Disclaimer: See chapter one

Notes: Once again, my sister is an amazing writer in her own right, and a fantastic beta, and she greatly improved this chapter. This chapter is one of my favourite so far, and it's longer than the previous, so I hope you all enjoy. Don't forget to review!!

Charlie knocked on his younger brother's door. And waited. He knocked again and again until finally he heard movement inside. His brother's voice came muffled through the door in the tone Charlie recognized as the one normally reserved for the twins.

"I swear 'Lee, if that's you . . . you don't have to be over here every bloody hour!! Don't you have a day job!? When – " Percy cut off abruptly when he wrenched open the door and saw Charlie on his doorstep.

"Hey Perce! I was just in the neighbourhood and though I might stop in and say hello." Charlie tried to be cheerful, but Percy didn't exactly look happy to see him. He looked . . . incredibly terrible, actually. Pale and wan, his features gaunt. Percy must be working too hard. He had a tendency to do that.

"Charlie." Percy said, in what could possibly be construed as a welcome, if one squinted. He sighed, "Alright then, come in."

Charlie entered the flat, unsure of what to expect. He had never actually seen any of Percy's flats since he moved out of the Burrow. Looking around, he saw that it wasn't much like he expected. The door entered into a large living room, with a small kitchen off to the side, and a huge bookcase lining one wall. The bookcase ending just before the hall that went, he assumed to the bedroom and loo. There was a large fireplace, a staple for any wizarding household. A huge comfy looking couch was facing the fireplace, as well as a coffee table and armchair. Much more . . . homey, than anything he'd expected of Percy. He really thought he'd walk into a sterile, office like flat.

Moving farther into the room, he caught Percy's gesture to sit down and chose a seat on the couch. Percy mumbled something about making tea, and fled the few feet into the kitchen, allowing Charlie to continue his inspection of the flat. Gazing around the room, his eyes were caught by a large cabinet that held a large plastic box squished into the corner between the fireplace and the door. "Merlin!" The last thing he expected was to find a muggle . . . T.B, C.V . . . whatever it was called, in prissy perfect Percy's flat. Eyes narrowing, he resumed his examination of the room, spotting more inconsistencies and muggle things.

Percy returned, jolting Charlie out of his detailed inspection, with a tea set floating in front of him. With a swish of his wand, he directed onto the coffee table and took a seat on the chair, gesturing for Charlie which cup was his. Leaning back, he raised his eyebrows, clearly inviting an explanation for the unexpected visit. Charlie inwardly sighed. He's not going to make this easy. But then, he never does. Well, when in doubt, stall.

"So Perce, didn't know you liked muggle T.B." Charlie grinned, exuding confidence.

"T.B?" For a moment Percy was shocked out of his cool and distant mask. "You think I like a muggle disease?" Damn, judging by Percy's confusion I must've got the term wrong. I was so sure it was right. Oh well, that's what living with Dad does to you I suppose. Outwardly, Charlie confidently pointed to the corner, "You know, a T.B."

Understanding dawned on Percy's face followed by a hint of amusement. "You mean a T.V? Yes, well, Penny was a Muggleborn you know. I guess she got me hooked." Charlie had to think hard as to who this Penny girl was, and when the answer came to him, he was vaguely ashamed. He knew so little about his little brother's life the past few years, he had no idea what had happened with Penny. Were they still seeing each other, or did they break it off? Charlie however, had always prided himself on his ability to read body language – a necessity for anyone who worked with wild animal, especially dragons. He could see a hint of sadness in Percy's eyes, and heard how his voice changed, become cold and controlled. But it was the years he spent living with Percy as his brother that told him he probably wouldn't get anything else out of Percy, and to try and force him would lead the conversation to a decidedly nasty place. Pursing his lips, he allowed the topic to drop.

"So, how're things at work then? Still your dream job?" As soon as the words left his mouth, Charlie knew they were a mistake. He thought mentioning work to Percy was a pretty safe bet to get him talking, but apparently something had changed. Percy tensed and refused to make eye contact.

"Actually, I haven't been into work in a few days." Percy's voice was like ice. Charlie opened his mouth to ask why, but Percy interrupted him.

"Why are you here Charlie? Did Mom or Dad send you? Or maybe you and the twins are playing a big joke on me?"

"Percy. Can't I visit my little brother?" Charlie desperately tried to regain his footing, but somehow, somewhere in this forced and tangled path of conversation, he'd fallen off a cliff and there seemed to be nothing to hold onto to stop his plummet. It was then that Percy looked him in the eyes.

"No. The time to visit was sometime in the last three years." Percy's tone was so . . . final. It promised that no one who had neglected him, who had chosen a side opposite his, would ever be allowed back in. Charlie was trying to muster a convincing argument, but a loud ring caught both of them off guard. Percy recovered first, standing and moving unsteadily towards a device Charlie hadn't noticed on the wall. It seemed familiar, but until Percy lifted up part of it and said hello, Charlie couldn't for the life of him identify it. Now he realised it was a muggle . . . fellyton, fellybone? Something like that. He was once again shocked that after condemning their father's chosen career and obsession with muggles, Percy would have so many muggle things in his flat. Shaking himself out of his musing, he concentrated on the conversation that he could hear.

"Helen? How are you?" Percy's lips quirked up in a crooked smile. "I'm alright. Really, you shouldn't worry about me.

"Tonight? I don't know. I –

"Alright. I'm afraid I can't talk long, Helen, I've got company.

"No, it's no problem. Give my best to Roger. I will. Goodbye." Hanging up, Charlie saw Percy take a deep breath and turn to face him. "Look Charlie, I'm tired. Just tell me what you came here for, finish your tea, and go."

"Percy . . . I just came here to see you. We missed you the past few weeks at Sunday diner. You're worrying Mom, and you haven't held or even seen your niece. Just promise me you'll come next week, and I'll leave. But if you don't promise me, I'll just keep coming back – or next time I'll bring Mom with me." Charlie put his tea cup down. "What's it going to be Percy?"

"I'll be there." But you won't be happy about it, will you Perce? Charlie sighed. It was the best he'd get today, and he knew it. He stood, and either Percy was prepared to physically force him out the door, or his good manners demanded it, but he stood too, and walked Charlie to the door. Percy seemed to be walking gingerly, but Charlie idly figured his foot had fallen asleep. When they got to the door, Percy opened it, and gestured for Charlie to go through. Charlie paused, and looked at his little brother, once again noting how ill he looked. He hesitated a few more seconds, before he grabbed Percy in a tight, brief hug. He frowned when Percy stumbled against him, but let it pass without interrogation. Stepping back, he almost smiled at the look on Percy's face, but managed to restrain himself. With a "see you later Perce," he left.