Breaking Protocol {Percy Weasley}

Chapter Twenty-Three

Ma chère Clarissa,

Your father and I regret to inform you that we are unable to bring you home due to the busyness we have found ourselves in. In the envelop you will find £ 400. Maybe you could go to that village you told us about and buy yourself something nice.

Merry Christmas,
Mama and Papa.

Clara stared at the small white piece of paper, rereading the letter her mother had written to her. As soon as Clara saw the wad of cash that came along with the letter, she knew she wasn't going home for Christmas.

It was a typical move for her parents. Getting Clara's hopes up, making promises they had no intention of keeping, only to abandon her last minute. Literally.

Clara couldn't hold back the tears as they rolled down her cheeks. Pushing away from the table she still sat at, the four students watching, waiting for a response from the girl, Clara instead stood up from her seat and wiped her eyes. 

"Excuse me." Clara whispered before she strode out of the Great Hall.

Abandoned.

That's what Clara felt as she balled her hands into fists and gritted her teeth. She just wanted to see them, but instead they send her the least detailed letter ever along with a wad of cash. Like money could just patch up the hurt Clara felt.

If only Clara's parents cared enough to listen when their daughter spoke, to understand the Wizarding World had their own type of money like the France had the euro. To realize how much it physically hurt Clara when they abandoned her without so much as an explanation as to why.

To realize Clara wanted to be loved like a daughter, not just tolerated like an unwanted pet.

Taking a deep breath, Clara wiped at her face with the sleeve of her sweater once more before she took off down the narrow corridor.

"Are you really that daft, Perce?" Fred growled at Percy. Stunned, Percy gave his little brother a look.

"What are talking about--?"

"Do I have to spell everything out for you? Perce, I thought you were supposed to be the intelligent brother. GO AFTER HER!" Fred all but yelled, causing Percy to jump in his seat.

Fred may have been a pain in his arse, but he never yelled at Percy.

"She obviously wants to be alone. I'm not about to intrude on her--" Percy began.

"Intrude on her what?" Fred asked, and Percy found himself without words.

"Percy she's upset. If there's one thing I learned about women is that they don't actually want to be alone. You chase after her. You hug her. You tell her she's beautiful because she is, and you bloody hold her while she cries. Don't try to stop it because... I've tried that, they don't like hearing jokes when they're upset." Fred shook his head as if ridding a memory from his mind. "Just go to her."

Standing up, Percy glared at his younger brother. "Since when did you become such an expert on women?" Percy asked, eyeing the smirking twin.

"What can I say? The women love me." Fred gloated. Scoffing, Percy made his way out the Great Hall in search for Clara.

Fred looked over at his twin who watched him suspiciously. "Where did that bit of information come from?" George asked and Fred shrugged.

"Amelia has given me a few lectures here and there." Fred said, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

Michelle chuckled. "Good girl."

Clara had found herself in her favourite window seat, fiddling with the bundled money her parents sent her when footsteps approached her. Looking up, she was glad to see Percy Weasley.

He stood before her awkwardly, obviously lost at words.

"Hi." He finally said, shoving his hands into the pocket of his jean pants. The corner of Clara mouth turned up slightly. 

"Salut." She greeted, giving him a wave. Percy awkwardly waved back, and after a few moments of silence Clara patted the empty spot beside her. "Would you like to sit?" She asked, and Percy carefully took the seat next to the girl.

"What's that?" Percy asked, nodding towards the colored bills in Clara's hands. She sighed.

"Money." Clara stated. "At least... money from London, not the kind of money we can use in the Wizarding World."

"That's obvious." Percy said, and Clara scoffed.

"Not to my parents." She muttered. Clara dropped the money at her feet and looked outside at the the falling snow.

"They're muggles. I'm sure they meant well, money is a big thing for them." Percy reasoned, but Clara shook her head, laughing humorlessly.

"And I'm sure they meant well when they abandoned me at this castle on Christmas day, too."

Clara pressed her temple against the freezing window pane. Percy was silent.

"You do not have to stay if you do not want to." Clara whispered, fiddling with her hands in her lap.

Suddenly, a warm hand was placed on hers and Clara sucked in a surprised breath, looking up at Percy. He looked nervous, but smiled slightly to cover it up.

"I have a few more moments before I have to leave. I will spend every last one with you." Percy said, and slowly the chilling feeling of abandonment left her system and she smiled. 

"Merci." She whispered, cautiously resting her head against Percy's shoulder. And that's how the two spend their last moments together before Percy left for home: Percy allowing Clara to rest against him, his fingers now intertwined with hers.

Clara couldn't help but feel a sense of safety, a sense of warmth. She never wanted Percy to leave, just sitting in silence with him was enough to heal any mental wound. But of course, all good things always came to an end.

"I have to go now, Clara." Percy said, breaking the silence between them. With a weak smile, Clara sat up and watched as Percy got to his feet, straightening out his jumper.

"Have fun." Clara said, but Percy just scoffed.

"I'm not sure how much fun I'll he having." He said bluntly. Clara just sat there awkwardly, unsure of how to respond. It looked like Percy was about to say something else, but at the last minute he decided against it and instead just muttered a 'goodbye Clara' very quietly.

Clara watched as Percy turned to walk away, but turned back towards her again, a nervous look on his face.

"Would you like to come home with me--erm--us?" Percy asked, averting his gaze. Clara could feel heat rushing to her cheeks as she too averted her gaze.

"I...I would not want to intrude." Clara said.

"Okay." Percy said quickly, spinning on his heels and marching down the corridor. A very stunned Clara stared at the spot Percy once stood in for a moment before she peeked around the corner of the window seat.

She saw Percy walking back towards her, this time a rather determined look on his face.

Clara watched him closely as she stopped before her, taking a deep breath before he spoke in a stern voice.

"Come home with me." Percy said. "P-please." He added, worrying his bottom lip. "I don't want you to be alone over the holidays, and my mum will be more than happy to have you. So please...go get your stuff and come with me Clara Delaunay."

Clara smiled. "Okay Percy Weasley."