AN: May come across as Mary Sue. Will be eliminated later.
"If I'm so annoying, why don't you just kick me out? I know you don't want me here!" I shouted at my uncle. This was the tenth violent argument we'd had this week alone. We'd taken it outside this time to avoid breaking anything or anyone in the house. I'd accidently hit my younger brother with a vase a few days ago.
"Fine! You have one hour to get your stuff packed and say your goodbyes. Then, I want you gone. You're never welcome in this house again!"
"Fine!" I walked through the front door, ignoring the scrutinizing looks from the neighbors, and stormed up the stairs to the room I shared with Harry. Slamming the door behind me, I began to pack my trunk, ignoring the startled look on my brother's face.
"I heard shouting and ran upstairs. I didn't feel like getting hit with another vase." Was it really my fault if I couldn't control my magic in this house? It just aggravated me so much. Anger issues will out, I guess.
"Uncle Vernon kicked me out. I have an hour till I have to be out of the house." I put the rest of my belongings into my trunk, shut it, and then sat down on top of it, head in my hands.
"Why would he kick you out?" Harry asked incredulously. I didn't answer my younger brother. Honestly, I didn't know the answer.
"Come here, Harry." I stood up and pulled my brother into a hug. I was kind of shocked that he'd hugged me. He was fifteen after all. I felt a tear tumble down my cheek. I'd promised Dumbledore that I'd protect Harry, but I didn't really have a choice in this particular matter. I was seventeen, almost eighteen. I could survive on my own, right?
"Promise me something, Harry. Don't go looking for trouble. It finds you easy enough without your help. Stay as safe as you can. Write me if something happens. Hedwig will find me. Don't do anything rash. I love you." We hugged a little tighter, which again, shocked me, but I accepted it. We hadn't been apart like this for four years. I'd had to leave him when I first went to Hogwarts for a few years, but we were always reunited over the summer. I didn't know when I'd see him again, which was a seriously bizarre feeling.
"You be careful, Haleigh. I can't say I trust you out on your own. You may be smart, but you have no idea how to survive out there. I love you too." We released each other and I punched him on the arm gently to show my discontent.
"Time's up, Potter." Uncle Vernon called up the stairs. It had been an hour already? I lugged my stuff down stairs with Harry trailing behind me. I looked at the Dursleys, wanting them to make the first move. Uncle Vernon opened the door. I picked up my trunk and walked out the door, simple as that. I made it down the street as far as I could without falling over. I probably made it to Magnolia Crescent, but didn't give a crap at the time. Reality then decided to punch me in the face. I was standing outside in the pouring rain with no place to go. I'd just walked out of (well been kicked out of) the only place I'd ever considered to be home besides Hogwarts. I ran through a mental list of possibilities until one thought made its way slowly to the surface; Percy. The Weaselys had told me I was always welcome in their house. I figured this would be a good time to accept their hospitality. I thought about the warm, cozy Burrow. I then realized that the rain was coming down even harder, soaking me to the bone. I almost screamed in frustration. I was already wet from standing outside during my argument with Uncle Vernon. This was just the icing on the soggy cake. Thought about the Burrow, knowing apparition was the only way there. I directed my thoughts solely to my destination, feeling a pull in my gut, and the wave of nausea that was so standard. I landed in the muddy fields around the house. The lights emanating from the house made me smile. I slowly made my way up to the front steps and knocked on the door, checking my watch in the meantime. How in the hell was it nine o'clock? The door swung open to reveal Mrs. Weasely.
"Oh my word, Haleigh dear! What are you doing out in this rain? Get in here!" She pulled me inside and handed me the nearest blanket. I realized how cold I really was once I entered the warm, cozy, yet eclectic atmosphere.
"What were you doing out in this torrential storm?" Mrs. Weasely asked again, guiding me to the couch.
"T-t-the D-D-Dursleys kicked me o-o-out." I stuttered in reply, my teeth chattering from the cold rain.
'That's horrid! What about Harry?"
'H-h-he's still t-t-there."
"Mother, what is all of this noise? I'm trying to… Haleigh!" Percy stopped dead when he saw me. He dashed over and embraced me. I hadn't even known he was still living with his family after the last argument that I had the unfortunate role of intervener in. I gladly fell into his warm arms. We hugged for a long time until two unmistakable voices whose owners I frequently wanted to strangle came from behind us on the stairs.
"Get a room, you two!" The twins remarked. Percy threw them a dirty look.
"Let's go upstairs, Hails." He began leading me towards the staircase.
"Oh no you don't! You need a meal and some dry clothes." Mrs. Weasely took my arm instead and led me to the shower. I took a long, hot, steamy shower and slipped into my pajamas that she'd brought upstairs for me. She then fed me until I thought I might burst. Then, Perce and I snuggled by the fire, once everyone had gone to sleep.
"Hails?" He muttered.
"Yeah Perce?" I positioned my body so I could look at my boyfriend.
"I'm nervous."
"For what?"
"The Ministry job. I've got to get it and…"
"And you will. If anyone here should be worried about job security, it's me. I've been writing back and forth with Dumbledore all summer about some sort of job for this year, whether I'm a teacher, or a TA, or just something. I need something to keep me on my feet."
"How's it going?" He asked.
"Not very well. He told me that I have to 'prove myself worthy' during my interview next week. What the hell does that even mean?"
'You'll get it just like you got head girl last term." We remained in silence for a while. The crackling of the fire and steady rhythm of the rain against the windows eventually lulled me to sleep. I fell asleep in Percy's arms.