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A/N: sorry, this chapter was a little messed up before, to no fault of anyone but that of the computer. This is the beginning of a short trilogy of corrections. Enjoy!

Chapter 8: The Imperius Works its Wonders

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Arthur Weasley was just ready to leave work. He was gathering papers he needed to bring home with him and put them as neatly as possible into his bag. The building was pretty empty by now. In fact, it was a little too empty. It wasn't too surprising, though. With Voldemort returning and an outbreak of the flu in the wizard world, people wanted to be with their families.

Arthur was just about to Disapparate when MacNair, a man who worked in a department for Magical Creatures, approached, calling Arthur.

"Arthur! Arthur, I need to talk to you. Spare a minute?"

Arthur agreed and they went into MacNair's office. When they got there, MacNair locked the door and pulled out his wand. Before Arthur had time to react, MacNair cried, "Imperio!" and put Arthur Weasley under the Imperius Curse.

"Well done," said a disembodied, cold, high pitched voice which echoed around the room.

Voldemort's voice.

"Now, tell him to go home. Severus has almost completed the sleeping draught."

Arthur didn't fight the curse. He didn't know how. So, Arthur, under the direction of the curse, Apparated home.

At the Burrow, Molly was looking at the clock, waiting for the arrival of her husband.

"Oh, good, your father's coming home," said Molly. She was looking at her clock which told her what condition or where the members of her family are. The clock had been pointing towards "mortal peril" for all members of the family ever since Voldemort returned and the outbreak of the flu occurred. The hand that showed Arthur Weasley now was pointed towards "traveling".

A knock on the door signaled Arthur's arrival.

"Hello, honey," Arthur said, entering, as Molly kissed him on the cheek. "What's for dinner?"

"Well, tonight, we're having meatballs." Molly paused. "I thought I told you already."

"Oh, I must have forgotten. It was quite a day at work. Everything is finally starting to sink in. We have new reports of wizards bewitching medallions that are supposedly for protection against dark creatures, but really puts you in bed for a week... I could use some sleep, too." Arthur yawned.

"Well, sleepyhead, you can go to bed after dinner, which is now ready." With the flick of her wand, the table was perfectly set and dinner appeared on the table.

So, they ate. Ron and Hermione were still feeling uncomfortable around each other, which left Harry to be Ron's source of conversation and Ginny to be Hermione's. Conversation was quite strained on that end of the table.

As there were so many breaks in the conversation, Harry took time to notice what was going on. Fleur was tickling Bill's chin as they ate, Mrs. Weasley and Mr. Weasley were discussing Ron's O.W.L's., Hermione was trying hard to avoid Ron by talking as much as possible to Ginny about love potions. Ginny was obviously not listening, as her eyes were glazed over and she showed every symptom of being bored to death. Ron was talking to Harry, who wasn't listening to whatever he said. Harry looked over to Ginny.

"Gin," Harry whispered. Ron didn't notice. "Gin."

Ginny looked suddenly alert and looked straight at Harry.

"Being bored to death, too?"

"Yes."

"Follow my lead," Harry whispered to her, getting up.

"Mrs. Weasley, that was really good, but I feel really tired right now, so I'm going to go to bed."

Mrs. Weasley stopped her conversation with Arthur and smiled at Harry.

"Ok, Harry dear, just put the plate and fork into the sink." As Harry walked by, she motherly kissed him on the forehead. "Good night, Harry."

Harry put his plate and fork into the sink. Ron was silent now that Harry was gone. He changed his method of non-communication with Hermione by shoveling food down his throat as quickly as possible. Ginny had followed Harry's lead and left the table as well, so Hermione was left to awkwardly try to talk with Ron. She eventually gave up and left the table as well.

As Harry was going upstairs, he heard Ginny coming up after.

"Harry! Thank you for saving my life," Ginny panted.

"Well, dying of boredom is a pretty terrible way to die. Besides, Hermione would never forgive herself." Harry and Ginny laughed. For a moment, their eyes met, which made Harry's heart jump, but he quickly ignored it.

"Well, I suppose I better really get to bed," said Ginny with a smile. "Hermione is bound to give up soon enough, and she won't be too happy I left unless I really was tired."

"G'night, Gin."

Ginny bade him good night and went to her room. Sure enough, Hermione came up the stairs a little while after, flustered.

"G'night, Hermione."

She bade him a sharp good night, mumbling about how impossible Ron was.

Harry, deciding not waiting for Ron in the cramped hallway, waited inside the bedroom for Ron. Ron didn't come enter the room until much later.

"Ron! What kept you?"

Ron rolled his eyes. "Dad wanted me to bring up a cup of pumpkin juice for Ginny and Hermione. He said pumpkin juice was proven in a study from the Ministry to help fight off and prevent the flu. He made me bring you one, too." Ron handed Harry a goblet full of pumpkin juice. "Here, mate."

Harry finished the cup and crawled into bed, and quickly felt extremely comfortable and fell into a deep sleep.

As did Molly, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny.