For a moment time simply stops. This is the man I had yelled and screamed at when I found out he was a werewolf. The one I accused of purposely endangering Ron. The last words I spoke to him were "I'm glad you're leaving! You are a danger that should never have been allowed to teach! How dare You!" I had left him to his packing after that, storming off without waiting for an explanation. Now he is here on my doorstep and I am speechless.
"Do you mind if I come in?"
"Uh. No of course not. Come right in"
The question shocks me into action and I quickly usher him into the living room. I see him looking around and I stare around too. I wonder what he's thinking as he sees the empty bottle of vodka, the blanket I been using to keep warm with thrown on the ground, the unfinished dinner sitting on the table. His eyes final rest on Dan who glares out at him from the safety of table.
"You got a dog."
"Yeah"
What is the point of denying it? The dog is right there looking at him. I watch as he crouches to extend his hand for Dan to smell. Dan sniffs it and casually crawls forward enough for Lupen to pet him.
"Do you know why I'm here Percy?"
Of course I didn't. I hadn't seen him in years and I didn't even know how he knew to find me here.
"Your family is very worried about" Well that explains it. Another one of mothers inquires.
"The entire Order is concerned about you" That's hard to believe and I have no reply to it so I simply stare at him as he rises and turns to me.
"You look terrible." Gee, thanks.
"Have you been sleeping?" The answer to that is no, I am haunting my nightmares and I simply can sleep anymore for fear of what I'll see. But I am not about to tell him that so I simply nod and say something about work. The look he gives me tells me he's not buying it. I have never been a very good liar.
"Dumbledor wishes to invite you to stay at the headquarters with the rest of your family. It would be much safer." I cannot help but laugh at this. It's the crying type of laughter. The one that makes you look like a manic. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see him looking at me with a pained expression on his face. He thinks I have lost it.
"What more can they do to me?" I finally manage to get out.
"Besides no one really wants me there. My family hates me."
"They don't hate you. You should have seen them when they realized you been captured. I thought your father was going to collapse from the strain."
"Well he didn't and now they're all fine. Have a grand old time with Harry." I hate how that last part comes out like a whine. A spoiled child that did not get his way.
"I know there's a
lot of misunderstandings between you and your father, but he does
love you. As for Harry, he never knew why you did not like him. But I
think I can see why. You resented how easy everyone seemed to accept
him. They way your brothers instantly liked him."
I don't
say anything. There is no need too. He's right and we both know it.
He picks up Dan with one hand and holds the other one out to me.
"Will you come?"
I close my eyes and for a moment, I can almost pretend this isn't happening. I open my eyes and take his hand.