Standard disclaimers apply!

I do not own Harry Potter. I have nothing to do with Scholastic, Warner Bros or Bloomsbury. I'm not JKR and I am certainly not making any profit out of this.

3rd January 1999

Audrey gave a short wave as she came down the street at a smart pace. "You're early," she smiled as she came abreast of him and they walked together to her front door.

"Sorry," Percy blushed, "I didn't want to be late."

"Don't apologise," Audrey glanced up and down the street furtively before pulling out her wand and pointing it at the door. Then she used her muggle keys to let them both in.

Once inside, she flicked on the hall lights and then locked the door securely behind them, again pointing her wand and it and muttering under her breath.

When she noticed Percy watching curiously, she blushed fiercely. "Don't worry," she offered him a weak grin, "I'm just a bit ... uh ... security conscious."

"I think we all are," he said, quite seriously. "I've only recently talked myself out of sleeping with my wand under my pillow."

"So it isn't just me then," she half laughed, sounding relieved. "Anyway, come through. Did you have a nice day?"

"Yes, very good, thank you." Percy followed her into the kitchen and took a seat when she motioned to the small table. "Yourself?"

Audrey set the kettle on the stove and sat opposite him. "It was very nice. Hannah decided to stay for tea; Neville's Great Uncle Algie seems to have taken quite the shine to her." She giggled. "I think Neville might have some trouble tearing her away."

"Oh dear," Percy chuckled. "Poor Hannah." He sobered as a movement caught the corner of his eye and he automatically glanced at a large photograph propped up on the kitchen mantle. "How was your father today? Any change?"

"He's in good spirits," Audrey said with slightly forced brightness. "No clue who any of us are, or where he is, but he was glad of the company."

"Don't lose all hope," he squeezed her hand. "Gilderoy Lockhart is improving slowly, so you never know."

She didn't look entirely convinced as she twisted around the study the photograph, although she knew it by heart. "Sometimes, I don't think I want him to," she admitted quietly. "That sounds awful, doesn't it? But I'm not sure he even knows about Mum."

"No," Percy shook his head as the kettle started to whistle, and he got up to make the tea. "It's a perfectly understandable reaction, especially if he seems to be happy." He carried the pot to the table as the cups and saucers floated along behind. "It's a lot for you to bear though. Do you think, maybe ..." his voice trailed off as he tried to form his thoughts. "Maybe there's a part of him that does know?"

"Hannah thinks so," Audrey admitted. "We don't know what happened, no one does, and we never will unless Dad comes to his senses. Honestly," she dropped her voice, "I wouldn't blame him if he does know, somewhere in his heart, and that's what's keeping him away. Mum was always the stronger one. Anyway!" She shook her head impatiently. "I thought you we were having dinner?" Draining her cup and placing it carefully on the waiting saucer. "What do you feel like?"

"There's an Indian restaurant I'd quite like to try, not far from Diagon Alley, if you don't mind?" Percy said. "Angelina recommended it as having good food and a clean kitchen. How does that sound?"

"It sounds lovely." She flashed him a genuine smile and accepted his hand.

Back again! Yes, this was short.

I've started a course, and its causing severe brain-drain on my part - who knew sitting around in front of a computer and studying could be so damn exhausting - but I've got a couple of days off so I'm hoping to get quite a few chapters up in the next week (you know not to hold your breath, right?). If all goes to plan, I'll have this finished by Christmas at the very latest.