Weasleys Stick Together
a Harry Potter story
by Lady_Gallatea_Ravenclaw
Percy Weasley snuffled thickly into his handkerchief, trying to hold back the sneezes threatening his sinuses. He had caught a cold the day before, when Fred and George had enchanted some snowballs to attack him. Snow had soaked everywhere, and by the time he had escaped the cold and his brothers, he was chilled through. No doubt the reason why he had caught such a miserable ailment like a head cold. Especially during Christmas.
He was hiding up in his dormitory, the only safe place he had from the twins. Too tired and sick to read, he was curled up in his blankets, miserably clutching a sodden handkerchief. He wanted company, like his mum used to give him as a child, but couldn't get himself to crawl out of his warm bed and ask his little brothers to come up. And it wasn't like they cared very much.
The twins tormented him night and day, especially since he became a prefect. And Ron never cared for him much, more so since he became friends with the famous Harry Potter. No doubt they were up to all sorts of mischief in his absence. If only Bill, Charlie, or even Ginny were there.
Bill would always come to spend time with him, letting him curl up next to his big brother, while Bill read from Percy's favorite books. Percy looked up to Bill, being an intelligent and loving individual. Charlie was always there to cheer him up with some odd story about their parents, siblings, and childhood. And he knew how to make the perfect soothing tea. Ginny, his sweet sister would simply hug him and talk to him quietly about the antics she got up to. Somehow, she knew how to take his mind off his misery and focus on something nice.
But they weren't there. Bill and Charlie were busy working and Ginny was still at home with his parents. And he was stuck here with the three siblings that liked him the least.
Percy sniffled thickly and blew his nose. He wanted soup, tea, and company most of all. All his dorm mates were gone, making him the oldest person in the tower. Great.
After some time of wallowing, Percy got up to use the restroom. He pulled on his Weasley jumper, a robe, and slippers-stowing handkerchiefs in the pockets, just in case-and trudged wearily downstairs. Slightly out of breath once he hit the landing, he saw the twins whispering conspiratorially in the corner, and Ron and Harry playing chess by the fire.
Percy went to the bathroom, did his business, and started back for his room. Neither of the pairs had moved and, feeling invisible, Percy went to the staircase. Unfortunately, his nose alerted his siblings of his presence.
"Hih-hih-HIITSHOO! HATSHOOO! HIIITSHOOO!" Percy sneezed into his handkerchief.
"Percy, you okay?" Ron asked, coming over to him, ignoring the game of chess. Harry followed uncertainly.
"Yeah, I'b fide," Percy said thickly. He knew he didn't sound fine.
"You don't sound fine, big brother," Fred-or was it George? -said, patting him on the shoulder.
Percy blew his nose to sound clearer. "Itd's just a cold." But he still sounded awful.
"Come on, Perce," the other twin suggested, pushing his brother to an armchair by the fire. "Sit down. We'll get you some soup and tea. You'll feel better in no time."
Before he could protest, Fred and George had disappeared out the portrait hole. Sighing, Percy let Ron guide him the rest of the way to the chair and sat down. He shivered slightly, even by the roaring fire, and Ron noticed it.
"Hey Harry, sit with Percy for a second. I'm going to get his blanket and pillow. Make sure he doesn't leave," Ron requested his friend.
Ron smirked knowingly at his older brother and dashed upstairs. Harry looked a tad confused, but did as Ron asked, anyway.
"Rodn, dnows by probensidy for hidig away whend I'b sig," Percy explained thickly and hoarsely. He tried to clear his throat, but the lump would not budge.
"That's okay, I know the feeling," Harry confessed quietly. Percy raised an eyebrow at that, but let the matter drop. There was more than Harry was telling.
A silence fell on the pair, but Ron's big feet thumped down the stairs as he made his reappearance. Without a word, the youngest male Weasley settled the pillow behind Percy's back and draped his thick duvet over his knees.
"Thaks Rond," Percy croaked.
Ron's ears turned red as he looked at his shoes. "Eh, don't worry about it."
At that moment, the twins entered, quietly for once. Fred brought the soup and put it on a table next to Percy's elbow, and George gave him a cup of tea.
"I made sure the house elves put honey in it," he commented.
Percy took a sip and sent a grateful look to his brothers. They smiled and sat down near him. Harry looked uncomfortable at the family moment and stuttered an excuse about a project he had to work on, and ran off. Ron, looked a tad upset at shutting Harry out, but shrugged it off. His brother was important too.
Percy yawned, finally feeling sleepy from the warmth of tea and his brothers' company. His head lolled on his shoulder, ready to nod off.
A whispered voice, however, kept him awake. "How're you feeling Percy?" George asked concernedly.
Percy groaned and coughed miserably into a handkerchief. Ron winced, "That bad, huh?"
"When did you feel sick?" Fred asked, as worried as his twin.
"Yestderday evendig," Percy croaked. "HEHSHOO! HIITSHOOO! HUUHTTSHOO!"
After he had blown his nose, he saw the twins looking incredibly guilty. "Oh, sorry Perce. We didn't mean to get you sick. We were just trying to get you in the Christmas spirit!" one of the twins exclaimed. He was getting too tired to tell the difference anymore.
"Itd's fide. You're here dow," Percy waved away the apology. He coughed lightly and yawned again.
"You sound tired," Ron said, standing up. "Let's get you to bed so you can sleep. If you aren't better when you wake up, though, we're taking you to Madam Pomfrey."
Percy weakly nodded, too sick to protest anymore. He let Ron gather up his things, while Fred and George helped him upstairs. The three young Weasleys tucked him into bed, making sure he was comfortable and well stocked with handkerchiefs and liquids.
Nodding off, Percy barely noticed that the twins sat on Oliver Wood's bed and Ron went to fetch a cool cloth for his head. Apparently, he had a fever.
When Ron settled the cold softness on his throbbing temples, Percy dazedly asked, "Why?"
And Ron answered, with the twins nodding in agreement, "Because Weasleys stick together."
Week #88 (Fandom Bunny): Percy Weasley is sick and some of his siblings try to take care of him, however difficult that may be.