Hi there! Hope you're all doing well. I'm still busy writing chapters for this and my other stories. It's taking me longer than usual. Sorry, it's either I do things decently or wind up with a bunch of crap...or burn out. O.O

Chapter Eight-Percy's Confirmation

Monday morning...

Oliver was in the middle of the best dream. He was lying naked on a huge bed while an equally nude, muscular Graham drizzled caramel down his stomach and along his stiffened length. Graham's tongue just brushed the tip when that goddamn beeping started, waking him and ruining his morning.

'BEEEP! BEEEP! BEEEEP!

"Rrrrgghhh...nooo! Fucking alarm.'' Oliver groaned as his large hand smacked the alarm clock off the nightstand. He rolled onto his back and looked around his canopy, hoping to get more awake. Upon moving, he couldn't ignore the aching below his belly. Slightly sighing to himself, Oliver reached and drifted his fingers below the waistband of his blue plaid pajamas.

He shuddered once he had a good grip and started to stroke. Just when he had a rhythm going, the bedcurtain opened. ''Perce!" Oliver hid himself under the blanket, not that it did much good since he was protruding.

Amused, the prefect smiled. ''This a bad time?"

"Ugh, kinda." He still had his right hand in his pants for fuck's sake.

Percy softly chuckled. "Luckily for you we're the only ones here. You might want to shower and come down for breakfast. I'll leave to you to finish."

Oliver shook his head. "Nah, I'm limp now."

"Sorry to hear that." He turned to leave. "Oh, but before I go, is it over anyone I know or on a whim?"

"It's someone you know. They, uh, just kind of appeared and started doing amazing things."

"All right." Percy left it at that. He had a feeling someone's caught his fancy but whether or not it's the someone he's thinking of, that remains to be seen.

Alone again, Oliver dragged himself and his dead boner out of bed and into the showers.

"Can I please look at that last little bit from the essay? I need to finish the final paragraph."

"Why didn't you already? And no, she'll notice."

"No, she won't. Not if I reword it to sound like me."

Percy sighed. "Ok, but don't make this a habit. And do it fast, she'll be here any moment."

Oliver took the parchment and scribbled, paraphrasing a sentence or two and tweaking it slightly. Thankfully, he and Percy had the same topic. "Here. Thanks, mate."

"You'd be lost if I didn't save your arse."

"Perce, my arse unofficially has your name written all over it."

Percy was very tempted on some occasions to charm it on there as a reminder, like now if he thought about it. He did stare at his wand and unfortunately resisted the temptation.

"Good morning, class."

"Good morning, Professor."

McGonagall's boots clacked across the stone floor as she shut the doors behind her, heading to the front. Her stern eyes flitted along the faces staring back. "I trust you all have completed your assignments. You know the drill. Rolled parchment to the left side of the desks."

The distinct sound of rustling robes and last minute rolling echoed. Minerva flicked her wand and they appeared in an empty basket on the upper right hand corner of her desk. Satisfied with the full pile, she began her lesson.

Towards the back, Graham listened intently to the instruction on nonverbally conjuring elements while beside him, Marcus doodled a very dirty drawing of he and Percy at an odd angle. The dark blue-eyed Snake saw this out the corner of his eye and frowned.

'Seriously? Yeah, that looks nice but here is not the place to brainstorm positions.' Once McGonagall's back turned, he whispered. "Pay attention. What if she decides to whisk that up there?"

"Doesn't matter. Everyone knows."

"Want a detention and not be able to try it?" He received an icy glare. "Not from me. HER."

"Fine. Have it your way." Flint folded the incriminating doodle and stowed it away as she returned. Graham was indeed thankful for every time someone listened or he'd hear complaining later.

"Now if you would direct your attention to the center of your desks, you will find a stone disk. That is where you will conjure your element. To prevent disaster, these have been charmed to contain whatever you choose to a decent size. You will be assigned a partner for this in-class assignment and it may or may not be the person next to you. When I call out your names, please change your seats. Adair, Ferris...Hurley, Bell..."

As McGonagall called out the list, Oliver peered behind him diagonally towards the Slytherin side. He was hopeful in getting Graham as his partner but usually, it's been him and Percy or him and that blonde Slytherin, Shannon, or whatever her name was. Now that she was sitting with Katie and Percy's going to be with Marcus (no surprise), he pondered over who the professor would stick him with.

''...Wood, Montague.."

Graham's dark eyes lit up. 'Oliver?! Yes!' He was hoping Oliver would be his. His class partner, anyway. Marcus trudged over to Percy and Oliver walked to Graham's desk. A small smile overtook his face the further back he went. Montague remained impassive due to being in public. He sent Wood a polite nod as he claimed his seat.

"Hey, G- ...Montague." 'Watch it! Don't give anything away. You're just now starting to be friends.' "How's it going?"

"The same, really. You?"

Oliver replied with a sheepish smile, pulling out his wand. "Eh, pretty much like you." 'Can I get any more awkward?'

'God, you're so adorable.' "So, shall we?"

"Ok..um.." Oliver tapped his wandtip on the tabletop, figuring his game plan. He had absolutely no idea what element to conjure first and he wasn't too keen on the execution since his concentration was sort of split between the lesson and the sexy Snake.

Graham raised an eyebrow and cocked his head a tad. His Lion seemed lost. "You look a little confused."

Oliver sighed. "Tell me about it. I dunno which one to do and I..well.." So much for his plan of NOT looking like a total idiot. Although, Graham appeared not to be annoyed by his inability to choose or perform. In fact, he seemed to be in a helpful mood.

"Maybe I can assist? Dunno if I'll get it right either but at least we'll both look dumb." Oliver felt so much better. His gorgeous grin showed it. Melting, Graham was melting!

"I could sure use the help."

"Ok. I'm choosing fire. From what she says, the key is to move the wand slightly like this and picture a spark at first, then as you move upward, imagine the flame reaching higher.''

While Marcus worked on his second attempt of conjuring water, Percy casually gazed to Oliver and Graham. Montague had a small fire on his disk, directing his wand and instructing Oliver all with a calm and somewhat kinder face. Interesting. He's always cold in the classes shared with Gryffindor and as far as Percy knew, the same with the others. In Hufflepuff's case, he was plain unapproachable! Oddly, at this moment his frigid countenance was close to non-existent (To the trained eyes and intuition of Percy Weasley!). Now, Oliver was trying his attempt at a nonverbal conjure. He had a tiny fire that almost fizzled out until Graham gently guided a finger up his wand and the flame grew, as did Oliver's trademark smile.

'Impressive. You're not normally this successful at one try. However, that flame's not the only thing garnering a few curious stares.'

Indeed. Whispers floated about among the Gryffindor section. Montague and Oliver's confrontations weren't nearly as legendary as his and Flint's, though they were bitter all the same. This abrupt amicable change obviously caught everyone off guard. Percy turned back to Marcus and saw his furrowed brow/light sharp-toothed snarl combo. That was never good.

Percy bit his lower lip in worry. 'I know something is up between you two, Ol. I just hope you're prepared to be questioned. I also hope Marcus doesn't get to you before I do.'

"You've all done well today, some of you will need work. Be sure to practice and do it preferably not in closed quarters. I'll see you next class.'' Professor McGonagall announced just before she left the room.

None of the students could wait to get out. Percy waited patiently as did two others while the doors were jammed. Oliver deliberately slowed himself, hoping the prefect would go ahead so he could steal a brief moment with Graham.

Promptly packed, he moved a few steps. ''Shall I wait for you?"

"Eh, I'll catch up. Don't worry about me."

"Suit yourself." Percy shrugged and continued. It was safe to approach. Flint and his crew already evacuated.

"Hey.."

Graham fixed his shoulderstrap higher up, holding the bottom pouch close to his hip. "Hey yourself."

Oliver tried not to get distracted by those movements...really, those body parts. ''What you doing later?"

"Not much, I suppose. Homework, mostly. Why?"

"I was sort of hoping you'd like to hang out again in the kitchens, go raiding or something. I got a tip that we're having shepherd's pie again."

Groaning, he replied. "That's almost three times in a week. How about I cook while we're there?"

Is it bad that Oliver's mouth began to water already? "Sounds great."

Montague noticed how those chocolates lit up in anticipation. He gripped the strap, preventing a foolish, giddy grin from cracking. ''What would you prefer?"

"Why not something simple like..uh...spaghetti and meatballs? I haven't had it in months."

"We'll do that. Eight o'clock?"

"See you then."

"Perfect." Montague followed that beautiful arse out the door and let a love-struck sigh finally escape. 'Just perfect. I get to cook for you again. You know, I wouldn't have minded cooking something a little more complicated.'

He watched him disappear with Percy towards the end of the corridor. 'It doesn't take much to please you, does it? I'm so glad you're not high-maintenance.'

Ever so thankful he wasn't, Graham hurried off to his next class, mentally picking the recipe to make the best damn plate of spaghetti Oliver will ever taste.

Four thirty-five struck Percy's clock. He sat tapping the edge of his Ancient Runes text with an air of impatience. Oliver was supposed to have been in the dorm right after Muggle Studies, not screwing around. He was surely itching to hex whoever caught his attention now instead of-

"Hey Perce! Sorry, I'm late. Fred and George kind of..."

"Sidetracked him."

"Caused a distraction."

"Not a bad one."

"A good one."

Oliver playfully pushed the identical redheads off his shoulders. "Anyway, they needed my assistance on a prank. I said no and-"

Percy shut his book, retorting in a clipped tone. "I'll be sure to congratulate you and admonish them about it later. Right now, we need to talk." Fred and George were still standing, all ears with mischievous grins. "That means go." Percy waved them off.

"Go on, guys." Oliver ushered them out while Percy locked and Silenced the door, adding an insulation charm under the edge of the door so none of their occasional extendable ears can wiggle through.

'Really, Perce? Think that's a little too much security?' he thought, but as soon as it came he remembered these were the Twin Terrors they're dealing with. They can be the nosiest little fucks sometimes. Flopping down on his bed, Oliver splayed himself comfortably along the crimson duvet. "Ahh. So, what you want to speak to me for?"

Percy removed his glasses and set them down. He folded his hands together and eyed Oliver seriously, but not too gravely. "Ol, I'd like you to be honest with me."

"Uh, sure. Whatever."

"I know about you and Graham."

Oliver widened his eyes at this, surprised that Percy paid attention to the slight discrepancy between him and Montague. "W-What do you know?"

"You're together, are you not?"

Oh, he believed they were dating. "No, we're not. Not yet." One suspicion confirmed. Percy raised an eyebrow and casually leaned back onto his pillows. Oliver sheepishly asked his room-mate, twiddling his thumbs together and looking up from under his lashes. "How did you know?"

"I've had a feeling he's the one you've been seeing because you're out more frequently. There's also your behavior earlier in Transfiguration, plus Marcus told me he found Graham sitting with a swan over the weekend while I was on patrol. There's only one swan here." Oliver remained silent. Of course Percy had to find out so damn soon. "However, I was unaware that you're not dating. So, you simply befriended him? When did this happen? And when did you start fancying him?"

He definitely had some explaining to do and so he began. "Last Saturday afternoon as a human. I found him cooking in the kitchens. We ate and bantered for a bit, then I guess we decided to try to be friends. We uh, technically have been hanging out longer than that. Several weeks near the Black Lake, actually. He...didn't know the swan was me."

"Does he-...?"

"No. He doesn't. As for fancying, I guess I can also say it was over those several weeks too but I didn't decide to really do anything about it until last weekend."

"I see."

Oliver wandered over to Percy's bed and plopped beside him. "Have you ever really looked at him, Perce?" He has. Intelligent, tall, lean and muscled frame, intense facial features, dark hair, piercing eyes that kept yours glued to them, a voice that could send lovely shivers down your spine (Could, as in, if Percy decided to date Graham, then it would affect him.), plus an amazing backside. Percy saw the attractiveness factors there.

"I cannot say I haven't."

"Then you see why I'm pursuing him."

"Appearance alone can't be why you're interested."

"Ok, I didn't clarify. The last night I saw him, he actually confessed his feelings."

Another suspicion confirmed. Percy smirked. "Knew it."

"Wait, what? You knew?"

"Kind of. I watched him stare holes in the back of your head some time ago. I wasn't too sure about that nor of your intentions towards him. I wanted confirmation."

"Sneak. You could have mentioned it." Oliver jokingly narrowed his eyes and smacked him with a pillow.

Percy smacked back, getting an 'Oof!' out of the Keeper. "I could have but I didn't. Anyway, I'm proud of you. If everyone in Gryffindor sees that you can befriend and/or date someone in Slytherin, then I'm sure they can work to lessen this bloody rivalry." Ever the campaigner for civility, Percy is.

"You ended up with Flint and yet that didn't seem to help."

"No one bothers to listen to the 'pompous prat', remember?''

Oliver sighed. "You're right. Perce, I want to pursue Graham. The problem is we're trying to be friends and I don't think it would be a good idea for everyone to know just yet. Not many people here like him, either. What should I do?"

After silent consideration, Percy spoke his piece. "For now, I think it's best to take the slower route of staying friends, just for a little while. If Marcus comes around asking questions, I'll do my best to head him off. Can't say it'll work every time. He will figure it out.''

The Scot did his damnedest not to appear unnerved by that very inevitable event. As much as he disliked Flint and wanted to best him at everything (especially Quidditch), he didn't want to keep fighting and have Graham get hurt in the process. Until the day arrives when he could shout his affection from the rooftops or simply walk around holding hands, he'll have to keep his hormones in check.

Percy saw his discomfort and patted his shoulder. "Even when he does, I wouldn't worry too much. He is capable of listening to reason."

"That's because you have him wrapped around your bookish little finger."

"And he admits it." Percy slyly returned.

That was completely new to Oliver. "Really?"

"You'd be surprised at what he admits to me. Unfortunately I cannot divulge that information because it's private."

Oliver snorted. "And the graphic noises and orders I heard two Saturdays ago when you were both fucking wasn't?"

Percy nonchalantly lifted his eyebrows, replying so smoothly and indifferently, Snape would have awarded points if he heard. "Oh, you heard that? I'll put up a Silencer next time."

"Please." Oliver got up and traversed to his trunk.

"...Or you could not sleep 'til lunch and miss my memo again.'' Percy murmured, getting back to his book while leaving Oliver's expression a hilariously disturbed one.

Hi again! Thanks for still keeping up! To those who may think I jumped ahead with Percy's suspicions, please know that I did because several chapters back, he notices Graham staring at Oliver and come on...this is Percy. He knows things. :P Please stayed tuned for Oliver and Graham's 'dinner date', I mean...hanging out over a few plates of spaghetti. Yeah, that's it. XD And Flint will be speaking with Graham, I can tell you that much.

I do know they serve more than just shepherd's pie at dinner but go with the idea that there's several and Graham's picky. Remember that.