Chapter 5-Percy's Return
The next day, Harry was talking to Hermione and Ron about the mysterious McClaggan character that Dumbledore had mentioned the previous night.
Ron said, "So, do you think McClaggan is hiding a secret, and only Dumbledore knows?"
Hermione said, "Seems like it."
Just then, Dumbledore appeared from the fireplace, and he had a grim face.
Dumbledore said, "Mr. Weasley, where is your mum?"
Ron said, "In the drawing room."
Dumbledore left the room, and a few minutes they heard Mrs. Weasley running downstairs yelling, "NO! NOT PERCY!"
Ron, Hermione, and Harry rushed out of the living room, and saw Mrs. Weasley panting and crying on the landing of the stairs. Dumbledore was right behind her.
Ron said, "What's wrong, Mum?"
Dumbledore interrupted, "It's better that you wait until later." He then escorted Mrs. Weasley back upstairs to the drawing room.
Hermione said, "That was weird. I wonder what your mum meant when she said, "NO! NOT PERCY!"
Ron said, "I dunno. Maybe Dumbledore had some news from Percy."
Harry said, "Yeah, but Dumbledore would have told us what it was by now."
Mr. Weasley got back from the Ministry around dinner time, and he noticed Harry and his friends were pretty quiet.
Mr. Weasley said, "Is something the matter?"
Ron said, "Oh, nothing, Dad."
Mr. Weasley nodded and went back to eating.
Just then, Lupin entered the room, and he said, "Everyone has to be in the living room.
Dumbledore has some announcements."
Everyone gathered in the living room, and Mrs. Weasley was sitting on the couch, shaking really bad.
Dumbledore said, "Everyone, I have some bad news. I don't know how to say this, but Percy was found dead this morning in his flat."
Mr. Weasley gasped, and sat down beside Mrs. Weasley. Bill and Charlie were comforting Ginny, who was sobbing. Fred and George looked at Dumbledore like he was joking. Ron started crying, then ran out of the room.
Lupin told Harry and Hermione, "I'll go get him. I'm sure Dumbledore's not finished talking."
Ron returned a few minutes with Lupin, and Dumbledore continued, "The Ministry suspects that Voldemort attacked Percy, and he was killed. We found a letter right beside his body. I thought you would like to read it, Molly."
Mrs. Weasley sobbed, and took the letter, and read it out loud:
Dear Mum and Dad,
I am writing to you, because I have run into some trouble, and I think Voldemort may be after me. If I don't make it through this, I just want you to know that I apologize for being a jerk and please ask Harry Potter to forgive me. Also, ask Professor Dumbledore to forgive me, too. Also ask Dumbledore to tell the Ministry to give my job to someone who is qualified. Again, Mum and Dad, I'm so sorry. I should have listened to you, but I was too stubborn. Give Ron, Ginny, Bill, Charlie, Fred, and George my apologies and tell them that I love them. Also, tell Penelope that I'm sorry that she will be left behind without me. Ron, if you ever read this letter, I just want you to know I hope you find a beautiful girl who cares for you.
Sincerely,
Percy Weasley
Dumbledore said, "Well, the Aurors are supposed to be here in a few minutes with Percy's body."
Just then, the fire crackled, and Professor McGonagall appeared. She looked like she had been crying.
Professor McGonagall said, "I heard the news, and I came over to offer my condolences. Molly, if there's anything I can do for you, let me know."
Mrs. Weasley was too upset to say anything. The doorbell rang, and Dumbledore opened the door with his wand, and 2 wizards came in, carrying a statue-like body. They put Percy's body in front of Mrs. Weasley's feet.
Mrs. Weasley got to the floor and kneeled, sobbing and said over and over again, "Oh, my baby, why did this have to happen to you? My Percy's gone! First, Gideon and Fabian, now Percy. Who next? I can't bear losing someone anymore!"
Mrs. Weasley was tugging at her hair, and she ran out of the room, sobbing.
They could hear her screaming, "Oh, my Son! My Son! He's gone!"
Dumbledore said, "I wish there was something I could do, Arthur."
Mr. Weasley said, "There's nothing you could have done, Dumbledore."
Professor McGonagall blew her nose, and she said, "I'm going to see if Molly's alright."
Professor McGonagall left the room, and Ron was sitting in the chair crying. Hermione was patting his shoulder, while Harry was comforting Ron with sympathy.
Just then, the doorbell rang, and Lupin opened the door. There stood a man standing on the stoop.
The man said, "Is this 12 Grimmauld Place?"
Dumbledore said, "Yes, come in, Salverio."
Salverio McClaggan stepped in, and Harry saw that he looked rather like an old lion. There were streaks of grey in his mane of tawny hair and his bushy eyebrows; he had keen yellowish eyes behind a pair of wire-rimmed spectacles, loping grace even though he walked with a slight limp.
McClaggan limped in, and said, "Did I come at a bad time, Dumbledore?"
Dumbledore said, "Yes, sorry."
Just then, Mrs. Weasley returned with Professor McGonagall behind her.
McClaggan said, "Hello, you must be Molly Weasley. I have heard a lot about you. I'm Salverio McClaggan."
Mrs. Weasley said, "OH, my SON! MY SON!" and ran out of the room, sobbing.
Mr. Weasley said, "I'm sorry, my wife's in shock right now."
To be continued……
