Breaking Protocol {Percy Weasley}

Chapter Eighteen

She looked so beautiful while she slept. It almost hurt Percy to be standing by her bedside, the now frail girl lying before him. Her once full and pink lips were dried and cracked, and her once soft and rosey cheeks were sunken and pale.

Clara Delaunay never looked so vulnerable, so empty ever before. In the short time Percy had known the French girl, he never once saw her like this, and he never once saw her without her amused smile.

She was so beautiful, so dangerously beautiful. Percy found himself wondering why Clara ever bothered with him, why Clara even so much as glanced his way.

She was a blessing to him, but Percy realized that a little too late. 

Tugging at his unruly hair, Percy sighed as he took a seat next to the small hospital bed.

"You're going to drive yourself mad there Percy." Came Madame Pomfrey's sweet voice. Percy looked over at the lady who was using her wand to clean the sheets of one of the previously occupied beds.

"How do you mean?" Percy asked, frowning.  Madame Pomfrey just laughed and with a flick of her wand, snatched up a bloody towel.

"Dear boy it's nearly nine o'clock." She said. "Miss Delaunay will be in here all night, and I don't supposed you'd want to stay here all night now, will you?"

Percy did want to stay there all night.

"Of course not, that'd be ridiculous." Percy huffed, standing up from his chair. He was about to leave when a hand grabbed his, the cold skin against his sent his heart slamming against his aching chest. 

Percy looked down to see Clara's hand in his, her eyes still closed as her chest rose and fell steadily. 

"Well, it would seem she doesn't want you to leave." Madame Pomfrey said, chuckling. Percy couldn't help the smile that tugged at the corner of his lips as he took his seat beside her again. 

"Percy..." Came Clara's small voice, causing Percy to jump in his seat. He gripped her hand tighter, leaning forward. 

"Yes? Clara I'm here." Percy said. 

"Careful dear, sleep is necessary after the medicine I gave you." Madame Pomfrey was saying. But either Clara didn't hear her, or she wasn't listening because her small voice passed through her chapped lips once more. 

"Please stay." She whispered.

Percy was in utter shock at her words, but he just scooted his chair forward, closer to her bedside, and continue to hold her hand in his. 

"I...I won't leave you." Percy said, resisting the urge to pull her into his arms until she was well. Madame Pomfrey just smiled at the two, deciding to vacate the room to leave the two alone. 

And Percy felt okay again. 

Percy stayed with her for as long as he could, eventually falling asleep in his chair. When Fred and George returned to the hospital to check on the girl, George froze in his spot at the scene before them. However, Fred was too busy yanking twigs from his clothes and hair to notice it at first. 

"You owe me ten knuts." George said, turning to his twin and crossing his arms over his chest, smirking. Fred gave George a look.

"What are you--" He spotted Percy and sighed. "Bloody hell. You were right." 

"I'm always right." George pointed out. Fred rolled his eyes. 

"Keep talking like that and your head will explode from that ego of yours." Fred said, and George hit him in the arm.