"Harry?"
The soft voice drew him out of his thoughts. As he lifted his face they could all see the tears in his eyes, even if he refused to let them fall.
"Harry?" came again, and this time he recognized the voice as Neville's.
"Sorry. I got caught up in the story, didn't I?"
He looked steadfastly across the room at Percy. Percy stared at the floor before him, the expression on his face unreadable to any who didn't know him well. Finally Percy lifted his eyes and Harry was shocked to see unshed tears in his eyes too.
"Percy? Do you see it yet Percy? Do you see why I refuse to stay away from your family?" Harry's voice was low, intense. "Do you see why I dread the day that you get your way and your family tells me to stay away from them?"
Harry took a deep breath. "I didn't grow up in a good family. I didn't know the difference then, but I do now. I need a family like yours to remind me that there are better things to look forward to than getting through a day without being punished, better things than making it through without a slapped face, a broken bone, or worse. Getting by and not fighting those who make the rules means putting up with Death Eaters in charge, accepting that I can be killed for not obeying the rules, that I have no protection from anybody doing anything they want to me."
Another deep breath. "And Percy, being around your family keeps me from becoming the Ennel in my story. My Ennel is ruthless to the point of throwing his classmates to the dragon in order to complete his mission. My Ennel is able to hand over a grieving mother and widow to the man who's held her captive for the last decade. I don't want to become that boy. I don't want to lose my reasons for helping others. I don't want to destroy Voldemort for the sake of destroying Voldemort. I want my reasons to be more personal than that."
Standing up, Harry continued, "I think that's all that needs to be said today. Fred, George, Charlie, Ron. You too, Ginny. Let Percy be for a while. He needs to consider this before making any decisions. Dad, if you could lower the wards for us, we're supposed to be shopping today."
Suffering through twin hugs from Hermione and Ginny, Harry stared over their shoulders at Neville. The other Gryffindor seemed to handle the day quite well, and seemed to be more intent on making sure Harry was okay.
As the girls finally released him, Harry turned to Neville for a quick hug. While he had Neville pulled tight, he whispered in his ear, "Remember your own initials, Nev."
Neville Longbottom stiffened in shock as Harry stood up straight and winked at him.
"Let's go shopping!" Harry said as they turned to face the door.