The Burrow with almost all the family present was loud and bustling. It reminded Penny of life at the orphanage, though far friendlier and less cut throat, and without the need to guard your possessions jealously. Juno enjoyed hunting out in the sunlight, more than once having to be reminded by Penny to leave the yard chickens off the menu. Penny spent a lot of time with Ginny, but also with the twins. On the second day she had heard a strange retching noise from inside their bedroom. Looking inside she saw George holding a bucket, Fred's face kept disappearing as he violently vomited into the bucket. George was trying to vanish the vomit away between Fred's hurls, but the vomit was coming so fast it was overflowing onto the floor.
"What in Merlin's name are you doing?" Penny asked incredulously. Both twins looked round at her, Fred's neck snapping quickly back to the bucket to vomit again, so fast Penny thought he'd snap his neck. Fred groped in his pocket, drawing out a wrapper and shoving a purple shaped sweet in his mouth, a difficult task to accomplish between hurls. Swallowing the sweet hastily, he stopped vomiting and let out a shaky breath. He still looked very ill, his skin pale and sweaty. Penny closed the door behind her as Fred slumped against the wall.
"Much less pleasant than Canary Creams I must say." She said smiling as Fred and George shared a look. "New type of joke sweet I take it?" She asked, recalling Harry telling her of the Toffee they had tricked his cousin Dudley into eating.
"Don't tell Mum" George said quickly as Penny snorted.
"Aww ickle Georgie worried about his scawy mummy?" Penny quipped in a mock baby voice.
"You laugh" Fred said, colour slowly returning to his face "Where do you think Ginny gets her talent for Hexes from?"
"Fair point." Penny acknowledged, recalling when she had been on the receiving end of Ginny's temper. "As I won't tell your mother, mind telling me what's in your sweet? Ingredient or hex?"
"Asarum Europaeum, non-magical plant." Fred answered as Penny swore.
"You might want to micro dose it unless you want someone to vomit up their stomach lining. Bit nasty for a prank." Penny commented. "Unless you sold it under 'Get me a cell in Azkaban' sweets."
"Oh these aren't to prank people, they are Skiving Snackboxes." George said.
"Sweets that make you sick" Fred chimed in when Penny raised an eyebrow.
"Well I am all for skiving, but I'd rather not go to such extreme lengths." Penny said. "What's in the cure?"
"Well we are still experimenting, Ginger and lemon at the moment." Fred said, using a hanky to wipe the cold sweat off his brow.
"Not exactly effective is it?" Penny said sneering slightly. "Have you tried powdered Root of Asphodel?" Penny suggested as Fred and George exchanged a look of awe. Penny continued to discuss various techniques and ingredients with the twins on a couple of occasions, particularly when they were having issues with a product.
Dumbledore had visited in the early hours one night when Penny and the others had all been in bed. Penny had a sneaking feeling he had purposely done so to avoid her questions. She had tried pressing Molly about it the next morning, getting evasive answers. At one point she made eye contact with the older witch and tried to extract snippets from her mind. All she had achieved however was a having to duck as a heavy frying pan came flying at her head. Molly had shouted herself hoarse as Penny scowled moodily, being berated for misusing her talent and lack of respect. Molly's ranting reminded her somewhat of Narcissa, which didn't improve her mood, although Molly's anger was far more abrupt and frequent than Narcissa's ever was. Penny found herself wondering how her aunt had taken her letter and dwelling more than she would have liked to admit on what was happening with Draco and Narcissa now they hadn't been able to deliver her to her father. Aside from confiding in Juno, she kept these wonderings and her pangs of guilt and worry to herself. Somehow she didn't think the Weasleys would be sympathetic to her concern.
For most of the week Penny didn't see much of Percy, one of Ginny's eldest brothers. He had often come home late from work, after the rest of them had eaten and retreated upstairs or outdoors. As Penny understood it, he had been cross examined over the whole business of Mr Crouch. The few times she had seen him, he had looked stressed and worn, narrowing his eyes in dark disapproval whenever he saw her. At the end of the week however, he came home with his chest puffed out and his nose in the air. Penny heard him loudly proclaiming to his father that he had been promoted, from where she and Ginny sat on the first landing, tossing apples in the air to test their reflexes in snatching them back out the air before they hit the floor.
"I have been offered a position to work in the office with the Minister himself" Percy announced loudly. A long silence downstairs caused Penny and Ginny to glance at one another before creeping to the edge of the top stair.
"What are you trying to infer?" They heard Percy demand, a hint of anguish in his voice. Sensing a presence behind her Penny glanced backwards to see the twins stepping carefully around the creaky floorboards, nodding in acknowledgement when they reached them. Listening hard they heard Arthur speak.
"Does it not seem strange to you that after the way you have been treated, they suddenly offer you such a prestigious position Perce?" Arthur asked his son slowly.
"Well I think all my hard work, my clear dedication, has made them see past it and see my true potential and value to the Ministry." Percy said pompously.
"Come on son, Fudge knows Molly and I are close to Dumbledore, he knows Dumbledore will be reforming the Order of the Phoenix –"
"As ludicrous as Dumbledore's behaviour may be, I fail to see what his senseless actions have to do with me!" Percy cut across hotly.
"Fudge is just using you as a spy, there is no other logical explanation as to why he would promote you." Arthur retorted, his voice rising as shocked silence rang out. There was a collective intake of breath around Penny as they waited for Percy to respond.
"How DARE you!" Percy shouted. "No logical explanation?" He roared. "How about how hard I have had to work against your lousy reputation since I joined the Ministry?" He spat angrily. "How difficult it is to be taken seriously as a Weasley? How ASHAMED I am to be associated with…with…" He cut off as he struggled to find a suitable word. "Honestly, you are seen as nothing more than a joke, sitting and playing with your…with your damn…toys…all day!" Percy spluttered, Penny feeling the air around her rippling with anger. Downstairs she could hear Arthur and Molly trying to get a word in but Percy shouted on. "Maybe if you actually had an ounce of ambition this family wouldn't be living in this pigsty without two Galleons to rub together!"
CRASH. Penny felt all three of the Weasleys beside her launch themselves down the stairs.
"IF MONEY IS ALL YOU CARE ABOUT THEN YOU ARE NO SON OF MINE!" She heard Arthur shout furiously as she quickly trotted after them, entering the kitchen to see Fred land his fist on the side of Percy's head.
"FRED NO!" Molly shouted as George and Ginny both piled in. "GEORGE! GINNY! ALL OF YOU GET OFF HIM!" Molly shouted drawing her wand. A flash of light saw all four of them fly into different corners of the kitchen. Arthur quickly went to Percy's side, Penny noticing his ears were brilliant red.
"Get off me!" Percy yelled, shoving Arthur's helping arm away from himself roughly. Standing up he brushed his robes down and straightened his cracked glasses. "I've had it with this family! If you want to follow Dumbledore down some insane road then fine. It will lead nowhere good, you mark my words. You are ruining your lives for what? The word of a jumped up fourteen-year-old?" Percy roared as the rest of Arthur's face went red to match his ears.
"Dumbledore is a great man, and Harry would be a much better son than you!" Arthur spat at his son. Penny stared at Arthur, having never seen him in a rage before.
"Dumbledore is a delusional old fool! He is a traitor to the Ministry and you will go down with him! And letting that…" Percy said looking round at Penny, who stood glaring at him. He paused swelling in fury as he tried to find the right words. "that… ABOMINATION live here. Preposterous. Utterly preposterous." He said shaking his head incredulously. "You have made your choice. I will not be associated with traitors and lunatics. My place is with the Ministry and the Minister. I will pack my things." He finished, storming upstairs as his siblings jeered and heckled him. Within minutes he was back down, his luggage trailing behind him. Molly pleaded with him, shouting for the siblings to hush their yelling, all whilst Arthur stood in stony silence, his anger making him like a statue.
"Percy come back!" Molly begged as she followed him into the yard and to the boundary where he Disapparated without another word. Penny could hear Molly crying loudly in the yard, the sound of her pain cutting through Penny like a knife. The twins quickly went on to their mothers, holding them between them, whispering things Penny couldn't hear as Ginny went to join them. Penny watched them out the doorway as Arthur stood behind her, the pain and anger radiating off him as he remained stood in furious silence. Turning to look at him Penny watched him briefly, glancing out the yard before circling into the kitchen and opening a cabinet. Rummaging for a second, she found what she was looking for, a dusty bottle hidden at the back. Drawing it out she took a small glass from another cupboard and placed it on the side.
"What are you doing Persephone?" Arthur asked, finally noticing as she poured a large unit into the glass.
"Penny." She corrected replacing the bottle on the side and turning to offer Arthur the drink. He blinked in surprise as he took the glass.
"Thanks." He said with a bitter laugh, going to a chair at the table and sinking into it. Penny leant against the kitchen side fiddling awkwardly as Arthur rubbed his forehead. Whilst she knew very little of Percy's anger had been about her, she still felt partially responsible for him leaving. Unsure what else to do, she retreated upstairs to Ginny's room where she curled up next to Juno.
A couple hours later she wondered downstairs with Juno trailing behind her, starting in surprise when she saw Professor Dumbledore and Sirius sat at the dining room table deep in conversation with Arthur and Molly.
"Ah Persephone" Dumbledore said, the Weasleys and Sirius looking around at her.
"Professor." Penny said a little stiffly as she sat, Juno curling around her chair. Sirius and her exchanged a quick smile before Dumbledore and Penny regarded one another cautiously. Arthur and Molly's head swivelled between them slightly nervously as the silence stretched.
"Arthur contacted me to inform me of Percy's decision to leave." Dumbledore said gravely as Molly dabbed her eyes and Arthur look stoic. "It is always a dreadful thing when families have disagreements," Sirius made a sarcastic noise but Dumbledore ignored him. "but in this case, it requires an immediate reaction."
"You mean Percy will tell Fudge I am here." Penny replied quickly.
"Indeed. I believe it is best we move you as soon as possible." Dumbledore agreed nodding gravely. "Neither Fudge or your father should be sure of your true location."
"Where will I be going? I can't go to Andromeda's." Penny protested, knowing it would put Andromeda and Tonks at risk, as well as Ted.
"I agree, long term that is not ideal. However," Dumbledore pressed on, raising a hand to silence Penny's protest. "Sirius has offered his family home in Islington" A muscle is Penny's face spasmed but if Dumbledore noticed he said nothing. "as Headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix. The house is currently inhabitable but if the Weasley children are willing to help out" He said looking to the Weasley parents for their enthusiastic assent "It should be possible for you to live there with him very soon."
"I didn't know you owned a house." Penny said to Sirius quietly as he grimaced.
"I believe it has been about twenty years since he has been there." Dumbledore said.
"And I hoped I would never have to set foot in that cesspit ever again. But with the Ministry still on the lookout for me and my Animagus form no longer a secret it's about the only useful thing I can do right now." Sirius growled bitterly, his expression uglier than Penny had ever seen it. Penny looked back at Dumbledore before speaking.
"What about Harry?" Penny asked. "Will you move him very soon?" Penny challenged as Sirius' lip twitched slightly in amusement.
"Harry is safest where he is, as you know Penny." Dumbledore said, a warning in his voice as Penny scowled. "I hope you have done as I have asked and not told him anything of what is going on?"
"What would I tell him anyway?" Penny said irritably, ignoring Molly's protest at her tone. She had received a letter from Harry, asking after her wellbeing and requesting news. She had not replied, sticking to her promise to keep her distance. "You haven't exactly kept me up to date in what's going on."
"You are too young and not in the Order." Molly said as Penny scowled.
"Well I should be." She said.
"Children always think they know everything." Molly tutted.
"So do adults." Penny shot back as Sirius let out a bark of a laugh. "And they think children know nothing." She grumbled moodily as Dumbledore regarded her. "I guess I should pack?" She said tartly looking back at Dumbledore who nodded.
"Yes, first thing tomorrow you'll be going to your aunts', and get settled in time to start your community service." Dumbledore said peering over his glasses at her as she pulled a face. "Molly and Arthur if you could come to Islington with a few helpers tomorrow that would be very useful. Sirius and I must be off, we must make the building secure from intrusion. Good night to you all." He said rising along with Sirius. As they walked out Sirius turned back to face Penny.
"I know its frustrating" Sirius said, giving Penny a sympathetic look. "I am not one to sit around doing nothing either. And I know you care about Harry" He went on, snorting in amusement as Penny gave him a scathing look. "We have to trust Dumbledore" He said as Penny made a disgusted noise. "I know you don't but the man knows what he is doing, so believe he is doing what is best for Harry and don't do anything stupid." Sirius said, giving Penny a meaningful look. Penny huffed as he turned away, feeling he suspected she had already considered how she might run off. The Burrow was warm and welcoming, but she had never been one for staying inside or in one place too long. Returning upstairs she found Ginny and the twins waiting for her to fill them in on what had been said, the three of them saying nothing about their brother, even as the air remained somewhat tense.
"I'm surprised you couldn't hear it all with them giant ears" Penny teased as she sat on her bed. Fred and George grinned widely before examining each other and tugging at each other's ears roughly.
"They might be big, but they are not stretchable, they don't extend down the stairs" Fred joked. George suddenly stared into space. "George?" Fred asked, his grin widening as he recognised the look on his twin's face.
"Extendable…" George said quietly "They are not extendable ears…" He said, him and Fred smirking as they looked at each other and promptly Disapparated up to their room, Juno hissing angrily at the sound.
"Why do I have a feeling they just had a moment of evil genius?" Ginny laughed as she glanced at the ceiling. Ginny and Penny got ready for bed, Ginny saying little about Percy other than a few choice words Penny was certain she would never say in front of Molly. They climbed into bed, chatting with the light on.
"Mistress" Juno hissed a few minutes later.
"Yes Juno?" Penny answered. Ginny rolled her eyes to herself. Despite having Juno a year Ginny had never gotten used to Penny and her snake having conversation in spits and hisses.
"Why did one's stress signals appear to be triggered when the White Headmaster mentioned Islington?" She asked, withdrawing slightly when Penny's lips thinned. She didn't answer at first, her face dark. Even Ginny glanced nervously from her bed at Penny's expression but knew better than to ask.
"I lived with my Nana in Islington." Penny said quietly, reaching up and turning off the light.