Summer of '93 [PERCIVER]

10 - DISCONNECTED

Percy was hunched over the desk, a determined look in his eyes. His potions essay sat in front of him, the words on the parchment taunting him. They were mindless, though deep thought and contemplation was taken when forming them in his mind. He wrote as fast as his hands could take him. Ink stained his hands and papercuts littered his fingertips. Snape expected nothing but perfection and what was Percy to do but give him that perfection?

The afternoon sun shone onto his work, as if attempting to draw him away from it. He reached forward, only to realise he couldn't reach to pull the curtains closed. He huffed, sitting back down almost petulantly. He didn't want to work on this essay at all. Potions was a fascinating subject he would love to learn more about but he despised the man who taught it. Percy never seemed to be good enough, it didn't matter that he was the only Gryffindor good enough to be accepted into both the NEWT class and the alchemy class. Not even his brother Bill had managed to be accepted into the alchemy class. Snape safeguarded that class from Gryffindors with a passion. It didn't matter that he was the very top, that he was the only Gryffindor in several years that received consistent Os in potions. He always felt like he was six rather than sixteen around the man.

Besides, he couldn't even teach.

Percy groaned as he heard a knock on his door, placing his head in his hands. Now, he was being summoned, great. What did his mother want now? It was 3pm, so nowhere near dinner and way past lunch. The twins were at the park, who knew where Ron and Ginny had wandered off to and Arthur was playing golf with some muggle friends of his, who would want him at this time? Cleaning didn't come until dinner, which was far away from the present.

"Come in." Percy snapped.

The door swung open and Ginny stood in the middle of the doorway, her eyes slightly downcast. She fiddled with her fingers anxiously, one hand tugging her hair and the other useless at her side. She was restless, shifting from foot to foot, from heel to heel. Percy's expression softened considerably once he glanced up and away from the source of his frustration. He could never be mad at her, especially not when she was like this. Ginny was his youngest sibling, his only sister.

"Yes, Ginny? Was there something you needed? Do come in."

She ignored him and instead leaned against the doorway, biting her lip nervously much like Percy did when he too felt the same way.

"Where's Fred and George?" She questioned softly, refusing to make eye contact.

The lack of eye contact suited Percy just fine, as he didn't care for it anyway. He deflated slightly in disappointment when hearing her question, but tutted at himself for it. 'So what if Ginny only wants the twins? At least she's talking to you! Don't be so selfish! Be grateful she's here at all!' His mind scolded him, trying to knock some sense into him. Percy inhaled through his nose sharply and complied.

"They're at the same park we went to yesterday." Percy answered airily, "Did you want them to do something for you?"

Ginny shook her head, seemingly frustrated with herself though her expression didn't show it.

"No, I uh, I was just curious, I'm here to ask you something, actually."

Percy perked up at hearing that he was needed, sitting straighter and attempting to read Ginny's current emotions. Her cheeks were flushed and her hair fell in her face. Her arms were now crossed and her fingers tugged at the sleeve of her t-shirt. She was embarrassed, Percy soon realised. That wasn't a common emotion for her to show, not then and not now. It was one of the only things that had remained consistent about her.

"Whatever you need, I'm here Ginny."

She inhaled deeply.

"Can you do my hair? You don't have to say yes or anything! But I don't want to do it with Mum. I want to do it with you."