Audrey had been out with a few friends from the ministry so she arrived home at about midnight, Percy had waited up for her with a hot chocolate and he was reading the daily prophet, regretting sending back his Christmas present which was obviously a Weasley jumper. He had sent it back because he had stopped been a Weasley, chosen not to be one and he didn't deserve his gift. Charlie had written him one very angry letter saying mum was heartbroken, he wrote back to explain but Charlie hadn't had chance to reply yet, he hoped Charlie would still write. He let out a sigh when Audrey burst through the door looking flustered "Percy, Percy I… I…" she looked upset and Percy stood up and started to speak.

"Audrey, what's the matter, is it that Alison again going on about how house elves shouldn't get rights"

"No, no I was called into work to sort out an incident and I couldn't come and find you because I had to ensure the other workers were safe but well" she spoke quickly and then sat down pulling a bewildered Percy into a hug "I will just come out and say it, it's your Dad Perce, he's been attacked by a snake, he's alive but he only just made it" she said slowly, Percy froze his dad attacked, almost dead no, no it can't be, just can't be true "what happened" he spluttered, so Audrey explained and thoughts entered like lightening in Percy's head. Percy didn't even question how Harry knew, he knew deep down that it was no rogue snake, but no it couldn't be, but he was in Slytherin, you know who, but his dad, not his dad, how could he face him again, look him in the eye, at work or if, or if he went home, knowing, knowing that his Father almost died and the last words he had said to him were full of anger and hate. He could only think of his family, his family, would they write, tell him, presume he knew, knew Audrey would tell him, knew who she was, leave him to find out in the prophet, want to see him, never want to see him again, want him there, wish it was him instead, be angry about the present, would they expect him to visit, would they want him to, was sending flowers not good enough, was doing nothing worse. He held on to Audrey for dear life, falling ever faster into a well of confusion and uncertainty.

Percy decided he had to visit , he needed to see his Dad, see for himself he wasn't dead. He thought it sounded pathetic but he wouldn't be able to live with himself if his last words to his father were hateful, just in case, in case there were more, more attacks. He had to do something. He and Audrey had talked it through, it is best to see him alone, he can't risk a fully blown argument in the hospital with them and they won't accept him back, not like that. So Percy left his flat late at night to avoid an extremely awkward meeting. He could visit anytime and it was likely his family were there. So he arranged it with Charlie that he would visit on a night Charlie was left to sit at his Father's bedside after persuading everyone else he wanted to be alone. Percy walked through the hospital with flowers in his trembling hand looking for the 'magical creature encounter of the not so nice kind' ward.

The healer walked him down the ward to the 3rd bed from the end; Charlie was sat there, looking tired and drained. Then Percy saw him, his father, he could see the bite on the neck and he wanted to break down and cry, but he wouldn't let himself. Charlie looked up and stared at him "thought you weren't going to show" he clearly was still angry at Percy for the present, he looked like Bill and his Dad for that matter, Percy had never seen so many disappointed stares in such a short period of time.

Percy sat down next to him and Charlie put his flowers in a pot "He's still in a coma, but he will come around in the next few days" Charlie sighed "they say he can maybe hear us though"

"Hmmm you mind if I could talk to…" Percy muttered.

"Yeah sure I will be outside" Charlie said understandingly and got up to leave.

"Ow and Charlie… thanks for writing to me, really, you don't know how much it means to me" Percy said.

"Anytime" Charlie smiled and walked away.

"So Dad" Percy was unsure were to begin, restricting his voice to a whisper so no one else could hear, even though the other patients were asleep. "I just came to say I'm sorry and I didn't mean what I said, none of it, you know that don't you?" he whispered pleadingly "at least I hope you do, I never meant it, I'm such a git, and I wish I listened I wish I never left, I wish, I wish well…. That you were proud of me, that I wasn't the one that everyone teased, the odd one out, I don't blame you for laughing, I would have too, why do I always follow orders" Percy had no clue where this was coming from "I know I'm a disappointment, I'm not brave or daring or have some great job abroad, I'm boring perfect pathetic pompous Percy the prat, I know what they call me, even my own siblings and I'm not brave like a Gryffindor should be, I guess I thought I wouldn't be compared to everyone all the time if I could be the one who followed in his father's footsteps, not the other head boy or the one who's bad at Quidditch. I'm even compared to Fred and George, well told to be more like them, yes they are told to be like me by mum, but why would they want to be like me, I just want to not be someone's brother, be me" he sighed "I don't blame you all for hating me, well I don't think Charlie does" Percy was having almost all the conversations he had ever wanted to have with his father at once "I know why Fred and George tease me so badly, I know I sound like a Pratt, but I have steered them away from expulsion on several occasions, why don't they like me, why does everyone laugh at me, I always feel like the runt of the litter. I have about 5 friends and Fred and George have a million, I read once that people only pick on others who threaten them, but that's not true, I feel so, so alone. If I didn't have Audrey well… Ow I haven't told you about her, she works at the ministry, we have been going out for a month, and she's moved in, I know a bit soon, but she needed to be closer to work. She's great though Dad you'd love her " He as getting lost in conversations that had only got a reply in his imagination and Charlie would be back soon "I know my pride ruined our relationship, but still I just want to say, that although we have our differences, your my Dad and I love you"

Then he got up and left, after saying his goodbyes to Charlie, who invited him over for a visit after Christmas.

What Percy didn't know is that Arthur heard him, but didn't know if it was a dream, dared to think that it was reality, maybe. Charlie followed Percy's wish not to tell anyone about his visit. He regretted laughing at his proper, uptight son, yes he told him he was proud of him, but Percy was always the one he was least close to, Bill and Charlie were the oldest, Ginny the only girl, Ron always asked his Dad to do things with him and Fred and George would blow up the house if they were left alone. Percy was the biggest mummy's boy, he couldn't help dwelling on the fact that maybe he had neglected him a bit, he was never the hugging sort and he didn't need much help, he never pestered his father either, he was the only one who always listened to him to and did as he asked, the only one he didn't worry about, until recently. How could he think Fred and George don't like him, that they all hate him? Though he never told anyone about any of his regrets regarding Percy, Arthur too was stubborn and he wanted his son back more than anything, but didn't see that his son wanted, needed, him back too.

Authors note: Please review, would love to know you thought on future chapters, thinking of writing about Percy's trip to Romania and Bills attack from Percy view. Thanks for reading =) =) .