Percy's heart dropped: there was nothing like revealing your heart to somebody and not have it reciprocated. He bit his lower lip and gathered his emotions before they got away from him. When he spoke again, he was calm, cool and restrained, sounding like a professional Ministry worker speaking to some official at the office.
"I understand," he said, thinking that he did. "I've rushed things." He paused to choose his next words, carefully. "If you feel awkward living in the same house as I, then I won't be offended. I can write Fred and George and ask to be reassigned to another house." It wouldn't be too difficult, since he didn't many possessions after the earthquake and the biggest thing he'd have to move was the piano.