Percy's point of view:
I sat heavily in my chair at my desk. What a long, draining day, I thought. I started on my paper work, but was unable to focus. Ms. Black's story really bothered me. The psychologist, Dr. Smith, told us that these women's stories would haunt us. Hearing that and living it was completely different. I couldn't imagine Dad letting Mum being raped by who-know-who and him just watching without doing anything. Then again, Mum and Dad loved each other. Obviously Lucius Malfoy didn't love his ex-wife the way Dad did Mum.
I sat for half an hour trying to keep dark thoughts and images of Narcissa being raped out of my mind. It didn't work. Her screams echoed through my head. I imagined her eyes watching Lucius, questioning him to stop. Her strong eyes will with fear, unable to stop the attacks. Without being able to focus on my work I grabbed my jacket and left. I didn't pay attention to my surroundings, and I eventually found myself at my parent's house, knocking on their dory.
"Percy?" Mum asked as she opened the door.
I opened and closed my mouth, but couldn't find the words to speak. Instead, I launched myself into Mum's arms for comfort; something I hadn't done since I was fifteen with the flu.
"Percy, what's wrong?" Dad asked behind Mum. I realized a few tears were running down my face. I stood and looked at my parents' worried faces.
"One of the women I talked to told me about her being raped by Death Eaters and You-Know-Who. Her husband stood by and didn't do anything to stop it," I said. "It bothered me more than I thought."
"Oh, Percy," Mum whispered with her hands covering her mouth. "Oh, that poor woman."
"Come in, Percy," Dad said, putting his arm around Mum.
"I'll make you tea," Mum said, turning to bustle around the kitchen.
"Dr. Smith warned us about this," I told Dad as I sat in my chair at the kitchen table. "I never thought it would bother me this much."
"That's because we raised you better," Dad said firmly as he sat next to me.
"How will I face her tomorrow?" I asked. "I'm afraid that I'll keep getting these images of her getting hurt again."
"You'll face it because you're helping her get a new life, son," Dad said, putting his hand on top of mine.
Mum put large cups of tea in front of Dad. She turned to get another cup.
"How about we add something stronger?" Dad stood and grabbed the fire whisky from the cupboard above the sink.
"None for me, Arthur," Mum said.
"Just a little," I told him.
He added some to mine and his cup. I took a large drink, feeling the burn down my chest. I didn't drink often, and this was stronger than the beer I usually drank. Dad drained his drink and sighed.
"Would you like to stay for dinner?" Mum asked.
"I may as well," I said. "I wouldn't want to pass up your cooking."
Mum beamed. "That means a lot to me, Percy."
She gave me a large hug before starting to bustle around the kitchen.
"Other than the unpleasant news of their past, how did your day go? Did your meetings go well?" Dad asked.
"They varied. Some were eager to learn, others seemed reluctant," I said. "Narcissa Black seemed the most eager. She also is interested in getting a job at the Ministry. I sent a couple of owls out to see if there was anything. I'm afraid of the stigma she'll face."
"I can see that happening too," Dad agreed. "She may want to do some Muggle work. I know some coworkers that are looking for assistants."
"I can ask her if she's want to go for that," I said.
Mum put some homemade rolls on the table. I quickly grabbed one.
"Thanks, Mum." I took a bite of bread, making Mum smile again.
I quickly ate the roll and took another.
"Did you miss lunch again today, Percy?" Dad asked.
"I seem to always forget," I said honestly.
"I wish you wouldn't," he sighed.
"I know. I know," I said. "I do have to expose the women I'm working with to Muggle restaurants and cooking, so I'll start eating lunch then."
"Why don't we go to lunch tomorrow? We could talk about some of the people I'll be teaching," Dad suggested.
"That would be a good idea," I said. "Maybe you can give me some ideas, Dad."
Dad grinned. "I'd really like that, son."
"Here is some soup," Mum said, setting to large bowls of soup in front of Dad and me.
The door opened, and Ginny walked through the door. She had a broom over her shoulder and Quidditch gear on. Her shirt read Holyhead Harpies.
"I'm starving," she muttered. "Can I have a bowl?"
"Of course," Mum said filling up a large bowl for Ginny. "I made extra for you. I'm glad practice didn't run long."
"I'll need you to rub cream on me again," Ginny said after taking a large bite of bread.
"What happened?" Mum turned with the bowl in her hand and frowned at Ginny.
"Collided with another player." Ginny shrugged. "All a part of the game."
"I don't like it." Mum placed the bowl in front of my younger sister. "Why can't the team Healer look at you?"
"Because this isn't a major injury." Ginny took a large bite of soup. "It's only a large bruise. They taught us how to care for it so it won't become a major one."
"Molly, she's fine," Dad interjected. "She's a smart girl, and she'll listen to her body, right Ginny?"
"I always do." Ginny smiled at Dad, and he winked at her.
Mum pursed her lips as she grabbed her own bowl and sat down next to Dad. We ate in silence. I ate quickly; the soup filled my stomach quickly. When we were finished, Ginny and I did the dishes by hand. Mum had always made us finish them the Muggle way, something that we still kept up even though we were fully trained.
"How's training?" I asked.
"Fine." Ginny didn't take her eyes off the bowl she scrubbed. "Very busy. We have our first game next week."
"Oh?" I asked. I wondered if she'd invite me.
"Yeah." She picked up a towel to dry the bowl.
"Are you nervous?" I asked.
"Very. I haven't played in front of people in ages," she replied.
"Do you need me to get that cream?" I asked.
"No … it's on my back and side. No offense I'd rather have Mum help me with it." A crooked smile crossed her face.
"I miss you," I blurted out.
"I miss you too, Percy," she whispered, pausing as she rotated a dirty bowl in her hands.
"Ginny, look at me," I said quietly.
She looked up at me with her big doe, brown eyes. The same eyes that trusted me when she was twelve.
"I'm sorry," I said. "I'm sorry, Ginny. I was, stupid. I … I only saw what I wanted. I was a stupid eighteen year old. I wanted to go up in the Ministry, and I didn't care how. You should've heard the things they said about Dad …"
"And you should've stood up to them," she cut me off and narrowed her eyes.
"I know," I said firmly. "You have no idea how much I regret that. I'm sorry."
Her eyes softened. "I have missed you, Percy."
"I've missed you too," I whispered.
Ginny surprised me by throwing herself at me. I hugged her back fiercely. Ginny was the one sibling I felt closest too and the only one I felt comfortable hugging. Maybe it was the fact that she was my baby sister.
"Will you come to my match?" she whispered.
"I was hoping you'd ask me that," I told her, smiling. "I'd be glad to."
She smiled up at me. "How about we have a drink before you go?"
"I have work to do …" I didn't dare mention that Dad had put firewhiskey into my tea.
"Oh, come on. Don't be a pompous pain in the …"
"Ginny," I said riley.
"You had a drink with our brothers, why not with me?" She put her hands on her hips.
"Fine, fine." I sighed.
She grinned and pulled out the bottle of firewhiskey and poured some into small cups. She handed me one of the cups. I took it, sipping it slowly while Ginny drainer hers in one drink.
"Where did you learn to drink like that?" I asked.
"Ron, George, and Billy took me out for my first drink when I turned 17." She smirked at me. "So did Charlie last time he was in town. So now I've gotten to drink with all of my …"
Her brows furrowed.
"Ginny …" I put my hand on her arm.
"I forget sometimes," she whispered. "It' hurts."
"It does." I sighed. I took a large drink of firewhiskey.
We stood in silence. She sighed.
"How's work?" Ginny asked.
"Good, busy," I replied.
"What are you working on?" Ginny prompted.
"You really want to hear?" I asked.
"When you're not talking about it all the time." Ginny shrugged her shoulders.
"Dad and I are working on the rehabilitation act," I said.
"He talked about it every night," Ginny whispered. "It drives Mum and I mad the way he goes on."
I laughed. "We talk about it all time, but then again it's good for us to talk."
"He has mentioned working with you a lot," Ginny said. "I think he's really happy that he gets to be around you more."
"I like it too," I said. "Nothing's more important than family."
"This is true." Ginny put her hand on mine. "This is true."
Didn't mean to put this much between Ginny and Percy, but it just happened. Please review.