Chapter 16: Percy

It seemed the mission for the entire wizarding community had become to find Percy Weasley. Although Percy himself wasn't highly regarded, the other members of the family were sympathized with. It also seemed crucial to find Percy so Mr. Weasley wouldn't tell Voldemort anything he needed to know. Aurors and members of the Order were sent searching far and wide while others looked for clues. Harry, Hermione, and the other Weasleys were to go to Percy's private flat to see what they could find.

The door to the flat was wood that seemed worn; the brown was faded and there were clear cracks. The tiny window in the door was dark and the doorknob was tarnished. Mrs. Weasley slowly opened the door and stepped inside, she was followed by Mr. Weasley, then by the children. They were in a tiny hallway, many pictures hung from the walls; most of them were of high society witches and wizards. The gray wallpaper was peeling and the ceiling lights were heavily cobwebbed, it looked as if no one had lived there for years. Mrs. Weasley gave the instructions to search through everything and grab anything that may be relevant to the whereabouts of Percy.

It seemed rude to touch anything; as if it was disrespectful to Percy. Harry stepped as lightly as possible and made an attempt to touch nothing that didn't need to be touched. Everyone spoke in whispers as they pointed out things to one another. Harry and Ron made their way through a door on the right, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley went upstairs, and Ginny and Hermione went to the left. Harry and Ron found themselves in an office much like the one at the Ministry. There were articles cut from the Daily Prophet all about the room and there were also various reports that Percy had most likely written himself.

Harry remembered the day when Percy tried to engage a conversation with him about cauldron bottoms. Percy had seemed convinced that this was a worldwide crisis that could only be diverted by Percy's supreme knowledge. With a small smile, Harry looked through the papers that lay on the floor carefully, seeing if there was anything of importance. But Harry thought that this was a futile mission; why would there be a clue about Percy's whereabouts in his own home? It didn't seem logical that there would be any evidence of Voldemort's presence here nor any evidence of where Voldemort may be hiding.

Harry knew that this meant a lot to the Weasleys; that's why he was searching. It was comfort to them to know that there could be something that could be found here. Harry went to Percy's desk, though the rest of the house looked long abandoned, the desk was clearly in constant use before Percy's disappearance. Folders were all over the desk; spare rolls of parchment lay next to the inkbottle. The papers were mostly headed by: To Whom it May Concern or something equally as formal. Harry sifted through the papers, looking for something, anything. Harry almost laughed out loud when he saw the report on cauldron bottoms. He picked up the report and stuffed it in his cloak. Harry heard a creak of a floorboard behind him; he whipped around drawing out his wand. Ron stood there looking shocked at Harry's reaction.

"Sorry there, Harry; didn't mean to scare you or anything," he said. "I haven't found a thing; you?"

"Nothing," Harry said. Ron looked disappointed. "I'm sure we'll find him, Ron,"

"Yeah, I guess…but what if we don't? What if we don't find him, Harry? Voldemort said that he knew about my entire family…Harry, what will happen if we don't find Percy?"

"We won't ever have to find that out, because we're going to get Percy back," Harry said. Ron merely nodded his head and left the room. Harry followed close behind.

The search drew to an end a short while after; nobody had found anything. The members of the Weasley family were silent the entire ride home; Hermione and Harry kept silent as well; they didn't want to disturb the peace. Once they returned to Grimmauld Drive Mr. Weasley spoke up.

"Not to worry, anyone, not to worry! It wont be long until Percy is safe at home," he said in a fake enthusiastic tone.

Ron and Ginny headed for the stairs; it was obvious that they wanted to be left alone. With a frown, Mr. Weasley went outside muttering something about needing to head back to the Ministry. Mrs. Weasley turned and made her way to clean the already spotless kitchen. Harry and Hermione were left alone in the lobby.

"You said you dreamt this, Harry?" Hermione said. Harry nodded, and together, they went to the sitting room. Sitting on the couch, Harry explained to Hermione his dream. "Why didn't you mention anything when we woke up?" she asked at the finish.

"I thought it was an ordinary dream. Usually when I dream like that, I react to it. Like how I did on the train, remember?"

"Oh…yes, I guess it's understandable then," she said. Eager to change the subject she asked. "How is Legilimency?"

The question struck a new idea in Harry's mind. Why hadn't he thought of it before? Percy would undoubtedly remember his kidnapping…Harry could go into Percy's mind and see where he had gone…

"Hermione, I have an idea…just wait a sec, okay?" Hermione nodded and waited while Harry started to focus on Percy.

He thought of Percy and how he looked. Harry envisioned the traditional Weasley red hair, Percy's stern look, and his horn-rimmed glasses. He remembered how Percy spoke and how he acted, and with this all in his mind, he began to try to penetrate Percy's memories.

Percy was working in his office…the door burst open…Death Eaters raided the room…it was all coming to Harry in disorienting blocks. Percy was taken…bodies of the dead were outside the door…Percy was strapped into a chair…Voldemort used the Unforgivable Cruciatus Curse…

"Harry! Harry! What's going on? Harry!" Hermione's voice could be heard saying from far away. Harry tried to focus his mind away from it; he had to find Percy.

"It wont be long till daddy dearest tells me all I need to know" said the voice of Voldemort. Percy spit in his face.

"My father would never tell you anything!" Percy said through clenched teeth. Voldemort wiped the spit from his face and once again used the Cruciatus Curse. Percy remained defiant against Voldemort…Harry tried to take in the surroundings; trying to find something that would tell the location…Percy is in obvious pain…there were tears in his eyes, and yet, his still stood against Voldemort. The walls around him were covered with portraits of the owners of the house…they had platinum blonde hair…

Harry snapped out of Percy's memories, suddenly realizing where Percy must be: The Malfoy Manor.

"Harry, what just happened?" Hermione asked sharply.

"Legilimency, Hermione; I just saw where Percy is," Harry told her everything he had seen; she gasped and went to tell Mrs. Weasley the news.

"Is it true, Harry? You saw inside my son's mind? You saw where he is?" Mrs. Weasley asked, hope burning in her eyes.

"Yes,"

"I have to tell Arthur! You two tell Ginny and Ronald, please. They will be so delighted to hear it!" Mrs. Weasley ran out the door of Grimmauld Place, now on her way to the Ministry of Magic.

"Well, you heard her; let's go tell Ginny and Ron," Harry said. Hermione nodded and they went upstairs. They knocked lightly on Ginny's door, she answered with a tearstained face.

"Yeah?"

"Can you come to Ron's room? We have something to tell you," Hermione said. Ginny came out of her room and closed the door behind her. Harry knocked on Ron's door.

"Come in," Ron said from inside. They entered the room and everyone sat down.

"Ron, Ginny, I think I found Percy. I used Legilimency and I found him…he's at Malfoy's," Harry said.

Ron sat openmouthed, unable to speak. Ginny stared at the floor, wringing her hands. The silence in the room soon became unbearable.

"That means we're going to get him back, after all!" Hermione said, hoping to get a smile from anybody.

Ron looked up and gave a weak smile. "Yeah, I guess it does,"

Ginny also smiled, but chose to say nothing. Harry and Hermione felt that this was a moment that should be had between the Weasleys; they left and returned to the sitting room. They took the position on the couch that was so familiar to them from all their nights in the Common Room.

"That was very powerful magic, Harry. That could've been dangerous," Hermione said.

"I know, but I had to do something,"

"Harry…you don't always have to do something…I mean, that could've hurt your mind. You don't always need to put yourself in danger to help others,"

"I don't think I really have a choice…it's kinda destiny," Hermione looked up at him.

"Harry, please don't risk your life when you don't have to. Harry, promise me that you wont. Promise me that you wont ever sacrifice yourself for me…please Harry, I would never forgive myself if you died at my expense,"

Harry looked down at her for a long while. "I can't promise that," he finally said. "I have that 'hero thing', remember?" Hermione laughed, she did indeed remember when she had said that the previous year.

"Oh Harry, you're impossible!" she said. They lay on the couch for a long time, only getting up when members of the Order came into the house, instantly followed by Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. They all went into the kitchen, none of them even looked as if they had seen Harry and Hermione.

"I guess they're planning on how to get Percy," Harry said. Ron and Ginny, having heard the noise, came downstairs and took chairs opposite the couch Harry and Hermione were on. They waited until Mrs. Weasley came out of the kitchen with her husband. She looked crestfallen while her husband looked furious.

"Kids, they've decided that it's too risky…they can't get Percy…" Mrs. Weasley said.

"Stupid!" Mr. Weasley erupted. "Fools! How dare they leave my son in the hands of a maniac! FOOLS!" Tonks came up beside Mr. Weasley.

"Arthur, we're not leaving him for long…it's just too dangerous right now! We can't let Voldemort know that we learned that he's operating from the Malfoy Manor. We have an advantage!" she said.

"IF YOU HAD CHILDREN YOU WOULD NEVER LEAVE THEM TO DIE!" Mr. Weasley roared.

"We're not leaving him to die! We're going to get him, just not yet!" Tonks said, now afraid of Mr. Weasley.

Mr. Weasley stormed from the room; Mrs. Weasley followed closely behind.

"Don't worry, Percy is going to be fine. We have plenty of time before You-Know-Who's deadline; we'll get him when the time is right," Tonks said to them.

"When is that? When he's dead?" Ron said savagely.

"Ron, calm down, it's just a matter of time,"

"No," Harry said. "Percy is being tortured, I saw it. You can't just leave him there, can you? He isn't going to last long against the Cruciatus Curse,"

"He's going to have to until we find it safe to make our move. Please, trust us," Tonks pleaded. Ron left the room, Ginny soon followed.

"I can't believe you," Harry said to Tonks as he left to go after Ron. "You of all people…"

"Harry, please!"

Harry went into his bedroom; Ron was sitting at the foot of his own bed.

"I'm tired; goodnight, Harry," he said, lying down.

"'Night, Ron," Harry said, also lying down. Harry was once again struck by an idea. He once again thought of Percy, but this time he was hoping to go into Percy's dream like Voldemort had done to Harry. Harry had no idea how to enter the mind of someone sleeping, but he remained persistent. He suddenly felt as if he himself was falling asleep…

Harry knew he was in Percy's dream. "Percy?" he called. Percy was standing underneath a tree on the campus of Hogwarts. He looked up as Harry approached.

"What's going on?" he asked.

"You're dreaming…I'm here to let you know that we found you. We can't come to get you yet, but we know where you are,"

"Please hurry, Harry. This is an unbelievable nightmare…I can't believe that You-Know-Who really captured me, y'know? I thought that he was…Harry, something's wrong," Percy was disappearing.

"I think you're waking up," Harry said. "I have to go; hold on, Percy,"

Harry returned to his own mind, it was well past midnight. Harry closed his eyes, ready to go into his own dreams.