Chapter 4 – The Wanderer's Return

"Look Percy I think you should leave." Harry's voice remained calm over the top of the Weasley's yelling. He had tried his hardest not to get involved but he was scared that one of Mrs Weasley's precious plates would be thrown at any second. And even if that was not the case, Ginny, Ron, George and Fred were all stood with their wands out, circling a concerned but upright looking Percy. Harry had seen each of them in a rage previously and who knew what hexes they would be capable of producing when faced with their frankly horrible elder sibling.

"Now Harry I understand you are trying to help," Percy's voice frustrated even Harry, " but this is a family matter and, well, lets face it, you are not really family, even if my excuse of a mother pitied you and decided to take you under her rather, well, battered wing." This was low by even Percy's cavernous standards. Mrs Weasley burst into tears before running from the room, and almost instantaneously "Expanderio!" had flown from Ginny and Ron's mouths. All four redheads stood and smirked as Percy's head swelled to about ten times its usual size. His hair thinned, his eyes boggled and his suit burst open at the neck. It was a shame, Harry thought, that more people had not been there to witness this momentous occasion. Hermione simply rolled her eyes and went into the garden after Mrs Weasley, muttering something about an obscene act of injustice. But everyone knew that this was not meant to be justice. It was revenge in its sweetest form. Percy had never been liked. Even at school when he became prefect people would move to the other side of the classroom. Perhaps society was to blame for his fierce behaviour as much as he was, but anyone who saw the Weasley's loving home would know that this could not possibly be the case. Percy was shown only love from the minute he was born, but somewhere along the way he had become bitter. Harry doubted his siblings would ever forgive him for this intrusion, and judging from the way he felt, neither would he. The Weasley's were after all, Harry's family.

It took almost four hours for Percy to be de-juiced at St Mungos. All six teenagers stood outside of his room with feigned guilt on their faces, occasionally letting a chuckle or a smirk slip out. It was under the Ministry's orders that they should all wait and speak to Percy themselves. A formal apology had been suggested but this was going to be hard. Harry was almost certain that Ginny and Ron would rather be expelled from Hogwarts than apologise to their fool of a brother. Once the under-age magic had been reported three Ministry Officials had arrived at the Burrow in the fear that an attack was under-way. They had eventually decided (much to Mr Weasley's relief) not to take the matter any further, sighting it as a bit of sibling rivalry gone wrong.

"You can go in and see him now", said the small voice of the timid witch who had just left Percy's room. "But try not to worry him, he's had a tough time." She scuttled off with the scowls that she received and the six were left standing in the hallway staring at each other blankly.

"You go first." George was the first to speak with a nudge in Fred's direction.

"No way! He'll eat me! Ron, younger brother mate, you'll go."

"Woah!W….w…ww….woah! Why me!"

"Ron he'll listen to you!" although no one believed Ginny's comment.

"Oh for goodness sake I'll go!" and with that Hermione swung the door to room 215 open and disappeared inside. Ron was left staring worriedly after her. "Oh bloody hell! I can't let her go into the lion's den alone. Anyone else coming?" And with a gulp he too was out of sight. Harry quickly followed with the other three not far behind. He stopped at the edge of Percy's bed, who was moaning and grimacing in an unconvincing manner. Even the sight of him was causing Harry's pulse to zip and his blood to boil.

"Oh come off it Percy. We all know you deserved it. I suppose the next thing will be you reporting us to the Minister for Magic himself, or are we too unimportant for his attention?" Ginny's sarcastic tone clearly didn't impress the patient who promptly stopped shrieking and pulled himself up to full sitting height, so that he could meet Ginny's eyes.

"Your not worth it." He spat his words with such venom that even Ginny herself staggered backwards. Harry placed a reassuring hand on the small of her back but Percy continued, this time gesturing towards Hermione. "As far as I'm concerned you're all as bad as that filthy mudblood you call your friend. I mean I know that Mum and Dad disgraced our family years ago, but you excuses of witches and wizards aren't exactly trying to make amends are you!" Before Harry could even register what he had said Ron was in Percy's face, one fist held high.

"What did you call her?" Ron gritted his teeth but Percy was unmoved. "I said Percy, what – did-you-call-her!" Percy shifted but made no attempt to move out of Ron's way.

"Touched a nerve have I Ron? Are you as ashamed of your girlfriend as the rest of us or is she the only person you have to talk to?" And with that Ron's hand sent Percy reeling backwards. "Shut up!" he yelled, his cheeks reddening. "Shut up!" Hermione and Harry rushed forward and grabbed one of Ron's arms - which were flaying all over the place - each. Percy just straightened himself up and pressed his buzzer as blood streamed down his face. The timid witch appeared at his bedside immediately and stood for a moment, stunned at what she saw. Percy remained calm. "I would like these people removed from my room at once please. Oh, and can I please get an owl sent to the Minister for me." She nodded hesitantly but did not move, as if none of what Percy had just said sank in. "Now!" he bellowed. She jumped slightly and flicked her wand to stem the flow of red liquid emanating from the young man's face. "Right away." she whispered, but still she did not move. She had obviously never seen this side of Percy before. "Don't worry" said the twins simultaneously, "We can show ourselves out." Ron, who was beginning to calm, gave Percy one last glower and allowed Hermione to steer him out of the room behind the twins. But Harry remained behind. His body was turned towards the door, but his attention was on Ginny who was still in front of Percy, tears streaming down her face. Percy looked slightly confused as to why she was still here, and had clearly expected her to leave with the rest. He took one look at her, before turning his attention towards Harry. "So wonder boy..." Harry hated being called that. "…How is my sister? If I can call her that." He laughed erratically at this last comment and Harry had to tense every muscle in his body to stop himself mirroring Ron's actions. "Or is she a bit of a disappointment? I can imagine she would be! Of course she's been around a bit, what if you count all the little naïve boys she's eaten for breakfast. Or do you like a bit of a…" he giggled with self pride "… slag?" That was it, that was too far. Ginny shrieked as she tore towards Percy, her wand raised high and her face contorted with anger. Harry who was about to do the same himself took a deep breath to stop himself from killing Percy, and instead headed for Ginny. He couldn't let her do anything silly, and murdering her brother was definitely at the top of the list of stupid things to do. But as he got closer to her something was wrong. Why did something feel wrong? It wasn't just the awful things that Percy had said; it was the way in which he had said them. He hadn't just been trying to hurt them; he'd been provoking them. Something told Harry this was exactly what Percy wanted. As if in slow motion the realisation hit him, but too late. He could hear footsteps charging towards the door and voices calling for help – the voices of his friends – as the door to the room locked. Percy's wand was drawn. He was raised to his full height, his cloak billowing, and his eyes… His eyes seemed to glow red. Ginny froze on the spot as Percy turned to face her. "Percy…nn...nn.no..." was all she could manage to say, before Percy's wand had fired red spindly ropes. There was nothing Harry could do to stop the scene unfolding in front of him. His wand was drawn but Percy's curse had already been fired. They hit her first in the chest, knocking her backwards and unconscious, before wrapping themselves around her limp form and pulling her, upside down, into the air. Harry pointed his wand at Percy but he couldn't risk it. If he broke Percy's concentration Ginny could die, and that was why they were in this mess. He had always known that she could be used against him, but this was worse. This was her brother in the driver's seat.

"Yes, I didn't think you'd watch me kill her. And I'm sorry Harry, I really am. I mean, I'd much rather have just killed you." He laughed wearily. "But, this is the way the Dark Lord wanted it and I must respect my Master. Perhaps in the future I will be making the decisions. Hm? What do you think? Would I make a good leader?" Harry didn't answer. He was trying to decide what to do, but he could think of nothing but Ginny. He would have to try and stall Percy just long enough that someone could come into the room and help him.

"A leader?" he faltered. "Umm…yeah sure…you'd make a …um…brilliant...leader…really umm…powerful."

"You lie!" Percy's voice shook the walls and Harry had to admit that he was scared.

"I'm not lying at all! You'd be amazing!" His eyes flicked from Percy to the hanging Ginny. " So, can I ask you a question, you know, as a leader?" Percy considered this request and then nodded.

"Why are you doing this?" For a moment Percy's features softened, but he quickly checked himself.

"Because I am what the Dark Lord made me, and he has done more for me in this life than anyone else." Harry's plan was working because Percy didn't seem to have noticed the door handle steaming as hundreds of counter-jinxes were fired from outside. "You see Harry, what people on this planet don't realise is that evil can be good," his voice was becoming shrill and frenzied "and it is evil that we should all look to if we wish to survive. You must face the fact that you can only survive if you join my Lord. Don't fight it anymore. You are a wizard of great power Harry, but you could be so much greater if you only embraced evil. "The door snapped open with a crash and before Harry could move his wand Percy had disappeared, chased by numerous hexes and charms. Harry heard himself yell "Nooooooooooooooo…" but it was too late. All he could do was rush forward in time for Ginny's body to fall into his arms, pale and apparently lifeless.

He felt the steaming tears pouring down his face before he even had time to realise what had happened. This couldn't be. He couldn't lose someone else, not Ginny. He loved her. For a moment all he could feel was grief, and then the anger flooded in. He turned to face the open doorway where most of the Order was stood in a stunned silence. His eyes searched for Ron and he at last found him, staring blankly, confused, but walking slowly towards Harry. Hermione was at his side, and carefully Harry placed Ginny's body into her brother's arms. With one look of sorrowful understanding exchanged between the three and a gentle kiss placed on Ginny's head, Harry apparated.

A/N – Sorry it's taken me soooo long to update but I've had tons of schoolwork. Hope you liked this chapter and hopefully I'll update sooner this time!