Chapter 7
Over the next month, Percy read a lot while Harry spent the majority of the time exploring the castle and its grounds. The only reason why Percy wasn't constantly shadowing his younger brother was because he knew that they were both safe with the strict woman.
Percy was able to read through all his textbooks and get in some leisure reading time. He joined his brother occasionally for riding Minerva's brooms and he still sat with the two of them for every meal. If he was being honest, he was excited for school to start. He tried not to get his hopes up too high, he knew first hand how cruel kids can be, but this could be his fresh start.
Back with the Dursleys, Percy would be bullied at school for being the "freak". Everyone thought he was a total clutz because he was always wearing bandages and of course telling anyone about the abuse would only lead to more severe punishments. He thought that maybe this time he could go to school and be just another kid.
He started trying to bring down his defences a bit. He would never be able to fit in if he was constantly jumpy and defensive. He had to find a way to break the habits built up by eight years of abuse at the hands of the people who were supposed to care for him and Harry.
As the days passed, Harry spent more time with Percy, knowing that soon his older brother would be gone until Christmas. Nonetheless, the younger boy was ecstatic about the enire idea of Hogwarts. Magic and potions and magical creatures. All of it sounded amazing and he couldn't wait to attend in two years.
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On September first, Minerva had to leave early for Hogwarts so that she could finish any last minute preparations. She had done a lot of thinking over the last month about the Potter brothers. Harry seemed like a regular old child. Fun-loving, with hope and happiness shining in his eyes.
Percy on the other hand, was very guarded. He seemed to be trying to let down his walls and the longer he stayed at her ancestral home he seemed more and more like a jokester. Part of her was glad that he was opening up while the other part worried that it was just a facade he was subconsciously building up to protect himself.
Before she left, she instructed the boy on how to use the floo and told him to go to platform 9 3/4 where he'd board the train to Hogwarts. She promised him that she'd see him there.
Taking a deep, calming breath, Minerva focused her attention back to her lesson plans. Percy will be fine, she reassured herself. He's a tough boy.
Meanwhile, at McGonagall castle Harry was hugging his older brother. It'd be the first time they were away from each other for more than a school day.
"Hey, Harry. Harry look at me." Percy said, prompting the younger boy to loosen his hold on him.
"We're brothers. Nothing will ever change that. Same dad or not. I'll be back for Christmas and then I'll be here for the entire summer. Ok?"
Harry was comforted by his older brother's words.
"Promise?"
"I promise."
Percy ruffled the nine year old's already messy hair one last time before stepping into the flames, disappearing in a swirl of emerald green. And Harry was left alone.
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Percy stumbled out on the platform and sighed in relief. It had worked. He took a few deep breaths to steady himself before diving into the crowd comprised of adults saying goodbye to their kids and children trying to find their friends.
Not knowing where he was supposed to go, Percy keep his head down and dragged his trunk behind him through the crowd. When he got closer to the scarlet steam engine he saw the same redheaded boys from Diagon Alley standing with their family. There were six boys and one girl standing with their mother as she double checked that the five older boys hadn't forgotten anything. Percy stood for a moment just watching the woman fuss over her kids. His own mother probably would've been doing that today if she were still alive.
With a big sigh, Percy locked away those thoughts, at least for now, and moved to get on the train.
There was one thing he hadn't accounted for, how heavy the trunk is. It's one thing to drag it along on the ground and quite another to actually lift it.
He struggled for a few minutes, managing to get it halfway onto the train, before an older boy came over. He had sandy blonde hair and a scar stretched down the side of his face.
"Hey, my name's Luke. Want a hand with that?"
Percy blushed as he nodded. He didn't like it when he needed help but he wasn't about to turn it away when he knew he needed it and someone offered.
Luke grabbed one side while Percy got the other and together they carried out into an empty compartment where Luke, who was at least a head taller than Percy, lifted it onto the overhead rack. Once he was sure it wouldn't fall, Luke turned to look at Percy.
"So, what's your name?" He asked the slim boy in front of him.
"Percy. Thanks for the help."
Luke smiled.
"No problem Percy."
Luke wore a bright orange t-shirt with a picture of a pegasus and the words "Camp Half-blood" printed on it. He also wore cargo shorts.
All this muggle clothing piqued Percy's curiosity as most witches and wizards chose to wear robes (unless they were muggleborns) if he remembered correctly and the people still on the platform were anything to go by but he didn't say anything. His blue eyes sparkled mischievously despite the scar yet Percy felt like he could trust him.
The door of the compartment opened and a girl with long black hair poked her head in.
"There you are Luke, we've been looking all over for you. Are you coming or not?"
Luke looked over at the girl.
"I'll be right there Silena."
She rolled her eyes and left with a little "you know where to find us" thrown over her shoulder.
"Well, I guess I'll see you later Percy, good luck with the sorting."
Percy nodded and have him a slight smile as he left. The eleven year old then flopped into a seat and looked out the window.
The twin boys got onto the train after hugging who Percy presumed was their little sister and ruffling their little brother's hair, much to his annoyance.
Percy kept watching the people moving around the platform, the numbers dwindling as more students boarded the train. As the train started moving, the door to his compartment was slammed open by one of the twin boys.
"Hi, do you mind if-"
"We sit here?"
"Thanks!"
If he was honest, Percy was a bit overwhelmed. Two boys come in, start with a question then don't give him time to answer. He wasn't really used to very much social interaction.
"This is Fred Weasley." One of them said.
"And this is my brother George." The other, Fred, said.
"What's your name?" They asked in sync.
"I'm Percy, it's nice to meet you."
"We have a brother named Percy."
"And a brother named Bill."
"And one name Charlie"
"And we can't forget ikle Roniekins."
"Or our little sister Gin."
"What about you Percy?"
"Got any siblings?"
The black haired boy blinked for a moment, still trying to register what they said in their broken speech.
"Umm, yeah. I have a little brother. His name's Harry."
The boys exchanged a look before going up and sitting on either side of their fellow first year.
"So, tell us a bit about yourself."
Percy was a bit lost. Back in Little Whinging no one ever asked him about what he liked or anything. He was stunned at the fact that they even cared.
"Um, Percy is a nickname but I hate my real name. My aunt and uncle are muggles and my brother and I lived with them until recently."
The two boys continued to listen, prompting him every once in a while and occasionally giving an opinion on something or briefly interrupting to tell Percy a story that they were reminded of.
He still got disoriented when they cut each other off but he had to admit he enjoyed having company.
By the time darkness fell however, there had been a few times where the topic had strayed to close to home, literally. As the train slowed, Percy was ready to escape the prying boys.