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I know that previous chapter was a bit... mmm … not very good. I hope that this one goes better.
"Mum, do you think Dad will understand?" – I ask.
I knew that Mum would be easy. She'd do anything to get Percy back. He favourite son, after all… That was strange that it had to be Percy who left the family… Well, truth to be told Bill, Fred, George and me… We all left. We did. First, Bill. He went to Gringotts. Mum was happy about that. He gained enough money to support himself and for the best student in his year and a Prefect of school banking was a decent choice. He gained more money than he would have in the Ministry. She was happy. Still Mum always disapproved of his style, his hair mostly. Since his fourth year battles about his hair or his robes took place almost every few days. Bill never gave in. His only argument was: "Mum, Noone in Hogwarts objects. My marks are very high. I am a Prefect. What else do you want?" And she had to accept that. She was fuming with rage when he told her that he was leaving to Egypt. His reason was obsession with Pyramids but the truth was that he wanted to get away from parents and to start his own life. 'I love Mum and Dad, - he told me the day before leaving, - But I can't live my own life with Mum always mentoring me". Mum got over it but only after he had spent a year there. Bill returned in England for the Order. I knew that he did what he had to do and not what he wanted to. Than he met Fleur. And Mum again started giving her advice. Orders, to be precise. Now she did accept Fleur as a family member but… I, personally, don't like Fleur. But I can't object to that fact that she loves my brother and that he loves her too. So, we all just have to accept his choice. Thank God, Bill always had a strong enough character to stand to our dear Mother.
Than came my turn. The next son. Obsessed with Quidditch and dragons. I know that Mum and Dad wanted me to become a professional Seeker. I was considering it myself for some time. I know that after I chose dragons there was a rumor that I had a girlfriend who died or was seriously injured in a match. That was never true. I chose dragons because I thought them a more perspective career. In Quidditch you finish your active career not later than at 35. Usually much earlier. After there are usually two choices: a coach for Quidditch teams or a place in the Ministry. Both never appealed to me and I went to Romania. You might already have guessed Mother's reaction. She was talking about my guaranteed future in Quidditch, my talent. She was. Actually, proposing to choose my Dad's root. He was a Chaser till he was 27. Than he went to the Ministry. I made another decision. They both weren't happy. But when I got job in Romania where I was proposed a year of free training before starting my actual job, Mum and Dad excepted.
Fred and George's story knows almost everyone. Their jokeshop. How many fake wands Mum destroyed before she accepted that their business wasn't worthless?
Dad was always more friendly too our choices. He thought that we had a right to decide for ourselves. Bit he never helped us when Mum was against our choices. He rarely took her side, true. (The only time he strongly sided with her was when I announced that I wasn't going for Quidditch.)
But he never stopped her as well.
Finally after Percy finished Hogwarts Mum saw her wishes come true. Best student. Prefect. Wants to become Minister of Magic in future. Brilliant. What more can she want? But things turned out to be a little more complicated. I always thought that Percy only was doing all what he was doing to please out parents. I doubt that he ever thought about his own wishes very much. And then suddenly they no longer want him to be a faithful Ministry worker! And even more – Father is shouting at him. Wonderful! Now I just have to find words to explain it all to Father.
"Oh! Charlie, I don't know! I'd forgive Percy anything. He is my son. If he wants me to apologise for something we did, I'll do it without hesitation. But your Father.. He is still so angry… It might take time. I am sure that he will forgive Percy. But… But with some time. And doubt he'll ever be ready to apologise himself…".
"OK, Mum. I'll try to reason with him. Is he still at work", - I sight. Percy made it clear that he is not apologising for anything until they are ready to do the same. That would be hard.
"Yes… He's very busy now… Oh! Here he is!" – Mother exclaims and rushes towards the door. But it's not him as I can hear by the question she is asking the person at the door. That stupid Ministry rule, honestly!
"Fred! George! You both are late! Dinner is ready! Where have you been?" – Mum says.
"Er… Mum, we had a date. Both of us… WITH DIFFERENT GIRLS, MUM!" - says Fred looking sheepish.
"Oh! You could have told me about that in the morning, couldn't you!" – Mum answers, irritated.
"I am afraid not. We didn't plan it in the morning. And, anyway, we are not too late", - George says impatiently.
"Oh! Very well!", - Mum exclaims and leaves to the kitchen.
"Hello, Charlie!" – they say in unison.
"Hi! A date? Who are those girls?" – I smile.
"That's a story for Mother, - Fred grimaces. – We…er…".
"We thought that she won't be happy if we told her we talked with Percy before she did. And she wouldn't be glad to know that we heard your conversation", - finishes for him George.
"To be precise, she'll kill us if she finds out. And we plan to live a little bit longer", - adds Fred with a laugh.
"What? Percy will kill me!" – I exclaim.
"Be quiet! Mum'll hear you! He won't. We, well, came to a sort of understanding. And if you need help with Father we are more than eager to help you", - Fred explains.
I shake my head: "What did you tell him that he forgave you so easily?"
"Doesn't matter. We consider him family again. And that's enough, - replies Fred. – Oh! Here comes Father!"
But I don't get a chance to talk with Father. He is really tired and I decide that it isn't the right moment. Next day is Saturday. I'll talk to him then. I just hope that Percy won't change his mind. Even if I convince Father, there are Ron and Ginny who seem to be even angrier with Percy than Father is. And there is Bill who might be more understanding. But I am not sure. After Greyback attacked him, he had changed. Not so much that you'd notice it on first site. But he became less cheerful and more aggressive. I am sure about his reaction on a conversation concerning Percy. May be I should talk to him before I talk with Father. Who knows… I thought that explaining all to Fred and George would be difficult bit it turned out to be the easiest of all. I promised Percy not to… But…
"Charlie? What's up? – Bill is standing in the doorway, frowning. – You look upset".
I smile sadly: "Confused is a better word".
"Well?" – he looks at me, puzzled.
"Percy", - I say finally. The eldest brother is always the eldest brother.
"What with Percy? – he frowns but doesn't look angry just interested and a bit worried. – Did something happen to him?"
After these words I make up my mind: "No. Not that. Can we talk in your room? Or mine?"