Expectations of Approval
Chapter Twelve: A Family Breakfast
July 21, 1993
Every morning Percy would wake up early, in time with his parents. After getting ready and dressed for the day he would go downstairs and help his mother stet up for breakfast, when he was done he would, retrieve the mail and skim through the Daily Prophet before his father came down for breakfast. That day he did the same, but that time around he found an article that would affect his entire life. After he finished reading Oliver's note Percy put it in his pocket and began to read the Prophet with a slight smile on his face. The smile quickly faded.
He could hear his mother's off key humming as she continued to prepare breakfast and his fathers foots steps as he walked down toward the kitchen, they were completely unaware of what had happened and that as he read the Article his fears were realized.
"They were rushed to the nearest hospital were Brightly Fox and Bill Weasley's condition were confirmed. Mishima, Fox, Weasley and along with 2 hospital staff members who unfortunately also contracted the Virus from them, were transferred to the Sakurie Research Center to prevent any more exposure."
He could not believe it, he read it over as his legs gave out. He continued to read on as he heard his mother and father rush towards him, asking if he was alright, or what was wrong. He continued to read, hoping it was a mistake, this couldn't be right. Finally he looked up at them when he did he saw that they had made enough noise to have called his younger siblings down. Fred and Ron looked on with a look of skepticism, George with slight worry and Curiosity, Ginny looked scared, his parents faces, worried.
"It's Bill, he . . . " Percy clutched the Prophet tightly, crushing it. Percy can't remember how it is he managed to have the words leave his mouth but, he remembered that they had sounded so hollow . . . so empty and unreal after they were said. It had been sickening, the look of horror and disbelief on their faces. Percy had feared the small panic that he was sure would have escalated if Dumbledore had not shown up seconds later. Dumbledore, who is a close family friend, and who as of the past years become a great mentor, almost a second father to Percy, confirmed it.
He explained everything Percy had been fearing to tell them, fearing to have it said. That his brother might die in only five more months. He calmed and reassured everyone that there was still hope but Percy knew it wasn't a lot, it has already been two years and little headway has been made. Magical signatures and a wizards magic follow were very irregular and hard to understand even now Healers are still finding new things to learn about it.
Dumbledore had calmed them enough to have them eat promising to somehow let them visit Bill, as everyone ate Dumbledore pulled him away for the others.
"Percy my boy, I know this is dreadful news, to come at such an inopportune time-" Dumbledore started but Percy stopped him.
"Dumbledore, I think I know what I should do" Percy told his mentor as placed his had inside his pocket and crumpled the note he had received from Oliver.
'Oliver . . . '
Dumbledore frowned at the look of determination on Percy's face. It was not the type of determination Percy needed. "The Wizarding community needs young healers, with sharp minds and hearts like yours. But Percy they also needed firm resolve and unwavering determination."
With that Dumbledore returned t the table trying to revive the numb hearts of Percy's family.