A/N: A challenge given to me by silverlovedragoness. Thanks to her, I'm writing again.
o.o.o
Bathroom Break
Chapter 1
It happened when he was patrolling in the dungeons. As the Head Boy, Percy Weasley had every right to be there after curfew. Fred and George had warned him against going to the far end of the dungeons, "where no one would hear his screams", which had naturally made Percy suspicious of why those two wanted him not to be there that evening, and more determined than ever to be there.
Everything had gone well so far – not a single soul wandered the hallways, living or dead. He thought he heard the Bloody Baron once, but their paths did not cross; everything was nice and quiet. And then – it happened. Percy stopped. The nearest common bathroom was on the ground floor, but he was aware of the existence of a Prefects Bathroom somewhere nearby. He couldn't remember if he'd heard of it from Fred and George, or a prefect, or McGonagall, but it didn't matter. He could remember it had been called the Slytherin bathroom, but that didn't matter either. He was the Head Boy, and as such had the right to use any student bathroom in the castle, whoever claimed it as their own.
For a moment Percy hesitated – Slytherin bathroom in Slytherin dungeons, at the far end where no one would hear his screams – but then common sense and Head Boy arrogance ruled out the silly thought: he had to go and this was the nearest bathroom.
Finding it was relatively easy, at least for such a smart and capable wizard as he was. He tried the door – it was locked. With his left hand still on the doorknob, he took out his wand and cast a Alohomora. The door remained locked. He tried a few other opening spells with similar lack of success. He shook his head. It might have been password protected, so he tried a couple of those.
He wondered that there was no such thing as a master password which would open any door; he knew there wasn't one because nobody had told him about it. He loved Hogwarts, of course, but he had found several deficiencies in the system which he had set out to correct or improve. He had a list of them, and he was going to write another report to McGonagall; he knew his Head of House appreciated his suggestions, even Headmaster Dumbledore had made a positive remark about them, complimenting on his lengthy and logical arguments.
At that moment his need recalled itself, and Percy withdrew his hand, or at least tried to, because somehow he couldn't let go of the doorknob. "Fred and George" was his first thought, because it was something the twins had done in Burrow, one time too many. That's why they had told him not to go there, knowing of course that it would make him go there all the more, and had they not offered him some refreshment before he had left the tower? This had Fred and George written all over it.
"Very funny," Percy said, frowning. He would have a word or two with his brothers on getting back to his common room. With a sigh about it – those two would never stop, would they, and where would this take them? - he raised his wand to undo the hex. The twins were clever and good with spells, but they threw away all their potential for what? Pranks, and jokes, and all such silly things. And they were so very little concerned about their future, whereas Percy sometimes stayed up half the night worrying about it, not just his own future, but that of his brothers' as well. He believed that Ron, at least, would turn out well in the end, but he was starting to lose his hopes about the twins.
Percy didn't panic, even when three minutes and several spells later he was still stuck to the doorknob. He did not believe that in a well organized environment the Head Boy could be left stuck to a bathroom door. He was a little annoyed at this waste of time, but he was certain that in another three minutes, he'd be well along on his way to the ground floor.
Fifteen minutes later, he was slightly less certain. His annoyance and restlessness had doubled, along with his need to use a bathroom. The twins' – curse them – words came back to him: the far end of the dungeons where no one would hear his screams; not that he was about to call for help. The thought had crossed his mind, but his pride had ruled it out – he was the Head Boy, he wouldn't cry for help over such a small matter. There was a problem, but he could solve it.
He couldn't solve it. He could, that is, but he needed more time and perhaps a short trip to the library. Right now, however, he needed a trip to the bathroom, the sooner the better.
He reviewed his options, in no particular order. He could call for help. He could keep doing what he was doing until something happened. He could do his thing right here and now and later vanish the results. No; he couldn't do that, anything but that.
"Hello," he said, rather softly. No one replied.
He was about to call again, when he heard it – steps. Footsteps were nearing him down the hallway, someone was coming. Percy sighed in relief – it must have been a Slytherin prefect. He didn't get along with them very well, but they were required to acknowledge his authority as the Head Boy, which they had so far grudgingly done.
However, it was not a Slytherin prefect that approached him. It was a girl, several years younger than himself, which meant that she was breaking the curfew, being out in the hallways at this time of night. At once, Percy forgot his predicament, and accosted the rule-breaker, "And where do you think you are going, young lady, at this time of night?"
The girl started at the sound of his voice, and a guilty expression flew over her face, but only for a second. She looked at him and frowned, as if trying to figure out something, "You're a Gryffindor, aren't you?"
"I am the Head Boy, and you are breaking the curfew," Percy said, raising himself to his full height.
"You are a Gryffindor," she repeated with conviction now. "What are you doing down here?"
"I am patrolling the hallways to catch misbehaving students," Percy replied. "What is your name?"
The girl did not look shocked or frightened at his words.
"I am Daphne Greengrass," she said. "You must be Percy Weasley. I thought your hair looked familiar."
"Very good," Percy said, ignoring the comment. "I am going to report you to your Head of House."
The girl shrugged, as if getting caught didn't matter to her at all. "You shouldn't come down here," she said, "Slytherins don't like you."
"I am the Head Boy," Percy declared. "I do not take heed of such threats."
"It was not a threat," Daphne replied, and added after a moment of silence, "Are you taking me to Professor Snape right away, or do you need to use the bathroom first?"
At the mention of the word "bathroom", Percy was reminded of his current situation, much to his bemusement.
"Actually, you shouldn't use this bathroom," the girl continued. "It is for Slytherins only."
"I am the Head Boy," Percy replied and fell silent. A voice in his head, sounding like Fred, added, and stuck to a bathroom door with an intense need to use it.
"Go on then," Daphne said. "I'll wait here."
"Not so fast, young lady," Percy said, reverting to his other self, the one that caught misbehaving students and was not stuck to a doorknob. "I know you'll be gone the minute I turn my back to you."
"Do I have to come to the bathroom with you?" she asked, sarcastically.
"Yes," Percy replied, seeing a neat and simple solution to his problem. "You have to do exactly that."
"Are you serious?" the girl asked, finally displaying a little emotion.
"I am," Percy replied, and fixed her with his most authoritative stare.
"Whatever," Daphne said, then smirked all of a sudden and added, "As you wish."
Percy stood and waited, the girl did the same. For a few moments, nobody moved nor spoke.
"Go on then," Daphne said at last, "I haven't got the whole night."
"Ladies first."
"You're blocking the door," she pointed out.
"Just give the password," Percy demanded.
"Fine," the girl spat. "It's... wait a second... the doorknob!"
"Is it? That's an unusual password," Percy said and tried the door, "It's still locked."
"No!" the girl exclaimed, triumph in her tones. "Your hand is stuck to the doorknob, isn't it?"
"It most certainly is not," Percy lied.
"Then remove it," she challenged.
"I do not wish to do that. The password, please."
"Remove your hand first, please."
They glared at each other in silence. Percy was the first to give in, "I am the Head Boy. Give me the password."
"You may be the Head Boy, but you've tried to break into a room that is off limits for you and now you're stuck to the door. You are also in the Slytherin dungeons, surrounded by people who do not like you very much and who would gladly take such an opportunity as this to humiliate and torture you. In addition to all this, am I correct in assuming that you tried to break in out of something else than mere curiosity and by now your need to use the bathroom is starting to grow bigger than even your self-esteem and arrogance?"
"I am not arrogant!"
"Yes, you are. We, Slytherins, are all arrogant and can well recognize it in others. You may be the Head Boy, but you are not an almighty being allowed to do everything. You must obey the rules, just like the rest of us. You are not better than us just because you have some shiny badge with writing on it."
"I do not act as if I am allowed anything. Of course I follow all the rules," Percy said, caught off guard by someone even assuming otherwise.
"You tried to break into a room off limits to you," Daphne repeated. "Quod erat demonstrandum."
"I did not!"
"You did, and now you're stuck," she said, displaying an evil little smirk.
Percy sighed. "As the Head Boy of this school, I ask you to please tell me the password of this bathroom."
"Oh you ask me now? A moment ago you were demanding it."
"Young lady... girl... Daphne?"
"That's my name."
"Daphne, will you please help me open this door?" Percy said in last resort.
"Hmm... okay," she said carelessly. "The word's Pottersspotter, but it also requires the right sort of knock, gimme a second to recall it."
"Potter's spotter? Seriously?"
"It's lame, I know. I'm not the one who thought of it. There are so many passwords and secret codes that one must remember, especially if one is a Slytherin."
"Why especially then?"
"Because we are sneaky and suspicious people. Everything must be password protected. Everything," she said.
"That sounds disorienting," Percy agreed. "Have you by any chance remembered the knock yet?"
"Maybe," Daphne said, "Are you really going to report me?"
"Of course. It is my solemn duty as the Head Boy. I take such things very seriously."
"And I suppose you never turn a blind eye to anything?"
"Never!" Percy declared with pride.
"I thought so," Daphne said, and fell silent.
"This is blackmail."
"No, this is careful consideration before making the decision," she said, walking up to the door and delivering a series of knocks against it.
Percy tried the door. It moved! It opened! He was inside the room in a split second.
"It's not so bad," said Daphne, following him in, "If you don't mind the green. I used to love green before I came to Hogwarts."
Percy didn't have much time to admire the decoration, he looked around swiftly until he saw what he needed, and acted with an even greater speed. Once the deed was done, and he stepped outside the stall, he had half-expected to meet no one there; but the girl stood where he had left him, looking around with a frown.
"I could do wonders here with salmon and beige," she said. "Oh, do wash your hands. I hate it when people don't do it, especially boys."
"Erm, all right," Percy said, and washed his hands. "I guess we are done here now."
"Unless you wish to take a bath," Daphne suggested. "We have superb baths here."
"No, thank you," Percy replied. "We should get going."
"Sure," the girl said, shrugging. "Knock at the door in reverse order. No password's necessary from this side."
"I have to knock at it in correct order to get out of the bathroom?" Percy asked in bewilderment.
"Yes. I told you we have codes for everything."
"I suppose it is more secure this way," Percy said, reflecting upon the idea. Perhaps he should speak of it to McGonagall.
"It's stupid," Daphne said, "But many things in this world are stupid."
"Like what?" Percy asked, curious despite himself.
"There is so much stupidity in the Slytherin House," she said. "You have a fair point in hating us."
"We don't hate you. You act as if you hate us."
"We do hate you. Because everybody likes you. Except for us."
"Yes," he said slowly and doubtfully. "We should go now."
"Tap the code then," Daphne suggested. "Unless you didn't pay attention to it before? You might have been... how to say this... otherwise occupied," she sniggered.
"Do we really have to go through this again, Miss Daphne?" Percy sighed.
"I'd rather you didn't take me to Professor Snape," she replied. "He doesn't like us getting caught, especially by Gryffindors. He might even punish me, I dare say he shall."
"Rules are rules and they exist for a reason. If you don't want to get punished, don't break the rules. As the Head Boy, I'm..."
"I liked you better as Percy Weasley, not as the Head Boy," she interrupted him, rolling her eyes.
"I am both," Percy replied. "You don't have to like me."
"But I do like you," Daphne said, looking deceptively innocent.
"Erm... thank you," Percy replied. He, of all people, was not used to fangirls. Or people liking him, for that matter. Some people did like him, but not very many. They respected him, though, and that was even better.
"If you like me, perhaps you could let me out?" Percy suggested.
"Perhaps," Daphne mused, "But you have to do me a favour."
"I am not going to turn a blind eye to your breaking the rules, I'm afraid."
"If you insist upon it," she replied. "It's your principle, and you should stick to it."
"What is it then that you want me to do?" he asked, warily.
"Kiss me."
"Huh? I mean, what?"
"I want you to kiss me," Daphne said. "You have kissed a girl before, haven't you?"
"Of course I have, but you're only what? Twelve?"
"Fourteen," she said, a glitter in her eye, "and I am not asking you to snog me in a broom closet or something, I just want one little kiss. On the mouth, though."
"Why?"
Daphne shrugged. "I like you and I want you to kiss me."
"I do not think that it is appropriate for me to do so."
"In that case," she said, looking past him, "I think I'm taking a bath first. You had your go, I should have mine."
Percy rubbed his forehead; he wanted this night to finish already. He didn't want to wait while the girl took her bath – in his limited experience, women always took long baths. He didn't want to kiss her either, because he didn't know her, and she was too young for him. And he didn't want to argue with her, because it infuriated and amused him at the same time. She didn't make much sense with what she said, but he felt that there was some important truth beneath her words, an important message between the lines. Once again, he was curious to know more, but in a proper way and proper place. He could tutor her, perhaps, and they would sit together in the library and then he would talk to her and find out more.
He made a mental note to consider this later, and figure out if he had the time. Head Boy duties and studying for the exams took a lot of it.
"Are you going to kiss me or not?" Daphne demanded.
"No," he said resolutely. "Are you going to let us out of here or not?"
They stared again, and this time she was the first to give in, "Very well."
She moved to the door and waved him closer, "Pay attention now. You never know when you might end up in this situation again."
Percy doubted this very much, but nevertheless obeyed the girl. He looked and tried to remember the difficult code, rapid knocks, slow knocks and pauses between time.
"Look closely," Daphne said, "now comes the best part."
Percy complied in a gesture of gratitude, since he was unable to do anything else for the girl. Daphne, however, had other ideas – one hand resting against the door, she grabbed hold of his shirt with the other, rose on her tiptoes, and took the kiss he had refused to give her. It was brief; she pulled back before he got the chance to do anything. With a wordless smile, holding his bewildered gaze, she delivered one last knock and pushed the door open.
"Let us go," she said, stepping out. "Professor Snape awaits us."
Still somewhat dazed, Percy followed her into the hallway. "You shouldn't have done that," he reprimanded her on the way, but his voice sounded weak, as if he only said it for the sake of saying it. Because he was the Head Boy and it hadn't been appropriate.
"I still like you, Percy Weasley," Daphne said, and smirked. "I hope it's not the last time we'll be stuck together in a bathroom."
Percy blushed, and hurried to say the things he was supposed to say. After delivering her to her Head of House – Professor Snape had looked very displeased – he reflected upon the recent events. Most of all, he was relieved that he had got rid of the girl, and a little ashamed of feeling thus, because she had saved him from the doorknob. He thought about the kiss – but it had been too brief and too unexpected to make anything out of it. And she was too young for him. He decided that he would not tutor her, after all. It wouldn't be appropriate, especially if she had some sort of feelings for him.
You should have let her go, the Fred-like voice whispered in his head. But no, he couldn't have. Rules were rules, and he had to do his duty.