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Title<\/b>: What Do You Need Toes For Anyway [Percy, Scabbers]
\nRating\/Warnings<\/b>: PG for having to think about what Mundungus Fletcher might be catching rats for.
\nSummary<\/b>: Percy can’t have an owl, but his brothers work something out.
\nA\/N<\/b>: This is for my roommate, who eats fruit loops and drinks fish water and falls asleep in my sleeves and makes the clicky noise an awful lot. You are a very, very good rat, Mulcie. <\/p>\n
What Do You Need Toes For Anyway?<\/b><\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I have something for you, Perce.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tPercy pushed his glasses up on his nose and peered up at his oldest brother, whose hair wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t quite long enough for the attempted ponytail and was sticking out in odd tufts.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I know you wanted a pet for your first year,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Bill continued, but was interrupted when Charlie rushed into the kitchen.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sorry,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he panted, grinning, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153twigs askew, broom disaster, you haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t given it to him yet have you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Bill rolled his eyes, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153 I was just getting to that. So anyway, we went together, and we couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t manage an owl\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We bought you a rat!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Charlie burst out, to Bill\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s frustration.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153A rat?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Percy asked, as Bill extracted a lump of gray fur from his pocket and set him on the table in front of Percy.<\/p>\n
\tThe rat huddled on the table, looking miserable and scared. Percy leaned closer, and the rat sneezed in his face.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We bought him from Mundungus Fletcher!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Charlie announced proudly.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sweet Merlin, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t tell him that!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Bill said with alarm, leaning out the kitchen doorway to make sure their mother wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t listening. <\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why not?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Charlie asked. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153S\u00e2\u20ac\u2122true. Mundungus picked him up with a bunch of other rats in Knockturn Alley for\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6well, he didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t actually say what for, probably better anyway\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6he said this was the smartest rat he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s ever seen, nearly escaped three times before he spelled him quiet.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t tell Mum any of this,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Bill pleaded.<\/p>\n
\tPercy squinted at the rat as he cleaned the rat-sneeze off his glasses. It didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t look smart, didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t look anything but half-starved and jumpy. Charlie\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s booming comments in particular made the rat twitch spastically. <\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What do you think?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Charlie asked.<\/p>\n
\tPercy slid his glasses back onto his face and looked up at his brothers, who were waiting for his verdict expectantly. <\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s very nice,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Percy said politely. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sure I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll like him.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the spirit!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Charlie slapped Percy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s back so hard his glasses slipped to the end of his nose, and the rat convulsed again. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sorry to rush off, but I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve nearly got this broom thing under control, see you later, Perce\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tPercy stared after Charlie\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s retreating form for a moment, trying to gather his wits. He looked back down at the shivering rat, and beady black eyes stared right back before the rat gave another miserable sneeze.<\/p>\n
Bill sat down next to Percy.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I know he isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t exactly what you imagined,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Bill said quietly.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No, he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s great,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Percy lied.<\/p>\n
\tBill stared at him.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153All right, he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not so great,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Percy admitted. <\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Rats really are smart,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Bill coaxed. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You can teach them tricks. And they aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t like mice either, they like people.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not that I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t like rats in general,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Percy said quickly, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just that this rat in particular is a little\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6well\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tThe rat sneezed again.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6er, sickly\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tThe rat lifted a paw to wipe its nose.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6and he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s missing some toes,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Percy finished glumly. <\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Only the one,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Bill assured. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What do you need toes for anyway?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tThe rat shook himself suddenly, and dirt drifted off his fur on to the table in flakes.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I admit, he could use a little work,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Bill said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s good, right? Means he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a survivor. Like you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tBill reached over to ruffle Percy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hair, and Percy shrugged his hand off after a moment because he was getting too old for that.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153If he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s so good at escaping,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Percy asked, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153why is he just sitting there like that?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got him charmed so he can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get more than a few feet away from me,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Bill explained. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He was trying all morning, he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s still pretty shagged out from it. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll switch the charm over to you. If you want him, that is.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tPercy looked back down at the rat. It was shivering, dirty tail curled in around its front paws. Its fur was matted and patchy, and its spine was sticking out prominently. It stared back up at Percy with its watery eyes before giving another pathetic sneeze.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Bill!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Mrs. Weasley\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s voice rang out behind them, making Percy, Bill, and the rat jump straight into the air. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What is that horrible, dirty thing doing on the table near your brother? Percy, get away from it, remember your asthma!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s my rat, Mum!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Percy protested before he thought about it, then blinked as he realized what he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d said. Bill beamed. <\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What do you mean,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Mrs. Weasley demanded, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s your rat?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Bill and Charlie bought it for me,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Percy explained quickly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153They bought it from\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Bill mouthed \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcNo, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t!\u00e2\u20ac\u2122, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6they bought it for me because I couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have an owl.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Bill slumped in his chair with relief.<\/p>\n
\tMrs. Weasley looked as though she was about to yell some more, but swallowed it at the last second. She looked from Bill to Percy to the rat and back to Bill.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You bought your brother that\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Mrs. Weasley groped for a word, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6that?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It was all we could manage,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Bill said, looking piteous. The rat sneezed helpfully.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll have to be cleaned,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Mrs. Weasley said at last, drawing her wand. The rat let out a squawk as she pointed her wand at it.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll scare him!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Percy leapt up between the rat and his mother. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll wash him.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tMrs. Weasley looked dubious, but as she was opening her mouth to say something else, there was a crash from the living room, followed by a cheerful \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Fred\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s fault!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, those twins!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Mrs. Weasley threw her hands in the air before dashing out of the room, rat forgotten. <\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You really want him?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Bill looked so relieved, Percy wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have said no even if he didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t. He nodded, remembering that he had read somewhere that you could teach rats tricks, and that they really were good pets.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll switch the distance charm to you then,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Bill said, standing up. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll give him some food to distract him, looks like the poor bugger could use it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a him?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Percy asked. <\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes indeed,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Bill nodded, as he opened a cabinet and began rummaging around for something rat-worthy. He came up with a box of sugared cereal that Charlie had transfigured into a box of shredded wheat to hide from their mother. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Aha, this will do fine.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What do rats eat?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Percy asked, eyeing the brightly colored O\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s that Bill was pouring out into his hand.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Anything you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll eat and some stuff besides,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Bill shrugged. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll get you some proper rat food later, hold out your hand, you should feed him, get him used to you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tPercy cupped a hand for Bill to pour the cereal into, then picked out one piece to offer to the rat. The rat continued to stare up at him, not moving. After a few seconds, Percy put the cereal bit down on the table and withdrew his hand. The rat waited a long moment before leaning forward just enough to sniff the cereal, then picked it up in a three-fingered paw and nibbled it cautiously.<\/p>\n
\tPercy laid down a second piece near him as he was finishing the first, and the rat picked it a little more quickly and took a bite without hesitating. Percy set the next few bits closer and closer, and the rat began snatching them up as soon as he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d put them down, devouring them in a few bites each. Neither Percy nor the rat noticed Bill pulling out his wand and quietly casting Finite Incantatum<\/i>, then recasting the charm for Percy.<\/p>\n
\tWhen he was down to the last few cereal pieces, Percy just laid his hand on the table with the cereal lying on his palm. The rat hesitated for a moment before laying one paw on Percy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hand and picking up another piece, rocking back to actually eat it. Percy held very still, even though the rat\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s whiskers tickled every time he reached for another piece. <\/p>\n
\tWhile he was nibbling on the last piece of cereal, Percy reached out one tentative forefinger to pet the rat\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s head. The rat flattened against the table at the first touch, but then relaxed enough to finish eating his cereal as Percy continued to stroke behind the rat\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s ears slowly. <\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153All finished,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Bill announced, and Percy blinked, having almost forgotten he was there. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be able to go more than about two yards from you now. We can make the distance longer when he gets used to you a bit, but best to keep him on a short leash for now.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tThe rat began to groom himself twitchily, but all it really served to do was to smear the dirt in his fur around, and he gave up after a minute and sneezed forlornly. <\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Thank you, Bill,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Percy said, meaning it this time. Bill ruffled his hair again and left him to get to know his new pet.<\/p>\n
\tPercy and the rat eyed each other. <\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t been formally introduced,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Percy said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m Percy. And you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re my rat.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tThe rat cocked his head to one side, then reached up with a back paw to itch his side.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m going to have to give you a bath,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Percy told him. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153So I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m going to have to pick you up.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tThe rat tried to scrunch up smaller as Percy reached out for it, then scramble away as Percy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hand closed around his middle, but his scrabbling claws found no purchase on the smooth table, and he went rigid when Percy lifted him into the air. <\/p>\n
\tPercy cradled the rat against his chest, feeling the animal\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s heart pounding against his palm.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be scared,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Percy said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t hurt you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tThe rat sneezed again but loosened up a tiny bit, and Percy took it for a good sign. <\/p>\n
\tThe rat took the bath with good grace, all things considered. He wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t thrilled about all the water certainly, or the fact that Percy was using his mother\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s floral scented shampoo.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sorry,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Percy apologized when the rat let out another squawk. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the only thing I could find. At least it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s only just the once for you, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve had to use it all summer.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tThe rat quieted down once Percy pointed out that thrashing about would only get soap in his eyes. Some scrubbing revealed a pink nose and ears, and white socks on the rat\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s paws. Percy tried to clean some of the wounds on his tail, and the rat squealed a few times, but remained mostly still. He licked at the scratches while Percy rubbed his fur dry with a hand towel, and didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t flinch away when Percy stroked his head this time. <\/p>\n
\tA much cleaner rat was presented to Mrs. Weasley before dinner, and she said she supposed Percy might keep him, but he was not to be at the table. Percy made a whispered deal with the rat that he would pass him food if he sat quietly in Percy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s lap, and true to his word the rat perched on Percy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s knee under the table and nibbled on the bits of bread and carrots Percy slipped him. <\/p>\n
\tPercy was still trying to think of a suitable name for the rat when Fred and George discovered him and named him Scabbers because of the tail. The rat wisely refused to be held by either of them, but would submit to petting if Percy held him. Scabbers even endured a clumsy pat from Ginny, although Ron ran crying to Mrs. Weasley when Percy offered him a look. <\/p>\n
\tScabbers seemed fascinated by Percy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s pillow and turned around in little circles on it while Percy put on his pajamas. He perched on the edge of the sink while Percy brushed his teeth, then tried to wipe off his tongue with his paws after nibbling on the open toothpaste tube. <\/p>\n
\tPercy crawled into bed and set the rat down beside him, letting Scabbers figure out where he wanted to sleep while he turned his light off and settled under the sheets. Scabbers crawled back onto the pillow and curled up, wrapping his tail around his whole body. <\/p>\n
\tPercy reached up and stroked the rat\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s spine, and was startled when the rat made an odd clicky noise in his throat. He squinted in the dark and without his glasses, but the Scabbers\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 eyes were half-closed and he looked comfortable, so Percy assumed the clicky noise was good. <\/p>\n
\tPercy let his hand drop when it grew tired, let it settle on the pillow between his face and Scabbers.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m glad you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re going to be my pet,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he told Scabbers sleepily. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re a very good rat.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tPercy felt a soft lick on the back of his hand as he drifted off to sleep. <\/p>\n