Chapter 13: When Weasley met Weasley

            Percy sat on the couch staring straight ahead of him.  His mind was still reeling from what he'd just witnessed in the Pensieve.  It was very confusing.  He took what he knew about his father and tried comparing it to what Crouch had said to Alexander Weasley and it didn't work.  Arthur didn't give a damn about family honor, and he knew it.  It had always been the Weasley family belief that principles and morals came before any personal or family reputation.  Then why hadn't he gone to the inquest? 

Percy barely registered what was going on around him until Dumbledore tapped him on the shoulder, giving Percy a sharp reminder of the Headmaster's presence.  He looked at Dumbledore blankly and the older wizard smiled benevolently  "Percy, I'm afraid we must go somewhere now."

            "What?" Percy said dazedly, "Where do we have to go?"

            "I received an owl from Professor Snape today, just before I came here.  He has a prisoner he rescued from Azkaban before the rest of the Death Eaters could kill him.  Perhaps he knows something about your Arrow and I thought you might care to interrogate him."

Percy was on his feet in a flash.  "Yes, of course, Professor.  I would like to ask him a few questions."

"Good, I though you would." Dumbledore said, his blue eyes twinkling. "Here are the coordinates of Professor Snape's house," he handed Percy a piece of parchment with several numbers written on it, "and I will see you there, young Weasley."

            "Thank you, Professor." Percy said before Albus Dumbledore Disapparated with a small pop.  Scanning the coordinates quickly, Percy then scribbled out a note explaining he had gone to get some extra work done, feeling a slight pang of guilt.  He'd never really lied before, at least not to his family, but this was absolutely necessary.  He stood in the middle of the living room and prepared to Apparate, slightly nervous at the thought of going to Professor Snape's house.  He'd never really cared for the Potions Master during his school years at Hogwarts, though he'd had to deal with Snape on more than one occasion.  Such was the plight of the Head Boy.  He took a deep breath and Apparated. 

            Percy was slightly surprised to find himself on a well-manicured lawn in front of a cute, little white country cottage.  There wasn't another house in sight for miles, the house being surrounded by woods and rolling fields.  Percy imagined he heard the faint sound of the ocean in the distance as he climbed the lawn to the front door where Dumbledore stood waiting for him. 

            "So glad you could make it, Mr. Weasley.  Would you like to ring the doorbell, or shall I?" 

            Percy gaped at him.  "Professor Snape has a doorbell?  I thought…"

            "Yes, the Professor's personality would suggest a slightly different manner of living arrangements than these.  However, this isn't his only house.  He has a manor somewhere that is more suitable to his tastes.  Let's just say this is a place where he can get away from things to…reflect.  I suppose I shall ring the doorbell, then."  Dumbledore explained jovially before pressing the small button next to the door.  It was opened a moment later, the tall Potions Professor filling the doorjamb space ominously.  He nodded at Dumbledore before looking at Percy with unhidden disbelief. 

            "Professor, how are you?" Dumbledore said brightly, "Holding up well, I suppose?" 

            "As well as can be expected." Snape said coolly, still looking at Percy.  Percy felt his ears go slightly red as he held out his hand to the Professor. 

            "It's good to see you again, Professor.  It's been a long time." 

Snape took his hand lightly and released it almost immediately.  "Come in." He stepped back and gestured for them to enter.  Dumbledore practically trotted in with Percy close on his heels, afraid Snape would shut the door before he could get through. 

"So, Severus, where is this prisoner of yours?  Not causing any trouble, I hope."  Dumbledore smiled, looking around him expectantly. 

Snape's face twisted into what looked like a half sneer, half grimace.  "Oh, we've had our difficulties.  I managed to get him cleaned and fed before we started finding out we have issues with each other.  I was forced to put a body bind on the man.  He's on the couch, over there."  Snape pointed, and Percy peered around Dumbledore's back.  He could see the form of a man lying unnaturally straight on the sofa, arms and legs clenched tightly to his body. 

"Oh, Severus, was that absolutely necessary?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yes," Snape said shortly, "He tried to kill me twice in one day.  He's strong for someone who's been shut up in jail for fifteen years." 

            With a shrug, Dumbledore moved to the couch and peered down at the man there.  "We will remove the body bind if you promise not to try and take Professor Snape's life.  Blink twice if you swear it." Dumbledore instructed, and Percy could hear a note of amusement in the Headmaster's warm voice.  The man must have blinked twice because Dumbledore lifted his wand and waved it lazily.  The man struggled into a sitting position, rubbing his legs gingerly and glaring at Snape.  Percy gasped.  It was Alexander Weasley. 

            Alexander must have heard Percy because he looked sharply at him, his eyes widening in surprise.  "Percy?" He said softly in his hoarse voice.  Both Snape and Dumbledore looked at Percy who moved forward slowly until he was standing in front of Alexander. 

            "Percy, is it really you?" Alexander continued his voice breaking sporadically, "After all these years…you've grown up so much…" 

Percy did the only thing he could think of.  He reached out his hand to Alexander who stared at it in disbelief, before hesitantly stretching out his own hand and grasping Percy's firmly. 

"It's good to meet you, Alexander." Percy murmured.  Alexander nodded his head, his face twisting into the first real smile he'd had since that day in Azkaban months ago.

"Likewise, Percy, likewise." Alexander breathed, and to Percy's surprise, tears welled up in the former convict's eyes.

            They stayed in the living room with Snape supplying tea and cake as well as a full dinner for Alexander, who hadn't had anything to eat really since the day before. 

"Eat it all, Weasley. You need it." Snape had growled at the stubborn looking Alexander.  To Percy's surprise, Alexander complied after giving Snape a suspicious glance.  While they ate, Alexander repeated the story he'd told Snape earlier that day.  Percy listened in disbelief and horror, his tea forgotten.  His mind jumped immediately to the conclusion that it wasn't his father's fault that he hadn't been able to stop the group from going to look for the Death Eater meeting.  He shuddered as he listened to Alexander's description of his wife's death.  Percy was shocked at the ease with which the man used You-Know-Who's name, but it didn't seem to surprise Snape or Dumbledore, who merely sat there listening silently.

After Alexander finished his story Dumbledore leaned forward towards him, his usually twinkling blue eyes grave.  "How difficult this must have been for you, Alexander.  Believe me, if I'd only known of your innocence, I would have had you removed from Azkaban in an instant." 

"Snape knew." Alexander said, throwing said man a venomous glare, "Yet he did nothing.  He watched them kill my wife and frame me and then he allowed me to rot in Azkaban for seventeen years.

Dumbledore reached his hand out and touched Alexander's knee in a calming gesture.  Alexander stared at it in surprise.  He can't be used to people touching him.  Percy thought distractedly. 

"You mustn't be angry at Snape for this.  He must have a very good reason for not informing me of your innocence."  Dumbledore advised quietly. 

Alexander shrugged and Percy could tell he didn't believe Dumbledore.  The elderly wizard stood, gesturing for Snape to do likewise.  "Professor, I believe I haven't yet seen this lovely estate.  Perhaps you could show me around while we allow our two companions a small family reunion?"  With a small nod at Percy, Dumbledore walked out of the room, followed closely by Snape who gave Alexander a warning look. 

"Don't try and run away again, Weasley.  You know you can't get that far in your condition." 

Alexander glared at Snape who looked about ready to shake a finger at him before changing his mind and leaving the room as well.  The convict laughed humorlessly.  "I used to terrorize that man when he was a quaking first year at Hogwarts, can you believe that?  Now he's the one throwing body binds around like they're going out of style."  He paused and looked at Percy. "I remember when you got your first pair of glasses.  You had just turned three.  I picked out the frames for you…the ones that were really popular at the time in the Muggle world.  You still have the same design I see…unless…those are the same glasses."

Percy nodded removing the glasses and handing them to his now restored cousin who twirled them in his bony fingers, inspecting them carefully.

"Well," he said at last, "You've taken good care of them."

"I've become quite adept at repairing charms.  It's difficult to keeps ones glasses in one piece as a child, especially with twin brothers whose only wish is to cause as much trouble as they possibly can." Percy explained. 

Alexander returned his glasses.  "You have twin brothers now?"

"Yes, as well as another younger brother and a little sister.  She's the baby."

"I suppose your parents were very busy." Alexander chuckled a little to himself, but the joke seemed to fly right over Percy's head. 

"Oh yes," he said, "Having seven children can be quite difficult to manage, and Mother was under a lot of strain for awhile.  I tried to help the best I could by not getting in the way.  It became easier when I went to Hogwarts."

"I'm sure they must have appreciated that." Truthfully, Alexander knew Percy's parents would probably have preferred that Percy be in the way as much as possible, but he wouldn't tell him that.  Instead, he asked, "How are Molly and Arthur?"

"They are doing very well.  Father still works for the Ministry in the Muggle Artifacts Department."

"And is Molly still the best chef this side of Diagon Alley?"

Percy grinned.  "Of course.  If anything, her cooking's improved over the years."  Percy hesitated.  "Listen, Alexander…"

"You can call me Alex, if you wish." He said gently.

"Um…okay…Alex, I want to apologize for what happened to you.  Yes," he held up his hand to silence the older man, "I realize it wasn't my fault, I had nothing to do with it.  But I want to apologize for how my father acted.  Honestly, I wouldn't have expected him to behave in such a manner.  I delivered your message to him…but he didn't seem to remember you at all.  He recalled the names Arrow and Jakura as well as the secret group you were in, but he couldn't remember who Arrow was.  I am so sorry, if I had known I would have done everything in my power to get you out of that jail."  Percy took a deep breath and Alexander…Alex…smiled sadly at him. 

"I understand, Percy.  You're right—it wasn't your fault.  But I don't think it was your father's fault either.  While immobilized," here he looked in the direction Snape had taken with distaste, "I thought back on things.  It seems entirely possible that a Death Eater caught up with your father and Obliviated him.  He probably didn't even know about Jakura being killed or me being arrested.  I don't even think he remembers who Alexander is anymore."

"We could make him remember." Percy said desperately, "You could come back to the Burrow with me I'm sure he would remember you by just looking at you."

Alex shook his head, the sad smile still on his face.  "I'm afraid it wouldn't be that simple, Percy.  Have you ever dealt with someone who's lost their memory?"

"It's not an easy thing." Came a voice from the doorway.  They both looked up to see Snape and Dumbledore walk back into the room.  Snape was frowning slightly at Alexander, whose smile disappeared instantly the second he entered, though Dumbledore was looking positively tickled. 

"Have you two caught up?" He said cheerfully. 

"It's been so many years, Professor." Alex replied, "It would take much longer than a few minutes to catch up on a lifetime." 

Dumbledore nodded understandingly.  "Of course, and there will be plenty of time later.  However, we must think about the present and what is going to happen with our dear friend Alexander." He sat in a big cushy armchair, settling himself comfortably.  "Now, as beautiful as this place is," Here Snape flinched as though Dumbledore had just insulted the petunias lining his garden, his scowl deepening, "It is not practical to leave you here alone and unprotected while Professor Snape returns to Hogwarts to resume classes.  Now, there is a job opening there as Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor…"

"Defense Against the Dark Arts?" Snape interrupted, "What about Lupin?  Hasn't he been teaching that since September?"  At the same exact time Percy asked, "Why does Alex need to be protected?"  The two men glanced at each other in slight surprise.

The Headmaster waved his hand idly.  "Yes, he left to visit Romania for an unforeseen length of time.  We're hoping to curry some favor among the werewolves and giants in Eastern Europe.  However, we do need a substitute until he returns.  I thought, with your previous experience with the Dark Arts that you'd be capable of handling a few months of Hogwarts curriculum, Alexander," Dumbledore gave Alexander a fleeting look before continuing,  "As we all know, Voldemort released the prisoners from Azkaban reclaim whatever supporters he had in there.  He knew they would be twice as furious at the Ministry for putting them there and would be more than willing to return to him.  He also believes that those who were innocent would probably be ten times as angry at the Ministry for their wrongful incarcerations and would be disposed to do anything for revenge.  Should he discover that his minions let one who knows almost everything about his inner-circle escape, he will no doubt be very upset and seek to remedy their mistake at whatever cost.  That is why we must keep you hidden and protected, Mr. Weasley.  Of course, you would be required to go under an alias in case, though it's very unlikely, we have our own insider at Hogwarts.  Only Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape, and myself will be aware of your true identity."

"When will I be able to see Percy again?" Alexander asked, and Percy looked at him in surprise at the desperation in his voice.

Dumbledore smiled indulgently.  "Whenever Percy is able to visit from the Ministry, I'm sure.  You will make plans to take a few days off to visit Hogwarts in the near future, won't you, Mr. Weasley?  We always enjoy it when alumni stop in, especially former Head Boys."

"You were Head Boy?" Alex asked, and Percy turned to see Alex's eyes showing a spark of emotion—pride. 

"Yes, I was." Percy smiled with a bit of the satisfaction he'd felt at the accomplishment.  "And I will take a couple of days off…I'm sure I've earned a small vacation by now.  I haven't missed a day of work since I started…except for…" He gave a small gasp, his eyes widening, horrified, "I missed a day this week!  Oh no, I'm sure I've fallen behind, how will I make it up?  I will have to get so much done by tomorrow…" He trailed off at the sound of Alex chuckling.  "What is it?"

"You sound exactly like I did when I was your age.  I couldn't bear to miss one day of work, and I would often stay long after everyone else had gone home." Alexander smiled at him.

"Yes, until about ten or eleven, and then you decided you were too tired to pull off a full night's worth of work and went home to your loving wife." Snape's voice drawled from where he sat, arms crossed over his chest. 

Alexander leapt off the sofa, his hands balling into fists once again.  "I'm warning you Snape, I may have to break the promise I made to Professor Dumbledore if you make one more allusion to the idea that Jakura…could have…possibly…" Seemingly exhausted from his outburst he sank back onto the sofa, his chin on his chest, eyes staring down at his hands still clenched tightly into fists.  He jumped slightly when someone laid their hand on his shoulder.  He looked up to see Percy pulling his hand away quickly, his brown eyes filled with worry.  Alexander smiled reassuringly.  "You have your mother's eyes."

"I was thinking it might be a good idea that we return to Hogwarts tonight.  I'm sure young Weasley would prefer going home to get some of the work he missed finished." Dumbledore continued, apparently unfazed by the recent drama, "And do not worry, Alexander, you will see your cousin soon enough.  One final question before we part ways this evening.  Would you care to have Percy tell his father about you now or would you prefer to wait?"

"Wait." Came the definite answer.  "I don't want him to know about me until I find a way to make him remember me indubitably.  Is that alright with you, Percy?"

"I can't say I like lying to my family…"

"You don't have to lie, just don't say anything at all."

Percy felt his sense of honor rising, but he fought it down.  He would do this for Alexander because he needed it.  "Very well.  I will not mention anything of you to them.  And when I come to visit during Christmas, I'll say I'm visiting Ron and Ginny as well as catching up with some of the professors.  That won't be a lie.  Mother and Father plan to visit Charlie in Romania, so Ron and Ginny will most definitely remain at Hogwarts over Christmas vacation."

"A Gryffindor's sense of honor." Snape's cold voice muttered. 

Alexander shot him a sharp look before nodding at Percy.  "Good plan."

With that, Dumbledore stood, followed by the other three men, though Alexander swayed unsteadily.  In a flash Snape had his hand under Alexander's arm. To Percy's amazement, with no more protest than a sour look, Alexander accepted his help.  They walked out of the front door, which Snape locked with a whispered charm. 

Alexander held out his hand to Percy, which he accepted right away in a firm handshake, with Alexander saying, "I hope to see you soon Percy.  We have much to discuss."

"Yes.  I'll owl you as soon as I can.  It was a pleasure to meet you at last."

"The feeling's mutual, Percy.  Safe journey." 

Percy said a quick farewell to Dumbledore and Snape before Disapparating with a small pop.  Albus Dumbledore turned to them and shook Alexander Weasley's hand as well.  "It has been wonderful meeting you, Mr. Weasley.  Hogwarts is very lucky having a professor such as yourself coming in.  Take care, and until we meet again, adieu."  With a nod to Severus Snape and another small pop the Headmaster Disapparated.    

Alexander looked expectantly at Snape.  "Where to next?"

"Diagon Alley." Snape replied. 

"I thought we were going to Hogwarts." Alexander said, feeling very much like a whining child. 

The look Snape gave him told him he must sound like a whining child.  "First we must get you a wand from Ollivander's, as well as some money from your Gringott's account.  You have an account, correct?"

"Yes."

"Good, that saves us the inconvenience of having to withdraw from the Hogwarts account.  Then we will go to Hogwarts via Floo Powder, in time for the beginning of Christmas break.  You will have enough time to become acquainted with the curriculum you are to be teaching."  Snape explained in his usual cold manner. 

"Sounds fine." Alexander said quietly. 

"I'm glad it sits so well with you," Snape sneered, "Now, if you don't mind, we'll be on our way."  With that he grabbed Alexander's arm again and prepared to Disapparate.  As the rush of dark and cold air hit him once again, the realization of where he was going hit him like a mad bludger.  He was going to be at Hogwarts for Christmas.  Christmas at Hogwarts…who would've believed it…

A/N:  Tada!  There you go for now!  Oh, this isn't over, not by a long shot, but I think it's coming through pretty nicely, don't you?  I will get more up so don't let your knickers get in a twist!  ^_~   There's so much more to do!  Agh!  No worries, though!