Author's Note – Well, I'm currently stuck on "My Brother's Keeper", so, like a bad author, I've decided to start another Percy fic, complete with Percy-angst.

A is for Atom

Percy smiled to himself as he entered the compartment that the other sixth-year Prefects had claimed as their own.

More specifically, Percy entered the compartment that Penelope was sitting in.

Ever since the two had met at their first Prefect meeting they had become inseparable. Percy would freely admit that he was not a guy's guy; the closest male friend that Percy could claim was Oliver Wood, and that's only because Percy had lived with him for five years and was more or less capable of putting up with his constant prattle on Quidditch. But he had had plenty of female friends. He had just never thought of dating one these friends… until now. Even though he had just met her last year she had quickly become his best friend. Percy didn't know how to describe it; it was like she had known him his entire life.

"Hello." Percy said, nearly kicking himself when he heard his voice come out shy and soft. Penelope didn't seem to notice however and quickly moved over to make room for him next to her, a large smile blossoming across her face.

Louise McDaniels, the 6th year Hufflepuff Prefect, also smiled up at him, but Percy couldn't help but notice that her smile looked a little strained. She was sitting across from Penelope and kept nervously looking back out the window at the platform where her parents were standing.

"I wonder where everyone else is?" Penelope mused as she browsed through one of her schoolbooks. She quickly glanced at Percy before blushing and returning to her book.

"Oh, I saw John and Lola talking to some people. I haven't seen Will, or Grimley or Avery for that matter." Percy answered. He didn't notice Penelope's blush or her study of him, however. His eyes were fixed on Louise. "Louise… are you alright? You seem upset."

Louise gave a little jump. "Oh… well, nothing to really worry about I'm sure." She said quickly, but Percy could hear the fear in her voice. "It's just that… There have been some problems in the Muggle World lately, and I'm worried for my parents. While I'm safe at Hogwarts, they'll still be… out there."

Penelope leaned forward. "What's going on? Mum doesn't really keep up with Muggle news anymore, not since Dad was transferred to a more Wizarding town."

Louise looked down, refusing to meet any of their eyes. It was obvious that she was more than just worried. She seemed down-right afraid. "The newspapers have been saying that there might be a war. I don't really know what it's about… I don't understand it…" Louise trailed off and turned back to the window.

Penelope and Percy looked at each other, each trying to think of something to say to bring Louise out of her brooding.

"Oh… err… I didn't know." Penelope offered lamely. Percy cringed at Penelope's poor attempt at comfort. But at least she was able to say something; Percy hadn't even been able to do that. These sort of things really weren't Percy's field of expertise. Neither were they Penelope's for that matter.

Minutes ticked by and Percy glanced at his watch. Two minutes late, a first for the Hogwarts Express. He noticed Louise suddenly frown and stand up, squinting hard into the crowd.

"Something's going on." She said.

Penelope and Percy immediately stood up as well and looked out. It was true; every face in the crowd looked confused as a soft, puzzled murmur rippled through the people. Percy could spot his mother's own worried face.

"Hey, do you hear that?" Penelope asked.

Percy strained to block out the sounds of the crowd. Then he heard it; the muffled sound of people yelling. It sounded like it was coming from the Muggle side of the train station. A deep fear settled in the pit of Percy's stomach; he wanted his brothers and sister with him. He needed them with him. He had to make sure they were all right. He suddenly realized that he hadn't seen Ron board the train. Where was Ron? He wasn't still out there in the Muggle side, was he?

"I'm going to go find my siblings, okay?" He stated, his voice barely above a whisper.

Penelope nodded. "I'll go with you, if that's alright."

Louise said nothing, but continued to stare out the window. Percy and Penelope looked at each other before filing out of the compartment. As Percy was closing the door he looked back and saw a bright light suddenly shatter through the bricks that separated the Muggle World from the Wizarding World. It engulfed everything, including the people on the platform. For one second, Louise was illuminated by this brilliant light. She looked like some sort of heavenly creature. Percy quickly slammed the door shut as a wave of pressure suddenly overcame him, and he was sure he felt himself lifted into the air. He watched as the sides and the roof of the train crumbled in on itself and the glass shatter, but heard no sound. It took him a second before he realized that it was not just him that was flying through the air, but the train as well. He didn't feel anything after that.