Breaking Protocol {Percy Weasley}

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Clara didn't know what she was expecting when she walked into Percy's room. She never really gave much thought on what the bedroom of someone like Percy would look like. Though, what she had stumbled upon certainly did not shock her.

Percy had a single sized bed tucked away in the corner of his small room, closet doors closed firmly at the foot of the bed. However, along the wholeness of the wall across from the bed stood two towering bookshelves packed with books of all different sizes. As if that wasn't enough books, Percy had many piles of more books stack on the floor by the shelves. Next to the bookshelves sat a rather tiny desk, stacks of papers piled on the surface.

Percy took a seat in the chair at his desk, watching Clara as she carefully picked her way over to Percy's bed and hesitantly sat down on it. It was surprisingly soft and the girl basically sunk into the mattress.

"What's the matter Percy? Is everything alright? Is Fred alright--?"

"Fred is fine." Percy said, waving off her concerns. "I just wanted to show you something." Percy leaned over, grabbing something from the side of his desk. Clara watched as the boy pulled out a large painting. He stood up, walking over and passing it to the girl.

Clara stared at the painting, or rather the portrait of Percy. "This is...amazing." Clara said, admiring the beautifully made image.

"That is what Penny sent me." Percy said, and Clara eyed him, unsure of why he was telling her this. "There is a hidden poem in the background, see." Percy pointed out the small white writing. He waited patiently as Clara read through the poem, watching as her expression changed from confused to concerned to saddened and then back to confused as she looked up at him.

"Why...Why are you showing me this." Clara asked. Percy took the painting from her hands, moving to sit back in his chair and placing the painting back where he had gotten it from.

"You looked rather concerned when Penny sent me a package, so I figured I would show it to you." Percy said casually. Clara sighed, starting to get up from his bed. "I sent her a letter." Percy said, and Clara gave the boy a look.

"That's great, Percy." Clara said, getting to her feet. "Well, if that's all, Charlie promised to tell Michelle and I more about Romania and dragons." She just about reached the bedroom door when Percy blurted something that sent Clara's heart hammering in her chest.

"I don't love her."

Clara turned to look at Percy with wide eyes, waiting for him to explain his reasoning as to why he was telling her these things. Her hands began to shake and she shoved them into the pocket of her jeans as she stood before Percy. While Clara thought that her heart may burst, Percy looked relatively calm in his office chair.

"I sent her a letter, telling her that what we had is now over. I still love her...as a friend." Percy was saying. His nerves must have just caught up with him because his face grew pink as he looked away from Clara, fiddling with his hands.

And Clara stood there, dumbfounded.

"What...What are you trying to say, Percy?" She asked. Percy sighed, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

"I...what I'm trying to...look, Clara." Percy sighed heavily, bringing himself to look at Clara. "I know I really screwed things up. I never meant to hurt you...I didn't want to loose you. Penny...she...she and I had a history. Something I didn't end very well. I mean, I wasn't clear enough and Penny...she got confused, you see. And she thought that things were still the way they once were when her and I..." Percy's face reddened. "Well you know about that bit." Percy sighed again. "Can you please sit down?" He asked. "It's awkward with you just standing there like you're going to leave any minute."