All rights and privileges to Harry Potter are copyrighted trademarks and property of J. K. Rowling, Warner Brothers, and all peoples associated. And all rights and other stuff to The Lioness Quartet and Wild Magic are copyrighted trademarks and property of Tamora Pierce and Random House. The characters of these fictions are used WITHOUT permission for the entertainment purposes only. This work of fiction is not meant for sale or profit. As if anyone would actually pay money for this thoughtless drivel. And even if they like it, it's right here and money is not required. So there! Bottom line: I don't own them I just like to play God with them. Like an ant walking back and forth across my feet for what seems like miles upon miles. Or a bug with a magnifying glass as it slowly burns into nothingness. *Ahem* Yes, I don't own them. Never have. Never will. *Sigh* And the title was borrowed from a Savage Garden song, The Animal Song, so that belongs to them and the same disc applies.

Pairings: eventually Percy/Marcus, but no more Cedric/Oliver
Contents: Angst, Slash, POV, it's kinda General, well, except for the slash bit
Spoilers: Yup. Books 2 and up.
Summary: Percy may be a freak, but that's not always a bad thing. That, I think, is the worse summary I've ever come up with.
Status: Incomplete
A/N: I'm really sorry about this chapter! It's so damn flat! On a side note, the actor to play Tom Riddle, Christian Coulson, reminds me more of Marcus than Tom…. Go fig. And just so ya know: I hate this chapter!!!!!!!!!!!!

*~* Indicates time change

~*~ Indicates scene change

Indicates the voices in Percy's head… rather his recalling past dialogue

Superstars and Cannonballs

I stare down at the crooked picket fence. When I cross this I will no longer be of my own anymore, I will be a part of a who– Yeah, that's a romantic notion.

"C'mon, Perce!" Charlie calls patiently from the front stoop, knocking on the door. He had no problem crossing the threshold.

"I – I'm coming." I run to join him. That wasn't so bad.

The door opens to reveal Mum, wielding a peeler in one hand and potato in the other. Both drop as she realizes just who was banging on her door.

She hiccups her happiness as she engulfs us both in a bruising hug. Now I know where Charlie gets it.

"Hi, Mum," Charlie smiles, pecking her on the cheek.

"Mum," I echo guiltily.

"Author!" Mum cries, releasing us and herds us inside. "My boys are back! Come, come, have tea. I was just making dinner. You two must stay for that as well."

"Of course we can stay for dinner," Charlie smiles cheekily. Charmer. "But that's it, we need to get going."

"Oh?" Father asks in a hushed hurt voice.

"Yes, Dad," his smile falters slightly. "Classified, that."

"So that's why Percy has taken time off?" I know Father means that in an understanding way, but it still hurts.

"Yes, Father," I intone quietly. I don't really know how to really speak with him, even after all these years we still need to get into superficial arguments to just communicate.

"So what is this classified information?" Mum asks sternly, looking up at me. I shake my head. "An earring?! Percy! Going just like Bill!"

"It's for function, not fun, Mum," I blush. There goes my mother's respect.

"How can such a silly thing be useful?" She flits around, examining the opal drop hanging from my ear.

"Another son of mine, gone to the other side," Father shakes his head sadly.

Charlie and I frown at him.

"I don't understand," I furrow my brow.

"Of course not, you still haven't yet realized – "

"Arthur! Stop scaring him! He's a guest, let him speak of classified information," Mum chastises. "Not of his sexuality."

Eep!

I look to Charlie for help. He avoids my eyes.

"So tell us about your lives," Mum prompts, scurrying off to make tea.

"Percy and I must be off shortly, Mum," Charlie calls after her. "We can't really tell you much more than that," he continues darkly. They understand.

Mum hurries from the kitchen, tea set in hand.

"Percy," Mum speaks up, "about that earring – "

"Mum," I explain, picking up a cup of tea. "Professor Dumbledore wished for me to carry an opal on my… person at all times, this was just the easiest way to do so."

"Oh." She sounds crushed.

Sorry, Mum.

"Charlie?" She tries hopefully. "Is there a woman in your life?"

"No, Mum, no prospective grandchildren," he smiles around his own cup, albeit unsteadily.

What about Bill? Wouldn't he – First he needs to be found.

"I see," she says sadly.

"Now that we've dragged the mood to the ground, I think it's best if Percy and I head off," he states as he puts down his half-finished cup of tea.

"Charlie – "

Before Mum can finish, Father interrupts. "Molly, there is nothing we can do but sit back and watch our sons. We will help them in other ways, but sheltering them is not one of them."

Charlie nods briskly to Father in appreciation and we head off with a strangling embrace from Mum and a firm handshake from Father. We'll take them up on dinner later.

*~*

"What's wrong with Ginny?"

"She's depressed, she needs advice, and not just advice from a painting."

"I received all of my worthwhile advice from a painting," he pointed out.

"Flattery will get you no where," she responded slowly. "However, Kel has mentioned that she needs human contact; surely you're not becoming lazy and expecting someone else to do it."

"No," he denied quickly.

Ron viewed Ginny as a burden; the twins cared, but spent most of their time teasing; Bill and Charlie were too old and didn't spend much time at home; and Molly and Arthur were too busy trying to keep everyone in line and a roof over their heads.

He was the only one without a valid excuse.

*~*

"Ok," Charlie sighs. "I think we've got everything in line."

We arrived in Nepal last night by way of Muggle transportation as not to be traced. We are to head up into the mountains, just the two of us and a Muggle guide, tomorrow at daybreak. So tonight we just relax in our inn and I am to keep Charlie from getting drunk and dragging a serving wench up to our room.

I've never been this far away from home before; it's rather scary and in a way, wonderful. Wonderfully scary.

"The gear should handle a gale, blizzard, whatever the weather does up here. Magic, however, we're going to have to live without. I've been asking around and somehow magic is impaired up here, unfortunately I was unable to discover if that encompassed Wild Magic and Animagi Magic. Not to mention we wouldn't want to do anything that's traceable to us."

Charlie takes a sip of his rum and pumpkin juice.

"No magic?" I echo softly, fiddling with my empty bottle that used to hold sake no bata.

"None at all," he shakes his head, leaving a red strand in his eye.

Living like a Muggle under extreme conditions. It's a shame Father isn't here; he'd love it.

"Would you like another?" I look up to the busty severing girl. She's pointing at the bottle in my hands.

"Um, yes, please, I'd like another."

"I would too!" Charlie adds boisterously, pinching her bum.

If looks could kill – it wouldn't have done any good because Charlie wasn't looking at her face.

"Please ignore my brother," I apologize, "he doesn't know when to stop."

Charlie's look, on the other hand, would have killed me as he silently asked an incredulous 'I don't know when to stop?'

The serving girl manages to escape while Charlie is turned.

"That was rude, Percy," Charlie scowls.

"We're here to help George, not to get a woman in your bed," I respond primly.

"Yes, of course you wouldn't know about a nice shag, virgin boy," he counters scathingly.

"Charlie, please," I implore.

The girl returns with our drinks, and Charlie doesn't make a pass.

I sip my sake no bata, waiting for Charlie to say something, anything.

He doesn't and I find myself listening to surrounding conversations.

"A blizzard is setting in," a man mutters in Chinese. "The Mountain knows someone is after it, so she conjured a storm to keep her safe."

"It must be the Jewel. The guardian knows and is not happy. When this one ends there will be another one to take its place," a woman responds.

"I feel sorry for the man to challenge the Mountain," the first man says grimly.

Shite.

"Percy?" Charlie asks hesitantly. "What is it? What's going on?" I hate how my emotions play clearly on my face.

"Blizzard," I clip, not elaborating on the storm's nature.

"Shite," he echoes my thoughts. "We need to get that Jewel before George – and the war – and just shite!" He slams his fists onto the table top, turning the attention to us.

"My brother is drunk," I announce in Chinese, so Charlie doesn't understand and everyone else does. "Please may him no mind."

There are a few murmurs before everyone returns to their own conversations.

"What did you tell them?" he narrows his eyes suspiciously.

"Never mind that. How are we going to get up there in a blizzard?"

"Wait until it stops, then I – I don't know, let's sleep on it."

~*~

Three days later the snow is over a metre deep and shows no signs of stopping there.

Another day and there might not be anything to save back home.

Charlie is still asleep and snoring loudly and it's definitely keeping me from sleeping. So are many other things. I've been idle for too long and am beginning to become restless.

I need to head up there. Now.

The easiest way to get up there in any weather is to become an animal, preferably mammalian. Of course I haven't transformed into anything other than a screech owl and a raven and ok, once a snidget, but I don't want to remember that. Basically only birds. But flying is impaired by those dratted winds. So, I can try or I can wait for everyone at home to die. And to make matters even worse, I haven't transformed in over six months. I don't even know how long I can hold the transformation. I don't even know what to transform into.

But I'm going to need my wand, a robe, about twenty cloaks, for when – if – I find that Jewel… and someplace to put it.

I have absolutely no idea how I'm going to find this Jewel.

Disrobing, I stuff my clothing into a small pack I'll carry on my back.

A cat, maybe? A wild cat, small enough to be nimble, but large enough to cover ground quickly.

No, no, not a cat.

A graphorn, mayhaps? Yes, a graphorn will do.

Think graphorn thoughts… It doesn't help that I've only seen one once… in third year… for all of three minutes. But they repel spells and I might need that for whatever the Mountain can dish out. That coupled with the opal drop – if it stays during the transformation – ought to be able to protect me.

I wish I knew what I was doing! Why is it that teachers never teach us the valuable lessons in school?

Idiot! Have you forgotten all your schooling already?

Shut up, Charlie.

Graphorn… graphorn…

~*~

It took me a fair time to transform correctly, and even more time to get the pack on my back, but it makes me feel better to have it.

I sneak quietly out of the room, trying not to disturb Charlie. He won't be too please with me in the morning, but I need to leave now, without him. As much as I care for him, he would be a hindrance.

I pass the bar on my way out. The serving girl is asleep on the counter, an empty bottle of hard liquor dangling limply from one hand.

Poor lass. At least she doesn't have to worry about the war. Yet… That's why I'm here and nothing will happen with me just standing here staring at her, thinking.

I stealthily move past her, to the inhospitable outside.

The blast of cold, humid air is certainly not an optimistic turn; it's still blowing and snowing.

One padded foot in front of the other and I'm on my way to nowhere.

~*~

Sometime later, I can only guess the hourage, my feet are freezing and matted with tiny balls of packed snow, my fur is soaked through and I can barley see out of my eyes as protection from the wind. And I'm just plain miserable.

I hope you're happy, Mountain!

The storm has let up some, not much. All I want is to lie down and sleep. Preferably away from the cold and wet. However, I have no such luck and continue to trek up a mountain. I hope this is at least in the area of the Jewel.

I should have waited until dawn so that I could have gotten some bit of sleep.

~*~

It's finally dawn when I am able to find a small, tucked away cavern facing away from the wind. The first stroke of luck I've had in quite some time.

Settling down a good ten metres from the mouth, I gnaw the teeny bits of packed snow from between the pads of my feet.

The hairs on the back of my neck bristle.

"Well, well, if it isn't the Wild Mage," a startling voice purrs. The tone is pure seductive silk so dangerous there will be a noose around your neck so quickly your head will spin.

My ears fall flat against my skull and a growl escapes from my throat unbidden.

Only one person has a voice like that and he should be back at Hogwarts.

Without my instruction, my body returns to its original human form.

"Marcus," I snarl huskily, accustoming to a new set of vocal cords.

"I've been waiting for you, Wild Mage."

The bastard grins.

~*~

"It's been a while, Alanna," he said quietly.

A shy smile crept onto his face.

"You've changed," she observed. "A good change or a bad change?"

"I don't know," he responded truthfully. "I left for a little while and everything here changes as well."

She bit her lower lip ruefully.

"What is it?"

"Ginny's really needed you."

He lowered his eyes pitifully. "Has anyone else noticed?"

"No, no one seems to have noticed," she admitted.

"Do you think that it would be too late if I went to visit her after my… mission?"

"Depends on the duration of the mission."

"I – I don't know, but I have to travel clear to the other side of the world," he sighed.

"What do you need in China?" she wrinkled her nose.

"Nepal," he corrected. "I trust you to not be tortured into telling a secret, but not a word even to the other portraits." She nodded. "I'm going after the Dominion Jewel."

Her face darkened.

"What is it?" he frowned.

"Be careful of the rock apes."

"The what?" he asked dubiously.

"But you can handle animals… Be careful."

"Thank you, Alanna."

*~*

Suddenly I realize that I'm not wearing anything. Maybe it was the biting cold or Marcus' scrutinizing gaze or both. But now I feel rather exposed. And cold.

I pull out my robes and yank them on.

Where are my glasses… Oh just sodding wonderful, I left them back on my nightstand. At least I still have my earring, not that it does me any good.

"What do you want, Marcus?"

"No," he replies, "not your Marcus." What is that supposed to mean? "I am not human and therefore not the Marcus you know," he explains. Uh-huh. Yeah. "I am an Elemental known as a Chitral, a magic before your magic, possessor of the Jewel you seek."

Magic before my magic… Would that mean animagi or wizarding in general? "How did you – "

"Your mind," he answers simply. "This is just a chosen form, plucked from your mind."

Plucked from your mind… That would mean that –

"Do not dwell on the how, Wild Mage, it is not something you can fathom," the non-Marcus says, lacking the condescending sneer only the real Marcus can pull off. It's weird. "Now, you seek the Jewel. How do you plan on winning the Jewel from me? How do you think you will control this – if you are able to win it?"

I hadn't come up with a plan for that yet. I was hoping to sleep on it.

I shouldn't have bothered to do this. I don't even remember why I was so dedicated –

George.

George is why. But that vision –

"You must consult your Marcus about that," the Chitral explains. "All these emotions bore me; let us see if you are worthy to possess my Jewel."

Oh, shite.

"What do you wish for me to do," I whimper. Yeah, that's good; just show weakness to the adversary. Brilliant move.

"You wished to not feel so helpless, to be able to do something of good merit. Yet you continue to feel that you do not belong to the house you were chosen for, for you lack courage and bravery, although you possess loyalty."

I swallow hard.

"Prove your loyalty, Wild Mage."

Um…

Just how am I going to be able to do this?!

No, I will not panic. Calm down, Weasley, calm down!

He grins. "Why do you love who you do?"

Eh?

I frown. Of all the trite, clichéd, banal– I can't think of another synonym.

Oh, Merlin, he really means for me to answer this!

Why do I love – who? I loved Penny, but I broke that off because of Marcus. And now that I look back on it, our relationship was rather shallow. No, that wasn't love – that was – I don't know… but not love.

Umm… I don't know who –

My family. I – I love my family. This whole mishap is to save George.

I just don't know why I love them.

I'm not going to win this, I can feel it.

"I – we, I mean – "

"Yes, Wild Mage?" he smirks daringly.

Prat. When I get home, I'm going to hex the real Marcus for this –

Why did this Chitral take Marcus' form?

No, no, I can't stray: I need to answer the question.

I usually answer questions quickly. When I was in school – I'm not in school anymore and I can't win this.

"The way your mind works is delicious," the Chitral purrs.

This is what I get for trying to save my kin.

I don't understand this. I didn't ask for this. I didn't ask for a family. I didn't ask for a mad-stalker –

I've got it… not really.

Might as well try it.

"I – I don't know," I whisper to my feet.

The Chitral eyes me bemusedly before approaching.

Oh Merlin, I've failed.

"To admit that you do not know the answer takes an enormous amount of courage and bravery, Wild Mage."

It would figure that the test wasn't in the answer.

"You have proven that you do possess the courage and bravery you seek." Does that mean I'm worthy?

"Oh yes, that," the Chitral muses. "You will find what you are looking for to your left."

I turn left to see reflected light. That had better be the Jewel. I turn back and the Elemental is gone.

That really had better be the Jewel. I don't want George to die because of a shard of glass.

Upon closer inspection, it is the Jewel, or a jewel – the color of my eyes.

Just like in my vision.

It had better be real and not some hallucination.

Reaching out, I poke it warily with a forefinger. It's cold. The white lights explode again from behind my eyes, leaving me –

~*~

Warm.

Warm.

I thought I'd never be warm again.

I don't want to open my eyes. The warmth might disappear.

"Percy?" The voice is gentle, worried, and male.

I crack an eye open.

"You're alive!" Charlie trounces me, embracing me tightly, then crawls off me quickly. "Don't you dare do that again! Don't you value your life?!"

No. I value other's lives, not my own.

"The Jewel?" I rasp.

"Under your pillow."

I dig under my pillow and my fingertips connect with a cold stone. It chills me, expelling the warmth.

"You received an owl," Charlie informs me gravely. That's rather random, after telling not to kill myself. "I'm almost positive it has to do with the news."

We had only been in Nepal four days before I took off. "How long have I been asleep?" I ask sharply.

"Six days," he worries his lower lip. As soon as the words leave his mouth, my bladder tells me that he is correct.

I sit up quickly and realize that my muscles aren't functioning any more.

"Stay down!" Charlie orders.

"Bathroom," I state.

"Oh." He helps me to the loo and back again.

I feel better, but my muscles are still mush.

He hands me a small piece of parchment. It looks innocent enough.

Weasley,

Fudge has been assassinated. Ministry is in disarray. God, Percy, come back now! Malfoy is trying to take over.

Davies

Merlin.

What can I do about it?

"You know about Fudge?" I interrogate him.

He nods solemnly. "This is war, Perce, hundreds of Muggles are killed each day. Three cities have fallen in the days we've been here."

I've got to get back.

Floo.

"Charlie, do we have any floo powder?"

"No, but I can get some. And you need food," he adds.

"Yes, mum."

He grins. "You can't save the world if you starve to death first. You need to fight and you can't do that without any strength."

I smile back weakly. I didn't ask for this.

~*~*~

TBC (Those three dreaded letters)

Sake no bata is kinda, sorta, a variation of butterbeer. Sake is rice wine, while bata is Japanese for butter. Hey, they're in Nepal and I don't know Nepalese, so shoddy Japanese will have to do.

The Chitral scene is… cheep, corny, and I hate it, but that's the best I could come up with! *cries*

I promise the ninth part is a lot better… and it will answer some nasty ickle questions.

Thanks to my reviewers!!

Demeter: Yes, Percy is special. Of course that's another word I use for insane, but eh. Don't worry about George, Fred, Bill, or Percy for that matter… There should be a better explanation in the next two chapters. Sorry for the vagueness. Draco, on the other hand, I'm not so sure about his part… but he will be there. Somewhere.

Shaman Nameless One: Thanks for the links. ^-^ And no, it's not finished yet, but I'm getting there. Sorta. There will be more of Oliver, but, sadly, he won't be paired with Percy. But don't forget, this whole thing is from Percy's point of view.

Fornlornhope1865: Yes, poor clueless Percy. Someone will clue him in about Marcus, but it won't be Charlie… And there will be some brotherly bonding coming up. Sometime.

Kimagure: Thanks! *huggles* Don't worry, there will be more of Oliver, and I've been held at wand-point to ensure his happiness. Yeah, I enjoy torturing the ones I love. ^^ But never fear! Things will get better… sometime…

Green Eyes: In that last Ron scene, Ron was rather vicious, but in another scene before that, he wasn't. As for those questions, they will both be answered within two chapters, promise.

Mira: Yes! I'm converting the masses to appreciate the wonderfulness that is the Marcus/Percy ship! Well, Percy did, kinda, maybe transform in front of Marcus. Too bad it wasn't actually Marcus. *ecchi smirk* But there are still more chapters to come… (aka wait for chapter ten…)

Alasia Moonstalker: Thanks! Hmm… I try to be original, but sometimes it doesn't work. *sigh* *pokes Kimagure for publishing that Charlie fic, A Dragonish Discussion, here, a few days before I published this fic on POWSN* (Brilliant fic by the way, go read it! As well as her other stuff. Yum… Artistic!Percy…)

Futon: I'm working on more, promise! And thank you! ^^ *tries to think of something constructive to say* Thank you!