Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or it's characters, that right belongs to J.K. Rowling; nor do I own InuYasha or it's characters, that right belongs to Rumiko Takahashi.

He stood there at the gate of his family's burrow. Blue eyes were looking at the home he'd grown up in — a lot of good and some bad memories flashed through his mind. Today marked a full year since the end of the war. And the loss of many good wizards and witches.

"Percy?"

At the sound of his name, he jerked, being startled from his thoughts, memories, and looking down at his companion, giving them a small shake of his head. Only to earn a skeptical eyebrow-raising up.

"Shall we?" He asked, his voice cracking and showing how nervous he was.

The soft chuckle was all the answer he needed as he offered his arm. A small smile curling the corners of his mouth when a pale, petite hand clasped it. And then they were walking to the burrows' front door. As they drew near, the sounds of the rest of the family bustling about could be heard clearly. And just last Sunday he'd been here having brunch with his family. His visit a surprise. But there'd been a purpose to that visit.

"You do not have to be nervous, Percy," his companion commented.

At their words, he chuckled. They were right. So, with a deep calming breath, he reached out and opened the front door, stepping aside to allow his companion to enter first. Proprietary dictated he should. Once inside, the door shut, Percy took both their coats and hung them. Then once more offering his arm. Enjoying the playful rolling of blue eyes as it was made. Then he was leading them to the kitchen where he could hear Bill talking about possible new security measures at Gringotts. Something that was sorely needed, as proven by Harry, his brother Ronald, and Hermione.

Pausing at the entrance to the kitchen, Percy cleared his throat. Instantly it was silent, all eyes on him and his companion. He could feel his ears burning under the weight of their stares. But it was the comforting squeeze on his arm that made him walk forward to the two empty seats between his dad and Charlie.

Once he had his guests seated, as well as himself, Percy took a deep calming breath. He was repeating the mantra that had helped him over the last year in the back of his mind.

"Mum, Dad, everyone, this is my acquaintance I asked last Sunday to bring. Miss Kagome Higurashi," he said, aware that a smile graced his face as he said her name. "Kagome, this is my family."

Silence reigned for a full minute. His blue eyes were darting around the table, taking in their reactions. Since last Sunday, when he had requested to bring a guest for today, the anniversary brunch of burying his younger brother, Fred. Explaining a smidge of whey before George had spoken up, stating he was curious and okay with it though Percy had taken great care not to give away Kagomes identity or gender.

"Percy... this is... your acquaintance... who... has helped you... over the last year?" His father asked him, his shock and hesitation very clear.

Understanding his dad's reaction, Percy just nodded his head yes and causing his father's eyes to go impossibly wide in his face. He had figured his father and two older brothers would know who Kagome was.

"So, care to tell us how you know Lady Higurashi? The Asian Branch Minister of Magic?" Bill asked.

A sweet laughter filled the air. Making the tension that was seeping from Percy's body vanishes while all attention was focused on the raven-haired woman sitting next to him.

"Through work, originally. Percy is the Head of the Department of Magical Transportation. So, it should not be too surprising we've met," Kagome said, her voice soft, though slightly reprimanding.

Her slight chastisement had Bill flushing, while Fleur looked a bit crossly at Kagome. Whom Percy noticed ignored her.

"Yes, we are aware of his promotion to such a position. But how exactly did it cause you two meet?" His mum asked.

Percy knew that shrewd and assessing look in his mother's eyes. She was gauging Kagome. Trying to figure what Kagome's interest in him was. It had him feeling both warmth and cold in his chest.

"I think Percy should tell that story," Kagome replied, giving another laugh. This one clearly due to amusement.

As all eyes focused back on him again, Percy felt his throat constrict. There was only curiosity in all of their gazes. No, condemnation, or anger towards him.

With a cough to clear his throat, Percy launched into their story, "After the war, when things started to settle, and Shacklebolt made me the head of my department, I took the time to go through all the paperwork that was archived. Realizing that a lot of the floo network and the port key were in need to be updated. So, I drew up a proposal for that, adding that we should try to make traveling to other countries easier as well."

Stopping to take a breath, calming his nerves, Percy continued, "Shacklebolt approved of my idea and tasked me with pitching it to the various countries Ministry Leaders. And when I go to the Asian Branch... Well, let's just say even with all my research on it and its customs, I was sorely unprepared."

At recollecting his first impression nine months ago, Percy shook his head. He'd seen a lot of unique oddities that day.

"It took me a while to get where I had to meet their Minister. As I waited, I went over the proposal when someone sat next to me and decided to start a conversation. Much to my annoyance. As you all know how I am," he said, his voice dropping to a soft mutter.

They knowing looks he got at his statement had him briefly looking at the table. A slight nudge to his left knee from Kagome had him sighing and taking a glance at her. Seeing her deep blue eyes shine with her support of him doing this. All apart of what she called the healing process.

"Percy?"

He was blinking owlishly at the sound of his mum's calling his name. He couldn't help the flush spreading across his face and clearing his throat again, as several soft chuckles came from around the table: even Kagome, the traitor.

"Anyways, after some small talk. I was called in for my appointment. And that is where I finally looked at my... at the time... unwanted conversation partner, Kagome," he said, feeling his cheeks heat further. "Being polite as mum taught me, I bid her ado and entered the office where I saw a... uniquely colored man sitting on the couch, ignoring me. Even as I thought he was looking at me with a cold and piercing, golden gaze."

Trailing off, Percy looked at his elder brother and dad and seeing their understanding on their faces. Both knew of Kagome and her guard dog, in a rather literal sense. The human-made you feel as if you breathed wrong, you'd die by his hand.

With a deep breath, he continued his tale, "After more than a few awkward minutes the man spoke, his voice showing how annoyed he was baffling me. Until it dawned on me, it was not myself; he was speaking to. As a soft, feminine sigh came from directly behind me... Causing me to go rigid where I stood not long after I felt as if my eyes would pop out of my face as my jaw dropped. Because they're walking past me to the empty desk was... Kagome. A mischievous smile on her face as I felt the blood drain from my face."

Several sets of eyes went wide because they all knew him. How blunt to the point of rudeness he could be. And he had been in his answers to the questions. He was wanting to dissuade Kagome from talking to him.

As a throat laugh came from Kagome before she spoke, "I had heard that all British people were polite. I was shocked at how... harsh and sharp his replies were. It was a nice change of pace. And I decided not to tell him who I was. Besides my position, it is not every day; someone is honest with me. They rather play pointless word games, flatter me to earn my favor. It is disgusting, and I hate it."

Percy was sure he'd be permanently red from his embarrassment. Though seeing the amused looks from his family members was not helping at all.

"So... essentially, you were playing a prank of Perfect Percy?" George asked.

Instantly his body went stiff at the nickname. Percy dropped his head down to hide how it hurt. Since he knew he was anything but perfect. That perfection was an ideology that was just a pipe dream.

"Yes, I was," Kagome said. "And I think you should think before you speak. Words are the cruelest weapon we have. They are said without thought and with good intentions most times. But they cut the deepest, and leave the least visible scars."

At her words, Percy nudged her with his knee showing his gratitude and looking at her from the corner of his eye. Only to see a pointed and telling look in her ocean blue eyes.

"What do you mean?" George asked.

Lifting his head and stealing his nerves, Percy gave the reply, "I do not like being called perfect. I am the furthest thing from it, for I've come to know that I have many failings and faults, George. And being called that makes me... feel like... shite in all honesty."

His words got a massive reaction from everyone at the table. There was confusion, anger, sadness, and worry flashing across all their faces. It had him wanting to put his walls he had spent the last year tearing down.

"Why, Percy?" his mum asked.

Turning his head to look his mother dead in the eye as he felt Kagome's arm brush against his subtly. Comforting him and fortifying him with courage and confidence.

"This last year has seen a lot of changes in both the wizarding world and in the lives of the people. And we all bear scars because of the war. I still have nightmares of Fred dying in my arms from that explosion. Every day after the funeral, when it finally sunk in, he was dead and not going to return, depression hit me hard," He said, hearing the slight quiver in his voice.

Swallowing Percy pushed on, not breaking eye contact with his mum, "Soon, my thoughts went from how and why it should have been me, not Fred. That everyone would be happier, better off if I had died instead. Because I had been an egotistical, pompous prat, disowning my family for my pride and gain. That I've never fit in and was constantly made aware of it by all the teasing comments, I bore them in silence, trying to find out how and why I was even born to this family while trying to make you all proud and failing."

His head hung down again as he finished speaking. The silence was telling. Keeping his gaze on his still empty plate, he just waited for the blowout. Kagome was the only thing keeping him right there. Since he could feel that odd tingling that indicated she bound his magic from him.

And as the silence dragged on for a few more minutes more before Charlie spoke up for the first time. "While I agree with how you acted and was mad at you for making mum cry over your choices. You are your own man, my brother. I love you no matter what, Perce. And I can say I'd be just as devastated if you'd died."

Percy heard the hard edge in Charlie's voice. A soft murmuring an agreement had him raising his head in complete disbelief. Of course, there was still anger present, but it was different now. It was for what he said, how he had felt.

"You've had that bottled up for a long time. Never talked about it. And we too are at fault for not noticing and bringing it up either," His dad said. "But Percy Ignatius Weasley, I never want to hear those rotten words from your mouth again. Never have your mum, or I thought we'd rather have you dead. Do you understand me?"

The sharp reprimand from his usually passive, hands-off, docile dad was a cold bucket of water to the face. Slowly he nodded his head in understanding. He was earning a broad smile from his dad, who was holding his mum close. Her face was crestfallen and shame-filled.

"Mum?" he asked.

"I... Percy, I... am sorry," she said softly.

He did not need her to elaborate. So, he just nodded again. He was seeing her face relaxed as she looked past him to Kagome, no doubt. Curiosity in her gaze as she looked back at him. The question not spoken, but he understood. He had asked to bring an acquaintance who'd helped him be who he was. And he felt himself smile.

"I guess I should... elaborate more on what I said last Sunday for those that were not here," he chuckled. "I told Ron, Hermione, Harry, Ginny, Charlie, and mum. I wanted to bring acquaintance who's helped me throughout this last year. Of course, it's Miss Higurashi. If not for her, I've no idea where or what I'd be doing, or even alive, in all honesty."

The sudden pain in his arm had Percy yelping aloud, as his family openly chuckled at his discomfort. He was shooting a quick glare at Kagome. Who returned it in like kind.

"Anyways," He groused, rubbing at that now sore spot on his arm. " When I was there to discuss updating the port keys and give my proposal on long distant flooing, I did not expect to have her agree. I thought it'd take 3 of the four days I'd been given."

Again he glanced at Kagome. Who just looked innocently at him. IT was rather comical how quickly she shifted emotions and wore them so openly.

"What I'd been pushing for change and updating. You gave me the leverage we needed. The only problem was the differences in how our magic works," She snipped primly.

Letting out an overly dramatic sigh and rolling his eyes at her. Something a year ago, Percy would never do. He looked back at his family, noting they all were trying not to laugh as they smiled. Not quite sure what was so amusing to them, he pushed it from his mind.

"I messaged Shacklebolt and was told to stay for the rest of the time allotted to me. This gave my mind time to sink further into... those thoughts," He said.

A soft sigh from next to him before Kagome spoke up, "I found him during one of those deep in thought moments. And remarked upon it."

Groaning, Percy lifted a hand and ran it through his hair. "Yes, you did. Out of nowhere telling me, I was not honoring the person I was thinking about by wishing for my death in his stead and leaving me stunned and very confused. Hence me asking if you were a legilimens," Percy stated.

A chuckle from Kagome before she punched his arm again, extra hard. Causing him to pretend to be wounded for it.

"Yeah, well, like I'd know what that was, baka gaki!" She exclaimed, rolling her eyes back at him.

"True. After explaining it to Kagome, she just laughed at my expense for about twenty minutes. When she finally contained herself, she lectured me about how she knew what I was thinking. Before telling me to get over myself and move forward, with the same blunt politeness, I had previously addressed her with." Percy said, smiling widely.

A partially smothered snort had him looking down at the tiny raven-haired woman.

"Being you, you asked in such an imperious manner how you should go about that. Not expecting me to answer you either, Mister Weasley," she replied, laughing, not even trying to hide her amusement.

Unaware of the looks he was receiving for his open banter with Kagome, as well as his mirth, being showed unrestrained, Percy gave his companion a mock look of wounded pride. He was making her laugh harder.

"You are right. Though the way you switched gears as you gave me your response in a no-nonsense manner, I'd never associate with you, "he said, chuckling and shaking his head. "And I quote, 'Accept I cannot change the past and move forward, forgive myself, and accept the forgiveness of those I hold dear.'"

The way he saw Kagome nod her head sagely at him repeating his advice. All while trying and failing to maintain a serious face. It was amusing to watch as her lips kept twitching, and her eyes sparkled, indicating she knew she was failing. A polite cough drew Percy's back to the present. She was reminding him that he wasn't alone with Kagome. And at seeing the looks on his family's faces, he felt a new wave of heat flush his face and ear tips.

"So, how much of... Miss Higurashi's advice have you completed, Percy?" His mum asked.

He was feeling thoroughly embarrassed. Percy raised a hand to his mouth and cleared his throat as he tried to collect himself. He gave a small smile to his parents after lowering his hand once he felt centered enough.

"Well, that is why I asked to bring Kagome. I've done it all but the acceptance forgiveness from those I hold dear. It took a year or so. And it was only proper to introduce everyone," He stated. "Because you are my family, my reason to live."

At his words, he saw the shock expressed openly on every member of his family's faces. Then how it morphed into pride and happiness. And all it took was a stubborn, nosey, foreign Head Minister to get him to this point.

They stood just in front of his flats fireplace. A comfortable silence was hanging between them. Each with their thoughts. Both visually content with all that had happened earlier in the day.

"Miss Kagome, I knew that my dad and eldest brother would know who you were. But Charlie... he...knows... you are exactly. It was a bit of a surprise, actually," Percy said, not voicing his question of how.

A soft laugh before he was rubbing his arm again. Sure it was bruised. And amazed at the strength such a small, petite woman could have.

"I met him just after the Triwizard cup at Hogwarts. A visit to Romania. It involved a pissy dragoness, a lot of fire, and me putting up a shield to protect not only me but your brother and his group,``she replied. "On instinct alone, no less."

Humming in response, Percy let his mind analyze what he was told. Not many knew that Kagome was a Miko. A very powerful and old one at that. It was a very well kept secret. And Percy knew that Charlie would keep it safe. So, as the silence continued to settle over them. Only Percy felt as if a heavyweight settled on his shoulders. She was making a nervous twinge crawl through his veins, followed by the sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. Just to be confirmed when Kagome spoke again.

"Percy, I need to talk to you about... something serious."

THE END!