" Wow... It is really a Grim...old place " Percy said sarcastically when battered door emerged out of nowhere between numbers eleven and thirteen, followed swiftly by dirty walls and grimy windows. It was as though an extra house had inflated, pushing those on either side out of its way.
Percy knew the headquarters of the Order of Phoenix was a old place belonged to Black family which Sirius allowed to use as a headquarters for the order but Percy didn't know the place would live up to its name .
The place reminded Percy of the old house from a Dracula movie .
"Shhh not in open " Moody hissed dragging his wooden leg followed by Lupin .
Percy saw Lupin tapping his wand at newly materialized door. Its black paint was shabby and scratched. The silver door knocker was in the form of a twisted serpent.
Once they entered the house Moody lifted the disillusionment Charm from Harry . He heard a soft hissing noise and then old-fashioned gas lamps sputtered into life all along the walls, casting a flickering insubstantial light over the peeling wallpaper and threadbare carpet of a long, gloomy hallway, where a cobwebby chandelier glimmered overhead and age-blackened portraits hung crooked on the walls.
There were hurried footsteps and Ron's mother, Mrs. Weasley, emerged from a door at the far end of the hall. She was beaming in welcome as she hurried toward them.
She pulled Harry towards a bone crushing hug and gushed "Oh, Harry, it's lovely to see you!" before holding him at arm's length and examining him critically. "You're looking peaky; you need feeding up, but you'll have to wait a bit for dinner, I'm afraid. . . "
She looked around and hurried towards Percy when her eyes landed on him " Oh Percy , it's good to -" whatever she about to continue was interrupted by a ear splitting scream causing everyone to clutch their ears .
Once the scream stopped Mrs. Weasley muttered tiredly " Not again " as she began to scurry up the stairs followed by Lupin .
"Filth! Scum! By-products of dirt and vileness! Half-breeds, mutants, freaks, begone from this place! How dare you befoul the house of my fathers —"
Percy rushed up the stairs still clutching his ears , saw Mrs. Weasley and Lupin tugging at the screen but it wouldn't budge .
The portrait screeching like a banshee was of an old woman whose yellow skin stretched as she was screaming waking up all other portraits along the stairway to scream along with her .
Percy took out his wand , yelling on of his favourite spells " Aqua eructo " aiming at the banshee woman causing her to shut up momentarily .
But that distraction was enough for Mrs. Weasley and Lupin to shut up the curtains tightly over the woman's face effectively silencing her .
Percy winced rubbing his ears " I had never seen a banshee in my life and I am not looking forward for it " .
Harry chuckled on hearing that who was also rubbing his ears wincing occasionally .
"Hello, Harry," a voice said grimly, "I see you've met my mother."
Percy turned towards the source of voice and saw a man with long dark hair , leaning on a door crossing his arms across his chest .
Harry's face brightened up with delight on seeing the man momentarily forgetting about the dementor attack , the hearing and other craps , throwing himself at the man in a hug who grinned happily accepting it gladly .
Percy remembered seeing the man before when he was eavesdropping at the infirmary but he looked different now , the last time Percy saw him he had hollow cheeks and dark bags under his eyes , he looked ten years older than his age but he looked better now .
Once they both parted Percy asked " Excuse you . Did you just say that banshee woman is your mother ? " motioning towards the portrait which is sealed of by the curtains .
" Unfortunately " Sirius said bitterly " "We've been trying to get her down for a month but we think she put a Permanent Sticking Charm on the back of the canvas. Let's get downstairs, quick, before they all wake up again."
Once they reached downstairs Percy noticed Sirius staring at him awkwardly so Percy decided to take the matters in his own hands . He approached Sirius and extended his hand to shake " I am Percy Jackson " .
Sirius took his hand cautiously and said " I know . Dumbledore told about you and -" Percy cut off him by saying " Look Sirius . I know you are not a criminal " . Sirius looked at Percy with bewildered expression " Really . Do you believe it ? "
" I believe in Harry " Percy said confidently grinning at Harry who was watching him with a bright smile . Sirius breathed out in relief , shaking his hand without the previous caution " It's glad to meet you and thanks for helping my godson " .
Percy grinned at him " It's a pleasure " . Soon Mrs. Weasley emerged out of a room and approached them " The meeting started " .
Sirius's expression turned into a frown and he said looking at Harry " I will see you later , Harry " walking towards a room .
On seeing Harry's confused face said gently " Everything will be explained later . For now let's get you two unpacked and upstairs, Ron and Hermione are excited to see you " with that she began guiding Harry and Percy up the stairs , pointing to the doorways lining the second floor .
When descended down the stairs , Harry looked at Percy " Do you know what meeting they were discussing about ? " . Percy guiltily shook his head saying no eventhough he knew it. Percy didn't want to put extra pressure on Harry than he already has . When Percy opened the door he was bombarded by Hermione with a fierce hug nearly causing him to stumble over .
-TIME SKIP-
"But if Voldemort's trying to recruit more Death Eaters, it's bound to get out that he's come back, isn't it?" asked Harry desperately. After the dinner everyone was discussing about the Order . George and Fred were still mad at their mother for not allowing them in Order's business . Harry had managed to calm down after his initial outburst with Hermione and Ron , Sirius looks like he wants to include Harry in Order's business but is strongly against the idea of including a school boy in dangerous things . Percy wanted to snort on hearing , Harry is anything but an ordinary school boy , he wanted to point out that but he wisely decided against it when he saw yell at Sirius for replying the same .
Percy was sitting next to Hermione in a old couch absentmindedly thinking about his birthday coming day after tomorrow . He has to go to the camp to celebrate the one year anniversary for the defeat of Titan Lord , if he didn't go Clarisse will run her spear through him eventhough it won't hurt him thanks to his invincibility but still he didn't want to enrage her . Besides that he wants to visit his friends' grave to honor their sacrifices .
Chiron requested him to visit the camp for the day saying they are going to celebrate the one year anniversary . He surely couldn't deny Chiron's request , so he has to leave tomorrow after finishing Harry's hearing , on thinking all this makes him dizzy .
He was shaken out of his thoughts by someone shaking him . He looked at Hermione who gestured around her . He looked around him and saw everyone was looking at him like they wanted him to answer a question they asked . He asked with a puzzled expression " What ? "
Lupin chuckled " I told you something " . Percy sheepishly scratched his neck " Sorry . ADHD" .
Now it is their turn to look at him with a puzzled expression on hearing ADHD . Percy resisted his urge to facepalm , seriously what they teach in muggle studies . Lupin said ignoring others " I told you to be careful " .
" Why ? " Percy asked genuinely confused wondering why he asked him to be careful eventhough he had slightly guessed .
" You know , Dark Lord will want you to be in his rank " .
" Oh " realization dawned in Percy but he decided to mess with them .
" Why would he want me as a death eater ? " Percy asked innocently ignoring the looks of disbelief from Hermione , Harry and Ron .
Bill snorted " Dumbledore told us what happened in the grave " .
"Wait . you mean everything ? "
"Everything " nodded in confirmation . " Including turning Lucius Malfoy into a ferret" Bill said with a bright grin on his face closing his eyes like he is picturing Lucius as a ferret.
This caused everyone to roar with laughter , once the laughter died down Mr .Weasley said in a serious tone " Seriously , be careful Percy . You know who will do anything to gain followers . He will try to trick them , blackmail them by threatening their loved ones . If they did not join his ranks , he will ultimately kill them " . As soon as he said Percy felt Hermione's hand squeezing his . " Even many grown wizards flee in the sight of You know who , nearly no one will speak his name but you had already defeated his death eaters , you had disarmed You know who , escaping under his nose , mocking him in the front of his death eaters , which many wizards can only dream of . Of course he will go to any level trying to persuade you to join his ranks or he will ... "
He did not finish it but everyone could feel " kill you " hanging in the air depressing the mood drastically . Percy could feel Hermione's hand tightly clutching him , he could see sympathetic looks from his friends .
Percy spoke thoughtfully " I won't join Voldemort . At the same time he could not threaten my family " . On seeing their puzzled expression " Unlike Ministry here M.A.C.U.S.A. has been prepared for this . They don't want another Grindlewald experience . He will be a foolish to set his feet in the States or to send his death eaters " .
Tonks groaned loudly " Why can't the Ministry be like M.A.C.U.S.A taking steps instead of trying to deny the truth " . Everyone nodded miserably sharing the same feeling .
" But I still can't understand why he is hiding " Harry said in desperation hoping to get some answers .
Sirius and Lupin exchanged nervous looks and finally Sirius said " He want something he didn't have last time and the best method to get is by stealth "
"When he was powerful before?"
"Yes."
"Like what kind of weapon?" said Harry. "Something worse than the Avada Kedavra — ?"
"That's enough." Mrs. Weasley spoke from the shadows beside the door.
No one had not noticed her return from taking Ginny upstairs. Her arms were crossed and she looked furious. "I want you in bed, now. All of you," she added, looking around at Fred, George, Ron, Percy and Hermione. "You can't boss us —" Fred began. "Watch me," snarled Mrs. Weasley.
She was trembling slightly as she looked at Sirius. "You've given Harry plenty of information. Any more and you might just as well induct him into the Order straightaway."
"Why not?" said Harry quickly. "I'll join, I want to join, I want to fight —"
"No." It was not Mrs. Weasley who spoke this time, but Lupin. "The Order is comprised only of overage wizards," he said. "Wizards who have left school," he added, as Fred and George opened their mouths. "There are dangers involved of which you can have no idea, any of you . . . I think Molly's right, Sirius. We've said enough." Sirius half-shrugged but did not argue. Mrs. Weasley beckoned imperiously to her sons , Percy and Hermione. One by one they stood up and Harry, recognizing defeat, followed suit.
-LINE BREAK-
" What is the weapon ? " Harry muttered pacing around the room with intense expression when he whipped his head towards Percy startling him" Do you know ? "
As soon as he said that other two were looking at him expectantly causing Percy to internally groan. Percy contemplated about not telling the truth but finally he decided against it . Harry deserves to know the truth . It is about his life . Percy still didn't know the exact prophecy but he knew it is about Harry . But at the same time he is not going to say the entire truth . Percy took a deep breath and said " I think maybe it is a prophecy " . The trio blinked at him and looked at him with bewildered expression . Ron was the one to break the silence with a confused expression " How can a prophecy be powerful ? "
Percy laughed bitterly unlike him startling them " Seriously Ron , you are asking how a prophecy can be powerful . You don't have any idea about how terrifying a prophecy can be . I heard about the great prophecy for a week but during that time I can't even sleep properly . Sometimes I still have nightmares about the prophecy eventhough it is completed . A prophecy can be more powerful than you think " . Ron looked down with shame " Sorry man " .
Percy waved off his apology and looked at Harry in his eyes " Look Harry , I exactly don't know whether it is a prophecy or not . But last year Dumbledore asked me about prophecy and he was wary on that topic . So it was the first thing that entered my mind " .
Harry looked at Percy for a long time and finally nodded " I believe you . But if it is a prophecy why would Voldemort want it ? "
" Simple . The prophecy maybe about him . He simply wants to change his fate " Hermione said looking at Percy .
Percy exclaimed " Exactly . If the prophecy is about him he wants to change his fate . But it is literally impossible . Look at me , I was born due to a broken oath even if I hate to admit it . The oath was made to avoid the prophecy but it still took place . So no matter what happens , the prophecy will take place . No one has the power to change it including the Gods . Voldemort should be stupid enough to think he can change the fate " .
Hermione looked at her watch and said " Harry you have to sleep , your hearing is tomorrow " . Harry groaned miserably and looked at Percy with a hopeful expression " You said you will do something " .
Percy smirked at him " Of course . I remember it . Don't worry , you will surely not be expelled ".
" Then come one let's go to sleep . I am tired " Ron said with a yawn arching his back .
" Hmm guys I have to say something " Percy said causing the trio to look at him with a questioning glance . " Tomorrow after Harry's hearing I have to go back " .
As soon as he said that Hermione protested " You arrived today only . Why do you have to go ?"
" Day after tomorrow is one year anniversary of the second titan war . I have to be there in the camp " . All the three nodded in understanding knowing it is an important day for Percy albeit a bit sadly . Percy reassured " I will return within a couple of days " which seemed to reassure them .
After saying goodnight Hermione and Percy started to walk towards their room which they shared with Ginny and the twins respectively when Hermione suddenly grabbed his face and kissed him hard surprising him at first but soon he obliged with same passion . Once they parted apart due to the lack of air Percy asked with a shit eating grin " My lips are irresistable right ? "
Hermione slightly punched him in the shoulder and hugged him tightly leaning against his chest inhaling his calming sea scent and sighed blissfully " I missed you " . Percy kissed her hair and said " Believe me . I missed you too " .
They both stood in the stairway hugging each other like that for what seemed like an eternity for them clearly enjoying each others presence forgetting about Voldemort , death eaters , ministry and every other craps . Now the only thing that mattered to both of them was each other , Percy don't know whether he would even notice if Voldemort comes and dance in front of him but Percy does not care about it , he is simply in the presence of his beautiful girlfriend after spending the weeks researching about the possibilities of Voldy's Hocruxes . Both reluctantly pulled back and kissed each other for one last time that night before Hermione whispered in her angelic voice " Good night ".
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