Chapter 14 Percy
When Professors Remus and Tonks, and Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione Apparated to the Burrow at the start of the Christmas holidays, Mrs. Weasley came bursting out the door greeting all with huge hugs. “You will never guess who is here!” she proclaimed.
Since everyone was eager to get inside as it was bitterly cold, no one asked her who. Ron was the first to get to the door and just as he stepped through he came to a sudden stop causing a pile up behind him. Hermione pushed Ron in his back clearing the door. When she crossed the entrance, she stopped dead in her tracks causing another pile up. Ginny pushed her through the door and Harry expecting another stoppage, hung back. When Ginny stopped Harry looked over her shoulder and was shocked just like the rest. Finally, Remus pushed Ginny and Harry through allowing Tonks, Mrs. Weasley, and himself to enter the warm parlor.
Sitting on the sofa was Percy, apparently not paying attention to what was going on at the door. Mrs. Weasley called, “Percy, look who is here.” Percy finally glanced over to the door and slowly rose from the sofa. He looked at Ron and nodded. Ron was slowly turning a different shade of red that was darker than normal. Hermione actually grabbed Ron’s arm and tried to divert Ron’s attention to her. Percy continued to glance at each of them and nodded. When Percy got to Harry, Harry got the feeling Percy was trying to avoid Harry’s eyes.
”Ginny someone has taught Percy Occlumency,” Harry stated.
“Yes and it has a familiar feel to it,” Ginny declared.
Dinner that night was a strained affair. Mrs. Weasley was in a very good mood as Charlie was able to take a few days off allowing all of her seven children plus the three new additions to be home for the Christmas holidays. If it weren’t for Charlie, Bill, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, there would not have been any conversations at the table. Harry was definitely convinced that Percy was avoiding direct eye contact with Harry by the end of the dinner.
Later that night the four were in Ginny’s room. All the other Weasley’s were back into their old rooms except for Ron and Hermione due to Dobby, Winky, and Nancy being in his old room. Percy’s unexpected appearance had forced Mrs. Weasley to ask the two couples to share a room. By a quick, silent discussion, all agreed to be on the best of behavior.
Harry was telling the three about his concerns over Percy’s lack of eye contact with him. Hermione was able to confirm the lack of eye contact as well. Ginny told the group that she completely avoided any contact with Percy all night. Ron would burn a deep red and couldn’t string three words together when he tried to talk about Percy. Harry stated that he was going to try to get past Percy’s barrier and find out what he was hiding.
Very early in the morning, Harry realized that Ginny was not in bed. Harry got out of bed, put his robe on, and walked down to the parlor where Ginny was sitting on the sofa. “Couldn’t sleep, could you?” Harry asked with a funny lopsided grin. “I guess over the past six years I have gotten used to it.”
Ginny looked at Harry and laughed, “Does he always snore that loud? Merlin, I’m glad you don’t. I mean you do, but not that loud! I don’t know how Hermione can stand it!”
“Oh! How do I snore? I have never heard myself,” Harry teased.
Ginny took on a little girl look, “Please don’t laugh.”
“I won’t,” Harry replied as he sat next to her and pulled her into his arms.
Ginny curled up extremely tight into Harry’s chest and lap, “Harry, your snore is light and gentle and reminds me of the melodies Mum used to hum to me long ago. It makes me feel safe and secure.”
“Thank you, Ginny.” Harry slowly laid back on the sofa stretching out and letting Ginny settle in next to him. Ginny was asleep in minutes, closely followed by Harry.
The last dinner before the four were to report back to Hogwarts was crowded. Mrs. Weasley had invited the Lupins which caused everyone to pack in tight around the table inside the Burrow. There was a foot of snow on the ground and it was still snowing. By a twist of luck, the sitting arrangements had Harry sitting directly across from Percy. The meal had proceeded to the dessert stage when a curious comment from the other end of the table finally gave Harry his opportunity. Harry, who had been trying all through the holidays to get into Percy’s mind, got it when that comment caused Percy to drop his barrier just long enough for Harry to get into his mind.
Ginny had just noticed Harry go all rigid, when suddenly Percy exploded away from the table and hit the far wall. Later no one would be able to explain how Harry seemed to just walk right through the table to stand in front of Percy slumped down by the wall. Also, several people noticed the lack of a wand in Harry’s hand.
No one moved as Harry started talking in a voice that projected to every nook and cranny of the Burrow. “All I ever wanted was a family…I finally get one and you were willing to let those Death Eaters destroy it…You were going to allow that Death Eater to take Ginny?” Harry asked unbelievingly to Percy. “What about Hermione?” Harry seemed to answer himself, “Snape!”
Harry didn’t even notice that it was taking three grown men, Bill, Charlie, and Professor Lupin, to restrain Ron from attacking Percy. Hermione was finally able to settle Ron down by grabbing Ron’s head in her hands and looking him in his eyes.
“What about your parents?” Harry demanded. Again, he seemed to answer himself, “The Imperious Curse…to spy on the Order for Tom! And what was to happen to Ron?” Harry’s voice was now just scary, “Captured or killed, it didn’t matter?” Now it was taking every male in the house to stop Fred and George from getting to Percy, but it only took Ginny’s hand on Harry arm to stop him. “What about me?”
For the first time, Percy said something aloud since being slammed against the wall. “He’s to be taken to the Dark Lord.” Now, it was Harry’s turn to put his hand on Ginny’s arm. Suddenly Percy’s left sleeve ripped from his robe to reveal, nothing.
“Why is there no Dark Mark on your arm?” Harry demanded.
“Without the Dark Mark, it was easier to be his spy. The Aurors are constantly checking for Death Eaters. Without the Dark Mark, I was able to stay close to Minister Fudge, but Scrimgeour never trusted me. He pushed me away to some useless job.”
“What about now?” Harry demanded again.
“I was finally given my chance to earn my Death Mark. The attack on the Burrow was how I was to prove myself to the Dark Lord. But you ruined it. This was my last chance to prove my loyalty to him. Once again I failed him because of you. You ruined everything!” Percy shouted as he tried to lunge at Harry. Harry waved his hand and Percy was tied up.
Finally, Charlie stepped forward. “No, Charlie. I haven’t finished probing his mind. I need his mind intact to find out how much he has told Tom,” Harry commanded.
It was Percy who surprised everyone. “The Dark Lord knows everything Potter. He even knows about your poor Dumbledore’s Army.”
“How? There is nobody left at Hogwarts to spy for Tom. Snape, Draco, and most of the older Slytherins are gone,” Harry declared.
“That’s right. Nobody left at Hogwarts!” Percy said beginning to laugh in an evil tone.
“What is he…” Harry began but was interrupted by Hermione.
“Harry! He didn’t say ‘nobody’. He said ‘no body’, not one word but two words,” Hermione instructed. “As in, Moaning Myrtle! Remember Harry, you caught Draco crying and talking to her in the bathroom. I bet she is the spy!”
Percy once again spoke through his evil laugh, “Yes, Draco has been meeting with her once a week near the lake all year.”
“How would you know this, Percy?”
“Draco! Draco likes to brag. He is the one who told me. Draco is trying to prove himself too, after failing to kill Dumbledore. I had to meet with Draco once a week for my orders and to pass on information.”
Harry stood in silence for a few minutes then turned back to Charlie. “Charlie, before you decide what to do with him, I think you should know that he and Penelope Clearwater were married last year. From what I can get from his mind, she doesn’t know anything about his activities. Also, she is expecting a child.” Harry noticed Molly had her hand planted over her mouth and eyes were wide open. “Will fifteen minutes be enough?” Charlie nodded.
Harry then turned to the rest of the room. “Hermione…Fleur…Remus…Tonks, we need to go up to Ginny’s room, NOW!” Turning back to Charlie, “Can I explain to them what is going on?” Charlie nodded. Harry gently herded the other four up to Ginny’s room and then put the Silencing Charm on the room.
When everyone was seated on the two beds, Harry began, “I was told this story by Ron in our fourth year. Ron was extremely upset, well…about being poor. I found him sitting up in bed that night after Hagrid’s class with the Leprechaun gold. He made a comment about how he couldn’t understand how a descendant of Gryffindor could be so poor.”
Harry turned to Hermione, “Hermione, all that time in the library haven’t you ever looked up the Weasley family?”
Hermione looked hurt. “Of course I did, but there was no mention of them being heirs of Gryffindor.”
Harry continued to explain, “Well, yes, because no one knows for sure. Three families, the Weasley’s, the Prewett’s, and to a lesser degree, the Potter’s, all can claim to be heirs.”
Hermione face got the ‘thinking’ look of hers. “But, Harry, there’s…”
“I know, Hermione,” Harry interrupted her. “A long time ago one of my grandmothers married a muggle. That is where the ‘Potter’ name came from. For some strange reason, the Potter’s family drifted away from the other two families. While the Weasley’s and Prewett’s families have remained close. The Weasley’s and Prewett’s continue to marry each other every three or four generations like Arthur and Molly. It seems I’m the first Potter to marry back into the Weasley line in many, many generations.”
Harry got a shy grin on his face and turned to Professor Lupin. “Professor you have met my grandparents and been to my parent’s home. Please tell Hermione the one thing common to all the Potter women.”
Professor Lupin smiled himself. “Every portrait or photograph I ever saw showed that every Mrs. Potter had red hair!”
Harry shyly continued. “After I joined you and the rest at Sirius’s house before our fifth year, Mrs. Weasley and I had a long talk. She confirmed Ron’s story and told me about the red hair. It seems it is an unwritten Potter family tradition for your spouse to have red hair. It was shortly after that talk when I first started noticing Ginny as something other than just Ron’s little sister,” Harry finished with a smile.
Hermione smiled back at Harry, “Harry, that still doesn’t explain what is going on downstairs?”
Harry lost his smile but continued, “Well, the legend has it that Gryffindor destroyed the records himself to stop the descendents from fighting each other over the rightful heir. It has become part of the legend for no single family to claim to be the rightful heir, just to claim to be a descendant of Gryffindor. But, there is a price for that privilege. No one can dishonor the Gryffindor honor. No Weasley or Prewett family member has ever supported the Dark Arts until now.”
Hermione stuttered, “So what are they going to do to Percy?”
Harry admitted, “I don’t know. The worst is that we will never see Percy again.”
Hermione gasped, “Surely Mr. and Mrs. Weasley will not stand for that?”
Harry confessed, “Mr. and Mrs. Weasley don’t have a say in this. This is the decision of Percy’s brothers and sister. You just can’t ask a person’s parents to make that kind of decision.”
A few minutes later a silver doe walked through the door, standing tall and with her head high, then turned and walked back through the door. Harry released the charm and motion for the group to go back downstairs.
Harry went to Ginny and held her hand. Charlie addressed the five, “Due to the vote being a tie, we finally decided to put a Memory Charm on Percy to prevent him from doing any magic. He will eventually break through this charm, you just can’t forget that much magic totally, but it will be enough time for you to do what is necessary, Harry.”
Harry looked at the faces of his family seeing the hurt, anger, and pride in all of them. Mrs. Weasley got up out of her chair and approached Harry. Harry could see that she only recently had stopped crying.
“Harry, if you are ready, we…my family…your family is ready to support you,” Mrs. Weasley said to Harry with a huge helping of confidence, just like she fixes her dinner table with plenty of food. Giving Harry a quick hug, she went back to her seat. Harry then looked at Ginny who smiled and kissed him.
After the kiss Harry turned to Mr. Weasley. “Dad, in a few minutes I need you to go to the Minister. Tell the Minister he has ten minutes to come see me now. Tell him he will not be Minister in ten minutes if he refuses. If he does refuse, go to the next person in line who would be Minister.”
Harry turned to Charlie. “Charlie, please go to Hogwarts and find Firenze. Tell him it is time to quit looking at the stars and to act. Tell him I need that favor now. Then, go to Minerva and just tell her the words, ‘Dumbledore’s Revenge’. Next, find Hagrid. He is up in the mountains with Grawp. Please tell him I need for him to go on that trip now. Lastly Charlie, if Hagrid was successful, you will have an army of Thestrals and Hippogriffs to lead and help the Aurors with the second entrance to the Chamber.”
“Professor Lupin, are you still willing to do this?” Harry asked.
“Yes, Harry.”
Tonks looked mad and then rounded on Remus, “Where are you going?”
“To the Werewolves and try to convince them to come to our side,” Remus replied.
“NO! You can’t go back after that incident with Greyback.”
“I have to go. Every one that I can get to our side is one less that we will be fighting later,” Remus tried to explain.
“Then, I’m going with you,” Tonks demanded.
“NO!”
“Yes. There are two very good reasons for us to go together. One is the normal life you have because of the Wolfsbane potion. The other is me, your wife, who is pregnant with your child!” Tonks announced to Remus.
“Are you really?” Remus was barely able to get out.
“Yes,” Tonks said in a quieter voice. For one of the few times, Harry saw Remus kiss Tonks in public. Harry smiled as he watched Tonks float in the air or was it Remus floating; either way it was some kiss by their reaction.
When it finally ended, Harry started, “Professor Lupin, you don’t have…”
Tonks cut Harry off. “Quiet, Harry. We are going,” as she started leading Remus to the door. The Burrow was a sea of madness as everyone tried to hug and kiss Tonks and congratulate Remus and saying ‘good-bye.”
After the Lupins departed, Harry turned to Bill, “I need you to be in charge of security now that Tonks went with Remus. Also, once the battle starts, we will not be able to help you. Luna and Neville will be there to help with the D.A.”
“As for you two,” Harry said as he turned to the twins. “I need you to revert back to your evil ways and use your superior talents to sneak everyone into Hogwarts through the tunnels. We are sure Hogsmeade is being watched, so it isn’t going to be easy,” Harry explained to the Fred and George.
“Did you hear that…” started George.
“Superior talents,” continued Fred.
“But, revert back…”
“Who ever said we left!”
“And they are not ‘evil’.”
“Mischievous, maybe…”
“Devilish even.”
Harry yelled, “Okay, just be your normal, charming selves.”
Finally, Harry turned to the one person he didn’t want to get involved in this, Mrs. Weasley. “Mum, you and Fleur please, you will need to go to Hogwarts and help Madam Pomfrey with the injured. There will be some older students to help you and provide security for the Hospital Wing. Also St. Mungo’s will be sending some Healers once they are notified.”
Both Bill and Fleur looked at Harry, one with terror and the other with fury. “Oh, I’m sorry Fleur. I just assumed you would be willing to help us tomorrow.”
Fleur answered, “Is zis fight aginst ze ones sat ‘urt my Bill.”
Harry simply answered, “Yes.”
Fleur replied, “Zen I go.”
Harry turned back to the room in general. “I guess that is everything, but what to do with Moaning Myrtle.” No one could come up with a suggestion until Ginny proposed getting Peeves to pester her like he did to Umbridge. Harry assigned this task to Fred and George.
Harry turned to Ron. “Okay, Ron, everyone is scheduled to return to Hogwarts tomorrow afternoon. Our first meeting was supposed to be at seven. Do we start the battle at seven or wait until the morning?”
Ron remained silent for a few minutes. “I’m sure P-Percy was to report to Tom no later than tomorrow night. In the morning would be better since everyone would be rested. However, to keep surprise on our side, I think we should start the battle tomorrow night.”
Harry nodded and then turned to Mr. Weasley and Charlie. “I’m sorry, but I need to send you off now. Charlie, I don’t think you will back in time before we have to leave. I just want to say ‘Good Luck’ and thanks for being my brother.” Harry held his hand out, but Charlie just looked at it. Charlie surprised Harry by giving him a hug and then he gave a hug to each member of his family. Mrs. Weasley didn’t start crying until Charlie had left the Burrow. Arthur left soon after Charlie.
As Harry and the rest waited for Arthur to return, Harry asked the twins to be ready to restrain the Minister if he is unwilling to cooperate. Harry then called Dobby. When Dobby appeared Harry asked, “Dobby, will you be willing to attach Minister Scrimgeour to yourself so that he can not go anywhere for the next two days.”
Dobby nervously replied, “Yes, Harry Potter, sir. Dobby will do what you command.”
Harry shockingly spoke, “Dobby, I’m not commanding you to do this. I’m asking you.”
“Dobby must do what his Master commands.”
“I’m not your Master! I’m your friend.”
“Yes, you are Dobby’s friend Harry Potter, sir. Harry Potter will always be Dobby’s Master. Master Harry freed Dobby, helped Dobby with Winky, and most importantly bought Nancy for Dobby!”
“I didn’t buy Nancy, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley did!”
“Harry Potter, sir, the Galleons came from Mr. and Mrs. Potter, so Harry Potter did buy Nancy. Dobby is a simple House Elf, but Dobby knows the difference between one Galleon and 50 Thousand Galleons! Dobby cannot ever repay that!”
Harry kneeled down in front of Dobby, “Dobby, Nancy was a gift, just like the socks you gave me for Christmas. Nancy was a gift from me, Ginny, Ron, Hermione, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley to you and Winky. You do not owe us any Galleons for Nancy. Dobby, just being our friend is payment enough.”
Dobby looked at Harry for a long while and then turned slightly to look at Ginny, then Ron, Hermione and Mrs. Weasley. Turning back to Harry, Dobby said, “Dobby will do this for Harry.” Dobby reached out his hand and Harry shook hands with Dobby.
“Thank you, Dobby. Please wait for my signal before you attach the Minister to yourself.”
Harry was surprised to see it was only seventeen minutes since Mr. Weasley had left before returning with Minister Scrimgeour. Just as the Minister walked through the door he proclaimed, “Finally ready to do as I asked, I see.”
“No, Minister,” Harry declared, “You have two choices: be known as the Minister who was in charge when Voldemort was defeated or as the Minister who was replaced on the eve of battle. I need your choice now!”
“I will not be…” Minister Scrimgeour began but Harry cut him off.
“I don’t have the time or the temperament to argue with you right now. Do you want to be the Minister in ten minutes or an unemployed ex-Minister?” Harry demanded.
Minister Scrimgeour started to reply forcefully when he then saw George and Fred’s wands pointed at him. Thinking for a few seconds, and then speaking very softly, “I want to remain the Minister.”
Harry and the rest of the room all seemed to exhale at the same time. “Good! Tomorrow night we are going into battle with Tom and his Death Eaters. We need three things from you, tonight. First, release Stan Shunpike and the other innocent people. Then, allow Dobby to attach himself to you for the next two days. Finally, do everything Mr. Weasley tells you to do.”
“I will not…” then, he noticed four more wands were now pointed at him and stated, “I agree to these conditions.” Mr. Weasley handed him quill, ink, and some parchment which the Minister ordered the release of Stan and the others. Harry called Fawkes and asked him to take the note to Kingsley Shacklebolt.
“Alright, Dobby,” Harry warily said. Dobby snapped his fingers. Harry watched as the Minister slid across the room stopping a few feet from Dobby. Harry then addressed the whole room, “Everyone please try to get some sleep. We are going to need it.” Grinning, Harry turned to the Minister, “Minister, I’m sorry but Ginny and I are tired of sleeping on the sofa, so it is yours for tonight. Ron…”
Hermione broke in, “Harry, I already moved our things to Charlie’s room.”
“Please everyone. Final plans will be discussed and gone over at breakfast. Good night,” Harry finished as he led Ginny to their room.
A/N Chapter 15 Breakfast