Charlie's POV:

Standing on the shore where Shell Cottage was located, I looked around at the landscape. I had always enjoyed the time spent here, and was actually a bit envious of Bill that it was he that had inherited the little cottage from my aunt even though I was happier in Romania with my dragons. As much as I loved my family, I found my work fulfilling. That being said, if put in the position that I had to choose one over the other, there was no hesitation in what would come first.

I just hoped it never had to come to making that choice.

Knowing that my arrival was going to come with some mixed reactions, I hadn't given Bill or anyone else any prior warning of my intent to come visit. Still, I had been wanting to come back and check on Percy for a while now. Yes, my brother had been staying in regular contact with me, with Bill and Mum's letters filling in the gaps, but it still wasn't the same. However, I also hadn't wanted to give Percy something else to worry about by taking more time off of work. However, when my boss had suggested me taking a few days off to see my family again as he still felt bad about having to recall me when he did, I knew I didn't want to turn the offer down.

Reaching the front door, I reached out and knocked. Despite the still early hour, I was hoping I wouldn't be too early and wake Bill up. I had, however, wanted to arrive before my older brother left for work.

It wasn't long before the front door was being pulled open and I found myself face to face with Bill. It was clear that my brother was ready for work already. There was also no mistaking the surprise on his face at seeing me.

"Good morning," I greeted cheerfully when Bill didn't greet me first. "Is that breakfast I smell cooking?" I asked, as aromas from the kitchen found their way to the front door.

"What are you doing here?" Bill finally asked, apparently getting over his surprise at seeing me even though he seemed oblivious to my own greeting. "I told you there was no need . . . but then you probably wouldn't have even gotten the letter from yesterday though."

I wasn't completely sure if he was talking to me or not but now I felt as confused as Bill apparently seemed.

"What letter?" I asked. "Did something else happen? Where's Percy?"

The questions came out in a rush as I felt a wave of panic sweep over me. Percy had mention several times about heading back to his apartment in London, feeling that he was a burden to Bill and Fleur. Though I knew Percy going off on his own again was inevitable, from what I was able to gauge through his the letters I was receiving, both from Percy and my other family members, he was quite ready for that yet.

"You would've left before the letter I sent you yesterday evening reached you," Bill said, sounding less confused himself but still not helping me figure out what was going on. "Come inside," he added, stepping aside as he motioned me into the house.

"Bill, what's going on?" I asked, desperate for some answers as I stepped into Shell Cottage.

Bill closed the front door behind him and then pulled me into a brotherly hug. "I don't know whether to be glad or worried that you're here," he told me as I returned the hug.

"Well this isn't exactly the warm welcome I was expecting," I commented as we stepped back from one another.

"I know," Bill said with a sigh. "I'm sorry. It's been an eventful couple of days," he said. "Why don't you come into the kitchen and I'll explain everything while we eat."

"Then Percy's okay?" I asked, wanting at least that answer before I took another step in any direction.

"He's stable right now, though he did give us a scare yesterday," Bill replied. He draped an arm across my shoulders and started leading me toward the kitchen. I could hear someone moving around in the kitchen and assumed it was Fleur.

"The other day, George decided that it was time that he returned to the joke shop. Neither Dad nor I could get off of work on such a short notice and once he had made up his mind to go, it didn't seem like he wanted to wait long to go. I think he was afraid he'd back out and never actually go through with it," Bill said, beginning his explanation.

As we walked into the kitchen, Fleur, who was standing at the stove supervising the pans and utensils that were creating that mornings breakfast, looked over her shoulder.

"Hi, Charlie," my sister-in-law greeted me with more cheerfulness and less shock than my brother had. "We weren't expecting you."

"It was a spur of a moment decision to come," I replied, the words coming out quickly. I glanced over at Bill, wanting him to continue with the explanation. I knew brushing off Fleur's greeting like that was a bit rude but I was hoping she would understand. Besides, there would be time to apologize for my behavior later. Right now I wanted to be filled in on what was going on with my brothers.

Bill motioned for me to have a seat at the table even as he continued with his narrative. "Percy ended up volunteering to go with him. I think he wanted to feel like he was helping someone else for a change," he explained over the scraping of the chairs on the wood floor as we pulled two out from under the table and took our seats. "I tried a bit to dissuade them, but even if I could have, I wasn't convinced it was a good idea to talk them out of it. The two of them have been developing some sort of bond that I can't really explain but it's like their share grief over Fred's death is bringing them closer together, which given the hard time that the twins use to give Percy, is kind of surprising and refreshing to see."

"George was supposed to take them both using the Side-Along-Apparation, but apparently after visiting the joke shop, his emotions weren't allowing him to concentrate on bringing them back here to Shell Cottage. Instead, he kept taking them to places that were important to him and Fred."

"That's understandable," I commented, knowing from experience how easy it was to end up in the wrong place while Apparating. It was why to this day I still preferred to travel by broom when I could.

"Yeah. We probably should have even considered the possibility when we were discussing things the night before they went, but it didn't come up," Bill admitted. I could hear the guilt in his voice.

"Things often seem more apparent in hindsight," I told him, hoping to assuage my older brother's guilt.

"Maybe," he commented, not sounding entirely convinced. "Anyway, Percy ended up bringing them back here to Shell Cottage but the effort took a lot out of him."

"I've never seen anyone so pale as he looked when they got back here," Fleur interjected as she placed plates of pancakes in front of me and Bill.

"But you said he's okay now, right?" I asked, looking from Fleur to my older brother.

"I said he was stable," Bill replied, picking up his fork and absently cutting the fluffy pancakes on his plate as he continued to talk. "I've never seen Rob's so worried though as he was when I got home from work yesterday though. He told us to keep a close eye on Percy. So far, Percy seems to be okay, just extremely tired. I do know he's worried about disrupting everyone's lives again. He told me that just a little while ago. He even mentioned being glad that he wasn't disrupting your life Charlie, which is why I'm uneasy with you being here. If he thinks you came because I told you what was going on and you came rushing back . . . "

"I'll explain things to him," I replied understanding Bill's reaction to my arrival a little better now. "Like you said, there hasn't been enough time for any letter to have reached me and make it back here."

Having made up a plate for herself, Fleur silently took a seat at the table across from Bill.

"Why did you come back?" Bill asked, stabbing some pieces of pancake with his fork. "You usually give us some warning before coming to this neck of the woods."

"Like I told Fleur, it was a spur of the moment decision. Things are back to normal at work," I replied. Pausing, I realized that normal might have been a poor choice of a word to describe my job. "Or well, as normal as we can get when dealing with dragons. All my fellow dragon keepers are back to work, and my boss suggested that I take a few days to go see family. I think he still feels bad for having to recall me when he did. Given everything that has been going on, I figured I'd take him up on his offer, so here I am. Seems like the timing was pretty good to me."

"Well, I'll admit that I'll feel less anxious knowing you're here while I'm at work today," Bill said, as we heard footsteps on the stairs. "Oliver's been here most of the night, and was going to stay to be on hand while Dad and I were at work today, even though he's been the one up with Percy most of the night. Now that you're here, he can go home and get some decent sleep if he'd like," Bill commented as our father entered the kitchen.

"Charlie!" Dad said, giving me the genuinely happy greeting that I had been expecting, but had not received, from Bill.

Placing my fork on my plate, I pushed my chair back and got to my feet as my dad crossed the room toward me. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Fleur get to her feet as well.

"When did you arrive, son?" Dad asked as he pulled me into a tight hug.

"Just a little while ago. The opportunity arose to have a few days off, so I couldn't give anyone any advanced warning."

"We're just happy to see you whenever you can make it," Dad said as he released me and took a step back. "You heard what happened yesterday?"

"Yeah, Bill filled me in about Percy," I replied as we both found seats at the table. "How's George doing after all this?" I asked as I picked up my fork.

"I talked to him last night," Dad replied as Fleur placed a plate of pancakes in front of him before sitting back down herself. "He feels responsible but I think I've got him convinced that he wasn't at fault. There was no way to know exactly how he would react to seeing the shop again and what toll the emotions would take. He told me that Rob had told him much the same thing. I just hope that Percy recovers quickly from this setback or its going to be hard on him."

"When is Rob coming back out?" I asked.

"He said he'd stop by after work today if we didn't have need for him before then," Bill replied. "If there are any signs that Percy's condition is getting worse, he told me to notify him immediately."

"Understood," I replied hoping that it wouldn't come to that. I was glad my boss had suggested I come when he did. As hard as this news was to hear now, at least here I would be able to do something other than wait for another letter bringing worse news. Had Bill's letter reached me before Romania, I doubted I would have been able to stay away this time.

The conversation changed to lighter topics as we continued to eat our breakfast. Soon, Mum, George, Ginny and Ron had joined us as well. The fact that my whole family had crowded into Shell Cottage for the night, reinforced just how serious a situation this was.

A couple of hours later, Shell Cottage had become a bit less crowded. Bill and Dad had headed off to work with assurances that if anything changed they would be notified immediately. After helping Fleur clean up the kitchen from breakfast, Mum had headed back to the Burrow to take care of some things there. I had no doubt that she would be back at Bill and Fleur's home later on in the day. Ron had left to meet up with Hermione, who had opted for less crowded sleeping arrangements the night before and went to her parents' house. Part of me wondered if she hadn't wanted to give my family a little space in the current situation. Ginny had opted to stay at Shell Cottage and the last I knew my little sister had been keeping George company.

As Bill had speculated, Oliver, upon learning of my arrival, had opted to head home and get some sleep. As Percy had been asleep when he left, he had told me to let Percy know that he would be back this evening. My brother had been asleep ever since I had taken Oliver's spot at his bedside.

Though I knew that Percy needed the rest, there was also a part of me that just wanted my brother to wake up. I needed that reassurance that talking to him would bring.

Movement from the direction of the bed caught my attention. Looking down, I found that Percy finally had his eyes open. As his gaze focused on me, the relaxed expression that had been there while he slept evaporated.

"I kept telling them that you didn't need to come! I'm causing enough problems without you risking your job as well."

"Gee, and I thought Bill's greeting this morning was lousy," I commented, trying to lighten the tense mood that had fallen over the room. I understood Bill's concerns more after seeing Percy's reaction first hand. "Besides," I continued, growing more serious, "I didn't find out about this latest setback until I got here. Things are under control back in Romania so my boss suggested I come back and finish my visit that got short. Turns out to be really good timing."

"Honest?"

I reached out and took a hold of the hand closest to me. "Have I ever lied to you?" I asked him, noting again just how pale Percy still was. If he had looked like this yesterday I could only imagine how scared Fleur had been when he and George had retuned to Shell Cottage.

"No," Percy said, giving my hand a slight squeeze.

"Besides, there wouldn't have been enough time for me to get a letter from Bill yet. His poor owl is probably wondering where I am right about now, trying to deliver the letter he did send."

That comment at least earned a small smile from my little brother.

"So, no giving Bill a hard time about me coming, alright. He's got enough to worry about as it is. I think right now I need to be here for him just as much as I need to be here for you."

"I'm really glad you were able to come," he admitted quietly as if he didn't want anyone else to hear the admission.

"I'm glad I could be here, too. And not just for you but for George too. This is exactly where I need to be right now."

"How long are you here for?"

"The original plan was for just a couple of days but we'll see what happens," I told him. My younger brother opened his mouth and I knew some kind of protest was about to be issued so I cut it off. "Don't worry about me. This is my choice to make and if there is no reason for me to extend my stay then I won't so let's just take this one day at a time, okay."

"Okay," Percy conceded

Percy reached out a hand to me and I grasped it. It was nice to see Percy finally being able to reach out for the support he desired and needed, instead of trying to keep everything shut away inside him.

"I'm glad you're here," he told me quietly. I could hear a trace of guilt in the admission, but at least he was admitting to it.

"I'm glad I'm here too," I assured him as I heard a soft knock on the door. Glancing over my shoulder, I spotted Fleur standing in the doorway.

"I came up to see if Percy was awake yet," Fleur explained as she timidly walked into the room. Her gaze shifted from me to Percy. "I can bring you up some breakfast if you're ready to eat," she continued now addressing my younger brother.

"I'm not really hungry."

"Then how about some broth again," Fleur said, evidently not about to be put off so easily. "You really should have something."

"Okay," Percy consented.

"I'll be back shortly then," Fleur said before gliding out of the room.

Percy waited a few moments before speaking again. "You know, sometimes she reminds me a bit of Mum. Always making sure people are fed."

I smiled. "I think it's a woman's way to take care of the people she cares about," I replied. "And speaking about taking care of the people you care about, you need to drink some more of this potion Rob left for you yesterday," I said as I reached for the small bottle and glass that had been left on the stand next to the bed.

Percy groaned but didn't issue any vocal protests.