Disclaimer: NOT MINE! NOT MINE! NOT MINE!
Unbeta-ed so don't mind my grammar mistakes.
Spoilers: Books 1-4, ignore Book 5
Pairings: NO ONE ATM!
------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Fighting
(Posted 07/04/03 - Friday)
(Revision #1 08/25/03 - Monday)
------------------------------------------------------------------
The initiative week of Severus staying in the Burrow weren't too bad. No one died, though Mrs. Weasley gave the twins a furious tongue-lashing on the first day for making the pale child cry when she came home to find Ginny trying to comfort him. The twins avoided Severus at all cost and Ron was true to his words, ignoring the small boy's presence but he was weakening, courtesy of the sole Weasley girl. Severus was most comfortable with Mr. Weasley, Ginny and Percy tied in second place. Everyone thought it was odd that he didn't like Mrs. Weasley the same way.
On that hot Sunday afternoon, when Mr. Weasley and Percy had the day off from the Ministry, Mrs. Weasley was resolved to have a picnic lunch. She had packed several straw baskets in the kitchen and was giving orders to her family.
"Percy, go ahead and draw a table and chairs at our usual spot," Mrs. Weasley commanded like a troop general. "Fred, George, go with him and set the table. Don't even think of sneaking any Wheezes into your pockets. Ron, Ginny, help me carry these."
"How come Dad's not helping with the baskets?" Ron whined, heaving two baskets, one in each hand. "Where is he?"
"He's dressing Severus," said Mrs. Weasley. "They'll come to the picnic location when they're ready."
"Severus still afraid to undress alone? Poor thing," Ginny said, carrying a basket and holding the door for her mother and brother with her free hand. "And you would think a week would be enough to loosen his tongue so he would speak to us."
"Percy's told me he's stopped having nightmares so I wouldn't say we haven't made some progress," said Mrs. Weasley. "I'm glad I don't find him sleeping under the living room desk anymore."
"Or in the kitchen cabinet," said Ginny.
"I'm still wondering why he doesn't let me touch him," said Mrs. Weasley. "I guess I have to be nicer to him."
"You're very nice to him already Mum," said Ginny. "Do you think there's something about you that's bothering him? Maybe it was his Mum who abused him."
"Girls your age shouldn't think about things like that," reprimanded Mrs. Weasley.
"Yes Mum," Ginny said obediently while in her head she thought, "What year are we living in? Girls can think whatever they want these days and express them freely. Nothing wrong with that."
Ron tapped her on the shoulder and leaned close to ear.
"I have to talk to you about something," Ron whispered to Ginny. "After lunch. The pond."
Ginny nodded.
"What are you two plotting now?" said Mrs. Weasley.
"Nothing Mum," said Ron.
"It better be nothing," warned Mrs. Weasley. "I'm still angry at the twins for that stunt they did to Severus."
"It wasn't their fault Mum," said Ginny. "They didn't know about Severus' condition."
"I supposed I overreacted a bit," Mrs. Weasley confessed, where Ron raised an eyebrow at 'a bit'. "It was just so heart-wrenching at the sight of him weeping."
"Yes it was," said Ginny.
"There's Percy and Fred and George," Ron said, not putting in his own two cents in favor of getting his brothers in trouble. "It looks like they're arguing again."
"FRED! GEORGE!" yelled Mrs. Weasley. "I can't leave them alone at all. They will be the death of me one day."
She went ahead and lectured the twins until she was blue in the face. Percy was smirking, not unlike the familiar expression on the former Professor Snape. Ginny was laughing silently at the scene while Ron unloaded the baskets on the cloth-covered table.
"What's so funny?" he asked her.
"The famous Weasley temper, female version," said Ginny. "Twice as bad as the male version and lasts twice as long."
"You scare me sometimes little sister," said Ron.
"And proud of it," Ginny said, setting her basket down. "Remember that when you go on another adventure with Harry and Hermione. I might come in handy."
"I'll probably forget by the time summer's over," Ron said, and Ginny smacked his arm.
Mr. Weasley arrived with Severus in his arms. "I'm hungry enough to eat a horse."
That gained him stares.
"What? It's a Muggle phrase," Mr. Weasley said, putting Severus on his feet. "I got it wrong?"
"Alright. Sit," Mrs. Weasley said, sighing. "Fred, George, on the right. Percy, you're on the left. Severus will be between you and Ginny. No, Arthur, you can't have him sit on your lap at every meal."
"Okay Molly," Mr. Weasley said dejectedly. "Severus can sit by himself today."
Severus climbed onto his appointed seat while Mr. Weasley sat down reluctantly at the head of the table. They took out the food and drinks from the baskets.
"Looks delicious Mum," said Percy.
Fred coughed, which sounded akin to 'suck-up', and George elbowed him on the ribs. Severus tugged on Percy's sleeve, cutting his glare across the table short.
"Yes?" Percy asked.
Severus pointed to the lemonade pitcher and tilted his head to use his puppy-dogged eyes on him, although to an outsider they were rather blank. The glasses-wearing Weasley complied and poured him a glass, adding three cubes of ice, just the way he liked it. Ginny placed a plate of bite-size crust-less sandwiches in front of Severus.
"Mum, you know I don't eat meatloaf," Ron complained, switching his plate with a turkey and cheese one.
Severus tugged on Ginny's sleeve. He knew exactly how to manipulate the Weasleys without using words.
"Hmm?" Ginny said, seeing his gaze on Ron's plate. "Ron, how about giving half of your sandwiches for half of Severus'?"
"Let's see," he said, peeking at the insides of Severus' sandwiches. "Bacon and beef. Fine but only half."
Ginny helped them exchange their food and lunch passed smoothly. Percy always refilled Severus' glass and Mr. Weasley nodded in approval when Ron offered his former teacher the best corncob. Mrs. Weasley dismissed her family when all plates were cleaned off. Ginny and Ron went to the pond, Fred and George returned to their room, and the rest were going to spend their afternoon in the living room.
Ginny sat under the tree she and Ron labeled as theirs. "What you want to tell me?"
"Don't get any ideas," said Ron. "I'm not going to talk about Professor Snape. I want to talk about you."
"Call him Severus," said Ginny. "Your Professor this and Professor that would only remind Severus that he's not really a seven-year-old."
A pause.
"I don't think so," said Ron. "His mentality may be a seven-year-old but I don't want to take the risk. If he remembers everything that happened to him now when he reverts back to his adult self, I don't want him to remember me as being disrespectful by addressing him with his first name."
"It's a worthy risk," said Ginny. "Severus would feel more relaxed now if you call him by his first name."
Ron sighed. "I told you. I want to talk about you, not Pro - fine, fine - Severus."
Ginny laughed in triumph. "So what about me?"
"You've been acting different," said Ron. "And, umm~~~"
"The word you're looking for is mature," said Ginny. "I'm going to be a fourth year this year and I'm fourteen. Whether you believe it or not, I'm growing up."
"I'm not saying you're not," said Ron. "Look at Harry and what he's done over the years."
"Then if you're asking why I'm knowledgeable about subjects normal witches wouldn't possibly know, you can give up now," said Ginny. "I've told you over and over again, it's a secret and I'm keeping it that way."
"I'm bringing out my trump card!" said Ron. "Since the beginning of summer, there's been times where you disappear in the middle of the night and coming home at the crack of dawn. I can choose to or not to tell Mum."
"You cheater!" cried Ginny. "That's blackmailing!"
"That's right," Ron said, laughing mock-sinisterly.
"I have a trump card too!" said Ginny. "The fifth night Severus was here, he had a nightmare and went downstairs to find a hiding place but at the same time you were in the kitchen for a glass of water. To calm him down you gave a piece of sweet and coaxed him to sit next to you on the couch. Need I continue?"
"How did you know about that?" Ron said, aghast. "Damn, every conversation I've had with you turn to Pro - Severus."
"I'll say it anyway," said Ginny. "You sang him Mum's lullaby, he fell asleep, and you carried him back to Percy's room. That was so cute. I took pictures."
Ron blanched. "What? Where were you?"
"I was around," said Ginny. "You have my secret and I have yours. We're even."
"Fine, but I will find out where you go someday," said Ron. "Since we're talking about Severus, I do have a question."
"Yea?" Ginny said.
"Why does he have to have Dad with him when he dress?" said Ron. "Since he was abused, shouldn't he be scared to be alone with a person?"
"I've thought about that," said Ginny.
Ron snorted. "No surprise there."
"No interruptions," scowled Ginny. "Severus could be scared of being alone because there would be no one to protect him. He trusts Dad. Dad has a warm, welcoming aura that makes you feel safe."
"Okay, I get it now," said Ron. "But I wonder who Severus needs protecting from. We may never know."
"Never is such a strong word," said Ginny. "We just have to try harder at communicating with Severus."
"You're too optimistic," said Ron.
"You're too pessimistic," said Ginny.
They lied down and closed their eyes, enjoying the sun. Minutes passed and suddenly Ron was tackled, getting the wind knocked out of him. He sat up, coughed as Ginny patted his back, and looked at the person trying to strangle him. Or so he thought. Severus had his arms wrapped around his neck and crying uncontrollably.
"What's wrong with him?" Ron said, loosening the arms that were blocking precious oxygen from his lungs.
"Come on, dear, tell us what's wrong," said Ginny.
Severus pointed to the Burrow. Ron and Ginny got a bad feeling and hurried back, Severus still attached to Ron. They heard loud voices once they walked through the front door. They followed it and went into the living room. It was a face-off between Mr. Weasley and Percy, the twins and Mrs. Weasley on the sidelines.
"YOU-KNOW-WHO IS BACK," screamed Mr. Weasley. "YOU HAVE TO ACCEPT IT."
Severus covered his ears.
"IF IT'S TRUE, MINISTER FUDGE WOULD HAVE MADE AN ANNOUNCEMENT," Percy yelled, face flushed in anger. "HARRY HAS BEEN UNDER A LOT OF STRESS DURING LAST YEAR'S TRIWIZARD TOURNAMENT. HE PROBABLY HALLUCINATED AND THOUGHT HE SAW YOU-KNOW-WHO COME BACK."
Mr. Weasley shook his head. "DUMBLEDORE SAYS HE'S BACK SO HE'S BACK."
"YOU'RE JUST LISTENING TO DUMBLEDORE'S EVERY WORD AND BELIEVING HIM MINDLESSLY," Percy's fury cooled a notch. "Dumbledore may be powerful but he's not all-knowing. He makes mistakes too."
"I don't just believe Dumbledore, I believe what Harry saw with his own two eyes as well," said Mr. Weasley. "You know Harry and he's not insane or telling lies to get attention."
Percy took a deep breath. "I never said Harry was insane or he lies. I'm saying he saw something that wasn't real because of the bottled stress he's been holding in."
"You say I believe Dumbledore mindlessly but aren't you doing the same with the Ministry," said Mr. Weasley. "Fudge is an ignorant man. He's denying You-Know-Who's return because he doesn't want to panic the Wizarding world."
"You're not seeing the big picture Dad," said Percy. "You're only concentrating in one area."
"So tell me," said Mr. Weasley. "What is the big picture that you claim to be seeing that I'm not? Isn't the big picture keeping peace in the Wizarding world? Isn't it protecting Muggle-born wizards and witches from the hatred of purebloods? Tell me Percy!"
"It shouldn't be told to you," said Percy. "You should have seen it yourself but you haven't. I'm disappointed in you."
"It should be me saying that line," said Mr. Weasley. "I'm disappointed that I raised a son who would betray his family for a blind man like Fudge."
Mrs. Weasley had enough. "You're both stubborn. Apologize and forget you ever had this argument."
"That's impossible Mum," said Percy. "I can't stay in the same house as a man who would put Dumbledore before the Ministry."
Severus uncovered his ears. It seemed that only he noticed Percy saying Ministry and not Minister. It might not make any difference for the Weasleys but because of that, Severus had a better insight at Percy's mind.
"What are you saying?" said Mrs. Weasley.
"I'm leaving," Percy said, straightening his glasses. "I'll rent a flat in London."
"You can't," Mrs. Weasley exclaimed, shocked.
Fred and George comforted their mother as she burst into tears. Severus wiggled out of Ron's grasp and latched onto Percy's leg. He sniffled pathetically and Percy kneeled to give him a hug. Ginny dabbed her moist eyes and Ron put an arm around her shoulders.
"I'll miss you," Percy whispered softly. "But you have to let go so I can pack my stuff."
Severus shook his head and mumbled indistinguishably into Percy's robe.
"Severus?" said Percy.
"Don't," Severus said, his voice hoarse from lack of use. "Don't go."
"He spoke," George said, astonished.
Fred's eyes were wide. "Yes he did."
"Oh my God, oh my God, Severus talked," Ginny muttered so low only Ron could hear. "He's finally talked."
"You can't go," Severus said, hiccupping. "You can't!"
"It's alright," Percy said, giving his father a glance. "I won't go if you don't want me to."
"Promise?" Severus said in a small voice.
Percy hugged him tighter. "I promise."
"Sucker," thought Severus.
This bump in the Weasleys' peaceful home was over and the original atmosphere was restored. Even though there were tension between Mr. Weasley and Percy, the extremely good thing was Severus began speaking in short sentences. They were never longer than three words but it was a start. A week from the fight, Dumbledore gave Ron permission to tell Harry and Hermione about Severus. Another week from then Harry was given permission to tell Remus and Sirius. You could imagine the reply from the Animagus.
WHAT!!!
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Heat wave has turned my muses into mush! Be glad I actually posted this chapter because I don't really like it. Next chapter will reveal one of Ginny's secrets. Happy Fourth of July! Time for me to see the fireworks from my roof!
Unbeta-ed so don't mind my grammar mistakes.
Spoilers: Books 1-4, ignore Book 5
Pairings: NO ONE ATM!
------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Fighting
(Posted 07/04/03 - Friday)
(Revision #1 08/25/03 - Monday)
------------------------------------------------------------------
The initiative week of Severus staying in the Burrow weren't too bad. No one died, though Mrs. Weasley gave the twins a furious tongue-lashing on the first day for making the pale child cry when she came home to find Ginny trying to comfort him. The twins avoided Severus at all cost and Ron was true to his words, ignoring the small boy's presence but he was weakening, courtesy of the sole Weasley girl. Severus was most comfortable with Mr. Weasley, Ginny and Percy tied in second place. Everyone thought it was odd that he didn't like Mrs. Weasley the same way.
On that hot Sunday afternoon, when Mr. Weasley and Percy had the day off from the Ministry, Mrs. Weasley was resolved to have a picnic lunch. She had packed several straw baskets in the kitchen and was giving orders to her family.
"Percy, go ahead and draw a table and chairs at our usual spot," Mrs. Weasley commanded like a troop general. "Fred, George, go with him and set the table. Don't even think of sneaking any Wheezes into your pockets. Ron, Ginny, help me carry these."
"How come Dad's not helping with the baskets?" Ron whined, heaving two baskets, one in each hand. "Where is he?"
"He's dressing Severus," said Mrs. Weasley. "They'll come to the picnic location when they're ready."
"Severus still afraid to undress alone? Poor thing," Ginny said, carrying a basket and holding the door for her mother and brother with her free hand. "And you would think a week would be enough to loosen his tongue so he would speak to us."
"Percy's told me he's stopped having nightmares so I wouldn't say we haven't made some progress," said Mrs. Weasley. "I'm glad I don't find him sleeping under the living room desk anymore."
"Or in the kitchen cabinet," said Ginny.
"I'm still wondering why he doesn't let me touch him," said Mrs. Weasley. "I guess I have to be nicer to him."
"You're very nice to him already Mum," said Ginny. "Do you think there's something about you that's bothering him? Maybe it was his Mum who abused him."
"Girls your age shouldn't think about things like that," reprimanded Mrs. Weasley.
"Yes Mum," Ginny said obediently while in her head she thought, "What year are we living in? Girls can think whatever they want these days and express them freely. Nothing wrong with that."
Ron tapped her on the shoulder and leaned close to ear.
"I have to talk to you about something," Ron whispered to Ginny. "After lunch. The pond."
Ginny nodded.
"What are you two plotting now?" said Mrs. Weasley.
"Nothing Mum," said Ron.
"It better be nothing," warned Mrs. Weasley. "I'm still angry at the twins for that stunt they did to Severus."
"It wasn't their fault Mum," said Ginny. "They didn't know about Severus' condition."
"I supposed I overreacted a bit," Mrs. Weasley confessed, where Ron raised an eyebrow at 'a bit'. "It was just so heart-wrenching at the sight of him weeping."
"Yes it was," said Ginny.
"There's Percy and Fred and George," Ron said, not putting in his own two cents in favor of getting his brothers in trouble. "It looks like they're arguing again."
"FRED! GEORGE!" yelled Mrs. Weasley. "I can't leave them alone at all. They will be the death of me one day."
She went ahead and lectured the twins until she was blue in the face. Percy was smirking, not unlike the familiar expression on the former Professor Snape. Ginny was laughing silently at the scene while Ron unloaded the baskets on the cloth-covered table.
"What's so funny?" he asked her.
"The famous Weasley temper, female version," said Ginny. "Twice as bad as the male version and lasts twice as long."
"You scare me sometimes little sister," said Ron.
"And proud of it," Ginny said, setting her basket down. "Remember that when you go on another adventure with Harry and Hermione. I might come in handy."
"I'll probably forget by the time summer's over," Ron said, and Ginny smacked his arm.
Mr. Weasley arrived with Severus in his arms. "I'm hungry enough to eat a horse."
That gained him stares.
"What? It's a Muggle phrase," Mr. Weasley said, putting Severus on his feet. "I got it wrong?"
"Alright. Sit," Mrs. Weasley said, sighing. "Fred, George, on the right. Percy, you're on the left. Severus will be between you and Ginny. No, Arthur, you can't have him sit on your lap at every meal."
"Okay Molly," Mr. Weasley said dejectedly. "Severus can sit by himself today."
Severus climbed onto his appointed seat while Mr. Weasley sat down reluctantly at the head of the table. They took out the food and drinks from the baskets.
"Looks delicious Mum," said Percy.
Fred coughed, which sounded akin to 'suck-up', and George elbowed him on the ribs. Severus tugged on Percy's sleeve, cutting his glare across the table short.
"Yes?" Percy asked.
Severus pointed to the lemonade pitcher and tilted his head to use his puppy-dogged eyes on him, although to an outsider they were rather blank. The glasses-wearing Weasley complied and poured him a glass, adding three cubes of ice, just the way he liked it. Ginny placed a plate of bite-size crust-less sandwiches in front of Severus.
"Mum, you know I don't eat meatloaf," Ron complained, switching his plate with a turkey and cheese one.
Severus tugged on Ginny's sleeve. He knew exactly how to manipulate the Weasleys without using words.
"Hmm?" Ginny said, seeing his gaze on Ron's plate. "Ron, how about giving half of your sandwiches for half of Severus'?"
"Let's see," he said, peeking at the insides of Severus' sandwiches. "Bacon and beef. Fine but only half."
Ginny helped them exchange their food and lunch passed smoothly. Percy always refilled Severus' glass and Mr. Weasley nodded in approval when Ron offered his former teacher the best corncob. Mrs. Weasley dismissed her family when all plates were cleaned off. Ginny and Ron went to the pond, Fred and George returned to their room, and the rest were going to spend their afternoon in the living room.
Ginny sat under the tree she and Ron labeled as theirs. "What you want to tell me?"
"Don't get any ideas," said Ron. "I'm not going to talk about Professor Snape. I want to talk about you."
"Call him Severus," said Ginny. "Your Professor this and Professor that would only remind Severus that he's not really a seven-year-old."
A pause.
"I don't think so," said Ron. "His mentality may be a seven-year-old but I don't want to take the risk. If he remembers everything that happened to him now when he reverts back to his adult self, I don't want him to remember me as being disrespectful by addressing him with his first name."
"It's a worthy risk," said Ginny. "Severus would feel more relaxed now if you call him by his first name."
Ron sighed. "I told you. I want to talk about you, not Pro - fine, fine - Severus."
Ginny laughed in triumph. "So what about me?"
"You've been acting different," said Ron. "And, umm~~~"
"The word you're looking for is mature," said Ginny. "I'm going to be a fourth year this year and I'm fourteen. Whether you believe it or not, I'm growing up."
"I'm not saying you're not," said Ron. "Look at Harry and what he's done over the years."
"Then if you're asking why I'm knowledgeable about subjects normal witches wouldn't possibly know, you can give up now," said Ginny. "I've told you over and over again, it's a secret and I'm keeping it that way."
"I'm bringing out my trump card!" said Ron. "Since the beginning of summer, there's been times where you disappear in the middle of the night and coming home at the crack of dawn. I can choose to or not to tell Mum."
"You cheater!" cried Ginny. "That's blackmailing!"
"That's right," Ron said, laughing mock-sinisterly.
"I have a trump card too!" said Ginny. "The fifth night Severus was here, he had a nightmare and went downstairs to find a hiding place but at the same time you were in the kitchen for a glass of water. To calm him down you gave a piece of sweet and coaxed him to sit next to you on the couch. Need I continue?"
"How did you know about that?" Ron said, aghast. "Damn, every conversation I've had with you turn to Pro - Severus."
"I'll say it anyway," said Ginny. "You sang him Mum's lullaby, he fell asleep, and you carried him back to Percy's room. That was so cute. I took pictures."
Ron blanched. "What? Where were you?"
"I was around," said Ginny. "You have my secret and I have yours. We're even."
"Fine, but I will find out where you go someday," said Ron. "Since we're talking about Severus, I do have a question."
"Yea?" Ginny said.
"Why does he have to have Dad with him when he dress?" said Ron. "Since he was abused, shouldn't he be scared to be alone with a person?"
"I've thought about that," said Ginny.
Ron snorted. "No surprise there."
"No interruptions," scowled Ginny. "Severus could be scared of being alone because there would be no one to protect him. He trusts Dad. Dad has a warm, welcoming aura that makes you feel safe."
"Okay, I get it now," said Ron. "But I wonder who Severus needs protecting from. We may never know."
"Never is such a strong word," said Ginny. "We just have to try harder at communicating with Severus."
"You're too optimistic," said Ron.
"You're too pessimistic," said Ginny.
They lied down and closed their eyes, enjoying the sun. Minutes passed and suddenly Ron was tackled, getting the wind knocked out of him. He sat up, coughed as Ginny patted his back, and looked at the person trying to strangle him. Or so he thought. Severus had his arms wrapped around his neck and crying uncontrollably.
"What's wrong with him?" Ron said, loosening the arms that were blocking precious oxygen from his lungs.
"Come on, dear, tell us what's wrong," said Ginny.
Severus pointed to the Burrow. Ron and Ginny got a bad feeling and hurried back, Severus still attached to Ron. They heard loud voices once they walked through the front door. They followed it and went into the living room. It was a face-off between Mr. Weasley and Percy, the twins and Mrs. Weasley on the sidelines.
"YOU-KNOW-WHO IS BACK," screamed Mr. Weasley. "YOU HAVE TO ACCEPT IT."
Severus covered his ears.
"IF IT'S TRUE, MINISTER FUDGE WOULD HAVE MADE AN ANNOUNCEMENT," Percy yelled, face flushed in anger. "HARRY HAS BEEN UNDER A LOT OF STRESS DURING LAST YEAR'S TRIWIZARD TOURNAMENT. HE PROBABLY HALLUCINATED AND THOUGHT HE SAW YOU-KNOW-WHO COME BACK."
Mr. Weasley shook his head. "DUMBLEDORE SAYS HE'S BACK SO HE'S BACK."
"YOU'RE JUST LISTENING TO DUMBLEDORE'S EVERY WORD AND BELIEVING HIM MINDLESSLY," Percy's fury cooled a notch. "Dumbledore may be powerful but he's not all-knowing. He makes mistakes too."
"I don't just believe Dumbledore, I believe what Harry saw with his own two eyes as well," said Mr. Weasley. "You know Harry and he's not insane or telling lies to get attention."
Percy took a deep breath. "I never said Harry was insane or he lies. I'm saying he saw something that wasn't real because of the bottled stress he's been holding in."
"You say I believe Dumbledore mindlessly but aren't you doing the same with the Ministry," said Mr. Weasley. "Fudge is an ignorant man. He's denying You-Know-Who's return because he doesn't want to panic the Wizarding world."
"You're not seeing the big picture Dad," said Percy. "You're only concentrating in one area."
"So tell me," said Mr. Weasley. "What is the big picture that you claim to be seeing that I'm not? Isn't the big picture keeping peace in the Wizarding world? Isn't it protecting Muggle-born wizards and witches from the hatred of purebloods? Tell me Percy!"
"It shouldn't be told to you," said Percy. "You should have seen it yourself but you haven't. I'm disappointed in you."
"It should be me saying that line," said Mr. Weasley. "I'm disappointed that I raised a son who would betray his family for a blind man like Fudge."
Mrs. Weasley had enough. "You're both stubborn. Apologize and forget you ever had this argument."
"That's impossible Mum," said Percy. "I can't stay in the same house as a man who would put Dumbledore before the Ministry."
Severus uncovered his ears. It seemed that only he noticed Percy saying Ministry and not Minister. It might not make any difference for the Weasleys but because of that, Severus had a better insight at Percy's mind.
"What are you saying?" said Mrs. Weasley.
"I'm leaving," Percy said, straightening his glasses. "I'll rent a flat in London."
"You can't," Mrs. Weasley exclaimed, shocked.
Fred and George comforted their mother as she burst into tears. Severus wiggled out of Ron's grasp and latched onto Percy's leg. He sniffled pathetically and Percy kneeled to give him a hug. Ginny dabbed her moist eyes and Ron put an arm around her shoulders.
"I'll miss you," Percy whispered softly. "But you have to let go so I can pack my stuff."
Severus shook his head and mumbled indistinguishably into Percy's robe.
"Severus?" said Percy.
"Don't," Severus said, his voice hoarse from lack of use. "Don't go."
"He spoke," George said, astonished.
Fred's eyes were wide. "Yes he did."
"Oh my God, oh my God, Severus talked," Ginny muttered so low only Ron could hear. "He's finally talked."
"You can't go," Severus said, hiccupping. "You can't!"
"It's alright," Percy said, giving his father a glance. "I won't go if you don't want me to."
"Promise?" Severus said in a small voice.
Percy hugged him tighter. "I promise."
"Sucker," thought Severus.
This bump in the Weasleys' peaceful home was over and the original atmosphere was restored. Even though there were tension between Mr. Weasley and Percy, the extremely good thing was Severus began speaking in short sentences. They were never longer than three words but it was a start. A week from the fight, Dumbledore gave Ron permission to tell Harry and Hermione about Severus. Another week from then Harry was given permission to tell Remus and Sirius. You could imagine the reply from the Animagus.
WHAT!!!
------------------------------------------------------------------
Heat wave has turned my muses into mush! Be glad I actually posted this chapter because I don't really like it. Next chapter will reveal one of Ginny's secrets. Happy Fourth of July! Time for me to see the fireworks from my roof!