III

A few weeks passed without any problems. Well, if you consider jinxing an overweight cousin, yelling at an aunt and uncle, and changing them into mice a problem that is. Percy had pretty much done all that and a bit more to Harry's family as he got to know them. It really was by accident. He never meant to reveal himself to them but it just happened anyway and they reacted quite negatively. Petunia screamed, Vernon yelled at Harry, and Dudley cowered behind the couch when they saw Percy with Harry.

"He's one of your folk isn't he?" Vernon had asked to which Harry nodded in reply. That was when all the trouble started.

In all truth, Percy had never encountered a trio of Muggles quite like them. The things that he heard Petunia and Vernon call Harry was more than enough to make him angry when he remembered his own mother's scolding—no matter how mad she was, she never put any of them down with harsh words. Dudley was even worse. When the aunt and uncle weren't around, he would still cower behind in the corner but that was only after Percy jinxed him. Before that he was taunting both of them, sure that Percy could not use magic like Harry because he was underage. It was after one particularly rude insult that Percy lost his nerves and cursed the boy. Of course he regretted his rash decision and used the counter spell on him to change him back to normal, but it did make Harry laugh quite a lot and Dudley run away from him in absolute terror each time he came along the block.

In fact, everyone seemed to cower from Percy whenever he walked with Harry.

Though it really was of no concern to him. Those weeks passed by flawlessly and Harry hadn't done a single bit of magic and seemed to be doing better now that he was confiding in Percy about Sirius and his dreams. The counseling he received helped him and now he was beginning to cope better and the dreams didn't affect him as much anymore. Of course Harry still longed for September to come and to ride aboard the Hogwarts Express and see Hermione and Ron again. Percy reassured him that he would be going soon.

So it came to be one afternoon where Percy was sitting up in his room and rereading a book about curses and charms when a large bird swept through his window, landing on top of his desk. Percy looked up from his book and eyed it warily. Now where have I seen you before…? "Fawkes!" he exclaimed in mild surprise. The phoenix continued peering at him and dropped a letter onto his desk. Percy smiled slightly and stroked Fawkes's coat gently before the phoenix lifted his wings and flew out the window. Percy looked at the letter in his hand.

Percy,

Bring Harry to the Order on Friday, August 15th. There he will stay with your family until September 1st. It may seem sudden, but I am risking him leaving his family for this trip. There is some unsettling news he needs to know and we can only inform him there. As soon as you drop him off, I have another quest for you that you may remember me mentioning before. I need you to go to Hogsmeade and wait for me at the Hog's Head. You will be meeting some comrades there as well.

Hoping you are well,

A. Dumbledore

Percy frowned slightly. This is probably the most he ever wrote to me before…kind of a risk but I'm sure he has his reasons. He marked a red spot on his calendar for the 15th of August and leaned back in his seat as he crumpled the letter and set it to fire. The details were already memorized into his head.

Knock. Knock.

"Come in," said Percy automatically as the door opened slightly, revealing none other than Harry. Percy sat up quickly and looked at him brightly. "Ah, just the person I was about to look for…," he began before noticing the troubled look on the younger boy's face. "What's wrong?"

Harry looked up at Percy shyly for a moment before suddenly launching into a series of words and sentences that blew the older man away. "Those damn Dursleys! I wish I were never related to them at all! I had another row with my uncle and he threatened to throw me out of the house. Of course I reminded him of Moody and he instantly shut up but I just can't stand staying with them for much longer! Are we ever going to leave?" barked Harry.

Percy looked nonplussed for a moment before clearing his throat. "Yes, well, I just received a letter from Dumbledore," he said, noticing Harry's uplifted expression, "and he wanted me to take you to the Order on the fifteenth. You'll be staying there till the beginning of the school year. So now you only have to deal with the Dursleys for a few more days until Friday."

"Can't we leave now?"

"Harry…"

"Yeah, yeah, I know. We got to stick to orders."

Percy smiled at the tone of frustration in Harry's sentence. "The Dursleys are still your family. Maybe someday you'll even begin to get along. You told me before that you never spoke to them about magic and yet now they seem more comfortable about the idea," he remarked casually. Harry glared up at him.

"They may be more willing to talk about it but they still hate it, Percy. And I know there will never be a day where I will get along with Dudley," he said scornfully. The older man chuckled.

"Perhaps."

Shaking his head, Harry looked at Percy suddenly. "After you drop me off…where are you going?" he inquired sharply.

The older man looked at Harry for a moment before closing his eyes. "I have some other business to attend to with Dumbledore," he replied softly. "You will keep your promise, right? Not tell the others you ever saw me or heard from me?" Percy turned to face Harry pleadingly.

Nodding faintly, Harry affirmed Percy's request. "Yeah, don't worry about that," he replied with a grin.

Percy smiled and a silence ensued very soon after. It wasn't an uncomfortable silence but a thoughtful one where both Percy and Harry were thinking of the near future. Finally, Percy sighed and stood up, facing Harry.

"So do you know of any good places to visit? I doubt you want to stay here all afternoon," he suggested casually, a hint of a smirk on his face.

Harry jumped and grinned. "Well, there's a museum not too far from here…"

"Then let's go."

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Friday came and went and soon Percy found himself sitting at a nearly empty Hog's Head. Of course he was a bit early but it was only because he didn't want to set a bad impression. Wringing his hands, Percy tapped his fingers against the counter absentmindedly, annoying the barman to a great extent. He slammed his fist before Percy, jostling him.

"Will you keep it down, boy?" he growled.

Percy blinked and smiled nervously. "Sorry," he apologized before spinning in his seat to lean his back against the counter. He heard a grunt from the barman before he hobbled away. Percy smiled faintly to himself. What ever happened to your manners, Percy? The redhead closed his eyes. They decided that it was much too hard of a job to handle, he answered to himself.

"Ah, if it isn't young Percy!"

With a start, Percy's eyes snapped open and were greeted by a smiling Dumbledore. A group of wizards and witches followed him. Those who saw him caught his gaze and froze instantly.

"Albus…That Weasley…," began Tonks before Dumbledore cut her off.

"I know, Tonks. He is with us…or me rather," he remarked with a smile.

Tonks blinked in surprise and settled down around a table doubtfully. The rest followed suit but still continued shooting looks at Percy, who remained on his perch. After Dumbledore settled down, he called for the barman and they all soon ordered their drinks and whatnots. Eventually things calmed down a bit and he folded his hands while regarding everyone solemnly.

"I would like you all to meet the one who has been providing us the information on Fudge," he announced clearly, taking in everyone's slackened expressions.

Percy shifted uncomfortably when everyone turned their heads at him. He smiled slightly and waved to everyone. "Hello," he said in a tone that betrayed the nervousness in him. It didn't help when none of them responded; however, Remus did smile slightly at him.

"He has since forsaken his post and taken care of Harry for a period of time. But now he is to join you all on your mission and this meeting is just for the purpose of you getting to know him," remarked Dumbledore before taking a sip of his drink. He sighed blissfully. "Ah, lovely."

Then just like that the spell was broken and everyone began his or her own onslaught of questions save Moody, who looked surly.

Tonks slammed her hand against the table and looked at Percy in shock. "You're the secret member?" she inquired sharply. Percy blinked several times and nodded. Tonks placed a hand to her forehead. "Good Lord," she murmured dazedly. Beside her, Moody watched him carefully and Percy tried his best not to appear nervous.

"A very clever idea, Albus. Who came up with it?" was Remus's imposed question.

"Well, why not have young Percy explain it all?" Dumbledore suggested slyly, looking at Percy expectantly. Everyone else's gazes soon followed after and Percy was left frozen in the highlight.

He blinked several times to regain his bearings before starting. "Um…well, Dumbledore was the one who asked me to watch over Fudge during the Triwizard Tournament, but I suppose all of you were doing that as well. But when I was promoted, that was when I was able to get more serious information about Fudge and send it to him. I came up with the idea to leave my family so Fudge's attention would be less on my father and anything else that could have proved to be a link to the Order," he explained calmly, slowly debating what he said after he finished.

"Huh. Why did you do that? Was he inquiring you about something?" asked Kingsley.

Percy thought about this carefully. "Well, he was inquiring about some personal things about my father and his department and also about Dumbledore since he knew he and my father were good friends. I left to take some of the heat off of my father and Dumbledore. And sure enough when I told him I was no longer living with them or even speaking with them, he stopped asking questions altogether," he replied casually. Percy was amazed at his efficiency in hiding his emotions.

"That was a very honorable thing of you to do."

This time it was Moody who uttered the comment and surprised Percy. He looked at him in slight wonder and smiled slightly. "Of course, it was nothing," he commented lightly, though deep inside, the loneliness and sorrow he felt was tripling.

Moody grunted and narrowed his eyes before Dumbledore gave a start. "Well, I am sorry to say I have overstayed my allotted amount of time. I must be heading back to Hogwarts," he said before standing up. "I pray you will inform Percy on your mission and good-luck to all of you," he finished, looking particularly at Remus before leaving the bar, a chorus of good-byes following after him.

A silence was ensued and everyone looked at each other unsurely. Percy played around with his ring before finally looking at everyone else firmly. "So what is this mission Dumbledore keeps mentioning? I am sorry to say I haven't been informed too much on this," he said, startling everyone from their reveries.

Remus soon took up the post and looked at Percy seriously. "You know well of Fudge's plans dealing with the giants and goblins I assume since you were the one that sent us the reports. So in accordance to those reports, we are sending a group of wizards and witches to different parts of the world to watch over Fudge's men and make sure they don't do anything to the goblins and giants. In other words, to monitor their movements and negotiate with an assortment of creatures to gain some kind of alliance," he explained slowly.

Percy followed through on every word that was said and nodded faintly. "So are you all going?" he asked. A sudden round of chuckles was sounded.

"Oh, we can't possibly go, Percy! We have our jobs here and you know Fudge would be extremely suspicious if myself, Kingsley, and Moody left simultaneously," exclaimed Tonks as she smiled at Percy's baffled expression.

"Then who…?"

"The people we are depending on are of recent graduates of Hogwarts, mainly from your group," Remus supplied, an amused smile on his face.

Percy turned to him in surprise. "My group?" he repeated as his mind tried to imagine the situation. Before him, Kingsley slapped his knee.

"Yes, your group. There's Penelope Clearwater, Oliver Wood, and a whole bunch more. Your brothers are also in on the mission, but they will be doing their work elsewhere. And when I mean brothers, I mean all of your brothers save young Ron," he said.

"You have got to be joking."

For the first time in a long time, Percy felt complete and utter shock. This was just too much at one time and he bent his face down low and covered it with his hands.

"Hey…it won't be so bad… These are your friends, right?" assured Tonks.

Percy felt a bitter laugh run through him at that comment. "Right, friends. Considering ever since my fifth year when I became prefect I pretty much isolated myself from everyone else save Penelope. And even with her it was a strict relationship with nothing special whatsoever," he replied darkly, eyes flashing dangerously.

Tonks backed off with a troubled look on her face. "Uh, whoa," she said dubiously.

Sighing, Percy shook his head. "Forgive my rudeness. Anyhow, who exactly am I working with here and when am I to leave?" he continued placidly, turning to Remus.

The sudden switch in his behavior surprised the older man but he answered his question nonetheless. "You are to be working with Penelope Clearwater and Marcus Flint. We are still uncertain on some others but they are definite. You will meet up with them tomorrow to make leave for Ireland, where a large amount of stray goblins and other creatures live. This is also where Fudge sent most of his men to capture them," he said.

Percy looked at Remus sharply. "Marcus Flint?" he queried. He never thought any person from Slytherin would be in the Order, let alone the former captain of their Quidditch team.

Remus smiled knowingly and shrugged. "He seems to have turned over a new leaf since graduation, especially since Albus himself helped save his family from a very serious situation," he answered carefully.

At this everyone at the table smiled and Percy found himself missing out on something. Kingsley patted his shoulder. "Don't worry, Percy. You can trust Marcus," he said reassuringly.

"Right then. I'll take your word for it," Percy replied.

"Oi! We better get back to work, lads!" Tonks suddenly exclaimed. The rest of the group stood up and began to adjust their cloaks before waving their farewells to Percy. Tonks leaned in and gave him a hug. "Good-luck, kid," she said warmly. Percy smiled and thanked her while saying good-bye to everyone else.

Kingsley patted him on the back and Moody hobbled over to him, placing his hand on Percy's shoulder. "Be careful of goblins in Ireland. They're different from the ones that work at Gringotts. Taller and more uncivilized, these are. Make sure you don't get bitten by them either 'cause they got poison that can kill you in an instant," he warned in a low tone before walking away. Beside him Tonks rolled her eyes.

"Moody, why do you have to go and say such things to him?" she inquired as they left the bar.

Percy didn't get to hear Moody's reply and he turned to see Remus still standing before him. "Aren't you going with them?" he asked, arching an eyebrow. The older man smiled.

"No, I have to stay here to discuss things with the barman. And as for your meeting place with the rest of your group…," he said as he rummaged in his pocket to produce a small slip of paper. "That is where you will meet."

Taking the slip, Percy looked at it curiously and smiled when he saw the location. "You could have just said, 'At the front of Buckingham Palace,'" he said with a strange smile.

Remus winked at him. "Ah, but where would the suspense be in that?" he remarked with a glint in his eye. Percy found himself chuckling at that comment. "Ah, so you can laugh. I wasn't sure whether or not you were the same student I had in your seventh year. Three years sure have you changed, Percy."

"Hm…perhaps."

Percy took off his glasses and played around with them for a bit. They were black and the plastic kind, bought straight from a Muggle shop. He cleaned them and then placed them back on his face, looking at Remus. He did not like discussions on "how he had changed" and things like that. It irritated him even though he knew Remus had not meant it in any harmful way.

"I should be going now. I must be keeping you from your talk with the barman," he announced. Remus's face was now devoid of any smiles or grins but he managed a small one when Percy stuck out his hand. He shook it firmly while placing his other hand on top of Percy's in a fatherly gesture.

"Good-luck and be wary of the goblins. Moody was very accurate in what he said to you. The giants will be troublesome as well, among others," he said.

"Yes, I know all about the leprechauns, gnomes, mermaids, and other underwater creatures there."

Remus looked surprised for a moment before smiling fully. "No wonder you graduated at the top of the school," he joked as Percy made his leave.

The redhead paused at Remus's comment and turned halfway to face him. "It's not the most amazing thing in the world. I just happen to love reading," he remarked before leaving the bar. A crack was sounded outside and Remus knew he had Disapparated.

He stood still for a moment before smiling faintly at Percy's behavior. He sure has changed. Then he turned and walked over to the barman and leaned against the counter wonderingly.

"So, Mundungus… What do you think?"

The barman gave a crooked grin as he wiped a mug clean.

"Sure, I'll do as you asked."

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TBC

Revised: 10/10/04