A/N: This chapter has slight profanity in it… just to warn you.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter was created by JK Rowling. He and his universe belong to her and whomever else she has decided to let in. I, unfortunately, am not one of those lucky people/corporations. Broder does belong to me, as does this particular plot. Please no stealing or distributing without at least giving me credit.
"Merlin's beard…" Percy whispered, unconsciously backing up, away from the looks in their eyes.
"Doesn't look very brave at the moment." The other shadowy figure said, Percy thought it was George but he couldn't be sure, "In fact I would say he and that other prat look like shit." The twins advanced into the alley. Their wands were still out, hatred evident on their faces as they came into the light.
Broder pulled away from Percy and whipped out his wand, "I don't know who you are but…."
"Expelliarmus!" The twins cried at the same time.
The spell was too much for Broder in his weakened state, he crumpled to the floor, his wand flicking neatly away as he dropped. Percy rushed to his side and checked his pulse; he was relieved to feel a slow, but steady beat in the other man's wrist.
"What are you doing?" He asked the twins furiously, "You don't know who you're dealing with! Just leave now…" He was cut off by Fred's wand at his throat, his eyes uncharacteristically cold and hard.
"I always knew you were a prat." Fred said staring into his brother's eyes, "But I never thought that you would be a murdering traitor as well."
"We heard about Penny's parents." Percy's eyes widened, he didn't know Dumbledore had told anyone, "And that werewolf girl. Lupin told us all about that, about how you just stood by and watched Malfoy kill her." George said harshly, coming to stand beside Fred, his wand pointed at Percy as well. "How could you do something like that? Mum cries all the time!" Percy flinched, "Dad pretends like you don't even exist! Why…."
"It doesn't matter." Fred interrupted harshly. "I don't care why you did it. Just don't try to pull out your wand Percy, I want to hurt you… don't give me an excuse."
Percy was feeling desperate; he couldn't be captured… not now! Ignoring his brother's advice he reached for his wand…
"Stupify!" Fred cried.
Percy only had one terrified moment of thought before his world went dark.
Percy woke to a stinging feeling in his wrists. Blearily he looked up at his hands. They were chained to the wall above his head, while he slumped against it on the ground. Broder was chained beside him, but Percy couldn't tell if he was awake.
"Broder?" Percy asked, but he didn't move.
Percy sighed and looked around. He wasn't in Azkaban, he would be able to tell if there were dementors floating around, and he wasn't in the Ministry of Magic, he'd seen the places where they kept prisoners many times. He was in some kind of room, it was painted darkly and had a lot of cruel looking devices scattered around, he didn't even want to think about what those were probably designed for. Where on earth had the twins brought him?
He waited in the darkness for what seemed like hours, trying to keep himself calm and figure out a plan. He wondered if the twins had left him his wand… he gave a dry laugh. Of course they didn't. Despite their scores at Hogwarts they weren't stupid. He had to grudgingly admire their resolve in taking him and Broder, although it was a stroke of luck on their part to encounter them when they were so weak.
As if summoned by his thoughts the door suddenly swung open and Fred and George walked in. Broder stirred to life beside him, opening his eyes.
"Where are we?" He asked hoarsely, "Where have you brought us?"
"Shut up." Fred commanded.
George glared at them, "You're in the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix, we brought you here so that Dumbledore could decide what to do with the two of you…"
"Dumbledore?" Percy spat, "That old fool…" Percy didn't even get a chance to finish before George's wand was pointed at his throat.
"You don't have any right to call anyone a fool." He said coolly, fury shone from his eyes that made Percy shudder in fear.
Oh Merlin! He thought, My own brothers are going to kill me. The thought suddenly struck him as funny… of all people to capture him… he started laughing hysterically. The twins recoiled in shock. Percy barely recognized the harsh cold sound coming from his own throat, and that just made him laugh all the harder.
His laughter suddenly died when Molly Weasley walked in the room, followed closely by his father.
She seemed to have aged years since the last time he saw her. Her formally vibrant red hair was dull looking and streaked with grey, worry lines marred her cheeks and brow. Tears were shining from her eyes, and she looked at him with such a look of pity and disappointment that it was all Percy could do not to fall to his knees and spill out the whole story, begging for her forgiveness. But he couldn't do that… even if he wanted to. He was suddenly very aware of Broder's presence next to him. He would have to continue to play the loyal Death Eater. He tried to remind himself that it was for the greater good, but looking into his mother's tear filled eyes and his father's stony face he couldn't feel anything but sorrow and regret.
Still the show must go on. "What are you doing here?" He asked caustically, "Come to see your big bad disappointment?"
Her full handed slap caught him by surprise; dizzily he tried to shake the spots from his eyes. "How could you do this?" Molly said furiously, "We raised you better than…" She looked at her hand, suddenly she looked horrified. Quickly she arranged her face into a more patient expression. "I'm sorry Percy… I shouldn't have struck you." She said, her voice calm, "I don't know why you decided to join them. But I want to know. I want to understand, Percy." Her eyes were pleading.
"It was the only choice." Percy said coldly, "It was the only way I was ever going to make anything of myself… do you think I wanted to end up like you and Dad? The Dark Lord offered me power and I took him up on it."
"At the cost of innocent lives?"
"At any cost." He said firmly, trying to ignore the nausea rolling around in his stomach.
"You can't believe that… I know you can't." His mother cried, "We raised you better than that."
"Clearly, you didn't." He said as coldly as he could manage.
"I've heard enough," Arthur said abruptly, speaking for the first time. "Molly, it's clear that our son is dead." He looked at Percy, who suddenly felt very cold. There wasn't any sorrow or disappointment in his father's gaze… no, there was nothing but anger and hatred in his father's gaze.
Molly just stared at him, tears streaming down her face. Arthur put his arm around her shoulder, "Come on Molly," He said gently, "There isn't any reason for us to stay here." Molly leaned into his arm and allowed him to guide her out of the room.
Percy stared after her, he wanted to call them back… he wanted to explain… but he couldn't. The twins were facing him in disgust and contempt. Fred opened his mouth to say something…
Suddenly the room went cold; the twins froze as Dumbledore strode into the room. Percy looked around in wonderment, the twins were standing perfectly still and Fred's mouth was still open. It wasn't just them, Broder was sitting perfectly still from his own place against the wall, his face frozen into an expression of contempt, directed at the twins.
Dumbledore continued in, completely ignoring the frozen figures. Calmly he walked forward and faced Percy, who was surprised by the look of anger in his eyes. "We can speak freely, Percy, they're frozen, they will have no idea that any time has passed." He paused for a second then continued coldly. "Tell me about Rikke."
Tears prickled in Percy's eyes, he tried to hold them back, but to his horror they began spilling over his cheeks. It was too much… just too much. "There wasn't anything I could do." He said, his voice breaking, "Malfoy cursed her before I even realized what he intended. I told her to get her people out of there! She didn't leave! I should've stopped him." He drew in a ragged breath, "I should've done something…." His voice trailed off, he slumped back against the wall. "That's it isn't it?" He asked in a resigned voice, "I'm going to Azkaban." He shuddered.
To his surprise Dumbledore drew in a sigh of relief. "Of course not, there is still far too much good that you can do." The more familiar look of guilt crept over his face, "I was afraid that I'd lost you again. That you'd returned to his side in earnest. I had to be sure, Remus was so certain…"
Percy gave a dry chuckle, "I guess I did give a pretty good performance." He said.
"You were the one who warned the werewolves to leave?" Dumbledore asked, his entire face lightening slightly, "I'd hoped as much…"
"What are the werewolves doing now?" Percy asked curiously, "They were planning to move their settlement and stay out of the conflict, have they changed their mind in light of …. recent events?"
"No." Dumbledore said sadly, "The werewolves have disappeared. Torstan and Laila have returned to England to join our cause, but the rest of the werewolves have decided to stay where they are and remain neutral in the struggle."
Percy winced, "Two more people hunting me, huh?"
"As I understand it they are concerned with Lucius Malfoy at the moment, but yes… they will be looking for you as well." Dumbledore looked at him concernedly, "Are you certain you wish to continue this charade, Percy? It is becoming very dangerous for you. The longer you remain in the Dark Lord's service the better chance you have of being discovered. You could stay here, publicly renounce Voldemort and join the Order…"
"No." Percy said firmly, "I can't. I haven't even come near making up for joining him in the first place. Anyway, I am managing to do some good. I wouldn't be nearly as useful to you from this side" He tried not to imagine the looks on his parent's faces when they found out that he'd been working for Dumbledore, how happy they would be to have him home again… he shuddered. He wasn't ready yet, their disappointment was his punishment as well. He needed to do some more good, maybe then he could face his mother and not feel… well… like he felt right now.
"Very well." Dumbledore said sadly, "However we do need to figure out some way to get you out of here… some way for you do get free without your friend over there," he motioned to Broder was still hanging motionless, his face frozen in a glare. "getting suspicious."
Percy shook his head, "I don't know. It would be far too suspicious if I suddenly got free…"
Dumbledore went over to inspect Broder's chains, he looked at them for a minute before muttering something to one of the steel fasteners. It glowed for a minute, but when the glow faded it looked the same as it had before. "There." He said, "If he struggles hard enough they will come loose." He regarded Broder for a moment, "I so hoped he wouldn't join them, I spoke to him briefly after his father was executed, he was so full of anger…"
"He's a good guy… despite everything." Percy said, "I wish he hadn't joined them either." Dumbledore came over and did the same to his chains.
"I must go, the spell I put on them will fade soon. As soon as you are alone encourage him to struggle against his chains, and do the same yourself. You should be able to get free. I'll call a meeting of the Order to discuss what to do with you… that should give you enough time to get away. Contact me as soon as you can."
Percy nodded. Dumbledore swept out of the room. The door closed behind him just Broder and the twins unfroze.
Fred looked confused for a moment and closed his mouth, "What was I going to say?" he muttered confusedly.
"Boys." Lupin said coming into the room. "Dumbledore's called a meeting, everyone is required to attend." He wasn't even looking at Percy or Broder.
"Yes, go on… your great leader wants you." Broder sneered.
Without acknowledging his comment Lupin swept the twins, protesting all the way, out of the room.
Once the door slammed behind them Percy began struggling against his chains. "Come on… we have to get free… I still have several family members that haven't come in here yet trying to make me feel like shit."
Broder smiled grimly at him and began pulling at his chains as well. He hadn't been struggling for more than a minute before the clasps broke and he was free. "That was easy…." Broder said looking at is wrists in wonderment.
"Must've been old," Percy said gritting his teeth; he jerked his wrists against his own chains, with a snap they opened. "Careless of them…" he said, hoping Broder would buy it.
"Well with that ruddy great fool they have for a leader it's no wonder…" Broder said casting a grin over his shoulder, which Percy returned in relief.
"You don't suppose we'll be able to get our wands back do you?" Broder asked.
"I think we'll be lucky enough just to get out of here." Percy returned, poking his head out of the door to make sure that there weren't any Order members lurking in the hallway. He motioned Broder to fall him as he made his way out of the door.
Silently they crept down the hallway, stepping every few paces to listen for the sound of footsteps. Sweat was beading along Percy's brow by the time they finally found a stairway going up. Walking carefully on the steps, hoping they wouldn't creak, they made their way up to what he could only hope was the ground floor. His heart was pounding. A doorway was in front of them, Percy held his breath and began to push it open…. Only to jump back with a half voiced scream as he came face to face with Ginny on the other side.
She recoiled. In a breath her wand was out and pointed at the two of them. "Percy…" she whispered.
He didn't even allow himself time to think about it, he launched himself at her before she had time to react. In only a few seconds he had her wrestled to the ground, her wand in his hand. "I'm sorry Ginny," He whispered before stunning her, he dropped the wand next to her unconscious body.
"What are you doing?" Broder asked, "We could use that wand to help us escape!"
"I'm not going to steal from my little sister." Percy said, leaving no room for argument in his voice.
"Your sister?" Broder stared at him, "Is there anyone in this house not related to you?"
Percy smiled grimly, "Probably not."
They made their way through the rest of the house without incident. True to his word Dumbledore seemed to have the Order occupied. Finally they were walking through a front hallway, nearing a large black door. In a moment they were out and heading for what Broder undoubtedly saw as freedom, but what Percy couldn't help but think of as further imprisonment.
A/N: and that is where I will leave you for now, my pretties. My dear readers and reviewers.
Okay, I've worked it out so that I will have this story finished in time. There are two more chapters and an epilogue to go after this. Expect Chapter 12 on Monday, Chapter 13 the following Wednsday, and finally on Friday… the last day before Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince comes out… will be the Epilouge. See! I can get it done! (pumps fist into the air..) So basically I'm going to be writing until my poor little fingers bleed… and all for you!
Right… enough of my ranting… on to the replies!
Jennsyn: Yey for Phantom Readers reviewing! The rest of you should take a page from her book! Seriously though... thank you for that very kind review. As you can see your wish came true in this chapter! I'm glad you like the emotion in this peice, that's what I am mostly going for... Again thank you so much for reviewing! It means alot to me.
Rutu: I like your little scenario! Sorry mine wasn't quite like that... but you were really close to what they ended up doing! Thank you, as always for reviewing! I've gotten to the point where I look forward to your review everytime I post a new chapter. It really means alot to me that you are still reading!
Miecamiu: Tut tut... you are behind deary. Chapter nine? This is chapter ten... Yes... I love jelly beans... I'll admit it! Most of these chapters are written under the influence of soda and jelly beans! It's my secret combination! Thanks again for reading, roomie. And reviewing! It's always nice to have someone who has heard me talk about this fic for the last... what? Six weeks since I started actually writing it? Nine months since I started developing it? Anyway... it's nice to hear what someone who has heard me blather on and on about alot of fanfic thinks of this little ol' story. (grins)
XTin2000: I'm flabbergasted! That is high praise! (gives a bow) I'm just trying to keep my mind off the next book! Hopefully you will be in a place where you can read the rest of this soon! And get into those documents... I'm looking forward to reading more chapters by you... (grins)
As always, thanks everyone who read, even if you didn't review. But please... pretty please reveiw? It's easy and painless...