The sun shone down on the Leaky Cauldron's parlor and Tom smiled at Amythest as she settled Kaysar and Adeleina at a table and then walked over to the bar herself, "Hello Tom, I need a cup of tea right at the bar, please," she said in a gentle, yet very quiet voice. "I'm just waiting for my sister to get here."

"One cup of tea coming right up, Mrs. Linnis," Tom replied cheerfully. "Your sister's sitting by the fire."

Nodding, Amythest swiftly moved across the parlor over to the sitting area and saw LeighAnn sitting in the fire in a pair of boots, dress pants, a long sweater, and gloves with her long blonde hair trailing down her back in a carefully crafted braid. A large winter cloak was hung over the back of the plush chair.

"Even after all this time, you still have Dad's eyes," Amythest said in a compassionate voice as she sat in the chair across from LeighAnn and saw that LeighAnn's dark eyes were focused on the flames.

LeighAnn sighed and looked at Amythest, "As I was leaving, Mrs. Weasley pulled me aside and hinted that Charlie would be coming with their group to Diagon Alley," she said in an annoyed voice.

Amythest chuckled, but quickly quieted down, "You've not even been widowed a year, but I do understand Mrs. Weasley's concern about how you are going to support yourself and Michael on your own," she replied in a concerned voice. "I hear Charlie works with dragons and he gets paid well…"

"I taught school in the Muggle world for many years and I've always lived cheap, so I've got quite a bit of money even without relying on Dad," LeighAnn stated softly. "I only came to Diagon Alley today because Dad needs some things from the apocathery; otherwise, I would have gone straight to St. Mungo's."

Amythest's eyes widened at the mention of St. Mungo's, "Mum?" she quietly mouthed to her sister.

"I won't be able to get away at Christmas to visit her," LeighAnn whispered as she stood up and quickly put her cloak back on. "Michael's back at the house being watched by Mrs. Weasley, but I shouldn't take longer than I absolutely need to today. After I'm done here, I'll go to St. Mungo's and then maybe do a little house hunting. I want to move once the term's started again, as I can avoid goodbyes then."

Amythest sighed just as the front door to the Leaky Cauldron opened, "See you," LeighAnn said in a hushed voice, turning around and leaving the parlor just as Mr. Weasley, Charlie, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Lily, Rose, Albus, Molly, Hugo, Dominique, Victoire, and Lucy, all of whom were heavily bundled up, came into the pub and began stamping their boots off. Adeleina looked up from her tea, but frowned when she didn't see James with the group. She whispered to her father and Kaysar replied softly.

"Mummy, it's Professor Linnis!" Rose spoke up in an excited voice, suddenly spotting Kaysar.

Hermione smiled at Kaysar, "Here to do some Christmas shopping are you?" she asked in a cheerful voice as she smiled at her colleague. "Some of the kids wanted to come and also do some shopping."

"Auntie Hermione, I'm hungry," Albus spoke up in a soft voice. "Can we eat before we go shopping?"

Hermione looked at Mr. Weasley, who chuckled, "Grandpa, I'm not hungry," Lucy spoke up. "Can Molly and I just go to Diagon Alley by ourselves? Mummy and Daddy taught us where everything is."

"How about I go with you two since I'm not hungry either?" Mr. Weasley suggested, not wanting Percy's daughters to go alone and possibly get into trouble. "I've got some rather private shopping to do."

Lucy nodded and quickly grabbed Mr. Weasley's hand and Molly grabbed his free hand, "Can you help us find something special for our daddy?" Molly asked in a soft voice as the three of them left the pub.

"Oy Tom, can we get some service over here please?" Ron shouted in a casual voice. "We're starving!"

"NO!" Mrs. Weasley heard a panic-filled voice shout from the room Percy was staying in. "NOOOOO!"

There was a crash and Mrs. Weasley hurried into the room and saw Percy still asleep and on the floor with sweat pouring down his hair, face, and pajamas. He was shivering violently and quietly sobbing.

"Percy!" Mrs. Weasley shouted as she quickly hurried to his side and knelt down next to him.

Percy, however, didn't wake up and continued to sob, "Percy, wake up," Mrs. Weasley said in a gentle, yet very firm voice as she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close. "Percy, it's Mum."

"Mum," Percy moaned softly as he swallowed hard and opened his eyes. "W-Where am I?"

Mrs. Weasley sighed and gently stroked Percy's messy hair, "You fell asleep at Professor Snape's kitchen table and he helped me get you up here to bed," she replied in a soothing voice. "Can you stand at all?"

Swallowing hard, Percy nodded and slowly pulled himself on to the edge of the bed using his left hand and immediately trembled, "I was dreaming about how I met Audrey," he said in a trembling voice.

Mrs. Weasley froze, but silently sat on the edge of the bed and was unsurprised when Percy put his head in her lap, almost as if he needed that security, "Audrey was on a list of Muggleborns that were going to be questioned by Umbridge and I was part of the guard detail who was to escort them to their questioning," Percy explained in a faint voice as he recalled those memories. "She was so beautiful…"

The door suddenly creaked open and Harry stood there with a nervous looking Chommer, "Oh, sorry," Harry said in an apologetic voice as Chommer entered the room holding a tray containing a bowl filled with stew and a few biscuits that sat on a plate along with a mug and a few clean utensils. "Professor Snape is running James and Fred's Potions exam and Teddy's resting, but Chommer and I can go..."

"It's all right, Harry," Percy spoke softly. "You should hear this, considering events of the past."

Harry nodded, but remained by the door, "Audrey was already slated to be imprisoned because she was a Muggleborn and she told me so as we waited for the rest of the guard detail," Percy explained in a slightly quivering voice as Mrs. Weasley gently stroked his hair. "I couldn't let someone that beautiful end up suffering the wrath of Umbridge so I told Audrey to pretend to faint and she promptly did."

Harry's eyes widened, but he said nothing so that Percy could speak freely, "Such a commotion was caused by her fainting and I used the distraction to sneak Audrey out one of the fireplaces," Percy explained softly. "I think someone saw me, but we got away. I contacted an old friend of mine named Garrett Corvallis and he arranged for Audrey to flee to America. Audrey escaped, but I was turned into Pius Thicknesse and charged with aiding the escape of a Muggleborn; I was punished and sentenced…"

"Is…is that why you got so sick in Azkaban?" Harry asked, wondering if Percy had been a prisoner before.

Mrs. Weasley gasped as Percy slowly sat up and lifted the sleeve of his pajamas, revealing a small collection of scars carved into his arm that read 'Mudblood Lover.' Mrs. Weasley gasped softly.

"Who did this to your arm?" Mrs. Weasley asked as she gently touched the scars. "Oh Merlin."

Percy trembled, but didn't pull his arm away and Harry moved in for a look, "Was that from Umbridge's quill too, Percy?" Harry asked in a soft, concerned voice. "The scars look too deep to be from a quill…"

"It was from Bellatrix Lestrange's knife," Percy replied in a hollow voice. "Thicknesse sent her to the prison to ensure that I would be ready to come back at the end of my month sentence. Bellatrix told me that she had carved things into many people's arms as a way of getting them to be more submissive…"

Harry cringed, suddenly remembering that Hermione had undergone the exact same torture, "When I returned to the Ministry, my time in Azkaban was never spoken of and I was assigned to work in a small office where they could keep a better eye on me," Percy whispered. "I left soon after Christmas and lived wherever I could find food and stay connected to a radio; I heard a bit of Potterwatch as well…"

"Do you have other scars?" Mrs. Weasley asked in a concerned voice as she stroked Percy's hair.

Percy nodded, but promptly leaned against Mrs. Weasley, "Harry, why don't you go see if James and Fred are getting along with Professor Snape?" she suggested. "Chommer, bring that food here."

Harry nodded and silently left the room as the timid house elf approached the bed with tray of food.

"What's Dad going to say when he finds out what I did?" Percy asked anxiously as Mrs. Weasley picked up the spoon and filled it with stew from the bowl. "Everyone else has already written me off…"

Mrs. Weasley sighed, "Hush; we'll discuss it later," she replied softly as she offered him the spoon. "Eat."

"Do you think Daddy will like this, Grandpa Weasley?" Molly asked as she and Lucy stared up at a mannequin that held a dark red cloak and matching set of professional robes. "It's brand new."

Arthur, who had been looking at the price of new robes for James at Harry's request, came over to where his two young granddaughters were standing, "That's a lovely outfit, girls," he replied softly, wondering if Molly and Lucy had any idea how much the robes really cost. "Do you want to get it?"

"Dad might like it," Molly replied in an uncertain voice. "Lucy, what do you think of it?"

The door to the shop opened and closed as Lucy continued studying the robes, "Excuse me, do you have navy blue baby's outfits?" a gentle voice suddenly spoke. "I can just size them myself later on…"

"Excuse me, you blonde little serpent, I was here first!" a fierce voice hissed. "Get out of here!"

Arthur turned just in time to see Pansy Parkinson pull out her wand and point it at LeighAnn, "You act so high and mighty now that the war is done and your serpent blood can stay hidden," Pansy hissed, her eyes blazing with fury so much that she was unaware that more people had entered the shop. "It's bad enough that you and your sister were Snape's offspring, but you defied the Dark Lord…"

"Voldemort did enough to my sister and I," LeighAnn replied coldly. "Being in Slytherin means nothing!"

Pansy chuckled and put her wand back in her robes, "Why don't you offer to trade yourself for Draco?" she asked in a malicious voice. "You'll never be anything more than a serpent and child of a traitor."

"LeighAnn was in Slytherin?" Ron, who was disturbed by the scene before him, asked nervously.

Pansy smirked and LeighAnn suddenly became aware of the crowd in the shoppe, "Yes, I was," LeighAnn whispered, suddenly feeling angry, sad, scared, and overwhelmed. "If you will all excuse me, please."

There was total silence as LeighAnn pushed through the crowd and left the shop with tears streaming down her pale face, "Honestly, Ron, you prat!" Hermione snapped as she glared at her husband.

"Snakes never change their stripes," Pansy hissed right before she stormed out of the robes shoppe.

Ron paled at Hermione's glare, "Charlie, Victoire, Fleur, Angelina, please help the kids with their shopping and we'll meet you back at the Leaky Cauldron, all right?" Hermione asked softly as she gazed at Charlie, who was beet red and shocked that LeighAnn was a Slytherin. "Ronald and I need to talk."

When Charlie nodded, Hermione grabbed Ron's ear and dragged him out of the shop in a hurry.

"Professor Longbottom?"

Neville looked up from the parchment he was marking and was surprised to see Scorpius awake, but looking slightly nervous and confused, "Scorpius, how are you feeling?" he asked in a gentle voice.

"What happened?" Scorpius whispered in a trembling voice. "I remember running down the steps…"

Nodding, Neville set the parchment aside, "You slipped on some ice and fell down the steps on to the Entrance walk," he explained in a gentle voice. "Madam Pomfrey says you cracked your skull, dislocated your left shoulder, and cracked some ribs, but you'll be all right. You'll need to stay here a few days…"

"I'd rather just stay in the dungeon by myself," Scorpius replied softly. "I don't want to trouble you."

Neville sighed, "Madam Pomfrey did some healing spells, but they weren't very effective, so you'll have to rely on rest, time, and some potions to recover," he explained gently. "Being on your own right now is entirely out of the question even if you weren't injured; you're a minor and it's the holiday season."

"I'm used to it," Scorpius muttered, remembering all the times he had spent time alone at his family home because his parents had both been out earning enough of a living so they could at least eat.

Neville raised an eyebrow at that statement and Scorpius immediately cringed, "We're not well off," Scorpius explained in a nervous voice. "It's hard for my mum and dad to find work in our world…"

"Ah," Neville replied softly, realizing that even now, the Malfoy name was seen as less than desirable.

Scorpius sighed, "Do I really have to be in here for a few days, Professor?" he asked softly.

"If you've got someone to observe you and make sure you take your needed potions, you don't," Madame Pomfrey said in a firm voice as she came out of her office with a vial full of potion in hand.

Scorpius cringed and promptly closed his eyes; he knew that nobody would willingly take him in.

"Poppy, might I have a word with you in your office?" Neville asked softly, suspecting that Scorpius had closed his eyes to ward off unwanted attention. It was fine anyway, as the young boy needed rest.

Madam Pomfrey nodded and moved back into her office. Neville sighed and silently followed after her.

"…Father, I have had it," Harry heard LeighAnn's distressed voice say. "I am leaving with Michael today."

Harry frowned , pausing on the steps as the door to the lab opened and James and Fred came out looking slightly tired, "Hi Dad," James said in a soft voice, seeing his father standing on the stairs.

"James, how was your exam?" Harry asked as he came down the stairs. "Fred, how did you do?"

James shrugged, "Professor Snape's a better teacher than Professor Slughorn," he replied softly. "We were about done when Professor Jenner came in and asked to talk to Professor Snape. Professor Snape asked us to leave and he said that we should hang out with Teddy; where is Teddy, anyway?"

"Who called me?" Teddy, who had come downstairs to try and force himself to eat only to be asked to babysit Michael by LeighAnn for a few moments, asked as he came out of the kitchen with Michael cooing happily in his arms. Harry raised an eyebrow at seeing Teddy's hands no longer bandaged.

Fred and James smiled and hurried over to Teddy, immediately engulfing him in gentle hugs. Teddy froze for a brief moment and then relaxed. Michael cooed at James and Fred before huddling against Teddy.

"…I will be talking to Mister Weasley upon his return from Diagon Alley," Harry heard Professor Snape say in an unusually angry voice. "I am sorry that you had to endure such treatment, daughter; I am…"

There was silence and then LeighAnn came down the hallway, "Thank you for watching Michael, Teddy," she said in a gentle voice as she took Michael into her arms. "I'll be leaving very soon for London."

"You're leaving?" Harry asked in a shocked voice as he gazed at LeighAnn. "What happened?"

LeighAnn sighed, "Apparently, my past as a Slytherin student and one who suffered torture at the hands of Voldemort has made me unappealing to the magical folk of today," she replied in a very Snape-like voice as she cuddled Michael close. "Enough of a scene was made in Diagon Alley this morning…"

"Professor Jenner, are you gonna come back and teach at Hogwarts?" James asked in a worried voice.

LeighAnn smiled sadly, "I'm not sure yet, James," she replied gently. "However, you, Fred, and the other students need to do your very best in your classes even if I do not come back; you must promise this."

"We promise," James and Fred said in unison just as Professor Snape came down the hallway.

Professor Snape cleared his throat and handed LeighAnn a small scroll, "Here is a deed to some property of mine in London where you and Michael can stay until you sort things out," he said in a fatherly tone as he gazed at Harry. "I am not going to force you to stay here where you are judged by your past."

"Thank you, Father," LeighAnn replied gently. "I'm taking Michael upstairs and I will pack my things."

As LeighAnn carried Michael upstairs, Harry frowned at Snape, "Professor, I don't understand why she's leaving," Harry said in a confused voice. "We all seemed to be getting along so well before today…"

"It is quite simple, Potter," Severus stated in a firm voice. "Your friends cannot seem to let the past go."

Amythest's eyes widened in anger as Ron recanted the incident in Madam Malkin's that had caused LeighAnn to flee Diagon Alley. While Amythest, Ron, and Hermione sat at a table near the fire, Mr. Weasley stood at the bar with Molly and Lucy, both of whom were holding a large gift bag containing the outfit they had picked for their father's Christmas present with the intent of cheering him up.

After LeighAnn had fled, Hermione had dragged Ron back to the Leaky Cauldron where Kaysar, Amythest, Adeleina, and Ginny were finishing lunch; the situation had been immediately revealed and Hermione had slapped Ron hard. Kaysar had taken Adeleina off to do some shopping so that Amythest could talk to Ron and Hermione alone; Kaysar had no desire to get into a discussion about the past.

"…I must say I'm surprised that you have such distaste for Slytherins even though it's been 19 years since the Battle of Hogwarts," Amythest replied softly as she gazed at Ron. "I understand that Draco and his cronies were prats, but now Draco's missing; LeighAnn and I didn't associate with them anyway."

Ron nodded, suddenly feeling very ashamed, "Yes, LeighAnn and I were both in Slytherin House and no, we are not ashamed of being Sorted there," Amythest explained firmly. "Our father worked very hard to raise us and, although he wasn't perfect, we had a pleasant enough life; even when Voldemort…"

"LeighAnn mentioned that Voldemort did enough to you and her, Amythest," Ron interrupted, suddenly recalling something LeighAnn had said in Madam Malkin's. "What exactly did Voldemort do?"

Amythest sighed, "LeighAnn and I were two among many who suffered from Voldemort's wrath," she replied in a very somber voice. "People both inside and outside of the Ministry suffered greatly…"

"Like Percy's ever suffered a day in his life working for the Ministry," Ron scoffed, unable to believe that Percy was seen as anything but royalty by the Ministry. "Percy sold his soul just for a little power…"

Hermione scoffed and smacked Ron on the forehead, "You PRAT!" she snapped, getting to her feet. "I can't believe you're digging up old memories just because you're upset. You're better than this, Ron!"

Swallowing hard, Ron drummed his fingers on the table, "No wonder Percy's not getting any better," Hermione continued, remembering a scene she had witnessed the day before. "Ron, Percy's so afraid to get better and move on because you and George can't trust him; he's making himself sick over it…"

There was a long silence and then Ron's eyes widened, "Audrey was Muggleborn," he spoke in a voice filled with shock as he looked at Amythest. "How on earth did Audrey escape the…?"

"Percy must have done something," Hermione interrupted in a somber voice. "It's the only way…"

"…There we go," Mrs. Weasley said in a gentle voice as she gently dabbed at Percy's face and then set the napkin down next to the empty dishes. "Do you feel better now that you've eaten a full meal?"

Percy nodded, "Thanks Mum," he replied gently. "I feel better after explaining how I met Audrey…"

"Audrey was a lovely woman, dear," Mrs. Weasley said gently. "I'm only saddened by the fact that you couldn't have told any of us about what you actually went through a lot sooner; we could have helped."

Shaking his head, Percy gazed at his bandaged hand, "Even if I had been able to contact any of you in that year before the battle, I wouldn't have wanted any of you involved in that," he replied softly. "I said that I listened to Potterwatch and I also got news about Harry, Ron, and Hermione's actions."

"Stubborn child," Mrs. Weasley said in a gentle voice as she gently placed a hand on Percy's forehead to see how he was feeling. "Do you think you might be up for a little walk before everyone gets back?"

Percy slowly nodded, "Maybe a short one," he replied as he grabbed his cane off the edge of his bed.

Smiling, Mrs. Weasley waved her wand and a pair of dark red and very fluffy slippers appeared on her lap, "I was saving these for Christmas, but I think they'd suit you better now," she said in a gentle voice as she picked them up and carefully slipped them over his bare feet. "Do you want to try standing up?"

Swallowing hard, Percy planted his cane into the carpet and slowly stood up, "How about just from one end of the hallway to the other?" he suggested in a nervous voice. "The upstairs hallway is quite long."

Mrs. Weasley nodded, stood up, and slowly walked alongside Percy as they left the room and moved towards the other end of the hallway. A tired sigh filtered out one of the open bedroom doors.

"Oh, my darling Michael," Mrs. Weasley and Percy heard LeighAnn say. "We'll soon be gone."

Percy suddenly went very quiet and he looked at the carpet, but Mrs. Weasley frowned, "I wonder, did something happen at Diagon Alley that caused her to want to leave?" she whispered softly as she suddenly noticed Percy staring at the carpet. "Oh Percy, I'm sorry; let's continue with our walk."

As they began to move forward, LeighAnn came out of the room with one hand holding a small suitcase and her other hand on a carrier that held a tired looking Michael. She was dressed in Muggle boots, pants, and a loose sweater with a greatcoat over it while her hair was done up in a tight ponytail.

"Oh, Mrs. Weasley, Percy, I didn't realize anyone else was up here," LeighAnn said in a tired voice as she forced a calm, polite expression on her tired face. "As you may have guessed, Michael and I are moving."

Mrs. Weasley remained silent, but Percy looked genuinely confused, "Why before the holidays?" he asked in a tone that he hadn't used since before Audrey was killed. "It seems like a lot of work…"

"There was an unpleasant encounter at Diagon Alley that has made me uncomfortable with remaining here with specific company," LeighAnn replied softly, not wanting to implicate Ron or Pansy.

LeighAnn suddenly winced and quickly released the suitcase and set the carrier on the ground, "It's not been an easy recovery from that fight at St. Mungo's," she said in a strained voice. "I've been helping James and Fred with their work so that they don't have to repeat their first year and I'm so tired…"

"Oh, my dear, women need lots of rest after they've had a baby," Mrs. Weasley said in a concerned voice as she released Percy and picked up the suitcase. "Could you perhaps take a day to rest?"

LeighAnn sighed, "Why would you want to help someone like me?" she asked in an upset voice.

"Percy, would you mind staying with LeighAnn for a moment?" Mrs. Weasley asked in a concerned voice, fully intending on going downstairs and asking Professor Snape how she could help LeighAnn.

Nodding, Percy silently watched as his mother also picked up Michael's carrier and hurried down the stairs without a word, "Oh no, I bet he's hungry," LeighAnn whispered in a frustrated voice. "When I was packing, Michael was making faces and whimpering; I just wanted to pack and get it done…"

Swallowing hard, LeighAnn moved back into her bedroom, sat at the foot of the bed, and hunched over with her face in her hands. Even though he had never been one to serve as a good comforter for anyone, Percy followed her into the room and made himself comfortable on the front section.

"I guess we have something in common," Percy spoke softly. "We're both overwhelmed by life."

LeighAnn was silent for a moment and then sat up, "You have many people who support and will always love you for who you are, no matter what you've done," she replied in a confused voice. "I don't think…"

"My ego almost lost me my entire family," Percy interrupted, cutting her off as he looked at her. "I was a rather pompous prat when I was a little younger and I didn't come to my senses until right before my brother, Fred, was killed at the Battle of Hogwarts. You seem like a beautiful and intelligent woman…"

Tears pooled in LeighAnn's eyes, "I'm a Slytherin and nobody forgets that!" she cried as she looked at him trying, but failing, to keep her composure. "I'm not ashamed of my heritage, but others are afraid."

"You rescued James and Fred at a great personal cost, so you're a very noble person," Percy replied gently, hoping that she wouldn't cry, slap him, or hex him into silence for attempting to help her.

Suddenly, a jolt of pain shot through Percy's right hand and he winced as he flexed it, "What's wrong with your hand?" LeighAnn asked, suddenly noticing the fresh bandages covering his right hand.

"It was injured when Audrey was killed," Percy replied in a solemn tone. "I don't remember how…"

LeighAnn frowned, "May I touch it?" she asked in a curious voice, wondering if she could help somehow.

"If you must," Percy replied self-consciously as he extended his hand towards her. "Please be gentle."

Nodding, LeighAnn gently took hold of Percy's bandaged hand and began to gently massage it. Percy was silent and sighed as he suddenly felt the pain leave his hand; it had been paining him ever since he had first been in St. Mungo's after the attack and to have the pain suddenly disappear was strange.

"Percy, why don't you lean against the wall so you can rest your eyes a bit?" LeighAnn suggested gently, seeing that Percy looked a bit tired. Percy silently nodded and positioned himself right against the wall.

Not wanting Percy to overexert himself by stretching too far, LeighAnn shuffled closer to Percy and continued to gently massage his hand. Percy sighed, gradually relaxed, and slowly closed his eyes.

"…You're a right foul git and you need to apologize," Hermione hissed angrily as she and Ron stepped out of the fireplace into Snape's sitting room with their arms filled with bags that contained Christmas presents for their family and close friends. "I can handle wrapping these; go find LeighAnn…"

Ron sighed, but before he could reply, Kingsley's head appeared in the fire, "Ah, Auror Weasley!" he said in a relieved voice, noticing that Ron was there. "I hate to bother you, Ron, but I need Auror assistance."

"What for, Minister?" Ron asked, his mind immediately focused on undertaking some hard mission.

Kingsley sighed, "Professor Longbottom needs an Auror escort from Hogwarts to Hogsmeade and you'd also serve as a witness to a temporary guardianship assignment ceremony," he explained. "Professor Longbottom and his wife are temporarily taking custody of an injured Hogwarts student whose parents are incapable of caring for their child at this point in time and nobody else will provide an escort…"

"Why, who's the student in question?" Ron asked, wondering if he should leave the room right then.

Kingsley was silent for several minutes, "Scorpius Malfoy," he replied. "I know it's unusual…"

"Ron, you're serious about wanting to change your attitude, right?" Hermione spoke anxiously as she turned Ron's head towards hers. "I'm not sure if Scorpius is the same as Draco was at school…"

Ron sighed, "Anyway, Ron, with Draco still missing and Astoria gone into hiding goodness knows where, the Ministry was faced with either finding temporary guardians for Scorpius or sending the boy to a Muggle orphanage for the Christmas holidays," Kingsley explained somberly. "Hopefully by summer…"

"Ron, get out and don't come back until you've done the job!" Hermione, who realized that hate for Malfoys ran deep inside of Ron even after 19 years, snapped in a forceful tone. "Goodbye for now."

Without another word, Hermione stormed off towards the den. Ron sighed and stared at the floor.

"…Well, why don't we both go talk to LeighAnn and see if she will stay on the condition that Mister Weasley and any others who may have offended her apologize?" Ron suddenly heard Professor Snape say in an unusually concerned tone. "I too agree that LeighAnn needs more rest and time…"

Ron and Kingsley were silent as Severus and Mrs. Weasley, who was cudding Michael, came out of the kitchen, "Ah, Mister Weasley, we were just discussing your conduct in Diagon Alley," Severus, who was less than impressed with LeighAnn being treated in a terrible way, said in a stern voice. "Chommer!"

There was silence and Chommer suddenly appeared before Severus with a 'pop', "Master Severus wishes Chommer's help?" Chommer asked in an eager voice. "Chommer was cleaning upstairs…"

"Oh my, I left Percy upstairs and he's still got to do a bit of exercise," Mrs. Weasley suddenly gasped.

Chommer gasped, "Master Percy and Mistress LeighAnn are asleep," he spoke in a nervous voice.

"Are you joking?" Ron asked in a shocked voice before he could stop himself. "Percy's doing WHAT?!"

Severus quickly turned away so that nobody would see the amused smirk on his face, but Mrs. Weasley looked at Chommer, "Chommer, how exactly are they sleeping?" she asked in a nervous voice.

"They are cuddled against the wall, Mistress Molly," Chommer replied nervously. "It is very quiet…"

Ron scowled, "Enough!" he said in an anxious voice. "Kingsley, let's get out of here already!"

As Ron took the Floo out of the living room, Mrs. Weasley gasped, hurried up the stairs with Micahel in her arms, and walked down the hallway; she was very determined to see what kind of mischief her third oldest son and LeighAnn were up to. She stopped at the open doorway to LeighAnn's room and let out a quiet sigh of relief when she saw Percy lying back against the wall asleep while LeighAnn, who had fallen asleep whist massaging his bandaged hand and talking, was resting her head on his chest. Her hands were carefully cradling Percy's bandaged hand while Percy's other hand lay limply on the bed sheets.

Both were fully clothed and just appeared to be cuddling, Mrs. Weasley silently observed, and she was also very grateful that both Percy and LeighAnn had found a way to temporarily dispel their grief.

Downstairs, Severus had moved into his lab and shut the door for privacy so he could process what the house elf had just told them. He was more than amused by the situation, but everyone assumed him to be a nasty, heartless git who didn't feel emotion. Therefore, he would express his amusement alone.

"There we are," Neville said in a gentle voice as he gently secured Scorpius's arm back in its sling after helping Scorpius change from pajamas into a clean school uniform and robes. "Is that better?"

Scorpius nodded silently, "Thank you," he said in a quiet voice. "Can I go back to the common room?"

Silently reminding himself that Madam Pomfrey had told him that temporary memory problems most often accompanied head injuries, Neville shook his head, "I'll be taking you to my family's flat in Hogsmeade and you'll be spending at least the holidays with us; maybe the summer as well, if…"

"…If my mum stays in hiding and my dad isn't found," Scorpius finished in a somber voice.

Neville nodded and got to his feet just as Hagrid came into the Hospital Wing, "Neville, the carriage you asked for is at the gate," he said in a cheerful voice. "The Auror escort is waiting there for you both."

"Thank you, Hagrid," Neville replied as he got to his feet. "Well, Scorpius, are you ready to go?"

Swallowing hard, Scorpius slowly got to his feet and immediately sank back on to the bed, "I'll be along," he said nervously, trying to shake off the dizziness he felt from standing up. "I…I just need a minute."

For a moment, Neville was quiet and then he looked at Hagrid, "Hagrid, would you mind carrying Scorpius to the carriage?" he asked, concerned by how unwell Scorpius seemed. "Scorpius?"

Hagrid nodded, walked over to the bed, and gently scooped the young Slytherin boy into his arms, smiling at Madam Pomfrey as he followed Neville from the Hospital Wing. The walk through the castle corridors was quiet and it wasn't long before they got outside, only to see an agitated looking Ron standing beside a horseless carriage on the path. Hagrid gently set Scorpius on the ground.

"Hagrid will send your trunk in a day or two," Neville explained as he took off his cloak and covered Scorpius with it so the boy would stay warm. "Auror Weasley will be accompanying us to Hogsmeade."

Scorpius nodded and kept silent as Neville opened the carriage door, "In you get, Scorpius," Neville said in a gentle voice. "It's awfully chilly out here and the last thing I want to happen is you to catch a chill."

Ron silently watched as Scorpius slowly climbed into the carriage and huddled against the far window, almost as if he were afraid of everything, "Thanks so much for helping out with this, Ron," Neville whispered to his old school chum. "I know it's the holidays, but I couldn't sit by and do nothing…"

You're brave and noble like a Gryffindor, Neville. Ron silently thought as Neville got into the carriage.

Knowing that Kingsley and Hermione would have his head if he said or did anything inappropriate, Ron sighed, silently climbed into the carriage, and shut the door.

As the carriage pulled forward and began to make its way off the grounds towards Hogsmeade, he silently watched as Scorpius slouched in his seat and quietly fell asleep under Neville's cloak.

Neville chuckled sadly and looked out the window, but Ron's mind was reeling; had he been wrong to think Scorpius was just like Draco?

Please read and review!