[HP Spring Fling 2011] A Clean Sweep - A gift for the community
Title: A Clean Sweep
Author: lady_green_bat
Recipient: hp_spring_fling
Pairing(/s): Katie/Percy; Angelina/George
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 2151
Warnings: brief mention of a drunk teenager
Summary: Percy wants to do something nice for his mother's birthday, but he's more than a little domestically challenged. A family friend ends up challenging him as well, but towards a very different goal.
Author's Notes: This was honestly a struggle to write but I'm happy with how it turned out. Please don't judge my terrible title too harshly; it originated with thinking a play on words or a pun would be cute, hrrm.
Percy Weasley sighed, deeply and with resignation.
It was a rather lovely day outside the Burrow. Sections of bright blue waved above like rippling water as it peeked through an opaque configuration of clouds. Sunlight fell in several large dappled spots on the open lawn, the heat made bearable by a steady breeze scented of dry grass and the blooming bougainvillea that climbed with impunity over fence and wall alike. George and Angelina were out there now, entertaining several vacationing school mates come to see the eight month old addition, their small family lately returned from a sojourn in Barbados.
Inside the Burrow things weren't nearly as calm or pastoral.
Chocolate cake batter dripped off practically every surface, dribbling down the crowded shelves full of boxed cereals and tin containers pushed into whatever space could hold them rather than neatly stacked as their owner would have originally wished; thick clumps covered the images of his parents on the clock, the long hands proclaiming Molly and Arthur as 'Out'; (Ginny was 'Out' as well but Percy preferred not to think of what his little sister was doing with Harry Potter at the moment, unlike his feelings towards his mother and father and their much deserved trip to the continent). His once pristine, snow white apron was a mess of colossal proportions and his curly hair was sticky with his own gastronomic creation. The Junior Assistant to the Minister of Magie reached up to slide his smeared spectacles off his nose. He had failed. Again.
When Charlie and Bill had pooled resources to send Mum and Father on a second honeymoon they had thoroughly outdid every other gift and gesture of gratitude or love any other Weasley child could hope to deliver Molly on the celebration of the occasion of her birth. Percy too wanted to deliver a meaningful, heartfelt expression-and not just throw around Galleons around like some people-and had decided upon, of all unlikely and unPercy things, finally learning how to bake for his mother. Unfortunately his natural talents lay in other forms of magic and Percy had been making a right disgrace of the aforementioned Molly Weasley's beloved kitchen. Perfecting her recipe was more work than it had originally seemed.
"Scourgify."
Percy stumbled backwards, unprepared for the Charm that hit his torso or the slight stinging sensation that went with it as every bit of chocolate-and any other particle of dirt that may have been hanging about-was pulled cleanly off cloth and flesh. His cheeks were rosy as he looked to the kitchen threshold, and not only due to the harsh brush of the Charm. Katie Bell was chuckling at him.
"Blimey Percy, what are you playing at here?"
"I am not playing," he began. Which only made her laugh harder. Percy sighed and replaced his glasses. "I thank you though." He had heard her voice intermingling with that of the others outside but hadn't taken the time for greetings. The former Gryffindors were converging on Ottery St. Catchpole for one reason, and to see their former Head Boy was not it. "It's good to see you Katie. It's been a while."
"It has."
She looked very well in her red jumper and trousers, hair pulled back. . .Percy cleared his throat and rummaged for his wand tucked into the apron pocket. "What brings you inside? I should have thought everyone would be occupied with teaching Fred words bound to turn his mother's hair grey." That brought another chuckle and Percy smiled. Katie had always been so free with her laughter, her humour.
"I'm sure that's George's intention," Katie stepped carefully into the room. "We heard your little crash out there but I had to come see for myself that everything was fine. Looks like you could use a hand, yeah?"
"Oh no, no," Percy shook his head and spoke before he thought. "I have it all under control." As if even the Gods were conspiring against him, a large mound of confection took that precise moment to fall from the ceiling to land directly at Percy's feet. It figured. Those words were rather similar to what he had last spoken to the woman-then, a girl-and he felt his lips tighten. Katie tilted her head, wand still hanging from her lovely, long fingers, and smiled softly.
"You always did."
"I hate 'em, the whole bloody lot! An' if they e'en step one foot outta line I'm goin' ta throw 'em ta the bleedin' squid! Aye, see how happy they are affer that!"
Percy bolted upright off his chair and stared aghast at the spectacle of his twin brothers and Kate Bell practically carrying in a very inebriated Oliver Wood. The words 'Fifty points from Gryffindor!' were prepared to be launched from his tongue and he was already planning the letter he would compose for Professor McGonagall when all three completely sober Quidditch players immediately jumped to their captain's defence.
"It's not his fault!"
Well Percy could hardly believe that and he cast an accusing eye on Fred and George, for the first time thankful that he'd been the sole occupant of the Common Room this time of night. "If you think I'll believe the two of you forced him to consume one too many butterbeers-"
"It wasn't us, Princely," the twins had grinned, finishing each other's thoughts like always. The group was moving en mass towards the couch, but Percy blocked their way. The identical beaters shrugged and dropped their portion of the heavier, broader captain into Percy's akimbo arms. "It was her!" Laughter and a blushing Katie was all Percy was left with as the twins raced up to the boy's dormitory. He angrily shushed Oliver, who had begun to rail against the injustices of class work taking up valuable time better spent out on the pitch, then turned to the heretofore quiet girl for explanation. She tried to look away then finally sighed, adjusting her grip on Oliver's waist. Nothing about the situation was in any way proper! They were all riding the edge of curfew, and how had the threesome ever managed to drag Oliver back to Gryffindor House without any of the monitors seeing them? Mostly, Percy wanted to know how sweet, kind, Katie Bell had got herself wrapped up in all of this-though if it concerned Oliver at all he could grudgingly believe she was involved. He didn't like to think about how close she was to certain places on Wood's body, but Percy forced himself to push those thoughts aside. Katie was friends with Fred and George. He was their brother. That was all Percy would ever be to the brunette.
"Oh Percy," she sighed again, tossing him a crooked grin. "I didn't think a drop or two of Fire Whiskey would effect him like this-"
"Fire Whiskey!" How could she freely admit handling alcohol on Hogwarts grounds?
"Only a little to calm him down! He's been a harridan all week over the next Slytherin match, surely you of all people have noticed." Being that Percy shared a room with the blighter, yes, he had. "So yeah, I slipped him some." She seemed to peruse Oliver's distracted mug and Percy had to forcibly ignore the insane flutter of jealously it aroused. It wasn't as if he would ever say anything to the girl; she was far too young for one thing and Percy would never hear the end of it from Fred and George if he did-
"Percy?"
He blinked and swallowed, seeing that the chaser had caught him staring, and demanded his own face remain neutral. . .which was hard when Katie's Bell's perfectly lovely large eyes had dropped to his own mouth. No. No, she hadn't, couldn't.
Percy was not inexperienced when it came to the tender feelings of the opposite sex. He'd dated Penelope on and off for years and had kissed her quite a bit to satisfactory results. Once he'd even touched the shape of her breast through her thoroughly feminine rose pink bra-
"Ten points from Gryffindor," he said succinctly, hefting Oliver up and taking the captain's weight off of Katie's slighter frame.
"Percy I'm-" But he didn't want to listen and instead started pulling Oliver in the direction of the staircase.
"I have him Katie, it's fine. I have everything under control."
"Ummm. . .Percy, do you even know what this is?" He looked over to where the brunette stood beside the now open broom cupboard and mused momentarily over Katie's stubbornness. Her shoulders were slightly rolled, after so many years hunched over flying, but her back was straight and that jumper seemed to cling to every curve. She had dashed off a few cleaning charms as Percy busied himself, lost in thought by the sink, and now he rather wished he'd been paying closer attention.
"Of course I do Katie," he evaded, pointing his wand and setting several dishes scrub. "It's a broom."
"Bollocks! Don't be obtuse. It's a Cleansweep Five is what it is!" Katie approached with the relic in her hands, confusion on her brow. "Gwendolyn Morgan used to fly one of these with the Harpies. Whatever is it doing in Molly's broom cupboard?" Percy stared down at the battered piece of wood and straw, then glanced at Katie's earnest face before removing his apron and setting it aside.
"It's not nearly as famous as all that," he cleared his throat once again and glanced out the back window. The happy little family was still the center of attention, laughter and broad smiles the meal of the day. "Mother likes to have it nearby without upsetting George. It was Fred's broom. From school." There was a light indrawn breath. Percy nodded, focusing on some charms of his own. He didn't want to break the clock after all.
"Without upsetting George?" He turned back, caught off guard by her sharper tone. The expression on her face. . .why did she watch him as if she were addressing an adolescent Nargle? With a shake of her head, Katie tested the broom once, twice, in her hand, then passed it over to Percy. He had never had much time for flying, never really liked it or saw much point in doing it himself, but he held this particular one with care and walked back over towards the assortment of other cleaning supplies. Katie's voice once again had him turning around.
"George is tougher than you all suppose him to be."
Merlin, he really didn't want to get into this with her of all people at the moment. Of all the things he had wanted to do with Katie Bell should she ever come to the Burrow with the intention of seeing him, this was low on the list indeed. He stiffened his jaw and inexplicably that seemed to make her laugh. Was that it then? Was he always going to be a bloody joke to her? Percy was forming a retort when she followed him, moving to place a warm hand on his forearm.
"I think he'd really like to see that Percy. Being a Da and all-that is rather odd to say about George isn't it!-Being a Da, I think he'd like to share some happy memories with his son. With friends."
He didn't say anything at first, and after a moment of mutual staring, waiting, Katie resignedly stepped back. She pocketed her wand and once again moved out into the sunshine. Percy stayed behind, eyes glancing from he chocolate that still peppered the ceiling and exposed beams in the kitchen, to the memory held in his hands. It still thrummed.
Maybe George wasn't the only one who could be strong? Who was strong?
The breeze had picked up but the sun still shone in waving puddles on the Weasley lawn, and as he approached Percy was surprised but pleased to hear so many greetings. Alicia and Dean, Seamus and Lee, others as well: all waved or called out to him as he walked down to where George and Angelina sat, baby Fred squealing in his father's arms. He saw Katie grin and Percy grinned back, his brother's old broom resting on his shoulder.
"George I-See what I came across while cleaning. . ."
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Author: lady_green_bat
Recipient: hp_spring_fling
Pairing(/s): Katie/Percy; Angelina/George
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 2151
Warnings: brief mention of a drunk teenager
Summary: Percy wants to do something nice for his mother's birthday, but he's more than a little domestically challenged. A family friend ends up challenging him as well, but towards a very different goal.
Author's Notes: This was honestly a struggle to write but I'm happy with how it turned out. Please don't judge my terrible title too harshly; it originated with thinking a play on words or a pun would be cute, hrrm.
Percy Weasley sighed, deeply and with resignation.
It was a rather lovely day outside the Burrow. Sections of bright blue waved above like rippling water as it peeked through an opaque configuration of clouds. Sunlight fell in several large dappled spots on the open lawn, the heat made bearable by a steady breeze scented of dry grass and the blooming bougainvillea that climbed with impunity over fence and wall alike. George and Angelina were out there now, entertaining several vacationing school mates come to see the eight month old addition, their small family lately returned from a sojourn in Barbados.
Inside the Burrow things weren't nearly as calm or pastoral.
Chocolate cake batter dripped off practically every surface, dribbling down the crowded shelves full of boxed cereals and tin containers pushed into whatever space could hold them rather than neatly stacked as their owner would have originally wished; thick clumps covered the images of his parents on the clock, the long hands proclaiming Molly and Arthur as 'Out'; (Ginny was 'Out' as well but Percy preferred not to think of what his little sister was doing with Harry Potter at the moment, unlike his feelings towards his mother and father and their much deserved trip to the continent). His once pristine, snow white apron was a mess of colossal proportions and his curly hair was sticky with his own gastronomic creation. The Junior Assistant to the Minister of Magie reached up to slide his smeared spectacles off his nose. He had failed. Again.
When Charlie and Bill had pooled resources to send Mum and Father on a second honeymoon they had thoroughly outdid every other gift and gesture of gratitude or love any other Weasley child could hope to deliver Molly on the celebration of the occasion of her birth. Percy too wanted to deliver a meaningful, heartfelt expression-and not just throw around Galleons around like some people-and had decided upon, of all unlikely and unPercy things, finally learning how to bake for his mother. Unfortunately his natural talents lay in other forms of magic and Percy had been making a right disgrace of the aforementioned Molly Weasley's beloved kitchen. Perfecting her recipe was more work than it had originally seemed.
"Scourgify."
Percy stumbled backwards, unprepared for the Charm that hit his torso or the slight stinging sensation that went with it as every bit of chocolate-and any other particle of dirt that may have been hanging about-was pulled cleanly off cloth and flesh. His cheeks were rosy as he looked to the kitchen threshold, and not only due to the harsh brush of the Charm. Katie Bell was chuckling at him.
"Blimey Percy, what are you playing at here?"
"I am not playing," he began. Which only made her laugh harder. Percy sighed and replaced his glasses. "I thank you though." He had heard her voice intermingling with that of the others outside but hadn't taken the time for greetings. The former Gryffindors were converging on Ottery St. Catchpole for one reason, and to see their former Head Boy was not it. "It's good to see you Katie. It's been a while."
"It has."
She looked very well in her red jumper and trousers, hair pulled back. . .Percy cleared his throat and rummaged for his wand tucked into the apron pocket. "What brings you inside? I should have thought everyone would be occupied with teaching Fred words bound to turn his mother's hair grey." That brought another chuckle and Percy smiled. Katie had always been so free with her laughter, her humour.
"I'm sure that's George's intention," Katie stepped carefully into the room. "We heard your little crash out there but I had to come see for myself that everything was fine. Looks like you could use a hand, yeah?"
"Oh no, no," Percy shook his head and spoke before he thought. "I have it all under control." As if even the Gods were conspiring against him, a large mound of confection took that precise moment to fall from the ceiling to land directly at Percy's feet. It figured. Those words were rather similar to what he had last spoken to the woman-then, a girl-and he felt his lips tighten. Katie tilted her head, wand still hanging from her lovely, long fingers, and smiled softly.
"You always did."
"I hate 'em, the whole bloody lot! An' if they e'en step one foot outta line I'm goin' ta throw 'em ta the bleedin' squid! Aye, see how happy they are affer that!"
Percy bolted upright off his chair and stared aghast at the spectacle of his twin brothers and Kate Bell practically carrying in a very inebriated Oliver Wood. The words 'Fifty points from Gryffindor!' were prepared to be launched from his tongue and he was already planning the letter he would compose for Professor McGonagall when all three completely sober Quidditch players immediately jumped to their captain's defence.
"It's not his fault!"
Well Percy could hardly believe that and he cast an accusing eye on Fred and George, for the first time thankful that he'd been the sole occupant of the Common Room this time of night. "If you think I'll believe the two of you forced him to consume one too many butterbeers-"
"It wasn't us, Princely," the twins had grinned, finishing each other's thoughts like always. The group was moving en mass towards the couch, but Percy blocked their way. The identical beaters shrugged and dropped their portion of the heavier, broader captain into Percy's akimbo arms. "It was her!" Laughter and a blushing Katie was all Percy was left with as the twins raced up to the boy's dormitory. He angrily shushed Oliver, who had begun to rail against the injustices of class work taking up valuable time better spent out on the pitch, then turned to the heretofore quiet girl for explanation. She tried to look away then finally sighed, adjusting her grip on Oliver's waist. Nothing about the situation was in any way proper! They were all riding the edge of curfew, and how had the threesome ever managed to drag Oliver back to Gryffindor House without any of the monitors seeing them? Mostly, Percy wanted to know how sweet, kind, Katie Bell had got herself wrapped up in all of this-though if it concerned Oliver at all he could grudgingly believe she was involved. He didn't like to think about how close she was to certain places on Wood's body, but Percy forced himself to push those thoughts aside. Katie was friends with Fred and George. He was their brother. That was all Percy would ever be to the brunette.
"Oh Percy," she sighed again, tossing him a crooked grin. "I didn't think a drop or two of Fire Whiskey would effect him like this-"
"Fire Whiskey!" How could she freely admit handling alcohol on Hogwarts grounds?
"Only a little to calm him down! He's been a harridan all week over the next Slytherin match, surely you of all people have noticed." Being that Percy shared a room with the blighter, yes, he had. "So yeah, I slipped him some." She seemed to peruse Oliver's distracted mug and Percy had to forcibly ignore the insane flutter of jealously it aroused. It wasn't as if he would ever say anything to the girl; she was far too young for one thing and Percy would never hear the end of it from Fred and George if he did-
"Percy?"
He blinked and swallowed, seeing that the chaser had caught him staring, and demanded his own face remain neutral. . .which was hard when Katie's Bell's perfectly lovely large eyes had dropped to his own mouth. No. No, she hadn't, couldn't.
Percy was not inexperienced when it came to the tender feelings of the opposite sex. He'd dated Penelope on and off for years and had kissed her quite a bit to satisfactory results. Once he'd even touched the shape of her breast through her thoroughly feminine rose pink bra-
"Ten points from Gryffindor," he said succinctly, hefting Oliver up and taking the captain's weight off of Katie's slighter frame.
"Percy I'm-" But he didn't want to listen and instead started pulling Oliver in the direction of the staircase.
"I have him Katie, it's fine. I have everything under control."
"Ummm. . .Percy, do you even know what this is?" He looked over to where the brunette stood beside the now open broom cupboard and mused momentarily over Katie's stubbornness. Her shoulders were slightly rolled, after so many years hunched over flying, but her back was straight and that jumper seemed to cling to every curve. She had dashed off a few cleaning charms as Percy busied himself, lost in thought by the sink, and now he rather wished he'd been paying closer attention.
"Of course I do Katie," he evaded, pointing his wand and setting several dishes scrub. "It's a broom."
"Bollocks! Don't be obtuse. It's a Cleansweep Five is what it is!" Katie approached with the relic in her hands, confusion on her brow. "Gwendolyn Morgan used to fly one of these with the Harpies. Whatever is it doing in Molly's broom cupboard?" Percy stared down at the battered piece of wood and straw, then glanced at Katie's earnest face before removing his apron and setting it aside.
"It's not nearly as famous as all that," he cleared his throat once again and glanced out the back window. The happy little family was still the center of attention, laughter and broad smiles the meal of the day. "Mother likes to have it nearby without upsetting George. It was Fred's broom. From school." There was a light indrawn breath. Percy nodded, focusing on some charms of his own. He didn't want to break the clock after all.
"Without upsetting George?" He turned back, caught off guard by her sharper tone. The expression on her face. . .why did she watch him as if she were addressing an adolescent Nargle? With a shake of her head, Katie tested the broom once, twice, in her hand, then passed it over to Percy. He had never had much time for flying, never really liked it or saw much point in doing it himself, but he held this particular one with care and walked back over towards the assortment of other cleaning supplies. Katie's voice once again had him turning around.
"George is tougher than you all suppose him to be."
Merlin, he really didn't want to get into this with her of all people at the moment. Of all the things he had wanted to do with Katie Bell should she ever come to the Burrow with the intention of seeing him, this was low on the list indeed. He stiffened his jaw and inexplicably that seemed to make her laugh. Was that it then? Was he always going to be a bloody joke to her? Percy was forming a retort when she followed him, moving to place a warm hand on his forearm.
"I think he'd really like to see that Percy. Being a Da and all-that is rather odd to say about George isn't it!-Being a Da, I think he'd like to share some happy memories with his son. With friends."
He didn't say anything at first, and after a moment of mutual staring, waiting, Katie resignedly stepped back. She pocketed her wand and once again moved out into the sunshine. Percy stayed behind, eyes glancing from he chocolate that still peppered the ceiling and exposed beams in the kitchen, to the memory held in his hands. It still thrummed.
Maybe George wasn't the only one who could be strong? Who was strong?
The breeze had picked up but the sun still shone in waving puddles on the Weasley lawn, and as he approached Percy was surprised but pleased to hear so many greetings. Alicia and Dean, Seamus and Lee, others as well: all waved or called out to him as he walked down to where George and Angelina sat, baby Fred squealing in his father's arms. He saw Katie grin and Percy grinned back, his brother's old broom resting on his shoulder.
"George I-See what I came across while cleaning. . ."
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