Chapter Three:  The Light at the End

*****

"Truth is generally the best vindication against slander." ~ Abraham Lincoln

*****

"Run!" Harry shoved Percy out of the way as Bellatrix Lestrange aimed a Cruciatus curse at him.  He whipped out his wand.  "Expelliarmus!"

Bellatrix ducked aside and laughed.  "Stupefy!  Oh look, baby Potter's got himself another Weasley!  Never run out of them, do we?"  She dodged a stunner fired by Percy.

"Where's your friends?" asked Harry darkly, expecting to hear them coming.

"Oh, don't worry, ickle Harrykins, they'll be coming.  When you gave us the slip with your little errand boy friend, we posted guards on all the exits.  Crucio!"

Harry dove for cover.  "Percy, just go!"

Instead, Percy pointed his wand straight up.  "Reducto!"

The crack in the ceiling became a huge hole as stone and dirt exploded outward.  Light streamed into the tunnel.  Harry coughed, and Bellatrix let out a scream of fury and took dead aim at Percy.  "Avada—"

"No!  Impedimenta!" Harry's spell cut her off, and he grabbed Percy's arm.  "Come on!"

Percy turned to Harry.  "Wingardium Leviosa!"

"No, wait!" Harry shouted, but he found himself lifting into the air, and Percy levitated him straight up and out of the hole.  "Percy!"  He landed with a thump on the grass, in time to hear Bellatrix shout another curse, and below him, Percy screamed.  Harry scrabbled back to the hole and stuck his head in.  No, no, please don't let him be dead, please!

Bellatrix was strolling over to Percy, who lay disarmed and dazed against the tunnel wall.  One leg was bent oddly beneath him.  "Ahh, my first Weasley kill.  I'm going to enjoy this." 

Dragging himself into as much of a sitting position as he could, Percy spat at her feet.  She laughed, and Harry leaned as far in as he could, bracing himself with one hand.  Bellatrix raised her wand to deliver a killing curse, and Harry aimed.  He briefly thought of using a stronger spell, but better to use one he knew well enough not to fail.  He dared not miss.  "Stupefy!"

The stunner hit her squarely in the back, and she bowled over with a gasp.  Percy dragged himself away from her, then froze.  Both he and Harry could hear pounding feet in the tunnel.  Somehow it didn't sound like Aurors.  "Harry, go, quick!"

"Not a chance, Percy.  Mobilicorpus!"

"Whoa!" Now it was Percy's turn to be levitated, and Harry sailed him as carefully as he could up to the hole, then through it, and left him on the grass.  "My wand!"

"Hang on.  Accio wand!"  Percy's wand landed in Harry's hand.

"I guess you won't know a bone healing spell?" asked Percy, his face tight with pain.

"Sorry.  Here, give me your hand."  Harry braced himself, and Percy, keeping his weight on his good leg, slowly maneuvered to his feet.  "Can you close that hole?"

"What?  Oh, hang on."  Balancing on one leg, with one arm around Harry's shoulders, Percy aimed at the hole and caved the whole thing in.  "I hope the rest of the staff got out."

"Come on," said Harry.  "Let's get out of here."  They were a strange sight, hobbling along, covered with dirt, battered and bruised.  Harry couldn't remember whether his face had been cut during the fight in the crowd or while fighting Bellatrix, but his fingertips came away from his forehead covered with dried blood.  Percy's lip was split, one cheek already swelling and turning purple, and he was hopping along on one foot while being held up by Harry.

It felt like forever, but they'd barely made it halfway across the green by the time the first Aurors began apparating into view.  "They're here!" shouted someone from behind them, and Harry gasped with relief to see Kingsley Shacklebolt. 

Tonks popped onto the field right next to them, and took Percy's other arm.  "Bugger, Harry, where did you two disappear to?  The general staff said you'd gone down another tunnel, but you got so ruddy lost down there no one could find you!"

"We thought you'd been taken," added Kingsley.  "Remus Lupin's hysterical.  Here, let me handle this, Harry.  Let's sit you down, Weasley, and repair that leg."

Percy grunted, "Yes, sir," and let them gingerly lower him to the ground.

There were shouts and pounding feet from the road, and Harry went instinctively for his wand, but held back at the sight of multiple red heads.  "Harry!  Harry!" Mrs. Weasley was crying, rushing toward him, but then her eyes were drawn to the Ministry-robed figure sitting on the ground between Tonks and Kingsley , and her jaw dropped.  "Percy?!"

Just behind her, Ron and the twins froze.  "Bloody hell," muttered one of them.

For an instant, Mrs. Weasley looked like she couldn't decide where to run, but given that Harry was on his feet and Percy wasn't, she dropped to her knees beside her son and threw her arms around him.  "Percy, what happened—how did you—who did this—oh, Percy, Percy!" she sobbed, rocking slightly.

Harry couldn't see Percy's face, but noticed that his arms were around his mother.  "'s okay, Mum.  'm all right," he was mumbling into her shoulder. 

Mr. Weasley was coming over more hesitantly, with the rest of the Weasley clan.  "Harry?" asked Ron.  "You all right, mate?"

"I'm fine," said Harry quietly.  He hid a smile.  "Percy saved me.  He fought Bellatrix Lestrange."

A sniffle came from Ginny's general direction, and Mr. Weasley gave Harry a little pat on the shoulder, then walked slowly over to his wife and middle son and knelt down, embracing them both.  Harry couldn't make out everything he said through Mrs. Weasley's sobs and the chatter of the Aurors, but he heard Mr. Weasley say, "Perce," and one of Percy's hands released Mrs. Weasley to clasp his father's hand.

Tonks and Kingsley exchanged a glance, then Tonks grinned, aimed her wand at Percy's leg, muttered a spell, and Percy yelped.  Both parents jumped back, and the Aurors laughed.  "Just bend your leg for us, son, then we'll leave you alone," said Kingsley with a grin.

Percy obeyed, and found his leg back in working order.  His parents helped him to his feet, and Mrs. Weasley began dabbing at the blood on his face with the corner of her robe.  "'m all right, Mum," he said again, his eyes lowered.

There was a loud crack as another wizard apparated very near them, and everyone jumped.  "All right, you lot, this is not a secure area!  A hundred Death Eaters could apparate right here while you're dawdling, now get a move on!" roared Mad-Eye Moody, and everyone laughed in relief.

"Sorry, Alastor, we're going now," chuckled Mr. Weasley.

Moody stopped his ranting at the other Aurors to take in the Weasleys.  "Mm, all seven of 'em again.  Where're you planning on taking him, Arthur?"

Mr. Weasley frowned, and Harry suddenly understood.  Could they trust Percy with the Order of the Phoenix?  "What do you think, Alastor?  I don't want my son left alone, but if we should…"

At that moment, Professor Dumbledore appeared.  Harry cringed and saw Percy do the same.  Obviously it would be a long time before Percy's faith in the Headmaster of Hogwarts was restored.  In that at least, Harry could identify with him.  "Hello, Percy."

"Headmaster."

Dumbledore smiled and looked at Mr. Weasley.  "I understand we've a bit of a dilemma here, Arthur."

"Percy needs a healer's attention."

"I'm fine, Dad," Percy said, trying to back away from Dumbledore.  "A change of robes and a nap is all I need."

"But none of the Death Eaters have been caught yet, and that Lestrange woman…please, Albus, can't we take him…somewhere safe?" pleaded Mrs. Weasley.

Percy looked from his parents to Dumbledore to Harry with a frown, trying to figure out exactly what they meant.  Dumbledore slowly nodded, "I agree, Molly.  I'm afraid your courage has made you another target of Lord Voldemort, Percy, or at least one of the worst of his followers.  Bellatrix Lestrange does not forget those who have thwarted her goals."  Harry shivered, remembering Neville.  "But as you've already perceived, there is an element of confidentiality involved."

Bill and Charlie had gone to stand by their parents and Percy, while Ginny, Ron, and the twins were clustered silently around Harry.  Percy cleared his throat.  "I…well, I can certainly keep a confidence to protect my family from V-V—from him, Headmaster, so long as it doesn't involve any, er, subversion."

One of the twins sighed loudly, and Dumbledore came closer to Percy, who was backed up against his parents.  It reminded Harry of Fudge.  Harry himself might still be flipping mad at Dumbledore over last year, but he at least wasn't afraid of him.  Percy, like his former boss, clearly was.  Dumbledore's eyes flicked briefly toward Mr. Weasley, who bowed his head.  "I'm afraid we'd need more than that if we're to disclose any information to you, Percy, for the safety of your family and many others.  But I won't stand in the way of your parents bringing you to safety."

Mr. Weasley seemed to shift position, and Harry saw the tip of his wand touch the back of Percy's neck, before he murmured a word, and Percy suddenly sagged in his parents' arms.  "Percy, what—oh, Arthur, was that really necessary?" exclaimed Mrs. Weasley, sounding more annoyed than frightened.

"Moody said this place isn't secure, and we don't have time for questions," said Mr. Weasley, holding Percy upright with the help of Bill.

Professor Dumbledore held out a large, stuffed skunk to Mrs. Weasley, and said, "You know what to do once you get him there?"  She pursed her lips, but nodded.  "Be sure to take the children who cannot apparate.  I will meet you all shortly."

"Professor, are Hermione, Luna, and Neville all right?" Harry asked.

"They're all fine, Harry, and safe."  Professor Dumbledore smiled, and Harry knew where they were.  That must be why he'd insisted on knocking Percy out before taking him.  They couldn't give up the Order's location to Percy.

"Ron, Ginny, Harry, come along.  Molly, why don't you and the others run ahead and get a bedroom ready," said Mr. Weasley, cradling the sleeping Percy against him.  Soberly, Harry, Ron, and Ginny did as he ordered, each putting a hand on the fuzzy portkey.  "And away we go."

***

They arrived at Grimmauld Place and Harry went with most of the others to the drawing room, with Bill and Charlie carried Percy upstairs under the supervision of Mrs. Weasley.  "What'll happen to him?" asked Ron.  "I mean if he can't know about the Order."

Harry cringed, mentally going through the list of possible solutions and not liking them, and Mr. Weasley drew himself up, turning to Dumbledore as the Headmaster walked into the room.  "I am not obliviating my own son, Albus."

"Don't worry, Arthur.  I do not believe it will come to that."

Footsteps came scuffling up the stairs from the kitchen, and Hermione, Neville, and Luna came hurrying in, Neville still clutching a half-eaten sandwich.  "Harry!" Hermione threw her arms around him in a short but fierce hug.  "Thank heavens you're safe.  We thought the worst when you didn't come out of the tunnels with the others."

"Hold onto your socks, Hermione, it gets crazier," said Ron.  "Did you hear who rescued him?"

Hermione and the other two shook their heads curiously.  "Might want to sit down then, mates," said Fred, coming into the room with George at his heels.

Hermione screwed up her face in thought as Luna and Neville obediently sat.  "Crazy, you say?  Let me guess…Fudge?"

"Almost," said Ron.  "Percy."

"Percy?!"

"He's here," Ginny explained.  "He got Harry through the back offices to the tunnels, split off with him from the others to divert the Death Eaters, and dueled Bellatrix Lestrange while levitating Harry out.  Got a broken leg for it too."

"That's very brave," said Luna, her eyes fixed on the wall.  "Very, very brave."

"You're quite right, Miss Lovegood," said Professor Dumbledore.  His eyes rose from her to meet Harry's, and then each of the Weasleys in the room.  "It takes a great deal of courage to do what Percy did.  And of course, I'm not only referring to his fighting Death Eaters."

All at once, there was shouting upstairs.  Harry jumped and heard something heavy thud against a door, then a door opening, and Percy came pelting down the stairs, robes awry, his face still bloody and dirty.  "Where the devil is this?  What'd you—" he spotted Dumbledore and leapt backward, looking frantically at his father.  "You let him stun me?!"

Mr. Weasley sighed, "No, Percy, that was me.  We didn't have time to explain on that field right above the Ministry tunnels with Death Eaters about."

Percy's eyes were narrowed, glaring from Mr. Weasley to Dumbledore to Harry.  "How did I get here?"

"A portkey.  I wanted to explain, but we knew you wouldn't be willing to take a portkey without knowing where it goes, and…" Mr. Weasley raised his hands apologetically.  "I am sorry, Percy.  There just wasn't time."

The stairs creaked as Mrs. Weasley, Bill, and Charlie came down into the drawing room.  Mrs. Weasley's lips were trembling.  "Percy…please, don't…"

Percy gave her an exasperated look.  "Don't what already?"

"Don't hate us," she said in a small voice.

Harry couldn't help the way he winced.  He wasn't quite sure why, but all this hurt to watch.  It was making his insides spin around as if in a muggle centrifuge, and his heart felt like it was going to pound its way out of his chest.  He would have liked to leave the room, but Mrs. Weasley, Bill, and Charlie were still in the doorway and he'd have had to pass Percy too.  So he shrank back against the wall and folded his arms across his chest, trying not to hear the quarrel he knew was about to erupt within his—Ron's family.

Percy had folded his arms too and wouldn't meet his mother's eyes.  "None of you trust me."

"I trust you," she whispered.  "I'll always trust you."

He looked hard at her.  "Then tell me where I am."

Mr. Weasley took a step forward and began gently, "Percy—"

"You're at the Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix," said Mrs. Weasley.

There was the sound of air hissing between teeth as more than a few people sucked in their breath.  Only Professor Dumbledore looked untroubled.  Percy spun around to face him.  "So there is such a group?"

"You've heard of us, I take it?" said Dumbledore.

Percy nodded.  "Minister Fudge said it was a group of witches and wizards you organized to take over the Ministry."

"Oh, bloody wake up already!" Harry burst out as sheer frustration took over him.  "Nobody is bloody out to get Fudge, except Voldemort and he's out to get everyone!"  Several people flinched.  "The Order has nothing to do with Fudge or the Ministry.  They're just trying to save lives.  The only time they've ever been directly against Fudge is when he wanted to prevent them from doing it!"

"Harry."  Professor Dumbledore put a hand on his shoulder.  Percy's mouth was hanging open.  "Percy, I fear Harry had some very unpleasant experiences last year related directly to the Order's inability to act openly to protect him from Lord Voldemort.  However, his explanation is all-in-all correct.  I do not desire the Minister's position, nor do I feel any malice for Mr. Fudge himself.  All I have ever desired is to keep Hogwarts a safe and positive environment for magical learning, and the safety and freedom of the wizarding community.  I realize you have no reason to take me at my word, but I will say it nonetheless."

Percy's jaw was working, and Harry was certain that he could hear his teeth grinding.  He supposed that for someone who had spent the last year believing so desperately in Fudge and his ilk, this must be hard to swallow.  But then again, Percy was a Weasley, standing here surrounded by all the other Weasleys, after seeing Death Eaters trying to capture Harry for Voldemort with his own eyes.  Which would win over?  The Ministry or his family?  Harry held his breath.

"I want the truth."

The breath rushed out in exasperation, and Harry, along with Ron, Ginny, and Hermione, protested, "That is the truth!" but Percy held up a hand, looking from Harry to Dumbledore. 

"The whole truth."

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley looked at Dumbledore.  The Headmaster slowly nodded and stepped back, gesturing to the sofa.  "In that case, Percy, I suggest you sit down.  This will take some time."  Percy instead took an armchair.  The others crowded onto the couches and the floor. The twins leaned against the wall, uncharacteristically solemn.  "Ask me anything you would like to know, and I will tell you all I can."

The upholstery rustled as people shifted.  Percy studied his knees, then said, "What really happened with Dumbledore's Army?"

Dumbledore smiled.  "I think perhaps Harry and your siblings would be better qualified to answer that question.  I was aware of it, but uninvolved, other than that I turned a blind eye to their activities."

"So it was Harry who started it," Percy mused.

"Actually, it was more Hermione's idea," said Ron.  "Harry was sort-of put in charge by default because he's better at defense than any of us.  He just taught us what he knew."

"Like what?"

"Well…" Hermione toyed with her wand as she thought.  "We started with the Disarming Charm; I remember, because Harry told us he'd actually used it on Voldemort—oh, don't, Percy, it's silly.  And then we did stunners, and then shields, and then…Lord, we went through lots of spells.  The one we were doing the night Marietta ratted us out was Patronus.  Mine's an otter," she added proudly.

"Corporeal?" Percy exclaimed.

Hermione grinned and nodded.  "And Cho Chang's is a swan, and Terry Boot's was a bear, and…what was Susan's, Ron?"

"A lemur, I think, or maybe a monkey," said Ron.  He sighed, looking dismally at Percy.  "I think I was getting close when Dobby warned us Umbridge was coming.  Haven't had a chance to practice since."

"It was definitely something small," Ginny said helpfully.  "Mine's a cat."

Percy looked a little dazed, but nodded.  "Er, why did you take the blame for it?" he asked Dumbledore.

"Because Harry would have been expelled.  I could not permit that to happen."

"But…I mean…if he was breaking the rules that badly, well…" Percy was turning red, not looking at Harry.

Dumbledore leaned forward in his chair.  "Understand, Percy, knowing what you know now, the very grave danger Harry would have been in if he had been forced to leave Hogwarts and lost the use of his wand.  Lord Voldemort was alive and biding his time.  But had Harry become vulnerable, he would surely have struck."

Mrs. Weasley shivered and looked at Harry, her eyes brimming.  He wondered if she was remembering the boggart in the desk.  Percy frowned at his mother, then looked at Harry.  "And why does V—V—why does He want Harry dead?"

Harry looked hastily at Dumbledore, who said, "I'm afraid I'm unable to tell you that, Percy.  But it is not because I do not trust you.  In fact there is only one other person in this room who knows why." 

Harry wished Dumbledore had left that part out.  Every pair of eyes in the room focused on him.  "Please, just…don't ask.  I don't quite understand it myself."

At least it seemed to satisfy Percy.  He shuffled his feet, then asked, "How did my father get hurt last winter?"

"Your father was guarding an item of importance in the Department of Mysteries.  Lord Voldemort sent a serpent after him.  Fortunately, Harry learned of the attack in time for us to save him," said Dumbledore carefully.

Percy looked at Harry.  "Another dream?"

Harry nodded.  Dumbledore smiled.  "I see Harry has brought you up to speed on some of the happenings last year.  Yes, he has found himself privy to Lord Voldemort's plans in his dreams.  The only explanation we can discern is that Harry's scar is in fact a magical connection, caused by Voldemort's first attempt on Harry's life."

"Contrary to what Rita Skeeter's nonsense said," added Hermione, scowling.  "And all the rest of that pap in the Daily Prophet."

Judging by the way his face colored, Harry suspected Percy had prompted some of those articles last year himself.  He shuffled his feet again.  "So what really happened in the Department of Mysteries that night?"

Dumbledore took a deep breath.  "That is rather complicated."

"I want to know," said Percy, meeting his eyes for the first time.  "What was everyone guarding that Ron, Ginny, and my father got hurt over?"

Hermione hissed and looked at Harry in alarm, at about the same moment that Harry's heart fell with a splash into his stomach.  Dumbledore saw his face, and said slowly, "Would you like me to explain, Harry?"  He nodded.  There was no way he could tell Percy this.  "Very well.  What you must be aware of first, Percy, is that there were great risks taken to protect innocent lives.  And I'm afraid, there were some very serious laws broken.  But the reason was, as I've said before, to protect the innocent.  Now what I'm going to tell you will seem very hard to believe, given what you've been told for many years.  Indeed, many of us thought it to be the truth, only it turned out to be a dreadful miscarriage of justice—"

Harry couldn't stand it.  He jumped up so fast that everyone else jumped too, and he headed for the doorway.  "Harry!" exclaimed Mrs. Weasley, reaching out to stop him.

"It's okay," he managed to say, despite his churning stomach and the lump in his throat.  "I just…sorry, I don't want to…"

"Harry?" Somehow Dumbledore's voice made him turn around.  Percy was watching him with wide eyes. "Have I your permission?"

That lump was getting very big.  Harry nodded jerkily, then dashed out of the drawing room and up the stairs, but it still wasn't fast enough to avoid hearing.  "Percy, a few years ago we discovered that Harry had a godfather…"

***

Harry tore past his own room to Sirius' mother's bedroom, and startled Buckbeak when he threw open the door.  His sense of self-preservation kicked in at the last minute, and he bowed hastily, trying to control his breathing.  "Sorry, Buckbeak.  Just needed to get away, you know." 

He closed the door quietly, figuring he'd just sit down for a bit, but Buckbeak suddenly got up and scooted over from where he'd been curled up on middle of the bed.  Harry stared in surprise, and Buckbeak cocked his head.  Slowly, he came and sat down, then lay across the space Buckbeak had made.  The hippogriff spread a wing over him.  "You miss him too, don't you?" he whispered.

Feathers brushed his ear, and Buckbeak made a soft noise in the back of his throat.  Harry lay very still, staring at the ceiling, not trusting himself even to look at Buckbeak, and concentrated on breathing and clearing his mind.  He could imagine the story Dumbledore was telling Percy downstairs, and as if that alone wasn't enough, the thought of Percy even once trying to call Sirius a murderer made him feel sick. 

"He could've been cleared if he'd made it through that night," Harry whispered to Buckbeak.  "We could've made the Death Eaters tell about Wormtail, and Sirius could've left to help with the Order, or maybe taught at Hogwarts.  Yeah, he'd have made a good Defense professor.  Probably best we'd have had since Lupin.  Figures, doesn't it?  And he'd have taught us stuff we needed to know, to protect ourselves against Voldemort.  Or even if not at Hogwarts, he could've met us on Hogsmeade weekends, and I could've owled him anytime I wanted for anything…"

Buckbeak rested his head on the mattress next to Harry's.  Harry heard the door open, and quickly rolled onto his side to face away from it, pretending he was scratching Buckbeak's head.  The mattress creaked as someone sat on the edge of it and began rubbing Harry's back.  "Albus sent for me."

Harry jumped.  He had expected Mrs. Weasley, but it was Professor Lupin.  "I'm all right."

The rubbing was easing the knots out of his back.  "I see Percy's coming around."

"Not sure.  Still kind of skeptical when I left."

"Well, from what I saw when I arrived, Albus and the rest of his family are very close to convincing him.  And you too, I suppose, even in your absence.  But I'm not surprised; no one who speaks to you at length could call you dishonest."

Harry smiled into the mattress.  "Thanks, Professor."

"Harry, I think it's time we dropped the 'Professor.'  I'd rather you called me Remus, or Moony, perhaps?"

Just now, Harry found that he couldn't say the word "Moony."  "Okay, Remus."

The rubbing was helping him relax a bit, but then, "I do know how much you're hurting, Harry.  Believe me, I do know."

The lump was back, worse than ever.  "No," he gasped into his hands.

"Harry, let it—"

"—No, Remus, I can't."  He couldn't stand the thought of falling apart in front of anyone, even Sirius' best friend.  "Don't, please!"

"Easy, all right, all right.  Just breathe.  We won't talk about it then.  Just so you know that we can at any time, if you need to."  Harry nodded, keeping his eyes squeezed shut.  "Well…" Remus patted his shoulder, "if you want me to leave you alone—"

Harry grabbed blindly for his hand.  He hoped Remus understood that he couldn't talk, but it was nice, him being there.  "Oh, all right then.  I'll stay.  What say you, Buckbeak?  Do you mind?"

Feathers brushed over Harry's back as Buckbeak extended his wings again.  So Harry stayed on Mrs. Black's old bed, tucked up against a hippogriff, with a werewolf holding his hand until he fell asleep.

*****

To be continued…

*****

Next time:  Number 12, Grimmauld Place deals with the fallout from putting Percy in the know, and Percy struggles to come to terms with the truth and the memory of his own actions.  All reconciliations begin with a first step, but it takes courage to keep walking…the courage of a Gryffindor.