Chapter Three

Auror Henry Wells found it surprising to see that someone had already gotten to the dark wizard Alec Lestrange, and had done most of the work for him. He was more surprised when he was greeted by a tuft of red hair and a splatter of freckles.

A child had somehow managed to do what the Aurors have been trying to do for weeks now – capture the dangerous Alec Lestrange.

He'd returned to the Aurors' office after allowing his superiors to take the Alec Lestrange matter into his own hands. By the point they'd managed to find an antidote for the potion, Alec Lestrange was already blue-in-the-face and close to unconsciousness. His wand and his potions were nowhere to be found, and Henry Wells had suspected that the young redhead robbed him of those things.

That afternoon when he went to nip a bit of lunch, he couldn't help but notice things were odd today.

His colleague, Kendra Walker, had been off for a spot of tea with her new boyfriend in the lunch hour. The paper-pushers seemed to be drowning in so much paperwork that they were nowhere to be seen. Jacob Blackwell was not complaining about The Quibbler just as he did every bloody lunch hour... and then that was when Henry Wells caught sight of Arthur Weasley. Usually, that man would be chatting all about the latest muggle gadget and how he believed it worked or he'd be expressing his joy over one of his sons' accomplishments. Oh, from what he knew; the new one was a girl named Ginevra.

"Cheer up, Arthur," Henry Wells announced, as he moved over to the man.

Arthur didn't seem to be 'cheering up'.

"I'm not in the mood today for chatter today, Henry," the redheaded man sighed, "I would rather just sit here and enjoy my lunch in peace."

"Enjoy your lunch in peace?" Henry repeated his colleague's words, noticing the condition of Arthur Weasley's plate, "But you've barely eaten!"

Arthur had put his fork away, almost as if admitting defeat. This was very odd, as the ginger male was one of the happiest creatures that Henry Wells had ever met. He practically brightened up the lunch hours just by his beaming smiles, and ludicrous stories about muggle toast-erz.

"Oh, this ought to cheer you up – something happened this morning that you wouldn't believe!" Henry called out ardently.

That morning, he rose up with nearly no motivation, but now, was buzzing with excitement. After all, this morning's happening was something that he had never seen before, but had convinced him of things that were far beyond his understanding. He still did not believe what his eyes had witnessed.

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Henry, not today. I've gotten quite a bit on my plate. One of my sons, Percy, he's just disappeared last night. A boy of no more than ten without an adequate sum of money, no shelter or direction. My wife's just about barely keeping herself together, and I'm in a bit of a mess myself."

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Arthur, I..." he paused.

Henry shook his head before he realised—he felt himself grow with stupidity. How could he not see this before? That boy that attacked Lestrange in an area in very close proximity to the Weasley household – a young, freckled redhead.

"Arthur, after lunch," Henry declared, still digesting his own conclusion, "May I see a picture of Percival?"

"Yes, I suppose," Arthur said, raising an eyebrow towards his friend. "It might be good if you see him during your rounds around England. Perhaps, you'd catch sight of him."

And so, after lunch, Henry Wells was offered a photo of Percival Ignatius Weasley.

There that boy was, in the picture, with a rather reserved and quiet smile. That was the same boy that was out on the fields today, apprehensive and nervy as he ran away from Auror. This explained everything. This explained why a child that should be basking in the outmost glory decided to disappear as if he'd committed Lestrange's crimes. Henry's heart was thumping in his chest. Adrenaline coursed through his veins. This...

"Arthur, I-I...I..."

"Speak up, Henry," Arthur announced smoothly. "Don't be so daft."

Henry shook his head. "You're aware that the Aurors have been scratching every surface in bloody England to try and find Alec Lestrange after his escape from Azkaban?" a nod from Arthur allowed Henry to carry on telling the story, "Well, this morning, we were able to track down Lestrange to the woods just a few miles away from the Lovegoods' household. He was already tied very well. There was a girl, of course, as you know what Alec Lestrange does to them. Penelope Clearwater... Ayden's daughter."

Arthur slowly nodded his head. "Yes, I'm aware but what does have to do with—?"

Henry cut Arthur off, "I saw your son at the fields this morning."

"Percy? You saw Percy?" Arthur looked elated for a few moments, before horror dawned on his face that he had probably encountered the known dark wizard Alec Lestrange. "Is he alright? Has he been harmed?"

Henry shook his head. "He'd run off right before I could even catch a good look at him. But it's him."

Arthur shook his head, "I'll have someone sent for him."

"I'll send one of the Aurors to look for him," Henry insisted before adding on, "Arthur, if I'm not mistaken, your ten-year-old untrained son managed to do more work in a few minutes than the Aurors have been able to do for months on end. He's made a joke out of the task force!"

Arthur suddenly realised what Henry was implying. "Henry, Percy couldn't have! He's a ten year old child for Merlin's sake. A defenceless ten-year-old child. How could he disarm Alec Lestrange if he has no wand?"

The redhead then added on, "Send someone to go check this for me. I'll join you when my shift is done. I must find my child. I'm not going home tonight without him. My wife would be absolutely devastated, you see, and the longer he is out there, the more the chances of him are of being harmed!"

Henry sighed in exasperation. "You mustn't doubt your own child's abilities."

"Henry, as much as I enjoy your company, I know what my children are capable of," Arthur stated in a rather stern and concise manner. He sounded oddly defensive and colder than usual, "And my ten-year-old child couldn't have harmed a hair on Alec Lestrange's head."

"Lestrange's things have gone," Henry pointed out as he remembered. "Percival must've taken them."

Arthur looked frustrated, "You think my child managed to harm Lestrange and steal from him?"

"Yes," Henry stated. "I think that's exactly what has happened."

"Don't be daft," Arthur repeated that statement once more before expressing his thoughts, "I trust that all my children are special in their own ways. Percy's rather eccentric and intelligent, but that doesn't mean he's able to harm Alec Lestrange. You've never met the boy. A few years back, he wouldn't sleep in his own bed, terrified of something slipping in his bed. Do you think that boy could've harmed anything?"

"Arthur, we were fighting a war!" Henry interjected. "You mustn't underestimate Percival's abilities."

"I am not," Arthur announced. "I'm being sensible. Why are you so insistent on this?"

Henry then added on, "I've changed since the war – since I found out that an infant had defeated the Dark Lord... your son might not be the Boy Who Lived, but that does not mean he isn't capable of things beyond our understanding or control."

Arthur didn't say anything to that for a while. "I'll search for him tonight. You're welcome to help."

Henry nodded his head before leaving Arthur's office.

Two theories were speculating themselves in Henry's mind. Either Arthur was right about Percy Weasley possibly having been caught in a very strange situation where it might have appeared he had attacked a very dangerous wizard with no training at all or Henry was right about Arthur doubting his child's abilities.

Whatever the case, he will get his answers at some point or another. He just knew he will.

PENELOPE found herself gently waking up the redhead from what seemed to be in deep slumber.

She herself had taken a few hours' nap, but Percy had been asleep for the odd ten or so hours and didn't seem to be stirring. She gingerly tapped against his body to wake him up. In a few hours, the sun would set and she wouldn't feel safe on her own in the dark, damp woods.

Percy's cheeks were a rosier colour than before. She had nearly forgotten how she found out his name. They'd been running when the Auror Henry Wells had called out her name – Penelope Clearwater, and that was when she had asked him what his name was just in case they'd diverged paths.

When Percy had been stretching himself from his long sleep, his stomach grumbled. A red hue found its way to his freckled cheeks, almost as if there was a shame in his hunger.

Percy picked up his bag for inspection. He pulled out a long tube of gingersnaps, and offered one to her.

Penelope sat and ate gingersnaps with Percy. She ashamedly ate most of it despite the fact that he obviously was fairly hungry. His stomach was making noises after all. She found herself laughing when a small but dim-witted thought came to her mind.

Percy raised an eyebrow, "What is it?"

She just shook her head before stating, "You're a ginger... eating ginger snaps."

Percy's cheeks were coloured in again. It was then that Penelope had decided that she found Percy rather adorable with his flustered cheeks, thin lips and bright red hair.

"How old are you, Percy?" it was the first time that she used his name. It rolled off her tongue easily.

Percy stared down at the ground for a few seconds. "I'm to turn eleven in a few days."

"Eleven?" Penelope was rather surprised. He was incredibly tall for an eleven-year-old, but then again, she was incredibly chubby for her eleven years. "I'm also eleven."

Percy raised an eyebrow in suspicion, but he seemed to accept it after a few minutes of deliberation.

He stood up to walk down the trail again, and she followed him down to the path of somewhere.

Penelope had been thinking far too much about what happened within the last day. This boy had saved her life, and he was no older than she. Percy looked rather determined and had the brooding look of a parent. He was incredibly mature for his age. Many a times she had been told that boys matured slower than girls, but that didn't seem true for him. He seemed intellectual enough to be able to have a few spells memorised that when the chance was present, he was able to save her life.

"Where are we going?" Penelope had asked this question before, and Percy had refused to answer it.

He still hadn't answered it.

They went down the same path that he wanted them to follow.

"Where are we going?" Penelope found herself repeating the question a few times as they passed through several streams, tried not to irritate a hive full of glumbumbles, run into anymore Whomping Willows or encourage any doxies to start wrecking havoc. She walked with him until her feet was absolutely smashed. She stared at the trees as they walked. They seemed to get shorter and thicker on their route. She found herself tired of dirt, mud and leaves. She would like to be in her father's arms at the moment.

Ayden Clearwater had to be wondering about where his daughter was at.

When they rested, he'd offered her more food. This time, she'd been given a sandwich wrapped in foil.

Penelope had noticed the lack of colour in his cheeks. He'd barely eaten today, and yet, he wouldn't eat anymore despite his stomach making sounds. He kept on feeding her for some reason she didn't understand.

"Shouldn't you—" Penelope was going to tell him to eat something, but she'd been cut off by him.

Percy walked close to a tree. "Can you climb?"

She closed her mouth, and simply nodded.

They climbed up a large tree and sat across the thick branches. The tree they'd climbed had been sturdy. It was tall enough that getting up felt like a hassle. Penelope felt filthy and she didn't see a stream miles from now. She was exceedingly thirsty as well, but she tried to keep that thought to herself.

"Why won't you tell me where we're going?" Penelope's patience had been wearing thin.

Percy looked down at his feet. "I'm not obliged to tell you anything."

"Why are you so difficult?" Penelope knew that this wasn't fair. Percy had done so much for her. He'd fed her and seemed to keep her safe, but the curiosity was getting too much for her. She didn't like uncertainty.

He looked away from her. "Why do you insist on following me?"

"Because I have this small thought that perhaps, my father is going to find us," Penelope had noticed how uncomfortable Percy was at the mention of her father, "Why do you hate Aurors so much?"

"I never said I did," Percy plainly stated.

Penelope allowed herself to look at the sky. It was dark, but there were small twinkles from the scattered stars. "Are you going to tell me where you're taking us tomorrow?"

"No," Percy stated dryly.

Penelope also noticed that he was quiet and distant. She was not sure if this was because he did not enjoy her company or because was thinking too much about something else. "I—"

"Go to bed, Penny," his statement was an order. His voice was full of authority.

Penelope found herself in her thoughts again, trying to understand the reserved redhead that didn't eat much and didn't seem to want to talk either. What was he thinking about that was taking up so much of his thoughts? Did he not like her?

"I think you're too used to giving orders to people younger than you..." Penelope paused, "Do you have any younger siblings?"

Percy then stated in an unhappy and cold manner, "I don't have a family."

Penelope wanted to ask him what he meant by that, but she felt like it was a sore spot. She could hear the sadness in his voice, the emptiness. He was very sad for an eleven-year-old boy that was supposed to be full of hope, love and all those colourful things. Did his family not take care of him enough?

She fell asleep on that big tree branch. Penelope was surrounded by the smell of wet leaves and grimy shoes.

WAKING Penelope from a fitful slumber was shouting.

It was rather alarming at first before she made out the sounds of a man that had been calling "Percy!" in a rather loud and austere manner.

Penelope's eyes encircled around the area. Three redheads that had Percy's light eyes and freckled hair seemed to be scouting the area with expression of concern, horror and exhaustion. She'd glanced back to Percy, whom was rather awake and silent. He did not react to the man calling his name.

"Percy!" one of the redheads bellowed out urgently. "Percy!"

Was this...was this his family? It surely seemed like it. Were his family looking for where Percy had disappeared off to? Then why was he sitting there, silently? Offering her a cold look that told her that he wanted her to stay as silent as possible to reduce their risk of being found?

Penelope wanted to see her father and be taken home. Perhaps, this could be her chance.

"PERCY!" what looked like Percy's brother chimed out in frustration. "Where are you?!"

Their cries were louder now that they were closer. Penelope was able to see that one of the men, she'd assumed was a father, was portly actually. The other two boys were built with sturdy and strong frames. One of them had an earring and long hair. Penelope thought he looked ridiculous.

"I've gone and looked east," the frustrated long-haired redhead expressed before adding on, "Charlie went west. Henry's gone south. You've taken up north I suppose – but we haven't actually found him yet. I'm not sure how far deeper he's gone off or if we've missed him already."

The portly man shook his head. "Bill, do you know what your mum will do if we go home without him?"

The long-haired redhead – Bill – shuddered and nodded his head. "I know. I know...Charlie and I are thinking of setting up camp here and trying to look for him come morn. It'll calm Mum down to know that we aren't coming back home without him."

Bill seemed annoyed at the moment. "I just don't bloody understand why a bloody ten-year-old would run away from his house! When I find him, I'm going to make him wish he'd never been—"

"William!" the portly man exclaimed. "That's enough now. You've woken all of Ottery St Catchpole."

Penelope watched Percy flinch, but his eyes seemed dark and still.

A stream of thoughts attacked her in that instant. He ran away from the Aurors because he was a runaway. He did not tell her about their path probably because he didn't know a thing about their path. He was cold and distant because he'd probably been thinking far too much about his own family. Somehow, this realisation made Penelope want to scream out and let Percy be dragged back home, yet she couldn't betray his trust after he'd saved her life. Instead, she watched the redheads go back to their search. They seemed like nice people. They were caring enough to set up camp to look for Percy. They did not seem to be cold or daunting. To her, it appeared as if Percy had run away from a sweet family, minus the long-haired one – Bill's – threat, which Penelope was sure was an empty one from how Percy's face had contorted.

The redheads seemed to disappear for now. Perhaps, to return back home to equip themselves for the camp.

Penelope attempted to digest what happened in the past few minutes, not sure of what to say that wouldn't either offend Percy, or be fruitless to her. "They seem like nice people," was the first statement she made.

"They are," Percy confirmed in a matter-of-fact voice.

Penelope then chose to tread on that subject again with another statement, "They seem invested in finding you and taking you back home."

"They are," Percy repeated in that same matter-of-fact tone.

"Do you miss them?" was the question that left her lips before she'd had a chance to process that she was going to say it. Her cheeks were coloured into a soft hue.

Percy slowly nodded his head. "Yes."

Penelope allowed herself to taste that thought before she inquired, "Are you going to go back to your home?"

There seemed to be a pause that lasted an eternity before she heard Percy say, "No."

"Why?" Penelope peered, knowing that her curiosity might kill an Animagus.

Percy didn't say anything, and not knowing was driving Penelope bonkers. Somehow, one plus one did not equal two. He missed his family. He admitted that they cared about him, so why didn't he go back home? They could get hurt out here with the Whomping Willows, the beasts, the unanticipated weather changes...

"WHY?!" Penelope repeated ferociously.

Percy simply curled close to the tree. In reality, Percy was not obliged to answer her questions, and she was not obliged to follow him down on his path... yet here they were.

"Goodnight, Penny," he stated as she turned to try and slip back into slumber.