Disclaimer: Repetition of this message will somehow further emphasize that I am not, in fact, J.K. Rowling, so, in result, I don't own Harry Potter.

"There is no greater blessing than a family hand that lifts you from a fall; but there is not lower curse than a family hand that strikes you when you're down" -Wes Fessler

"He who establishes his argument by noise and command shows that his reason is weak" -Michel de Montaigne

Draco stepped through the same door he had left. By then, the day was almost over. The sun began to disappear along the distant horizon, creating reds and oranges in the sky. The skyline showed the dark silhouettes of the trees and the large manor before him.

He stepped into the manor, and shut the door behind him quietly.

He crept along the hallways, as catlike as he could manage. He almost made it to his room when-

"And where, exactly, were you?" came a stern voice.

His heart jumped into his throat. He turned on the spot and looked his mother in the eye.

"How'd you know?" he asked, trying to sound cool and composed.

"Oh, surely you haven't forgotten," she explained stiffly, "I have more authority over the house-elves than you do. I noticed Daney was acting strangely, but he refused to tell me why, so I ordered him to. Now, I'll ask again," his mother took a step toward him, "Where were you?"

"Out," he snapped.

"Out where?" her nostrils flaring slightly.

"That's none of your concern," he swept to his door. His fist clenched, too- that bloody house-elf.

"Draco Malfoy, if you don't tell me where you were," she threatened, crossing her arms, "I will tell your father."

He froze and his head snapped his towards his mother, "He doesn't know?"

"He doesn't know, yet."

That wasn't too difficult a decision- tell his mother where he went (even though it seemed like she wouldn't care less) or risk his father knowing, which would surely be the end of him.

"I went to Knockturn Alley," he seethed.

"Why were you there?" his mother prodded.

He gave her an unconcerned shrug, "I was bored and I wanted to get out."

Narcissa's eyes scanned her son. She searched for some sign of deceit, as though it would just be hanging over his head in giant letters. The idea of her son being at Knockturn Alley didn't worry her in the slightest, it was what else he may have been doing- like trying to join the Death Eaters behind her back. That's what scared her senseless.

"Room, now," she snarled.

"That was exactly where I was going," he replied cheekily.

"Don't you mouth-off to me, young man," she reprimanded, but he had already slammed the door behind him.

That house-elf, he swore to himself, would get it.

Well, Avanne finally got her explanation. Her dad came to her room after the meeting to give it to her.

"So, what exactly is this place?" Avanne asked as Hermione left the room.

"Number 12 Grimmauld Place. Sirius's old house- he grew up here. He's… not exactly glad to be back," Remus explained to his daughter.

"Then, why is he here?"

"It has better protection wards than most other places. Ancient house, long-lasting protection spells. He offered to have it used as Headquarters- he probably didn't want to be alone here, anyway," he told her.

"Aren't there other places that could've been used?" she thought out loud.

"We did consider Hogwarts at first," Remus said, "It would've been well-protected, of course, but there was a major problem."

"What?"

"Fudge doesn't want the Order of the Phoenix to re-group. He's been searching for evidence that we've been. Hogwarts would've been the first place he would've gone to."

She gave an exasperated sigh. Stupid minister, he was so adamant on being a stupid, ignorant, blubbering, idiot. Honestly, she almost hoped that Voldemort would get rid of the man- almost. Without realizing it, her hands balled into fists.

Remus sensed her building anger and tried to defuse it.

"Everyone will know, eventually, I'm sure," he offered, "Molly almost has dinner ready, you should probably wash up," he closed the door behind him.

She unclenched her fists and laid her hands out flat, hoping it would help. Even if everyone would eventually know, how would that help her? If anything, she and her family would be even more targeted, because they'd all think that the werewolves would automatically go to Voldemort.

The door opened again, and Ginny poked her head in.

"Dinners ready, are you coming?" she asked the purple-haired girl.

"Yeah," she jumped off the bed and followed Ginny.

She stayed close behind Ginny. She knew that she would immediately become lost again if left alone for too long. At any rate, she had a less-than-wonderful sense of direction.

Arriving into the musty dining room, she took a seat near the man she saw earlier. She could almost feel that electric-blue, glass eye following her.

She poured water into her goblet and pressed it against her lips when-

"And what do you think your doing?" Moody snapped.

She almost dropped the goblet. The water spilled on the table as she gave a startled jump.

"What was that for?" she demanded.

Moody pointed a battered finger at her, "You missy, need to be more careful. Need to keep your wits about you!"

"What?" Avanne asked, confused and annoyed.

"Suppose someone slipped poison into that drink of yours! You just drink casually, like that, and you'd be dead! CONSTANT VIGILANCE!" everyone at the table jumped.

"Moody, for Merlin's sake, enough already!" Tonks spoke up, "I doubt anyone here would want to slip anything into her water."

"But that's what they all think, isn't it?" Moody argued, "And the people outside here aren't exactly trustworthy! Could do anything to you!"

Tonks rubbed her brow with her hand, "Look, you got tricked into spending almost a year in a trunk while some mad-man imposter masqueraded around as you. It's over, let it go."

Moody was about to retort something angrily, when someone behind him spoke up, "Alastor, I'm sure Miss Lupin has nothing to worry about here."

Avanne turned around to see her defender. Her mouth almost dropped open in surprise and awe. The old man was unmistakable, immensely long, silver beard, half-moon spectacles, a unique fashion sense.

As Moody grumbled, Dumbledore took a seat next to her.

"So," said the old man, "Shall we being seeing you at Hogwarts?"

"Uh," she gave a glance to her parents, who were helping out Mrs. Weasley, "I-I'm not really sure."

"And why is that?" Dumbledore asked.

"Well, um," she stuttered timidly, "The whole point of, um, you know, coming here was to avoid… erm, stay safe… wasn't it?" she could've slapped herself for sounding like an idiot in front of the world's greatest wizard.

"I'm sure Hogwarts will be perfectly safe," Dumbledore said kindly.

"Uh, yeah, I'm sure," she agreed, "I'm sure it would."

"What do you think, Persephone, Remus?" Dumbledore addressed to her parents.

"Well," her mum said as she stirred something, "I know I want her to be able to get a proper magical education. And," she handed plates to Remus, "I know I want her to be able to spend more time with people her age."

"Also," Remus said as he placed plates on the table, "If someone like me was able to attend Hogwarts, I would hope that Avanne would be able to get the same opportunity. But, I'm still worried- are you sure she will be safe?" he asked, concerned.

"I'm sure she will be," Dumbledore assured him.

"I can go?" Avanne asked, not believing it.

Her parents looked at each other, as though having a silent debate.

"Yes," her mum said, "I should think so."

"But, Avanne," her dad added, "Do try to stay out of trouble."

She turned her head away as a smile broke her face.

"Good, I will arrange it," Dumbledore said as he, too, smiled, "Now the only issue is the sorting."

"Private, can it be private?" she asked immediately.

"I'm sure I can arrange that, also," Dumbledore chuckled.

There was silence as several people started eating.

Mrs. Weasley kept glancing out to the hall, as though expecting someone.

"Something wrong, Molly?" Mr. Weasley asked his wife.

She gave a small sigh to herself, "It's just… Percy hasn't gotten back yet and- oh, you know he's never late."

Mr. Weasley consoled her, "He's probably just spending more time at work, you know how ambitious he is. Besides, he works closely with the minister and you never know what that man will do. No need to get worked up."

"I am not getting 'worked up,' Arthur!" but the concerned mother still took another wary glance at the doorway before bustling back to work. Her hands shook to the point where she almost dropped the dishes she was working with.

"Ron, Percy's one of your older brothers, right?" Avanne asked Ron several seats down.

Ron made a nearly inaudible "Uh-huh," through a mouthful of potatoes, some of which ended up being spit out by his attempt to talk.

"Unfortunately," either Fred or George muttered.

"Ron!" Hermione reprimanded, slight disgust on her face, "For Merlin's sake, don't talk with you mouth full!"

"What are you, my mother?" Ron shot back.

"Ronald," his mother warned.

"Sorry," he muttered immediately as he slouched back to his plate.

Hermione rolled her eyes and went back to eating her food in her neat way. Avanne snorted under her breath, and the brunette's head shot up, giving her a warning look. She just gave her a knowing smirk, then a cheeky smile before she resumed eating her stew.

The subtle creak of the door sounded through the room and steady footsteps became louder. Soon, in the doorway, was another redhead, wearing horn-rimmed glasses and looking particularly proud and pompous.

"Percy," Mrs. Weasley said, relieved as she went over to embrace her son.

"Hello, mother," Percy smiled, though he evaded his mother, ignoring her hurt frown.

"Well," Percy announced, strutting across the densely packed dining room, "I got a promotion," he puffed his chest out proudly.

"Really?"

"Yes," Percy smiled, "Junior Assistant to the Minister."

His mother gasped, "Oh, Percy."

There was a round of congratulations from the occupants of the room. But for some reason, Mr. Weasley didn't seem the least bit impressed. If anything, he seemed suspicious.

"Son," he told the proud redhead, "You're only a year out of Hogwarts."

"I know," Percy said, his smile faltering and slipping off his face slightly at his father's less-than-enthusiastic reaction, "Isn't that… aren't you… proud?"

"Who, exactly, gave you the job?" Mr. Weasley questioned.

"The Minister of Magic, himself," Percy announced, trying to regain his initial pride.

"Did you, perhaps, think that he may try to be spying on us- through you?" he asked.

"What!" Percy said, shocked and hurt.

"Not to mention the trouble you were just in-" Mr. Weasley was cut off.

"You think that the only reason the- the Minister gave me such an honor was because he wanted to spy on you through me!" Percy shouted.

"Percy-" Mrs. Weasley went to her son.

This time, Percy made an obvious step away from them, "I HAD TO WORK HARD TO BE ABLE TO GET THE POSITION! AND YOU HAVEN'T BEEN MAKING IT MUCH EASIER FOR ME!"

Mr. Weasley stared at his son, "I don't understand," he said.

"You are the reason we all have to live in dirt! You are the reason that I've been practically shunned ever since day one!" Percy shouted at him, "You- you and," he stared at everyone in the room, "all of these people here! You and you're stupid ideas! You're idiosyncrasies to the word of an attention-thirsty teenage boy and that crackpot old fool!" he pointed to Dumbledore accusingly.

Avanne suddenly became aware of the legendary wizard sitting next to her. He didn't so much as twitch. Mr. Weasley, on the other hand, flinched at all of the sentences like they were whips. Mrs. Weasley began to sob.

But at Percy's last sentence, most of the occupants in the room responded in some way. Some stomped out of the room, not wanting to be a part of the family argument. Some, like Ron and Hermione, jumped up at the insult of Harry and Dumbledore. Moody looked about ready to attack the young man. Others looked awkward, feeling that they really shouldn't be there, but not leaving. Mundungus, strangely, looked almost amused.

"You're stupid idiosyncrasies about Muggles!" Percy continued his attacks, "YOU BLOODY THINK THAT VOLDEMORT'S BACK! OF ALL THE STUPID-"

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Mr. Weasley shouted at Percy.

"YOU'RE AN IDIOT!" Percy yelled. His father was shocked into silence. Percy addressed the rest of the room, "YOU'RE ALL IDIOTS, to be following him!" he spat at Dumbledore. He turned back to his parents, "I KNOW WHERE MY LOYALTIES LIE- WITH THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC, NOT WITH ALL OF YOU FOOLISH TRAITORS!" he gave a hateful glanced at everyone, "I'm out of here," he stormed out.

"PERCY!" Mr. Weasley yelled, running after his son.

Mrs. Weasley covered her mouth with her hands, trying to bite back to her sobs, tears running down her face. Several people- including Avanne's mother- went over to comfort the crying mother.

The Weasley children were all either shocked (in Ron's case), angry (in the twin's case), or sad (in Ginny's case). Another one of Ron's older siblings, Bill, his fist tightly clenched, seethed.

The Weasley children, several other Order members, and Avanne went to the front hall to see what was going on.

Percy raced down the stairs, carrying what must have been a hastily packed bag. He flew to the front door, his hand grasped the silver handle tightly. Mr. Weasley grabbed his shoulder forcibly, preventing him from leaving.

"You would just walk out on this family?" he asked angrily.

"I'M NOT PART OF THIS FAMILY!" he yelled in his father's face.

"Percy, please," Dumbledore said, approaching the scene, "Don't do this to the people who love you."

Percy gave a murderous glare at Dumbledore. His eyes flew back to the handle and moved to open it.

"No, you don't, boy!" Moody shoved through the group, grabbed Percy by his collar and shouted, "Obliviate!" as he jabbed his wand toward the angry teenager.

Percy's eyes became unfocused and disoriented. Moody, still supporting the young man, swung the front door open and literally threw him out. He slammed the door shut.

Mrs. Black's screams rang out through the entire residence.

"Alastor!" Mrs. Weasley screamed over Mrs. Black's incessant screeching, "How dare you t-throw my s-son out!" tears streamed down her face.

"He's the one who was leaving!" Moody shouted also, "He'd been very clear on his decision!"

Mr. Weasley pinned Moody to the wall, "What did you do? You put a memory charm on him!" he snarled, his eyes ablaze.

Moody pushed the red-haired man away from him, a growl appearing on his face, "I erased his memory regarding the order! The puppet would have gone blabbing off to Fudge!" he yelled in a scratchy voice, "We'd be lucky if he hasn't already!"

Mr. Weasley would've either yelled back, or taken his wand out and curse the man, but Mrs. Weasley stepped in.

"Stop it, you both, STOP IT!" she cried. She ran to the door and swung it open, "Perc-" she began, but the redheaded boy wasn't there.

Mrs. Weasley closed the door slowly and sank against the wall.

Bill shoved into the midst of people, "You just let him go?" he, too, shouted, "How do you expect to defeat You-Know-Who if you can't even keep this family together?" he stormed out of the room, heading upstairs.

Remus put a hand on his daughter's shoulder, "Go upstairs, I don't want you to see this."

"But-" she protested.

"Please, just go," her dad told her.

She yanked out of her dad's grasp, her temper flaring up just as everyone else's had, "Why shouldn't I be able to see what's going on?" she snapped.

Remus was surprised by her outburst, "I just don't want-"

"You never want me to do anything! You never tell me anything! You just can't understand that I can think for myself!" she stormed out of the room, leaving her dad standing there, among the group of misery.

More family drama than I had planned, but that's how it goes *shrugs* And, about her outbursts, such is how it goes with teens, I guess *shrugs again*

By the way, I know that Percy had left a lot sooner in the book, but I thought that this would be able to tie in nicely. I like the way it turned out, for the most part.

Review, review.