V

The voice was far too cheerful for Percy's liking and the landing had been atrocious. How Muggles fared with these types of transportation was something he couldn't fathom. Once the foursome had gathered their belongings, they headed straight out of the airport and got onto one of the buses to take them to where they would be staying. Marcus had complained about the excessive Muggle outings but Oliver had just said it would be best for them to blend in with the crowd for as long as possible before venturing for themselves. "Spies of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named are everywhere," he had pointed out before. Percy had felt the urge to just shout out Voldemort's name to give them all a jolt, but it would probably make him seem like he was mocking Oliver—and that was something he didn't want to do. So he followed them onto the bus like a dog.

Two hours and a couple of books later, Percy had found the scene around the bus change drastically to that of the countryside. Their stop was the last one and with one glance around the vehicle, he knew they were the only ones on it. The driver looked utterly bored out of his mind and it was Penelope who suggested for them to get off since they were already close to their destination. Percy guessed that she felt a bit sorry for the driver.

Soon enough they found themselves on the dirt road in the middle of the afternoon. Percy looked around their surroundings in awe. The air was clear and cool and everything was green around them.

"Okay, so the place we're staying at is just about half a mile from here," Oliver spoke up, looking over his map. Percy peered over his shoulder and saw that it looked much like the Marauder's Map Harry possessed. Four dots represented them and their destination was marked by a blue point. Oliver rolled up the map and placed it in his belt. "I guess we can Apparate there," he concluded.

There was a round of nods and with a unanimous crack they disappeared.

When they reappeared again, they were standing before a dilapidated building with hanging windowpanes and cracked glass. Percy looked it over in slight wonder. This is where we will be staying, he mused without any amusement or surprise.

"Gee, I wonder why nobody lives here anymore," remarked Marcus sarcastically with a short laugh. Oliver and Penelope both chuckled in response but Percy was too busy examining the front door.

Something was amiss. He could feel it. After working at the Ministry for two years and dealing with the twins, one had to develop some sort of sixth sense for danger. Percy looked over the door unsurely and placed one hand to his chin in thought. There was definitely something about the house that seemed very misplaced and he leaned his ear against the door curiously. And then he had heard it: a scuffling sound and a slight gasp. Percy backed away from the door and took out his wand automatically while ignoring the bewildered looks everyone threw at him.

"Come out now," he ordered in tone so cold that it surprised even himself. Percy felt Penelope walk up behind him.

"Percy…?" she queried softly.

Then the door to the house slammed open and she jumped in surprise. Percy tightened his grip on his wand and was ready to mutter a curse when he saw who it was that had walked out of the house.

"Aye, you young ones are just so loud nowadays! How can an old woman ever get any sleep?"

The woman was petite and her hair was tied up in a loose bun, showing streaks of grey in her otherwise black hair. Her face held some wrinkles but her eyes were a lively brown color. Scarves and robes ranging from an odd neon green to a clashing orange shade made up most of her attire. She approached them slowly and with a strange half smile.

"Who are you?" questioned Oliver just as she stopped before Percy, who still had his wand outstretched as he regarded the woman before them. She smiled again and lowered Percy's hand before facing Oliver.

"I am the one that owns this house, young man. Don't worry. Everything was settled over with Dumbledore…your leader I think? I gave him permission for you to lodge at my house while doing your…mission," she explained slowly before wrapping the scarf around her neck more tightly. "Now will be so kind as to step in and try not to make too much sound? I really don't like noise," she concluded before walking into the house, swallowed up by the darkness waiting inside.

Marcus arched an eyebrow and nudged Oliver with his elbow. "Why didn't Dumbledore tell us about her?" he inquired curiously.

Oliver shrugged. "Probably was too busy. It shouldn't be too big of a deal. She seems honest enough," he replied. Without another word, he picked up his belongings and entered the house.

The others waited outside unsurely and after a while, Penelope and Marcus gathered their things and went in. Percy remained outside, however. He was extremely doubtful on the woman's appearance and it wouldn't be like Dumbledore to leave them out on something like this. Sighing, Percy shook his head. Then again he was probably being his normal paranoid self.

Once inside, Percy dropped his bags onto the floor only to find a dead silence before him. The door was no more and an endless abyss of darkness engulfed him as he tried to find a way out. A wave of fear and absolute panic rushed over him before Percy managed to calm down to think of something. He didn't even bother trying to call out for he heard and saw nothing. All was still and so was he.

"What is this?" he finally ventured out, hoping for some sort of response. Where had Penelope and the others gone? Were they also trapped in some strange dimension as well?

"Don't worry, young Weasley," a strange voice interjected, "all will soon be explained and we shall see where your true loyalties lie."

Percy blinked and then found himself propelled forward by some unknown force. Wind bit at his face and soon a distant light grew stronger and stronger as he neared it. With a jerk, he stopped and he tumbled to the ground ungracefully.

"What—?" he began angrily before stopping dead in his tracks.

A pale and emaciated face greeted him, an evil smile playing on his lips as he peered over Percy like a puppet. He raised his hand and Percy could not control his body as he found himself walking up to the Dark Lord.

"A Weasley…how grotesque. Your family has long disgraced any honor you once had and have gone unpunished for far too long," began Voldemort in a mournful tone before turning a sinister smile on Percy. "I think I'll start with you, what do you say?"

Pain soon wracked through every bone in Percy's body and he crumpled to the ground miserably, tears stinging his eyes. All he heard was Voldemort's laughter and then nothing as he slipped as far away as possible.

Where am I?

Where do you think you are?

A different dimension…dead…or in some sort of dream or illusion.

I assure you, this is no dream.

Who are you?

Who are you?

Why do you repeat my questions?

Why do you ask questions you already know the answer to? Think, Weasley. Who do you think I am and what do you think I want? I can sense your fear, doubts, and every other thought you possess. Now I understand you are standing by Dumbledore…

Oh God, not this.

Do not interrupt me, boy! Do you wish me to kill you? Or better yet…your family?

Leave them out of this.

Ah, so you do have a weak spot. How touching.

Shut up.

Tsk, tsk, Weasley. I would have thought your mother would teach you better. Perhaps a lesson is needed…

Stop it! Leave me alone! I don't believe you're here!

No? Well, like it or not I am here and with my full power as well. You think Dumbledore can protect you now? Fool.

Dumbledore is not a coward like you.

Coward? You think it was I being a coward that got me to the point where I am now? Dumbledore is the one who is a coward. He hides behind his false words and in reality, he has no power over me. He uses people to do his bidding. Surely you must have seen this?

Shut the fuck up.

Aah, don't be so ignorant, Weasley. Dumbledore is no great wizard and you know that. You do all these tasks for him—even leave your own family! And does he do anything to repay you? No!

He doesn't need to repay me. It is I that made the choice of leaving. I fight for his beliefs as well as my own.

His beliefs. What beliefs are these? That good shall prevail against evil? That perhaps one day Muggles and magic will learn to work alongside each other? It is folly, that's what it is!

What is folly are your words.

Enough.

A flame engulfed him. It was warm, almost comforting if not for the menacing green glow. Percy looked around him in surprise. One moment he had been having a mental conversation with Voldemort and the next he was standing in the middle of green fire. Fear and confusion gripped him and there was nothing he could do about it.

"You think it wise to talk back to the Dark Lord as you have, young Weasley?"

The voice was like the one from his dream and Percy knew all too well who it belonged to as a gap in the flames opened up to reveal the most feared wizard of all time. "Two years of living on your own kind of changes the way a person thinks," he retorted bitterly, though deep down he was shaking in fear.

A dark smile crept its way onto Voldemort's face. "Such a shame. Your talents are being exploited by Dumbledore. You could do so much more with what you have," he cooed silkily into Percy's ear.

The redhead grimaced and glared hard at Voldemort, his fear dissipating for a moment. "I work for Dumbledore and him alone. And he would never use me in any way," he stated firmly.

Voldemort laughed. "Are you so sure about that? How can one person be so pure? Dumbledore does have his own dark side. Everyone does. How do you know he won't turn on you once you're not needed anymore?"

A deep sting of doubt sliced through Percy before he shook it off. "Stop it. You know nothing about him! You're the one that hates him after all," he snapped back, though it came out more hesitant than anything else.

Voldemort smiled sourly, his eyes glittering brightly as he circled Percy like a vulture. "Come now, young Weasley. I can offer you so much more than what Dumbledore has. With me you don't have to be estranged from your family and friends. You can all live blissfully without a single worry! And better yet, you would be doing so much more with your talents. Help me win this war and you will be rewarded greatly," he said slowly.

A pause ensued as Percy stared at the flames in a daze. Voldemort's words affected him greatly and he began to imagine what it would be like. He could see him with his friends and family living happily. There was no war but a great golden era. It caused a great swelling of joy in his heart, yet something held him back. A certain dread and constant nagging rang at the back of his head.

Remember your bothers. Where are they now? Are they not also with Dumbledore? Then why should you doubt their decision as well?

Like awakening from a dream Percy looked at Voldemort fiercely, eyes alight with renewed vigor. "Your words mean nothing. Nothing. I will fight to protect my family and friends. And if they are siding with Dumbledore, where else would I go but there?" he shot back calmly. "Besides…Dumbledore is a hell of a lot better at persuading than you are."

A look of dismay and rage crossed Voldemort's face. "You would die protecting them," he stated quietly, his tone laced with venom. Percy lifted his chin and looked at Voldemort straight in the eye.

"I would gladly do so to protect them and to carry on both mine and Dumbledore's hopes and dreams," he stated proudly, smirking at Voldemort's expression. "Now what do you have to say?"

I would say…well done.

A sudden wind filled the room and Voldemort's murderous expression dissolved along with his body. The emerald flames diminished and Percy was left standing in a black space. He looked around wildly before a great light washed over him, blinding him momentarily. When he opened his eyes again, Percy saw that he was standing in a room with vast amounts of strange furniture and an airy atmosphere. He looked up and saw the same woman that had greeted him and the others at the door smiling at him.

"Well done, indeed," she said.

Percy stared at her for a moment in pure shock. "Then…it was all…an illusion?" he managed to stutter out. The woman nodded, smiling.

"Yes, it was. My name is Gwen Schranj and I am a friend of Dumbledore," she explained patiently.

"So you are a witch."

Gwen chuckled. "Yes, I would say so! Though my magic is a bit different from the rest of yours but that's for a later story. Now I have to finish this up with the rest of your companions," she replied, gesturing to the other three, who were standing beside Percy.

All had their eyes closed but it was Oliver that seemed to be under strain. Percy stared at him in amazement.

"I must admit, you are the first one to ever finish so soon. Your loyalty is without doubt."

"I almost fell to his words, though," replied Percy quietly.

Gwen stared hard at Percy and tapped her finger against the tip of his nose, startling him quite a bit. "Pish posh! That is nonsense! Naturally, everyone would begin to doubt themselves, but it's whether or not you actually give in that's important. You did not and with such affirmation that I nearly dropped the illusion right then and there out of my surprise!" she exclaimed, grinning broadly at Percy. She then turned to face Oliver. "Now this one is taking a little longer but hopefully, he'll snap out of it soon. He has a good heart."

Percy looked at Oliver and nodded slowly. "Yes, he does," he murmured. He then looked at Gwen sharply. "So did everyone in the Order go through this?" he inquired. Gwen laughed.

"Oh yes! Your brothers were most amusing—swore like a gun cannon set on a course! Charlie and Bill were more refined in manner but all four of them took a good bit of time before pledging their loyalty and faith in Dumbledore. It's a test you see… And I was actually the one who suggested it to Albus," she explained slowly. "It's a very good way of knowing who's really on your side," she added with a wink.

Percy nodded faintly. The thought of his brothers having to go through the same thing suddenly made him feel very nostalgic. He looked at the others faintly. I wonder what their family and friends said about them doing this… Percy smiled ruefully. They're probably missed and worried over, unlike me. I have too many siblings to be remembered really.

"What's going on?"

The voice startled Percy out of his reverie and he looked up to see an extremely bewildered Oliver. Gwen chuckled beside him. "Congratulations, Oliver. You passed the test," she explained in her slow tone. Percy could have laughed at the stunned expression on Oliver's face but he kept it to himself.

"A test?" repeated Oliver.

Gwen nodded faintly. "Yes. It was to see whether or not you were truly loyal to Albus. And you are so don't worry too much over it," she said with a strange smile. She clapped her hands and looked at Penelope and Marcus. "Now hopefully these two will finish up soon. Keeping these things up does take a lot out of an old woman."

Oliver chuckled and suddenly he turned to Percy. "So you made it out first?" he inquired in a strangely neutral tone. The redhead nodded a bit uncertainly and Oliver steeled his face even further. "Oh. Well, that's very good. I suppose we won't have to worry about you too much," he concluded.

Percy frowned noticeably but Oliver had begun to walk away.

"I guess we're staying here then?"

Gwen looked up. "Oh, of course! Your things have already been brought up to your rooms upstairs. I'll call for you when dinner is ready," she replied before turning on a serious look on both Penelope and Marcus.

Without a single look back at Percy, Oliver made his way out of the room. Percy remained still and for a minute, contemplated Oliver's abrupt departure. If I wasn't sure that he was mad with me before, I definitely am now, he mused absentmindedly. It didn't please him any to think this but there was no other reason for Oliver's cold behavior towards him. With one last sigh, he turned and walked away.

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TBC

Hmm, so sorry for the long delay. I never realized how long ago it was since I last updated. And, er, I'm afraid this story probably won't be updated yet again for quite some time. I'm going through a sort of metal block with this fic seeing as how I haven't been able to write anything new for a few months now. All I have to give you guys now is this chapter and who knows how long it will be until the next part is issued. I apologize for the rather impromptu break, but I promise I'll be back soon enough.

On a side note, Percy's behavior wasn't too OOC was it? o.o And if I'm not mistaken, the rating might go up for this fic. It's only a possibility, but I realized that there could be future "squirmish" scenes, a.k.a. scenes that might prove disturbing or intense. I definitely have my morbid side and sometimes what I think may be all right, can actually make other people uncomfortable. So here's a little warning for that.

By the way, thanks to all the reviewers. :D I'm glad to see people like this story. You guys make it happen, honestly. And I'll see you when I see you. (It won't be over six months, I swear to you now.) :P

P.S. If you haven't noticed, some of the chapters' titles have been changed. They're actually all song titles that I thought matched up with each chapter's content perfectly.