"Hello, Aunt Muriel. How are you?"
"To be honest Percy I am upset. I just had a talk with your mother."
"Of course you are. Ginny and Ron should not be…"
"I am upset at and with you."
"Me?"
"Yes you, Percy. Why are you refusing to listen?"
"I have listened to the excuses…"
"Excuses! You think that everyone is making excuses?"
"Yes I do. They're clouded by Harry surviving the killing curse and ill conceived notions that Sirius is perfect."
"You are warped! Harry Potter and Sirius Black have done nothing wrong. Sure, Sirius and Ruby should have been more careful, but still as I said Sirius has done nothing wrong by any one."
"He got poor Ruby pregnant and hasn't down anything about it. They say it's shock because Sirius didn't know. I am sure it is more like fear of what Ruby would do to him."
"Are you deaf or stupid? Ruby died. You just wait until Sirius finds proof of the truth. You will have a lot of apologizing to do. I have half a mind to beat your ass for the disrespect you have shown towards your parents, Harry and Sirius. I'm just afraid I'd beat you to death. It blows my mind how you can stand firm on what you think happened when so many people have told you otherwise."
"I'm the only one that can see past the fact that Harry survived the killing curse and the act of being perfect by Sirius."
"No one is perfect Percy! Sirius doesn't claim to be perfect. And you shouldn't either!"
"What is wrong with everyone? Why can't anyone other than me see…?"
"Why are you so determined to believe and convince other's that Harry and Sirius are not good people?"
Percy puffed out his chest and turned to leave the room.
"Where do you think you are going?"
"To put my things away."
"You do that and come right back here. I have a job for you to do while you are here."
Percy stomped off with his things. He found the closest room and put his clothes in the dresser. He sat on the bed and frowned. After several minutes Percy stood up and went back to the entry.
"What took you so long? Oh never mind. You will clean my house from top to bottom. All papers, files and documents you may find will be shown to me to decide it I need them anymore. And when I say 'clean my house from top to bottom', I mean every room, bag up all the trash, dust and put fresh bedding on the beds. You will do this without magic."
"That's not fair!"
"Why should I be fair to you? You weren't…"
"All right fine. When do you want me to start? How early tomorrow morning?"
"You will start cleaning right now."
"I've had a hard day and haven't had anything to eat yet."
"Well then, you shouldn't have thrown your breakfast at Sirius's house elf."
Percy grumbled incoherently as he stomped off to start cleaning. After an hour Percy thought about apparating home to get his owl and a few other things. No one would ever know that he left and came back. Percy stood up, concentrated on his room and turned on the spot. He did not experience what he usually did when apparating, but thought noting of it and concluded that he had finally become used to it. Percy opened his eyes and his jaw dropped open. He was still in the same room at his Aunt Muriel's.
"Percy!" Muriel called out.
"Yes Aunt Muriel." Percy yelled back.
"Come down and have dinner."
Percy ran down the stairs and into the kitchen. He was about to sit on a chair when Muriel cleared he throat.
"And what do you think you are doing?"
"You called me down for dinner."
"You expect me to allow you to eat without washing up first? Go and wash up, quickly now."
Percy stomped away from the table and over to the sink to wash up. Once finished he stomped back over to the table and plopped down in a chair.
"Where are your manners?"
"Huh?"
"You will stop stomping around and will never just plop yourself on or into any of piece of my furniture again. Have I made myself clear enough?"
"Yes Aunt Muriel."
"You will do well to cut out the attitude. Now eat while it's warm. When you are finished eating you will go back to cleaning for an hour then go to bed. I am up early in the morning and I expect you to be up just as early. After you have had breakfast you will immediately resume cleaning where you left off."
"How early should I be up?"
"Good your attitude and tone of voice is much better. I expect you to up by six am at the latest."
"Six in the morning?"
"My house is good sized and I have many rooms that need cleaning. I want all of it down by the end of the holiday. If it is not, I am sure it can be arranged for you to come here on weekends until you have finished cleaning my house."
"I have my N.E.W.T.s this year."
"Then I suggest you eat, clean for an hour, get ready for bed and go to sleep."
"If I could use magic I'd be done already."
"We'll see Percy. If you have shown me that you've earned the privilege of using magic, I might consider letting you. Oh, as you have noticed you cannot apparate in or out of my house. I wouldn't try leaving through the front door if I were you."
"How did you know that I tried to…?"
"I may be old, but I am very wise. Just before you arrived with Arthur, Molly apparated out to the grounds and cast anti-apparition charms. Now, it is late and as I always do before I place the protective wards to ensure that I am safe throughout the night. The down side is that until the wards are removed a horrible sound emits when one tries to leave through the front doors. If there is an emergency with the rest of the family they will be able to inform me through the floo network. I must warn you that the only fireplace set up for coming and going through the floo network is in my bedroom. I suggest you get a move on with eating. Don't forget you still have an hour of cleaning to do before bed."
Percy quickly, but quietly had his dinner. He just wanted the day to be over. He thought that when he woke up it would have only been a bad dream. Why else would his parents not see reason as he did?
To Percy's surprise the hour went by before he knew it. He quickly cleaned up, changed into his nightclothes and went to bed.
Percy woke up at 5am. He tossed and turned for a while before giving up. He got out of bed and looked around. Though the surroundings were somewhat familiar, it was not his room at home or the room at Sirius's.
"It had to be a horrible dream. No way it was real. It must be that it was arranged for me to stay with Aunt Muriel so that a huge fight didn't erupt." Percy whispered to himself.
Percy showered, dressed and made it to the kitchen by 5:50am.
"Oh good Percy, you're up. Eat your breakfast. The sooner you have you breakfast, the sooner you can resume cleaning. If you keep this up you'll be done the end of the holiday."
"What? It…it wasn't…a…horrible dream?"
"No it was not. Your behavior was as horrible as I am sure you remember. I am impressed Percy, you have realized your wrong quickly. A lot quickly than anyone would have thought. Your punishment will still be carried out, but when you feel up to apologizing to everyone I will let you go and do so. You better come back though. I am sure you will, you know that you should finish out your punishment."
"My wrong? Are you kidding? I'm not the one who got someone pregnant and did not do the right thing. I'm not the one messing around a twelve year old girl!"
"You still won't listen. It's unbelievable."
"Everyone keeps saying that Ruby died. Well why hasn't Sirius been searching for the child Ruby had?"
"He just found out! Why can't you get it through your head?"
"You mark my words Ginny will end up pregnant before she's finished school and Harry will have disappeared and never to be seen again! When that happens you all will be wanting to apologize to me for how you've acted towards me and I might consider talking to everyone again." Percy spat in Muriel's face.
"Eat your breakfast and go clean! Percy I've been around a long time. Through my years I have found and discovered ways to make someone do things I want them to do without using the Imperious Cruse. By all means as soon as you can go blabbing about what I have said. No one will believe you. They'll just think that you're making it up or you're stupid for believing it. But believe me Percy it's true, so unless you want to find out, get a move on it."
Percy slowly ate his breakfast. Though he really didn't believe his Aunt, he also didn't want to take the chance that she could do what she said.
"Took you long enough to eat. I'll clean up the breakfast dishes, you get up stairs and pick up cleaning where you left off."
"Percy stood up and left while frowning without another word.
GRIMMUALD PLACEMolly returned and still looked furious. She proceeded to apologize to Harry again.
Arthur returned looking a little ruffled.
"Sorry I'm back so late Molly and everyone."
"It's fine dear. I apologize for not being able to tell you that I placed anti-apparition charms. I went over to Muriel's while you and Percy went to the Burrow. We just missed each other. I apparated outside when I looked back I saw you and Percy standing in the entry, in front of Muriel. I put in place the charms and came back here."
"Ah. I see. Sirius. Harry. Molly and I apologize for Percy's behavior…"
"Mr. Weasley, as I have told Mrs. Weasley you don't have to apologize for Percy. Percy acted of his own accord." Said Harry.
"Percy is of age and is accountable for his own actions and words." Added Sirius.
"Both of you are so kind." Said Molly.
"Sirius, you are taking this with admirable grace." Added Arthur.
"Percy's actions and words do not reflect on you or Molly. I am sure, in time, Percy will come around."
"Thank you Sirius. Well, it's getting late we should go. Bill, Fred, George, Ron and Ginny come on."
"What?" Asked the twins.
"No. Mum I don't want to go." Said Ginny.
"I haven't been here that long. Why do we have to go so soon?" Asked Ron.
"Molly, you all don't have to leave. There is plenty of room. Fred, George and Ron can stay in my mother's old room. Petunia can stay in my brother Regulus's old room, Dudley can bunk with Harry, Ginny and Bill can stay in the rooms they have been saying in. You and Arthur can take the room that was Percy's."
"Well, alright. We'll stay for tonight. Tomorrow we will go. If it's alright with you Sirius, I'll bring Fred, George and Ginny back after Christmas."
"That would be fine Molly."
"Hey, what about me?" Asked Ron.
"As for you, it all depends on your behavior." Replied Molly.
"Sirius, Harry would you both kindly show us to our rooms?" Asked Arthur.
"Sure." Replied Harry and Sirius.
Harry and Sirius showed everyone to where he or she would be staying, except of course for Ginny and Bill.
The following morning after breakfast the Weasley's, Harry and Sirius exchanged their gifts. They had a nice feast for lunch. The adults retired to the living room, the kids were spread out through out the house.
"Harry what's wrong?" Asked Ginny.
"Nothing."
"Harry…"
"I was just thinking that it's almost perfect."
"Almost perfect?"
"My parents and Hermione are not here."
"Oh." Ginny said softly.
"I do have to admit that I'm curious about how a certain someone is faring this holiday."
"Me too. I hope he's okay. Hey, wait a minute, can't Sirius do something about that situation?"
"Yeah, I think he can. I want something down about it, I just…well Sirius is dealing with so much. I want to bring it up, but finding Violet…er…well finding out…"
"I see what you mean. Well, since we don't know what's going with…" Ginny trailed off as she looked around to make sure that no one was around, "Draco, we should focus on Violet. If something comes up with him we can then send word to Sirius."
"I agree."
"I wish I could stay. I better get going or else one of my other brothers might send out a search party for me."
"I don't know about that. If Percy were around, I wouldn't doubt it."
"I'm glad he's not around. I know that sounds horrible, but with how he acted, with what he said…I'm glad he's not around to completely spoil this holiday."
"I know what you mean Ginny. Well, search party on the horizon or not you should get going. Not that I want you to go, because I don't want you to go."
Ginny smiled at Harry before turning around and sprinting down to the living room.
The rest of the day Harry did his best to be cheerful. He was thrilled to have this time with his Aunt, cousin and Sirius but he was also missing Ginny.
"Harry are you feeling alright?" Asked Petunia at dinner.
"I'm fine Aunt Petunia."
"You've been so quiet since the Weasley's left."
Harry smiled weakly and slightly blushed.
"Oh" Petunia said softly as she realized the change in Harry had to do with Ginny Weasley.
That night Harry stayed in the room that Ginny had been in while she stayed there. Harry though that by being in the room it would feel as though Ginny was still there in the house. He was really hoping that this would help but realized that if it worded the following morning would be worse. Though he realized this he could not get up and go to his room.
For several hours Harry laid in the bed on his side, wide a wake. He could hear someone walking down the stairs so he closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep. A few minutes later he heard a soft knock on the doorframe.
"Harry. I know you are not asleep. I would like a word with you." Said Sirius softly.
Harry rolled over and got up off the bed. He followed Sirius down the stairs and into the living room. Harry walked over to the couch and took a seat.
"So, what did you want to talk to me about?" Asked Harry.
"I just wondered how you've been. You have been through quite a bit and have had several surprises after another. I can see that you are have a difficult time when it comes to Ginny Weasley and your feelings for her. I know you love her, I see it in your eyes, the way you look at her and how you act when she's around. I want you to know that I am here for you and that you can talk to me about anything."
"You've got a lot on your mind Sirius. I don't want to add to anything that you already have to deal with, I mean with trying to fix a huge wrong with an inheritance for Arthur, the situation with Narcissa and Draco and now finding out about Violet. Where she is? What does she know? How is she in general? And is she interested in getting to know you?"
"You have a point. I have given it some thought. As far as the inheritance for Arthur I will be taking care of that after Christmas. The Narcissa and Draco situation, I'm working on it, but I do plan to do something in the mean time but once every one is back at school. And well, as far Violet is concerned…I am not sure where to begin…"
"Well you and Ruby were at your place. So any idea as to where she would go? It couldn't have been peaceful and one wouldn't have been able to experience a sense of safety or security. I am sure that things were pretty scary and insane over there while you took off to find Wormtail. I bet Ruby was a bit scared, being alone and all."
"She would have gone to her cousin's house. If things weren't good there she would have gone to here best friends house. I just can't remember the name of the friend. I'm not entirely sure I'd be able to find Ruby's friend's house. Now, you have side tracked me long enough. Although you do now know that I have been thinking about what to do about everything. So do you want to talk about Ginny?"
"It's so hard to remind myself that she's only twelve. I know she is, but at times I have trouble remembering. Very few people would understand. Though you know that I am repeating my younger years, I am not sure if you even understand. It's more than just simply loving Ginny, I'm in love with her. I realized this just before the potions explosion. Ron has been a pain, the twins have conditions, Ginny's parents seem clueless and Percy's an asshole…"
"I know that all those that don't know about you going back in time will be thinking that you're too young to have such deep, strong and powerful emotions and feelings. But knowing what you've been through, it makes sense and I do understand a little. You have all these memories, plans, feelings and emotions from before and it's all mixed with what every thirteen year old goes through as well as all the new and extra stuff you're going through. I really wish that I could help you more than making a suggestion or two."
"I'd like to hear the suggestion or two."
"Try meditating, talk to Arthur and Molly about dating Ginny at some point, try not to spend a lot of time alone with Ginny. At school spend time walking around the grounds, you'll be alone in a sense but there will also be quiet a few others around. And let Ginny know how you feel. Start by explaining how it was before things went wrong with the two of you and that your feelings for her from then are as strong as ever now. I am sure that Ginny can handle it and won't run off. At least think about what I have said. I think the suggestion or two ended up to be quite a bit more. But now, you have two choices: One, you can stay up and help get ready for Christmas or two, you can go back to bed and get some sleep so you don't pass out at dinner."
Harry smiled and went back up the stairs to hopefully get some sleep. He did not want to pass out at dinner.
'It would be horrible if I face planted in my plate of food. It would be so embarrassing if that happened in front of Sirius, my Aunt and my cousin. Oh, and what would Kreacher think? I hope I can get some sleep.' Harry muttered to himself.
Harry started to go back into the room that had been Ginny's but decided to go back to his room at last minute.
"Master Harry. The feast is ready. Shall Kreacher tell everyone to go on without you?'
"Huh? What? They're not waiting for me, are they?" Said a sleepy Harry.
"For now they are. If you would rather they eat without you, Kreacher will let them know and they will eat without you."
"No, I'm getting up. I just hoped that I'd be able to get a little more sleep before eating. It's okay though. I can't have had much sleep."
"Are you feeling alright Master Harry?'
"Yeah just a little tired is all. Why you ask Kreacher?"
"You've been a sleep for several hours, sir. Kreacher wonder if Master Harry is ill."
Harry sat up, straightened his glasses and looked at the clock. It had been about twelve hours since he went back to bed.
"Really, I'm not ill. I'm fine Kreacher. I couldn't sleep last night and Sirius and I talked for a while."
Kreacher started to say something but stopped and started to leave.
"Kreacher what were you going to say?"
"It doesn't matter sir. Kreacher almost spoke out of line."
"It matters to me Kreacher. It's okay, you can tell. I promise you that you won't be in trouble nor will you be punished."
"While you were sleeping you were tossing and turning and you kept mumbling and moaning and groaning. Kreacher was worried but Kreacher leave you be. Kreacher knew you needed sleep. Should Kreacher have woken Master Harry?"
"It's okay that you didn't. Next time feel free to wake me. No matter if I need the sleep or not. So you couldn't understand what I was mumbling?"
"No sir, too soft but definitely mumbling."
"Thank you Kreacher. Tell everyone that I'll be down in a minute and that they can start eating without me."
"Very well Master Harry."
Kreacher left Harry and went back down to the kitchen to let everyone know what Harry had said.
Harry sat up on his bed and tried to remember what he had been dreaming about. He couldn't remember anything. He couldn't thing of what might have had him mumbling, moaning and groaning in his sleep. He got up off the bed, grabbed a change of clothes and walked down the hall to the bathroom to quickly wash up for dinner.
After eating, Harry walked into the living room. Harry Sirius, Petunia and Dudley exchanged gifts. Harry received from Petunia an elegant gold chain with an Emerald pendant that had been his mothers when she was a child, from Dudley a box of chocolate and from Sirius a Firebolt. Harry was so exhausted that he was unable to give the appropriate reaction. Before he could muster a thought to explain this Sirius cleared his throat.
"KRECHER!" Sirius called out.
crack
"Yes master."
"I have a gift for you."
Kreacher's eyes opened as wide as they could go. He had never been given a gift before.
"Yes Master."
"I would like to pay you for all the work you do around here, I was thinking a Sickle a week. You rightfully deserve it and…"
"No paying. Kreacher not wanting paying, Kreacher honored to work. No paying."
"Okay, no paying. You will take one day off a week. This day, of your choosing, will be a day that you do what you want. You can stay in your room or whatever you want to do. You can even tell anyone 'no' but only on your day off."
"B-but…"
"If you want to continue to cook, clean and tend to us and guests, you can. I insist you pick a day of the week that is your day off to do what you want to do."
"If Kreacher chooses a day of the week to be Kreacher's day off, Kreacher can still work?"
"Only if that is what you want to do on your day off. So you think about it and let me know what day of the week you want."
Kreacher nodded and slowly backed out of the room.
"Sirius you should have waited for Hermione to be here when you did that."
"And why is that Harry?"
"She would be so pleased."
"Well, house elves and all other creature's should have rights. Whether it is wages or days off to do as they please. I have to say that I am looking forward to Kreacher's first day off. I can't wait to see the reaction on someone's face when Kreacher tells them 'no', personally I hope it's Percy. It would at least be the best laugh."
"That would be funny." Harry said smiling and laughing.
"Harry are you sure you're feeling alright? You look horrible. No offense. You didn't sleep well last night, did you?" Said Dudley.
"No offense taken Dudley. Can't say that I did sleep well. I don't remember what I dreamt, I feel so worn out. I feel worse than I did earlier."
"Why is it so important to remember what you had been dreaming about." Asked Petunia.
"Kreacher said that I was tossing and turning, mumbling, moaning and groaning in my sleep. I just wish I could remember."
"You do look like you're worn out. Maybe you should try and get some restful sleep." Said Sirius.
"No, it's okay. It's Christmas and I want to spend it with you three. Really I'm fine."
"Harry it's alright. You really should get some restful sleep. I know it's our first Christmas together, but I'm more concerned about your well being. Dudley and I won't mind."
"Are you sure you won't mind?"
"We are sure that we don't mind Harry. This will give your Aunt, cousin and I to get to know each other."
"Okay." Harry said softly as he stood up and headed for the stairs.
As Harry got comfortable he thought that once he woke up he would be able to give proper reactions to the gifts he'd received.
After a while Dudley excused himself and headed to the stairs to go up to bed so that his mum and Sirius could talk freely. Dudley changed in the room he was sharing with Harry. Once changed in his nightclothes he folded the cot and awkwardly carried it to the room his mum was staying in. He quietly went back to Harry's room to get his bedding and returned to his mum's room. Dudley quickly set up the cot and crawled in bed. He felt that he was doing the right thing by not sleeping in Harry's room. Dudley knew that Harry would have a better chance as getting the sleep needed without someone else in the room potentially disrupting Harry's sleep.
When the living room was empty of Harry and Dudley, Petunia looked everywhere in the room except at Sirius.
"Petunia…"
"I'm really sorry about how I treated Harry when he was little and through the years up to when he took off. I…"
"You are trying to make up for all of that. We know that you tried to make things better when you could. You were scared of your husband. I'm not saying that you're completely forgiven or off the hook. You know why I haven't, so I don't have to tell you why. As you know I am willing to give you a second chance for Harry's sake as least."
"I appreciate the second chance. I assure you that I will not make the same mistakes."
"So how are things over in Little Whinging?"
"I am not quite sure what to do. I've been thinking about remodeling the house or moving."
"How about the financial situation?"
"Fine. Just fine. I found out that Vernon had two secret accounts and both are nicely large. It would seem that Vernon was planning on sending Harry to a boarding school in California. I can't remember the name of the school but Harry would have spent the whole time there, never to be at the house in Little Whinging. Despite the fact that it would have better for Harry, he wouldn't have gone through as much abuse but I am glad that Vernon had not gone through with those plans. Harry running off to the Weasley's is far better than anything else he now knows how it feels when those around him love him. Since finding out about theses accounts I have thought about it and want to set up accounts, or whatever it's called, at Gringotts for Dudley, Harry and myself. I know that my sister and James left money for Harry, but I want to contribute too…"
"You don't have to do that. Harry is set for life financially."
"I know I don't have to, I want to."
"Well, tomorrow I plan on going to Gringotts with Arthur and Molly to straighten out and error. You should come along and I'll help you acquire a vault for you and Dudley, instead of setting up another vault for Harry, we can just have the amount you want to give to Harry transferred to the one his parents left for him. We'll need to stop by the Muggle bank first, right?"
"Yes, of course. I would not feel comfortable carrying around that much money alone."
"We'll do that in the morning and meet Arthur and Molly at Gringotts later."
"Sound good to m…ahhh."
"Sorry. I didn't mean to scare anyone. I didn't want to make that many trips through the floo network. Apparating these three was easier and quicker. They harassed our parents about returning here tonight until our parents gave in. Ron's upset that he has to wait until tomorrow." Bill explained.
Ginny and the twins smiled sheepishly.
Sirius quietly chuckled while smiling and shaking his head.
"It's alright. Fred, George and Ginny I am sure you three remember what rooms you had."
All three nodded and left the living room to climb the stairs to their rooms.
Ginny looked in Harry's room and watched him for a while before walking across the hall to go to bed. Just as she reached the doorway to her room she heard Harry mumbling. She turned around and walked back to Harry's room. She could see was tossing and turning nearly to the point of thrashing around on his bed. She really didn't want to call for Sirius and have everyone worrying about Harry so she walked into the room and over to his bed.
Now that Ginny was close enough she could see a pained look on Harry's face. Through the mumbling, moaning and groaning she managed to catch 'mum', 'dad' and 'no'.
"Harry. Harry it's okay. Harry wake up." Ginny said softly as she slowly reached out to touch his arm.
Harry sat up panting, his heart pounding and beating fast as tears ran down his face. He brought his knees up and rested his head against them with his arms wrapped around his legs. As he cried his whole body shook.
Ginny sat down on the bed and gently rubbed Harry's arm.
"Harry, it's okay. What ever it is, it's okay. If you want to talk about it I'm here and I'll listen. I want to help but I don't know how or what to do."
"Ginny?" Harry choked out as he looked around but could only see a big blur.
"Yes. I'm really here. Fred and George are here too. Is there anything I can do help?"
"You're here and that's enough." Harry said hoarsely as he reached for Ginny.
"Scoot over, I'll stay with you for a while."
"I'd rather you stay for more than a while." Harry said as he scooted over.
Ginny moved so she was sitting next to Harry. She put her arm around him and gently pulled him closer.
Harry didn't fight it when he felt Ginny put her arm around him and pull him closer to her. He rested his head on Ginny's shoulder for a while.
"I'm glad you're here. You're really here."
"What on earth were you dreaming about?"
"At first it wasn't so bad. It was perfect, it was Christmas, my parents were alive and here as well as my Aunt, cousin, Sirius, you, your parents, Fred, George, Ron and Hermione too."
"What happened?"
"It was horrible. As everyone…there was a hideous laugh. My parents were gone first and then you and then everyone else one by one. I'm not talking about just disappearing. It was really gruesome…everyone was murdered right in front of me…I…I just want to forget. It wasn't real and you're here."
"And I'm not going any where anytime soon. I promise I won't leave even if you go back to sleep. I will stay right here. You'll see me right next to you when you open your eyes."
Harry sighed and stretched out on his back, Ginny curled up next to him with her head on Harry's chest. Harry wrapped his arm around her, holding her to him.
