Sorry about another overtly late update guys ! Stuff just happened at school and work and everything related to slash and Percy/Oliver just went all pear shaped and not so...easy to write as it were. But now everything is back on track and hopefully a more reliable uploading of material will be the norm from now on ! In any case I have posted a new story titled SIMPLE MISTAKE, LOGICAL CONCLUSION a few weeks ago, and am going to update NAKED TRUTHS, IT'S A KILT THING and OLIVER WOOD'S GREAT SHOWER PHILOSOPHY soon as well in the next week.

CHAPTER 21 - MEETINGS AND GREETINGS.

" Well. This was rather unexpected."

My father. The King of Understatements.

Percy watched as his father casually unclasped and draped his travel cloak over one of the chairs in front of him, his eyes locked with Arthur's own as the older Weasley sat himself down in the chair across from him. And despite the the fear, dread and undeniable urge to throw up on the lounge room rug was, a thought perpetrated through all that as he glanced on the face he had known all his life yet had never truly studied in full until right now.

His father was old.

The brow with the deep worry lines. The crows feet that were stretched out along the side slits further than they should have. Even the famous flame colour of Weasley hair was now more a grey sea than anything else. This man looked nothing like the man Percy remembered from nearly five years ago and was now looking at him with what appeared to be great apprehension with his eyes.

Blue eyes. Just like mine.

Oliver watched the two men eye each other as Arthur took his seat across the table from them. So far so good. But the night was still young as it were, and until they saw the back of that man leaving his flat Oliver was making it his business to make sure Percy was backed up every step of the way in this.

Hurt him and I'll punch your lights out old man. You want to hurt Percy, you gotta go through me first.

" I wanted Percy here Arthur. For moral support."

Arthur raised an eyebrow at that. " Moral support ? But it was only you I wished to speak to Mr Wood and not my son here."

" Then what was it you wished to discuss with me tonight ?"

" Him actually," Arthur nodded at Percy, though he kept his gaze at Oliver. Or more to the point, the middle where both of them were clutching hands tightly together.

" And what is it you want with Percy here ?"

Arthur eyed both of the men with a curious expression. There was a look of hesitation Percy noted, but the older man sighed and ploughed on.

" I've been told by Fred and George that you were the last known person to go looking for Percy here after they gave you their last known lead. Seems that the lead turned out to be a good one."

" Your point ?"

" A few days ago Molly noticed something funny happening with our portraits in the family room. It appeared that..."

Oh God...It can't be...

" There was a little boy running to and from the frames. And who else would be following after him but the same man we've been worried sick about for the past four and a half years."

Oliver frowned. " And so that's when..."

" We all came to the conclusion that the two were linked, and when the twins mentioned you being interested in finding Percy also and that they had not heard from you in a while since that lead I decided to do some digging."

" Which is why your here now I gather ?"

Arthur eyed Percy. " I am here to try and find out what the hell is going on."

" I don' think that is any of your..."

" Not any of my bloody business is it !" Arthur fumed, eyes blazing as he jabbed a finger right at Percy and making Oliver scowl further. " ALL this is tied in with you and him ! YOU were the one who left us without so much of a word good-bye or anything !"

" Percy had his reasons Arthur," Oliver countered. " I should hope you would respect that and all."

" And how do you figure into this Mr Wood ? Pretty much considering that the child Molly described wandering in the photos looked a lot like you, not to mention the fact that you've been hiding Percy right under our noses when you've known good and well we've been searching for him all this time."

Why I outa punch you right in the...

A restraining hand lightly caressed his nearby shoulder, making Wood turn around to see a pensive Percy giving him a small smile, shaking his head just a bit. He calmed down a bit then, leaning back into the lounge while giving Percy's hand a quick squeeze. At the corner of his eyes Wood saw a steeled expression spread all over his lover's face. His blue eyes almost becoming steel themselves as they squared up right with his father.

" This is getting us nowhere Arthur,"

" So I'm still not good enough to be called Father now Percy ? Are you going to be referring to your mother as Molly next time we meet ?"

Percy didn't rise to the bait. Instead Oliver felt him become more rigid and cold.

" I've learned to have great patience since the last time we met, and another thing I learned is that arguing never gets anything resolved."

Oliver watched as the haughty expression depleted somewhat from Arthur. The older redhead actually looked rather critically at his third eldest now.

" What do you propose then ? Just disappear again ? What am I meant to tell your siblings ? Or your mother for that matter ?"

" Tell them," Percy sighed, his brow frowned deep as he caressed his temple with his free hand. " Tell the lot of them I will meet them at the Burrow on Saturday for lunch."

Is he serious ? Lunch ? At the Burrow ? In OUR World ?

Judging by the shell shocked expression on Mr Weasley's face it appeared he could not believe what he heard either. In fact, Oliver was certain the man was in the throws of a stroke.

" Are you serious Percy ?"

Percy's look never wavered. Instead a curt nod replied.

Arthur looked from the red head man to the brunette as if suddenly lost, then without a word got up from his seat and walked around to the fire place, grabbing his coat from the back on the way round. As he neared the hearth he kept his back to them both, grabbing a handful of Floo powder from the jar above on the mantle piece before throwing it into the still flickering flames.

" Arthur,"

Arthur turned around to glance over his shoulder at the one who spoke his name.

" Yes Oliver ?"

" I'd appreciate it if you didn't say anything that happened here tonight."

The old man nodded. " All right then. Save till Saturday."

" Yes. Give us time to prepare."

Arthur nodded once, chancing a final glance at the other man beside Wood. Percy had his face downcast, his expression unreadable but kept his hand firmly grasped in Wood's own. It was the last thing he saw before he quickly turned, threw the remaining powder into the flamed, and exited Oliver Wood's flat.

So the rumours were true...

--------

" Are you sure that was wise ?"

" What was wise Ol ?"

" Suggesting the get together at the Burrow on Saturday. Wouldn't it be a bit too soon for you and all ?"

Percy smiled at the concern in Oliver's voice, leaning into the other man's side and smiled wider when he felt Oliver's broad arm wrap tighter around his waist and pulling him closer to lay a light kiss on his temple. Both men had left Oliver's apartment and were walking to an apparition point that would take them back to the Yellow Bellied Dragon.

" I just think that since he's already sussed out that we're together now that the best thing now would be an offensive manoeuvre."

Oliver nodded, seeing his point. " A bit like a Quidditch play in a way right ? You know, make a strike for the goal before the other team's beaters and chasers catch on what you're doin'."

" Right."

" So all we have to do now is prepare for the inevitable confrontation on Saturday ?"

Percy nodded as both of them ducked into a nearby alleyway, looking back to make sure they were not being followed by any muggles as they did so. Both stopped about halfway down the narrow strip and turned to face on another, Oliver smiling a bit as Percy raised his wand above both their heads.

" Ready Ol ?"

Oliver nodded, squeezed his hand tight. " Let's get back to Thomas Percy."

CRACK ! CRACK !

--------

Arthur sighed as he sat himself down at the kitchen table, thanking Molly as she handed him a cup of tea and placed a plate with biscuits in front of him. He had just got back and already his family converged on him, many all wanting the same thing from him - questions with no real answers.

Where is he...What was he doing all this time...Who, or what, is that little boy...Does Wood know where Percy is after all...Where is my little boy Arthur...

Molly ushered them all out of the way and lead him into the kitchen and the tea and biscuits. Fred, George, Ginny and Ron all took seats around the large table and waited, though it unnerved their father a bit with their vulture like stares coupled with the uneasy silence that accompanied it.

Like vultures waiting to pounce on the prey in the middle of the desert.

It was Molly's frantic, pleading look in her eyes that made him take stock though. He realised that, no matter how tired, confused or troubled he was by the sudden and abrupt meeting he had experienced a few minutes before, it could not compare to what his own wife must be feeling right now. With a final long sip from the tea and a quick bite from a butternut shortbread Arthur steeled himself, looking around from one eager face to the other, and decided it was time.

" I suppose you're all wondering how the meeting went with Oliver Wood ?"

Arthur caught the roll of the eyes from the twins and Ron, but was glad Ginny and Molly had the decency to just nod at what he knew was a very understated question.

" Does he know where Percy is Dad ?" asked Ginny. And she was surprised when Arthur snorted a bit at the question.

" Oh, he knew where Percy was all right. He was there when I arrived."

He heard Molly suck in a breath, and saw Fred and George almost do the same. Ginny and Ron though remained motionless though.

" How...how did he look Arthur ?"

" Just the same Molly dear. A bit thinner than what you would like I supposed, but overall he looked in good health."

" But what was he doing at Oliver Wood's in the first place ? I thought you said it was just a meeting between the two of you."

" Oliver said he wanted Percy there for moral support Fred, and judging by the way they were acting towards each other I think the feeling was mutual between them."

That made the twins raise their eyebrows simultaniously, as Arthur knew it would.

" What do you mean by that Dad ? You don' think that..."

Arthur shook his head. " I don't want you lot to jump to conclusions just yet. I may have been reading the situation wrongly and besides, you will all have your chance to ask Percy when he comes over."

" HE'S COMING HERE !"

Arthur raised an eyebrow at the sudden outburst, eyeing Ron as the youngest male in the family eyed his father with a shell shocked expression. Arthur nodded, making Ginny's own eyes widen and Molly gasp beside him.

" He says he wants to come here on Saturday for lunch."

" And you let him Dad ? After all that shit he put us through, you just expect to roll out the red carpet and..."

" If I recall Fred, " said Ron, looking over at the twin and frowning. " It was your idea to track him down in the first place and it was, after all, your lead that let Oliver find him before us."

Fred and George gaped at Ron. " What are you getting at Brother ?"

Ron shook his head, already halfway up from his seat as he pushed himself away from the table. " I'm just sick of all this arguing when there is no real answers to be had from it."

" But aren't you the least bit pissed..."

" At you Fred ? Yes. At Percy wanting to finally reach out after nearly five years ? I don't know just yet. But as a far as I'm concerned a little effort is better than none at all."

Ron looked around the table once, then shrugged and quickly exited the room and a few minutes later the sounds of footsteps bounding up the stairs followed, soon then by the slamming of an upstairs bedroom door.

" What," Fred said. " Was that all about ?"

--------

" I can't believe he's still sleeping."

" Not surprising really. We've only been gone for around an hour and besides, he's inherited your sleeping habits."

" Really ?"

" Yes really. A group of invading Death Eaters couldn't wake him up."

Oliver chuckled, gazing down at the peaceful looking child still bundled up under the covers and totally oblivious to the world around him. Percy was on the other side of the child, gently caressing their son's brunette hair and smiling at the smitten look Oliver had all over his face.

" There were no troubles then while we were gone ?"

Percy shook his head. " None what so ever. The barkeep checked in on him now and then and nothing unusual happened. The charm's in place still and none of the alerts were set off, so all in all he's just been sleeping this entire time."

Oliver nodded. " That's good. I don' think I'd be able to handle it if anything bad happened to Thomas while we were gone."

Percy smiled and nodded in turn. He only had to see how dotting and caring the look was in those brown eyes of Oliver's when he glanced into the room at their child to get that concern was there.

He really does care for Thomas, even after only knowing him a short time. Maybe it's time Thomas knew the truth about Oliver...

" Come on, let's leave him in peace. I've got a glass of brandy with your name on it in the kitchen waiting."

Oliver sighed. " Sounds good Perce. Lead the way."

Both men gently pushed off the little bed and began walking away from the bedroom, but Oliver stopped halfway and turned back just as Percy reached the doorway. As he watched from there Percy saw Oliver walk quietly back over to Thomas and bent down to lay a gentle kiss on his temple, smiling when the boy giggled a bit but did not wake up. And just barely when he did Percy caught a softly spoken verse as Oliver pulled back and began walking back to him.

" Love you Thomas. Sweet dreams."

--------

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

" Come in."

Ginny opened the door and poked her head around, seeing her brother sprawled out on his old bed and staring up at the ceiling. " How did you know it was me and not the twins or mum or dad ?"

Ron grinned. " Because you, dear sister of mine, are the only one in our lot to have the decency to knock before entering a room."

Ginny smiled and quickly entered the room, shutting the door and locking it behind her. A quick glance around Ron's room revealed it to be just the same as she remembered it in her childhood - bright orange all round with Chudley Cannon posters plastered on every available flat surface. She moved around and sat down on the chair next to the only window in the room. So far Ron had not spoken nor looked in her direction.

Looks like I'll have to get the ball rolling. As always with the men folk here.

" It's funny how Mum and Dad keep our rooms just the way we left them huh ?"

" Yeah. Every time I come over to visit I keep thinking I've accidentally set off a time turner and gone back to when I was twelve and heading off to Hogwarts."

Ginny nodded. " Yeah. I guess that's why Mum does it."

" By keeping our rooms the same she's doing what exactly ?"

" In a way keeping everything the same. You know, when times were simpler and everyone was, well, easier to understand. At least, that's how I see it anyway."

Ron nodded, his gaze still at the ceiling but his expression not as closed off as it was a few minutes ago. " I can see that. Gives them peace of mind in a way."

" In a way, yeah it does."

Then silence eloped them again. A few minutes passed them by. Ron staring at the rafters as prone as a turtle on it's back and Ginny looking anywhere else in the room but at the man on the bed. Then...

" Do you think that's why she keeps Percy's room the way it was ?"

Ginny startled. She had not expected her brother to speak so soon on the matter, let alone Percy. " Pardon Ron ?"

Ron sighed and quickly heaved himself upright and swung his legs over till his feet touched the floor. Leaning forward with his elbows on his knees Ron looked right over at his sibling intently, his eyes searching for something from her but Ginny not sure what.

" Mum and Dad keep our rooms the same out of habit because they know we will visit once in a while. But why bother keeping a room as it was for someone who, for all intent and purpose, should very well be dead and buried ?"

Ginny frowned. " Ron, what are you..."

Ron continued on as if he did not hear her. " They keep Percy's room as it was because they want to start off where they left off, before all that shit went down during my fifth and sixth year and then the whole Dark Lord war fiasco. They want to continue as if nothing happened when obviously a lot fucking has !"

" And your angry for them because of wanting to reconnect with their long lost son ?"

" Its not that. It just that,well..."

Ginny got up quickly and moved to sit on the bed beside Ron. Gently she placed a hand on his shoulder and made him look at her. Sincerity was all Ron could see in those eyes of his sister that, for the first time it seemed, were exactly like Percy's up close. " What is it then Ron ? It must be something major for you to get riled up so much."

Ron nodded. " I'm just worried Gin."

" About what ?"

" When Percy comes I'm worried it will change."

Ginny frowned. " What are you worried will change ?"

" Everything."

TBC

Sorry again loves about the late update. But from now on expect an update every few days, as I want to catch up and get this story on the way to completion soon and a happy ending to boot. Hope you liked it and remember, review at will and please, check out my other writings and let me know what you think !