Whoops, this will probably be longer than expected.
***
Since coming to Britain, Percival's mental list of 'Things That Are Very Strange in This Country' grew day by day.
First had been how traditional the wizards in Britain seemed to dress. At first he had assumed it was just the school uniforms, designed to try and ingrain young minds with a sense of history. His first trip to Hogsmeade ended that thought.
Then there was the language. Weren't they supposed to speak English in Britain? Even among themselves they couldn't seem to decide on the correct terms. He had been witness to a terrifying debate about whether 'tea' was actually an evening meal or a lunch with cake and sandwiches. ("I thought tea was a drink?" He had asked one of his friends. They simply shrugged, equally baffled.)
That wasn't even starting on the ongoing feud over the proper term for a bread roll. The tree visiting schools quickly learned not to ask, lest they start another furious argument.
The list went on, and eventually Percival had learned to simply go along with the madness when the stairs moved on their own or a poltergeist (the sworn enemy of Theseus) egged the entirety of Beaux Baton's table.
But this, this topped his list.
"Centaurs," He said, utterly dead pan, " You have Centaurs, living on school grounds, and they're going to be part of the second trial?"
Newt shrugged at him.
"They were here first."
Percival buried his face in his hands and groaned, wishing that he hadn't worked out the riddle left in the golden apple he's won in the first trial, or even been named the first champion from Illvermony.
"You don't have to worry though! Centaurs are jsut proud creatures, but they're really quite caring and gentle-"
A look from Percival cut him off.
"Well, they are if you give them the proper respect, which I imagine the other champions aren't planning on doing, which is why you,ll be the one to win this task."
As often happened, he couldn't help the smile that came with being in the younger Scamander's presence.
"Will I now? And why is that?"
The 15 year old leaned in conspiratorially, seemingly gleeful with his plan.
"Because I befriended the Centaurs in my second year" He said "And I'll teach you to do the same so when the time comes, they'll let you pass right by with the prize without needing to use your wand once."
***
Newt's lessons soon became a regular fixture in Percival's evenings, much like the younger boy, and his brother, had become a part of Percival's life just a few days after he arrived at Hogwarts.
He had met Theseus first, hard to miss him after all, when they had both gone to put their names in the Goblet.
It had ended badly; Bloodied noses and a trip to the medical wing badly.
Then he had come across Newt, or rather, the group of 6th years tormenting Newt who found themselves with a rather nasty boils hex hanging over them for the next week.
The younger boy had blushed and stammered his way through a thank you, and remained silent as Percival insisted on seeing him back to his dorm room. That was, until the topic of magical creatures came up, and suddenly Newt had come to life, eager to share everything he knew, even if that meant finding Percival at breakfast to finish their conversation.
It would seem all someone had to do to earn Theseus Scamander's respect and friendship was to be kind to his baby brother, as he soon found he had both Scamander's doggedly following him throughout his day and insinuating themselves into his life with a stubbornness he couldn't hope to fend off. Soon, he found himself looking forward to studying across from Newt and, Merlin help him, encouraging Theseus in his, now, two man war against Peeves. It was...pleasant, to say the least. He wouldn't describe himself as a loner, but true loyalty didn't come easy to him, not like it had with Theseus. He shocked himself when the words 'best friend' slipped from his tongue just weeks after their meeting. Yet, the speed with which they had learned everything about each other and gained a strange synchronisation didn't cancel out the fact that this was closest he'd allowed anyone in a long time.
And Newt...
Well, it was for the best Theseus never knew of the way Percival thought about Newt, or he may have been far less willing to work together in the first task.
("Without question, Newt is the most precious, greatest thing in my life." He had told Percival once, while they both recovered in the medical wing from an ill-planned spell. "No one else can have him, they have to prove themselves to me. With blood."
"Didn't you curse all his shirts to glitter last week?"
"With blood, Percival."
He had laughed it off until his friend had presented him with a list of trials any potential suitors would have to complete.)
And yet, Newt had made himself a place in Percival's affections much like his brother had. Beneath the blushes and frankly adorable eyes, he had a strength that left Percival breathless. Any ideas he'd had about being Newt's protector were quickly dispelled after he saw what the younger boy did the Drumstrang students who mistreated their bowtruckle.
The bowtruckle, now named Pickett, lived happily in Newt's robes, and the Drumstrang students had absolutely nothing to say on losing their pet.
Every time Newt showed these little moments of steel, or shared a fraction of his seemingly endless knowledge of creatures, Percival felt himself fall a little harder. And now, as Newt went over the correct way to approach the Centaur's leader, he had to remind himself exactly why leaning over and kissing those fast working lips was a terrible idea.
"Remember, respect is the key, treat them like you would a human and acknowledge that it's their territory and- Percy?"
He snapped out of his reverie to see Newt close, eyes full of concern as he leaned in with his, oh Merlin, tie hanging loose and shirt unbuttoned enough to allow him to take in the lovely, pale neck and sharp collar bone.
Interrogation under the influence of Veritaserum, that was one of Theseus' trials. Focus.
"Are you alright? You seem very drowsy." Newt asked, his usual compassion in every sound.
"Yes, yes, quite alright. Just tired." He cleared his throat and edged back. Dragons, he was sure he'd seen dragons on the list. "You must be as well, between teaching me and Theseus on the Centaurs."
"I'm not teaching Theseus, actually. He can try and figure it out himself." Newt said, looking away briefly. "He's doing his silly caveman act again, with the Yule ball coming up. As though anyone would want to ask me anyway. No, he can try finish the task his way, but you are going to win it."
Percival smiled in response. "He won't like that, I imagine."
Just like he wouldn't like how close his best friend and little brother were, arms brushing against each other.
Re: Fill: How Strange the Brave 1/?
***
Since coming to Britain, Percival's mental list of 'Things That Are Very Strange in This Country' grew day by day.
First had been how traditional the wizards in Britain seemed to dress. At first he had assumed it was just the school uniforms, designed to try and ingrain young minds with a sense of history. His first trip to Hogsmeade ended that thought.
Then there was the language.
Weren't they supposed to speak English in Britain? Even among themselves they couldn't seem to decide on the correct terms. He had been witness to a terrifying debate about whether 'tea' was actually an evening meal or a lunch with cake and sandwiches.
("I thought tea was a drink?" He had asked one of his friends. They simply shrugged, equally baffled.)
That wasn't even starting on the ongoing feud over the proper term for a bread roll. The tree visiting schools quickly learned not to ask, lest they start another furious argument.
The list went on, and eventually Percival had learned to simply go along with the madness when the stairs moved on their own or a poltergeist (the sworn enemy of Theseus) egged the entirety of Beaux Baton's table.
But this, this topped his list.
"Centaurs," He said, utterly dead pan, " You have Centaurs, living on school grounds, and they're going to be part of the second trial?"
Newt shrugged at him.
"They were here first."
Percival buried his face in his hands and groaned, wishing that he hadn't worked out the riddle left in the golden apple he's won in the first trial, or even been named the first champion from Illvermony.
"You don't have to worry though! Centaurs are jsut proud creatures, but they're really quite caring and gentle-"
A look from Percival cut him off.
"Well, they are if you give them the proper respect, which I imagine the other champions aren't planning on doing, which is why you,ll be the one to win this task."
As often happened, he couldn't help the smile that came with being in the younger Scamander's presence.
"Will I now? And why is that?"
The 15 year old leaned in conspiratorially, seemingly gleeful with his plan.
"Because I befriended the Centaurs in my second year" He said "And I'll teach you to do the same so when the time comes, they'll let you pass right by with the prize without needing to use your wand once."
***
Newt's lessons soon became a regular fixture in Percival's evenings, much like the younger boy, and his brother, had become a part of Percival's life just a few days after he arrived at Hogwarts.
He had met Theseus first, hard to miss him after all, when they had both gone to put their names in the Goblet.
It had ended badly; Bloodied noses and a trip to the medical wing badly.
Then he had come across Newt, or rather, the group of 6th years tormenting Newt who found themselves with a rather nasty boils hex hanging over them for the next week.
The younger boy had blushed and stammered his way through a thank you, and remained silent as Percival insisted on seeing him back to his dorm room. That was, until the topic of magical creatures came up, and suddenly Newt had come to life, eager to share everything he knew, even if that meant finding Percival at breakfast to finish their conversation.
It would seem all someone had to do to earn Theseus Scamander's respect and friendship was to be kind to his baby brother, as he soon found he had both Scamander's doggedly following him throughout his day and insinuating themselves into his life with a stubbornness he couldn't hope to fend off. Soon, he found himself looking forward to studying across from Newt and, Merlin help him, encouraging Theseus in his, now, two man war against Peeves. It was...pleasant, to say the least. He wouldn't describe himself as a loner, but true loyalty didn't come easy to him, not like it had with Theseus. He shocked himself when the words 'best friend' slipped from his tongue just weeks after their meeting. Yet, the speed with which they had learned everything about each other and gained a strange synchronisation didn't cancel out the fact that this was closest he'd allowed anyone in a long time.
And Newt...
Well, it was for the best Theseus never knew of the way Percival thought about Newt, or he may have been far less willing to work together in the first task.
("Without question, Newt is the most precious, greatest thing in my life." He had told Percival once, while they both recovered in the medical wing from an ill-planned spell. "No one else can have him, they have to prove themselves to me. With blood."
"Didn't you curse all his shirts to glitter last week?"
"With blood, Percival."
He had laughed it off until his friend had presented him with a list of trials any potential suitors would have to complete.)
And yet, Newt had made himself a place in Percival's affections much like his brother had. Beneath the blushes and frankly adorable eyes, he had a strength that left Percival breathless. Any ideas he'd had about being Newt's protector were quickly dispelled after he saw what the younger boy did the Drumstrang students who mistreated their bowtruckle.
The bowtruckle, now named Pickett, lived happily in Newt's robes, and the Drumstrang students had absolutely nothing to say on losing their pet.
Every time Newt showed these little moments of steel, or shared a fraction of his seemingly endless knowledge of creatures, Percival felt himself fall a little harder. And now, as Newt went over the correct way to approach the Centaur's leader, he had to remind himself exactly why leaning over and kissing those fast working lips was a terrible idea.
"Remember, respect is the key, treat them like you would a human and acknowledge that it's their territory and- Percy?"
He snapped out of his reverie to see Newt close, eyes full of concern as he leaned in with his, oh Merlin, tie hanging loose and shirt unbuttoned enough to allow him to take in the lovely, pale neck and sharp collar bone.
Interrogation under the influence of Veritaserum, that was one of Theseus' trials. Focus.
"Are you alright? You seem very drowsy." Newt asked, his usual compassion in every sound.
"Yes, yes, quite alright. Just tired." He cleared his throat and edged back. Dragons, he was sure he'd seen dragons on the list. "You must be as well, between teaching me and Theseus on the Centaurs."
"I'm not teaching Theseus, actually. He can try and figure it out himself." Newt said, looking away briefly. "He's doing his silly caveman act again, with the Yule ball coming up. As though anyone would want to ask me anyway. No, he can try finish the task his way, but you are going to win it."
Percival smiled in response. "He won't like that, I imagine."
Just like he wouldn't like how close his best friend and little brother were, arms brushing against each other.
But sod it, Theseus wasn't here, was he?