Archive of Our Own ^beta

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Dear Oliver,

I am sending this parcel with Hermes to make it clear this is not fan mail, in hopes this gets delivered to you safely. I also figured any post you receive from other owls would most likely be tossed into a fire or ignited. Also, for some reason, Hermes seemed very adamant to pay you a visit.

Before you consider that idea, please try to read these words in its entirety. If you want to burn this letter afterwards, that is up to you (just don’t do that in front of Hermes, or he’ll nip your fingers off). Should you not favour the arrangement either, please re-home it. There must be someone you know who appreciates live greenery.

I know we have crossed paths a few times since the war ended, which has not warranted a chance to have a true conversation. Perhaps it is due to bad timing, considering the amount of work that still needs to be completed in order to rebuild the wizarding world. I am sure there is also just as much that needs to be done before Quidditch can be properly reinstated.

Given that our schedules never do not align, and I am uncertain when they will, I will go ahead and say what I need to.

I would like to extend my apologies for my appalling behaviour over the last couple years. I have been ignorant and selfish for pushing you away when I did not need to. You even told me about all the predicaments and corruption the Ministry had been devising, and I refused to listen. Everything you had mentioned unfortunately turned out to be true. By then, my chance to withdraw from such a treacherous organisation had well since passed.

What I am trying to say is…I’m sorry. I hurt you, and I said terrible things I didn’t mean when we last saw each other. And my silence to all of your previous letters over time wasn’t because I didn’t care. I just couldn’t answer them. I was sworn to not speak to anyone under Kingsley’s orders.

It’s a complicated matter to explain. Perhaps you will discover more details from the Prophet or the Minister himself in the coming days.

Making amends is only a small step I am trying to take. This does not atone for all the things I have done, but I do regret how I have treated those who once had any reason to endorse me. Letting you go was the most difficult thing I had to do. I still miss you so much.

I do not expect you to reply back, and I understand if you would prefer to keep the distance that has already been established. I wouldn’t blame you.

Take care of yourself, and send your family my best regards.

Sincerely,
Percy Weasley

Chapter Text

What the hell?! You berk! You should have said something sooner!

Percy,

I know a few days have passed, and I’ve only gotten around to writing back now. Hermes stuck around until I gave him a letter to deliver, so here we are.

I’ll need to pop by Eeylops’ if he’s going to pay more visits to the house though. That would give Katie and Alicia some peace of mind, since Hermes kept nicking biscuits and bacon from us during his stay. Glad to know he hasn’t broken that habit from school and he still likes me.

Anyway, it’s good to hear from you. The greenery you sent is currently displayed in a vase on the kitchen table. It makes the room feel a lot brighter, all things considered. Thanks for that.

If I know you well, I’m guessing you’re asking forgiveness. Consider yourself forgiven ages ago.

I might be a stubborn eejit who can hold grudges against people. But when it comes to you…Merlin, we were both right arses to each other. I shouldn’t have pushed your buttons and called you a coward. I also shouldn’t have left you on your own during a shite time.

So, I’m sorry too. I’m sorry about Fred. And I’m so sorry about everything else that happened.

If what Kingsley said in his press release is true (since I still don’t trust the Prophet), I don’t know where to start. The fact our wizarding government still exists thanks to all the things you did…fucking hell, I’m just glad you’re alive. You’re lucky. I don’t know what I would have done if anything happened to you.

I think you can figure out what I’m trying to say, especially with the foliage I sent along with Hermes.

If you want to talk or need anything, say the word. I mean it, Perce. I know you don’t like asking for help, and you feel like you need to deal with everything yourself. You don’t always have to carry that weight alone.

Since I’m at Hogwarts these days helping with restoration efforts, we could meet up in Hogsmeade. If you want more privacy, we can pick a Muggle place or bring takeaway back to the house.

Whatever works, just know my door is always open. I’ll leave the choice up to you, as along as we don’t go two years without talking ever again.

-Oliver

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Oliver,

You’re perfect. What I have done to deserve someone like you?

I have no idea what you are feeding Hermes, but he now perches himself on my kitchen counter, readily awaiting scraps every time I sit down for a meal. You have spoiled him rotten. Don’t deny it; you gave him bacon bits the last time you cooked a fry-up at my flat.

Speaking of which, I would like to thank you for the generosity you have extended over the last few weeks. You could spend your free time with anyone…your teammates, Katie, Alicia and the rest of the crew. Yet, you always choose to spend it with me.

You continue to travel to Muggle London, taking me to different bookshops, libraries and parks to keep my mind occupied, or else making delicious meals on days we stay in. Perhaps you are trying to spoil me too. You could never help yourself, could you?

I wish I knew why, but I am grateful we have managed to pick up where we last left off. Nothing has changed (even though so much has changed). You are still you, with your positive energy and wicked sense of humour.

Thank you for still sharing that, Ollie. I appreciate your willingness to stick around, even though you are not obligated to do so. Things would be far more difficult to navigate without your support and presence.

In other news, Kingsley has been kind enough to offer me paid leave. Similar to what you told me, he also agrees I should take a long deserved break. With all the Ministry employee trials completed as well, I have more free time than I know what to do with. You know I prefer to keep busy. Otherwise, I get lost in my head.

Perhaps the newfound time could be spent at the Burrow or helping George sort out things out at the joke shop. All of that is easier said than done, of course.

While I may be speaking to my family again, I admit it has been a struggle to know where I fit in. Lunches or dinners at the Burrow are somber at most. Mum gets teary-eyed when certain topics are mentioned, and Dad tries to be present when Kingsley and the Aurors are not looping him in on some of their Muggle-born Ministry cases.

My siblings though…I am at lost for words on what to say to them. While we have made small talk, that is as far as we have progressed. They are strangers, and I acknowledge that fault is on me. I also feel it is not my place to ask about their troubles or to offer advice. And I don’t know what to do or how to fix any of that.

Merlin, this has become a lengthy correspondence, and I may have gotten carried away.

I originally intended to express my gratitude, but maybe I should be honest and go beyond that. Honesty is something I need to improve on, and you are one of the most honest people I know.

You are also a person with the best interests at heart, someone who knows what others need even when they have not mentioned anything. You willingly lend a listening ear and your undivided attention without being asked.

If these qualities do not demonstrate good character, I am not sure what does. You must be rolling your eyes right now, but I am truly being candid here. What you have done for so many people (including myself) has not gone unnoticed.

Therefore, if you are willing to be treated for once, the Museum of Quidditch is currently running an exhibit featuring the evolution of broomstick models. I understand this is not quite as thrilling as watching or playing a game. However, since there is history and artefacts dating back to the time when the Ollerton brothers formed the Cleansweep Broom Company, perhaps that may pique your interest.

Should that be an amendable activity to book for the coming week, please let me know at your earliest convenience.

Best,
Percy

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Where do I start? What do I even say?

Katie and Alicia better be right about this…

Perce,

I hope Hermes isn’t offended I used a post office barn owl to send this parcel. I was going to send the arrangement on its own, but you probably would have been baffled and tossed it in the rubbish bin. Would have been a shame too, since the blooms are real bonnie.

While they say what they need to, they’re underwhelming compared to the long carefully wrapped parcel that was waiting for me after I got back from a Hogwarts shift the other day. Came with an anonymous printed note and no return address, I might add. Sponsors and broom manufacturers usually want their names to be known, and my agent is good with filtering post from fans and secret admirers.

If my instincts are right, they indicate you were most likely behind this unexpected surprise. I’ll admit it took me a while to put two and two together after I begged the girls and Benjy for some help. You’re quite charming, and I wouldn’t put it past you to go through connections or pull strings to get your hands on such a remarkable broom. You were also keen on chatting with that exhibit organiser at the Museum. The lad seemed to know loads about broom creation, regulations and the overall trade.

You realise the StarEdge isn’t on the market until later next month, right? I’m sure you ran your own spell diagnostics to make sure it was in perfect condition and safe to ride. It is, by the way. Best model I’ve ever owned that rides like a dream. I don’t know what more I could ask for except for you.

A thank you doesn’t cover what you’ve done for me. My Nimbus served me well before it shattered to pieces during the Battle. Even though we weren’t in contact during the war, you still remembered how much I loved that broom. How it got me through some of my most brutal matches as a reserve and first-string Keeper.

Losing that was like losing a part of myself. I’d like to think I’ve made do these past few months, and I know people think of flying as a privilege. For me, flying is a part of who I am. It’s what I was meant to do. The fact that you managed to get me a brand new broom just so I could fly again…

Sod it, we’re both terrible at this. I should have realised we’ve been wooing each other through letters, flowers and weekly meet-ups this whole time. I know we’ve never really talked about “us,” since we’re pants at addressing feelings.

But I’m going to be brave and say it…I fancy you. A lot. Since the end of seventh year, actually. If the past week was anything to go by with the glances and accidental hand brushing, it seems like you might feel the same.

I know we’ll both be at the Burrow in a couple days to celebrate Harry’s birthday. Maybe after that, we could talk? Not exactly there, since there may be prying eyes and ears around we’d like to avoid.

We could always choose another time and place if we need to. Only to talk, nothing else. You’re still my best mate, after all. I just want to make sure we’re on the same page so we don’t fuck things up again.

Let me know if that works, and hope to see you soon.

Yours,
Oliver

Chapter Text

Ollie,

I’m glad we didn’t need to do much to make up for lost time.

Kissing you is so much better than I imagined

If I have timed things correctly, you would have just returned from Wales when Hermes delivers this parcel to you. I hope everything went well with the Quidditch League, and that negotiations have progressed to prepare for an upcoming season. From the articles Seeker Weekly has published so far, the prospects look promising.

I assume the lack of letters or Howlers also means you left your StarEdge behind as promised. While I am glad the broom exceeds your expectations, it is a relief that neither of us needs to fabricate a vague explanation or cover-up story for bypassing standard protocols, at least for now. We may want to consider that idea though, should a sponsor or Randolph Spudmore himself gift StarEdges to Puddlemere, or if your teammates start asking questions.

Everything in London is the same as usual. You will be proud to know that I have continued on my daily walks. Kenwood House’s gardens have become a personal favourite of mine to seek tranquillity these days. And I have also started meeting up with Penny at the local bookshop around the corner.

She sends her best wishes, by the way. Penny is doing as well as one can expect, given everything she has endured. Her spirits seem much brighter than usual, though this may be because she found out you and I have been seeing each other on a weekly basis and she may have coerced me into spilling all the details. Did you know she has been waiting for years to see which of us would make the first move?

You always have been much braver than me. Nevertheless, you never once mentioned anything about romantic feelings until now. Or perhaps you were just as terrified as I was.

While I acknowledge I should have said something sooner, there never seemed to be a good time to do so. After all, we have been friends for years. Friends do not pine after each other. They don’t fantasise about what it would be like to push each other up against a wall and press their lips together. The amount of times I wished we had done all of that sooner though…

We are polar opposites, like night and day. It does not help that we both lead two different yet demanding careers. You are now a star Keeper and a well-known public figure with a fan base and media attention. I am just an ordinary politician with a complicated and questionable reputation, and I have done what I can to keep my head down.

Frankly, I had no idea if we even stood a chance, or if you would ever consider a relationship. Yet, out of the vast options you have available, you chose me as your partner. You keep choosing me. Sometimes, I feel like this is still a dream.

After rereading this letter now, as well as our previous correspondences, I must admit you are right about us. We are complete fools. If we had only bothered to delve deeper into our past, we would have realised this latest development was a long time coming.

Based on our last conversation (in a broomshed of all places), it means we have fancied each other since the end of our last school term. Ollie, that is four years! It seems like it has been longer than four years of admiring, wanting, and loving you, though. I have never felt this way about anyone else, and the possibility that the feelings are mutual…

I think I confessed enough on parchment already. This topic will be much easier to address in person, and I am certain there is still much more we need to discuss.

Are you still amenable to having me to stop by the house tomorrow? Let me know if there is a time that suits you best. I will even do the honours of making Rumbledethumps or a steak pie, which I know are some of your favourites. I look forward to welcoming you back with open arms, and perhaps more if you are willing.

With affection,
Percy