Forgiven for now
Lirum and Percy walked in silence the rest of the way to the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey greated them warmly yet seemed disappointed to see Lirum again.
“You just have a pension for ending up in hospital this year don’t you. Never seen you round till now and you can’t stay away.” Madam Pomfrey laughed. “No, sit down and tell me what’s wrong.”
“I just burned myself in potions. Honestly Professor Snape probably could have fixed me up with a Slav or Draft of some sort he’s got to have locked away. Don’t really know why he sent me to you.” Lirum said, taking their seat on the edge of one of the beds. They tried to ignore it but couldn’t help but notice Percy staying by the door.
“Are you coming or going dear? Standing in the door won’t do much but let in a draft.” Madam Pomfrey asked, looking over her shoulder at Percy.
“Erm, I suppose that’s really up to you?” He said questioningly looking between the two. Madam Pomfrey looked to Lirum for their say. They rolled their eyes and shrugged.
“Under the condition you don’t make to much of a fuss.” Lirum answered, seriously.
“I won’t.” He said, nodding. Then joining them on the edge of the bed. While Madam Pomfrey looked over their hands.
“You were right about the fact Snape should have been able to fix this. Burn-Healing paste is all you need.” She said walking across the room to her cabinet. “It’s very simple even if he didn’t have any he could’ve made it faster than you walking up here.”
“Of course he could’ve, but what’s the fun in that when he could take points from me, and make me do a shame parade to the hospital wing?” Lirum explained earning a huff from Percy.
“He’s not as Bad as you make him out to be. He’s very helpful in providing the potions, drafts and salves I need to do my job. Well, and Professor Sprout of course.” She explained Grabbing the paste from the cabinet and returning to their side.
“People can be useful and extremely unpleasant at once. They are not mutually exclusive.” Percy grumbled, watching Madam Pomfrey spread the orange paste all over Lirum’s hands.
“Suddenly we’re agreeing again.” Lirum chuckled, nudging Percy half heartedly.
“Are you alright?” Percy asked, looking down at their hands watching the red begin to fade away.
“I’ve been worse, but I’ve also certainly been better.”
“Will you tell me what happened?” He asked carefully, and then sighed in response.
“I got…distracted.” They explained hesitantly.
“By the Slytherin boy?” Percy questioned.
“By his failed attempt to cheer me up by telling me how everyone avoids me because I’m your friend, more like.”
“What?” He scoffed, looking at them like they had three heads. “That’s absolute rubbish! No one would be so childish-“
“Aren’t you the one who was so concerned about us being children before? Of course children are childish, that’s the whole point.”
“A-uh-but-“ He stammered trying to find a point to argue. “How would he even prove that?”
“Did you really not hear?” Lirum asked, looking back up at him. “I guess I never realised how out of the loop we were until I stumbled into it, huh?”
“What are you on about?” He asked harshly.
“Their was going to be a party on Halloween night. Everyone in fifth year and up was invited with a few exceptions, apparently.” They explained, shrugging.
“I’m a seventh year and head boy I would know if their was a major event planned.” Percy scoffed again.
“Percy we are the exceptions, and this.” They gestured to his change in demeanour after hearing their reasons. “Is why the three of us weren’t invited.”
“Three?” He sneered.
“You, me, and Adrian Pucey. Hence his failed attempt to lift my spirits by telling me he wasn’t invited either because he cares about being fair, and making sure everyone is doing as they should, and following the rules.” Lirum huffed, angrily. “And he told me how everyone thinks because we’re friends I am strict and authoritarian because that’s how they view you.”
“People don’t think I’m authoritarian!” Percy snapped, meeting their gaze.
“Percy, I need you to clear all your preconceived notions for a moment, and just think. If every time anything happened someone started shouting about how they’re in charge and everyone needs to listen to them. Barking orders to students, paintings, ghosts, and teachers alike, only taking orders from the absolute top boss. How would you describe them.” Lirum asked staring straight into those Icey blue eyes.
“Authoritarian.” He answered, solemnly. “But that’s what we’re supposed to do!”
“There are other ways to achieve the same results, Percy.”
“Their not as effective.” He said trying to make excuses for his behaviour.
“You act like a Malfoy or a Nott half the time. At this rate I’d half expect you to start preaching about blood purity once you graduate.”
“I have morals, Lirum!” He shouted angrily. “You should know me better than to ever think that of me!”
“And if it was the only way to become minister of magic? To agree and subscribe with their ideals?” He was shocked and speechless. “Would you nod along while they ramble on about how muggles aren’t even human?”
“I would never!” Percy barked.
“Even if it was the only way to become minister of magic?” Lirum asked, seriously.
“It’s not, so that’s completely irrelevant.” He said in a tone that said is was the end of the conversation.
“That’s not a no Percy.”
“Then why are you friends with me?!”
“Because there was a sweet guy I enjoyed spending time with before you became head boy! Then you full of yourself you stopped treating me like a person!”
“I’ve always treated you like a person!” He argued, bitterly.
“No you drag me around like a dog! Order me around! Speak down to me! Tell me how I feel and why!” They listed his actions back to him. “Percy, this conversation was the first time you’ve listened when I spoke since the start of school!”
“You’ve been sick-“ He started, getting cut off by Lirum.
“The only sick I’ve been is sick and tired of being pushed around!” Lirum snapped back.
“You were passing out! Not just once, but several times. You look a hair away from it now.”
“From stress!” Lirun argued. “Because I can’t do this anymore! I can’t keep going this way! It’s not even just you Percy, it's everyone around me!”
“What happened, something had to have brought all this on?” Percy asked in earnest.
“Have you not listened to anything I’ve said?!” That shouted.
“I have, you’ve told me that I habitually tell you how you feel and why and I understand that is upsetting, and why.” He said trying his best to calm them. “But please, I want to understand
“I told you from the beginning I never wanted to be prefect. You wanted that for me. Then everything happened with Davies ,who still keeps making snide comments at my expense. Then everyone got together to make me a prefect again, despite my protests, because what happened was wrong and they wouldn’t stand for it regardless of how I felt. Effectively forcing me back into a position I didn’t want to begin with except now with twice the work load. Between staying on top of my studies and course work, and tutoring underclassmen, patrols and I rarely have time to sleep, if it weren’t for my already abysmal social life I’d say that was in the gave now.” Lirum explained, taking a deep breath before continuing. “Well I guess everyone took care of that themselves. Given my best friend, or even the boy just officially began dating that morning decided he didn’t want me around because apparently I’m a stick in the mud.”
“Oh.” Was all he could muster sitting next to them.
“Yeah, after spending all year last year being dragged around and stalked by my friends having them choose exactly what I was going to do every day because their was a snake loose in the castle.” They sighed.
“I was just trying-“
“To watch out for me, keep me safe, to do what’s best for me? I’ve heard.” Lirum huffed. “It doesn’t make having no choice in my own life feel any better.”
“I’m sorry for being an arse.” He said, looking like He had more in his mind.
“Are you alright?” They asked, checking on him.
“I just put a few things together.” Percy answered, turning to look at them again. “Fred and George were arguing earlier, it happens sometimes but they seemed rather passionate about it, but they stopped as soon as they saw me. I assumed it was prank related.”
“George tried to lie to me about going to the party, and Fred ratted him out.” Lirum explained grimly.
“Fred ratting George out?” Percy asked, concerned.
“I was surprised too. Fred seems…” They paused trying to find the best way to describe how things have been. “Dissatisfied with what happened on Halloween.”
“Jealous, you can say jealous.” Percy laughed halfheartedly. “It’s been very apparent. I don’t think he’s even trying to hide it. He thinks George stole you from him. Not that I can blame him really, but you never belonged to him to begin with.”
“What are you talking about? It’s not like he actually likes me. It’s just a joke, he thinks it’s fun to tease me.“
“How in Merlin’s name did George make you understand he liked you?” Percy asked, shocked.
“What do you mean?” Lirum asked, confused. Percy’s face was covered in pure shock.
“You can’t seriously tell me you don’t understand by now. You are so smart; not saying this makes you stupid, or that I’d want you to consider him. I’m much happier with you dating George even though I’d be happier with you dating neither. It’s just that he’s been talking about trying to get your attention since before I knew you personally. That’s one of the reasons I thought you were friends in your third year?” Percy rambled.
“No, you don’t understand. It’s like a game to him. He flirts and tries to turn me red, it doesn’t mean anything.”
“Godric you actually believe that.” He mumbled covering his mouth for a moment contemplating what to do.
“Of course I believe that! On the occasion I’ve tried to flirt back he just gets weird and runs away!” Lirum explained. “He flirts with everyone! It’s what he does!”
“How did George do it?” Percy asked himself.
“George showed me he actually cared about me! He is there whenever I need him! Unlike the two of you who ignore me when I need you to go off pick fights!” Lirum snapped bitterly. “Or at least he was.”
“I-“ He paused for a minute. “Lirum do you know why Fred and I are always always jumping into arguments when you’re upset?” He asked, softly.
“Because your idiots?” They asked a bit snarkier than they’d meant to.
“You could say that. Regrettably, It’s our way of trying to care for you, to protect you. We don’t want to see you upset, or hurt and we’re trying to stop whatever happened from happening again. Even if I wish it weren’t.” Percy let out a deep breath he’d been holding.
“I don’t need to be protected! I need someone to be there for me!” Lirum corrected him seriously.
“I understand that now, and I will try my best to make sure I’m checking on you first in the future. There may be a bit of a learning curve though, going against instinct and that.” He said timidly, a complete turn around from how he’d acted in the hall, or the rest of the year really. “Will you give me the chance to make it up to you?”
“This is your last chance Percy, I swear to whatever higher power exists.” They warned sternly. “If you start acting like a git again I’m done. No excuses!”
“Rightfully so.” He chuckled.