Ginny awoke the next morning to find that Mrs. Dursley, who had been given a camp bed to sleep on, had not gone to sleep. She had wrapped herself in a blanket and sat on the camp bed staring out the window, as if to deny where she was. Hermione had to end up sleeping in the same bed with Ginny; Ginny didn't mind since they were like sisters anyhow. Hermione was used to spending the summer with Ginny in these cramped quarters ever since the year that they went to the Quidditch World Cup. Hermione had gotten up already and dressed.
"Did you sleep ok?" Ginny asked Hermione as Ginny got up to get dressed.
"Alright, you do snore though; did you know that?" Hermione said.
"I do not!" Ginny said with a mock scandalized face.
"Yes you do, just like your brother Ron." Hermione said grinning.
"And how would you know if Ron snores or not?" Ginny asked with a mischievous grin.
"Harry told me," Hermione said with a bit of blush in her cheeks now.
"Uh-huh," Ginny said finishing getting into her clothes for the day.
"Listen let's just go down to breakfast alright?" Hermione said, with a meaningful glance toward Mrs. Dursley.
Ginny looked at the older woman and didn't like having to leave her here in her room. She ground her teeth in frustration; she had to accept the role of being hostess to the foul woman for now. She couldn't understand how Harry could put up with staying with them for any amount of time. She turned toward Mrs. Dursley with her arms crossed.
"My mum should be making breakfast about now; I'm sure there she's making some for you too, if you feel like joining us," Ginny said, grudgingly. She didn't like having to be hospitable to someone so hostile, but she'd take the higher road today and fling mud tomorrow.
Without another word, Ginny turned around and walked out her bedroom door with Hermione. Closing the door behind her, Ginny slowed Hermione from walking too quickly downstairs.
"Tell me you three are at least staying for the wedding; Mum would go ballistic if you weren't," Ginny said. She knew that she had gotten Hermione's promise that they would return before Hermione left for Privet Drive, but that didn't assuage the fear that Ginny would wake up to find them gone one morning. Hermione gave her a sympathetic look and smiled a little.
"Don't worry, Ginny; unlike your brother and Harry, I will tell you when we leave. In fact-" Hermione said and quickly looked around to make sure no one else was near enough to hear what she was going to say next. "I think we've discovered something that will allow us to communicate, something better then the coins," Hermione finished with a gleeful smile.
"Better than the coins?" Ginny asked, a bit puzzled; those coins, she had thought, had been brilliant of Hermione and didn't know why they needed improving on.
Hermione had put a hand on Ginny's shoulder moving them along the hall toward the stairs.
"Well, I don't know if Harry told you, but Draco used my coin idea to communicate with Madam Rosemerta last year," Hermione said, darkly.
"That ferret stole your idea?" Ginny exclaimed in a whisper as they stood at the top of the stairs now.
"Yes. Now let's go down; we can talk more about this later," Hermione said going down the steps into the living room. Ginny followed behind her a bit slower, digesting what Hermione had said. It felt good that her friend was making sure she was at least kept up to date on what Harry was doing. Ginny thought she'd go mad wondering where he was, knowing that he wouldn't be at the Burrow much longer.
Ginny took another step down the stairs; she could hear voices emanating from the kitchen, and it sounded like the whole house was already downstairs and waiting in the kitchen. Another step and Ginny was thinking of what she was going to do when Harry left -- was she going to somehow force her way into his mission? She had gotten her older brothers to help her get information and help her with her training inmagic defense. How far would her brothers help her if they knew just how dangerous this road ahead was?
Already Fred and George were expressing doubts to her after speaking with Ron the previous night. They had told her Ron had let them know some of the more serious aspects of the mission, after some convincing on their part. Fred and George didn't seem so sure that Ginny should get mixed up in it; they thought it was pushing her too close to the fire.
Ginny reached the bottom of the stairs and was back to thinking how she would help Harry. She wanted to show him that she was able and could take care of herself and yet refused to be a distraction to him. She knew she could trust Hermione to help with this and her brothers would as well; she knew she had to be there when it mattered -- when Harry would need her. Turning to face the kitchen, she saw that it was indeed full of all of her family... including one stern and angry looking Percy, standing there at the table with his arms crossed and looking directly at their father.
"Well? Is it true, Dad?" Percy demanded, wielding a tightly furled Daily Prophet in his hand. Ginny frowned at this display; Percy hadn't been talking to their father for quite awhile and now suddenly here he was starting a row with him. What was with Percy?' Ginny thought with annoyance as she strode forward. Hermione was standing off the side looking awkwardly at what looked to be a growing row.
"You're unbelievable, Percy; you come all this way-" Fred said peevishly. Bill and Charlie, however, had become quiet and giving Percy and their father cautious looks.
"And come charging in here," George continued, looking venomous.
"Like you own the place" Fred said, nodding. Percy didn't look over at the twins; Arthur was similarly stoically silent. Ron was glowering at Percy holding his butter knife as if readying to throw it. Harry was just staring at Percy, his expression unreadable.
"And all you can say to us is to ask if Harry is really going out with Ginny?" George finished, now leaning back in his chair.
Percy shot them an angry glare and returned his gaze to his father. They didn't seem to have noticed that she had entered the room. Ginny was incensed; of all the things that Percy returned to the Burrow for, why must it be over her relationship with Harry?
"What business is it of yours who I date?" Ginny said, coming over to the table now and standing beside Hermione. Percy looked over at her and threw the Daily Prophet on to the table; it showed large photo of what looked to be Dumbledore's funeral on the front.
The Weasleys all looked down at it for a moment, the silence thick with tension. Fred was the first to look back up at Percy.
"Are you cracked?" Fred said pointing at the picture on the newspaper. "What's this got to do with Harry and Ginny?"
Percy flipped the pages of the newspaper and pointed to the last paragraph of the article on the funeral.
'Among those present at the funeral was most noted Harry Potter sitting with his most recent girlfriend, Ginny Weasley. The Chosen One seems to have found a consoling shoulder in this new love; hopefully she will be able to heal the pain of losing his beloved mentor Albus Dumbledore.'
"Who wrote this?" Harry asked, his voice sounding thick.
"Rita Skeeter; really the woman seems to vanish for a year and this is what she chooses to report on," Percy stated, shaking his head. "After that dodgy Quibbler story, of course."
Harry looked ill and sat back from the Prophet looking at it as if it were about to attack him. The other Weasley boys looked at Percy darkly as he continued his rant, their mum watched on, seemingly unsure of what to do. Arthur drew the paper to himself and began to fold it as he listened to Percy.
"Who wrote it isn't the point; the point is why you are all allowing this to happen, letting Ginny go out with someone who is clearly unstable," Percy fumed, looking at all of them, his father last.
"That's not true!" responded the Weasley boys plus Hermione and Ginny to Percy's verbal attack. Harry seemed not to hear just staring off into space now; Mrs. Weasley looked pained at Percy's words.
"It's not? Then tell me that he doesn't have pains in his scar or weird visions. Tell me he never hears voices in his head or that there isn't some connection between him and," Percy ranted at them all and looked to Harry "You-know-who."
"You're pathetic, you know that?" Fred said, standing up now from the table. George looked about ready to follow Fred, as did Ron. Hermione looked frightened at the proceedings. Percy looked stonily at Fred, not answering him.
"When are you going to realize that the Ministry, your precious Fudge and your whole way of thinking is wrong?" Fred continued, George now also standing and glaring at Percy. Ron was fuming and his fists balled up on the table, he looked ready to attack Percy.
"They were mistaken about You-Know-Who, but you didn't answer me about Harry. If that is true, then there's an even greater threat and I can't believe your allowing him to see Ginny, to stay here and draw HIS attention here, putting ALL of you in greater danger," Percy exclaimed now. "Not to mention how you keep refusing to help Scrimgeour with the Ministry," Percy finished looking darkly at Harry now.
Harry returned the gaze with aplomb, but Ginny could tell he was deeply affected by what Percy was saying; she could see his hands under the table shaking.
"It's none of your business, Percy, who I go out with or who we invite over. Harry has as much right here as you do," Ginny said hotly to Percy, breaking his attention away from Harry and on to Ginny. "So stop talking like I'm not in the room."
"Ginny this isn't safe; he's not safe," Percy said looking at her with a maddeningly calm look. "You're just too young to understand-"
"Shut up, you prat!" Ron suddenly screamed at Percy who started back. "You don't care about her safety!"
"Ron, please! Everyone please stop this!" Mrs. Weasley said, hoarsely, coming to Percy's side now. "Arthur, really; we shouldn't be letting them fight like this! We're all family here, Percy."
"He's not family," Percy said, pointing a finger at Harry.
Harry stood up so fast he knocked the chair back on to the floor with a loud clatter. 'Why is Percy doing this?' thought Ginny in anguish; Percy was ruining everything.
"That's not true!" Ginny hurled at Percy; Ron nodded in agreement, his brow furrowed.
"He's more family than you are" Fred spat at Percy as George snickered beside him while Mrs. Weasley gave Percy an admonishing look. Mr. Weasley was looking up at Percy now. Charlie and Bill were still watching the scene quietly.
Harry shook his head backing away from the table, his hands shaking at his side.
"N-no, he's right," Harry's voice trembled as he looked at Percy. "I'm a danger to you all, especially Ginny. I know that I'm not-" Harry was unable to finish that sentence and immediately turned to the door.
"Mate, wait don't listen to HIM!" Ron exclaimed shooting Percy a nasty look. Harry however continued out the front door and Ron followed quickly after banging the door behind him.
"Oh they'll do something stupid, I just know it," Hermione said desperately and ran out after Harry and Ron. Ginny was too incensed with Percy to run after Harry.
"This is getting out of hand now, Percy." Mr. Weasley said with a sad sigh and stood up.
"No it hasn't," Fred snapped
"Not nearly enough, no," George added looking venomously at Percy.
"Boys, stop it!" Mrs. Weasley spoke up looking at the twins sternly.
"Sorry Mum, but we don't have to put up with Perfect Percy's Preciousness anymore. You're a prat, Percy, coming in here and telling us what to do! You don't give a damn about this family!" Fred was yelling now at Percy, who looked taken aback.
"I do!" Percy shot back at him.
"Oh yeah? Then why didn't you come to the hospital when that snake had bitten Dad? Why did you return Mum's jumpers or fail tovisit Ron when he was poisoned? You didn't even care to visit Bill either, did you?" George questioned Percy angrily.
"Boys, that's enough!" Mr. Weasley said, now reaching a hand toward George's shoulder.
"You don't know anything about me, so don't give me a lecture about not caring. When have you EVER cared about what I did? Or my work? All I have ever gotten from you two were stupid pranks and snide jokes!" Percy retorted to the twins.
"Percy please no one is saying--" Mrs. Weasley said.
"Oh yes they are, Mother! And you can't control them so they get away with it! They've been getting worse now, with dropping out of Hogwarts as they did last year. None of you care how hard I've worked for the Ministry or anything!" Percy shot at her. Molly looked aghast at her son, covering her mouth, her eyes watering.
"Don't yell at Mum like that, you prat! You don't care about any of us; George is right, so why don't you just leave us alone!" Ginny screamed at Percy, now having been quiet and holding her anger in enough already.
Percy looked at her, shocked and surprised.
"Fine, is that how you all feel? That I'm not important to this family? That it's all just a joke-" Percy said hoarsely now backing away from his mother. "I see then how it is," Percy said stiffly and marched out the front door, Mrs. Weasley trying to make him stay.
"Let him go, the little pompous git!" George spat.
"Yeah, Percy, keep walking and don't come back!" Fred said crossing his arms and looking vicious.
"Fred! George! I won't have you driving Percy away like this, not when we have this war to worry about!" Mrs. Weasley stormed at them. "I want you two to go to him and apologize this instant!"
Both Fred and George snickered and shook their heads indicating that this would be the last thing they would do. Bill, however, stood up now.
"It's alright Mum, I think I know where Percy went and these two probably don't remember where it is anymore," Bill said solemnly; Charlie at his side tensed and looked up at Bill.
"The old Fort?" Charlie asked and Bill nodded. Fred and George frowned at them. Mrs. Weasley put a hand over her mouth and looked on the verge of tears.
"You two go then and make sure Percy is alright," Mr. Weasley said, standing up and going to comfort his wife. The twins looked confused at their mother, then at Charlie and Bill.
"What fort are you talking about?" Ginny asked Bill, frowning slightly. She had never heard of any fort near their home let alone any of her family going to one. There was nothing but forest and farmland around the house.
"You're too young to remember, Ginny," Arthur said gently to her as Bill and Charlie left the house.
"As for you two, I'll thank you to keep your mouths shut the next time you have something nasty to say to your brothers," Mrs. Weasley said, rounding on the twins furiously. "I won't have this family torn apart from within, I won't!"
Fred and George exchanged looks and looked to their parents.
"You see the way he treats us don't you?" George said.
"No respect to any of us." Fred quipped.
"And he asks US to respect him?" George added in an annoyed fashion.
"I think you should; you and your brothers won't-" Mrs. Weasley began heatedly. "Won't have us around forever," her voice trembled but she kept herself composed with effort. Arthur watched his wife with a worried look.
"Molly, let's not talk about that right now. Boys, your mother and I would like to have a talk with Ginny; would you go see to Mrs. Dursley?" Arthur said calmly. Mrs. Weasley gave a start looking to Ginny and then Arthur.
"Y-yes, I think that would be a good idea, boys," Molly intoned looking pointedly at them now, since they were both giving them looks of disgust at having to see to Mrs. Dursley.
"Now Fred, George, please," Arthur commanded firmly as the twins hesitated and then finally obeyed their father and mother.
Ginny was standing there feeling at a loss for what was to come next; she had been in good mood when she had come down the stairs. Now she felt frustrated and confused; she had not expected the row that had erupted and sent all of her family in different directions. She knew, however, what her parents wanted to talk to her about; they were the only two who didn't know about Harry and his quest.
They indicated that she should sit at the table with them, her mother and father sitting down first. Her father looked tired now for some reason as he looked at her when she sat down. Ginny didn't know what she was going to tell them, that Harry was going to face off with Voldemort and that he was taking Ron and Hermione with him? What would their reaction be to all of that? Would they understand that it had to be Harry who did this? Or would her mother try to keep him from it?
"Ginny, we need to talk about you and Harry," Arthur began solemnly.
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He had run from the only place other than Hogwarts that he had ever called a home; he ran from those painful words 'He's not family.' Those words had stabbed deeper into him than he had imagined; he was having trouble breathing. He had tried to Apparate as soon as he had gotten a few feet from the house but found he couldn't. They must have put up anti-apparition charms up. Harry heard voices behind him, calling his name calling him back. Harry had come to be in front of the large pond that was near the house and had fallen to his knees. He didn't know how he got here, only that he was here now and could hear footfalls fast approaching.
"Harry!" Ron's voice rang out and Harry looked up to see Ron and Hermione coming over to him now.
"Harry! Why did you run away like that?" Ron said coming up to him breathing hard through his words.
"Harry, you could have been hurt," Hermione said.
"You shouldn't listen to that prat, you know you're part of the family," Ron said putting his hand on Harry's shoulder and kneeling down next to him.
"It scared me to hear him say that, Ron, because he's right. That just makes you and everyone else bigger targets," Harry said, looking up at Ron. In truth, Harry had always wanted to feel a part of the Weasley family; he had never let himself admit to it before. Hearing Percy deny it had cut at his heart. Wanting to protect Ginny and fearing that being with them put them in all in danger, Percy had been right it was not safe to stay at the Burrow for long. "We've already been over this, Harry," Ron said, shaking his head.
"Harry, what would you do without us? Do you know where to go looking for these Horcruxes? Or even how to destroy them?" Hermione said, worriedly.
It was true; Harry knew he wanted to start with going to Godric's Hollow, but after that it was sketchy, at best. He knew there was an orphanage but no idea where it was and whether Dumbledore had already checked that place or not. He would be the one to face Voldemort; there was no doubt of that in his mind, though he still needed help to get to him.
"I know you're both right; it's just that-," Harry said, at a loss for words; he always had trouble speaking of his inner feelings like this.
"It's alright Harry; we know and we feel the same way," Ron said wisely.
"Thanks," Harry said with a smile and nodded, getting to his feet now. Ron helped him up and smiled back at Harry. Hermione looking between the two like she wanted to cry. If nothing else, Percy had shown Harry why he must stay away from the Burrow after the wedding. That article had revealed more then he wanted to the entire wizarding world. Though Ron had been right, how did he know that Snape or Draco had not already told Voldemort? Draco wasn't the only student at Hogwarts that was a child of a Death Eater, Harry thought with a cold realization.
"What's wrong with you?" Ron said glancing over to her.
"Nothing; we should just get back," Hermione said, smiling now at them.
"Not with Percy the Prat there; I just might hex him!" Ron said firmly.
"Ron, don't you think you should talk to him? I think "
"No! I'm not going to talk to him until he apologizes to Harry and Mum and Dad." Ron said, adamantly.
Hermione sighed, exasperated at Ron, and just shook her head.
"You know what I think we should do? We should practice, use those mirrors and see how well we can work with all that here. We have lots of forest around," Ron said, rambling along about strategies when it was clear to Harry that the only reason Ron was saying all of this was to avoid going back to the Burrow -- to avoid having to face Percy and his parents about what had happened. He didn't mind for the moment being away, to give him to time to think and plan his next step with the only two people he planned on taking with him on this dangerous journey.
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Percy was sitting perched on a rock facing an old abandoned structure that was overgrown with weeds and vines. It was nearly hidden from sight by the forest, which, Percy remembered, was the point. Only the older Weasley boys knew of this place -- and their parents, of course. This had been a sort of a fallback hiding place during the first war, when Percy was only around five years old. His memories of the place had been strange and dark ones: always in the middle of the night Dad would come in, rouse them out of bed and have them hurry to this place.
Now, however, over a decade later, the place lay unused and empty; he knew why now, even if he didn't understand it back then. His family had recently been given a higher priority on security and so this place was no longer needed or necessary; they had never bothered to tell Ginny and Ron about this place. There was no need for them to even know; in fact his mother had told them all not to since she felt the place was falling apart now and was dangerous to hang around.
Percy just sat looking at the sad old structure that had once been his family's late night hide-a-way. It was small and only had two rooms but somehow it had imparted a feeling of being safe within. He remembered being that little boy now, thinking back to a time where he was very innocent and naive to how the world was. His mind traveling back to a time when Percy saw Bill as a hero and someone to take after. Bill, who was about to go to Hogwarts in a year, had been the one in charge. With him, Charlie and the twins (who were even smaller than he was) were to do as their parents told them and to come to the Fort, to hide and stay safe in case someone attacked the home.Their mother meanwhile always took care of little Ron and then newborn Ginny.
He could remember Bill's words on one of those nights that they had rushed here. Percy was scared this time: something had been different; there was something fearful in his parent's voices. Even Bill and Charlie seemed to know what was happening; they had rushed out of the Burrow quickly and to the Fort, their sanctuary. Percy couldn't help but feel afraid of how everyone had been acting; he couldn't help the fear gripping his heart that someone was there this time; that someone was coming after his family.
I
"Shhh.. Now, Percy, don't cry; you'll get the Twins started," Bill had said comfortingly to Percy. Bill had seemed so confident, so unafraid of what was happening. Charlie was keeping the twins quiet in another room; they didn't understand why they were hiding, and they thought it was just some weird game. Why couldn't they understand how serious this was? You-Know-Who was out there somewhere and their parents were fighting to protect them.
"I'm scared, Billy," Percy said. He usually never called his older brother this; the twins did all the time though and Charlie as well, sometimes. He was scared, though, and wanted his brother close to him; he was afraid for his parents, for little Ron and baby Ginny.
"Hey," Bill said, gripping Percy's shoulder tightly and looking straight into the younger boy's eyes. "There's no need to be afraid, Percy; Charlie and I are here to keep you safe. Nothing will happen; I swear, little bro."
Percy had nodded slowly, not feeling entirely reassured yet; how could Bill be so certain of this? That they would be ok? He had heard his parents talking one night when he should have been in bed, when he should have been asleep. He had heard them talking about people going missing, about people dying. It had unnerved him and here was Bill standing here telling him it was going to be ok; Bill had not even been to Hogwarts yet; how could he know?
Sensing that Percy still looked afraid, Bill spoke up again.
"Listen Perc, I want you to be strong for me, ok? Be brave for Fred and George, ok? They don't understand what's happening like you do; they're too young to know. Mum and Dad know what they are doing and we're safe here, understand?"
"Yeah, I think so," Percy had said to his brother after a moment's hesitation. He had to be brave; he had to follow what they told him. He didn't know what else to do but there was comfort in that, knowing that those older then you knew what they were doing and following their rules would keep you safe.
That's when a loud crack sounded outside the Fort; Bill started and turned to look at the entryway.
"Stay here!" Bill said, glancing at him and going to the doorway. Percy was scared as he watched Bill go to the door; who was out there? His heart thudded in his chest and Charlie came out of the back room where the twins were hiding out.
"Uncle Gideon, Uncle Fabian.. What are you doing here? Are Mum and Dad alright?" Bill's voice sounded down to them. Percy's heart leapt at hearing his uncles' names; they would protect them, he knew; they would make sure that everything was all right!
"Your dad sent us, Billy, your mum is fine at your Aunt Muriel's with Ron and Ginny; your dad sent us to come and find-" Uncle Gideon's voice faded and Percy grew still and could see Charlie tensing up. Fred and George peeked out from the back room, their faces innocently curious.
"What's going on?" asked George, impatiently.
"Yeah we're getting bored in here, where are Mum and Dad?" asked Fred.
"Not now; please go back in the room!" Charlie said, waving them back. "I told you to stay in there," he added.
"We want to know!" Fred exclaimed.
"What's going on?" George insisted to Charlie.
"You heard Charlie; go back in the room. We have to listen to them because they are in charge," Percy said, shrilly.
"Billy, get back inside quick, someone's coming!" Uncle Fabian said and Percy could hear Bill protesting that he wanted to help them.
"Nonsense, you haven't even been trained yet Bill; quickly now, before they see you" Uncle Gideon said, hurriedly and soon after Bill was rushing back inside. The door closed with a slam behind Bill; Percy thought he heard a spell sealing the door as a squelching sound could be heard.
For a split second after Bill had entered the room he looked frightened,; he looked as helpless as Percy felt. Then it passed and Bill seemed to summon some hidden courage within.
"Percy, Charlie we should go to the back room.."
"No! We want to see Unkie Gideon and Fabian!" Fred said, scowling at Bill.
"Yeah, we haven't seen them in ages, Billy!" George said importantly.
"Stop it, you two; this is serious! Now come on!" Charlie said, his hands shaking.
Charlie and Bill moved forward and forcibly moved Fred and George into the back room; Percy followed. Before entering the next room he heard his Uncles speak again.
"It's Dolohov!" Uncle Fabian exclaimed from outside.
"That black-hearted murdering-" Uncle Gideon was saying when a new voice, one that Percy had never heard before spoke.
"Such names. Well looks like I have found the legendary Prewett brothers; tonight is my lucky night after all," Dolohov said with a chuckle.
Bill had grabbed Percy and was pulling him back from the door.
"We can take you Dolohov; you're no match for us alone," Uncle Fabian was chortling to Dolohov now.
"Oh, but I am not alone," Dolohov said followed by a moment's silence and then Percy could hear his Uncle Gideon loudly calling out as Bill closed the door.
"Five against two then is it? I like those odds, don't you, Fabian?" Gideon asked his brother.
"Let's have a go then," Fabian said, the last words that Percy could clearly hear of his uncles.
Bill had closed the door and pointed his wand at it frowning severely. He seemed to be concentrating hard on the door, his lips mouthing words.
"Colloportus!" Bill whispered, his hand shaking and he moved back from the door as a squelching noise came from it. Percy looked at Bill's wand and frowned.
"W-where did you g-get that, Bill?" Percy asked; he could hear Fred and George arguing with Charlie.
"Grandfather's wand -- lucky Dad let me have it early; Mum will kill me," Bill said breathing hard and gritting his teeth at the twins. "Lucky I decided to get some books early, too."
"Stop it, you two, we don't want them to know we're here!" Charlie whispered vehemently to the twins.
Fred and George went quiet as the sounds of battle broke out outside; they could all hear the voices crying out spells and curses. Percy's hands shook as he realized that his Uncles were firing and being fired at with those spells. The battle seemed to go on forever; Charlie sat with the twins holding them by the shoulders. Bill seemed to be looking through the wall following the noises, as the battle seemed to move around the Fort. Percy just sat and stared at his hands. Percy could hear the voices clearer now as the battle drew closer to their side of the Fort.
"You are no match for the Dark Lord's will!" Dolohov's voice drawled and chill went up Percy's spine.
"Stupefy!" Uncle Gideon's voice cried out
"Avada Kedavra!" Dolohov's voice followed after and Percy thought he heard something fall.
"No," Bill whispered going pale now and his mouth agape.
"GIDEON!" Uncle Fabian's voice rang out.
"Your brother was weak," Dolohov said, boisterously.
"I'll.. I'll kill you!" Fabian yelled.
"I'd like to see you try," Dolohov said amused.
"Avad--"
"Crucio!" Dolohov screeched followed by a heavy thud and his uncle's screams.
"Tell me, Prewett, ever wonder what it's like to burn from the inside?" Dolohov said in a sickly pleasant voice. Percy couldn't hear the next words that followed but his whole body jumped as he heard an inhuman howl. It was the sound of an animal dying in excruciating pain.
"I must admit you did well to take down my fellows, but you couldn't take me," Dolohov exulted, the next second though, Percy heard Dolohov give a yelp and then silence fell. Percy heard nothing more and he began to shake, his uncles couldn't be dead, they just couldn't be.
They were all petrified with fear and sat in silence as the seconds ticked on and they waited to hear if the Death Eaters were going to come after them next. They all went tense when a new voice, a growling, familiar voice could be heard.
"It's the Prewetts, damn it all, we're too late," the growling voice spoke out.
"You go inside there; I think that's where they are hiding," a husky voice answered the first.
"Good idea, you take care of Dolohov here, I'll go get the boys," the growling voice said.
They heard the outer door being slammed open and steps could be heard outside the inner door. Percy trembled, not knowing what to do; he watched as Bill tensed and raised his wand at the door. The door flew open and a tall man with graying hair stood in the doorway. The man looked familiar to Percy; he was sure he had seen him before. The man looked injured, with a broken and bloody nose.
"Moody!" Bill cried out and lowered his wand.
Moody smiled grimly and looked to be counting as his eyes roved over each of them.
"Good, you're all here. I'm sorry we didn't get here quicker, boys; your uncles fought bravely to keep you safe" Moody growled with pride gleaming in his eyes. "Kingsley is taking in the scum that survived; they'll have to deal with the Dementors now," Moody said in a satisfied grim tone.
/I
Percy's mind flew away from the dark memory of that night as he heard someone approaching. Percy didn't care; he had his head bowed and his fists balled up against his eyes. That had been the night his Uncles had perished; it had also been the night that 'You-Know-Who' had attacked the Potters, the night Harry Potter became a famous name.
Now he was back 'You-Know-Who' was campaigning against the wizarding world and there was nothing the Ministry seemed to be able to do. His uncles had paid with their lives to protect him; he had been good and quiet in the Fort, had stayed inside and let them die. What could he have done? What could any of them have done? They were just kids then but now they were adults; now Percy had to fight this battle that had taken his uncles' lives.
If the Ministry was a failure and Dumbledore was dead, what hope did any of them have? How could Harry Potter defeat the menace that was 'You-Know-Who?'
"I thought you'd be here, Percy; it's been a while, hasn't it?" Bill said to Percy, standing at his side now. Percy looked up at his two oldest brothers, his eyes felt sore with the unshed tears.
"What are we going to do?" Percy said weakly. "How can we win? Dumbledore is dead."
Bill leaned down to Percy's level and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"We're going to fight, Percy," Bill said looking straight into Percy's eyes with that same assurance he had had all those years ago on that fateful night. Bill then looked toward the old Fort. "Because that's what they would have done; that's what they would have wanted, I know it."
"Yeah, Uncle Gideon and Uncle Fabian wouldn't want us to just give up," Charlie added looking at the Fort now.
"I'm sorry for the way I've been-" Percy began but Charlie and Bill just turned and smiled at him.
"Don't worry about us Percy; it's not us you have to apologize to," Bill spoke sagely.
"I just don't know what to do! I was so certain that the Ministry was right, so sure there was no other way and now..." Percy quailed with a trembling voice now. "Everything is falling apart; we have no idea what to do."
"Yes we do, Percy Dumbledore had faith in all of us didn't he?" Charlie said.
"And in Harry," Bill added and Percy frowned at him.
"What do you mean?" Percy asked.
"Harry has to be the one, Percy; he may not like the name but he has been chosen," Bill said.
"So it's true, then? All the rumors about him?" Percy asked intently.
"Depends on which rumors you mean, but yes, there is a connection between him and Voldemort," Bill said and Percy jumped a little at the name.
"You said-"
"We can't live in fear, Percy, we just can't. Otherwise there isn't any hope," Bill said, giving his brother Percy a friendly squeeze.
"How can you be so sure?" Percy said now letting his frustration at the whole situation seep through. "How can you stand there and say his name without any fear?"
"You think I'm not scared? Now I know you've lost it" Bill joked shaking his head. "I am afraid for our family, Percy,"
"Same here, Bro," Charlie chimed in.
"I'm just as scared as anyone, but I don't let it rule me, Percy; that's how Voldemort has tried to defeat us, by inciting fear and division among those that need to stand together," Bill said.
"It's what Dumbledore would want I think," Charlie added in.
"The Ministry, how could they have been so wrong; why did this have to happen?" Percy asked.
"Well, the Ministry isn't a total loss, come on, Percy; let's go back to the Burrow, all right?" Bill replied standing up now.
Percy stood as well and looked between Charlie and Bill who were grinning at him now.
"What?" Percy said with a frown.
"It's good to have you back, Percy, now let's go back and you can make up with the twins and Mum and Dad," Charlie said, shaking his head.
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Ginny knew this talk was going to come, she had just wished for more time. Her parents were saying exactly what she thought they would. That Harry was a prime target for Voldemort, that being too close to Harry would put her into unacceptable danger. Her mother and father were worried that she would end up getting hurt, that she was underage anyway, and they all needed to stay at Hogwarts if it re-opened the next year. They did not know that Harry, Ron, and Hermione had all planned on leaving to go on a mission to defeat Voldemort with her being left behind to wait. She knew and accepted all of this it didn't however mean that she was going to like it and leave it at that.
Percy's return and the ensuing row had stirred up a hornet's nest in her parents that wasn't going to settle down anytime soon.
"Ginny, I know that you've wanted this for a long time." Her mother spoke gently to her now. "It's just that with this war, you need to be very careful, both of you are just so young Ginny"
"Molly, Harry is going to be of age soon," Arthur told her graciously.
"I know but I just wanted them to-" Molly said sounding tremulous.
"We can't keep sheltering them from what's out there Molly. They have to grow up sometime and the sooner the better I think," Arthur said smiling gently to his wife but with an air of resolution.
"Yes, I just care about both of them and I never thought it would happen, oh I did so hope though I admit it," her mother stated looking between Arthur and Ginny, with a tremulously warm smile.
"It is nice I agree I'll have to speak with Harry about it," her father stated and Ginny knew with a sinking feeling that she had to tell them the truth. They would find out about it and she had been stupid not to tell them straight away. They would talk about it to Harry and she didn't think Harry would hesitate to tell them what had happened. With a slight blush she wished she could fight down she looked to her parents.
"Mum, Dad" Ginny began awkwardly, best to get it over with quickly, Ginny thought. "Actually, Harry and I broke up at the funeral"
Her mother's face fell at these words and she looked sympathetically at her and her father frowned.
"I don't understand why would he do that?" Arthur questioned, he watched Ginny intently now.
"Yes why would he do that, Ginny?" Her mother echoed the question, glancing at Arthur then turned a concerned face to Ginny.
Ginny sighed heavily and looked to her mother. She wouldn't tell them about his mission to defeat Voldemort nor that Ron and Hermione were joining him. Ginny felt she owed them that much at least, saying any of this to her parents would surely cause them to interfere and that was the last thing she wanted them to do.
"Well it's pretty much as Percy said, to protect me. He's afraid that being with me, will make me a target to -- Voldemort," she stated boldly, her mother flinched and she saw her father's hands twitch for a moment.
"Ginny, I don't want you to use that name!" hissed Molly vehemently getting to her feet and looming over Ginny. The effect made her feel small for a moment and she didn't like the feeling at all.
"Now Molly we shouldn't get upset," Arthur, said standing up to place a hand on his wife's arm. "Harry is doing what he thinks best Ginny is too young to be facing these dangers."
"I'm not too young!" Ginny retorted standing up now and still finding that her parents easily still towered over her. She hadn't meant to snap like that but from hearing it too many times today she felt she needed to defend herself.
"Ginny, what are you talking about? Of course you're too young you still have two years to complete at Hogwarts" Molly snapped back hotly, her back looked ridgid with anger.
"I went to the Department of Mysteries I faced Voldemort in my first year!" Ginny found herself yelling, she had felt strained from the morning's row with Percy and now she was fighting with her mother. Her stomach twisted in a guilty knot but couldn't stop herself now that she started.
"You were too young then and now, you all were Ginny. I wouldn't have wanted or allowed Harry to face these things, none of you should have to you're just so young Ginny," Molly pleaded with Ginny, her hands balled and shaking as she spoke.
"I'm not that young anymore, Mother," Ginny shot back, she was feeling highly frustrated now.
"Molly, Ginny isn't a little girl anymore," Arthur said to Molly, then looked over to Ginny. "However you are not an adult Ginny, you are still our responsibility," Arthur said sternly to her.
Ginny looked at her father her jaw clenched and blinking back a stinging in her eyes. She hated this, arguing with her parents and feeling that she would always be the youngest and most coddled. She knew her parents meant well and even that they were right, that she wasn't ready. That thought left her trembling and she backed up a few steps from her parents.
"Ginny, Harry may be an adult soon and he will do what he wants but you shouldn't be getting involved in this war I won't risk losing you," Molly said tearfully, moving toward Ginny. Ginny looked defiantly at her mother, her eyes watering.
"I know Mum," Ginny said starting to turn away from her mother. "I need to be alone"
Ginny fled from her stunned parents and up the stairs, she thought she heard the front door opening as her feet pounded on the stairs in her quick retreating climb of the stairs.
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Percy entered into the Burrow, Charlie and Bill just behind him. He saw Ginny running up the stairs and his parents standing watching her run away from them. Molly and Arthur turned as one to see them; Molly immediately went to Percy.
"Oh Percy!" Molly exclaimed wrapping her arms around him hugging him tightly.
"Mum," Percy said squirming in his mother's embrace.
Bill and Charlie sniggered at Percy, earning a glare from Percy. Percy then looked over to his father who was watching cautiously.
"Mum," Percy said putting his hands on her shoulders breaking the embrace. "I want to say something to both of you, before I lose my nerve"
Molly clasped her hands together her eyes brightly watching him, Arthur walked over and stood behind his wife and placed comforting hands on her shoulders.
"What is it you want to say, Son?" Arthur spoke to Percy in a gentle manner.
Bill and Charlie backed away but still watched the conversation. Percy looked between his parents, feeling less nettled with Fred and George absent.
"I wanted to say.. " Percy began looking over to Bill for a moment and receiving a reassuring nod. "That I was wrong, for what I said, not just about you Father but also about doubting you."
Molly's lower lip trembled and she put her hands on her mouth and let out a little squeak. Arthur still held his hands on her shoulders and held his gaze on Percy.
"Fred and George were wrong, I did visit you in St. Mungo's. I was standing outside the room, you were asleep and Bill was there; just watching you. He didn't know I was looking in and I couldn't bring myself to come into the room and left. It was one of the most difficult things for me to see… and admit to," Percy finished, his hands visibly shaking He clasped them to stop their trembling.
"I didn't know you were there Percy, I wouldn't have turned you away," Bill admitted sounding regretful.
"I didn't want to disturb either of you, and I was still too hurt to accept the jumper Mum," Percy said looking to Bill and then his mother. "I wanted to prove myself, to show everyone in the family and everyone else that the Weasleys are worth a damn, that we weren't a joke," Percy finished boldly and his parent's reaction was not what he expected. His mother had tears rolling down her cheeks. His father looked on with a mixture of pride and sympathy.
"Looks like we have a lot of that going around lately don't we Molly?" Arthur asked looking down to his wife as Molly looked up at him seeming a little startled by the question.
"Well, yes we do it seems," Molly uttered in a quavering tone, but there was a smile on her face now. "My babies are all growing so fast"
Percy frowned at his parent's words, not sure who else they could be talking about. His father looked at him now and stepped forward toward him.
"I think that is a good start Percy, my son," Arthur spoke the words as if he hadn't used them in ages. Arthur placed a hand on Percy's shoulder and gripped him there firmly. Percy lifted a slightly shaking hand and returned the gesture. Percy's throat was suddenly feeling very constricted now, he had missed his family dearly.
"Thank you, Dad," Percy said using the informal name for first time since he was five years old. His mother broke down in tears and hugged him again sobbing into his shoulder. Bill and Charlie followed suite and joined in on the large family hug that didn't at all feel awkward at the moment to Percy.
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Ginny reached the level of the house where her room was; she had just seen her door close with a glimpse of Petunia. Ginny surmised, with annoyance, that Mrs. Dursley had been listening in on the conversation downstairs. She was stalking toward her room, about to lay it out with Petunia that she didn't appreciate things like that when she saw Fred and George's door was open slightly.
"Well, we can't tell Ginny about them…" George's voice drifted out from the door. Ginny approached slowly to the door, forgetting for the moment all about Mrs. Dursley's spying.
"Why not? She deserves to know," Fred said.
"Yeah, but they were talking about bits of his soul, the last one Ginny messed with came to life -- or tried to, remember?" George pointed out to Fred. Ginny's pulse began to quicken. They couldn't mean who she thought they did; they couldn't be talking about it.
"Yeah, I remember how he tried to kill her; I think she has a right to help Harry finish him," Fred stated, sounding surly.
"I know that, Fred, but I don't want a repeat of the Chamber; I don't want one of HIS souls hurting her again," George's hissed harshly. Ginny was rigid with tension now. They were talking about it; they were talking about what had happened to her in her first year and what was this about more of his soul? She had to know; unlike Petunia she would admit to her spying.
"I can't believe that's how he's survived for so long, a divided soul." Fred said as Ginny pushed the door open and rushed into the room closing the door behind her. Fred was looking at her in shock and to Ginny's surprise George was watching her with a slightly pale face. She leaned against the door looking at the both of them, her hand gripping the knob so tightly her knuckles were going white.
"Ginny, you shouldn't have heard that," George admonished her with a look of chagrin.
"If you're talking about what happened to me in that chamber, then I want to know. I want to know what it has to do with what Harry is going to do," Ginny told the twins tensely. Harry may want to protect her from another Chamber incident, but what he didn't realize was that she couldn't live with herself if anything happened to him and she didn't do anything to have helped.
"She should know, she had one of them in her hands -- spent an entire year with it and she doesn't even know, George!" Fred exclaimed, gesticulating at Ginny now. Ginny was certain now that they were talking about the Diary but didn't know what it had to do with the present.
"What's going on? You two told me that you would help me and now you're being all secretive on me." Ginny accused them both.
George gave a resigned sigh and nodded toward Fred who looked to Ginny.
"Ginny, that Diary, it had a part of… You-Know-Who's soul in it; not just his memories but also, an actual part of him was in that Diary. Not only that but…" Fred said to her.
"Voldemort," Ginny stated simply to which Fred paused his next words.
"Wha-?" George muttered.
"His name is Voldemort, or Tom Riddle if you like but don't call him that anymore. You give him power by being afraid to say his name out loud," Ginny said to them; she had heard Hermione and Dumbledore mention this. She saw how Lupin, Sirius and Harry all call him Voldemort; she didn't see any reason to do otherwise. Ginny felt that it was time that her brothers did the same.
"All right, Voldemort," Fred dared boldly. "Anyway, the Diary isn't or wasn't the only one; there were others made from his soul, Ginny. That's what Harry is hunting; that is what Harry has to destroy before he can fight Voldemort."
"Yeah, I didn't want you to get mixed up in all that again; I didn't want history to repeat itself," George cautioned Ginny. She always felt amused that George seemed to be the more cautious of the twins.
"Well, it won't, George," Ginny stated boldly to them both and received a wry grin from Fred. "Because we're all going to help him, not just Ron. Harry needs you two as well: look at all the things you've invented!"
"That's our girl!" Fred chortled clapping his hands together. "Weasleys don't take things lying down!"
George even smiled now; taking an air of mock modesty, he looked over to Ginny.
"Well, if you put it that way, of course we should all help Harry. Then only question is how? He's not going to like us barging into this I reckon," George mused, looking between Fred and Ginny now.
"Looks like Phase one of our little plan has worked; now on to phase two.," Fred said to George and Ginny, still grinning widely.
"What's phase two?" Ginny said, suppressing a giggle at Fred's comical look.
"Glad you asked, cause I'd like to know," George joked to Ginny with a wink. "I hate it when he gets that maniac look in his eye,"
"Here's what I was thinking we should do next…" Fred said as they began to plan their next move, all of them sharing equally excited grins. Ginny had to admit it; she sure enjoyed having six older brothers at times. She never had to research what they already knew and that they were willing to share with her.
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Harry wasn't sure how long they had been outside practicing their spells, perhaps a half an hour or so. He had called a halt to their practice, thinking that the Weasley parents would get worried soon if they didn't return to the Burrow. They hadn't gone too far from it in the first place, but Harry didn't want to worry them unnecessarily. Ron seemed the most hesitant of the three to return. Harry could understand why, as well: he wasn't sure he wanted to see Percy's face either right now.
"We should practice Occulmency later Harry," Hermione suggested as they walked back to the Burrow.
"Yeah," Harry muttered in a non-committal way, he was still feeling tense about being at the house. He was still not certain that he should be there putting them all in danger; he felt, somehow, it might be safer with him gone.
"Shame we didn't do anything with your cloak Harry, you did get it back from the Astronomy Tower didn't you?" Ron asked Harry with a frown.
"Oh, yeah. Well, actually Professor McGonagall did; sent it to me this morning, in fact. Your mother gave me the package it was in; it was sent by special messenger, apparently," Harry said, wondering at how the security of post had changed, it seemed that Owls were less trusted not to get intercepted and so people were being sent more often now to bring the more sensitive things. An Invisibility Cloak ranked high amongst those things.
"That's good, I was worried for a moment, that the Ministry might have gotten it being so close to the-" Ron stopped short of saying 'The scene of the crime'. "Well I suppose we should go see if Fred and George have chased off Percy yet." Ron changed the subject.
"Oh, that reminds me: how did it go last night when they wanted to talk to you?" Harry asked and saw Ron's eyes go wide and turn away from Harry hastily.
"What? Did they get you back for the howler?" Harry said trying not to smile too much.
"N-no, well not entirely… There was something else they wanted to talk to me about," Ron said awkwardly now, still not looking at Harry. However, Ron did look to Hermione for support; she watched Ron for a moment, frowning.
"It wasn't about Ginny, was it, Ron?" she asked him tentatively.
Ron looked a little ill now and visibly gulped, then nodded. Harry frowned at Ron even more, not sure why the guilty expression.
"What's wrong, Ron? You didn't tell them about the Horcruxes did you?" Harry asked thinking nothing else would have made him look so guilty.
Again Ron silently nodded and Hermione sighed at his side and placed a hand on Ron's shoulder comforting him.
"What!" Harry had stopped walking now, the Burrow was in plain sight but not so close that anyone in the house could hear them. Hermione gave Harry a placatory look; she seemed very sympathetic to Ron just now.
"I'm sorry Harry; it just… slipped out." Ron looked miserable now. "I was just yelling at them about the howler, about how you were keeping Ginny safe and that it didn't have anything to do with how good a witch she was."
"Go on," Harry prompted seeing Ron stuck for words.
"Harry what does it matter if they know?" Hermione asked. "It's not like they would go telling everyone about it,"
"That's not the point, Hermione," Harry snapped harshly at her. "The more people who know, the more who are in danger and the more chances that Voldemort-" Ron started at the name "-will find out!" Harry finished.
"Harry, please! There's no need for this; Ron feels bad already. Besides we could use Fred and George's help anyway!" Hermione added in an anxious tone.
Harry paused for a moment to think about that, she did have a point he thought. They were brilliant, just look at all they had made in their joke shop.
"Well, be more careful, ok Ron? We can't afford more 'slips' like that. How did they get to that part anyways?" Harry asked of Ron.
"They brought up the Chamber and that Diary and I sort of said Harry destroyed that Horcrux and that part of his soul wouldn't harm her anymore'." Ron said to Harry looking apologetically.
Harry sighed and shook his head, this was going to be harder to keep secret if they weren't more careful. Harry knew he could trust the twins, but he couldn't keep risking more people finding out about the Horcruxes.
"It's all right Ron, I'm not angry with you; sorry I snapped at you," Harry said, and meant it. Ron smiled and nodded as they resumed walking back to the Burrow. Harry noticed that Ron and Hermione seemed to be holding hands unconsciously.
They walked into the Burrow to see that Percy was speaking with his parents in the living room. Fred, George and Ginny were nowhere to be seen. Bill and Charlie were in the kitchen cleaning up breakfast, which reminded Harry that he hadn't seen Fleur here today or yesterday. Arthur looked up from speaking with Percy and gave the new arrivals a big grin.
"Oh, good! I'm glad that's sorted out now," Mr. Weasley said, standing up now and approaching Harry. "Listen I have to be at work soon but I'm taking your Aunt to St. Mungo's to see her husband and son. Before I do there is something I must discuss with you and her."
Harry looked up at Arthur slightly startled at this turn of events, being asked about the care of family members. For he knew that his uncle Vernon and Dudley was the only possible thing that Mr. Weasley would want to talk to him and his Aunt about.
"Alright," Harry said with a slight nod and followed Arthur up the stairs. Ron and Hermione stayed behind and he heard Mrs. Weasley call Ron over to where she was sitting with Percy. Harry noted that Percy seemed to be getting on well with his parents now. He wondered what had been said in the absence.
They entered the room to find his Aunt standing at the window; she looked over at them harshly.
"Well? Am I to be let out at last?" she shot at them angrily.
"Yes, I am going to take you to St. Mungo's, but there was something I need to discuss with both of you first," Arthur said, making sure the door was closed behind them. Harry wondered vaguely where Ginny was if she wasn't downstairs and wasn't in her room. He could still smell that flowery scent in the room and focused for a moment on that instead of his aunt and what Mr. Weasley was saying.
"Both? Why him?" Petunia questioned Arthur snidely.
"Well it concerns your husband and son's state of mind; don't worry they are still sane," Arthur responded to Petunia's sudden look of horror. "It is just that we think it might be best to modify your husband's memory, to make him forget what happened last night. It was horrible and it would allow you to return to him."
"Yes!" Petunia said, excitedly. "That would be good. You can do that? Is it safe?"
"Uh.. Well, mostly, but there have been cases of side effects of forgetfulness" Arthur warned her. "However I can ensure that his memory of the night will be removed and he will forget that you're-"
"That I am as he is; I will have nothing to do with it. I am as you have said… a Muggle," Aunt Petunia had cut him off.
"I thought you might say that; I just wanted to make sure that both parties were in agreement," Mr. Weasley said with a glance to Harry. "That way your husband, and your son, I think, will forget that horrible night and we can all leave that behind us."
"How far back can you modify memories? Can you make us forget HIM?" Petunia shot, giving a nasty look to Harry. Mr. Weasley's demeanor changed rapidly. Harry was immediately pulled back into the conversation.
"Now, I won't have you talking about Harry like that; he's your nephew! What you are suggesting is far too drastic, it would permanently-"
"I don't care! I've had enough of this magic; I've had enough of being tormented by being reminded of what I am. I want to forget it all, I want to forget that I ever knew the name Harry Potter!" Petunia said vehemently, her arms shaking with rage now.
"You want to forget me? I tormented you? What about what you did to me? Shutting me up in a cabinet for the first ten years of my life isn't tormenting?" Harry was incensed forgetting that Mr. Weasley was there. How could Petunia hate him so much to say these things? He disliked her immensely before but now he positively loathed her.
"We did what we could to stamp it out of you, but no you're too much like your father!" Petunia shot snidely at him. "Just like your parents, you're a freak and I hate the day you ever came into our home!"
Mr. Weasley tried to get their attention, tried to calm them before things got too out of hand.
"Yeah, you always hated my parents, especially my mother!" Harry seethed now.
"I didn't hate her,; I hated the magic she got involved in, and let herself become the freak that she was.," Aunt Petunia howled, tears could be seen in her eyes. The "and let herself become the freak that she was" part doesn't make sense in that context. What are you trying to say?
"That's enough!" Mr. Weasley commanded and Harry stopped his retort, respecting that he was in the Weasley's home.
"I will take you to St. Mungo's now; this conversation is at an end now," Arthur said in a controlled tone. "Harry, you should stay here with the rest; I'm sorry about all of this."
"It's alright Mr. Weasley… I'm the one that should be sorry, for yelling," Harry said, his body still trembling from the anger but feeling ashamed at losing it in front of Mr. Weasley.
"That's quite alright, I can understand," Mr. Weasley said looking at Harry's Aunt now.
Harry left the room and saw, to his surprise, that Ginny, Fred and George were standing out in the hallway. They all looked stunned but the twins were sporting surly looks at the room Harry had just left.
"She's leaving now, they're going to modify the memory's memories of my Uncle and cousin, maybe my Aunt, to too. She wants to do it anyways… to forget…" Harry's face felt hot and he couldn't look at them. He turned to go to stairs that lead to the attic.
"You two go downstairs, see if Percy's still here," Harry heard Ginny say to the twins and then "Harry, wait!" she called to him as he was on the middle step of the stairs. Amazingly he did just that; he didn't know why he did, he just wanted to be alone. Moments later, her hand in his, he felt a calm enter him as they ascended to the attic floor.
Ginny was silent for a while as they sat on an old trunk, just sitting beside him as Harry had his head in his hands. Ginny just laid a comforting arm around his shoulders and rested her head on his shoulder.
"We're always here for you Harry, you know that, right? That we are your family," Ginny said to him consolingly.
"I know," Harry's voice shuddered with emotion; Harry's his heart seemed to be aching and torn at the same time. His hands still shook as he tried to fight back tears of pain. He had hated those years at the Dursleys and loved his time at the Burrow. This place was his home, this family was his family, and he could never deny them to himself. How could he protect them from the danger around himself? He felt it was all his fault somehow. Her presence was a great comfort to him now as he just sat there as he let years of resentment and anger toward the Dursleys slowly flow out of him.
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Percy had just finished speaking with Ron and he thought it was quite a good start to the continuing process ofpatching things up. Percy had told Ron how he truly was proud of Ron's achievements in the past two years. Ron seemed to take it in but still seemed standoffish and Percy knew he could only do so much to reach Ron. Percy had always felt that Ron should follow his lead, however now he felt that Ron should just strive to do his best, to not let things lie as he had seen him do so many times before.
Moments later, his father was coming down the stairs with Mrs. Durlsey, his mother having told him who she was. Ron took this moment to get up from the couch they had been sitting on and go over to Hermione. His father went out the door after kissing his mother goodbye and apparated from a precise spot about a meter from the front door. Shortly after that, the twins came down stairs giving him dark looks. Sighing, he knew he would have to have it out with them as well. They would probably be the most difficult to deal with and he wasn't even sure it was worth it. He had his parents again and that was enough, he thought, not to mention that most of his brothers seemed to be ok with him now.
Bill came over to the couch giving tea to his mother and sitting down himself. Ron and Hermione were talking over in a corner with Charlie and Molly had gestured to the twins to join her and Percy. They did so looking grudgingly about it.
"Bill? I just noticed something, where is Fleur?" Percy asked politely, he had been told that she was staying here and had seen no sign of her yet.
In the moment that Bill was about to answer there was a great thunderous crashing noise from outside. Molly shot up holding a hand to her chest, the twins jumping up and over to the windows. Ron had grabbed Hermione and pulled her to the floor.
"We're under attack!" Ron's panicked voice rang out, while Hermione seemed to struggle between wanting to get up and wanting to keep down from the windows. Charlie however was laughing at the bunch having been near a window and seeing exactly what the commotion was.
"Merlin's beard, what is that?" Molly exclaimed.
"It's-" Bill started, a smile spreading across his face, Percy had now gone to one of the windows, feeling that this was defiantly not an attack.
"Fleur!" Bill finished as Percy saw outside the window a large carriage, not as big as the Beauxbatons school carriage but larger than normal, was now sitting outside their home. It was white and gold with beautiful stallions hitched to it. A door opened and out stepped Fleur followed by her mother and sister.
"'ello Beel, I 'ave returned!" Fleur exclaimed happily as Bill ran outside and hugged her.
"Oh, Phlegm," Hermione muttered, still on the floor with Ron, who was starting to look abashed.