Disclaimer: I own nothing.
duj – They do have migraine potions. Percy just doesn't want to take chances of anyone seeing him taking it in order to avoid questions. And he is also stubborn: thinks he'll be able to survive without it until the end of the meeting. Anyway, he would never take it until he is sure that noone sees him or until he collapses.
There might be a week or two before the next update cause I'll be there where civilization hadn't installed Internet yet. Just so that you know.
"Oh! Percy! – shouts my Mother, rushing towards me and hugging me tightly. I have a strong feeling of deja vu…
"Mum, - I say quietly, - I am glad to see you too. But we'll talk later".
She sights and sits.
"Percy! What are you doing here? An Order member now are you?" – guess who. Fred and George.
"Not entirely", - I reply through greeted teeth.
McGonagall starts. She shows everyone Dumbledore's letter. And now its my turn to explain why I did that and that it has nothing to do with our family quarrel.
"Mother, Father. That is family business and I am not discussing it here", - I say for the nth time now. My head hurts more now but I still can control myself.
"But it is connected!" – shouts Ron.
"No. It's not. I told you already", - I tell him angrily.
"Percy, wait, - asks Tonks. – Dumbledore always knew whom he was going to tail and when… Was he talking about you as an "agent in the Ministry"?"
"Well, - I reply, - unless he had some other spy in there, then, yes, he was talking about me".
"Fine then…", - she says thoughtfully/
"The obvious question is whether we need this inside information now when…", - McGonagall asks.
"As far as I understand Minister was interested in Dumbledore. Now he is dead. I doubt he'll take any actions against the Order. Or any members", - I say not sure of the reaction. And I am right in my doubts.
"You mean. You no longer want to work for the Order?" – asks Ginny angrily.
I shake my head. I always hoped that she won't take twins as an example but she certainly did. Who, for Merlin's sake, let her here at all? She hasn't yet left school. She is not even of age yet. I'll have to discuss it with McGonagall later.
"No, Ginny. I am just saying that it might no longer be needed. That's all. Anyway I am still working there. And I can keep an eye on what's happening there. But I wouldn't expect a lot of information", - I say tiredly. I stop myself from massaging my temples. No. I'll be fine. I am not breaking down now. No.
"That's a reasonable point", - Bill cuts in. I think I could have kissed him right now.
"I mean, did anyone here had any problems with Minister or The Ministry as a whole lately?" – he asks.
"Not really. I suppose they think that without Dumbledore we are no longer dangerous", - Kingsley laughs harshly.
"Well, you might as well let them continue thinking that", - I say evenly.
"What do you mean dangerous? We are supposed to work togezer against one enemy!" – Fleur bursts out.
""Supposed" is a key word here, darling", - Bill tells her, caressing her hair.
I make my face look as calm as possible. Why should it be so painful to see others happy together? Penny left me. But it doesn't mean that I should feel pain every time I see a happy couple! It has been a more than a year since then. I should have gotten over that long ago. It's obvious that I didn't. But better not let them see my feelings. They definitely don't deserve that.
"But isn't it seely! Zey are worried about zeir face while zey should be worrying about people's lives!" – she argues.
That makes me smile: "Tell it them yourself, will you? They might as well pay attention to a Veela…"
"I don't theenk so", - she laugh.
Meeting more or less finishes on that as my spying job was the main topic of this meeting. After finishing with (in a way I proposed) it they discuss some topics I am not familiar with and the meeting comes to an end. I couldn't wait for it to finish. Pain in my head is worsening with every minute and I don't know for how long I'll be able to keep pretences.
One by one they start to say goodbye. I raise as well. The room is spinning now. Just a little but still.
"Percy, - Mum comes to me, - let's go home and discuss our problems".
"Not today, Mum, - I shake my head and immediately regret this movement as migraine worsens with that. – If you'll still want to talk tomorrow, I'll come. Just state the time".
"Oh! But Percy!' – she starts. Merlin! I'd have preferred to finish with it all today but I am in no state for another battle today.
"Either we talk today or never! – Ron unexpectedly bursts in. – He is not the one to make terms! He is who's got to apologise!'
"Yes!" – Ginny agrees.
"I make no terms. Ron. But I am not talking today. That's all. Choose another date. If you don't like tomorrow, any day is OK. I want it all finished as fast as possible, as much as you do", - I reply keeping my voice carefully neutral. Please. Don't turn it into a scandal again!
"Fine, Percy, - that's my Father. His voice is colder than ice. – We'll wait for you tomorrow at 3 p.m. in the Burrow. And we'll listen to what you have to say. Don't be late."
With that he leaves. Mum starts saying something, almost making excuses for him. It would have been better if she made Ron and Ginny shut up!
I wish everyone good night and leave. When leaving the room I hear Ron saying (presumably to Mother): "Well, you see, he is the same brat he'd always been. Didn't even listen to you. Mum, there is no point trying to reconcile".
"Ron, could you, please, think about what you are saying, at least sometimes?" - that's Bill.
I close my eyes, breathing hard. No. I won't listen to it anymore. I don't want to hear what Ron or Ginny got to say about me. I'll hear enough tomorrow. At least, if they agree to talk to me at all.
I storm out of the house as fast as I can, shutting the door behind me as quietly as I can. I don't get far though. The world starts spinning much more than before and I have to lean against the cold wall of the house in order not fall. Great! I am sweating as well now! And I am in no shape for apparating. I try taking deep calming breaths but I know that it won't help.
"Percy? May I accompany you home?" – Charlie. He was following me, obviously. It's the second time he sees me in this state. It's inexcusable.
"Yes. You may. Anyway, I have no choice", - I reply in a whisper.
"Grab my arm and we'll apparate", - he only says and I am grateful for that.
When we get home, he finds a vial with the potion I need. After I drink it he whispers: "Come here". I settle my head against his chest. "You did nothing wrong. We already discussed that. Don't pay attention to them", - he whispers.
"You already told me that", - I murmur.
"And you obviously didn't hear me. I'll be telling it to you until you hear me, brother", - he says. And I don't answer him It's just so good not to fell alone, especially when you are in paying.
"Charlie?" – I say after some tome.
"Yes?"
"Thank you".
"You've got nothing to thank me for. I should have paid attention to you and what was happening to you much earlier", - he replies.
"You couldn't have, - I tell him. – I had always been good at hiding things".