Note: There will be at least one more update, but as my workweek has just begun, it will surely not be as speedy as these three have been. Also, TheGreatAndPowerfulMoz (whose name I am contractually obliged to adore, btw) raised a good point in comments by finding it odd that Audrey's reaction to Arthur would be what it was.

My thinking was that, first, like it or not - Arthur is a direct connection to Percy. They not only share blood but also a whole lifetime of memories. I think to suddenly have that in front of her would be overwhelming, and - however irrational - she would want to be able to touch him, seek comfort and know that she wasn't alone in her concern for Percy. Also, I kind of like the idea that maybe Percy doesn't hate them all so much as he is hurt by them (a concept I've begun exploring in an entirely different fic, because apparently Percy and Arthur are my life).

It was late when they arrived at The Burrow - far past normal calling hours - but Audrey had refused to apparate.

"It's just this fear I have," she said. "One distraction and there's no telling what could go wrong."

But the lights were still on when the arrived by broom, so Arthur led her up the steps and to the door, where he paused. It had been so long since everything was normal that it felt odd to just walk in the door. He raised a hand, but knocking didn't feel right either.

"Mr. Weasley?" Audrey said as he hesitated with one hand in the air, "isn't this your house?"

"Yes," Arthur said. This was silly, he realized. "Yes it is." He turned the door knob and opened the door just a crack. "Would you mind terribly waiting out here for just a moment? I'd like to prepare my wife for all of this."

"Yes, of course," Audrey replied. "I understand."

Arthur slipped sideways through the crack in the door, giving her an apologetic smile as he closed it. When he turned around, Molly's wand was inches from his nose.

"What is your greatest ambition in life?" she asked coldly.

"What?"

"You heard me. Answer the question."

To find my son, put my family back together, defeat Voldemort and live happily ever after...

"To find out how airplanes stay up."

"Mollywobbles," Molly said as she lowered her wand and looked him up and down. "Who's with you?"

"How did you know anyone was with me?" Arthur asked.

"Remus Lupin redid the wards yesterday. They picked up your arrival - and the arrival of an unrecognized companion - three minutes ago."

"Right," Arthur said. For some reason, he found he couldn't stop fidgeting. "Right, well. There's someone that I'd like you to meet." He opened the door and ushered Audrey inside. "Molly, this is Audrey. She's-"

Molly quickly raised a finger and shook her head. Arthur stopped speaking as she gazed at Audrey and looked between the two of them. As she brought the raised hand to her mouth, Arthur registered three emotions playing across her face. The anger and irritation he expected. It was the profound sadness that hadn't been there seconds before that threw him off guard. It quickly was replaced by a glare cold as ice.

"What's this then?" she finally said. "Did you come here to gloat?" Arthur didn't understand. "I've known you since you were 11 years old," Molly continued, "And in all that time, I've never known you to be so cruel."

"Cruel? Molly, what is this-"

"Don't take me for a fool, Arthur, don't you dare!" Molly yelled as she swatted away tears. "You reek of alcohol and her perfume, you're not wearing your wedding ring, and-" her voice cracked for just a moment. "And I've borne seven children - YOUR children - I know a pregnant woman when I see one. Arthur Weasley, how could you!" She turned away, unable to face them.

Pregnant? Arthur gaped at Audrey. Well that just couldn't be true.

"Molly, it's not like that"

"Don't start," she replied, an edge to her voice betraying the wrath behind it.

"Would you just let me explain-"

"THERE'S NOTHING TO EXPLAIN!"

Molly turned to face him, and all the words that had gone unsaid between them overr the past month and years before that exploded in a thunderous display of emotion.

"YOU NEVER LET ME GET A WORD IN!"

"WHY IS IT THAT *I* ALWAYS HAD TO BE THE PARENT AND *YOU* GOT TO BE THE FRIEND?"

"THE RING IS RIGHT HERE IN MY POCKET! NOW IT'S ON MY FINGER! ARE YOU HAPPY?"

"NONE OF THIS MAKES ME HAPPY, ARTHUR, NONE OF IT!"

"It's Percy's" Audrey said from her spot by the door. The Weasleys paid her no mind, continuing a back-and-forth that had been decades in the making.

"IT'S PERCY'S!" she yelled.

They froze. Molly recovered first.

"Percy?" she asked while Arthur stared, slack-jawed. "My Percy?"

"That's can't be," Arthur said.

"I assure you, it can be," she directed at Arthur before turning to Molly. "And Mrs. Weasley, I promise you, I have never met your husband before tonight. It's Percy's." Molly gave a little squeak as she brought one hand to her mouth. Arthur continued to stare.

"I'm sorry," she said, her voice barely a whisper. She coughed once, and when she spoke again it was stronger. "We were at the ministry the night of the attack." Her words quickened. "The Minister was there, and he fell. Then in all the chaos, we got separated, and... I lost him." She couldn't stop the shake that had taken over her body. Her throat constricted as tears stung at her eyes. "I lost him."

"Oh, darling!" Molly exclaimed as she rushed to Audrey's side and gathered her in her arms. "It's not your fault. It's not your fault at all."

Note 2: A short one, I know. Next up, once I figure out how to write it: Just what went down that night at The Ministry of Magic?