been studying pretty hard, you know. I can’t lose my spot as their favorite.” Fred bragged, earning glares from both of his brothers.
“So you can study how to talk to Lirum, but not for any of your classes.” Percy spit sharply at his brother.
“Who would even teach those lessons?” Lirum asked, staring at the table of Gryffindors.
“Luna and Cedric!” Fred answered excitedly.
“Luna? The first year?” Percy asked stunned.
“Didn’t we established at the beginning of the year, with the whole Cho situation, Cedric doesn’t know how to communicate with people?” George argued.
“It worked didn’t it.” Fred said, looking around the group for any objections.
“Lirum, why don’t we just get to the library? I’ve heard Fred and George here complaining about some reading for charms. I also know Professor Vector rarely lets a weekend pass with no homework.” Percy announced standing from the table.
“We probably should. I’ve actually finished the reading for Flitwick, believe it or not. I do have that Arithmancy homework and a report for sprout on Shrivelfigs though.” Lirum said standing to follow him.
“Good we’ll have plenty of time. As always feel free to ask any questions you have.” Percy said, making a b line for the library.
“Do you really hate that the twins and I are friends this much.” Lirum joked, watching him try to put as much distance between them and the twins as possible.
“Of course not, it’s been very useful in keeping you safe over the past few weeks.” Percy said, pulling open the door to the library waving them in.
“Any time they talk about the fact we’re close, you drag me away.” Lirum joked watching Percy’s shoulders tense.
“Any time they make assumptions about your feelings, I escort you away.” Percy corrected, heading straight for their usual table.
“What if I wanted to hear them out?” Lirum teased taking their seat across from him.
“Then I’d remind you that you don’t need any distractions if you want to be head boy.” Percy said, summoning a book to read.
“I never said I wanted to be head boy.” Lirum said, pulling out their bag and digging for parchment.
“Head girl, then.” Percy replied, flipping his book open.
“What if I don’t want to be head anything. All I’m gonna be is a wand maker. I don't really need a good looking resume. I could leave the positions open for people who actually need it.” Percy let out a long drawn out sigh.
“You know I would expect no less of you really. To be so kind you’d reject the position for someone who needed it.” Percy spoke softly. “You’ll still be prefect won’t you? You’re bright and fair, I couldn’t think of anyone more fit in all of Ravenclaw.”
“Maybe just for you.” Lirum teased measuring out the amount they would need for their paper. “I think Cedric would make a better head boy than me anyway.”
“He most certainly would not! He’s kind and fair, yes, but far too kind. The students would run a muck of this place.” Percy argued, snapping his book shut.
“He can be strict too. He’s on the quidditch team, and you should have heard the earful he gave Wood over his reckless treatment of the members of his team.”
“I guess that’s fair, but you could still be head girl if you desired.” Percy instead. “Not to mention it’s extremely difficult to be both head boy and quidditch captain. Not even Bill could do it. He’ll no doubt choose quidditch captain over head boy. Leaving the position open for you.”
“Do you want me to be head boy that badly?” Lirum teased flipping through their textbook.
“You have all the makings of someone who would do incredibly well at the ministry.” Percy started
“You know if this is because you fear you won’t see me after we graduate, I’ll remind you. Diagon Alley and The ministry’s central office are both in London. We’ll be closer then than we are over the summer.” Lirum said as they continued to write their report.
“I suppose you’re right.” Percy said softly, reopening his book.
“With a little convincing I might even be able to talk my grandfather into being the one to take over the hogsmeade location.” Lirum said casually.
“Pardon?” Percy replied, curiously.
“After I become a master craftsman, like him. He’d like for me to take over running the hogsmeade location.” Lirum explained.
“All the way in Scotland?” Percy asked, shocked.
“It’s not that big of a deal really. Not like I haven’t been there before.” Lirum shrugged. “We’ve got flu powered and someone’s gotta do it.”
“You can’t be serious?” Percy said, not believing what he was hearing.
“Oh speaking of witch actually, hogsmeade weekend is coming up. I need to run some errands before the holidays will you be escorting me there as well.” Percy froze for a moment before taking his glasses off to clean them.
“Are you suggesting we go to hogsmeade together?” Percy asked cleaning his glasses thoroughly.
“I mean if you have other plans I could always ask Cedric or the twins-“ Lirum started.
“No! I’ll be there to pick you up at the normal time-that is unless you’ll need more time to get ready since we’ll be going into town.” Percy stumbled through his acceptance.
“I shouldn’t need more time. I’ll have a few stops to make. You’re sure you won’t be in too much of a rush?” Lirum asked, looking up from their report.
“I’m positive! I’ll stay ahead of my coursework, just incase.” Percy said, adjusting his classes.
“Wonderful, I look forward to it.”
“As will I. I mean I- well, look at the time we should get to lunch.” Percy said standing from the table.
“Oh I suppose you’re right I hadn’t noticed the time pass at all.” Lirum said collecting their things and following.
On their way out of the library Percy stopped at the top of the stairs.
“Oh, hello, Harry! Excellent flying yesterday, really excellent. Gryffindor has just taken the lead for the house cup, you earned fifty points!” Percy said excitement peaked in his voice.
“You haven’t seen Ron or Hermione, have you?” Harry asked, looking a little worse for wear.
“No, I haven’t,” Percy’s excitement had left his voice “I hope Ron’s not in another girls toilet.”
The mood soured and Harry laughed awkwardly. Before running away, leaving Lirum with the distinct impression that’s exactly where they were off to. Percy huffed and crossed his arms as the boy dashed off. Lirum took a step forward putting a gentle hand on his back. Percy froze for a moment. Before relaxing into their hands.
“They're just kids, Percy. They don’t mean anything by it. He wasn’t dismissing you, he's just looking for his friends. He's been in the hospital all night and probably had to see that poor petrified kid. Give him a break.” Lirum reminded him.
“I know, but thank you.” He replied before leading them to dinner.