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[icarus]

Drabble number four? I think it is. This one is for haku_kaen, who requested fluffy Harry/Percy, G through PG-13. I'm open for suggestions on the name. Nothing's jumping out at me for the moment.



Christmas Fluff
by Icarus



Christmas at the Burrow was even better than Hogwarts, Harry thought as he helped Ron with the dishes, drying a plate with a jet of hot air. The house smelled of gingerbread and pine, and the decorations were a little battered, but nonetheless cheerful.

It seemed every time Harry turned a corner, someone was whispering and wrapping -- walking into a pair of flying scissors was a definite hazard. The strings of singing holly-lights were slightly off-key, but they made up for it with enthusiasm. They really didn't match unfortunately. One in the sitting room chirped 'We Wish You A Happy Christmas,' while the kitchen set hummed a dismal 'O Come All Ye Faithful.' Ron put his fingers in his ears. But Harry rather liked them.

Besides, he was in a great mood, even for Christmas.

All through dinner Percy had carefully not looked at him, and when someone tries not to look at you, they end up glancing over quite a lot. Plus, he'd dropped his fork, forgot to put his napkin in his lap and poured gravy all over it, and then didn't hear anybody ask him to pass the salt. When they both reached for it at once, their hands had met over the table. Percy could turn as red as his hair.

Harry wiped away a little smile. He felt the weight of a gaze on him, and knew without turning around who it was.

"Harry…" Percy cleared his throat. "Do you need a -- need some help there?"

"Nah, we've got it," Ron said.

Shit. But it was probably better they didn't act like this in front of Ron. Even Ron would get suspicious eventually. Harry turned and shrugged with a helpless gesture.

Percy hovered in the doorway, glanced about carefully, and mouthed: "Later."

Harry said aloud, "I suppose we have it," as he nodded emphatically. His heart raced.

"You know, Harry," Ron observed, glancing after his brother. "Percy's been acting weird all night."

Yeah, it was probably a good thing Percy didn't help with the dishes. Harry waited on pins and needles for bedtime.

~*~*~

But it was really late before Ron was finally asleep, the covers rising and falling steadily. Harry crept along the dark hall past Fred and George's room and stood outside Percy's door. It occurred to him that he'd never even been in here before. He couldn't exactly knock.

"Psst. Percy…" he whispered. There wasn't a sound.

Harry glanced up and down the empty hall, the cheerful colours of the hand-woven rugs and homey pictures gone to tones of blue-grey in the dark. He decided he was invited so therefore… he turned the knob, which gave an excruciatingly loud click, and edged into Percy's room.

It was very dark, and it took Harry's eyes a moment to adjust. He had an impression of extreme neatness, a stark contrast to the clutter of Ron's room, and there Percy was, curled up around his pillow…

…fast asleep.



Finis.

Comments

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

I went back and forth about that ending. The story wanted to end there, though I originally had something else in mind. Finally I decided this was funnier (and more real).

Icarus

[ragnhildholm.livejournal.com]

Well, I think you made the right decision. It is more realistic this way, and originality is really something to look out for.