Series: 23 for 23
Title: Twelve: Its No Sacrifice, Being With You
Author: Jmaria
Rating: FR-15
Disclaimer: I own the World Walker & Miranda, J.K. Rowling owns HP..
Spoilers: Slightly au!DH, and spoilers for the story so far of The Many Qualities of Mercy
Series Summary: Twenty-three stories and crossings of worlds (read: insanity) to celebrate twenty-three years.
Part Summary: Seeing someone off on the train to Hogwarts.
Words: 361
A/N: First quote comes from the third into, second comes from Bad Time by Grand Funk Railroad. Set in the Mirandaverse.
Dedication: To fran06 for the fandoms and prompt.

23 for 23


Twelve: Its No Sacrifice, Being With You

There was nothing worth wanting. The gift she got was a face of reality scooped up with the need to continually pretend that it was going to be just fine when she knew it was never going to be just fine again.

I feel like I'm wearing it out.

It was unusual for a professor to get well wishers on his way off to Hogwarts. A blush crept up his neck as hundreds of school children rushed about them, greeting friends and hugging family goodbye. Percy struggled with his case, which wasn't very large seeing as he had sent most of his things ahead.

Behind him Millicent waited, her daughter - his niece nestled against her hip. A smile crested his lips at the sight, his heart clenching at the thought of being so far away from them. Because of his duty to protect Fred's girls. They were Fred's girls, his lover and his daughter. But each passing day, he couldn't help but wonder if they were slowly becoming his girls as well. His niece, and his...Millicent. Percy shook the thought quickly away and went over to them, motioning for Millicent to let him hold the baby for the last time in quite a while. At least until the first Hogsmeade weekend.

His thoughts soured a little at that. Perhaps it was too much of a reminder of Fred, the village. It had been their place. And there were still the never-ending Sunday luncheons at the Burrow. There would still be that.

"Professor Weasely, are you a bit nervous?" Millicent's voice interrupted his thoughts, and he felt his face go a bit red.

"I - well, yes," Percy shrugged as Miranda burrowed herself sleepily into his shoulder.

"You'll be fine, Perce. I know it."

"I wish I had your confidence, Mill," Percy smiled at her surety, taking comfort in the small child wrapped in his arms.

There wasn't much more time to speak, as the collective Weasely clan had gathered to see Percy off on the train. Soon it was time to go, and with one more glance to see if Mill and Randa were indeed still safe, he quickly boarded. While the other Weaselys had already turned to go, and were in fact, leaving the platform, Millicent stood there, clutching Miranda tightly to her. Percy gave her once last wave as the Hogwarts Express began to pull out of the station.

"None of those tears now, poppet," Millicent sniffled, hiding her face in the top of her daughte'rs hair. "Uncle Percy'll be back sooner than we think, you'll see."