The characters of the Harry Potter universe belong to Ms. Rowlings, and I'm borrowing them for my own imagination.

Chapter 36 - The Way to Forgiveness

Kingsley arrived at the Burrows at exactly twelve o'clock. He strode directly up to the door and knocked.

"Who is it?" He heard Arthur ask.

"Kingsley Shacklebolt, Minister of Magic." Kingsley said.

Arthur opened the door and let him in.

"How are Percy and Molly?" Molly asked. She was the only other person in the kitchen.

"Exhausted. Molly only slept in short spurts. They had to change her bandages at one this morning, and it took a while for Molly to calm down from the pain. She banged her hand every time she wanted to turn over in the night and would wake up crying. Audrey got Percy to calm down but I don't think he slept a wink." Kingsley said. "Is your family here?"

"Yes, they are in the living room." Arthur said and led the way.

When he reached the living the room, he saw that all those that had been present the night before, were again present.

"Minister." Ginny said standing. "I was the one who put the firecrackers in Percy's bed. I didn't mean for Molly to get hurt. Her being in danger of being hurt didn't even cross my mind. I just remembered the prank that was played on Percy a long time ago and decided to do it."

"Thank you for being honest, Miss Weasley. I have discussed it with Percy, and he would like to talk to you before it is decided what action will be taken." Kingsley said.

"Would it be alright if we all go?" Arthur asked. "We would all like to see Percy and Molly. I believe there is a lot that needs to be said for all of us."

"That would be fine, I have a port key. But he wants to see Miss Weasley first." Kingsley pulled out a saucer and they all grabbed a hold of it.

They went spinning and arrived in a small but neat living room.

"Welcome to my home. Please have a seat. Miss Weasley, if you will come with me." Kinglsey said and led her to the kitchen.

As they entered the kitchen, they saw that Percy was sitting at the table with Molly in his lap. Audrey seemed to be setting up some supplies in front of her. No one said anything to Ginny, but Kingsley gestured for Ginny to take a seat at the table where she could see what was about to happen.

"The rest of your family is here. I am going to go out and sit with them until you are finished. We don't want them rushing in when the screaming starts." Kingsley said as he patted Molly's head then squeezed Percy's shoulder.

"Thanks." Percy said.

"Use these." Kingsley said to Audrey handing her some earplugs.

"She will." Percy answered for her.

Audrey glared at him, but put them in her ears. Kingsley left satisfied.

Once Kingsley reached the living room again, he looked to were the rest of the family was gathered. "Audrey is about to change the dressing on Molly's hand. It is going to be unpleasant, but you all need to stay out her until Percy comes out again."

"We will." Bill said. Fleur scooted closer to him on the couch they shared with Arthur and Molly. Fleur knew just how unpleasant this was about to get. The rest of them were seated on the floor, leaving the old rocking chair open for him.

Back in the kitchen, Ginny sat quietly as she watched Audrey lay some supplies on the table. There were two bowls with clear liquid in them and some gauze and bandages.

"First we need to take off the bandage." Audrey said in a calm, quiet voice. Percy wrapped an arm tight around Molly kissing her head, the taking the arm of her hurt hand held it out to Audrey.

When Audrey started to unwrap the bandage, Molly began to whimper and tried to hit Audrey's hand away. Percy shifted Molly so that he could trap her free hand against his body.

"No! Audie, no!" Molly screamed out as she tried to pull her hand away.

"It's okay." Percy kept whispering to his daughter in a mantra as she began to cry.

When Audrey had all the bandages removed, she examined the hand. "All the redness has disappeared. It is blistered now, but they will hopefully be more healed tomorrow. You are going to have to hold her arm still while I clean it. You ready?" Audrey asked him.

"Yes." He said nodding and tightening his hold on Molly.

Molly let out a blood curdling scream when Audrey plunged her hand in the cleaning potion. Percy saw his sister grab a hold of the table, but he kept still, holding Molly's hand in the potion while Audrey tried to work free her finger she had fisted to make sure they were cleaned. Molly screamed and fought him the whole time.

"Okay." Audrey said as she raised the hand out of the potion. She then moved it to the second potion. Molly cried out but not as loud as previously. Percy saw that Ginny was watching as Molly struggled with the pain, he knew that huge tears were falling down his daughter's face.

Audrey lifted the hand out and patted it dry. Percy kissed his daughter's head and rocked her in his arms while Audrey got the bandage ready.

Molly started to cry out harder as Audrey began to dress her wounds.

"Why . . . why the glove bandage?" Ginny asked quietly. Percy looked over at her and saw that Ginny had huge tears falling but that she kept a constant watch at what was happening.

"When her skin heals, it keeps her fingers from growing together." Percy answered her. "Ginny, there is a glass of pumpkin juice in the fridge for Molly, can you get out?"

"Yeah." Ginny said and she took a deep breath before she got up. She walked slowly over to the fridge and took out the glass. Then she brought it back over to the table and sat it near Percy.

Audrey pulled out a small bottle and handed it to Ginny, "Add three drops to the juice and stir it." Ginny did as directed then sat back down.

Audrey released Molly's wrapped hand and Molly pulled it close to her body as Percy loosened his grip on her. Adjusting her more carefully into his lap, he took the glass and held it up for Molly to drink. Once she had drunk about half of the glass, he set it aside and stood up turning Molly in his arms. The little girl sobbed and clung to him with her good hand as he paced around the kitchen.

Ginny had begun to sob quietly herself just as Molly started to settle. Percy walked over to Audrey and carefully handed Molly to her.

"Daddy." Molly whimpered.

Percy kissed her head. "I'm not going anywhere. I am just going to talk to Aunt Ginny for a minute. You can see me the whole time."

Percy walked over and knelt by Ginny's chair. "Ginny?"

"I'm sorry, Percy. I am so sorry. I never meant for Molly to get hurt. I would have never intentionally hurt her. I was just so angry. I had all these big brothers who watched out for me, and even though I acted like I hated it. It made me feel safe. Then you and Dad fought and you were gone. I didn't know where you were, and Dad was so angry with you and Mum began to get very scared. I remembered after Harry rescued me from the Chamber, and you sat up with me and held and rocked me like when I was a little girl. It was like you started the loss of my protectors. Bill met Fleur and got married, she became his top priority. Charlie was still in Romania. Ron went on his mission with Harry and Hermione and left me behind, and yeah I know I am only sixteen, but I got very scared and very angry." Ginny started to sob harder. "I'm sorry." She choked out again.

Percy reached a hand out and put it on Ginny's shoulder. "I'm sorry I left, but I was angry at the time at Dad. Once I had Molly on the way, I had to put her and Penny first. You may not be the first priority in my life, but I am still your brother, and I love you very much."

Ginny fell out of her chair and wrapped her arms around Percy, "I love you, too." She sobbed into his shoulder. He picked her up and sat in the chair with her and rocked her in his arms like he would Molly, like he had done for Ginny so many times before when she was so much littler.

TBC