Disclaimer: I just own the plot!
Review Responses:
ElavielBlack – Percy is great, isn't he, the thing is I really think he'd do this! He really seems to love his family despite his odd ways of showing it sometimes. As for Snape, he's just plain wonderful! I'll leave to see the twins' reactions for yourself because they're here in this chapter, along with a lot of other peoples'. Thanks for the review!
Willowscribe – I'm glad you like my Percy and Snape, I love writing for those two! Sorry, I've tested people's patience with the late update! Thanks for reviewing!
Lilyqueen777 – You don't like reading too much pain and yet you keep reading my stories when I torture my poor characters so much? Oh well, I'm just pleased it doesn't put you off, the rest of the story isn't too bad I don't think, well it's not as bad as last chapter anyway! You'll find out where Fred went here, he didn't go where Percy intended him to, i.e. Grimmauld Place. I think Percy would go a long way to protect his family and yes he was definitely scared of the Death Eaters! I think there are similarities between Snape and Percy and Snape sees that too, I think he also sees that they could have become even more similar in a way he would never have wanted them to be if it hadn't been for Percy deciding to return to his family. Thanks for the review!
db – I love brave, heroic Percy too, and the twins are indeed very evil! Thanks for the review!
Pyro44 – Well I won't tell you if Percy's alright yet but you'll find out soon! Thanks for the review!
Queen of Useless Info – Congratulations for being the only reviewer to mention what you ndid about the Death Eaters, no one else brought that up. As for what will happen well that's going to be addressed soon but I won't give my plot away so you might have to wait a couple of chapters. It's true what you said about nothing saying family reconciliation like a near death experience! Still that doesn't mean that even if Percy does recover it'll all be plain sailing! Thanks for the review!
Cooldot – Come on you already knew I was evil! I love to torture people, be it Percy or my poor readers! :o) Percy so loves his brothers! I love the GoF bit! It's just so sweet! Also, even though I don't see him as much of one to fight, he has top OWLs and NEWTs so I'd assume that if he wanted to he could do someone some serious damage! Bella is just the most evil person ever! I despise her, she hurt my Neville! I want her to suffer! However she is good for entertainment value sometimes! I'm doing quite well on the sequel at present, it has an actual plot which is odd for me! The focus is less clear though in that it flits from one group of people to another and tries to cover both the Order and the Ministry as well as the kids at Hogwarts! So it's a trifle ambitious but I think I like the way it's turning out. As for Sev, I adore him and I don't think I've ever written anything he wasn't in, no I haven't actually! McGonagall's one of my favourite female HP characters and I love the way she and Sev interact! Sorry for the wait for the update, thanks for the review!
Bonezz – Trust me I totally understand being busy, it's my second year at university and it looks like I'm going to be hard pushed to keep up with everything! I'm glad you enjoyed this and do let me know when you update your story again! Thanks for reviewing!
Erisinia – I love angst too and there's plenty more where that came from! Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the review!
alleygator – Thanks for the complimentary review, sorry the update took a bit long!
What You Left Behind
Chapter 8: You Don't Know What You've Got
"I believe you don't know what you've got until you say goodbye."
After ensuring Percy and George were in good hands at St. Mungo's, Professor McGonagall had instantly flooed to Hogwarts to find their parents while Snape had returned to Grimmauld Place to fetch the other Weasleys and send an owl to Bill and Charlie in hopes of reaching them.
Meanwhile George had awoken in confusion to find gentle hands pushing him to lie back down on a soft, white bed. "Hey, lie still kiddo, you took a nasty bang to the head when you hit the ground." A middle-aged man, dressed in a healer's white coat addressed him and handed him a phial, "Drink that, it'll help with the fuzzy feeling you've undoubtedly got in your head."
George drank it without protest, trying desperately to sort out his thought patterns; he had the nasty feeling that there was something important he had to say or ask, but it took more than a minute before his head cleared enough to allow him to remember what it was.
The healer scowled and took on an 'I told you so' look as George sat bolt upright only to sink his head into his hands in pain.
"You might to take things a little slower than that, kid!"
George raiased his head with difficulty, "Percy! What happened to Percy!?"
The healer looked confused, "Who?"
A young woman treating a patient in the next bed looked across and said, "He's probably talking about the man he came in with, the other red head."
"Yes!" George nodded emphatically before wishing desperately that he hadn't. "Percy, is he alright?!"
The woman wouldn't meet his eyes and went back to dressing her patient's burns. "You'd have to talk to his healer, I was only assisting. I don't really know much about his condition."
"I want to see him!" George said immediately.
"I'd be much happier if you'd lie still for a little while, I can go and find out how your friend is," the middle aged man treating George frowned in concern.
"He's my brother!" George snapped, "And I'd be much happier if you got out of my way and showed me where I could find him!"
The man gave him a disapproving look and sighed. "Fine, if you're going to get difficult I suppose I can't force you to rest. Follow me, but for goodness sake don't wander off and if you feel tired or dizzy I want you to tell me immediately. Hey, Mandy, what ward was the other one in?"
The young woman turned back towards them, "He's in a side room on the fifth floor."
There seemed to be an unspoken exchange taking place between the two healers at that comment and George snapped out, "What?! What's significant about the fifth floor?"
"George, your brother's in the intensive care unit. Now I don't want you to panic, it's probably just a precaution but we'll go and find out for ourselves, ok?" The healer's voice had taken on that awful quiet sympathetic tone that suggested all was not well.
The colour drained slowly from George's freckled face and he nodded dumbly. The healer led him up several floors and through a maze of corridors, before calling across another doctor who was clearly senior to him. "Excuse me Dr Harrington, this is your patient's brother he's quite concerned and would like to see him. Could you handle it from here, I have other patients waiting downstairs."
"Of course, Michael," the senior healer nodded and George's guide began to walk away.
"Thank you!" George called after him, remembering suddenly that he hadn't thanked the man for his treatment.
"That's alright kid, I hope your brother's ok."
George turned back to the man his healer had referred to as Dr Harrington and plucked up the courage to say, "Well, is he ok?"
The healer gestured for George to follow him and led him into a small office. "Right, what's your name?"
"George Weasley."
"Ok George, your brother was quite seriously hurt and his body's shut down all but the barest of functions, causing him to lose consciousness. Now that usually means it's tapping into it's own magic to heal itself but we're concerned that there's been no improvement in his condition. He's not regained consciousness yet and frankly the sooner he does the happier I'll be. To be honest there's not much more we can do at the moment until he wakes up, which hopefully he will do."
"What do you mean hopefully?!"
"George, like I said his condition was, and still is, very serious. I'm not saying he won't wake up, I'm just saying I can't guarantee that he will."
George sat down heavily in a nearby chair. "Mum and dad, someone should get them."
"One of the Professors who brought you in went to find them."
George frowned, "Who brought us in?"
"A couple of Hogwarts professors, I didn't have time to catch their names. Your family should be here soon."
"Can I go in and see him?" George asked in a quiet voice.
The healer nodded, "Of course you can, it would probably make him feel better if he sees a friendly face when he wakes up."
George gave a forced smiled and trailed after him to Percy's side room, worried that the last thing Percy would think of him as was a friendly face.
"I'll leave you alone, you can go in and sit with him for as long as you like, I have to go and deal with another patient, if you need me or anything changes in his condition just tell another member of staff."
"Thanks."
Tentatively George swung open the door and slipped inside, closing it behind him, delaying the moment when he would have to actually focus on the figure on the bed. He walked slowly to the bedside; his brother lay so still at first he seemed to be exhibiting no sign of life until George noticed the shallow movements of his chest that indicated his breathing. Percy's skin was almost the colour of the white sheets he was lying between and his hand was like ice to the touch.
"Oh God," George whispered feeling a tear escape as he saw his brother, usually so in control, looking so helpless. He squeezed his hand slightly and sat down. "Perce? Come on wake up, I know you're joking around, you're just getting your own back for all those pranks we played on you aren't you? You're going to sit up in a minute and give me the fright of my life! Well too late because you're giving me the fright of my life right now. Just sit up and tell me it's a joke. Please!"
There was no answer from the still form on the bed. There was however a sound from the doorway as the handle turned. George stood, expecting the healer back but instead Molly Weasley stepped inside and swept him into her arms, tearstains on her face. "George!" she sobbed and held him tightly. "Are you alright?"
He nodded dumbly and turned to his father whose eyes were fixed on Percy. He crossed silently to the bed, not sparing his younger son a glance and swept Percy's hair out of his face tenderly. George could see from the determined set of his shoulders, the slight shaking of his hand that his father was close to tears as well. Arthur Weasley turned back to his wife and younger son and gave George an appraising look, "Are you sure you should be out of bed, they said you were hurt too."
"I'm fine, dad."
"Well that's good. After all we couldn't have you and Fred paying for your own stupidity could we?"
George flinched at the cold note in his father's usually warm voice. "Dad?"
"You two are such fools. I warned you about your behaviour and you just ignored me, just like you ignored him and look what it's all led to."
"Arthur! Please don't!" Molly begged, sitting in the chair next to Percy, "He didn't realise."
"I think you should wait outside for your brothers and Ginny."
"Dad, please this wasn't my fault!"
"I don't care," Arthur Weasley sounded deeply tired, "I think you should wait outside."
"Dad!"
Arthur turned away before sighing and walking over to his son. Embracing him briefly he gave him a small smile, "I'm glad you weren't hurt seriously." He slipped a sickle into his son's hand, "You look like you could use a hot drink though, why don't you go and get yourself a cup of tea and get your mother one while you're at it."
George nodded and left quickly.
"You shouldn't have been so harsh on him, he's upset." Molly admonished gently.
"We all are. The difference being that if he and Fred were capable of doing what they're told no one would have a reason to be upset."
"They didn't cause this on purpose Arthur!"
"I know. It's just so typical that in trying to keep them out of trouble Percy ended up in it himself." He placed a gentle hand on his wife's shoulder, "I'm sorry Molly."
She reached up and patted his hand, "No, you're right dear I just don't think now is the time to deal with it."
XXXXXXX
Fred, in his anger at his older brother, had apparated back to the burrow to find Bill and Charlie talking and laughing with some old school friends in the living room. Not feeling very sociable, Fred stormed off upstairs and into his and George's room. He knew George wouldn't know where to find him but he just couldn't stay around Percy for another minute and he had the feeling that sooner or later his twin would look to escape too and he would probably end up at the Burrow as well. He was still sulking in his room when a shout came from downstairs. Curious, he ran down to the living room to find Bill shooing everyone out the door while Charlie was sat in a chair, a letter hanging limply from his hand.
"What's going on?"
Bill looked up, "There you are, look I don't know if this is anything to worry about but George and Percy are at St. Mungo's we just got a note from Professor Snape. I don't know what happened but we should get over there, he said Mum and Dad have been told."
Fred felt his heart skip several beats, his twin was in St. Mungo's and so was Percy? What on earth had happened after he'd left? Guilt rushed over him and Charlie gave him an odd look, "Are you ok Fred? You look very pale!"
He nodded quickly, "I'm fine. Let's get going."
Arriving at St. Mungo's and the wait to be told, by a very busy receptionist, where they could find their brothers was one of the worst ten minutes of Fred Weasley's life and Bill and Charlie didn't look much better than he felt. Eventually Professor McGonagall strode towards them.
"There you all are, come with me. Your parents are with Percy and the others have just arrived; George wasn't really hurt, he's sat with them."
Fred's heart leapt at the news his twin was alright but his concern for Percy was undiminished.
"What's wrong with Percy?" Charlie asked immediately.
The stern woman gave him an uncharacteristically sympathetic look, "I think you should talk to your parents or the healers about that. Come along."
XXXXXXX
Ron and Ginny were sat in shock outside Percy's room having been talked through the problems by the healer. Harry and Hermione had come with them as there had been no one left at Grimmauld Place to keep an eye on them. The two were sat on either side of Ron trying to offer silent comfort. Ginny was leaning against George, who had a protective arm around his little sister allowing her to sob into his jumper.
Snape was stood with them, looking as though they were not his preferred choice of company. He glanced up from glaring at the floor upon McGonagall's arrival with Bill, Charlie and Fred. She nodded to him and he left to find the healer once more who returned to make the fourth separate explanation of Percy's condition within the last hour.
They were eventually allowed in to see Percy but there had been no change in his condition and Ginny was so upset Arthur insisted Ron, Harry and Hermione take her to get a drink. He turned his attention shortly after to Fred and spoke in a quiet, serious tone, "I've already told your brother what I think of your behaviour today. I'm thoroughly ashamed of both you. You should have known better, you risked your lives and his!"
Fred wouldn't meet his father's eyes but muttered, "Yeah well he didn't have to follow us. Nobody wanted him to!"
"What?" Charlie glanced up, "Hang on a second, what's been going on?"
Arthur glanced up, "Sorry Charlie I forgot you weren't there when Professor Snape explained what had happened to the others."
The look on George's face suggested that Snape's idea of an explanation had left the twins looking pretty bad in the whole affair.
"These two decided to go and interrupt a ministry training weekend, despite Percy having warned them against it. He went after them to stop them and see that they didn't get hurt and they ran into five Death Eaters."
"Then how did you get to the Burrow?!" Charlie turned to Fred angrily.
"I had an argument with Percy and apparated away. He told us to, I assumed he and George had gone back to Grimmauld Place!"
Charlie looked murderous, "I can't believe you two sometimes!"
"Charlie, now isn't the time!" Molly chastised him, "Don't yell in here."
"We didn't do anything wrong, well we never meant for this to happen anyway!" Fred protested.
"You never do! You never seem to 'mean' to cause so much upset yet you always manage to somehow!" Charlie turned angrily on his brtother despite his mother's look of pain.
"Charlie, please!" Molly entreated him.
"Bill, tell him! It's not our fault if Percy wants to run around stopping everyone's fun just because he can't have any himself!"
Bill eyed Fred coldly, "Get out of here."
"What?! You're the one who always says what a worthless git he is."
Charlie swung to face his older brother in disbelief, "You said what?!"
Bill ignored him, "I told you to leave! Percy and I may not always get on too well but you two nearly got him killed. Look at him!" Fred looked stubbornly at his feet, "Look at him! You did that! You and your idiocy!"
"Bill!" Arthur said warningly.
Fred had fallen quiet and his twin tugged on his sleeve, "We should go outside."
Things were no less tense down in the cafeteria where Ron was scowling into a cup of tea, "I can't believe they could be so stupid!" he said for the umpteenth time.
"Ron," Harry tried to pacify his angry friend, "Fred and George were just having a laugh, it's not their fault!"
"Yes it bloody well is! That isn't 'having a laugh'! That's putting people's lives at risk! I'm sorry Harry but if this is meant to be funny then I missed the punch-line!"
Harry looked suitably chastised, "I'm sorry Ron, I didn't mean it to sound like that."
Ron sighed, "Yeah, I didn't mean to yell either."
Hermione placed a hand on his arm and gave it a gentle squeeze, "He'll be alright, Ron."
"You don't know that." Ron shook the girl's hand off, ignoring her hurt expression and returning to glaring at his fast cooling beverage.
Conditions remained as tense and tempers as short for the rest of the day with no change in Percy's condition. Late that night Molly finally insisted Ron, Ginny and the twins go home with Harry and Hermione and was persuaded by Arthur to let him take her home too. Bill offered to stay and Charlie said he'd come back and take over in a few hours.
XXXXXXX
Bill had curled up in a chair but couldn't sleep. It wasn't that he was uncomfortable, well he was but that wasn't what was keeping him awake. Guilt was eating at him, guilt for all the times he'd ignored or laughed at his little brother, guilt for all the times he'd let the twins pick on him. He sighed and patted Percy's hand, "You better wake up Perce or I'm going to carry around a lot of guilt for the rest of my life if I don't get to tell you I'm sorry."
A sound from the door announced Charlie's return, "Hi, I've come to take over, thought you could use some sleep by now."
"I'd rather stay with him. He still hasn't woken up and I'm getting really worried."
"Well why would you care, apparently all you see him as is a, and I quote, 'worthless git'."
Bill flushed uncomfortably, "I didn't mean what I said and don't look at me like that, I'm fully aware that I shouldn't have said it. I haven't been the best of older brothers Charlie I know that. But did it ever occur to you I didn't want to be the older brother? I never wanted to be the one everyone ran to to sort out their disputes!"
"Well don't worry about that I don't think anyone's going to come running to you to sort their problems out after this."
"Charlie please don't be like that! I'm sorry, I was wrong."
"Yeah you bloody well were."
"I'm scared we might lose him."
"Do you even know what you'd be losing?" Charlie looked like he regretted the comment almost instantly, "I'm sorry Bill. We're all scared, I just hope he's going to wake up. Why don't you go home and get some sleep, you've been here for hours now and you look exhausted."
Bill nodded regretfully, "Alright, but you have to contact me if there's any change, I'll be at Grimmauld Place with everyone else."
"Ok." Charlie nodded and Bill left him to curl up in the chair and take over the vigil.
XXXXXXX
Charlie stayed with his brother throughout what was left of the night and the rest of the family returned early the following morning. Arthur persuaded his wife to go down to the canteen and get a cup of coffee once they had spoken with the healer and Ginny and Bill went with them. Charlie had collapsed in a chair outside Percy's room and fallen asleep so Ron and the twins left him in peace and went in to sit with Percy.
Ron was pale with dark circles round his eyes from lack of sleep and this combined with his concern for his brother was making him increasingly snappy and irritable, particularly as Fred and George were unable to sit quietly.
"Can't you two sit still?!" he snapped as George paced the room continually and Fred messed with the catch on the window.
"Yeah, if you stop being snappy!" Fred muttered.
"You're not the only one who's worried you know!" George frowned.
"Stop having a go at us like this is all our fault!" Fred snapped defensively.
"This is all your fault!" Ron protested. "You two are such idiots! You always think you know best, you never think that he might be right, that maybe he tells us to follow the rules because he thinks we might get hurt! You could have got yourselves killed and you've nearly got him killed!"
"Ron," a croaky, irritable voice came from the bed, "Not that I don't appreciate the sentiment, but could you be a bit quieter before my head explodes?"
"Percy! You're awake!" Ron shouted, dashing over to the bed. "Oh, sorry!" he whispered as Percy winced at the loud noise.
Ron's excited shouts had awoken Charlie and drawn him in from outside. He crossed quickly over to Percy's bedside smiling at him and speaking softly. "Hey little brother, how you feeling?"
Percy pulled a face, "Like someone used a switching spell to replace my brain with a bomb which is trying desperately to explode in the most painful way possible."
Charlie smiled at Percy's colourful example, "Yeah, well you should see the other guys!"
Percy paled visibly and bit his lip, "I did."
"Percy?" Charlie asked uncertainly, concerned at his brother's tone.
The younger red head however simply turned his face away from Charlie and rolled over, refusing to say another word.
XXXXXXX
The quote that this chapter title comes from is from a song called, "Affirmation," by Savage Garden.
I am sorry this chapter was late again but I'm very busy at the moment!
Next chapter we see more interaction between Percy and Bill and that should be up in about a week. I'd love it if you reviewed and told me what you thought!