A/N: Thanks for the reviews and favorites everyone! I've worked on this chapter whenever I had time. Classes have been a bit hectic with it getting close to the end of the semester and all.

Here's y'all a Thanksgiving present! Chapter 15.

Percy's Confrontation

After a pleasant weekend with Audrey, Percy decided to pop in on his dad before work. He hadn't had a chance to talk to him since early last week, and not seeing Arthur at The Burrow the previous Tuesday night concerned him. Percy felt awful about not talking to his dad for a week especially with everything that had been going on, but work comes first with Percy unless it's a life-or-death family matter.

The door to Arthur and Perkin's office was open, so Percy didn't bother knocking. Arthur was the only one there at the moment. It was a little early for Perkins to be at work just yet.

"Good morning, Dad. How was your weekend?" Percy greeted cheerfully before taking in the scene in front of him. He wasn't always the best when it came to assessing a social situation beforehand.

The already cluttered little office was even more crowded. This was due to Arthur's large duffle bag sitting in one corner. Then Percy got a better look at his father since he had looked up from his paperwor. Dark circles hung under his eyes and short stubble covered his chin.

"What are you doing here, Percy?" Arthur asked bluntly. "I'm sure one of your brothers told you I didn't want anyone around."

Percy resembled a deer in headlights. "Uh – Um – Wait – What - What happened?" he stammered.

Arthur scoffed. "Like you don't know?"

Eyebrows furrowed, Percy responded honestly, "No. No, I don't."

Arthur looked at his son quizzically. "Really?"

"Really. I haven't had time to talk to anyone." Percy took a seat across from his father. "Dad, what happened?"

Looking at his desk, Arthur began, "Thursday night," he took a deep breath and glanced up at Percy before returning his gaze to the desk, "she left me." After saying this, Arthur looked his son in the eye.

Percy was astonished. Unable to find words, he leaned forward and put his head in his hands. Dozens of thoughts buzzed through his mind from why no one had told him to what could have ruined his parents' perfect relationship. Finally, Percy had found a single word.

"Why?" He looked up at his dad, waiting for an answer.

"After that big misunderstanding Monday, I tried talking to her like she's been wanting, but she wouldn't hear it and started ignoring me altogether. I didn't think she cared anymore, so I stopped caring as well. That led to some decisions which led to this."

"You can't just stop caring. I couldn't just stop caring about Audrey, and we have only been together two years. You and Mum have been together for thirty, and you're the perfect couple," Percy said indignantly.

"Nothing is perfect, Percy."

"Do you mean that if even if the war hadn't gone the way it did, you two still would have separated?" Percy was beginning to sound like a small child.

Arthur shook his head. "No. No. I highly, highly doubt that. Everything was how it had always been. All I'm saying is that our relationship had its obstacles like everyone else's."

"…Have you heard from Mum?" Percy asked hesitantly.

"No. I wasn't expecting to either."

"Oh. How about anyone else?" This question brought back the thought of why Percy's brothers hadn't informed him about their parents.

"I made it clear to them that I need to work through things on my own."

"Well, where are you staying?"

"Does it matter?"

"Yes."

"…I'm staying here."

Now Percy was becoming angry and defiant against his older brothers and mother for not keeping him in the loop and not checking on their dad. "Stay at my flat," Percy offered.

"No," Arthur immediately answered.

"Why not? It's better than staying here. Besides, you need a shave and, I doubt you could get a good shower in the auror training room," Percy argued.

"No, Percy. I'm going to tell you the same thing I told them." Just then, Perkins entered the office, greeting the two Weasleys in the process; Arthur and Percy reciprocated. Then Arthur continued in a hushed voice. "I need to deal with things on my own."

Percy adopted his father's hushed tone, but was still firm. "Dad, I'm not taking no for an answer. You don't have to talk to me about anything unless you want to. You can come and go as you please. No questions will be asked."

"I doubt I'll ever be there, Percy. Between work and…" Arthur trailed off, not disclosing where else he would be, although it was hardly a secret.

Percy understood what his father wasn't saying, but it didn't matter to him if Arthur had gone back to drinking. He felt like his family was intentionally leaving him out, so no matter what happened he would take his dad's side.

"You'll at least have a comfortable place to stay and hot meals when you are there." Now thinking about it, it didn't look like his dad had eaten much all weekend either. "We'll go to lunch today, and this evening we'll get you set up in my flat."

"The others won't take too kindly to this," Arthur attempted one last time to get Percy to change his mind.

"If they cared, they would have kept me informed," Percy replied as he stood to leave.

"Fine, but I'll only move in under those conditions…Oh. Don't worry about lunch. I won't be hungry."

"Yeah," Percy said sarcastically. "I'll see you at noon."

oOoOo

That evening after getting Arthur settled into Percy's flat, they both left and went their separate ways; Arthur to his usual night time activities, and Percy to the Burrow and Shell Cottage to confront his family and hear his mother's side of the story. To Percy's pleasure, Bill opened the door at the Burrow with a scowl on his face. Good, he could kill two birds with one stone.

Bill had been half expecting to see Percy on the other side of the door. He wasn't too happy with his younger, pompous brother. It had been days since their parents had separated, and he was just now coming to see his mother. He probably thought he could waltz right in and everything would be okay.

"Excellent. You're here," Percy said in a business-like tone before taking the initiative to allow himself in.

"What do you want, Percy?" Bill asked curtly, upset with his brother for the lack of support he showed his family. "We're in the middle of supper."

Upon obtaining this information, Percy strode into the kitchen with his older brother on his heels. So now they were having family dinners without him? Percy had known Bill and Fleur had moved out, so this wasn't a regular dinner. Was he even part of this family anymore?

Everyone stopped eating and became quiet as they looked up at an irate Percy.

"Look, I know I've made mistakes the past few years. I'm sorry about everything I did and didn't do in the past, alright? That's just it though. The past is the past. No one can change it. How many times do I have to apologize before I'm accepted back? I thought you all forgave me. Apparently not though, considering you are now having a family dinner without inviting me and, more importantly, no one bothered telling me that Mum left Dad again! I shouldn't have to stumble upon information like that days after it happened. Was anyone ever going to tell me?

"And no one has even checked on him all weekend. I know he told everyone to leave him alone, but that doesn't give you an excuse! Did any of you even try? He's been living out of his office, and probably hasn't eaten much in just as long." Percy paused to catch his breath and reel in some of his anger, his face beet red.

This tirade from a usually calm, reserved Percy shocked everyone into silence. Everyone was staring at Percy, except Bill who was glaring at Charlie and Molly who was glaring at Bill. They all thought he knew what had happened and was just being his normal pretentious self by not showing support. Before Percy could begin again, Bill broke the silence.

"You didn't tell him?" Bill asked Charlie sternly.

Charlie immediately defended himself. "I thought you would. You're the one who handles this stuff!"

"You had the reigns on this one. You can't take partial responsibility and assume I'll take care of the rest, especially if you don't even tell me."

"Sorry, Perce," Charlie apologized, a bit embarrassed.

"As for the family dinner," Bill said, "we didn't think you cared since you never responded. But I guess we know what happened there…" Bill glanced at Charlie.

"Sorry," Charlie mumbled.

"Just make sure one of you tell me from now on," Percy spoke to his two older brothers as his mum embraced him.

"Why don't you stay for a spot of dinner, dear?" Molly requested. "We're having our own celebration for the rebuilding of Hogwarts being completed."

Percy had already eaten supper, but accepted his mother's invitation anyway. Throughout the rest of the meal, excited chatter filled the house. It was almost as if things had never changed.

No one had brought up the subject of Romania until Charlie stood up while his mother was setting the desserts on the table. Charlie cleared his throat to gain the attention of his family. "I have an announcement!"

The room became quiet and everyone looked to Charlie expectantly.

"I have been thinking about this for a while. And I have finally decided that I am not going back to Romania. I'm going to move back here, to England."

"You do realize there still aren't any dragons here, don't you?" Ron asked.

"I know."

"Where will you work? You hate being indoors," George pointed out.

"I've been offered a job at Hogwarts. I'll be working with Hagrid," Charlie answered.

"Well, I think that's wonderful, dear," Molly beamed. "Although, I am curious as to what brought this on."

"I just feel like I need to be here now, what with everything that's happened."

"Charlie, if you're staying here for me, I'll be fine. I've enjoyed you being here, but go back to Romania if that's what you'd rather do."

"No, Mum, it's more than that, alright? I love dragons, but this is where I need to be now."

"Okay. I just don't want you to be unhappy because of me."

"I won't be unhappy," Charlie reassured.

"If that's what you really want then."

Everyone was happy for Charlie, and glad he would be closer to the family now.

After dessert was finished, the four oldest boys went out to the garden, leaving the girls to clean up the kitchen and Ron and Harry to their escapades.

When they were a good ways away from the house Bill asked Percy, "So you talked to Dad then?"

Percy looked up from a garden gnome he had just kicked. "Huh? Oh. Yeah."

"And?" Charlie asked, drawing out the word.

"And what?" Percy asked.

"What did he say?"

"Not much. He wasn't in a talking mood," Percy answered honestly.

"You said he was living in his office?"

"Yes, he was."

Charlie gave a snort of laughter. All three of his brothers looked at him in disbelief. They found nothing funny about that.

"How is that funny?" Percy asked defensively.

"I find it amusing because he could have stayed here, but instead he's living in a large closet. Why didn't he rent a room somewhere? I'm sure he would love the convenience of staying at the Leaky Cauldron or Three Broomsticks," Charlie said bitterly.

"For one, there aren't any rooms available anywhere, and two, he isn't living in his office now. He's staying with me," Percy bravely informed his brother, expecting to be scolded. He had gotten a good feeling of how each person was viewing this situation during dinner.

"What?" Charlie exclaimed angrily. "I'll bet he told you a load of shit to make you feel sorry for him. He's using you"

"Yeah, Perce. What were you thinking?" Bill attacked.

"That he shouldn't have to live in a bloody office!" Percy said as if his brothers were stupid. "Actually, Charlie," he glared at his hot-tempered brother, "he isn't using me. I had to practically force him to move in. Our father would never use one of us. And Dad took full responsibility for what happened," Percy lied. This was one argument he did not want his brothers to win.

Up until this point, George had been looking on quietly, formulating his own opinion. Since Charlie had told him and his siblings what had taken place, George had mixed feelings about both of his parents. Of course, there was no way in hell he condoned what his father had done, but at the same time his mother had acted callously when Arthur was clearly in a bad place.

Bill responded before George could. "Even I doubt that," Bill called out Percy's bluff.

"I don't think he even told you everything that happened," Charlie cut in. "Otherwise, you would hate him just as much as the rest of us!"

"Charlie has a valid point, Percy. You don't know everything, only his side of the story," Bill said.

George made to protest, but Percy beat him to it.

"How dare you say that! He raised us, so pardon me if I have some compassion for the man." Percy turned to his oldest brother. "You know, Bill, it doesn't surprise me that Charlie is acting like this, but you are the last person I expected to agree with something of the sort." Percy was furious. This outburst startled both of his older brothers. The only person present who had ever seen the usually reserved Percy this angry was George, and that was when Percy left the family.

George was now able to get a word in. "I agree with Percy. Sure, Dad screwed up horribly, but he is still our father. I don't hate him, but I do hate what he did. What he does doesn't define who he is. Everyone makes mistakes. Some are just worse than others," George stated calmly.

"The bastard abused Mum physically and emotionally! Charlie witnessed it," Bill yelled.

When Charlie had relayed to Bill what took place, he didn't leave the tiniest detail out. After telling Bill about Gracie, Charlie hadn't gotten the shocked and somewhat disgusted reaction he had expected that their parents would hide that from them. Bill vaguely remembered when his parents were expecting their first little girl and how upset they were when all of a sudden Mummy wasn't having a baby anymore. He had never thought much of it as he was only three at the time, but now the oldest sibling understood. What his father did and said was inexcusable in Bill's eyes.

"That doesn't give you the right to hate him!" Percy's anger was now fueled not only by his brothers, but by the revelation of what his father had done also.

After this little exchange, George concluded that he loved his Mum, but he wouldn't take a side that was so utterly spiteful, stubborn, and unforgiving.

"Merlin, you're being such a prat!" Charlie exclaimed. "I'm beginning to think it was a mistake allowing you back into the family –"

"Oi! I still agree with the four-eyed git, so if you reject him again, you'll have to reject me too," George defended his brother. "I love Mum, but I'm not turning my back on Dad."

Appalled, Charlie took George up on his offer. "Fine! I no longer consider either of you my brother for as long as you side with Dad, and I'm sure the others will agree." He looked to Bill for back up that never came.

Bill's anger had reached the point past yelling and arguing; he was now so heated that he was calm. Shaking his head at Charli, he stalked off. His little brother had made his bed now he had to sleep in it, and Bill was not getting involved.

Fuming, Charlie stormed off to the house and called for the two youngest Weasleys to come outside. Within moments, Charlie had explained what had happened with "these two gits."

Unsurprisingly, Ron had done the exact same thing Charlie had; however, Ginny shocked everyone.

"Great job, prick. You just lost two brothers and your only sister," Ginny responded.

Not thinking before speaking, Charlie blurted, "Joke's on you. You're not my only sister."

Ginny, Ron, and Percy all stared at Charlie like he had sprouted an extra head.

"That's right! Ginny isn't the first girl in seven generations. There was supposed to be a girl between me and Percy, but she was premature and didn't make it."

"Mum and Dad would have told us something like that," Ginny shot back, not believing Charlie.

"Actually," George chimed in, "he's not lying. Dad told me about her a couple weeks ago. Mum was so torn up about it that they never talked about her. It was obvious how badly Dad needed to talk about Gracie, but since it was really only him and Mum that knew about her, he never got the closure he needed."

"That's the emotional abuse I was telling you about. Our father crushed Mum, blaming her for the failed pregnancy, making her think it was completely her fault, revealing that he had been lying all these years when he told her otherwise."

Charlie knew what he had just said wasn't true, that his dad had said these things out of anger and not truth, but he wanted his siblings to turn on their father; however, these revelations only split the family further. Ron was even more livid with his dad than he had been, if that was possible. On the other hand, Ginny was amazed her mother would do such a thing, keeping something so important a secret and causing her dad so much heartache. The way Charlie had thrown this information in the open as if the fact that they were supposed to have another sister was no big deal caused Percy to become even angrier with his older brother. George was a little more disappointed in his father, but he knew how keeping this bottled up for so long affected Arthur, and doubted his dad had truly meant a word.

"What a selfish bitch," Ginny seethed.

"Selfish bitch? More like self-centered jackass!" Ron countered.

"Hey! She made him keep it bottled up for two decades! It was really Mum's fault he blew up on her about it,"

"Either way, he had no right to treat her like that. He could have gone to a shrink if it was bothering him that bad,"

"Dad didn't mean it," George asserted.

"You don't know what he meant, George," Charlie cut in. "No one knows him anymore. He's been abusing Mum, for Merlin's sake! No one would have ever thought that would happen!"

"Dad needs to be helped, not shunned. You're a lousy son if you think otherwise," Percy accused.

At this, Charlie lost whatever control he had. He swung at Percy, hitting him square in the jaw. Percy's hand flew to the now aching spot, and stared at his brother in shock.

"No, I would be a lousy son if I turned a blind eye to how the jackass mistreated Mum!"

Before Charlie could continue or anyone could respond, the dragon trainer found himself on the receiving end of one of Ginny's bat-bogey hexes.

These two actions caused all hell to break loose. Hexes, jinxes, and fists were flying everywhere. It didn't last long though, as Molly and the others came running outside within minutes, wands drawn and expecting dark wizards to be attacking.

"What's going on?" Molly shouted over the noise.

Realizing there were no dark wizards about, Bill shot red sparks from the end of his wand. "Oi!"

All fighting ceased between the Weasley children. The brawling bunch's attention was drawn to their mother and oldest brother.

"What in Merlin's name is going on?" Molly demanded.

"Charlie?" Bill glared at his brother.

"What?" Charlie asked indignantly.

"I'm pretty sure you started this somehow."

"I don't know why you'd assume that. It was Percy who started it actually."

"I was merely stating a fact," Percy defended himself.

"Charlie was the first one to throw a punch," Ginny put in.

"You were the first to use your wand," Ron pointed out.

"Yeah, so Charlie wouldn't pummel Percy," Ginny shot back.

"Quiet!" Bill commanded.

"George, what happened?" Molly asked, seeing that he was the only one who hadn't spoken yet.

Not wanting to disclose the reason behind the fight for fear of upsetting his mother, George started from the middle. "Percy did state a fact, Charlie punched him, Ginny hexed Charlie, and then it got chaotic."

"But why? This family doesn't punch, hex, jinx, or curse each other, especially for no reason," Molly scolded.

No one made eye contact with their mother, except Ginny who spoke.

"How could you not tell us about our other sister? How could you make Dad not talk about her?" she attacked.

The Weasley matriarch's mood darkened. She had not been expecting this subject to be brought up, and it hit her like a ton of bricks. None of her kids were supposed to know about their sister, except the ones who already did. She didn't want them to find out, but if they did she wanted to tell them herself.

"Ginny..." Bill quietly warned.

"No. I think we all deserve an explanation," Ginny countered. "Families don't keep secrets like that."

Bill made to stop Ginny again, but his mum stopped him first.

"It's alright, Bill," she said quietly. "The only people that knew were your father and I and our parents. We never meant for anyone else to find out."

"That isn't an explanation."

"Okay…After all was said and done, it was just too hard for me." Molly took a deep breath. "It still is. We agreed never to talk about her because of that, so we never thought to tell any of you."

"It was extremely hard on both Mum and Dad," Bill added.

Molly was surprised Bill remembered the events that took place all those years ago since he was so young when it happened.

"Okay. So do you expect us to stop talking about Fred if it's too hard for you?"

Ginny realized she had gone too far as soon as the words left her mouth as the general atmosphere changed drastically.

"Ginny, go to your room," Bill commanded softly.

"You're not Dad. You can't tell me what to do," she retorted equally as calm.

"Dad isn't here, so yes I can. Go, now."

Once Ginny left, both Bill and Molly looked to Charlie. They had to deal with the matter at hand before handling a much larger issue.

"Why'd you hit Percy?"

"For one, he's housing the asshole Then he called me a lousy son."

"That is completely out of context," Percy interjected.

"What was the context then?" Molly questioned.

"All I said was Dad needs help not to be abandoned and if he thought otherwise he was a lousy son."

Things had already been extremely difficult on Molly. Their father had been a touchy subject for everyone lately. If that was the main reason for the fight, Bill knew they needed to end this as quickly as possible. "Apologize, both of you."

"I have nothing to apologize for," Charlie argued.

"I don't want his apology," Percy said tersely.

Charlie stormed off to the house without another word.

"Everyone else go inside as well," Bill ordered.

Everyone made their move, Ginny, Ron, Percy, and George dispersing to tend to their various injuries.

"Not you, Percy," Bill stopped his little brother. "We need to talk. Look, I know you want to help, but Dad doesn't want it -"

"- That doesn't mean we don't try," Percy interrupted.

"Okay. Let me finish. If he comes home drunk one night in a rage, there is no telling what could happen. Charlie and I have both agreed that he could easily overpower either one of us when he's boozed up. Our father is unpredictable and uncontrollable. You shouldn't have him staying with you."

"Thank you, Bill, but I'll do what I feel is right." With that, Percy led the way to the kitchen where their mother was.

"Are you alright mum?" Bill inquired.

"Yes. I just wish Charlie wouldn't have told them," Molly answered.

"I don't think he meant to. We had both agreed to let you and Dad decide."

"I'm surprised you remembered."

"I forgot about it until Charlie brought it up at Shell Cottage last week. I don't remember a lot of it, only the major parts."

Percy took the opportunity to hear his mum's side of the story while no one else was around. Percy approached the subject gently. "…Mum, what happened? I heard everyone else's views on what happened last week. I'd like to hear yours though."

Molly had known she wasn't done with the past couple months, but she still didn't like thinking about it, let alone talking about it; however, her son had questions and she did not want to leave him in the dark. "Percy, your father has become quite difficult recently. He wouldn't open up about anything. Instead, he turned to drinking. He hasn't been acting like himself at all either."

"Like I said earlier, Percy," Bill cut in, making sure his mum wouldn't have to tell Percy how her husband had been abusing her.

Percy picked up on what Bill meant and focused on the being closed off part. "Dad said he tried talking, but you wouldn't listen."

"His answer to everything was "I don't know": I don't know how I feel, I don't know why I feel this way, I don't know why I'm acting like this. He was just saying that to make me happy. He wasn't really talking."

Just then, a worried Hermione came into the kitchen looking for Bill. "Bill –Oh – Mrs. Weasley, I didn't realize you were in here." The brunette had only wanted to talk with Bill, so as not to upset Molly any more, but it was too late.

"What is it, dear?" Mrs. Weasley asked, concerned.

"Um…I can't find Ginny anywhere."

"What do you mean?" Bill queried.

"She's nowhere in the house," Hermione answered.

A/N: Hope y'all enjoyed. Please keep reviewing. The next chapter will be quite interesting. All the Weasleys will be in the next one.