AN: Don't even ask. Useless one-shot with a weird coupling and a stupid ending. Oh yes, I know that it is probably impossible to sneak in and out of Grimmauld Place, but Hermione is smart, okay? She could find a way. Oh, and sorry if puncuation is screwed up. It got gibbled when I uploaded it and might not have caught it all on quick edit.

Disclaimer: Rich? Not so much. Therefore, not JR.

"Can I at least turn on the lights, Perc-"

"I like it better dark."

x.x.x

You are a bad person.

In fact, you are a horrible, slimy, back stabbing person who's putting love in front of loyalty.

Well actually, you aren't quite sure if it's love. At first you tricked yourself into believing it because you really want to be in love. You've heard couples around you just happily cooing those sickly little songs. Oh, how good to be in love!

It was just another thing you had missed out while you were dug into your studies.

Potions, Herbology, Transfiguration.

Why don't they teach you anything useful?

x.x.x

"Percy.."

"Yes, Hermione?"

"What are we?"

"Two people. Human beings."

"You know what I mean."

"No, not really."

"Honestly, Percy. I mean, are we boyfriend and girlfriend?"

"No."

"We're friends."

"Just.. friends"

"With benefits."

x.x.x

Then he kissed you. That's his answer to everything, really. You can hardly complain though- his kisses are nice.

At first, they were a little sloppy. You had a feeling he hadn't kissed anyone for a while. He got better though, and you defined him as a good kisser. Not that you would really know. You hadn't kissed anyone since Doug Phillips in the third grade, and that was because your friend dared you to.

No one is daring you to kiss him but maybe if someone was you wouldn't feel so guilty every time you did.

You've been feeling guilty for the past month now.

What kind of combination is it, you wonder. Guilt, bliss, secrets.

You'd imagine that this is what affairs are like.

So sweetly sour.

x.x.x

"This is wrong.."

"What?"

"This."

"I thought we had discussed it?"

"No, you just kissed me and ignored me."

"I didn't do that."

"Percy?"

"What?"

"What about your Mom and Dad?"

"Who?"

"You have to deal with it, sooner or later."

"I don't have to deal with anything."

x.x.x

There he goes. Again. With his stupid: 'I don't care' facade. Honestly. Give it up, boy.

You know he cares, somewhere in his heart even if he pretends he doesn't. Everyone has some emotion, even if very little. Not saying that he has little emotion or anything.

God.

You're babbling again. Brilliant.

Well you are brilliant. Usually. This probably isn't the smartest thing you have ever done, you know. Sneaking out ever so gently. You are amazed Sirius's mother hasn't been awoken by you. I guess that shows intelligence isn't the only thing you have going for you.
In addition, you have an amazing boyfriend.

Wait– make that friend. With benefits, remember?

Benefits my foot.

He knows it, he just doesn't want to admit it. Guys are so unopen to their feelings.

Look, he's kissing you again.

x.x.x

"Percy, I've had it. I can barely see you. I'm turning on the light."

"Hermione, no."

"Well, why not?"

"I told you, I like the dark."

"I want to be able to see your face.."

"Percy?"

"What?"

"Tell me the truth."

"God 'Mione, must you overdramatize everything?"

x.x.x

Do you? Overdramatize everything? Is it really so unreasonable that you want to see your boyfriend- you mean friend - in the light? Not in the darkness where you see just a faint shadow of him, illuminated from the outside lights? You don't think so, but then again you haven't ever really had experience in the boyfriend department.

Except for Viktor, but you aren't 100 if he was an actual boyfriend. It wasn't ever really confirmed even though in Ron's mind you two were practically betrothed. Ron was an odd one though.

You're straying off course again.

Is it silly, you wonder, to be with Percy? Was it just a little school girl crush and nothing more? You determinedly tell yourself no, though the sinking feeling in your stomach tells you the complete opposite.

You had to make sure.

So you turned on the light.

x.x.x

"What did you do that for?"

"I'm sorry! But I had to check.."

"Check what?"

"Would you at least look at me?"

"No.. the light hurts my eyes.."

"Liar."

"I beg your pardon?"

"You heard me the first time!"

"I am not a liar."

"No, just a traitor. And a horrible boyfriend."

"How many times have I told you? We're just friends with be-"

"Benefits? Yes, I know. And up until now I believed you."

x.x.x

At first he sounded angry but then, you realized, he just sounded ashamed.

Ashamed of what?

See, that is what baffled you at first. He was ashamed to be with you. He didn't want to turn on the light because that would mean he actually would have to see you and realize that he was kissing you. I mean, yes he realized but seeing you would make it all the more real.. he couldn't deny it. He couldn't pretend that he had imagined it all.

He was forced to face reality as you are now.

What were you thinking?

He abandoned his family, and you were snogging him? Ron was probably lying at home uncomfortably thrashing in his sleep and you were kissing his brother, the very one that he must hate with all his being.

Harry was sleeping miserably on Privet Drive isolated from everything and you were kissing the very person who was trying to help rid of him, alongside Fudge.

What on earth were you doing?

Perhaps the darkness had clouded your mind, as well as your vision.

You left Percy open mouthed and exited his shack of a house. You desperately wished you could create light with your wand but were reduced to the dimming street lamps which seemed as they could turn off at any time. You were used to the walk home alone, seeing as you never let Percy escort you back to Grimmauld place. You crossed the street and headed down a different path. You stopped briefly below a street lamp, wiping tears that managed to spill out of your eyes. The lamp seemed to lighten considerably as you stood below it and you sighed with relief, and wiped away your tears.

You missed the light, terribly.

x.x.x